Rao Kandhal

Last updated

Rao Kandhal
Rawat Kandhal.jpg
Predecessor Rao Ranmal
SuccessorRawat Raj Singh
Born1417
Died1490
Religion Hinduism

Rawat Kandhal, the third son of Rao Ranmal, was the founder of the Kandhalot clan of the Rathore dynasty in Northern India, and the co-founder of the kingdoms of Bikaner and Marwar.

Contents

From birth he was known as Rao Kandhal but was bestowed the prestigious title of Rawat (not to be confused with the caste Rawat) by his real brother, Rao Jodha, the first ruler of Marwar for rescuing their brother Rao Mandaloji from Chittorgarh all alone. He was instrumental in wresting back Marwar from Maharana Kumbha along with his brother and was responsible for establishing and territorially expanding the separate kingdom of Bikaner for his nephew Rao Bika, one of the sons of Rao Jodha and a potential heir to the throne of Marwar. Later, he established his own principality of Rajasar (in present day Churu district). Throughout his life, the Rawat fought 52 battles. The first 9 were fought under his father Rao Ranmal, with the next 20 alongside his brother Jodha and the last 22 for Bikaner's establishment. He was killed in a battle near the present day village of Sahwa, Rajasthan in 1490 at the age of 73 while fighting the Delhi Sultanate forces led by Sarang Khan, the governor of Hisar. [1]

The Title of Rawat

After the retrieval of the Rathores (due to the assassination of Rao Ranmal) during the night from Chittorgarh where they were vassals, to Marwar where they became sovereign, one of Rao Ranmal's sons Rao Mandaloji did not wake from his sleep and was left there. When it was realised, no one dared to re-enter the mighty fortress of Chittor which was now hostile to the Rathores. But Rawat Kandhal agreed to rescue him. When he did, all were in awe and Rao Jodha, his elder brother was so impressed that he gave him the title of Rawat. [2]

Establishment and Territorial Expansion of Bikaner

In 1465 Rao Bika (one of the sons of Rao Jodha and a potential heir to the throne of Marwar) on the occasion in question had come late and taken seat beside his uncle Kandhal, with whom he carried a conversation in whisper. The Rao jestingly remarked that they must be scheming a plan of conquest of new territory, an idea constantly being suggested to him to provide for his large family. Rawat Kandhal took the observation as a challenge and pledged to win new lands. The land approved by Rao Jodha to conquer through conquest was Jangladesh which had been largely weakened by war as suggested by a Napo, a Sankhala Rajput. On 30 September, 1465 the 27 year old Rao Bika along with Rawat Kandhal who had sworn to establish his nephew just like he did Rao Jodha in Marwar. With a considerable following of 100 horsemen and 500 foot-soldiers left Jodhpur along with his uncles Kandhal, Rupo, Mandan, Mandalo and Nathu, his brothers Bida, Jogayat and others. [3]

They travelled to a place known as Deshnok seeking blessings from the sage Karni Mata. Bika and Kandhal sought guidance. They trained their armies without attracting attention for 3 years at Chundasar. Rao Bika then came again and impressed by his will, Karni Mata guided him and he followed. While Rao Bika was strengthening his Kingdom, Rawat Kandhal was extending the territory of Bikaner towards the North venturing into the Lodhi territory of Hisar. Along with some of his sons, numerous villages fell before him. In 1490 at Sahwa he was slain in a battle against the imperial army of the Lodhis led by the Governor of Hisar, Sarang Khan. [4]

In 1488, Bikaner was inaugurated by Karni Mata. Although Rawat Kandhal was not alive to see that, his deeds lived on in the hearts of men and were written in ballads. [5] As described by Colonel Powett, a British Officer, in his Gazetteer of the Bikaner state (1864)- "To the North and West the Bhatis ruled, and to the East, North East and South East were the settlements of independent Jats; beyond the Jats around Bhatner were Bhatis, Chayals and Johyas, chiefly, if not entirely Muhammadans. Hisar was occupied by the Delhi emperor's subedar. The Kaim Khanis held what is now Shekhawati. The Bidawat country was in the posetion of Mohil Rajputs, and the tract which is in the East where Reni is situated was occupied by Chayal and Khinchi Rajputs. It was due to Rawat Kandhal, along with his nephews Rao Bika and Rao Bida that all the above mentioned territories were conquered and incorporated in the Kingdom of Bikaner." [6]

Death and legacy

Rawat Kandhal crossing blades with Sarang Khan at Sahawa Battle of Sahawa, Rawat Kandhal and Sarang Khan.jpg
Rawat Kandhal crossing blades with Sarang Khan at Sahawa

During a Battle near the present day town of Sahwa, while leading the forces of Bikaner Rawat Kandhal faced a strong resistance by the imperial forces of Bahlol Lodi led by Sarang Khan, the governor of Hisar. During the battle his saddle somehow broke and taking advantage of that Sarang Khan encircled him. He valiantly died fighting and even crossed blades with Sarang Khan himself. It is said that 21 corpses of the enemy laid dead around him. The battle resulted in the death of the 73-year-old Rathore chief. His wife, Deevariji committed Sati at Sahawa. Various bards were written about him describing the events of his last Battle and his contributions to the kingdoms of Marwar and Bikaner. [7]

Rao Bagha (one of his sons) at the time was along with his son Rao Banir. He convinced Rao Bika of Bikaner (Kandhalji's nephew) and Rao Jodha of Marwar (Kandhalji's older brother) to combine their forces to seek revenge. Between 1490-1491 Rao Bagha led his forces against Sarang Khan and exacted revenge for his father's death by defeating him at Sahawa. Rao Bagha was killed in this battle.

After his death, instead of his grandson Rao Banir who was then a minor, the titles of Rawat Kandhal went to Rao Raj Singh (of Rajasar who later on founded his own principality of Jaitpur) owing to political intrigue. Rao Banir went to Sahawa, and later shifted his seat to Shivgarh Ghanghu where he finally settled. Many thikanas emerged from his descendants later on, including CHURU, THAILASAR. Many junior thikanas also emerged including Ghantel, Khandawa, Kallasar, Lohsana, Karanpura, Jaitpur, Depalsar, Dudwa, Lakhau, Jhariya, Jhanjhani, among others.

The Kandhalot clan- the descendants of Rawat Kandhal which formed an integral part of the Bikaner state are today divided into 3 subdivisions- Rawatot (descendants of Rawat Raj Singhji), Banirot (descendants of Rao Banirji- son of Rao Bagha) and Saidasot (descendants of Rao Ardakmalji). The headseat of the Kandhalot clan was the Thikana of Rawatsar (made by the descendants of Rawat Raj Singhji). [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rao Bika</span> Founder and Rao of Bikaner (1438–1504)

Rao Bika Rathore, was a scion of the Rathore clan of Rajputs and the founder of the city of Bikaner and Bikaner State in present-day state of Rajasthan in India. He was the fifth son of Rao Jodha, founder of the city of Jodhpur. During his reign he controlled an area of 40,000 square miles, which included 3,000 villages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mehrangarh</span> Medieval fort in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Mehrangarh is a historic fort located in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. It stands on a hilltop, rising about 122 m (400 ft) above the surrounding plains, and the complex spans 1,200 acres. It was initially built around 1459 by the Rajput ruler of Rathore clan Rao Jodha, though most of the existing structure is from the 17th century built by his successors. The fort has seven gates, which includes main entrance Jai Pol, built by Maharaja Man Singh to commemorate his victories over the Jaipur and Bikaner armies in 1806. The Fattehpol, commemorates victory of Maharaja Ajit Singh over the Mughals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rathore dynasty</span> North Indian dynasty

The Rathore dynasty or Rathor dynasty was an Indian dynasty belonging to the Rathore clan of Rajputs that has historically ruled over parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mandore</span> Town in Rajasthan, India

Mandore is a suburb and historical town located 9 km north of Jodhpur city in the Jodhpur district of the north-western Indian state of Rajasthan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Durgadas Rathore</span> Rajput General of the Kingdom of Marwar (1638–1718)

Durgadas Rathore was the Rathore Rajput General of the Kingdom of Marwar. He is credited with having preserved the rule of the Rathore dynasty over Marwar, India, following the death of Maharaja Jaswant Singh in the 17th century. In doing so he had to defy Aurangzeb, a Mughal emperor. He commanded the Rathore forces during the Rajput War (1679–1707) and played a major role in the Rajput Rebellion (1708–1710) and supported the Maratha ruler Sambhaji in the Siege of Janjira aganist the Siddis of Janjira. He was elected as the leader of the revolt along with Raja Jai Singh II of Jaipur. He won a number of victories against the Mughals and forced many Mughal officers to pay tribute to him in the form of chauth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jodha of Mandore</span> Rao of Marwar and founder of Jodhpur (1416–1489)

Rao JodhaRathore was the 15th Rajput chief of Rathore clan who ruled the Kingdom of Marwar in the present-day state of Rajasthan. He was the eldest son of Rao Ranmal. He is known for his illustrious military career and for founding the city of Jodhpur in 1459, which subsequently became the new capital of Marwar after Mandore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kumbha of Mewar</span> Maharana of Mewar from 1433–1468

Kumbhkaran Singh (1417–1468), popularly known as Maharana Kumbha, was the ruler of the Kingdom of Mewar. He belonged to the Sisodia clan of Rajputs. It was during his reign that Mewar became one of the most powerful political powers in northern India. He is considered to be the most powerful ruler of his time in India.

Deshnoke is a town in the Bikaner district of Rajasthan, India. The town is famous for the Karni Mata Temple and was established by Goddess Karni-ji herself who led her followers to this region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karni Mata</span> Hindu goddess of power and victory

Karni Mata, known by various names such as Bhagwati, Mehaai, Jagdamba, and Kiniyani is a Hindu Goddess of power and victory described as a warrior sage, who lived between 14th and 16th centuries in Western Rajasthan. Karni Mata is the tutelary deity of the Rajputs and Charans of northwestern India. As a Sagati, she is also worshipped as an incarnation of Hinglaj or Durga. She is the official deity of the royal families of Bikaner and Jodhpur. Karniji played an important role in shaping the history of the region. She is intimately associated with the establishment of the Rajput hegemony in the region. With her blessings, Rao Jodha and Rao Bika founded the kingdoms of Jodhpur and Bikaner. At the request of the Maharajas of Bikaner and Jodhpur, she laid the foundations of Bikaner Fort and Mehrangarh Fort, the two most important forts in the region. She lived an ascetic life and was widely revered during her lifetime. Indian Army troops from the Marwar region also regard Karni Mata as their patron deity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Bikaner</span>

The region of Bikaner, stretching across north-western state of Rajasthan in India, was earlier known as Jangladesh. It included the present-day districts of Bikaner, Churu, Ganganagar, and Hanumangarh. It is bounded on the south by Marwar and Jaisalmer regions, on the east by Ajmer-Merwara region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rawatsar</span> City in Rajasthan, India

Rawatsar is a city, a municipality, and one of the seven tehsils in Hanumangarh district in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is divided into 35 wards for which elections are held every five years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingdom of Marwar</span> Kingdom in Rajasthan, India, 1243 to 1818

Kingdom of Marwar, also known as the Jodhpur State under the British, was a kingdom in the Marwar region from 1243 to 1818 and a princely state under British rule from 1818 to 1947. It was established in Pali by Rao Siha, possibly a migrant Gahadavala noble, in 1243. His successors continued to struggle against regional powers for domination and 9 out of 15 rulers till 1438 died in combat. In 1395, its capital was changed to Mandore by Rao Chunda of Mandore and to Jodhpur in 1459 by Rao Jodha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bikaner State</span> Princely state of India

Bikaner State was a princely state in the Rajputana from 1465 to 1947. The founder of the state, Rao Bika, was the eldest son of Rao Jodha, ruler of Jodhpur. Rao Bika chose to build his own kingdom instead of inheriting his father's. Bika defeated the Jat clans of Jangladesh along with his uncle Rao Kandhal and his adviser Vikramji Rajpurohit and founded his own kingdom. Its capital was the city of Bikaner in the northern area of present-day Rajasthan State in India. Karni Mata has been designated as the kuldevi of the royal family of Bikaner.

Rao Satal (1489–1492) was a late 15th-century Rathore Rajput ruler of the Kingdom of Marwar. He was the second son of Rao Jodha and elder brother of Rao Bika of Bikaner who while their father was alive laid the foundation of a separate territory for his descendants. Rao Satal is considered as one of the greatest martyrs of his race, as he's remembered for having sacrificed his own life to keep the honour of his subjects.

Rao Suja/Sooja was the early 16th century Rathore Rajput ruler of the Kingdom of Marwar. He was the younger son of Rao Jodha, brother of Rao Satal. After his brother's untimely death he amongst his other brothers succeeded to the throne. Upon his death ,there was a short struggle for the throne between his grandsons Biram Singh and Rao Ganga, which the latter won.

Rao Lunkaran was the third Rathore Rajput ruler of Bikaner, ruling from 1505 to 1526. He spent much of his two-decade long reign consolidating and expanding the territories of his relatively new Kingdom of Bikaner.

Rao Ranmal, also called Ran Mal or Ridmal, was the Rathore ruler of Marwar. A notable expansionist and skilled warrior, Ranmal is also noteworthy for having twice served as regent of the kingdom of Mewar under two different kings.

Hansa Bai was Rani of the Rajput kingdom of Mewar during the early 15th century. She was the wife of Maharana Lakha Singh and mother to his heir, Mokal.

Dadhivadia is a clan of Charanas of Rajasthan. It is also used as a surname.

References

  1. Rathore, Balbhadra. Thikana Rawatsar. pp. 3–7.
  2. Rathore, Balbhadra. Thikana Rawatsar. p. 4.
  3. Rathore, Ajai. Kandhal rathoro ka vrihat itihaas. pp. 92–93.
  4. Bhattacharya, Manoshi. Royal Rajputs. pp. 266–268.
  5. Bhattacharya, Manoshi. Raoyal Rajputs. p. 269.
  6. Powett. Gazeteer of the Bikaner state. pp. 1–2.
  7. Rathore, Balbhadra. Thikana Rawatsar. pp. 5–6.
  8. Rathore, Balbhadra. Thikana Rawatsar. p. 7.