Raoti was founded in the year 1635–1636, when the new Maharaja Ratan singh came to the throne of Ratlam State. It passed on to a descendant called Pratap Singh. Raja Pratap singh killed his elder brother Raja Keshri Singh of Ratlam and conquered Ratlam and Dhamnod. Pratap Singh was then killed by Keshri Singhs younger son Jai Singh at the battle of Sagode. Who then became Raoti's ruler in 1716. Raoti was the capital of Sailana State until Raja Jai Singh decided to build a new capital. He constructed Sailana as his new capital in 1736. Raja Jai Singh then gave Raoti to a Rathore of the Prithvirajot branch. This family ruled for many generations, one of the thakuranis also built a temple outside the garhi at the cost of Rs.5,000. The Prithvirajot line of Raoti went extinct due to no successors. After which Raja Jaswant Singh of Sailana gave Raoti to one of his younger sons. Raoti was a 1st class thikana of Sailana State. A small fortified palace still exists in Raoti.[2]
There is a dam and large pond near Raoti named Saroj Sarowar bandh (also known as Dholawad dam).[4] which is 6 km (3.7 mi) by road.
Demographics
Raoti's total population as per the provisional population data for census 2011 is reported to be 4,948. Males constitute approximately 51% of the population and females 49%[5]
Transport
Railways
Raoti Rail Station (RTI) is situated 27 km (17 mi) from Ratlam Junction on Ratlam-Godhra section of Western Railways.[6] Not many trains stop at Raoti stations except for few long distance and local trains. Station is 6 km (3.7 mi) away from the town, however transportation is generally available for commuters.
Roads
Raoti is 34 km (21 mi) from Ratlam via Shivgarh and 25 km (16 mi) via Morwani by road. Raoti is now well connected to nearby towns and villages, due to the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and NREGA.
