User:Castlekalwar

Castle Kalwar was a fort near Jaipur that saw some fierce battles for survival between the Kilyanot and Naruka rajputs in the early nineteenth century. The owners of this castle claim their inheritance from Maharaja Prithvi Raj of Amber (later Jaipur).The founder father of this clan of Rajputs was Kalyan Singh, one of the sons of Maharaja Prithvi Raj and Sisodia Rani (daughter of Rana Raimal of Mewar). History of this clan is full of velour and courage of the highest order. Kharagsen of Kalwar was one of the most trusted and valiant commanders of Mirja Raja Jai Singh (the founder of Jaipur). Kharagsen was martyred in battle in the Southern Province. The name of Bhakat Singh of Kalwar finds very special mentions in the battle of Hinglaj in 1728 AD and in many other battles in Aghanistan .One of the descendents of this clan, Man Singh Kilyanot, is immortalized and glorified in “Kurm Vijay” the historical recital of the battle of Mandwa-Mandol fought between then Jaipur and Bharatpur States in 1767 AD.The castle has been carved out of a fort originally belonging to another clan of Rajputs, the Narukas, and won over by the present clan, the Kilyanots, in a fierce battle in the Sixteenth Century. The women folk of the Narukas commited Johar, i.e. they jumped to death in burning pyres rather than be captured alive.

Thakur Balwant Singh commenced the construction of this Castle in 1879 AD and the construction continued for the next two generations.The previous Thakur, Jai Singh, was a reputed hunter turned wild life conservationists, who established and developed the game sanctuaries of Sawai Madhopur and Sariska. In keeping with family traditions the present Thakur, Mandhata Singh, has served in the Indian Army for four decades, rising to the three star rank of Lieutenant General.

The property has recently been opened for general public as an heritage hotel and art museum/gallery.