Naruka

Rao Raja Sri Sawai Pratap Singh Naruka

Maharaja Sawai Sir Jai Singh Naruka

Rao Raja Shri Sawai Pratap Singh Naruka (1756-1790), by his valor, intelligence and political ability, made an independent kingdom after conquering parts of Bharatpur and Jaipur. The kingdom of Alwar was founded in 1770. Pratap Singh Naruka was the son of Rao Muhabbat Singh of Macheri, and was twelfth in descent from Rao Naru Singh of Mozamabad. While alive he adopted Bhakhtawar Singh as his son and successor to the throne of Alwar (then Macheri).[1]

Rao Raja Rajendra Singh (sitting) with Kunwar Dalpat Singh (standing)

Uniara was founded by Rao Chandrabhan, who was fifth in descent from Rao Naru Singh of Mozamabad. The family initially hold the parganas of Uniara, Kakod, Nagar & Banetha.[6]

Rao Chandrabhan showed his chivalry in Kandahar battle, fought in 1606 AD.

Rao Raja Sangram Singh, attacked the Mughal forces with his 500 war-trained dogs and 1500 Naruka warriors, which led to the victory of Rajputs against Mughals in the Battle of Sambhar (1708 AD).[7][8][9][10]

In Uniara a distinctive branch of Dhundar paintings flourished which came to be known as Uniara Paintings.[11]

Thakur Kesri Singh, Thakur of Ladana, ninth in descent from Rao Naru Singh of Mozamabad, was made the jagirdar of Ladana by the then ruler of Jaipur. He married and had issue, two sons. Thakur Sawant Singh, succeeded his father and became head of the Ladana Thikana. Thakur Nahar Singh was granted the estate of Lawa by the ruler of Jaipur in the year 1722 AD.

Nawab Amir Khan Pindari plundered territories of Jaipur State and Jodhpur State several times. He was defeated by Kunwar Bharat Singh Naruka of Ladana at the Madhorajpura Fort.[12][13]

Lawa Chiefship in the Imperial Gazetteer of India

The sturdy thakurs of Lawa refused to accept the sovereignty of newly carved Tonk State. Gopaldan Kaviya in his book Lawa Raso mentions the two major wars fought directly between Lawa and Tonk, where Lawa was victorious. [14] Thakur Dhirut Singh acceded to the throne of Lawa in 1865 AD. His uncle Thakur Rewut Singh of Lawa was a commander in the Alwar State forces. Climax of severity reached in 1867 when Rewut Singh was treacherously murdered by Nawab of Tonk. Following this, Lawa was declared a separate chiefship under British protection and, Nawab of Tonk was deposed from his throne.[15][16]

Gaj Singh Naruka was the first Raja of Jawli. In January 1710, he defeated combined armies of Mughals and Jats during Rajput Rebellion. After the formation of Alwar kingdom by Rao Raja Pratap Singh, the Naruka chief of Jawli shifted their allegiance to Alwar kingdom.[17]

Thakur Lakhdir Singh Naruka of Beejwar (photograph taken around 1859 AD)

Beejwar was one of the "paanch thikana" of Alwar State, others being Para, Pai, Khora & Palwa. Zalim Singh Naruka, was the first chief of Beejwar. Later, one of his descendant, Thakur Lakhdir Singh Beejwar became phenomenal in crushing the influence of Delhi Diwans in Alwar court during the reign of Maharaja Sheodan Singh. After the death of Maharaja Sheodan Singh, who died without issue, Lakhdir Singh became one of the contender for the throne of Alwar State.

Alwar City Palace

City Palace of Alwar, also known as Vinay Vilas Mahal, built by Maharaja Bhaktawar Singh in 1793 AD. It is an architectural marvel with a lovely mix of Mughal and Rajputana styles. Jai Pol, Suraj Pol, Laxman Pol, Chand Pol, Kishan Pol and Andheri Gate are some of the entry gates. Beyond the gate lies an open ground with Krishna temples on all four sides. On the walls and ceiling of the palace, there is a fabulous collection of murals and mirror work can be seen. The City Museum, located on the upper floors of the Palace has a splendid range of miniature paintings of the Alwar School.[18][19]

Sariska Palace

The Sariska Palace built by Maharaja Jai Singh of Alwar on the edge of Sariska National Park as a royal hunting lodge. The interiors of Sariska Palace is a blend of French and regal architecture.[20] This palace was used in the Bollywood movie Karan Arjun (1995) as "Thakur Durjan Singh ki haveli".[21]

Moosi Maharani Chattri

Indo-Islamic style of the cenotaph built in honor of Maharaja Bakhtawar Singh (1791-1815 AD) and his queen, Rani Moosi, can be observed throughout. It is made up of red sandstone within the lower portion, with domed arches and columns and marble in the upper part. The monument is considered one of the most impressive examples of its type around the globe.[21][22]

Silisereh Lake Palace

Silisereh Lake Palace, located 15 kilometres to the southwest of Alwar, this tranquil lake is nestled amidst forested hills and boasts of magnificent cenotaphs on its bank. In 1845, Maharaja Vinay Singh constructed a hunting chalet here for his Queen, Shila.[21][23]

The Siliserh Lake Residence, formerly an imperial palace and hunting lodge, is now a hotel of the past run by RTDC situated on the banks of the lake.[21][24]

Following are the most prominent forts patronized by the Naruka chiefs:

Magnificient Rajgarh Fort built by Sawai Pratap Singh Naruka in 1771 A.D.

Following are forts built by Naruka chiefs before establishment of Alwar kingdom :

• Macheri Fort
• Lachmangarh Fort

• Taur Fort
• Malakheda Fort

Following are the forts in present-day Alwar, built by Rao Raja Pratap Singh Naruka in 18th century:

• Tehla Fort (completed in 1770 A.D.)
• Rajpur Fort (completed in 1770 A.D.)
• Rajgarh Fort (completed in 1771 A.D.)
• Baldeogarh Fort (completed between 1772-1774 A.D.)
• Pratapgarh Fort (completed between 1772-1774 A.D.)
• Kankwari Fort (completed between 1772-1774 A.D.)
• Thanagazi Fort (completed between 1772-1774 A.D.)
• Ajabgarh Fort (completed between 1772-1774 A.D.)

Other fort sites include - Beejwar, etc.

• Ladana Fort (built in 17th century)
• Mundota Fort (built in 14th century, later went to Nathawats)

Kakor Fort, bulit by Naruka chiefs of Uniara

• Niwai Fort (built in 15th or 16th century)
• Kakor Fort (built in 17th century by Naruka kings of Uniara)
• Uniara Fort (built in 19th century by Naruka kings of Uniara)
• Other fort sites include - Lawa Fort, Mehroon Fort, Kheda-Malooknagar Fort, etc.

The Darbar of Raja Bakhtawar Singh Naruka of Alwar kingdom

The Alwar school of painting flourished from the time the founder of the princely state of Alwar, Rao Raja Pratap Singh, made Rajgarh his capital in 1775 until the end of the reign of the then Maharaja Jai Singh (1892–1937). In this period, the names of Daluram, Baldev, Saligaram, Jamandas, Chote Lal, Baksaram and Nandaram are notable among the artists who enriched painting with their excellent art works.[25][26][27]

It includes a range of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu and a Ragamala series, as well as pictures of the Alwar royal family. Krishna Lila, Ram Lila, religious conversation with saints in natural surrounding, Raag-Ragini's had been extensively painted. The Alwar style attained diversity with regard to themes.[27][28]

Rao Raja of Uniara worships Lord Krishna

Sangram Singh I, Ajit Singh, Sardar Singh and Bishan Singh, were instrumental in promoting an art form which became known as Uniara art style. It had three distinctive phases. Sardar Singh had at his court three artists, Dhima, Mir Buksh and Kashi, who preferred a style which assimilated elements of Jaipur and Bundi school. The courts of Bundi and Uniara were linked by marriage, (Sardar Singh's daughter was married to Dalel Singh of Bundi) and perhaps as a result, the painting style of Uniara was strongly influenced by Bundi. The earliest recorded work at Uniara is a Bhagavata Purana of 1759, and it seems that artistic production increased after the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam gave the title of Rao Raja to Sardar Singh the same year.[29][30][31]