- Gora(uncle) and Badal(nephew) were the vassals of the Raval Ratansingh, king of Chittor
- When Alauddin captured Ratan Singh, Gora and Badal, with their followers, entered the fortress of Delhi disguised as Padmavati and her companions
- Fought bravely for the rescue of Rawal Ratan Singh from Alauddin Khilji.
- They were killed while fighting during the escape
- Birth & Early Life: Born on June 4, 1646, in Jodhpur to Ratnoji Tak and Roopa; married Manohar Gopi Malawat.
- Heroic Act: During the death of Maharaja Jaswant Singh (1678), she saved his son, Ajit Singh, from Aurangzeb’s forces by disguising him as her own child.
- Legacy: Gaura Dhai’s bravery is commemorated in Jodhpur’s national song, Dhusan.
- Memorials: A six-pillared Chhatri was erected in her honor in Jodhpur in 1711 AD, and the Roopa Dhai Gaura Dhai Baori (stepwell) is named after her.
Maharana Kumbha was not only brave (Hindu surtan), and adept in warfare (rajguru,halguru,chapguru) but also a patron of scholars and artisans (Abhinav Bhattacharya).
Political achievements:
- He was called Hindu Surtran because he was supreme among all Rajputana rulers.
- He was called Chhapguru(expert in guerilla warfare), and Haalguru(lord of hill forts).
- The Treaty of Awal-Bawal(1453) shows his diplomatic skills.
- The sultan of Delhi and the sultan of Gujrat gave him the title of Hindu surtan.
- He got 32 forts constructed among the 84 forts of Mewar according to poet Shyamaldas.i.e., Sirohi Fort (safeguards of western frontier),Machan fort (security from Mer).
Cultural achievements:
- Rana Kumbha is called the ‘father of Rajasthan architecture.’
- The architecture of temples has great importance in the architecture of Kumbha period Eg. Kumbhaswamy and Shringarachauri temples (Chittor), Meera temple (Eklingji), Ranakpur temple.
- It is known from Ekalingamahatmya that he was very adept in Vedas, Smriti, Mimamsa, Upanishads, grammar, politics and literature.
- Sangeetraj, Sangeetmimansa and Soodprabandh were the music books written by him.
- His title Abhinav Bharatacharya (adept in the art of music) proves that he was a great musician himself.
(5M h, jo fact yaad rhe kr dena 3-4 b likh doge to chal jayega)
Foreign origin theories
- Descendents of Sakas, Kushanas, Hunas – Dr. VA Smith, Col. James Todd, William Crooks – Rajputs are descendents of the races like Sakas, Kushanas, Hunas etc
- Descendants of Yu-Chi (Kushan) Race – By Cunningham – on the basis of Brochgurjar copper plate
Indigenous Origin theories
- Agnikund Theory – Muhnot Nainsi & SuryamalMishran – Rajputs were the result of Yagya performed by Rishi Vashistha at “Guru Shikhar”.
- Kashtriya theory – C.V Vaidya – Rajputs are descendents of the mythological Khatriya Heroes like Rama.
- Mixed Origin – Dr. DP Chatterjee – Rajput is a mixed race, Some of them were descendents of the Aryans while others were from the foreign races such as Hunas, Sakas etc.
- Brahmanical origin – Dr. Bhandarkar, Gopinath Sharma – Bijolia Inscription (Chauhans are Vatsa gotra Brahman).
Rao Chandrasen Rathore (r. 1562–1581) fiercely resisted Mughal rule, earning the title ‘Pratap of Marwar’ for his unwavering defiance, similar to Maharana Pratap.
- Policy of Resistance
- Refused Mughal Suzerainty – Unlike his brothers, he rejected Akbar’s authority.
- Guerrilla Warfare – Relied on hit-and-run tactics, avoiding direct battles.
- Alliances – Sought support from local chiefs, Afghans, and Bhils.
- Struggle Against Akbar
- Throne Dispute (1562) – Akbar backed his brother Udai Singh, forcing him into rebellion.
- Continuous Warfare – Controlled Jodhpur briefly but later fought from smaller forts like Siwana and Jalore.
- Limited Support – Sought help from Maharana Pratap and Deccan rulers but lacked strong backing.
- Decline and Death
- Mughal Pressure – Lost allies and strongholds under sustained attacks.
- Death in Exile (1581) – His resistance ended, but his legacy endured.
- Comparison with Maharana Pratap
- Both defied Akbar till death, relied on guerrilla tactics, and faced Rajput disunity.
- Objective: Sawai Jai Singh tried to gather all the rulers of Rajasthan in Hurda, to plan a strategy to face the Marathas effectively and to stop their entry in Rajputana.
- Chairperson: presided by the new Maharana of Mewar, Jagat Singh I.
- Other Participants: Included Maharana Jagat Singh I of Mewar, Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur, Abhay Singh of Jodhpur, Bakht Singh of Nagaur, Jorawar Singh of Bikaner, and other Rajput rulers.
- Agreement: Signed on July 17, 1734, aimed at maintaining unity among Rajput states. Key points:
- Mutual respect and solidarity among states.
- No shelter to rebels from other states.
- Collective action against Maratha forces after the rainy season, gathering at Rampura.
- Outcome: Despite agreements, the conference failed due to selfish interests of individual rulers, preventing unified action.
- Hurda Conference stands as an unsuccessful attempt to coordinate Rajput defenses against Maratha expansion into Rajputana.
- When the Marathas came to know about it, they increased their interference.
During the decline of the Mughal Empire, internal conflicts among Rajputana states increased, leading to a rise in Maratha influence in Rajasthan during the late 17th century.
- Initial Contact:
Rajputs first encountered Marathas when Aurangzeb sent Jaswant Singh of Jodhpur and Jai Singh of Amer to suppress Shivaji in the Deccan. Though unsuccessful, Rajputs admired Shivaji’s independence and Hindu pride. - Early Cordial Relations:
Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur secretly supported Marathas during their Malwa campaigns to weaken Mughal authority and expand his own influence. - Maratha Expansion into Rajasthan:
After 1720, with Mughal decline, Peshwa Baji Rao-I expanded northward into Malwa and Gujarat. Despite initial resistance, Marathas gained control over Malwa. - Maratha Raids and Conflicts: Frequent raids in Kota, Bundi, Mewar, and Marwar.
- 1726: Baji Bhim raided Mewar and collected Chauth.
- 1728: Dungarpur and Banswara rulers paid tribute.
- Routes used: Mukandara Pass and Idar-Jalore.
- Battle of Mandsaur (1733):
- Malhar Rao Holkar and Ranoji Shinde besieged Jai Singh at Mandsaur. Jai Singh was forced to pay ₹6 lakhs and cede 38 parganas.
- Maratha Penetration in Rajasthan :
- Maratha Role in Bundi:
- Conflict between Sawai Jai Singh and Budh Singh.
- Malhar Rao Holkar reinstated Ummed Singh after Budh Singh’s death.
- Hurda Conference (1734):
- Rajput rulers of Jaipur, Mewar, Jodhpur, Kota, and Bundi formed a united front against Marathas and signed an agreement on 17 July 1734.
- Maratha Role in Jaipur Affairs:
- After Sawai Jai Singh’s death, Ishwari Singh and Madho Singh disputed succession.
- Battles of Rajmahal (1747) and Bagru (1748) – Ishwari Singh initially succeeded but later committed suicide under Maratha pressure. Madho Singh was installed with Maratha support.
- Maratha Intervention in Marwar:
- Conflict between Ram Singh and Vijay Singh.
- Initially, Marathas supported Ram Singh but later shifted support to Vijay Singh after Jayappa Sindhia’s murder.
- Maratha Interference in Jat Affairs:
- Conflict between Jawahar Singh and Nahar Singh.
- Jawahar Singh allied with Vijay Singh to resist Maratha influence.
- Maratha Role in Bundi:
- Implications of Maratha Intervention:
- Economic: Imposition of Chauth and Sardeshmukhi weakened the economy of Rajputana.
Political: - Erosion of sovereignty of Rajput rulers.
- Increased succession conflicts.
- Rise of British East India Company influence through subsidiary alliances.
- Economic: Imposition of Chauth and Sardeshmukhi weakened the economy of Rajputana.
Initially invited to settle internal feuds, the Marathas later dominated Rajasthan by imposing tributes and plundering, paving the way for British intervention.
