Khengara

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Khengara
Ra of Saurashtra
Reign1331–1351 CE
Predecessor Mahipala I
Successor Jayasimha I
IssueJayasimha I
Era name and dates
Vikram Samvat: 1387–1407
Dynasty Chudasama dynasty
FatherMahipala I
Religion Hinduism

Khengara [upper-alpha 1] was a Chudasama king of Saurashtra region of western India who reigned from 1331 CE to 1351 CE (VS 1387 to VS 1407). [1] His capital was at Junagadh.

The Chudasama dynasty ruled parts of the present-day Saurashtra region of Gujarat state in India between the 9th and 15th centuries. Their capital was based in Junagadh and Vamanasthali, and they were later classified among the Rajput clans.

Saurashtra (region) Region in Gujarat, India

Saurashtra, also known as Sorath or Kathiawar, is a peninsular region of Gujarat, India, located on the Arabian Sea coast. It covers about a third of Gujarat state, notably 11 districts of Gujarat, including Rajkot District.

Vikram Samvat ; Listen (help·info)) is the historical Hindu calendar from the Indian subcontinent and the official calendar of modern-day India and Nepal. It uses lunar months and solar sidereal years.

Contents

Reign

Khengara succeeded his father Mahipala I in 1331 CE. He expelled the Muslim governors from Somnath and Prabhas Patan and restored decayed Somnath temple. [1]

Mahipala I was a Chudasama king of Saurashtra region of western India who reigned from 1308 CE to 1331 CE. His capital was at Junagadh.

Prabhas Patan, also known as Somnath Patan or Prabhas Ksheta, historically named Dev Patan, is a town situated near Veraval, Gir Somnath district in Saurashtra region of Gujarat, India. It is located about 7 km. from Veraval. Somnath temple, a place of pilgrimage due to its importance as Jyotirlinga site dedicated to Shiva, is located here.

Somnath temple one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of the God Shiva in India

The Somnath temple located in Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat, is believed to be the first among the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. It is an important pilgrimage and tourist spot of Gujarat. Reconstructed several times in the past after repeated destruction by several Muslim invaders and rulers and Portuguese, the present temple was reconstructed in Chaulukya style of Hindu temple architecture and completed in May 1951. The reconstruction was started under the orders of first Home Minister of India Vallabhbhai Patel and completed after his death.

A cobbler named Taghan or Tagi, who had been raised to power in Gujarat, raised a rebellion amongst the nobles against the governor appointed by Delhi Sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq. Tughluq marched with an army on Anhilawada Patan to restore order, and Taghan fled to Junagadh and sought protection from Khengara. In 1350 CE (HS 760/VS 1406), Tughluq again led an army against Junagadh, besieged the fort for two rainy seasons and eventually captured it. In this battle, Vaghela Vir, a devoted adherent of Khengara, was slain. Khengara was imprisoned and however soon released. But Taghan fled to Sindh. Tughluq, after subduing the coastal town and several petty chiefs, spent rainy season at Gondal where he became ill with fever. After rains were over, Tughluq went to Sindh but his health worsened and he died at Thatta in Sindh in 1351 CE. [1] [2]

Delhi Sultanate successive Islamic dynasties that ruled large parts of the Indian subcontinent (1206–1526)

The Delhi Sultanate was a sultanate based mostly in Delhi that stretched over large parts of the Indian subcontinent for 320 years (1206–1526). Five dynasties ruled over the Delhi Sultanate sequentially: the Mamluk dynasty (1206–90), the Khalji dynasty (1290–1320), the Tughlaq dynasty (1320–1414), the Sayyid dynasty (1414–51), and the Lodi dynasty (1451–1526). The sultanate is noted for being one of the few states to repel an attack by the Mongols, and enthroned one of the few female rulers in Islamic history, Razia Sultana, who reigned from 1236 to 1240.

Muhammad bin Tughluq Turkic Sultan of Delhi

Muhammad bin Tughluq was the Sultan of Delhi from 1325 to 1351. He was the eldest son of Ghiyas -ud -Din -Tughlaq, the Turko-Indian founder of the Tughluq dynasty. He was born in New Delhi. His wife was the daughter of the Raja of Dipalpur. Ghiyas-ud-din sent the young Muhammad to the Deccan to campaign against king Prataparudra of the Kakatiya dynasty whose capital was at Warangal in 1321 and 1323. Muhammad ascended to the Delhi throne upon his father's death in 1325. He was interested in medicine and was skilled in several languages — Persian, Arabic, Turkish and Sanskrit. Ibn Battuta, the famous traveler and jurist from Morocco, was a guest at his court and wrote about his suzerainty in his book. From his accession to the throne in 1325 until his death in 1351, Muhammad contended with 22 rebellions, pursuing his policies, consistently and ruthlessly.

Patan, Gujarat City in Gujarat, India

Patan, an ancient fortified city, was founded in 745 AD by Vanraj Chavda, the most prominent king of the Chavda Kingdom. He named the city "Anhilpur Patan" or "Anhilwad Patan" after his close friend and Prime Minister Anhil Gadariya. It is a historical place located on the bank of Saraswati River.

Revati Kund inscription mentions that he had conquered the eighteen islands on the coast and was a great patron of music. He is said in the Mandalika Kavya to have subdued eighty four minor chieftains, Jhalas and Gohils included, though Mandalika Kavya is not historically reliable source. [1]

Jhala is a term in Hindustani classical music which denotes the fast-paced conclusions of classical compositions or raga. It is often characterized by the overwhelming of the melodic component by the rhythmic component. This is sometimes effected by the rapid striking together of the chikari between notes.

Khengara died in 1351 CE and was succeeded by his son Jayasimha I. [1]

Jayasimha I was a Chudasama king of Saurashtra region of western India who reigned from 1351 CE to 1378 CE. His capital was at Junagadh.

He is mentioned in the inscription (VS 1402/1346 CE) incised on the pedestal of Chaturvinshati Jinapatta (the 24 Tirthankara display) at Mangrol which says his minister named Jhajha had caused this Jinapatta to be made at Girnar. [3] [1] He is also mentioned in genealogy in inscriptions at Revati Kund near Damodar Kund, Junagadh (VS 1472/1417 CE); at the Hanivav, Dhandhusar (VS 1445/1389 CE); and at Neminath Temple (c. VS 1510/c. 1454 CE) on Girnar. [4] [5] [6]

<i>Tirthankara</i> Four and Twenty Teaching Gods in Jainism

In Jainism, a tirthankara is a saviour and spiritual teacher of the dharma. The word tirthankara signifies the founder of a tirtha, which is a fordable passage across the sea of interminable births and deaths, the saṃsāra. According to Jains, a tirthankara is a rare individual who has conquered the saṃsāra, the cycle of death and rebirth, on their own, and made a path for others to follow. After understanding the true nature of the Self or soul, the Tīrthaṅkara attains Kevala Jnana (omniscience), and the first Tirthankara refounds Jainism. Tirthankara provides a bridge for others to follow the new teacher from saṃsāra to moksha (liberation).

Girnar mountain range in Junagadh, Gujarat, India

Girnar, also known as Girinagar ('city-on-the-hill') or RevatakParvata, is a group of mountains in the Junagadh District of Gujarat, India.

Damodar Kund lake in Junagadh district, India

Damodar Kund(Gujarati: દામોદર કુંડ) is one of the sacred lakes as per Hindu beliefs, which is located at the foothills of Girnar hills, near Junagadh in Gujarat, India.

Notes

  1. ↑ Older chronology mentions him as Khengara IV. [1]

Related Research Articles

Junagadh City in Gujarat, India

Junagadhpronunciation (help·info) is the headquarters of Junagadh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The city is the 7th largest in Gujarat, located at the foot of the Girnar hills, 355 km southwest of the state capitals Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. Literally translated, Junagadh means "Old Fort". An alternate etymology gives the name as coming from "Yonagadh", literally "City of the Yona (Greeks)," referring to the ancient inhabitants of the city under the Indo-Greek Kingdom. It is also known as "Sorath", the name of the earlier princely state of Junagadh. After a brief struggle between India and Pakistan, Junagadh joined India on November 9, 1947. It was a part of Saurashtra state and later Bombay state. In 1960, after the Maha Gujarat movement, it became part of the newly formed Gujarat state.

Navaghana (king)

Navaghana was an early Chudasama king known only from the ballads and folklore of Saurashtra region of Gujarat, India. His capital was at Vamanasthali which he later moved to Junagadh during his last years of reign.

Gujarat, a region in western India, fell under Delhi Sultanate following repeated expeditions under Alauddin Khalji around the end of the 13th century. He ended the rule of Vaghela dynasty under Karna II and established Muslim rule in Gujarat. Soon the Tughluq dynasty came to power in Delhi whose emperor carried out expeditions to quell rebellion in Gujarat and established their firm control over the region by the end of the century. Following Timur's invasion of Delhi, the Delhi Sultanate weakened considerably so the last Tughluq governor Zafar Khan declared himself independent in 1407 and formally established Gujarat Sultanate.

Chronology of Chudasama dynasty

The early history of Chudasama dynasty of Saurashtra is almost lost. The bardic legends differs very much in names, order and numbers so they are not considered reliable. Mandalika Kavya, a Sanskrit poem by Gangadhara, gives some information on dynasty but it has little historical value. Some of their inscriptions gives their early genealogy but they too differ in order of succession. Ranchhodji Diwan, A. K. Forbes, James Burgess and Gaurishankar Oza had tried to fix genealogy and chronology. Based on the dates of the inscriptions assigned to Chudasama kings and other literary sources, the genealogy and chronology of latter half of the dynasty can be established fairly. Still it is certain that they ruled about from about Vikram Samvat (VS) 900 to VS 1527.

Mandalika III, called by epithet Ra Gangajalio, was a Chudasama king of Saurashtra region of western India who reigned from 1451 CE to 1472 CE. His capital was at Junagadh.

Ra Mahipala III was a Chudasama king of Saurashtra region of western India who reigned from 1430 CE to 1451 CE. His capital was at Junagadh.

Ra Jayasimha II was a Chudasama king of Saurashtra region of western India who reigned from 1416 CE to 1430 CE. His capital was at Junagadh.

Ra Meliga, also known as Melaga or Maleka, was a Chudasama king of Saurashtra region of western India who reigned from 1400 CE to 1416 CE. He remove his capital from Vanthali back to Junagadh, from which place he expelled the thanadar appointed by Gujarat Sultan. Thus Gujarat Sultan Ahmad Shah I sent an army against Junagadh. He captured Vanthali and later Junagadh was besieged. Meliga left to a fort on Girnar hill which was inaccessible to the forces. So the forces left and placed two officers in Junagadh to collect tribute. Meliga died and was succeeded by his son Jayasimha II in 1416 CE.

Ra Mandalika II was a Chudasama king of Saurashtra region of western India who reigned from 1396 CE to 1400 CE.

Ra Mokalasimha, also known as Muktasimha, was a Chudasama king of Saurashtra region of western India who reigned from 1384 CE to 1396 CE. He ruled from Junagadh and later moved his capital to Vanthali when Saurashtra came under influence of the Delhi Sultanate.

Raul Mahipala II was a Chudasama king of Saurashtra region of western India who reigned from 1378 CE to 1384 CE.

Navaghana was a Chudasama king of Saurashtra region of western India who reigned from 1306 CE to 1308 CE. His capital was at Junagadh.

Mandalika I was a Chudasama king of Saurashtra region of western India who reigned from 1294 CE to 1306 CE. His capital was at Junagadh.

Khengara was a Chudasama king of Saurashtra region of western India who reigned in the 12th century. His capital was at Junagadh. He was a contemporary of Jayasimha Siddharaja, the Chaulukya ruler of Anahilapataka. According to bardic tales, he was a son of Navaghana and had succeeded him.

Chudachandra, also known as Chadrachuda or simply Chuda, was a legendary king and the founder of the Chudasama dynasty of Saurashtra.

The early history of Chudasama dynasty of Saurashtra region is almost lost. The bardic legends differs very much in names, order and numbers so they are not considered reliable. Mandalika Kavya, a Sanskrit poem by Gangadhara, gives some information on dynasty but it has little historical value. Some of their inscriptions gives their genealogy but they too differ in order of succession. Ranchhodji Diwan, A. K. Forbes, James Burgess and Gaurishankar Oza had tried to fix genealogy and chronology. They ruled about from Vikram Samvat (VS) 900 to VS 1527.

The Gohil, Gohel or Guhilas of Saurashtra ruled parts of Saurashtra region of present-day Gujarat state of India as subordinates or independents starting 12th century. Their origin is traced to Guhila dynasty of Mewar and they had migrated to Saurashtra in 12th century. The earliest known inscription of Gohils is found from Mangrol so they must be ruling in southwest of peninsula under Chaulukya dynasty. They later moved to the east coast where they established themselves and the region came to be known as Gohilwad and ruled till the independence of India in 1947. The erstwhile princely states of Bhavnagar, Palitana, Lathi, Vala and Rajpipla belonged to Gohil rulers.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Parikh, Rasiklal Chhotalal; Shastri, Hariprasad Gangashankar, eds. (1977). ગુજરાતનો રાજકીય અને સાંસ્કૃતિક ઇતિહાસ: સલ્તનત કાલ [Political and Cultural History of Gujarat: Sultanate Era]. Research Series - Book No. 71 (in Gujarati). V. Ahmedabad: Bholabhai Jeshingbhai Institute of Learning and Research. pp. 158–159.
  2. ↑ Harold Wilberforce-Bell (1916). The History of Kathiawad from the Earliest Times. London: William Heinemann. pp. 72–73.PD-icon.svgThis article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ↑ Diskalkar, D. B. (March 1939). "Inscriptions Of Kathiawad: No. 33". New Indian Antiquary. 2. pp. 737–738.
  4. ↑ Diskalkar, D. B. (April 1939). "Inscriptions Of Kathiawad: No. 37, 40, 48". New Indian Antiquary. 2. pp. 25–28, 37–38.
  5. ↑ Diskalkar, D. B. (June 1940). "Inscriptions Of Kathiawad: No. 76, 77". New Indian Antiquary. 2. pp. 113–114, 116–117.
  6. ↑ Diskalkar, D. B. (December 1939). "Inscriptions Of Kathiawad: No. 68". New Indian Antiquary. 2. pp. 602–603.
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