The ancient name of Merta City was Medantaka. Nagabhatta Pratihar from Pratihar Rajput dynasty of Mandore established himself at Medantaka and made the city his capital. In 13th Century, Alauddin Khilji took control of this place and placed Tajuddin Ali as his viceroy at Medantaka. Later, Rao Jodha granted Merta as Jagir to his son Rao Duda. From Merta, Duda's descendant got the name of Mertiya Rathores. Rao Duda built a palace, temple of Chaturbhuj Ji and Dudasar Pond. After Rao Duda, Rao Veeramdeo ruled in Merta. Veeramdeo's niece was the famous poet and devotee of Krishna,
Mira Bai. Veeramdeo also took part in
Battle of Khanwa. When
Maldev Rathore became the King of Marwar, he expanded his territory and annexed Merta from Viramdeo Mertiya. Rao Maldev built Malkot fort in Merta. After the
Battle of Sammel, Merta came under control of
Sher Shah. After sometime, Merta again came under control of Rao Maldeo. Veeramdeo's son
Jaimal Mertiya moved to Mewar. Near Dagolai Talab, Capt. De Bourbon's grave is located. He was in Scindia's army and died of wounds he received in Battle of Merta.
Brief history of Mertiyas Merta-Estate was soon merged with Jodhpur State and Jaimal's 14 sons were given small principalities nearby. Akbar gave half Merta to Rao Surtan Singh and half to Rao Keshavdas Mertiya sons of Rao Jaimal. Merta was distributed in Jagirs and Thikanas by independently Mertiya's like
Riya, Budsu (4 villages), Borawar (7 villages), Badu-Jagir(13 villages) Mannano, Ladoli, Kalwo, Gular, Jawla, Meethri, Alniyawas, Maroth, Badnore-Jagir, Ghanerao and others The same spirit was shown by many descendants of the Mertia Royal Family, including the Chiefs of Rian, Methri and Alniyawas who fought against the rebels of Kumpawat clan in the battle of Merta in 1790 AD and suffered mass annihilation. One of the scion of the family who rose to prominence during the reign of Aurangzeb was Maharaja Raghunath Singh Mertiya (1660–1683 AD), who conquered Maroth previous capital of Gaurawati/
Gaurati and is ancestor of the rulers of
Panch Mahal Maroth. ==Demographics==