Shri Huzur Raja Bhim Singh of Banera

Bhim Singh and Jai Singh were born on the same day and at the same hour, but from different mothers. Based on the information Maharana Shri Raj Singh I of Udaipur (Mewar) received, he declared Jai Singh to be the elder, and as it is, it didn’t matter then, because there were already two elder brothers and obviously one of them would become the next Maharana. But fate had something else in store for them. These two elder brothers passed away. As Bhim Singh and Jai Singh approached manhood, the Maharana started getting worried, remembering his mistake of announcing Jai Singh as the elder and grew apprehensive about the possibility of dissension in the future. Maharana drew his sword and placed it in the hand of Bhim Singh, the elder, one day and said it was better to use it once on his brother than to endanger the state’s safety afterwards. His appeal to his generosity had an instantaneous effect, and he not only took an oath “on his father’s throne” that neither he nor his descendants would ever challenge his younger brother and his descendants sovereign rights. But, in order to allay his father’s fears, he declared that “he was not his son if he again drank water from the pass of Debari” as soon as he had completed his duties as a son, to cremate him. Following his father cremation, he gathered his retainers and left Udaipur.

Shri Huzur Raja Bhim Singh of Banera
Shri Huzur Raja Bhim Singh of Banera

Bhim Singh had received regular military training and gradually became a terrific and formidable warrior. Seeking to avenge the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s destruction of temples, he kept harassing him and invaded the Mughal province of Gujarat. He captured Idar, drove away the imperialists, raided some other towns, and destroyed 300 small mosques and a big mosque. Aurangzeb thought it would be wise to end this enmity and keep Bhim Singh on his side. They both agreed there should be no more destruction of sacred places. After the conclusion of peace between them, Bhim Singh proceeded to the Mughal court where he was received graciously and rose to eminence. In 1681, Aurangzeb granted Bhim Singh the jagir of Banera and also all the state insignia of a ruling chief. He honoured him with the Char Hazari mansab, which was later raised to Panj Hazari.

According to Maasir-i-Alamgiri, Bhim Singh died in January 1694 and was succeeded by his son, Surya Mal.