Samokhan Singh

Maharaja Samokhan Singh was the ruler of the city and principality of Kishangarh in present-day Rajasthan. He was a scion of the Rathore clan of Rajputs.

Maharaja Samokhan Singh was the greatest Vina player of his time. Mughal Emperor Akbar managed to get Miyan Tansen to his court,but he wanted an instrumentalist for his durbar.He conferred with Tansen on this matter.Tansen told him that he could get as many players as he wanted. But there is only one master that is Maharaja Samokhan Singh of Kishangarh. Akbar sent a letter to Samokhan Singh and expressed his desire.Rajputs never liked the friendship of the Mughals.Samokhan Singh also knew the political desires of Akbar.In his reply he wrote that he used to play Vina for God and Akbar will never be able to listen to his Vina.Samokhan Singh exhibited the same Rajput temperament as the Rana of Mewar. Akbar never expected such an answer.He got furious and asked the Faujdar of Ajmer to get Samokhan Singh to terms.Heavy fight ensued at Kishangarh.Rajputs fought bravely.But the Mughals were superior in numbers hence Maharaja Samokhan Singh and his son Jhanjhan Singh were killed in the battle.Misri Singh was captured and put under house arrest.

Family weapon of Samokhan Singh was Khanda after which the bani of Drupad (Khandar Bani) is named.Misri singh or Naubat Khan later established the beenkar dynasty through his descendants.These musicians were also called as Khandara Beenkar after their family weapon Khanda.

The fort of Samokhan Singh was burnt by the Mughal forces and its ruins can be seen in kishangarh.

One portrait of Maharaja Samokhan Singh was published by a local paper which depicted Maharaja Samokhan Singh with his staff in a boat crossing a river.

...
Wikipedia