History of jhunjhunu


 jhunjhunu
Historians say that the town probably got its name from a Jat ruler (Jats are the people of Haryana, and they played a major role in certain parts of Rajasthan too, like Bharatpur). But historians do not say when exactly the foundation day of jhunjhunu happened. So the first 'recorded' ruler was Mohammad Khan, a Kaimkhani nawab (Mughal governor) who occupied jhunjhunu in 1450. His descendants sat tight on the throne until 1730, when the then nawab, Rohilla Khan, died on a journey to Delhi. and that was the end of the nawab rule, because Sardul Singh, the great Shekhawat Rajput, who was also a diwan (minister) in Khan's court, seized jhunjhunu in a bloodless coup Stories of valor abound in the region. Innumerable monuments are connected with lives and tales of warriors of jhunjhunu. The havelis of the rich and famous attract the tourists with the fresco paintings in different colors and shades. The culture and history of jhunjhunu is very well depicted in these paintings. However, these havelis now lie vacant. jhunjhunu gets name after Jujhar Singh Nehra (1664 - 1730) or Jhunjha, a Jat chieftain of Rajasthan. The Jats through Jujhar Singh and Rajputs through Sardul Singh agreed upon a proposal to fight united against Muslim rulers and if the Nawab were defeated Jujhar Singh would be appointed the Chieftain. Jujhar Singh one day found the right opportunity and attacked Nawabs at jhunjhunu and Narhar. He defeated the army of Nawab Sadulla Khan on Saturday, aghan sudi 8 samvat 1787 (1730 AD). According Kunwar Panne Singh, Jujhar Singh was appointed as Chieftain after holding a darbar. After the 'tilak' ceremony of appointment as a sardar or chieftain, the Rajputs through conspiracy killed Jujhar Singh in 1730 AD at a lonely place. Jujhar Singh thus became a martyr and the town jhunjhunu in Rajasthan was named so after the memory of Jujhar Singh or Jhunjha.
jhunjhunu lies in the core of the well known erstwhile Shekhawati province. Every corner of jhunjhunu speaks its own history of Shekhawat Rajput�s bravery and valour. Thakur Shardul Singh Shekhawat was a very courageous, bold, brave and efficient administrator. He conquered the 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

 jhunjhunu
Satrahso Satashiye, Agahan Mass Udaar,
Sadu linhe jhunjhunu, Sudi Athen Sanivaar.
Another poem in Rajasthani language on Shardul Singh
Sade, linho jhunjhunu, Lino amar patai,
Bete pote padaute pidhi sat latai.
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, Thakur Jorawar singh, (by the first wife), born at Kant, married and had issue. He died 1745. He built Jorawargarh fort, and was the ancestor of the families of Taen, Malsisar, Gangiyasar, Mandrella etc. Thakur Kishan singh, (by the third wife), born 1709, the ancestor of the families of Khetri, Arooka, Seegra, Alsisar etc. Kunwar Bahadur Singh, (by the third wife), born 1712, died 1732. Thakur Akhay singh, (by the third wife), born 1713, built Akhegarh Fort. Died without issue in 1750. Thakur Nawal singh Bahadur (by 3rd wife), born 1715, ancestor of the families of Nawalgarh, Mahensar, Dorasar, Mukundgarh, Narsinghani and Mandawa. He died 24 February 1780. Thakur Keshri singh, (by 3rd wife), born 1728, ancestor of the families of Dundlod, Surajgarh and Bissau, fifth and youngest son, died 1768. 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
Forts and Palaces of jhunjhunu
Malsisar Fort
Badalgarh Fort
Jorawargarh Fort, built by Thakur Jorawar Singh son of Thakur Shardul Singh Shekhawat.
Akhegarh Fort, built by Thakur Akhe Singh son of Thakur Shardul Singh Shekhawat.
Khetri Mahal, built by Thakur Bhopal Singh of Khetri.
Rani Sati Dadi Mandir
baba ramdev mandir navalgarh
veer hunuman mandir bagar
bihari ji mandir varandwan
radha krishan mandir kherpura kalan
mandawa ki hawaili
palini bits musim
khatri nagar cooper ki khane