Mewar

On the history of Mewar, the princely state of Rajasthan

1. The Real History of the Sisodias of Mewar By Rat nakar Sadasyula

2. I ntroduction What is the motive of this course? To educate about the history of Mewar a n d it’s resistance to Islamic invasions. Who is this course for? For a ny one wishing to know the true history of India, in a simple format. What is a student going to learn by completing the course? They will learn n about Mewar’s rich legacy, the founding of the Sisodia dynasty, the rise of the Ranas , the great Ranas - Kumbha , Sanga and Pratap .

3. Brief overview of all the lessons. Chapter 1- The Origin of the Sisodias Lesson 1- History of Mewar , Chittorgarh , Bappa Rawal Lesson 2- Veer Hammir , founding of Sisodia dynasty. Chapter 2- Rana Kumbha Lesson 1- Early life of Rana Kumbha , battles fought Lesson 2- Kumbhalgarh , Vijay Stambha at Chittorgarh . Chapter 3- Rana Sanga Lesson 1- Early life of Rana Sanga . Lesson 2- Battle of Khanwa Chapter 4- Maharana Pratap Lesson 1- History of Mewar , Chittorgarh , Bappa Rawal Lesson 2- Veer Hammir , founding of Sisodia dynasty .

4. Why did Mewar not surrender to Akbar , when all other Rajput states did? Mewar the land of   Bappa Rawal , Veer Hamir ,  Rana Kumbha   and  Rana Sangha .  Garh to Bas Chittorgarh Hai , Baaki Sab Garhaiya Hai

5. Mewar covers South Western region of Rajasthan, bordering Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh   Flanked by the Aravallis in the North West, and the southern region is mostly hilly, dotted with forests . Districts of  Bhilwara , Rajsamand , Chittorgarh , Banswara , Dungarpur and Udaipur

6. Very rugged regio n, which shaped the residents.   Part of Kathiawar- Gir ecosystem. Wildlife sa nctuaries of Kumbalgarh, Sita Mata, Bassi and Jaisamand.

7. Chittogarh , Udaipur. Kumbalgharh , Great Wall of India. Shilpagram   crafts village.   Eklingji and Nathdwara . Jain temples of Ranakpur .

8.   Originally called Medhapat .   Patron deity of the region is Eklingji ,  one of the oldest temples dating back to the 10th century built by the Guhilas . F amous for it’s 4 faced image of Shiva in granite .   Ruler of Udaipur, visits this temple every Monday and he considers himself as the Dewan here.  Shiva is also referred to as Medhapatheshwar , the ruler of the Mewar region.

9. Dates back to 2 nd Century AD, when Kanak Sen migrated to Saurashtra from Kosala . D escendants , established the city of Vallabhi , now located near Bhavnagar in Gujarat . It was the capital of the Maitraka rulers, who expanded their territory all over Saurashtra as well as the Southern part of Rajasthan. Vallabhi fell in 770 AD during the Arab invasion, the Maitraka queen, Kamalavati handed over her new born son to a Brahmin woman and committed Sati. Grihaditya , also called as Guhil , one born in a cave, and he grew up in Idar ( now in the Sabarkantha district of Gujarat. He lent his name to the clan Guhilot which in due course of time, became better known as Gehlot . I nitially ruled from Idar , later a new capital was established at Nagada  

10. Bappa Rawal was the actual fou nder of Mewar Kingdom. Real name Kalbhoj , established a new dynasty called the Rawals . Grew up i n the hills of Nagada as a shepherd. Father belo nged to the Gehlot clan, Mother was of the Paramara clan. Gehlots were Suryava nshi Rajputs , while Paramaras were one of the 4 Agnikula Kshatriyas.

11. Bappa Rawal’s fame due to Battle of Rajastha n during the 8 th Centuy AD. U niting the smaller states of Ajmer, Jaisalmer , created a powerful alliance against Mohammed Bin Qasim . Qasim had overra n Sindh, was forced to retreat, pursued through Saurashtra , right up to Indus. Marched right up to Ghazni and defeated it’s ruler. E xpand his territory right up to Ispahan in current day Iran, and covered vast swathes of Afghanistan.

12. Bhatribhat I, who formed a loose confederation of sorts with other Rajput rulers. Last ruler Allat Singh was forced to move to Ahar , in the mid 10th century, abandoning Chittorgarh . Ahar was the capital of the Gehlot rulers from 971 AD to 1172 AD C onstant Muslim invasions, meant the last ruler at Ahar , Kshem Singh had to move his capital to Dungarpur in Rajasthan.

13.   Dungarpur was established by Mahup , the elder son of the 12th century Mewar ruler Karan Singh. Mahup was disinherited by his father, and took refuge with his mother, who belonged to the Bagar clan of Chauhan.   Took the title of Maharawal ,  and fought many a battle with the Bhil tribals there, to establish his position.  Dungarpur is believed to have been named after a Bhil chieftain, assassinated by Mahup’s successor Rawal Bir Singh in the 14th century