Karauli State
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Princely state: Karauli

Region

Dhundhar

Flag of 19th c.

Independence from:

Jaipur State

State existed:

10 c./19 c.-1949

Dynasty

Jadauns

Capital

Karauli

Karauli State ^[1] was a princely state in India.
Legend has it that the princely state of Karauli ruled by Jadon Rajputs was founded about 995 by Raja Bijai Pal a Yaduvanshi Rajput^[2][3] ruler ; or is claimed that he was 88th in descent from the hindu god Krishna. Little is however known about the early history of the family; the state was long a fief in Jaipur State until the HEIC chose, in the early 19th century, to recognise Karauli as being an independent principality. In 1818, Karauli was made part of the Rajputana Agency.

Flag of the princely state of Karauli
The state had an area of 3,178 km² (1242 square miles). In 1901, the population of the state was 156,786, and that of the town was 23,482. Millets, the staple food of the people, was the main agricultural produce. As of the early 20th century, there were no major industries; a little weaving, dyeing, wood-turning and stonecutting constituted the notable cottage industries. Most goods, as also salt, sugar, cotton, buffaloes and bullocks, were imported; rice and goats comprised the main exports.
After India's independence in 1947, the state under Maharaja Ganesh Pal Deo acceded to the dominion of India on 7 April 1949; Karauli later merged with the UNION OF INDIA and became part of the state of Rajasthan.
The main village in Karauli district is Mandrayal or Mandrail. This village is famous because it joins the two states M.P. and Rajasthan. Puranmal, the Raja of Amber, fought in the battle of Mandrail in favour of Mughals in the year 1534 AD. Next year, Bahadur Shah of Gujarat besieged the fort of Chittor, upon which Humayun himself started to fight against him. Rani Karmawati, the widow of Rana Sanga, was ruling Chittor as regent. She also tried to be friendly with Mughals and sent a Rakhi to Humayun, but Humayun did not arrive in time. If he would have arrived in time and helped Karmawati, perhaps it would have been Sisodias as their close allies. However, Kachwahas became the first allies of Mughals in Rajputana. Bharmal's policy towards Mughals was merely an extension of his brother's policy.
Bharmal's eldest brother Raja Puranmal died at the Battle of Mandrail in 1534, while helping Humayun to recapture the fort of Bayana. He had a son named Surajmal or Sooja. But he was not recognized as king and his younger brother Raja Bhim Singh ascended to the throne of Amber. Bhim Singh was succeeded by his son Raja Ratan Singh and Raja Bharmal succeeded him in 1548 CE.

Raja Arjun Pal founded the city of Karauli, earlier known as Kalyanpuri in 1348 AD. It is believed that Yaduvanshi Rajputs who are descendents of Lord Krishna ruled the city of Karauli, one of the most loved gods of Hindu mythology. As such they occupy the topmost rank among the Yaduvanshi Rajputs and their family history is rich with tales of valor and glory. Karauli was an erstwhile princely state in eastern Rajasthan

Jadauns