2017-03-15 Wed

‘Self-respect is most important even if head may be detached’

A Princely State of British India: Sirohi, meaning “Self-respect”, who’s Rajputs were ready to die for self-respect.

The royal family of Sirohi claims descent from King Prithviraj Chauhan of Delhi. This state lies in Southern Rajasthan, on the western slopes of ‘Siranwa’ hills. The state of Sirohi near Mount Abu was referred to as Arbudaranya in Puranic tradition.
The Royal lineage of Sihori belongs to Chauhans of Deora and was established by Rao Shereshthmal, son of Rao Sobha Ji in 1482 VS (1425 AD). It was the capital of Deora’s Clan Kingdom. During the reign of Rao Sahashmali, the Kingdom was attacked and conquered by the valiant Rana Kumbha of Mewar in 1452 AD.

But later in the 19th Century, the state of Sirohi suffered due to constant war with Jodhpur and the hill tribes, so to tackle this problem they sought the protection of British East India Company in 1817 AD and became a Princely State in 1823 AD under Rajputana Agency.

The coinage and postal history of this state are rare. But Sirohi State had also issued Judicial or Court fees stamps for the revenue collection or payment of the fees allotted by the state government. This stamp was in use from 1924 to 1941 AD.

Sirohi according to Colonel Mellson “Is the one dominion in Rajputana which maintained its Independence, not acknowledge the suzerainty of Mughals, Rathores, and Marathas”.

After the Independent in 1947, the state of Sirohi started the process to join the newly formed Indian union and merged with Rajasthan state in 1949.

To know more about the Court Fees stamp of other Princely states click here.