Shyamaldas Dadhavadhia (19th century), a charan, popularly referred to as Kaviraj (Hindi:king of poets) Shyamaldas was one of the early writers involved in documenting the history and culture of the Rajasthan region of India.
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Authorship
Kaviraj Shyamaldas co-wrote ( with his father Kayamadana Dadhavadhia ) the Dipanga Kul Prakash, an extended narrative poem on the Dodia Rajputs of Mewar. Maharana Sajjan Singh, ruler of Udaipur (princely state), assigned Mahamahopadhayaya Kaviraj Shyamaldas the arduous task of compiling an authentic history of Mewar. Titled the Vir Vinod ( Hindi: Heroes' Delight ), this is the earliest known comprehensive history written in Mewar. It reached the public only in 1930 as Maharana Fateh Singh ( Maharana Sajjan Singh's successor) was averse to its publication.
Negotiator and mentor
Kaviraj Shyamaldas was also a confidant of Maharana Sajjan Singh and was entrusted with the delicate negotiations which resulted in a quick end to the Bhil rebellion of 1881. Later, Kaviraj Shyamaldas' pupil, Gaurishankar Hirachand Ojha also became a famed historian and writer.
Honors and awards
The Kaviraj was honored with the degree of Mahamahopadhayaya and conferred with the Kesar-e-Hind ( Lion of India) by the British Government.