Bundi Princely State and Coins

 

Bundi or Boondee State was a native state and an Indian Princely State, lying on the north-east of the river Chambal, in a hilly tract historically known as Haraot, located in modern day Rajasthan from 1342 to 1949. It was ruled by Hada Chauhans. 

                                           

Coin of Bundi, with lettering Bundi, Date Vikram Samvat 1943

Coat of Arms

                                            

Coat of Arms Bundi Princely State

Flag     

                                      

      Flag of Bundi Princely State

In ancient times, the area around Bundi was inhabited by various local tribes, of which the Parihar and Meena tribes were prominent. Bundi and the eponymous princely state are said to derive their names from a former Meena King called Bunda Meena. Bundi was previously called ''Bunda-Ka-Nal'', Nal meaning ''narrow ways''. Bundi is situated in a narrow valley within the Aravalli Hills in Rajasthan.

                                           

Bundi State in the Imperial Gazetteer of India

Later, the region was governed by Rao Deva, who took over Bundi from Jaita Meena, renaming the surrounding area as Haravati or Haroti. The state of Bundi was founded around 1342 AD by the Hara chief Rao Deva, or Deoraj.

                                         

Painting of the Town and Pass of Bundi, 1840 AD

                                          

Palace and Fortress at Bundi, 1832 AD

                                           

Taragarh Fort, 16th century

 For the next two centuries, the Hadas of Bundi were vassals of the Sisodias of Mewar and ruled by the title of Rao until 1569, when Emperor Akbar conferred the title of Rao Raja upon Rao Surjan Singh after the surrender of Ranthambore Fort and his submission. 

                                           

Rao Raja Surjan Singh, 1544- 1585 AD

 

In 1632, Rao Raja Chattar Sal became the ruler, he was one of the most valiant, principled and just kings of Bundi. He built the temple of Keshavarao at Keshoraipatan and Chathra Mahal at Bundi. He became king after his grandfather Rao Ratan Singh died. Various kings' rule Bundi till the British era

                                          

Rao Raja Chattar Sal, 1632-1658 AD 

                                              

The Bundi Palace, 1607-31 AD

In 1804 Rao Raja Bishan Singh (1773-1821) gave assistance to Colonel Monson in his retreat before Holkar, in revenge for which the Maratha Empire and Pindaris continually ravaged his state and forced the kingdom to pay tribute up to 1817. Subsequently, a subsidiary alliance was made with the British East India Company in 1818, which brought them under its protection.

                                                    

Rao Bishan Singh watching an elephant fight, private European collection.

Maharao Raja Ram Singh (1821-89) grew up to be a much-respected ruler who initiated economic and administrative reforms and established schools for the teaching of Sanskrit. On the throne for 68 years, he was described as a grand specimen of the Rajput gentleman and the ''most conservative prince in conservative Rajputana''. Though during the mutiny of 1857 his attitude was equivocal, he continued to enjoy the confidence of the British.

                                              

Maharao Maharaja Ram Singh, 1811-1889 AD

Maharao Bahadur Singh served in the Burma campaign during the World War II, where he earned the Military Cross for his gallantry, before succeeding to the throne. He was a guest at 1947 wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Philip, Duke of Edinburg.

                                                 

Colonel Maharao Raja Bahadur Singh, 1945-1977

                                                  

At the time of partition of India in 1947, the ruler of Bundi decided to accede to India and joined the Indian Union in 1949.

Coins of Bundi

                                               

Princely State of Bundi, 1773-1821, One Takka, copper, weight 17.5 g, Muhammad Akbar II, and Sahib Qiran Sani written in Persian on Obverse, and on Reverse, RY 12, flower mint mark of Bundi, tree like symbol

                                            

Princely State of Bundi, Bishan Singh, 1806-1821, One Takka, copper, weight 16.1 g, Muhammad Akbar II and Bishan Singh written on Obverse

                                             

Bundi, 1/4 Rupee, Raghubir Singh, 1887-1898 (Vikram Samvat 1944-1955), silver, weight 2.8 g

                                             

Bundi, 1/2 Rupee, Edward VII, Raghubir Singh, 1906-1909 (Vikram Samvat 1963-1966), silver, weight 5.6 g

                                            

Bundi, One rupee, Bahadur II, Bishan Singh, 1837-1856, silver, weight 11.2 g   

                                             

Bundi, One rupee, Victoria, Ram Singh, 1858-1886, Vikram Samvat 1915-1943, silver, weight 11.2 g

                                            

Bundi, One rupee, Victoria, Ram Singh, 1886-1900, Vikram Samvat 1943-1957, silver, weight 10.6 g, legend around dagger, Queen Victoria, on reverse, Rama Singha 1943

                                              

Bundi, One Rupee, Edward VII, Ram Singh, 1901-1906, Vikram Samvat 1958-1963, silver, weight 11.2 g, Obverse King Ram Singh with Katar, Emperor Edward VII written around, Reverse, Nagari legend, Bundisha, Ram Singh VS 1962

                                              

Bundi, one rupee, Edward VII, Raghubir Singh, 1906-1912, Vikram Samvat 1963-1969, silver, weight 10.6 g, Obverse, Katar surrounded by legend in English, Emperor Edward VII, Reverse, in Nagari legend, Bundisha, Ram Singh, VS1966

                                              

Bundi, Edward VII, Raghubir Singh, 1908-1913, Vikram Samvat 1965-1970, One Rupee, silver, weight 11.2 g,

                                              

Bundi, One rupee, George V, Raghubir Singh, 1925, One Rupee, silver, weight 11.2 g

Bundi Princely State

Coins of Bundi Princely State