This article's lead sectionmay be too short to adequately summarize the key points. Please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of all important aspects of the article.(June 2025)
This article discusses the "Kanaujiya" Rathores of Marwar and lineages, thereof; Norman Ziegler had noted of 12 other similar branches ("shakhas") of Rathores — Sur, Shir, Kapaliya, Kherada, Abhepura, Jevamt, Vagula, Karaha, Parakra, Ahrao, Jalkheda, and Camdel.[8] Scholarship about those branches are scarce to non-existent.[8]
Origins
Rashtrakuta origin
A section of historians argue for a Rashtrakuta origin.[9][10] Branches of Rashtrakutas had migrated to Western Rajasthan as early as the late tenth century. Multiple inscriptions of Rathauras have been located in and around Marwar dating from the tenth to thirteenth century, indicating that the Rathores may have emerged from one of the Rashtrakuta branches.[9]
Bardic origins
Muhnot Nainsi, employed by the Rathores of Marwar, chronicled Nainsi ri Khyat, a bardic genealogical history of the Rajputs in western Rajasthan c.1660; one of the oldest extant historical records of the region, the Khyata collated information from existing oral literature, genealogies and administrative sources in a chronological fashion.[4][pageneeded][9][11][b][c] Nainsi had noted of the Rathores to have originated from Kannauj before migrating to Marwar.[4]
British indologist V. A. Smith theorized that the Rathores and Bundelas are an offshoot of the Gahadavala dynasty.[12] Roma Niyogi considers this claim to be of a later origin.[13]
Accuracy
These bardic claims of descent have been since deemed to be largely ahistorical by Ziegler.[9][d] Ziegler notes the theme of migrations to be common across Rajput genealogies; a construct, borrowed from literary canon of other regions.[9] Later genealogies of Rathores went as far as to derive origin from Gods of the Hindu pantheon — Indra, Narayana et al.[4][e]
History
Early history
The first Rathore chieftain was Rao Siha Setramot, grandson of the last Gahadavala king Jayachandra.[4][f] Setramot abdicated the throne of Kanauj to become an ascetic but got embroiled in a royal rivalry and eventually married the daughter of a Gujarati ruler, who birthed him three sons.[4][9]Rao Asthan, the eldest, was raised at Paltan after Siha's death (at Kanauj) and he went on to establish the first Rathore polity in Pali (and few adjoining villages), after winning over the local Brahmins by defeating an oppressive king named Kanha Mer.[4] Other contemporary sources claim the same descent and construct slightly variable narratives about migration from Kanauj: Setramot fled the Ghurid Sultanate to Marwar and established the first Rathore polity.[10][9][15] The Bithoor inscription provides the date of Siha's death in 1273 CE and calls him the son of Set Kunwar; however, it does not claim any Gaharwal origin.[g]
Under Asthan's regime, and that of his successor-rulers, the Rathore territories significantly expanded courtesy confrontations and diplomatic negotiations with other pastoral groups; the primary base shifted multiple times.[4][h] Marital alliances with any warrior-group operating out of Thar were especially favored and they were welcome to be inducted in the Rathore fold.[4][i] Multiple new Rathore branches seem to have split out in these spans.[14][j]
The precise accuracy of events which allegedly occurred across these spans is questionable and may not be relied upon except for a generic reconstruction.
Chunda, who was ninth in descent from Asthan, married a Pratihara princess and was gifted the territory of Mandore as a dowry by the Pratihara clan. In return Chunda promised to defend Mandore against the Tughlaq Empire.[16] Mandore thus became the new capital of the Rathore clan, c. 1400.[4][pageneeded] This prompted a significant sociopolitical shift: the hitherto nomadic lifestyle frequented with cattle raids etc. would gradually give way to landed aristocracy.[4][k] His son Ranmal was assassinated in 1438; Marwar was annexed by Sisodias whilst other parts were captured by Delhi Sultanate.[4][l]
In 1453, Rao Jodha regained Marwar, and expanded his territories by entering into multiple alliances with fellow Rajputs; the Jodha line was established with his consecration of a new capital at Jodhpur. Rao Jodha was successful in annexing several territories from the Delhi Sultanate, due to which the Rathores of Marwar became the most powerful kingdom in Rajputana during his reign. [17] Among his sons, Rao Bika found a new state in Bikaner in 1465; he and his successors would go on to expand territories therefrom, adopting similar tactics.[4] This Bikawat branch became the new bearer of Rathore legacy, even bringing Gahdavala-time emblems and heirlooms from Marwar.[4] Another of Jodha's sons Rao Varsingh found a new state at Merto in 1462, establishing the Mertiyo branch.[4][18]
Rao Maldeo's regime (1532-1562) harbored another significant shift from clannish rule to monarchy; Malde forced his distant relatives, who conquered new territories, to submit to him or else be deprived of gains.[4] Bikaner was raided, too.[4] Large palaces were constructed and fortifications were committed to, in what signaled the effective end of pastoral lifestyle.[4] By mid-sixteenth century, the Rathors had a firm hold over entire Rajasthan.[4]
All these while, multiple matrimonial and military alliances with local Islamic kingdoms; the Delhi Sultanate have been noted; Hindu-Muslim relations were largely fraternal.[8][m]
The situations deteriorated once Akbar was ordained as the Mughal Emperor, and rao Maldeo died. His son rao Chandrasen Rathore defended his kingdom for nearly two decades against relentless attacks from the Mughal Empire.[4] The Jodhawat Rathores lost much of their territory rapidly and were effectively subsumed.[4] The Bikawat Rathores entered into friendly relations with the Mughals, led their armies, and were extensively patronaged to the extent of being allowed to control the Jodhpur Fort.[4] In 1583, Uday Singh finally accepted Mughal suzerainty and in return, was granted part of a Pargana in Jodhpur; this would enable the Jodhawat Rathores to become all-weather allies of the Mughals though punctuated with discords.[4]
This span of cohabitation led to the introduction of strict endogamy into Rathore folds and hypergamy with Mughals.[4] It was also under the Mughals, that bardic genealogies were crafted to present themselves as worthy appointees of the Mughals and distinguish themselves from other "once-fraternal" communities, thereby staking a claim to power irrespective of temporal situations.[4][9][11] Also, by this time, the nomadic memories were better suppressed and the Rathores had themselves rebranded as the elite "protectors" of local cattle-rearers; in a couple of centuries, figures from early Rathore polity would be deified.[4]
Many scions of the Rathore clan were able to establish their own kingdoms during the Mughal reign. Barbara Ramusack notes how a 23-year-old Ratan Singh Rathore, who was from a younger branch of the Jodhpur ruling family, was able to rise in rank by fighting against a mad elephant in Delhi. Shah Jahan was so impressed by his valour that he enlisted Ratan Singh in his army. Ratan Singh was able to rise to a rank of 3,000, received the Mahi-Maratib and Jagirs in Malwa, where he founded his own kingdom in Ratlam. The dynasty started by Ratan Singh would further breakaway and form the kingdoms of Sailana and Sitamau.[19]
During Aurangzeb's reign major rebellions would break out resulting in a 30 year war between the Mughals and the Rathores. The rebellion would continue until Bahadur Shah I's reign. Durgadas Rathore played an instrumental role in protecting the Rathore dynasty of Jodhpur during this war.[20][21]
British period
The Rathore ruler of Jodhpur, Man Singh, initially refused to form treaties with the British. However in 1805-1806 he approached the British for military advice and paid the British to protect his state against the predatory actions of the Marathas and Pindaris. By 1816 the British changed this treaty and expelled all foreign influence in Jodhpur, they also started arbitrating in state matters. By 1818 the alliance was cemented and in 1832 the Rajputana agency was formed.[4] Man Singh was not always cordial with the British during this time, in 1829 Man Singh gave shelter to Mudhoji II Bhonsle and antagonized the British. Mudhoji was zealously protected by Man Singh and lived his remaining life in Jodhpur till his death in 1840.[22] Man Singh was finally caught with evidence, when his spy Dhumdas was arrested by the British. Man Singh was using ascetics as spies and messengers. The letters proved that Man Singh was part of an "anti-British cabal" which included Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab, Dost Muhammad, King of Afghanistan and the Russians. In September 1839 the British sent an army and captured Jodhpur. Man Singh chose to relinquish his throne and became an ascetic to avoid war. The exiled maharaja of Jodhpur died on 5 September 1843 due to poor health.[23] The 1857 rebellion sparked uprisings amongst several Rajput chieftains of the Rathore clan in Jodhpur State. Prominent amongst them was Kushal Singh of Auwa. After several failed attempts by the British, the rebellion was quelled by the British army under the command of Brigadier Holmes.[24]
During the 20th century the lower castes in India tried to uplift their social standing by adopting surnames of other castes. The Rajput clan name "Rathore" was adopted as a surname by the Teli community in 1931, who started calling themselves Vaishyas Rathore for caste upliftment.[25] During the same period of British Raj, the Banjaras began styling themselves as Chauhan and Rathor Rajputs.[26]
Princely states
Dominions under the Rathore dynasty. (before 1600; before 1700; after 1700)
The various cadet branches of the Rathore clan gradually spread to encompass all of Marwar and later founded states in Central India and Gujarat. The Marwar Royal family is considered the head house of Rathores. At the time of India's independence in 1947, the princely states ruled by various branches of the Rathore clan included:[27][1]
Rajasthan
Jodhpur State (Marwar) in present-day Rajasthan, founded in 1226 by Rao Siha.
19 Jun 1698 – 15 December 1700: Maharaja Swarup Singh (b. 1689 – d. 1700)
15 Dec 1700 – 16 December 1735: Maharaja Sujan Singh (b. 1690 – d. 1735)
16 Dec 1735 – 15 May 1746: Maharaja Zorawar Singh (b. 1713 – d. 1746)
15 May 1746 – 25 March 1787: Maharaja Gaj Singh (b. 1723 – d. 1787)
25 Mar 1787 – 25 April 1787: Maharaja Raj Singh (b. 1744 – d. 1787)
25 Apr 1787 – 9 October 1787: Maharaja Pratap Singh (b. 1781 – d. 1787)
25 Apr 1787 – 25 March 1828: Maharaja Surat Singh (Regent to 9 October 1787) (b. 1766 – d. 1828)
25 Mar 1828 – 7 August 1851: Maharajadhiraj Shri Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Ratan Singh (b. 1790 – d. 1851)
7 August 1851 – 16 May 1872: Maharajadhiraj Shri Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Sardar Singh (b. 1818 – d. 1872)
16 May 1872 – 19 August 1887: HH Shri Maharajadhiraj Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Sir Dungar Singh (b. 1854 – d. 1887)
19 Aug 1887 – 2 February 1943: HH Shri Maharajadhiraj Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Sir Ganga Singh Bahadur (b. 1880 – d. 1943) (from 24 July 1901, Sir Ganga Singh)
2 February 1943 – 15 August 1950: HH Shri Maharajadhiraj Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Sir Sadul Singh (b. 1902 – d. 1950) (since 1 January 1946, he was addressed as Sir Sadul Singh)
Jun 1658 – Oct 1706: Raja Man Singh (b. 1655 – d. 1706)
Oct 1706 – Apr 1748: Raja Raj Singh (b. 1674 – d. 1748)
1748 – 1781: Raja Bahadur Singh (d. 1781)
1748 – 21 August 1765: Raja Sawant Singh (b. 1699 – d. 1765) (in opposition to 1756; from 1756 raja of Roopnagar)
21 August 1765 – 16 May 1768: Raja Sardar Singh (b. 1730 – d. 1768) (Raja of Roopnagar; regent for Raja Sawant Singh 1756–65)
1781 – 22 Nov 1788: Raja Birad Singh (b. 1737 – d. 1788)
22 November 1788 – 5 March 1798: Raja Pratap Singh (b. 1763 – d. 1798)
5 March 1798 – 22 May 1839: Maharaja Kalyan Singh (b. 1794 – d. 1839)
22 May 1839 – 31 August 1841: Maharaja Mohkam Singh (b. 1817 – d. 1841)
31 August 1841 – 25 December 1879: HH Umda-e-Raja-e-Buland Makan Diwan Maharaja Shri Prithvi Singh Bahadur (b. 1838 – d. 1879)
25 December 1879 – 18 August 1900: HH Umda-e-Raja-e-Buland Makan Diwan Maharaja Shri Sir Sadul Singh Bahadur (b. 1857 – d. 1900) (from 1 January 1892, Sir Sardul Singh)
18 August 1900 – 25 September 1926: Lieutenant-Colonel HH Umda-e-Raja-e-Buland Makan Diwan Maharaja Shri Sir Madan Singh Bahadur (b. 1884 – d. 1926) (from 1 January 1909, Sir Madan Singh)
25 September 1926 – 3 February 1939: HH Umda-e-Raja-e-Buland Makan Diwan Maharaja Shri Yagya Narayan Singh Bahadur (b. 1896 – d. 1939)
3 February 1939 – 15 August 1947: HH Umda-e-Raja-e-Buland Makan Diwan Maharaja Shri Sumer Singh Bahadur (b. 1929 – d. 1971)
25 Nov 1883 – Nov 1884 Udit Narayan Singh (b. 1849 – d. 1931)
Nov 1884 – 9 December 1931 Udit Narayan Singh (s.a.)
9 December 1931 – 15 August 1947 Aditya Pratap Singh (b. 1887 – d. 1969)
Subclans
The Rathore dynasty has several notable subclans, which are branches or offshoots of the main lineage. These subclans were typically formed by prominent members of the dynasty, often as a result of territorial expansion or the establishment of new kingdoms. Some of the most recognised subclans are as follows:
Jodha, Vadhel, Jaitawat, Kumpawat, Champawat, Mertiya, Bikawat, Udawat & Karamsot, are some of the branches or subclans of Rathore Rajputs.[32][5]
↑ Nainsi's was the Chief Revenue Officer of Jaswant Singh I, during the time of compilation and his' is the oldest Khyat of the region.[9] Other written sources include the much formal "Marvar Ri Parganam Ri Vigat", compiled by Nainsi.[11] Both does not record any entry later than 1666, his last year in service.[11]
↑ It may not be assumed that prior to Nainsi, the literary worlds of Thar were barren.[8] A vast corpus of literature — vamsavalis, bat, and pidhavali — were maintained and transmitted across centuries, prim. in oral forms, by specialists from lowers castes.[8] Even the relatively newer forms of Khyat or Vigat were probably there for about a century before Nainsi.
↑ An inscription in Bithoor commemorates the death of one Siho in 1273 CE, noting him to be the son of Set Kanwar; there is no mention of any Gahadavala descent.[9]Rao Jaitsi ro Chhand, a Charan poetry composed about a century earlier in 1535 had started with Salkha as the first of Rathores.[4]
↑ "Rathodam Ri Vamsavali", edited out of three undated manuscripts (prob. 18th c.), mentions the earliest ancestor of Rathores to be one Raja Rastevswar, a Suryavanshi Rajput in the Treta Yuga.[14] He took birth from his father's spine ("ratho") and with the blessings of Rsi Gotam, established a sovereign state from Kannauj.[14] Even Rama, from the Dyapara Yuga, is noted to be a Rathore![14]
↑ For context of production (and circulation), see section on history.
↑ An inscription in Bithoor commemorates the death of one Siho in 1273 CE, noting him to be the son of Set Kanwar; there is no mention of any Gahadavala descent.[9]Rao Jaitsi ro Chhand, a Charan poetry composed about a century earlier in 1535 had started with Salkha as the first of Rathores.[4]
↑ After Asthan, came in order — Raipal, Kanhadde, Jalhansi, Chhada, Teedo, Salkha, Malo, Chunda, and Rinmal.[4] A fair share of internecine rivalry was present since Malo's ascension to the throne.[4]
↑ Ziegler doubts that these rulers (till Raso/Chunda) were extrapolated from popular memory and incorporated into Rathore genealogy; very little exists in the form of historical evidence.[9][14] David Henige also points out that Nainsi accommodates 10 kings within a span of 74 years, which is quite improbable unless plagued with telescoping.[4]
↑ All of these branches — Sindhal, Uhar, Petar, Mulu etc. — reigned over different areas of Marwar.[14]
↑ The earlier periods are referred to in Rajput histories as period of "Vikhau". Contemporary anxieties of caste-pollution and unstable hierarchy are projected back onto these spans.
↑ Ziegler notes that the chronicles become reasonably reliable since mid-fifteenth century and is supported by epigraphical evidence.[9] There is a strong probability that Nainsi copied off some parts from much older sources without attribution.[11] However, Nainsi did add anachronistic elements to his narratives.[11]
↑ At the same time, desecration of temples, and forced conversions have been noted. Some fled Marwar to avoid Muslim subjugation.
References
1 2 Dhananajaya Singh (1994). The House of Marwar. Lotus Collection, Roli Books. p.13. He was the head of the Rathore clan of Rajputs, a clan which besides Jodhpur had ruled over Bikaner, Kishengarh, Idar, Jhabhua, Sitamau, Sailana, Alirajpur and Ratlam, all States important enough to merit gun salutes in the British system of protocol. These nine Rathore States collectively brought to India territory not less than 60,000 square miles in area.
↑ For a map of their territory see: Schwartzberg, Joseph E. (1978). A Historical atlas of South Asia. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. p.147, map XIV.4 (g). ISBN0226742210. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
1 2 3 4 5 Ziegler, Norman (1973). Action power and service in Rajasthani culture: a social history of the Rajputs of middle period Rajasthan (Thesis). University of Chicago.
1 2 3 4 5 6 Saran, Richard D.; Ziegler, Norman P. (2001). "Rajpūt Social Organization: A Historical Perspective". The Mertiyo Rathors of Merto, Rajasthan: Select Translations Bearing on the History of a Rajput Family, 1462–1660. Vol.1. University of Michigan Press. doi:10.3998/mpub.19305. ISBN978-0-89148-085-3. JSTOR10.3998/mpub.19305.12.
↑ Saran, Richard Davis (1978). Conquest and Colonization: Rajputs and Vasis in Middle Period Marvar (Thesis). University of Michigan.
↑ Saran, Richard D.; Ziegler, Norman P. (2001). "Succession Lists of the Major Rajpūt Ruling Families of Middle Period Rājasthān". The Mertiyo Rathors of Merto, Rajasthan: Select Translations Bearing on the History of a Rajput Family, 1462–1660. Vol.1. University of Michigan Press. doi:10.3998/mpub.19305. ISBN978-0-89148-085-3. JSTOR10.3998/mpub.19305.13.
↑ Hooja, Rima. A History of Rajasthan. Rupa Publication. p.833.
↑ Dhananajaya Singh (1994). The House of Marwar. Lotus Collection, Roli Books. p.117-119. Ascetics from all over India who flocked to Maan Singh drawn by tales of his generosity. It is save to assume, and the worried British certainly did, that many of these fakirs were spies and messengers. Most interesting of this traffic in subterfuge are letters to and from Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the lion of Punjab. The Sikh had a healthy respect for the Rathore as his letters reveal....Part of a bigger larger anti-British cabal....King of Afghanistan and the Russians....Jodhpur's master-spy Dhumdas, however was arrested in 1838...Ranjit Singh died in 1839. In September of the same year....the company's force marched on and occupied Jodhpur....Maan Singh left Mehrangarh, donned the garb of a mendicant and renounced material life. Weak and ill, he died on 5 September 1843
↑ Rath, Saroj Kumar (2018). "Satyagraha and Social Justice in India". In Masaeli, Mahmoud; Prabhakar, Monica (eds.). India as a Model for Global Development. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. p.91. ISBN9781527518568. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
