BUNDI, an Indian State in the Rajputana agency, lying on the north-east of the river Chambal, in a hilly tract historically known as Haraoti. It has an area of 2,220 sq. miles. Many parts of the State are wild and hilly, inhabited by a large Mina popu lation, formerly notorious as a race of robbers. Two rivers, the Chambal and the Me j, water the State. In 1931 the population was 216,722. The town of Bundi had a population in 1931 of A school for boys of high rank was opened in 1897.
The State of Bundi was founded about A.D. 1342 by the Chan han rajput chief, Rao Dewa or Deoraj, who captured the town from the Minas. Its importance, however, dates from the time of Rao Surjan, who succeeded to the chieftainship in and by throwing in his lot with the Mohammedan emperors of Delhi (1569) received a considerable accession of territory. In the 17th century their power was curtailed by the division of Haraoti into the two States of Kotah and Bundi; but the title of maharao raja was conferred on Budh Singh for the part played by him in securing the imperial throne for Bahadur Shah I. after the death of Aurangzeb in 1707. In 1804 the maharao raja, Bishan Singh, gave valuable assistance to Col. Monson in his disastrous retreat before Holkar, and in 1818, by a treaty concluded with Bishan Singh, Bundi was taken under British protection. In 1821 Bishan Singh was succeeded by his son, Ram Singh, who ruled till 1889, and was known as "the most conservative prince in con servative Rajputana." His rule was popular and beneficent ; and his son, the present maharao raja, continues the same traditions. He enjoys a salute of 17 guns.