Awards

Bhamashah was born on 10th Ashadh Shukla Vikram Samvat 1604, 28th June 1547 CE, accordingly to this Bhamashah was seven years younger than Maharana Pratap I, 54th Custodian of House of Mewar, (r. 1572 – 1597 CE) and he died at the age of 52 years on 11th Magh Shukla Vikram Samvat 1656, 27th January 1600 CE, while serving as the Chief of treasury of Mewar under Maharana Amar Singh I, 55th Custodian of House of Mewar, (r. 1597-1620 CE).

He was from Oswal Jain community of Kavadiya Gotra and was the eldest son of Bharmal and Karpur Devi, they came from Alwar. There is a clear mention in the ancient Pattavalis about the appointment of Bharmal as the ‘Kiledar’ Fortress of Ranthambore Fort by Maharana Sangram Singh I, 50th Custodian of House of Mewar, (r. 1509 – 1528 CE). Bharmal was initially a follower of Tapagachha (Jain) sect. His family was rich and prosperous. After the famous battle of Bayana held on 21st February 1527, fought between Maharana Sangram Singh I and Babar, who founded the Mughal dynasty, many supporters of the Maharana who fought in this battle alongside him came to Chittorgarh. Due to being a trusted courtier of Maharana Sangram Singh I he made him the In-charge of Ranthambore Fort by giving him the responsibility of protecting Kanwar Vikramaditya Singh and Kanwar Udai Singh.  

It is also reported that Maharana Udai Singh II (r. 1537-1572 CE), after assuming his throne, had honored Bharmal by giving him Rupees one lakh on loan due to the distinguished services of the Bharmal family. It is believed that Bharmal had his hastishala center (handicraft) near Padampol in the foothills of Chittorgarh and had his mansion near the artillery in front of the Palace above. After his father’s death Bhamashah was made treasurer. In that era, the tradition was that the son of an officer was also appointed in the same position, even if he was young. In those days the posts were given according to their devotion to the head of the dynasty.  In fact, Bhamashah got this position, due to the bravery and administrative ability, for the first time in his family, which was undoubtedly due to the services rendered by his father Bharmal to the Mewar state. It is known that after the fall of Chittorgarh in 1568 CE, the family of Bhamashah also went to the mountainous area with Maharana Udai Singh II and his associates to continue the struggle for the independence of Mewar. 

A clear mention of the presence of Bhamashah and his brother, Tarachand Badshahi in the famous battle of Haldighati on 18th. June 1576 CE, is found in the Tawarikhs. Both of them accompanied the army of Maharana Pratap into the battle. When the war started, the right side of the army led by Maharana Pratap, which included Raja Ramsah Tanwar, Bhamashah and Tarachand etc., broke, ripped apart the left side of Qazikhan of the Mughal army and the Mughal soldiers fled and joined the central part. Bhamashah and his brother Tarachand displayed war skill, valour and bravery in that war due to which they were later given great responsibilities of the state. After the Haldighati battle, Maharana Pratap started a long guerilla war to fight the Mughals, which lasted for about 10 years from 1576 CE to 1585 CE. After Rama Mahasani, Maharana Pratap elevated Bhamashah to the post of the Prime Minister i.e. Chief ‘Diwan’. By that time Bhamashah was over thirty years old. History is witness to the fact that Maharana Pratap's decision regarding Bhamashah proved to be absolutely correct and far sighted. Bhamashah has become famous in history as Pratap's steadfast and loyal subject during terrible crises and difficult struggles. 

The name of Bhamashah is associated with important events of this long guerilla war of Maharana Pratap. He was the commander of a part of the Mewar army. Bhamashah used to destroy Mughal treasury by attacking Mughal police stations, convoys and Mughal army units; he collected tax from Malwa and brought weapons from there. Similarly, he invaded the Mughal areas several times from there to get money and resources for the freedom struggle of Mewar. These invasions were carried out in Gujarat, Malwa, Malpura and other Mughal areas located on the outskirts of Mewar. When the Mughal general Kachwaha Man Singh was establishing the Mughal police station in Mewar, Bhamashah along with Maharana Pratap's eldest son Kanwar Amar Singh was busy collecting tax money from Malpura. Shortly after the conquest of Kumbhalgarh by the Mughal General Shahabaaz Khan in Vikram Samwat 1635, 1578 CE, the Mewar army under the leadership of Bhamashah made a surprise attack on Malwa and got money and resources for Mewar. Bhamashah presented the secured amount of twenty-five lakh rupees and twenty thousand gold asharfis to Maharana Pratap in village Chulia. Bhamashah used to withdraw money from the secret treasury of Mewar and present it to Maharana Pratap as per his requirement and orders. Shortly after the Malwa invasion, the Mewar army attacked the Mughal police station of Dewair and captured it. Bhamashah was present along with Kanwar Amar Singh in this attack. 

Based on the available historical facts, it seems correct to declare that after the Haldighati war, Maharana Pratap, to protect the independence of Mewar, ran a difficult guerrilla war for a long time and it took his entire life. The economy and administrative system of Mewar was in turmoil. Maharana Pratap got great success in his long struggle in 1587 CE when he regained control over the remaining parts of Mewar except Chittorgarh and Mandalgarh. His chief Bhamashah played a major role in this conquest. Kaviraja Shyamaldas has written that after the conquest of Kumbhalgarh by Shahabaaz Khan, Maharana's head Bhamashah went towards Rampura in Malwa with the raiyat of Kumbhalmer. There Rao Durga kept him with great safety (Veer Vinod Part 2. 157). Bhamashah must have collected money by raiding the area of ​​Malwa under Mughal control at the same time, Bhamashah's brother Tarachand was also with him in the attack on Malwa. Akbar's general Shahabaaz Khan followed the army of Mewar after the raid. At that time, while fighting, Tarachand had become wounded near Bassi village. Saidas, the owner of Bassi, took him away and arranged for his treatment.

As Diwan of Mewar Bhamashah was responsible person, a major contributor to Maharana Pratap as an associate and advisor in preparing the plan for activities related to the military system and economy, state's administrative system, economic management, war strategy, military-organization, invasions, etc. There are many copper plates issued by Bhamashah on the orders of Maharana, which show his position in the Mewar court and his important position in the administration of the state.

There is a mention of another historical event revealing the bright character side of Bhamashah. For the strength and expansion of his empire, Akbar, by resorting to discriminative divide and rule policy, pitting Rajput kings and warriors against each other and creating mutual discord between brothers and relatives within the Rajput states, by luring to give high positions, mansab etc. in his court. Not only this, he also tried to tempt the chief administrative officers of the Rajput states by luring them to prestige and position in the court. When all efforts of Akbar to defeat Maharana Pratap failed, he tried to get Maharana Pratap's chief Bhamashah on his side. For this purpose, Akbar ordered his clever diplomatic general, Abdur Rahim Khan Khana, to meet Bhamashah. This meeting of Khan Khana with Bhamashah took place in Malwa, where Bhamashah was present at that time. The temptations offered by the Khan Khana had no effect on the brave heroic Bhamashah. This inducement was given at a time when Maharana Pratap and his allies were in dire financial straits and military fighting for life and death amidst pressure. Bhamashah rejected the temptation of a lavish life, and considered to adopt the situation of struggling hard times, difficulties and deprivation to lead a life of freedom and self-respect. This thing is a vivid example of Bhamashah's bright character and his ideal ideas. 

The name of Karmaveer Bhamashah is inseparably associated with Maharana Pratap. Rejecting foreign slavery, Maharana Pratap gave up the life of all kinds of opulence, temptation and pleasure but struggled for freedom by living a very simple life, facing hardships in the mountains and forests. Bhamashah followed his ruler and gave up all the comforts for the freedom struggle. In this freedom struggle of Mewar, Bhamashah emerged as a courageous and skilled warrior, a well-informed administrator.  Bhamashah was a very loyal and trusted treasurer of Maharana Pratap whose responsibility was to keep the treasury secure and provide funds for battle when required. At one time Maharana Pratap became dejected on account of paucity of funds in the state and thought he could not continue to go into battle to protect the freedom of Mewar. Bhamashah who had accumulated great sources of wealth in the treasury came forward at the appropriate time to assist Maharana Pratap in his quest for freedom. 

Over the following decades Bhamashah's son Jiva Shah and his grandson Akshiraj were appointed Prime Ministers by Maharana Amar Singh I (r. 1597 – 1620 CE) and Maharana Karan Singh (r. 1620 – 1628 CE). After the death of Bhamashah his brother Tarachand was made the Jagirdar of Godwar, he lived in Sadri village of Marwar. There he built a Baara Dari and a step well, and there he had built statues of his four women and a khawas. On the death of Bhamashah, Maharana Amar Singh appointed Bhamashah’s son Jiva Shah as his chief. When Prince Karan Singh went to Ajmer to visit Emperor Jahangir, then Maharana Amar Singh also sent Jiva Shah with him. Poet Dalpat Vijay has mentioned in his treatise ‘Khumanraso’ that during the time of Maharana Amar Singh I Bhamashah made an attack on Ahmedabad and brought two crores of money from there. Based on the study of historical facts, this attack should be one of the campaigns done by Bhamashah to collect money during the reign of Maharana Pratap. Bhamashah died three years after the death of Maharana Pratap. From the beginning of Maharana Pratap, till 2-3 years of the reign period in Maharana Amar Singh’s kingdom Bhamashah played an important role as the head of Mewar state. A day before he died, he gave his hand written book to his wife and said that condition of Mewar's treasury is written in it. Whenever there is trouble, it should be observed by Maharana. Maharana Amar Singh's expenses continued for many years from the treasury written in this book of Bhamashah. This proves that the money surrendered by Bhamashah was the accumulated wealth of the state treasury. 

Bamashah's daughter Jagisha Bai got married to Karamchand Bachhavat from Bikaner. They were associated with Bikaner royal court. After the death of Karamchand Jagisha Bai and her son Bhan came to Udaipur. After that her descendants were served as a Kiledar of Mandalgarh for several generations. 

During the reign of Maharana Swarup Singh (r. 1842 - 1861 CE), a dispute arose in Mewar that to whom should the first tilak be given in the honour of Oswals. On Vikram Samvat 1912 Jyeshta Shukla 15 Maharana wrote a patta and ordered to give this prestige to the family members of Bhamashah. 

It is also believed on the basis of public opinion that Bhamashah's residence was near the temple of Shree Gokul Chandramaji near the Palaces of Udaipur, later which became famous as Diwanji Ki Pol. There is also a belief of Bhamashah's Haveli near Moti Bazaar in Zawar, a famous historical metallurgical site located a few miles away from Udaipur, and the huge temple of Zawar Mata being built by Bhamashah. 

While praising the work and devotion of Karmaveer Bhamashah, the famous historian Colonel James Tod has written that the name of Bhamashah is famous as the saviour of Mewar. 

Kaviraj Shyamaldas, the author of the famous historiography, ‘Veer Vinod’, has written – ‘Bhamashah was a man of command’. 

He will always be remembered for recognition of selfless sacrifice, astute financial management and devotion to duty to the House of Mewar.

Bhamashah Award is a State Award. 

This award was instituted to honour students achieving top position by securing the highest percentage in the following faculties from amongst all the Universities of Rajasthan in recognition of selfless sacrifice, astute financial management and devotion to duty by Bhamashah to the House of Mewar.

i. Students of all Universities in Rajasthan for securing the highest percentage of marks from amongst all the Universities of Rajasthan at the Graduation Examination in each of the following faculties: 

BA, BShastri, BEd, BSc (Biology and Maths Group), BSc (Home Science), BSc (Agriculture), BVSc & AH, BSc (Dairy Technology), BCom, BLib Science, LLB (3 year course), BE (Various Branches), MBBS, BDS, BAMS etc.

Applications will be considered only in the above mentioned categories of different areas of specialisations in these disciplines. 

ii. a. Students from Rajasthan who distinguish themselves in any technical, technological, professional or career course conducted by a recognised University / Institution in or outside Rajasthan such as Indian Institution of Bankers, ICSI, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, ICWAI, Hotel Management & Catering, Computer Technology, Textile Designing and Diplomas in other technical subjects.

b. Applicants studying in Universities / Institutions outside Rajasthan will not be considered for the award unless they submit an authentic Domicile Certificate stating that the candidate is a bonafide resident of Rajasthan.

c. In case of Diplomas, only three years and above durations Diploma holders will be considered for award. The candidate should submit evidence to indicate the actual duration of the course he / she attended.

iii. The mark-sheets submitted must show the actual marks secured by the candidates in different subjects / papers and the aggregate for each year separately. The mark-sheet, showing only Grading / Grade Point Average will not be considered.

iv. Only those candidates whose names appear in the Merit List of the Institutions / Universities need apply. The application should be complete in all respects, accompanied by all documents including an authentic certificate of the candidate figuring in the Merit List otherwise it will not be considered.

This Annual State Award to each candidate consists of:

1. A Commemorative Medal.

2. A Merit Certificate.

3. Cash Award of  ₹ 11,001