HEAD OF THE HOUSE: Chiefs of Rian, Jawla, Maroth, Ghanerao and Badnore are the claimants, but none is considered as the head.

PREDECESSORS AND SHORT HISTORY: The principality of Merta was founded by Rao Bar and Rao Duda, the sons of Rao Jodha of Jodhpur, and his wife, Rani Chauhaniji, a daughter of Raja Kheema Santawat of the Sonigra Chauhan clan of Jalore, jointly established principality of Merta in Baisakh of 1518 BS (1461 AD) by conquering the Merta region from the Khilji Badshah of Mandu. Merta remained an independent State for 143 years having nine rulers, when under Maharaja Soor Singh it became a part of Jodhpur again. In 1790 AD the army of Maharaja Ram Singh of Marwar (supported by many Mertia Chiefs including Rian, Mithri, Irwa, Kuchaman, Borunda, Budsu, etc) fought with the army of his uncle Maharaja Bakhat Singh of Nagaur, on instigation from Kumpawats of Asop and Champawats of Awa and Pokaran, for Marwar throne, and Mertias displayed extreme valour in battlefield; they are considered the bravest of all Rathores and are called 'Swords of Maru'. They are ardent devotees of Lord Vishnu, as against their collateral house of Jodhpur, who worship Shiva. ^(#1)

• Rao BAR, 1st joint Rao of Merta, son of Rao Jodha of Jodhpur, married and had issue, the Barsinghot Rathore clan, dethroned by Sultan of Mandu and remained in exile.

  • Rao Seeha (qv)

  • Kunwar Askaran, married and had issue. Ram Singh, ancestor of Ramawats of Kushalgarh in Rajasthan.

• • Rao SEEHA, 2nd joint Rao of Merta, married and had issue.

• • • Kunwar Jaiso

      • Kunwar Ramdas

        • Kunwar Bhim Singh (1521)

          • Thakur Keshavdas, founder of Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh (1548-1607)

INTERREGNUM (Merta confiscated by Patshah of Mandu and the Rulers fled to save their lives. While Rao Duda - the elder son - escaped to Bikaner near Rao Bika, his nephew Seeha wandered in jungles)

• Maharao DUDA [Rao Dudaji], 1st joint Rao of Merta 1461/-, 3rd Maharao of Merta 1495/1515, son of Rao Jodha of Jodhpur, born 15th June 1440 at Mandaur, an able ruler, well-known warrior and a devout worshiper of Vishnu; he was granted the Watan Jagir of Merta in 1461 AD jointly with his younger brother Rao Bar, but was driven out by force. He second time established Merta and also took possession of the prosperous town of Sambhar, driving out the Mewar Maharana's garrison from the place, and soon re-established Merta. He married, 1stly, Rani Raghav Kanwar Sahiba, daughter of Maharao Shekha, Maharao of Amarsar, married 2ndly, (name unknown), and had issue five sons. He became the ancestor of the Mertia Rathore clan. He died 1515 or 1525 AD.

  • Maharao Viramdev (qv)

  • Rao Ratan Singh of Kurki Thikana comprising of 12 villages, married (as his only wife), died 1508 AD, Thakuranisa Veer Kanwar Jhaliji (Baisa Veer Kumari), daughter of Thakur Sultan Singh Jhala (Raj Rana Surtan Singh of Barisadri?), and had issue, one daughter. He fought against Mughal Army of Badshah Babur in battle of Bayane supporting Maharana Sangram Singh on 17 March 1526 AD (BS 1584 Choth Shukla 14) in which he martyred on BS 1584 Miti Chaitrasudi 14. (Kurki Fort)

    • Kunwar Gopal Singh, died in infancy

    • Baiji Lal Rajkumari Meera Bai Sahiba [Yuvarani Meera Baisa of Mewar], born in Merta in 1498 AD, brought up at Merta Fort of her uncle Viramdev after her mother died; educated at home in music, religion, warcraft, politics and governance, she married 1516 AD, Yuvraj Bhoj Raj Sangawat, Crown Prince of Mewar, son of Maharana Sanga [Sangram Singh] of Mewar (Udaipur) and his wife Rani Karnavati, he died sp. 1521 AD from battle wounds. Legendary poetess, bhakti Saint, renowned for her beauty and devotion to Lord Krishna, disciple of Sant Raidas, amongst her fans were Mogul Emperor Akbar and his court singer Tansen, she was accused of maligning family honour, and several attempts were made to kill her by in-laws, for which she wrote "O King, I know you gave me poison. But I emerged, just Like gold burned in fire, comes out bright as a dozen suns." Tired of persecution and interference, she left Chittor and went back to Merta for some time, before leaving for holy places including Pushkar, Brindaban and Dwarka; she died (disappeared) 1546 AD at Dwarka. [1]

  • Rao Raimal, Chief Commander of Marwar Army sent by Rao Mangaji, Ruler of Jodhpur, for helping Maharana Sangram Singh of Mewar; he died in that battle; ancestor of the Raimalot Thakurs of Ren, Rayan, Dugor, Jalu, Akeli Bee, Ven and Raira Thikanas.

    • Thikana Rayan, Dist Nagaur, Rs 14000, Single Tazim.

  • Rao Raisal, ancestor of Raisalot Mertia clan, the Thakurs of Bhadana, Bansni, Jilari Thikanas in Marwar; and jagir villages in Hurda in Mewar.

    • ?Kishandas

      • Kumbha

        • Balu

        • Girdhar

        • Sundardas

  • Rao Panchayan, ancestor of Panchanyots (extinct).

• Maharao VIRAMDEV [Viram Deoji], 4th Maharao of Merta, (1515-1544), succeeded his father at the age of 38 years (in 1525?); he defeated Mallu Khan and Sarang Khan; participated in battles supporting Maharana Sanga of Mewar against Patshah Muzaffarshah of Gujarat, sultan of Delhi, and also took Ajmer from Subedar of the Sultan of Malwa. Merta (including Ajmer) was captured by forces of Marwar led by Commanders Jaita and Kumpa under instructions of jealous Rao Maldev of Jodhpur in 1931. So, he captured Didwana, which was also captured by Marwari forces, and for one year he took refuge at the place of Rao Raimal Shekhawat of Amarsar, approached Sher Shah Suri, the Afghan Ruler of Delhi, and attacked Jodhpur with Imperial Army and Bikaner Army of Kalyanmal and Rao Maldev fled from Sumel Giri battlefield, Marwar was captured by Shershah on which he said "Mutthi bhar bajre ki khatir, main Dilli ki Sultanat kho baithta" i.e., For handful of millet, I would have lost the Empire of Delhi; and Viramdev was reinstated as Ruler of Merta; he married 1stly, Rani Shantide [Shanti Devi?], married 2ndly, Baiji Lal Gorajiya Kanwar [Rani Har Kanwar of Merta], daughter of Maharana Raimal Singh, 7th Maharana of Mewar (1473/1508), and had issue, 10 sons and at least one daughter.

• • Maharao Jaimal (by Rani Shanti?) (qv)

  • Rao Ishardas, ancestor of Ishardasot Thakurs of Bikawas, Sumel and Kharwi.

• • • Sujan Singh (Mandap, Bawri, etc of Rs 6000 revenue)

• • Kunwar Karan

  • Rao Jagmal, ancestor of Jagmalots of Dasana, Masuda, Bhandasar, Chhapri and Fatehgarh in Ajmer.

  • Rao Chanda, ancestor of Chandawats Kudki, Khamore-Mewar.

    • Gopaldas

    • Ramdas Chandawat Viramdevot, ancestor of the Ramdasot (Mertia) subclan of Balunda.

    • Goyanddas Chandawat, ancestor of Goyandasot Thakurs of Nokha, Sainany, Oladan, Gagurda Bassi, Lai and Mangliyas. He was granted Deeg village by the Rana of Mewar in BS 1680. He also served as Thanedar at Jodhpur as a representative of the Raja. He died in BS 1683.

      • Kirat Singh (Hasiyas-adha)

• • • • Murardas (Lai)

      • Raghunath Singh of Nokha-Marwar (same as Nokha Chandawata?)

      • Bijeyram (Oladan)

      • Karam Sen (Gagurda, Chhapar-Badi)

      • Abhairaj (Pidiyo Adho, Rohini-Adho)

      • Hariram (Mangliyas, Rian Shyamdas)

    • Hari Singh of Chivli or Cheevli

  • Rao Bika, 2 sons.

    • Ballu of Bapri

    • Bhanidas of Nimbdi

  • Kunwar Prithviraj

  • Rao Pratap Singh, 3 sons.

    • Gopaldas, Gopinathot clan of Ghanerao, Nadano Bado, Falna, Chanod Khaas, Koselav, Barkana.

    • Bhagwandas

    • Haridas

  • Kunwar Sarangde

  • Kunwar Maadan

  • Rani Kalyan Kanwar Mertaniji Sahiba, married Raja Khangar of Naraina, eldest son of Raja Jagmal Kachwaha of Amber; founder of Khangarot clan; she had issue, two sons.

    • Rao Manohardas of Jobner, ancestor of the Manohardasot clan, comprising of several collateral branches namely, Bhojpura, Chirnotia, Dungri, Mandha, Dodi, Kodi, Singpuri, Shambhupura, Pratappura, Kanpurya, Bhadwa, Murlipura and Vijay Govindpura.

    • Rao Bagh Singh of Kalakh

INTERREGNUM (Merta, Ajmer and Didwana confiscated 1531-1537? by Rao Maldev of Jodhpur)

• Maharao VIRAMDEV, Maharao of Merta, regained the throne of Merta after defeating Rao Maldev of Jodhpur in the battle of Sumelgiri, after which Maldev had to get his daughter Lalbai (by a Sonigri Rani Ladbai) married to Patshah Sher Shah Suri in January, 1544. He died February 1544 aged 66.

• Maharao JAIMAL, 5th Maharao of Merta 1544/1562, being the Commander of Mewar when the Mughal Emperor Akbar attacked Chittor Garh, the capital of Mewar, in 1567 AD (1624 BS), he decided to engage in the final annihilating war and died; the rajput women committed Sati. He married (amongst others) a Solanki Princess. After his death, his 14 sons established 14 principalities in Mewar and Marwar. He died 1568.

• • Rao Govind Das [Goyanddas] (by Solanki Queen) Rao of Liliya Thikana of 14 villages, he established Bhaunta or Bhanwata Thikana of 31 villages in Maroth, Parbatsar, Nagaur and Merta. He married, and had issue, the Goyanddasot clan of Jaimalot Viramdevot Dudavat Mertia Jodha Rathores of Merta, Liliya, Sarnavada, Bhanwata, Geri, Jaswantpura etc. He died in the battle of Beed (Bid) along with his brother Keshavdas.

• • • Jagannath, he was granted the patta of Kurki and Altawa in BS 1662, ancestor of Chiefs of Sirnavada and Bhaiya.

    • Rao Sanwal Das of Pundlota, received village Pundlota (Punlota) of 3000 bigha land from his family, received patta of Sirsala in 1666 which he retained for short time period. He also obatained the Thikana of Bhubhaliya from his brother Keshodas; he married 1stly, Thakuranisa (name unknown), married 2ndly, Rani Kesar Kanwar, daughter of Adhiraj Saheb Sanwat Singh I of Bagru in Jaipur, her brother Adhiraj Padam Singh was an officer of distinction in the army of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. He had issue, two sons.

• • • • Raja Shyam Singh [Shamji], Jagirdar of Pundlota, a mansabdar of 3000 zat.

      • Maharajadhiraj Maharaja Raghunath Singh Mertia, Maharaja of Maroth (Gaurati or Gaudavati), joined the Imperial Army of Emperor Shah Jahan, initially a mansabdar of 1500/900, won various battles under Emperor Aurangzeb and was granted 7 Parganas having 140 villages in Maroth, Ajmer, Sambhar and Nawa; he married five princesses and had issue, eight sons, the Raghunathsinghot clan.

• • • • • Rajkumar Roop Singh of Sibsagar in Assam, died in a battle.

        • Maharaja Sabal Singh of Minda.

• • • • • • Thakurs of Narayanpura, Ghatwa, Manglana, Bhanwata and Kuni.

        • Maharaja Bijey Singh I of Maroth/Abhaypura (Jiliya), ancestor of the Chiefs of Sargoth, Lichana, Kukanwali, Nawa, Anandpura, Parewadi, Nathwadi, Habaspura, Jabdi Nagar, Devla and Habaspura.

        • Thakur Sher Singh of Loonwa

        • Thakur Hatti Singh of Panchota

        • Thakur Anand Singh of Panchwa

        • Thakur Kishore Singh, received no appanage, his son was granted Kuchaman village.

          • Thakurs of Kuchaman, Bhagwanpura, Palara, Meethari etc

        • Thakur Amar Singh of Deoli.

    • Naharkhan

    • Sundardas

    • Bhagwandas

    • Natha

    • Balram

  • Rao Narsinghdas

  • Rao Shyamdas

  • Rao Dwarkadas, ancestor of Dwarkadasots.

  • Raja Vitthaldas, fl.1627, he was granted the title of Raja and jagir of Sarvad, Malpura etc villages by Shah Jahan, ancestor of Vitthaldasots of Nimbi Khaas, Loonsara.

    • Rajkumari Mertaniji married Maharao Raja Raisal Shekhawat of Amarsar.

  • Rao Madhavdas, ancestor of Madhavdasots of Rian, Dobri, Alniyawas, Maidas, Butati, Chui, Kitalsar, Chandaroon, Gothri, Irwa (Idwa), Bijathal.

  • Rao Narayandas, ancestor of Narayandasots of Lambia.

  • Rao Sadul, two sons.

    • Raghodasji

    • Chaturbhuj (Sadulot Mertiya) (Dholi-Mewar).

  • Rao Haridas, two sons.

    • Aaskaran

    • Surajmal

  • Rao Kalyandas, ancestor of Kalyandasots of Kherwa, Raayan, Kaalna.

    • Bishandas, ancestor of Bishandasots of Borunda (Bharunda, 5 villages, Rs 5600), Tamroli, Khor, Amarpura, Barno, Chosli. The thakurs of Mayapur in Nagaur-Jodhpur are a junior line of the same subclan.

  • Raja Keshodas Rathore [Keshavdas], got his daughter married to Patshah of Delhi (Mogul Emperor of India) from whom he briefly received half of Merta pargana and the title of Raja; ancestor of Keshavdasot clan of Manano, Badu, Chitawa, Kekind, Kalwo, Mamroli, Sabalpur, Budsu, Borawad, Barneu, Khojawas. He died in battle of Beed along with brother Govinddas (Goyanddas).

    • Rajkumari (name unknown), married (as his nineteenth wife) 1581, Padshah Akbar, Emperor of India (1556-1605) (see Delhi).

    • Rajkumari Shri Karamsi Baiji Lall Sahiba [Karamnasi], married 1591 (as his 10th wife), H.M. Al-Sultan al-'Azam wal Khaqan al-Mukarram, Khushru-i-Giti Panah, Abu'l-Fath Nur ud-din Muhammad Jahangir Padshah [Jannat-Maksani], Emperor of India (1605-1627) (see Delhi).

    • Rao Girdhardas

      • Rao Gadadhardas of Badu

        • Thakur Syamsingh (Tangala, single Tazim, village of Nagaur patta; Kukarda in Parbatsar)

• • • Thakur of Borawad in Dist. Nagaur, single Tazim, 4 villages, Rs 13000 rekh, Keshodasot Mertia clan.

  • Rao Ramdas, ancestor of Ramdasots of Dyodana.

  • Raja Sutran, briefly received half of Merta pargana, ancestor of Surtanots of Badnore-Mewar, Gadhbore, Jawlo (Jawla), Gulr, Bhakhri (Bokri), Rohini, Lalaano, Jaalro. He had seven sons.

    • Balbhadra

    • Thakur Gopaldas of Merta, his jagir was sequestrated by the Patshah.

      • Thakur Gordhandas

    • Jaswant of Rian (by Sisodia Rani)

    • Kisan Singh

    • Bhopat

    • Bhan

    • Hariram

    • SON

      • Gokaldas of Jawla in Merta Pargana

  • Rao Mukunddas, died in battle near Kumbhalgarh, ancestor of Mukundasots of Gadhbore, Badnore, Roopaheli, Dabla, Ganga-kheri, Karwad-Malwa.