Rajasthan is a state in northern India. The history of Rajasthan is about 5000 years old. The history of Rajasthan can be classified into three parts owing to the different epochs- Ancient, Medieval and Modern. Rajput clans emerged and held their sway over different parts of Rajasthan from about 700 CE.
Rajputana “land of the Rajputs” was Rajasthan's old name under the British Raj. When India became independent, 23 princely states were consolidated to form the state of Rajasthan, “Home of Rajas”.
Following is a list of dynasties and rulers, which ruled or origin from Rajasthan from Ancient period to Modern period:
Pratihara dynasty (c. 550 – 1036 CE)
Pratiharas of Mandavyapura (Mandore) (c. 550 – 860 CE)
Rudolf Hoernlé assumed a period of 20 years for each generation, and placed the dynasty's founder Harichandra in c. 640 CE. Baij Nath Puri placed Harichandra in c. 600 CE. R. C. Majumdar, on the other hand, assumed a period of 25 years for each generation, and placed him in c. 550 CE. The following is a list of the dynasty's rulers (IAST names in brackets) and estimates of their reigns, assuming a period of 25 years:
Harichandra (Haricandra) alias Rohilladhi (r. c. 550 CE) Rajilla (r. c. 575 CE) Narabhatta (Narabhaṭa) alias Pellapelli (r. c. 600 CE) Nagabhata (Nāgabhaṭa) alias Nahada (r. c. 625 CE) Tata (Tāta) and Bhoja (r. c. 650 CE) Yashovardhana (Yaśovardhana) (r. c. 675 CE) Chanduka (Canduka) (r. c. 700 CE) Shiluka (Śīluka) alias Silluka (r. c. 725 CE) Jhota (r. c. 750 CE) Bhilladitya alias Bhilluka (r. c. 775 CE) Kakka (r. c. 800 CE) Bauka (Bāuka) (r. c. 825 CE) Kakkuka (r. c. 861 CE)
Bauka and Kakkuka were sons of Kakka from different mothers. The Jodhpur and Ghantiyala inscriptions of the two step-brothers give same genealogy of the family, except the last two names. Since these two inscriptions were found not far from each other, it appears that Bauka succeeded Kakka (rather than the two dividing Kakka's kingdom).
Pratiharas of Bhinmala and Kannauj (c. 730 – 1036 CE)
+List of Imperial Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty rulers Serial No. Ruler Reign (CE)1Nagabhata I730–7602Kakustha and Devaraja760–7803Vatsaraja780–8004Nagabhata II800–8335Ramabhadra833–8366Mihira Bhoja or Bhoja I836–8857Mahendrapala I885–9108Bhoja II910–9139Mahipala I913–94410Mahendrapala II944–94811Devapala948–95412Vinayakapala954–95513Mahipala II955–95614Vijayapala II956–96015Rajapala960–101816Trilochanapala1018–102717Yasahpala1024–1036
Mewar dynasty (c. 566 – 1948 CE)
Guhila dynasty of Nagada-Ahar is one of the oldest dynasties of Mewar, they ruled in the 6th century and Sisodia Dynasty (1326–1947 CE) is one of the branch of Guhila dynasty.
Guhila dynasty (c. 566 – 1303 CE)
+List of Guhila dynasty rulersSerial No.King (Rawal)Reign (CE)Notes1Rawal Guhil566–5862Rawal Bhoj586–6063Rawal Mahendra I606–6264Rawal Naga (Nagaditya)626–6465Rawal Shiladitya646–6616Rawal Aprajeet661–6887Rawal Mahendra II688–7168Bappa Rawal728–7539Rawal Khuman I753–77310Rawal Mattat773–79311Rawal Bhartri Bhatt I793–81312Rawal Sinh813–82813Rawal Khuman II828–85314Rawal Mahayak853–87815Rawal Khuman III878–92616Rawal Bhartri Bhatt II926–95117Rawal Allat951–97118Rawal Narwahan971–97319Rawal Saliwahan973–97720Rawal Shakti Kumar977–99321Rawal Amba Prasad993–100722Rawal Shuchivarma1007–102123Rawal Narvarma1021–103524Rawal Keertivarma1035–105125Rawal Yograj1051–106826Rawal Vairath1068–108827Rawal Hanspal1088–110328Rawal Vair Singh1103–110729Rawal Vijai Singh1107–111630Rawal Ari Singh I1116–113831Rawal Chaudh Singh1138–114832Rawal Vikram Singh1148–115833Rawal Rana Singh1158–1168Post-split Rawal branch rulers34Rawal Khshem Singh(Karana)1168–117235Rawal Samant Singh(Rahapa)1172–117936Rawal Kumar Singh1179–119137Rawal Mathan Singh1191–121138Rawal Padam Singh1211–121339Rawal Jaitra Singh1213–125240Rawal Tej Singh1252–127341Rawal Samar Singh1273–130242Rawal Ratan Singh1302–1303
Branching of Guhil dynasty
During reign of Rawal Rana Singh (1158–1168), the Guhil dynasty got divided into two branches: First (Rawal Branch) Rawal Khshem Singh (1168–1172), son of Ran Singh, ruled over Mewar by building Rawal Branch. Second (Rana Branch) Rahapa, the second son of Ran Singh started the Rana Branch by establishing Sisoda bases. Later Hammir Singh of Sisoda base started main Sisodia or Mewar dynasty in 1326 CE.
Rana branch rulers (c. 1168 – 1326 CE)
"Rahapa", a son of Ranasimha, established the Rana branch. According to the 1652 Eklingji inscription, Rahapa's successors were:
+List of Rana branch rulersNu.King (Rana)Reign (CE)Notes1Rahapa/Karna1168 CE2Narapati3Dinakara4Jasakarna5Nagapala6Karnapala7Bhuvanasimha8Bhimasimha9Jayasimha10Lakhanasimha11Arisimha12Hammir Singh1326 CE
Sisodia dynasty (c. 1326 – 1947 CE)
+PortraitKing (Maharana)ReignNotes Hammir Singh1326–1364He attacked Chittor in 1326 and re-took it from the Khiljis after the family lost it in 1303. Defeated Muhammad Bin Tughluq in Singoli taking the sultan himself a prisoner of war. Captured Ajmer, Ranthambor, Nagaur and Sopore.Kshetra Singh1364–1382Hammir's son, he captured Madalgarh and Bundi, completely annexed Ajmer. He also defeated Amin Shah of Malwa at the "Battle of Bakrole" and inflicted heavy casualties. His death can actually by as late as 1405.Lakha Singh1382–1421Khsetra's son, he was defeated multiple battles by Zafar Khan of Gujrat, but the territories were recovered. He rebuilt temples and shrines destroyed by Allaudin Khilji.Mokal Singh1421–1433Lakha's son, he defeated the Sultan of Nagaur and Gujrat. Later the sultan of Gujrat invaded Mewar and during this invasion. He was assassinated by his uncles Chacha and Mera.Rana Kumbha1433–1468Mokal's son, he first attacked and killed his fathers assassins. Defeated the Sultans of Nagaur, Gujarat and Malwa. Mewar became the strongest kingdom in North India. Built multiple strong forts in Mewar.Udai Singh I1468–1473Kumbha' son, he assassinated his father and was then defeated by his brother.Rana Raimal1473–1508Son of Kumbha, he killed his brother for assassinating his father. Fought against Malwa sultanate.Rana Sanga1508–1527Raimal's son, defeated the Sultan of Gujrat, Malwa and Delhi. Under his rule Mewar reached its pinnacle in power and prosperity. Eventually defeated by Babur.Ratan Singh II1528–1531Sanga's son, defeated and killed by Bahadur Shah of Gujarat.Vikramaditya Singh1531–1536Sanga's son, assassinated by his cousin Vanvir Singh.Vanvir Singh1536–1540Usurper of the throne. Defeated and expelled by his cousin Udai Singh II.Udai Singh II1540–1572Sanga's son, defeated Vanvir. Fought against Mughals and was defeated in Siege of Chittorgarh.Maharana Pratap1572–1597Udai's son, notable for his military resistance against the Mughals.Amar Singh I1597–1620Pratap's son, notable for his struggle against Mughals.Karan Singh II1620–1628Amar's son, maintained good relations with Mughals, built many temples, forts and strengthened existing ones.Jagat Singh I1628–1652Karan's son, attempted to restore fort of Chittor but Shah Jahan blocked his attempt.Raj Singh I1652–1680Jagat's son, fought and defeated Mughals many times. Regained territory and increased the wealth of the kingdom. Fought against Aurangzeb. Eventually poisoned by Aurangzeb's loyalists.Jai Singh1680–1698Raj's son, struggled to regain captured parts of Mewar from Mughals.Amar Singh II1698–1710Jai's son, invaded neighboring territories, formed an alliance against the Mughals with Jaipur and Marwar. Capitalized over a weak Mughal empire.Sangram Singh II1710–1734Amar's son, defeated Ranabaaz Khan at the Battle of Bandanwara. Reestablished relations with a weak Mughal emperor.Jagat Singh II1734–1751Sangram's son, started paying Chauth to the Marathas. Heavily invested in placing Sawai Madho Singh on the throne of Jaipur, eventually bankrupting Mewar.Pratap Singh II1751–1754Jagat's son.Raj Singh II1754–1762Pratap's son, paid heavy tribute to Maratha's, financially devastating Mewar.Ari Singh II1762–1772Raj's son, under him, Maratha's raided Mewar multiple times for not paying tribute.Hamir Singh II1772–1778Ari's son, underaged when became Rana and died.Bhim Singh1778–1828Hamir's brother, under him Mewar was repeatedly raided by Pindaris, Marwar and Jaipur fought for his daughter Krishna Kumari. Accepted sub ordinance of East India Company.Jawan Singh1828–1838Bhim's son, abused alcohol, not interested in ruling Mewar. Mewar racked up a lot of debt under his rule.Sardar Singh1838–1842Jawan's sonSwarup Singh1842–1861Ruler during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.Shambhu Singh1861–1874Focused on reform of education and social reforms.Sajjan Singh1874–1884Shambhu's ruler.Fateh Singh1884–1930Sajjan's sonBhupal Singh1930–19481948–1955(titular)Signed the Instrument of Accession to India, dissolving his kingdom into the India. Titular ruler from 1955Titular MaharanasBhagwat Singh1955–1984Lost the Privy Purse.Mahendra Singh1984–2024Bhagwat's elder sonVishvaraj Singh2024–presentPresent ruler
Chauhan dynasty (c. 551 – 1315 CE)
Chauhans originally known as Chahamanas is the Rajput dynasty. The earliest Chauhan dynasty was Chahamanas of Shakambhari that ruled territory known as Sambhar.
The ruling dynasties belonging to the Chauhan clan included
Chahamanas of Shakambhari (Chauhans of Ajmer) (c. 551 – 1194 CE) Chahamanas of Naddula (Chauhans of Nadol) (c. 950 – 1197 CE) Chahamanas of Jalor (c. 1160 – 1311 CE), branched off from the Chahamanas of Naddula Chahamanas of Ranastambhapura (c. 1192 – 1301 CE), branched off from the Chahamanas of Shakambhari Chahamanas of Chandravati and Abu (Kingdom of Sirohi) (c. 1311 – 1949 CE) Chahamanas of Lata Chahamanas of Dholpur Chahamanas of Partabgarh Hada Chauhan kingdoms of Hadoti region are– Kingdom of Bundi (c. 1342 – 1949 CE) Kingdom of Kota (c. 1579 – 1948 CE) Kingdom of Jhalawar (c. 1838 – 1949 CE), branched off from the Kingdom of Kota in 1838 CE.
Chahamanas of Sambhar, Ajmer and Delhi (c. 551 – 1194 CE)
Following is a list of Chahamana rulers of Shakambhari, Ajmer and Delhi with approximate period of reign, as estimated historian by R. B. Singh:
Serial no. Regnal names Reign (CE) Notes1 King Chahamana(Unknown)Ancient founder of Chahamana clan.2Vasu-devac. 551 CE (disputed)First known ruler of the dynasty. He ruled the Sapadalaksha region and made Shakambhari (modern Sambhar) as capital.3Samanta-raja684–709Identified as the ancient King Manik Rai by R. B. Singh.4Nara-deva709–721Naradeva was succeeded by his brother Ajayaraja I.5Ajaya-raja I721–734According to Prithviraja Vijaya, he was a great warrior who defeated several enemies.6Vigraha-raja I734–759He achieved military successes upon neighbouring kingdom.7Chandra-raja I759–771Chandraraja I was a son of the Chahamana king Vigraharaja I. He was succeeded by his brother Gopendraraja.8Gopendra-raja771–784The Prabandha-Kosha states that Gopendra defeated Arab invader Muhammad bin Qasim in a battle.9Durlabha-raja I784–809He achieved military success against the Pala Empire king Dharmapala as a vassal of the Pratihara emperor Vatsaraja.10Govinda-raja I alias Guvaka I809–836The Harsha stone inscription suggests that he was a vassal the Pratihara emperor Nagabhata II.11Chandra-raja II836–863He was succeeded by his son Govindaraja II.12Govindaraja II alias Guvaka II863–890The Harsha stone inscription describes Govinda II as a warrior. He married his sister to Pratihara emperor Mihira Bhoja.13Chandana-raja890–917According to the Harsha stone inscription, Chandana defeated a Tomara ruler named Rudra (Chandrapala).14Vakpati-raja917–944His younger son established the Naddula Chahamana branch in 950 CE.15Simha-raja944–971He was the first independent ruler of dynasty. He had assume the title of Maharajadhiraja.16Vigraha-raja II971–998He joined an alliance formed by the ruler of Lahore against the Ghaznavid ruler Sabuktigin.17Durlabha-raja II998–1012He assumed the title Maharajadhiraja. He joined a confederacy of Hindu kings to support Anandapala in