The history of Jodhpur has a strong connection with the Rathores who ruled over this place for about 14 centuries except small breaks in between. The kingdom was first established by Nayan Pal in 470 A.D. and the dynasty was called Suryavanshi dynasty. The rule continued until 12^th century when the Afghan king Mohammad Ghori annexed the place in 1192 and driving out Raja Jai Chand.

Siyaji the successor of Jai Chand settled down at Pali and was building an army. In 1453, his descendant Chonda was able to capture Mandore the capital of Marwar. However the internal conflict between Chona and his son in law Lakha Rana was creating troubles. In 1459, Rao Jodha founded the city of Jodhpur and built his Chintamani Fortress there. This fort was later called Mehrangarh fort. He established a big territory and ruled for 30 years. He was succeeded by Surajmal.

Surajmal vanquished Sikandar Lodi who dishonored the Hindu women and ultimately Surajmal lost his life in the struggle. His son Rao Ganga Singh came to the throne and continued to rule for next 16 years. During his rule Rajputs took part in the first battle of Panipat in 1526 and met Babur in the battle of Khanua in 1528. Though the Rajputs were defeated in the battle they were allowed to have their kingdom as there was nothing tempting in that infertile soil.

Akbar wanted to reconcile with Jodhpur and invaded Marwar in 1561 and captured the fort. Akbar handed over the rule of Jodhpur with Rai Singh of Bikaner. However, Maldeo the defeated ruler tried to allure Akbar by sending gifts through his second son Chandra Sen. Akbar made the first son Udai Singh as the ruler of Jodhpur and also married his sister Jodha Bai. Respecting this marriage he gave back all the taken possessions leading to a strong connection between Rathores and Mughals.

When there was a struggle for the throne between the two sons of Shah Jahan, Jaswant Singh of Jodhpur supported the wrong one Dara. So when Aurangazeb came to throne he tried to control the Rajputs with his power. When Jaswant Singh died in 1681, Aurangazeb destroyed many Hindu temples. From that time onwards, Rajputs became implacable enemies of the Mughals.

After the death of Aurangazeb in 1707, Ajit Singh the son of Jaswant Singh was able to restore the Kingdom of Jodhpur with the help of Jai Singh of Jaipur and Amar Singh of Mewar. He was forced to give his daughter in marriage to the then Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyyar. This increased his hatred even more. So with the help of the Sayyid brothers at the Mughal court, he worked against Farrukhsiyyar and in 1719, Farrukhsiyyar was assassinated. Then he ascended the throne of Ajmer.

Ajit Singh was murdered by his own son Abhay Singh and the country was divided between the brothers, Abhay Singh and Bukhta Singh. The sibling rivalry prevailed between them till the end. Ram Singh, the son of Abhay Singh came to the throne after his father. In the battle between Ram Singh and Bukhta, Ram Singh was defeated and forced to flee out of Jodhpur. Later in 1753, Bukhta was poisoned to death. He drove Vijay Singh the son of Bukhta and became the ruler of Jodhpur. Finally he lost his land to the Marathas and had to die in exile in 1773.

Vijay Singh was helped by the Pratap Singh of Amber to get back Ajmer from Marathas by fighting them at the battle of Tonga in 1787. But again they lost them to Marathas. Bhim Singh, the grandson of Pratap Singh came to the rule. Then it passed into the hands of Sawai Singh and Salim Singh and later to Sir Pratap Singh. He was in good terms with the British and he ladi the foundation of the modern city of Jodhpur. Umaid Singh succeeded him and ruled the place from 1918 to 1947. Hanuwant Singh the son of Umaid Singh came to throne in 1947.

After the independence of India, Hanuwant Singh wanted to stay independent. However with the help of Maharana of Mewar, Sardar Vallab Bhai Patel was able to annex it with the Indian Republic. Hanuwant had to face tragic death in air crash when he was just 28. Jodhpur became a part of Rajasthan in 1956. Jodhpur photos and Jodhpur videos will show the historic monuments and structures of the city.

Article Posted By : Sumazla  On February 17, 2012lView All Articles

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