Istimrari
Encyclopedia
The Istimrari estates were small feudal states (originally jagir
s) in the 17th and 18th century Rajputana
. The Istimrari chieftains paid tribute to their masters but were not compelled to participate in wars unless called upon by their respective chiefs.
In the Indian feudal system of 17th and 18th century, there were 66 Istimararis in the Rajputana
(North west India). The Istimrari estates were originally only Jagirs, held under obligation of military service. The Marathas, however, who found it impolitic to encourage the warlike tendencies of their Rajput
vassal
s, commuted this obligation for a fixed tribute.
The Maharaja of Kishangarh
, the Thakur of Fatehgarh
in Kishangarh, the Thakur of Junia
, the Thakur of Bandanwara, and the Thakur of Tantuti are among the bhumids of Ajmer.
The duties of bhumids were originally threefold
Jagir
In historic India, a jagir was a small territory granted by the ruler to an army chieftain in fairly short terms usually of three years but not extending beyond his lifetime, in recognition of his military service...
s) in the 17th and 18th century Rajputana
Rajputana
Rājputāna was the pre-1949 name of the present-day Indian state of Rājasthān, the largest state of the Republic of India in terms of area. George Thomas was the first in 1800 A.D., to term this region as Rajputana...
. The Istimrari chieftains paid tribute to their masters but were not compelled to participate in wars unless called upon by their respective chiefs.
In the Indian feudal system of 17th and 18th century, there were 66 Istimararis in the Rajputana
Rajputana
Rājputāna was the pre-1949 name of the present-day Indian state of Rājasthān, the largest state of the Republic of India in terms of area. George Thomas was the first in 1800 A.D., to term this region as Rajputana...
(North west India). The Istimrari estates were originally only Jagirs, held under obligation of military service. The Marathas, however, who found it impolitic to encourage the warlike tendencies of their Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
vassal
Vassal
A vassal or feudatory is a person who has entered into a mutual obligation to a lord or monarch in the context of the feudal system in medieval Europe. The obligations often included military support and mutual protection, in exchange for certain privileges, usually including the grant of land held...
s, commuted this obligation for a fixed tribute.
Istimrari
The istimrari chieftains, accordingly, acquired the habit of regarding themselves as holders at a fixed and permanent quit-rent; and although during the earlier period of British rule extra cesses were levied from time to time, in 1841 the Government remitted all such collections for the future. In 1873 sanads were granted to the various istimdars, declaring their existing assessments to be fixed in perpetuity. There is, however, a special due (nazardna) on successions, its amount being separately stipulated in each sanad.List
There are altogether 66 istimrari estates in Ajmer District. The istimdars are divided into tazimi and non-tazimi, the former being the native aristocracy of the Province and the latter persons of less consideration.The tazimi istimdars
- Kalera-Bogla,
- Bhinai,
- Sawar,
- Masuda,
- Pisangan,
- Junia,
- Deolia,
- Kharwa,
- Bandanwara,
- Mehrun,
- Para,
- Deogaon - Baghera,
- Gobindgarh,
- Tantuti,
- Barli, and
- Bagsuri
Bhum
This term is peculiar to Rajputs. The word itself means ' land' and bhumid signifies the allodial proprietor. The tenure consists essentially in a hereditary, non-resumable, and inalienable property in the soil. The title of bhumid is so cherished that the greatest chiefs are solicitous to obtain it, even in villages entirely dependent on their authority as well as in those outside their territorial jurisdiction.The Maharaja of Kishangarh
Kishangarh
Kishangarh is a city and a municipality in Ajmer district in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It lies 18 miles north-west of Ajmer. It is well connected via Indian Railways and National Highway #8. It is the birth place of the Kishangarh style of painting, which is known for the beautiful depiction...
, the Thakur of Fatehgarh
Fatehgarh
Fatehgarh is a cantonment town in Farrukhabad district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is located on the right bank of the Ganges River. It is the administrative headquarters of Farrukhabad District. Fatehgarh derives its name from an old fort. It is a small city with no significant...
in Kishangarh, the Thakur of Junia
Junia
Junia or Junias was a 1st century Christian highly regarded and complimented by the apostle Paul: Paul describes Junia as kinsmen, fellow prisoners, and as being "in Christ" before Paul's dramatic Damascus road conversion...
, the Thakur of Bandanwara, and the Thakur of Tantuti are among the bhumids of Ajmer.
The duties of bhumids were originally threefold
- To protect the village in which the bhum is, and the village cattle, from robbers;
- To protect the property of travelers within the village from theft and robbery; and
- To compensate sufferers from a crime which should have been prevented.