Shekhawati is located in North Rajasthan
comprising districts like Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Churu . History has it that in the
18th and 19th centuries, Marwari merchants constructed these grand havelis in
the Shekhawati region. Steeped in wealth and affluence, these merchants got
busy outdoing the other in building more grand edifices - homes, temples, step
wells which were richly decorated both inside and outside with painted
murals.It is bounded on the northwest by the Jangladesh region, on the
northeast by Haryana, on the east by Mewat, on the southeast by Dhundhar, on
the south by Ajmer, and on the southwest by the Marwar region.Its area is 13784
square kilometers. The inhabitants of Shekhawati are considered brave,
sacrificing and hard working people. The region provides the highest number of
people to the Indian Army.
Shekhawati
Climate
Shekhawati is in a desert area of Rajasthan and
has special importance in the history of India.
The natural climatic conditions in the region are
very harsh and extreme. The temperature ranges from below 0 °C (32 °F) in
winter to more than 50 °C (122 °F) in summer. The summer brings hot waves of
air called loo. Annual rainfall is at around 450 to 600 mm. The groundwater is
as deep as 200 feet (60 m), and in some places, the groundwater is hard and
salty. The people in the region depend on rainwater harvesting. The harvested
rainwater from the monsoon season (during July and August) is stored in pucca
tanks and used throughout the year for drinking purposes. Bawdis and johads are
traditionally constructed for storing rainfall in this arid region of
Rajasthan. The bawdi is constructed in such a design that it is wide at the top
and gets narrower at the bottom. The water stored in it is cool and used for
drinking purposes. On average, every third year is drier than usual, and every
eighth year the region experiences famine. The famine of 1899 is considered to
have been the most severe. During famine years it becomes very difficult for
animals to survive, and the cattle population declines drastically.
Languages
Shekhawati is a dialect of the Rajasthani language
and is spoken by about three million speakers in the Churu, Jhunjhunu, and
Sikar districts of Rajasthan. Even though it is a very important dialect from
the grammatical and literary points of view, very little work is carried out on
it. In 2001 A descriptive compendium of the grammar of Shekhawati has been
published.[6] Shekhawati, like the Bagri dialect of Ganganagar and Hanumangarh
districts, has a parallel lexicon which make it very rich from the lexicographical
point of view. Word order is typically SOV and there is an existence of
implosives. The presence of high tone at suprasegmental level classify it with
other dialects of Rajasthani. It has contributed a lot to the development of
Rajasthani language and linguistics.
Some
samples in Shekhawati are:
Kai Hoyo? कै
होयो? = What happened ?
The Kai kar rieya ho? थे कै कर रिया हो?= What are you doing
?
Ma Thane ghano samman desyu. मैं थाने घणो सम्मान देस्यु = I will give you
great respect.
The sidh ja riya ho? थे सिद्ध जा रिया हो?= Where are you
going?
The ke kha rahiya ho? थे के खा रहिया हो ? = What are you
eating?
History
Of Shekhawati
Many historians have considered this region
included in the Matsya Kingdom. Rigveda also provides certain evidences in this
matter. Manusmriti has called this land as 'brahmrishi desha'.
Shekhawati region was included in 'marukantar
desha' up to Ramayana period. Out of 16 mahajanapadas prior to Buddha, only two
janapadas, namely Avanti and the Kingdom of Virata were counted in Rajasthan
area. This region was also influenced by Avanti but later on Nandas of Magadha
defeated Avanti. Historians believe that Mauryas obtained the Rajasthan from
Nandas.
In ancient times Shekhawati was not limited to the
present two districts. During the Mahabharata period it was known as Matsya
Kingdom and extended to the Sarasvati River. This was because the first clan
ruling this region, in the Mahabharata period, were descendants of fishermen.
So the Vedas were supposed to be written and compiled on this very land. During
ancient times this region was divided into several janapadas. Every janapada
was a free republic state. The development of janapadas in Rajasthan started
with habitation of Aryan. The northern part of Rajasthan was known as
Jangladesh (Bikaner and Nagaur) during Mahabharata period.[14] and eastern part
Jaipur-Alwar were called the Matsya Kingdom. Pandavas had spent one year of
their vanishment in this Kingdom of Virata as their abode, to live in
anonymity, after the expiry of their twelve-year long forest life. Dhosi Hill,
the revered Hill, bordering Haryana, famous for Chyavana Rishi's Ashram, and
place where Chyawanprash was formulated for the first time has extensive
mentions in the epic Mahabharat in Vanparv. According to Vimal Charanlal, this
Kingdom of Virata extended from Jhunjhunu to Kotkasim 109 km in the north,
Jhunjhunu to Ajmer 184 km in the west, Ajmer to Banas and up to confluence of
Chambal River 229 km in the south. The capital of this Kingdom of Virata was
Bairat.
After the collapse of Gupta dynasty, Shekhawati's
some parts like Jhunjhunu, Fatehpur, Narhar were controlled by the Kaimkhanis,
until they were defeated by Shekhawat Rajputs.
Kaimkhani is a branch emerged from Chauhans. The
first progenitor of Kaimkhanis was Karamchand, born in the family of Moterao of
Chauhan clan, the ruler of Dadrewa. Firuz Shah Tughluq converted him to Islam
and named him Kaimkhan. Thus his descendants were called Kaimkhani.
Battle of Mandan
In 1775 A.D, Rao Mitra Sen Ahir of Rewari, and
Piroo Khan Balochi, encouraged by the scattered Kaimkhanies of Jhunjhunu,
invaded Shekhawati. A battle was fought at Mandan. In this battle, Hanuat Singh
and Surajmall took part and fought. Rao Mitra Sen Ahir was defeated, and Piroo
Khan was killed.
Shekhawat Rule
Bawdi in Fatehpur
Laxmangarh fort of Sikar
Shekhawati was established by Shekhawat Rajputs
and it was ruled by them until India's independence.
Rao Shekha Ji from Dhundhar established his own
independent kingdom with the capital at Amarsar. He was the first independent
ruler. After him, Rao Raimal, Rao Suja and Rao Lunkaran become the rulers of
Amarsar. Rao Manohar succeeded his father Rao Lunkaran and founded Manoharpur
later renamed Shahpura (The present ruler of Shahpura is the Tikai of Shekhawat
subclan). Shekhawats conquered the Jhunjhunu, Fatehpur, Narhar of Kaimkhanis
and established their rule on them.
Shekhawati was the largest Nizamat in the state of
Jaipur, which is almost entirely occupied by Shekhawats. The Shekhawat
chieftains of the region retained a nominal loyalty to the Kachwaha Rajput's
capital state of Jaipur(Amer), who in turn honoured them with the hereditary
title of Tazimi Sirdars. The rulers of the Shekhawati's Thikanas were the
Shekhawat sub clan of the Kachwaha Dynasty of the Jaipur Princely State.
Shekhawats was the most prominent among all the Kachawas of Jaipur.[citation
needed] Colonel J.C. Brooke, in his book Political History of India, wrote that
for the recruitment of cavalry, there is no region in India at par with
Shekhawati.
Thikanas of Shekhawati
Rao Suja's younger son Rajah Raisal conquered
Khandela from Nirbans and succeeded as the Raja Sahib of Khandela. He had 12
sons, five of which died in battle. His seventh son Raja Girdhar succeeded as
the Rajah of Khandela and his descendants are known as Girdhar Ji Ka
Shekhawats.
Raja Raisal's eldest son, Thakur Lal Singh, was
granted Khachariawas Thikana and his son Kesari Singh founded Khatu. As Akbar
called Lal Singh Lad Khan, this name became famous, and his descendants are
known as Ladkhani.
Raja Raisal's third son Rao Tirmal was the
ancestor of the Rao Ji Ka sect of Shekhawats. He was granted the parganas of
Nagore and Kasli (with 84 villages). Rao Daulat Singh son of Rao Jaswant Singh
of Kasli, founded Sikar in 1687.
Raja Raisal's fifth son Rao Bhojraj received the
Udaipurwati as his Jagir by his father. He was the ruler of Udaipurwati (The
group of 45 villages of Udaipurwati was known as Pentalisa) and he was ancestor
of the Bhojraj Ji Ka sept of Shekhawats. Descendants of Rao Bhojraj founded
many Thikanas and ruled over them. Pentalisa was composed of Jhajhar, Gudha,
Khirod, etc.
Thakur Shardul Singh, a descendant of Rao Bhojraj
Ji, conquered the Jhunjhunu in 1730 from the Kayamkhani Nawabs. Thakur Shardul
Singh had six sons, namely, Thakur Jorawar Singh, Thakur Kishan Singh, Kunwar
Bahadur Singh (died in his Kunwarpadi), Thakur Akhe Singh, Thakur Nawal Singh
Bahadur and Thakur Kesari Singh. Unfortunately, Bahadur Singh died in a young
age. Later on Thakur Shardul Singh's estate was divided into five equal shares
among his five sons. These five shares were known as Panchpana. It was the
second territory ruled by Bhojraj Ji Ka. Panchpana was composed of the Thikanas
of Khetri, Bissau, Mukandgarh, Nawalgarh, Dundlod, Mandawa, Taen, Mahansar,
Alsisar, Malsisar, Mandrella, Arooka, Chowkari, Heerwa, Sigra, Balonda,
Surajgarh, etc. As Akhe Singh died his share was divided between the other
brothers. Thakur Shardul Singh's sons and their descendants founded many new
well planned and prosperous Thikanas.
Many Thikanas had their own flags and emblems.
Shekhawats ruled over the largest number of Thikanas in Jaipur Rajwara.
In the 19th century Sikar was the largest and
wealthiest Thikana and the Khetri was the second wealthiest Thikana of Jaipur
State.
Culture, heritage and tourism
Architecture
The Shekhawats built forts in their thikanas. At
every thikana in Shekhawati, there was a fort. More than 50 forts and palaces
were built by Shekhawat Rajas. Today, many of them are hotels.
Mandawa Fort was built by Thakur Nawal Singh
Bahadur in 1755. In the zenana (women's quarters), various rooms offer
different themes. One room has antique murals, another has a marble fountain,
while the turret room boasts of walls that are 7 feet (2.1 m) thick.
Diwankhana, the formal drawing room, is decorated with family portraits and an
array of antique armour.
Dundlod Fort dates back to 1750 AD. Steps lead up
to the Diwan Khana, which is furnished with portraits, hangings, and period
furniture. It also houses a library and portraits done in the European style.
The Roop Niwas Kothi Palace was established as a
large country house by Rawal Madan Singh, former ruler of Nawalgarh. It is
popularly known as Rawal Sab Ki Kothi in Nawalgarh. It sits on over 100 acres
(0.40 km2) of land. The facade is painted in ochre that lends it dignity. The
hotel organises horse safaris and has stables at the back side.
Mukundgarh Fort was built by Thakur Mukund Singh
Ji. He established Mukundgarh in 1859 and the fort was built in a traditional
style and spreads over 2 acres (8,100 m2) of land. It has several courtyards,
overhanging balconies, arched windows and corridors.
Narain Niwas Castle, or Mahansar Fort, was built
in 1768 by Thakur Nahar Singh. It has an imposing entrance reached by flight of
stairs. It also has many wall paintings.
Alsisar Mahal (Alsisar Fort), a battle-hardened
fort, was the residence of the Thakur of Alsisar.
Dera Danta Kila (Danta Fort), two fortresses
straddle the hills, their foundations laid in 1702 to house the army, the
stables, and the royal residence of Thakur Amar Singh
Castle Pachar
Surajgarh Fort
Arooka Castle
Havelis, temples and frescos
This temple built by Shekhawat ruler of Nawalgarh
Shekhawati painted houses.
In Shekhawati, frescoes were initially introduced
by Shekhawat Rajputs in their forts and palaces. The towns in Shekhawati are
known for their painted havelis. This region has been recognised as the
"open art gallery of Rajasthan" having the largest concentration of
frescos in the world.
The Marwaris from Marwar was an influential
business community in Shekhawati, and they prospered until the beginning of the
19th century, due to the caravan routes that crossed the area to reach the
ports of Gujarat. However, from 1820 onwards, many left their families behind
and migrated to Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras, which were gaining importance as
main trade centers where they had great financial success. The descendants of
these rich merchants have permanently settled down in the towns their ancestors
migrated to. The Shekhawati region has produced large number of Marwaris who
are dominant factor in the economy of India. About 80 percent of big industrial
houses are managed by Marwaris. India's richest industrialists of the century,
such as the Birlas and Dalmia, are Marwaris. Today, the main trading and
industrial houses of India have their roots in Shekhawati.
Between 1830 and 1930, they erected buildings in
Shekhawati, their homeland, as evidence of their success. As the ultimate
symbol of their opulence, the Marwaris commissioned artists to paint those
buildings.
Most of the buildings of the Shekhawati region
were constructed in between the 18th century and the early 20th century. During
the British occupation, traders adapted this style for their buildings. The
havelis are noted for their frescos depicting mythological and historical
themes. The frescos include images of gods, goddesses, animals, and the life of
the lords Rama and Krishna, profusely painted on the havelis in this region.
Marwaris have played an important role in the
development of Shekhawati. Their major contribution to the Shekhawati region is
in the field of education. Marwaris have also played a leading role in the
Indian independence movement. They provided financial help in running the
freedom movement.
Some of the famous Marwari industrial houses are:
Agrawal/Agarwal, Bagari, Bajaj, Bajoria,
Banka[disambiguation needed], Bhartiya, Birla, Chandgothia, Choudhary, Dalmia,
Didwania, Dujodwala, Gadia, Ganeriwal, Goyanka, Jaipuria, Jaju, Jalan,
Jhujhunuwala, Kanoria, Khetan, Kedia, Kothari, Lohia, Mor,
Mittal[disambiguation needed], Modi, Murarka, Parasrampuria, Pareek, Poddar,
Piramal, Ruia, Rungta, Seksaria, Singhania, Sarda/ Sharda, Sanghi, Somani,
Sudrania, Surana, Todi
Tourist attractions
Forts & Castles
Horse Safaris
Shekhawati Horse Brigade, Nawalgarh
Dundlod cavalry, Dundlod
The Heritage on Wheels, a luxury tourist train on
meter gauge, takes you to the lesser known and colourful area of Shekhawati
Region. Heritage on Wheels is a luxury train in Rajasthan by RTDC and Indian
Railways.
Havelis
Fairs and Fastivals
Gangaur
Dussehra
Teej
Holi, Shekhawati's holi is famous in Rajasthan.
