Place:Rampura, Madhya Pradesh, India

source: Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names

Rampura is an inhabited place.

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A picturesque quaint little place nestled in the Aravalis, Rampura, now is only a faint reminder of its past glory. Once a buzzing town, it witnessed many a battles and confrontations between the Rajputs, Marathas, Mughals and British forces. It hosts an old palace, 7 lakes, various Hindu and Jain temples, and hundreds of ruins. Numerous inscriptions in various temple wall silently sing the hymns of the lost glory of Rampura.

Rampura was established around the 8th century by the Rajputs after defeating the Bhil fief Rama. The legend is that he livedn one of the islands in the river Chambal and valliantly foughts the marching Rapjput forces to defend his people and his territiry. Even after being decapitated, he kept fighting the invading focres and hist torso fell at Shankhoddhar (now submerged since 1958 under the waters of the river Chambal), where an annual fair was held since then.

For centuries, Rampura remained a prosperous Mandi (central distribution place of grains and harvest). Its location--providing a direct short cut from Malwa to Rajputana, through the Mukundara Pass-- made it strategically important all those with territorial ambitions. The Chandrawats– an off-shoot of the Mewar's Sisodias – ruled Rampura. In the late 1500's Akbar had made Rampura an independent principality after he capturing a majority of Mewar territory. For a brief period Rampura enjoyed peace and tranquillity.

In 1689, with Gopal Singh Chandrawat’s succession a dispute began. In 1698, while Gopal Singh Chandrawat was serving Prince Bidal Bakht, in Deccan, his son, Ratan Singh, took over control. Ratan Singh converted to Islam. Took the name Islam Khan and re-named Rampura as Islampura. In June 1700, Gopal Singh returned from Deccan to Rampura, helped by Bhim Singh, s/o Ram Singh Hada, of Kota. On June 10, 1700, the Mughal Emperor stepped in to put an end to the revolt, and directed his Governor of Malwa to intervene. In June 1701, Mukhtiyar Khan, s/o Iftikhar Khan, Governor of Malwa, marched into Rampura and Gopal Singh fled to Mewar. In February 1701 at Maharana Sangram Singh of Mewar’s instigation, Udaibhan Saktawat (of Malka Bajna) gave Gopal Singh shelter and helped with money. In December 1702, Abu Mansar Khan, the Governor of Malwa, was informed by Ratan Singh and Kirti Singh (s/o Rawat Pratap Singh of Deolia/Pratapgarh) that Maharana’s forces had marched into the territories of Rampura. In 1703, Gopal Singh submitted to emperor Aurangzeb and was pardoned, and restored to his mansad, He was appointed Fauzidar in Hyderabad. In 1705,Gopal Singh lost his position and was short of money. Desperate yet hoping to re-claim Rampura, he joined the Marathas. In November 1705, Ratan Singh, who was with the imperial army, left the army w/o permission and went to Ujjain, wherefrom he returned to Rampura. He Wrote conciliatory letter to Maharana, but got no response. In February 1706, Ratan Singh once again pledged his loyalty to Maharana. However, Maharana was anxious to regain control of Rampura – his lost province - for himself. In fact, the district (pargana) of Rampura was to be gifted to Prince Madho Sing, son of Maharaja Jai Singh from his wife, a Mewar princess. In 1706, Gopal Singh sought help of the Marathas and thought of entering Malwa through the Mukundara Pass. Aurangzeb had died in 1707 and Farukksiyar had killed or defeated his brothers and claimed the Mughal throne. Subsequently, Gopal Singh and Maratha forces reached Gujrat. On August 28, 1709, the forces of Maharana attacked, but Ratan Singh repulsed the attack and was rewarded by emperor Farukhsiyar for his victory. Bahadur Shah died. In 1713, Ratan Singh was killed in the battle at Sunera. Durgadas Rathore, who did not get along with Ajit Singh and left Marwar, and took charge of the newly acquired district for Maharana. On January 24, 1715, Gopal Singh once again occupied Rampura. however, Maharana gave him only a portion of the whole district. On September 16, 1717, Emperor, Farukhsiyar granted pargana of Rampura to Maharana Sangram Singh of Mewar. In August 1719, an agreement was signed by Gopal Singh and his grandson Sangram Singh, which reduced Rampura, a full-fledged state, into a zamindari, paying a tribute and obedience to the Maharana. In the 1800's, the Peshwa captured Rampura and granted it to the Holkars.

Recommended reading: “Malwa in Transition - A century of Anarchy” by Maharaj Kumar Raghubir Singh of Sitamau (Bombay, 1936), with forward by Sir Jadunath Sarkar.