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Mewar, the erstwhile leading kingdom of Rajputana (Land of the Rajputs); one of twenty-two States, the others included Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Jaipur, Alwar, Marwar, Sirohi, Dungarpur, Banswara, Pratapgarh, Kota, and Dholpur. Although roughly the size of modern Switzerland (it covered an area of 12,923 sq. mi.), the extent of the State varied from time to time. Up to the reign of Maharana Sangram Singh I (1509-1527) its boundaries touched Bhilsa and Chanderi in the east; Revakanta and Mahikanta (in Gujarat) in the south; Palapur in the west; and Ranthambhor and Gwalior in the northeast. Due to the repeated assaults of the Mughals and the Marathas, its dimensions were narrowed and it finally lay between 23.49" to 25.28" north latitude, and 73.1" to 75.49" longitude with an area of (12891 sq. mi.). The foremost feature of the country was its isolation, which made its people self-reliant, defensively warlike and straightforward. Set amongst the Aravalli ranges, it was a geographically secluded territory, the rugged terrain a distinctive physical feature that helped to shape the State's history (see PRATAP SINGH I, MAHARANA). Ancient Indian culture and art found an asylum in the territory. The countryside is still partly hilly and partly rocky plain. But even in the plains one never loses sight of the hills. A major portion of the Aravalli Hills lies within the State. The hilly portion is inhabited by BHILS and the plains by Jats, Gujars, Dharkars and similar agricultural communities.
This early Rajput realm originally embraced the centres of Naggraha (NAGDA), Aghata (AHAR), Bhilwara, and Chittorgarh; it was known as Medpat (as used in Sanskrit inscriptions), and was the largest kingdom of Rajputana. 'Mewar' is a corruption of 'Medpat'. The word is also said to be connected with Maurya (or More), the Paramara Rajput family from whom Bappa Rawal took Chittor in 734 AD, and founded the Mewar Dynasty. The dynasty has reigned over the country for the last fourteen centuries without any break. The Royal Family are now the Sisodias, but were preceded by Guhilots (descendants of Rawal GUHIL) and Aharas (or Aharyas, when the Dynasty ruled in AHAR - see MEWAR'S LOST GENERATIONS). Members of the Aharyas migrated and formed a separate State of Dungarpur to the south of Mewar (see MEWAR FAMILY SPLIT). On the border lie similarly constituted states of Banswara and Pratapgarh. The rulers of Satara, Kolhapur, Mudhol in Maharashtra, Dharampur in Gujarat and the kings of Nepal also claim their descent from the Mewar dynasty. Mewar had a pattern of feudal administration that bound the king, the nobles and the people in a unique covenant, uniting them without distinction of caste, creed or religion as one family, even in times of war.
Throughout its long history, Mewar gained an admirable record of solid independence, and its place of honour at the head of the Rajput clans was well deserved. Alone among the Hindu princes, Mewar's rulers refused to succumb to the DELHI SULTANATES, the MUGHAL EMPIRE, and the MARATHAS. Nor did they intermarry with any other than RAJPUTS. After the MARATHA WARS, the BRITISH signed a series of treaties with all Rajput States, protecting Rajputana from further aggression (with a portion of State revenues being the price). Mewar signed its treaty on January 13, 1818 and in the following months Colonel James TOD, Mewar's first political Agent, was sent to reside in Udaipur to keep an eye on the Maharana's Court. "The Garden of Rajasthan", as it was called then, had emerged (after eight hundred years of almost constant struggle) with the same territory that their ancestors had first won for themselves a thousand years earlier (see MEWAR'S TRADITIONAL LINEAGE). Their guiding principle throughout these centuries was "self-reliance and independence". (Maharana) BHAGWAT SINGH MEWAR: "My ancestors believed it was better to starve with dignity than to feed oneself like a fat dog as a slave."
However, Mewar's independence was lost to Indian Independence in 1948, when all Princely States were incorporated into the new Indian Union. In 1956, with the redistribution of India's state borders, Mewar was incorporated into the new state of RAJASTHAN. Now called Udaipur District, it is situated in the southwestern area of Rajasthan, bordered to the south by Gujarat and to the east by Madhya Pradesh. Although the Native Princes (the rulers of the former kingdoms) lost their right to titles and government-sponsored privileges in 1972, Mewar retained its identity as such through the formation of various foundations. These protect and promote not only the name MAHARANA but also Mewar's historical and cultural heritage (e.g., see MAHARANA MEWAR FOUNDATION, etc.) Although off the traditional Golden Triangle tourist route (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur), Mewar is nevertheless a very popular destination for overseas visitors. Its history and scenic beauty are two of the main attractions; many come to see and to stay in the glamorous 5-star heritage hotels, among them the world famous LAKE PALACE (presently leased to the Taj Group of hotels), SHIV NIWAS, FATEH PRAKASH, SHIKARBADI, and the splendid AODHI at Kumbhalgarh. Its many holy shrines also attract thousands of Indian pilgrims. The main holiday season is the period of cool months between September and April when days remain pleasantly warm and nights are comfortable.
Because of Mewar's stoical adherence to tradition, India has always held the kingdom in high respect, calling it the Sun of the Hindus. For centuries, it was a source of inspiration, and the Rajputs of Mewar will ever be synonymous with chivalry and patriotism. Because of their bravery and dedication, Mewar's history is outstanding in the annals of India. See also MEWAR DYNASTY and UDAIPUR.
Mewar Bhil Corps, a special force set up in the early 1800s to control the criminal activities of the native BHILS. In the latter half of the 18th century, the hilly region of Rajputana, comprised of Mewar, Dungarpur, Banswara, and Pratapgarh, was in a state of perpetual disorder. The rulers' weak administration and their undisciplined army could not control the criminal activities of the local Bhil tribesmen. During the first half of the 19th century, the number of murders and robberies increased to an alarming extent. The British Political Agents proposed setting up a special force to tackle this problem. Initially, the force that was deployed consisted of army officers drawn from the native infantry but that, too, proved ineffective. Then, in 1837, in the reign of Maharana Jawan Singh, Col. James Outram, the Political Agent of Mahikanta proposed the establishment of a Bhil corps under the command of a British officer. This policy of recruiting local people to help in the maintenance of order among their own people was a successful experiment. Initially the rulers of Mewar, Pratapgarh, Dungarpur, and Banswara funded the Mewar Bhil Corps, but before long the British Army totally took over the finance and administration. Efforts were made to enlist other tribals other than Bhils, such as the Grasias and Gametis, into the Corps. By 1841, the entire hilly tracts of Mewar were put under the supervision of the Commandant of the Corps. This had a beneficial effect on the law and order situation in the southern region, and there was a fair state of discipline. The Mewar Bhil Corps remained a regular unit of the Indian Army until 1938 but was transferred to the Rajasthan Police in 1950. They were allowed to discharge the same duties and functions, which they did prior to the merger. Subsequently, uniform pay scales introduced by the government were also made applicable to them, bringing them on a par with the members of the Rajasthan Police Force.
Mewar CD: see MEWAR MUSIC COLLECTION
Mewar coat of arms. This resplendent heraldic shield features a golden sunburst, representing solar antecedents (SURYA the Sun God), with a Rajput warrior on one side and a BHIL tribesman on the other. The coat of arms carries the motto of the House of Mewar: "Those who stand steadfast in upholding righteousness will succeed in perpetuating the glorious traditions of the family." It remains the symbol of the Maharana of Mewar. A good example of the coat of arms is positioned above the main entrance to the City Palace, Udaipur.
Mewar Dynasty, The, recognised as the leading family of RAJPUTANA (the former name for Rajasthan), emerging from the ranks of early RAJPUTS who settled in southern Rajasthan. It was founded in AD 734 when BAPPA RAWAL of the Guhilot Dynasty established his capital at CHITTORGARH and proclaimed himself the ruler of all MEWAR. Traditionally, this illustrious dynasty claims much earlier pedigree from mythological times as the descendants of SURYA the Hindu Sun God and is thus called the solar race or SURYAVANSHI. It traces its long heritage to the Iksavaku family of the Puranic ages and descends in a direct line from LAV, the eldest son of Lord Ram Chandra (the god RAMA, hero of the Ramayana). When young Rana Hamir Singh of SISODA ascended the throne as Maharana HAMIR SINGH I in 1326, the family name changed from Guhilot to SISODIA, and the ruler's title from Rawal to Maharana, an extension of Rana ('maha' meaning 'great'). With the destruction of Chittor in 1568, Maharana UDAI SINGH II established his new capital at UDAIPUR.
The dynasty entered the 20th century as a House revered by all India, and respected by the world beyond, especially the all-powerful British Empire. In 1947, it survived what the subcontinent's freedom fighters had desired for so long: India's independence from foreign domination. Unfortunately, what should have been a glorious moment erupted in a series of unexpected and often terrifying consequences. For but a brief breath in history, the majesty that was Mewar seemed doomed once again, not by warfare this time but by the advent of Democracy. Along with all Indian Princes, its ruler was stripped of his kingdom ... but not of his birthright. In 1972, the dynasty lost its right to princely titles and its government pension, as did all of India's Princely States. Once again it was determined not to lose the accomplishment of centuries, namely its vast heritage. The new breed of Mewar preserved that heritage (see BHAGWAT SINGH MEWAR), and turned it to their advantage on the modern battlefield of corporate business. As in the past, their relentless pursuit of this new goal created fresh legends. With foresight, Bhagwat Singh protected Mewar's famous title (see MAHARANA). Proven staying power took the family in a totally new direction. Instead of accepting its new fate and sinking into obscurity, as did many of India's Princes, or treading the indefinite quicksand of politics, as did others, Mewar fought back with the wisdom and spirit that had made it the leading Rajput family and the premier Rajput State.
With the advent of the new millennium, Mewar's continued growth and prosperity ensured for it a continued and well-deserved place of honour in the 21st century. The current (i.e., in AD 2000) and seventy-sixth ruler of the Mewar Dynasty is the prominent hotelier, (Shriji) ARVIND SINGH MEWAR. Mewar has always enjoyed an enviable record for chivalry and courage. Its rulers are impeccably devout Hindus. Although Mewar was born in legend, and its forerunner was GUHIL, Bappa Rawal is called the dynasty's founding father. On ascending the throne, he proclaimed EKLINGJI (a local form of SHIVA) to be the dynasty's sovereign, with himself as the God's Diwan or Prime Minister. Mewar's dedicated service to Mankind, whatever caste or creed, has always been an integral driving force of the dynasty, as reflected in the motto on the coat of arms of the House of Mewar: "Those who stand steadfast in upholding righteousness will succeed in perpetuating the glorious traditions of the family." After fourteen centuries, Mewar is recognised as India's most famous royalty and the world's longest serving dynasty.
Mewar family dynasties. Between the 10th and 14th centuries AD, members of the Mewar family established many leading dynasties in Rajasthan, Kathiawar and Saurashtra (modern Gujarat), Maharashtra, Dungarpur, Banswara, Pratapgarh, Bhavnagar, Lathi, Rajpipla, Bharwani, Rampura, Sawantwadi, Kolhapur (the family of Shivaji), and the Rana dynasty of Nepal.
Mewar Family Split. Originally, it was thought that the breakaway occurred during the reign of Rawal Kshem Singh (1168-1172), the Mewar capital being situated in AHAR at the time, and that the breakaway princes, Mahap and Rahap were his sons. However, further research has suggested that they (and possibly Kshem Singh as well) were the sons of KARAN SINGH I (previously called Ran Singh). If Kshem Singh was a younger son of Karan Singh I and was named as heir to the throne, this would be a very valid reason for the split by Karan's two elder sons - in anger. (An alternative scenario is that when Rahap and Mahap quit Ahar, Karan Singh no longer had an heir, in situ as it were, and Kshem Singh, a member of another branch of the royal family, was either adopted or brought in to succeed him. However, this does not explain why the two brothers left Ahar.) Mahap established a small, independent kingdom at Dungarpur. Rahap defeated Mokal, the Paramara (Parihara) Prince of Mandor at SISODA. He established a junior branch of the Guhilot family at Sisoda, naming his clan Sisodias after the town, and taking the title of 'Rana'. The Sisodias ultimately became the ruling family of Mewar with HAMIR SINGH I (1326-1364), who replaced the title of Rawal with that of the Sisodias, Rana, extending it to Maharana.
Mewar (Gangaur) Festival, Udaipur, welcomes spring and offers a wonderful overview of Rajasthani culture through songs, dances, processions, devotional music and fireworks displays. Groups of women dressed in rainbow hues of scarlet, yellow, green and purple carry sacred images to the Gangaur Ghat of Pichola Lake, and a stately boat procession starts from the Lake Palace, organised by the Dept. of Tourism, Govt. of Rajasthan.
Mewar Memorable Millennium Melodious Music Pvt. Ltd., part of the Commercial Division of the MAHARANA MEWAR INSTITUTION TRUST. See MEWAR MUSIC COLLECTION.
Mewar miniatures: see MEWAR PAINTING.
Mewar Music Collection, The. In 1999, a company (Mewar Memorable Millennium Melodious Music Pvt. Ltd.) was formed initially to process and market compact discs of performances by professional classical singers and musicians, recorded at a private live performance organised by Bhagwat Singh in Udaipur in the 1950s. When the box of reel-to-reel tapes was discovered, the new head of the Mewar family, Shriji Arvind Singh (himself an accomplished sitar player in his younger days) decided to save this rare heritage collection for posterity. He hired Mumbai sound technician, Resul Pookatty, who digitally remastered the tapes. For a time, Arvind Singh was unable to interest any commercial company to handle the processing and distribution of a CD of the music (the project was considered unprofitable, but Arvind Singh was more interested in preserving this aspect of Mewar's cultural heritage than making it a profitable business venture), until AVA Audio-Lab of Mumbai agreed to take on the job. They formed a company, the Udaipur connection being The Maharana Kumbha Sangeet Kala Trust with Arvind Singh as Chairman and his daughter, Princess Bhargavi as Managing Director. The first CD, titled Gems of Udaipur, Volume 1, was launched at the newly-restored Zanana Mahal in the City Palace on April 9, 2000.
Mewar painting, one of the most important schools of Indian miniature painting of the 1600s and 1700s, in the Rajasthani style developed in Mewar. With this style, artists used a single hair from the throat or tail of a squirrel to execute the finely detailed work of these exquisite paintings.
Painting in Mewar developed from the 13th century. For example, Rawal TEJ SINGH (1251-1267) had shown the paintings of Radha Krishna. The Rajputs and Mughals inherited paintings of Sahibdin (Shahibdeen) (1628-1652). The large number of Mewar paintings, more than in any other Rajasthani school, featured emotional appeal through simple bright colours. The earliest dated examples of these are a series painted in 1605 at CHAVAND during the reign of Maharana Amar Singh I (1597-1620), Chavand having been the final capital of Amar Singh's father, Maharana Pratap Singh I. This vigorous and expressive style continued, with variations, through the reigns of Maharana Jagat Singh I (1628-1652), and Maharana JAI SINGH (1680-1698). After this, Mughal influence became more evident. The Mewar School continued through the 1700s and into the 1800s, the output being quite prolific. Although religious themes continued to be popular, more and more paintings concentrated on portraiture and the life of the ruler. Bundi painting, an important school of the Rajasthani style of miniatures, developed from the 17th century to the end of the 19th century. Maharana Jagat Singh II (1734-1751) encouraged artists to gain recognition by adding their monogram to their works. Under Maharana Bhim Singh (1778-1828), the foremost Court Artist was Chokha. During the reign of Maharana Jawan Singh (1828-1838), Mewar painting continued to flourish, with Western-style portraiture of notable figures supplementing the traditional style of hunts and courtly occasions. The paintings of Kundanlal Mishri (1866-1926) were famous in Udaipur and Mewar, while in Nathdwara, Pichhavai paintings were the most famous. Today, Udaipur has an extraordinary number of accomplished artists in pokey ateliers scattered throughout the city, meeting the tourist demand for exquisite originals and reproductions of Mewar's famous miniatures. The annual MAHARANA MEWAR FOUNDATION AWARDS recognise outstanding artists with the Maharana Sajjan Singh Award, which honours, in part, the work of permanent value to society through the medium of painting.
Mewar Plays, Vol. 1, The, a volume of short (1-act) plays written in 2001 by Australian author, Ian AUSTIN, commissioned by Arvind Singh Mewar for use in the Maharana Mewar Foundation's schools' Drama curriculum. They comprise dramatised highlights from Mewar's long history.
Mewar, Natural features: see NATURAL FEATURES OF MEWAR.
Mewar's Lost Generations. For a period of about three hundred and ten years, the records of Mewar's history are vague to non-existent, apart from a chronological list of the rulers and the years of their reign. However, it is known that Mewar's capital, Chittor, was invaded, possibly by Paramaras from Malwa retaking their ancient capital, which was taken from them by Bappa Rawal in 734. It is also known that Ahar, the ancient southern city (now an eastern suburb of Udaipur) became the new capital for many generations. It is also known that Chittor was finally redeemed, but by whom or when is also unclear (most likely it was Jaitra Singh).
The move from Chittor. Inscriptions reveal that the Mewar ruler (whoever he was) was driven from Chittor and relocated to Ahar. It may have been towards the end of Allat's reign, or near the start of the reign of his successor, Narwahan. The year 972 has been given for this move, but that is only speculation. However, there is an 18-year interregnum not accounted for, from 953 (the end of Allat's reign) to 971 (the start of Narwahan's reign). Who was the ruler of Mewar and where was the seat of government during this period? Were they already at Ahar, or wandering in the wilderness, choosing a new ruler? Or was it Narwahan who was driven from Chittor in 972? This, of course, begs the question: What happened at Chittor during that interregnum?
Whilst at Ahar. During this period of the 'lost generations', there was a massive family split by the elder sons of Rawal Karan (Ran) Singh. Kunwar Mahap moved out of Ahar to establish the small, independent kingdom of Dungarpur, and Crown Prince Rahap similarly moved from Ahar to Sisoda, to establish the Sisodias, a junior branch of the Guhilot family. (Some accounts suggest they were the sons of Karan's successor, Kshem Singh, but indications are that Kshem was also one of Karan's sons, perhaps a younger but favoured son who was named heir to the kingdom, which could account for Mahap and Rahap moving out in anger at being robbed of their right to the throne.) See MEWAR FAMILY SPLIT.
The move back to Chittor. Eventually, in the 1100s, according to an inscription, Samant Singh "lost his kingdom" (of Ahar, again possibly to the marauding Paramaras), and relocated to Dungarpur, where he ruled in exile. A couple of decades later, Mathan Singh is shown as ruling from the early Guhilot capital of Nagda. Was it he, or his predecessor, Kumar Singh, who moved from Dungarpur? About twenty years later, Jaitra Singh was ruling at Nagda, then retook Chittor, and the Mewar Dynasty was back home again, where it remained almost intact until 1568, when Udai Singh II lost Chittor to Mughal Emperor Akbar, and founded his new capital of Udaipur.
Unless future scholars are able to do more in-depth research, perhaps there will never be any definite answers to what happened to Mewar's 'lost generations'; perhaps the answers do not exist. Following is a summary of what is possibly known to have occurred.
Allat. Possibly at the end of his reign, he was driven from Chittor and
Relocated at Ahar.
953-971 (Interregnum)
971-973 Narwahan. Possibly near the start of his reign (the year 972 has been mentioned), it was he who was driven from Chittor and relocated at Ahar.
973-977 Shaliwahan. Ahar.
977-993 Shakti Kumar. Ahar, became a prosperous city. Attacked by Paramaras.
993-1007 Amba Prasad. Ahar.
1007-1021 Shuchi Verma. Ahar.
1021-1035 Nar Verma. Ahar.
1035-1051 Keerti Verma. Ahar.
1051-1068 Yograj (Yuvraj), Ahar.
1068-1088 Bairath (Vairath). Ahar.
1088-1103 Hanspal. Ahar.
1103-1107 Vairsingh. Ahar. Built wall and gates at Ahar.
1107-1127 Vijai Singh. Ahar.
1127-1138 Ari Singh I. Ahar.
1138-1148 Chaud Singh. Ahar.
1148-1158 Vikramaditya I (Vikram Singh). Ahar.
1158-1168 Karan Singh I (Ran Singh). Ahar. Near the end of his reign, his sons, Mahap, established Dungarpur, and Rahap established the Sisodia clan at Sisoda.
1168-1172 Kshem Singh. Ahar.
1172-1179 Samant Singh. Possibly Ahar, then "lost his kingdom" and relocated to Dungarpur, in exile.
1179-1191 Kumar Singh. Possibly Dungarpur, in exile. May have relocated to Nagda towards the end of his reign.
1191-1211 Mathan Singh. Shown as ruling from Nagda; may have relocated there near the start of his reign.
1211-1213 Padam Singh. Shown as ruling from Nagda.
1213-1253 Jaitra Singh. Shown as ruling from Nagda, then from Chittor.
1253-1261 (Possible interregnum).
1261-1267 Tej Singh. Chittor.
Mewar's non-aggression. During the 9th century AD, Chittor became the rallying point for all Hindu nations against foreign aggression. In what is sometimes called the Golden Age of Rajputana, the Mewar Dynasty maintained its enviable reputation as the guardians of Hindustan. Although it has been an outstanding military race, Mewar is more renowned for its record of non-aggression. Except for the speculation about Guhil possibly extending the kingdom to Jaipur and Agra (see GUHIL), Mewar fought only to survive invasion at home, or in other parts of Rajputana, usually alongside fellow Rajputs. It also fought to re-annex its stolen property, but never invaded another realm for annexation: greed was never a part of Mewar's agenda, the emphasis being on preserving the dignity and birthright of its people.
Mewari (Rajasthani), the language of Mewar. Though instructions in educational institutions are given in Hindi and English, Mewari is the major dialect for verbal communication. Mewari gives awareness of regional identity to the people. The intelligentsia, business executives and other forward-looking groups have a sound knowledge of English. Businessmen have also acquired a functional knowledge of English and Gujarati, no doubt to serve the tourist trade.
Mewari Gate (Udaipur): see DEBARI GATE.
Mewar's traditional lineage. Traditionally, the Sisodias of Mewar (the ruling family since Maharana Hamir I) claim to be descendants of SURYA, the Sun God and are, therefore, also known as Suryavanshis. Ram, hero of the Ramayana and king of Ayodhya, was a descendant of Surya. His son, Lav, migrated to western India where he founded the city of Lavkote (named after him, and which is now Lahore in Pakistan). (Some texts claim that, traditionally, the Mewar Dynasty descended from Lav's brother, Kush.) There, Lav and his descendants ruled until Raja Kanaksen quit Lavkote migrated to Saurashtra (now Gujarat), defeated the local Paramara prince, and founded a new kingdom with its capital at Vrinagar. Four generations later his descendant, Raja Vijya founded Vijayapur, supposed to be where Dholka now stands, at the head of the Saurashtra peninsula. Later the capital was removed to Vallabhi (or Ballabhipur, the present Balabhi, about 6 km. northwest of Bhavnagar). This city was destroyed in 524 AD by Arabs (Parthians) from the west (Sind, now in Pakistan), and its king, Siladitya VI, killed. The king's posthumous son, GUHIL founded the Guhilots in the large area known as Medpat (later corrupted to Mewar), and his descendant, BAPPA RAWAL founded the Mewar Dynasty in 734 AD. The family name was Guhilot until Maharana HAMIR SINGH I from Sisoda mounted the throne and changed the family name to Sisodia.
Mewar-the World's Longest Serving Dynasty, a book that Arvind Singh commissioned from Australian author Ian AUSTIN (in 1999) to celebrate Mewar's 1,400-year survival and its triumphal entry into the new millennium. Published by Roli Books, Delhi, it was the first contemporary publication to trace the complete history of the Mewar Dynasty from its inception, with Guhil of the Guhilots (AD 569), through Bappa Rawal, who established the actual dynasty named Mewar (AD 734) to modern times. The book was launched at Jag Mandir on April 8, 2000.
Mewati, one of the four main dialects of Rajasthan; used mainly in the Bharatpur district.
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