Keshorai Patan
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Keshorai Patan
Head-quarters of the tahsil of the same name in the State of Bundi, Rajputana, situated in 25 degree 17' N. and 75 degree 57' E., on the northern bank of the Chambal, about 12 miles below Kotah town and 22 miles south-east of Bundi town. Population (1901), 3,773. The place claims a very remote antiquity, local historians affecting to trace its traditions back to the mythological period of the Mahabharata. In old days it was a wild jungle, known as Jambu Karan from the number of jdmun-trees (in Sanskrit jambu) and of jackals (in Sanskrit jambuk) found there. The original name of the town was Rantideo Patan, after Raja Rantideo, chief of Maheshwar and cousin of Raja Hasti, the founder of Hastinapur. The oldest inscriptions found are in a couple of satl temples on the banks of the river, which are supposed to bear dates a.d. 35 and 93 ; it is also stated that, long before this period, one Parasram built the Jambu Margeshwar or Keshwar temple sacred to Mahadeo. The building gradually fell into decay and was reconstructed in the time of Rao Raja Chhatarsal (1631-58), to whom also is due the erection of the larger temple of Keshorai, for which the town is now famous, though the foundations were actually laid in the time of his predecessor. This temple contains an image of Keshorai, a name for Vishnu, and attracts yearly a large crowd of worshippers. It possesses no marked architectural beauties, and has been so incessantly covered with fresh coats of whitewash that it looks not unlike a huge piece of fretwork in wax or sugar which the heat or moisture has partially melted. The tahsil of Patan, one of the most fertile in the State, was ceded to the Peshwa in the eighteenth century for assistance rendered in expelling a usurper, and was by him transferred, two-thirds to Sindhia and one-third to Holkar. Under the treaty of 18 18 the portion held by Holkar was restored to Bundi, while under the treaty of i860 with Sindhia the sovereignty of the remainder of the tract was transferred to the British Government, who made it over in perpetuity to Bundi on payment of Rs. 80,000 a year.
