Chelawas

Origin and Foundation of Chelawas Thikana

The historical estate of Chelawas (historically comprising the twin villages of Chelawas and Gopawas) is located in the modern-day Pali District of Rajasthan. The estate belongs to the illustrious Kumpawat clan of the Rathore dynasty, who trace their lineage back to the legendary Marwar general, Rao Kumpa Mehrajot, famed for his valor in the Battle of Sammel (Giri-Sumel) in 1544.

The Thikana was officially established in 1595 AD during the reign of Maharaja Sawai Raja Sur Singh of Jodhpur (Marwar). The estate was granted to Thakur Lakshmi Das, a prominent Kumpawat noble, in recognition of his loyal military service and administrative prowess. Under his stewardship, the estate of Chelawas emerged as a stable feudal outpost in the Godwar region of Marwar.

The Marwar-Mughal Era and Feudal Duties

During the 17^th and 18^th centuries, the Thakurs of Chelawas actively participated in the military campaigns of the Jodhpur State. As vassals of the Maharaja of Marwar, the rulers of Chelawas provided horsemen (Sowars) to the state army and defended the borders against external incursions. The estate maintained a close relationship with neighboring principalities, safeguarding trade routes passing through the Pali region, which was a vital commercial hub in Rajasthan.

The 1857 Uprising: The Battle of Chelawas

The region of Chelawas secured a legendary status in the annals of the Indian freedom struggle during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. On September 18, 1857, the historic Battle of Chelawas (often referred to locally as the "Battle of Black and Whites") was fought near the estate. The revolutionary forces led by Thakur Kushal Singh of Auwa, supported by the patriotic troops of local Thikanas, confronted the British East India Company forces led by the Agent to the Governor-General (AGG) George Lawrence and Captain G.H. Monck-Mason.

The British forces suffered a crushing defeat in this encounter. Captain Monck-Mason, the British Political Agent of Jodhpur, was killed during the battle, and his head was hung at the gates of the Auwa Fort as a symbol of defiance. This victory cemented the Pali-Chelawas region as a historic bastion of anti-colonial resistance in Rajasthan.

Post-Independence and Modern Era

With India's independence in 1947 and the subsequent integration of princely states, the Jodhpur State merged into the United State of Rajasthan. Following the passage of the Rajasthan Land Reforms and Resumption of Jagirs Act in the early 1950s, the feudal privileges and jagirdari rights of the Chelawas Thikana were formally abolished.

Today, Chelawas exists as a peaceful village in the Pali district, proud of its historic legacy. The descendants of the Thikana continue to preserve their ancestral traditions, cultural heritage, and the memory of their forefathers' contributions to the history of Marwar.