Kotwan

Kotwan or Kotman(fort of pride) was ruled by the Dinde clan. The Dinde Dynasty of Kotwan claim origin from Rup Singh(Rupa) . Sardar Rup Singh(Rupa) was a residence of mauza Dasna, from where he migrated to the pargana of Sahar. Through his military brilliance he was able to take control of a few mauzas in pargana Sahar. He left 2 sons named Katarmal and Momal. They divided there father’s possession among themselves , Katarmal was given Kotwan and Momal received Dahgaon. During the 15th and 16th century the Dinde house expanded in the Sahar pargana and received chaudharait(tax collection right) over a tappa of Sahar pargana from the Delhi Emperor. By the end of 17th century the Dinde’s were in revolt against the Mughal Empire and there leader Sardar Sitaram of Kotwan was able to carve out an independent principality out of the Mughal Empire. Sardar Sitaram later accepted the suzerainty of Raja Badan Singh of Deeg. He was appointment as the governer of Rewari sarkar by the Bharatpur Darbar. His 4 daughters were married to the sons of Maharaja Surajmal of Bharatpur. His older son Ram Singh/Dan Shah was one of the greatest general of Maharaja Surajmal. He was also regent for the minor Maharaja Keshri Singh. His younger brother Gulab Singh received the Kiledari of Agra Fort.

During this time the Dinde family of Kotwan became the most powerful family in the Bharatpur Durbar. Mirza Najaf Khan took upon himself to retreat the territory lost to the Jats, In 1774 he send Rahim Dad to besiege the fort of Kotman . After defending his fort for several days (18 days as local tradition says), Sitaram one night escaped with the garrison. The Mughals took possesion of Kotwan. Ram Singh and Gulab Singh both the sons of Sitaram died fighting the forces of Najaf Khan at Barsana and Agra respectively. The fort of Kotwan was recaptured by the grandsons of Sitaram from the Mughals. The descendants remained the zamindar of Kotwan throughout British rule.