Khengarji I
Khengarji I (1510-1585) was an Indian ruler belonging to Jadeja clan of Rajputs.[1] He was the ruler of Morbi from 1538-1585 and later became ruler of Cutch, assuming title of Rao of Cutch, ruling unified Cutch from 1548 to 1585.[2]
Early life
Khengarji I was son of Jam Hamirji of Lakhiarviro (Cutch), chief of one of branch of Jadeja and descendant of Othaji. It is believed that Jam Rawal attributed the murder of his father Jam Lakhaji to Hamirji, as he was killed within the territory of Lakhiarviro, where he had been invited on the pretense of resolving the dispute between the two branches. Jam Rawal, in revenge, treacherously killed his uncle Rao Hamirji in 1524 and ruled Cutch for more than two decades.[3]
In court of Mahmud Begada
At the time of murder of Hamirji, his elder sons, Alioji and Khengarji both were in Ahmadabad and escaped the complete destruction of the royal family of senior branch. Further, the other two sons of Hamirji were saved from execution by the wife of Jam Rawal.[citation needed] Khengarji was 15 years old when his father was murdered.Hamirji's sister was wife of Mahmud Begada by her help He enlisted himself in to the army of Mahmud Begada and became his confidante. During one royal hunting party, Khengarji I killed a lion and saved the life of Sultan Begada for which he was asked to name his reward.[4][5]
Ruler of Morbi
The prime ambition of Khengarji was to regain Cutch and hence he asked for support to fight Jam Rawal, whereby, he was given 1000 soldiers and fiefdom of
Conquering of Cutch
Rao Khengar now based at Morbi, with the support of army provided to him and well wishers within Cutch fought with Jam Rawal and slowly started gaining the territories of Rapar and nearby villages.[citation needed] As Khengarji was the rightful heir to the throne he was welcomed within Cutch.
On other hand, Jam Rawal, was finding himself squeezed in terms of manpower. He was ardent devotee of
Rao of Cutch
Khengarji I, thus expelling Jam Rawal, assumed the title of 1st Rao of Cutch in 1548 and was crowned at
Administration
He established
He established the port of Mandvi in 1580.[citation needed]
Death
He died at Bhuj in 1585, having had issue, including two sons - Bharmalji I and Bhojrajji Khengarji of whom Bharmalji, the elder succeeded him to throne of Cutch.[citation needed] Bhojaraji became a Bhayyat and was given fiefdom of Kera, Kutch after his death.[citation needed]
References
- ISBN 978-3-11-060129-9.
- ISBN 978-81-250-1383-9.
- ^ a b The Land of 'Ranji' and 'Duleep', by Charles A. Kincaid by Charles Augustus Kincaid. William Blackwood & Sons, Limited. 1931. pp. 11–15.
- ^ a b c Imperial Gazetteer 2 of India, Volumen 11,. 1908. pp. 75–80.
- ^ a b Gujarat State Gazetteers: Junagadh by Gujarat (India) - 1971 - Page 79
- ^ The Paramount Power and the Princely States of India, 1858-1881 - Page 287
- ^ Special issue to honor the centenary celebrations of the ... - Page 2 by S. K. Bhowmik - 1977
- ^ The Rajputs: history, clans, culture, and nobility by Rānā Muḥammad Sarvar K̲h̲ān̲ 2005- Page 174.
- ^ Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency ... - Volume 9, Part 1, 1901 - Page 126
- ^ Mcleod, John (6–9 July 2004). The Rise and Fall of the Kutch Bhayati (PDF). Eighteenth European Conference on Modern South Asian Studies, University of Lund. pp. 1–5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2012.