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Medieval history of Mewar, said to begin when Maharana HAMIR SINGH I (1326-1364), formerly of SIDODA, ascended the throne. The name of the royal family of Mewar changed from Guhilot to Sisodia, and the ruler's title of Rawal changed to that of the Sisodia's Rana, extended to Maharana.
Medpat (Medpata), the area in southern Rajputana, originally known as the MER Kingdom (ruled by the Mer tribe), but which eventually became the State of Mewar. There are several speculations about the origin of the name: 1. possibly so called because of the Mer tribe; 2. "A land soaked with blood and human skulls", because in Mewar many battles took place and many thousands perished fighting for their mother land, 'Medini' being the name for mother earth; and 3. 'Med' means 'tumor' and 'a land' (Pat), hence a land that has tumors in the form of hills. See also MEWAR.
meenakari, (Hindi) the enamelling of metals, especially on silver. The art is practised at Nathdwara, and such items are available throughout India.
Meera and Kumbh Shyam Temple (Chittor): see MIRA BAI TEMPLE.
Meera Bai (poetess): see MIRA BAI.
Meera Kala Mandir, Udaipur; at the southeastern foot of the hill, Machhala Magra, Ahmedabad Road, near the Paras Cinema; an institute to promote the Fine Arts such as classical dance and music. It has evening performances.
Meera Park, a municipal park near Bhatyani Chouhatta, Udaipur.
Megh Singh. There were several leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Amargadh (Kanawat); Barlias (Sisodia), and Begun (Choondawat). There was also Megh Singh, founder of the Mewar clan, Meghawats (Sisodia family).
Megh Singhots: see MEGHAWATS.
Meghawats of BEGUN, an offshoot of the SISODIA clan; founded by Kunwar Megha Singh (hence Meghawats or Megha Singhots, meaning descendants of Megha Singh).
Mehdraj Saba, the Civil Court, which administered justice to the people of Mewar. The Maharana appointed the members. Maharana Sajjan Singh first introduced it on August 20, 1880.
Mehta, a clan of the Jain community in Rajasthan.
Mehta, Narsi (poet): see NARSI MEHTA.
Mehta, Sawai and Sher Singh, brothers; ministers under Maharana BHIM SINGH (1778-1828).
Mehwa, a district 115 km. from Jodhpur. It was the capital of Mallani, a tract ruled by Rawal Mallinath and his descendants, who feature much earlier in the history of Marwar than the House of Jodhpur. It was from here that Choonda, the son of Rawal Mallinath's younger brother, Veeramdeo, separated from the main branch of the Rathores and established himself at Mandor; he was later to found the Kingdom of Jodhpur. Around the late 16th century, the family shifted to JASOL. One of the most famous of Mehwa's chieftains was KALLA, a hero of the third sack of Chittor.
Meja (Choondawat), a town 50 km. northeast of Udaipur; jagir (estate) of the descendants of Rawat Madhav Singh's fourth son, Hari Singh; an offshoot of AMET. Jai Singh succeeded Hari Singh, and advanced the name of his son, Amar Singh, to Maharana Shambhu Singh (1861-1874) as possible recipient of a jagir. As Jalam was the Maharana's trusted man, Shambhu gave Amar the estate of Meja, making him a 1st Class Noble with the title of 'Rawat'.
Genealogy: Amar Singh; Raj Singh; Jai Singh; Hamir Singh.
Mela, the Indian musical scale.
Mela, a Hindu fair, whether religious or cattle or both.
Menal, a village of Begun, which has a huge temple of Mahanal Deo (hence the name of the village). In the temple entrance is an image of Lakulish with an inscription that the Chauhans once ruled this tract. There are many other, smaller small temples nearby.
Mer, an ancient native tribe (similar to the BHILS); the area ruled by the Mers was commonly known as the Mer Kingdom, which became known as Medpat, and later became Mewar.
Mera, illegitimate son of Maharana KSHETRA SINGH (1366-1382); he and his brother Chacha, of the same patron, assassinated their nephew, Maharana MOKAL. See CHACHA AND MERA.
Merta, a town in the Nagaur district, Rajasthan (formerly in the Kingdom of Marwar); associated with mystic poetess, MIRA BAI. It was founded ca 1480, and was at one time an important trade centre. The surrounding area was the scene of several battles, including the victory of the Marathas over forces from the states of Jaipur and Jodhpur (1790), and is covered with memorial stone pillars. It was captured by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1562, and has a mosque that he built.
Mertia, one of the leading clans of Marwar; of the RATHORE family.
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