Zalim Singh

Zalim Singh Jhala (1739-1824) or Zalim Singh of Kotah, a Jhala Rajput was an administrator, reformer and army commander of the Hada Chauhan house of Kota. He was the de facto ruler of Kota State from 1771 to until his death in 1824. He was referred to by his contemporary James Tod as the Machiavelli of Rajasthan.

Birth He was born in 1739 to Prithvi Singh and later adopted by his paternal uncle, Himmat Singh.

Early career Upon Himmat Singh's death in 1758, he at the age of eighteen succeeded him in his jagir of Nanta and as Faujdar, or Commander, of the state troops of Kota State. Three years later, he was instrumental in leading the Kota troops to a decisive victory over the Jaipur army at Bhatwara, where seventeen elephants, 1,800 horses, 73 pieces of cannon, and a state flag of Jaipur fell into the hands of the Kota troops. Following the battle, Maharao Raja Shatru Sal of Kota welcomed him with great honor in an open durbar to celebrate the victory and acknowledged the valuable services he had rendered. He arranged the marriage of his adoptive sister to Guman Singh, which earned him the title of "Mama" (maternal uncle). He used this title in his daily life and official correspondence. However, the situation soon turned unfavorable due to the rash abandonment of the Rajputs. Guman Singh also entrusted his son Umed Singh and the state to Zalim's care. For more than fifty years, he played a significant role directly in Kota and indirectly in the neighboring states of Rajputana. approximately half a mile north of the ruins of Chandravati, which had been destroyed by Aurangzeb.

Dwarkadhish Temple In 1796, he built the Dwarkadhish Temple in Jhalrapatan when he laid the foundation of the town, but the idol was installed nine years later.