PREDECESSORS AND SHORT HISTORY:
Maharaja Udai Singh of Jodhpur
granted his fourth son, Kunwar Dalpat Singh, the Pargana
of Pisangan in the Ajmer district of Rajasthan. His great
grandson, Raja Ratan Singh, founded Ratlam in 1652. Rulers
were....
- Maharaja RATAN
SINGH, 1st Maharaja of Ratlam 1652/1658,
courageous in youth, he gained Padshah Shah Jahans
notice by calming the Emperors favourite elephant
which had run amok in the Agra Palace Garden, fought
for the Emperor against the Persians in Kabul and
Qandahar, later in 1652, the Emperor substituted
Jalore for the pargana of Ratlam and many other areas,
and he became the first Raja of Ratlam, in 1658 a
false rumour of the death of the Emperor resulted in a
frenzied scramble for succession to the throne amongst
his sons. Dara Shikoh who was officiating for his
father, sent a combined army of Rajputs and Muslims
under the command of Maharaja Jaswant Singh of
Jodhpur, against his brother Aurangzeb. The Maharaja,
as head of the Rathore clan, was persuaded to hand
over command of the Imperial army to Maharaja Ratan
Singh. Non-cooperation by the Muslim commanders
resulted in the army sustaining heavy losses in the
fierce battle at Dharmat, as well as the death of
Ratan Singh (said to have sustained 80 sword wounds on
his body), he married (amongst others), Maharani
Sukhroopde Kanwar Shekhawat Ji Sahiba, daughter of
Kunwar Purshottam Das of Jhajhar
[Shekhawati], and had issue. He died 1658 in battle at
Dharmat near Ujjain.
- Maharaja Ram Singh (qv)
- Maharaj Rai Singh, he received the estate of Kachhi-Baroda.
- Maharaj Sakat Singh, he received the estate of Multhan.
- Maharaj Akhairaj Singh, married and had issue, the
Ambao family in Jaora.
- Maharaja Chhatrasal (fifth son) (qv)
- Maharani Pratap Kanwar, married Maharawal Amar
Singh, Maharawal of Jaisalmer
1661/1702.
- Maharaja RAM SINGH,
2nd Maharaja of Ratlam 1658/1682, married and had
issue. He died 1682.
- Maharaja Shiv Singh (qv)
- Maharaja Keshav Das (qv)
- Maharaja SHIV SINGH,
3rd Maharaja of Ratlam 1682/1684, he died sp.
- Maharaja KESHAV DAS,
4th Maharaja of Ratlam 1684/1695, during his reign an
important Mughal officer was killed in Ratlam by the
state employees, as a result, the Mughal Emperor
confiscated Ratlam and Maharaja Keshav Das went to
Sitamau, which was given in jagir to him when he was
forgiven by Padshah Aurangzeb, and he thus became the
1st Raja of Sitamau
in 1701.
- Raja CHHATRASAL,
5th Raja of Ratlam 1705/1706, he was regranted the
state of Ratlam for his services to the Mughal
Emperor, because of his grief at the death of his
eldest son and heir, the Raja divided his territory
amongst his brothers (received Dharad and Raoti), and
his grandson (received Dhamnod), against Rajput
tradition, married 1stly, Rani Gulab Kanwar, daughter
of the Thakur of Korana, married 2ndly, Rani Gyan
Kanwar, daughter of Raja Bahadur Singhji of Khandela, married
3rdly, Rani Jaideo Kanwar, daughter of Thakur Jujhar
Singhji of Anandpur (Rampura), married 4thly, Hadi
Rani Phool Kanwar, daughter of Maharao Pratap Singhji
of Bundi, committed sati
in 1712, and had issue. He died 1712 in the battle of
Panhela whilst fighting the Marathas.
- Maharaj Hati Singhji, married 1stly, Rani Chandra
Kanwar, a daughter of Maharaj Bhagwan Das of
Udaipur, married 2ndly, Rani Swaroop Kanwar,
daughter of Mokam Singhji Rajawat of Jaipur, married
3rdly, Rani Pooran Kanwar, daughter of Anand Singhji
Jhala of Bari Sadri
in Udaipur, married 4thly, Rani Har Kanwar, daughter
of Hukam Singhji Saktawat of Sakthali in Pratapgarh,
and had issue. He died 1712 in the battle of Panhela.
- Maharaj Bairi Sal, lawful heir of his
grandfather, he was granted the estate of Dhamnod
as his share instead of succeeding as Maharaja of
Ratlam as was his right, his uncle, Maharaja
Kesari Singh took advantage of his minority to
forcibly amalgamate Dhamnod with Dharad, his
mother then fled with her son to Udaipur for their
safety, on attaining his majority he approached
the Mughal Emperor and was granted the pargana of
Hisar in the Punjab for his maintainance, unable
to retain Hisar, he surrendered it to the Emperor
and left for Malwa, but at Jaipur he was received
by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, to whom he was
related (married to his cousin), who promised
military support in taking back his lost
territory, married 1stly, Rani Mirdha Kanwar,
daughter of Rawal Kushal Singhji, married 2ndly,
Rani Bakhat Kanwar, daughter of Nirbhey Singhji
Hada of Bundi, married 3rdly, Rani Mam Kanwar,
daughter of Chatra Singhji Geor of Rajgarh,
married 4thly, Rani Bakhat Kanwar, daughter of Rai
Rudra Singhji Chandrawat of Rampura, and had
issue. He died spm
and was succeeded by his youngest brother.
- Rajkumari Anop Kanwar, married Kunwar
Chatrasalji, son of Thakur Jaswant Singhji of
Jhalai.
- Rajkumari Ganga Kanwar, married Raghunath
Singhji of Jhalai.
- Rajkumari Indra Kumari, married Hati Singhji,
son of Devi Singhji of Jhalai.
- Maharaja Achal Singh, married and had issue, one
son.
- Kunwar Sangram Singh, a warrior of note, he
was successful in clearing the the Nimbaj area
at the request of Maharaja Bijaya Singh of
Jodhpur, for which he was granted the jagir of
Rohel in the Indrana area of Jodhpur in addition
to the jagir of Samore near Dausa, in Jaipur. He
was also responsible for arranging patties of
special measurements for the Hawa Mahal of
Jaipur at the request of the Jaipur Dewan. He
enjoyed the confidence of the rulers of Jodhpur
and Jaipur, as well as their former enemy, the
Maharaja of Baharatpur.
- Raja Abhay Singh, tried many times to win back
his territory by approaching the Mughal Emperor,
but Delhi, following the death of Aurangzeb, was
in turmoil and unable to help, however in 1747,
Maharaja Sawai Ishwari Singh of Jaipur granted
some large jagirs in Jaipur including the fertile
lands of Naroli, when Maharaja Jawahar Mal of
Bharatpur attacked Jaipur in 1766, 150 men of
Naroli sacrificed their lives in battle against
the Bharatpur ruler, in gratitude, the Jaipur
ruler added further land to Naroli which was
renamed Sirkati, married 1stly, Rani Bakhat Kanwar
Chundawatji of Salumber in Udaipur, married 2ndly,
a daughter of Amar Singhji of Dharnaode, she
committed sati
1766 in Gwalior, and had issue. He died 1766.
- Raja Fateh Singh, granted some villages in
Jaipur for his help in the battle of Maonda,
succeeded his father in Sirkati, his matami
ceremony was performed by Maharaja Sawai Madho
Singh I of Jaipur, who presented him with the
usual coloured Saropaos, married 1stly, Rani
Amar Kanwar, daughter of Zorawar Singhji Ranawat
of Thikana Dhunas in Udaipur, married 2ndly,
Rani Swaroop Kanwar, daughter of Berisalji
Chundawat of Thikana Hamirgarh in Mewar, and had
issue. He died in battle against the Marathas at
Tunga near Lalsot, where his chatri
still stands.
- Raja Sajet Singh, fought with his father
against the Marathas at Tunga and was
victorious, for which he was granted further
villages to add to his territory; he was
successful in a further battle with the
Scindia Marathas at Sainthal near Dausa,
pursuing them all the way to Lakheri near
Bundi, he was further rewarded with a personal
11 gun salute as well as a presentation of an
elephant, horses, swords, saropaos and
jewellry when he arrived at Purana Ghat, the
gateway to Jaipur City, he was held in great
esteem by the defeated Scindia ruler, and
though he had seized Naroli, he restored it to
Raja Sajet Singh as well as promising military
help in reclaiming Dhamnod, married 1stly,
Rani Gulab Kanwar, daughter of Inder Singhji
Rajawat, married 2ndly, Rani Zorawar Kanwar,
daughter of Inder Singhji Rajawat (sister of
the first wife), and had issue. He died near
Indore.
- Raja Sumer Singh, succeded his father in
their Ratlam territory; a haughty and short
tempered individual, though brave and
direct, he earned the enmity of the Dewan of
Jaipur, who, for some unknown reason, made
false and exaggerated complaints against the
Raja, who abruptly left Jaipur in anger and
frustration and offered his services to the
Holkar ruler of Indore, the major portion of
his Thikana was palced under temporary zabti,
leaving only a few villages for the
maintainence of the staff left behind, he
led the Holkar army in a battle in the
Chambal Ghati area, assisted by many nobles,
including the Rao of Amjhara and the Chief
of Raghogarh (now known as Soma Barkhera and
situated near Baghli), in this battle the
Raja was killed and the Rao was executed by
the British authorities, married 1stly, Rani
Lad Kanwar, daughter of Shiv Singh Jirajawat
of Jaipur, married 2ndly, Rani Rajawatji,
daughter of Raja Pep Singhji of Lawan in
Jaipur. He died sp.
- Maharaj Goverdhan Singh of Barwaha,
married and had issue.
- Raja Pep Singh, adopted by Raja Sumer
Singh and succeeded to the estate, he was
unsuccessful in reclaiming the jagir in
Jaipur, and died soon after in
frustration, he married and had issue.
- Raja Karan Singh, succeeded his father
in the estate, he too made efforts to
recover the jagir but was advised by the
Maharaja of Jaipur, to go to Delhi and
to attend the Darbar of Lord Ripon in
1866, he was assured of Jaipur's help in
the restoration of Dhamnod, through a
dialogue with the Maharaja of Ratlam's
representative, as well as the Thakur of
Sarwan and the Thakur of Namli, however
the Jaipur ruler became displeased with
Raja Karan Singh and placed the Ratlam
jagir under temporary zabti,
which remained in place till
Independence, he was offered another
jagir on the proviso that he give up any
claim to ratlam state, which was
rejected. He retired in frustration to
Indore, where he was maintained by the
Indore ruler who still supported his
claim to Dhamnod, married 1stly, a
daughter of Kesri Singhji in Malwa,
married 2ndly, a daughter of the Thakur
of Chittora in Jaipur, married 3rdly,
Rani (name
unknown) . He died sp
in Indore, having first adopted his nephew, Kunwar
Bhom Singh from Barwaha.
- Maharaj Swaroop Singh of Barwaha,
married and had issue.
- Raja Bhom Singhji (Photo),
adopted by his uncle and succeeded to
his estate in Jaipur, very
self-respecting and uncompromising in
his principles, he made every effort
for the restoration of the large
portion of the Jaipur jagir which was
still under zabti, he was
appointed Deputy Superintendent of
Police by HH Sawai Maharaja Madho
Singh II of Jaipur, and was also
promised support for his claim but the
Maharaja soon died and a minor ruler
succeeded in Jaipur. Raja Bhom Singh
resigned his post in 1924, and again
approached the new Maharaja of Jaipur
for restoration of Naroli, but the
Raja died suddenly of a heart attack
and the papers remained unsigned, he
married 1stly, Rani Kalianotji of
Thikana Sungari in Jaipur, married
2ndly, Rani Rajawatji of Thikana
Piplia in Sewar, Jaipur, married
3rdly, Rani Rasel Kanwar
Jagannathotji, daughter of Raja Saheb
Toda Bheem, Jaipur, and had issue. He
died 2nd August 1932.
- Raja Amar Singh (+), D.I.G. Police
(retired); married Rani Vidyawatiji,
daughter of Thakur Naraian Singh of
Pacchaongaon in Etawah, and had
issue.
- Raja Raghuveer Singhji, married
Rani Malti Devi of Dehad, Seharsa
in Bihar (Jadon Rajput of
Karauli), and had issue, two sons
and two daughters.
- Maharaj Chanderveer Singhji,
married Kaurani Prakash Kanwar
Sodha ji of Amarkot,
and had issue, one son and two
daughters.
- Maharaj Pushpender Singhji M.A.
(Arts), senior most Tourist escort
in Jaipur and promoter of tourism
and arts in Jaipur, prominent
designer worked in stained glass,
for which he was awarded the
Maharana of Mewar Foundation
Award; married Kaurani Yatan
Kanwar Khinchiji of Naulana in
Indore, and has issue, one son and
one daughter.
- Rajkumar Mahaveer Singhji,
married Kaurani Sengharji from
Gwalior and has issue, one
daughter.
- Rajkumari Pushpa Kumari, married
Kunwar Rajendra Singhji Nana of
Nana Beda in Jodhpur.
- Maharaj Raj Singh (+)
- Maharaj Vikram Singhji (Photo) (by
Rani Rasel Kunwar), born 6th April
1932 in Jaipur, an Arts graduate,
and retired from the post of
Assistant Commercial Taxes Officer
in 1991, representative of the
senior line of the Ratlam Rajya,
married 1956 in Kanpur, Rani Radha
Kumari Kushwaha (Photo),
daughter of Thakur Mardan Singhji of
Khutila Puredan, Bindki; Senior
Superintendent of Police, Kanpur;
and had issue, one son and two
daughters. He died 25th November
2007.
 Shree Ji
Maharaj Natwar Singhji, born 2nd
March 1957, has undertaken a
course in Hotel Management (1976)
and is presently working in a
Senior Management position in the
hotel industry, married Kaurani
Brijesh Gaurji (Photo),
daughter of Thakur Arjun Singhji
of Dhimrai in Etawah, and has
issue, two daughters. (Ratlam
House 2nd, C-262, Bhabha Marg,
Tilak Nagar, Jaipur-302004,
Rajasthan, India)
- Rajkumari Baiji Lal Tanishkha
Rathore (Photo),
presently (2006) studying at
Sawai Man Singh Vidyalaya in
Jaipur.
- Rajkumari Baiji Lal Siddita
Rathore (Photo),
presently (2006) studying at
Sawai Man Singh Vidyalaya in
Jaipur.
- Rajkumari Tej Kanwar, married
Shri Pradeep Kumar Singh of Kurra
in Mainpuri.
- Rajkumari Divya Kumari, married
Kunwar Janak Singhji Rajawat of
Bhajera in Jaipur.
- Rajkumari Raj Kanwar, married Rao
Saheb Shambhu Singhji of Bagunia
near Garoth (Rampura).
- Maharaj Hindu Singh
- Maharaj Roop Singh
- Maharaj Gaj Singh
- Rajkumari Daulat Kanwar, married into the
Thikana of Beler in Jaipur.
- Maharaj Shivdan Singh, married and had issue
- Maharaj Vijay Singh of Patlasi.
- Rajkumari (name
unknown) Kunwar, married 15th May
1761 (as his sixth wife), HH Sri Sawai
Maharaja Madho Singh I of Jaipur. (The
Toran Ceremony was performed in the old Ratlam
Haveli on Amber Road, Jaipur)
- Maharaj Nirbhey Singh, married and had issue,
one son. He died in battle in 1766 at Maonda (#2).
- Kunwar Kesari Singh, died sp in
battle in 1766 at Maonda.
- Rajkumari Gulab Kanwar, married 1767, HH Sri
Sawai Maharaja Pratap Singhji of Jaipur.
- Maharaj Ajab Singh, also left for Malwa, but
unable to recover Dhamnod, settled in Barwaha in
Indore, and was granted some landed property
there.
- Kunwar Sangram Singh
- Kunwar Sadul Singh
- Rajkumari Anand Kanwar, married Maharaj Bahadur
Singhji of Udaipur.
- Rajkumari Bijai Kanwar, married Kunwar Arjun
Singhji Ranawat of Banera in Mewar.
- Rajkumari Kesar Kanwar, married Kunwar Prithvi
Singhji Ranawat of Banera in Mewar.
- Raja Keshri Singh (qv)
- Maharaj Pratap Singh, received the estate of Raoti
by his his brother, and later shifted his capital to
Sailana, he fought with his brother over his estate,
killing him in 1716 and thus becoming briefly the
ruler of all three states (1716/1717).
- Maharajkumari Jet Kanwar (by Rani Gulab Kanwar),
married Bhagwan Singhji Ranawat of Thikana Nadair in
Mewar.
- Maharajkumari Kishore Kanwar (by Rani Jaideo
Kanwar), married Maharaj Inder Singhji Ranawat of
Udaipur.
- Raja KESHRI SINGH,
6th Raja of Ratlam 1706/1716, initially he was granted
the estate of Dharad by his brother, but was
dispossessed of his estate by his younger brother,
married and had issue. He was killed by his brother in
1716.
- Raja Man Singh (qv)
- Raja Jai Singh (second son), took revenge against
his uncle for the murder of his father, and with his
elder brother they shared the three estates amongst
themselves, with his brother receiving Dharad
(Ratlam) and Dhamnod, whilst he retained the state
of Sailana,
becoming its first ruler in 1736.
- Raja MAN SINGH,
7th Raja of Ratlam 1717/1743, received Dharad and
Dhamnod as share and later shifted his capital to
Ratlam, he married and had issue, three sons.
- Raja Prithvi Singh (eldest son) (qv)
- Maharaj Deep Singh, received Jadwasa (Jharwasa),
as his share of his father's property; married and
had issue.
- Maharaj Ram Singh, Thakur Saheb of Jawasa,
married and had issue.
- Maharaj Bhim Singh, Thakur Saheb of Jawasa,
married and had issue.
- Maharaj Sardar Singh, Thakur Saheb of
Jawasa, married and had issue.
- Maharaj Bhawani Singh, Thakur Saheb of
Jawasa, married and had issue.
- Maharaj Fateh Singh, Thakur Saheb of
Jawasa, the estate escheated to the State.
- Kunwar Bhairon Singh, he was adopted by Raja
Balwant Singh, and succeded as Raja Bhairon
Singhji, 12th Raja of Ratlam (see below)
- Maharaj Devi Singh, he received Palsoda, as his
share of his father's property, but it subsequently
escheated to the State.
- Maharaj Kushal Singh, received Amlatha (Amleta), as his share
of his father's property.
- Raja PRITHVI SINGH,
8th Raja of Ratlam 1743/1773, married and had issue.
- Raja PADAM SINGH,
9th Raja of Ratlam 1773/1800, married (amongst
others), Rani Swarup Kunwar of Namli, and had issue.
- Raja PARBAT SINGH,
10th Raja of Ratlam 1800/1824, he entered into an
agreement with the Maharaja of Gwalior in 1819,
whereby the Maharaja ceased any interference in the
internal affairs of Ratlam and the Raja agree to pay
Rs84,000 (Salim Shahi) as tribute; married a sister of
the Maharana of Udaipur, and had adoptive issue. He
died sp in
1824.
- (A) Raja
Balwant Singh (qv)
- Raja BALWANT SINGH,
11th Raja of Ratlam 1824/1857, a cousin of the Chief
of Salumbar, he was recognized as heir in 1821,
married (amongst others) (a), Rajkumari Saras Kumari,
daughter of Maharaj Shri Shivdan Singh, Thikanedar of
Bagore, and had
adoptive issue. He died 29th August 1857.
- (A) Raja
Bhairon Singhji (qv)
- Raja BHAIRON
SINGHJI, 12th Raja of Ratlam 1857/1864,
married (amongst others) (a), 1850, Maharani Birad
Kanwar of Bhindar,
married (b), Baijilal Ajab Kunwari Bai [Maharani Ajab
Kunwari Bai], daughter of Raja Sangram Singhji of Banera, and his first
wife, Rani Jodhpuriji, and had issue. He died 27th
January 1864.
- HH Raja Sir Ranjit Singhji (qv)
- Rajkumari (name
unknown) Kunwar, married HH Shri Sawai
Maharaja Sir Mangal Singh Virendra Shiromani Dev of
Alwar.
- HH Raja Sir RANJIT
SINGHJI, 13th Raja of Ratlam 1864/1893, born
1860, succeeded 28th January 1864 (#1),
placed in charge of the state in 1880, educated at
Daly College, Indore; K.C.I.E. (1887), married 1stly,
1878, HH Rani Raj Kunwarba Sahiba of Dhrangadhra, died
1882, married 2ndly, 28th April 1884 at Dhrangadhra,
HH Rani Baijilalba Sahiba of Dhrangadhra, and had
issue. He died 20th January 1893.
- Maj.-Gen. HH Maharaja Sir Sajjan Singhji Bahadur
(qv)
- Rajkumari (name
unknown) Kunwar, married HH Maharaja Sir
Venkatraman Singhji Ju Deo Bahadur of Rewah. She died 1913.
- Rajkumari Gopal Kunwar [HH Maharani Gopal Kunwar
of Sirohi], married 1912 (as his second wife), HH
Maharajadhiraj Maharao Shri Sir Sarup Ram Singhji
Bahadur of Sirohi.
 Maj.-Gen. HH Maharaja Sir
SAJJAN SINGHJI Bahadur G.C.I.E., K.C.S.I.,
K.C.V.O., 14th Maharaja of Ratlam 1893/1947, born 13th
January 1880 (#3),
educated at Daly College, Indore; and received ruling
powers in December 1898; he joined the newly raised
Imperial Cadet Corps in 1902, remaing with them till
1903; he attended the Delhi Darbars held in 1903 and
1911; he was granted the honorary rank of Colonel in
the British Army in 1918; he served in France during
WWI on the Staff of Field-Marshall Lord Haig from
April 1915 up to 1918; subsequently he proceeded to
the Indian frontier when war broke out with
Afghanistan; he was awarded the Great War Medal, the
Afghan campaign medal and holds the Croix d'Officier
of the Legion d'Honneur; Regent of the Rewah Princely
State from 1918 to 1922; he was appointed an A.D.C. to
H.R.H. the Prince of Wales in 1922, he was granted a
permanent local salute of 15 guns, made a
K.C.S.I. in 1909,a K.C.V.O. in 1922, and a G.C.I.E. in
June 1931, he was granted the title of Maharaja as a
hereditary distinction in 1921; married 1stly, 29th
June 1902, a daughter of HH Maharajadhiraj Mirzan
Maharao Shri Sir Khengarji III Sawai Bahadur of Kutch, died 14th January
1927, married 2ndly, 20th August 1922, HH Maharani
Sodhiji, a member of the Sodha family of Jamnagar, and
had issue. He died 3rd February 1947.
- HH Maharaja Lokendra Singh Bahadur (by 2nd wife)
(qv)
- HH Maharaja Ranbir Singh Bahadur (qv)
- Maharajkumari (name
unknown) Kunwar, born 16th June 1923,
married in April 1938, Col. HH Maharao Raja Bahadur
Singh Sahib Bahadur of Bundi,
and had issue.
- Maharajkumari Chandra Kunwar
- HH Maharaja
LOKENDRA SINGH Bahadur, 15th Maharaja of
Ratlam 1947/1991, born 9th November 1927 (#4), educated briefly at Colet
Court School, Hammersmith (1937); he was awarded the
Silver Jubilee Medal in 1935 and the Coronation Medal
in 1937; married 15th January 1947 in Bombay, HH
Maharani Prabha Rajya Lakshmi Devi, daughter of H.E.
Major-General Shri Sir Shanker Shumsher Jung Bahadur
Rana of Nepal.
He died sp
on 24th June 1991.
- HH Maharaja RANBIR
SINGH Bahadur, 16th Maharaja of Ratlam
1991/2011, born 2nd October 1932. He died 2011.
|
