PRESENT RULER: HH Maharaja (name unknown) SINGH Bahadur, present Maharaja of Ratlam and recognized Head of the Rathore Rajputs in Central India. (The Palace, Ratlam - 457001, Madhya Pradesh, India)

PREDECESSORS AND SHORT HISTORY: Maharaja Udai Singh of Jodhpur granted his fourth son, Kunwar Dalpat Singh, the Pargana of Pisangan in the Ajmer district of Rajasthan. His great grandson, Raja Ratan Singh, founded Ratlam in 1652. Rulers were....

1. Maharaja RATAN SINGH, 1st Maharaja of Ratlam 1652/1658, courageous in youth, he gained Padshah Shah Jahans notice by calming the Emperors favourite elephant which had run amok in the Agra Palace Garden, fought for the Emperor against the Persians in Kabul and Qandahar, later in 1652, the Emperor substituted Jalore for the pargana of Ratlam and many other areas, and he became the first Raja of Ratlam, in 1658 a false rumour of the death of the Emperor resulted in a frenzied scramble for succession to the throne amongst his sons. Dara Shikoh who was officiating for his father, sent a combined army of Rajputs and Muslims under the command of Maharaja Jaswant Singh of Jodhpur, against his brother Aurangzeb. The Maharaja, as head of the Rathore clan, was persuaded to hand over command of the Imperial army to Maharaja Ratan Singh. Non-cooperation by the Muslim commanders resulted in the army sustaining heavy losses in the fierce battle at Dharmat, as well as the death of Ratan Singh (said to have sustained 80 sword wounds on his body), he married (amongst others), Maharani Sukhroopde Kanwar Shekhawat Ji Sahiba, daughter of Kunwar Purshottam Das of Jhajhar [Shekhawati], and had issue. He died 1658 in battle at Dharmat near Ujjain.

   • Maharaja Ram Singh (qv)

   • Maharaj Rai Singh, he received the estate of Kachhi-Baroda.

   • Maharaj Sakat Singh, he received the estate of Multhan.

   • Maharaj Akhairaj Singh, married and had issue, the Ambao family in Jaora.

   • Maharaja Chhatrasal (fifth son) (qv)

   • Maharani Pratap Kanwar, married Maharawal Amar Singh, Maharawal of Jaisalmer 1661/1702.

2. Maharaja RAM SINGH, 2nd Maharaja of Ratlam 1658/1682, married and had issue. He died 1682.

   • Maharaja Shiv Singh (qv)

   • Maharaja Keshav Das (qv)

3. Maharaja SHIV SINGH, 3rd Maharaja of Ratlam 1682/1684, he died sp.

4. Maharaja KESHAV DAS, 4th Maharaja of Ratlam 1684/1695, during his reign an important Mughal officer was killed in Ratlam by the state employees, as a result, the Mughal Emperor confiscated Ratlam and Maharaja Keshav Das went to Sitamau, which was given in jagir to him when he was forgiven by Padshah Aurangzeb, and he thus became the 1st Raja of Sitamau in 1701.

5. Raja CHHATRASAL, 5th Raja of Ratlam 1705/1706, he was regranted the state of Ratlam for his services to the Mughal Emperor, because of his grief at the death of his eldest son and heir, the Raja divided his territory amongst his brothers (received Dharad and Raoti), and his grandson (received Dhamnod), against Rajput tradition, married 1stly, Rani Gulab Kanwar, daughter of the Thakur of Korana, married 2ndly, Rani Gyan Kanwar, daughter of Raja Bahadur Singhji of Khandela, married 3rdly, Rani Jaideo Kanwar, daughter of Thakur Jujhar Singhji of Anandpur (Rampura), married 4thly, Hadi Rani Phool Kanwar, daughter of Maharao Pratap Singhji of Bundi, committed sati in 1712, and had issue. He died 1712 in the battle of Panhela whilst fighting the Marathas.

   • Maharaj Hati Singhji, married 1stly, Rani Chandra Kanwar, a daughter of Maharaj Bhagwan Das of Udaipur, married 2ndly, Rani Swaroop Kanwar, daughter of Mokam Singhji Rajawat of Jaipur, married 3rdly, Rani Pooran Kanwar, daughter of Anand Singhji Jhala of Bari Sadri in Udaipur, married 4thly, Rani Har Kanwar, daughter of Hukam Singhji Saktawat of Sakthali in Pratapgarh, and had issue. He died 1712 in the battle of Panhela.

     • Maharaj Bairi Sal, lawful heir of his grandfather, he was granted the estate of Dhamnod as his share instead of succeeding as Maharaja of Ratlam as was his right, his uncle, Maharaja Kesari Singh took advantage of his minority to forcibly amalgamate Dhamnod with Dharad, his mother then fled with her son to Udaipur for their safety, on attaining his majority he approached the Mughal Emperor and was granted the pargana of Hisar in the Punjab for his maintainance, unable to retain Hisar, he surrendered it to the Emperor and left for Malwa, but at Jaipur he was received by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, to whom he was related (married to his cousin), who promised military support in taking back his lost territory, married 1stly, Rani Mirdha Kanwar, daughter of Rawal Kushal Singhji, married 2ndly, Rani Bakhat Kanwar, daughter of Nirbhey Singhji Hada of Bundi, married 3rdly, Rani Mam Kanwar, daughter of Chatra Singhji Gaur of Rajgarh, married 4thly, Rani Bakhat Kanwar, daughter of Rai Rudra Singhji Chandrawat of Rampura, and had issue. He died spm and was succeeded by his youngest brother.

       • Rajkumari Anop Kanwar, married Kunwar Chatrasalji, son of Thakur Jaswant Singhji of Jhalai.

       • Rajkumari Ganga Kanwar, married Raghunath Singhji of Jhalai.

       • Rajkumari Indra Kumari, married Hati Singhji, son of Devi Singhji of Jhalai.

     • Maharaja Achal Singh, married and had issue, one son.

       • Kunwar Sangram Singh, a warrior of note, he was successful in clearing the the Nimbaj area at the request of Maharaja Bijaya Singh of Jodhpur, for which he was granted the jagir of Rohel in the Indrana area of Jodhpur in addition to the jagir of Samore near Dausa, in Jaipur. He was also responsible for arranging patties of special measurements for the Hawa Mahal of Jaipur at the request of the Jaipur Dewan. He enjoyed the confidence of the rulers of Jodhpur and Jaipur, as well as their former enemy, the Maharaja of Baharatpur.

     • Raja Abhay Singh, tried many times to win back his territory by approaching the Mughal Emperor, but Delhi, following the death of Aurangzeb, was in turmoil and unable to help, however in 1747, Maharaja Sawai Ishwari Singh of Jaipur granted some large jagirs in Jaipur including the fertile lands of Naroli, when Maharaja Jawahar Mal of Bharatpur attacked Jaipur in 1766, 150 men of Naroli sacrificed their lives in battle against the Bharatpur ruler, in gratitude, the Jaipur ruler added further land to Naroli which was renamed Sirkati, married 1stly, Rani Bakhat Kanwar Chundawatji of Salumber in Udaipur, married 2ndly, a daughter of Amar Singhji of Dharnaode, she committed sati 1766 in Gwalior, and had issue. He died 1766.

       • Raja Fateh Singh, granted some villages in Jaipur for his help in the battle of Maonda, succeeded his father in Sirkati, his matami ceremony was performed by Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I of Jaipur, who presented him with the usual coloured Saropaos, married 1stly, Rani Amar Kanwar, daughter of Zorawar Singhji Ranawat of Thikana Dhunas in Udaipur, married 2ndly, Rani Swaroop Kanwar, daughter of Berisalji Chundawat of Thikana Hamirgarh in Mewar, and had issue. He died in battle against the Marathas at Tunga near Lalsot, where his chatri still stands.

         • Raja Sajet Singh, fought with his father against the Marathas at Tunga and was victorious, for which he was granted further villages to add to his territory; he was successful in a further battle with the Scindia Marathas at Sainthal near Dausa, pursuing them all the way to Lakheri near Bundi, he was further rewarded with a personal 11 gun salute as well as a presentation of an elephant, horses, swords, saropaos and jewellry when he arrived at Purana Ghat, the gateway to Jaipur City, he was held in great esteem by the defeated Scindia ruler, and though he had seized Naroli, he restored it to Raja Sajet Singh as well as promising military help in reclaiming Dhamnod, married 1stly, Rani Gulab Kanwar, daughter of Inder Singhji Rajawat, married 2ndly, Rani Zorawar Kanwar, daughter of Inder Singhji Rajawat (sister of the first wife), and had issue. He died near Indore.

           • Raja Sumer Singh, succeded his father in their Ratlam territory; a haughty and short tempered individual, though brave and direct, he earned the enmity of the Dewan of Jaipur, who, for some unknown reason, made false and exaggerated complaints against the Raja, who abruptly left Jaipur in anger and frustration and offered his services to the Holkar ruler of Indore, the major portion of his Thikana was palced under temporary zabti, leaving only a few villages for the maintainence of the staff left behind, he led the Holkar army in a battle in the Chambal Ghati area, assisted by many nobles, including the Rao of Amjhara and the Chief of Raghogarh (now known as Soma Barkhera and situated near Baghli), in this battle the Raja was killed and the Rao was executed by the British authorities, married 1stly, Rani Lad Kanwar, daughter of Shiv Singh Jirajawat of Jaipur, married 2ndly, Rani Rajawatji, daughter of Raja Pep Singhji of Lawan in Jaipur. He died sp.

           • Maharaj Goverdhan Singh of Barwaha, married and had issue.

             • Raja Pep Singh, adopted by Raja Sumer Singh and succeeded to the estate, he was unsuccessful in reclaiming the jagir in Jaipur, and died soon after in frustration, he married and had issue.

               • Raja Karan Singh, succeeded his father in the estate, he too made efforts to recover the jagir but was advised by the Maharaja of Jaipur, to go to Delhi and to attend the Darbar of Lord Ripon in 1866, he was assured of Jaipur's help in the restoration of Dhamnod, through a dialogue with the Maharaja of Ratlam's representative, as well as the Thakur of Sarwan and the Thakur of Namli, however the Jaipur ruler became displeased with Raja Karan Singh and placed the Ratlam jagir under temporary zabti, which remained in place till Independence, he was offered another jagir on the proviso that he give up any claim to ratlam state, which was rejected. He retired in frustration to Indore, where he was maintained by the Indore ruler who still supported his claim to Dhamnod, married 1stly, a daughter of Kesri Singhji in Malwa, married 2ndly, a daughter of the Thakur of Chittora in Jaipur, married 3rdly, Rani (name unknown) . He died sp in Indore, having first adopted Kunwar Bhom Singh from Barwaha.

               • Maharaj Swaroop Singh of Barwaha, married and had issue.

                 • Raja Bhom Singhji (Photo), adopted by his uncle and succeeded to his estate in Jaipur, very self-respecting and uncompromising in his principles, he made every effort for the restoration of the large portion of the Jaipur jagir which was still under zabti, he was appointed Deputy Superintendent of Police by HH Sawai Maharaja Madho Singh II of Jaipur, and was also promised support for his claim but the Maharaja soon died and a minor ruler succeeded in Jaipur. Raja Bhom Singh resigned his post in 1924, and again approached the new Maharaja of Jaipur for restoration of Naroli, but the Raja died suddenly of a heart attack and the papers remained unsigned, he married 1stly, Rani Kalianotji of Thikana Sungari in Jaipur, married 2ndly, Rani Rajawatji of Thikana Piplia in Sewar, Jaipur, married 3rdly, Rani Rasel Kanwar Jagannathotji, daughter of Raja Saheb Toda Bheem, Jaipur, and had issue. He died 2nd August 1932.

                 • > Raja Amar Singh (+), D.I.G. Police (retired); married Rani Vidyawatiji, daughter of Thakur Naraian Singh of Pacchaongaon in Etawah, and had issue.

                 • > > Raja Raghuveer Singhji, married Rani Malti Devi of Dehad, Seharsa in Bihar (Jadon Rajput of Karauli), and had issue, two sons and two daughters.

                 • > > Maharaj Chanderveer Singhji, married Kaurani Prakash Kanwar Sodha ji of Amarkot, and had issue, one son and two daughters.

                 • > > Maharaj Pushpender Singhji M.A. (Arts), senior most Tourist escort in Jaipur and promoter of tourism and arts in Jaipur, prominent designer worked in stained glass, for which he was awarded the Maharana of Mewar Foundation Award; married Kaurani Yatan Kanwar Khinchiji of Naulana in Indore, and has issue, one son and one daughter.

                 • > > > Rajkumar Mahaveer Singhji, married Kaurani Sengharji from Gwalior and has issue, one daughter.

                 • > > > > Rajkumari Baiji Raj Kiwi

                 • > > Rajkumari Pushpa Kumari, married Kunwar Rajendra Singhji Nana of Nana Beda in Jodhpur.

                 • > Maharaj Raj Singh (+)

                 • > Maharaj Vikram Singhji (Photo) (by Rani Rasel Kunwar), born 6th April 1932 in Jaipur, an Arts graduate, and retired from the post of Assistant Commercial Taxes Officer in 1991, representative of the senior line of the Ratlam Rajya, married 1956 in Kanpur, Rani Radha Kumari Kushwaha (Photo), daughter of Thakur Mardan Singhji of Khutila Puredan, Bindki; Senior Superintendent of Police, Kanpur; and had issue, one son and two daughters. He died 25th November 2007.

                 • > > Shree Ji Maharaj Natwar Singhji, born 2nd March 1957, has undertaken a course in Hotel Management (1976) and is presently working in a Senior Management position in the hotel industry, married Kaurani Brijesh Gaurji (Photo), daughter of Thakur Arjun Singhji of Dhimrai in Etawah, and has issue, two daughters. (Ratlam House 2nd, C-262, Bhabha Marg, Tilak Nagar, Jaipur-302004, Rajasthan, India)

                 • > > > Rajkumari Baiji Lal Tanishkha Rathore (Photo), presently (2006) studying at Sawai Man Singh Vidyalaya in Jaipur.

                 • > > > Rajkumari Baiji Lal Siddita Rathore (Photo), presently (2006) studying at Sawai Man Singh Vidyalaya in Jaipur.

                 • > > Rajkumari Tej Kanwar, married Shri Pradeep Kumar Singh of Kurra in Mainpuri.

                 • > > Rajkumari Divya Kumari, married Kunwar Janak Singhji Rajawat of Bhajera in Jaipur.

                 • > Rajkumari Raj Kanwar, married Rao Saheb Shambhu Singhji of Bagunia near Garoth (Rampura).

                 • Maharaj Hindu Singh

               • Maharaj Roop Singh

             • Maharaj Gaj Singh

           • Rajkumari Daulat Kanwar, married into the Thikana of Beler in Jaipur.

         • Maharaj Shivdan Singh

         • Maharaj Vijay Singh of Patlasi.

         • Rajkumari (name unknown) Kunwar, married 15th May 1761 (as his sixth wife), HH Sri Sawai Maharaja Madho Singh I of Jaipur. (The Toran Ceremony was performed in the old Ratlam Haveli on Amber Road, Jaipur)

       • Maharaj Nirbhey Singh, married and had issue, one son. He died in battle in 1766 at Maonda ^(#2).

         • Kunwar Kesari Singh, died sp in battle in 1766 at Maonda.

         • Rajkumari Gulab Kanwar, married 1767, HH Sri Sawai Maharaja Pratap Singhji of Jaipur.

       • Maharaj Ajab Singh, also left for Malwa, but unable to recover Dhamnod, settled in Barwaha in Indore, and was granted some landed property there.

     • Kunwar Sangram Singh

     • Kunwar Sadul Singh

     • Rajkumari Anand Kanwar, married Maharaj Bahadur Singhji of Udaipur.

     • Rajkumari Bijai Kanwar, married Kunwar Arjun Singhji Ranawat of Banera in Mewar.

     • Rajkumari Kesar Kanwar, married Kunwar Prithvi Singhji Ranawat of Banera in Mewar.

   • Raja Keshri Singh (qv)

   • Maharaj Pratap Singh, received the estate of Raoti by his his brother, and later shifted his capital to Sailana, he fought with his brother over his estate, killing him in 1716 and thus becoming briefly the ruler of all three states (1716/1717).

   • Maharajkumari Jet Kanwar (by Rani Gulab Kanwar), married Bhagwan Singhji Ranawat of Thikana Nadair in Mewar.

   • Maharajkumari Kishore Kanwar (by Rani Jaideo Kanwar), married Maharaj Inder Singhji Ranawat of Udaipur.

6. Raja KESHRI SINGH, 6th Raja of Ratlam 1706/1716, initially he was granted the estate of Dharad by his brother, but was dispossessed of his estate by his younger brother, married and had issue. He was killed by his brother in 1716.

   • Raja Man Singh (qv)

   • Raja Jai Singh (second son), took revenge against his uncle for the murder of his father, and with his elder brother they shared the three estates amongst themselves, with his brother receiving Dharad (Ratlam) and Dhamnod, whilst he retained the state of Sailana, becoming its first ruler in 1736.

7. Raja MAN SINGH, 7th Raja of Ratlam 1717/1743, received Dharad and Dhamnod as share and later shifted his capital to Ratlam, he married and had issue, three sons.

   • Raja Prithvi Singh (eldest son) (qv)

   • Maharaj Deep Singh, received Jadwasa (Jharwasa), as his share of his father's property; married and had issue.

     • Maharaj Ram Singh, Thakur Saheb of Jawasa, married and had issue.

       • Maharaj Bhim Singh, Thakur Saheb of Jawasa, married and had issue.

         • Maharaj Sardar Singh, Thakur Saheb of Jawasa, married and had issue.

           • Maharaj Bhawani Singh, Thakur Saheb of Jawasa, married and had issue.

             • Maharaj Fateh Singh, Thakur Saheb of Jawasa, the estate escheated to the State.

         • Kunwar Bhairon Singh, he was adopted by Raja Balwant Singh, and succeded as Raja Bhairon Singhji, 12th Raja of Ratlam (see below)

   • Maharaj Devi Singh, he received Palsoda, as his share of his father's property, but it subsequently escheated to the State.

   • Maharaj Kushal Singh, received Amlatha (Amleta), as his share of his father's property.

8. Raja PRITHVI SINGH, 8th Raja of Ratlam 1743/1773, married and had issue.

   • Raja Padam Singh (qv)

9. Raja PADAM SINGH, 9th Raja of Ratlam 1773/1800, married (amongst others), Rani Swarup Kunwar of Namli, and had issue.

   • Raja Parbat Singh (qv)

10. Raja PARBAT SINGH, 10th Raja of Ratlam 1800/1824, he entered into an agreement with the Maharaja of Gwalior in 1819, whereby the Maharaja ceased any interference in the internal affairs of Ratlam and the Raja agree to pay Rs84,000 (Salim Shahi) as tribute; married a sister of the Maharana of Udaipur, and had adoptive issue. He died sp in 1824.

    • (A) Raja Balwant Singh (qv)

11. Raja BALWANT SINGH, 11th Raja of Ratlam 1824/1857, a cousin of the Chief of Salumbar, he was recognized as heir in 1821, married (amongst others) (a), Rajkumari Saras Kumari, daughter of Maharaj Shri Shivdan Singh, Thikanedar of Bagore, and had adoptive issue. He died 29th August 1857.

    • (A) Raja Bhairon Singhji (qv)

12. Raja BHAIRON SINGHJI, 12th Raja of Ratlam 1857/1864, married (amongst others) (a), 1850, Maharani Birad Kanwar of Bhindar, married (b), Baijilal Ajab Kunwari Bai [Maharani Ajab Kunwari Bai], daughter of Raja Sangram Singhji of Banera, and his first wife, Rani Jodhpuriji, and had issue. He died 27th January 1864.

    • HH Raja Sir Ranjit Singhji (qv)

    • Rajkumari (name unknown) Kunwar, married HH Shri Sawai Maharaja Sir Mangal Singh Virendra Shiromani Dev of Alwar.

13. HH Raja Sir RANJIT SINGHJI, 13th Raja of Ratlam 1864/1893, born 1860, succeeded 28th January 1864 ^(#1), placed in charge of the state in 1880, educated at Daly College, Indore; K.C.I.E. (1887), married 1stly, 1878, HH Rani Raj Kunwarba Sahiba of Dhrangadhra, died 1882, married 2ndly, 28th April 1884 at Dhrangadhra, HH Rani Baijilalba Sahiba of Dhrangadhra, and had issue. He died 20th January 1893.

    • Maj.-Gen. HH Maharaja Sir Sajjan Singhji Bahadur (qv)

    • Rajkumari (name unknown) Kunwar, married HH Maharaja Sir Venkatraman Singhji Ju Deo Bahadur of Rewah. She died 1913.

    • Rajkumari Gopal Kunwar [HH Maharani Gopal Kunwar of Sirohi], married 1912 (as his second wife), HH Maharajadhiraj Maharao Shri Sir Sarup Ram Singhji Bahadur of Sirohi.

14. Maj.-Gen. HH Maharaja Sir SAJJAN SINGHJI Bahadur G.C.I.E., K.C.S.I., K.C.V.O., 14th Maharaja of Ratlam 1893/1947, born 13th January 1880 ^(#3), educated at Daly College, Indore; and received ruling powers in December 1898; he joined the newly raised Imperial Cadet Corps in 1902, remaing with them till 1903; he attended the Delhi Darbars held in 1903 and 1911; he was granted the honorary rank of Colonel in the British Army in 1918; he served in France during WWI on the Staff of Field-Marshall Lord Haig from April 1915 up to 1918; subsequently he proceeded to the Indian frontier when war broke out with Afghanistan; he was awarded the Great War Medal, the Afghan campaign medal and holds the Croix d'Officier of the Legion d'Honneur; Regent of the Rewah Princely State from 1918 to 1922; he was appointed an A.D.C. to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales in 1922, he was granted a permanent local salute of 15 guns, made a K.C.S.I. in 1909,a K.C.V.O. in 1922, and a G.C.I.E. in June 1931, he was granted the title of Maharaja as a hereditary distinction in 1921; married 1stly, 29th June 1902, a daughter of HH Maharajadhiraj Mirzan Maharao Shri Sir Khengarji III Sawai Bahadur of Kutch, died 14th January 1927, married 2ndly, 20th August 1922, HH Maharani Sodhiji, a member of the Sodha family of Jamnagar, and had issue. He died 3rd February 1947.

    • HH Maharaja Lokendra Singh Bahadur (by 2nd wife) (qv)

    • HH Maharaja Ranbir Singh Bahadur (qv)

    • Maharajkumari (name unknown) Kunwar, born 16th June 1923, married in April 1938, Col. HH Maharao Raja Bahadur Singh Sahib Bahadur of Bundi, and had issue.

    • Maharajkumari Chandra Kunwar

15. HH Maharaja LOKENDRA SINGH Bahadur, 15th Maharaja of Ratlam 1947/1991, born 9th November 1927 ^(#4), educated briefly at Colet Court School, Hammersmith (1937); he was awarded the Silver Jubilee Medal in 1935 and the Coronation Medal in 1937; married 15th January 1947 in Bombay, HH Maharani Prabha Rajya Lakshmi Devi, daughter of H.E. Major-General Shri Sir Shanker Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana of Nepal. He died sp on 24th June 1991.

16. HH Maharaja RANBIR SINGH Bahadur, 16th Maharaja of Ratlam 1991/2011, born 2nd October 1932. He died 2011.