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Subhkaran, Rao Sawai, of BIJOLIA, a Paramara Rajput who fought for Maharana Amar Singh I (1597-1620) against Mughal Prince Khurram, and advised Amar to sign a peace treaty with the Mughals. As a result, in 1614 he was sent to Gogunda as one of the Maharana's two emissaries to negotiate Amar's own terms for a peace treaty with Mughal Prince Khurram (later SHAH JAHAN). Shubh Karan was the Maharana's maternal uncle; the other emissary was Haridas Jhala. The Maharana and the Prince signed the treaty on February 16, 1615. See AMAR SINGH I, MAHARANA.
Subji Mandi, a vegetable market situated in Sector II near Sairna village, Udaipur.
Suburbs (Major) of Udaipur (see individual entries for details). Ambav Garh; Ayad Colony; Ahinsa Puri; Ashok Nagar; Bedwas; Bhatiyani Chauhatta; Bhupal Pura; Dewali; Dhool Kot; Fatehpura; Ganesh Nagar; Goverdhan Vilas; Gurudwara; Haridas ji ki Magri; Hiran Magri Sectors; Indergarh; Krishi Mandi; Madri Industrial Area; Maldas Sehri; Old Fatehpura; Pahara; Panchwati (Panchvati); Polo Ground; Pratap Nagar; Sadarpura; Sajjan Nagar; Shastri Nagar; Shivaji Nagar; Sobhag Pura; Sunderwas; University Quarters.
Sudra, India's lowest caste, discrimination of which is now outlawed, but still exists.
Sufis, Muslim holy men from Iran (Persia). These missionaries, such as those of the CHISTI brotherhood, accompanied the first destructive waves of Muslim invaders. Their mysticism, asceticism, and universalism struck a deep chord in the Indian temperament. Their aloofness, elitism, and contempt for all things Hindu actually awed many Indians, so much so that great numbers of Hindus, often from the lower castes, were seduced into converting to Islam.
Sujan Singh. There were several leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Athoon (Poorawat); Barlias (Sisodia); Bhagwanpura (Choondawat); Shahpura (Sisodia); Kerya (Poorawat); Rood (Saktawat); Sangramgarh (Choondawat); and Sujan Singh, a younger son of SHIVDAN SINGH of Bagore; he died in childhood, and another brother, Sher Singh, succeeded their father as ruler of Bagore. Two of his brothers, Sardar Singh and Swaroop Singh, became Maharanas of Mewar (see SHER SINGH AND THE BAGORE LINE).
Raja Dhiraj Sujan Singh of Shahpura was the first son and successor of Surajmal. During the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (1628-1658), with an uncertain peace between Mewar and the Mughals, Sujan went into the service of the Emperor who gave him the district of Phoolia and a mansab (Imperial military posting) of 800 Jat (foot soldiers) and 300 Sawar (horse or horsemen). In 1643, the mansab was raised to 1000 Jat and 500 Sawar; in 1645 it was further raised to 1500 Jat and 700 Sawar. Sujan Singh went to Kandhar with Shah Jahan's son, Prince Aurangzeb. Following this, Sujan's mansab was again raised to 2000 Jat and 800 Sawar. When Shah Jahan sent a force, including Sujan Singh, to demolish a restored wall at Chittor, which was illegal under the terms of the 1614 peace treaty between the Mughals and Mewar. To avenge this treacherous participation by Sujan, Maharana Raj Singh (1653-1680) attacked Sujan's estate of Shahpura in 1658 and exacted Rs.22000/- as a penalty. Raj Singh also razed the district governed by Sujan's younger brother, Veeramdeo. Later, seemingly allowing bygones to be bygones, Shah Jahan sent Sujan Singh to Dharmat to assist Maharaja Jaswant Singh of Jodhpur to fight against the new emperor, Aurangzeb; Sujan Singh and his five sons died in the subsequent battle.
Sukhadia Circle (Square), Udaipur, a large roundabout in the city's northern suburb of Panchwati, on the road to Ranakpur and Mt. Abu. The centrepiece of the Circle is a large, three-tiered fountain just over 21 m. high, with scalloped dishes surmounted by a wheat-ear motif, representing prosperity. Illuminated at night, it is now a well-known landmark. Its foundation was laid in 1968 and was opened in 1970. The Circle is a popular recreational centre and meeting place. A circular pond surrounds the fountain; nearby are pleasant gardens. Families and friends come together, especially at night, when music plays, and dozens of food, cold drinks and tea stalls do a flourishing trade. Children particularly enjoy the experience: they float toy boats in the central pond, where odd duck-shaped pedallos (paddle boats) vie for space; there is even a mini train nearby. Sukhadia Circle commemorates the memory of Udaipur's MOHAN LAL SUKHADIA, one-time Chief Minister of Rajasthan and a native of Udaipur.
Sukhadia Samadhi, Udaipur; a cremation ground opposite Ashok Nagar.
Sukhadia, Mohan Lal, an Udaipur politician who became Chief Minister of Rajasthan on November 13, 1954, and was elected for a second term on April 26, 1967. He did commendable work in developing his home city of Udaipur.
Sultan Singh. There were several leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Bari Sadri (Jhala Rajputs); Bedla (Chauhan Rajput); Banera (Sisodia); Lasani (Choondawat), and Taloli (Choondawat).
Sun Window: see SURYA GOKHARA.
Sunderdas, Kunwar, twelfth son of Maharana RAIMAL (1473-1509).
Sun God: see SURYA.
Sunset Point, Mt. Abu: see ABU, MOUNT.
Sunset Point, Udaipur; a viewing point atop a rocky hill, near the area of DOODH TALAI beyond the southern end of the City Palace complex. It provides magnificent views of Pichola Lake and, further to the W, the distant mountaintop fortress of SAJJANGARH (Monsoon Palace). In August 1982 the U.I.T. developed a sunset viewing point on the hill; small parks and gardens enhance the hilltop reserve. It also has a musical fountain, which attracts many local visitors on Sundays and holidays.
Sunset View Terrace, Udaipur; part of the Commercial Division of the MAHARANA MEWAR INSTITUTION TRUST. This open-air, terrace tea lounge (in the afternoon) and restaurant (at night) is on the shore of Pichola Lake, behind Fateh Prakash. It overlooks the placid lake, the Lake Palace and the island palace of Jag Mandir, both magnificently floodlit in the evenings. The restaurant serves a good variety of excellent entrees, main courses, and desserts, both Indian and international.
Suraj Kund (Sun Reservoir), Chittorgarh; a large reservoir (kund) near the Kali (Kalika Mata) Temple.
Legend: One of the Maharanas received a blessing from the Sun God (Surya) and every day a warrior in white emerged from this kund, riding on a horse. It is said that he used to help the Maharana in battle. When the Mughal emperor came to know of this, he made this kund unholy by sprinkling cow's blood in it. From that day, the warrior horseman ceased to emerge from the kund.
Suraj Pol (Gate of the Sun), Chittorgarh; the fort's original eastern gate from which a steep path winds down to the plains below. Nearby stands a monument to Rawat SAIN DAAS of Salumbar, who fell while resisting the entrance of the enemy during the third sack of Chittor (1567/68). See also GATES (POLS) IN UDAIPUR.
Suraj Pol (Sun Gate), Udaipur; a gate (part of the old city's original eastern wall), facing the rising sun (Surya), now within the present-day area of Bapu Bazaar. See also GATES (POLS) IN UDAIPUR.
Suraj Singh. There were a couple of leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Karjali (Ranawat), and Nimbahera (Mertia Rathore).
Surajmal. There were several leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Banera (Sisodia); Dharyavad (Sisodia); Kunthawas (Saktawat); Roopnagar (Solanki); Shahpura (Sisodia); Sihar (Saktawat); Thana (Choondawat); Kunwar Surajmal of Shivrati, son of Shiv Singh; he adopted his son, Dal Singh, from Daulat Singh of Karjali; and Kunwar Surajmal, second son of Maharana AMAR SINGH I (1597-1620) and brother of Maharana KARAN SINGH II (1620-1628); his sons had estates (jagirs) at Shahpura, Gangawas, Barlias, Sarwania and Narela. Kunwar Surajmal, a son of UDAI SINGH I (1468-1473), marched with his brother, Sahasmal, against Mewar to recapture the throne, which his murderous father had usurped.
Surajmal, a brother of Maharana RAIMAL (1473-1509), and uncle of Raimal's Sangram (Sanga) Singh and Prithvi Raj, who played a vital role the brothers' deadly rivalry (see SANGA AND PRITHVI RAJ), yet was fortunate enough to escape, finally, to live out his days at Bari Sadri.
Surajmal, Rao, of Bundi. In 1531, during a boar hunt in Bundi, he assassinated-and was killed by-Maharana RATAN SINGH II (1527-1531).
Surat Singh. There were several leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Batherda (Sarangdevots); Karoi (Ranawat); Mahua (Ranawat), and Netawal (Ranawat).
Suresh Goyal, author of The Invincible Maharana Pratap, a booklet about the life of the Hero of Haldighati. He was born August 24, 1944, the son of Gopal Lal Kagzi, the pioneer of the printing industry in Mewar. Goyal began writing, directing and acting in plays at the age of 15 and went on to become a journalist, and later editor of the Hindi daily newspaper, Pratahkal. Interested in history, he was inspired by ex-MP Shri Balwant Singh Mehta to write the booklet on Pratap.
Surtan, Rao, of Sirohi, who joined the force of Maharana PRATAP SINGH I after the BATTLE OF HALDIGHATI (1576); later defeated by the Mughals after they attacked his fortress at Mt. Abu.
Surya Gokhara, City Palace, popularly known as the Sun Window, installed by Maharana BHIM SINGH (1778-1828). It was here that the Maharanas were expected to "show themselves" in times of trouble to encourage the people and "to shed light in place of the hidden sun".
Surya Prakash, City Palace, Udaipur; a 19th century addition, above the MOR CHOWK courtyard. It features delicate inlaid glasswork on its outer walls.
Surya, the Hindu Sun God: See SURYAVANSHIS.
Surya, the Sanskrit name of an invading Aryan tribe, ca 1500 BC.
Suryanarayana Temple: see RANAKPUR.
Suryavanshis (the race of the sun), worshippers of the Hindu Sun God, SURYA who claim their relationship with the sun through the warrior-god Ram. Most notable of these were the rulers of Mewar who, traditionally, claimed to be descendants of Ram's son, LAV. Their banner is a gold sun on a crimson field.
Sushila Kunwarji, Maharani (d. November 5, 1999 in Udaipur), wife of BHAGWAT SINGH MEWAR; daughter of Maharaja Sardul Singh of Bikaner; sister of Maharaja Karni Singh of Bikaner, western Rajasthan. Princess Sushila Kunwarji married (a customary arranged marriage) the 19-year-old Crown Prince Bhagwat Singh of Mewar in 1939. After her husband's death in 1984, Her Highness, then the Rajmata (Queen Mother), retired from social life and moved into an apartment in SHAMBU NIWAS PALACE, close to her second son, ARVIND SINGH MEWAR, who had succeeded as titular head of the Mewar family.
suttee: see SATI.
Suva (Suawat), Kunwar, a younger son of Maharana MOKAL (1421-1433) and brother of Maharana KUMBHA (1433-1468).
suzerain, a sovereign or state exercising political control over a dependent state; a feudal overlord.
suzerainty, the position or authority of a SUZERAIN.
swamidharma, (Hindi) fidelity to one's lord (prince).
Swaroop (Swarup) Sagar (Kumharia Talab), Udaipur; a small man-made lake behind the Jagdish Temple and near Chand Pol adjacent to Rangsagar. It connects Pichola Lake and Fateh Sagar; built by Maharana SWAROOP SINGH (1842-1861) for the benefit of his people.
Swaroop Singh. Apart from Maharana Swaroop Singh, there were several leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Bhagwanpura (Choondawat), and Jamoli (Baba).
Swaroop Singh, Maharana (b. January 8, 1815─d. November 16, 1861), seventieth ruler of the Mewar Dynasty (r. 1842-1861); fourth son of Maharaj Shivdan Singh of BAGORE; adopted by his elder brother, Maharana SARDAR SINGH (also adopted) who had produced no heir, he ascended the throne on July 15, 1842 at the age of 27, and ruled for nineteen years from Udaipur. A man of integrity, Swaroop's priority on coming to the throne was to pay off the debt to the British. This he achieved to a great degree by cutting down on the lavish expenditure at Court and greatly improving the financial position of Mewar. A State Treasury was established and he even issued a new coin which was engraved Dosti London (Friendship with London). Unfortunately, the friendship did not extend all the way. Swaroop was a true Rajput, steeped in traditions of the past. This often brought him into conflict with Major Robinson, the new Political Agent, who kept requesting firmly he imbue his realm with the advantages and dictates of modern civilisation. Robinson was arrogant and insensitive to Indian culture (the exact opposite of James TOD). For instance, he ordered Swaroop to ban the practice of sati, claiming suicide was a sin in the eyes of God. Swaroop refused, insisting it was Hindu religious tradition for widows to die upon their husband's funeral pyre, and more or less insinuated that outsiders should mind their own business. Major Robinson enforced the dictum, and sati was, henceforth, legally banned in Mewar. There were other incidents as well which, in effect, reduced the Maharana to a mere puppet of the British establishment. Despondent, Swaroop virtually tuned his back on the running of his own State.
In 1850 Swaroop found a friend in the new British Agent, Lieutenant-Colonel Lawrence, who respected the Rajput's beliefs. In return, the Maharana revealed he still retained the Rajput tradition of chivalry when what history has called the INDIAN MUTINY or Sepoy Revolt erupted in 1857. To protect the British women and children living in Mewar, proclaiming that "war is only for men", he gave them sanctuary on the island of JAG MANDIR, guaranteeing their safety until the end of the uprising. England's Queen Victoria wrote a personal letter, thanking Swaroop for his support; Swaroop wrote Queen Victoria a personal letter congratulating her on having put down the mutiny so successfully. Victoria invited him to London; Swaroop refused, claiming he was necessarily involved in too many religious duties towards the well being of his subjects-in truth, he had no intention of becoming indebted to the Empress of India. Swaroop had regained his dignity and had become his own man once more. Following the mutiny, the British Government tried to prohibit the bearing of arms, not only in Rajputana but also in all India. Rajput chieftains opposed the action claiming the Maharana of Mewar had provided their weapons and, as their paramount chief, only he had the authority to disarm them. Swaroop Singh refused to comply with the British demand; it was his way of saying that, while prepared to collaborate with the Raj, he would not accept subordination. He, too, adopted an heir (Shambhu Singh), a 14-year-old relative from his own family, only one month before he died in 1861 at the age of 46. Even with his death, Maharana Swaroop Singh came into conflict with the British for a final time. A favourite concubine was persuaded to act as a surrogate sati for the Maharana's widows. Richly adorned and highly drugged, she climbed upon the pyre as it was set alight and cradled the dead Maharana in her arms. Understandably, the British were furious. Fortunately, Swaroop's cremation became the last occasion of the ritual of SATI in Mewar. His adopted heir, SHAMBHU SINGH, succeeded him.
Swarup Sagar: see SWAROOP SAGAR.
Swarup Singh: see SWAROOP SINGH.
Swetamber, a Jain sect whose members dress in white and worship CHARBUJA (Vishnu).
Swetamber Jain Temple (Chittorgarh): see CHARBHUJA TEMPLE.
Swimming Pools in Udaipur. Venues include Field Club; Hilltop Palace Hotel; Hotel Rajdarshan; Laxmi Vilas Palace Hotel; Lake End Hotel; Mahendra Prakash Hotel; Marvel Water World; Rang Niwas Hotel; R.N.T. Medical College; Shiv Niwas Hotel; Shikarbadi Hotel; and Shilpi Restaurant, Shilpgram Village.
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