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House of the Chaudharies of Pilani

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House of Pilani

Coat of arms (Jat symbol)

Flag of Pilania
Parent House Utpal dynasty
Country Shekhawati region
(Under Shekhawat Rajas)
Founded 12th century
Founder Chaudhary Kheta Ram Pilania
Role Commander
Final head Chaudhary Ratan Mal Pilania
Titles Chaudhary and Sardar

Pilania Commanders of Pilani

The Pilania is a Jat clan native to Rajasthan, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. The clan is historically documented as the hereditary Chaudharys and Military Commanders of Pilani under the Shekhawat Rajas of Shekhawati. The town of Pilani in Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan is named after a commander of this clan.

Origin

The name Pilania is derived from the Pilu forests on the banks of the Saraswati River. The clan traces its ancestry to the Utpal dynasty and was associated with the Tomar Confederacy. The Jalor Stone Inscription of V.S. 1239 (1182 CE) mentions Pilavahika, identified as modern Peelwa in Nagaur, where Pilania Jats served as Samantas under the Chauhans.

History

Pilania Jats were not independent rulers. They held hereditary offices of Chaudhary, Sardar and Faujdar under the Shekhawat Rajas. Their duties included commanding militia, collecting revenue and defending forts.

In 1737 CE, Thakur Nawal Singh of Nawalgarh founded Nawalgarh. His son Dalel Singh was granted 12 villages and built Dalelgarh Fort at present-day Pilani. When Rao Raja Laxman Singh of Sikar attacked Dalelgarh, a Pilania commander defended the fort with exceptional bravery. Following the victory, Dalelgarh was renamed Pilani in honour of the Pilania clan.

The clan's Vanshavali preserves a continuous lineage of 21 commanders from c. 1100 to 1947, representing over eight centuries of service as Commanders of Pilani.

List of Chaudharys and Commanders of Pilani

No Period Commander Ruler / Thikana
1 1100-1140 Chaudhary Kheta Ram Ajayraj Chauhan
2 1140-1180 Chaudhary Nathu Ram Vigraharaj IV
3 1180-1220 Chaudhary Jetha Mal Prithviraj Chauhan
4 1220-1260 Chaudhary Hansa Ram Iltutmish
5 1260-1300 Chaudhary Joga Ram Balban
6 1300-1340 Chaudhary Mehta Ram Khalji
7 1340-1380 Chaudhary Lumba Ram Tughlaq
8 1380-1420 Chaudhary Harji Ram Tughlaq
9 1420-1460 Chaudhary Khema Ram Rao Shekha Ji
10 1460-1500 Chaudhary Pema Ram Rao Raimal Ji
11 1500-1540 Chaudhary Ganga Ram Kachhwaha
12 1540-1580 Chaudhary Rupa Ram Akbar
13 1580-1620 Chaudhary Amara Ram Akbar/Jahangir
14 1620-1660 Chaudhary Hukma Ram Shah Jahan
15 1660-1700 Chaudhary Puran Mal Aurangzeb
16 1700-1740 Chaudhary Kalyan Mal Sawai Jai Singh
17 1740-1880 Chaudhary Bhura Ram Nawalgarh - Nawal Singh
18 1780-1820 Chaudhary Hira Ram Nawalgarh - Udai Singh
19 1820-1860 Chaudhary Nand Ram Nawalgarh - Nand Singh
20 1860-1900 Chaudhary Mohan Ram Nawalgarh - Mangal Singh
21 1900-1947 Chaudhary Ratan Mal Nawalgarh - Bhairon Singh

End of Commander System (1947)

The Commander system of Pilani ended in 1947. Its last Commander was Chaudhary Ratan Mal (1900-1947), serving under Nawalgarh Thikana, Jaipur State. After India's independence, Jaipur State merged into Rajasthan in 1949, and the Jagirdari system was abolished in 1952. With this, the hereditary Commandership of Pilani came to an end. [1][2][3]

Reference

  1. ↑ Arya, Mahendra Singh et al. Ādhunik Jat Itihas. Agra, 1998, p. 263.
  2. ↑ Dahiya, B. S. Jats the Ancient Rulers: A Clan Study.
  3. ↑ Rose, H. A. A Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province, Vol. II.
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