The Sisodia is a Rajput dynasty belonging to the clan that ruled over the Kingdom of Mewar, in the region of Mewar in Rajasthan, India.
Origins
The Sisodia dynasty traced its ancestry to Rahapa, a son of the 12th century Guhila King Ranasimha. He founded the village of Shisoda, in modern day Rajsamand district, as his capital, after which his descendants were called Sisodias. The main branch of the Guhila dynasty ended with their defeat against the
Khalji dynasty at the Siege of Chittorgarh (1303). In 1326,
Rana Hammir, who belonged to Sisodiya branch, reclaimed control of the region with the help of Baruji Sauda and his
Charan allies, re-established the dynasty, and also became the founder of the Sisodia dynasty clan, a branch of the Guhila dynasty, to which every succeeding Maharana of Mewar belonged, and the Sisodias regained control of
Chittor Fort, the former Guhila capital.
[ The Rajputs of Rajputana: a glimpse of medieval Rajasthan by M. S. Naravane ] The Sisodiyas were engaged in multiple battles against Sultans of
Malwa Sultanate, Nagor, Gujarat and
Delhi Sultanate.
They were a significant reason in weakening of the adjacent sultanates including the Delhi Sultanate.
According to the Rajprashasti genealogy, one of these – Rana Samar – married Prithi, the sister of Prithviraj Chauhan. His grandson Rahapa adopted the title Rana (monarch). Rahapa's descendants spent some time at a place called Sisoda, and therefore, came to be known as "Sisodia".
History
The most notable Sisodia rulers were
Hammir Singh (r. 1326–1364), Rana Kumbha (r. 1433–1468),
Rana Sanga (r.1508–1528) and
Maharana Pratap (r. 1572–1597). The
Bhonsle clan, to which the
Maratha Empire's founder
Shivaji belonged, also claimed descent from a branch of the royal Sisodia family.
Nainsi in his book mentioned Shahji descended from Chacha, son of Rana Lakha.
[Rajasthan Oriental Research Institute, 1960, Muhnot Nainsi Ri Khyat, Part 1, page 15] Similarly,
Rana dynasty of
Nepal also claimed descent from Ranas of
Mewar.
According to the Sisodia Chronicles, when the Delhi Sultanate Alauddin Khalji attacked Chittorgarh in 1303, the Sisodia men performed Saka (fighting to the death), while their women committed Jauhar (self-immolation in preference to becoming enemy captives). This was repeated twice: when Bahadur Shah of Gujarat besieged Chittorgarh in 1535, and when the Mughal Empire emperor Akbar conquered it in 1567.
Frequent skirmishes with the Mughals greatly reduced the Sisodia power and the size of their kingdom. The Sisodias ultimately accepted the Mughal suzerainty, and some even fought in the Mughal army. However, the art and literary works commissioned by the subsequent Sisodia rulers emphasized their pre-Mughal past.
Sub-Clans
Princely States
List of Rulers
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Rana Hammir (1326–1364) established the sisodiya dynasty
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Kshetra Singh (1364–1382)
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Rana Lakha (1382–1421)
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Rana Mokal (1421–1433)
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Rana Kumbha (1433–1468)
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Rana Udai I (1468–1473)
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Rana Raimal (1473–1508)
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Rana Sanga (1508–1527), Under his rule Mewar reached its pinnacle in power and prosperity.
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Rana Ratan II (1528–1531)
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Rana Vikramaditya (1531–1536)
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Banvir (1536–1540)
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Rana Udai II (1540–1572)
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Maharana Pratap (1572–1597), 13th king of Mewar, notable for his military resistance against the Mughals.
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Amar Singh I (1597–1620)
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Karan Singh II (1620–1628)
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Jagat Singh I (1628–1652)
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Raj Singh I (1652–1680)
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Jai Singh (1680–1698)
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Amar Singh II (1698–1710)
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Sangram Singh II (1710–1734)
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Jagat Singh II (1734–1751)
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Pratap Singh II (1751–1754)
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Raj Singh II (1754–1762)
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Ari Singh II (1762–1772)
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Hamir Singh II (1772–1778)
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Bhim Singh (1778–1828)
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Jawan Singh (1828–1838)
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Sardar Singh (1838–1842)
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Swarup Singh (1842–1861)
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Shambhu Singh (1861–1874)
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Sajjan Singh (1874–1884)
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Fateh Singh (1884–1930)
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Bhupal Singh (1930–1947)
Titular Maharanas
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Bhupal Singh (1947–1955)
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Bhagwat Singh Mewar (1955–1984)
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Mahendra Singh Mewar (1984–2024)
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Vishvaraj Singh Mewar (2024 - )
See also
Further reading
External links
