Mahar Kalan

Thikana Mahar was established by Shree Udaikaranji, in 1498 CE (VS 1555). He was the eldest son of Yuvraj Kumbhaji Amber, who was the eldest son of Raja Chandrasenji of Amber (reign 1453-1502 CE). In 1488 CE (VS 1545), Yuvraj (to-be King) Kumbhaji achieved martyrdom in the War of Shikhargarh aka birthplace of Raja Shekhaji (founder of Shekhawat clan, reign 1455-1488 CE), while aiding Shekhaji’s successor,Shree Raimalji, against Hindal Khan, army-chief of Bahlol Lodi, (founder of Lodi dynasty, reign 1451-1489 CE). The combined army emerged victorious.

Before this war, a goojari woman who had knowledge of omens, warned that nobody from the ruling family of Amber will survive this war. Hence, Yuvraj Kumbhaji asked his younger brother Shree Prithvirajji (Raja Prithvirajji of Amber, reign 1502-1527 CE) and son, Shree Udaikaranji, to return to Amber, from the middle of the way to the battlefield. He also asked Shree Prithvirajji to promise him that he would offer half of Amber Kingdom to Shree Udaikaranji in case he achieves martyrdom during the war.

Raja Chandrasenji, in order to avoid division of Amber during the future succession, he granted the jagir of Barwara to Shree Udaikaranji in 1488 CE. However, Shree Udaikaranji felt Barwara jagir an inauspicious land, as it brought ill-fate to Shekhawats who could rule here for only 2 generations. Hence, he soon moved to the nearby foothills of Aravali mountains and established Mahar in 1498 CE.

Yuvraj Kumbhaji’s mother (Rani Tankanji Navalde), youngest brother (Shree Devidasji - childless), and six other sons too moved to Mahar. Raja Chandrasenji also granted half the population of Amber to Shree Udaikaranji’s Mahar, to prevail that half of Amber too was granted.

Sons of Yuvraj Kumbhaji, in this newly established Mahar, obtained the name of Kumbhawat in honor of their father’s idealistic legacy. This marked the beginning of new clan – Kumbhawat kachwahas, from Mahar.

A perfected-Saint or siddha-sant, Shree Salagnathji was already residing in the area where Mahar was established. Rani Tankanji ensured perfect service-arrangements for him. He got impressed. Hence, he recommended building a Shiva Temple to establish Kachwaha's Kula-Devta Ambikeshwar Mahadeva in Mahar. Initially, it was an unnamed small Shiva temple built by Rani Tankanji. Later, Rawat Ramji(2^nd Rawat) added more constructions to the temple and he named the temple Maleshwarnathji, as per the wish of Saint Salagnathji to name the temple by the name of his Guru. Today, Maleshwanathji’s Temple is among the popular Shiva temples of Dhundhar.

In 1502 CE, Shree Prithvirajji ascended the throne of Amber after the death of Raja Chandrasenji. Shree Udaikaranji demanded half of Amber Kingdom, failing to which Kumbhawats rebelled. Over time, Kumbhawats reached the court of Emperor Akbar to seek justice. Emperor enrolled them in his army and promised them justice.

Head of Mahar is traditionally honored with the title of “Rawat”. This title was conferred by the Emperor Akbar to Shree Lunkaranji, the eldest son and successor of Mahar’s founder, for his extraordinary valor against Haji Khan’s Afghan forces in Punjab. Haji Khan, a supporeter of Sher Shah Suri in Malwa (Madhya Pradesh), moved to Punjab after Sher Shah’s death to strengthen the Pathans in Punjab. Shree Lunkaranji challenged the much stronger Haji Khan, for one-on-one mallayudha instead of an open war, with condition that the losing wrestler’s army will submit to the winner’s King. He miraculously defeated Haji Khan, and as per the commitment, Haji Khan submitted himself to the Emperor Akbar. This style of turning the tables without a war, impressed the Emperor and he conferred the title of “Rawat” to Shree Lunkaranji, who credited this miraculous victory to Saint Salagnathji’s blessings.

As the population of Mahar increased, Saint Salagnathji shifted to a place, outside the then fortified walls of Mahar. This place is called “Aasan”. Galta’s Saint Payhariji on request of Rani Bala Baiji, wife of Raja Prithvirajji Amber, visited the Aasan to meet Saint Salangnathji to settle dispute between Mahar and Amber. This dispute was later settled in the era of Rawat Ramji Mahar and Raja Mansinghji Amber (reign 1589-1614 CE). Saint Salagnathji took Samadhi at Aasan. Today, this Aasan is within the expanded present fortified walls of Mahar.

Mahar has consistently been significant contributor in the mainstream events of India, Amber and Jaipur, ranging from expeditions to Afghanistan to the bloodiest battles like the battle of Maonda-Mandholi. Capable leaders, valorous warriors and bravehearts, have always adorned Mahar, along with perfected-Saints.

A striking Fort on one of Mahar’s hilltops, depicts that Mahar has historically been among politically leading forces of Dhundhar. Rawat Sahebs of Mahar held the prestigious position in the Jaipur Raj Durbar (Court), for their political and administrative excellence and far-sighted leadership qualities.