or MARWAR, an extensive rajpoot principality of Hindustan, bounded on the N.W. by Jessalmere, on the N. by Bikaneer, on the E. by Jeypoor, Ajmeer, and Mewar, on the S. by Oodeypoor, and on the W. by the Runn of Cutch and Scinde. It lies between the 25th and 28th degrees of N. Lat., and has an area of 35,672 square miles. The southern and eastern parts of Joudepoor are fertile, being watered by streams that flow from the mountains. They are chiefly cultivated by Jauts, and they produce wheat, barley, and other kinds of grain common in India; also cotton, sugar, &c. The western portion of the country consists principally of desert or pasture lands, on which is bred a hardy race of horses, camels, and cattle. There are also lead mines in the country. The imports consist of cloth, shawls, spices, opium, rice, sugar, steel, and iron. The exports are salt, camels, bullocks, and horses. The principal inhabitants of Joudepoor are Rha-tore rajpoots, who are a brave, handsome race of men, of the purest castes. The rajahs of Oodeypoor, Jeypoor, and Joudepoor formerly enjoyed considerable power and consequence, and their alliance was much sought after by the Mogul emperors of Hindustan. The country is described as having been much more populous in ancient times.

The rajahs of Jeypoor and Joudepoor were employed with their followers in the imperial armies, and attained the highest military rank till the time of Arungzebe, who attempted to enforce the capitulation tax on his Hindu subjects, and sought to obtain possession of the children of the rajah Jerwont Sing, who died in the year 1678; a circumstance that gave rise to a war, in which the rajpoots were ultimately victorious, and, after the death of Arungzebe, they only paid a nominal allegiance. Being afterwards weakened by dissensions amongst themselves, they became tributary to the Maharrats, and were only delivered from their yoke by the British in their successful war against the Pindaries. In 1818 a treaty was concluded between the maharajah of Joudepoor and the British, under which the former became tributary to the paramount power, and bound himself to afford military aid when required. At a later period the chief of Joudepoor suffered his tribute to fall into arrear, supplied the stipulated military assistance reluctantly and tardily, protected plunderers, and was believed to have entered into political correspondence having objects hostile to British interests and influence in India. These acts of misconduct were submitted to with great forbearance for a long period, during which the misgovernment and distraction of the country were extreme; and at length, from all these causes, it was deemed necessary to send a mission to Joudepoor demanding reparation. The mission proving ineffectual, a body of troops was moved to enforce that which negotiation had failed to achieve. Their approach alarmed the rajah, who forthwith displayed tokens of submission. The immediate consequences were, the establishment of a council of regency, with a British agent at its head, to carry on the government in conjunction with the rajah. A variety of useful reforms followed. The rajah died a few years after the commencement of the system which led to these beneficial steps, but they were pursued by his successor, Tukht Singh of Ahmadnagur, who was elected to the vacant throne by the feudal chiefs. The administration being thus confided to able hands, the British withdrew from further interference in the internal affairs of Joudepoor.