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Matira ri Raad(1644)

The Battle of the Watermelon, 1644 — fought between Bikaner under Karan Singh and Nagaur under Amar Singh Rathore over a melon vine that had grown across the boundary.

MR

What you need to know

  • Fought in 1644 between Bikaner under Karan Singh and Nagaur under Amar Singh Rathore
  • Triggered by a watermelon vine growing across the boundary between the two states
  • Both sides claimed the fruit; neither would concede the point
  • Remembered in Rajasthani tradition under the name Matira ri Raad
  • Treated as both a real engagement and a commentary on frontier honour

    • Participants

    • RK

      Commander, Bikaner forces

      Raja Karan Singh of Bikaner

      28 yrs at this event

      Commander, Bikaner forces

      28 yrs at event

      Raja Karan Singh of Bikaner

      Ninth ruler of Bikaner, 1631–1667. Backed Aurangzeb in the war of succession, then was deposed by him in January 1667 for dereliction of duty at Attock and exiled to the Deccan, dying in 1669.

    Theatres

    • B

      CONTESTED_BOUNDARY

      Bikaner

      CONTESTED_BOUNDARY

      Bikaner

      Walled desert city founded in 1488 by Rao Bika; capital of Bikaner State until 1947.

    • N

      CONTESTED_BOUNDARY

      Nagaur

      CONTESTED_BOUNDARY

      Nagaur

      Fortified town in Marwar; site of Akbar's 1570 darbar at which Rao Kalyan Mal of Bikaner submitted to Mughal suzerainty.

    Powers

    • B(

      Bikaner (Rathor Kingdom)

      Bikaner (Rathor Kingdom)

      Rathor Rajput kingdom of the Thar desert. Watan-jagir vassal of the Mughals from 1570 under Rai Singh.

    • Key Points
    • Participants
    • Theatres
    • Powers
    Facts at a glance
    Start
    1644
    End
    1644
    Tags
    Bikaner, Nagaur, Karan Singh, Amar Singh Rathore, Rajasthani tradition, 1644

    Significance · LOCAL

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    Start
    1644
    End
    1644
    Tags
    Bikaner, Nagaur, Karan Singh, Amar Singh Rathore, Rajasthani tradition, 1644

    Significance · LOCAL

    Report an error