The legitimacy of Dhokal Singh is a disputed question in the history of Man Singh’s reign. Dhokal Singh, the posthumous son of Bheem Singh of Jodhpur claimed to be the rightful claimant of the Gaddi of Marwar. This claim was denied by Man Singh. On this issue the conflict between the two had been a regular feature.
The story of his birth has been given with one variance or the other by the writers of our times. The generally believed account of his birth is that when Bheem Singh died on 19th October, 1803, 4th of the bright- half of Kartika, V. S. 1860 Samai Singh, Thakur of Pokar an reached Jodhpur and with the cooperation and consultation of the leading Sardars removed Derawari Rani, who was big with child, to Chopasni, under the safe custody of Gosai Vithalrai.
But as soon as Man Singh was informed of the removal of the Rani he desired that she should be kept in the Jodhpur fort under his custody. Accordingly she was brought back to Jodhpur and was lodged in the Talheti palace. She was closely guarded by the Man of the Maharaja and the Sardars.[1]
Man Singh, of course, had committed on this occasion that if the Rani gives birth to a son, he would retire to Jalore and the Gaddi would be offered to him. In case she gives birth to a daughter, she would be married in either the house of Jaipur or Udaipur. In due course a son was born, who was named Dhokal Singh[2]
The later part of the story has been narrated by Colonel Tod[3] in a different way wherein he reaches the conclusion that the Rani herself on some reason or other, disclaimed the child. This narration is worth quoting.
“It was in A.D. 1804 that Raja Mansingh exchanged the defense of Jalore for the throne of Jodhpur. His predecessor Raja Bheemsingh, left a widow pregnant; she concealed the circumstance, and when delivered, contrived to convey the child in a basket to Sawai Singh of Pokurna.
During two years he kept the secret; he at length convened the Marwar chieftains, with whose concurrence he communicated it to Raj Mann, demanding the cession of Nagaur and its dependencies as a domain for this infant, named Dhonkul Singh, the heir-apparent of Marwar. The Raja promised compliance if the mother confirmed the truth of the statement.
Whether her personal fears overcame her maternal affection, or the whole was an imposture of Pokurna, she disclaimed the child. The Chiefs, though not satisfied, were compelled to appear contented with the result of this appeal; and for some years the matter seemed at rest”[4]
However, the whole account needs a closer examination with regard to his claim to the Gaddi. Dayaldas[5] the contemporary to the event informs us that Bhandari Shivchand, Mahanot Gyanmal Dhabai Shambhudan and others wrote a letter[6] from Jodhpur to Singhvi Indra Raj and Bhandari Ganga Ram, who were posted at the comm and of the forces of Bheem Singh at Jalore, informing them that the Maharaja had died and Derawari Rani is pregnant.
They also informed them that they should keep the siege operation intact till Sawai Singh, who has been called from Pokran, returns. This information makes it clear that the Rani was pregnant and a strong set of the Sardars were the supporters of the Rani.[7]
But the siege was withdrawn on the next day of the death of Bheem Singh and Man Singh was acclaimed unanimously as the ruler. However, in order to appease the internal resentment of Sawai Singh he committed that the Gaddi of Marwar would be offered to the posthumous male issue. This makes it clear that Man Singh in the initial stage was not at all doubtful about the pregnancy of the Rani.
The Kaifiyat[8] submitted by Dhokal Singh to the British authorities, mentions that Man Singh got confirmed the pregnancy of Rani by sending his favourite and trusted Maharani, Rani Bhatiyani. This is a proof that Rani was pregnent other wise Man Singh would have proclaimed that pregnancy was a fraud. He also insisted, aswe have narrated, above, that the Rani should be kept under the vigilance of his own men. This was done.
But gradually Man Singh began to give a new turn to the whole affair. The Haqiqat Bahi of Bikaner V. S. 1861[9] informs us that in due course, Man Singh changed his mind. In order to strengthen his position he began to doubt the character of the Rani. He also bribed the personal attendants of the Rani to make such declaration before the Gosai of Chopasni which may create doubt in the mind of the Gosai regarding her character.
Man Singh was not satisfied with this mean tactics, he adopted on this issue. Kaifiyat[10] informs that Man Singh was very much perturbed and he contrived to kill Derawari Rani but he was unsuccessful. Further he went so far as to kill at Nagaur, Mrigjot, the Paswan of Maharaja Surat Singh, who had sent her trusted kept wife a party of nurses and attendants to help Derawari Rani in her days of pregnancy.[11]
This atrocious crime made the party return back to Bikaner again. This incident makes it clear that Man Singh had a special interest in disclaiming the child before it was born.
Man Singh in order to deprive the Rani of any effective help, persuaded Sawai Singh to accept the Pradhangiri and leave the Rani to her fate. This Sawai Singh did not approve. Thus Man Singh tried all methods to weaken the case of the Rani but failed.[12]
When the Rani gave birth to a child at Talheti palace, tha matter was reported by Nazir Harkaran[13] to Maharaja Sur at Singh of Bikaner on or about the same time.
Nazir Harkaran, who was posted at Jodhpur had no special interest to give a false report to his master. The event was properly recorded in the state ledger.
The legitimacy of Dhokal Singh is further proved by the fact that an inquiry was made by N. Alves, Agent, Governor-General at Ajmer, in the the year 1838 through Lt. Col. Speirs, Political Agent in Marwar, Major Ross, Political Agent at Jaipur and Capt. Ludlow officiating Political Agent at Kota. In his letter dated 12th October, 1838 requesting them to inquire from Rajputs of real respectability and character their opinion to the claim of Dhokal Singh to the throne of Marwar.[14]
While replying his letter dated 15th October 1838 to Alves, R. Ross reported “that in their judgment the right of Dhokal Singh commonly called Maharaja to the throne of Marwar being superior even to that of its present occupant; his claim to succeed in failure of an heir to Raja Man Singh is still more unquestionable.”
On the basis of these reports he informed W. H. Macnaughten, Secretary to the Government of India with the Governor-General letter dated 18th October 1838. “The opinion of Dhonkal Singh’s legitimacy and superiority of claim to the throne of Marwar over that of Raja Man Singh is unequivocally given”.
His letter dated 21st October, 1838 “Hindumal, who was considered as one of the most intelligent and the correct men of Rajasthan, who enjoyed the status of a minister in Bikaner informed that according to the Rajwara tradition the Badarans of four chiefs of Pokurn, Auwa, Asop and Neemaj were present in the palace to ascertain the pregnancy of the Rani.
Afterwards when Dhonkal Singh was an infant he was allowed to eat with the Raja of Jaipur, Jagat Singh, and with Surat Singh, Raja of Bikaner and admitted a place in equality on the Gaddi, with both these are the tests of admitted legitimacy in Rajwara.”
These evidences of Rajput and British sources area positive proof that the Rajput nobles and the British authorities believed that Dhokal Singh was the rightful heir of Marwar throne and he was a posthumous son of late Bheem Singh Raja of Jodhpur.
The very fact that Sawai Singh of Pokran was tempted by Raja Man Singh offering him Pradhangiri of Marwar and tried to ween him away from Dhokal Singh and his refusal to accept the bribe shows that Sawai Singh honestly believed in the legitimacy of Dhokal Singh.
He as a loyal, sincere and devoted noble to his late master Bheem Singh upheld the cause of Dhokal Singh against the de facto Ruler of Jodhpur at a great cost and sacrifice. Had Dhokal Singh been an imposter, Sawai Singh would not have undergone that sacrifice.
In the end, Maharaja Man Singh hired the services of Pindari leader Amir Khan to kill Sawai Singh. Amir Khan successfully did his job and the Legitimacy Of Dhokal Singh also ended.
REFERENCES
[1] Bikaner Haqiqat Bahi No. 18, 4th of the dark-half of Jyeshth of V. S. 1861, F. No. 307. Bikaner Hakikts Bada Karkhana, Bikaner.
[2] Man Singhji-ke-Raj-ki-Ti warikh, p. 9; Dayaldas-Desh Darp an p. 27; Jodhpur Raj Ki-Khyat Vcl. 4, pp. 1-5; Vir vinod Part II p. 860; Ojha, Jodhpur Raj kai Itihas Vol. II p. 779; Pt. Ram KaranAsopa, Marwar Ka Mool Itihas p. 261; Reu, Marwar Ka Itihas, Part II, pp. 402-404.
[3] Tod, Annals, p. 564.
[4] Kumari Padmaji, The Legitimacy Of Dhokal Singh, Proceedings of Rajasthan History Congress, pp 139-142.
[5] Dayal Das Ki Khyat, Vol. II, p. 97.
[6] Dyal DasKi Khyat, Vol. II, p. 97; Marwar ri Khyat, Part III, p. 2; Maharaja Man Singhji Ki Raj Ki Tawarikh, p. 3; Adh Jodhpur re-Rajwara Baderari Khyat, p. 233; Mundiyar-ki-Khyat, Part I p. 29.
[7] Kumari Padmaji, The Legitimacy Of Dhokal Singh, Proceedings of Rajasthan History Congress, pp 139-142.
[8] Rajputana Agency Record, List I, 43= Marwar 1838, No. 42, National Archives Delhi.
[9] Haqiqat Bahi of Bikaner 8th of the Darkhalf of Vaishakh V.S. 1861 f.No. 280, ibid; Man Singh threatened the Sardars, rebuked Sawai Singh and inspired barbars and golas to give evidence before Gosaiji that the Derawari Rani was corrupt.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Ibid. 8th of the Bright half of Vaishakh, V.S. 1861 f.No. 296. This murder was devised with the help of Bhawaidas, the lover of Mrigjot.
[12] Ibid. 4th of the darkhalf of Jyeshth of V.S. 1861. f. No. 307.
[13] Ibid.
[14] F.P. 1838 Cons. 26 Dec. No. 10-24 (Secret Deptt.) National Archives Delhi. Lt. Col. N. Alves, Agent to the G.G. at Ajmer. W.H. Macnaghten, Secretary to the Government of India with the G.G. Simla.
