Sirohi Town
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.
Sirohi Town
Capital of the State and head-quarters of the tahsil of the same name in Rajputana, situated in 24° 53' N. and 72° 53' E., about 16 miles north-west of Pindwara station on the Rajputana-Malwa Railway. Population (1901), 5,651. The town is said to take its name from the Saranwa hill, on the western slope of which it stands. It was built by Rao Sains Mai about 1425, taking the place of the old capital, a little farther to the east, which was abandoned as the site was found unhealthy. About 2 miles to the north is the shrine of Sarneswar (a form of Siva), the tutelary deity of the chiel. This was built about 500 years ago, and is surrounded by a fortified wall erected by one of the Musalman kings of Malwa, who is said to have been cured of a leprous disease by bathing in a kund or fountain close by. Outside and on the plain below are the cenotaphs of the Sirohi chiefs. The Maharao's palace, which has been considerably enlarged during recent years, is picturesquely situated on the hill-side overlooking the town. The place is famous for its sword-blades, daggers, and knives. It con- tains a combined post and telegraph office ; a well-arranged jail, which has accommodation for 135 prisoners, the daily average strength in 1904 having been 118; an Anglo-vernacular primary school, attended by about 70 boys ; a good hospital with accommodation for 24 in-patients ; and a small dispensary attached to the palace.
