Zalim Singh, Prince, of Netawal; a nephew of Maharana Jagat Singh I (1628-1652).

zamin, land; an estate. See also ZAMINDAR and ZAMINDARI.

zamindar (zemindar), a feudal landholder, the landlord of an estate virtually leased to him by the Crown for cultivation. In return he had to supply the Crown with a percentage of the tax he collected from his serfs, plus an armed force, the size proportionate to his land holding, as part time guards for the king, or in times of war. Although the word is of Indian usage, its origin was Persian: 'dar' meaning holder or occupier, and 'zamin' meaning land. In India, it was widely used wherever the Mughals or other Indian Muslim dynasties spread Persian influence. In the late 18^th century, the British government made these zamindars land owners, thus creating a landed aristocracy in several kingdoms that lasted until Indian Independence (1947).

Zamindari, an estate, the system of tenure in which land revenue is imposed on an individual occupying the position of a landlord. See also ZAMIN and ZAMINDAR.

zanana (zenana), (Persian) female, feminine; the women's apartments (harem) in a royal palace, where the ruler housed his wives and concubines, and their many maidservants. Entry was forbidden to all men, except male children, eunuchs, close relatives and, of course, the king. The word is of Persian origin, introduced into India by Muslim invaders. The comparable Hindi word is 'rawala'.

Zanana Dyodhi (Deodhi), City Palace, Udaipur, the gateway entrance to the ZANANA MAHAL, the Palace of the Queens.

Zanana Mahal (Palace of the Queens), City Palace, Udaipur; also spelled Zenana or Janana (Hindi: Rawala); a two-storeyed building constructed by Maharana KARAN SINGH II (1620-1628), which a large courtyard and was the secluded residence of the royal ladies. Entry is through a gateway and vestibule, the Janana Dyodhi (the Devious Gate), immediately south of the City Palace's main doorway. On the left is where, under the protection of the guards outside, the State's gold, silver and other treasures were kept. On the right are three shrines, one consecrated to Pitamber Raiji (Lord Krishna), another to Girdhar Gopalji (another form of Lord Krishna to whom Mira Bai, the great poetess of Mewar was devoted), and, nearby, a temple enshrining Ban Nathji where Lord Shiva was worshipped. The second door (on the left) opens into a large paved courtyard, Laxmi Chowk (Laxmi is the goddess of wealth; a chowk is an open space). On the right as you enter the courtyard is a display of bullock- and horse-pulled carriages, and wooden elephant howdahs with glass inlays. Domed apartments flank the square; at the top of the domes are gold kalashas (finials, ornamental finishing pieces). Rooms on the northern side were generally set aside for guests of the Queen. The Osara (the place of ceremony and celebration) is on the eastern side of the courtyard. Here ladies of the Court and their guests, under the guidance of the Mistress of Ceremonies, assembled on auspicious occasions for pleasure, or for pious ceremonies. Exquisite glass inlay work is the feature in the main room opposite a holy tulsi plant in the courtyard.

The Queen's own apartments, the Badal Mahal were on the left above the Treasury. They were decorated with murals, inlaid glass and panels depicting incidents in the life of Lord Krishna and his consort, Radha, together with amusing and gay pictorial stories of Hindu and Rajasthani origin. This is the oldest section of the Zanana Mahal, and its upper windows were covered with lattice screens, which served to conceal the royal women as they watched activity in the courtyard or the street below. On the southern side is a photographic exhibition of the 'City Within a City', Arvind Singh Mewar's concept for the future development of the area surrounding Pichola Lake, plus a genealogical chart of Mewar's rulers.

The first and second floors on the western side have rooms filled with miniature paintings of tiger shoots, sporting occasions, and portraits of all Maharanas since Maharana Sangram Singh I. The unusually large size of these miniatures, depicting in detail daily life of the Court, is found only in the Mewar School of Miniature Painting. In an alcove off these rooms is a photographic display of British Political Residents and Viceroys of India. One display has been set up in memory of Col. James TOD, the first British Agent of Udaipur and a famous historian of Rajasthan. Portraits and miniature works of him depict the environment in which he did his work. Also, on the first floor is the Maharana Mewar Historical Publications Trust, which features a display of all books published either by the Trust, or with its financial assistance, many of which are on sale here. The Maharana Kumbha Sangeet Kala Trust is on the first floor of the northern wing; it promotes Indian music, and has a collection of rare CDs from the Maharana's personal collection. A pillared pavilion, open on all four sides, stands towards the southern end of the courtyard, topped by a new and impressive wrought-iron dome that was designed by ARVIND SINGH MEWAR. Decorative fountains have also been added to the square. Zanana Mahal opened as a museum for the public (1974), and in 1999, Arvind Singh Mewar completely refurbished the Mahal, upgrading many of the surrounding rooms as showrooms. The now-lavish courtyard is a venue for the Maharana Mewar Foundation's prestigious functions.

Zawar (Jawar) Mata Temple, in an old town (now in ruins) near the ZAWAR MINES south of Udaipur. This and other local temples contained the deities that protected the mines but were left unattended when the mines closed. When the mines reopened, the temples were re-consecrated by the local tribal BHILS.

Zawar (Jawar) Mines, some 32 km. south of Udaipur, believed to be of a much earlier origin than when discovered in the time Maharana LAKHA (1382-1421). They yielded silver, tin, copper, lead and antimony. These riches added to Mewar's prosperity during Lakha's reign and funded the rebuilding of many temples and palaces destroyed when ALA-UD-DIN KHILJI sacked Chittor in 1303. When Maharana PRATAP SINGH I (1572-5197) retired to the hills during the Mughal scourge of Mewar, faithful Bhils of the region saved his family by carrying them in wicker baskets and concealing them in the mines of Zawar, where they guarded and fed them. (Bolts and rings are still preserved in trees around Jawar to which baskets were suspended, often being the only cradles for the royal children, which kept them out of the reaches of tigers and wolves.) Later, the mines were abandoned, then re-opened and worked for the lead and zinc, which they still yield. Today, they are under the control of the Hindustan Zinc Corporation of India. The lead-zinc ore is sent to the Zinc Smelter Plant at Debari 11 km. east of Udaipur. Near the mines are the ruins of an old town and several temples, including the ZAWAR MATA TEMPLE.

Zawar (Jawar), basically a tribal village inhabited by BHILS, about 32 km. south of Udaipur; also the site of important silver, lead and zinc mines rediscovered by Maharana LAKHA (1382-1421) and which gave Mewar much of its early wealth. It is also the location of several Hindu temples dedicated to Jawar Mata, Shiva, and Vishnu, and Jain temples. In 1497, Rama Bai, daughter of Maharana KUMBHA (1433-1468) constructed the Ram Swami Temple and Rama Kund (reservoir).

zenana: see ZANANA.

Zenana Mahal: see ZANANA MAHAL.

Zhali (Zahliji), Rajmata (wife of Maharana Ari Singh II): see SARDAR KUNWAR JHALI.

Zinc Smelter Plant, Debari, about 11 km. east of Udaipur; it smelts the lead-zinc ore from the ZAWAR MINES south of Udaipur.

Zonal Railway Training Centre, Udaipur; in the city's northern sector, off Sukhadia Circle; a training centre for railway employees.

Zorawar Singh. There were several leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Bemali (Choondawat); Sardargarh (Dodia Rajput); and Maharaj Zorawar Singh, chief of the Saktawat clan, ca 1760, his estate being Bhindar. He was the son of Kushal Singh; his son was Hamir Singh, who was followed by Madan Singh, Kesari Singh, and Madho Singh. There was also Thakur Zorawar Singh of the Mertia clan (Rathore family) whose estate was Ghanerao, 130 km. from Udaipur in the Pali district of Marwar, on the border with Mewar.