Mewar Encyclopedia

Concise History of Mewar

A chronology of Mewar's 76 Rulers and their times (AD ca 569-2001) including some parallel events in India.
Conflicting dates exist for the reigns of Guhil and his two immediate successors, Bhoj and Mahendra I. Some texts maintain Guhil's reign began as early as 566 AD. The following dates must still be considered approximate.

51.	Ruler & Title: Maharana RATAN SINGH II Reign: 1527-1531 Capital: Chittor Family: Sisodia	*Mewar:* Ratan Singh rules only four years. After Sanga's death, he begins persecution of Mira Bai. Surajmal Hada and Ratan Singh kill each other while on a hunt at Bundi. *India:* 1530, Mughals, Humayun.
52.	Ruler & Title: Maharana VIKRAMADITYA II Reign: 1531-1536 Capital: Chittor Family: Sisodia	*Mewar:* Possesses turbulent disposition; discord causes weakens govt. 1533, taking advantage of this Bahadur Shah of Gujarat attacks Mewar; Mar 24, Rajamata Karmavati secures truce. Vikramaditya continues persecution of poetess Mira Bai; finally she flees back to Merta, then goes on extended pilgrimage throughout India. 1534, Bahadur Shah of Gujarat initiates 2nd sack of Chittor; Vikramaditya leads attack party away from fort. Young Udai Singh sent to safety at Bundi. Mar 8, fort's women commit jauhar, fort's warriors ride to their deaths; Bahadur Shah captures Chittor; Apr 25, he retreats to Gujarat when Mewar’s allies march on Chittor. Vikramaditya returns to continue loathsome reign. 1535, insults important elder; confined to palace by nobles. Udai Singh still only an infant; nobles give job of Regent (caretaker ruler) to Banbir, illegitimate and ambitious son of Maharana Sanga’s younger brother Prithvi Raj. 1536, Vikramaditya assassinated by Banbir. Panna Dhai, Udai's nurse substitutes her own son Chandan, for the prince (Banbir slays the son instead); Panna secretly smuggles Udai to safety of Kumbhalgarh. Banbir usurps throne (his reign is not recognised.) *India:* 1534, Humayun conquers Gujarat
53.	Ruler & Title: Maharana UDAI SINGH II Reign: 1537-1572 Capital: Chittor, then Udaipur Family: Sisodia	*Mewar:* 1537, nobles discover young Udai Singh at Kumbhalgarh and proclaim him rightful ruler. 1540, Udai Singh defeats Banbir at Mavli, returns to Chittor as new Maharana; May 9, birth of Udai's heir Pratap Singh. For some years, the young Maharana Udai Singh leads relatively quiet existence. 1559, First Construction started in Udaipur Palace with Navchowki Mahal in Rai Angan and Saleh Khana on the ground floor with Nika-ki-Chopad on the first floor. 1562, Udai aggravates new Mughal ruler, Akbar by giving shelter to various rulers who have rebelled against Mughals. 1553, builds Moti Mahal at Dewali Talab as temporary palace; Akbar marches on Chittor; Mewar nobles urge Udai Singh to save the family line by taking refuge at Gogunda. 1568, Feb 23, Akbar conquers Chittor (3rd sack); Feb 28, leaves for Delhi. 1559, Udai Singh started construction of new palace on Rana Magri near Lake Pichola, Udaipur; 1572, dies at Gogunda. *India:* 1542, Sher Shah conquers North India, Emperor Humayun escapes to Persia; Sher Shah introduces new system of revenue administration; Akbar born at Umarkot. 1554, Humayun returns, defeats successor of Sher Shah, re-establishes Mughal dynasty. 1556, Akbar (aged 13) succeeds Humayun as Mughal emperor. 1565, Battle of Talikota, joint forces of successor states of Bahmani sultanate conquers Vijayanagara. 1569, Salim (later Emperor Jahangir) born to Akbar at Fatehpur Sikri.
54.	Ruler & Title: Maharana PRATAP SINGH I Reign: 1572-1597 Capital: Mainly Kumbhalgarh Family: Sisodia	*Mewar:* Pratap Singh determined to repulse the Mughal takeover of Mewar and to retake the heritage capital of Chittor; renounces luxury of Udaipur and lives austere life of guerilla fighter in Aravalli Hills north of Udaipur. Makes Kumbhalgarh new capital; continually harasses Mughal forces and outposts until Akbar decides to sue for peace. 1573, Jun, Man Singh of Amber meets Pratap who insults him and refuses to accept Akbar’s sovereignty. 1576, Jun 18, Pratap’s small guerilla army meets large Imperial force led by Man Singh at Battle of Haldighati. Hopelessly outnumbered, Mewaris fight bravely until Pratap and faithful horse Chetak, both severely wounded, forced to retire. Mughals victorious but fail to conquer Mewar. Pratap's brother, Sakta Singh founds Saktawats. Pratap continues harassment of the Mughals for next 20 years, saving the kingdom from imperial subjugation. 1577, Pratap driven from Kumbhalgarh by Mughals a second time. 1578, retires to Chavand where he dies in January, 1597 without realising his dream of retaking Chittor. *India:* 1574, Akbar conquers Gujarat.
55.	Ruler & Title: Maharana AMAR SINGH I Reign: 1597-1620 Capital: Udaipur Family: Sisodia	*Mewar:* Amar Singh re-establishes Udaipur as Mewar capital. Mewar enjoys peace for the first time in several decades; Amar attends to revitalising domestic matters. 1605, Akbar’s son and successor, Jahangir renews Mughal war against Mewar. 1613, Sep 7, Jahangir sends force led by son Prince Khurram (later Shah Jahan). 1614, again at war and unable to match strength of imperial forces, on the advice of his chieftains Amar Singh finally decides to negotiates peace settlement with Jahangir. 1615, Feb 5, Amar Singh meets Khurram at Gogunda; signs treaty; Mar 17, under terms of treaty, Amar's heir, Prince Karan Singh attends Mughal court in Ajmer where he befriends Khurram. 1616, Amar builds Badi Pol; Amar Mahal. Severely depressed at virtually having betrayed Mewar, Amar Singh retires to Ahar. 1620, he abdicates in favour of Prince Karan; 6 months later he dies (1st Maharana to die in Udaipur). *India:* 1600, foundation of East India Co. in London. 1602, foundation of Dutch East India Co. 1605, Mughals, Jahangir. 1611, Jahangir relocates Mughal court to Ajmer in an effort to conquer Mewar. 1612, Prince Khurram weds Arjumand (Mumtaz Mahal). 1614, Jahangir advocates peace treaty with Mewar (on Amar Singh's terms). 1615, peace treaty with Mewar; Sir Thomas Roe 1st British ambassador at Mughal court. 1618, birth of Khurram's son Aurangzeb.
56.	Ruler & Title: Maharana KARAN SINGH II Reign: 1620-1628 Capital: Udaipur Family: Sisodia	*Mewar:* Often called last independent king of Rajputana. Mewar almost bankrupt because of grandfather Pratap’s prolonged war against Mughals. Karan set about strengthening his capital and kingdom. 1620-28, builds memorial cenotaph for his father at Ahar, inaugurating area as royal family's cremation ground;Manek Chowk, Fodder Store for Elephants, Horses and Bullocks (Below Manek Chowk), Paiga Pol, Suraj Pol, Toran Pol, Dilkushal Mahal, Moti Chowk , Sata Navari Paiga, Ganesh Chowk, Ganesh Deodhi, Pagda-ki-Hathni, Naharon-ka-Darikhana, Sabha Shiromani-ka-Darikhana, Chandra Mahal, Lakhu Gokhada, Karan Mahal, Kanch ki Burj, Chitram Ki Burj, Moti mahal and Bheem Vilas (Part I), Manek Mahal, Dilkush Mahal, Moti Mahal, Manak Mahal, Zanana Mahal, and Mor Chowk (Peacock Courtyard - Maharana Sajjan Singh adds peacock mosaics almost 260 years later), Surya Chopad and Surya Gokhada, Zenana Mahal-Lakshmi Chowk, Khush Mahal Chowk and Nav Ghat. 1622, begins building Jag Mandir. 1623, when Mughal friend, Prince Khurram seeks refuge after rebelling against Jahangir, Karan secures the prince and his family at incomplete Jag Mandir for few months. Four years later, Khurram seizes Mughal throne, taking title Shah Jahan; Mewar’s state of tranquillity continues. *India:* 1627, Mughals, Shah Jahan.
57.	Ruler & Title: Maharana JAGAT SINGH I Reign: 1628-1652 Capital: Udaipur Family: Sisodia	*Mewar:* Also a builder; completes Jag Mandir, begins restorations at Chittor. 1628-1652, Jagat Singh I build Mohan Mandir, Jaleb Chowk, 8 Torans on top of Paiga Pol and Kanwarpada Mahal 1628, builds Jagdish Temple just north of the City Palace (completed Mar 13, 1652). Dedicated patron of the Arts and preserver of dynasty’s heritage, encourages Mewar school of miniature painting; adds to City Palace. Highly respected by his subjects. 1652, in middle of Mewar’s peaceful renaissance, Jagat Singh dies. *India:* 1631, death of Mumtaz Mahal; 1632, Shah Jahan begins building Taj Mahal at Agra as her mausoleum (completed 1642). 1636-44, Prince Aurangzeb rules South India as Mughal viceroy. 1646, Shivaji establishes power in region of Pune, Maharashtra, pledges to free Marathas from foreign control.
58.	Ruler & Title: Maharana RAJ SINGH I Reign: 1653-1680 Capital: Udaipur Family: Sisodia	*Mewar:* 1658, Aurangzeb seizes Mughal throne; soon begins holy war against Mewar. 1659, Raj Singh mounts valiant defence; offers terms for peace treaty. It is not ratified, as Aurangzeb turns his attention to protracted conquests in Deccan. Severe drought in Mewar. 1665, Apr 7, to defeat effect of future droughts, Raj Singh begins construction of Rajsamand Lake. North India’s political scene explodes, gives Mewar a rest from wars with Mughals. 1673, Raj Singh orders Krishna idol brought from Mathura to safety of Mewar; ends up at Nathdwara (Sihar). 1680, Jan 23, Mughal army defeats Raj Singh; Oct 22, death of Raj Singh—possibly poisoned. *India:* 1655, Prince Aurangzeb raids Golconda in Deccan. 1656, Shivaji extends Maratha kingdom on west coast; many willingly join him. 1658, Mughals, Aurangzeb (Alamgir I); imprisons father Shah Jahan. 1659, Shivaji begins attacking Mughals in bid to rid India of foreign powers. 1664, inauguration of French East India Co. 1669, Aurangzeb begins destroying Hindu temples and shrines. 1670, Shivaji raids Mughal-controlled port of Surat; begins to levy taxes in Mughal territories; organises Maratha govt. on Hindu principles. 1674. Shivaji founds Maratha Dynastic Era; crowns himself ruler; invades Deccan.
59.	Ruler & Title: Maharana JAI SINGH Reign: 1680-1698 Capital: Udaipur Family: Sisodia	*Mewar:* 1681, Jun 24, Jai Singh and Mughal Prince Muazzam ratify Mughal treaty; despite this, Aurangzeb continues campaign against Mewar with battles continuing over the next decade. Strong resistance from Jai Singh's forces keeps Mewar free of the Muslim yoke where other Rajput states have succumbed. 1687, emulating his father, Jai Singh begins building Jaisamand Lake (completed 1691). In later years, Jai Singh virtually turns his back on responsibilities; Crown Prince Amar Singh rebels against his father but nobles persuade him to retire to Rajnagar until his succession. Jai Singh completely loses interest in life. 1698, records show Jai Singh dies of effects of insanity. Prince Amar returns to ascend throne. *India:* 1680, death of Maratha leader Shivaji aged 53. 1681, Aurangzeb establishes Aurangabad in Maharashtra as new Mughal capital. 1686-7, Aurangzeb annexes sultanates of Bijapur and Golconda; considered himself ruler of Deccan.
60.	Ruler & Title: Maharana AMAR SINGH II Reign: 1698-1710 Capital: Udaipur Family: Sisodia	*Mewar:* Amar Singh II builds Nakkar Khana ki Chatri, Ghadiyal Ki Chatri, Shiv Prasanna-Amar Vilas (Baadi Mahal) Although a gallant man, Amar Singh’s 12-year reign is uneventful and ineffectual. Emperor Aurangzeb, now old and weak, retires to Aurangabad; gives up warfare mainly because his Treasury is depleted from zealous wars in South India. With this welcome peace, Mewar painters benefit from serenity and finances to perfect their art. *India:* 1707, death of Aurangzeb. (Succeeded by series of weak emperors; rapid decline of Mughal Empire.)

Shiv Niwas Palace Udaipur	Fateh Prakash Palace Udaipur
Jagmandir Island Palace Udaipur	Gajner Palace Bikaner
Shikarbadi Hotel Udaipur	Garden Hotel Udaipur
The Aodhi Kumbhalgarh	Fateh Bagh Ranakpur
Gorbandh Palace Jaisalmer	Karni Bhawan Palace Bikaner