Bijay Niwas was built almost a 100 years ago by Rao Bijay Singh the 16th descendant of the erstwhile Masuda ‘Istimrardari’ (a category higher than ‘ Jagirdars’ of the then Rajputana). as a
getaway retreat about the same time he founded the town of Bijaynagar, also named after him.
The history of Masuda royal family dates back to Rao Jagmal (early 16th century), the founder of the Mertiya clan of Rathore Rajputs, by far the most valiant of all rajputs.
Masuda was the biggest ‘Istimrardari’ of the Ajmer-Merwara region having 252 villages under it with over 500 sq. miles of area. It paid direct allegiance to the British-Raj and was independent of
any other state with magisterial powers of life and death.
Rao Narayan Singh, known for his benevolence, literary knowledge and long innings as cabinet minister in the state government, father of Dushyant Singh, the present scion and owner, was the
last to be right royally crowned ‘king’ before independence.
Bijay Niwas opens its gates to welcome the world which till now was a royal prerogative. |
