Marwar & Bikaner: The Rathore Sagas of the Desert

The Rathores, claiming descent from the Rashtrakutas, established powerful kingdoms in the Thar desert. Their history is defined by expansive conquests, strategic diplomacy, and an unbroken spirit of independence.

1. The Origins and Expansion (Jodhpur)

• Rao Siha (1273 AD): The founder. He migrated from Kannauj to Pali and established the first Rathore footprint in Marwar.
• Rao Chunda: He made Mandore the capital after receiving it as a dowry from the Inda Pratiharas. He was the first to organize the Rathore power into a significant state.
• Rao Jodha (1459 AD): The true architect of Jodhpur.
  • Founded Jodhpur City in 1459.
  • Built the massive Mehrangarh Fort (Chintamani) on the Chidiya-Tunk hill.
  • Negotiated the Anwal-Banwal Treaty with Maharana Kumbha to settle the Marwar-Mewar border.

2. The Era of Imperial Ambition

• Rao Maldeo (1531–1562): Known as the "Hasmat Wala Raja" (King with Great Glory) and the "Hero of 52 Battles".
  • He conquered 58 Parganas and made Marwar the most powerful state in North India.
  • Battle of Sammel/Giri-Sumel (1544): Fought against Sher Shah Suri. Maldeo's generals Jaita and Kumpa fought so bravely that Sher Shah famously said: "I would have lost the empire of Hindustan for a handful of bajra (millet)."

3. The Forgotten Resistance

• Rao Chandrasen (1562–1581): The "Forgotten Hero of Marwar".
  • He rejected Akbar's sovereignty at the Nagaur Durbar (1570).
  • He was the first Rajput ruler to adopt guerrilla warfare against the Mughals, earning him the titles "Precursor to Maharana Pratap" and "Marvel of Marwar".

4. The 30-Year Struggle

• Durgadas Rathore: The "Ulysses of Marwar".
  • After Maharaja Jaswant Singh I died in Jamrud, Aurangzeb tried to annex Marwar. Durgadas protected the infant Ajit Singh and fought a 30-year guerrilla war to restore him to the throne.
  • He is celebrated as the epitome of Rajput loyalty and selfless service.

5. The Bikaner Branch

• Rao Bika (1465 AD): Son of Rao Jodha, he left Jodhpur to carve out his own kingdom in the Jangaldesh (Bikaner).
• Maharaja Rai Singh: Known as "Rajputana ka Karna" (The Karna of Rajputana) due to his generosity.
  • He was a trusted general of Akbar and Jahangir and built the Junagarh Fort in Bikaner.
• Maharaja Anup Singh: A great patron of literature and art, his library is one of the finest collections of Sanskrit manuscripts.

[!TIP]
The Rathores of Bikaner were often the most successful Rajput diplomats in the Mughal court, while the Jodhpur branch was known for its oscillating relationship between fierce resistance and ultimate high-ranking alliance.