Athana

Thikana Athana was founded by Rawat Narsinghdas ji, elder son of Rawat Kali Megh Singh ji of Thikana Begu in 1626. The Jagir alloted to him was Guthlai, which was also the first jagir alloted to Rao Chunda Ji, the patron of Chundawats, but Narsingdas Ji decided to establish Athana, 5km south east of Guthlai, as his capital and founded Athana in 1628.

Origin and Lineage

The rulers of Athana belong to the Meghsinghot sub-clan of the Chundawat clan, which is a premier branch of the Sisodia dynasty of Mewar. Because of their descent from Rao Chunda, the eldest son of Maharana Lakha who famously renounced his claim to the throne of Mewar, the Chundawats historically held the hereditary right to lead the vanguard (the Harawal) of the Mewar army. Athana emerged as an important offshoot of the parent Thikana of Begu, which was one of the premier Solah (sixteen) first-class nobles of the Udaipur State.

Medieval Period and Strategic Importance

Due to its strategic location in the eastern frontier of the Mewar kingdom, Athana played a vital role in defending the realm against external incursions. During the late 17^th and 18^th centuries, the region witnessed frequent military movements. The Rawats of Athana maintained an active force of Rajput warriors to guard the borders against Mughal advancements and, later, the devastating raids of the Maratha forces under the Scindia and Holkar clans. The chiefs of Athana remained staunchly loyal to the Maharanas of Udaipur, contributing both troops and resources during times of crisis.

Detailed historical accounts of the Chundawat clan's influence and their territorial holdings, including Athana and Begu, can be found in classical historical treaties such as Colonel James Tod's seminal work, the Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan.

The British Era and Peasant Movements

Following the treaty of 1818 between the East India Company and the Mewar State, British political influence reshaped the administrative and financial landscape of the region. The relative peace brought an end to active warfare, but it also introduced rigorous British revenue collection systems.

In the early 20^th century, the agrarian populace of the Begu and Athana region actively participated in the historical Begun Peasant Movement (1921–1925). The peasants rose against excessive taxes (known locally as lag-bag), high land revenues, and the system of forced labor (begar). This powerful regional resistance, heavily influenced by the leadership of reformists like Vijay Singh Pathik, eventually forced the feudal authorities of the region and the Mewar State to negotiate settlements, bringing progressive reforms to the agrarian community of Athana.

Post-Independence and Modern Era

Following India's independence in 1947, the princely state of Udaipur, along with its constituent Thikanas including Athana, acceded to the Indian Union. In 1949, the territory officially integrated into the newly consolidated state of Rajasthan. The feudal rights and jagirdari systems were formally abolished under the Rajasthan Land Reforms and Resumption of Jagirs Act of 1952.

In the modern era, the descendants of the Rawats of Athana continue to preserve their family's rich historical legacy and architectural heritage. The historical monuments, stepwells, and ancestral structures in and around Athana stand as silent witnesses to the chivalry, administrative capability, and cultural patronage of the Chundawat Rajputs.