Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/83

 Jodhapur (Marwar.)

I HIS is the largest and most important State in Rajputana whose ruler is the head 1 of the Rathod clan of Rajputs. During the closing years of the 12th century, Jayachand Rathod, the ruler of Kanauj, was expelled from his capital by Muhammad Ghorr in 1194 A.D. and Siahji, grandson of Jaychand, roamed about with his followers, but eventually succeeded in planting the standard of the Rathods in the sand-hills of the Luni in 1212 A.D. One of his successors, Rao Jodha, laid the foundation of the present city of Jodhapur in 1459 A.D.

Rao Maldeo, styled by Ferishta "the most powerful prince in Hindustan," ascended the throne in 1532 A.D.; and during his time Jodhapur was at the zenith of its power, extent, and position. He died in 1573 A.D. and was succeeded by Udai Singh, whose accession marks a fresh epoch in the history of Marwar; for, the Rathods were now forced, not only to acknowledge the supremacy of the Mogul Emperors, but to form matrimonial alliances with them. Udai Singh gave his sister, Jodhabai, in marriage to Akbar, and his daughter, Manbai, to Jehangir. Sur Singh and Gaj Singh, the two successors of Udai Singh, were warriors of great note. They acquired large territories for the Mogul Emperor in the Gujrath and the Deccan, and received several grants from him as rewards, besides which, the first was conferred the title of 'Sawai Raj', and the latter was styled ' Dalabhanjari and ' Dalasthambhan' by the Emperor.

Between 1638 A.D. and 1803 A.D. six rulers came on the gadi of Marwar. They were more or less directly associated with the Moguls. The history of this period is extraordinarily romantic and glorious for the Rathods, and their deeds may well compare with the deeds of chivalry and heroism of mediaeval Europe. During this period several independent principalities were established by the off-shoots of the Jodhapur house, among which may be mentioned the Rathod States of Bikaner and Kishangarh in Rajputana, and Idar and Ahmadnagar in Gujrath. The princes and nobles of Marwar were renowned for their valour and became the valued allies or dreaded foes of the Mogul Emperors.

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The Marhattas at this time commenced to harass the Rajput States who, for their own safety and political existence, formed a coallision. The Sindhia who attacked the Rajputs was defeated by them in 1787 A.D.; but nothing daunted, he soon returned with redoubled force and defeated them in the battles of Pattan and Merta. Man Singh, who was the ruler of Jodhapur at this period, refused to take any part in the affairs of the State and feigned insanity. His only son Chattar Singh, was nominated his successor. The minister of the young prince sent envoys to Delhi to seek an alliance with the British Government, and, in 1818 A.D., a treaty was conluded by which Jodhapur was taken under British protection. Chattar Singh died soon after the treaty, whereupon his father threw off the mask of insanity and resumed the administration. Internal dissensions, however, continued, and in 1839 A.D. mis- government and general disaffection of the people had reached such a pitch that the British Government considered it expedient to interfere.