Garniya

Origin and Foundation of Garniya Thikana

The Thikana of Garniya belongs to the illustrious Udawat sub-clan of the Rathore dynasty of Marwar. The Udawats trace their ancestry to Rao Uda Ji, the heroic grandson of Rao Jodha (the founder of Jodhpur). The family of Garniya branched out from the premier Udawat estate of Ras.

The foundation of Garniya is deeply rooted in an act of supreme sacrifice and martial valour. Thakur Sukh Singh Ji, the younger son of Thakur Saheb Shree Bhaktram Singh Ji of Ras, fought valiantly for the state of Marwar (Jodhpur) during a period of intense geopolitical conflict in Rajputana.

The Battle of Merta (1790) and Royal Recognition

In the late 18^th century, Marwar faced severe territorial and military challenges from the Maratha Confederacy. On September 10, 1790, the historic Battle of Merta was fought between the forces of Maharaja Vijay Singh of Jodhpur and the Gwalior army trained by the French general Benoît de Boigne. In this fierce encounter, the Rathore cavalry charged with legendary courage.

Thakur Sukh Singh Ji of the Ras family made the ultimate sacrifice on the battlefield, fighting to protect the honor of Marwar. To honor his extraordinary bravery, Maharaja Vijay Singh of Jodhpur granted his descendants an estate consisting of Gajoo and Sewariya near Nagaur, which spanned over 52,000 bighas of land.

Relocation to Jaitaran and Court Honors

Although the Nagaur estate was highly prosperous, the Udawat clan historically belonged to Jaitaran and its surrounding regions. Thakur Sukh Singh Ji’s first wife expressed her desire to remain close to their ancestral homeland rather than relocating to Nagaur. Respecting her wishes, the Jodhpur Darbar graciously exchanged the Nagaur villages for the village of Garniya, located near Jaitaran.

Along with the grant of Garniya, the Thikana was bestowed with the highly coveted court honor of Dohri (double) Tazim, which required the Maharaja of Jodhpur to stand both upon the arrival and departure of the Thakur of Garniya in the royal court. Following the tragic demise of Thakur Sukh Singh Ji, his second wife committed Sati, embodying the traditional historical customs of Rajput devotion and honor of that era.

Post-Independence and Modern Era

Following India's independence in 1947, the princely state of Jodhpur merged into the United State of Rajasthan. With the subsequent enactment of the Rajasthan Land Reforms and Resumption of Jagirs Act in 1952, the administrative and revenue-collecting powers of the Thikana of Garniya were formally abolished.

Despite the transition from feudal estates to democracy, the descendants of Garniya continue to preserve their rich heritage, historical artifacts, and traditions. They have transitioned into modern walks of life, contributing to agriculture, business, and public service in Rajasthan while holding a respected position within the local community.