Rajput History Archive > State
Bundi State
The Bundi State was a historic sovereign Rajput principality situated in the historical region of Kingdom of Marwar (Jodhpur), ruled by the Udawat Rathore (Suryavanshi lineage). Established by ancestral Rajput dynasts, the state commanded strategic regional highways and mountain river defiles, with its seat of royal power established at Bundi (Taragarh Citadel). The rulers maintained sovereign treaties, commanded royal cavalry contingents, and patronized classical temple architecture and miniature painting schools. The state maintained independent internal autonomy throughout the medieval and British colonial eras, formally acceding to the Indian Union between 1947 and 1950.
Detailed Historical Chronicle
1. Dynastic Origins: Rao Deva & The Foundation (1342 CE) Bundi State was the ancestral cradle of the Hada Chauhans, the premier branch of the imperial Agnivanshi Chahamana (Chauhan) lineage of Prithviraj Chauhan. The region governed by the Hadas was known as Haraoti (comprising modern Bundi, Kota, and Baran).
In 1342 CE, Rao Deva Hada conquered the strategic, pass-protected valley of Bundi from the Usara Meena chieftain Jaita. Recognizing the valley's defensive attributes, Rao Deva laid the foundation of Bundi (named after the tribal chieftain Bunda), establishing it as the sovereign seat of the Hada clan.
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2. Taragarh Citadel: The Star Fort Perched on an imposing 1,426-foot hill directly above Bundi Palace, Taragarh Fort was erected under Rao Napuji and Rao Bar Singh: - Unlike many desert forts, Taragarh was built with stone ramparts zigzagging across sheer cliff faces, accessed through three colossal gates: Lakshmi Pol, Phuta Darwaza, and Gagron Pol. - Housed the celebrated 16th-century siege cannon Garbh Gunjam ("Thunder from the Womb"), whose blast was so deafening that artillerymen reportedly dove into water tanks to survive the shockwave. - Contained massive subterranean reservoirs cut directly into bedrock, guaranteeing water during multi-year sieges.
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3. Rao Surjan Hada & The Ranthambore Treaty of 1569 CE The ultimate diplomatic triumph of the Hadas occurred under Rao Surjan Hada (reigned 1554–1585 CE).
When Mughal Emperor Akbar besieged Rao Surjan in the impregnable fortress of Ranthambore in 1569 CE, the siege reached a bloody stalemate. Akbar negotiated directly with Rao Surjan, concluding the historic Bundi Treaty, in which Surjan obtained unprecedented sovereign terms:
1. Bundi rulers were permanently exempt from sending royal princesses to the imperial harem.
2. The Rao of Bundi was permitted to enter the imperial Hall of Audience (*Diwan-i-Khas*) fully armed with his sword and dagger.
3. Bundi troops would never be forced to cross the Indus River against their religious vows.
4. Bundi temples and religious establishments were guaranteed absolute immunity from taxation or demolition.
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