| Lachhman Singh | |
|---|---|
| Rao Raja of Sikar | |
| Reign | 1795 – 1833 |
| Predecessor | Devi Singh |
| Successor | Ram Pratap Singh |
| Died | 1833 |
| Issue |
|
| House | Sikar |
| Dynasty | Shekhawat |
| Father | Devi Singh (adoptive) |
| Mother | Kanlotji |
Lachhman Singh (sometimes Laxman Singh or Lakshman Singh) was the Rao Raja of Sikar from 1795 until his death in 1833.
He was born to the Thakur of Shahpura. [1] Since Devi Singh of Sikar had no male heir, he adopted him as his son and successor. [1]
After the death of Devi Singh in 1795, he became the Rao Raja of Sikar. [2] His mother, Kanlotji, served as regent, and Dhabhai Surajmal was appointed as a ministerial officer. [2] Jaipur authorities were not in favor of his succession and sent a force under the command of Nandram Haldia to remove him from the throne of Sikar. [1] His mother dispatched a delegation to Nandram imploring him not to act against the son of his deceased friend. [1] [2] In response, Nandram explained that he could not disobey the command of his ruler and suggested they gather a large force to oppose him as he approached the place. [1] It was done, and when Nandram approached Sikar, he found a force of 10,000 ready to oppose him. [1] Nandram then informed the Jaipur authorities that Sikar could not be taken without a great loss of time, men, and money. [1] Therefore, the best course of action would be to accept Sikar's submission. [1] Before he received any response from the Jaipur authorities, Nandram lifted the siege after taking 200,000 Rs. as nazrana for his ruler and a present of 100,000 Rs. for himself. [1]
When he came of age, he demolished all the castles of his inferior feudatories and did not even spare those of Bilara, Bathoti, Kasli, and his biological family of Shahpura. [1] As a result, his own biological father preferred to live in exile rather than under his rule. [1] He built the Laxmangarh Fort in 1805 and founded the town of Laxmangarh in 1807. [3] He had the fort and city built based on the model of Jaipur. [4] He participated in the battle of Fatehpur in 1799 and the relief of Shahpura. [5] Jagat Singh conferred on him the title of Rao Raja. [6] Over the years, he gained influence at the court at Jaipur and received a khillat from Jagat Singh. [1] He seized 28 villages and the town of Khandela from its Rajas. [7] [5] In 1819, he paid 900,000 rupees to Amir Khan on behalf of Jaipur and received the estate of Khandela as a grant from Jaipur. [1] [8] He held it as an istimrari lease from Jaipur. [1] When Jagat Singh died, his wife, Rani Bhatianiji, became the regent of Jaipur. [1] During her administration, court intrigues became widespread, and he was always found on her side. [1] In 1822, Rani Bhatianiji persuaded him to give up Khandela, which was restored to its rightful claimants in 1835. [8] As compensation for building a fort at Khandela, he was granted 12 villages. [8]
He had seven wives. [2] Besides them, he had eight paswans (mistresses). [2] He had three legitimate sons: Hamir Singh, Ram Pratap Singh, and Bhairon Singh. [2]
He died in 1833 and was succeeded by his son Ram Pratap Singh. [5]
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