Sheetal Nathji, Udaipur; a Jain temple (one of the oldest buildings in Udaipur) situated near Jagdish Chowk, north of the City Palace. It was built in 1567, while Maharana Udai Singh II was building his first palace, MOTI MAHAL, in what was to become his new capital of Udaipur. It is notable for its intricate mirror and glass mosaic work. Actually, the décor is quite dazzling: walls, ceilings and columns sparkle with exquisite designs, some geometric and others, pictorial. Although centrally located near the CLOCK TOWER, visitors usually miss it as it is not on the average tourist trail. Photography is prohibited.

Shekha, Kunwar, a son of Maharana PRATAP SINGH I (1572-1597), and brother of Maharana AMAR SINGH I (1597-1620); Shekha's sons had estates (jagirs) at Nana and Bera in Marwar.

Shenvia, supposed by James TOD to be a class of Maratha Brahman; a corruption of chhiyanave (ninety-six), from the number of their sections. They were supporters of the Maratha Shenvi Brahman, LAKWA.

Sheogarh, a Saktawat town, Mewar; home of the Saktawat LALJI.

Sher Shah, an Afghan renegade who, in 1540, ousted Mughal dynasty Emperor, HUMAYUN, and re-established the Delhi Sultanate with the Sur dynasty. This takeover, not long after UDAI SINGH II reclaimed the Mewar throne, caused turmoil in North India but gave Mewar and other States of Rajputana a period free of aggression for a while. Interestingly, Sher Shah introduced many land and fiscal reforms, including originating the Rupee as the nation's currency (prior to that the currency was the Dam), and gradually regained administrative control over the substantial regions on the Indian subcontinent then ruled by Islam. Sher Shah died in 1545; the Sur dynasty continued until 1555, when Humayun returned to India, recaptured Delhi and reinstated the Mughal dynasty.

Sher Singh and the Bagore line. Sher Singh succeeded his father, SHIVDAN SINGH, as ruler of the Mewar jagir of Bagore, which Shivdan founded. Two of Sher Singh's brothers were adopted and became Maharanas of Mewar: Sardar Singh by Maharana Jawan Singh, and Swaroop Singh by his own brother, Maharana Sardar Singh. Sher Singh's sons were: 1. Sardul Singh who, suspected of trying to poison his uncle, Maharana Swaroop Singh and take the Mewar throne, was imprisoned and died there; 2. Sobhag Singh who, like an uncle, Sujan Singh, died young; 3. Samarth Singh, who eventually became ruler of Bagore; 4. Shakti Singh; and 5. Sohan Singh, who also became ruler of Bagore.

Sardul's son, Shambhu Singh, a young teenager, eventually succeeded grandfather Sher Singh as ruler of Bagore. However, one month before he died, Maharana Swaroop Singh, who had no heir, adopted Shambhu Singh, still only 14 and still ruler of Bagore at the time. So, Sher Singh's third son, Samrath Singh, became the next ruler of the jagir. But when Samrath died without any male issue, Maharana Shambhu Singh (his nephew) gave Bagore to Samrath's youngest brother, Sohan Singh. Feeling an injustice had been perpetrated, Sohan's elder brother, Shakti Singh, revolted, but was arrested and sent to Benares (Varanasi).

Because Maharana Swaroop Singh had no heir, one month before he died he adopted Shakti's son, Sajjan Singh who, within a few weeks became the next Maharana of Mewar. At this, Sohan (already ruler of Bagore) put in his claim for the throne but was rejected. (A footnote to this complicated story: Maharana Sajjan Singh also produced no heir-many blame it on the CURSE OF MEWAR-and also had to adopt one, Fateh Singh.) See also BAGORE.

Sher Singh Mehta. He and his brother, Sawai Singh Mehta both served as ministers under Maharana BHIM SINGH (1778-1828). Sher Singh became Pradhan (Chief Minister) during the reign of Maharana JAWAN SINGH (1828-1838), replacing Mehta Ram Singh.

Sheri Garba, (Hindi) a GARBA (traditional folk dance from Gujarat) played in an urban area.

Sheth Dharnasah: see DHARNASHAH.