Lachhman Singh of Sikar
| Lachhman Singh | |
|---|---|
| Rao Raja of Sikar | |
| Reign | 1795 – 1833 |
| Predecessor | Devi Singh |
| Successor | Ram Pratap Singh |
| Died | 1833 |
| Issue |
|
| House | Sikar |
| Dynasty | Shekhawat |
| Father | Devi Singh (adoptive) |
| Mother | Kanlotji |
Lachhman Singh (sometimes Laxman Singh or Lakshman Singh) was the Rao Raja of Sikar from 1795 until his death in 1833.
Early life
[edit]He was born to the Thakur of Shahpura.[1] Since Devi Singh of Sikar had no male heir, he adopted him as his son and successor.[1]
Succession
[edit]After the death of Devi Singh in 1795, he became the Rao Raja of Sikar.[2] His mother, Kanlotji, served as regent, and Dhabhai Surajmal was appointed as a ministerial officer.[2] Jaipur authorities were not in favor of his succession and sent a force under the command of Nandram Haldia to remove him from the throne of Sikar.[1] His mother dispatched a delegation to Nandram imploring him not to act against the son of his deceased friend.[1][2] In response, Nandram explained that he could not disobey the command of his ruler and suggested they gather a large force to oppose him as he approached the place.[1] It was done, and when Nandram approached Sikar, he found a force of 10,000 ready to oppose him.[1] Nandram then informed the Jaipur authorities that Sikar could not be taken without a great loss of time, men, and money.[1] Therefore, the best course of action would be to accept Sikar's submission.[1] Before he received any response from the Jaipur authorities, Nandram lifted the siege after taking 200,000 Rs. as nazrana for his ruler and a present of 100,000 Rs. for himself.[1]
Reign
[edit]When he came of age, he demolished all the castles of his inferior feudatories and did not even spare those of Bilara, Bathoti, Kasli, and his biological family of Shahpura.[1] As a result, his own biological father preferred to live in exile rather than under his rule.[1] He built the Laxmangarh Fort in 1805 and founded the town of Laxmangarh in 1807.[3] He had the fort and city built based on the model of Jaipur.[4] He participated in the battle of Fatehpur in 1799 and the relief of Shahpura.[5] Jagat Singh conferred on him the title of Rao Raja.[6] Over the years, he gained influence at the court at Jaipur and received a khillat from Jagat Singh.[1] He seized 28 villages and the town of Khandela from its Rajas.[7][5] In 1819, he paid 900,000 rupees to Amir Khan on behalf of Jaipur and received the estate of Khandela as a grant from Jaipur.[1][8] He held it as an istimrari lease from Jaipur.[1] When Jagat Singh died, his wife, Rani Bhatianiji, became the regent of Jaipur.[1] During her administration, court intrigues became widespread, and he was always found on her side.[1] In 1822, Rani Bhatianiji persuaded him to give up Khandela, which was restored to its rightful claimants in 1835.[8] As compensation for building a fort at Khandela, he was granted 12 villages.[8]
Personal life
[edit]He had seven wives.[2] Besides them, he had eight paswans (mistresses).[2] He had legitimate three sons: Hamir Singh, Ram Pratap Singh, and Bhairon Singh.[2]
Death
[edit]He died in 1833 and was succeeded by his son Ram Pratap Singh.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Agarwal, B. D. (1960). Rajasthan Distict Gazetteers Sikar. pp. 32–33, 39–41.
- ^ a b c d e f Sinh, Ranbir (2001). History of Shekhawats. Publication Scheme. p. 160. ISBN 978-81-86782-74-3.
- ^ Jain, kesharlal Ajmera (1935). The Jaipur Album Or All About Jaipur. p. 50.
- ^ Provincial Series: Central Provinces. Superintendent of Gevernment Printing. 1908. p. 264.
- ^ a b c Rima Hooja. A History Of Rajasthan. pp. 1025, 1251, 1283.
- ^ Bayley, C. S. (2004). Chiefs and leading families in Rajputana. Public Resource. New Delhi : Asian Educational Services. p. 76. ISBN 978-81-206-1066-8.
- ^ Khandela Raj: A Short History of the Rulers of Khandela. Thakur Natwar Singh. 6 July 2012. p. 30.
- ^ a b c R.K Gupta (2008). Studies In Indian History Rajasthan Through The Ages The Heritage Of Rajputs Set Of 4 Vols. by R.K. Gupta. pp. 8–9, 121.