Maharao Shekhaji was born in 1433 (v.s.1490), the son of Rao Mokalji and Rani Nirbanji. Rao Mokal was a chieftain who held the estate of Nan in fief from the ruler of Amber (Jaipur). The story of Shekha’s birth is rather interesting. Mokal and Nirban were much troubled as they had no son for several years. They heard about the miraculous powers of the Sheikh Burhan, a Muslim mendicant. They decided to pay the man a visit. After they received the blessings of the Sheikh, a son was born to the couple. In honour of the mendicant, the couple named their son Shekha. At the age of 12 year he succeded his father in 1445 (v.s.1502). He was granted the title of Maharao by Raja Udharan Ji of Amber. The first notice of his valour was at the age of 16 years, with his sudden attack on Napa (Sankhala Rajput) at Nagarchal, Saiwar, Multhan etc. From 1473 to 1477 (v.s.1530 to 1534), with the help of Panni Pathans, Maharao Shekha conquered Dadri from Nop Singh Jatu and Bhiwani from the Othe Jatu Rajputs, Hansi from Ikhtar Khan and Hissar from Heda Khan Kaimkhani. Thus he extended his territory and become powerfull. Shekha’s reputation and growing power attracted the notice of the Raja of Amber, who was acknowledged as the head-Tikai, and was sent as a tribute, all the colts reared on his land. Shekha refused to send the colts and as a result of it Raja Chandersen of Amber attacked him. They fought several battles and in the last one, in 1471 (v.s.1528), Shekha repulsed Chandersen at the bank of Kokus river, near Amber. A treaty was made between both of them and according to it, the practice of sending colts to Amber was abandoned. After this, they lived peacefully and Shekha become independent and founded a union which was the birth of the Shekhawati federation. In 1449 (v.s.1506), Shekha Ji founded Amarsar (other sources mention that it was founded in 1460 (v.s.1517). In Amarsar Shekha built the tample of Bhagwan Jagdish and in 1477 (v.s.1534), he built the Shikhargarh Fort. Kulraj Gaur was ruling at Ghatwa, and under his command, a tank was being excavated at Jhotari village, and he ordered that any one passing that way should remove a quantity of earth from the tank. A rajput of Kachhawa clan was returning home with his bride, the rajput obeyed the rule and removed the earth, but the Gaurs insisted that his wife should do the same. The rajput did not agree to it and was killed in the defence of his honour. According to his last wish, his widow went to Amarsar and placed a handful of dust before Shekha and told him the fame of the Kachhawas would be tarnished if they did not take revenge upon the Gaurs. Thereupon, in 1478 (v.s.1535), Shekha invaded Ghatwa and the battle took place at the same tank and Kolraj was killed. Shekha took the head of Kolraj pierced on his spear and returned to Amarsar where it was shown to the widow and was hung on the Pol [gate] of his fort. The Gaur Rajputs fought about 12 battles with Shekha. They also recieved help from Sultan Behlol Khan of Delhi. In the last battle, they met near Ghatwa on the “Khontiya” tank and fought fiercely. Rao Ridmal of Maroth wounded Shekha with his arrows and Shekha gave him a blow with his spear. Nawalraj, a son of Kolraj, killed Durga and Puranmal. Shekha tried to save his sons and gave a serve blow with his sword and killed Nawalraj. Rao Ridmal left the battle field. Shekha conquered Ghatwa and the other villages of Gaurs. Raimal with a force of two thousand horsemen arrived to help his father. Shekha was severely wounded and before his end, he nominated Raimal as his successor. Shekha expired peacefully at Ralawata in 1488, on Baisakh Sudi 3 [akha teej], v.s.1545. His cenotaph was built there. Maharao Shekha fought 52 battles in his lifetime. He was the ancestor of the Shekhawat sub-clan.