Bari Sadri

Origin and Migration of the Jhala Clan

The Jhalas were originally known as the Makwanas (or Mokwana), tracing their lineage back to the legendary Harpal Dev Makwana and Shaktidevi. Over time, the clan came to be known as Jhala. Following the political upheavals in Halvad-Dhrangadhra, the migration of Kunwar Ajja Singh and Kunwar Sajja Singh to Mewar marked the beginning of an illustrious chapter in the history of Rajasthan. Under the patronage of the Maharanas of Mewar, the Jhalas quickly became one of the most loyal and influential pillars of the state, holding three of the most important First-Class nobles' estates (Thikanas) of Mewar: Gogunda, Bari Sadri, and Delwara (Narewar).

The Era of Supreme Sacrifices: Khanwa and Haldighati

The House of Bari Sadri earned its legendary reputation through unparalleled acts of loyalty and self-sacrifice on the battlefield, protecting the sovereign rulers of Mewar.

At the historic Battle of Khanwa in 1527, fought between Maharana Sanga and the Mughal Emperor Babur, Raj Rana Ajja Singh of Bari Sadri fought with exceptional bravery. When Maharana Sanga was severely wounded and rendered unconscious, Raj Rana Ajja Singh took charge of the royal insignia, donned the Maharana's crown and armor, and continued the battle to maintain the morale of the Rajput soldiers. Ajja Singh laid down his life on the battlefield, establishing a sacred tradition of Jhala chiefs sacrificing themselves for their sovereign.

This ultimate sacrifice was replicated two generations later during the famous Battle of Haldighati in 1576. When Maharana Pratap Singh was surrounded by enemy forces and faced imminent danger, Raj Rana Man Singh (popularly known as Jhala Manna Ji) of Bari Sadri snatched the royal umbrella (Chhatra) and insignia from Pratap. By wearing the royal armor and chainmail, Jhala Man Singh drew the entire Mughal attack upon himself, allowing Maharana Pratap to safely retreat from the battlefield to regroup. Man Singh died fighting valiantly, cementing his name forever in the annals of Indian history.

Privileges and Status in the Mewar Court

In recognition of these supreme sacrifices—where the chiefs of Bari Sadri twice saved the crown of Mewar at the cost of their own lives—the family was bestowed with unparalleled honors. The Raj Rana of Bari Sadri was assigned the first place among the Solah Umraos (the sixteen premier nobles) of Mewar.

In the Udaipur Durbar Hall, the Raj Rana of Bari Sadri held the first seat of prominence, situated immediately to the right of the Maharana himself. This seat of honor was placed even above that of the Yuvaraj (the Crown Prince of Mewar). Additionally, the Bari Sadri chief was granted the rare privilege of using the royal insignia, the Chhatra (royal umbrella) and Chanwar (fly-whisk), inside the capital city of Udaipur.

British Period and Modern Era

During the British colonial period, the Thikana of Bari Sadri maintained its prestigious status under the administrative treaties signed between the British East India Company and the Mewar State in 1818. The Raj Ranas continued to play significant roles in the administration and governance of the region, ensuring the development of infrastructure, agriculture, and local trade within their territory.

Following India's independence in 1947, the Thikana of Bari Sadri was integrated into the United State of Rajasthan. Today, Bari Sadri is a bustling town and municipality in the Chittorgarh district of Rajasthan, highly revered for its rich historical associations with the iconic legends of Rajput valor.

References and External Links

• For more details on the Battle of Haldighati and Jhala Man Singh, visit the Battle of Haldighati on Wikipedia.
• To learn more about the history of Mewar and its premier nobles, read about Mewar State History on Wikipedia.
• Read detailed chronicles in James Tod's classic work: Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan on Internet Archive.