About Bhomat
Bhomat (also referred to as Bhumat; Hindi: भोमट or भूमट) is a mountainous and forested area in southern Rajasthan, covering all or parts of the tehsils of Kotra, Jhadol and Kherwara in Udaipur district. During British period, the region was also referred to as 'Hilly Tracts of Mewar'. A mountainous, forested region in southern Rajasthan, it spans the Udaipur district, and bordering Sirohi, Dungarpur, and Gujarat.
Nestled amidst the Aravalli Hills, Bhomat has long served as a buffer zone and tribal stronghold, home to a mix of Rajput jagirdars and indigenous Bhil communities. The name 'Bhomat' is based on the understanding that land tenures known as bhum were held by Jagirdars in the region. But as per details provided by Mewar State, Govt. of India accepted that the Rajputs who held villages in Bhomat were not Bhumias, but Jagirdars.
Stretching approximately 94 km north-south and 25 to 50 km east-west, it covers about 1,233 km² (476 sq mi). The terrain is traversed by rivers like the Sabarmati, Wakal, and Som. Geographically Bhomat has 3 Sub-regions:
- Bhader in the west
- Wakal in the center (named after the Wakal River)
- Khadak in the east
Bhomat in History
In the 15th century, Rana Kumbha is credited with building fortresses in the Bhomat region with the goal of expanding Mewar and defending its territorial sovereignty. However, only from the 16th century, Rajput Jagirdars recognised suzerainty of the Maharana of Mewar and started paying tribute in form of dasoond and provided armed contingents of their quota at disposal of the Mewar State.
Major Jagirs of Bhomat
Notable jagirdar estates of Bhomat, historically holding “bhum” land tenure and contributing to both local governance and Mewar’s defense:
Jawas, Pahara, Madri, Thana, Chhani, Juda, Panarwa, Oghna, Umariya, Patia, Bawalwara, Barothi, Sarwan, and Nainbara
Historically, Bhomat was divided into three zones:
- Kherwara Bhomat
- Kotra Bhomat
- Ogna Bhomat
Rajput Jagirdars of Bhomat
The Bhomat region of Mewar, spread across present-day Jhadol, Kotra, and Kherwara, was historically home to several Rajput thikanas (estates) that served both as guardians of the Aravalli highlands and as cultural anchors for local communities.
Each jagirdar (estate-holder) belonged to a Rajput clan such as the Chauhans, Solankis, Sisodiyas, and Panwars, and held a title—Rawat, Rana, or Thakur—reflecting their status and responsibilities. Their estates, measured in chatoond (households providing military and revenue obligations), were also classified into First, Second, or Third-Class Judicial Powers, showing the extent of their authority in local governance.
