Pisangan

Origin and Foundation

The history of the Pisangan Istimrari estate is closely intertwined with the illustrious Rathore dynasty of Marwar. The founder of the Pisangan family was Kunwar Kesri Singh, a younger son of Raja Udai Singh (popularly known as "Mota Raja"), the ruler of Jodhpur State. Belonging to the Jodha Rathore clan, Kunwar Kesri Singh and his descendants established their influence in the Ajmer region, securing a position of prominence among the local aristocracy.

The estate historically comprised six to eleven villages, covering an area of approximately 100 square miles. Owing to its strategic location in the fertile plains of the Ajmer district, the estate served as an important administrative and military outpost during medieval times.

The Mughal and Maratha Epochs

During the peak of the Mughal Empire, the Ajmer region was designated as a key imperial province (Subah). The rulers of Pisangan maintained a delicate balance of power, acknowledging the nominal suzerainty of the Mughal emperors while retaining substantial internal autonomy over their fiefdom.

With the decline of Mughal authority in the 18^th century, the Marathas, under the Scindias of Gwalior, established their dominance over Ajmer. This period was marked by political turbulence and heavy financial demands in the form of tribute (chauth). Despite these challenges, the Rathores of Pisangan successfully defended their ancestral land and preserved their clan's socio-political standing in the region.

British Rule and the Istimrari Status

Following the Treaty of 1818, the Scindias ceded the territory of Ajmer to the British East India Company, leading to the creation of the Ajmer-Merwara province. Under British administration, the unique land tenure system of the region was formalized.

The Thakurs of Pisangan were recognized as Istimrardars—landlords who held their estates in perpetuity subject to a fixed annual revenue payment (known as Mamlat or Prehna) that could not be enhanced. Unlike ordinary landlords, the Istimrardars of Ajmer-Merwara enjoyed distinct judicial and administrative privileges within their territories, functioning as semi-independent chieftains under the British Raj.

Post-Independence and Modern Era

With India's independence in 1947 and the subsequent integration of princely states, the province of Ajmer-Merwara was initially categorized as a Part C state, before being merged with the state of Rajasthan in 1956.

Following the enactment of the Rajasthan Land Reforms and Resumption of Jagirs Act, 1952, the zamindari and istimrari systems were abolished. The ancestral estates and land revenues of the Pisangan family were integrated into the state administration. Today, the descendants of the Pisangan estate continue to reside in the region, preserving their rich cultural heritage, historical archives, and the architectural legacy of the Rathore dynasty in Ajmer district.