Maharao Shardul Singh ji Shekhawat (1681-1742) was the Shekhawat ruler of Jhunjhunu (in present-day Rajasthan, India). During his reign, the Shekhawats are considered to have reached the height of their powers. After his death the estate was divided equally among his surviving five sons, whose descendants continued to rule over it until India achieved independence.
To commemorate the memory of their father, his sons made a monumental dome (known as Chhatri) with a fresco at Parasrampura, the capital of Jhunjhunu. All five sons were very brave, capable, and efficient rulers. They raised many new villages, towns, forts and palaces, encouraged the Seths (merchants) for trade. As a result, they grew rich and made many havelies. The fresco-paintings of these havelies speak about that period and prosperity. Moreover, the rich merchants made the wells, ponds, bawries (step well), temples and inns at various places. They are the examples of industrial architectural excellence. The fresco-painting probably came into existence in the 18th century. It was during the period of Shardual Singh ji that fresco painting was in much vogue.
Singh had three marriages. His first marriage was in 1698 to Thukrani Sahaj Kanwar Biki Ji Sahiba, the daughter of Manroop Singh Bika of Nathasar. His second marriage was to Thukrani Sirey Kanwar Biki Ji Sahiba, the daughter of Mukal Singh Bika of Nathasar. The third marriage was to Thukrani Bakhat Kanwar Mertani Ji Sahiba, the daughter of Devi Singh Mertiya of Poonglota (Marwar), near Degana and had children.
He had six sons:
Shardul Singh died on 25 April 1742. Prior to his demise, Singh made a groundbreaking decision that deviated from the traditional Rajput inheritance practice of primogeniture. In an act that was unparalleled in Rajput history, he declared that Jhunjhunu would be equally distributed among his sons. His son Bahadur Singh had died in his lifetime at an early age. As a result, his estate was divided into five equal shares. The administration by his five sons was cumulatively known as Panchpana (five divisions).