This is a picture of a dilapidated building close to the Amer Fort called Shoor Singh ki Haveli or Choor Singh Ki Haveli. One can safely presume that at some point in time, this must have been a nice mansion. But today it is on the verge of collapse. Time changes everything! Shoor Singh Ki Haveli is under a legal case. The current occupants claim ownership of the building which is challenged by the state govt. authorities. Shoor Singh Ki Haveli is just below the Amer fort.

Read: Jaipur Haveli | The vanishing architecture

Shoor Singh, Meena Community and History of Amer

Some written records mention Choor Singh or Shoor Singh was a Meena chief. At one point, Meena ruled Amer region until Rajputs took it over. Most history writers mention that the grabbing of power by Rajput from Meena was through deceit. Even the oldest historical documentation also affirms this theory. It is a fact that Meena were original inhabitants of the region. Large areas were occupied by the Meena community of Rajasthan. Even today, areas under Alwar and Dausa districts have a large Meena population. It is established that the Rajput Kachhawa rulers were originally from Narwar. I wouldn’t be surprised if this theory about Amer History is true. What about Shoor Singh? I will write about Shoor Singh in my subsequent post that explores Meena history especially in the context of Jaipur. Read more about it A chatter with a man from Meena community

Shoor Singh Ki Haveli is under ownership dispute and therefore it is unlikely to be restored to its old glory any time soon.

Here is another picture of Shoor Singh Ki Haveli in Amer.

It is a well known fact that Meena community worked in close alliance with Jaipur rulers. But there are many other aspects which are less highlighted and have not been mentioned. Rajput-Meena discord and not getting along has not been mentioned enough. Historians only talk about Meena soldiers in Amer ruler’s army. The same is true for Meena soldiers in Jaipur army. Soldiers from Meena community were trusted for their valour and dedication to the rulers of Jaipur. The mention of Meena soldiers guarding Jaigarh Fort treasure has been made by the members of Jaipur rulers. The most reliable account is by Gayatri Devi. Jaigarh Fort treasure story is one of the juiciest stories from Jaipur. Indira Gandhi and the Indian emergency definitely makes Jaigarh Fort Treasure worth reading. Read more about Jaigarh Fort in Jaigarh Fort in Jaipur | The dismay