Badan Singh Jat: The First Recognized Ruler of Bharatpur

Introduction

The eighteenth century was a period of great political realignment in North India. The Mughal Empire was in decline, regional powers were asserting independence, and local leaders were transforming agrarian communities into formidable kingdoms. Among these, the Jats of Bharatpur rose to prominence under the leadership of Raja Badan Singh Jat (1687–1756). As the successor of Raja Churaman, Badan Singh played a crucial role in consolidating Jat power, winning Mughal recognition, and laying the administrative foundations for the flourishing kingdom that would later be glorified under Maharaja Suraj Mal.

Early Life and Background

Badan Singh was born in 1687 in Sinsini, into the same influential Jat family that had produced earlier leaders like Gokula Jat and Raja Churaman Jat. He was the nephew of Churaman, who had united Jat clans and challenged Mughal authority in the Braj region.

After Churaman’s death in 1721, the Jat polity faced a succession crisis. Different factions vied for power, threatening to undo the hard-won unity of the Jats. Badan Singh, though not Churaman’s direct heir, emerged as the most capable leader thanks to his diplomacy and pragmatism.

Struggle for Power and Succession

Churaman’s death left the Jats divided. His sons and nephews fought bitterly for control of the forts and armies. Badan Singh aligned himself with the powerful Mughal noble Muhammad Khan Bangash to gain legitimacy. In return, he was recognized by the Mughals as the official Jat leader.

This was a shrewd move. While many Jats distrusted the Mughals, Badan Singh realized that imperial recognition could stabilize his leadership. By 1722, he was acknowledged as Raja of Bharatpur, giving him both political status and administrative authority.

Establishment of the Bharatpur Kingdom

Once secure in power, Badan Singh shifted the Jat capital from Thoon (Churaman’s fort) to a more strategic and fertile location—Deeg. There, he built a fort and palaces that would later be expanded into the famous Deeg Palace by Suraj Mal.

Badan Singh consolidated control over Braj (Mathura, Vrindavan, Bharatpur, Agra’s hinterland) and expanded Jat influence. Unlike his predecessors, who were often seen as rebels, he transformed the Jats into recognized rulers with a stable kingdom.

Relations with the Mughals

Badan Singh maintained a careful balance in his relations with the Mughal court. The empire was still symbolically powerful, and Mughal recognition added legitimacy to his rule.

In 1722, the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah granted him the mansab (rank) and the title of Raja.
Badan Singh pledged nominal loyalty but retained real independence in his territories.
He often helped the Mughals militarily when it suited Jat interests, while at the same time expanding his autonomy in Braj.

This strategy of dual loyalty and independence ensured that the Jats faced fewer imperial campaigns during his reign.

Political Alliances

Badan Singh was not just a warrior but also a skillful diplomat. He forged alliances with Rajput rulers of Jaipur and Amber, which proved vital in balancing power in Rajasthan.

His most notable alliance was with Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur, the great astronomer-king. Jai Singh’s daughter was married into Badan Singh’s family, cementing ties between the Jats and the Rajputs. This alliance strengthened Bharatpur’s position and allowed Badan Singh to expand his kingdom without facing threats from Rajput neighbors.

Administrative and Economic Policies

Badan Singh introduced reforms that laid the groundwork for the later prosperity of the Bharatpur state:

Revenue System – He reorganized tax collection, ensuring steady income from fertile agricultural lands. This supported both administration and military.
Fortifications – He built and strengthened forts at Deeg, Bharatpur, and Kumbher. These became the backbone of Jat power.
Patronage of Agriculture – By reducing exploitation and encouraging farming, he earned the loyalty of peasants who formed the backbone of Jat society.
Trade and Infrastructure – Bharatpur’s location along trade routes allowed him to levy duties, increasing state revenue.

Patron of Arts and Religion

Badan Singh was a devout Vaishnava and a patron of Krishna bhakti. After Aurangzeb’s destruction of Mathura’s temples, many Goswamis and priests looked for protection. Under Badan Singh, temples in Mathura and Vrindavan once again flourished.

He gave donations to the Radhavallabh, Banke Bihari, and Govind Dev temples.
He encouraged the building of ghats, gardens, and dharmashalas in Vrindavan.
His patronage of the arts laid the foundation for the cultural brilliance of Bharatpur, which peaked during Suraj Mal’s reign.

In architecture, his contributions included strengthening Deeg Fort and commissioning palaces with gardens and waterworks that blended Mughal and Rajput styles.

Military Achievements

Although not as militarily aggressive as his successor Suraj Mal, Badan Singh still defended and expanded Jat power:

He captured Kumbher Fort, making it an important outpost.
He secured Mathura region firmly under Jat control.
He maintained an army strong enough to resist occasional Mughal attempts at interference.

His greatest achievement was not large-scale conquest but stability and consolidation. By the time of his death, Bharatpur was no longer a rebel hideout but a recognized kingdom.

Death and Succession

Badan Singh ruled until 1756, when he passed away. His long reign of over three decades provided Bharatpur with stability and legitimacy. He was succeeded by his adopted son, Maharaja Suraj Mal (1707–1763), who expanded the kingdom to its zenith.

Legacy

Badan Singh Jat’s legacy can be summarized in three parts:

Political Foundation – He converted the Jats from a rebellious community into rulers of a stable state.
Cultural Patronage – By supporting Krishna temples and Braj traditions, he became a protector of regional identity.
Strategic Alliances – His ties with Rajputs and Mughals ensured survival and recognition for the Jat state.

While Suraj Mal is remembered as the greatest Jat ruler, it was Badan Singh who laid the groundwork by stabilizing leadership, consolidating territory, and gaining recognition. Without Badan Singh’s vision and diplomacy, Suraj Mal’s later glory would have been impossible.

Conclusion

Raja Badan Singh Jat (1687–1756) was the true founder of the Bharatpur Kingdom. He transformed Jat rebellion into political legitimacy, secured Mughal recognition, built alliances with Rajputs, and provided a stable base for future expansion. His rule was marked not by spectacular battles but by quiet, steady consolidation and cultural patronage. In the history of North India’s regional powers, Badan Singh stands out as a pragmatic statesman who gave permanence to the Jat state.