Rawat Kandhal, the third son of
Rao Ranmal was the founder of the Kandhalot clan of the
Rathore
The Rathore is a Rajput clan found in Northern India.
Subclans
Jodhana, Vadhel, Jaitawat, Kumpawat, Champawat, Meratiya, Udawat, Karamsot etc. are the branches or subclans of Rathore Rajputs. Coverage
This article discusses the "Kanauji ...
dynasty in Northern India, and the co-founder of the kingdoms of
Bikaner
Bikaner () is a city in the northwest of the state of Rajasthan, India. It is located northwest of the state capital, Jaipur. Bikaner city is the administrative headquarters of Bikaner District and Bikaner division.
Formerly the capital of ...
and
Marwar
Marwar (also called Jodhpur region) is a region of western Rajasthan state in North Western India. It lies partly in the Thar Desert. The word 'maru' is Sanskrit for desert. In Rajasthani languages, "wad" means a particular area. English tran ...
. From birth he was known as Rao Kandhal but was bestowed the prestigious title of Rawat (not to be confused with the caste- Rawat) by his real brother,
Rao Jodha, the first ruler of Marwar for rescuing their brother Rao Mandaloji from
Chittorgarh
Chittorgarh (also Chittor or Chittaurgarh) is a major city in Rajasthan state of western India. It lies on the Berach River, a tributary of the Banas, and is the administrative headquarters of Chittorgarh District. It was a major stronghol ...
all alone. He was instrumental in wresting back
Marwar
Marwar (also called Jodhpur region) is a region of western Rajasthan state in North Western India. It lies partly in the Thar Desert. The word 'maru' is Sanskrit for desert. In Rajasthani languages, "wad" means a particular area. English tran ...
from
Maharana Kumbha
Kumbhakarna Singh (r. 1433–1468 CE), popularly known as Maharana Kumbha, was the Maharana of Mewar kingdom in India. He belonged to the Sisodia clan of Rajputs. Rana Kumbha is known for his illustrious military career against various sultanat ...
along with his brother and was responsible for establishing and territorially expanding the separate kingdom of
Bikaner
Bikaner () is a city in the northwest of the state of Rajasthan, India. It is located northwest of the state capital, Jaipur. Bikaner city is the administrative headquarters of Bikaner District and Bikaner division.
Formerly the capital of ...
for his nephew
Rao Bika
Rao Bika Rathore (5 August 1438 – 17 June 1504), was the founder of the Kingdom of Bikaner in present-day Rajasthan. He was a scion of the Rathore clan of Rajputs. He was a son of Rao Jodha, founder of the kingdom of Marwar.
Establishment ...
who was one of the sons of
Rao Jodha and a potential heir to the throne of
Marwar
Marwar (also called Jodhpur region) is a region of western Rajasthan state in North Western India. It lies partly in the Thar Desert. The word 'maru' is Sanskrit for desert. In Rajasthani languages, "wad" means a particular area. English tran ...
. Later, he established his own principality of Rajasar (in present day
Churu district). Throughout his life, the Rawat fought 52 battles. First 9 under his father
Rao Ranmal, next 20 alongside his brother
Jodha and the last 22 he fought for
Bikaner's establishment. He was killed in a battle near the present day village of
Sahwa, Rajasthan
Sahawa (or Sahwa) is a village in the Taranagar sub-district of Churu district in the Indian state of Rajasthan. This place is famous for an historical Gurudwara.
Transportation
The nearest railhead is at Nohar and Bhadra, and the closest airp ...
in 1490AD. at the age of 73 while fighting the
Delhi Sultanate
The Delhi Sultanate was an Islamic empire based in Delhi that stretched over large parts of the Indian subcontinent for 320 years (1206–1526). forces led by Sarang Khan, the governor of
Hisar.
The Title of Rawat
After the retrieval of the
Rathores
The Rathore is a Rajput clan found in Northern India.
Subclans
Jodhana, Vadhel, Jaitawat, Kumpawat, Champawat, Meratiya, Udawat, Karamsot etc. are the branches or subclans of Rathore Rajputs. Coverage
This article discusses the "Kanauji ...
(due to the assassination of
Rao Ranmal) during the night from
Chittorgarh
Chittorgarh (also Chittor or Chittaurgarh) is a major city in Rajasthan state of western India. It lies on the Berach River, a tributary of the Banas, and is the administrative headquarters of Chittorgarh District. It was a major stronghol ...
where they were vassals, to
Marwar
Marwar (also called Jodhpur region) is a region of western Rajasthan state in North Western India. It lies partly in the Thar Desert. The word 'maru' is Sanskrit for desert. In Rajasthani languages, "wad" means a particular area. English tran ...
where they became sovereign, one of Rao Ranmal's sons Rao Mandaloji did not wake from his sleep and was left there. When it was realised, no one dared to re-enter the mighty fortress of
Chittor which was now hostile to the
Rathores
The Rathore is a Rajput clan found in Northern India.
Subclans
Jodhana, Vadhel, Jaitawat, Kumpawat, Champawat, Meratiya, Udawat, Karamsot etc. are the branches or subclans of Rathore Rajputs. Coverage
This article discusses the "Kanauji ...
. But Rawat Kandhal agreed to rescue him. When he did, all were in awe and
Rao Jodha, his elder brother was so impressed that he gave him the title of Rawat.
Establishment and Territorial Expansion of Bikaner
In 1465AD.
Rao Bika
Rao Bika Rathore (5 August 1438 – 17 June 1504), was the founder of the Kingdom of Bikaner in present-day Rajasthan. He was a scion of the Rathore clan of Rajputs. He was a son of Rao Jodha, founder of the kingdom of Marwar.
Establishment ...
(one of the sons of
Rao Jodha and a potential heir to the throne of
Marwar
Marwar (also called Jodhpur region) is a region of western Rajasthan state in North Western India. It lies partly in the Thar Desert. The word 'maru' is Sanskrit for desert. In Rajasthani languages, "wad" means a particular area. English tran ...
) on the occasion in question had come late and taken seat beside his uncle Kandhal, with whom he carried a conversation in whisper. The Rao jestingly remarked that they must be scheming a plan of conquest of new territory, an idea constantly beingb suggested to him to provide for his large family. Rawat Kandhal took the observation as a challenge and pledged to win new lands. The land approved by
Rao Jodha to conquer through conquest was
Jangladesh which had been largely weakened by war as suggested by a Napo, a Sankhala Rajput. On 30 September, 1465AD. the 27 year old
Rao Bika
Rao Bika Rathore (5 August 1438 – 17 June 1504), was the founder of the Kingdom of Bikaner in present-day Rajasthan. He was a scion of the Rathore clan of Rajputs. He was a son of Rao Jodha, founder of the kingdom of Marwar.
Establishment ...
along with Rawat Kandhal who had sworn to establish his nephew just like he did
Rao Jodha in
Marwar
Marwar (also called Jodhpur region) is a region of western Rajasthan state in North Western India. It lies partly in the Thar Desert. The word 'maru' is Sanskrit for desert. In Rajasthani languages, "wad" means a particular area. English tran ...
. With a considerable following of 100 horsemen and 500 foot-soldiers left Jodhpur along with his uncles Kandhal, Rupo, Mandan, Mandalo and Nathu, his brothers Bida, Jogayat and others.
They travelled to a place known as
Deshnok
Deshnoke is a City in the Bikaner district of Rajasthan, India.The city is famous for the Karni Mata Temple and was established by Goddess Karni-ji herself who led her followers to this region.
This city will be developed as the Capital of the ...
seeking blessings from the sage
Karni Mata
Karni Mata (Hindi: करणी माता, or Bhagwati Karniji Maharaj), known by various names such as Bhagwati, Mehaai, Jagdamba, and Kiniyani is a Hindu Goddess of power and victory described as a warrior sage who lived between 14th to 16 ...
. Bika and Kandhal sought guidance. They trained their armies without attracting attention for 3 years at Chundasar. Rao Bika then came again and impressed by his will, Karni Mata guided him and he followed. While Rao Bika was strengthening his Kingdom, Rawat Kandhal was extending the territory of
Bikaner
Bikaner () is a city in the northwest of the state of Rajasthan, India. It is located northwest of the state capital, Jaipur. Bikaner city is the administrative headquarters of Bikaner District and Bikaner division.
Formerly the capital of ...
towards the North venturing into the
Lodhi territory of
Hisar. Along with some of his sons, numerous villages fell before him but. But in 1490AD. at
Sahwa he was and slain in a battle against the imperial army of the
Lodhis led by the Governor of
Hisar, Sarang Khan.
In 1488, Bikaner was inaugurated by Karni Mata. Although Rawat Kandhal was not alive to see that, his deeds lived on in the hearts of men and were written in ballads. As described by Colonel Powett, a British Officer, in his Gazetteer of the Bikaner state (1864)- "To the North and West the
Bhatis ruled, and to the East, North East and South East were the settlements of independent
Jats
The Jat people ((), ()) are a traditionally agricultural community in Northern India and Pakistan. Originally pastoralists in the lower Indus river-valley of Sindh, Jats migrated north into the Punjab region in late medieval times, and subse ...
; beyond the Jats around
Bhatner
Hanumangarh is a city in the Indian state of Rajasthan, situated on the banks of the river Ghaggar also identified as Ancient Sarasvati river, located about 400 km from Delhi. It is the administrative seat of Hanumangarh District. The ci ...
were Bhatis, Chayals and Johyas, chiefly, if not entirely Muhammadans. Hisar was occupied by the
Delhi
Delhi, officially the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, is a city and a union territory of India containing New Delhi, the capital of India. Straddling the Yamuna river, primarily its western or right bank, Delhi shares borders w ...
emperor's subedar. The
Kaim Khanis held what is now
Shekhawati
Shekhawati is a semi-arid historical region located in the northeast part of Rajasthan, India. The region was ruled by Shekhawat Rajputs.
Shekhawati is located in North Rajasthan, comprising the districts of Jhunjhunu district, Jhunjhunu,
part ...
. The Bidawat country was in the posetion of
Mohil Rajputs, and the tract which is in the East where
Reni is situated was occupied by Chayal and Khinchi Rajputs. It was due to Rawat Kandhal, along with his nephews Rao Bika and Rao Bida that all the above mentioned territories were conquored and incorporated in the Kingdom of Bikaner."
Death and legacy
During a Battle near the present day town of
Sahwa, while leading the forces of
Bikaner
Bikaner () is a city in the northwest of the state of Rajasthan, India. It is located northwest of the state capital, Jaipur. Bikaner city is the administrative headquarters of Bikaner District and Bikaner division.
Formerly the capital of ...
Rawat Kandhal faced a strong resistance by the imperial forces of
Bahlol Lodi
Bahlul Khan Lodi (12 July 1489) was the chief of the Pashtun Lodi tribe. Founder of the Lodi dynasty from the Delhi Sultanate upon the abdication of the last claimant from the previous Sayyid rule. Bahlul became sultan of the dynasty on 19 A ...
led by Sarang Khan, the governor of
Hisar. During the battle his saddle somehow broke and taking advantage of that Sarang Khan encircled him. He valiantly died fighting and even crossed blades with Sarang Khan himself. It is said that 21 corpses of the enemy laid dead around him. The battle resulted in the death of the 73-year-old
Rathore
The Rathore is a Rajput clan found in Northern India.
Subclans
Jodhana, Vadhel, Jaitawat, Kumpawat, Champawat, Meratiya, Udawat, Karamsot etc. are the branches or subclans of Rathore Rajputs. Coverage
This article discusses the "Kanauji ...
chief. His wife, Deevariji committed
Sati at Sahawa. Various bards were written about him describing the events of his last Battle and his contributions to the kingdoms of
Marwar
Marwar (also called Jodhpur region) is a region of western Rajasthan state in North Western India. It lies partly in the Thar Desert. The word 'maru' is Sanskrit for desert. In Rajasthani languages, "wad" means a particular area. English tran ...
and
Bikaner
Bikaner () is a city in the northwest of the state of Rajasthan, India. It is located northwest of the state capital, Jaipur. Bikaner city is the administrative headquarters of Bikaner District and Bikaner division.
Formerly the capital of ...
.
Rao Bagha (one of his sons) at the time was along with his son Rao Banir. He convinced
Rao Bika
Rao Bika Rathore (5 August 1438 – 17 June 1504), was the founder of the Kingdom of Bikaner in present-day Rajasthan. He was a scion of the Rathore clan of Rajputs. He was a son of Rao Jodha, founder of the kingdom of Marwar.
Establishment ...
of
Bikaner
Bikaner () is a city in the northwest of the state of Rajasthan, India. It is located northwest of the state capital, Jaipur. Bikaner city is the administrative headquarters of Bikaner District and Bikaner division.
Formerly the capital of ...
(Kandhalji's nephew) and
Rao Jodha of
Marwar
Marwar (also called Jodhpur region) is a region of western Rajasthan state in North Western India. It lies partly in the Thar Desert. The word 'maru' is Sanskrit for desert. In Rajasthani languages, "wad" means a particular area. English tran ...
(Kandhalji's older brother) to combine their forces to seek revenge. Between 1490-1491 Rao Bagha led his forces against Sarang Khan and exacted revenge for his father's death by defeating him at
Sahawa
Sahawa (or Sahwa) is a village in the Taranagar sub-district of Churu district in the Indian state of Rajasthan. This place is famous for an historical Gurudwara.
Transportation
The nearest railhead is at Nohar and Bhadra, and the closest air ...
. Rao Bagha was killed in this battle.
After his death, instead of his grandson Rao Banir who was then a minor, the titles of Rawat Kandhal went to Rao Raj Singh (of Rajasar who later on founded his own principality of Jaitpur) owing to political intrigue. Rao Banir went to Sahawa, and later shifted his seat to Shivgarh Ghanghu where he finally settled. Many
thikanas
Thakur is a historical feudal Indian honorifics, title of the Indian subcontinent. It is also used as a surname in the present day. The female variant of the title is Thakurani or Thakurain, and is also used to describe the wife of a Thakur.
...
emerged from his descendants later on, including
CHURU, THAILASAR. Many junior thikanas also emerged including Ghantel, Khandawa, Kallasar, Lohsana, Karanpura, Jaitpur, Depalsar, Dudwa, Lakhau, Jhariya, Jhanjhani, among others.
The Kandhalot clan- the descendants of Rawat Kandhal which formed an integral part of the
Bikaner state are today divided into 3 subdivisions- Rawatot (descendants of Rawat Raj Singhji), Banirot (descendants of Rao Banirji- son of Rao Bagha) and Saidasot (descendants of Rao Ardakmalji). The headseat of the Kandhalot clan was the Thikana of
Rawatsar
Rawatsar is a city, a municipality, and one of the seven tehsils in Hanumangarh district in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is divided into 35 wards for which elections are held every five years.
History
Establishment by Raghodas
Rawa ...
(made by the descendants of Rawat Raj Singhji).
References
*Singh, Rajvi Amar. ''Mediaeval History of Rajasthan.'' Bikaner, Rajasthan, India: Rajvi Amar Singh, 1992. p. 21
Google books*Manoshi Bhattacharya. ''Royal Rajputs.'' Bikaner pg.26
*Colonel Powett. ''Gazetteer of the Bikaner state'' (1864
*Balbhadra Singh Rathore. ''Thikana Rawatsar pg 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.''
*Ajai Singh Rathore. ''Kandhal rathodo ka vrihat itihaas'' pg. 92, 93.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kandhal, Rao
Year of birth missing
Year of death missing
Indian Hindus
Bikaner