Rajasthan: Medieval history: dynasties, rulers and forts

Medieval Rajasthan saw the rise of the Chauhans of Ajmer and Ranthambore, the Rathores of Jodhpur and the Maharanas of Mewar, and long contests with the Sultans of Delhi and the Mughals. Rajasthan Tourism pages record the founding dates of cities, forts and lakes from this period.

Dynasties and Cities

• Chauhan Dynasty: Ajmer was founded by Raja Ajaypal Chauhan in the 7th century AD and remained the epicentre of the dynasty until the 12th century AD. The Chauhans were responsible for constructing Taragarh, described as the first hill fort of India.
• Rathore Clan: Rao Jodha, chief of the Rathore Clan, is credited with the origin of Jodhpur in 1459 AD. The city was built in place of the ancient capital, Mandore.
• Mewar Dynasty: Maharana Kumbha was a prominent ruler who built the Vijay Stambh (Tower of Victory) in Chittorgarh between 1440 AD and 1448 AD to commemorate his victory over the Muslim rulers of Malwa and Gujarat.
• Bhatti Clan: The Bhatner Fort (Hanumangarh) was built around 1700 years ago by Bhupat, son of Jaisalmer’s King Bhatti. It was finally captured by Raja Surat Singh of Bikaner in 1805.
• Kachhwahas of Amber: Amber was their bastion; Jai Singh II, Raja of Amber, established Jaipur in 1727, shifting his capital because of a growing population and water scarcity.
• Paramara Dynasty: The Achalgarh Fort in Mount Abu was originally built by the Paramara dynasty. It was later renovated and renamed by Maharana Kumbha in 1452 CE.

Forts and Construction Dates

• Chittorgarh Fort: This fort faced violent attacks thrice. The first was in 1303 by Ala-ud-din Khilji. The second was in 1533 by Bahadur Shah, Sultan of Gujarat. The third was in 1568 by Mughal Emperor Akbar. It was returned to the Rajputs in 1616 under Jahangir.
• Ranthambore Fort: Built by Chauhan rulers in the 10th century. It is associated with the legend of royal women performing jauhar when Alauddin Khilji laid siege in 1303.
• Shergarh Fort (Dholpur): Built by Raja Maldeo of Jodhpur. It was reconstructed in 1540 by Sher Shah Suri and named after the Sultan of Delhi.
• Bhainsrorgarh Fort: Believed to be built in the 2nd century. It was granted to Lalsingh as jangeer by Maharana Jagat Singh II of Mewar in 1741 AD.
• Jhalawar Fort: Built by Maharaj Rana Madan Singh and his successors between 1838 and 1854 AD. Another fort in Jhalawar was constructed in 1860 AD by King Prithvi Singh.
• Junagarh Fort (Bikaner): Built in 1588 AD by Raja Rai Singh, one of Akbar's generals; it is described as never having been captured.
• Hawa Mahal (Jaipur): Built in 1799 by the poet king Sawai Pratap Singh as a summer retreat.

Battles and Historical Events

• Battle of Haldighati: Fought in 1576 between Maharana Pratap and the forces of Emperor Akbar. The location is named after the yellow soil (Haldi).
• Jaimal and Patta: In 1567, as Akbar’s army surrounded Chittorgarh, Rathod Jaimal and Sisodia Patta sacrificed their lives protecting the fort. Akbar ordered statues of them to be placed at Agra Fort, which were later removed by Aurangzeb.
• Dewair: Using guerrilla warfare, Maharana Pratap made Mughal campaigns ineffective; a victory on Vijaya Dashmi led to the liquidation of all 36 Mughal military outposts in Mewar, after which Akbar stopped his campaigns against Mewar.

Changes of Rule

• Ajmer: After the defeat of Prithviraj Chauhan by Mohammed Ghori, Ajmer became home to various dynasties. Jahangir met Sir Thomas Roe, ambassador of King James I of England, here in 1616.
• Dholpur: Initially known as Dhawalpuri, named after Raja Dhawal Deo (also known as Dholan Deo Tomar), who established the city in 700 AD. Until 1194, it was under the rule of Mohammed Gauri.
• Jalore: Captured and destroyed by Ala-Ud-Din-Khilji. The city was restored to the rulers of Marwar in 1704.
• Kota: Rao Deva conquered the territory in the 12th century and founded Hadoti; the independent Rajput state of Kota was carved out of Bundi in 1631.
• Sawai Madhopur: The region was known as Ranthambore. It received its current name from Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I, who gave the city its current plan in 1765 AD.

Lakes and Architectural Features

• Anasagar Lake (Ajmer): Built by Arnoraj Chauhan (son of Ajaypal) between 1135 and 1150 AD. Jahangir added the Daulat Bagh Gardens, and Shah Jahan built five pavilions known as the Baradari.
• Balsamand Lake (Jodhpur): Built in 1159 AD as a water reservoir for Mandore.
• Udai Sagar Lake (Udaipur): Construction started in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh. It is 4 km in length and 2.5 km in width.
• Vijay Stambh (Chittorgarh): A nine-storey tower built partly from red sandstone and white marble, decorated with sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses.
• Ghanta Ghar (Dholpur): A 150-feet high tower started by Raja Nihal Singh in 1880 and completed around 1910 by Raja Ram Singh.