Ratlam State

Last updated

Ratlam State
रतलाम रियासत
Princely State of British India
1652–1948
Flag of the Princely State of Ratlam.svg
Flag
Ratlam State.CoA.jpg
Coat of arms
Map of Sailana and Ratlam States.jpg
A map showing the division of Ratlam (yellow) and Sailana (green).
Capital Ratlam
Area 
 1901
2,336 km2 (902 sq mi)
History 
 Established
1652
1948
Succeeded by
India Flag of India.svg
Today part of Madhya Pradesh, India
Painting of Padam Singh, the Raja of Ratlam (1773-1800) Phatasingh.jpg
Painting of Padam Singh, the Raja of Ratlam (1773–1800)
Sajjan Singh, the Maharaja of Ratlam, riding with Lt. Gen. Rimington and Sir Partab Singh. Linghem, France, 28 July 1915 Gen. Remington, Sir Partab Singh, and the Rajah of Rutlam riding (Photo 24-153).jpg
Sajjan Singh, the Maharaja of Ratlam, riding with Lt. Gen. Rimington and Sir Partab Singh. Linghem, France, 28 July 1915
Raja Bhairon Singh (b.1839-d.1864) Rajah of Rutlam, Rajpoot, Rutlam, Central India (NYPL b13409080-1125634).jpg
Raja Bhairon Singh (b.1839–d.1864)

Ratlam State [1] was a 13 gun salute (15 local) princely state in India, part of the Malwa Agency of Central India during the British Raj.

Contents

The state's capital was Ratlam town in modern Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh. Ratlam State was originally a prosperous kingdom, its parganas included Dharad (Ratlam), Raoti, Dhamnod, Badnawar, Dagparawa, Alot, Titrod, Kotri, Gadgucha, Agar, Nahargarh, Kanar, Bhilara and Ramgharia yielding a revenue of Rs.53,00,000 in the 17th century. Maharaja Ratan Singh Rathore of Ratlam supported Dara Shukoh during the Mughal succession war. However Dara Shukoh lost and Ratan Singh was killed in battle. The new emperor Aurangzeb annexed Ratlam and reduced the state to a great extent. The state further lost land to the Scindias of Gwalior. During British rule in 1901 the state had an area of 1795 km2 and an estimated revenue of Rs.8,00,000. [1]

History

Early history

Painting of Maharaja Ratan Singh, the ancestor of the Rajas of Ratlam, Sailana and Sitamau. Ratan Singh of Ratlam.jpg
Painting of Maharaja Ratan Singh, the ancestor of the Rajas of Ratlam, Sailana and Sitamau.

The rulers of Ratlam were originally princes and Jagirdars (nobles) of Marwar. Dalpat Singh, who was the 4th son of Raja Udai Singh of Marwar was given the jagirs of Balaheda, Pisangan and Kherwa. Dalpat Singhs son Maheshdas Rathore was given the jagir of Jalore by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his successful campaign against the Pashtun tribes of Afghanistan. Maheshdas Rathore's son Ratan Singh continued his father's legacy as a Mughal general in Afghanistan. He repelled Central Asian marauders and campaigned against the Persian Safavids with the Mughal prince Dara Shukoh. [2]

Shah Jahan made Ratan Singh the Maharaja of Dharad for his bravery shown against the Persians at Khorasan and the Uzbeks at Kandahar. Ratan Singh had also shown his bravery by controlling the emperors favourite elephant. The imperial elephant had trampled several civilians in Agra and none could stop its rampage, but Ratan Singh quickly climbed the elephant and controlled it by using his katar dagger. Shah Jahan was so impressed by the heroics shown by Ratan Singh, that he gave him the parganas of Dharad, Raoti, Dhamnod, Badnawar, Dagparawa, Alot, Titrod, Kotri, Gadgucha, Agar, Nahargarh, Kanar, Bhilara and Ramgharia. Maharaja Ratan Singh thus founded the kingdom of Dharad in 1652 (predecessor to the State of Ratlam). Ratan singh was given the titles of Maharajadhiraj, shree Huzur and Maharaja Bahadur by Shah Jahan. He was further decorated with the insignias of chaur (yak's tail), morchal (peacock plumes), suraj mukhi (fans with a representation of the sun and moon) and mahi-maratib (insignia of the fish). [3] Ratan Singh was killed in battle while fighting the Traitor son of Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb in Dharmatpur, his wife Maharani Sukhroopde Kanwar Shekhawat Ji Sahiba committed sati in 1658.

Division of Ratlam

After Ratan Singhs death, Aurangzeb degraded Ratlam to a zamindari but his descendants were allowed to rule the area. In 1695 Aurangzeb annexed Ratlam due to "imperial displeasure". Keshodas who was the second grandson of Ratan Singh had his men kill the Jaziya collectors due to which all land holdings of Ratlam were confiscated by the Mughals and transferred to Muhammad Azam Shah. Keshodas was punished and degraded in rank. The Rathore dynasty of Ratlam suffered during this time period and their fortune declined rapidly. However Keshodas joined Mughal service and was able to recover some of his holdings through which he became the raja of Sitamau State, Ratlam itself remained under Mughal control. Another son of Ratan Singh called Chattrasal was also active as a Mughal general and was able to lead a successful career, however during a siege his eldest son Hathe Singh was killed by the shot of European artillery. The Mughal emperor restored Ratlam to Chattrasal in 1705 for his sons sacrifice. Chattrasal soon died and divided his state into three parts which was held by his two sons and one grandson, each successor was given equal ranks and Privileges. This division caused a lot of infighting, Chattrasals second son Keshri Singh took Ratlam and displaced his nephew Berisal (son of first son Hathe Singh), in turn the third son Pratap Singh killed Keshri Singh and took over all three divisions. During this time Keshri Singhs elder son Man Singh was at Delhi while his younger son Jai Singh was at Ratlam. Jai Singh successfully escaped and started preparing an army, he rallied his relatives from Narwar and Lalgarh and soon prepared an army to attack Ratlam. Pratap Singh was defeated by Jai Singh at Sagod and was killed in the action that followed. Jai Singh soon entered Ratlam and captured it, his brother Man Singh was at Amber during this time and tried to get help from its ruler but it was not needed any longer. Jai Singh met his brother and they both returned to Ratlam. Man Singh succeeded as the next ruler of Ratlam while Jai Singh took over Pratap Singhs lands and became the first ruler of Sailana State. [4]

British Era

During Parbat Singhs reign Ratlam was harassed by Gwalior state, but on 5 January 1819 it became a British protectorate, following which an arrangement was made by which the Sindhia engaged never to send any troops into the country or to interfere with the internal administration in return for a yearly tribute. The tribute treaty did not last for long as Daulat Rao Scindia soon relinquished his rights of tribute on Ratlam and Sailana, the tribute was thus paid directly to the British instead. [5]

During British rule, the State had an area of 1795 km2, which was closely interlaced with the territory of the princely State of Sailana. In 1901, the state had a population of 83,773; the town of Ratlam had a population of 36,321. The state enjoyed an estimated revenue of rs.8,00,000. The town was a junction on the Rajputana-Malwa Railway, and was an important trade centre, especially of opium. [6]

The state's last ruler signed the instrument of accession to the Indian Union on 15 June 1948.

Rulers

The rulers were Ratanawat Rathore Rajputs and were closely related to the ruling families of Sailana, Sitamau, Kachhi Baroda and Multhan. [1] [7]

Maharajas

Date of ReignMaharajas of RatlamNote
1648–1658 Ratan Singh (d.1658)Courageous in youth, he gained emperor Shah Jahan's notice by slaying the Emperor's favourite elephant which had run amok in the Agra Palace Garden, fought for the Emperor against the Persians in Kabul and Kandahar, later in 1652, the Emperor substituted Jalore for the pargana of Ratlam and many other areas, and he became the first Raja of Ratlam, in 1658 a false rumour of the death of the Emperor resulted in a frenzied scramble for succession to the throne amongst his sons. Dara Shikoh who was officiating for his father, sent a combined army of Rajputs and Muslims under the command of Maharaja Jaswant Singh of Jodhpur, against his brother Aurangzeb. The Maharaja, as head of the Rathore clan, was persuaded to hand over command of the Imperial army to Maharaja Ratan Singh. Non-cooperation by the Muslim commanders resulted in the army sustaining heavy losses in the fierce battle at Dharmat, as well as the death of Ratan Singh (said to have sustained 80 sword wounds on his body), he married (amongst others), Maharani Sukhroopde Kanwar Shekhawat Ji Sahiba, daughter of Kunwar Purshottam Das of Jhajhar [Shekhawati], and had issue. He died in 1658 Battle of Dharmat near Ujjain.

Rajas

Date of ReignRajas of RatlamNote
1658–1682Ram Singh

He ruled for 24 years and was killed in battle.

1682–1701Keshodas

His soldiers killed a Mughal tax collector due to which he was banished from his kingdom by Aurangzeb. He was later compensated with Titrod (Sitamau State).

1705–1709Chhatrasal (d. 1712)

He was a younger son of Maharaja Ratan Singh. He held the Mughal rank of 1500 Zat and 1500 Sawar. A great Imperial commander who served in the wars against the sultanates of Bijapur and Golconda, at the sieges of Rajgarh, Jinji and Panhala. He was restored to the Ratlam throne by emperor Aurangzeb because of his bravery shown in the siege of Panhala, he received 30 sword wounds and his eldest son was also killed. Ratlam was reduced to three Paraganas (Ratlam, Raoti and Dhamnod) by the Mughal emperor and Chhatrasal further divided the kingdom by giving equal shares to all of his sons. Chhatrasal lost interest in earthly pleasures because of the shock he received from his sons death, he left Ratlam and lived his remaining years in Ujjain.

1709 – Feb 1716Keshri Singh

He was killed by his younger brother Pratap Singh of Raoti and his throne was usurped by him. Keshri Singhs elder son Man Singh was in Delhi and his younger son Jai Singh escaped and started preparing an army against Pratap Singh.

Feb 1716–1716Pratap Singh

He was killed by his nephew Jai Singh in the battle of Sagode. Jai Singh remained loyal to his brother and secured Ratlam until his return.

1716–1743Man Singh

He divided his state with his younger brother Jai Singh, who became the first raja of Sailana State.

1743–1773Prithvi Singh
1773–1800Padam Singh
1800–1825Parbat Singh

During his rule Ratlam was invaded by the Scindia's of Gwalior. He concluded treaties with both the Scindia's and the British to protect his kingdom. A tribute was promised to Gwalior and in return Scindia promised to not interfere in Ratlam affairs.

1825–29 Aug 1857Balwant Singh
1825–c.1832BorthwickRegent
29 August 1857 – 27 January 1864Bhairon Singh
27 January 1864 – 20 January 1893Ranjit Singh
27 January 1893 – 15 December 1898RegencyRegency until Sajjan Singh came of age.
20 January 1893 – 1 January 1921 Sajjan Singh

During his rule Ratlams gun salutes were increased to 13 guns and 15 local. His title was also increased from raja bahadur to maharaja bahadur for his services in the Anglo-Afghan war.

Maharajas

Date of ReignMaharajas of Ratlam
1 January 1893 – 3 February 1947 Sajjan Singh (s.a.)
3 February 1947 – 15 August 1947Lokendra Singh (b. 1927 – d. 1991)

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ratlam</span> City in Madhya Pradesh, India

Ratlam is a city in the northwestern part of the Malwa region in Madhya Pradesh state of India. The city of Ratlam lies 480 metres (1,570 ft)above sea level. It is the administrative headquarters of Ratlam district, which was created in 1947 after the independence of India. It is located 294 kilometres west of the state capital Bhopal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rathore dynasty</span> Rajput clan in India

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

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ajit Singh of Marwar</span> Maharaja of Marwar (1679–1724)

Ajit Singh Rathore was the ruler of Marwar region in the present-day Rajasthan and the son of Jaswant Singh Rathore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sailana</span> City in Madhya Pradesh, India

Sailana is a town in the Malwa region of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Sailana is 25 km (16 mi) from Ratlam city and 50 km (31 mi) away from Banswara district of the neighboring state of Rajasthan.

Sailana was once the capital of the Sailana State before it merged into India. A fort belonging to the former royal family still stands tall in Sailana. The Kedareshwar temple, situated 4 km (2.5 mi) from Sailana is a notable shrine.

<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) which became one of the main reason of decline of Mughal Empire. 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">Jaswant Singh of Marwar</span> Maharaja of Marwar (1626–1678)

Raja Jaswant Singh I was the Rathore Rajput ruler of the Kingdom of Marwar in the western part of Rajputana modern day Rajasthan .He was a distinguished man of letters and author of noted literary works like "Siddhant-Bodh", "Anand Vilas" and "Bhasha-Bhushan".

Badnawar (or Badnavar) is a Town, former pargana and a Nagar Parishad of the Dhar district in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. This is a tehsil place having 170 villages. Badnawar is around 95 km from Indore - the business capital of Madhya Pradesh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingdom of Amber</span> Princely state in northwest India (1028–1949)

The Kingdom of Amber, also known as Kingdom of Dhundhar, and Jaipur State, was located in the north-eastern historic Dhundhar region of Rajputana and was ruled by the Kachwaha Rajput clan. It was established by Dulha Rai, possibly the last ruler of the Kachchhapaghata dynasty of Gwalior who migrated to Dausa and started his kingdom there with the support of Chahamanas of Shakambhari in the 12th century. Mostly through 12th to 15th century, the kingdom faced stagnation, sources were scarce. Under its ruler, Raja Chandrasen Amer became a Sisodia vassal and fought in the Battle of Khanwa under Raja Prithviraj Kachhwaha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Udai Singh of Marwar</span> Raja of Marwar (1538–1595)

Udai Singh, often referred as the Fat was the Rathore ruler of Marwar, which was later known as Jodhpur. He was also the maternal grandfather of Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal Emperor, and an ancestor of all subsequent emperors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingdom of Mewar</span> Kingdom in India (550s–1949)

The Kingdom of Mewar, sometimes known as Udaipur State, was an independent kingdom in Rajputana region of India, ruled by the Sisodia dynasty. It was established around the 6th century by the minor rulers of the Nagada-Ahar region of Udaipur and later, in the 10th century, it transformed into an independent state under Rawal Bharttripatta II.

<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.

Raoti or Rawati is a town and tehsil of Ratlam district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It was once a part of the Sailana State It falls in the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh.

Swami Swarupadas (1801–1863) was a Dadupanthi saint-poet, religious teacher, and reformer in Rajasthan and Malwa. He taught the famous poet and historian, Suryamall Misran and was also the guru of the rulers of Ratlam, Sailana and Sitamau States and was referred to as Annadata. He authored 12 major texts about philosophy, devotion, ethics; out of which his best known work is Pandava Yashendu Chandrika.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rao Raja Chattar Sal</span> Rao Raja of Bundi from 1632–1658

Maharao Chatra Sal or Shatru Sal Ji was one of the most prominent Hada Chauhan rulers of the Kingdom of Bundi. He built the temple of Keshavrao at Kishorai-Patan and Chatra Mahal in the upper storey of Taragarh Fort,Bundi.

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

Sailana State was an 11 gun salute princely state in India, part of the Malwa Agency of Central India during the British Raj. The state enjoyed an estimated revenue of Rs.5,00,000.

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

Sitamau State was a princely state of the British Raj before 1947. Its capital was in Sitamau town, Mandsaur district, Madhya Pradesh. The total area of the state was 350 square miles. The average revenue of the state was Rs.130,000.

The Mughal–Rajput wars were a series of battles between the Rajput Confederacy and the Mughal Empire. The conflicts originated with the invasion of northwestern India by the Mughal ruler Babur, to which the head of the Rajput confederacy, Rana Sanga, offered staunch resistance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ratan Singh Rathore</span>

Raja Ratan Singh was the founder of the city of Ratlam and its eponymous Ratlam State, governor of 16 parganas in northern Malwa and a renowned warrior of his time. He gained fame under the patronage of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.

After the mid-16th century, many Rajput rulers formed close ties with the Mughal emperors and served them in various capacities. It was because of the Rajputs that Mughals were not able to conquer whole India. The vassals had their daughters and sisters married to the Mughal emperors and their princes. The successors of the Mughal emperor Akbar, the mothers of his son Jahangir and grandson Shah Jahan were Rajputs. The Sisodia Rajput family of Mewar made it an honor not to enter into matrimonial relations with the Mughals, and thus stood in contrast to all other Rajput clans. After this time, the marital relations between the Rajputs and the Mughals declined somewhat. Akbar's relations with the Rajputs began when he returned in 1561 from a visit by the Chisti Sufi Shaikh of Sikri, west of Agra. Then many Rajput princesses married Mughal emperor Akbar.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 21, p. 240.
  2. The Rathores of Marwar pg.108–109
  3. The Rathors of Marwar pg.108
  4. Sinh, Raghubir (1993). Malwa in Transition vol 1. Asian educational services. pp. 79–82, 123–125. ISBN   9788120607507. Man Singh, the elder son of Keshri Singh, was then at Delhi, while the younger son Jai Singh, was at Ratlam, who now fled from there, gathered together forces...and marched on to Ratlam...Partap Singh took refuge in the small fortress of Sagod, which was besieged...in the ambush that followed Partab Singh was wounded and later killed. Jai Singh entered Ratlam in triumph. Man Singh on his way back took help from Amber, but it was no longer needed. Jai Singh went to receive Man Singh, and the two brothers returned to Ratlam.
  5. History of the Marathas By R.S. Chaurasia p.226
  6. Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Ratlam"  . Encyclopædia Britannica . Vol. 22 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 918.
  7. Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 23, p. 51.

23°19′N75°04′E / 23.32°N 75.07°E / 23.32; 75.07