Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/64



HE Chief of Bundi is the head of the Hada sept of the great clan of Chawan Rajputs, who came from Northern India to Sambhar about the beginning of the 8th century. After ruling at Sambhar and at Ajmer they gained the kingdom of Delhi. The last Hindu king of Delhi was Prithwi Raj Chawan who was killed in a battle with Muhammad Ghori in 1192 A.D., while the Chawans were still ruling at Sambhar.

Towards the end of the 10th century one Lakhan, a younger son of Wakpati Raj alias Manik Rai I, set out to found a kingdom for himself and proceeded to Nadol in the south-west. Here his descendants ruled for about 200 years when Manik Rai II migrated with some of his clan, and settled in the south-east corner of Newar near Bamboda. The sixth in descent from Manik Rai II was Rao Hada or Hara Raja from whom the sept takes its name.

About 1342 A.D. Rao Dewa, the second Chief after Hada Raja took the town now called Bundi from the Minas. He may be aptly considered to be the founder of the State of Bundi. The next Chief of note was Rao Surjan who came to the throne in 1554 A.D. He possessed the fortress of Ranthambhor which was much coveted by Akbar. Rao Surjan gave the fortress to the Mogul Emperor in 1569 A.D. in consideration of the government of fifty-two districts including Benares, the command of 2,000 horse, and an agreement, the conditions of which were not only favourable to Bundi but contained terms which secured the prestige and position of the Rajputs as a class.

The Bundi Chiefs were looked upon as reliable friends by the Emperors of Delhi. Several of the successors of Surjan obtained high ranks and received large grants of land, and were often entrusted with important missions by the Mogul Emperors.

In the beginning of the 17th century, Rao Raja Chhatra Sal, grandson of Rao Surjan, took part in the battles in the Deccan, and met his death in 1658 A.D. while leading the vanguard of the army of Dara against Aurangzeb. The new Emperor gave to Bhao Singh, the son of Chhatra Sal, the government of Aurangabad. In the struggle for the Mogul throne after the death of Aurangzeb, the Raja of Bundi played an important part, and by his courage contributed largely to the victory which left Shah Alum without a rival. For these services Budh Singh, the son and successor of Bhao Singh, was made Maharao Raja,—a title borne by his successors to this day.

Soon after a bitter feud ensued between Budh Singh, the Raja of Bundi, and the Raja of Jaipur; me former was driven out of his country and died in exile. His son Umed Singh succeeded in recovering his patrimony in 1748 A.D. with the assistance of Mulhar Rao Holkar, at the cost of the district of Pattan. In 1770 A.D. Umed Singh abdicated in favour of his son Ajit Singh, who, three years later, killed Rana Ari Singh of Udaipur while out on a shooting excursion with him. In consequence of this incident there exists even to this day a feud between the two houses.

Ajit Singh died soon after, and was succeeded by Bhishan Singh, who rendered most efficient assistance to Colonel Monson in his disastrous retreat before the army of