Anadra Point: see ABU, MT.

Anand Singh of Banol, a Rathore officer in the army of Maharana RAJ SINGH I (1653-1680). He fought and died at RAJSAMAND LAKE when left with only a small force to defend the dam from the army of Mughal Emperor AURANGZEB (see also RAJ SINGH I vs. AURANGZEB). Aurangzeb was invading Udaipur from the north. In order to form a solid line of resistance around Udaipur, Raj Singh assembled his officers and their forces, which were scattered in the hills around the Rajsamand Lake district north of the capital. The Maharana sent a list to the military headquarters near the lake of all the people who were to accompany him to the capital. On this list appeared the name of every officer in the area save one; the omission of this name, Anand Singh, was probably an oversight. The gallant officer, on finding his name alone omitted, refused to leave. He and his small force of men remained on the banks of Rajsamand where they were attacked by a section of Aurangzeb's army and destroyed, not without cost to the Mughal force. Anand Singh's name is remembered today for his courage and unique sense of responsibility.

Anandpur, an ancient city, originally named Tambavatinagari, and later renamed AHAR. There is speculation by some scholars that Rawal GUHIL (ca 569-ca 603) spent his childhood here, then left to found the Guhilot Dynasty, forerunner of the Mewar Dynasty, in the district of IDAR. See also AHAR.

Animals of Mewar: see NATURAL FEATURES OF MEWAR.

Anjana, an estate (jagir) in the Udaipur District, near Dariba; held by Prince Chanda, son of Maharana PRATAP SINGH I (1572-1597) and brother of Maharana AMAR SINGH I (1597-1620).

Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, a mammoth and highly detailed record of Rajputana by Englishman, Lieutenant-Colonel James TOD. "The work relates to the [erstwhile] Central and Western Rajput States of India [then known as Rajputana]," states the Introduction. It embodies the results of scholarly investigation into the ethnology of Rajputs, their religious and social practices, their festivals and rites, their legal and political institutions and the merits and demerits of their characters. It paints a real portrait of the different aspects of Rajput life: their loyalty, devotion, gallantry, chivalry as well as the instability of their character, their outbreaks of passion, fears, occasional faithlessness of their chiefs and allies, and their addiction to drugs. The work is [now] divided into three volumes: each volume being sub-divided into books and chapters. Vol. I deals mostly with the Geography of Rajasthan, the History of the Rajput tribes, the feudal system of their states, and the Annals of Mewar. Vol. II contains the Annals of Marwar, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and other cities of Rajasthan. Vol. III comprises the annals of Amber, Haravati (Haroti), and Bundi, describes the Shaikhawat Federation, and contains the narrative of a personal expedition from Udaipur to Kheroda. The work has an appendix divided into seven sections, and an exhaustive general index. Interspersed with several lithographic illustrations, the book is remarkable for its enlightening introduction and exegetical [informative, scholastic] notes."

Tod introduced his Annals in the following way: "To see humanity under every aspect, and to observe the influence of different creeds upon man in his social capacity, must ever be one of the highest sources of mental enjoyment." The Annals have proved, again and again, an inspiration and valuable reference source for Indian and international historians and writers. Originally published in England in two volumes (1829 and 1832), it was edited by William Crooke and republished in three volumes in London in 1920. The 3-volume work has since been reprinted in Delhi (1971, 1987, 1994).

Annapurna, a female Hindu saint who, as Barvadi (Barwadi), the daughter of Charvada Charani, lived a simple, saintly life in the village of Khod, Gujarat. When Chittor was in the hands of the Delhi Sultanate after the first Sack (1303), Barvadi gave her blessing, together with 500 horses, to Maharana HAMIR SINGH I (1326-1364) for the recapture of the fort. It is said that, after her death, she was recognised as a saint and became known as Annapurna Devi. Her temple is at Chittor.

Annapurna Temple, Chittor, in the fort's contemporary settlement; one of several temples in a compound on the west side of the fort. It was built by Maharana HAMIR SINGH I (1326-1364) in the early part of the 1300s, said to be in memory of ANNAPURNA (Barvadi), a female saint considered to be the incarnation of the Chittor Mother Goddess, AMBA MATA. However, the image worshipped in the Annapurna shrine is that of Maha Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. It is not known when it came to be called Annapurna Temple.

Anoop (Anup) Singh. There were several leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Bari Roopaheli (Mertia Rathore); Bavlas (Sisodia) and Karjali (Ranawat), both near relatives of the Maharana; Begun (Choondawat), and Kelwa (Jaitmal Rathore).

Antri of Mewar, a defile in the mountains about 20 km. from Dungarpur. Maharana HAMIR SINGH I (1326-1364) gave the village here as a grant to the CHARAN Baru, son of DEVI BARBARI who blessed Hamir to become the king of Mewar.

Anwal (emblica officinalis), a tree found in the hilly tract of western Mewar. Proverbial link, see BANWAL.

Aodhi Hotel, Kumbhalgarh, an HRH Group heritage hotel. About two hours by road from Udaipur, the small but impressive Aodhi nestles on a hillside almost in the shadow of the mighty fortress of KUMBHALGARH. This area was the craggy domain of Maharana PRATAP SINGH I, where he lived out much of his reign fighting the Mughals, and from where he set out for the famous BATTLE OF HALDIGHATI (1576). The rustic but modern, multilevel hotel, which blends in well with its wild surroundings, has an inviting swimming pool, and is a delightful rest stop for tourists. An adventure not to be missed is an early morning jeep safari into the wildlife sanctuary in a deep gorge below the fort. For reservations see HRH GROUP RESERVATIONS.

Aparajit, Rawal, sixth ruler of the Guhilot Dynasty (r. 661-688), forerunner of the Mewar Dynasty; son and successor of Rawal SHILADITYA; he ruled for seven years from NAGDA. Little is known of his reign. His son, MAHENDRA (II), succeeded him.