Present Head
- Rajkumari Padmini Kumari
- Rajkumari Sanyogita Kumari, married to Col. Vijay Rawat of Pauri Garhwal and has issue, one son.
- Major Kunwar Parishrut Singh Rawat, currently serving in the 11th Gorkha Rifles, The Indian Army.
History
Origin and Foundation of Rawatsar Thikana
The history of Rawatsar is deeply intertwined with the foundation of the Bikaner State. Rao Kandhal, a formidable warrior and the brother of Rao Jodha (the founder of Jodhpur), played a monumental role in the expansion of the Rathore dynasty in the northern desert tracts of Rajputana. He was instrumental in helping his nephew, Rao Bika, carve out the independent state of Bikaner in the late 15th century.
In recognition of Rao Kandhal's leadership, elder status, and ultimate sacrifice in battle against the imperial forces of Sarang Khan of Hisar, his descendants—known as the Kandhalot Rathores—were accorded the highest honors in the Bikaner hierarchy. The estate of Rawatsar was established as one of the premier Sirayat (first-class) noble houses of the state. The ruler of Rawatsar was bestowed with the hereditary title of Rawat, a distinction reserved for the senior-most lineages of the clan.
The Strategic Role in Bikaner State
Due to its strategic location in the northern part of the Thar Desert, Rawatsar served as a vital bulwark against external incursions. The Rawats of Rawatsar were renowned for their military prowess and held the prestigious privilege of sitting on the left-hand side of the Maharaja of Bikaner during the royal Darbar ceremonies. Over the centuries, the rulers of Rawatsar successfully defended the frontiers of Bikaner against raids by the Bhatti Rajputs of Jaisalmer, the Johiyas, and various semi-independent clans of the Punjab borderlands.
The British Raj and Treaty Relations
With the signing of the treaty of alliance between the British East India Company and Maharaja Surat Singh of Bikaner in 1818, the geopolitical landscape of the region underwent a significant shift. During this period, Rawatsar transitioned from a purely militarized outpost to an administrative fiefdom. The Rawats of Rawatsar collaborated with the state administration to maintain law and order, suppress local rebellions, and eliminate the menace of dacoity along the trade routes traversing through the northern desert.
Post-Independence and Modern Era
Following India's independence in 1947, the princely state of Bikaner acceded to the Indian Union, and Rawatsar was integrated into the newly formed state of Rajasthan in 1949. The feudal privileges and land revenue systems (Jagirdari) were formally abolished with the Rajasthan Land Reforms and Resumption of Jagirs Act.
Today, Rawatsar has evolved into a thriving municipality within the Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan. The historic Rawatsar Fort, though private, remains a prominent local landmark, symbolizing the enduring heritage and martial legacy of the Kandhalot Rathores in the region.
References
Genealogy
- Rawat KANDHALJI, 1st Rawat of Rawatsar, he led half the Marwar forces and recovered Merta from Mewar; he was granted the title of Rawat by Rao Jodha; he accompanied his nephew, Rao Bikaji, and together they conquered Jangaldesh and established Bikaner; married and had issue, descendants in Bikaner. He died at Sahwa of wounds sustained in the battle with Sultan Sarang Khan at Hissar Fort.
- Kunwar Bagh of Rawatsar. He died vp in a battle with the forces of Sultan Bahlol Lodi.
- Rao Banirji, he was installed as the second Rawat of Rawatsar on his grandfather’s death, but the seat was usurped by his uncle and he was forced to flee, later he established his own estate around 1500, the Rao Sahebs of Ghanghu; the head seat of the Kandhalot subclan, married and had issue.
- Rawat Lakhdir Singh (qv)
- Generation
- Rao Barsal of Chhapar-Dronpur. he was expelled by Kunwar Bida, however he recovered his jagir with the help of his uncle Kunwar Bagh, but after his uncle’s death, he was expelled by Rao Bika and the estate given to Kunwar Bida.
- Kunwar Narbad
- Kunwar Rajsi
- Kunwar Nimba
- Kunwar Sura
- Kunwar Bagh of Rawatsar. He died vp in a battle with the forces of Sultan Bahlol Lodi.
- Rawat LAKHDHIR SINGH, 2nd Rawat of Rawatsar, on his father's death, he usurped the Gaddi of Rawatsar from his nephew, married and had issue.
- Rani Chater Kanwar, married Raja Dhiraj Singh of Khandela-Junior.
- Rawat CHATTAR SINGH, 3rd Rawat of Rawatsar, married and had issue.
- Rani Jorawar Kanwar, married Raja Gaj Singh of Khandela-Junior.
- Thakur Anand Singh, married and had issue.
- Rani Lal Kanwar, married (as his first wife), Raja Indar Singh, 5th Raja of Khandela-Junior.
- ......
- Rawat HIMMAT SINGH, Rawat of Rawatsar fl.1800
- ......
- Rawat RANJIT SINGH, Rawat of Rawatsar -/1885, married and had issue. He died .
- Rawat Hukam Singh (qv)
- Rawat HUKAM SINGH, Rawat of Rawatsar 1885/1893, married a Princess of Suroth in Jaipur, and had issue. He died aged 22.
- Rawat Man Singh (qv)
- Rawat MAN SINGH, Rawat of Rawatsar 1893/1936, born posthumously in 1893, married 1911, Rani Lekh Kanwar, born , died , daughter of Kunwar Devi Singh of Parsoli, and his first wife, Kunwarani Gulab Kanwar, and had issue. He died .
- Rawat Tej Singhji (qv)
- Rawat TEJ SINGHJI, Rawat of Rawatsar 1936/1970, married 1934, Majisahiba Lakshmi Kumariji Chundawat, born , daughter of Rawat Vijai Singhji of Deogarh, and his wife, Rani Nand Kunwar, and had issue. He died .
- Wing Cdr. (ret'd.) Rawat Ghanshyam Singhji (see above)
- Rani Subhadra Kumari, married Rana Saheb Chander Singhji of Amarkot, and has issue.
- Thakurani Roopmani Kumari, born , married in Bikaner, Col. Thakur Shailendra Kumar Singh, born in Lodha, Aligarh, son of Capt. Thakur Sheo Varan Singh of Lodha, and his wife, Thakurani Shanti Devi, and has issue.
- Kunwar Dushyant Singh, born , educated at Welham Boys, Mayo College, Ajmer and at St. Stephens College, Delhi; he previously worked for Tata Tea as a manager and is presently (2010) working for the Jaipur family in Rambagh Palace Pvt. Ltd.; he married Kunwarani Ketaki Singh, daughter of Thakur Dhirendra Singh Bist, and his wife Thakurani Vijay Bist, daughter of Gen. Thakur Umrao Singh of Chomu, and has issue.
- Bhanwar Baisa Ravija Singh, born , educated at the Maharani Gayatri Devi School, Jaipur and at ILS Law College, Pune.
- Bhanwar Bharat Singh, born , educated at Mayo College, Ajmer and at St.Xavier's College, Mumbai.
- Kunwar Dushyant Singh, born , educated at Welham Boys, Mayo College, Ajmer and at St. Stephens College, Delhi; he previously worked for Tata Tea as a manager and is presently (2010) working for the Jaipur family in Rambagh Palace Pvt. Ltd.; he married Kunwarani Ketaki Singh, daughter of Thakur Dhirendra Singh Bist, and his wife Thakurani Vijay Bist, daughter of Gen. Thakur Umrao Singh of Chomu, and has issue.
- Rajkumari Umashashi Kumari, born .
- Thakur Balbhadra Singh, born , married Kunwarani Veena Chauhan and has issue.
- Kunwar Anirudh Singh Rathore, married Kunwarani Mandvi Kumari of Karansar.
- Kumari Charumati Rathore, married Rajesh Nirwan (IPS)
- Kumari Rajyalaxmi Rathore, married Kunwar Digvijay Singh Ranawat of Pahuna.
- Rajkumari Rajyashree Kumari, born .
- Wing Cdr. (ret'd.) Rawat GHANSHYAM SINGHJI, Rawat of Rawatsar (see above)
- Thakur Anand Singh, married and had issue.
- Thakurani Lal Kanwar, married Thakur Indar Singh of Khandela-Junior.
