The area around Bundi was apparently inhabited by several natives, the most notable of whom was Parihar Rajput. Bundi and the princely state of the same name are said to be named after Hada Rao Devda, a former Chauhan king. Bundi was formerly known as "Bunda-Ka-Nal", where Nal meant "narrow roads". Rao Deva Hara later ruled the region, seizing Bundi through fraud in 1342 AD. and renaming the surrounding area as Haravati or Haroti.
Hammir provided Devi Singh, a Hara (Chauhan) Sardar in Bhainsror (Mewar), with enough force to attack the chief of Bundi, Maharaja Hada Chauhan, and wrest control of that kingdom from him. Bundi was conquered by Devi Singh in 1341 AD, and the rulers of it remained mainly maharajas until Emperor Akbar severed his ties with Mewar.
Bundi comes into contact with the Mughal emperor in 1544-85 AD. when Raja Rao Surjan reigns there. Bundi had been a vassal state of Mewar state before Raja Rao of Ranthambore (March 1569 AD) surrendered to the Mughal emperor Akbar. Later, Bundi becomes the Mughal tributary state. Raja Rao ushered in a new era in the history of business. Akbar appointed him governor of Banaras. Akbar gave him some districts near Bundi and Benaras. He handed over the administration of Bundi to his eldest son, Duda. Rao Surjan died in 1585 CE in Banaras.
