The predecessor state of
Gwalior was founded in the 10th century. In 1231
Iltutmish captured Gwalior and from then till 1398 it was a part of
Delhi Sultanate. In 1398, Gwalior came under the control of the
Tomars. The most distinguished of the Tomar rulers was
Man Singh Tomar, who commissioned several monuments within the
Gwalior fort. It came under the
Mughals in 1528 and was a part of the empire till 1731. , founder of the Scindia dynasty of Gwalior The founder of the ruling house of Gwalior was
Ranoji Sindhia, who belonged to the Shinde or
Sindhia house which traced its descent from a family of which one branch held the hereditary post of
patil in
Kanherkhed, a village east of
Satara. In 1726, Ranoji along with
Malhar Rao Holkar, the founder of the ruling house of
Indore, and the Pawars (
Dewas Junior &
Dewas Senior), were authorized by the
Peshwa Baji Rao I to collect
chauth (25% of the revenues) and
sardeshmukhi (10% over and above the
chauth) in the
Malwa districts, retaining for his own remuneration half the
mokassa (or his remaining 65 percent). Ranoji fixed his headquarters in the ancient city of
Ujjain, which ultimately became the capital of the Sindhia dominion, and on 19 July 1745 he died near Shujalpur, where his centotaph stands. He left three legitimate sons,
Jayappa,
Dattaji, and
Jyotiba, and two illegitimate sons,
Tukoji and
Mahadji. Jayappa succeeded to the territories of Ranoji, but was killed at
Nagaur in 1755. He was followed by his son
Jankoji Rao Scindia, who was taken prisoner at the
Third Battle of Panipat in 1761 and put to death, and Mahadji succeeded.
Rulers Mahadji Sindhia (1761–1794) Madhavrao I, Mahadji, and his successor Daulatrao took a leading part in shaping the history of India during their rule. Mahadji returned from the Deccan to Malwa in 1764, and by 1769 reestablished his power there. In 1772
Madhavrao Peshwa died, and in the struggles which ensued Mahadji took an important part, and seized every chance of increasing his power and augmenting his possessions. In 1775
Raghoba Dada Peshwa threw himself on the protection of the British. The reverses which Sindhia's forces met with at the hands of Colonel Goddard after his famous march from Bengal to Gujarat (1778) the fall of Gwalior to Major Popham (1780), and the night attack by Major Camac, opened his eyes to the strength of the new power which had entered the arena of Indian politics. In 1782 the
Treaty of Salbai was made with Sindhia, the chief stipulations being that he should withdraw to Ujjain, and the British north of the
Yamuna, and that he should negotiate treaties with the other belligerents. The importance of the treaty can scarcely be exaggerated. It made the British arbiters of peace in India and virtually acknowledged their supremacy, while at the same time Sindhia was recognized as an independent chief and not as a vassal of the Peshwa. A resident, Mr. Anderson (who had negotiated the treaty) was at the same time appointed to Sindhia's court. Between 1782 and December 1805
Dholpur State was annexed by Gwalior.
Jankojirao II Sindhia (1827–1843) , studying English'', 1846 In 1827 Daulat Rao died, leaving no son or adopted heir. His widow, Baiza Bai, adopted Mukut Rao, a boy of eleven belonging to a distant but legitimate branch of the family, who succeeded as Jankojirao Sindhia. Jankojirao was a weak ruler and feuds were constant at his court, while the army was in a chronic state of mutiny. Upon his succession, difficulties arose as to whether the Bai should ruler in her own right or as regent, and her behaviour towards the young king finally caused a rise in feeling in his favour which impelled the Bai to take refuge in British territory. She returned after an interval and lived at Gwalior until her death in 1862. The chief's maternal uncle, known as Mama Sahib, had meanwhile become minister. The most important event during this period was the readjustment of the terms for maintaining the contingent force raised under the treaty of 1817.
Jayajirao Sindhia (1843–1886) of Gwalior State, General Sir
Henry Daly (Founder of The Daly College), with British officers and
Maratha nobility (
Sardars,
Jagirdars &
Mankaris) in Indore, Holkar State, . Jankojirao died in 1843; and in the absence of an heir, his widow Tara Bai adopted Bhagirath Rao, a son of Hanwant Rao, commonly called Babaji Sindhia. He succeeded under the name of Jayajirao Sindhia, the Mama Sahib being chosen as regent. Tara Bai, however, came under the influence of Dada Khasgiwala, the comptroller of her household, an unscrupulous adventurer who wished to get all power into his own hands. A complicated series of intrigues followed, which it is impossible to unravel. The Dada, however, succeeded in driving Mama Sahib from the state and became minister. He filled all appointments with his relatives, and matters rapidly passed from bad to worse, ending in the assemblage of large bodies of troops who threatened an attack on Sironj, where Mama Sahib was then residing. War was impending in the Punjab, and, as it was essential to secure peace, the British Government decided to interfere. Colonel
William Henry Sleeman, the Resident, was withdrawn, and the surrender of Dada Khasgiwala was demanded. A British force under
Sir Hugh Gough moved on Gwalior, and crossed the
Chambal in December 1843. On 29 December followed the simultaneous
Battles of Maharajpur and Panniar, in which the Gwalior army was annihilated. A treaty was then made, under which certain lands to the value of 1.8 million, including
Chanderi District, were ceded for the upkeep of a contingent force, besides other lands for the liquidation of the expenses incurred in the late war, the State army was reduced, and a Council of Regency was appointed during the minority, to act under the residents advice. In 1852
Dinkar Rao became minister, and under his able management radical reforms were introduced into every department of the administration. Srimant Maharaja Jayajirao (also called as Maharaj Jayajirao saheb Shinde) was in favor to have a fight with British army. On 17 June 1858 Gwalior was captured by
Sir Hugh Rose and Maharaja Sri Jayajirao was reinstated. For his services lands worth 300,000 per year, including the portion of Chanderi District west of the
Betwa River, were granted to him and he was allowed to increase his infantry from 3000 to 5000 men, and his artillery from 32 to 36 guns. In 1858 Gwalior annexed
Chanderi State.
Madhavrao II Sindhia (1886–1925) , issued on the name of
Madho Rao Scindia. Jayaji Rao died in 1886 and was succeeded by his son,
Madho Rao Sindhia, then a boy in his tenth year. A council of Regency conducted the administration until 1894, when the Maharaja obtained powers. He took a deep and active interest in the administration of the state, and had a comprehensive grasp of the work done in each department. In 1900 the Maharaja went to China during the
Boxer Rebellion, at the same time presenting a hospital ship for the accommodation of the wounded.
Jiwajirao Sindhia (1925–1948) Jivajirao Sindhia ruled the state of Gwalior as absolute monarch until shortly after India's independence on 15 August 1947. The rulers of Indian
princely states had the choice of
acceding to either of the two dominions (India and Pakistan) created by the India Independence Act 1947 or remaining outside them. Jivajirao signed a covenant with the rulers of the adjoining princely states that united their several states to form a new state within the union of India known as
Madhya Bharat. This new covenanted state was to be governed by a council headed by a ruler to be known as the
Rajpramukh. Madhya Bharat signed a fresh Instrument of Accession with the Indian dominion effective from 13 September 1948. Jivajirao became the first
rajpramukh, or appointed governor, of the state on 28 May 1948. He served as
Rajpramukh until 31 October 1956, when the state was merged into
Madhya Pradesh. ==Scindia Maharajas of Gwalior==