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Baji Rao I, Peshwa, an able Maratha statesman and distinguished warrior, who led the first Maratha invasion into Mewar, and eventually became the second Peshwa (Chief Minister) of the Maratha confederacy (r. 1720-1740). He captured Udaipur in 1736 from Maharana JAGAT SINGH II. Ongoing payments of tribute soon helped to destroy Mewar's economic base. The other contributing factor was the free spending of the Maharana himself. Baji Rao reorganised the Marathas against the Muslim powers, conquering Gujarat, Malwa, and Bundelkhand. He even threatened Delhi (1737), then allied himself with the Rajputs against the Mughal emperor (Muhammad Shah) in 1739.
Baji Rao II, Peshwa, the third leader of the Maratha confederacy (r. 1796-1818). He attacked other Maratha clans who had taken over Rajputana and neighbouring States and battled the British in the three so-called MARATHA WARS (1785-1803), resulting in a treaty in 1818, which ended the Maratha confederacy, and gave the British paramount power in India.
Bajraj, the well-loved horse of Colonel James TOD; it had been a gift from Prince Jawan Singh of Mewar. This entry gives some idea of the importance of a good horse to a Rajput. In the early part of the 19th century, Tod embarked upon an exhaustive research expedition throughout Mewar and its neighbouring kingdoms, the results of which, as published in his Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, provides a wealth of information. Along the way, at Kota, his horse, Bajraj died. Tod: "He was perfection, and so general a favourite that his death was deemed a public misfortune, for he was as well known throughout these regions as was his master. The general yell of sorrow that burst from all my sepoys and establishment on that event was astounding, and the whole camp attended his obsequies [funeral rites] many were weeping, and when they began to throw the earth upon the fine beast, wrapped up in his body-clothes, his sais [groom] threw himself into his grave, and was quite frantic with grief. I cut some locks off his mane in remembrance of the noblest beast I ever crossed, and in a few days I observed many huge stones near the spot, which ... grew into a noble chabutra, or altar of hewn stone about twenty feet square and four feet high, on which was placed the effigy of Bajraj large as life, sculptured out of one block of freestone." About his return to Udaipur (March 8, 1822), Tod continues: "I would willingly have dispensed with the honours of a public entrée: but ... Prince Jawan Singh, and all the Sesodia chivalry (sic), advanced to our welcome. 'You have come home!' was the simple and heartfelt expression of the (Prince), as he received my reverential salaam; but he kindly looked round, and ... when he saw me astride Javadia, he asked, 'Where is Bajraj?'" Tod told Jawan Singh about the misfortune that had befallen the noble steed. His narrative concludes with "... the virtues of Bajraj were the subject of conversation until we reached the 'gate of the sun' (Suraj Pol), when the (Prince) 'gave me leave to go home', and he continued his promenade." See also HORSES.
Bakhat Singh. There were several leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Bedla (Chauhan Rajput), Karoi (Ranawat), and Vijaipur (Saktawat).
Bakhshi, (Persian) in the Mughal court, "the title of the person second in rank to [but independent of] a provincial Governor. He was the provincial news writer, who reported directly to the Emperor all that happened in the province, the amount of revenue collected, the decision of celebrated cases, the fortunes [i.e., victories or defeats, and booty taken] of [military] expeditions, the progress of work in all the departments, and any unusual happenings. He was an officer of sufficiently high rank who could report such provincial matters without fear of retribution by the Governor. The Bakhshi was also in charge of the military establishment stationed in the province. His officers held the annual inspection of horses and review of soldiers, according to instructions received from the Mir Bakhshi [a senior rank]. He also issued warrants for payments to the MANSABDARS serving in the province. When an expedition was ordered, the Bakhshi saw to it that the various officers called upon to take part in it had the requisite number of men and horses under them. He also looked after the needs of the army" (from Mughal Government and Administration by Shri Ram Sharma, p.248). Also spelled Bakshi and Bhaksi, although the latter is related to a gaol or dark room where prisoners were kept: see BADSHAH'S BHAKSI.
Bakhtawar Singh. There were several leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Boheda (Saktawat); Dharyavad (Sisodia); Karoi (Ranawat); Marchya Kheri (Solanki); Sihar (Saktawat), and Tal (Choondawat).
Bakrol (a chief): see SAKTAWATS.
Bal (Bali), land around VALLABHI and the northwest of the Surashtra peninsula (now Gujarat); the name probably derives from the tribe of BALA.
Bala, a member of the Saktawats, one of the seventeen sons of SAKTA; their older brother BHANJI exiled Bala and fifteen of his brothers. See SAKTAWATS.
Bala, possibly the name of a tribe which ruled Vallabhi, King SILADITYA VI being its last ruler prior to the city being sacked. It is thought that GUHIL, founder of the GUHILOTS, forerunner of the Mewar Dynasty, was the son of King Siladitya and Queen PUSHPAVATI.
Balathal, a once sleepy village east of the township of Vallabhnagar, about 42 km. southeast of Udaipur in the Vallabhnagar Tehsil of Udaipur District and 40 km. from Ahar. The town leapt to prominence, particularly in the archaeological world, when Prof. V.N. Mishra discovered the archaeological mound in 1967; it was excavated first in 1993. The site is a 5-acre area, and the excavations revealed three phases of culture: 1. 1st century BC; 2. a gap of about 1,200 years-about 2300 BC; and 3. 4th century BC to the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. The findings of the excavation were quite startling: they uncovered a pre-Harrapan culture which suggested that the Balathal civilisation existed prior to the ancient Harrapan civilisation of the Indus Valley (now in Pakistan), and that Harrapan agricultural systems actually originated in Balathal. The Balathal community had developed refined techniques of moulding earthen pots, fine and coarse pottery with a Harrapan influence and the use of colours. With expert farming, they cultivated wheat, barley and oil seeds. There were coins which, by the Brahmi inscriptions, are of the late Mauryan period. Findings also revealed that copper knives and razors were used here, prior to 2480 BC. See also ARCHAEOLOGY.
Balco, a Bhil warrior loyal to Bappa Rawal: see BHILS.
Bali: see BAL.
balistas (Chittorgarh): see MANJANIKAS.
Ballabhi: see VALLABHI.
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