Hadoti

Historical Region of North India Hadoti (हाड़ौती)

Location	eastern Rajasthan
19th-century flag
State established:	12th century
Language	Hadoti
Dynasties	Meenas, Hadas Chauhan
Historical capital	Bundi
Separated states	Kota, Jhalawar

Hadoti (हाड़ौती), which was once called the Bundi Kingdom, is a region of Rajasthan state in western India. The biggest cities are Baran and Kota. It includes the districts of Bundi, Baran, Jhalawar and Kota, and is bounded on the west by the Mewar, on the northwest by Ajmer regions of Rajasthan, and on the south by the Malwa, on the east by the Gird regions of Madhya Pradesh state.

Geography

The region of south eastern Rajasthan lies between Malwa Plateau in the east, Aravali range in the west and Marwar plateau in the west south side, on the border with Madhya Pradesh. The major river is the Chambal River, with its tributaries Kalisindh, Parvati and Chakan. The soil is alluvial.

Languages

History

Hadoti (हाड़ौती) : Bundi-. Pratihar Meenas is one of the sub-group of Meenas. They are mainly found in the region of Bundi city. They were the initial builders of Bundi, which was named after the King Bunda Meena. In ancient times, Bundi was called "Bunda-Ka-Nal." "Na"l means "narrow ways." More recently the region is governed by Jaita. Rao dev hada overtook Bundi from Jaita Meena in 1342 and he renamed the whole area as Haravati or Haroti. Kota:- In one such battle in 1264, Jait Singh, the younger son of Samar Singh of Bundi slew the Bhil chieftain, Kotya, and captured Akelgarh. He was so impressed by Kotya’s bravery that he named his newly conquered principality Kotah after him. The severed head of Kotya was buried in the foundations of Jait Singh’s new fort. Kotya has been honoured and remembered daily since then in the Kotya Bhil Temple. This is in the outer wall of the Palace to the left of the main gate. The independent state of Kota became a reality in 1631. The fort, which was further modified by subsequent rulers, is still in existence, and is known commonly among the local populace as the Garh Palace. Jhalawar:- In 1838 it was resolved, with the consent of the chief of Kota, to dismember the state, and to create the new principality of Jhalawar as a separate provision for the descendants of Zalim Singh. Baran:- city was under Solanki Rajputs in the 14th -15th century. It is not known exactly when the main town of the twelve villages under the Solankis was named as 'Baran'.

The importance of Bundi state diminished over the years. As early as in 1579, it was deprived of the region which became a separate Kota state; the area included all of what later became a separate Jhalawar state in 1838. However, Bundi state did remain an independent entity, if only nominally, up to and during the British Raj. After the independence of India in 1947, it became part of the Dominion of India, later the Union of India.

Introduction

The Hadoti region consists of the districts of Bundi, Baran, Jhalawar and Kota, and borders the Mewar region of Rajasthan to the west and on the south by the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh state to the south. The name of the region derives from the Hada Rajputs, a branch of the Chauhan Rajput clan. As early as the 12th century, these Hada Rajputs migrated into this region. Hada Rao Deva, a member of this Hada Rajputs group, occupied Bundi in the year 1241, and then Kota in the year 1264. In the Hadoti region, there is Kota, which had gained its status as an independent state in the year 1579. Jhalawar became a separate state in the year 1838. Hadoti is a treasure house of art and sculpture. Some of the archeological wonders are found in the temples that are situated in every nook and corner of it. Bundi is an important city, bearing witness to some of the striking artistry. It is located in a narrow encompassing gorge. The Bundi palace of this Hadoti region portrays an instance of Hada Rajput architecture with its engraved brackets, towers, and balconies. The Chitra Shala, with its superb paintings of this famous Bundi School, decorates the palace walls.

At the time of its festivals and fairs, the whole of the Hadoti region gets embellished with color and exuberance. Due to its integrity to the Rajasthani culture, most of the people of the Hadoti region practice Hinduism. They also fete almost all the traditional Rajasthani festivals like Deepawali, Holi, Gangaur, Teej, Gogaji, Makar Sankranti and Janmashtami. Pushkar, too, one of the significant festivals of Rajasthan, has been feted in the Hadoti with great festivity.

Also, there is a small subdivision of Keshorai Patan, which is situated some forty kilometers from Bundi city and about twenty-one kilometersfrom Kota. It specially gets enchanted with the mood of festivity and Pushkar celebration. Early in the morning, on the banks of the river Chambal, both males and females dress up in costumes. In the crystal-clear waters of the river `Charmanyavati` or Chambal of Keshori Patan of the Hadoti, they float illumined diyas into the river water and seek blessings with prayers. Numerous villagers travel by ferry to reach the area. The local market of this palace of Hadoti, too. is thronged with people who also take a consecrated dip in the "Charmanyawati".

In order to felicitate the development and industrial growth of Rajasthan state, a special Hadoti industrial fair is observed in Kota. Several entrepreneurs have been invited here to take initiatives in this regard. The State Government, too. has given its wholehearted support to these endeavors.

Being a part of Rajasthan state, the region of Hadoti is agrarian and the majority of its people work in agriculture. Wheat, barley, pulses, and sugarcane are the main staple crops. The region too is enriched with the resources of oil seeds and minerals. Various dance forms and musical melodies are quite popular amongst the people of Hadoti region, which recreate them and thus elevate their spirits.

The chief estates and princely state of Kotah

1. Palaitha - Hara Chauhan Maharaja's
2. Moondli - Hara Maharaja's
3. Kunadi - Jhala
4. Bamulia - Hara Maharaja's
5. Kachnoada - Hara
6. Rajgarh - Hara
7. Ghati - Hara
8. Kherli - Tanwar
9. Srinal - Tanwar
10. Koela - Hara Chauhan
11. Dabri - Hara
12. Kherli - Hara Maharaja's
13. Karwar - Hara
14. Phasud - Hara
15. Pipalda - Hara
16. Antarda - Hara
17. Nimola - Hara
18. Sarola - Pandit Brahmins
19. Meena-bandu meena
20. Meena-jaita meena

Hadoti - A paradise for migratory birds

Migratory birds from neighbouring China as well as Europe have been flocking to ecologically rich districts in Rajasthan. With their wetlands, thick forests and water bodies, the four districts of Hadoti, Kota, Bundi, Baran and Jhalawar have now come to be recognized as a paradise for migratory birds.

Hadoti is a second home for the migratory birds from China, Russia, Ladakh and other European countries. Every winter, hundreds of migratory birds from various species throng to the spontaneous water bodies of Hadoti region and stay here from October to late March. It is also the season for tourist in the region, where thousands of foreign and domestic tourists come during winter.

According to the bird watching experts, there are mainly two seasons for the activities of migratory birds in the region - the monsoon season and the winter season from October to March, when they return to their native destinations. The spontaneous agitation of the migratory birds reaches its climax in December, and January. Throughout the season, these birds make their presence felt with their melodious singing and chirping over the placid water bodies.