Mangrop

Origin and Foundation

The Jagir of Mangrop holds a distinguished position in the feudal hierarchy of the erstwhile Udaipur State (Mewar). It was established as a premier Purawat Sisodia Thikana (fiefdom), granted to Baba Puran Mal, a prominent son of the legendary warrior king Maharana Pratap Singh I of Udaipur. The descendants of Baba Puran Mal came to be known as the Purawat Sisodias, a proud sub-clan that played a vital role in the military and administrative affairs of Mewar. Located in the present-day Bhilwara district of Rajasthan, Mangrop served as the seat of their authority, signifying the sovereign's trust and the clan's valor.

Mughal and Maratha Period

Throughout the 17^th and 18^th centuries, the chiefs of Mangrop actively participated in the defense of Mewar against external pressures. During the reign of Maharana Raj Singh I and subsequent rulers, the Purawat nobles of Mangrop contributed forces to the Mewar army to counter Mughal incursions. As the Maratha empire expanded northward in the 18^th century, the region of Mewar, including Mangrop, witnessed significant turbulence. The chiefs of Mangrop stood resiliently alongside the Maharanas, defending their territories from the demanding tribute levies imposed by Maratha commanders, maintaining local order during a period of widespread political fragmentation.

British Era and Feudal Administration

With the signing of the treaty of 1818 between Mewar and the British East India Company, a period of relative peace ensued. The Purawat chiefs of Mangrop transitioned from constant active warfare to consolidated administrative and land reforms. Under British paramountcy, Mangrop was recognized as a prominent estate under the direct vassalage of the Maharana of Udaipur. The chiefs built fortresses, temples, and stepwells, contributing to the local cultural heritage and rural economy. They held judicial and revenue-collecting powers within their jagir, ensuring the welfare of their subjects while patronizing local art and traditional Mewari architecture.

Post-Independence and Modern Era

Following India's independence in 1947, the princely state of Mewar merged into the United State of Rajasthan. With the passing of the Rajasthan Land Reforms and Resumption of Jagirs Act in 1952, the administrative and revenue-collecting powers of the Mangrop Thikana were officially dissolved. The historic fort of Mangrop and its associated heritages remain symbolic of the legacy of Baba Puran Mal and the Purawat Sisodias. Today, Mangrop is a vibrant town in the Bhilwara district, retaining its deep-rooted historical pride while steadily integrating into the democratic fabric and modern economic landscape of Rajasthan.