Thakur Rajrishi Raj Singh Chothoth| Rajpurohit Warrior | Roopawas

Thakur Rajrishi Raj Singh Ji Rajpurohit was a renowned diplomat, statesman, and warrior-saint of the Damawat subclan of the Sewad Rajpurohit community in Marwar. He served during the reign of Rao Maldeo Rathore of Jodhpur (1532–1562 CE) and played a decisive role in preserving Marwar from becoming Khalsa territory during the era of Sher Shah Suri. He was known for his intelligence, generosity, spiritual devotion, and diplomatic excellence.
He was Sona Naveshi Jagirdar of 84 villages.

• Thakur Rajrishi Raj Singh Ji belonged to the Damawat branch of the Rajpurohits and, after his father’s name, was known as Raj Singh Chothoth.

• Grandfather: Bija Ji Damawat, jagirdar of Ghewra village

• Father: Choth Ji Bijawat, jagirdar of Panchwa village

• Brother: Narsingh Ji

• Ancestral Lineage: Dama Ji → Harpal Ji → Bija Ji → Choth Ji → Raj Singh Ji

Rao Maldeo Rathore sent Thakur Rajrishi Raj Singh Ji as his chief envoy to Sher Shah Suri in Delhi to negotiate peace and prevent Marwar’s annexation.
This proposal was originally suggested by Thakur Kalyan Singh Ji of Tinwari Thikana, grandson of Mulraj Ji Rajpurohit.

In Delhi, Thakur Rajrishi Raj Singh Ji impressed Sher Shah Suri with his eloquence, charm, and wisdom. Sher Shah, fascinated by his intellect and divine luck, conducted a symbolic test of destiny by offering him to place his sword upon one of four sealed sacks—only one contained gold. Thakur Rajrishi Raj Singh Ji invoked his Ishta Dev, Shri Charbhuja Nath, and chose correctly.

With his wisdom he successfully negotiated agreement between Sher Shah Suri and Rao Maldeo Rathore and he gave Marwar State back to Rao Maldeo Rathore.

Rewards from Sher Shah Suri:

• 84 villages in jagir (for lifetime tenure)

• 500 tolas of gold

• Rare royal privileges:

  • Sona Naveshi – Right to wear gold in leg

  • Nimbora-e-Haq – ceremonial war drum usage allowed only to sovereign rulers

This act made him one of the few non-royal nobles in India to hold the Nimbora-e-Haq title.

On his return journey from Delhi, he distributed the gold coins to the poor, declaring that true wealth lies in helping others. When Sher Shah heard of this, he summoned him again. Thakur Rajrishi Raj Singh Ji replied:

"This gold was given to me; how I use it is my will. My fortune does not depend on gold but on divine grace."

Moved by his humility, Sher Shah blessed him and let him return to Marwar.

• On his way back, he camped near present-day Tonk, where he experienced a divine revelation from Charbhuja Nath.

• He was commanded to take the neglected idol from a ruined temple and establish it in his homeland.

• Following the divine instruction, he brought the sacred idol to Roopawas village (Pali district) and established the grand Temple of Shri Charbhuja Nath.

• This historical stands same as gigantic as it was without any renovation.

Other constructions by him:

• Rajwada (Big Pol) fort complex

• Phool Wav stepwell – named after his queen Phoolade

• Rajal Talab lake – after his second queen Rajalde

• Dharmada Chauki – daily alms for the poor

• Kirti Stambh (Victory Pillar) – still stands as a memorial

• Roopawas became a Sona Naveshi Thikana under Jodhpur State, a recognition for nobles of exceptional service and loyalty.

• He held 84 lifetime-granted villages and other jagirs granted by Jodhpur State:

  • Roopawas

  • Panchwa

  • Ghewra

  • Moharai

  • Banta

  • Kelariya ri Basni

  • Khatiyon ki Basni

  • Mero Bawdi

  • Badiyalo

• Son: Maheshdas Ji founded Moharai village in Samvat 1600 (1543 CE).

• Known for deep charity and religious devotion

• At the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Charbhuja Nath temple, he weighed himself and his queens against gold and silver, donating all to the needy — the origin of Dharmada Chauki tradition still observed in Roopawas.

• His descendants continued to maintain the temple and estate, making it one of the most revered Rajpurohit thikanas of Marwar.

• Thakur – Noble title under Jodhpur State

• Rajrishi – Sage among rulers

• Sona Naveshi – Right to wear gold in leg

• Nimbora-e-Haq – Right to play royal drum across India

• Jagirdar of 84 Villages – Lifetime grant by Sher Shah Suri

• Diplomat of Marwar – Envoy to Sher Shah Suri

• Founder of Famous Historical Charbhuja Nath Temple, Roopawas

Thakur Rajrishi Raj Singh Ji Chothoth of Roopawas remains one of the greatest symbols of Rajpurohit valor, diplomacy, and devotion.
He is revered as a warrior-diplomat and spiritual builder, representing the ideal synthesis of Raj (sovereignty) and Purohit (divinity) — the hallmark of the Rajpurohit identity in Marwar’s history.

After his Death both of his wife Phoolade and Rajalde performed Sati and their Cenotaph is present near Bada Talaab, Roopawas.

His descendants are known as Rajawat Sewad.

• Nāinsī ri Khyāt, Part 2

• Tinwari Thikana ri Khyāt

• Talkiya Rajpurohit ri Bahī

• Roopawas Thikana ri Bahī

• Marwar re Pargano ri Vigat

• Local folk tales and oral traditions of Roopawas Thikan