Notion Press

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First Published by Notion Press 2016 Copyright © Pratap Singh Mehta 2016 All Rights Reserved.

ISBN 978-93-5206-600-1

This book has been published in good faith that the work of the author is original. All efforts have been taken to make the material error-free. However, the author and the publisher disclaim the responsibility.

No part of this book may be used, reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

The information regarding genealogy of Deora and Bachhawat Mehtas, available from different books of history, internet, “Bhaats” (story tellers) and inscriptions, is full of contradictions and the names are at variance. The history of any person or place is also the perception and objective of the writer. However, care has been taken to present the paper factually and truly after due moderation. Therefore, the author and publisher of this book are not responsible for any objections or contradictions raised.

Cover Credits: Painting of Mehta Rai Pannalal: Raja Ravi Varma (Travancore), 1901

Custodian of Painting: Ashok Mehta (New )

Photo credit: Ravi Dhingra (New Delhi) Contents

Foreword xi Preface xiii Acknowledgements xvii Introduction xix

1.1 Genealogy of Songara and Deora Chauhans in 4 1.2 History – Temple Town of (Mewar) 7 Chapter 1.3 Rulers of Delwara 10 12th–15th 1.4 Raja Bohitya Inspired by Jain Philosophy 11 Century 1.5 Raja Shree Karan Sacrifices his Life for Mewar 13 1 1.6 Deora Chauhans Embrace 14 1.7 Kadua Honoured by Maharana Laksha Singh of Chittor 16

2.1 The uslimM Invaders in 20 2.2 The uslimM Invaders – Common Enemies of Mewar and 24 Chapter 2.3 Bachhraj Arrives in at the Invitation of Rao Jodha 25 th th 15 –17 2.4 Founders of - Rao Bika and Century Bachhraj Proceed to Janglu Desh 27 2 2.5 Temple at 28 2.6 Bachhraj Appointed as Diwan of 29 2.7 Villages of Bachhasar and Karmisar Granted in Jagir 30 2.8 Bachhawat Diwans of Bikaner 33

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2.9 Good Rapport Between Emperor and Diwan Karam Chand 35 2.10 Diwan Karam Chand Bachhawat - Saviour of Jainism 37 2.11 Bachhawats Granted Honour to Wear Gold on Legs and Title “Mehta” Given by Akbar 38 2.12 Karam Chand Remonstrates Bounty to Charans 39 2.13 Why Bachhawats Stopped Worshiping Dyadi Mata? 41 2.14 Diwan Karam Chand Lays Foundation of at Bikaner 42 2.15 Suspicion Grows Between Raja Rai Singh and Diwan Karam Chand 43 2.16 Emperor Akbar Invites Diwan Karam Chand Bachhawat to Lahore Court 45 2.17 Acharya Jinchandra Suri Invited by Emperor Akbar to Lahore Court 47 2.18 Emperor Akbar Proceeds to Kashmir by Boat Through Jhelum 49 2.19 Diwan Karam Chand Bachhawat Passes Away 52 2.20 Dying Wish of Raja Rai Singh for Bachhawat Family 54 2.21 Bravery & Heroism of Bachhawats at Bikaner 55 2.22 History of Rangdi-ka-Chowk at Bikaner 57

3.1 Saviour Minister & Bachhawat Mehtas in Mewar 60 Chapter 3.2 Bachhawat Mehtas Inducted in 17th–18th Administration of Mewar 62 Century 3.3 Mewar State in Turmoil During 3 late Eighteenth Century 64 3.4 Charismatic Mehta Agar Chand Appointed as Pradhan 67 3.5 Pradhan Mehta Agar Chand Sacrifices Life for Mewar 69

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3.6 Conscientious Mehta Devi Chand Appointed as Pradhan 72 3.7 Capt James Tod visits in 1820 75 3.8 Acute Aspirants of Power – Mehta Sher Singh & Mehta (Cheel) Ram Singh 77 3.9 Mehta Moti Ram Killed to Check Growing Influence of Mehta Sher Singh 80 3.10 Mehta Sher Singh Dismissed & Recalled – Once Again Power Tussle in Mewar 82 3.11 Services of Mehta Sher Singh Recognised 85 3.12 Pradhan Mehta Sher Singh Dismissed – Power Politics Resurface in Mewar 88

4.1 Chivalrous Mehta Gokal Chand Appointed as Pradhan of Mewar 93 4.2 Services of Mehta Sher Singh Recalled 94 4.3 Administrative Career of Mehta Murlidhar 97 4.4 Mehta Pannalal’s Grooming at Nimbahera under Mehta Ajeet Singh 100 Chapter 4.5 ‘Sati’ in the Bachhawat Mehta Family 102 18th–19th 4.6 Internship for Mehta Pannalal Begins 103 Century 4.7 Mehta Sher Singh and his Son Sawai Singh 4 Implicated for Embezzlement 106 4.8 Triumphs and Trials of Pradhan Mehta Gokal Chand 109 4.9 Proclamation Regarding Prohibition of Sati 111 4.10 Chequered Career of Mehta Ajeet Singh 113 4.11 Trial of Mehta Ajeet Singh for Barbarous Atrocities 115 4.12 Excesses by Mehta Raghunath Singh During Bhil Disturbances 117

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5.1 Visionary Statesmen Mehta Pannalal Appointed as Munshi of Mahakma Khas 121 5.2 Maharana Grants Privileges of ‘Langar’ & ‘Talwar Bandi’ 124 5.3 Detractors of Munshi Mehta Pannalal Become Active 125 5.4 Mehta Pannalal Goes to Ajmer for Safety 128 5.5 Reorganisation of Administration & Fiscal Reforms by Mehta Pannalal 130 5.6 Mehta Gokal Chand & Mehta Pannalal Arrest Goswami Girdharilal of 133 5.7 Mehta Pannalal Conferred Title of ‘Rai’ by British Government 136 5.8 Maharana Sajjan Singh Appoints Mehta Rai Pannalal As Pradhan of Mewar State 137 5.9 Chivalrous Mehta Laxmilal Appointed Chapter as Hakim of Jahazpur 139 5.10 Mehta Laxmilal Receives Maharana Sajjan Singh 19th–20th at Jahazpur 140 Century 5.11 Further Reorganisation in State Administration 5 by Mehta Rai Pannalal 142 5.12 Services of Mehta Takhat Singh as Hakim 144 5.13 Special Durbar Arranged at Chittor for Award Ceremony 145 5.14 Mehta Laxmilal Arrests Rawat Kesari Singh of Boeda 148 5.15 Awards & Honours after Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Celebrations 150 5.16 Mehta Takhat Singh Investigates case of ‘Spurious’ Son of Sakat Singh of Bagore 151 5.17 City Clock Tower – Symbol of Communal Harmony Built by Pradhan Mehta Rai Pannalal 152 5.18 Mehta Lakshmilal Ousted from Jahazpur by Detractors of Mehta Pannalal 154 5.19 Mehta Pannalal Falls from Horse 155 5.20 Duke of Connaught Lays Foundation of 156

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5.21 Border Dispute at Pagliya-ki-Naal between Mewar and Marwar 158 5.22 Conspiracy Hatched to Malign Mehta Rai Pannalal 160 5.23 Adieu to Pradhan Mehta Rai Pannalal 164 5.24 Mehta Rai Pannalal Returns to on Completion of Pilgrimage 166 5.25 Great Famine and Epidemic of Nineteenth Century 168

6.1 Mehta Fatehlal Appointed as Member of Mahadraj Sabha 173 6.2 Mehta Fatehlal Conducts Raja Ravi Varma at Udaipur 175 6.3 Administrative Changes in State – Bachhawat Mehtas Appointed as Hakims 178 6.4 Mehta Fatehlal – Philanthropist, Academician and Adviser 180 Chapter 6.5 Mehta Pannalal & Fatehlal – Attend Special Investiture Durbar at Agra 183 20th–21st 6.6 Mehta Pannalal & Fatehlal – Century Attend United Province Exhibition at Allahabad 184 6 6.7 Landmark Events in Bachhawat Mehta Family 186 6.8 Distinguished Family of Mehta Fatehlal 192 6.9 Distinguished Family of Mehta Inder Singh 200 6.10 Distinguished Family of Mehta Jai Singh 209 6.11 Distinguished Family of Mehta Dungar Singh 212 6.12 Distinguished Bachawat Families (Bikaner / Kolkata) 214 6.13 Distinguished Family of Manik Bachhawat (Bikaner / Kolkata) 216

Annex A Bachhawat Mehtas in the Feudal Administration of Rajputana 221 Annex B Rulers of Mewar 225 Annex C Rulers of Bikaner 231 Annex D Rhymes of Rajputana 233 Annex E Genealogical Family Trees: Bachhawats 239 Annex F Bibliography 287

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Pratap Singh Mehta

Chapter 1 12th–15th Century

he Chauhans, during 11th century, founded Amber, Sambhar and Ajmer in Rajputana. The last of them, Vigraha Raja or Rao Bisaldeo, in the middle of the 12th century, extended the ancestral dominions considerably and conquered Delhi from the chief of the Tomara clan. At that time, according to their own bard, the dominions of the Chauhans extended to the north from Hissar to the south until the Aravalli hills. After Prithviraj III was killed in a battle in 1192, the Chauhan kingdom broke up. During mid-13th century, there was a very brave king of Delwara (Mewar), Raja Sagar, a Deora Chauhan and a descendant of Rao Kirtipal of . He was the progenitor of the Bachhawats. Raja Sagar’s son Raja Bohitya was immensely influenced and inspired by Jain philosophy. Samdhar, a grandson of Bohitya and a Deora Chauhan, was the first man in his genealogy to convert to Jainism. Hence, this is the period of transition from Deora Chauhans to Bachhawats (Kshatriya to Jainism).

(Left) A painting of III (1165–92 AD). Credit: , Conservation Center, New 3Delhi. Guns and Glories

1.1 Genealogy of Songara and Deora Chauhans in Mewar

Chauhans have 26 major sects - Hada, Songara, Deora, Khichi, Shambhri, Sanchora, Pavia, Goyalwal, Bhadauria, Malani, Nirwan, Puravia, Madrecha, Cheeba, Mohil, Chahil, Balecha, Chachera, Boda, Nadola and Nikumbh to name a few. It is said that Rao Bisaldeo was the progenitor of the Deora clan. Prithviraj Chauhan III was the nephew of Rao Bisaldeo. The rulers of Jalore, and belonged to the Songara and Deora clans in the past.

The Chauhan clan of Rajputs ruled over a large area of south-western and during 12th and 13th centuries. Alhana, the younger son of Wakpati Rao Chauhan, seized (near Jodhpur) from the Paramaras and established himself there, towards the end of the 10th century. His descendant, Kirtipal (Keytu), was driven from Nadol by Sultan Qutb-ud-din Aibak of Delhi, during the 12th century. Kirtipal then journeyed further to the south-west to and Sanchor, before seizing Jalore from the Paramaras. Some of his descendants were known as Sanchora Chauhans. Rao Kirtipal, the youngest son of Alhana, ruler of Nadol, is the founder of the Jalore line of Chauhans. He captured it from the Paramaras in 1181. The mountain on which the Jalore Fort is located is called Swarngiri, the mountain of gold, hence the Chauhans took the name Songara. He was the progenitor of the Songara clan of Chauhans. Kirtipal died in 1182 and was succeeded by his son Samar Singh. Rao Samar Singh of Jalore was succeeded by his son Uday Singh, who had two sons, Chargideo and Man Singh. Uday Singh was succeeded by his elder son Chargideo. Rao Chargideo of Jalore had an issue Samant Singh. Rao Uday Singh’s younger son Rao Man Singh (1213–28) had six issues, eldest being Rao Devraj or Pratap Singh (1228–50), the reviver of Deora clan of Chauhans. Rao Devraj laid the foundation of Sirohi principality. See Table 1.

An eminent littérateur, scriptologist and social researcher, Bhanwarlal Nahata quotes “Bachhawat Munhta Vanshavli,” in his book Mantri Karamchand. “Chauhans have 26 sects and Deora Bachhawats is one of them. Among Deora Songira gotra, first one is Sanwantsi (Samant Singh) Songira, who had four sons – Kalhade (Kanhadeo), Malde (Maldeo), Salhe (Reningdeo) and Sagarsi (Sagar). Sagar’s son Bohitya became sharvak (Jain disciple) by the blessings of Vardhman Suri Khartar.”

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It is said that around 1172–80, King of Jalore, Rao Kirtipal (Keytu, a Songara Chauhan), captured Ahar (now Ayad), the then capital of Mewar, from Rawal Samant Singh. In 1172, Rawal Samant Singh of Mewar was forced to move his capital from Ahar to . Samant Singh and his younger brother Kumar Singh ruled from Dungarpur. However, Ahar and the adjoining area of Mewar were ruled by Songara/Deora Chauhans for few years till they were recovered by Rawal Kumar Singh. Interregnum, the brothers and cousins of Songara/Deora Chauhans were perhaps given the Jagirs in the Girva – the villages surrounded by Aravali hills of the present day Udaipur city. Jagirdars of Girva were called Rajas. There is no historical record or manuscript of Mewar/Jalore State narrating that Rawal Samant Singh was dislodged by Keytu of Jalore. However, the extract from a personal diary written in 1939 by Mathuranath Purohit, Master of Ceremonies, Mewar, states, “Keytu Chauhan, the King of Nadol snatched Ahar from Samant Singh, after defeating him in a battle. Samant Singh went to Vagad and established . Later Rawal Kumar Singh, the younger brother of Rawal Samant Singh, recaptured Ahar, the capital of Mewar.”

An extract from the personal diary of Mathuranath Purohit, Master of Ceremonies, written in 1939

5 Guns and Glories

This fact is also established by the existence of an Ashapura temple on a hill top in the village of Berwas, between Ahar and Debari region of Udaipur. Also, the village of Debari means Deora-ki-Bari, meaning “Window to Deora Kingdom.” However, according to another eminent historian and writer of Mewar, Dr Shri Krishan Jugnu, “Debari means window to God’s kingdom (Dev-bari).” There is an inscription that was put up in 1975, during the renovation of Ashapura Mata temple, “Temple of the Kul deity (family idol) of Deora Chauhans was initially made by Raja Munjerao Deora of Girva in 1528 (during the times of Maharana Ratan Singh II, 1528–1531).” To date the temple is managed by Deora Chauhans. Ashapura Mata, the kul deity of the Deora Chauhans

The Udaipur Girva too has a number of villages that are inhabited by Deora Chauhans. There are many Deora Chauhans in Delwara which is very close to Udaipur and on the periphery of Girva. It is therefore, quite possible that Raja Sagar, the fourth son of Rao Samant Singh of Jalore and a descendant of Rao Kirtipal was bestowed the Jagir of Delwara during mid-13th century. It is believed that, later, Maharana Udai Singh II (1540–1572), of Mewar, annexed these Jagirs from Deora Chauhans to move his capital from Chittor to Udaipur, when he lost Chittor to Akbar in 1568.

Eminent historian, Rai Bahadur Gaurishankar Ojha writes, “The information regarding genealogy of Deora Chauhans, available from the different books of ‘Bhaats’ (story tellers) and inscriptions, is full of contradictions and the names are at variance. There is a difference of opinion as well, among historians, regarding genealogy of Songara and Deora Chauhans.”

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1.2 History – Temple Town of Delwara (Mewar)

The movement of Raja Sagar and his descendants from Delwara to Patan, Chittor and back during 13th century

Delwara, nestled in the Aravali hills, is about twenty-eight kilometers away from Udaipur and close to Temple on the way to the temple town of Nathdwara. Delwara was originally known as “Devkul Patan Nagri,” which means “the town of god” and boasted of over 1000 temples at one time, out of which 400 of them were Jain temples. The ancient Jain temples of Delwara, now in total ruins, were built during the reign of Emperor Samprati (224–215 BC). He was the grandson of Emperor Ashoka and the son of Ashoka’s blind son Kunal. Samprati The view of Delwara town in 2015 from Devi Garh Palace

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became the Emperor of the entire western and southern part of India () and ruled from . It is said that Samprati, also known as ‘Jain Ashoka’, built thousands of Jain temples in India. It may be noted that all the ancient Jain monuments of Rajasthan and Gujarat, including the Jain temples at Delwara (Mewar), are also attributed to Emperor Samprati.

The Jain temples at Delwara were built with white marble stones. Inspite of being plain and austere on the outside, the interiors of all these temples are covered with delicate carvings. Each one has a walled courtyard. In the centre of the courtyard is a shrine with the image of the deity, Rishabhdev. Around the large courtyard, there are numerous small shrines, each housing a beautiful image of the with a series of elegantly carved pillars from the entrance to the courtyard. The special feature of this temple is its ceiling, which is constructed in eleven richly carved concentric rings. The central ceiling of the temple is adorned with magnificent carvings and it culminates into an ornamented central pendant. The pendant of the dome tapers down, forming a drop or point, like a lotus flower. This is an astonishing piece of work. It symbolises the divine grace coming down to fulfil human aspirations. Figures of sixteen Vidya Devis (goddesses of knowledge) are carved on the ceiling.

An ancient , at Delwara, under restoration

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The original central ceiling of Delwara Jain Temple is similar to the one found at Dilwara Temple in .

According to a bard, the ministers of Solanki rulers of Gujarat visited these temples during 11th and 13th centuries AD and they were much impressed with the architecture and carvings of the temples. At the request of these visiting ministers, the then rulers of Delwara (Mewar) provided the design and drawings of the Jain temples to them. Vimal Shah was the minister and commander in chief of Bhima Dev I, Solanki ruler of Gujarat. Vimal Shah, who was remorseful because of killings in the battles he had fought, spent the rest of his life in religious discourse at Chandravati (near ). He was inspired by Jain Acharaya to wash out his sins perpetrated in the battle fields so he constructed a temple near Mount Abu, which was the replication of Delwara (Mewar) Jain temple. The temple was known as Vimal Vasahi (Shri Adinathji temple). Later in 1230, the two Porwad brothers – Vastupal and Tejpal, both ministers of a Virdhaval, the Vaghela ruler of Gujarat, also built Jain temples designed after Vimal Vasahi temples near Abu. The five temples built between th11 and 13th century at Abu, were similar in design and architecture to the ones at Delwara (Mewar), and came to be known as Dilwara Jain temples. The are hence, a composite cluster of five temples, with their own unique identity. Each one is named after the small village in which it is located. The grandeur of sculptured marble, exquisite carvings of ceilings, domes, pillars and arches of the temple, which is beyond anyone’s expectations, is far superior to the original at Delwara (Mewar).

Delwara, Nagda and Aayad were the centres of learning and culture between the 10th and 15th century. Most princesses of Mewar and royals in the adjoining kingdoms were groomed in the art of warfare and formal education at Delwara. Hence it was also known as Kanwarpada – centre of learning. Delwara was a large town and it spread from Gandharva Sagar Lake to Nagda. Today, only twenty-five percent of the original town remains.

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1.3 Rulers of Delwara

Rao Samant Singh of Jalore had four sons – Rao Kanhadeo, Maldeo, Raningdeo and Sagar. Rao Kanhadeo and his son Kunwar Viramdeo were killed in a battle against Allauddin Khilji in 1311, while Rao Maldeo and Rao Raningdeo ruled smaller Jagirs in Jalore. It is believed that Rao Sagar was given the Jagir of Delwara, as the adjoining areas of Girva (Udaipur) were ruled by Deora Chauhans. See Table 1 & 2.

According to another bard who lived during late 12th Century when Delwara was being ruled by a ruler Rao Bhim Singh. His only daughter, Delwara Baiji, was married to Rao Samant Singh of Jalore, who had two queens. Sagar was born to Delwara Baiji, who had differences with the other queens over succession to the throne of Jalore. Hence Delwara Baiji returned to her father’s place, Delwara. Since Rao Bhim Singh, did not have any male children, his A representative painting of Raja Sagar of Delwara, with his courtiers in the 13th century grandson Sagar ascended the throne of Delwara.

In mid-13th century, Raja Sagar, a very brave king of Delwara, a Deora Chauhan was a descendant of Rao Kirtipal of Jalore. He was the progenitor of Bachhawats. Raja Sagar was blessed with three sons – Bohitya, Gangadas and Jaisingh. Whenever there was invasion from Muslims, Jaitra Singh (1213–53) and later his son Rana Tej Singh (1262–73) of Mewar, called Raja Sagar for help in the battle. Raja Sagar always came along with the army and fought valiantly against the invading Muslims.

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1.4 Raja Bohitya Inspired by Jain Philosophy

Raja Sagar’s son Raja Bohitya was also brave and intelligent like his father and ruled Delwara during the time of Rawal Samar Singh (1273–1302) and Rana Ratan Singh (1302–1303).

Once apprehending danger to his life from the Muhammadans, Bohitya sought refuge in a Jain Temple at Delwara. It is believed that he was immensely influenced and inspired by the Jain philosophy. One day, while Bohitya was asleep in his palace, a snake crawled into his bed and bit his leg. After biting, the snake hit the prince with his tail and descended from the bed. The prince got up in Rana Ratan Singh (1302–1303) fright and called for help. There was commotion in the palace and Raja Sagar came to know of it. The Raja asked the prince, “What happened?” The prince replied, “A snake has bitten me.” The Raja tried to save him but his attempt was in vain. People looked around for the snake, but they couldn’t find it. The prince’s leg became blue and his body turned cold. After confirming that the prince was dead, they took him for the final journey of cremation. At that time the disciples (bhattarack) of Acharya Jindutt Suriji who were out for “gochari” (collecting food and alms) saw the funeral procession of the prince. They started whispering among themselves. One disciple said, “The prince is not dead. Why are they taking him for cremation?” The Mantri of Raja Sagar, who was passing by, heard the conversation and informed the King. Thus the life of Prince Bohitya was saved and he was brought back to the palace. Since then Bohitya and his family developed a deep faith in Jainism and started paying obeisance to Jain Acharyas and their disciples in Delwara.

Bahrang Devi, wife of Raja Bohitya, was a beautiful and talented lady who lived in Delwara. She had eight sons- Shree Karan, Jaiso, Jaimal, Nanha, Bhima, Padam, Somji and Pushmal. Raja Bohitya later died in a battle near Chittor, while fighting alongside Rana Ratan Singh I against Sultan Sultan Allauddin Khilji Allauddin Khilji in 1303. Khilji seized the Fort.

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