Hindu Rajas Visit Dargah Ajmer – Royal Rajput Devotion & Endowments

Presence and Devotion of Non-Muslim Rulers at the Court of Khwaja-e-Buzurg

Maharaja Maharao Sri Aniruddh Singh of Bundi

During the Alamgiri era (1690 CE), Maharao Sri Aniruddh Singh of Bundi granted a village as financial support (Madaad-e-Maash) to a caretaker of the grand court of Khwaja-e-Buzurg, Syed Zafar, and appointed him as his representative (Wakeel-e-Aastana). Whenever the Maharaja visited Ajmer Moalla, he was blessed to perform pilgrimage (Ziyarat) to Sarkar Gharib Nawaz alongside his hereditary well-wishing representative.

Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur

In 1723 CE, Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur presented himself at the noble court and offered two gold coins (Mohur) and five hundred rupees as an offering to the shrine caretakers. (Life and Times of Sawai Jai Singh, Page 167)

It is believed that he installed the present outer silver railing around the sacred tomb, which contains 42,961 tolas of silver. Furthermore, it is widely held that the silver door and the silver canopy (Chattri) of the railing were also presented by Maharaja Jai Singh.

Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I of Jaipur

Regarding Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I of Jaipur, local traditions record that he frequently presented himself at the court of Khwaja-e-Buzurg. Historical documents written in 1754 CE addressed to his representative (Wakeel-e-Aastana), the refuge of protection Syed Masood, reveal that the Maharaja held immense love for Gharib Nawaz. He regularly sent funds for the service of his representative at the court and constantly sought blessings and prayers.

Maharaja Man Singh of Kishangarh

A royal decree (Sanad) from 1763 CE reveals that Maharaja Man Singh of the Kishangarh State and his ancestors held deep spiritual attachment to Gharib Nawaz. Upon the request of his shrine representative, Syed Rajab Ali, the Maharaja restored the ancestral land grant (Jaageerat) originally bestowed by the late Maharaja to Syed Rajab Ali's grandfather, Syed Inayatullah, as financial support (Madaad-e-Maash), so that he could continue offering prayers of well-being at the threshold of Khwaja-e-Buzurg.

The Scindia Royal Family

Shortly after the beginning of British rule, Bishop Heber visited Ajmer and noted that the Scindia family held profound devotion for Khwaja Gharib Nawaz. The Scindia family spent two thousand rupees annually to distribute food during both Eid festivals. (Narrative of a Journey Vol 2, Page 49)

Even today, members of the Scindia royal family visit the threshold and offer their tributes of devotion. Maharani Vasundhara Raje Scindia has also had the honor of paying respects at the shrine multiple times.

Maharaja Govind Singh Judev of Datia (M.P.)

In 1913, Maharaja Govind Singh of the Datia State visited the shrine in Ajmer. Assisted by his hereditary representative (Wakeel-e-Aastana), the landholder (Jaageerdar) Syed Sarfaraz Ali of Nandla, he performed the customary shrine rituals and stayed for several days within the holy enclosure at the residence of the noble representative.

Maharaja Sir Kishen Pershad of Hyderabad, Deccan

Maharaja Sir Kishen Pershad, Prime Minister (Sadar-e-Azam) of the Asaf Jahi Realm of Hyderabad Deccan, visited Ajmer Sharif in 1924 along with his family. Guided by his shrine representative, Sahibzada Syed Muhammad Hanif, he performed the pilgrimage rituals. Maharaja Kishen Pershad visited Sarkar Gharib Nawaz numerous times and held a deep, heartfelt connection with Khwaja-e-Buzurg, even naming his son Khwaja Prasad in his honor.

Maharaja Udaybhan Singh of Dholpur

Maharaja Udaybhan Singh of Dholpur was a dervish-friendly and Sufi-minded king. In 1948, he visited Ajmer Sharif three times to pay homage, attaining the privilege of presenting ceremonial cloth sheets (Chadar) over the light-filled tomb.