Churaman

Churaman (died 20 September 1721) was a chieftain from Sinsini, Rajasthan, who rose to prominence as a leader following the death of his brother Raja Ram. He established the rule mainly centred at Bharatpur, during the decline of the Mughal Empire. Initially a highwayman, Churaman organized plundering expeditions and built a fortified base at Bharatpur. After supporting Bahadur Shah I in the Mughal succession war against Muhammad Azam Shah in 1707, he was appointed a mansabdar and later served as the faujdar of Mathura, overseeing the imperial highway from Delhi to Agra. His strategic alliances, including with the Sayyid brothers, and opportunistic betrayals during Mughal conflicts strengthened his power. Churaman died in 1721 after consuming poison during a family dispute, leaving his nephew Badan Singh to succeed him as formal founder of the Bharatpur State.