Dhamli

Origin and Foundation of Dhamli Thikana

Dhamli is an ancient village situated approximately 35 kilometers south of Pali in Rajasthan, on the banks of a local river. The name of the settlement is historically derived from Dhamaji Charan, one of the prominent early inhabitants of the region. The estate, or Thikana, belongs to the Champawat clan of Rathore Rajputs, specifically the illustrious Balluote (or Balludasot) sub-lineage, descended from the legendary Marwar warrior Rao Ballu Champawat.

The Thikana of Dhamli was formally established in 1751, when Maharaja Bakht Singh of Marwar granted the Jagir to Thakur Mokham Singh, the son of Thakur Padam Singh. This grant cemented the family's status among the leading nobles of Jodhpur State.

The Valiant Era: Maratha Conflicts and Martyrdom

The rulers of Dhamli were renowned for their military chivalry and played active roles in the turbulent geopolitical landscape of 18^th-century Rajputana, which was marked by frequent Maratha incursions.

• Thakur Mokham Singh (d. 1754): Only three years after receiving the jagir, Thakur Mokham Singh marched to defend Marwar against the invading Maratha forces of Jaippa Scindia. He fought gallantly at the Battle of Merta in 1754, where he attained martyrdom on the battlefield.
• Thakur Budh Singh: Following Mokham Singh's death, his son Budh Singh ascended the gaddi (garrison seat) of Dhamli and Sarwad. Thakur Budh Singh was a formidable military commander who successfully suppressed the Hun incursions at Sawarau in the Phalodi region.

The Sati Incident of Auwa

During the reign of Maharaja Vijay Singh (1752–1793), political rivalries within Marwar led to a court conspiracy in which Thakur Jait Singh Champawat of Auwa was assassinated within the Jodhpur Fort, and his estate was confiscated. Following the murder, his widow, Rani Ranawatji, resolved to commit Sati (self-immolation on her husband's funeral pyre).

The state administration, represented by the royal Hakims of Bali, Pali, and Sojat, intervened to prevent the ceremony. In her distress, Rani Ranawatji appealed to Thakur Budh Singh of Dhamli for protection. Despite strained relations between the estates of Dhamli and Auwa at the time, Budh Singh chose to uphold traditional Rajput chivalry. He rode to Auwa with his cavalry, confronted the state officials, and secured the passage for the ritual. Though Maharaja Vijay Singh temporarily confiscated the jagirs of Dhamli, Sarwad, and eleven surrounding villages in retribution, the estates were soon restored to Budh Singh due to his immense influence and popularity.

The Battles of Tunga and the Loss of Sarwad

Thakur Budh Singh was succeeded by his nephew, Thakur Shambhu Singh (son of Zalim Singh), who held the twin seats of Sarwad and Dhamli. He represented the Marwar state forces in several critical campaigns:

In 1787, the combined forces of Jodhpur and Jaipur confronted the Maratha army under Mahadji Scindia at the historic Battle of Tunga (also known as the Battle of Lalsot). Thakur Shambhu Singh led the Dhamli contingent, sustaining severe wounds while twelve of his personal guards were killed in action. The battle ended in a tactical retreat for the Marathas.

In 1790, the Marathas launched a retaliatory offensive to reassert dominance over Marwar. Despite offering a stubborn resistance, the Rajput coalition suffered heavy losses. The Marathas captured the fort of Sarwad in 1791, forcing Shambhu Singh to abandon the estate. From that point forward, only the ancestral Jagir of Dhamli remained under the family's control.

Late Colonial Period and Modern Era

During the British Raj, the rulers of Dhamli continued to serve the Jodhpur State in administrative and military capacities. In the 20^th century, the Thikana produced one of its most distinguished administrators:

Thakur Manohar Singh (b. 1917): The son of Thakur Pahad Singh, Manohar Singh was educated at the prestigious Mayo College in Ajmer. His administrative acumen and leadership qualities caught the attention of Maharaja Umed Singh of Jodhpur, who appointed him as his Aide-de-Camp (A.D.C.).

Following the untimely demise of Maharaja Hanwant Singh in a plane crash in 1952, his heir, Maharaja Gaj Singh II, was still a minor. Recognizing his integrity, the Rajpramukh of Rajasthan (the Maharaja of Jaipur) appointed Thakur Manohar Singh of Dhamli as the State Holder (Guardian/Administrator) of the Jodhpur State affairs. He successfully managed the transition period, stabilized the state finances, and earned widespread respect throughout Marwar.

Today, the descendants of this historic house preserve their heritage through Fort Dhamli, which has been restored and run as a popular heritage hotel, offering travelers a glimpse into the martial history and culture of the Rathores of Marwar.