Legendary Sethia's

The third son of Sri Gyanchandji, born in the samvat 1183 (1826AD) was a legend in his lifetime. He married Smt. Rukami Devi (Fulfagar of Khatu) and expired in the year samvat 1955, first ashoj sudi 14 (1893AD)

Prior to attempting life sketch of Srimant HanutmalJi and his extraordinary act of valor it would only be apt to focus the political situation during his time. The state of Bikaner was ruled by Maharaj Sardar Singhji Rathod (born 1819AD), who succeeded on the death of his father Maharaj Ratan Singhji at the age of 33.

In the year 1857 AD, the first war of independence erupted; the British historians called it the great Sepoy Mutiny. The Maratha & Mughal empire was, by then, crumbling and on the verge of extinction. The last Mughal ruler – Bahadurshah Zafar was arrested and sent into exile at Burma (Myanmar).

Bikaner’s neighboring state – Jodhpur was then ruled by Maharaj Thakhat Singh ji Rathod. A more peaceful state compared to Bikaner.

Sujangarh being the last border town of Bikaner State, always faced skirmishes between the two Rathod ruling clans of Jodhpur and Bikaner. This part of border was un-demarcated between the two state, hence both the ruling houses were claiming Ladnun pargana, which was in possession of Jodhpur state.

Unfortunately, Maharaj Sardar Singh Ji inherited a debt of Rs 8 Lacs from his father, which was constantly growing at alarming rates due to drought, war, internal strife and infighting. The Maharaj ruled whimsically and did not adhere to Rajdharma. During his twenty years of rule, he changed his Diwan nearly 18 times. To fill government treasury and settle the debts, he imposed various form of taxes on public. Most of the government officials become corrupt. And due to lack of foresightedness, the Maharaj faced internal rebellion not only from his own kith & kin but from various other Zamindar, Pattedar and Sardars.

The town of Sujangarh was a khalsatown – directly ruled from Bikaner – hence bore the brunt of this chaos. Being a Nizamat, Nazim and Choudhary (Revenue Collector) were virtual rulers. In the name of Maharaj, various taxes were being collected which filled their own personal coffers instead of Government treasury. To oppose these corrupt officials meant inviting wrath of state with full force.

The system of Begaarwas prevalent i.e. state could requisition of any land and property for said to be for official purpose but without any payment; even person could be forcibly employed for laborious job without necessary payment.

At such critical juncture in history, a man appeared on its horizon, who not only resisted this lawlessness of Maharaja’s rule but opposed the very nature of collecting taxes. And that daring person was Sri Hanutmal Ji Sethia.

Maharaj Sardar Singh Ji use to visit Sujangarh & surrounding areas like Taal Chapper on hunting trails. During one such expedition Sri Hanutmal Ji thought of personally highlighting the problem & grievances of public with Maharaj. Sri Hanutmal Ji’s friends & well-wishers warned him that this act could be misinterpreted as defiance of the whimsical Maharaj & his courtiers. However, Sri Hanutmal Ji, knowing fully well of the danger & risk, took upon himself the task of highlighting the difficulties of common public. Sri Hanutmal Ji presented himself before Maharaj and made a submission showcasing the plight of common man; though, Maharaj listened attentively and sympathetically but later on corrupt officials poisoned Maharaj; inturn seeking permission from Maharaj to declare Sri Hanutmal Ji a person non-grata, on the pretext of fueling rebellion in the state against the Maharaj.

The impulsive Maharaj sent forth a firmanto this effect, upon returning to his capital Bikaner. Sri Hanutmal was asked to leave the territory of Bikaner state ~ Desh-Nikala, forthwith or otherwise face the might of state in the form of arrest. The year probably was 1861 AD.

Sri Hanutmalji immediately moved out of Sujangarh and after consulting his family members & well wishers, straight away headed to Jodhpur. Maharaj Takhat Singh Ji Rathod was the benign ruler of Marwar State. He presented himself to the durbar and narrated the whole sequence & situation prevailed at his native place and sought protection of Maharaj.

The Maharaj Sri Takhat Singh Ji not only comforted Sri Hanutmal Ji but praised him for opposing anarchical ruler of Bikaner State. He then and there bestowed upon the title SETHJI with sone ka kada, chhadi & chapras (all these are royal symbols).

During his stay at Jodhpur, not only he cultivated friendship with Noble person of Jodhpur state but developed a great rapport with heir apparent Yuvraj Maharaj Sri Jaswant Singh Ji II.

After the demise of Maharaj Takhat Singh Ji, Maharaj Jaswant Singh Ji II succeeded the crown of Jodhpur. He was a model ruler, who greatly improved administration, constructed Railways, built several valuable irrigation works, introduced Telegraph & other welfare measures to ease the business environment of his state.

On becoming Maharaj he recognized the services & loyalty of Sri Hanutmal Ji by conferring the “SAMANT – (SRIMANT)” Title, a place to sit on the left side of Durbar & Khalta & Patta was bestowed upon him to establish a parallel town to Sujangarh, which was named after him. Srimant Hanutmal Ji was commanded to house a cavalry of 50 horsemen & army of 200 warriors.

Maharaj Jaswant Singh Ji cleverly got his twin political objective served, first establishment of a buffer town on the border of Bikaner state, thus thwarted the intention of Bikaner state to grab the Ladnun Paragana and secondly, bestowing Pattedariof Jaswantgarh on Sri Hanutmal Ji which won his loyalty forever.

Out of the barren land of thousands of acre, Sri Hanutmal Ji single handedly planned, created JASWANTGARH town. Today, it is a bustling town of 30,000 people. He constructed a fort, which is now called Kothi. The business people from Maheshwari & Agarwal community were invited to establish & settle in Jaswantgarh. Land patta (agreement) was given to them on payment of Rs. 1.25, while other communities – including Brahmins were given land pattaagainst a single coconut.

The ancestors of famed “Taparia Tools” were amongst the first settlers in the town. So many old settlers still have the land patta signed & sealed by Srimant Hanutmal Ji.

In the history of Bikaner & Jodhpur state, Pattedari was only bestowed upon Rathod Rajputs. This was the first instant that a descendant of Parmar Rajputs was made Pattedar.

This shows the guts & grit of the personality named – Srimant Hanutmal Ji Sethia ~ the Pattedar of Jaswantgarh, Jodhpur State

March 1947 was an extraordinary time throughout India. The atmosphere was tense with anticipation and speculation, after almost a century & a half; the British rule was about to end.

But to the resident of Bikaner State or other similar princely state of India, the ruler was a Maharaja. To them presence of British was represented only by the British Resident, who acted as a liaison between princely state and Govt. in Delhi and other was circulation of British currency.

In princely states, for both the Rulers and the People, independence had a very different and more complex meaning.

Maharaj Sardul Singh Ji, the Ruler of Bikaner State was the first & foremost ruler, who agreed to merge his state with Independent India. It was a triumph for both, foresightedness of Maharaj and negotiating skills of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel – the first Home Minister of Independent India.

Sujangarh a small town in 1947 with hardly a population of 30,000 people, comprising of 20% of Muslims, bore the burnt of partition of India and its aftermath as hordes of Hindu refugees from Sindh province, that had fallen within boundaries of Pakistan, flooded Sujangarh town.

Though Maharaj Sardul Singh and his able administration assured and guaranteed the safety of Muslim population, inspite few individuals & families of Muslim crossed over to Pakistan.

In the town (Sujangarh) life was normal and calm on the surface but undercurrent of tension and fear of uncertainty prevailed. With the influx of Sindhi Hindu refugees, who brought with them horrendous stories of carnage, butchery and brutality. The Hindus & Muslims, who were living like brothers for centuries, suddenly became pawn to political machinations.

Our sprawling Haveli, located on station road of the town, having Muslim neighbors at the north, which belongs to BisayatiMuslim community, living in mud & straw huts, doing petty hawking trade and manual work. There are other Muslim communities such as Chhippas, Nilgars, Bhattis, Mohils, Kayamkhanis & Lakharg residing in their own Mohalla’s and mostly settled in the Eastern or Southern part of town.

The few local miscreants, with help from Sindhi refugees hatched a plan for revenge. They selected the Bisayati community of Muslims, as they were vulnerable and un-defendable more than other Muslims. In the dark pitch of night, these miscreants forced their way to Bisayati busti & torch the huts and burn their wherewithal. And there was a shrill cry Bachhao!! Help!! from the men, women & children folks. They run helter-skelter for protection. Finally, they knocked the gates of our Haveli for protection and help.

Maaji Sahib, who could see the carnage from her room, came down at the main gates and ordered Thakur Sawai Singh and Thakur Jeewan Khan – the guards of the Haveli to let them in; all bisayati’s with their terror stricken families were housed in the huge ghumarias(a basement store house) and subsequently the gates were ordered close.

Out side of the gate, the menacing crowd holding burning torches & few with arms pushing gates in the hope of forced entry. Maaji Sahib calmly argued with them but with no avails. The crowd thereafter threatened to break open the gate and kill everyone. However, Maaji Sahib strictly told them that these bisayatis are like her children and sarnagat, and she is their protector. Finally, she ordered both Thakurs to ready their rifles and ordered them to shoot anyone who dared cross the gate. However, this did not halt the clamoring for blood & revenge. Maaji Sahib, then subsequently took an unsheathed sword and like the protecting Goddess Durga, challenged the crowd stating that they had to kill her first before attacking any person within Haveli gates. She then ordered both guards to first fire in the air to scare and if any person dare cross Haveli gates, shoot them dead. Once few shots were fired in the air the marauding crowd took to their heels and ran for their life.

Till dawn of the day, inspite of umpteen threats, she stood there and did not budge from her resolve and adhered to the dharma of sarnagat, the most important trait of a Kshatriya.

Nearly 150 people were housed, properly fed and looked after well for more than a month. The Bisayati Muslims enjoyed the hospitality & benevolence of Maaji Sahib. They were free to offer their regular prayers and their rituals. Even few children were born & marriage formalized (as Bisayatis had the custom of early child marriage). The entire expense was borne by Maaji Sahib.

Once the situation calmed down and normalcy prevailed. All sarnagati’s left our Haveli with heavy heart. Maaji Sahib helped them with cash & kind to rebuild their life once again.

The BisayatiMuslims always remembered the kindness & protection provided and as a mark of respect and gratitude, during Mohharramfestival, would bring Taziato the Haveli. Their sentiments were properly respected and reciprocated always.

Generations have passed from both sides but this incident of bravery & adherence to dharma is etched in their memory. Their generations still follow the custom of bringing tazia’sto the gates of Haveli as thanks giving.

Most well-known Rajasthani and Hindi poet. Kanhauyala Ji was born in Sujangarh, Churu District in the Indian state of Rajasthan. He was a passionate supporter of making Rajasthani, the mother tongue of the people of Rajasthan, at the union level. He was a government-recognized freedom fighter, social worker, reformer, philanthropist and environmentalist.

He is also a social activist. Kanhaiyalal explores a wide range of themes and issues in his poetry, but the central thread that marks it is his patriotic fervor for Rajasthan. His poems reflect the silent changes taking place in Rajasthani rural life, with some poems full of religious and spiritual overtones. His first collection Ramaniyai ra soratha, was written in the traditional style of didactic poetry rich in images and similes. His other books of poems are Minjhara, Kum kum, Lilatamsa, Dhara kuncam dhara majalam, Mayada ro helo, Sabada, Satavani, Aghori kala. His book of poetic prose is Gala-gachiya.

Kanhaiyalal Sethia received the Sahitya Akademi award for the poem Lilatamsa. He has also won Jnanapitha Moortidevi Award in 1986, Surajmal Misrana Sekhar Award in 1987.

The Library of Congress Office has acquired twenty-six works by him and one work on him.

He was conferred Padma Shri award in 2004. He was awarded the prestigious Sahithya Vascahpati by the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Prayag and the prestigious Sahitya Manishi by the Sahitya Academy, Udaipur.