Karauli district General information
A remote ancient town. A devotional city. A wealth of history and a magnificent palace built in 1635. That is Karauli, your new destination in Rajasthan.
Karauli District is a district of Rajasthan state in western India. The town of Karauli is the district headquarters. The district of Karauli encompasses an area of 5530 km². It is bordered by Dholpur District to the east; by Bharatpur District to the north-east; by Dausa District to the north; and by Sawai Madhopur District to the west. The Chambal River forms the south-eastern boundary of the district, 5 K.M. far from Mandrayal across which lies the state of Madhya Pradesh. While almost the entire district is covered by hills and ravines, there are no lofty peaks, the highest having an elevation of less than 1400 feet above sea-level. Good grade stone and some iron ore comprise the mineral resources of the area.
The population of the district is 1,205,631 (2001 census), indicating a population density is 218 persons per km².
History
Legend has it that the princely state of Karauli was founded about 995 by Raja Bijai Pal Jadon[citation needed] ; or is claimed that he was 88th in descent from the hindu god Krishna[citation needed]. Little is however known about the early history of the family; the state was long a fief in Jaipur state until the HEIC chose, in the early 19th century, to recognise Karauli as being an independent principality. In 1818, Karauli was made part of the Rajputana Agency.
Flag of the princely state of Karauli
The state had an area of 3,178 km² (1242 square miles). In 1901, the population of the state was 156,786, and that of the town was 23,482. Millets, the staple food of the people, was the main agricultural produce. As of the early 20th century, there were no major industries; a little weaving, dyeing, wood-turning and stonecutting constituted the notable cottage industries. Most goods, as also salt, sugar, cotton, buffaloes and bullocks, were imported; rice and goats comprised the main exports.
After India's independence in 1947, the state under Maharaja Ganesh Pal Deo acceded to the dominion of India on 7 April 1949; Karauli later merged with the union of India and became part of the state of Rajasthan.
Main drawback of karauli is that it's not connected with any railway line.But there is a possibility now thatit can connect with a railway line through dholpur.
The main village in Karauli district is Mandrayal or Mandrail. This village is famous because it joins the two states M.P. and Rajasthan. Puranmal, the Raja of Amber, fought in the battle of Mandrail in favour of Mughals in the year 1534 AD. Next year, Bahadur Shah of Gujarat besieged the fort of Chittor, upon which Humayun himself started to fight against him. Rani Karmawati, the widow of Rana Sanga, was ruling Chittor as regent. She also tried to be friendly with Mughals and sent a Rakhi to Humayun, but Humayun did not arrive in time. If he would have arrived in time and helped Karmawati, perhaps it would have been Sisodias as their close allies. However, Kachwahas became the first allies of Mughals in Rajputana. Bharmal's policy towards Mughals was merely an extension of his brother's policy.
Bharmal's eldest brother Raja Puranmal died at the Battle of Mandrail in 1534, while helping Humayun to recapture the fort of Bayana. He had a son named Surajmal or Sooja. But he was not recognized as king and his younger brother Raja Bhim Singh ascended to the throne of Amber. Bhim Singh was succeeded by his son Raja Ratan Singh and Raja Bharmal succeeded him in 1548 CE.
Place of interest
Temple of Madan Mohan Ji
The ruling family of Karauli are the descendants of Lord Krishna while the city is the home of Shri Madan Mohanji, the deity of Lord Krishna, worshipped by millions of followers from Rajasthan and other states.
The old City Palace is a treasure trove of architecture, stone carvings, gorgeous jalli work and classic paintings. The spellbinding beauty of Darbar Hall is an experience in itself.
Witness devotional life at the temples of Madan Mohanji, Kalyanji and Kaila Devi. Visit local bazars for exclusive items of handicraft, and colourful bangles of Karauli.