Jhunjhunu

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Jhunjhunun | type = city | latd = 28.13 | longd = 75.4
locator_position = right | state_name = Rajasthan
district = Jhunjhunun
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 323
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 100,476| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone = 91-1592
postal_code =333000
vehicle_code_range =RJ-18
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

Jhunjhunu (Hindi:झुन्झुनू) is a town in the state of Rajasthan in India, and the administrative headquarters of Jhunjhunu District. It is located a 180 km from Jaipur and 245 km from Delhi. Thakur Shardul Singh Shekhawat conquered the Jhunjhunu in 1730. The town is famous for the frescos on its grand Havelis, a special artistic feature of the this region.

Origin of name

Jhunjhunu gets name after Jujhar Singh Nehra (1664 – 1730) or Jhunjha, a Jat chieftain of Rajasthan. The Jats through Jujhar Singh and Rajputs through Sardul Singh agreed upon a proposal to fight united against Muslim rulers and if the Nawab were defeated Jujhar Singh would be appointed the Chieftain. Jujhar Singh one day found the right opportunity and attacked Nawabs at Jhunjhunu and Narhar. He defeated the army of Nawab Sadulla Khan on Saturday, aghan sudi 8 samvat 1787 (1730 AD). According Kunwar Panne Singh [Kunwar Panne Singh:‘Rankeshari Jujhar Singh’] , Jujhar Singh was appointed as Chieftain after holding a darbar. After the ‘tilak’ ceremony of appointment as a sardar or chieftain, the Rajputs through conspiracy killed Jujhar Singh in 1730 AD at a lonely place. Jujhar Singh thus became a martyr and the town Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan was named so after the memory of Jujhar Singh or Jhunjha. [ Thakur Deshraj: Jat Itihas, Delhi,1934 (pp 614-615)]

History

Jhunjhunu lies in the core of the well known erstwhile Shekhawati province. Every corner of Jhunjhunu speaks its own history of Shekhawat Rajput’s bravery and valour.
Thakur Shardul Singh Shekhawat was a very courageous, bold, brave and efficient administrator. He conquered the Jhunjhunu in 1730 from Rohilla Khan, the last Nawab of Jhunjhunu. This is clear from the following poetry, made by the "Charan" of Shekhawats in the Rajasthani language -

:"Satrahso Satashiye, Agahan Mass Udaar",

:"Sadu linhe jhunjhunu, Sudi Athen Sanivaar".

Another poem in Rajasthani language on Shardul Singh -

:"Sade, linho Jhunjhunu, Lino amar patai",

:"Bete pote padaute pidhi sat latai."

The above poetry was composed by the "Charan" of Shekhawats after Jhunjhunu was conquered by Shardul Singh. The translation is that Shardul Singh has taken Jhunjhunu on a lifelong lease. Now the succeeding seven generations would be benefited.

Shardul Singh had three marriages. He married firstly, in 1698, Thukrani Sahaj Kanwar Biki Ji Sahiba, daughter of Manroop Singh Bika of Nathasar; married secondly, Thukrani Sirey Kanwar Biki Ji Sahiba, daughter of Mukal Singh Bika of Nathasar; and married thirdly Thukrani Bakhat Kanwar Mertani Ji Sahiba, daughter of Devi Singh Mertiya of Poonglota (Marwar), near Degana, and had issue. He died 17 April 1742. He had six sons, namely,

* Thakur Jorawar singh, (by the first wife), born at Kant, married and had issue. He died 1745. He built Jorawargarh fort, and was the ancestor of the families of Taen, Malsisar, Gangiyasar, Mandrella etc.
* Thakur Kishan singh, (by the third wife), born 1709, the ancestor of the families of Khetri, Arooka, Seegra, Alsisar etc.
* Kunwar Bahadur Singh, (by the third wife), born 1712, died 1732.
* Thakur Akhay singh, (by the third wife), born 1713, built Akhegarh Fort. Died without issue in 1750.
* Thakur Nawal singh Bahadur (by 3rd wife), born 1715, ancestor of the families of Nawalgarh, Mahensar, Dorasar, Mukundgarh, Narsinghani and Mandawa. He died 24th February 1780.
* Thakur Keshri singh, (by 3rd wife), born 1728, ancestor of the families of Dundlod, Surajgarh and Bissau, fifth and youngest son, died 1768.

Unfortunately, his son Bahadur Singh expired at an early age. As a result his estate was divided into five equal shares. The administration by his five sons was cumulatively known as Panchpana.

After his death the estate was divided equally among his five sons. Shardul Singh was a man of a religious bent of mind, as he built many temples, such as Kalyan Ji Mandir and Gopinath Ji Ka Mandir at Jhunjhunu. To commemorate the sweet memory of his father, his sons made a monumental dome at Parasrampura. Its fresco painting is worth seeing.

All the five sons of Shardul Singh Ji were very brave, capable and efficient rulers. They raised many new thikanas, towns, forts and palaces; they encouraged the baniyas (merchants) in trade. As a result they grew rich and made many Havelies.

Forts and Palaces

* Badalgarh Fort
* Jorawargarh Fort, built by Thakur Jorawar Singh son of Thakur Shardul Singh Shekhawat.
* Akhegarh Fort, built by Thakur Akhe Singh son of Thakur Shardul Singh Shekhawat.
* Khetri Mahal, built by Thakur Bhopal Singh of Khetri.

Geography

Jhunjhunun is located at coord|28.13|N|75.4|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/24/Jhunjhunun.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Jhunjhunun] ] . It has an average elevation of 323 metres (1059 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Jhunjhunu had a population of 100,476. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Jhunjhunu has an average literacy rate of 60%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 69%, and female literacy is 50%. In Jhunjhunu, 18% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Places to visit

Modi Haveli are two havelis opposite each other. The paintings show some modern scenes from British India. For example, there is a painting of a lady sitting in front of a gramophone and some soldiers on horses escorting a train. Kaniram Narsinghdas Tibrewal Haveli shows a goods train laden with livestock cross a passenger train. Narudin Farooqi Haveli has only a floral motif in Muslim style with a dominant blue colour. Mohanlal Ishwardas Haveli has legends of Krishna stealing the clothes of gopis.Also Alsisar Palace is worth visiting.

Jhunjhunu is famous for the Rani Sati Temple [ [http://myjhunjhunu.com/narayanidevi Sri Rani Sati Mandir At Jhunjhunu (Rajasthan)] ] . The practice of Sati is banned in India. However, places of Sati are very popular with locals and Rajasthanis in other states, who value traditional fidelity. More than 100,000 devotees visit this temple every year. Contrary to the beliefs of many, the temple board's aim is to prevent Sati. As soon as one enters the main temple, there is a board saying "Hum Sati Pratha ka sakt virodh karte hain" (We strongly oppose the practise of Sati)".

Towns and villages

*Delsar Khurd
* Adrash Nagar (Bagar)
* Alsisar
* Bharonda Kalan
* Raipur Jattan
* Pilani
* Bagar
* Bahadurwas
* Bakara
* Baragaon
* Bharu
* Bissau
* Chanana
* Chirana
* Chirawa
* Dundlod
* Dhamora
* Gudha
* Jakhal
* Jakhar Ka Bass
* Jhajhar
* Jharodha
* Keharpura Kalan
* Kalipahari
* Khetri
* Togra Sawroop Singh
* Khiror
* Kumawas, Nawalgarh
* Lalpur
* Luttu
* Mahansar
* Malsisar
* Mandawa
* Mukangarh
* Nawalgarh
* [nua| [Sefraguwar]
* Ranasar
* Singhana
* Sultana
* Surajgarh
* Taen
* Tamkor
* Udaipurwati
* Kisari- Birth palace ofSumitra Singh

Personalities from Jhunjhunu District

* Shri Narotam Lal Joshi (Freedom Fighter and Founding Speaker of Rahasthan Vidhan Sabha)
* The Birlas
* Pirmal (Paramvir Chakar Vijeta)
* R. P. Goenka
* Satya Narain Sharma - Ex Minister of Chhatisgarh
* Sis Ram Ola
* Mahendra Singh Dhabhai
* Sumitra Singh- Legislative Assembly Speaker Rajasthan
* Surya & Girish Jhunjhnuwala- Marwaris
* Ved Prakash - Bharonda Kalan

Notes

References

* Thakur Ranbir Singh Shekhawat: History of Shekhawats
* Thakur Sobhagya Singh Shekhawat: Shekhawati ke Veer Geet
* Kunwar Panne Singh: Rankeshari Jujhar Singh
* Thakur Deshraj: Jat Itihas, Delhi,1934 (pp 614-615)
* Tanwar Abdul Aziz ( k. Bissauwala)
* Rajesh Singh Shekhawat : (parliamentary advisor)

External links

* [http://www.jhunjhunu.nic.in Jhunjhunu district website]
* [http://myjhunjhunu.com Website about Jhunjhunu, with photographs]
* [http://myjhunjhunu.com/newspaper Monthly Hindi newspaper about Jhunjhunu]