Durgadas Rathore, the son of a Rajput noble of Marwar, Askaran Rathore, was born on 13th August 1638 at Salwa. He led a quiet, uneventful life with his mother in village Lunawa near Sawla Kalan. But in 1655 he killed the official hardsman who loked after the king's camels for speaking insolently about the king. This act of loyalty changed the course of his life. Aurangzeb became the Emperor of Hindustan and, gaining the loyalty of Jaswant Singh I, ruler of Marwar, appointed him Governor of Kabul. Durgadas served Jaswant Singh throughout his life-time and after his death, in 1678, he shouldeered the task of safeguarding the freedom of Marwar and his life of its young king, Ajit Singh, son of Jaswant Singh.

The task was not an easy one, beset as he was with court intrigues and faced with the might of Mughal Emperor. Battles, skirmishes and diplomatic manouvers kept Durgadas busy till 1708, when he restored Ajit Singh, to the throne of Marwar. His soldiers were men of various castes and creeds. His zeal roused the fervour of many Rajputs bringing them togather under one flag in an unprecedented manner.

His chivalry towards women was well known, as is seen from his protection of Aurangzeb's grand daughter. On 22nd November 1718, on the banks of the Sipra at Ujjain, Durgadas passed away. What he left behind was a shining example of loyalty, chivalry and courage.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India