Shekha of Amarsar

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Rao Shekha
Image:Rao Shekha.jpg
Dynasty: Kachawa (Amber/Jaipur State)
Title: Rao
Birth: Samwat 1490(A.D.1433), Dashehra,Sunday
Ruler of: Amarsar
Death: V.S.1545 (A.D.1488), Baisakh Sudi 3 (Akha Teej)
Father’s Name: Rao Mokal Ji
Mother’s Name: Rani Nirban Ji
Marriage: 5 Ranis
Succeeded by: Rao Raimal



Rao Shekha (1433 – 1488) was a Rajput chieftain belonging to the Kachwaha clan of Amer/Jaipur. He ruled over Amarsar, The Shekhawati gets its name from him, comprising the districts of Sikar and Jhunjhunu in the present-day Indian state of Rajasthan. The descendants of Rao Shekha form the Shekhawat clan of Rajputs, a sept of the Kachwaha clan.

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[edit] Birth

MAHARAO SHEKHA JI was born in v.s.1490, A.D.1433, son of Rao Mokal Ji and Rani Nirban Ji. Rao Mokal was a chieftain who held the estate of Nan in fief from the ruler of Amber (Jaipur). The story of Shekha’s birth is rather interesting. Mokal and Nirban were much troubled as they had no son for several years. They heard about the miraculous powers of the Sheikh Burhan, a Muslim mendicant. They decided to pay the man a visit. After they received the blessings of the Sheikh, a son was born to the couple. In honour of the mendicant, the couple named their son Shekha.

[edit] As the Ruler

At the age of 12 year he succeeded his father in V.S.1502, A.D 1445.

He was granted the title of MAHARAO by Raja Udaikaran Ji (ruler of Amber).The first act of his valour at the age of 16 years, was his sudden attack on Napa (Sankhala Rajput) at Nagarchal, Saiwar, Multhan etc. From V.S.1530 to 1534, (A.D. 1473 to 1477) with the help of Panni Pathans, Rao Shekha conquered Dadri from Nop Singh Jatu and Bhiwani from Othe Jatu Rajputs, Hansi from Ikhtar Khan and Hissar from Heda Khan Kaimkhanis. Thus he extended his territory and become powerful.

Shekha’s reputation and growing power attracted the notice of the lord of Amber, whom up-to this time, they had acknowledged as head-Tikai of Kachawa Dynasty, and used to send as a tribute all the colts reared on their land. Shekha refused to send the colts and as a result of it Raja Chandersen(ChandraSena) of Amber sent in forces to attacked him. They fought several battles and in the last one, in V.S.1528, (A.D.1471), Rao Shekha repulsed the forces of Raja Chandersen at the bank of Kokus river, near Amber. A treaty was made between both of them and according to it, the practice of sending colts to Amber was abandoned. After this, they lived peacefully and Shekha become independent and founded a union which was the birth of Shekhawati federation.

[edit] Establishment of Amarsar as capital

In V.S.1506, (A.D.1449) Shekha Ji founded Amarsar other sources mention that it was founded in V.S.1517, (A.D.1460). In Amarsar Shekha built the temple of Bhagwan Jagdish and in V.S.1534, (A.D.1477), he built here the SHIKHARGARH FORT.

[edit] Conflict with Gaurs

Kolraj Gaur was ruling at Ghatwa under his commands tank was being excavated at Jhotari village and he had made a rule that any one passing that way should remove a quantity of earth from the tank. A Rajput person of Kachawa clan was returning home with his bride, the Rajput obeyed the rule and removed the earth but the Gaurs insisted that his wife should do the same. The Rajput did not agree to it and was killed in the defence of his honour. According to his last wish, his widow went to Amarsar and placed a handful of dust before Shekha and told him the fame of the Kachawas would be tarnished if they did not take revenge upon the Gaurs. There upon, in V.S.1535, (A.D.1478) and Shekha invaded Ghatwa the battle took place at the same talab (tank) and Kolraj was killed. Shekha took the head of Kolraj pierced on his Bhala (spear) and returned to Amarsar where it was shown to the widow and was hung on the Pol (gate) of his fort.

[edit] Battle of Ghatwa

The Gaur Rajputs fought about 12 battles with Shekha Ji. They also got the help from Sultan Behalol Khan of Delhi. In the last battle, they met near Ghatwa on the “Khontiya” tank and fought fiercely. Rao Ridmal of Maroth wounded Shekha with his arrows and Shekha gave him a blow with his spear. Nawalraj, a son of Kolraj, killed Kunwar Durga and Kunwar Puranmal, sons of Shekha Ji. Shekha tried to save his sons and gave a serve blow with his sword and killed the Nawalraj. Rao Ridmal Maroth left the battle field. At last Shekha conquered Ghatwa and the other villages of Gaurs. Raimal (youngest son of Shekha Ji) with a force of two thousand horsemen arrived to help his father.

Rao Shekha was severely wounded and before his end, he nominated Raimal as his successor. Shekha expired peacefully at Ralawata on Baisakh Sudi 3 (Akha Teej), V.S.1545, (A.D.1488), His chattri(cenotaph) was built there.

Maharao Shekha fought 52 battles in his life. He is the founder and ancestor of the Shekhawat sub-clan of Jaipur’s Kachwaha Dynasty.

[edit] Progeny

Rao Shekha had 10 sons and a daughter.

  • Kunwar Durga, ancestor of the Taknet clan. He died 1488 in Ghatwa battle.
    • Roop Kanwar Ji Sahiba
  • Kunwar Puran Mal, died 1488 in Ghatwa battle.
  • Kunwar Ratna, ancestor of the Ratnawat clan.
    • Rani Lachalde, married Rao Bhaldev of Jodhpur
  • Kunwar Abha
  • Kunwar Achala
  • Kunwar Trilok, he was given Mallikpur jointly with his two older brothers and their descendants are known as Mallikpuria.
  • Kunwar Kumbha
  • Kunwar Ridmal
  • Kunwar Bharmal, he was given Khejroli jointly with his two older brothers, and their descendants are known as Khejroliya.
  • RAO RAIMAL, he succeeded his Father as the Ruler of Amarsar.
  • Rani Raghav Kanwar Ji Sahiba (Rani Sahiba of Merta), married, Rao Duda of Merta son of Rao Jodha of Jodhpur

[edit] See also

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