Rao Jodha
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Rao Jodha(1416-1484) was the son of Rao Ranmal (Ranamalla) of Mandore, a Rajput of the Rathore clan. In addition to ruling Mandore, Rao Ranmal also became the administrator of Mewar to assist Maharana Mokal (father of Rana Kumbha). After the assassination of Rana Mokal in 1433 (see Rana Kumbha), Ranmal continued as administrator of Mewar at the side of Rana Kumbha. In 1438, Rana Kumbha decided to end the power sharing arrangement, and had Rao Ranmal assassinated. Warned by a domb, Rao Jodha escaped towards Marwar. He was pursued by Chunda, the older brother of Rana Mokal and progenitor of the Chundawat branch of the Sisodiyas.
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[edit] Early years
Approximately 450 horsemen accompanied Rao Jodha as he escaped from Chittor. Fighting near Chittor and a valiant attempt to bar the pursuers at Someshwar Pass resulted in heavy losses amongst Jodha's warriors. When Jodha reached Mandore he had only seven people accompanying him. Jodha collected whatever forces he could, abandoned Mandore and pressed on towards Jangalu. Jodha barely managed to reach safety at Kahuni (a village near present day Bikaner). For 15 years Jodha tried in vain to recapture Mandore. Jodha's opportunity to strike finally came in 1453 with Rana Kumbha facing simultaneous attacks by the Sultans of Malwa and Gujarat. Jodha made a surprise attack on Mandore using horses seized from the Thakur of Setrawa and other jagirdars. Jodha's forces took the defenders by surprise and captured Mandore with relative ease. Jodha then successively captured Chaukade, Sojat, Merta, Bahirunda and Kosana. Rana Kumbha did make attempts to recapture these territories, albeit unsuccessfully. Jodha and Kumbha eventually settled their differences in order to face their common enemy, the rulers of Malwa and Gujarat.
[edit] Legend about capture of Mandore
Once, late at night, Rao Jodha stopped at a Jat farmer's house.They did not recognize who he was. He was given a bowl of hot khichdi, an Indian porridge. Jodha put his fingers in the centre of the bowl and burnt his fingers. The farmer's wife commented, "stranger you are making the same mistake as our king (Jodha) is. Khichdi is hottest in the centre and coolest at the edge". This prompted Jodha to stop worrying about Mandore and just focus on outlying forts, which he managed to win with ease. In due time he captured Mandore.
[edit] Marwar fiefs
James Tod in his Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan writes on Page 24 and 25:
- Rao Jodha gave a new form to the feudal institutions of Marwar. Necessity, combined with pride, led him to promulgate a statute of limitation of the sub-infeudations of Maru. The immense progeny of his father Ranmall, twenty-four sons, and his own, of fourteen, almost all of whom had numerous issue, rendered it requisite to fix the number and extent of the fiefs; and amongst them, henceforward constituting permanently the frerage of Maru, the lands were partitioned, Kandhal having emigrated and established his own numerous issue, the Kandhalots, in Bikaner, The two brothers next to Jodha, namely, Champa and Kumpa, with his two sons, Duda and Karam Singh, and his grandson, Uday, were declared the heads of the feudal association under their names, the Champawats, Kumpawats, Mertias (sons of Duda), Karamsots, and Udawats, and continue to be the pillars of Maru Eight great estates, called the ath thacurat, or eight lordships of Marwar, each of the nominal annual value of fifty thousand rupees (50000), were settled on these persons, and their immense influence has obtained many others for younger branches of their clans. The title of the first noble of Maru was given to Champa and his issue, who have often made its princes tremble on their thrones. Besides these, inferior appanages were settled on the junior branches, brothers, sons, and grandsons of Jodha, which were also deemed hereditary and irresumable; to use their own phrase, their bat, or allotment, to which they consider their title as sacred as that of their prince to his throne, of whom they say, "When our services are acceptable, then is he our lord; when not, we are again his brothers and kin, claimants, and laying claim to the land."
[edit] Later conquests
According to Nainsi's Vigat the rulers of Jalor and Bundi submitted to Rao Jodha. Ajmer and Sambhar were ceded to Jodha by Rana Kumbha's son, Udaysimha. The ruler of Mohilavati, Ajit Singh died in a battle with Rao Jodha's forces and the city was captured some years later. After settling down in the aforementioned village of Kahuni, Jodha's son Bika founded a new state. Jodha thus controlled two thirds of the Marwar region and also Bikaner.
[edit] Jodhagarh/Jodhpur
A holy man sensibly advised Rao Jodha to move the capital to hilltop safety. By 1459, it became evident that a more secure headquarters was required. Chidia-tunk, a high rocky ridge, nine km to the south of Mandore was an obvious choice for the new city of Jodhagarh. The natural elevation was enhanced by a fortress of staggering proportions, to which Rao Jodha's successors added over the centuries. Jodhagarh was on the important Delhi to Gujarat trade route and it greatly benefited from the trade of silk, opium, sandalwood, copper and other items. The Mehrangarh Fort, situated on a 125 m high hill, is among the most impressive and formidable forts in Rajasthan. The construction of the fort was begun by Maharaja Rao Jodha in 1459 and was completed by Maharaja Jaswant Singh (1638-1680).
The fort originally had seven gates ("pols"). There is a first gate with spikes to prevent attack from elephants. The Fatehpol or victory gate was erected by Maharaja Ajit Singh in 1707 to commemorate his victory over the Mughals. The other gates include the Jayapol, built by Maharaja Man Singh in 1806, following his victory over the armies of Jaipur and Bikaner.
[edit] Progeny
Rao Jodha had 14 sons.
- Rao Nibo, eldest son.
- Rao SATAL
- Rao SUJA
- Rao Duda received the Jagir of Merta and became ancestor of the Mertiyo clan of rathores. He died in 1515.
- Rao Ratan Singh. His daughter was Meera Bai who was born in 1498. She married Bhojraj Singh of Mewar in 1516. Bhoj died in 1526. She died in 1547.
- Rao VIRAM DEO. His 3rd son was Rao Jaimal who was born in 1507. Jaimal died in 1568. Jaimal defended Chittor against Akbar and ballads of his bravery are still sung in Rajasthan,Haryana,Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. His other son was Rao JAGMAL, ancestor of the Jagmalot clan of rathores.
- Rao BIKA was the founder of Bikaner. He died in 1507.
- Rao Bhir
- Rao Karam Singh, ancestor of the Karamsot clan of Rathores. He died 31st March 1526 in the battle of Dhonsi.
- Rao Biharmal
- Rao Shivraj
- Rao Raimal
- Rao Samat Singh
- Rao Bida
- Rao Banhar
- Rao Gama
[edit] References
- Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan (2 vols.)
- Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan; or the Central and Western Rajput States... (Hardcover) by James Tod, William Crooke (Editor) Book Description Relates the history of the Central and Western Rajput states of India; edited by William Crooke. 3 volumes. classic on early Rajasthan (amazon.com) Product Hardcover Publisher: Trans-Atl (1994) Language: English ISBN 81-7069-128-1
- Lectures on Rajput history and culture Dr. Dasharatha Sharma. Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass, Jawahar Nagar, Delhi 1970.
- Source for 'Progeny'
