Turkiya Kalan

Introduction 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). Many Veeramdevots were close advisors of several Maharanas of Udaipur and the hereditary Kiledar (Governor) of Kumbhalgarh fort. The descendents of Maharana Udai Singh II were the first branch of Sisodias to carry the patronym of Ranawat, and hence carry the prefix of ‘Baba Ranawat’. They are a sub-branch of the jagir of Sanwar, and other Viramdevot Ranawats are found in Hamirgarh, Kherabad, Sanwar, Kankarwa, Jaiwana, Pahuna, Turkiya, Ranawaton-ki-sadri and Ranawaton-ka bangla.

Origin and Foundation of the Ranawat Dynasty

The foundation of the Ranawat clan dates back to the reign of Maharana Udai Singh II, who ruled Mewar during one of its most turbulent phases. Following the sack of Chittorgarh, Udai Singh II established the new capital of Udaipur in 1559. His sons, known as the "Ranawats," formed a premier noble class within the Sisodia dynasty. Baba Veeramdeo, the third son of Maharana Udai Singh II, was granted significant estates for his administrative and military contributions to the state.

As the "Baba Ranawats," the descendants of Baba Veeramdeo held a unique status in the Mewar court. By custom, they were considered the closest blood relatives to the ruling Maharana, making them the primary lineage eligible for adoption to the throne of Mewar (the Gaddi) in the event that a reigning Maharana died without a direct male heir. This political and familial closeness ensured that the chiefs of Turkiya Kalan and its sister thikanas wielded immense influence in Udaipur state affairs.

Historical Role and Administrative Prominence

The Thikana of Turkiya Kalan (also historically recognized as Turkiya) was carved out as a prominent estate to support the younger branches of the Sanwar jagir. Over generations, the Viramdevot Ranawats of Turkiya Kalan served Mewar with distinction. Their hereditary appointment as the Kiledars (Governors) of Kumbhalgarh Fort highlights the trust reposed in them by the Maharanas, as Kumbhalgarh served as the ultimate refuge for the royal family during external invasions.

During the 18^th century, as the Mughal Empire declined and Maratha forces began levying heavy tributes (Chauth) across Rajputana, the nobles of Turkiya Kalan actively participated in defending Mewar's territorial integrity. Their military contingents were consistently deployed under the state banner to safeguard Udaipur's borders.

British Period and Treaty of 1818

By the early 19^th century, decades of Maratha raids and internal factional conflicts had severely weakened the economy and administrative grip of Mewar. This period of distress ended with the signing of the Treaty of 1818 between Maharana Bhim Singh and the British East India Company.

Under British suzerainty, internal peace was restored. The British administration, along with Mewar’s state officials, worked to settle land disputes and redefine the boundaries and revenues of the various thikanas. Turkiya Kalan was recognized as a stable vassal state of Udaipur, and the Thakurs continued to perform their traditional administrative and ceremonial duties, maintaining order in their local jagir while paying annual tribute (Chhatund) to the Udaipur Durbar.

Post-Independence and Modern Era

Following India's independence in 1947, the princely state of Mewar was integrated into the United State of Rajasthan, which eventually became the modern state of Rajasthan. With the passage of the Rajasthan Land Reforms and Resumption of Jagirs Act in 1952, the traditional feudal estates, including Turkiya Kalan, were formally abolished.

Despite the loss of their administrative authority and jagirdari rights, the family of Turkiya Kalan successfully adapted to the democratic framework. In the post-independence era, members of the family have engaged in agriculture, public service, and local leadership, while continuing to preserve their ancestral fortresses, temples, and the rich cultural heritage of the Viramdevot Ranawat clan.