Jhalawar

History

The city of Jhalawar was founded by a Rajput Jhala Zalim Singh, who was then the Dewan of Kota State (1791 A.D.). He established this township, then known as Chaoni Umedpura, as a cantonment. The township was at the time surrounded by dense forests and wildlife.

Jhala Zalim Singh often came here for hunting and he liked the place so much that he wanted to develop it as a township. The objective to develop this place as a military cantonment was due to the fact that Maratha invaders passed through this central place from Malwa towards Kota to capture Hadoti states.

Jhala Zalim Singh recognized the importance of this place and started to develop it as a military cantonment and township, so that he could use this place to attack and stop Maratha invaders before they could reach Kota state. Chaoni Umedpura was developed as a cantonment and township around 1803-04 A.D. Colonel Todd, who visited the region in December, 1821 described this area as the cantonment established by Jhala Zalim Singh plus a well-established township with large houses, havelis, and surrounding walls.

In 1838 A.D., English rulers separated Jhalawar state from Kota state and gave it to Jhala Madan Singh, the grandson of Jhala Zalim Singh. He developed his administration services to develop the state of Jhalawar. He resided in Jhalara Patan for a long time and started to build the Garh Palace (1840 - 1845 A.D). He was the first ruler of Jhalawar state and made a significant contribution in the history of Jhalawar. Jhala Madan Singh ruled Jhalawar from 1838 to 1845. After his death, Jhala Prithvi Singh became the ruler of Jhalawar, and ruled for around 30 years.

Rana Bhawani Singh Ji, who ruled Jhalawar state from 1899 to 1929 A.D., did remarkable work in the development of Jhalawar state. His active involvement was in the fields of social activities, public works (construction), education and administration.

The chief town of Jhalawar, also known as Patan or Jhalara Patan, was the centre of trade for the eponymous princely state, the chief exports of the which were opium, oil-seeds and cotton. The palace is four miles (6 km) north of the town. An extensive ruin near the town is the site of the ancient city of Chandrawati, said to have been destroyed in the reign of Aurangzeb. The finest feature of its remains is the temple of Sitaleswar Mahadeva (c. 600).

Princely State of Jhalawar

The former ruling family of Jhalawar belonged to the Jhala family of Rajputs. At Kota Madhu Singh, a Jhala Rajput became a favorite with the Maharaja, and received from him an important post, which became hereditary. On the death of one of the Kota rajas (1771), the state was left to the charge of Jhala Zalim Singh, a descendant of Madhu Singh.

From that time Zalim Singh was the de facto ruler of Kota. Under his administration, which lasted over forty-five years, the Kota territory was respected by all parties. In 1838 AD, British intervention and internal politics resulted with the decision to dismember the Kota state, and to create the new principality of Jhalawar as a separate provision for the descendants of Jhala Zalim Singh. The districts then severed from Kota were considered to represent one-third (120,000) of the income of Kotah; by treaty they acknowledged the supremacy of the British, and agreed to pay an annual tribute of Rs.8000/-. Madan Singh received the title of Maharaja Rana, and was placed on the same footing as the other chiefs in Rajputana.

Successors for Maharana of Jhalawar State

The Jhala clan of Rajputs are still regarded as the rulers of Jhalawar state and thus maintain a large majority of their power over Jhalawar. They were entitled to a 17 gun salute by the British authorities.[3]

Geography

Jhalawar is located at 24.6°N 76.15°E / 24.6; 76.15. It has an average elevation of 312 metres (1023 feet).

Climate

Climate of the area is identical to the Indo-Gangatic plain. In summer the temperature generally is around 40 °C (104 °F) and at maximum can exceed 45 °C (113 °F). In winter the coldest temperature can reach 1 °C (34 °F). Jhalawar district has the highest rainfall in the Rajasthan state. An average of 35 inches (890 mm) of rainfall keeps it cool, and gentle breezes ward off the stifling humidity.

Education

Jhalawar district has a well-developed education infrastructure. The Department of Primary Education and Department of Secondary Education provide their services through primary schools, middle schools, secondary, and senior secondary schools. The Rajiv Gandhi Pathashala (School) Scheme, run by the Government of Rajasthan, is also running in the district to provide primary education.

There are eight colleges in the district, which provide higher-level education in various streams.

Places to see

Temples

Demographics

As of the 2011 India census, Jhalawar had a population of 1,411,327. Males constituted 53% of the population and females 47%. Jhalawar had an average literacy rate of 62%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy was 76%, and female literacy was 47%. In Jhalawar, 14% of the population was under 6 years of age.

Air

The nearest airport with scheduled commercial flight is Kota. Kota airport operates a single flight to Jaipur six days a week (Not on Sundays). It is 82 Kms away from the town of Jhalawar.

The alternate airport with scheduled commercial flights is Raja Bhoj Airport at Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. Kolana Airport is located near Jhalawar. It is used by chartered aircraft.

Rail

Jhalawar has a newly constructed railway station. The railway station is 2 km from Jhalawar. Currently there are 3 trains to Kota on daily basis with convenient timings.

Road

Jhalawar town lies on Highway No. 12. Many government buses go through the district and outside. Private buses are also available for travel.

Thermal power station

Kalisindh Thermal Power Station is 12 kilometres (7 mi) from Jhalawar town. The power plant is operated by Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam. Its chimney is 275 metres (902 ft) high. The two cooling towers of the facility are 202 metres (663 ft), the tallest in the world. The EPC contractor for the project is BGR Energy Systems Ltd.