Surajmal Misrana

Surajmal Misrana Biography

Surajmal Misrana, also referred to as Suryamall Mishran was a Rajasthani poet who lived in Bundi, Rajasthan during the period 1815–1863. It is generally agreed that modern Rajasthani literature begins with the works of Surajmal Misrana. Vansh Bhaskar, Vir Satsai, Balwant Vilas and Chhandomayush are his memorable works and he wrote in Hindi, Pingal and Dingal languages. He was a scholar of grammar, logic, history and politics and he also knew six different languages. He was a court poet and belonged to Charan Cast. He is referred to as ‘Maha Kavi’ (Great Poet).

He was born in 1815 in Bundi, Rajasthan. He ruled during the reign of Hada Chauhan dynasty and was a court poet. Hailed as the first poet of modern Rajasthani literature, Vansh Bhaskar is his celebrated work. In those days of the medieval age when Surajmal lived, Rajasthani literature was predominantly occupied by poems, not prose. Also, in those days main themes of poetry were the brave stories of kings, warriors etc. Surajmal Misrana was also asked to write Vansh Bhaskar by Maharao Raja Ramsingh of Bundi. The work is a chronicle of the Hada Chauhan dynasty, who claimed to originate from the sun.

He intended to write Vansh Bhaskar in two volumes as an anthology to sun. He completed its first volume too. However he left the second volume in the middle due to his indifferences between the king who supported British. Surajmal Misrana supported Indian Rebellion of 1857 and for the same reason he stopped the work at the eighth part of the second volume. Through his works he also glorified local heroes, which inspire a lot of people till now. To commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of the poet a stamp was issued in 1965.

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Updated: March 06, 2016