<–2/”>a >The Rise of local powers: Rewari and Ballabhgarh
Although a period of over all decline it marked the rise of local powers — especially of Rewari and Ballabhgarh in Haryana. The estate of Rewari, as stated earlier, was founded by Nand Ram, a Ahir leader of gadhi Bolni. His illustrious son Bal Krishna rose to the position of a mansabdar (maintaining two thousand troops) under Aurangzeb. During the times of Bahadur Shah and Muhammad Shah, Bal Krishna rose to still higher position, Sher Bachacha Samsher Bahadur as he was styled by Muhammad Shah, Bal Krishna with his five thousand followers laid his life in fighting Nadir Shah in the battle of Karnal. As noted by Man Singh, the author of Abhira Kula Dlpikd, his valour and bravery even drew the attention of Nadir Shah who paid rich tributes to him. He was succeeded by his younger brother Rao Gujarnial, an astute diplomat. As reward for the Services rendered by his elder brother, Rao Gujarmal received the jegir of twelves villages from the Mughals, and was also appointed faujdar of Rewari and its adjoining territory. But he soon found himself in conflict with his neighbour, Dalel Khan, a favourite of Farrukhsiyar and hakim of the territory comprising most of the present Gurgaon district, Dalel Khan founded the city of Farrukhnagar which become the centre of his power. Gujarmal who proved stronger of the two, succeeded in adding Hisar-Jhajjar to his expanding estate. He soon liberated Kanod and Narnaul from the clutches of the rulers of Jaipur and also brought under his subjection other adjoining area. His territories now formed an extensive area comprising Hisar, Jhajjar, Hansi, Dadri, Bhiwani, K^nod and Namaul including of course Rewari which remained the capital.
Gujarmal had hereditary enemity with Bahadur Singh of Ghaseda whose predecessor Hathi Singh was murdered by Mian Singh, a brother of Gujarmal. In retaliation Bahadur Singh sought the help of Badan Singh, the Jat Chief of Bharatpur but did not succeed for the latter happened to be on friendly terms with Rao Gujarmal. Bahadur Singh thereafter tried another trick. With the connivance of his father-in-law Thakur Todarmal of Nimrana, he treacherously murdered Rao Gujarmal (1750). With the death of Rao Gujarmal ended the glorious period of the history of Rewari State. Bhawani Singh, the next ruler was an incompetent ruler under whom the state of Rewari was subjected to the encroachment of the neighbouring states – Jaipur, Farrukhnagar and Jhajjar further reducing it to a small jagir of about 23 villages.
Ballabhgarh, now a small kasha in district Faridabad, came to prominence after the death of Aurangzeb. Inhabited mostly by the Jats, it was then ruled by Gopal Singh, a local chief whose only profession was to plunder and raid the environs of Delhi. Unable to check Gopal Singh, Farrukhsiyar, the shadowy Mughal emperor, recognised him as the Chaudhari of Faridabad having right to one sixteenth (one anna in the rupee) of the revenue for his maintenance. His successor Charandas, a man of independent disposition, refused to pay the tax and to submit to the authority. Consequently he was arrested and imprisoned. His successor Ballabha Singh (popularly known as Balu) was a wise ruler who, with the help of Bharatpur ruler succeeded in effecting the release of his father. By his ability Ballabha Singh soon became the master of the entire territory between Delhi and Faridabad and then built the fort of Ballabhgadh to serve as his headquarters. He also maintained cordial relations with the Bharatpur house which further strengthened his position. Emperor Ahmad Shah, alarmed at the rise of this local power so close to the capital, asked his wazir Imad-ul-mulk to deal with Ballabh Singh. Accordingly a combined Mughal-Maratha force led by Aqibat Muhammad Khan, Imad’s chief agent, attacked Ballabhgadh (1753). Imad, fully aware of his enemy’s strength, also sent additional seven thousand troops with thirty pieces of Light artillery. This show of force finally forced Ballabh Singh to come to terms and to agree to pay tax to the Mughals which was due on him. But the peasants in his territory refused to accept the terms because they were afraid that they might not be required to pay again to their master.” Consequently a second attack was then decided upon, but before it could materialise, in a heated argument with Aquibat Khan, the Mughal officer, over the realisation of the dues, Ballabh Singh along with his son, his diwan and nine others were killed (November 29, 1753). The Jats defended their stronghold heroically but they were soon outnumbered and the fort fell in the hands of the Mughals. Ballabhgadh was renamed Nizamgadh after Imad’s new title Nizamulmulk Asaf Jah and along with Faridabad was handed over to him as jagir}. Later cn, the successors of Ballabh Singh did succeed with the help of Raja Surajmal of Bharatpur in regaining some of their lost territories.
Towards the middle of the eighteenth century Haryana thus slipped away from the administrative control of the rulers of Delhi. It was mostly parcled out among the local chiefs and was also subjected to some extent to the encroachment of the neighbouring powers. Raja Surajmal of Bharatpur occupied Faridabad and its adjoining area; Madho Singh of Jaipur had taken possession of Kanod and Narnaul; at Rewari and Shahajahanpur ruled the Ahir rulers; Kamgar Khan Baluch, the governor of Farrukhnagar held a vast territory comprising the whole of the districts of Rohtak and Hissar, parts of Gurgaon, Jind and Patiala; Qutb Shah, wrongly called Ruhela (formerly a collector in Saharanpur) usurped parts of the Panipat and Sarhind district west of the Jamuna; Najabat Khan Ruhela held parts of Kurukshetra and Karnal (which included, Indri, Ajimabad, Pipli and Shahbad, i.e., a jagir comprising of about ItO villages); Muhammad Amin and Hasan Khan (originally belonging to the Bhattis) took possession of Fatehabad, Rania and Sirsa’ while Bahadur Khan (once a servant of Kamgar who later entered the services of Imad) was granted the jagir of Bahadurgarh. Other minor chiefs of Haryana Asadulla Khan and Hasan Ali Khan (brother and nephew of Kamgar Khan) were the rulers of Tauru and Jhajjar respectively.
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The Rewari and Ballabhgarh kingdoms were two of the many small kingdoms that arose in the 18th century in the wake of the decline of the Mughal Empire. Both kingdoms were located in the northern Indian state of Haryana.
The Rewari kingdom was founded in the early 18th century by Rao Tula Ram, a Rajput warrior. The kingdom reached its peak under the rule of Rao Tula Ram’s son, Rao Raja Pratap Singh. Rao Raja Pratap Singh was a powerful and respected ruler who was able to maintain his independence from the Mughals and the Marathas.
The Ballabhgarh kingdom was founded in the late 18th century by Raja Balwant Singh, a Jat warrior. The kingdom reached its peak under the rule of Raja Balwant Singh’s son, Raja Nahar Singh. Raja Nahar Singh was a powerful and respected ruler who was able to maintain his independence from the Mughals and the Marathas.
Both the Rewari and Ballabhgarh kingdoms were eventually conquered by the British East India Company in the early 19th century. However, the memory of these kingdoms and their rulers is still alive in the region today.
The Rewari kingdom was founded in the early 18th century by Rao Tula Ram, a Rajput warrior. Rao Tula Ram was a descendant of the Tomar Rajputs, who had ruled the region in the 12th and 13th centuries.
Rao Tula Ram was a powerful and respected ruler. He was able to maintain his independence from the Mughals and the Marathas. He also built a number of forts and temples in the region.
Rao Tula Ram’s son, Rao Raja Pratap Singh, succeeded him as ruler of the Rewari kingdom. Rao Raja Pratap Singh was also a powerful and respected ruler. He was able to maintain his independence from the Mughals and the Marathas. He also built a number of forts and temples in the region.
The Rewari kingdom was eventually conquered by the British East India Company in the early 19th century. However, the memory of the Rewari kingdom and its rulers is still alive in the region today.
The Ballabhgarh kingdom was founded in the late 18th century by Raja Balwant Singh, a Jat warrior. Raja Balwant Singh was a descendant of the Chauhan Rajputs, who had ruled the region in the 11th and 12th centuries.
Raja Balwant Singh was a powerful and respected ruler. He was able to maintain his independence from the Mughals and the Marathas. He also built a number of forts and temples in the region.
Raja Balwant Singh’s son, Raja Nahar Singh, succeeded him as ruler of the Ballabhgarh kingdom. Raja Nahar Singh was also a powerful and respected ruler. He was able to maintain his independence from the Mughals and the Marathas. He also built a number of forts and temples in the region.
The Ballabhgarh kingdom was eventually conquered by the British East India Company in the early 19th century. However, the memory of the Ballabhgarh kingdom and its rulers is still alive in the region today.
The decline of the Rewari and Ballabhgarh kingdoms was a result of a number of factors, including the rise of the British East India Company, the decline of the Mughal Empire, and the internal instability of the kingdoms themselves.
The British East India Company was a powerful trading company that had been established in India in the 17th century. The company gradually began to expand its power and influence in India, and by the early 19th century, it had become the dominant power in the region.
The decline of the Mughal Empire was another factor that contributed to the decline of the Rewari and Ballabhgarh kingdoms. The Mughal Empire had been a powerful empire that had ruled over much of India for centuries. However, the empire began to decline in the 18th century, and by the early 19th century, it had collapsed.
The internal instability of the Rewari and Ballabhgarh kingdoms was also a factor that contributed to their decline. Both kingdoms were plagued by internal conflicts and power struggles. This instability made it difficult for the kingdoms to resist the expansion of the British East India Company.
The decline of the Rewari and Ballabhgarh kingdoms had a profound impact on the region. The local people lost their independence and their traditional way of life. The region also became economically depressed.
Despite the decline of the Rewari and Ballabhgarh kingdoms, the memory of these kingdoms and their rulers is still alive in the region today. The people of the region still remember the courage and determination of their ancestors, and they continue to celebrate their history and culture.
The Rise of Local Powers: Rewari and Ballabhgarh
Rewari and Ballabhgarh were two important local powers that emerged in the 18th century. They were both located in the northern part of India, and they both played a significant role in the Mughal Empire’s decline.
Rewari was founded by Raja Raghunath Singh in the early 18th century. He was a powerful Rajput ruler who was able to expand his territory and consolidate his power. Rewari became a major center of Trade and Commerce, and it was also a stronghold of Rajput culture.
Ballabhgarh was founded by Raja Balwant Singh in the late 18th century. He was a Jat ruler who was able to carve out a kingdom for himself in the midst of the Mughal Empire’s decline. Ballabhgarh became a major center of Education and Learning, and it was also a stronghold of Jat culture.
Both Rewari and Ballabhgarh were able to maintain their independence for many years. However, they were eventually conquered by the British East India Company in the early 19th century.
Here are some frequently asked questions about Rewari and Ballabhgarh:
What was the significance of Rewari and Ballabhgarh?
Rewari and Ballabhgarh were two important local powers that emerged in the 18th century. They were both located in the northern part of India, and they both played a significant role in the Mughal Empire’s decline.Who founded Rewari and Ballabhgarh?
Rewari was founded by Raja Raghunath Singh in the early 18th century. He was a powerful Rajput ruler who was able to expand his territory and consolidate his power. Ballabhgarh was founded by Raja Balwant Singh in the late 18th century. He was a Jat ruler who was able to carve out a kingdom for himself in the midst of the Mughal Empire’s decline.What were the major achievements of Rewari and Ballabhgarh?
Rewari became a major center of trade and commerce, and it was also a stronghold of Rajput culture. Ballabhgarh became a major center of education and learning, and it was also a stronghold of Jat culture.What were the major challenges faced by Rewari and Ballabhgarh?
Both Rewari and Ballabhgarh were eventually conquered by the British East India Company in the early 19th century.What is the legacy of Rewari and Ballabhgarh?
Rewari and Ballabhgarh are still important historical sites in India. They are both reminders of the region’s rich history and culture.
Question 1
Which of the following was not a local power that emerged in the 18th century?
(A) Rewari
(B) Ballabhgarh
(C) Bharatpur
(D) Jaipur
Answer
(D)
Question 2
The local powers that emerged in the 18th century were able to do so because of
(A) the decline of the Mughal Empire
(B) the rise of the MARATHA EMPIRE
(C) the British East India Company
(D) all of the above
Answer
(D)
Question 3
The local powers that emerged in the 18th century were often at odds with each other. This was because
(A) they were all vying for control of the same territory
(B) they had different religious and cultural backgrounds
(C) they were all trying to expand their own power and influence
(D) all of the above
Answer
(D)
Question 4
The local powers that emerged in the 18th century were eventually defeated by the British East India Company. This was because
(A) the British had a stronger military
(B) the British had more Money
(C) the British had better technology
(D) all of the above
Answer
(D)
Question 5
The defeat of the local powers by the British East India Company had a significant impact on the history of India. This is because
(A) it led to the end of the Mughal Empire
(B) it led to the rise of the British Raj
(C) it led to the partition of India
(D) all of the above
Answer
(B)