Jhunjhunun झुन्झुनू |
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Coordinates | |
Country | India |
State | Rajasthan |
District(s) | Jhunjhunun |
Population | 100,476 (2001[update]) |
Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
Area |
• 323 metres (1,060 ft) |
Jhunjhunu (Hindi: झुन्झुनू) is a town in the state of Rajasthan in India, and the administrative headquarters of Jhunjhunu District. It is located a 180 km from Jaipur and 245 km from Delhi. The town is famous for the frescos on its grand Havelis, a special artistic feature of this region.
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Jhunjhunu is an old and historical town, having it own district headquarter, . It is said that is was ruled over by the Chauhan Dynasty in the Vikram era 1045, and Sidhraj was a renowned king. In the year 1450 Mohammed Khan & his son Samas khan defeated the Chauhans and conquered Jhunjhunu. Jhunjhunu has also been a stronghold of Jat leaders and is said to have been named after Jujhar Singh Nehra[1].
Mohammed khan was first Nawab of Jhunjhunu. Then his son Samas khan ascended the throne in the year. 1459. Samas khan founded the village Samaspur and got Samas Talab constructed. Rohilla Khan was the last Nawab of Jhunjhunu. The Nawabs ruled over Jhunjhunu for 280 years. Rohilla Khan had imposed a great faith in Shardul Singh and he acted as his Diwan.
Jhunjhunu lies in the core of the well known erstwhile Shekhawati province. Every corner of Jhunjhunu speaks its own history of Shekhawat Rajputs bravery and valour. Thakur Shardul Singh Shekhawat who later went on to be known as Maharao Shardul Singh was a very courageous, bold, brave and efficient administrator. He conquered Jhunjhunu in 1730 from Rohilla Khan, the last Nawab of Jhunjhunu. This is clear from the following poetry, made by the Charan of Shekhawats in the Rajasthani language -
Another poem in Rajasthani language on Shardul Singh -
The above poetry was composed by the Charan of Shekhawats after Jhunjhunu was conquered by Shardul Singh. The translation is that Shardul Singh has taken Jhunjhunu on a lifelong lease. Now the succeeding seven generations would be benefited.
Shardul Singh had three marriages. He married firstly, in 1698, Thukrani Sahaj Kanwar Biki Ji Sahiba, daughter of Manroop Singh Bika of Nathasar; married secondly, Thukrani Sirey Kanwar Biki Ji Sahiba, daughter of Mukal Singh Bika of Nathasar; and married thirdly Thukrani Bakhat Kanwar Mertani Ji Sahiba, daughter of Devi Singh Mertiya of Poonglota (Marwar), near Degana, and had issue. He died 17 April 1742. He had six sons, namely,
Unfortunately, his son Bahadur Singh expired at an early age. As a result his estate was divided into five equal shares. The administration by his five sons was cumulatively known as Panchpana.
After his death the estate was divided equally among his five sons. Shardul Singh was a man of a religious bent of mind, as he built many temples, such as Kalyan Ji Mandir and Gopinath Ji Ka Mandir at Jhunjhunu. To commemorate the sweet memory of his father, his sons made a monumental dome at Parasrampura. Its fresco painting is worth seeing.
All the five sons of Shardul Singh Ji were very brave, capable and efficient rulers. They raised many new thikanas, towns, forts and palaces; they encouraged the baniyas (merchants) in trade. As a result they grew rich and made many Havelies.
Currently the famous Rani Sati Dadi Mandir is a main tourist attraction apart from its religious significance. It receives more than 1 lac footfalls a day. Due to this temple the city has earned an importance in serving the tourist and "yatris". The term "mela" is used to represent the "Bhadi Mawas" day, a day of religious importance at this temple. People from all over the India gather in this mandir to offer prayer on this day.
Jhunjhunu is located at [2]. It has an average elevation of 323 metres (1059 feet).
As of 2001[update] India census,[3] Jhunjhunu had a population of 100,476. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Jhunjhunu has an average literacy rate of 67%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 83%, and female literacy is 50%. In Jhunjhunu, 18% of the population is under 6 years of age. According to Haryana State Gazetteer languages like Ahirwatiand Bagri is mainly spoken in Jhunjhunu.[4][5]
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