| Karauli State | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princely State ofBritish India | |||||||
| 1348–1949 | |||||||
Karauli State (orange) withinRajputana (yellow), in theImperial Gazetteer of India (1909) | |||||||
| Capital | Karauli | ||||||
| Area | |||||||
• 1931 | 3,216 km2 (1,242 sq mi) | ||||||
| Population | |||||||
• 1931 | 140,525 | ||||||
| History | |||||||
• Established | 1348 | ||||||
| 1949 | |||||||
| |||||||
| Today part of | India · Rajasthan | ||||||

Karauli State was aprincely state in the north eastern edge of modern-dayRajasthan,India from 1348 to 1949 ruled by theJadaun Rajputs.[1][2][3] The area of the former state is located in the culturalBraj region.Karauli was the capital whileMandrayal or Mandrail was another important town.[4][5]
The rulers of Karauli State belonged to theJadaun clan of Rajputs and claimed descent from theYaduvanshi lineage of theChandravanshi dynasty.[6][7] The founder of the dynasty was Raja Vijay Pal who came fromMathura and founded the fort ofBayana in 1040. Vijay Pal also came into conflict with theGhaznavid tribes during his reign. Raja Timan Pal (r.1093-1159) was an early important ruler of the dynasty, who extended his domain by conquering the territories of modern-day Dang,Alwar,Bharatpur,Dholpur,Gurgaon,Mathura,Agra andGwalior. Raja Arjun Pal Dev founded the new capital called "Kalyanpuri" which over time got the current name ofKarauli in 1348. Sultan Mahmud Khilji of theMalwa Sultanate invaded and captured Karauli in 1454 which led the kingdom into a decline. The rulers of Karauli shifted to Untagarh and ruled a small territory. DuringMughal Emperor Akbar's reign Raja Gopaldas of Karauli got back his ancestral capital of Karauli.[8]
The state under the rule of Maharaja Sir Ganesh Pal Dev along with the neighbouring states ofAlwar,Bharatpur, andDholpur acceded to theDominion of India on 4 August 1947 to formMatsya Union.[9] While being part of Matsya Union Karauli and others later merged withGreater Rajasthan in 1949 and became part of the current state ofRajasthan in the 1950s.


Maharaja Madan Pal Dev was made a Grand Commander of theOrder of the Star of India.[10] The salute of honour, to which the Chiefs of Karauli were entitled, was also enhanced from 15 to 17 in appreciation of the loyal services of Maharaja Madan Pal Dev, who was also decorated with a rich dress of honour.[11][12]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)