Who Was Maharaja Surajmal? Statue Controversy Sparks Tension in Nagaur, Rajasthan

Nagaur, Rajasthan: A dispute erupted in Jodhiyaasi village of Nagaur district over the installation of a statue of Maharaja Surajmal, prompting authorities to deploy police forces from five stations and RAC personnel to maintain peace. Maharaja Surajmal has long been a figure of both admiration and controversy in Rajasthan.

Statue Installation Sparks Conflict

On the night of 17 November, a statue of Maharaja Surajmal was erected near the bus stand in Jodhiyaasi village. By the following morning, news of the installation had spread, leading to a standoff between two opposing groups. Locals reported that the dispute had been ongoing for over a year, with previous attempts to install the statue having been blocked due to opposition.

Both sides staged a sit-in protest over the statue, forcing administrative intervention. The authorities deemed the situation serious enough to deploy police and RAC units to prevent escalation.

Reasons Behind the Controversy

The village previously had statues of Lord Parshuram, Maharana Pratap, and Maharaja Surajmal, but Monday night’s installation by one faction reignited tensions. Villagers argue that any public installation should have official approval, and some claim that the statue’s placement is politically motivated rather than historical or religious. Additionally, disputes over fundraising and recognition have intensified the conflict: while the village sarpanch’s faction installed the statue, the Jat community had previously collected donations for the same purpose.

About Maharaja Surajmal

Maharaja Surajmal was an 18th-century Hindu Jat ruler renowned for his bravery, intelligence, and political acumen. He established the Bharatpur state in Rajasthan and fought over 80 battles in his lifetime. Notably, he captured the Agra Fort from the Mughals in 1761 and commissioned the construction of the famous Lohagarh Fort in Bharatpur, which remains a symbol of his indomitable spirit. Surajmal’s legacy as a warrior-king continues to inspire admiration, even as debates over his commemoration spark disputes today.