Karauli State

Karauli State was a princely state in the north eastern edge of modern day Rajasthan, India from 1348 to 1949. It is located in the cultural Braj region. Karauli city was the capital while Mandrayal or Mandrail was another important town.

History
The rulers of Karauli belonged to the Yadava or Jadaun clan of Rajputs belonging to the Chandravanshi (Lunar) descent. The founder of the dynasty was Raja Vijaypal who came from Mathura and founded the fort of Bayana in 1040. Vijaypal also came into conflict with the Ghaznavid tribes during his reign. Raja Timanpal (r.1093-1159) was an important ruler of the dynasty, he extended his domain by conquering the territories of modern day Dang, Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Gurgaon, Mathura, Agra and Gwalior. Raja Arjunpal founded Karauli in the year 1348. Sultan Mahmud Khilji of the Malwa Sultanate invaded and captured Karauli in 1454 which led the kingdom into a decline. The rulers of Karauli shifted to Untagarh and ruled a small territory. During Mughal Emperor Akbar's reign Raja Gopaldas of Karauli got back his ancestral capital of Karauli.

British era
For his loyalty to the British Empire, Madan Pal was made a Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India. The salute of honour, to which the Chiefs of Karauli were entitled, was also enhanced from 15 to 17 in appreciation of the loyal services of Raja Madan Pal, who was also decorated with a rich dress of honour.

The state under Maharaja Ganesh Pal Dev acceded to the Dominion of India on 4 August 1947. Karauli later merged with the Union of India and became part of the state of Rajasthan.