Medieval era The region was governed by Rao Deva, who took over Bundi in 1241, renaming the surrounding area as Haravati or Haroti. For the next two centuries, the Hadas of Bundi were the vassals of the Sisodias of Mewar and ruled by the title of
Rao until 1569, when Emperor
Akbar conferred the title of Rao Raja upon
Rao Surjan Singh after the surrender of Ranthambore Fort and his submission. In 1632,
Rao Raja Chattar Sal became the ruler, he built the
temple of Keshav Rai Temple at
Keshoraipatan and Chathra Mahal at
Bundi. He became king of Bundi after his grandfather Rao Ratan Singh, as his father Gopinath died while Ratan Singh was still ruling. He saw service with the Mughal forces as head of his
Hada Chauhan Rajput troop and was considered an integral part of Mughal army by
Shahjahan. Rao Chattar Sal was trusted by
Dara Shikoh with governorship of Delhi, a rare privilege for a
Hindu. He remained loyal to Shahjahan and Dara Shikoh during the rebellion of
Aurangzeb despite many temptations and even threats from Aurangzeb. Rao Chattar Sal died fighting as the head of his Hada Rajput troops in the
Battle of Samugarh in 1658 along with his youngest son Bharat Singh. Rao Bhao Singh (1658–1678) the eldest son of Chhattar Sal succeeded his father to the throne of Bundi. In 1707,
Bahadur Shah I conferred the title of Maharao Raja upon Raja Budh Singh.
British era In 1804 Rao Raja Bishan Singh (1773–1821) gave valuable assistance to Colonel Monson in his disastrous retreat before
Holkar, in revenge for which the
Maratha Empire and Pindaris continually ravaged his state and forced the kingdom to pay tribute up to 1817. Consequently, Bishan Singh made a
subsidiary alliance with the
British East India Company on 10 February 1818, which brought him under its
protection. was responsible for the creation of the pleasure palace of Sukh Niwas on the outskirts of Bundi. Maharao Raja Ram Singh (1821–89) grew up to be a much-respected ruler who initiated economic and administrative reforms and established schools for the teaching of Sanskrit. On the throne for 68 years, he was described as "the most conservative prince in [a] conservative Rajputana." His rule was popular and beneficial; and though during the mutiny of 1857 his attitude was equivocal, he continued to enjoy the confidence of the British, being created G.C.S.I. and a counselor of the empire in 1877 and C.I.E. in 1878. He was succeeded by his adopted son
Raghubir Singh (1889–1927), who was made a K.C.S.I. in 1897 and a G.C.I.E. in 1901. His reign was blighted by two disastrous famines. Despite his best efforts at alleviation, the population of his kingdom was reduced from some 258,000 to 171,000 by 1901 due to death and emigration.
Accession to India At the time of the
partition of India in 1947, the British abandoned their suzerainty over the princely states, which were left to decide whether to remain independent or to accede to the newly independent
Dominion of India or to Pakistan. The ruler of the state of Bundi decided to
accede to India, which later became the Union of India. This brought the internal affairs of Bundi under the control of Delhi. Bundi's last ruler signed the accession to the Indian Union on 7 April 1949. ==Coat of arms==