Gohad

The dynasty belongs to the Deswali section of Jats and traces its descent from Rana Jait Singh, who acquired territories near Bairat, south of Alwar. Loyal to Tomar ruler of Delhi,he received the hereditary title of Rana in ca 1068, together with the usual Royal insignia of a parasol and chamra or yak-tail. A century later, his descendent Rana Palun Singh, transferred his allegiance to Prithvi Raj Chauhan, and was slain beside him in 1175. Rana Birhan Pal, son of Palun, settled at Bamroli, near Agra in 1195. It is from this place that the family derives their name. His descendants ruled there until driven out by the Mughal Governor of Agra in 1367. Rana Ratan Pal, eighth in descent from Birhan Pal, joined the Tuar ruler at Gwalior. His son supported Raja Barsingh Dev of Gwalior, helping him to win his independence from their Muslim overlords in 1375. He married a Jat lady of Bisotia clan (over time these two clans developed more marital relations) and later settled at Baghthurra, near Gohad. Rana SujanDeo/Singhadev II, fifth in descent from Rana Ratan Pal, received Gohad from Raja Man Singh of Gwalior in 1505. His title to that state being later recognised by the Emperor Sikander Lodi. Thereafter, his descendants gradually extended and added to their territories, which eventually amounted to 56 mahals or districts, yielding revenues of Rs 66 lakhs per annum. Rana Bhim Singh, the thirteenth ruler of Gohad, expanded the state and become the overlord of whole trans Chambal region even succeeding the historic fortress of Gwalior in 1761, but lost it to the Mahrattas and died fighting them. Burning with resentment against the Scindia, his nephew and successor Chhatra Singh did everything to oppose them. Maharaj Rana Chatra Singh showed his sense of the importance by seizing the fortress of Gwalior. That remained unquestioned for six years.But in 1767 Raghunath Rao, afterwards Peshwa, being then in Hindustan thought to march against Maharaj Rana of Gohad. Accordingly he marched with the army to attack Gohad. But the Rana had in the meanwhile strengthened his defence; he had drilled his troops; and being a hardy man himself, with an especial dislike to be ridden over roughshod, he gave the assailants some very hard and unpleasant work. He defended himself so valiantly that Raghunath Rao proposed at last to treat. Maharaja Rana Chatra Singh defeated Maratha in numerous struggles. After the unsuccessful attack by Faujdar of Melsa Rao Appa on Gohad in 1778, Marathas again planned to attack Gohad in early 1780, and started occupying the garhis under Ranas of Gohad. The attack was led by AmbajiInglai and Khande Rao Hari. Marathas had not directly attacked Gohad but had occupied some of their garhis. Rana Chhatra Singh, in order to stop the movement of Marathas, reached Gwalior and camped at a place about 10 km away from Gwalior.The war started between Marathas and Jats here. Initially Marathas seemed more powerful but later they had to suffer a great loss. On 24 February 1780 Rana wrote a letter to Governor-General stating that he would be waiting for British army though he had sufficient force to fight with Marathas, but even then his orders are awaite Under the instructions of Governor-general, A detachment of the company’s army had been prepared in that quarter, under the command of Captain Popham, for the purpose of augmenting the forces of Goddard; but from the consideration, partly that they could not arrive in time on the Bombay coast, partly that they might contribute to the success of his operations by an attack upon the part which was nearest of the Mahratta frontier, they had not been commanded to proceed; and in the beginning of February, 1780, they were sent to the assistance of the Rana of Gohad. Captain Pophamfound means in this service of distinguishing his enterprise and talents.

To assist Captain Popham four battalions were sent to Itawa. When this information reached Rana of Gohad, he sent BakshiMadho Ram with cavalry of 3000 in advance to help cross Yamuna and Bring Captain Popham to Gohad. After the arrival of Captain Popham Rana Chhatra Singh became more strong. On 4 March 1780 Rana Chhatra Singh moved from Gohad along with English Army to a place 18 kos away from Gohad. When the army of Marathas saw Rana Chhatra Singh with the English army they were scared and left for Datia. Rana of Gohad wanted to eliminate Marathas. On 24 May 1780 The Governor-General informed Rana of Gohad through a letter that they were sending a very competent senapati Major Camac who would reach Gohad within a few days.

Captain Popham came to Gohad to assist Rana of Gohad in Lahar expedition in the middle of 1780. The joint Anglo-Rana army attacked Kachhwahas of Lahar and defeated them. After the fall of Lahar Fort there developed a controversy. The army of Rana had left the fort of Lahar after its fall as per the instructions of English officer. Rana was surprised to know that the English army had later on looted the fort and burnt a part of it. Rana of Gohad complained to the Governor General about this incidence and requested him that in future the place won by the joint forces should not be looted.

The Governor General intervened and removed the confusions between captain Popham and Rana of Gohad especially concerning the future expedition of Gwalior fort and its occupation.

Chhatar Singh planned to recapture the Gwalior fort. He sent his trusted strap Brajraj Singh to attack Gwalior fort. There was a war between Brajraj Singh and Maratha army under the leadership of Raghunath Rao on the banks of SwarnRekha River. Brajraj Singh was killed in the war but Chhatar Singh succeded in recapturing the Gwalior fort on 4 August 1780 after defeating Marathas.After winning over the Gwalior fort he performed Yajna and gifted 4000 cows. He took number of steps of welfare of people. He constructed Chhatri of Bhim Singh in his memory near Bhim-tal on the Gwalior fort.

He handed over the administration of Gwalior fort to his younger queen and came back to Gohad. Mahadji Sindhia was planning to attack Gwalior fort. He did number of attempts to capture fortresses under Gohad rule. He seized the Gwalior fort and war continued for about 8 months. He saw no hope to win back the Gwalior fort. Later he planned a conspiracy. He bribed one of the most trusted guards of the Maharani and prepared him to depart from Jat ruler along with 2000 soldiers. The Maharani continued war along with 600 soldiers in the fort. When there was no scope left the Mahrani took Jauhar on 27 February 1783 and Marathas occupied the fort. This place is still known as Jauhar-kund on Gwalior fort.

Mahadji Sindhia attacked the Gohad fort in the end of 1784. After a war of 2 months Mahadji occupied the Gohad fort on 27 February 1785. Rana chhatar Singh escaped to Karauli where his friend Nihal Singh Rana was a ruler. The elder brother of Nihal Singh Manikpal’s conspiracy lead to the arrest of Chhatar Singh. He was brought to Gwalior and killed here through poisoning 19th April 1788.The Bamrolia clan had effectively been destroyed by the Scindias then spent the next twenty-years fighting each other in a bloody tussle for power.Eventually all the clan leaders resolved to settle their differences by choosing a single ruler in the person of Kirat Singh, a cousin of the deceased rana. Installed at Baghthurra Fortress in 1803, he at once revived the alliance with the British. They agreed to restore Gohad to him in return for his help in crushing the Maratha power. However, once hostilities ceased, Scindia opposed the restoration. The Rana then agreed to surrender Gohad in 1805, receiving Dholpur, Bari and Rajakhera as compensation in the following year. The ancient town of Dholpur became the capital of the new state, from which the new state also took its name. Thus from ashes of Gohad, Dholpur State was formed.