Maharaj Shakti Singh and The Shaktawats Of Boheda

The Shaktawats are one of the main offshoots of the Sisodia dy nasty of Mewar. They, along with the Chundawats, the Ranawats and the Sarangdeots. the other offshoots of the Sisodia clan have played a very important role in the history of Mewar state. The Shaktawat sub-clan originated during the last quarter of the sixteenth century and thereafter continued branching off during last four hundred years, now numbering in thousands and spreading over large parts of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, in the main. As Rajput jagirdars, landholders and soldiers, they continued participating in the military affairs of the country, particularly during the Mughal and the Maratha hegemonies. Several of them were important mansabdars of the Mughal empire and fought in the battles of Kabul and Kandhar in the north-west and also partook in important battles in the east, west and south of the country expanding and defending the Mughal empire.

Shakti Singh was the progenitor of this Sub-Clan, which took its name after him and came to be called Shaktawat. Shakti Singh was one of several sons of Maharana Udai Singh of Mewar, a contemporary of the Mughal emperor Akbar. He was younger brother of Maharana Pratap Singh, the Udai Singh's successor. Shakti Singh was a well-known name in the contemporary history, particularly owing to his belonging to the Sisodia dynasty of Mewar and being Maharana Pratap's younger brother and also due to his unfailing devotion to his mother land which he showed by leaving Akbar's service, when the latter decided to invade Mewar and by saving Pratap's life. after the battle of Haldighati.

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