Adam, the first man of the Christian Bible, the Indian equivalent of the Hindu's MANU.

Adbhutji (Adabuji, Adhabduji), Temple of, Chittor; a large carved stone edifice near SURAJ POL, the eastern gate; built during the reign of Maharana RAIMAL (1473-1509). There is a unique idol of a Shiva TRIMURTI (an image with three face of Shiva) in its shrine.

Adhabhutji (Shanthi Nath) Temple, Nagda. It features a 3-m. high statue built in 1437 by the Oswal Jain sect member, Sarang, during the reign of Maharana KUMBHA (1433-1468). (Oswal Jains originated from Osian or Osia in the Jodhpur district; they are generally followers of the Swetamber Jain sect.) There is also Kumbha's shloka (poetic inscription in Sanskrit) at the foot of the huge image. Nearby are the ruins of some Jain temples with inscriptions pertaining to this shloka.

Adhar (Arbud, Arbuda) Devi Temple, Mt, Abu: see DILWARA JAIN TEMPLES.

Adinath (Adinath Rishabdeva), the first of the twenty-four TIRTHANKARAS of the Jain religion. See also RANAKPUR.

Adinath (Chaumukha) Temple: see RANAKPUR.

Adi-varaha Temple: see AHAR.

Adoption of Mewar rulers. According to a saying, "A chief of Mewar, like his sovereign, never dies: he disappears to be regenerated." Put simply, neither the crown nor the major clans were ever without heirs. If a ruler was unable to produce a legitimate son, he adopted one, this being a much-practised custom at all levels of Hindu society. However, this was governed by the ancient Vedic code of MANU that stated "You cannot adopt a boy whose mother you cannot marry". The adopted son had to come from within the family bloodline; this could be a brother, a nephew, or even an uncle, all of which occurred several times throughout the history of Mewar. Adoptions were usually made during the lifetime of the ruler when it was obvious there would be no natural heir. (The clans followed a more involved procedure. The chief and his wife, after discussing the matter, told the clan elders, who always preferred the nearest of kin to circumvent any possibility of future disputes. It was also to ensure the pride of the clan was being upheld by the adoption of their future Thakur or Chief. Finally the clan petitioned the Maharana to confirm their decision. It was generally acceded to.) On being chosen, the adoptee severed all ties with his biological family, and became a member of his new family with full rights and entitlements. A time-honoured ritual cemented the act … despite the age of the adoptee, the ruler, assuming the role of a father figure, sat him upon his paternal knee and publicly proclaimed that this was now his own son, his legal heir and subsequent inheritor of his realm. Therefore there could never be any question of, or confusion about, improper or doubtful descent. In several instances, an ambitious relative who usurped the throne ignored this. When the Maharana died, his widow, then the Queen Mother (Rajmata) became the guardian of the adopted son until he reached his majority. In a cunning move, the British Government in India introduced a law, the Doctrine of Lapse, where, if a ruler or chief died without "a legal heir" (i.e., a natural born heir), his estate reverted to the government. However, in 1859, the British abandoned this policy, and recognised the right of adoption.

Mewar Rulers' adoptions: Ari Singh II (1761-1773) adopted Hamir Singh II (1773-1778); Jawan Singh (1828-1838) adopted Sardar Singh (1838-1842), the son of Shivdan Singh of Bagore,; Sardar Singh adopted his younger brother Swaroop Singh (1842-1861); Swaroop Singh adopted his great-nephew, Shambhu Singh (1861-1874), the son of Shardul Singh of Bagore; Shambhu Singh adopted Sajjan Singh (1874-1884), his cousin from Bagore; Sajjan Singh adopted Fateh Singh (1884-1930); Bhupal Singh (1930-1955), natural son of Fateh Singh, adopted Bhagwat Singh (1955-1984). See also BAOJI RAJ; MAHARAJKUMAR; BHAYATS and CURSE OF MEWAR.

Adot Singh. There were several leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Boheda (Saktawat), and Kerya (Poorawat), descendants of Maharana Pratap Singh I's eleventh son, Puranmal.

Agar Chand Mehta, a Bachawat (a Jain sub caste), appointed Prime Minister at the Court of Maharana BHIM SINGH (1778-1828). Unfortunately, he was unequal to the office, so he became an adviser to the Maharana. He sent Jhala Jhalum Singh to the Maratha officers, Raghu Paigya and Daula Mia to ask for help in strengthening Mewar's forces against the Maratha Peshwa, Madhav Rao SINDHIA. They were successful, and when Sindhia attacked Udaipur, the Maharana was advised to put various nobles and their forces at different posts around the city, Agar Chand Mehta being one of the nobles. Mewar gave strong resistance and Sindhia's army was forced to withdraw.

Agar Singh. There were a couple of leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Jamoli (Baba), and Jharol (Jhala).

Aghata: see AHAR.

Aghatpur (Aghatpura): see AHAR.