Karan Singhji Kalawant

Karan Singhji Mulrajot, also known as Karn Singh Kalawant, was a prominent Rajpurohit warrior of the Mulrajot Sewad lineage of Tinwari, Marwar. He was the son of Thakur Kalyan Singhji and grandson of Pratap Singhji, a battlefield hero under Rao Maldeo Rathore. Karan Singhji inherited not only the title of Thakur of Tinwari but also the martial valor and loyalty deeply rooted in his bloodline. His martyrdom in a tragic case of mistaken identity during the Mughal–Mewar conflict remains a celebrated chapter in Marwar’s oral and written history.

Historical Background

During the reign of Maharana Amar Singh of Mewar, the region was entangled in hostilities with the Mughal Empire under Emperor Jahangir. As part of the Mughal campaign to suppress Mewar, Prince Khurram (later Shah Jahan) was sent to attack Mewar.

At this time, Gaj Singh Rathore, the ruler of Jodhpur and a Mughal ally, had taken control of Sojat from Mewar and handed it over to Mughal commander Abdullah, who set up a military station at Nadol. Another Mughal outpost existed at Ranakpur, which further established Mughal pressure in the area.

Incident at Nadol – Mistaken Identity and Martyrdom

Karan Singh Kalawant, while en route to Shahpura, was accompanied by 13 soldiers. Near the Nadol station, Abdullah's men challenged the small group. When asked his identity, Karan Singh boldly declared:

“मैं करण” (“I am Karan”).

Commander Abdullah, mistaking him for Prince Karan Singh Sisodia of Mewar, immediately launched an attack. Despite being outnumbered and unprepared for such an ambush, Karan Singhji and his 13 companions fought valiantly and attained martyrdom. The mistake was realized only after the death of Karn Singh, who was not the Sisodia prince but a Rajpurohit warrior.

Ballads, Nisani, and Literary Legacy

His heroic sacrifice is immortalized in Marwar’s poetic and folk traditions, especially in nisani, geet, and doha composed by poets and bards of the time.

📜 Nisani (Battle Verses)

खेदा अब्दुला तणै, खड़ हड़ खंधार रीठ जबकीयां, काबली खडांणां। पठांणा॥
जाहंदी जांणी नहीं, भाषा उरदीरध असुराईणां, लुध कंध बुझाणां। मंडांणा॥
करणाजळ भारथ कर, माथै फौज अब्दुला तंणी, चौफेरां मडांणां। फिरांणा॥

These lines recount how Karan Singh was encircled by Abdullah’s troops, bravely held his ground, and died amid intense fighting.

🪶 Geet by Kavi Bhadeji

प्रथम मेट खंधार गज भार राज प्रोहित पाड़तो, और असवार लौपै अछायौ।
नाल हथ निहसां, नर दांताल नीझ ड़तो, गाहतो गुड़तो घणै मन ज्यांन॥
औथरै उखबरै राज प्रोहित करनो रहियो, सैधणी गया उपाड़ीयै सेल॥

These powerful couplets portray Karn Singh as a fearless hero who resisted the Mughal forces till his last breath.

🪔 Doha (Couplets)

मूला हरा रण मांझी, करण पातल कालियांण।
बला बल प्रौहित बांका, अड़िया भिड़ अरियांण॥

करण आयो काबलियां, कह चढियो के काण।
प्रौहित पड़ियौ अरिपाड़, अब्दुला रै अरांण॥

These poetic verses symbolize his valor, patriotism, and misfortune, and are still sung in bardic households and Rajpurohit gatherings across Marwar.

Legacy

Karan Singhji Kalawant's unflinching courage, even in the face of mistaken identity and overwhelming force, is remembered with great reverence. His sacrifice is a symbol of honor and loyalty, not just to his rulers but also to the cause of truth and bravery.

His descendants at Tinwari remember him with pride, and his name continues to be cited in Marwar’s oral warrior traditions.

Sources

Rajpurohit Jati Ka Itihas, Part 1
Rajputana Virasat, article
Marwar ka Itihas, historical chronicle
Oral ballads and bardic traditions of Marwar

Bikamsi / Vikram Singh Rajpurohit

Bijad ji

Bahad Ji

Harpal JI

Sadaji Harpalot

Rekhaji Khindawat

Damaji Harpalot

Mulraj ji Kumpawat

Pratap Singh Mulrajot

Karn Singh Kalawat

Dalpat Singh Manohardasot

Kesari Singh Akherajot