Rao Surtan Singh
| Rao Surtan Singh | |
|---|---|
| Ruler of Bundi | |
| Reign | 1531- 1544 |
| Spouse | Sisodni |
| Father | Rao Surajmal |
Rao Surtan Singh (राओ सुरतन सिंह) was the 12th Rao of Bundi (बूंदी), ruling from 1531 to 1544. He was the son of Rao Suraj Mal, 11th Rao of Bundi. His mother was daughter of Rana Sanga.[1]
Surtan married Sisodni, a daughter of Rawat Sakta (or Shakti) Singh of Udaipur, but died without issue. Succeeded by a cousin, Rao Raja Arjun Singh, he was the last ruler of Bundi without the title "raja". He described to be very cruel and was called as ill-starred idealist. His generals were Tirathmal and Vir Singh. His army consisted of 10,000 infantry and 4,000 cavalry.
Biography
Once, Udai Singh II (1522-1572) attacked on Bundi, the capital of Rao Surtan in order to capture Rao Surtan who had troubled the Rana a lot. Rao Surtan who was allied with the Mughals, had a general of Bairam Khan known as Yusuf Khan. He ordered Yusuf Khan to lead quarter of Bundi's army to defeat Udai Singh II. Previously, Rana Udai Singh's queen Rani Dheerbai Bhatiyani had sent a letter to Rana asking about his health on which the Rana's favorite perfume was sprinkled. The letter was intercepted by Rao Surtan who was at that time in Udai Singh's camp disguised as a soldier to flee from there. Rao Surtan was mesmerized by the perfume and when he escaped to Bundi, he learned that the Queens of the Rana were staying in Bijolia, a small town of Mewar. He sent Yusuf Khan to tackle Udai Singh's army while he and his general Sumeru Singh set out for Bijolia with a huge army with the intention to have the queen who had sent the perfumed letter to Rana (sugandh wali Rani) for himself. He first sent a false letter under Udai Singh's stamp to Bijolia that Udai Singh wanted help of the Rao of Bijolia, Rao Mamrakh Punwar. Rao Punwar immediately set off with his whole army to Bundi, leaving Bijolia virtually unguarded. Rao Surtan seized the opportunity and besieged Bijolia. Here in Bundi, Rao Surtan's army was defeated by Mewar army and Udai Singh himself killed Yusuf Khan. Rao Mamrakh came there and the Rana was shocked to see him here. After sometime, they learnt of Rao Surtan's plan. They set off for Bijolia. The Queens of Rana gave a tough fight almost killing half of Surtan's army when the latter entered Bijolia palace. The Queens used natural weapons like hot oil, chili, steaming water and killed many soldiers. Finally Rao Surtan's men made a way into the palace. The Queens hid themselves till Udai Singh defeated the army of Rao Surtan and entered Bijolia palace through a secret cave told by Rao Mamrakh. In this time, seeming to be a Rani, Dheerbai's female worker Dai Kokoi was sent to Rao Surtan. She tried to stab him to death, but Rao Surtan caught hold of her and stabbed her to death. He discovered that she was not the Rani and came out to search for her. Here Udaysingh caught Surtan and his soldiers imprisoned Surtan. Rana was overwhelmed to see his Queens safe. He ordered his soldiers to hide Surtan in a coffin alive and then buried him alive in the ground.
See also
References
- ↑ "Bundi (Princely State)". World of Royalty. Retrieved 17 November 2013.