Raimal Singh Sisodia, also known as Rana Raimal, (r. 1473–1509) was a

Hindu Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...

Rajput Rajput (from Sanskrit ''raja-putra'' 'son of a king') is a large multi-component cluster of castes, kin bodies, and local groups, sharing social status and ideology of genealogical descent originating from the Indian subcontinent. The term Ra ...

ruler of

Mewar Mewar or Mewad is a region in the south-central part of Rajasthan state of India. It includes the present-day districts of Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Pratapgarh, Rajsamand, Udaipur, Pirawa Tehsil of Jhalawar District of Rajasthan, Neemuch and ...

. Maharana Raimal was the son of Rana Kumbha. He came to power by defeating his patricide predecessor,

Udai Singh I Udai Singh I (? –1473) Udaikaran or Udah, was the Rana (r. 1468–1473) of Mewar Kingdom. He was a son of Rana Kumbha. Biography Udai Singh killed his father, Rana Kumbha, in 1468 and thereafter became known as ''Hatyara'' (Murdere ...

in battles at Jawar, Darimpur and Pangarh. Early in Raimal's reign, Ghiyas Shah of

Malwa Malwa is a historical region of west-central India occupying a plateau of volcanic origin. Geologically, the Malwa Plateau generally refers to the volcanic upland north of the Vindhya Range. Politically and administratively, it is also sy ...

attacked Chittor unsuccessfully. Soon after, Ghiyas Shah's general, Zafar Khan attacked Mewar and was defeated at Mandalgarh and Khairabad. By marrying Sringardevi (daughter of Rao Jodha), Raimal ended the conflict with the Rathores. During Raimal's reign, Godwar, Toda and

Ajmer Ajmer is one of the major and oldest cities in the Indian state of Rajasthan and the centre of the eponymous Ajmer District. It is located at the centre of Rajasthan. It is also known as heart of Rajasthan. The city was established as "' ...

were captured by his son Prithviraj. Raimal also strengthened the state of Mewar and repaired the temple of

Eklingji Eklingji (''IAST:'' Ekaliṅga jī) is a Hindu temple complex in Udaipur District of Rajasthan in western India. It is situated in Kailashpuri village (at Girwa Tehsil, Udaipur), near the former capital of Mewar, i.e., Nagda. Eklingji is b ...

in Chittor.

Ascent to the throne

Raimal was not the heir-apparent, he was younger to

. But as fate would have it,

killed his father, the legendary Rana Kumbha, while he was praying to Lord Eklingji (

Shiva Shiva (; sa, शिव, lit=The Auspicious One, Śiva ), also known as Mahadeva (; Help:IPA/Sanskrit, ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐ, or Hara, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one o ...

) and ruled for five years. Under his reign

took back Abu and

, both states were recaptured by the great ruler of Mewar.

Raimal fights the sultan and his nephews

Sultan of Delhi, Sikander Lodi fought against Rana Raimal of Mewar, allying with Surajmal and Sahasmal in which Sultan was defeated. Surajmal survived and was pardoned by Rana Raimal. He was a conspirator and ensured that sons of Raimal fought with each other in order to make his way clear to the throne. He was a brave fighter and possessed all the great qualities of his clan.

Fight at Sadri

Surajmal and Raimal's armies met at Sadri, a town that Surajmal had captured. Raimal's son Prithviraj joined his father at a crucial time in the war and directly attacked Surajmal. Many such skirmishes occurred till Surajmal finally left Mewar and settled at Pratapgarh where his descendants still flourish and keep up the name of Sisodia clan.

Last years

The last years of Raimal's rule were marked by conflict between his sons, with Prince Sanga (later Rana Sanga) having to flee Mewar. Raimal's elder sons, Prithviraj and Jaimal were both killed. At this difficult juncture, the Rana was informed that Sanga was still alive. Raimal summoned Sanga back to Chittor and died soon afterwards.

Sharma, Dasharatha Dasharatha Sharma (1903–1976) was an Indologist with particular interest in the history of the Rajasthan region of India. Born in the Rajasthani city of Churu, he studied in the city of Bikaner and at the University of Delhi. He had degrees ...

(1970) Lectures on Rajput History and Culture, pp 79-84 Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi

References

Bibliography

* * Mewar dynasty 1473 births 1509 deaths Rajput rulers {{India-royal-stub