Kachwaha Dynasty (Amer–Jaipur)

Kachwaha Dynasty (Amer–Jaipur) is a prominent royal family in the history of Rajasthan, ruling Amer and Jaipur for a long time. Famous rulers of this dynasty include Prithviraj Kachhwaha (1503–1527 AD), Raja Mansingh I (1589–1614 AD), Mirza Raja Jai ​​Singh I (1621–1667 AD) and Sawai Jai Singh II (1700–1743 AD). The Kachhwaha are also known for their administrative skills and contributions to architecture.

Kachwaha Dynasty (Amer–Jaipur) Origin

According to Traditional Accounts of Bhats:

• The Kachwahas migrated from Ayodhya to Rohtas (Bihar).
• From there, a branch moved westward under the leadership of ‘Nal’.

• The 33rd descendant of Nal is considered to be the founder of the Narwar branch (Madhya Pradesh).
• Founder – Sodhdev:
  • According to the Bhats, after being exiled by his father, he established the Dhundhar State in 966 AD.

Colonel James Tod’s Mentions:

• Nal established the city of Narwar (Madhya Pradesh).
• The Gwalior Sahastrabahu Temple Inscription (1093 AD) mentions Mahipal Kachwaha.

• Lakshman is described as the first ruler of this dynasty in the Gwalior region, and Vajradaman conquered Gwalior.
• Suryamal Misran’s View:
  • They are Kurmvanshi, meaning the descendants of a Raghuvanshi ruler named ‘Kurm’ – hence Kushwaha/Kachwaha.
• Dr. G.H. Ojha’s View:
  • The primary ancestor was Kachwaha.
• General Belief:
  • The Kachwahas consider themselves descendants of Kush, the son of Lord Rama (King of Ayodhya). Therefore, they came to be known as Kushwaha or Kachwaha.

Rise of the Kachwaha Dynasty

• The rise of the Kachwaha dynasty is considered to have occurred in the 12th century.
• Amer was originally under the control of the Meenas.
• The Kachwahas are believed to have originated from Narwar (Madhya Pradesh).
• Initially, they served as feudal lords (vassals) to the Chauhans.

Dulherai / Dholerai

• Grandfather: Tejkarana.
• Grandson: Ish Singh (of Narwar), who handed over his ancestral kingdom to his brother and came to Karauli to live as an ascetic.
• Marriage:
  • Dulherai married Sujan Kanwar, the daughter of the Chauhan ruler Ralansingh (Ralpasi) of Maura (Lalsot).
  • Ralansingh gave Dausa as part of the dowry.
• In 1137 AD, he established the Kachwaha dynasty near Dausa, laying the foundation of the Dhundhar State.
• Initial Capital: Dausa (Khoh).
• In 1137 AD, he defeated the Badgujars of Dausa to secure control over the Dhundhar region.
• Dulherai defeated the Meena ruler in Jamwa Ramgarh and made it his new capital.
• He built the Jamway Mata Temple in Jamwa Ramgarh; she is considered the Kuldevi (clan deity) of the Kachwaha dynasty.
• With the help of his in-laws (the Chauhans), he gained control over Machi (Ramgarh), Khoh (Dausa), Gaitor (Gaita Meena), and Jhotwara (Jhota Meena).
• Death: 1127 AD (Note: There is a chronological conflict in the Bhati traditions, but the facts remain accepted as stated).
• Sources of Bhats
  • In the literature of the Bhats, Sodhdev is considered the founder of the Kachwaha dynasty, having established the Dhundhar state in 966 AD.

Kokildev / Kankil

• In 1207 AD, he made Amer the third new capital of the Kachwahas.
• He defeated the Meena rulers of Amer.
• He conquered Med and Bairat from the Yadavas.
• He constructed the Ambikeshwar Mahadev Temple in Amer.
• Sub-branches:
  • The Naruka branch emerged from Naru Kachwaha of this lineage (Region: Phagi and Alwar).
  • The Shekhawat branch emerged from Shekha (Region: Shekhawati).

Rajdev

• In 1237 AD, he constructed the famous Kadmi Palaces in Amer.
• The coronation of the rulers of Amer took place under the canopy (Chhatri) of these palaces.
• Later, after the construction of the Govind Dev Ji Temple, the coronation ceremonies shifted there.

Panchan-dev

• He was a powerful and brave ruler of this dynasty.
• Successive Rulers
  • Malsi, 
  • Jildev, 
  • Ramdev, 
  • Kilhan, 
  • Kuntal, 
  • Udaykaran, 
  • Narsingh, 
  • Udaran, and 
  • Chandrasen.
• Initially, all these rulers remained subordinates to the Chauhans and later to the Guhils (Mewar) until the influence of the Chauhans diminished.

Prithviraj Kachwaha (1503–1527 AD) –

• He was a vassal of Rana Sanga.
• In March 1527, he fought against the Mughals on behalf of Rana Sanga in the Battle of Khanwa.
• He attained martyrdom while fighting in the Battle of Khanwa.
• Follower of Sant Krishnadas Payahari of the Ramanuja sect of Galta.
• Wife – Balabai (daughter of Rao Lunkaran of Bikaner).

Puranmal Kachwaha (1527–1533 AD) –

• Due to the influence of Prithviraj and Balabai, he was placed on the throne of Amer despite being a younger son.

Bhimdev Kachwaha (1533–1536 AD) –

• Eldest son of Prithviraj.
• Obtained the throne after defeating Puranmal.
• During his time, the state of civil war began in Amer.

Ratansingh Kachwaha (1536–1546 AD) –

• A ruler of self-indulgent nature.
• All administrative work was looked after by his confidant Tejasi Raimalot.
• Accepted the suzerainty of Sher Shah Suri.
• His uncle ‘Sanga’ established the town of Sanganer, in which Rao Jaitsi (Bikaner) cooperated.
• Ratansingh was killed by poisoning.
• After him, his brother Askaran became the ruler.

Askaran (1546–1547 AD) –

• Short-term rule; later he was removed and Bharmal himself became the ruler.

Bharmal (Amir-ul-Umra Bharmal) (1547–1574 AD) –

• Askaran went to seek refuge with Salim Shah, the son of Sher Shah.
• With the help of Sher Shah’s commander Haji Khan Pathan, Bharmal gave the kingdom of Narwar to Askaran.
• First Rajput ruler to accept Mughal suzerainty.
• With the help of Majnu Khan, he became a close friend of Akbar in December 1556.
• In January 1562, while returning from his visit to Moinuddin Chishti (Ajmer), Akbar stayed near Sambhar.
• Here, in 1562 AD, Bharmal married his daughter Harkubai / Shahibai / Manmati / Mariam-uz-Zamani to Akbar (through the mediation of Chagtai Khan).
• Jahangir (Salim) was born to Mariam-uz-Zamani.
• First Rajput ruler to establish matrimonial relations with the Mughals.
• On January 20, 1562, he sent his son Bhagwant Das and grandson Man Singh into the service of Akbar.
• Akbar gave Bharmal the title of “Amir-ul-Umra Raja” and a Mansab of 5000.
• In his absence, Akbar often entrusted the responsibility of the capital’s affairs to Bharmal.
• Note – Suja (son of Puranmal) considered himself the real claimant of Amer; he attacked Bharmal in 1558 AD with the help of Sharfuddin, the Mughal governor of Mewat, and later began living in hiding in the mountains.

Raja Bhagwant Das (1574–1589 AD) –

• Akbar gave him the title of “Amir-ul-Umra Raja” and a Mansab of 5000.
• He was present in the Ranthambore Agreement of 1569 AD.
• Led the third diplomatic mission sent to Maharana Pratap.
• He served the Mughals in both capacities—as a Kunwar (Prince) and as a Ruler.
• In the Battle of Sarnal (Gujarat):
  • He showed unprecedented bravery against the Afghans (Ibrahim Hussain Mirza); he received a Nagaada (kettledrum) and a Flag from Akbar.
• In 1582, he was appointed the Governor of Punjab (1582–1589) and remained the Joint Governor of Lahore.
• In 1585, he married his daughter Manbai to Salim (Jahangir).
• Death – 1589 AD, Lahore.

Raja Man Singh I (1589–1614 AD) –

• Birth – December 1550, Mauzamabad (Jaipur).
• Contemporary Mughal Emperors – Akbar and Jahangir.
• Three generations in Mughal service:
  • Grandfather – Bharmal (High-ranking Amir)
  • Father – Bhagwant Das
  • Self – Raja Man Singh.
• At the time of coronation, Akbar gave him a Mansab of 5000, which was increased to 7000 in 1605 (the highest Mansab during Akbar’s time).
• Akbar conferred the titles of “Farzand” (like a son) and “Mirza Raja / Raja”.
• One of the Nine Gems (Navaratnas) of Akbar.
• 1569 – Mediated in the Mughal campaign against Ranthambore to bring Surjan Hada under submission.
• 1572–73 – Accompanied Akbar in the Gujarat campaign; led the royal army against Ibrahim Mirza in the Battle of Sarnal (1573).
• While returning from Gujarat (April 1573), he defeated Askaran, the ruler of Dungarpur, in which his nephews Bagha and Durga attained martyrdom.
• 1573 – Met and led the second diplomatic mission sent to Rana Pratap.
• 1574 – Suppressed the rebellion of Daud Khan in Bihar.
• 1576 – Commander of the Mughal army in the Battle of Haldighati.
• 1581 – Suppressed the rebellion of Mirza Hakim in Kabul.
• 1585 – Defeated the Roshania chiefs after Mirza Hakim’s death; in memory of this, he adopted the Five-colored (Pachrangi) Flag in Amer.
• 1587 – Appointed the Governor of Bihar.
• 15 January 1589 – Formal coronation as the ruler of Amer in Patna; later, a second coronation took place in Amer where he received the title of ‘Raja’ and 5000 Mansab from Akbar.
• After Coronation:
  • Defeated Puranmal, the ruler of Gidhaur.
  • Defeated Sangram Singh of Kharagpur.
  • Vanquished Ganpat of Hajipur.
• Defeated Afghan rebels Katlu Khan and Nasir Khan in Orissa and made Orissa a part of the Mughal Empire.
• 1594 – Appointed Governor of Bengal; moved the capital from Tanda to Rajmahal (Akbarpur).
• Death – 1614, Elichpur (Maharashtra); Cenotaph (Chhatri) – Hadipur, Amer.

Cultural Contributions

• Principal builder of the Amer Palace.
• Construction of the Shila Devi (Shila Mata) Temple in Amer.
  • He brought the idol of Shila Mata from Jassore (Bengal) after defeating ruler ‘Kedar’.
  • Fairs are held during Chaitra and Ashvin Navratri (especially on the 6th day).

• Jagatshiromani Temple in Amer –
  • Built by his wife Shringar-de / Kanakawati in memory of their son Jagat Singh.
  • The same black idol of Krishna is installed here which was formerly worshipped by Mira in Chittor.
• Construction of the Govind Dev Ji Temple in Vrindavan.
• Construction of Amer Lake (current Amer complex).
• Construction of palaces in Rohtasgarh (Bihar).
• Established the towns of Manpur (Bihar) and Akbarpur / Rajmahal (Bengal).
• Built the Bhavani Shankar Temple in Baikunthpur (Patna).
• Brought the art of Meenakari (Enamelling) from Lahore to Amer (Jaipur).

Court Scholars:

• Pundarik – Works: Raagmala, Raagchandrodaya, Dooni Prakash, Nartan Nirnay.
• Muraridan – “Maan-Prakash”
• Kavi Jagannath – “Maan Singh Kirti-Muktavali”
• Kavi Narottam – “Maan-Charitra”
• Kavi Amritrayan – “Maan-Charitra”
• Dadu Dayal – Compositions (Vaniyan) and couplets in Sadhukari / Dhundhari.
• Note – The composition of texts like “Maan-Charitra” and “Maharajkosh” are also associated with the period of Man Singh.

Bhav Singh (1614–1621 AD) –

• Son of Raja Man Singh I.
• Died childless.

Mirza Raja Jai Singh I (1621–1667 AD) –

• Became the ruler at the age of 11.
• Father – Maha Singh (grandson of Man Singh I), Mother – Damayanti.
• Birth – 1611 AD; reign duration approx 46 years.
• Mughal Service – Served under three emperors: Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb.
• The person who secured the royal ‘Teeka’ (investiture) from Jahangir for Jai Singh was Rai Mukunddar, the lawyer of Amer.
• 1623 – At just 12 years of age, he defeated Malik Ambar and established control over Ahmednagar.
• 1625 – Defeated Dalel Khan Pathan.
• During Shah Jahan’s reign, he suppressed the Jat rebellion of Mahavan.
• 1629 – Suppressed the Uzbek rebellion on the North-West frontier.
• 1630 – Suppressed the rebellion of Khan-e-Jahan Lodi.
• 1636 – Participated in the Bijapur and Golconda (South) campaigns with Shah Jahan.
• 1637 – Shah Jahan conferred the title of “Mirza Raja” upon him and sent him on the Kandahar campaign with Shuja.
• 1647 – Participated in Shah Jahan’s Central Asia campaign.
• 1651 – Led the Harawal (vanguard) in the Kandahar campaign along with Sadullah Khan.
• Served as the Governor of both the South (Deccan) and Kabul.

War of Succession of Shah Jahan –

• Battle of Bahadurpur (1658) – Fought on behalf of Dara Shikoh alongside Suleiman Shikoh; defeated Shah Shuja.
• Returned to Amer after the defeats at Dharmat and Samugarh.
• June 25, 1658 – Met Aurangzeb in Mathura and pledged his cooperation.
• Battle of Deorai (Ajmer, 1659) – Fought on behalf of Aurangzeb against Dara.
• Captured Dara while he was fleeing from the battle and handed him over to Aurangzeb.
• His son, Ram Singh, captured Suleiman Shikoh and handed him over to Aurangzeb.
• Pleased with his service, Aurangzeb granted Jai Singh a Mansab of 7000 and an appointment in the South.
• Primary Task – To control the Maratha leader Shivaji.

Treaty of Purandar (June 11, 1665 AD) –

• Parties – Mirza Raja Jai Singh (Mughals) and Shivaji.

• Terms –
  • Shivaji accepted Mughal suzerainty.
  • Shivaji was exempted from personal appearance in the Mughal court.
  • Shivaji’s son, Sambhaji, was appointed to the Mughal army with a Mansab of 5000.
  • Shivaji surrendered 23 out of his 35 forts to the Mughals and kept 12 forts for himself.
  • Shivaji was given the right to collect ‘Chauth’ (tax) in Bijapur and Golconda.
  • Shivaji and the Mughals would maintain friendly relations.
• Note –
  • It was only at Jai Singh’s insistence that Shivaji reached the Agra court.
  • Later, Shivaji was imprisoned in the Jaipur Bhavan in Agra, from where he managed to escape.
• Jai Singh could not achieve complete success in the Bijapur campaign, leading Aurangzeb to suspect him.
• Death – Near Burhanpur (1667 AD) while returning from the Southern campaign.

Architecture and Literature –

• Carried out extensive expansion of the Amer palaces.
• Dispute regarding the construction of Jaigarh Fort
  • Dr. Jagdish Singh and Dr. Gopinath Sharma consider Jai Singh I as the original builder.
  • Other views – Original construction by Man Singh I, present form by Jai Singh II.
• Established the town of Jaisinghpura in Aurangabad (Maharashtra).
• Polyglot – Knowledge of Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu, Persian, Turkish, Arabic, etc.

Court Scholars –

• Bihari – Wrote “Bihari Satsai”; he received a gold coin as a reward for every excellent couplet.
• Kulapati Mishra – Authored about 52 texts; his works provide information on the Southern campaigns.
• Raikavi – “Jai Singh Charitra”.
• Gopal Tailang – “Jai Champu”.
• Narottamdas – “Sudama Charitra”.
• Historian Jadunath Sarkar – Compared Jai Singh’s death to Walsingham, a courtier of Queen Elizabeth of England, who sacrificed his life for a stern and ungrateful ruler.

Ram Singh I (1667–1688 AD) –

• Aurangzeb sent him to suppress the Assam rebellion.
• Major literary works during his time:
  • Kulapati Mishra – ‘Ras Rahasya’.
  • Dalpatiram – ‘Chagta Padshahi’.
  • Shankar Bhatt – ‘Vaidya Vinod Samhita’.
  • Ganesh Deval – ‘Muhurt Tattwa’.

Bishan Singh / Vishnu Singh (1688–1700 AD) –

• Grandson of Ram Singh I.
• Father – Kishan Singh (who died in South India).

Sawai Jai Singh II (Chanakya-Raja) (1700–1743 AD) –

• Introduction: A great astronomer, politician, and town-planning expert.
• Contemporary of 7 Mughal Emperors: Aurangzeb, Bahadur Shah I, Jahandar Shah, Farrukhsiyar, Rafi-ud-Darjat, Rafi-ud-Daulah, and Muhammad Shah ‘Rangila’.
• Pleased by his bravery and eloquence, Aurangzeb conferred the title of “Sawai” upon him.
• Dr. G.H. Ojha compares him to Rana Kumbha and Raja Bhoj.

Mughal Politics and Warfare:

• Battle of Jajau (1707): Succession struggle after Aurangzeb’s death; Jai Singh supported Azam, but Muazzam (Bahadur Shah I) emerged victorious.
• Bahadur Shah removed Jai Singh and made Vijay Singh the ruler of Amer.
• Faujdar Sayyid Hussain Khan renamed Amer to Islamabad / Mominabad.
• Debari Agreement (1708): An alliance between Sawai Jai Singh, Ajit Singh (Marwar), and Amar Singh II (Mewar); with their help, Jai Singh recaptured Amer.
• 1710 AD: Jai Singh officially became the ruler of Amer again.

Governorship and Maratha Policy:

• Served as the Governor of Malwa three times (under Farrukhsiyar, around 1730, and during Muhammad Shah’s reign).
• Suppressed Jat rebellions in the Bharatpur region:
  • Treaty with Churaman in 1715; later suppressed the revolts of his sons Mokal, Vir, and Ruma.
  • After Churaman, he crushed the rebellion with the help of Badan Singh; gifted him the Jagir of Deeg and the title of ‘Brijraj / Raja’.
• For this success, Muhammad Shah gave him the title “Raj Rajeshwar Shri Rajadhiraj Sawai”.
• 1729: Intervened in Bundi politics, leading to increased Maratha influence.
• Hurda Conference (July 17, 1634): Objective was to curb Maratha power.
• Dholpur Agreement (February 18, 1741):
  • Parties: Sawai Jai Singh (on behalf of Mughals) and Peshwa Baji Rao I.
  • The Peshwa was given the governorship of Malwa.
  • Marathas were to keep 500 soldiers permanently in the Mughal army.
  • Scindia and Holkar gave in writing that if the Peshwa proved unfaithful, they would abandon him.

Architecture, Town Planning, and Astronomy:

• Govind Dev Ji Temple (Amer/Jaipur): The idol was brought from Vrindavan and installed in 1714; it is the main seat of the Gaudiya sect and the coronation site of Jaipur rulers.
• Establishment of Jaipur City (November 18, 1727):
  • Architect: Vidyadhar Bhattacharya.
  • Foundation stone laid by Jagannath Samrat.
  • Planned on the 9-square (Varga) grid principle.
  • India’s first planned modern city and a UNESCO World Heritage City (2019).
• Nahargarh Fort (around 1734): Also known as Sudarshangarh / Crown of Jaipur; built for protection against Marathas.
• Jal Mahal: Located in Mansagar Lake; developed for the Ashwamedha Yagya.
• Performed Ashwamedha, Vajapeya, and Rajsuya Yagyas under priest Pundarik Ratnakar.
• Five Observatories (Jantar Mantar): Built in Jaipur (largest, World Heritage since 2010), Delhi, Ujjain, Mathura, and Varanasi.
• Jaigarh Fort: Current form by Sawai Jai Singh II; houses the ‘Vijaygarhi’ inner fort, ‘Diya Burj’, cannon foundry, and the massive ‘Jaivana’ cannon (on wheels since Ram Singh II’s time).
• Harmada Canal: For Jaipur’s drinking water supply.
• Built Sisodia Rani Palace, Brijnath Temple, and Anand Krishna Temple.

Astrology, Mathematics, and Literature:

• Personal Works:
  • “Zij Muhammadshahi” (1733) – On planetary motions.
  • “Jai Singh Karika” – On Astronomy.
• Guru Pandit Jagannath: Wrote ‘Siddhant Samrat’ and translated Euclid’s Geometry into Sanskrit.
• Kevalram: Translated Logarithm tables into Sanskrit as “Vibhag Sarani”.
• Pundarik Ratnakar: Wrote ‘Jai Singh Kalpadrum’.
• Krishna Bhatt: Wrote ‘Raghav-Gitam’; titled ‘Ramrasacharya’.
• Sent Muhammad Mehri and Muhammad Sharif abroad to bring back scholarly books.

Social Reform and Art:

• Efforts to control the practice of Sati.
• First Rajput ruler to grant recognition to Widow Remarriage.
• Efforts to reduce mutual discrimination among Brahmins (Chhanyat).
• Established ‘Suratkhana’ (The Painting Department).
• Death: 1743 AD.

Sawai Ishwari Singh (1743–1750 AD) –

• Son of Sawai Jai Singh II and Suraj Kanwar.
• Faced a war of succession against his brother Madho Singh.

Battle of Rajmahal – March 1, 1747

• Parties: Ishwari Singh vs. Madho Singh (who was supported by the Holkars).
• Supporters of Ishwari Singh:
  • Mughal Emperor Ahmad Shah.
  • Ranoji Scindia.
• Commander: Hargovind Natani.
• Result: Victory for Ishwari Singh.
• Victory Memorial: He built the 7-story Isar Lat / Sargasuli (Victory Tower) in Tripolia Bazaar, Jaipur.

Battle of Bagru – August 1, 1748

• Parties: Ishwari Singh vs. Madho Singh.
• Supporters of Madho Singh:
  • The Peshwa and the Holkars.
  • Bundi – Ummed Singh.
  • Mewar – Jagat Singh II.
  • Kota – Durjanshal.
• Supporters of Ishwari Singh: Bharatpur Prince Surajmal.
• Result: De facto victory for the Marathas and Madho Singh.
• Settlement: Ishwari Singh gave 5 Parganas (Tonk, Toda, Malpura, Niwai, Rajmahal) to Madho Singh.
• He recognized Ummed Singh as the ruler of Bundi.
• Paid war indemnity to the Marathas.

• End: He became distressed by the increasing financial demands of the Marathas.
• Malhar Rao Holkar arrived in Jaipur.
• December 13, 1750: He committed suicide by jumping from the Isar Lat.
• Special Mention: He had defeated the army of Ahmad Shah Abdali in the Battle of Manpur in 1748.

Madho Singh I (1751–1768 AD) –

• Parentage: Son of Sawai Jai Singh II and the Mewar princess Chandra Kanwar.
• After the death of Ishwari Singh, he became the ruler with the assistance of the Marathas.
• The Maratha commanders Malhar Rao Holkar and Jayappa Scindia engaged in looting and atrocities in Jaipur.
• January 10, 1751 – “Kalle-aam” (Massacre): The people of Jaipur closed the city gates and killed the Marathas who had entered to visit the temples.
• Madho Singh mediated an agreement between Emperor Ahmad Shah, Maharaja Surajmal (Bharatpur), and the Nawab of Awadh, Safdarjung.
• Reward: He received the Ranthambore Fort (which was previously under Kota).

Battle of Bhatwara (November 1761)

• Parties: Madho Singh I vs. Kota ruler Shatrushal.
• Cause: Dispute regarding the Ranthambore Fort.
• Commander of Kota side: Jhala Zalim Singh.
• Result: Victory for Shatrushal.
• 1763: Established the town of Sawai Madhopur.
• Construction of the Moti Dungri Palaces in Jaipur.
• Construction of the Sheetla Mata Temple in Chaksu.

Battle of Mawanda / Mauda-Mandoli (1767):

• Parties: Madho Singh and Pratap Singh of Alwar vs. the Jat ruler of Bharatpur, Jawahar Singh.
• Result: Victory for Jawahar Singh.

• Battle of Kaman (1768):
  • Parties: Madho Singh vs. Jawahar Singh (Bharatpur).
  • Result: Victory for Jawahar Singh.
• Court Scholars:
  • Dwarkanath Bhatt: Author of ‘Vani Vairagya’ and ‘Galva Geet’.
  • Brijlal: A famous Veena player.
• Special Mention: The massive Kurta (Tunic), Gown, and Pajama of Madho Singh I are preserved in the City Palace Museum, Jaipur.

Sawai Prithvi Singh (1768–1778 AD) –

• Comparatively stable reign; fewer major political upheavals.

Sawai Pratap Singh (1778–1803 AD) –

• Military-Political Events: British commander George Thomas attacked Jaipur.

Battle of Tunga – July 28, 1787:

• Parties: Sawai Pratap Singh vs. Maratha Mahadji Scindia.
• ‘Rathore-Kachwaha’ Alliance: Supported by Vijay Singh (Marwar).
• Allies: Ruler of Shivpur, Karauli, and Mughal Faujdar Mohammad Beg Hamdani (with Mahadji).
• Result: Inconclusive, but the Marathas were forced to retreat.
• Mahadji’s Statement: “If I remain alive, I will turn Jaipur into dust.”
• Thakur Surajmal Shekhawat of Bissau attained martyrdom in this battle.

Battle of Patan – June 20, 1790:

• Parties: Pratap Singh, Vijay Singh (Marwar), and Afghan leader Ismail Beg.
• Versus: Marathas and Mahadji Scindia.
• Leadership: De Boigne (French) and Lakwa Dada.
• Result: Maratha victory; they established control over Ajmer.
• Consequence: A large sum of money was taken from Ajmer as war indemnity.

Battle of Malpura – April 16, 1800:

• Parties: Pratap Singh and Bhim Singh Rathore (Marwar) vs. Marathas.
• Result: Maratha victory; Jaipur was forced into a treaty.

Architecture and Culture:

• Hawa Mahal – 1799 AD:
  • Builder: Sawai Pratap Singh.
  • Architect: Ustad Lal Chand.
  • Dedication: Lord Vishnu (The structure is shaped like Lord Krishna’s crown).
  • Design: A 5-story building standing on flat ground without a foundation.
  • The Five Floors: Sharad Mandir, Ratan Mandir, Vichitra Mandir, Prakash Mandir, and Hawa Mandir.
  • Structure: Contains 953 latticed windows (Jharokhas), from which the queens could watch the processions of Teej and Gangaur.
• Literature: Composed poetry under the pen name ‘Brijnidhi’; his collection of poems is called ‘Brijnidhi Granthawali’.
• Music: Organized a grand music conference in Jaipur.
  • President: Devarshi Brijpal Bhatt.
  • Outcome: Composition of ‘Radha-Govind Sangeet-Saar’.
• Mentors:
  • Music Guru: Chand Khan (Pratap Singh gave him the title ‘Buddha Prakash’) – Author of ‘Swar-Sagar’.
  • Poetry Guru: Ganpati Bharti.
• The Court: Hosted 22 scholars known as the ‘Gandharva Battisi / Pratap Baisi’.
• Prominent Scholars:
  • Radhakrishna: Author of ‘Raag-Ratnakar’.
  • Pundarik Vitthal: Author of ‘Nartan-Nirnay’, ‘Raag-Chandrasoor’, and ‘Brij-Kalanidhi’.
  • Bansidhar Bhatt (Maharashtra): Started the Tamasha folk theater tradition in Jaipur.
• Golden Age: The reign of Sawai Pratap Singh is considered the Golden Period of Jaipur Painting.

Sawai Jagat Singh II (1803–1818 AD) –

• Subsidiary Alliance with Wellesley: Signed in December 1803.
• April 15, 1816: Signed a Treaty of Subordinate Isolation (Subsidiary Alliance) with Lord Hastings; objective was protection from the Marathas and Pindaris.
• Involved in a dispute with Marwar ruler Man Singh Rathore over Krishna Kumari of Mewar; led to the Battle of Gingoli in 1807.
• Gained notoriety due to the excessive influence of the courtesan ‘Ras Kapur’; the royal treasury was nearly exhausted during this time.

Sawai Jai Singh III (1818–1835 AD) –

• Significant influence of the British Resident during his reign.
• Intense conflict between the Bhattiani Queen and the Resident; court politics were heavily affected.
• Sawai Ram Singh II (1835–1880 AD) –
• Minority Rule: Administration was under British guardianship.
• Major John Ludlow: Involved in Jaipur administration from January 1843.

Social Reforms:

• Ban on the practice of Samadhi (voluntary burial/cremation alive).
• Ban on Sati.
• Ban on Female Infanticide.
• Ban on Slavery and human trafficking.
• 1857 Revolution: Assisted the British; in return, he received the title ‘Sitar-e-Hind’ and the Kotputli Pargana.

Education and Institutions:

• 1857: Established ‘Madrasa-e-Hunari’; later became the ‘Rajasthan School of Arts and Crafts’ (renamed by Madho Singh II).
• 1844: Established Maharaja College, Maharani College, and a Sanskrit school.
• 1866: On the suggestion of Kantichand Mukherjee, established the first girls’ school in Jaipur (the first in Rajasthan).
• 1876: Constructed the Pothikhana (State Library).
• Constructed the ‘Ram Prakash Theater’, the first stage/cinema in North India.

Visitors and Architecture:

• 1868: Visit of the Prince of Wales (Edward VII); the city was painted pink/terracotta (Gerua) to welcome him, earning the title ‘Pink City’ (Stanley Reed – The Royal Town of India).
• 1870: Visit of G.G. Lord Mayo.
• December 1875: Visit of G.G. Lord Northbrook.
• February 1876: Visit of Prince Albert; in his memory, ‘Albert Hall Museum’ and ‘Ram Niwas Bagh’ were constructed.
  • Architect: Samuel Swinton Jacob.
  • Foundation: Laid by Ram Singh II; Completion: By Madho Singh II; Style: Indo-Saracenic (Hindu + Islamic + Christian).
• Ramgarh Dam: Built on the Banganga River for Jaipur’s water supply.
• Art and Culture:
  • Zenith of Blue Pottery.
  • Further development of the Jaipur school of painting.

Sawai Madho Singh II (1880–1922 AD) –

• Adopted son of Ram Singh II:
  • Original name – Kayam Singh (son of the Thakur of Isarda Thikana).
• Sobriquet: Known as “Babbar Sher” (The Lion).
• Foreign Visit and Silver Vessels:
  • 1902: Traveled to England to attend the coronation ceremony of Edward VII.
  • He carried two massive silver vessels filled with Ganges water (Gangajal) for his personal use.
  • These vessels are currently kept at the Mubarak Mahal within the City Palace / Chandra Mahal complex.
  • They are recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest sterling silver vessels.
• Postal Services and Stamps:
  • 1904: Jaipur became the first princely state in Rajasthan to introduce its own postage stamps and postcard services.
• Architecture and Philanthropy:
  • Mubarak Mahal: Built by Madho Singh (designed in a fusion of Hindu, Christian, and Islamic styles).
  • Constructed nine identical palaces at Nahargarh Fort for his nine concubines (Paswans).
• BHU Support: Donated approximately 5 lakh rupees to Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya for the establishment of the Banaras Hindu University.

Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II (1922–1949 AD) –

• Adopted son of Madho Singh II:
  • Original name – ‘Mor Mukut Singh’ (son of Thakur Sawai Singh of Isarda).
• Historical Significance:
  • The last ruling Kachwaha monarch.
  • Served as the first and last Rajpramukh of Rajasthan (1949–1956) after the integration of princely states.
• Education:
  • Mayo College, Ajmer.
  • Royal Military Academy (Woolwich, England).
• Prime Minister – Mirza Ismail:
  • Known as the ‘Architect of Modern Jaipur’; the famous M.I. Road in Jaipur is named after him.
• Major Contributions:
  • Established the City Palace Museum, Jaipur.
  • Merged Jaipur into the Union of India – March 30, 1949 (Greater Rajasthan).
  • Elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha in 1962.
  • Appointed as India’s Ambassador to Spain in 1965.
  • Major institutions like SMS Hospital, SMS Stadium, and SMS Medical College are named after him.
• Personal Life:
  • Married Princess Gayatri Devi of Cooch Behar.
  • Gayatri Devi: Became a member of the Lok Sabha in 1962 (the first woman from the Jaipur royal family to do so). She was once listed by Vogue as one of the most beautiful women in the world.
  • Gayatri Devi passed away on July 29, 2009.
• Architecture:
  • Constructed the ‘Takht-e-Shahi’ palaces in British style on Moti Dungri for his wife Gayatri Devi.
• Death:
  • He was a world-renowned Polo player.
  • Died in 1970 while playing Polo in London.