Dabla (Mertia), 80 km. from Udaipur; the jagir of the descendants of Sabal Singh, sixth son of Manmandas of BADNORE. Maharana Raj Singh II gave the thikana to Rathore Hari Singh.

Dabok, a town 24 km. east of Udaipur; location of MAHARANA PRATAP AIRPORT.

Dabok Airport, Udaipur, former name of MAHARANA PRATAP AIRPORT.

dacoits (bandits). For many centuries, as with many parts of the medieval world, Mewar and all of Rajputana was in a continually unsettled state. Bands of dacoits (bandits, robbers) roamed the countryside, plundering towns and villages, taking money, cattle, grain, and even women. Often, when the serfs of a particular area were almost destitute from continual plunder, the leader of the band of thieves proposed that, for an annual payment, he would maintain his small army to protect the village, or villages, involved. When the terms were agreed upon, he stopped his pillage. If any man refused to pay, he was immediately plundered. Unfortunately, the victims still had to pay the agreed annual contribution, and their neighbours, to keep the robbers at bay, had to find the extra money to pay for their share as well. Therefore the feudal tenants of any estate were always in need of rakhwali, or paramount protection from this predatory warfare. Defeat invariably resulted in the loss of many privileges and advantages, including land and money paid in tribute to the aggressor. Thus, they called upon their nearest clan chieftain, their patron, to help them to defend their tracts. In order to fulfil his responsibilities, the chief maintained a small army of basai (slaves or servants) who would march under his banner (see SERVANTS IN FEDUAL MEWAR). Dacoits are still active in several areas of India, particularly in the wilder regions of Uttar Pradesh and, to a lesser extent around Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh. See also HAMIR SINGH I, MAHARANA.

Dagar Gharana Award, one of the annual State of Rajasthan awards in Udaipur. See MAHARANA MEWAR FOUNDATION AWARDS.

Dagar, Ustad Ruidas, the first known exponent of the Dhrupad (temple singing) and Dhamar personal form of Gayaki, classical Indian singing. He became a very famous singer at the court of the Mughal Emperors. The family first migrated to Jaipur from Delhi and finally during Maharana Sajjan Singh's time (1874-1884) made Udaipur their permanent home. They were given great respect and provided with full patronage to continue their music in the Court of Mewar, and the House of Dagar became renowned. His successors continued to perform and adopt the styles as their personal style of Gayaki and for approximately twenty-one generations, descendants of Ustad Ruidas Dagar have continued to excel in it to this day. One of the annual MAHARANA MEWAR FOUNDATION AWARDS, the Dagar Gharana Award to honour musicians, has been named after the illustrious House of Dagar.

Daiwar: see DEVAIR.

Dal Singh, Prince, originally of KARJALI, son of Daulat Singh. He was adopted to Surajmal of Shivrati. His sons were Gaj Singh, Surat Singh, and FATEH SINGH who was to become the seventy-third ruler of Mewar (1884-1930), also through adoption.

Dalel Singh. There were several leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Amargadh (Kanawat); Bambori (Paramara), and Batherda (Sarangdevots).

Dalpat Singh. There were several leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Lasani (Choondawat); Roopnagar (Solanki); Satola (Choondawat), and Sihar (Saktawat).

Dancing. Programmes of classical dancing in Mewar include Kathak, Bharat Natyam, Oddisi, and Folk or Desi dances. Folk dances in Mewar include performances of Gavari, Bhavai, Ghoomar and Dandiya.

dancing girls: see NAUTCH GIRLS or TAWAIFS.

Dantra, an estate (jagir) in Rajsamand District; it was held by a grandson of Maharana PRATAP SINGH I (1572-1597).

darbar: see DURBAR.

darikhana, (Hindi) a hall of audience or assembly.

Darikhana, Chittorgarh; the Hall of Assembly where the princes, nobles, and other officials of Chittor met on various occasions to discuss State affairs and other topics of interest; reminiscent of a Durbar-e-Aam.

Darikhana, Jag Mandir, Udaipur: see JAG MANDIR.

Darikhana Restaurant, Jag Mandir, Udaipur; opened in July, 2001, by Arvind Singh Mewar. See JAG MANDIR.

Darra, (Persian) a pass (in the mountains); a corruption of DWAR.

darshan (darsha), (Hindi) a glimpse of the Lord's idol; a view of an Indian king's appearance; the worship of a god in a temple.