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ka (ki), (Hindi) an expression denoting possession, masculine (ka) or feminine (ki).
Kailashpuri, the modern name for the town of EKLINGJI, 22 km. north of Udaipur, famous for its one hundred and eight temples enclosed by a high, fortified wall. This complex was known as the EKLINGJI TEMPLE, and is associated with Lord Shiva. It is a small but interesting town, an easy bus ride from Udaipur. It grew up around the famous pilgrim temple of the same name, which is said to have been founded by Rawal BAPPA RAWAL (734-753). The town has a moderate population, a secondary school, a number of water ponds, a Panchayat (town hall and council chambers), a small bazaar, and a school.
Kailwara: see KELWARA.
Kala Mandal (Hindi) Art Zone: see BHARTIYA LOK KALA MANDAL.
Kaladwas (Chavda clan), jagir of the descendants of Maharana Jawan Singh’s maternal uncle, Jagat Singh of Barsora in Mahikantha, Gujarat. Jagat Singh’s two sons, Kuber Singh and Jalam Singh came to Udaipur with Maharana Jawan Singh and were granted, jointly, the jagirs of Kaladwas and Arjya.
Genealogy: Jalam Singh; Koli Singh; Abhey Singh; Himmat Singh; Laxman Singh.
Kalakot, a town in the mountainous CHAPPAN district, southeast of Udaipur. It is the scene of a story, related by TOD in his ANNALS (p.1644), about (possible) divine intervention meting out justice for an horrendous crime. The rugged forest area of Chappan was the abode of half-savage Minas and BHILS. The estates of some vassal Chiefs of Maharana JAI SINGH (1680-1698) were also located here. One of their duties was to repress the tribal excesses of the area; however, often they got the natives to plunder then shared the spoils. A Rathore Rajput, who had stolen some land and established a subsistence for his family, lived in the hamlet of Bilia at the foot of the pass leading into the Chappan wilderness. Returning home one day, he was met by his wailing wife¾ the Bhils had stolen their crop, cattle, and only son, plus his playmate, a young Yogi. The father armed himself and went to complain to the Steward (Chief) of the nearby estate of Kalakot, where he found the headless bodies of his son and the friend. It turned out that the Bhils, the perpetrators of this grisly crime, actually belonged to the Kalakot chieftain. It seems that, when the natives brought their victims before him, the son, recognising the Steward, called out to be saved, saying he would fetch a good ransom (which, indeed, was why he had been abducted). Instead, the Steward, being recognised, killed the boy. The father questioned the Steward who denied everything, but offered to pay him twice the amount of his losses. "Can you give me back my son? I want justice and vengeance, not money!" The father could not be consoled, and the matter came before the British Administrator in Udaipur (Tod) who promised to aid the father in having vengeance. He handed the father over to a Court official, MAN SINGH SAKTAWAT (who was not in the Maharana's good books at the time) saying he could redeem himself by imprisoning all the guilty parties involved in the case. Shortly after, news reached them that the murderous Steward of Kalakot was dead: obviously regretting his crime, and under pressure to purge himself, he went to his temple - and dropped dead on the threshold. (Tod concludes his narrative by saying he hoped to see the Steward's accomplices executed.)
Kalalia Talav, a suburb of Udaipur, adjacent to Pichola Lake.
Kalan (Hindi), a revenue terminology meaning ‘big’ ('bara'). If there are two villages of the same name, one would incorporate the word Kalan, meaning it was the larger of the two; the other would contain the word Khurd ('smaller').
kalangi (kilangi), (Hindi) an ornament or aigrette (plume or tuft of feathers) on a turban.
Kalbhoj: see BAPPA RAWAL.
Kali (Kalika), a Hindu goddess, patron goddess of Chittorgarh; one of the forms of the goddess DURGA and an incarnation of PARVATI (consort of SHIVA). Kali is Hinduism’s most terrible goddess with an insatiable lust for blood sacrifice; often she is depicted blood-smeared, bedecked in snakes, and wearing a necklace of her sons’ skulls. She usually handles the destructive side of Shiva's personality.
Kali Mata Temple (Chittorgarh): see KALIKA MATA TEMPLE.
Kalika (Hindu goddess): see KALI.
Kalika Devi Temple (Chittorgarh): see KALIKA MATA TEMPLE.
Kalika Mata Temple, Chittorgarh, near Padmini’s Palace. Also known as Kali Mata or Devi Mata Temple. It was built by BAPPA RAWAL in the mid-700s and dedicated to Surya (Sun God); idols of the god are to be found on the shrine, gates and walls of the outer terrace. The Rajputs of Mewar primarily worshipped Lord Shiva (in the form of Eklingji); however, their second deity of worship was Kalika (Mahakali), the patron goddess of Chittor. Therefore Maharana HAMIR SINGH I (1326-1364) installed a Kalika idol when he regained the fort and began his reign. It is now known as the Kalika Mata Temple. The temple architecture is of the early Paramara (Pratihara) period and, dating back to the 8th century as it does, makes it one of the oldest temples in the fort. It was built upon a large raised plinth, and features beautiful carvings and sculptures on the exterior and the mandap (pillared hall), also on the pillars, ceiling and gates of the shrine. Unfortunately, today it has lost its spire and also reveals vestiges of considerable repairs, but its beauty remains an inspiration, but not for Sultan ALA-UD-DIN KHILJI. After the first sack of Chittor in 1303, he and his Muslims destroyed the temple. The Kalika Mata Temple assumed additional importance when the former Rajasthan Chief Minister, Mohan Lal Sukhadia worshipped the fort’s Kalika Mata as his favourite deity. Once a year a fair takes place here in which thousands of visitors from distant places participate. Of similar style are the ruins of a small temple and a colonnade near the Mahasati, the fort's royal cremation ground.
Kalika Mata Temple, Udaipur; on the near slopes of the southeastern hill, Banki-ka-Magra that overlooks Pichola Lake.
Kalla, a famous chieftain, elder son of Rawal Meghraj of MEHWA (Jasol, in the kingdom of Marwar established by Rawal Mallinath of Jodhpur). To avoid a family dispute on the issue of succession, Kalla went to Chittor with his few retainers and joined the services of Maharana UDAI SINGH II (1537-1572). In a number of exploits against rebel BHILS, Kalla proved his worth and rose to become the Lord of BHAINSRORGARH. Ultimately, Kalla became a hero in the third sack of Chittor when he took the wounded leader, JAIMAL Rathore on his shoulders and rode into the final battle against the Mughal forces, both being killed. A chhatri commemorating Kalla, at the place where the died is still worshipped. In recognition of Kalla's services and his sacrifice, his descendants, the Mahecha Rathores of Bhainsrorgarh, were given the additional jagirs of Kosithal, and later, Nimri, where the family lives today.
Kalpana Nursing Home, in the suburb of Sardarpura, Udaipur; for general patients.
Kalyan Singh. There were several leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Bambora (Choondawat); Delwara (Jhala Rajput); Pansal (Saktawat); Pipalya (Saktawat); Prasad (Sisodia), and Sangramgarh (Choondawat). There was also Kalyan Singh Choondawat, son of Patta (one of the heroes at the third sack of Chittor), and one of the Mewar nobles who took part in Maharana Pratap Singh I's war council at Gogunda (1576) prior to the Battle of HALDIGHATI. Another was Raj Rana Kalyan, the heir of SADRI. In the civil war caused by the Pretender to the throne, Kunwar Ratan Singh, Kalyan was one of Mewar’s nobles Maharana Ari Singh II sent to see the Maratha, Sindhia, at Ujjain (Malwa) and attempt to settle matters with a peace treaty, or otherwise go into battle. The treaty meeting failed and, on January 13, 1769, the Battle of Ujjain took place, in which Kalyan was severely wounded.
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