During ancient times, the area around Bundi was inhabited by various local tribes majority group belonging to Meena. Bundi is said to derive its name from a former Meena tribe chief called Bunda Meena. Bundi was previously called “Bunda-Ka-Nal”, Nal meaning “narrow ways”. Later, the region was acquired by Rao Deva Hada, who took over Bundi from Jaita Meena in 1342, and established a princely state Bundi, renaming the surrounding area called Hadoti, the land of great Hada Rajputs.
Hada Rulers of Bundi:
- Rao Deva Hada (1342-43)
- Laid the foundation of hada state of Bundi after taking possession from Jaita Meena.
- Rao Napuji (1343-84)
- Rao Hamuli (1384 – 1400).
- Rao Birsingh (1400 to 1415).
- Rao Biru (1415 to 1470).
- Rao Bandu (1470 to 1491).
- Rao Narayan Das (1491 to 1527).
- Rao Suraj Mal (1527 to 1531).
- Rao Surtan Singh (1531 to 1544).
- Rao Raja Surjan Singh (1544 to 1585)
- Akbar & Man Singh I – negotiate treaty with Surjan Singh – hence given title of “Rao Raja”
- Given government of Benares.
- Rao Raja Bhoj Singh (1585 to 1608).
- Rao Raja Ratan Singh (1608 to 1632)
- Ratan Singh & his son Madho Singh – fight war against rebels & win during jehangir reign.
- Jehangir divides Hadoti to Bundi & kota, giving Kota as separate state to madho Singh
- Shah Jehan confirmed grant of Kota to Madho Singh.
- Rao Raja Chhattar Sal Singh (1632 to 1658)
- Chhatar Singh is made governor of Delhi by Prince Dara Shikoh (the son of Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan), but he dies fighting against Shah Jahan’s successor, Aurangzeb.
- Rao Raja Bhao Singh (1658 to1682)
- Fights Aurangzeb and win against Raja Atmaram. Aurangzeb impressed and reconciles with Rajao Bhao making him governor of Aurangabad.
- Rao Raja Anirudh Singh (1682 to 1696)
- Rao Raja Budh Singh (1696 to 1735)
- On Aurangzeb death Budh Singh ji supports Bahadoor Shah Alam, wheras Ram Singh of Kota sides with Prince Azim> Hence, rivalry between Bundi & Kota develops.
- Rao Raja Dalel Singh (1735 to 1749).
- Rao Raja Umaid Singh (1749 to 1770) – (1773 -1804).
- Rao Raja Ajit Singh (1770-1773).
- Rao Raja Bishen Singh (1804-1821).
- Maharao Raja Ram Singh Sahib Bahadur (1821-1889)
- Colonel HH Maharao Raja Shri Sir Raghubir Singh Sahib Bahadur (1889-1927)
- Supported Britain in WWI
- Major HH Maharao Raja Shri Sir Iishwari Singh Bahadur (1927-1945).
- HH Maharao Raja Shri Bahadur Singh Bahadur (1945-77)
