Day 489

 

I know that there has been a gap since I wrote my last post. Actually, I wasn’t having idea to write about. So, I spent my time in my business and doing some research work. Actually, there are few facts in our Indian history that aren’t taught in our school text books. Well, I was going through a series of videos which were about Rajputana kingdoms. Now, it’s known to all of us that all the Rajputana kingdoms have been merged in Union of India by Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel after partition.

But one video caught my attention. The video was about Jaigarh Fort and its alleged connection with Indira Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi. Jaigarh Fort was built by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1726 in Jaipur. It was built just 15 kms from Jaipur. It’s also said that this fort was built for the protection of Amer Fort and Nahargarh Fort. It can be said that it was like a security post for Amer Fort that’s why Jaigarh Fort is 400 meters high from Amer Fort. But the main interesting fact which is related with Nahargarh Fort is the use of military power by Indian government during Emergency rule.

It’s true that Rajputana kingdoms had made a lot of forts in Rajasthan during their time periods. Many of them have perished with due course of time and few are still telling us the glorious history of the Rajputana kings and their times. But I think Jaigarh Fort is one of the mysterious Forts in India. Well, it’s a known fact that Raja Man Singh I was brother of Jodha Bai. We all know that Jodha Bai was wife of Mughal emperor, Akbar. So, in this way, Raja Man Singh I and Akbar were related to each other. Akbar always believed the military skills of Raja Man Singh I. So; it was obvious that Raja Man Singh I became one of the generals in Akbar’s army. It was said that Raja Man Singh I never got defeated in any battle. So, wherever Raja Man Singh I won the battle, that area came under Mughal control.

Now comes the interesting historic fact. I can’t say it to be fully true. It’s because this historic fact gave the birth to a mystery which is unsolved till date. Well, in 1581, Akbar sent Raja Man Singh I to Afghanistan tribes because Akbar wished to conquer Afghanistan also. Raja Man Singh I went to Afghanistan and fought with the local tribes and conquered them. It is said that he looted tons of gold and treasure from those tribes. But he didn’t tell anything about this treasure to Akbar. No one except Raja Man Singh I and his army knew about this treasure. The treasure was supposed to be buried in Amer Fort by Raja Man Singh I. with the passage of time, this treasure remained hidden from the world. But the rumour about the treasure never died. After Mughals, British government was ruling the Indian sub-continent. At that time also, Amer Fort and Jaigarh Fort were thoroughly searched. But Britisher were empty handed.

Now let’s come to the modern Indian history. In 1975, Raja Man Singh II was the king and his wife, Mrs Gayatri Devi was the queen. At that time, Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India. Although, Gayatri Devi and Indira Gandhi had studied together in Shanti Niketan established by Rabindra Nath Tagore. But both of them never had normal relations with each other. In 1962, Gayatri Devi defeated Congress candidate Sharda Devi for Jaipur seat of Lok Sabha. Gayatri Devi was very popular amongst her masses. On the other hand, Indira Gandhi never supported the system of princely privileges been given to the former princely states who signed the treaty to be merged with Union of India. We all know that Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel has given these privileges to all the princely states while signing the merger treaty with Union of India. But Indira Gandhi was never happy with Privy Purse enjoyed by these Princely States.

Actually, Privy Purse referred to an amount being given by the Indian government to the royal families of the erstwhile princely states. Well, the amount was paid to the royal families in exchange of giving their rights of ruling. The amount varied from state to state. But the amount was given by the Indian government which was bearing a burden on exchequer. So, in 1971, Indira Gandhi passed 26^th Amendment to the Constitution of India, which totally abolished the Privy Purse. After abolition of Privy Purse, all the erstwhile ruler families became common men in India. There were legal cases against this amendment but there wasn’t much effect of that.

After that, came the Emergency period in India. Although, the legends of Jaigarh Ford never died and with passage of time it carried on. Even Indira Gandhi was aware of this legend. Emergency rule gave unchecked authorities to Indira Gandhi. During Emergency, she locked up almost entire opposition leaders in different prisons across the country. In this time, Gayatri Devi was locked up in Tihar prison in Delhi. So, it was a nice opportunity to start the treasure hunt at Jaigarh Fort. In 1976, a joint team of income tax officers along with local police and a unit of army raided the Jaigarh Fort and started excavation. Questions were raised about raiding Jaigarh Fort because the legendary treasure was supposed to be in Amer Fort. The logic behind this raid was that Amer Fort and Jaigarh Fort were connected by a tunnel. But during the raid, Jaigarh Fort was totally ransacked. Emergency was in force and local curfew was imposed near Jaigarh Fort to prevent the spread the news of the raid.

But it’s a rumour that the national highway connecting Jaipur to Delhi was closed for a day for normal traffic. Its also rumoured that a large convey of military trucks were seen on the national highway from Jaipur to New Delhi. But there is solid evidence to prove these rumours. Actually, still there are a lot of questions regarding the treasure of Raja Man Singh I. Indira Gandhi made a public statement that only 230 kg of silver and silver artifacts were recovered from the Jaigarh Fort. Then where the remaining tons of gold and jewellery went? Why Military unit was used for a raid of Income tax officials? Police force was enough to supervise the raid and evacuation of the treasure. Mystery still continues to embraces the treasure of Raja Man Singh I.

Well, till date no one knows where the treasure is lying. A theory says that a large amount of the treasure was used to build Jaipur city. Second theory says that the recovered treasure was sent to Switzerland by airplanes. Actually, Switzerland banks are famous for keeping the black money of the political leaders worldwide. But what is the truth is still a mystery.