Barmer

Tehsil Barmer, District Barmer, Rajasthan

Barmer was a beehive of activity till a few centuries ago, and a number of important kingdoms flourished at various times in the district during the medieval age. The chief principalities of Barmer at the time were Khed, Kiradu, Pachpadra, Jasol, Tilwara, Sheo, Balotara and Mallani. It was the Panwara clan which had strong links with the Solanki dynasty of Gujarat, whose sphere of influence extended right across the Barmer region at the time. Later they wrested Mandore, which was the former capital of Jodhpur and held it for a while. Meanwhile, Khed and Mallani districts were captured by the Guhil Rajputs who were ruling over Mewar at the time. data by Padam Giri Swami Jhinjhinyali

In 1212AD Rao Siha, founder of the Rathore clan, conquered Khed in Barmer district and planted the Rathore flag in the area. The region was regained by the Guhil Rajput Pratap Singh, but was later reclaimed by the Rathore Rao Asthan. Not much is known about the history of Barmer for a while after that until a ruler Tribhuvansi ascended the throne, which led to fratricidal feud with his cousin Mallinath. The ambitious Mallinath (after whom the town of Mallani was later named) sought the assistance of the Sultanate ruling at Delhi at the time and defeated Tribhuvansi’s army in 1374.


¤ Barmer Ruled by Mallinath- A Possessor of Divine Power

After his triumph, Mallinath went from strength to strength, and by the time he died in 1399 the entire region of Barmer was under his sway and was even called Mallani at the time. He was the first ruler of Barmer who was called Rawal, and legend has it that he possessed divine powers and a goddess once appeared before him. How much the people revered him as a demi-god can be ascertained from the fact that there is a temple built in his memory on the shores of the river Luni, near Balotara. After his death, his son Jagmal succeeded him and his descendants came to be known as the Mahechas. But the empire split up into many constituents and they were as many as 18 chiefs at one point of time. Inevitably, with no strong central authority, it was soon conquered by the state of Jodhpur.

¤ Integration of Barmer with Rajasthan State

This was the state of affairs, when the British came to Barmer in 1836, and the town was thenrefore governed by a superintendent. Ultimately Barmer was integrated with the state of Jodhpur on 1st of August 1891. Ultimately with Indian independence in 1947, both Barmer and adjoining Jodhpur became part of the state of Rajasthan.data by Padam Giri Swami Jhinjhinyali