Kodu Kota

Origin and Lineage

The Thakurs of this thikana are descendants of Maharana Udai Singh II of Mewar (founder of Udaipur) through his third son Baba Veeramdeo, the younger brother of Rana Sagat Singh (founder of the Shaktawat-Sisodia clan). This thikana is a Baba Ranawat thikana (that is, a thikana from which male children were adopted to the ruling house of Mewar, in the absence of a male heir). The descendents of Maharana Udai Singh II were the first branch of Sisodias to carry the patronym of Ranawat. They are a sub-branch of the jagir of Sanwar, and other Viramdevot Ranawats are found in Hamirgarh, Kherabad, Sanwar, Jaiwana, Pahuna, Ranawaton-ki-sadri and Ranawaton-ka bangla.

The Viramdevot Clan and Historical Significance

The Viramdevot Ranawats historically occupied an influential position within the court of Mewar. As direct descendants of Maharana Udai Singh II, they belonged to the privileged class of Babas (near relatives of the ruling Maharana), which exempted them from certain taxes and afforded them higher dignity. Throughout the turbulent years of conflicts with the Mughal Empire, members of this sub-branch provided crucial military support to successive Maharanas. The strategic placement of their estates, including Kodu Kota, acted as defensive bulwarks safeguarding the outer marches of the Mewar heartland. For detailed historical records on the division of Mewar nobility, scholars often refer to Kaviraj Shyamaldas's seminal work, the Vir Vinod, which details the lineage of the Ranawat clans.

British Period and Treaty of 1818

By the late 18^th century, Mewar was severely weakened by Maratha raids and the depredations of the Pindari bands. In 1818, Maharana Bhim Singh signed the Treaty of Alliance and Friendship with the British East India Company, which established British suzerainty over Udaipur State. Following this, British political agents like James Tod helped restore order and settle land disputes between the state and its feudal barons. The estate of Kodu Kota, like other Viramdevot Ranawat estates, was restored to stability, with its land rights and administrative roles clearly demarcated under the Mewar State administration. You can read more about this period of consolidation on the Udaipur State History.

Post-Independence and Modern Era

Following India's independence in 1947, the Princely State of Udaipur merged into the United State of Rajasthan, eventually forming the modern state of Rajasthan. With the implementation of the Rajasthan Land Reforms and Resumption of Jagirs Act in 1952, the traditional jagirdari and feudal systems were abolished. The family of Kodu Kota transitioned into the democratic era, retaining their ancestral properties, fort, and historical legacy while contributing to local development, agriculture, and public life in the region.