Sabal Singh. There were several leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Bassi (Choondawat); Bedla (Chauhan Rajput); Bhindar (Saktawat), and Kherabad (Baba).

Sabarmati River: see NATURAL FEATURES OF MEWAR.

Sabji Mandi, a vegetable market east of the hillock known as Machhala Magra, Udaipur.

Sadarpura, a suburb of Udaipur.

Sadri: see BARI SADRI.

Safa, (Hindi) a turban worn by princes and commoners alike.

saffron robes, apparel dyed in saffron, worn by Rajput warriors determined to hold out to the last in fighting. Saffron, a common colour, was also the colour of the Rajput male's bridal robe.

Sagar Singh, Kunwar, a younger brother of Maharana PRATAP SINGH I (1572-1597). Emperor AKBAR, in his quest to conquer Mewar, proclaimed Sagar as Maharana of Mewar, but later the title of 'Maharana' was replaced by 'Rawat'. He was given a jagir outside Mewar at Kandhar. His mansab was raised to 3,000 Jat and 2,000 horse (horsemen). Sagar Singh was sent to Bihar where he died in 1617. His son, Man Singh, was given the mansab of 2,000 Jat and 600 horse, and remained in the service of the Emperor. (There is a legend that states that Sagar, considering he was being forced to be a traitor to his country, went to the Mughal capital, relinquished control of Chittor, then stricken with conscience committed suicide with a dagger in the Mughal Court.)

Sahada, a town northeast of Udaipur, between Rajsamand Lake and Bhilwara, 40 km. away. Amongst the sixteen districts of the former Mewar State, Sahada was a district that contained 274 villages.

Sahasmal. There are two princes who have this name: 1. Kunwar Sahasmal, a son of Maharana UDAI SINGH I (1468-1473), who marched with his brother, Surajmal, against Crown Prince RAIMAL to recapture the throne, which his murderous father had usurped. Although beaten, he was later pardoned by his uncle and joined the Mewar army, gaining distinction. 2. Kunwar Sahasmal of Dhariawad; third son of Maharana PRATAP SINGH I (1572-1597) and brother of Maharana AMAR SINGH I (1597-1620).

Sahastra Bahu Temples: see SAS-BAHU TEMPLES.

Saheli Marg, Udaipur; a road in the northern sector that runs from U.I.T. Road to join Vidya Bhawan Road, passing Sahelion-ki-Bari.

Sahelion-ki-Bari (Garden of the Maids of Honour, Princesses' Water Gardens), Udaipur; a magnificent ornamental pleasure garden in the northern precincts of the city (the suburb of Polo Ground). Maharana SANGRAM SINGH II (1710-1734) built it (without the fountains, which were added later) as a cool summer retreat for the palace princesses and their female companions. The waters of nearby Fateh Sagar, which are at a higher level, are gravity-fed into the garden's lotus pools and the many fountains. The main fountain has a white marble pavilion in the centre of the pond; black marble is used for contrast on the four corners of the pond. The Savan-Bhado fountain is on the left of the central square; another fountain is on the right. Another pond is on the west of the garden; it features finely sculptured chhatris (pavilions) of soft black stone surrounded on all sides by more fountains. Yet another is guarded by four huge elephants, each one sculpted out of a single piece of stone, which spout water from their trunks. It is a fine example of Hindu landscape gardening and, today, is a favourite picnic spot. The gardens were damaged when a breach occurred in the embankment of Fateh Sagar and Maharana FATEH SINGH (1884-1930) reconstructed the gardens in their present form. The many fountains installed by Fateh Singh, and so refreshing in the summer months, can be turned on for a small fee. The Government of Rajasthan now looks after Sahelion-ki-Bari.

Sahibdin, the principal Court artist in the time of Maharana JAGAT SINGH II.

Sahiwalas, members of the Kayast community, a sub-clan of the Mathurs, who had the reputation of producing excellent administrators. They were given the right to sign official government documents on behalf of Mewar's leading clan, the Choondawats. See CHOONDA.

sahnai (shennai), (Hindi) a traditional Indian wind instrument made of wood.

Sahsa: see SAHASMAL.

Saidas. There were a couple of leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Salumbar (Choondawat), and Sangramgarh (Choondawat).

Sai Dass, a Choondawat Rawat of Salumbar. At the end of the third sack of Chittor (February 25, 1568), he commanded a large force, which defended Suraj Pol, Chittor's eastern gate. There he fell, resisting the entrance of the enemy; an altar to his memory stands near the gate (see SAI DASS, CHABUTRA OF).

Sai Dass, Chabutra of, Chittor; a platform and monument near the Adbaji Temple on the right side of the road, near the eastern gate, Suraj Pol, marking the spot where SAI DASS of Salumbar fell during the third sack of Chittor (1568). It stands on the brow of the rock, which was moistened with his blood.

sainik, (Hindi) a soldier.

Sainik school, an institution where boys are trained for entrance into a Military Academy.

Saira, a town northwest of Udaipur, at the beginning of the steep drive down to RANAKPUR.

Saismal: see SAHASMAL.