Maroth, Rajasthan

Maroth is a village located in Nawa, Nagaur district, in the state of Rajasthan, India. The area surrounding the village is named Gaurati, which means "The Land of Gaurs".

Maroth is located approximately 11 km from both Nawa and the railway station of Kuchaman city.

Location
Maroth is located along State Highway Number 19, which links Jodhpur to Jaipur. Maroth has one bus stop which connects the village to Kuchaman City and a railway station near the village in which trains going to Jodhpur from Jaipur stop.

History
In the Hammira mahakavya of Nayachandrasuri (14th century A.D.), its name is mentioned as Maharashtra nagara. This name was used even up to the eighteenth century A.D. as is clear from the epigraphical records. In Apabhraṃśa, it is known as Maharotha.

As Maroth is surrounded by hills, the ruling chiefs, seeing its strategical position, selected it for constructing forts to have a hold over the prized country of salt producing Sambhar Lake. It is said to be ruled by various Rajput dynasties like Chandellas (of Rewasa and Kasumbi-Udaipurwati), Dahiyas (of Parbatsar and Maroth), Pratiharas (of Kuchaman), Chalukyas (i.e., Solankis) and Chauhans (of Ajmer and Sambhar).

This region is called Gaudati on account of its fierce Gaur Rajputs rulers. Two brothers - Vachchharaja and Vamana, came to Ajmer from Gauda Kingdom in the time of Emperor Prithviraja Chauhana III, married Enperor's sisters and subdued the rebellious Dahiya chiefs, thus receiving recognition as the Kings of Maroth.

No definite information of the early Gaur rulers is available. During the reign of Jahangir, Gopaladasa the ruling chief of this place, was made Kiledar of Asera. He and his son Vikrama were killed in a battle of Thadha, which they fought in favour of Khuram (Shahjahan) against Jahangir.

After him, his son Bithaladasa, who was the most powerful ruler of this dynasty, became a ruler.He was made Hakim of Ranthambore in1630 A.D. by Shahjahan. After the death of Vajirkhan, Shahjahan appointed him as a Subedar and Kiledar of Agra in 1640 A.D. His near relative Biharldasa, in 1639 A.D., gave directions to the revenue collectors of Maroth known as Chaudharis, to rehabilitate the deserted Paraganas and emphasized,” As you serve, so shall you get the reward.” After him, his son Arjuna extended his kingdom because Malpura, now in Jaipur District, was ruled by him. It is clear from a Jaina inscription of 1653 A.D. (V.S. 1710) that Lalachanda performed a big installation ceremony of images at Malpura during the reign of Arjuna Gaur through Bhatfdraka Chandrakirti. Malpura was probably taken by him from the Kachhavahas of Amber.

The Gaurs were fond of buildings, and as such, they constructed fort and palaces at this place, the remains of which are still traceable. The temple of Lakshmlnarayana on the hill, which seems to be of the fourteenth century A.D. from the architectural point of view, is said to have been built by some Gaur chief. This temple was repaired from time to time. Though its major part has fallen, its old pillars and sikhara are still surviving. The Saiva temple is also attributed to them. A big garden, known as Naulakha with the income of nine lakhs was erected by these Gaur rulers.

The Gaur Rajputs ruled the region around Maroth for centuries. Over the course of history, they increased their influence and expanded their kingdom. The Gaur people fought alongside the Amber Kingdom early in their history. In the early 16th century, a man named Ridhmal became the ruler of Maroth and the leader of the Gaur rulers of the region. Riddmal was a military commander of the Gaurs and fought several battles against local rival Rao Shekha, consolidating all the Gaur people under his control and fighting against Shekha. However, Ridhmal was forced to enter into a treaty with Raymal, the son of Rao Shekha.