Mavli is a town situated at a distance of 26 km from Udaipur. In the history of Mewar and the prominent places in Udaipur district, Mavli town owns a significant role in the commercial as well as administrative point of view. Very few people are aware of the rich history and politics associated with the town. According to former historians, there was a pastoral land, which was won by the then Maharaja of India, Udai Singh in the battle with Banveer during the Mughal era. In the medieval period, the town was known as Maholi.
One of the noticeable places in the town includes a Baori (step wall) known as Baiji Raj ki Baori which has a very interesting story behind itself. The Baori was built by the mother and sister of Rana Bhim Singh Ji between the years 1772 and 1780. According to history, Maharana’s mother was Rajmata Sardar Kunwar Jhali. She belonged to the Jhala family of Gogunda and got married to Maharana Ari Singh Ji II. The only daughter of Maharana Ari Singhji-II was Baisa Chandravati Ji who got married to Maharaja Parbat Singh of Ratlam. The Baori was given in dowry to Baijiraj Chandrawatiji.
The historic ‘Bai Ji Raj Ki Baori’ and the pavilions present in the town still seem to sing the saga of Mewar’s history and bravery. As Mavli was given in dowry, many Kshatriyas of the Mewar Raj family still do not accept food and water in the town.
There are some places and temples in the town that can be visited by the travelers which include Laxmi Narayan temple, Shriramji- Seetamata- Laxmanji (Akhada), Thirthankar Chanda Prabhu Swami (Jain Temple), lok temples like Adra Bavji, Radaji Bawji and Chamunda Mata.
The town was visited by the officer of the British East India Company, Colonel James Tod in the year 1820 who writes the following about the town: Maowlee, 26th, October 1820. Seven and a half miles. — As usual, all was barren between Sunwar and Maowlee; though at each are the traces of reviving industry. This was formerly a considerable town, and rated in the books at seven thousand rupees’ annual rent, but now it yields not seven hundred. Its population consists of about eighty families of all classes, half of which have “been recalled from their long exile in Malwa and Candeish, and have already given a new aspect to Maowlee in its sugar-canes. Her Highness’ steward, however, is not…
[p.629]: …one of the faithful. There is a very fine bawari, or reservoir, of course, marble, constructed by Baeji Raj, ‘ the royal mother’ of the present Rana and his sister, in whose appanage it is. — An inscription, dated S. 1737, recorded an ordinance in favor of the Jains, that “the oil-mill of Maowlee should not work on the four rainy months;” in order to lessen the destruction of animal life.
According to Veer Vinod, Maharana Udai Singh won his battle against Banbir is the Chaprada (which is currently a fair spot) of Mavli and saved the Sisodia clan. He later founded the city of Udaipur. From the time of princely era, Mavli has been the main center of transportation of Mewar. Due to the absence of traffic resources, people of the entire country used to come here including Mewar, Waagad, and Malwa. For this reason, Rabri also received fame all across the country. It is said that Maharana Bhupal Singh was fascinated with the rabri (a sweet, condensed-milk-based dish) of Mavli, hence Rabri was sent to Rajmahalas through bullock carts.
The “rabri” made here in Mavli city, keeps its unique identity from the time of Rajwadas throughout the state. Every year, on the occasion of Sharad Poornima, a fair known as ‘Chamunda Mata Pashu Mela’ is conducted which is attended by people from far-flung places for business.
Do you have any feedback regarding the article? Or have an interesting story to share with us? Write to me at juhee@udaipurblog.com.
