Jhunjhunun district General information

Jhunjhunu district or Jhunjhunun district is a district of the state of Rajasthan in western India. The town of Jhunjhunu is the district headquarters.

The district has a population of 1,913,099 (2001 census), an area of 5928 km², and a population density of 323 persons per km². The district falls within Shekhawati region, and is bounded on the northeast and east by Haryana state, on the southeast, south, and southwest by Sikar District, and on the northwest and north by Churu District.

It is famous for providing the considerable representation to Indian defence forces.
Jhunjhunu has a total area of 5,928 sq km with a population of around 2 million. Most of the part is semi-desert. The annual normal rainfall is 40 cm.

History

Jhunjhunu is an ancient town but now a district Headquarter. The Jhunjhunu district shines unique among all the districts of Rajasthan. It has a brilliant trail of brave soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for the defence of their country. It is a district of the business-magnets and advanced farmers. It is one of the prosperous districts of Rajasthan. It's area is 5929 Sq. Kms. Most of the part of the district is semi-desert. The Aravali ranges are embracing the south-eastern part of the District. The huge and magnanimous copper fields are lying in the bowl of these ranges in singhana and Khetri suburbs. The lush green valleys and beautiful natural scenes captivate the tourists. Lohargal, the holy shrines of pilgrimage, lies in the lap of these ranges. There runs and anecdote that Pandwas, the heroes of the Mahabharata took bath and bathed their weapons in the Surya Kund, thereby they got salvation. A large number of the people throng every year to take a holy dip in its water on the occasion of the Bhadrapad Amavasya every year.

This district lies in the core of the well known erstwhile shekhawati province. Every con of this province speaks its own history of bravery and valour. Innumerable spots and monuments are connected with lives of these warriors. Moreover, the palacial buildings of the rich people, adorned with fresco paintings in different colours and shades are a great source of attraction for the tourists. The paintings of these havelies have not only become our attraction for the tourists but also a subject of serious studies. They seem to be depict the culture, history and flora & fauna of an age.

Now a days these havelies are lying vacant. The owners have left them for big cities and they visit on very rare occasions. they are boarded and watched by the Chowkidars or Munims.

Jhunjhunu district is a part of Shekhawati. It is called Shakhawati after the name of Rao-Shekha. He was a great warrior. He established his kingdom far and wide. He ruled over this territory for many years. He died in the year 1488, near Ralawta.

Jhunjhunu is an old and historical town, having it own district headquarter, no authentic proof as yet, when this city was founded and by whom. It is said that is was ruled over by the Chauhan Dynasty in the Vikram era 1045, and Sidhraj was a renowned king. In the year 1450 Mohammed Khan & his son Samas khan defeated the Chauhans and conquered Jhunjhunu.

Mohammed khan was first Nawab of Jhunjhunu. Then his son Samas khan ascended the throne in the year. 1459. Samas khan founded the village Samaspur and got Samas Talab constructed.

            Rohilla Khan was the last Nawab of Jhunjhun. The Nawabs ruled over Jhunjhunu for 280 years. Rohilla Khan had imposed a great faith in Shardul Singh and he acted as his Diwan. Shardul Singh was a very courageous, bold, brave and efficient administrator. He occupied jhunjhunu, after the death of Rohilla Khan in 1730.

Shardul Singh was as brave as his ancestor Rao Shekha ji was, It was by dint of his Subtle political Demeanour that he occupied (usurped) Jhunjhunu & ruled over it for twelve years. After his death the estate was divided equally among his five sons & they continued to rule over it till india achieved freedom shardul singh was a man of religious bent of mind, as he built many temples such as kalyan Ji Mandir & 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.

Shardual singh had three marriages. He had six sons from them namely jorawar singh. Kishan singh, Bahadur singh, Akhay singh, Nawal singh and keshri singh. Unfortunately, his son Bahadur singh had expired in his life time in a early age. As a result his estate was divided into five equal shares. The administration by his five sons was cumulatively known as “Panchpana”.

All the five sons of shardul singh Ji were very brave and capable and efficient rulers. They raised many new villages, towns, forts and palaces, They encouraged the Seths (Merchants) for trade. As a result they grew rich and made many Havelies. The fresco-paintings of these havelies clearly speak about that glorious period & prosperity. Moreover the rich merchants made the wells ponds, bawaries, temples and inns at various places. They are the examples of industrial architectural excellence. These havelies hails a large number of tourists every year. They keep wonder struck at the paintings etc.

The fresco-painting probably came in to existence in the eighteenth century. It was during the period of Shardual Singh ji that fresco painting was in much vogue.

There are hundreds of such havelies in the prominent towns of the district such as Jhunjhunu, Nawalgarh, Mandawa, Mukundgarh, Dundlod, Chirawa, Bissau, Mahansar, Pilani etc. which bear the wonderful fresco painting in various everlasting colours and designs.

In Nutshell Jhunjhunu is very rich in presenting the glorious ancient monument. The temples, mosques, Forts, Palaces, Tombs. Wells stepwells cenotaphs and havelies of excellent fresco-paintings which speak with full throated ease about the glorious past of Jhunjhunu. They are the master pieces of art and architecture, Shekhawati region offers many resorts of beauty to the tourist.

Places of interest

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.

Modi Haveli

Kaniram Narsinghdas Tibrewal Haveli

Mohanlal Ishwardas Haveli

Rani Sati Temple

Narudin Farooqi Haveli