Rathores of Marwar: From Khichan to Jodhpur

Rao Jodha and the Foundation of Jodhpur (1459 CE)

The Rathore dynasty traced its lineage to Siahaji (who came to Rajasthan from Kanauj c. 1212 CE). The dynasty's definitive consolidation came with Rao Jodha (r. 1438–1489 CE):

• Founded Jodhpur city in 1459 CE, shifting the capital from Mandore
• Built Meherangarh Fort on a 122-metre-high natural rock outcrop — the most militarily imposing fort in western Rajasthan; the name derives from Mihirgarh (Fort of the Sun-god)
• Later Rathore rulers added the interior palaces: Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace), Phool Mahal (Flower Palace), and Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace)

Meherangarh Fort's architectural features (as tested in RPSC Mains 2024):

Feature	Detail
Foundation	1459 CE by Rao Jodha
Elevation	122 metres above the plain
Perimeter	~10 km of walls
Gates (pol)	7 gates: Jayapol (1806), Fatehpol (1707), Dedkamgra Pol, Bhairon Pol, Gopal Pol, Loha Pol, Amrita Pol
Jayapol	Built 1806 CE by Maharaja Man Singh after victory over Jaipur-Bikaner
Fatehpol	Commemorates Maharaja Ajit Singh's expulsion of Mughals (1707 CE)
Cannonball scars	Visible on Fatehpol — from Jaipur army's 1808 CE attack
Interior palaces	Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Takht Vilas, Jhanki Mahal
Armoury	One of India's finest royal armoury collections
UNESCO status	Part of Hill Forts of Rajasthan (2013)

Source: Archaeological Survey of India; Meherangarh Museum Trust, Fort Guidebook (2022)

Rao Maldeo (1532–1562 CE): The Architect of Marwar's Supremacy

Rao Maldeo is the most powerful Rathore ruler in terms of political expansion. His 30-year reign transformed Marwar into the largest Rajput state.

Territorial Expansion

From a core Jodhpur state of ~15,000 sq km at accession, Maldeo expanded to approximately 80,000 sq km by annexing Nagaur, Ajmer, Merta, Sanchore, Pali, Jaitaran, and parts of Bikaner and Gujarat. At his peak he controlled nearly half of present-day Rajasthan.

Relations with Humayun and Sher Shah (RPSC Mains 2013, 20 marks — highest-marks question on this topic in PYQ record)

• 1540 CE: After Humayun's defeat at Kanauj, Maldeo sent envoys offering shelter at Jodhpur; Humayun marched toward Jodhpur with 10,000 troops
• Khairwa incident (1542 CE): Maldeo — possibly alarmed by Humayun's army size or manipulated by Sher Shah's forged letters — withdrew his invitation; Humayun was forced to flee to Persia
• Battle of Samel/Giri-Sumel (5 January 1544 CE): Sher Shah invaded with 80,000 troops; Maldeo's generals Jaita and Kumpa held with 20,000; Sher Shah's disinformation caused Maldeo to retreat but Jaita and Kumpa chose to fight and die; Sher Shah reportedly said: "For a handful of millet I almost lost the Empire of Hindustan"
• Recovery: Maldeo recovered Jodhpur in 1545 CE after Sher Shah's death; domains largely restored by 1562 CE

Cultural Patronage

Maldeo patronised the Marwar school of painting at his court. The Dhola-Maru painting tradition, depicting the folk romance of Dhola and Maru, flourished under Rathore patronage from this period.

Jaswant Singh I and the Later Rathores

Maharaja Jaswant Singh I (r. 1638–1678 CE) navigated the complex Mughal succession wars. He fought on Shah Jahan's side at the Battle of Dharmat (1658 CE) against Aurangzeb and was defeated. Aurangzeb later used him as a military commander in the northwest, including Afghanistan. His death at Jamrud (near Peshawar) in 1678 CE without a male heir triggered:

• The Marwar succession crisis
• The Rathore Rebellion against Aurangzeb
• The broader Rajput–Mughal rupture of the 1680s–1690s

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