Roopawas | Jagir | Historic Thikana | Rajpurohit

The lineage of Thakur Raj Singhji traces back to Bija Ji Dāmāwat, the Jagirdar of Ghevada village, and his son Choth Ji, the Jagirdar of Panchwa village. Raj Singhji had a brother named Nrisinghji, and both descended from an illustrious line of Sewad Rajpurohits who served the Rathore rulers of Marwar.

Raj Singhji gained historical importance during the reign of Rao Maldeo Rathore of Jodhpur. On the recommendation of his relative Thakur Kalyan Singhji (grandson of Mulrajji) of Tinwari Thikana, he was chosen to represent Marwar at the court of Sher Shah Suri in Delhi.

Displaying remarkable wisdom and oratory, Raj Singhji successfully mediated between Sher Shah Suri and Rao Maldeo Rathore, preventing a major conflict and ensuring the sovereignty of Marwar.

Sher Shah Suri, impressed by Raj Singhji’s intellect, calm nature, and striking appearance, famously remarked that “God has blessed you with beauty — surely your destiny too is golden.” To test this, Suri placed four sacks of metal and asked Raj Singhji to rest his sword on one. Upon invoking his Ishta Dev (deity) Charbhuja Nath, he chose correctly — the sack filled with gold.

Delighted, Sher Shah awarded him:

• A Jagir of 84 villages,

• 500 bhars of gold,

• The title of “Sona Niveshi”,

• The right of “Nimbora-e-Haq” — the privilege of playing a royal war drum across India, a distinction usually reserved for kings.

However, when returning to Marwar, Thakur Raj Singhji distributed the gold among the poor of Delhi — an act that astonished Sher Shah Suri and earned him the title of Dānveer Purush (philanthropic noble).

On his return journey, while halting at Tonk, Raj Singhji received a divine vision (ākāshvāṇi) from his Ishta Dev Charbhuja Nath, instructing him to recover the deity’s neglected idol from a ruined temple nearby.

The next morning, wearing yellow garments as directed, Raj Singhji lifted the idol effortlessly — though it was of great weight — and brought it to Marwar. He temporarily placed it in Roopawas village, where later a magnificent Charbhuja Nath Temple was constructed.

The temple became the spiritual center of Roopawas Thikana, where even today four daily aartis are performed:

1. Morning Aarti,

2. Seva Aarti,

3. Sandhya Aarti,

4. Shayan Aarti.

Thakur Rajrishi Raj Singhji built several notable structures in Roopawas:

• The Charbhuja Nath Temple, which remains the heart of the Thikana.

• He Built The Rajwadi Pol of Thikana Roopawas soon after the establishment of thikana.

• The Bawdi (stepwell) named Phool Vav, dedicated to his Thakurain Phoola De.

• A pond named Rajal Talab, after his second Thakurain Rajal De.

• The Dharamada Choki, where he distributed daily alms and donations.

• A Kirti Stambh (Victory Pillar), which still exists, inscribed with historical details.

During the temple’s consecration, Raj Singhji and his wives weighed themselves against gold and silver and donated the equivalent to charity.

Roopawas village preserves a unique cultural tradition — the “Panch Dhol” (Five Drum) custom.
The Thikana was historically divided into five hans (branches):

1. Hemraj Singhji’s Hans (Badi Hans)

2. Sanwal Singhji’s Hans

3. Uday Singhji’s Hans

4. Jai Singhji’s Hans

5. Verisal Singhji’s Hans

Each branch maintains its own damami (drum bearer). During weddings, when the samhela (procession) arrives, five drums are played simultaneously, symbolizing the unity of all five lineages — a tradition still proudly continued today.

And this Tradition is very rare and glorious that it happens only in Thikana Roopawas of Sewad Rajpurohits.

Thakur Raj Singhji had two queens, Phoola De and Rajal De, who both committed sati after his demise. Their memorial chhatris still stand beside the large pond of Roopawas.

His descendants included many notable warriors and nobles:

• Verisal Singhji Rajawat, martyred at Hingawas, where his three queens also committed sati.
• Kan Singhji Rajawat, martyred in Jodhpur after refusing to part with his prized horse.
• Maheshdasji Rajawat, founder of Moharai village (VS 1600), who sacrificed his life protecting his horse “Hans.”
• Uday Singhji Rajawat, martyred at Sumelgiri, fighting alongside Thakur Pratap Singhji Mulrajot.
• Hemraj Singhji Rajawat's cenotaph is built in Roopawas.
• Sanwal Singhji Rajawat's cenotaph is also located in Roopawas.
• Jaysinghji Rajawat's cenotaph is likewise situated in Roopawas.

The cenotaphs of these three brothers (5, 6, 7) are located near the Nenkiya Talab in Roopawas. The exact details of where these three brothers attained martyrdom are unknown.

Raj Singhji’s sons and grandsons possessed excellent horses, which were highly prized by the princes of the Jodhpur royal court. Due to this, two of Raj Singhji’s sons were killed over disputes concerning these horses.

The Rajawat line continues to live in Roopawas and Moharai, preserving the traditions of valor, devotion, and service.

Thakur Rajrishi Raj Singhji is revered not only as a warrior and diplomat but also as a Rajrishi — a royal sage who combined political wisdom with spiritual devotion. His legacy survives in:

• The Charbhuja Nath Temple, where his divine connection is remembered.

• The Dharamada Choki, symbolizing his generosity.

• The Five Drum Tradition, reflecting his family’s unity.

• The oral traditions and ballads (dohe), sung by local bards:

"Raj Singhji aave haathi par, raste rukiya raat,
Raat mein awaaz aayi, maane le chalo saath."
Translation: "Raj Singhji rides on his elephant, pausing along the road at night;
In the night, a voice was heard saying, ‘Take me along with you.’"

"Khud re barabar sono tolio, va jagā bhi hai uthe,
Dharamada Choki keve, Raj Singh jeda Dānveer kathe."
Translation: "He weighed gold equal to himself, and it was taken along;
At the Dharamada Choki, Raj Singh stood as a great philanthropist."

1. Roopawas Thikana ri Bahi

2. Marwar re Pargana ri Vigat

3. Tinwari Thikana ri Khyat

4. Nainsi ri Khyat (Part II)

5. Local oral traditions and folk dohas

6. Talkiya Rajpurohit ri Bahi