Dholpur

An ancient city near the Chambal River, Dholpur also called Dhaulpur is located in the Dholpur district of Rajasthan. It is the administrative seat of the Dholpur district. Bharatpur, the administrative headquarters of the Bharatpur district is located at a distance of 113 km. from Dholpur.

Agra is located 60km. north of Dholpur and Delhi is located at a distance of 230km.It is well connected by railways and the nearest railway station is the Dhaulpur Railway Station on the Gwalior- Agra line. Train service is regular connecting Dholpur with New Delhi. The National Highway 3 (NH 3) passes through Dholpur.

Dhawal Deo, a Tomara Rajput chieftain founded Dholpur in the 11th century at a site little north from its present location. The rulers of Delhi and Agra frequently invaded this city because it is situated near royal cities like Gwalior and Bayana. When Sikander Lodhi invaded Dholpur in 1501 the city was destroyed and devastated. The Moghul ruler Babur conquered Dholpur in 1526. During the reign of Humayun, the site of the city was moved eastwards in order to prevent the erosion from the Chambal River. Dholpur was the capital of the princely state of Dholpur during the colonial period.

Located at a height of 177 metres (580 feet) above mean sea level and between 26.7° North latitude and 77.9° East longitude, it is inhabited by 92,137 individuals. In Dholpur, 18% of the population is less than six years of age. According to the 2001 census report, Dhaulpur has an average literacy rate of 58%, which is lower than the national average of 59.5%. The male literacy rate is 66% and, female literacy rate is 50%.

Shergarh Fort, Khanpur Mahal, Machchhkund (8 km) and an ancient Shiva temple on the Gwalior-Agra road are places of tourist interest in Dholpur. Van Vihar wildlife sanctuary (18 km) and Ramsagar Sanctuary (36 km) are the other excursion sites in the neighbourhood.

During British rule in India (which covers both the British East India Company rule and later the British Raj), the princely state of Dholpur was ruled by different people. They served the state as "Rana" and belonged to the Bamraulia Gotra of Jats. These rulers are given below.

Kirat Singh
Rana Kirat Singh was the first Jat ruler of Dholpur (1805 - 1835). According to a revised treaty between the Marathas and Britishers dated 22nd November, 1805, Gohad ruler Rana Kirat Singh was given Dhaulpur, Badi and Rajakheda in exchange for Gohad. In December, 1805 Kirat Singh moved to Dhaulpur and became the Rana ruler of Dhaulpur.

Bhagwant Singh
Rana Bhagwant Singh, the Jat ruler of Dholpur (1836 -1873) was the younger son of Rana Kirat Singh. He is known to provide security to the British and Maratha refugees who arrived at Dholpur during the 1857 War of Independence. Bhagwant Singh was awarded G.C.S.I. by the British Government.

Nihal Singh
Rana Nihal Singh, the Jat ruler of Dholpur (1873 -1901) succeeded Rana Bhagwant Singh. Bhagwant Singh knew many languages like English, Hindi, Sanskrit and Persian. He was also a skilled horse rider. The Rana is credited with the construction of hospitals, ponds and a network of roads and rail during his tenure. He was also responsible for the restoration of buildings, during his rule. He was honored with the Major in the Central India Horse and the C.B. and Frontier Medal for services in the Tirah campaign.

Ram Singh
Rana Ram Singh, the Jat ruler of Dholpur State (1901-1911) was the successor of Rana Nihal Singh. He occupied the throne in 1901, after the death of Ram Singh, but had received full rights in March 1905. During his rule, the state was divided into six parganas namely, Dholpur, Rajakhedi, Badi, Basaidi, Mania and Kulari which resulted in the improved administration of the state. Some of the titles received by him are Raja Shri Ram Singh Jai Deo Bahadur, Yuvraj Sahib of Dholpur and captain His Highness Rais Ud-Daula.

Udaybhanu Singh
Rana Udaybhanu Singh was the Jat ruler of Dholpur (1911-1949). Udaybhanu was the successor of his brother, Rana Ram Singh. After India attained independence in 1947, the state was added to Union of India on 7th of April, 1949 by Rana Udaybhanu Singh. When Dholpur was merged with three neighboring states, it became Matsya Union within the union of India. Udaybhanu Singh became the Rajpramukh of the union. Later, this union merged with several other unions to form the present-day state of Rajasthan.