Jump to content

Rajputana Agency: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
m Disambiguating links to Rathore (link changed to Rathore (clan)) using DisamAssist.
Miss print
Tags: Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit
 
(26 intermediate revisions by 13 users not shown)
Line 3: Line 3:
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox geopolitical organization
{{Infobox geopolitical organization
| native_name =
| native_name =
| conventional_long_name = Rajputana Agency
| conventional_long_name = Rajputana Agency
| common_name = Rajputana Agency
| common_name = Rajputana Agency
| capital = [[Ajmer]] (1832–1845)<br>[[Mount Abu]] (1845–1947)
| capital = [[Ajmer]] (1832–1845)<br>[[Mount Abu]] (1845–1947)
| religion = [[Hinduism]]
| era = [[New Imperialism]]
| era = [[New Imperialism]]
| membership_type = States under AGG for Rajputana
| membership_type = States under AGG for Rajputana
| membership = *{{flagicon image|Flag of Jaipur.svg}} [[Jaipur State]]
| membership = *{{flagicon image|Flag of Jaipur.svg}} [[Jaipur State]]
*{{flagicon image|Flag of Jodhpur.svg}} [[Jodhpur State]]
*{{flagicon image|Flag of Jodhpur.svg}} [[Jodhpur State]]
*{{flagicon image|Flag of Bikaner.svg}} [[Bikaner State]]
*{{flagicon image|Flag of Bikaner.svg}} [[Bikaner State]]
Line 19: Line 18:
| year_leader1 = 1832–1836 (first)
| year_leader1 = 1832–1836 (first)
| leader1 = Abraham Locket
| leader1 = Abraham Locket
| date_pre = 1817
| date_pre = 1817
| event_pre = First agreements with local princely rulers
| event_pre = First agreements with local princely rulers
| year_end = 1948
| year_end = 1948
| date_end =
| date_end =
| event_end = [[Instrument of Accession|Accession]] to the [[Dominion of India|Indian Union]]
| event_end = [[Instrument of Accession|Accession]] to the [[Dominion of India|Indian Union]]
| event_start = Rajputana Agency established in [[Ajmer]]
| event_start = Rajputana Agency established in [[Ajmer]]
| year_start = 1832
| year_start = 1832
| event2 = Headquarters shifted to [[Mount Abu]]
| event2 = Headquarters shifted to [[Mount Abu]]
| date_event2 = 1845
| date_event2 = 1845
Line 46: Line 45:
| p17 = Jhalawar State
| p17 = Jhalawar State
| p18 = Tonk State
| p18 = Tonk State
| p19 = Sarwar, Rajasthan
| s1 = Rajasthan
| s1 = Rajasthan
| flag_p1 =
| flag_p1 =
Line 52: Line 52:
| image_coat =
| image_coat =
| image_map2 = Map of Rajputana or Rajasthan 1920.jpg
| image_map2 = Map of Rajputana or Rajasthan 1920.jpg
| image_map_caption = The Rajputana Agency within the Indian Empire in 1920
| image_map_caption = The Rajputana Agency within the British Indian Empire in 1920
| image_map = Rajputana Agency in the Indian Empire with British India and other Indian states 1920.png
| image_map = Rajputana Agency in the Indian Empire with British India and other Indian states 1920.png
| map_caption2 = Detailed map of Rajputana Agency in 1920.
| map_caption2 = Detailed map of Rajputana Agency in 1920
| stat_area1 = 330875
| stat_area1 = 330875
| stat_year1 = 1901
| stat_year1 = 1901
| stat_pop1 = 9723301
| stat_pop1 = 9723301
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
| p19 = Bharatpur State
}}
}}
{{Princely States topics}}
{{Princely States topics}}
Line 93: Line 92:
** [[Kota State|Kota(h)]], title Maharaja, hereditary salute of 17 guns (19 personal)
** [[Kota State|Kota(h)]], title Maharaja, hereditary salute of 17 guns (19 personal)
** [[Jhalawar State|Jhalawar]], title Maharaj Rana, hereditary salute of 13 guns [15 Personal]
** [[Jhalawar State|Jhalawar]], title Maharaj Rana, hereditary salute of 13 guns [15 Personal]
*[[Sarwar, Rajasthan|Sarwar state]] (title Maharaja)and [[Ajmer]] (title Maharaja in 1198) ruled by the [[Gaur (clan)|Gaur rajput dynasty]], their dynasty ruled the [[Sheopur district|Sheopur]], [[Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh|Rajgarh]], Fatehgarh, Bulandshahr, Sarwari and many more states and estates.

The small [[British India|British province]] of [[Ajmer-Merwara]] was also included within the geographical area of Rajputana, but that was under direct British rule.
The small [[British India|British province]] of [[Ajmer-Merwara]] was also included within the geographical area of Rajputana, but that was under direct British rule.


Line 101: Line 100:
Although Rajputs ruled most of the states, they comprised a small minority of the population; in the 1901 census, of a total population of 9,723,301, only 620,229 were Rajputs, who were numerically strongest in the northern states and in Udaipur and Tarangagadh.
Although Rajputs ruled most of the states, they comprised a small minority of the population; in the 1901 census, of a total population of 9,723,301, only 620,229 were Rajputs, who were numerically strongest in the northern states and in Udaipur and Tarangagadh.


Other important castes and tribes of Rajputana were the [[Charan|Charans]], known as [[poet]]-[[List of historians|historians]] and [[Administrator of the government|administrators]] in [[Princely state|princely states]];<ref>{{Cite book |last=Vinay |first=Srivastava |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mq1HAAAAYAAJ |title=Methodology and Fieldwork |date=2004 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-566727-1 |language=en |quote="They were...historians, and teachers; sometimes they were leading state servants, sometimes guides and protectors of trade."}}</ref> the [[Brahmin]]s, who traditionally performed priestly functions, and were numerous and influential; the [[Bhat]]s, who were the keepers of secular tradition and of the genealogies; the [[Hindu]] mercantile [[castes]]; [[Jainism|Jains]], who comprised the majority of the merchants; the agricultural groups, such as the [[Jat (people)|Jat]]s and the [[Gurjar]]s, the tribal peoples, [[Bhil]]s, [[Meenas]] and [[Meo (ethnic group)|Meo]]. In the 1901 census, 7,035,093 persons, or more than 72% of the total population spoke one of the [[Rajasthani language]]s.
Other important castes and tribes of Rajputana were the [[Charan]]s, known as [[poet]]-[[List of historians|historians]] and [[Administrator of the government|administrators]] in [[princely state]]s;<ref>{{Cite book |last=Vinay |first=Srivastava |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mq1HAAAAYAAJ |title=Methodology and Fieldwork |date=2004 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-566727-1 |language=en |quote="They were...historians, and teachers; sometimes they were leading state servants, sometimes guides and protectors of trade."}}</ref> the [[Brahmin]]s, who traditionally performed priestly functions, and were numerous and influential; the [[Bhat]]s, who were the keepers of secular tradition and of the genealogies; the [[Hindu]] mercantile [[castes]]; [[Jainism|Jains]], who comprised the majority of the merchants; the agricultural groups, such as the [[Jat (people)|Jat]]s and the [[Gurjar]]s, the tribal peoples, [[Bhil]]s, [[Meenas]] and [[Meo (ethnic group)|Meo]]. In the 1901 census, 7,035,093 persons, or more than 72% of the total population spoke one of the [[Rajasthani language]]s.


== Rulers ==
== Rulers ==
[[File:In rajput.png|thumb|left|Flag of Rajput]]
[[File:In rajput.png|thumb|left|Flag of Rajput]]
Prior to the Muslim invasions of northern India in the eleventh century, Rajputana was ruled by a number of local dynasties, Chief of these were the [[Gurjara Pratihara]]s, who ruled at [[Kanauj]]; the [[Paramara dynasty|Paramara]]s of [[Malwa]]; the Chauhans of [[Ajmer]];The Bamraulia of [[Dholpur]] the [[Chaulukya dynasty|Chaulukya]] (Solankis) of [[Anhilwara]] in Gujarat; the [[Guhilots]] with the [[Sisodia Dynasty|Sisodia]] of Udaipur ([[Mewar]]); the [[Rathore (clan)|Rathore]]s of [[Marwar]] (Jodhpur); and the [[Kachwaha]] clan of [[Jaipur]]. The Rathore, Chauhan, Sisodia and Kachwahas ruled until Indian independence. These Rajput dynasties were gradually supplanted or subordinated by the Muslim invaders of the 11th century and weakened by internal feuds. At the beginning of the 16th century the Rajput power began to revive, only to be overthrown by the [[Babur]], founder of the [[Mughal empire]] at [[Fatehpur Sikri]] in 1527. The clans were finally either conquered, overawed or conciliated by [[Akbar]], except for the distant Sisodia clan, which, however, submitted to [[Jahangir]] in 1616. From Jahangir's accession to [[Aurangzeb]]'s death in 1707, a period of 100 years, most of North India was under Mughal control although some states did rebel like Bundelas against Shah Jahan, Mewar and Marwar against Aurangzeb. In 16th century [[Jat]] Power Rise and they did battle against aurangzeb in battle of [[Tilpat]], after the Death of Gokula Singh [[Raja Ram Jat]] looted Akbar's tomb and exhumed Akbar's bones and burned them. Aurangzeb's death, the [[Maratha Empire|invasion of the Marathas]] and [[Nader Shah]] of [[Iran]] led to a triple alliance among the three leading Rajput chiefs, which internal jealousy so weakened that the [[Maratha]]s, having been called in by the Rathors to aid them, took possession of Ajmer about 1756. By the end of the century nearly the whole of Eastern Rajputana had been virtually subdued by the Marathas. The [[Second Anglo-Maratha War]] distracted the [[Maratha]]s from 1807 to 1809, but afterwards [[Maratha Empire|Maratha domination]] of Rajputana resumed. In 1817 the British went to war with the [[Pindari]]s, raiders who were based in Maratha territory, which quickly became the [[Third Anglo-Maratha War]], and the British government offered its protection to the Rajput rulers from the Pindaris and the Marathas. The Pindari were defeated, and the [[Afghan people|Afghan]] adventurer [[Amir Khan (Pindari)|Amir Khan]] submitted and signed a treaty with the British, making him the ruler of [[Tonk State|Tonk]]. By the end of 1818 similar treaties had been executed between the other Rajput states and Britain. The Maratha [[Sindhia]] ruler of [[Gwalior]] gave up the district of [[Ajmer-Merwara]] to the British, and Maratha influence in Rajasthan came to an end. Most of the Jat and Rajput princes remained loyal to Britain in the [[Revolt of 1857]], and few political changes were made in Rajputana until Indian independence in 1947.
In the eleventh century, Rajputana was ruled by a number of local dynasties, Chief of these were the [[Gurjara Pratihara]]s, who ruled at [[Kanauj]]; the [[Paramara dynasty|Paramara]]s of [[Malwa]]; the Chauhans and [[Gaur (clan)|Gaur dynasty]] of [[Ajmer]]; the Bamraulia of [[Dholpur]]; the [[Chaulukya dynasty|Chaulukya]] (Solankis) of [[Anhilwara]] in Gujarat; [[Mahawar Koli|Mahawar koli]] of ([[Rajasthan]]); the [[Guhilots]] with the [[Sisodia Dynasty|Sisodia]] of Udaipur ([[Mewar]]); the [[Rathore (Rajput clan)|Rathore]]s of [[Marwar]] (Jodhpur); and the [[Kachwaha]] clan of [[Jaipur]]. The Rathore, Chauhan, Sisodia and Kachwahas ruled until Indian independence. In 14th century great [[Maharana Kumbha]] ruled over entire Mewar region for 34 years after defeating various Islamic Sultans many times. He built the [[Vijay Stambha]] (Tower of Victory) to commemorate his victories against Islamic Sultans. Colonel James Tod called [[Vijay Stambha]] one of finest examples of Hindu Rajput architecture. In 16th century the Rajputs first allied & then faced off with foreigner [[Babur]], founder of the [[Mughal empire]] at [[Fatehpur Sikri]] in 1527. Some clans chose to conciliate with [[Akbar]], except for the Sisodia clan, which, however, conciliated with [[Jahangir]] in 1616. Many Mughal Kings sought refuge from the friendly allied Rajput kings during internal conflicts or while on the run; e.g. Akbar was born at the Rajput Fortress of Amarkot in Rajputana (in modern-day Sindh), where his parents had been given refuge by the local Hindu ruler Rana Prasad. From Jahangir's accession to [[Aurangzeb]]'s death in 1707, a period of 100 years, many Rajput kings allied with Mughals although some states did rebel like Bundelas against Shah Jahan, Mewar's great [[Maharana Pratap]] against Akbar and Mewar and Marwar against Aurangzeb. In the 16th century [[Jat]] power arose and they fought against Aurangzeb in battle of [[Tilpat]]. After death of Gokula Singh [[Raja Ram Jat]] looted Akbar's tomb and exhumed Akbar's bones and burned them. After Aurangzeb's death, the [[Maratha Empire|invasion of the Marathas]] and [[Nader Shah]] of Iran led to a triple alliance among the three leading Rajput chiefs, which internal jealousy so weakened that the [[Maratha]]s, having been called in by the Rathors to aid them, took possession of Ajmer about 1756. By the end of the century nearly the whole of Eastern Rajputana had been aligned with Marathas. The [[Second Anglo-Maratha War]] distracted the [[Maratha]]s from 1807 to 1809. In 1817 the British went to war with the [[Pindari]]s, raiders who were based in Maratha territory, which quickly became the [[Third Anglo-Maratha War]], and the British government offered its protection to the Rajput rulers from the Pindaris and the Marathas. The Pindari were defeated, and the [[Afghan people|Afghan]] adventurer [[Amir Khan (Pindari)|Amir Khan]] submitted and signed a treaty with the British, making him the ruler of [[Tonk State|Tonk]]. By the end of 1818 similar treaties had been executed between the other Rajput states and Britain. The Maratha [[Sindhia]] ruler of [[Gwalior]] gave up the district of [[Ajmer-Merwara]] to the British, and Maratha influence in Rajasthan came to an end. Most of the Jat and Rajput princes remained loyal to Britain in the [[Revolt of 1857]], and few political changes were made in Rajputana until Indian independence in 1947. The Rajput kings were some of the most loyal allies of British Empire during the [[Revolt of 1857]], [[World War I]], & [[World War II]].


== Statistical overview ==
== Statistical overview ==
Line 119: Line 118:
| align="center" | [[Jaipur State|Jaipur]] || align="center" | 15,579 || align="center" | 2.66&nbsp;million (chiefly Hindu) || align="center" | 62 || align="center" | ''[[Maharaja]]'', [[Kachwaha]] [[Rajput]], Hindu || align="center" | 19 (including two guns personal to the then ruler) || align="center" | Resident at Jaipur
| align="center" | [[Jaipur State|Jaipur]] || align="center" | 15,579 || align="center" | 2.66&nbsp;million (chiefly Hindu) || align="center" | 62 || align="center" | ''[[Maharaja]]'', [[Kachwaha]] [[Rajput]], Hindu || align="center" | 19 (including two guns personal to the then ruler) || align="center" | Resident at Jaipur
|-
|-
|align="center" | [[Jodhpur State|Jodhpur (Marwar)]] || align="center" | 34,963 || align="center" | 1.94&nbsp;million (mostly Hindu) || align="center" | 56 || align="center" | ''Maharaja'', [[Rathore (clan)|Rathor]] [[Rajput]], Hindu || align="center" | 17 || align="center" | Resident in the western states of Rajputana
|align="center" | [[Jodhpur State|Jodhpur (Marwar)]] || align="center" | 34,963 || align="center" | 1.94&nbsp;million (mostly Hindu) || align="center" | 56 || align="center" | ''Maharaja'', [[Rathore (Rajput clan)|Rathor]] [[Rajput]], Hindu || align="center" | 17 || align="center" | Resident in the western states of Rajputana
|-
|-
| align="center" | [[Bikaner (princely state)|Bikaner]] || align="center" | 23,311 || align="center" | 0.58&nbsp;million (chiefly Hindu) || align="center" | 23 || align="center" | ''Maharaja'', Rathor Rajput, Hindu || align="center" | 17 || align="center" | Political agent in Bikaner
| align="center" | [[Bikaner (princely state)|Bikaner]] || align="center" | 23,311 || align="center" | 0.58&nbsp;million (chiefly Hindu) || align="center" | 23 || align="center" | ''Maharaja'', Rathor Rajput, Hindu || align="center" | 17 || align="center" | Political agent in Bikaner
Line 149: Line 148:
{{Salute states}}
{{Salute states}}


[[Category:Rajputana Agency| ]]
[[Category:States under the Rajputana Agency| ]]
[[Category:Agencies of British India]]
[[Category:Agencies of British India]]
[[Category:History of Rajasthan]]
[[Category:History of Rajasthan]]

Latest revision as of 13:47, 15 December 2024

Rajputana Agency
1832–1948
Flag of Rajputana Agency
Flag
The Rajputana Agency within the British Indian Empire in 1920
The Rajputana Agency within the British Indian Empire in 1920
Detailed map of Rajputana Agency in 1920
Detailed map of Rajputana Agency in 1920
CapitalAjmer (1832–1845)
Mount Abu (1845–1947)
States under AGG for Rajputana
GovernmentIndirect imperial rule over a group of hereditary monarchies
Agent to the
Governor-General
 
• 1832–1836 (first)
Abraham Locket
Historical eraNew Imperialism
• First agreements with local princely rulers
1817
• Rajputana Agency established in Ajmer
1832
• Headquarters shifted to Mount Abu
1845
• Accession to the Indian Union
1948
Area
1901330,875 km2 (127,752 sq mi)
Population
• 1901
9,723,301
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Jaisalmer State
Bikaner State
Jodhpur State
Jaipur State
Udaipur State
Maratha Confederacy
Alwar State
Kishangarh State
Dungarpur State
Sirohi State
Banswara State
Kota State
Bundi State
Bharatpur State
Karauli State
Dholpur State
Jhalawar State
Tonk State
Sarwar, Rajasthan
Rajasthan

The Rajputana Agency was a political office of the British Indian Empire dealing with a collection of native states in Rajputana (now in Rajasthan, northwestern India), under the political charge of an Agent reporting directly to the Governor-General of India and residing at Mount Abu in the Aravalli Range. The total area of the states falling within the Rajputana Agency was 127,541 square miles (330,330 km2), with eighteen states and two estates or chiefships.

Subdivisions and (e)states

[edit]
  • Mewar Residency, with headquarters at Udaipur, dealt with the state of Mewar (title Maharana of Udaipur), a salute state entitled to a hereditary gun salute of 19 guns (21 local).
  • Southern Rajputana States Agency, which was part of Mewar Residency until 1906, when it was separated, covered three salute states:
    • Banswara, title Maharawal, hereditary 15 guns
    • Dungarpur, title Maharawal, hereditary 15 guns
    • Pratapgarh, title Maharawal, hereditary 15 guns
  • Jaipur Residency, with headquarters at Jaipur, dealt with two salute states:
  • Western Rajputana States Residency, with its headquarters at Jodhpur, dealt with:
    • Jodhpur, title Maharaja, hereditary salute of 17 guns (19 local)
    • Jaisalmer, title Maharawal, hereditary salute of 15 guns
    • Sirohi, title Maharao, hereditary salute of 15 guns
  • Bikaner Agency, with headquarters at Bikaner, dealt with the salute state of Bikaner, title Maharaja, Hereditary salute of 17 guns (19 local)
  • Alwar Agency, with headquarters at Alwar, dealt with the salute state of Alwar, title Maharaja, hereditary salute of 15 guns (17 local)
  • Eastern Rajputana States Agency, with headquarters at Bharatpur, dealt with :
    • Bharatpur, Jat, title Maharaja, hereditary salute of 17 guns (19 local)
    • Karauli, title Maharaja, Hereditary salute of 17 guns
    • Dholpur, Jat, title Maharaj Rana, hereditary salute of 15 guns (17 personal)
  • Haraoti-Tonk Agency, with headquarters at Deoli, dealt with:
    • Bundi title Maharao, hereditary salute of 17 guns
    • Tonk, Muslim, title Nawab, hereditary salute of 17 guns
    • Shahpura, title Raja, hereditary salute of 9 guns.
  • Kotah-Jhalawar Agency, with headquarters at Kota, dealt with:
    • Kota(h), title Maharaja, hereditary salute of 17 guns (19 personal)
    • Jhalawar, title Maharaj Rana, hereditary salute of 13 guns [15 Personal]
  • Sarwar state (title Maharaja)and Ajmer (title Maharaja in 1198) ruled by the Gaur rajput dynasty, their dynasty ruled the Sheopur, Rajgarh, Fatehgarh, Bulandshahr, Sarwari and many more states and estates.

The small British province of Ajmer-Merwara was also included within the geographical area of Rajputana, but that was under direct British rule.

Population and dynasties

[edit]

All of the princely states had Hindu rulers, except Tonk, which had a Muslim ruler, most being Rajputs, except two in Eastern Rajputana, Bharatpur State and Dholpur State, which had Jat rulers.

Although Rajputs ruled most of the states, they comprised a small minority of the population; in the 1901 census, of a total population of 9,723,301, only 620,229 were Rajputs, who were numerically strongest in the northern states and in Udaipur and Tarangagadh.

Other important castes and tribes of Rajputana were the Charans, known as poet-historians and administrators in princely states;[2] the Brahmins, who traditionally performed priestly functions, and were numerous and influential; the Bhats, who were the keepers of secular tradition and of the genealogies; the Hindu mercantile castes; Jains, who comprised the majority of the merchants; the agricultural groups, such as the Jats and the Gurjars, the tribal peoples, Bhils, Meenas and Meo. In the 1901 census, 7,035,093 persons, or more than 72% of the total population spoke one of the Rajasthani languages.

Rulers

[edit]
Flag of Rajput

In the eleventh century, Rajputana was ruled by a number of local dynasties, Chief of these were the Gurjara Pratiharas, who ruled at Kanauj; the Paramaras of Malwa; the Chauhans and Gaur dynasty of Ajmer; the Bamraulia of Dholpur; the Chaulukya (Solankis) of Anhilwara in Gujarat; Mahawar koli of (Rajasthan); the Guhilots with the Sisodia of Udaipur (Mewar); the Rathores of Marwar (Jodhpur); and the Kachwaha clan of Jaipur. The Rathore, Chauhan, Sisodia and Kachwahas ruled until Indian independence. In 14th century great Maharana Kumbha ruled over entire Mewar region for 34 years after defeating various Islamic Sultans many times. He built the Vijay Stambha (Tower of Victory) to commemorate his victories against Islamic Sultans. Colonel James Tod called Vijay Stambha one of finest examples of Hindu Rajput architecture. In 16th century the Rajputs first allied & then faced off with foreigner Babur, founder of the Mughal empire at Fatehpur Sikri in 1527. Some clans chose to conciliate with Akbar, except for the Sisodia clan, which, however, conciliated with Jahangir in 1616. Many Mughal Kings sought refuge from the friendly allied Rajput kings during internal conflicts or while on the run; e.g. Akbar was born at the Rajput Fortress of Amarkot in Rajputana (in modern-day Sindh), where his parents had been given refuge by the local Hindu ruler Rana Prasad. From Jahangir's accession to Aurangzeb's death in 1707, a period of 100 years, many Rajput kings allied with Mughals although some states did rebel like Bundelas against Shah Jahan, Mewar's great Maharana Pratap against Akbar and Mewar and Marwar against Aurangzeb. In the 16th century Jat power arose and they fought against Aurangzeb in battle of Tilpat. After death of Gokula Singh Raja Ram Jat looted Akbar's tomb and exhumed Akbar's bones and burned them. After Aurangzeb's death, the invasion of the Marathas and Nader Shah of Iran led to a triple alliance among the three leading Rajput chiefs, which internal jealousy so weakened that the Marathas, having been called in by the Rathors to aid them, took possession of Ajmer about 1756. By the end of the century nearly the whole of Eastern Rajputana had been aligned with Marathas. The Second Anglo-Maratha War distracted the Marathas from 1807 to 1809. In 1817 the British went to war with the Pindaris, raiders who were based in Maratha territory, which quickly became the Third Anglo-Maratha War, and the British government offered its protection to the Rajput rulers from the Pindaris and the Marathas. The Pindari were defeated, and the Afghan adventurer Amir Khan submitted and signed a treaty with the British, making him the ruler of Tonk. By the end of 1818 similar treaties had been executed between the other Rajput states and Britain. The Maratha Sindhia ruler of Gwalior gave up the district of Ajmer-Merwara to the British, and Maratha influence in Rajasthan came to an end. Most of the Jat and Rajput princes remained loyal to Britain in the Revolt of 1857, and few political changes were made in Rajputana until Indian independence in 1947. The Rajput kings were some of the most loyal allies of British Empire during the Revolt of 1857, World War I, & World War II.

Statistical overview

[edit]
20 princely states forming the Rajputana Agency[3]
Name of princely state Area in square miles Population in 1901 Approximate revenue (in hundred thousand rupees) Title, ethnicity, and religion of ruler Gun-salute for ruler Designation of local political officer
Udaipur (Mewar) 12,691 1.02 million (chiefly Hindus 24 Maharana, Sisodia Rajput, Hindu 21 (including two guns personal to the then ruler) Resident in Mewar
Jaipur 15,579 2.66 million (chiefly Hindu) 62 Maharaja, Kachwaha Rajput, Hindu 19 (including two guns personal to the then ruler) Resident at Jaipur
Jodhpur (Marwar) 34,963 1.94 million (mostly Hindu) 56 Maharaja, Rathor Rajput, Hindu 17 Resident in the western states of Rajputana
Bikaner 23,311 0.58 million (chiefly Hindu) 23 Maharaja, Rathor Rajput, Hindu 17 Political agent in Bikaner
16 other states 42,374 3.64 million (Chiefly Hindu) 155
Total 128,918 9.84 million 320

Economy

[edit]
Rajputana Agency and Ajmer-Merwara Province, 1909

In the time of the British Raj, the majority of the people were occupied in agriculture. In the large towns banking and commerce flourished. In the north, the staple products for export were salt, grain, wool and cotton, and in the south opium and cotton. The major imports included sugar, hardware and piece goods. Rajputana had relatively little industrial production. The principal manufactures were cotton and woolen goods, metalwork, ivory carving, and other handicrafts which were chiefly carried on in the eastern states. The system of agriculture was very simple; in the drier country west of the Aravalli Range only one crop was raised in the year, while in other parts south and east of the Aravallis two crops were raised annually, and various kinds of cereals, pulses and fibres are grown. In the desert tracts fine breeds of camels, cattle, horses and sheep were to be found wherever there is pasturage. Irrigation, mostly from wells, was almost confined to the northern portion. Rajputana was traversed throughout by the Rajputana railway, with its Malwa branch in the south, and diverging to Agra and Delhi in the north. Jodhpur, Udaipur and Bikaner had constructed branch railways at their own cost, the first of which was extended in 1901 to Hyderabad in Sindh. In 1909 another line was opened running north near the eastern boundary from Kotah to Bharatpur.

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 16, p. 156.
  2. ^ Vinay, Srivastava (2004). Methodology and Fieldwork. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-566727-1. They were...historians, and teachers; sometimes they were leading state servants, sometimes guides and protectors of trade.
  3. ^ Imperial Gazetteer of India vol. IV 1907, pp. 94–95

References

[edit]
  • Imperial Gazetteer of India. Vol. IV. Oxford: The Indian Empire, Administrative, Published under the authority of His Majesty's Secretary of State for India in Council, at the Clarendon Press. 1907.