The Indian Biographical Dictionary (1915)/Jodhpur, Maharaja of
Jodhpur, Maharaja of; H.H. Raj Rajeshwar Maharaj Adhiraj Soramad Rajaha-i-Hindustan Maharaja Sri Sumer Singh Bahadur; succeeded to gaddi as minor, 1911; head of the Rathor clan of Rajputs and claims descent from Sri Rama, King of Ajodhya. The founder of the city of Jodhpur was Rao Jodha, who is said to have had 14 sons and to have been succeeded by his eldest son, Satal, about the year 1488. The first chief who commenced negotiations with the British was Man Singh. A treaty was concluded in 1818 by which the State was taken under British protection. In 1839 the British Government found itself compelled to interfere with the State owing to the misgovernmont and the consequent disaffection and insurrection in the State. Man Singh however, executed an agreement to ensure future good Government, After his death his widows and the nobles of the State chose Takht Singh, Chief of Ahmadnagar, as their Ruler and the selection was approved and confirmed by the British Government. The present Maharaja is a descendent of Takht Singh. The State is the largest in Rajputana and has an area of 34,963 square miles or more than one fourth of the total area of the Agency. The family cognizance is the falcon, the sacred Gaiur of the solar Rajputs. The State has a population of about 2 millions. It maintains two regiments of Imperial Service Lancers, and a local force consisting of about 600 cavalry and 2,400 infantry, with an artillery numbering 254 of all ranks and 11 guns of various kinds. The Maharaja was made Lieutenant, 1914. Address: Jodhpur, Rajputana, India.