DIWAN RAM CHANDRA CHHABRA

DIWAN RAM CHANDRA CHABRA
Grand son of Diwan Ballushah Chabra (Diwan of Maharaja Ram Singh) and son of Diwan Vimal Dass Chabra (Diwan of Maharaja Ram Singh and his successor Vishan Singh) Ram Chandra had become Diwan of Maharaja Vishan Singh around 1690 after the death of his father. During the rule of Sawai Jai Singh (1701-1743) he was one of his Chiefs and his right hand. Expert in administration and policy matters he was a bold and brave warrior.

Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur and Ajit Singh of Jodhpur, who were brother-in-laws, had supported Prince Azam for the throne of Delhi. On getting the throne, the avenging Emperor Bahadur Shah (1707-12) attacked and conquered their States. Both these rulers had fled to Udaipur. Diwan Ram Chandra had accompanied Maharaja Jai Singh. Pinched by a satire of the people at Udaipur he left alone for Jaipur, organised an army and defeated the Mughal Chief Sayed Hussain Ali and took back Amer. He could have himself become the ruler but loyal Ram Chandra invited Jai Singh from Udaipur and handed over Amer to him making him its ruler again. The Mughal Emperor wrote to Jai Singh for removing Diwan Ram Chandra from his post which was not accepted by the Maharaja. Under instructions from Sawai Jai Singh he also defeated the Mughal army at Jodhpur around 1707 and restored Jodhpur State back to Maharaja Ajit Singh. In the dispute over Sambhar area between Jaipur and Jodhpur States, he was appointed the arbitrator by both the rulers and he decided to divide Sambhar area half and half between the two States to resolve the dispute. In recognition of his services in this work he was granted right to have a portion of salt produced from that area. The dispute over this area had arisen after he had freed it from the hands of the Mughals.

He played an important role in patching up the difference between the Mughal Emperor and the Jaipur ruler. While the Emperor appointed Maharaja Jai Singh as governor of Malwa, Diwan Ram Chandra had also accompanied him. He had fought several battles and was known as protector of Amer. Maharaja Jai Singh had granted him several Jagirs.

Diwan Ram Chandra was a kind hearted person. He but handled the rebels, State enemies and criminals very intelligently and strongly. He was loved both by the ruler and the subjects for his noble deeds and generous heart. He continued as Diwan till 1719 during which year he had presumably died.

Greatly religious minded, he had built Jain temple at Saivad and Nishianji at Ujjain. Jain temple at Jaisinghpura (now Raja Bazar in New Delhi) was constructed by him in 1724 and was then known as Mahavjr Chaityalaya.