Nagars arrived in Banswara from Vadnagar via Idar in Gujarat. It is believed that during the Eighteenth Century, there were 300 to 350 families of Nagars, both in Dungarpur and Banswara. The story of the arrival of Nagars to Banswara is as under:-
In the end of the Seventeenth Century and early Eighteenth Century the last of Mughal emperors had lost all the control over the Country. The British rule through the East India Company was finding its feet in the country. This was the time of a lot of political turmoil as the small princely states were fighting each other for supremacy. The Marathas had gained some military supremacy which they put to good use by frequently invading the Rajput kingdoms of Rajasthan and as a mark of supremacy collecting “Chauth” which was a sort of settlement money in lieu of defeat. The political and financial conditions of the Rajput ruler of Dungarpur were not very sound. Maharaval Fatahsingh was the Maharaval of Dungarpur at the time. The Maharaval also lacked in any experience, foresight and political acumen. In 1805 A D a Maratha Sardar- Sadashiv Rao attacked Dungarpur and defeated the Maharaval and asked for Rs.2,00,000/- as Chauth. The Chauth was to be paid within 24 Hrs failing which the Maratha Sardar had threatened to burn the entire town to ashes. The Maharaval, the weak and cowardly ruler that he was, conceded to the demand of Chauth. The durbaris were called and an emergency meeting was called. The treasurer of the kingdom informed that the state was virtually bankrupt and there was no way that the state could pay the amount of Chauth. The durbaris of the Maharaval were also as cowardly and weak as the Maharaval himself. They advised that the Nagar community of the town, which was quite well to do, may be asked to pay the Chauth and save the town. The financial well being of the Nagars of Dungarpur, was well known in the town. Rumours were ripe that the Nagars were so affluent that there were gunny bags full of gold ornaments and other valuables in each of the Nagar household in the town. It was said that the gunny bags were stacked at the terraces of the household. The representatives of the community were summoned and very unceremoniously ordered to collect and pay the amount. Nagars, being farsighted, however, were of the opinion that the demand of the Maratha Sardar would only encourage him and his likes to invade again and again. Nagars pleaded with the Maharaval to be brave and fight out the invaders and not to give in so easily. The Maharaval and his durbaris, however, did not have courage to retaliate and therefore, the Nagars were pressurized for financial help which raised disputes between the Maharaval and the Nagars. As a result of the dispute, Nagars left Dungarpur after paying the amount and settled in Banswara. The Nagars which came from Dungarpur and settled in Banswara are called Dungarpura Nagars. The then Maharaval of Banswara, Vijaysinghji welcomed Nagars with open arms and provided special land for them to settle. According to Shri Pundit Karunashankarji, there were 7 Pols (societies) of Nagars in Banswara. The present day Nai Abadi, which was earlier known as vinayakpura was inhabited by Nagar. Nagars were settled in the present Sutharwada also.
Courtesy:- Shri Dhanpatrai Jha
In the end of the Seventeenth Century and early Eighteenth Century the last of Mughal emperors had lost all the control over the Country. The British rule through the East India Company was finding its feet in the country. This was the time of a lot of political turmoil as the small princely states were fighting each other for supremacy. The Marathas had gained some military supremacy which they put to good use by frequently invading the Rajput kingdoms of Rajasthan and as a mark of supremacy collecting “Chauth” which was a sort of settlement money in lieu of defeat. The political and financial conditions of the Rajput ruler of Dungarpur were not very sound. Maharaval Fatahsingh was the Maharaval of Dungarpur at the time. The Maharaval also lacked in any experience, foresight and political acumen. In 1805 A D a Maratha Sardar- Sadashiv Rao attacked Dungarpur and defeated the Maharaval and asked for Rs.2,00,000/- as Chauth. The Chauth was to be paid within 24 Hrs failing which the Maratha Sardar had threatened to burn the entire town to ashes. The Maharaval, the weak and cowardly ruler that he was, conceded to the demand of Chauth. The durbaris were called and an emergency meeting was called. The treasurer of the kingdom informed that the state was virtually bankrupt and there was no way that the state could pay the amount of Chauth. The durbaris of the Maharaval were also as cowardly and weak as the Maharaval himself. They advised that the Nagar community of the town, which was quite well to do, may be asked to pay the Chauth and save the town. The financial well being of the Nagars of Dungarpur, was well known in the town. Rumours were ripe that the Nagars were so affluent that there were gunny bags full of gold ornaments and other valuables in each of the Nagar household in the town. It was said that the gunny bags were stacked at the terraces of the household. The representatives of the community were summoned and very unceremoniously ordered to collect and pay the amount. Nagars, being farsighted, however, were of the opinion that the demand of the Maratha Sardar would only encourage him and his likes to invade again and again. Nagars pleaded with the Maharaval to be brave and fight out the invaders and not to give in so easily. The Maharaval and his durbaris, however, did not have courage to retaliate and therefore, the Nagars were pressurized for financial help which raised disputes between the Maharaval and the Nagars. As a result of the dispute, Nagars left Dungarpur after paying the amount and settled in Banswara. The Nagars which came from Dungarpur and settled in Banswara are called Dungarpura Nagars. The then Maharaval of Banswara, Vijaysinghji welcomed Nagars with open arms and provided special land for them to settle. According to Shri Pundit Karunashankarji, there were 7 Pols (societies) of Nagars in Banswara. The present day Nai Abadi, which was earlier known as vinayakpura was inhabited by Nagar. Nagars were settled in the present Sutharwada also.
Courtesy:- Shri Dhanpatrai Jha
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