Jhalawar has a bit of its own history, but that happened towards the middle of the 19th century when Bundi’s ruler Umed Singh died. Zalim rushed back to Bundi from Gagron on hearing of the Maharao’s death. and then began the struggle for the seat of power between the sons of Zalim and Umed Singh. Kishore Singh, the Maharao’s son, was made the ruler, much to the dislike of the other contenders. However, he was soon overthrown and Prithvi Singh sat on the throne. Finally, in 1838 Zalim Singh carved out the new kingdom of Jhalawar for his descendents with this town as the capital. Here Zalim’s statesmanship came into play, for this feat would not have been achieved without the help of a higher power, namely the British. Jhalawar went to Zalim Singh and his sons who loyally served the British even during the Uprising of 1857 when the entire country revolted against British rule.

A Great Cultural & Musical Center

Gradually, as the people prospered Jhalawar began to entertain the arts, also becoming a great cultural nucleus of music and theatre under its cosmopolitan kings. Jhalawar to this day boasts of one of the finest opera houses in India from that period complete with an amazing inbuilt acoustic system.

Bhawani Natya Shala:

Built by Maharaja Bhawani Singh in 1921, was constructed on the pattern of European opera houses. For a while it was a popular stage for Parsi plays and music. The three storeyed building is made of white and red stone and, like most Rajput structures, is crowned by chhatris (pavilions) on its roof. On the outside, a narrow balcony runs along each floor of the Natya Shala enclosed by iron railings.

Festivites in Jhalawar

The Chandrabhaga fair in Jhalrapatan is a rather interesting one. Essentially a cattle fair, Chandrabhaga becomes a hub of activity with cows, horses, buffaloes and bullocks being bought and sold by people who come from as far as Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.