History of karauli The holy city of karauli is located at a distance of 160 kms from the capital city of Jaipur. The city of karauli was earlier known as Kalyanpuri, the name given after the local deity Kalyanji. The city of karauli was established keeping in mind the danger of frequent attacks. Therefore the city was fully equipped with arms and was surrounded by a wall made up of red sandstone with citadels at various places. The surrounding wall of the city has 6 gates and eleven posterns. karauli (also formerly spelled Karoli or Kerowlee) is a town lying in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The town is the administrative center of karauli District, and was formerly the capital of the erstwhile princely state of karauli. The town dates from 1348, and is situated in a position naturally defended by ravines on the north and east, while it is further protected by a great wall. The Maharaja's palace is a handsome block of buildings, some of them dating to the late 1700. Legend has it that the princely state of karauli was founded about 995 by Raja Bijai Pal Jadon citation needed or is claimed that he was 88th in descent from the hindu god Krishna citation needed. Little is however known about the early history of the family the state was long a fief in Jaipur state until the HEIC chose, in the early 19th century, to recognise karauli as being an independent principality. In 1818, karauli was made part of the Rajputana Agency. Flag of the princely state of karauli.  The state has an area of 3,178 km square . In 1901 the population of the state was 156,786, and that of the town was 23,482. Millets, the staple food of the people, was the main agricultural produce. As of the early 20th century, there were no major industries; a little weaving, dyeing, wood-turning and stonecutting constituted the notable cottage industries. Most goods, as also salt, sugar, cotton, buffaloes and bullocks, were imported; rice and goats comprised the main exports. After India's independence in 1947, the state under Maharaja Ganesh Pal Deo acceded to the dominion of India on 7 April 1949; karauli later merged with the union of India and became part of the state of Rajasthan. Main drawback of karauli is that it's not connected with any railway line.But there is a possibility now thatit can connect with a railway line through dholpur. The main village in karauli district is Mandrayal or Mandrail. This village is famous because it joins the two states M.P. and Rajasthan. Puranmal, the Raja of Amber, fought in the battle of Mandrail in favour of Mughals in the year 1534 AD. Next year, Bahadur Shah of Gujarat besieged the fort of Chittor, upon which Humayun himself started to fight against him. Rani Karmawati, the widow of Rana Sanga, was ruling Chittor as regent. She also tried to be friendly with Mughals and sent a Rakhi to Humayun, but Humayun did not arrive in time. If he would have arrived in time and helped Karmawati, perhaps it would have been Sisodias as their close allies. However, Kachwahas became the first allies of Mughals in Rajputana. Bharmal's policy towards Mughals was merely an extension of his brother's policy. Bharmal's eldest brother Raja Puranmal died at the Battle of Mandrail in 1534, while helping Humayun to recapture the fort of Bayana. He had a son named Surajmal or Sooja. But he was not recognized as king and his younger brother Raja Bhim Singh ascended to the throne of Amber. Bhim Singh was succeeded by his son Raja Ratan Singh and Raja Bharmal succeeded him in 1548 CE. Raja Arjun Pal founded the city of karauli, earlier known as Kalyanpuri in 1348 AD. It is believed that Yaduvanshi Rajputs who are descendents of Lord Krishna ruled the city of karauli, one of the most loved gods of Hindu mythology. As such they occupy the topmost rank among the Yaduvanshi Rajputs and their family history is rich with tales of valor and glory. karauli was an erstwhile princely state in eastern Rajasthan. |
