Shekha of Amarsar

MahaRao Shekha
MahaRao
Coronation	Vikram Samvat 1502,(at the age of 12)
Born	B.S. 1490 (A.D.1433), Dashehra, Sunday
Birthplace	Nan-Amarsar
Died	B.S.1545 (A.D.1488), Baisakh Sudi 3 (Akha Teej)
Place of death	Ghatwa(in the Battle of Ghatwa)
Successor	Rao Raimal
Consort	6 Ranis.
Dynasty	Kachwaha (Amber/Jaipur State)
Father	Rao Mokal Ji
Mother	Rani Nirban Ji

MahaRao Shekha (1433–1488) was a Rajput chieftain belonging to the Kachwaha clan of Amer/Jaipur. He ruled over Amarsar, The Shekhawati gets its name from him, comprising the districts of Sikar and Jhunjhunu in the present-day Indian state of Rajasthan. The descendants of Rao Shekha form Kachwaha clan of Rajputs.

Birth

Maharao Shekha Ji was born in B.S.1490, (A.D.1433), son of Rao Mokal Ji (Amarsar) and Rani Nirwan Ji (Khetri). Rao Mokal was a chieftain who held the estate of Nan in fief from the ruler of Amber (Jaipur). The story of Shekha’s birth is rather interesting. Mokal and Nirwan were much troubled as they had no son for several years. They heard about the miraculous powers of the Sheikh Burhan, a Muslim mendicant. They decided to pay the man a visit. After they received the blessings of the Sheikh, a son was born to the couple. In honour of the mendicant, the couple named their son Shekha.

As the Ruler

At the age of 12 year he succeeded his father in V.S.1502, A.D 1445.

He was granted the title of MAHARAO by Raja Udaikaran Ji (ruler of Amber).The first act of his valour was his sudden attack on Napa (Sankhala Rajput) at Nagarchal, Saiwar, Multhan etc. when he was only 16 years old. From V.S.1530 to 1534, (A.D. 1473 to 1477) with the help of Panni Pathans, Rao Shekha conquered Dadri from Nop Singh Jatu and Bhiwani from Other Jatu Rajputs, Hansi from Ikhtar Khan and Hissar from Heda Khan Kaimkhanis. Thus he extended his territory and became powerful.

Shekha’s reputation and growing power were noticed by the Ruler of Amber, whom up to this time, they had acknowledged as head (Tikai) of Kachawa Dynasty, and used to send as a tribute all the colts reared on their land. Later, Shekhaji refused to send the colts and as a result of it Raja Chandersen (ChandraSena) of Amber sent his army to attacked him. They fought several battles and in the last one, in V.S. 1528, (A.D.1471), Rao Shekha repulsed the forces of Raja Chandersen at the bank of Kokus river, near Amber. Then a treaty was entered into by them, according to which the practice of sending colts to Amber was abandoned. After this, they lived peacefully and Shekhaji became independent and founded a union which was the birth of Shekhawati federation.

Establishment of Amarsar as capital

In V.S.1506, (A.D.1449) Shekha Ji founded Amarsar other sources mention that it was founded in V.S.1517, (A.D.1460). In Amarsar Shekha built the temple of Bhagwan Jagdish and in V.S.1534, (A.D.1477), he built here the SHIKHARGARH FORT.

Conflict with Gaurs

Kolraj Gaur was ruling at Ghatwa under his commands tank was being excavated at Jhotari village and he had made a rule that any one passing that way should remove a quantity of earth from the tank. A Rajput person of Kachawa clan was returning home with his bride, the Rajput obeyed the rule and removed the earth but the Gaurs insisted that his wife should do the same.His widow went to Amarsar and placed a handful of dust before Shekha and told him the fame of the Kachawas would be tarnished if they did not take revenge upon the Gaurs. There upon, in V.S.1535, (A.D.1478) and Shekha invaded Ghatwa the battle took place at the same talab (tank), which ended with his demise because of injuries in the final battle.

Battle of Ghatwa

The Gaur Rajputs fought about 12 battles with Shekha Ji. In the last battle, they met near Ghatwa on the “Khontiya” tank and fought fiercely. Rao Ridmal of Maroth wounded Shekha with his arrows . Nawalraj, a son of Kolraj, killed Kunwar Durga and Kunwar Puranmal, sons of Shekha Ji.

Rao Shekha was severely wounded and before his end, he nominated Raimal as his successor. Shekha expired peacefully at Ralawata on Baisakh Sudi 3 (Akha Teej), V.S.1545, (A.D.1488), His chattri (cenotaph) was built there.

Maharao Shekha fought 52 battles in his life. He is the founder and ancestor of the Shekhawat sub-clan of Jaipur’s Kachwaha Dynasty.

Marriages

Rao SHEKHA Ji, born September 24, 1433, had five Ranis (Queens), who are referred to by their maiden names (surnames), and had issue, 12 sons (8 survived) and 3 daughters.

• (a) He married firstly, Taankan-ji Ganga Kumari, daughter of Nagvanshi ‘Keelhan ji Taank’ of Nagar-gadh, she established the Kalyanji temple facing entry of Amarsar Fort around 1516-17 V.S.;
• (b) married secondly, Tanwar ji- I, daughter of Rao Gahirmal ji Tanwar of Dokna;
• (c) married thirdly, Tanwar ji – II, daughter of Pichiyan ji Tanwar of Bayal (Ganwri);
• (d) married fourthly, Gaur ji, daughter of Jadam ji Gaur of Jhunthar;
• (e) married fifthly, Chauhan ji, daughter of Rao Raja Syobrahma Chauhan of Chaubara or Chobara (Mewat, now Alwar);

Progeny

Rao Shekha had 12 sons and 3 daughters.

• Kunwar Durga, ancestor of the Taknet clan. He died 1488 in Ghatwa battle.
  • Roop Kanwar Ji Sahiba
• Kunwar Puran Mal, died 1488 in Ghatwa battle.
• Kunwar Ratna, ancestor of the Ratnawat clan.
  • Rani Lachalde, married Rao Bhaldev of Jodhpur
• Kunwar Abha
• Kunwar Achala
• Kunwar Tilok, he was given Mallikpur jointly with his two older brothers and their descendants are known as Mallikpuria.
• Kunwar Kumbha
• Kunwar Ridmal
• Kunwar Bharmal, he was given Khejroli jointly with his two older brothers, and their descendants are known as Khejroliya.
• Rao Raimal, (by Rani Chauhan ji), he succeeded his father as the ruler of Amarsar.
• Rani Raghav Kanwar Ji Sahiba (Rani Sahiba of Merta), married, Rao Duda of Merta son of Rao Jodha of Jodhpur
• Parvat Kanwar Ji Sahiba
• Maya Kanwar Ji sahiba

See also

• Indo-Aryan migration
• Shekhem
• Shekhna
• Shekhawat
• Shekhawati
• Raisal of Khandela
• Rao Bhojraj
• Kachwaha Dynasty
• List of Rajputs

Reference

History of Rajasthan