Chadawad

Origin and Foundation of the Chadawad Jagir

The rulers of the Chadawad Jagir belong to the Rathore clan of Rajputs, tracing their lineage back to the royal house of Marwar (Jodhpur). The foundation of this estate is closely tied to the internal politics of Marwar during the 16^th century. Raja Ram Singh, the eldest son of Rao Maldeo of Marwar, was bypassed in the succession to the throne of Jodhpur. Consequently, his descendants sought fortunes elsewhere, moving first to Sachor. In 1606, his descendant, Rao Jagannath Ji, established the independent state of Amjhera in the Malwa region.

Chadawad was established as a prominent junior branch of the Amjhera State. The estate was founded by Maharaj Jagroop Singhji, who was the eldest son of Maharaj Saheb Jhujhar Singhji of Amjhera and the grandson of Maharaj Shri Ram Rai Ji of Marwar.

Feudal Network and Territorial Divisions

The parent state of Amjhera maintained a large network of 21 family estates (Thikanas). These included:

• Thikana Balipur
• Chicli
• Molana
• Jolana
• Timaychi
• Sandala Saroti
• Salwa
• Dattigaon Jagir
• Hanumantiya
• Kag
• Balod
• Phulgawdi
• Gumanpura
• Sinduriya
• Keriya
• Ringnod
• Bhopawar

As Chadawad grew in regional prominence, it established its own sub-branches to govern its allocated territories. The recognized junior branches of the Chadawad Jagir include Thikana Sandala Saroti, Thikana Keriya, Thikana Sinduriya, and Thikana Hanumantiya Kag.

The British Period and Transfer to Gwalior State

The geopolitics of the region underwent a drastic change during the mid-19^th century. During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the ruler of Amjhera, Raja Bakhtawar Singh, actively revolted against the British East India Company. Following his capture and execution by the British authorities in 1858, the Amjhera State was confiscated.

In recognition of the assistance rendered by the Scindias of Gwalior to the British during the mutiny, the British administration transferred the entire Amjhera territory, including its subordinate estates like Chadawad, to the Scindia rulers of the Gwalior State. From this point onward, Chadawad functioned under the suzerainty of the Gwalior Darbar.

Post-Independence and Modern Era

Following India's independence in 1947, the princely states were integrated into the Indian Union. Gwalior State, along with its subordinate estates and Jagirs like Chadawad, acceded to India in 1948, becoming part of the newly created state of Madhya Bharat. In 1956, Madhya Bharat was merged to form the modern state of Madhya Pradesh. With the formal abolition of the Jagirdari and Zamindari systems, the formal administrative powers of the Jagirdars of Chadawad ceased, though they continue to maintain their historical customs, cultural legacy, and local prominence in the Malwa region.