The city of Jhalawar in the south-eastern region of Rajasthan, is widely known as Hadoti (Hadavati), the land of the Hada Rajput. The Hadas are an important part of the great Chauhan clan of the Agnikula Rajputs. In the 12th century, Hada Rao Deva conquered this territory and founded the state of Bundi and Hadauti. Later in the early 17th century AD, during the reign of Jahangir, the ruler of Bundi, Rao Ratan Singh, gave the smaller principalities of Kota to his son, Madho Singh. However, when Sahajahan became emperor, he gave this principality to another and appointed him king. The domain of the Hadas of Bundi and Kota stretched from the hills of Bundi in the west to the Malwa plateau in the east. The princely state of Jhalawar was founded on 8 April 1838 from the area of Kota. The state of Jhalawar grew as a result of a treaty between English rulers, Kota and Malwa.
The city was founded by Jhalawar Jhala Zalim Singh I, the then Dewan of Kota (1791 AD). He founded this principality which was then known as Chhaoni Umedpura. The principality was surrounded by thick green forests and wild animals. Jhala Zalim Singh often came here to hunt and he liked the place so much so that his desire developed here to found a fortified township. The idea of using this place as a military area resulted from the fact that many Maratha invaders crossed this place to get from Malwa via Kota to Hadoti. The legend Jhala Zalim Singh recognized the importance of this place and began to use it militarily and to develop a fortified complex.
Chhaoni Umedpura was developed during 1803-04 by Colonel Todd as a fortified complex. In 1821, the region was reported for the first time which was under the tutelage of Jhala Zalim Singh and thus became a well established princiopality with large houses, walls and Havelis.
In 1838, English rulers separated Jhalawar from Kota and gave it to Jhala Madan Singh, the grandson of Jhala Zalim Singh. He established his administration here to further develop Jhalawar. He lived for a long time in Jhalar Patan and began to build the Garh Palace (1840 - 1845 AD). He was the first ruler of Jhalawar and contributed much to the development and history of Jhalawar.
Jhala Madan Singh ruled the place from 1838-1845. After his death Jhala Prithvi Singh became the ruler of Jhalawara and ruled for about 30 years.
Rana Bhawani Singh Ji, who ruled Jhalawar from 1899 to 1929 performed remarkable work in the development of Jhalawar. He was particularly active in the fields of social and public works (construction), education, administration, etc.