| Zorawar Singh | |
|---|---|
| Maharaja of Bikaner | |
| Reign | 1735 – 1746 |
| Predecessor | Sujan Singh |
| Successor | Gaj Singh |
| Born | 1712 |
| Died | 15 May 1746 Annupura |
Maharaja Zorawar Singh was the ruler of the kingdom of Bikaner between 1735 and 1746. During this period, the kingdom was a vassal state of the Mughal empire.
Biography
Zorawar Singh was born in 1712. He was the son of his predecessor Sujan Singh.[1]
As crown prince
In 1733, when the forces of Marwar invaded Bikaner, Zorawar was stationed at Nohar with about 22,000 men. He marched with his men in defense of the capital, and fought with the invading forces at Talao Najasar. The Marwar army, about 15,000 strong and led by Bakht Singh, was defeated.[2]
Subsequently, Zorawar disputed with his father over Zorawar's dislike for a man named Khawas Anand Ram. Sujan had sought to humour the prince, but Zorawar would not accept anything less than the killing of Anand Ram. Upon not being granted this, he left Bikaner to reside at Nohar. From there, he had dispatched assassins who murdered Anand Ram at night. He then moved with his force to Bikaner, encamping at a nearby village. Sujan Singh's advisers prompted him not to fight the prince, and therefore a reconciliation was arranged. Two queens met with Zorawar, who agreed to pay homage to his father. His position and powers were reinstated by the Maharaja.[3]
Reign
Zorawar was crowned in 1735, upon the death of his father. He began his reign by expelling Marwari troops who had occupied some stations on the border with Bikaner. He then ousted Sangram Singh, the Thakur of Churu from his position.
Siege of Bikaner
Abhai Singh of Marwar invaded Bikaner. The capital was plundered, and the fort besieged. At the request of Zorawar, Sawai Jai Singh had invaded Marwar. The siege of Bikaner was therefore raised and Abhai Singh marched in haste towards his own kingdom, pursued by Bikaneri troops.
Occupation of Churu and Hissar
Subsequently, the Maharaja engaged himself in putting down rebels in his territory, with Jaipuri assistance. Churu was occupied, with the rebels expelled, and was later granted to the son of Sangram Singh. The last military campaign of Zorawar was to take back Hissar from the Bhatti and Johiya tribes who had held it. A force was sent under the prime minister to occupy Hansi, while Zorawar himself occupied Hissar.
Death and cremation
After the taking of Hissar, Zorawar was struck by an illness, and died four days later. It was also suspected that he might have been poisoned. He was cremated at Annupura. At his funeral, a large number of people were burned alive in accordance with the tradition of sati. These included two queens, one khawas (higher ranked concubines), eleven concubines, five slave-girls of the Maharaja, two slave-girls of the concubines, and one brahmin employed in the cooking department. The queens and one concubine burnt at Bikaner, with the Maharaja's turban. The rest burned at Annupura with the corpse.[4]
See it
References
- ↑ Powlett 1874, pp. 44.
- ↑ Powlett 1874, pp. 42.
- ↑ Powlett 1874, pp. 42–43.
- ↑ Powlett 1874, pp. 48.
Bibliography
- Sehgal, K. K. (1962). Rajasthan Distict Gazetteers: Bikaner. Jaipur: Bharat Printers.
- Powlett, P. W. (1874). Gazetteer of The Bikaner State.
- Goetz, Hermann (1950). Art and Architecture of Bikaner State. Bruno Cassirer.