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Whatever their origin, in the eighteenth century, with decline of [[Mughal empire]] empire, the Jats became a force that could not be ignored. Jats of [[Mathura]] rose in opposition to [[Aurangzeb]]'s rule in 1669, under the leadership of Gokul, zamindar of Tilpat and killed the Imperial Faujdar Abdun-Nabi. It took more than one year for the powerful Mogul forces to subdue the Jats. Gokul was killed and his family forcibly converted to Islam. However, Jats once again rose in rebellion in 1685 under the leadership of Raja Ram. [[Akbar]]'s tomb in Sikandra was plundered by them in 1688. Finally the Jats were defeated and Raja Ram slain in 1691. Jats again got organized under the leadership of Churaman and revolted continuing a strong armed resistance against the Mughals after Aurangzeb's death. Badan Singh, the son of Churaman's brother, established his authority over almost of Agra and Mathura and thus started the Kingdom of Bharatpur.
Badan Singh’s adopted son and successor was Suraj Mal. Suraj Mal, described as 'Plato of Jat tribes' and 'Jat Ulysses' extended his kingdom to [[Agra]], Mathura, Dholpur, Mainpuri, Hathras, [[Aligarh]], Etawah, [[Meerut]], Rohtak, Farrukhnagar, Mewat, Rewari and [[Gurgaon]]. He was described as the greatest warrior and the ablest statesman that the Jats have produced. Suraj Mal died on 25th December, 1763. Such was the might of the Jats that Bharatpur came to be known as the impregnable city. The beautiful palace and gardens at Deeg and the Bharatpur fort, both built by Suraj Mal , symbolized the coming of age of the Jat state.
Jats are a brave, hardworking and fiercely independent minded people. It has been said that no Jat wants to be ruled. Primarily agriculturists, the Jats have led a fairly autonomous political life and the rule of the state has always been very limited. With the exception of Bharatpur, no Jat kingdoms were founded.
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