Shyamaldas Dadhavadhia, a charan, popularly referred to as Kaviraj (Hindi:king of poets) Shyamaldas was one of the early writers involved in documenting the history and culture of the Rajasthan region of India[1].
Contents |
Kaviraj Shyamaldas co-wrote ( with his father Kayamadana Dadhavadhia ) the Dipanga Kul Prakash, an extended narrative poem on the Dodia Rajputs of Mewar[2]. Maharana Sajjan Singh, ruler of Udaipur (princely state), assigned Mahamahopadhayaya Kaviraj Shyamaldas the arduous task of compiling an authentic history of Mewar [3]. Titled the Vir Vinod ( Hindi: Heroes' Delight ), this is the earliest known comprehensive history written in Mewar [4]. It reached the public only in 1930 as Maharana Fateh Singh ( Maharana Sajjan Singh's successor) was averse to its publication [5].
Kaviraj Shyamaldas was also a confidant of Maharana Sajjan Singh and was entrusted with the delicate negotiations which resulted in a quick end to the Bhil rebellion of 1881 [6]. Later, Kaviraj Shyamaldas' pupil, Gaurishankar Hirachand Ojha also became a famed historian and writer.
The Kaviraj was honored with the degree of Mahamahopadhayaya and conferred with the Kesar-e-Hind ( Lion of India) by the British Government [7].