Ramdeo Damawat | Rajpurohit Encyclopedia Profile

Rao Naroji, the son of Rao Suja and Rani Lakshmi, was granted the Jagir of Phalodi by his father. Along with him, Ramdeo Damawat was appointed as his Rajguru (royal priest and advisor). Rani Lakshmi, though Rao Suja’s chief consort, was also Naroji’s biological mother, and thus accompanied her son to Phalodi.

One day, while Rao Naroji was dining with his mother in the palace, lightning struck, and it was said to have fallen near Pokaran. Hearing this, Rani Lakshmi grew emotional and began sighing deeply. Upon inquiry, she revealed that Rao Khia of Pokaran had once proposed marriage to her before her union with Rao Suja, but later dishonored the commitment. She confessed her unhealed wound over the insult and told Naroji that she had always wanted to see Pokaran taken.

Rao Naroji, out of respect for familial ties, had initially refrained from attacking Pokaran, as Rao Khia was a relative through his maternal aunt. But with his mother’s insistence, he decided to act.

Rao Naroji consulted Rajguru Ramdeo Damawat, who suggested that he should first gather intelligence. Ramdeo, whose in-laws resided in Pokaran, volunteered to travel there under the pretense of being upset with Naroji.

After spending months gathering information while staying with his in-laws, Rajguru Ramdeo traveled during winter to Ugarawas village, visiting the fort (kot) of the Rajpurohit family. At the fort gate, a guard with a ceremonial bowl (used to offer water to guests) stood in anticipation. Ramdeo asked the guard for the bowl, but the guard hesitated. Ramdeo cleverly assured him he would have a person properly request it later and took the bowl himself.

He then mounted a camel and left toward Phalodi, stopping at Bithriya village, from where he sent a Paliwal messenger to inform Rao Naroji that the time was ripe.

Rao Naroji, who was already preparing for the mission, immediately mobilized with his forces and met Rajguru Ramdeo en route. They embraced, and together they marched toward Pokaran. Reaching the fort at night, Ramdeo approached the same gatekeeper and called for the ceremonial bowl.

The sleepy gatekeeper opened a window and extended his hand to retrieve the bowl. At that moment, Ramdeo thrust a katara (dagger) through his chest. They opened the gates, and the forces of Rao Naroji entered and captured the Pokaran fort, fulfilling his mother's vow.

Rajguru Ramdeo's brilliant strategy and loyalty were instrumental in one of the significant territorial expansions of Rao Naroji. He was the grandson of Damaji Harpalot and held the Jagir of Pawasani. His lineage and actions are remembered in the oral histories of the Rajpurohit and Rathore communities of Rajasthan.

• Nāinsī Ri Khyāt 

• Report on the Census of Marwar (Mardumshumari), 1891