Far East Kingdoms

Rajputana (Bundi)

Bundi was one of the Rajput kingdoms of Rajasthan which existed in the early modern period in India, located in the north-west of the country. It was centred around the city of Bundi. The Rajputs were Hindu warrior clans, and the word 'rajput' itself literally means 'the son of the king', with the people being known for their valour. Bundi was ruled by the Hada Chauhan royal dynasty which derived its name from a Meena king named Bunda Meena. The kingdom was later taken from the Meenas by Rao Deva Hara in 1342.

There were a number of small Rajput kingdoms which emerged between the sixth and thirteenth centuries, including Amer, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Malwa, Kannauj, Mewar, and all were eventually conquered by the Moghuls.

(Information by Abhijit Rajadhyaksha.)

1342 - 1343

Rao Deva

Founded of the kingdom. Closely aligned with Sisodiya Rajputs.

1343 - 1384

Rao Napuji

Son.

1384 - 1400

Rao Hamuji

Son.

1400 - 1415

Rao Bir Singh

Son.

1415 - 1470

Rao Biru

Son.

1470 - 1491

Rao Bandu

Son. Exiled by his younger brothers who converted to Islam.

1491 - 1527

Rao Narayandas

Son. Recovered his father's kingdom.

1527 - 1531

Rao Surajmal

Son.

1531 - 1544

Rao Surtan Singh

Son.

1544 - 1585

Rao Raja Surjan Singh

Great-uncle.

by 1570

The Moghul emperor, Akbar, gains the submission of Bundi, along with the other Rajputs of Bikaner, Jaisalmer, and Jodhpur. In Bundi's case, Surjan Singh surrenders Ranthambore fort to Akbar. He had been governing it on behalf of the Sisodiyas of Mewar but with this act he becomes a Moghul vassal and is rewarded with extra territory.

Bundi Palace, situated adjacent to Taragarh Fort, was built during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

1585 - 1608

Raj Raja Bhoj Singh

Son. Gained the title of raja from the Moghuls.

1608 - 1632

Rao Raja Ratan Singh

Son.

1605 - 1615

Emperor Jahangir continues the Moghul campaigns against Mewar, but when the emperor's son, Prince Karan Singh, rebels against his father with the support of twenty-two Rajput kings, Ratan Singh remains loyal to Jahangir and helps to defeat the rebellious prince.

1632 - 1658

Rao Raja Chatra Singh

Son.

1658

Chatra Singh is made governor of Delhi by Prince Dara Shikoh (the son of Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan), but he dies fighting against Shah Jahan's successor, Aurangzeb.

1658 - 1682

Rao Raja Bhao Singh

Son.

Bhao Singh fights against Emperor Aurangzeb, but is later reconciled with him, becoming a Moghul vassal. He subsequently fights in the Deccan against the growing power of the Marathas.

1682 - 1696

Rao Raja Anirudh Singh

15 year old son of Bhao Singh's adopted son, Kishen Singh.

Anirudh Singh served Aurangzeb in the Deccan. He is later transferred to the north-west under Prince Muazzam, where he dies. His successors are briefly expelled from the kingdom, before it can be regained by Dalel Singh.

1696

Churaman of the Jat kingdom of Bharatpur is determined to clear Jat lands of the Moghuls. He builds up an army and even constructs a fort at Thoon (near Agra). A large number of Jats gather under his leadership, including Khemkaran Sogaria, a Jat chieftain of the Sogaria clan, and he generates additional funds by raiding the regions of Bundi and Kota. He soon wrests Sinsini and Amber from the Moghuls, and in the process forms a powerful regional kingdom.

1696 - 1735

Rao Raja Budh Singh

Son. Exiled by the Jaipur forces of Jai Singh II (his brother-in-law).

1735 - 1749

Rao Raja Dalel Singh

Adopted son (from Raja Salim Singh Hada of Karwar).

1749 - 1770

Rao Raja Umaid Singh

Son of Rao Budh Singh.

1770 - 1804

Rao Raja Ajit Singh

Son. Credited with assassinating Rana Ari Singh II of Mewar.

1804 - 1821

Rao Raja Bishen Singh

Son. Enlisted British protection against the Marathas.

1821 - 1889

Rao Raja Ram Singh

Son. Popular reformist. Col James Todd was regent & guardian.

1889 - 1927

Rao Raja Sir Raghubir Singh

Son. Made KCSI & GCSI and supported Britain in WWI.

1927 - 1945

Rao Raja Ishwari Singh

Brother. Honarary aide de camp to King George VI.

1945 - 1977

Rao Raja Colonel Bahadur Singh

Adopted son. Served British Army in WWII. Awarded Military Cross.

1948 - 1949

India achieves independence from Britain and begins the process of taking control of the princely states. Mewar is one of the first of the princely states to merge with the new dominion. Later in 1949, twenty-two princely states of Rajasthan merge to form the Union of Greater Rajasthan, acknowledging the maharana of Udaipur in Mewar as their head.

1956

On 1 November, the state of Rajasthan comes into being. The Rajasthan rulers give up their sovereignty but enjoy privy purses.

1970 - 1971

In 1970 the Indian Parliament decides to abolish the institution of royalty, and the following year the rulers of the former princely states are de-recognised and their privy purses and titles snatched away from them.

1977 - Present

Rao Raja Ranjit Singh

Son.