Rana (title)

Rana (IAST: Rāṇā, Sanskrit: राणा) is a historical title denoting an absolute Hindu monarch^{[citation needed]} in the Indian subcontinent. Today, it is used as a hereditary name in the Indian and Pakistani subcontinent. "Rana" was formerly used as a title of martial sovereignty by Jat and Rajput kings in India.^[1]Rani is the title for the wife of a rana or a female monarch. It also applies to the wife of a raja. Compound titles include rana sahib, ranaji, rana bahadur, and maharana.

Usage in the Indian subcontinent

 

Bhim Singh, the Rana of Udaipur

 

A statue of Rana Pratap Singh, a Sisodia Rajput ruler of the 16th century.

"Rana" was formerly used as a title of martial sovereignty by Rajput kings in India.^[1] Sisodia rulers of Mewar used the title of Mahārāṇā (महाराणा) extensively in their royal charters.^[2] Today, members of some Rajput clans in Indian subcontinent use it as a hereditary title. In Pakistan, mostly Muslims—but also some Hindus in Sindh (present-day Pakistan)—use it as a hereditary title.^[3] Umerkot, a state in Sindh, has a Hindu Thakur Sodha Rajput ruler who uses the title.^[4]

In the 16th century, Rana Prasad, the monarch of Umerkot, gave refuge to the Mughal prince Humayun and his wife, Hamida Banu Begum, who had fled from military defeat at the hands of Sher Shah Suri. Their son Akbar was born in the fort of the Rana of Umerkot.^[5]

 

Shree Teen Maharaj Jung Bahadur Kunwar Ranaji at London in 1850

The head of the Kunwar nobles of Nepal, Jung Bahadur Kunwar, took the title of Rana(ji) and Shree Teen Maharaja after consolidation of his post of Prime Minister of Nepal. This dynasty controlled administration of the Kingdom of Nepal from 1846 until 1951, reducing the Shah monarch to a figurehead and making Prime Minister and other government positions hereditary.^[6][7]

As a title

• The Kolis of India used the title of Rana and ruled over Princely State of Shevdivadar^[8] and Sinhagad fort wae ruled by Koli Rana Nag Nayak who challenged the Delhi sultanate's Sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq.^[9][10]

References

1. Bhattarai, Krishna (2009). Nepal. Infobase Publishing. p. 42. ISBN 9781438105239.
2. Ulian, Eva (2010-03-23). Rajput. WestBow Press. ISBN 978-1-4497-0061-4.
3. "Rajput appeal from Amarkot". The News International, Pakistan. 24 July 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
4. P B Chandra (10 August 2009). "Rana kin in Pakistan for mourning". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
5. "Umerkot's former Rajput ruler is dead". The Hindu. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
6. Dietrich, Angela (1996). "Buddhist Monks and Rana Rulers: A History of Persecution". Buddhist Himalaya: A Journal of Nagarjuna Institute of Exact Methods. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
7. Lal, C. K. (16 February 2001). "The Rana resonance". Nepali Times. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
8. Lethbridge, Roper (2005). The Golden Book of India: A Genealogical and Biographical Dictionary of the Ruling Princes, Chiefs, Nobles, and Other Personages, Titled Or Decorated of the Indian Empire. New Delhi, India, Asia: Aakar Books. pp. 501: Shevdivadar, The Rána is a Koli (aboriginal) Chief, ruling over a territory of 1 square mile, with a population of 246, chiefly Hindus. Residence - Shevdivadar, Kathiawar, Bombay. ISBN 978-81-87879-54-1.
9. Kale, Rohit Pralhadrao (2018-05-24). Rajwata: Aavishkar Gad Killayacha. New Delhi, India, Asia: FSP Media Publications. pp. Sinhagad was captured from the Koli tribal chieftain, Nag Naik, by Muhammad bin Tughlaq in 1328 AD. Shahaji Bhosale, as the commander of Ibrahim Adil Shah I, was entrusted with the control of the Pune region. His son Shivaji, however.
10. Mehta, Jaswant Lal (1986). Advanced Study in the History of Medieval India: 1000-1526 A.D. New Delhi, India, Asia: Sterling Publishers. pp. 197: Sultan was told that Nag Nayak, Rana of Kondhana (Sinhgad, near Poona ) did not pay tribute of Delhi . ' On his orders, the fortress was besieged by a contingent of the royal army, it was defended gallantly by. ISBN 978-81-207-0573-9.