Banswara
 

 
Banswara State was a princely state in India during the British Raj. It was located in Rajasthan ruled by Sisodia of Ahra Guhilot clan. It was a 15 gun salute state.
Banswara State was founded in 1527 by Kunwar Jagmal Das, younger son of Rawal Udai Singhji I of Dungarpur. After the death of Rawal Udai Singh of Bagar at the Battle of Khanwa in 1527, where he fought alongside Rana Sanga against Babar, his territories were divided into the states of Dungarpur State and Banswara State. Banswarra was given to Jagmal Singh who became its first ruler.
In 1529, with the Raja of Dhar as arbitrator, the river Mahi was fixed as the boundary between the two states of Banswara and Dungarpur. Wjether this division was done amicably or by force is not made clear.
Traditionally it is stated that Rawal Udai Singhji ordered the division to be made, but a local legend suggests that Kunwar Jagmal Das, was presumed to have been left for dead at Khanwa, but recovered and returned to his country, but was disowned as an imposter, whereupon he took refuge in the hills to the north of present day Banswara. He then proceeded to gradually increase his territory until he conquered the Bhils and became master of Banswara. On 07 September 1949, Banswara was merged into the Indian Union.
Area: 4,160 kmē. Population: 165,350 (1901). Religion: Hindu. Privy Purse: Rs. 126,000. Capital: Banswara.
 

Banswara State shown at the bottom of the map.
 
           1527   Banswara state founded.
    1786 - 1818   Tributary to Dhar.
    16 Nov 1818   British protectorate.
    1900 - 1906   State under administration by the political officer.
    07 Sep 1949   Merged into India Union.
 
 
  • SHISHODHYA (title Maharawal; from c.1914 Sri Raj-i-Rajan Maharawal)
  • Jagmal Das................................................1527 - 1540
  • He directed his attack against the Bhil stronghold under their Chief, Wasna, who was killed with many of his followers and his lands came into the possession of Jagmal Das. This new country became known as Wasnawara; married Rani Lachhi Bai of Idar and had a son: Jai Singh. He died about in 1540.
  • Jai Singh S/o Jagmal Das
  • Pratap Singh S/o Jai Singh.......................................fl. 1585
  • Khana Dev S/o Pratap Singh
  • Kalyan Singh S/o Khana Dev
  • Agar Singh (Ugarsen) S/o Kalyan Singh
  • His daughter Rani Jasroop De, married (as 2nd wife) in 1627 to Rao
  • Amar Singh, Rao of Nagaur (under Jodhpur). She committed sati in July 1644.
  • Udai Singh I S/o Agar Singh
  • Samar Singh (Saman Singh) S/o Udai Singh I
  • He is said to have seized a portion of territory belonging to the Maharawat of Pratapgarh.
  • Kushal Singh S/o Samar Singh
  • He conquered some territory belong to the Bhils, in the south-east and became the founder of Kushalgarh and Kushalpura
  • Ajab Singh S/o Kushal Singh...............................1688 - 1706 d. 1706
  • Bhim Singh S/o Ajab Singh.................................1706 - 1713 d. 1713
  • Bishan Singh S/o Bhim Singh...............................1713 - 1737 d. 1737
  • Udai Singh II S/o Bishan Singh............................1737 - 1747 d. 1747
  • Prithvi Singh S/o Bishan Singh............................1747 - 1786 d. 1786
  • He invaded and conquered the neighboring State of Sunth but restored it to its ruler with the exception of the districts of Chilkari and Shergarh. Now in the south-west of Banswara, these two tracts are now held by the Raos of Kushalgarh and of Garhi, two of the principal nobles of the state. He married the daughter of Rana Bakht Singh of Sunth and had five sons. Some of his sons were:
    • Maharawal Bijai Singh.
    • Thakur Bakhtawar Singh (Bhai of Khandu). He had two sons: Thakur Sardar Singh (Bhai of Khandu) and Maharawal Bahadur Singh (he was adopted by his uncle, Thakur Ram Singh).
    • Thakur Khushal Singh (Bhai of Surpur). He had two son:
      • Thakur Hamir Singh, Bhai of Surpur. His son was Thakur Madho Singh, Bhai of Surpur (He adopted Maharajkumar Surya Singh).
      • Thakur Bakhtawar Singh. His son was HH Maharawal Lakshman Singh, who later became ruler of Banswara.
    • Thakur Ram Singh (Bhai of Tejpur, adopted his nephew).
  • Bijai Singh S/o Prithvi Singh.............................1786 - 1816 d. 1816
  • During his reign, Banswara became more or less subject to the Marathas and paid tribute to the Raja of Dhar. In 1812, he offered to become tributary to the British Government and a treaty was signed in the next reign.
  • Umaid Singh S/o Bijai Singh...............................1816 - 1819 d. 1819
  • He made a treaty with the British in 1818, by which the tribute formerly paid to Dhar was now transferred to the British Government. Troops sent by Gwalior were driven out by Thakur Arjun Singh of Garhi during his reign.
  • Bhawani Singh S/o Umaid Singh..............................1819 - 06 Nov 1838
  • He was born in c. 1803 and died in the young age of 35 in 1838. He married (amongst others), Maharani Raj Kanwar, daughter of Thakur Bakhtawar Singh of Auwa and his first wife, Thakurani Udai Kanwar. He had only one daughter, born in 1826.
  • Bahadur Singh......................................06 Nov 1838 - 02 Feb 1844
  • He was born in c. 1788 and died on 02 February 1844. He was adopted son of Thakur Ram Singh (Bhai of Tejpur), who himself was the adopted son of Prithvi Singh. Bahadur Singh also an adopted son: Lakshman Singh, who became the next ruler after his death.
  • Lakshman Singh.....................................02 Feb 1844 - 29 Apr 1905
  • He was born in 1835 or 1838 and died on 19 April 1905.
    After the famine of 1900, it was found necessary to place the State under the administration of the political Officer, assisted by a council selected by Government. Lakshman Singh married first to the daughter of the Raja of Pal in Idar. He secondly married in 1860 to HH Maharani Manika Kunwar, fourth daughter of Maharaja Shri Sheo Singhji of Sirohi. He got married 3thly to HH Maharani Tej Kunwar, daughter of Thakur Takhat Singhji of Namli in Ratlam. He got married 4thly to daughter of Thakur Jiwan Singh of Bordera in Gujarat. He got married 5thly to daughter of Thakur Zorawar Singh of Sarwan in Ratlam. He got married 6thly to daughter of Thakur Parbat Singh of Poshina in Idar. He got married 7thly to daughter of Thakur Kodarji of Pithapur. He got married 8thly to the daughter of Thakur Sher Singh of Bordera in Gujarat. He got married 9thly to the daughter of Thakur Kodar Singh of Pithapur. He got married 10thly to the daughter of Thakur Sardar Singh of Molan in Banswara. He got married 11thly to another daughter of Thakur Sardar Singh of Molan in Banswara and then finally got married 12thly to daughter of Thakur Gulab Singh of Bordera in Gujarat. He had four sons:
    • Maharawal Shambhu Singh (by a Bordera Maharani)
    • Maharajkumar Surya Singh (by another Bordera Maharani; Thakur Saheb of Surpur, born 1874, he was adopted by Thakur Madho Singh of Surpur and succeeded there. He got married and had son: Maharaj Bhartendra Singh, Jagirdar of Surpur.
    • Maharajkumar Shri Sawai Singhji (by the third Bordera Maharani; Thakur Saheb of Sargod, born in 1888. He married and had one son: Maharaj Digvijay Singhji, Thakur Saheb of Sagrod, born on 24 September 1924 at Banswara Palace, retired as Commissioner Devasthan (RAS), married at Kotah Palace - Kotah to Rani Phul Kunwar, daughter of Maharaj Shri Mehtab Singh II, 9th Thakur Sahib of Bamolia in Kotah. He had one son and three daughters. He died July 2003).
    • Maharajkumar Sajjan Singh (Jagirdar of Tejpur).
  • Ratan Lal (regent).................................02 Feb 1844 - 1856
  • Shambhu Singh S/o Lakshman Singh...................29 Apr 1905 - 27 Dec 1913
  • He was born on 14 October 1868 and died on 27 December 1913. He was granted ruling powers in 1906. He married nine wives, including (a) in 1890 to HH Maharani Surajkuvar, sister of Thakur Khuman Singh Chauhan of Gamra, (b) HH Maharani Krishna Kunwar, daughter of Thakur Fateh Singh of Mandar (Badi Patni) in Sirohi. He had eight sons and two daughters. He died on 08 January 1914 (or 27 December 1913). His sons were:
    • HH Sri Raj-i-Rajan Maharawal Sir Prithvi Singh Bahadur.
    • Maharaj Gulab Singh (Jagirdar of Chanduji ka Gurha).
    • Maharaj Lal Singh (Jagirdar of Pipalda).
    • Maharaj Madan Singhji (by Maharani Surajkuvar; Jagirdar of Sarwan. He and his younger full brother, were granted the estate of Jagatpura).
    • Maharaj Chhatar Singh (by the Nathawat Maharani), Jagirdar of Gori or Godi Tejpur in Banswara. He married Rani Ishwar Kanwar. He had three sons and one daughter.
    • Maharaj Kishore Singhji (by Maharani Surajkuvar), Jagirdar of Daulatpura. He and his elder full brother, were granted the estate of Jagatpura. He married a daughter of Maharajkumar Fatehsinghji Jashwantsinghji of Danta.
    • Maharaj Shankar Singh
    • Maharaj Sawai Raj Singh (died on 16 October 1926).
  • Pirthvi Singh S/o Shambhu Singh....................03 Jan 1914 - 28 Jul 1944
  • Full name: HH Sri Raj-i-Rajan Maharawal Sir PRITHVI SINGH Bahadur K.C.I.E. He was born in 15 July 1888 and died in 28 July 1944. He succeeded to the gadi on 08 January 1914 and was invested with full ruling powers on 18 March 1914. He attended the Coronation Durbar in Delhi in December 1911; K.C.I.E. [cr. 02.01.1933]. From 02 Jan 1933, he became known as Sir Prithvi Singh. He got married 1stly to a daughter of Maharao Kesri Singhji Bahadur of Sirohi and had one son from her. She died on 24 December 1909. Pirthvi Singh got married 2ndly to a daughter of Maharana Sri Jashwantsinhji Harisinhji of Danta. He had one son and two daughters from her. She died on 25 March 1916. Pirthvi Singh got married 3rdly to a daughter of the Thakore Sahib of Malia in Gujarat. He had one daughter from her. He got married 4thly to HH Maharani Daulat Kanwar of Jodhpur. They had one son and four daughters. Therefore in total Pirthvi Singh had three sons and seven daughters. His children were:
    • Maharawal Chandraveer Singh Bahadur (son by 1st wife).
    • HH Maharani Amba Kunwari Sahiba (daughter by the 2nd wife. She was married on 27 January 1928 to HH Maharaja Arimardan Singhji of Charkhari).
    • Rani Komal Kumari (daughter by 2nd wife. She got married on 21 February 1930 to Maj. Rawal Raghubir Singhji of Bissau).
    • Maharajkumar Rajendra Singh (son by 2nd wife. He was born in 1914 and died on 13 April 1916).
    • Maharani Suraj Kanwar (She was married on 04 February 1937 to HH Maharaja Manabendra Shah of Tehri-Garhwal).
    • Rani Mohan Kunwar (She got married in 1949 to Raja Chain Singh of Jaswan).
    • Rani Sri Kumari (She was married to Raja Jitendra Singh Jhala of Labhowa, son of Kumar Shri Arjunsinhji Jorawarsinhji Jhala of Labhowa. Her husband was third son of Thakur Shri Jorawarsinhji Madhavsinhji of Chuda and adopted son of the Raja Saheb of Labhowa. The couple had one son: Yuvaraj Pratap Singh Jhala of Thikana Labhowa (He got married to Yuvrani Reena Kumari, daughter of Maj. General Dewan Misri Chand and his wife, Rani Indra Mohini of Sahaspur).
    • Maharaj Narpat Singh (by 4th wife; he was born on 15 May 1921. He got married on 20 January 1940 to Rani Shukla Kumari (She was born on 03 June 1924 in Nahan), younger daughter of Kanwar Ranzore Singh Sahib of Sirmur. The couple had one son and two daughters.
  • Chandra Vir Singh S/o Pirthvi Singh................29 Nov 1944 - 07 Sep 1949
  • Full name: HH Sri Raj-i-Rajan Maharawal CHANDRAVEER SINGH Bahadur. He was born on 26 November 1909 and died on 06 April 1985. He succeeded to the Banswar gaddi on 28 July 1944. He married three wives, amongst (a) HH Maharani Sajjan Kunwarba Sahiba, daughter of Major HH Maharana Shri Maharaja Shri Raj Sir Ghanshyamsinhji Ajitsinhji Sahib Bahadur of Dhrangadhra, (b) married to HH Maharani Vijay Kunwarba Sahiba. He had 18 children, including from three secondary wives. Some of his children were:
    • Maharajkumari Balwant Pratap Kumari (daughter born in 1930, got married in 1965 to Maharaj Ramendra Singh of Amleta in Ratlam).
    • HH Sri Raj-i-Rajan Maharawal Suryaveer Singh Bahadur (son).
    • Maharajkumari Janaknandini Kumari (daughter born on 07 October 1935 and died on 17 December 1974).
    • Maharaj Hanumant Singh (son born on 29 March 1939 in Banswara, an excellent cricketer in career spanning more than 20 years which was highlighted by a century on Test debut against England; later as team captain, he led Central Zone to their first Duleep Trophy triumph in 1971-1972 and ended up with more than 12,000 runs in first-class cricket. After retirement, he continued with the game as a coach, administrator, selection committee chairman and ICC match referee. He got married in 1974 and had one son and one daughter. He died on 29 November 2006 at the Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai of renal and lung failure. His son name is Maharaj Sangram Singh).
    • Princess Tinu (original name not known, born in 1940).
    • Princess Khilu (original name not known, born in 1943).
    • Maharaj Saheb Shree Mahesh Pratap Singhji (by Rani Lalita Kanwar; born on 24 September 1946 in Banswara Palace - Rajasthan. He educated at The Daly College - Indore 1952-1963 and at the SGSITS - Indore (B. Civil Eng. 1968). He presently holds the position of Chief of Irrigation Works - Rajasthan State Department, since August 1969. He is instrumental in the restoration of lakes and healthy water levels in all the lakes of Udaipur region. He is a fine artist and cricketer who represented Madhya Pradesh Scools and Indore University at the national level. He is a keen philanthropist who has worked tirelessly for the welfare of society in general and the Rajput community in particular. He is greatly admired and respected for maintaining the values, ethics and living standards set by his father and holds various honourary positions and chairmanships. He got married on 07 April 1967 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh to Rani Meenadevi and had two sons:
      • Rajkumar Prabal Pratap Singhji (son born on 14 July 1968. He educated at the Daly College - Indore and graduated from Bombay University. He got married on 03 July 1998 to Rajkumari Mridula Kumari, daughter of Maharaj Shri Balbhadra Singhji Sahib of Kapren in Bundi and his wife Rani Rohini Kumari. The couple had one son: Kunwar Keshvasya Pratap Singh).
      • Rajkumar Shree Jaideep Pratap Singhji (son born in 1970. He educated at the Daly College - Indore and graduated from Bombay University with a Bachelor's Degree in Economics and a Master's Degree in Management Science. An extremely talented cricketer who represented Madhya Pradesh State, Bombay University and Bombay U-19's at the National Level. He got married to Rajkumarani Raj Rajeshwari Singh, daughter of Thakur Lal Singh of Depur. The couple had one daughter [Baiji Lal Tejaswini Singh (Princess Bosky Baisa); born on 17 May 2000. She educated at Mayo Girl's College - Ajmer] and one son (Kumar Saheb Yash Vardan Singh Banswara; born on 06 August 2014 in Melbourne, Australia).
    • Maharaj Manmahipal Singhji (He got married to Rani Hansa Kumari, daughter of Maharaj Rajendra Singh of Dhonswas in Ratlam and his wife, Rani Manhar Kunwar. The couple had three daughters: Rajkumari Uttara Kumari, Rajkumari Devika Kumari and Rajkumari Purva Kumari).
    • Maharaj Nahar Singhji [son born on 06 May 1947. He got married to Kumari Sangeeta Kumari (She was born on 13 January 1954), daughter of Kanwar Jagat Bahadur Singh of Sirmur. He couple had one daughter].
    • Maharajkumari (daughter name unknown but got married to Rajwar Tikendra Bahadur Pal of Askote.
  • India..............................................07 Sep 1949 - date
  • Pretender
  • Chandra Vir Singh S/o Pirthvi Singh (continued)....07 Sep 1949 - 06 Apr 1985
  • Suryaveer Singh S/o Chandra Vir Singh..............06 Apr 1985 - 05 Aug 2002
  • Full name: H.H. Rai Rayan Mahimahendra Maharajadhiraj Maharawalji Sahib Shri SURYAVEER Bhupatipratap SINGHJI Sahib Bahadur, Naresh Rajya, Maharawal of Banswara. He was born at at Rajmandeer Mahal, Banswara on 23 December 1936. He was the eldest son of H.H. Rai Rayan Mahimahendra Maharajadhiraj Maharawalji Sahib Shri Chandraveer Singhji Sahib Bahadur, Naresh Rajya, Maharawal of Banswara, by his second wife, H.H. Maharani Shrimati Sajjan Kunwarba Sahiba. He educated at Rajkumar College - Rajkot and and Daly College, Indore. He was installed as Heir Apparent with the title of Shriman Maharaj Raj Kumar Sahib on 20 November 1945. He succeeded on the death of his father as Head of the Royal House of Banswara on 06 April 1985. He was former Ranji Trophy cricket captain, vice-president of the Rajasthan Cricket Association. His First Class Cricket career spanned 14 years (1958-1972) for Madhya Pradesh during which he scored 4006 runs with a high-score of 184 not out for Rajasthan against Bombay in their 1968-1969 Ranji semi-final. He took 93 catches and 16 stumpings. Suryaveer Singh made his first class debut for Madhya Pradesh in 1958-59. The following season he joined his brother Hanumant in the Rajasthan side with whom he became a regular throughout the 1960s. Rajasthan made the Ranji Trophy final seven times with Suryaveer in the team, although they lost all of them to Bombay. The 1966-67 final in particular was memorable for Singh as he contributed innings of 79 and 132, many of the runs coming in partnership with his brother who scored 109 and 213 not out. Suryaveer Singh served as Vice-President of Rajasthan Cricket Assoc (RCA). He Received: the Halvad-Dhrangadhra State Rajyabhisek Medal 1st class and the Halvad-Dhrangadhra Accession to India Medal (25.03.1948). He got married in 1975 to H.H. Maharani Shrimati Neera Kunwarba Sahiba (b. 1952), the only daughter of Maharaj Sahib Rameshwar Pratap Singh of Kachhi-Baroda in Ratlam and his wife, Maharani Rukmani Kumari Sahiba. The couple has two children; one son and one daughter. Suryaveer Singh was killed died on 05 August 2002 at Prantij, Himmatnagar district of Gujarat in a car accident along with his daughter: Maharajkumari Shrimati Baiji Lal Shri Kadambini Kanwarji Sahiba and two sisters. His son: HH Rai Rayan Mahimahendra Maharajadhiraj Maharawalji Sahib Shri Jagmalji II Sahib Bahadur, Naresh Rajya, Maharawal of Banswara succeed him.
  • Jagmal Singh II S/o Suryaveer Singh................05 Aug 2002 - date
  • Full name: H.H. Rai Rayan Mahimahendra Maharajadhiraj Maharawalji Sahib Shri JAGMALJI SINGH II Sahib Bahadur, Naresh Rajya, Maharawal of Banswara. He was born on 10 January 1985 and the only son of H.H. Rai Rayan Maharawal Shri Suryaveer Bhupatipratap Singhji Sahib Bahadur, Naresh Rajya, Maharawal of Banswara, by his wife, H.H. Maharani Shrimati Neera Kumari Sahiba. He educated from Daly College, Indore. He succeeded on the death of his father as Head of the Royal House of Banswara on 05 August 2002.
 
  • Dewan (Prime Minister)
  • Rajkumar Chatterjee..............................................c.1933
 
 

KM#16 Rupee. Year: ND (1870). Weight 8.05 grams [8.00 - 8.20 grams]. Metal: Silver. Diameter: 22.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Coin. Mint: N/A.

Type: Thick flan.
Obverse: "Samsatraba" written in the center with design above and below. Reverse: "Samsatraba" written in the center with design above and below. Mintage: N/A. Mintage Years: One year type. Ruler: anonymous issue under Lakshman Singh (1844 - 1905) rul

Note: KM#23 has the same deign and weight but on Broad (thin flan).
 
 
 
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