Raja Muhkam Singh was a Jat Chieftain

Tribal chief

A tribal chief is the leader of a tribal society or chiefdom. Tribal societies with social stratification under a single leader emerged in the Neolithic period out of earlier tribal structures with little stratification, and they remained prevalent throughout the Iron Age.In the case of ...

 and son of Churaman

Churaman

Marharajah Churaman was Zamindar of Sinsini and the real founder of Jat state of Bharatpur in Rajasthan, India. He was son of Bhajja Singh and younger brother of Raja Ram Jat. He was the first unanimously elected leader of Jats in 1695...

. He succeeded his father to the leadership of Jats from c. September- October , 1721 - 18 November 1722. Fransoo, while giving the genealogy of the Jat rulers, mentions him as the first Raja

Raja

Raja is an Indian term for a monarch, or princely ruler of the Kshatriya varna...

, who set up his Raj at Thun. It appears, however, that he himself adopted the title of the Raja. , ,

Unpopular leader

Ill tempered, domineering and pugnacious, young Muhkam Singh was incapable as a leader. He is believed to have forcibly occupied the vacant leadership, much against the then prevalent custom among the Jats. A majority of the Jat leaders, (apparently headed by Badan Singh

Badan Singh

Marharajah Badan Singh was the formal founder of the princely state of Bharatpur. He was nephew of Churaman.He was born in Jat family. After the death of Churaman on 22 September 1721 there were family disputes between Badan Singh and Mohkam, son of Churaman. Badan Singh aligned with Jai Singh II...

) did not approve it. They also disliked his intemperance and wished to sack him. , , This situation precipitated an internal crisis again. Getting jealous of Badan Singh’s “bravery and ability” Muhkan Singh threw that chief into prison at Khoh (6 miles north-west of Deeg). ,

This was thus Badan Singh

Badan Singh

Marharajah Badan Singh was the formal founder of the princely state of Bharatpur. He was nephew of Churaman.He was born in Jat family. After the death of Churaman on 22 September 1721 there were family disputes between Badan Singh and Mohkam, son of Churaman. Badan Singh aligned with Jai Singh II...

’s second imprisonment within a short time. The maltreatment at the hands of Muhkam Singh ultimately strengthened his cause. Fransoo adds that as many as 22 prominent sardars (Said to be Raja Ram

Raja Ram Jat

Raja Ram was a Jat leader and organizer of rebellion for freedom against Aurangzeb. He was chieftain of Sinsini in princely state of Bharatpur in India. Raja Ram was son of Bhajja Singh of Sinsini. Details about the early life of Raja Ram are not available...

’s son, Fateh Singh of Ajan , Anup Singh of Arig, Ati Ram’s son, Shardul Singh of Halena , Gujars of Sihi and Helak , Purohit Kalu Ram and Lalji of Barsana and others), who loved Badan Singh

Badan Singh

Marharajah Badan Singh was the formal founder of the princely state of Bharatpur. He was nephew of Churaman.He was born in Jat family. After the death of Churaman on 22 September 1721 there were family disputes between Badan Singh and Mohkam, son of Churaman. Badan Singh aligned with Jai Singh II...

for his “ good behaviour” appealed to Muhkam Singh to release his cousin but he refused . ,

Widening Discord

At a time when Muhkam Singh’s strength was dwindling owing to the widening discord, he and his brother Zul Karan further provocated the Mughals. They created widespread turbulence in their neighbourhood. They committed depredations on the royal highways, and despoiled the village and towns. Expelling revenue officials, they illegally realized revenue from khalisa and jagir mahals. Saadat Khan failed all through to chastise the insurgents. All this caused deep anxiety to the government.