Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/114

 Sirohi.

THE present reigning family of Sirohi are Deora Rajputs, and are descended from one Deo Raj, who may be considered as the founder of the Sirohi house. His son, Agrasen, is said to have taken Chandravati, the ancient capital of the Parmars, in 1302 A.D. He had constructed the extensive fortifications on Mount Abu which

rendered it an impregnable stronghold.

In 1405 A.D. Rao Sobhaji built the town of Sirohi situated in a bay of the hills near the side of the present capital. .He was succeeded by his son, Rao Sainsmal, who in 1425 A.D. built a new city on the slope of the hills, which was also called Sirohi and is the present capital of the State. The chiefs of Marwar repeatedly attacked Sirohi ; but the natural defences of the country and the inherent heroism of its valiant defenders, baffled their attempts for a long time.

After a long struggle between the rulers of Marwar and Sirohi, Rao Sultan Singh made peace with Jodhapur princes by offering the hand of his daughter in marriage to Maharaja Abhai Singh. The undaunted bravery and chivalrous pride of the Sirohi princes were gradually fading away, and at the beginning of the present century, in the time of Rao Udai Bhan, Sirohi suffered much from wars with Marwar and the maraudings of the wild Minas. It was under these circumstances that in 1817 A.D., Rao Shiv Singh sought the protection of the British Government, which was readily granted, and Captain Tod concluded a treaty with Sirohi in 1823 A.D. The State was thus saved from its utter ruin. In 1843 A.D., by consent of the Rao of Sirohi Government established a sanatorium on Mount Abu.

In 1865 A.D. Rao Umed Singh was invested with full authority under the sanction of the Government of India, who carried on the administration till his death on the 16th September 1875 A.D. He was succeeded by his son, the present Maharao Kesari Singh, who was invested with full ruling powers on the 24th November 1875 A.D. He had the title of 'Maharao' conferred on him by the Queen-Empress in 1889 A.D. and was made a K. C. S. I. in 1895 A.D. and a G. C. 1. E. in 1901 A.D. for his good services to his State. He has done much to improve the condition of the State. In fact, a good government has been established out of comparative anarchy.

The most important place in the State from the European point of view is the station of Abu on the top of the mountain of the same name, which is a great outlying mass of the Arawali range of hills. The State possesses the old Jain temples of Delwara of extraordinary workmanship and architectural beauty.

The area of the Sirohi State is 1,914 square miles with a population of 1,19,836, and a revenue of about 3 lacs of Rupees.

The Present Chief, His Highness Maharao Sir Kesari Singh Bahadur, G. C. I. E., K. C. S. I., is entitled to a salute of 15 guns.