Jhalawar

The city of Jhalawar was founded by a Rajput Jhala Zalim, who was then the Dewan of Kota State (1791 A.D.). He established this township, then known as Chaoni Umedpura, as a cantonment. The township was at the time surrounded by dense forests and wildlife. Jhala Zalim Singh often came here for hunting and he liked the place so much that he wanted to develop it as a township. The objective to develop this place as a military cantonment was because Maratha invaders passed through this central place from Malwa towards Kota to capture Hadoti states. Jhala Zalim Singh recognized the importance of this place and started to develop it as a military cantonment and township so that he could use this place to attack and stop Maratha invaders before they could reach Kota state. Changi Umedpura was developed as a cantonment and township around 1803-04 A.D. Colonel Todd, who visited the region in December 1821 described this area as the cantonment established by Jhala Zalim Singh plus a well-established township with large houses, Havelis, and surrounding walls.