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{{For|the language|Shekhawati language}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2015}}
{| class="toccolours" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em; width: 250px; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|-
| colspan="2" style="margin-left: inherit; background:#FFC0CB; text-align:center; font-size: medium;" |
Historical Region of North India
|- align="center"
| colspan="2" | <div style="position:relative; margin: 0 0 0 0; border-collapse: collapse; border="1" cellpadding="0">
[[File:Shahpura Haveli (Shekhawati).jpg|249x249px]]</div>
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| '''Location'''
| Northern [[Rajasthan]] {{coord|27|55|N|75|24|E|region:IN_dim:200000|display=inline,title}}
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| '''19th-century [[flag]]'''<br />Shekhawati Princely State
| [[File:Flag of Jaipur.svg|50px]]
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| '''State established:'''
| 1445
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| '''[[Language]]'''
| [[Shekhawati dialect|Shekhawati]]
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| '''Dynasty'''
| [[Shekhawat]]s (1445-1948), branch of Kachawa Dynasty of Jaipur
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| '''Historical [[Capital (political)|capitals]]'''
| [[Amarsar]], [[Shahpura, Jaipur|Shahpura]], sikar, jhunjhunu
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| '''Separated states'''
|
|- style="vertical-align: top;"

|}

'''Shekhawati''' is a [[semi-arid]] historical region located in the northeast part of [[Rajasthan]], India. The region was ruled by Shekhawat [[Rajput]]s.
Shekhawati is located in North Rajasthan, comprising the districts of [[Jhunjhunu district|Jhunjhunu]],
parts of [[Sikar district|Sikar]] that lies to the west of the [[Aravali Range|Aravalis]] and [[Churu district|Churu]]. It is bounded on the northwest by the [[Jangladesh]] region, on the northeast by [[Haryana]], on the east by [[Mewat]], on the southeast by [[Dhundhar]], on the south by [[Ajmer district|Ajmer]], and on the southwest by the [[Marwar]] region. Its area is 13784 square kilometers.<ref name=" Taknet, D. K ">Taknet, D.K, Marwari Samaj Aur Brijmohan Birla, Indian Institute of Marwari Entrepreneurship, Jaipur, 1993 p 78 {{ISBN|81-85878-00-5}}</ref>

In the 17th to 19th centuries, [[Marwari people|Marwari]] merchants constructed grand [[havelis]] in the Shekhawati region. Steeped with wealth and affluence, the merchants attempted to outdo others by building more grand edifices – homes, temples, and step wells which both inside and outside were richly decorated with painted murals.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/people/Art-through-the-lens-Havelis-of-Shekhawati/articleshow/25592970.cms Aditya Mukherjee, "Art through the lens: Havelis of Shekhawati", ''The Times of India'' (Nov 12, 2013)]</ref>

==Etymology of ''Shekhawati''==

''Shekhawati'' was first mentioned in the book ''Bankidas ki Khyat''.<ref>Mukutji: Jaipur rajya ka bhugol, page 46-47</ref> A contemporary of ''Bankidas'' was Colonel W.S. Gardener, who used the word ''Shekhawati'' in 1803. Later [[James Tod]] wrote the first history of Shekhawati. The term ''Shekhawati'' was used frequently in ''Vamsh Bhaskar''.<ref name="Sahiram 1952">Sahiram: Ek adhūrī krānti, Shekhawati kā kisān āndolan (1922-1952), page-1</ref> Shekhawati is named after [[Shekha of Amarsar|Rao Shekha]].

==History==

===Ancient history===
{{main|Matsya Kingdom}}

Many historians have considered this region included in the [[Matsya Kingdom]]. [[Rigveda]] also provides certain evidences in this matter.<ref name="Itihasa page 83">[[G H Ojha]]: Rajputane ka Itihasa (Part I), page 83</ref><ref>Sukh Sampati Raj Bhandari: Bharat ke deshi Rajya, Jaypur Rajya ka Itihas, page 3</ref> [[Manusmriti]] has called this land as 'Brahmrishi Desha'.<ref>Sahiram: Ek adhūrī krānti, Shekhawati kā kisān āndolan (1922-1952), page-3</ref>

Shekhawati region was included in 'Marukantar Desha' up to the [[Ramayana]] period. Out of 16 [[mahajanapada]]s prior to [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]], only two Janapadas, namely [[Avanti (India)|Avanti]] and the Kingdom of [[Virata]], were counted in the Rajasthan area. This region was also influenced by Avanti but later on [[Nanda dynasty|Nanda]]s of [[Magadha]] defeated Avanti. Historians believe that [[Maurya]]s obtained the Rajasthan from Nandas.<ref>Prithvi Singh Mehta: Hamara Rajasthan (1950), pages 30-31</ref>

In ancient times Shekhawati was not limited to the present two districts. During the Mahabharata period, it was known as [[Matsya Kingdom]] and extended to the [[Sarasvati River]]. Matsya Kingdom was founded by King Matsya (named Matsya because he was born from a apsra living as a fish), Son of King Uparichara Vasu.<ref name=Alf>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U4NF8pYxdvIC&pg=PA354|title=Dharma: Its Early History in Law, Religion, and Narrative|author=Alf Hiltebeitel|publisher=Oxford University Press|place=USA|year=2011|page=354-355|isbn=978-0195394238|access-date=2020-10-09}}</ref> During ancient times this region was divided into several [[janapada]]s. [[Dhosi Hill]], the revered hill bordering [[Haryana]] and famous for [[Chyavana]] Rishi's Ashram, as well as the place where [[Chyawanprash]] was formulated for the first time, has extensive mentions in the epic [[Mahabharat]] in Vanparv.

After the collapse of the [[Gupta dynasty]], The Shekhawati was controlled by the Chauhan Rajputs. Some parts of Shekhawati, Jhunjhunu, [[Fatehpur, Shekhawati|Fatehpur]], and [[Narhar]] were taken from them by [[Kaimkhani]]s which in turn were defeated by Shekhawat Rajputs.

Kaimkhani is a branch emerging from the [[Chauhan]]s. The first progenitor of Kaimkhanis was Karamchand, born in the family of Moterao of Chauhan clan, the ruler of [[Dadrewa]]. [[Firuz Shah Tughluq]] converted him to Islam and named him Kaimkhan. Thus his descendants are called Kaimkhani.

===Shekhawat rule===
[[File:Bawdi.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Bawdi in Fatehpur. Fatehpur was founded by Rao Fateh Singh of Sikar in 1515.]]
Shekhawati was established and ruled by Shekhawat Rajputs until [[India's independence]].

Rao Shekha from [[Dhundhar]] established his own independent kingdom with the capital at [[Amarsar]]. He was the first independent ruler. After him, Rao Raimal, Rao Suja, and Rao Lunkaran become the rulers of Amarsar. Rao Manohar succeeded his father Rao Lunkaran and founded Manoharpur later renamed [[Shahpura, Jaipur District|Shahpura]] (The present ruler of Shahpura is the Tikai of Shekhawat subclan). Shekhawats conquered the Jhunjhunu, Fatehpur, Narhar of Kaimkhanis and established their rule in 1445 and ruled till 1614.

====Thikanas of Shekhawati====
{{anchor | Thikana}}
[[File:Gate of Shahpura House, Shekhawati, Rajputana build by Shekhawat Ruler.jpg|thumb|Gate of Shahpura House, Shekhawati, Rajputana build by Shekhawat Ruler]]

Rao Shekha, a Shekhawat Rajput (sub-branch of [[Kachwaha]] or Kushwaha), was the founder of Shekhawati, who originally divided Shekhawati into 33 [[Thikana]] (also called a [[Pargana]]), each with at least a ''kutcha'' mud fort, some of which were fortified further with stone. Many Thikanas had their own flags and emblems. Shekhawats ruled over the largest number of Thikanas in [[Jaipur]] Rajwara.

Alphabetical list of original 33 ''Thikana'' is as follows:{{Expand list|date=September 2021}}
# [[Baloda, Jhunjhunu|Baloda Thikana]] was granted to Raj Shree Thakur Dalel Singh ji Shekhawat with 12 village jagir, who migrate from Pilani fort. Who was son of raj Shree Thakur Nawal Singhji Shekhawat of Nawalgarh and grandson of Jhunjhunu maharaja shree Shardul Singh ji Shekhawat. In first Raj shree thakur Dalel Singh ji Shekhawat established [[Pilani]] and built Dalelgarh fort in Pilani. Thakur Dalel Singh Ji was granted Pilani and Baloda with 12 villages. He was brave and perfect warriors during his lifetime he fought mandan war in 1832, after some time they migrated in Baloda thikana and handed over Baloda thikana with 12 other village jagir. Raj shree Thakur Dalel Singh ji Shekhawat was the first jagirdar/thikanedar of Baloda thikana. Shekhawats of Baloda thikana are of Bhojraji clan and Shardulsinghot subclan.
# [[Bissau, Rajasthan|Bissau Thikana]], Bissau and Surajgarh merged to form Bissau
# [[Dundlod|Dundlod Thikana]]
# [[Hameerpura]] was granted to Gulab Singh; his descendants are called ''Rao ji ka''.
# [[Jhunjhunu|Jhunjhunu Thikana]]
# [[Khachariawas|Khachariawas Thikana]] was granted to [[Raja Raisal]]'s eldest son Lal Singh. As Akbar called Lal Singh the ''Lad Khan'', this name became famous, and his descendants are known as ''[[Ladkhani]]''. [[Khatushyamji, Rajasthan|Khatu Thikana]] was granted to Raja Raisal's second son ''Kesari Singh''.
# [[Kansarda|Kansarda Thikana]] was granted to Kanak Singh.
# [[Khandela|Khandela Thikana]]
# [[Khatushyamji, Rajasthan|Khatushyamji Thikana]]
# [[Loharu Fort|Loharu Thikana]] was the 33rd Thikana, which was granted to Arjun Singh, who constructed constructed a ''kutcha'' mud fort there in 1570, which was converted to a ''pucca'' fort in 1803.<ref name="ta1">[https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/loharu-fort-bhiwani-to-be-state-protected-monument-302597 Loharu Fort, Bhiwani, to be state-protected monument], The Tribune, 27 Aug 2021.</ref>
# [[Mandawa|Mandawa Thikana]]
# [[Mandela, Rajasthan|Mandela Thikana]]
# [[Mukundgarh|Mukundgarh Thikana]]
# [[Mundru|Mundru Thikana]]
# Khelna
#[[luharu]]
#[[Indrapura Ratnawat clan,Churu]]
# [[Nangali Saledi Singh|Nangali Saledi Singh Thikana]] was granted by Rao Bhojraj to his youngest son Saledi Singh Shekhawat.
# [[Nawalgarh, Rajasthan|Nawalgarh Thikana]]
# [[Parasrampura|Parasrampura Thikana]]
# [[Pentalisa|Pentalisa Thikana]]
# [[Pilani|Pilani Thikana]] was granted Dalel Singh Shekhawat, third son of maharaja Mawal Singh's of Nawalgarh. Dalel Singh was granted Baloda and Pilani with 12 villagea. He built Dalelgarh fort in Pilani, and after some time he migrated to Baloda Thikana.
# [[Shahpura, Jaipur|Shahpura Thikana]], was the head seat of Shekhawat clan. Shahpura was a Tazimi Thikana of Shekhawat sub-clan and was granted by Rao Shekha to his youngest son Rao Lunkaran.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hooja |first1=Rima |title=A History of Rajasthan |date=2006 |publisher=Rupa & Company |page=499}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Hooja |first1=Rima |title=A History of Rajasthan |date=2006 |publisher=Rupa & Company |page=689}}</ref>
# [[Sikar|Sikar Thikana]] was granted to ''Maharaja Rao Tirmal'' and his descendants are known as ''Rao Ji ka''.
# [[Surajgarh|Surajgarh Thikana]]
# [[Tosham|Tosham Thikana]]
# [[Udaipurwati|Udaipurwati Thikana]] was granted by Raja Rtisal to his fifth son [[Rao Bhojraj]]. Rao Bhojraj was the ancestor of the [[Bhojraj Ji Ka]] branch of Shekhawats. His descendants founded many Thikanas and ruled over them. The group of 45 villages of Udaipurwati was known as Pentalisa), which included [[Jhajhar]], [[Gudha]], Sultana (Rao Hathi Ram Singh ji ka), Bagholi, Khirod, etc.

===Feudalism===

==Geography==
[[File:Shekhawatiregion.jpg|thumb|200px|Shekhawati region of Rajasthan (in blue)]]

Shekhawati is in the [[Thar Desert]] of Rajasthan and has special importance in the history of India. It also covers part of the [[Bagar tract]] along the Haryana-Rajasthan border.

The climate of the desert region is harsh and extreme. The temperature ranges from below {{convert|0|°C|°F}} in winter to more than {{convert|50|°C|°F}} in summer. The summer brings hot waves of air called ''loo''. Annual rainfall is at around 450 to 600  mm. The [[groundwater]] is as deep as 200 feet (60 m), and in some places, the groundwater is [[Hard water|hard]] and salty. The people in the region depend on [[rainwater harvesting]]. The harvested rainwater from the monsoon season (during July and August) is stored in [[Indian vernacular architecture#Pukka|pucca]] tanks and used throughout the year for drinking purposes.<ref name="Busquet">Busquet, Carisse and Gerard ''Impressions of Rajasthan'' 2003, Editions Flammarion, {{ISBN|2-08-011171-X}}</ref>

=== Major cities ===

Major cities in Shekhawati include:

* [[Sikar district]]
** [[Sikar]]
** [[Fatehpur, Rajasthan|Fatehpur]]
** [[Reengus]]
** [[Sri Madhopur]]
* [[Jhunjhunu district]]
** [[Jhunjhunu]]
** [[Chirawa]]
** [[Nawalgarh, Rajasthan|Nawalgarh]]
** [[Pilani]]
* [[Churu district]]
** [[Churu, Rajasthan|Churu]]
** [[Ratangarh, Churu|Ratangarh]]
** [[Sardarshahar]]
** [[Taranagar]]
** [[Salasar Balaji|Salasar]]

==Culture, heritage, and tourism==
[[File:Shekhawati painted houses.jpg|right|thumb|Shekhawati painted houses.]]

===Architecture===

Shahpura [[Haveli]] is a 300-year-old palace built by Rao Pratap Singh, descendant of Rao Shekha, in the 17th century. In the ''zenana'' (women's quarters), various rooms offer different themes. One room has antique murals, another has a marble fountain, while the turret room has walls that are {{convert|7|ft|m}} thick. Diwankhana, the formal drawing room, is decorated with family portraits and an array of antique armour. The Haveli was then renovated by Maharaj Surendra Singh and is now running as a Heritage Hotel. The haveli was recognized as one of the Historic Hotels in the World in the year 2018.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Haveli |first1=Shahpura |title=Shahpura Hotels |url=https://www.cntraveller.in/story/shahpura-hotels/#s-cust0 |website=Condé Nast Traveller India |language=en-IN |date=12 January 2018}}</ref>

===Havelis, temples and frescos===

Most of the buildings of the Shekhawati region were constructed between the 18th century and the early 20th century. During the British occupation, traders adapted this style for their buildings.<ref>Henderson, Carol D, ''Cultures and Customs of India''; Greenwood Press 1992, {{ISBN|0-313-30513-7}}, pg. 92</ref> Shahpura Haveli in Shahpura, 65 km from Jaipur on Jaipur - Delhi Highway, and [[Nangal Sirohi#Havelis and architecture|Nangal Sirohi]] in [[Mahendragarh district]], 130 km from Delhi, are popular for their Shekhawati architecture within the [[National Capital Region (India)|National Capital Region]] (NCR).<ref name=tribh1>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020622/windows/main2.htm Magnificent havelis of Nangal-Sirohi], [[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]], 22 June 2002.</ref>

===Dress===
Women wear ''ghagra lugdi'' as their traditional dress and men wear usual Rajasthani dress.
Shekhawati's women's dress is very costly and unique.

== Language: Shekhawati dialect ==

[[Shekhawati language|Shekhawati]] is a [[dialect]] of the [[Rajasthani language]] and is spoken by about three million speakers in the Churu, Jhunjhunu, and Sikar districts of Rajasthan. Even though it is a very important dialect from the grammatical and literary points of view, very little work is carried out on it. In 2001 a descriptive compendium of the grammar of Shekhawati was published.<ref>Lakhan Gusain. Shekhawati. Munich: Lincom Europa (2001) (LW/M 385)</ref> Shekhawati, like the Bagri dialect of Ganganagar and Hanumangarh districts, has a parallel lexicon which makes it very rich from a lexicographical point of view.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}} [[Word order]] is typically [[Subject–object–verb|SOV]] and there is the existence of [[implosives]]. The presence of high tone at the [[suprasegmental]] level classifies it with other [[dialects of Rajasthani]]. It has contributed significantly to the development of Rajasthani language and [[linguistics]].

Some samples in Shekhawati are:
* {{Transl|swv|Ke Hoyo?}} {{Lang|swv|के होयो?}}, 'What happened?'
* {{Transl|swv|The Kai kar raya ho?}} {{Lang|swv|थे के कर रया हो?}}, 'What are you doing?'
* {{Transl|swv|Ma Thane ghano samman devungo.}} {{Lang|swv|मैं थानै घणो/बोल्लो सम्मान देवूंगो।}}, 'I will give you great respect.'
* {{Transl|swv|The kathe padhar raya ho?}} {{Lang|swv|थे कठै पधार रया हो?}}, 'Where are you going?'
* {{Transl|swv|The ke jeem raya ho?}} {{Lang|swv|थे के जीम रया हो?}}, 'What are you eating?'
* {{Transl|swv|Mann koni bero}} {{Lang|swv|मन्ने कोनि बैरो}}, 'I don't know'

==Agriculture ==

The Shekhawati region has the highest literacy in the state.<ref name=" Dr RP Arya, Jitendra Arya, Dr Gayatri Arya, Anshuman Arya ">Dr RP Arya, Jitendra Arya, Gayatri Arya, Anshuman Arya, Rajasthan Road Atlas, Indian Map Service, Jodhpur 2005</ref>

== Education ==
Recently, the Shekhawati region has shown immense growth in the education sector and has become one of the most successful belt in terms of merit results. There are many schools and colleges that have been established, which is the prime reason of the huge success the region is seeing. Shekhawati is even used for name keeping of the Institutes {{Clarify|reason=unclear what this means|date=September 2021}}like Shekhawati Public School, Dundlod, Shekhawati Engineering college. There are many institutes named after Shekhawati.

==See also==
* [[Rajasthani people]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[http://www.shekhawati.in/fatehpur-shekhawati-rajasthan/ Fatehpur]
*[http://www.ramgarhshekhawati.com Ramgarh Shekhawati]
*[https://colourfulindianholidays.com/blog/places-to-visit-in-shekhawati/ World's largest Open-air Art Gallery]
{{Sikar district}}

== Further reading ==
* Ranbir singh Shekhawat(DUNDLOD) ''History of Shekhawats,''Jaipur,2001 {{ISBN|81-86782-74-5}}
* Ghansyamdas Birla: ''Bikhare Vicharon ki Bharonti,'' New Delhi, 1978
* ''Rajasthan: the painted walls of Shekhavati'', by [[Aman Nath]] and Francis Wacziarg. Vikas Publications, 1982. {{ISBN|0-7069-2087-2}}.

{{Wikivoyage}}

{{Historical regions of North India}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Shekhawati| ]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Sikar district]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Sikar district]]
[[Category:Former principalities]]
[[Category:Regions of Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Thar Desert]]
[[Category:Rajasthani architecture]]
[[Category:Tourism in Rajasthan]]

Shekhawati - Revision history

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