Rathore dynasty

From the story of the martial clan, the Rathores who ruled Marwar from Jodhpur till the merger of the Princely States with the Dominion of India in 1949, one must travel further back in time to the year 1194. It was in that year, thousands of miles away in eastern India that the Muslim invader, Shahabuddin Mohammed Ghori, defeated the mighty Jaichand of Kanauj. It was Jaichand’s great-grandson, Sheoji, who rode out to Marwar in 1226, eager for fresh battlefields and glory all his own. And it is Sheoji’s descendants who proudly bear the name, Rathore. In 1226 the principal cities of Marwar were Mandore, today a fifteen minute drive from Jodhpur and Pali, an hour’s drive south; and it was the latter, a rich commercial centre, that Sheoji first conquered. Over the decades the Rathores expanded steadily but it was only in 1395, in the reign of their twelfth ruler, Rao Chunda, that they acquired – not conquered – Mandore.

Mandore is Marwar’s most historic city. Today in ruins, it was the capital of many a great dynasty. Legend has it that Ravana, the Demon King of Lanka who defied Lord Rama himself, married a princess of Mandore, his favourite queen Mandodri. In 1292 the Parihar Rajputs lost Mandore to the Khilji Sultans of Delhi and after that the city remained with the Sultanate of Delhi till 1395. In that year their Governor in Mandore, Aibak Khan, demanded fodder as well as the tax on grain, and this eventually proved to be his undoing. The Parihars, tired of this autocratic man, hatched a plan, which, in ingenuity matched the famous Trojan Horse, and in bravery far surpassed it. Five hundred Parihars smuggled themselves into the fortified city in a hundred cart-loads of grass. These carts were checked randomly and prodded with spears. Some men were pierced but they uttered not a Sound and, in fact, even managed to wipe the blood off the spears as they were withdrawn. Then the Parihars fell upon the Muslims. Within an hour Mandore was once again in their hands but the victors realised that defending her was going to be an entirely different problem. It was then that someone suggested a marital alliance be arranged with the young Chunda. Thus did Mandore, the capital of Marwar, come to the Rathores in a dowry.

As the unchallenged rulers of Mandore, Sheoji’s descendants were firmly established as the most powerful clan in the region. And it was left to Chunda’s grandson, Rao Jodha, to secure a place for the Rathores in the annals of India by building one of her most spectacular forts and founding one of her most charming cities. The foundation of this fort was laid on 12 May 1459 by Jodha himself on rocky Bhakurcheeria, only six miles away from Mandore. Perhaps with Cheeria Nathji’s curse ringing in his ears, Jodha had a young man buried alive in it to ensure the new site proved propitious. This man was Rajiya Bambi who was promised that his family and descendants would be looked after by the Rathores. It is a promise that has been honoured and Rajiya’s descendants, who still live in Raj Bagh, Rajiya’s Garden; the estate bequeathed to their ancestor by Jodha, continue to enjoy a special relationship with the Maharaja.

Rao Jodha’s citadel, on which he spent all of nine hundred thousand rupees, was very different from what his descendant, the present Maharaja of Jodhpur, Gaj Singh II, inherited four hundred and ninety three years later in 1952. It was much smaller and of the seven gates at present only one was built by Jodha himself. As the Rathores grew more powerful, Mehrangarh, at once a reflection of their glory and the basis of their strength, expanded. Almost every ruler left his mark and herein lies the fort’s unique beauty, for it is today a magnificent blend of different reigns and ages, styles and influences, compulsions and dreams. Its towering battlements, a hundred and twenty feet high, and stone walls, in places six metres thick, testify to the might of Maldev (1532-1562) in whose reign the Rathores reached the zenith of their power. The palaces, extravagant edifices of peace and prosperity, whisper a thousand secrets; stories of machiavellian intrigues, dazzling riches and royal pleasures under the Mughal umbrella (1583-1739). The main gates, Fateh Pol and Jai Pol, sing of great victories, against the Mughals in 1707 and the Jaipur forces a hundred years later; while the ramparts, fiercely brandishing Maharaja Abhaya Singh’s cannons (1724-1749), proudly proclaim these victories to the world.

People gradually began to migrate to Jodhpur, the new seat of power and potential prosperity in the Thar. Like other medieval cities of consequence, Jodhpur was originally a walled city too, and Jodha’s walled Jodhpur had four Pols or gates, three of which still stand, (though in poor condition). In the north was Bhagi Pol. In the south the Singh Pol, (or The Lion Gate), and in the south-east, the Bhomiaji Ki Ghati Ki Pol. The gateway to the east, the one most travelled by, was the Phoolelao Pol which is still in a fairly good state. Jodha’s capital was small indeed, for these gates stand almost in the shadow of Bhakurcheeria. Today, from the newest parts of this ever expanding city, Mehrangarh is but a ghostly silhouette.

In tribute to the stability and prosperity of her founder’s reign (1438-1488), Jodhpur outgrew her original walls within fifty years of his death. And in 1543 when Sher Shah, the Afghan who usurped the Mughal throne of Delhi for a few years, announced his intentions of invading Marwar, the then Rathore ruler, Rao Maldev, was compelled to complete the city’s fortifications. His walls, which once again embraced Jodhpur, were twenty four thousand feet long, nine feet thick and forty feet high. He built six gates; Chand Pol, which faced west in honour of the Lunar God’s ascent, was the first in that direction. The other five gates were named after the major Rathore forts they faced; Siwanchi Pol (Siwana) in the south, Jalori Pol (Jalore) in the south-east, Sojati Pol (Sojat) in the east, Mertia Pol (Merta) also in the east and Nagauri Pol (Nagaur) in the north-east. The gates and walls were simple and functional in design, the walls punctuated with platforms and towers for keeping watch and shooting.

Maldev’s walls, formidable as Sher Shah found them, were not able to contain Jodhpur for long and except for Chand Pol and Mertia Pol, the other gates were shifted outwards again in the reigns of the brothers, Maharajas Abhaya Singh and Bakhta Singh (1724-1752). Today these gates stand repaired and painted, but unused because the walled section has merged with the new to make Jodhpur Rajasthan’s second largest city. The walls themselves have vanished. Stone by stone they have been stripped to find their way into homes and shops and slums.

The old capital of Mandore was not entirely abandoned. Indeed, right up to 1873. Mandore is where the rulers of Marwar returned to their final rest. The Royal Cenotaphs, built in sandstone on the cremation sites, are impressive and elaborately carved, their unexpected grandeur lifting, momentarily, the tragic air of the public gardens and ruins around them. Surrounded by the hustle and bustle of modern civilization, as is the old city of Mandore, it is interesting to read here that sometimes as many as eighty ladies committed Sati; immolating themselves on their husband’s funeral pyre. These included not only the queens but concubines and even maids and musicians. In 1895 the royal cremation site moved to a hill within half a mile of Mehrangarh, when Maharaja Sardar Singh (1895-1911) had his father, Maharaja Jaswant Singh II cremated there, fulfilling the latter’s last wishes. The Jaswant Thada Memorial is a splendid shrine in shining white marble and is visible from the fort, and indeed from most parts of the city.

With the birth of Mehrangarh and Jodhpur, the Rathores entered their Golden Age. Their conquests were prolific and the farsighted Jodha settled his brothers and sons in the new lands as the Thakurs or feudal lords. They were quickly absorbed into the social fabric of the country and all of Marwar was now ruled by the Rathore. In 1488 when Jodha died, Rathoree Raj, the Rule of the Rathores, had come of age. Jodha was succeeded by his son Rao Satal (sixteenth Rathore chief) who ruled for only four years but is remembered as one of Marwar’s greatest martyrs and a shining exemplar of Rajput chivalry. He died in 1492 rescuing a hundred and forty village maidens who had been abducted by Muslim invaders. Sadly, for it bespeaks a deterioration of martial spirit, he was the last Rathore ruler to die by the sword. Of the fifteen who preceded him nine died on the battlefield, of them six against Muslim armies; of the twenty one who followed, none.

The Rathore dynasty was a Rajput clan that ruled over the Marwar region of Rajasthan in northwestern India. The dynasty was founded by Rao Jodha in the 14th century, and it reached its zenith under the rule of Maharaja Jaswant Singh in the 16th century. The Rathores were a powerful and influential dynasty, and they played a major role in the history of Rajasthan.

Rao Jodha was born in 1399 in the village of Mandore, which is now located in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan. He was the son of Rao Bika, the ruler of Marwar. Jodha was a brave and ambitious man, and he set out to expand his father’s kingdom. In 1459, he founded the city of Jodhpur, which became the capital of Marwar. Jodha also built a number of forts and temples in Marwar, and he is credited with strengthening the Rathore dynasty.

Maharaja Jaswant Singh was born in 1528 in Jodhpur. He was the son of Maharaja Man Singh I, the ruler of Marwar. Jaswant Singh was a skilled warrior and a brilliant diplomat. He served as a general in the Mughal army, and he fought against the Afghans in the Battle of Haldighati in 1576. Jaswant Singh was also a patron of the arts and literature. He built a number of palaces and gardens in Jodhpur, and he is credited with promoting the development of Marwari culture.

The Battle of Haldighati was fought on June 18, 1576, between the Mughal army led by Akbar and the Rathore army led by Maharaja Jaswant Singh. The battle took place near the village of Haldighati in Marwar. The Mughals were victorious, and Jaswant Singh was killed in battle. The Battle of Haldighati was a turning point in the history of Rajasthan, and it marked the beginning of the decline of the Rathore dynasty.

Jodhpur is a city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is the capital of Jodhpur district and the second-largest city in the state after Jaipur. Jodhpur is known for its red sandstone architecture, and it is often called the “Blue City” because of the blue color of many of its buildings. Jodhpur was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, the founder of the Rathore dynasty. The city was originally named Mandore, but it was renamed Jodhpur after Rao Jodha.

Marwar is a region in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is located in the northwestern part of the state, and it is bordered by the states of Gujarat and Haryana to the north, the state of Madhya Pradesh to the east, the state of Gujarat to the south, and the state of Rajasthan to the west. Marwar is a desert region, and it is known for its hot Climate and its arid landscape. The capital of Marwar is the city of Jodhpur.

Rajputs are a warrior caste found in northern India. They are traditionally Hindus, and they are known for their bravery and their loyalty to their clan. Rajputs played a major role in the history of India, and they were often at the forefront of the resistance against foreign invaders. The Rajputs are divided into a number of clans, and the Rathore clan is one of the most important Rajput clans.

India is a country in South Asia. It is the second-most populous country in the world, after China. India is a federal republic, and it is divided into 28 states and 7 union territories. The capital of India is New Delhi. India is a diverse country, and it is home to a number of different cultures and religions. Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism is the majority Religion in India, followed by Islam and Christianity. India is a member of the United Nations, the G20, and the BRICS.

What is the Rathore dynasty?

The Rathore dynasty is a Rajput clan that ruled over the Marwar region of Rajasthan in India. The dynasty was founded by Rao Jodha in the 14th century, and it ruled Marwar until the 19th century. The Rathores are one of the most powerful and influential Rajput clans, and they have played a major role in the history of Rajasthan.

What are some famous Rathores?

Some famous Rathores include:

Rao Jodha: The founder of the Rathore dynasty.
Maharaja Jaswant Singh: The 10th Rathore ruler of Marwar. He was a great warrior and statesman, and he played a major role in the Mughal-Rajput wars.
Maharaja Man Singh: The 11th Rathore ruler of Marwar. He was a great general and diplomat, and he served as a Mughal general under Akbar the Great.
Maharaja Jaswant Singh II: The 13th Rathore ruler of Marwar. He was a great warrior and statesman, and he played a major role in the Maratha-Rajput wars.
Maharaja Ganga Singh: The 14th Rathore ruler of Marwar. He was a great statesman and reformer, and he played a major role in the Indian independence movement.

What are some Rathore achievements?

The Rathores have achieved a great deal in their history. They have ruled over a large territory, and they have produced many great warriors, statesmen, and scholars. The Rathores are also known for their bravery, chivalry, and loyalty.

What are some Rathore traditions?

The Rathores have a rich tradition of chivalry, loyalty, and hospitality. They are also known for their love of horses and hunting. The Rathores have a strong sense of family and community, and they are fiercely proud of their heritage.

What are some Rathore customs?

The Rathores have a number of customs that are unique to their culture. For example, they have a tradition of giving a daughter’s hand in marriage to a man who is from a higher social status than her own. They also have a tradition of wearing a red turban, which is a symbol of their Rajput heritage.

What are some Rathore festivals?

The Rathores celebrate a number of festivals throughout the year. Some of the most important festivals include:

Teej: This is a festival that celebrates the love between a husband and wife. It is usually celebrated in the month of August.
Navratri: This is a nine-day festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. It is usually celebrated in the month of October.
Diwali: This is a five-day festival that celebrates the victory of Light over darkness. It is usually celebrated in the month of November.

What are some Rathore foods?

The Rathores have a rich cuisine that is influenced by their Rajput heritage. Some of the most popular Rathore dishes include:

Dal Baati: This is a dish made of lentils and bread. It is usually served with a curry.
Laal Maas: This is a dish made of mutton that is cooked in a spicy sauce.
Ghee Roast: This is a dish made of chicken that is cooked in ghee.
Palak Paneer: This is a dish made of spinach and cheese.

What are some Rathore challenges?

The Rathores face a number of challenges today. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of EMPLOYMENT opportunities. Many Rathores are forced to migrate to other parts of India in search of work. Another challenge is the lack of Education. Many Rathores do not have access to quality education, which makes it difficult for them to find good jobs.

What are some Rathore hopes for the future?

The Rathores hope for a better future for their community. They hope that their children will have access to quality education and employment opportunities. They also hope that their culture and traditions will be preserved.

Sure, here are some MCQs on the topics of history, geography, and science:

Which of the following is not a historical event?
(A) The American Revolution
(B) The French Revolution
(C) The Rathore dynasty
(D) The Industrial revolution
Which of the following is not a geographical feature?
(A) The Himalayas
(B) The Sahara Desert
(C) The Rathore dynasty
(D) The Amazon rainforest
Which of the following is not a scientific discovery?
(A) The theory of relativity
(B) The discovery of penicillin
(C) The Rathore dynasty
(D) The invention of the printing press
Which of the following is not a famous person?
(A) Albert Einstein
(B) Marie Curie
(C) The Rathore dynasty
(D) Leonardo da Vinci
Which of the following is not a country?
(A) India
(B) China
(C) The Rathore dynasty
(D) Japan
Which of the following is not a continent?
(A) Asia
(B) Africa
(C) The Rathore dynasty
(D) Australia
Which of the following is not a planet?
(A) Earth
(B) Mars
(C) The Rathore dynasty
(D) Jupiter
Which of the following is not a star?
(A) The Sun
(B) The Moon
(C) The Rathore dynasty
(D) Venus
Which of the following is not a galaxy?
(A) The Milky Way
(B) The Andromeda Galaxy
(C) The Rathore dynasty
(D) The Triangulum Galaxy
Which of the following is not a chemical element?
(A) Hydrogen
(B) Oxygen
(C) The Rathore dynasty
(D) Carbon

I hope these questions were challenging and interesting!