The Hada Chauhans of Hadoti

The Hada Chauhans of Hadoti is an important topic in the history of Rajasthan, providing a detailed account of the Hada Chauhan rulers of Bundi and Kota. From Dewaji to Bahadur Singh, and from Maharao Madho Singh to Bhim Singh of Kota, this dynasty played a significant role in the political, military, and administrative development of the Hadoti region.

 The Hada Chauhans of Hadoti

 The Hada Chauhans of Bundi

Devaji (Devisingh Hada) 1241 AD –

• Defeated Jeta Meena, the chief of the Meenas, and captured Bundi. The victory was achieved with the help of the Maharana of Mewar. This marked the beginning of the Hada dynasty’s rule in Bundi.

Barsingh (1296–1323 AD) –

• Constructed Taragarh Fort in 1354 AD.
• Taragarh Fort is approximately 1426 feet high.
• Mahmud Khilji of Mandu launched attacks.

Bairisal –

• Attained martyrdom in a battle against Mahmud Khilji.
• Bundi came under the control of the Malwa Sultanate for some time.

Narayan Das –

• Re-established Hada rule over Bundi.

Rao Surjan (1554–1585 AD) –

• Appointed as the fort commander of Ranthambore.
• In 1569 AD, Akbar conquered Ranthambore. In return, Surjan received a jagir (land grant) in the Kashi region.

Rao Bhoj (1585–1607 AD) –

• Served in Akbar’s court.
• Showed bravery in the Ahmednagar campaign.
• Construction works in Bundi: Badal Mahal, Phool Mahal, Hathiya Sal, Phool Sagar pond.
• His concubine Phoollata built the Jhalo pond.

Rao Ratan (1607–1631 AD) –

• A favorite commander of Jahangir.
• Participated in campaigns in South India.
• Construction works: Ratan Daulat Khana (Diwan-i-Aam), Ratan Vilas, Kharbuja Mahal, city fortifications.

Shatrushal (1631–1658 AD) –

• Participated in 52 battles.
• Martyred in the Battle of Samugarh (1658).
• Major constructions: Chhatra Mahal, Chaugan Gate, Keshavrai Patan Temple.
• Court poet: Bhushan.

Bhav Singh (1658–1682 AD) –

• In the service of Aurangzeb. Participated in campaigns against Shivaji.
• Constructions in Bundi: Moti Mahal, Phool Sagar fountains.

Aniruddh Singh (1682–1695 AD) –

• He displayed exceptional bravery in the wars against the Marathas in the South and saved the camp of the royal Begum (Jahan Zeb Bano Begum) from a Maratha attack, in return for which the Begum herself presented him with her pearl necklace.
• During his time, the Aniruddh Singh Palace was built, and his widowed queen Nathavati built the famous “Raniji ki Baori” (1700 AD) in Bundi city.

Buddh Singh (1695–1729 AD) –

• After the death of Aurangzeb (1707 AD), he participated in the Battle of Jajau on the side of Prince Muazzam (Bahadur Shah I) in the Mughal succession struggle and made a significant contribution to Bahadur Shah’s victories.
• Pleased with his services, Bahadur Shah I bestowed upon Buddh Singh the title of “Maharao Rana” and granted him additional parganas as jagir.

Dalel Singh – (1729 – 1748) –

Umed Singh (Umed Singh I) – (1748–1770 AD) –

• Maharao Raja Umed Singh I re-established independent rule over Bundi in the mid-18th century after several conflicts.
• He saved the throne of Bundi by maintaining a balance between the politics of Jaipur, Kota, and the Marathas, and gave royal patronage to the Vaishnava tradition by taking initiation into the Ramanuja sect.
• During his reign, the temples of Rangnath Ji and Ananddhan Ji were established in the Bundi fort, and he also had the name of Rangnath inscribed on his royal emblem (seal).
• He built the Chitrashala Palace, giving a distinct royal identity to Bundi’s painting tradition, and constructed numerous gardens and buildings, including the Naval Sagar pond.
• Around 1770 AD, he adopted the Vanaprastha ashram (renunciation) and handed over the kingdom to his son Ajit Singh, and himself lived a life of a sage in Kedareshwar and other pilgrimage sites.

Vishnu Singh (1804 – 1831) –

• Signed the subsidiary alliance with the British in 1818.

Ram Singh (1831–1889 AD) –

• Maharao Raja Ram Singh ruled Bundi for a long period from 1804 to 1889 AD, and his time is considered the period of cultural renaissance in Bundi.
• During his reign, approximately 40 Sanskrit schools were functioning in Bundi city, due to which Bundi became famous as “Chhoti Kashi” (Little Kashi).
• He did not support the British during the 1857 revolt.
• He remained in direct contact with the British government, attended the durbars of Lord Bentinck (1837) and Lord Mayo (1870) in Ajmer, and maintained coordination with British policy.
• He constructed a pond and palace on the banks of Phool Sagar in Bundi, and the massive “Bhim Burj” on Taragarh fort, which still stands as a symbol of Bundi’s strategic and architectural glory. Suryamall Meesan was a famous poet and historian of his time.

Raghuvir Singh (1889–1927 AD) –

• During his reign, a railway line passed through the Bundi state, which greatly improved Bundi’s economic and military connectivity.

Ishwari Singh (1927–1945 AD) –

• During his time, a new bypass road was constructed by cutting through a hill outside the city, which facilitated the passage of heavy vehicles and travelers without having to enter the city.
• Since he had no children, he adopted Bahadur Singh from the Kapren estate and declared him his successor.

Bahadur Singh (1945–1948 AD) –

• Maharao Raja Bahadur Singh was the last ruler of Bundi.
• He was born in the Kapren estate, received his education at Mayo College (Ajmer), Police Training College (Moradabad), and after military training, he participated in World War II as an officer in the British Indian Army.
• For displaying exceptional bravery in the Battle of Meiktila (Shan State) on the Burma front, he was awarded the “Military Cross” by the British government – ​​a rare military honor.
• After independence, on March 25, 1948, the Bundi state merged with the United Rajasthan (Rajasthan Union), and Bahadur Singh accepted the constitutional system in place of his princely rights.

The Hada Dynasty of Kota

Early Period –

• Initially, Kota was a part of the Bundi state.
• Rao Bhoj (1585–1607 AD) appointed his son Hridaynarayan  as the ruler of Kota.
• This appointment was approved by the Mughal Emperor Akbar.
• After Mughal approval, Kota’s independent existence was established.
• During the reign of Rao Ratan (Bundi), Hridaynarayan remained  a subordinate of Bundi.
• Hridaynarayan participated in the Battle of Susi during  Khurram’s rebellion (1623 AD).
• Due to this, Emperor Jahangir confiscated the jagir of Kota.
• Later, Rao Ratan Singh temporarily took over the administration  and made his son Madho Singh the king of Kota.

Maharav Madho Singh (1631–1648 AD)

• Madho Singh was the first independent ruler of Kota from Bundi.
• Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan recognized him as an independent ruler.
• In 1631 AD, he assisted the Mughals in suppressing the rebellion of Khan-i-Jahan Lodi.
• In 1635 AD, he assisted the Mughals in suppressing the rebellion  of Jujhar Singh Bundela.
• He cooperated in the Mughal army’s Kandahar campaign.
• He cooperated in the Mughal army’s Central Asian campaigns.
• Shah Jahan rewarded him with a superior horse named “Bad-Raftar”.

Maharav Mukund Rao (1648–1658 AD)

• He attained martyrdom fighting on the side of Dara Shikoh  in the “Battle of Dharmat”
• Built a palace in Mukundara (Kota) for his beloved Abli Meeni.
• Granted the jagir (land grant) of Khadiya village to the dargah of Mitha Sahib in Gagron.

Maharav Jagat Singh (1653–1683 AD)

• Participated in the Battle of Khajwa on the side of Aurangzeb.

Maharav Kishor Singh (1684–1696 AD)

• Constructed the Kishor Sagar tank (Kota).
• Jain merchant Bagherwal built a Jain temple dedicated to Lord Adinath in Chandkheri.
• The practice of collecting Chhali/Chholi tax at the time of remarriage was implemented.

Ramsingh I (1696–1707 AD) –

• Became ruler after winning the war of succession in Anwa.
• Was killed fighting on the side of Azam in the Battle of Jajau in 1707 AD.

Maharao Bhim Singh (1707–1720 AD)

• Nickname – Krishnadas.
• Bundi attacked Kota on the orders of Bahadur Shah I but was defeated.
• Bundi was renamed “Bundi Farrukhabad”.
• In 1713 AD, Kota attacked Bundi and seized the treasury, Dhulwani cannon and Kadak Bijli cannon.
• Received a mansab of 5000 from Emperor Farrukhsiyar.
• Received the title of “Maharao” from Rana Amar Singh II.
• Was killed fighting against Nizam on the side of the Sayyid brothers in the Battle of Kurwai (1720 AD).
• Was a follower of the Vallabha sect.
• Renamed Kota to “Nandgaon”.
• Renamed Shergarh to “Barsana”.
• Constructions – Bhim Vilas, Bhimgarh Fort, Brajnathji Temple, Ashapuraji Temple, Sanwariyaji Temple (Baran).

Arjun Singh (1720–1723 AD)

• Ruled for a short period.

Maharao Durjanshal (1723–1756 AD)

• Became ruler after defeating his brother Shyam Singh in the Battle of Udaipurya.
• Established Maratha influence in Kota.
• Ended Mughal influence in Kota. 
• Diwan – Jhala Himmat Singh.
• Son – Jhala Zalim Singh.

Ajit Singh (1757 AD)

• Short reign.

Maharav Shatrushal (1757–1764 AD)

• The Battle of Bhatwara took place in 1761 AD.
• Under the leadership of Jhala Zalim Singh, the Kota army defeated the ruler of Jaipur, Sawai Madho Singh.
• During this time, Jhala Zalim Singh’s administrative influence increased significantly.
• Nickname – “Durga Das Rathore of the Kota State”.

Maharav Guman Singh (1764–1770 AD)-

• Jhala Zalim Singh was expelled from Kota.
• The jagir of Nanta was confiscated.
• He sought the help of the Maratha envoy Lalaji Balal.
• Appointed his son Umed Singh as regent.

Maharav Umed Singh (1770–1819 AD)

• Jhala Zalim Singh’s autocratic power reached its peak.
• In 1817 AD, he signed a treaty with the East India Company and accepted its suzerainty.

Maharav Kishor Singh (1819–1828 AD)

• The Battle of Mangrol (Baran) took place on October 1, 1821 AD.
• hala Zalim Singh, the British, and Kishor Singh was involved in the battle.
• Kishor Singh was defeated and went to Nathdwara.
• He dedicated Kota to Shri Nathji.
• Through the mediation of Rana Bhim Singh (Mewar), he returned to Kota in December 1821 AD.
• In 1824 AD, Jhala Zalim Singh died.
• His son Madho Singh was appointed as the Faujdar of Kota (1824–1833).

Ram Singh II (1828–1865 AD)

• In 1837, the British separated 17/19 parganas from Kota and established the Jhalawar princely state.
• Jhala Madan Singh was made the ruler of Jhalawar.     
• Formal recognition was received from the British in 1838.
• During the 1857 revolt, the public, along with Jaydayal and Mehrab Khan  placed Ram Singh II under house arrest.
• Due to his failure to protect Major Burton, the gun salute was reduced from 17 to 13.

Maharao Shatrushal II (1865–1888 AD)

• During this period, the influence of the British increased significantly.
• The ruler became merely a figurehead.
• The real power remained in the hands of Faisal Ali, a favorite of the British.
• Faizal Ali received a gun salute.
• Nickname – “The second Jhala Zalim Singh of Kota”.

Maharao Umed Singh II (1888–1940 AD)

• Was the son of Chhagan Singh, the Jagirdar of Kotra
• Received education at Mayo College.
• Received administrative powers in 1896 AD.
• On January 1, 1899, 15 out of 17 parganas were reintegrated into Kota.
• Lord Curzon visited Kota during his reign.
• The Kota state was modernized.
• Remained a completely loyal ruler to the British.

Maharao Bhim Singh (1940–1948 AD)

• Was the last ruler of Kota. 
• On March 25, 1948, Kota was made the capital of United Rajasthan. 
• Maharao Bhim Singh was appointed as the Rajpramukh.