Jethwa
Encyclopedia
Jethwa is a name of a Kshatriya
, Rajput
clan that claim descent from Makardhwaja
son of Lord Hanuman
who appears in the Hindu epic Ramayana
. They are a branch of the Chandravanshi Rajput
clan and are one of the oldest clans found in Rajput history.
s claim their descant from Makardhwaja
, son of Hanuman
. As per folk tales of their clan, Makardhwaja had a son named Mod-dhwaja and he had a son named Jethi-dhwaja. Jethwas claim descant and name from Jethi-dhwaja and worship Hanuman as their Iṣṭa-devatā.
Jethwa dyansty of Porbandar
, therefore, had image of Hanuman on the Merchant Navy Flag adapted in 1923.Also the Coat of Arms
had the image of Hanuman in center.
Further, it is said that Muslim Governors of Sindh
in 8th century repeatedly sent naval armed ships to conquer the western and southern coast of Gujarat, which were again and again repulsed by the Saindhavas who called themselves "masters of the Western sea" (apara-samudr-ddhipati) . It has been suggested that the Saindhava ruling family is now represented by the Jethwa Rajputs.
Captain Wilberforce Bell opines that their ancestors were probably Scythians from North. However, Gaurishankar Ojha opines Jethwas were probably a branch of Pratihars of Kannauj
.
Again one opinion says that Jethwas are of Agnikula origin and belong to Odak branch of Kshatriya
s.
Again one story goes that one of the prince from Kashmir
after having lost his Kingdom came to Gujarat near Porbandar and here with the blessings of Harsidhhi
Mata, whose temple is located aroun35 km from Porbandar
at Miani, established his kingdom in Saurashtra. His descendents later came to be known as Jethwa, the erstwhile rulers of State of Porbandar.
One source says that the family took the name from one Jethaji but that is highly unlikely because the title Jethwa is of ancient origin and usually a Kshatriya
or Rajput
family or clan changes its name only to be named after an illustrious fore-father or after a major migration or event or a victory in a war. It is more likely that the Jethwa name is taken from name of Jethi-dwaja, the son of Mod-dwaja, the grandson of Makardhwaja
and great-grandson of Hanuman, the hero of Ramayana, to whom they claim their descant.
Further, many historians are of a view that Jethwa Rajputs have deep association with Mehars
since time time immemorial, who are only the Senior (Jethwa) or rajakula (royal clan) of the Mehars. The Mers
have always been confidential and supported Jethwas in times of war and peace. It was the custom that when a Rana of Porbandar ascended the throne
or Gaddi, the leader of the Mers would cut the tip of his little finger and make a tilak
with his blood on the forehead of the Rana.
Whatever may the fact, Jethwa's ancient history is still a mystery but Lord Hanuman has always been at the heart of their story.
in 900 AD, changing with times to Shrinagar
, Dhank, Chhaya, Ghumli, Ranpur
and lastly to Porbandar
(from 1685 till 1947). They were the first rulers of the Saurashtra area of Western Gujarat.
Jethwas seem to have entered from North West, that is, Sindh
, Rajpootana
and Kutch to Saurashtra in 9th Century AD and are oldest ruling clan of Peninsula. It is accepted by almost all historians that Jethwas established their rule in Saurashtra in around 900 AD and founded the city of Morvi
as their Capital. Morvi
was earlier known by name of Mayurpuri, named after its founder the Jethwa ruler Mayur-dhwaja. They spread further westward and captured Dwarka
from Chawdas moved further and established the towns of Nagnah
, Ghumli
, Bhanvad
, Chhaya, Dhank, Laodhva, Ranpur
with colonies at Miani and Shrinagar
on the coast. During the time of Mahmud of Ghazni
, the Jethwas controlled all the west and north of the Kathiawar
.
James Tod
in his famous book The annals and antiquities of Rajastʾhan:or the central and western Rajpoot states of India includes Jethwa among the 36 royal races
of ancient India and also names Jethwa or Jaithwa as Camari.Further, Colon James Todd opines that Jethwas come from old marital races of Indian Peninsula and were called Kanwar till 8th Century. Some Jethwa rulers suffixed Kanwar after their name and hence were also known as Kanwars or Kumars.
Sangaji was a Jethwa ruler from 1120-1150, who defeated the army of Virdhaval Vaghela,(the founder of Vaghela dynasty) near Morvi
in 1125. Virdhaval, defeated, married his daughter and surrendered his title of Rana
to Sangaji Jethwa. The title of Rana has been held by Jethwas rulers ever-since till last Rana died in 1979 without a heir.
Jethwas lost Morvi , when they were defeated by invading army of Qutb-ud-din Aibak in year 1193.Jethwas shifted to Nagnah and they later established their rule and founded Ghumli, under Sal Kumar. The rulers of Ghumli were also called Kumarants.
In later years Vajesinh Jethwa alias Wajosinh, who ruled from years 1220-1245, was a brave warrior, who was truly known as Sinh
and held considerable influence on Vishaldeo Vaghela.
Ghumli was declared as second Capital by Jethwa dynasty, in 1220 by Rana Shiyaji, who took the title of Rana Of Ghumli and shifted capital from Shrinagar
Ghumli remained their Capital till 1313, when Rana Bhanji Jethwa, was defeated at a war, he fled Ghumli & shifted to Ranpur
. It is said that Ghumli was destroyed due to curse of a Sati
named Sone with whom Rana Bhanji Jethwa fell in love.Jadeja Jam Unaji of Jadeja
clan came from Sindh
and attacked Ghumli in 1309 but was defeated later in 1313 his son Barmaniyaji Jadeja attacked to avenge the defeat. He defeated Rana Bhanji Jethwa, who fled and Ghumli was completely destroyed and turned it into ruins.On the same night Goddess Amba
ji came in his dream and told him that, as she has granted the wish ("Asha") of his father to conquer Ghumli, he should make a temple in her name. So Barmaniyaji built the Temple of Ambaji on the hill in the middle of Ghumli and named it as Ashapura Mata
Temple, who is Kuldevi of Jedejas.However, the temple of Ashapura still stands on top of Barda hill near Ghumli.
Rana Bhan Jethwa escaped to Ranpur, where he established his new capital and set about founding a new territories. The Bhanvad
is also named after Rana Bhan Jehtwa. However, after loss of Ghumli, they were confined to a district known as Barda.
In around 1525-35 Jam Ravalji conquered greater part of Halar from Jethwas and other Rajput rulers like Chawdas, Dedas and Vadhels. This lead to further decimating the Jethwa territories in which Nagnah was lost, which Jams
renamed as Nawanagar
. Jam Ravalji’s son, however, gave his daughter to Jethwa ruler Khimooji. But in later years, Jam Ravaljis’s son Jam Sataji killed his own nephew Jethwa Ramdevji IV by a conspiracy and annexed further territory of Jethwas by force. This lead to a fierce enmity between Jethwa and Jams, which continued for 300 years and there was apiya between them.Shri Khimoji II Bhanji Jethwa, Rana of Chhaya, elder son of Rana Shri Bhanji Ramdevji Jethwa, Rana of Ranpur, founded the state of Chhaya, after his expulsion from Ranpur in 1575.During this turbulent times in history of Jethwa dynasty, the Mers
again came in help of in protection of Jethwas and helped them recover their lost territories.After the defeat at hands of Jams in 1525 the ruling Jethwa had to run from here to there till they found shelter at Chhaya. Later, the late Rana Bhanji's widow Rani Kalabai, a lady of out-standing courage and foresight raised an army of the Mers and Rabari
s and regained her lost territory as far as Ranpur from Jams.
Later in 1671 Rana Vikmatji Khimoji Jethwa took possession of Porbandar from Moughals
and built a fort there. He also took fort of Madhavpur. Though, he died at Porbandar, the capital remained Chhaya. It was his son Rana Saratanji II, who permanently shifted the Capital to Porbandar in 1685. The Jethwas of Porbandar entered in to alliance with British in 1807 and agreement was entered in to year 1809 with East India Company.
The princely state of Porbandar was a 13-Gun Salute State of British India.The reigns of Rana Bhavsinhji Madhavsinhji (1900–1908) and Rana Natwarsinhji (1908–1979) both Maharaja of Porbandar
gave the state of Porbandar
first class status after many battles for the throne within the royal family in 1811, 1869 and 1886.The Porbandar remained the Capital of Jethwa dynasty till the State of Porbandar was merged in to Union of India, when the last ruler of the kingdom, Rana Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji signed the Instrument of Accession on 15th August 1947.
The last Rana
and ruler of Jethwa dynasty of Porbandar
, Shri Natwarsinhji died in 1979. Before him in 1977, the successor to his throne the crown-prince Udaybhansinhji Natwarsinhji Jethwa
died, leaving the throne of more than 2000 year old dynasty vacant and uncertain, perhaps the longest continuous ruling dynasty of Indian Peninsula.
The grandfather of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Uttamchand Gandhi and later his father - Karamchand Gandhi and uncle - Tulsidas Gandhi, served as Dewan
to Rana of Porbandar.
s belong to the Gautam
/Vajas Gotra
and their Kuldevi is Vindhyavasini
Devi
. Jethwas also worship Chamunda
and Harsidhhi
, whose main temple was in Miani, one of their original colonies. In the temple of Harsiddhi at Miani, three lamps used to burn till dissolution of princely states, one lamp of the temple, one from Jethwa rulers of Porbandar
and another from Jams of Nawanagar
. Jethwas also worship Brahmani
& Chamunda
Mata as Kuldevi and their temples are located one at Anjar
and another at Nagalpar
. Some of them also claim themselves to be of Bhardwaja Gotra
.Many also worship Momai Mata, who again is an incarnation of Harsiddhi of Miani.Again there is one aspect of devi
, who is known as Jethwa Mata, who is identified as Gaur Matas or clan deities.
The main villages from which Jethwa Rajputs hail from are Morana, Ratdi, Shrinagar, Pandavadar, Gosa, Chhaya, Rozda, Hathla, Gadu, Kantela, Baradiya, Katvana, Lodava, Bhanvad and and Ghumli in Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Jethwas are also found in Kutch in large numbers, where they seem to have migrated along with other Rajput / Kshatriya belonging to Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya group of warriors, who arrived in Saurashtra in early 7th Century from Rajasthan
fighting and repealing attack from North West. Later a major group entered Kutch in 12th Century AD and established themselves at Dhaneti
. At present population of Jethwa in Kutch is centralized around Anjar
town and some villages of Anjar Taluka.
book published in 1896 and records of Barot
s, as under :-
folk tale of immortal love between Jethwa and Ujali and heroic tales of Bhan Jethwa and Vijo related to defeat of Kathi
s by them, in which the names of Jethwa territories of Bhanvad
and Lodhva
are mentioned in bardic folk-songs of Kathiawar.Also the bardic songs of Bhan Jethwa, who fell in love with Son Kansari, who was in love with Rakhayata Babaria, his commander. Bhan got Rakhayat murdered by his servant Kumbha. Son became a Sati
cursing that Ghumali will be destroyed in due course of time. Her prophecy came true when Ghumali was demolished by Jams in 1313. The Brahmin
s who gave shelter and also died for the cause of protecting Son built a temple in her memory later.
Kshatriya
*For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya or Kashtriya, meaning warrior, is one of the four varnas in Hinduism...
, Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
clan that claim descent from Makardhwaja
Makardhwaja
Makardhwaja as per Hindu mythology, is son of Hanuman, who makes his appearance in epic Ramayana.-Birth:When Hanuman took a dip in the waters of sea, after burning whole of Lanka with the fire burning on his tail, a drop of his perspiration fell in to mouth of a mighty fish...
son of Lord Hanuman
Hanuman
Hanuman , is a Hindu deity, who is an ardent devotee of Rama, a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana and one of the dearest devotees of lord Rama. A general among the vanaras, an ape-like race of forest-dwellers, Hanuman is an incarnation of the divine and a disciple of Lord Rama in the...
who appears in the Hindu epic Ramayana
Ramayana
The Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic. It is ascribed to the Hindu sage Valmiki and forms an important part of the Hindu canon , considered to be itihāsa. The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of India and Nepal, the other being the Mahabharata...
. They are a branch of the Chandravanshi Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
clan and are one of the oldest clans found in Rajput history.
Origin
Jethwa clan of KshatriyaKshatriya
*For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya or Kashtriya, meaning warrior, is one of the four varnas in Hinduism...
s claim their descant from Makardhwaja
Makardhwaja
Makardhwaja as per Hindu mythology, is son of Hanuman, who makes his appearance in epic Ramayana.-Birth:When Hanuman took a dip in the waters of sea, after burning whole of Lanka with the fire burning on his tail, a drop of his perspiration fell in to mouth of a mighty fish...
, son of Hanuman
Hanuman
Hanuman , is a Hindu deity, who is an ardent devotee of Rama, a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana and one of the dearest devotees of lord Rama. A general among the vanaras, an ape-like race of forest-dwellers, Hanuman is an incarnation of the divine and a disciple of Lord Rama in the...
. As per folk tales of their clan, Makardhwaja had a son named Mod-dhwaja and he had a son named Jethi-dhwaja. Jethwas claim descant and name from Jethi-dhwaja and worship Hanuman as their Iṣṭa-devatā.
Jethwa dyansty of Porbandar
Porbandar
Porbandar is a coastal city in the Indian state of Gujarat, perhaps best known for being the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sudama...
, therefore, had image of Hanuman on the Merchant Navy Flag adapted in 1923.Also the Coat of Arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
had the image of Hanuman in center.
Further, it is said that Muslim Governors of Sindh
Sindh
Sindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
in 8th century repeatedly sent naval armed ships to conquer the western and southern coast of Gujarat, which were again and again repulsed by the Saindhavas who called themselves "masters of the Western sea" (apara-samudr-ddhipati) . It has been suggested that the Saindhava ruling family is now represented by the Jethwa Rajputs.
Captain Wilberforce Bell opines that their ancestors were probably Scythians from North. However, Gaurishankar Ojha opines Jethwas were probably a branch of Pratihars of Kannauj
Kannauj
Kannauj , also spelt Kanauj, is a city, administrative headquarters and a municipal board or Nagar Palika Parishad in Kannauj district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The city's name is traditionally derived from the term Kanyakubja . Kannauj is an ancient city, in earlier times the capital...
.
Again one opinion says that Jethwas are of Agnikula origin and belong to Odak branch of Kshatriya
Kshatriya
*For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya or Kashtriya, meaning warrior, is one of the four varnas in Hinduism...
s.
Again one story goes that one of the prince from Kashmir
Kashmir
Kashmir is the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term Kashmir geographically denoted only the valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain range...
after having lost his Kingdom came to Gujarat near Porbandar and here with the blessings of Harsidhhi
Harsidhhi
Harsidhhi is considered one of the aspect of Amba and also Kalika, the Hindu Devi.Her temples are found in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.-Kuldevi:She is worshiped as Kuldevi by many Kshatriya and Rajput clans of India...
Mata, whose temple is located aroun35 km from Porbandar
Porbandar
Porbandar is a coastal city in the Indian state of Gujarat, perhaps best known for being the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sudama...
at Miani, established his kingdom in Saurashtra. His descendents later came to be known as Jethwa, the erstwhile rulers of State of Porbandar.
One source says that the family took the name from one Jethaji but that is highly unlikely because the title Jethwa is of ancient origin and usually a Kshatriya
Kshatriya
*For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya or Kashtriya, meaning warrior, is one of the four varnas in Hinduism...
or Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
family or clan changes its name only to be named after an illustrious fore-father or after a major migration or event or a victory in a war. It is more likely that the Jethwa name is taken from name of Jethi-dwaja, the son of Mod-dwaja, the grandson of Makardhwaja
Makardhwaja
Makardhwaja as per Hindu mythology, is son of Hanuman, who makes his appearance in epic Ramayana.-Birth:When Hanuman took a dip in the waters of sea, after burning whole of Lanka with the fire burning on his tail, a drop of his perspiration fell in to mouth of a mighty fish...
and great-grandson of Hanuman, the hero of Ramayana, to whom they claim their descant.
Further, many historians are of a view that Jethwa Rajputs have deep association with Mehars
Mers
The Mer population of Kathiawar region in Saurashtra also known as the Maher, Mihir, Mair or Mehr are a community of people who have evolved from the Kshatriya Rajput varna within Hinduism. They are believed to be of Indo-Aryan descent, and have a rich and diverse history involving many battles,...
since time time immemorial, who are only the Senior (Jethwa) or rajakula (royal clan) of the Mehars. The Mers
Mers
The Mer population of Kathiawar region in Saurashtra also known as the Maher, Mihir, Mair or Mehr are a community of people who have evolved from the Kshatriya Rajput varna within Hinduism. They are believed to be of Indo-Aryan descent, and have a rich and diverse history involving many battles,...
have always been confidential and supported Jethwas in times of war and peace. It was the custom that when a Rana of Porbandar ascended the throne
Throne
A throne is the official chair or seat upon which a monarch is seated on state or ceremonial occasions. "Throne" in an abstract sense can also refer to the monarchy or the Crown itself, an instance of metonymy, and is also used in many expressions such as "the power behind the...
or Gaddi, the leader of the Mers would cut the tip of his little finger and make a tilak
Tilaka
200px|thumb|right|Indian woman with tilaka and [[Bindi |bindi]]In Hinduism, the tilaka or tika or tilak is a mark worn on the forehead and other parts of the body...
with his blood on the forehead of the Rana.
Whatever may the fact, Jethwa's ancient history is still a mystery but Lord Hanuman has always been at the heart of their story.
History
The Jethwas have had capitals at starting with MorviMorvi
Morvi or Morbi is a city and a municipality in Rajkot district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It was a Princely State ruled by Jadeja clan of Rajputs until Indian independence in 1947. It is situated on the Kathiawar peninsula. , the city's population was determined to be 73,327. Its chief...
in 900 AD, changing with times to Shrinagar
Shrinagar, Porbandar
Shrinagar is a village situated in Porbandar Taluka of Porbandar District, Gujarat State in India. It is situated at a distance of 14.22 km from Porbandar....
, Dhank, Chhaya, Ghumli, Ranpur
Ranpur
Ranpur is town located on the bank of river Bhadar. Ranpur is 112 km from Ahmedabad, India.It has population of around 25,000, containing both Muslims and Hindus. Ranpur is also known for its "unity" between community...
and lastly to Porbandar
Porbandar
Porbandar is a coastal city in the Indian state of Gujarat, perhaps best known for being the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sudama...
(from 1685 till 1947). They were the first rulers of the Saurashtra area of Western Gujarat.
Jethwas seem to have entered from North West, that is, Sindh
Sindh
Sindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
, Rajpootana
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
and Kutch to Saurashtra in 9th Century AD and are oldest ruling clan of Peninsula. It is accepted by almost all historians that Jethwas established their rule in Saurashtra in around 900 AD and founded the city of Morvi
Morvi
Morvi or Morbi is a city and a municipality in Rajkot district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It was a Princely State ruled by Jadeja clan of Rajputs until Indian independence in 1947. It is situated on the Kathiawar peninsula. , the city's population was determined to be 73,327. Its chief...
as their Capital. Morvi
Morvi
Morvi or Morbi is a city and a municipality in Rajkot district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It was a Princely State ruled by Jadeja clan of Rajputs until Indian independence in 1947. It is situated on the Kathiawar peninsula. , the city's population was determined to be 73,327. Its chief...
was earlier known by name of Mayurpuri, named after its founder the Jethwa ruler Mayur-dhwaja. They spread further westward and captured Dwarka
Dwarka
Dwarka also spelled Dvarka, Dwaraka, and Dvaraka, is a city and a municipality of Jamnagar district in the Gujarat state in India. Dwarka , also known as Dwarawati in Sanskrit literature is rated as one of the seven most ancient cities in the country...
from Chawdas moved further and established the towns of Nagnah
Nawanagar
Navanagar was an Indian princely state, in Kathiawar region, situated on the south of the Gulf of Kutch. It was ruled by the Jadeja dynasty from its formation in c 1540 until 1948 when it succeed to newly formed, India. The district is now known as Jamnagar. It had an area of and a population...
, Ghumli
Ghumli
Ghumli is a village located 35 km from Porbandar, at foothills of Barda, in Jamnagar district of Gujarat, India.-History:Ghumli also called Bhumli, was once the ancient capital of Jethwa dynasty of Gujarat...
, Bhanvad
Bhanvad
Bhanvad is a city and a municipality in Jamnagar district in the state of Gujarat, India.-Geography:Bhanvad is located at . It has an average elevation of .-Demographics:...
, Chhaya, Dhank, Laodhva, Ranpur
Ranpur
Ranpur is town located on the bank of river Bhadar. Ranpur is 112 km from Ahmedabad, India.It has population of around 25,000, containing both Muslims and Hindus. Ranpur is also known for its "unity" between community...
with colonies at Miani and Shrinagar
Shrinagar, Porbandar
Shrinagar is a village situated in Porbandar Taluka of Porbandar District, Gujarat State in India. It is situated at a distance of 14.22 km from Porbandar....
on the coast. During the time of Mahmud of Ghazni
Mahmud of Ghazni
Mahmud of Ghazni , actually ', was the most prominent ruler of the Ghaznavid dynasty who ruled from 997 until his death in 1030 in the eastern Iranian lands. Mahmud turned the former provincial city of Ghazni into the wealthy capital of an extensive empire which covered most of today's Iran,...
, the Jethwas controlled all the west and north of the Kathiawar
Kathiawar
Kathiawar or Kathiawad is a peninsula in western India, which is part of the Saurashtra region on the Arabian Sea coast of Gujarat state. It is bounded on the north by the great wetland of the Rann of Kutch, on the northwest by the Gulf of Kutch, on the west and south by the Arabian Sea, and on...
.
James Tod
James Tod
Lieutenant-Colonel James Tod was an English officer of the British East India Company and an Oriental scholar.Tod was born in London and educated in Scotland, later joining the East India Company as a military officer. He travelled to India in 1799 as a cadet in the Bengal Army where he rose...
in his famous book The annals and antiquities of Rajastʾhan:or the central and western Rajpoot states of India includes Jethwa among the 36 royal races
36 royal races
The 36 royal races is a listing of Indian social groups purported to be the ruling clans of several states and Janapads spread over northern Indian subcontinent...
of ancient India and also names Jethwa or Jaithwa as Camari.Further, Colon James Todd opines that Jethwas come from old marital races of Indian Peninsula and were called Kanwar till 8th Century. Some Jethwa rulers suffixed Kanwar after their name and hence were also known as Kanwars or Kumars.
Sangaji was a Jethwa ruler from 1120-1150, who defeated the army of Virdhaval Vaghela,(the founder of Vaghela dynasty) near Morvi
Morvi
Morvi or Morbi is a city and a municipality in Rajkot district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It was a Princely State ruled by Jadeja clan of Rajputs until Indian independence in 1947. It is situated on the Kathiawar peninsula. , the city's population was determined to be 73,327. Its chief...
in 1125. Virdhaval, defeated, married his daughter and surrendered his title of Rana
Rana (title)
Rana is a Princely title of Royalty in Sanskrit. Rana is used by the Jats and Rajput of South Asia. The name is usually interpreted to mean "Prince".Compound titles Rana Sahib, Rana Bahadur, and Maharana.-Royal title in India:...
to Sangaji Jethwa. The title of Rana has been held by Jethwas rulers ever-since till last Rana died in 1979 without a heir.
Jethwas lost Morvi , when they were defeated by invading army of Qutb-ud-din Aibak in year 1193.Jethwas shifted to Nagnah and they later established their rule and founded Ghumli, under Sal Kumar. The rulers of Ghumli were also called Kumarants.
In later years Vajesinh Jethwa alias Wajosinh, who ruled from years 1220-1245, was a brave warrior, who was truly known as Sinh
Lion
The lion is one of the four big cats in the genus Panthera, and a member of the family Felidae. With some males exceeding 250 kg in weight, it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger...
and held considerable influence on Vishaldeo Vaghela.
Ghumli was declared as second Capital by Jethwa dynasty, in 1220 by Rana Shiyaji, who took the title of Rana Of Ghumli and shifted capital from Shrinagar
Shrinagar, Porbandar
Shrinagar is a village situated in Porbandar Taluka of Porbandar District, Gujarat State in India. It is situated at a distance of 14.22 km from Porbandar....
Ghumli remained their Capital till 1313, when Rana Bhanji Jethwa, was defeated at a war, he fled Ghumli & shifted to Ranpur
Ranpur
Ranpur is town located on the bank of river Bhadar. Ranpur is 112 km from Ahmedabad, India.It has population of around 25,000, containing both Muslims and Hindus. Ranpur is also known for its "unity" between community...
. It is said that Ghumli was destroyed due to curse of a Sati
Sati
Sati may refer to:*An alternative name for Hindu goddess Dakshayani, Shiva's first wife*Sati , an ancient Indian tradition of the immolation of a widow on her husband's funeral pyre, now illegal*Mindfulness...
named Sone with whom Rana Bhanji Jethwa fell in love.Jadeja Jam Unaji of Jadeja
Jadeja
Jadeja belong to the Yaduvanshi rajputs or Chandravanshi rajputs. They are one of the 36 royal dynasties of old tracing their origins to Lord Krishna...
clan came from Sindh
Sindh
Sindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
and attacked Ghumli in 1309 but was defeated later in 1313 his son Barmaniyaji Jadeja attacked to avenge the defeat. He defeated Rana Bhanji Jethwa, who fled and Ghumli was completely destroyed and turned it into ruins.On the same night Goddess Amba
Amba
Amba was the eldest daughter of King of Kashi in the Hindu epic of the Mahābhārata. Along with her sisters Ambika and Ambalika, she was taken by force by Bhishma from their Swayamvara...
ji came in his dream and told him that, as she has granted the wish ("Asha") of his father to conquer Ghumli, he should make a temple in her name. So Barmaniyaji built the Temple of Ambaji on the hill in the middle of Ghumli and named it as Ashapura Mata
Ashapura Mata
Ashapura Mata is one of aspect devi. Her temples are mainly found in Gujarat.In Rajasthan, her temples are in Modran and Nadol.She is considered as kuldevi of Jadeja...
Temple, who is Kuldevi of Jedejas.However, the temple of Ashapura still stands on top of Barda hill near Ghumli.
Rana Bhan Jethwa escaped to Ranpur, where he established his new capital and set about founding a new territories. The Bhanvad
Bhanvad
Bhanvad is a city and a municipality in Jamnagar district in the state of Gujarat, India.-Geography:Bhanvad is located at . It has an average elevation of .-Demographics:...
is also named after Rana Bhan Jehtwa. However, after loss of Ghumli, they were confined to a district known as Barda.
In around 1525-35 Jam Ravalji conquered greater part of Halar from Jethwas and other Rajput rulers like Chawdas, Dedas and Vadhels. This lead to further decimating the Jethwa territories in which Nagnah was lost, which Jams
Jam Sahib
Jam Sahib is the title of the ruling prince of Nawanagar, now known as Jamnagar, an Indian princely state. The Jam Sahibs were from the Jam Jadeja clan , who are a branch of Samma Rajput...
renamed as Nawanagar
Nawanagar
Navanagar was an Indian princely state, in Kathiawar region, situated on the south of the Gulf of Kutch. It was ruled by the Jadeja dynasty from its formation in c 1540 until 1948 when it succeed to newly formed, India. The district is now known as Jamnagar. It had an area of and a population...
. Jam Ravalji’s son, however, gave his daughter to Jethwa ruler Khimooji. But in later years, Jam Ravaljis’s son Jam Sataji killed his own nephew Jethwa Ramdevji IV by a conspiracy and annexed further territory of Jethwas by force. This lead to a fierce enmity between Jethwa and Jams, which continued for 300 years and there was apiya between them.Shri Khimoji II Bhanji Jethwa, Rana of Chhaya, elder son of Rana Shri Bhanji Ramdevji Jethwa, Rana of Ranpur, founded the state of Chhaya, after his expulsion from Ranpur in 1575.During this turbulent times in history of Jethwa dynasty, the Mers
Mers
The Mer population of Kathiawar region in Saurashtra also known as the Maher, Mihir, Mair or Mehr are a community of people who have evolved from the Kshatriya Rajput varna within Hinduism. They are believed to be of Indo-Aryan descent, and have a rich and diverse history involving many battles,...
again came in help of in protection of Jethwas and helped them recover their lost territories.After the defeat at hands of Jams in 1525 the ruling Jethwa had to run from here to there till they found shelter at Chhaya. Later, the late Rana Bhanji's widow Rani Kalabai, a lady of out-standing courage and foresight raised an army of the Mers and Rabari
Rabari
Members of the Rabari or Rewari live throughout the Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Harayana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh states in India...
s and regained her lost territory as far as Ranpur from Jams.
Later in 1671 Rana Vikmatji Khimoji Jethwa took possession of Porbandar from Moughals
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
and built a fort there. He also took fort of Madhavpur. Though, he died at Porbandar, the capital remained Chhaya. It was his son Rana Saratanji II, who permanently shifted the Capital to Porbandar in 1685. The Jethwas of Porbandar entered in to alliance with British in 1807 and agreement was entered in to year 1809 with East India Company.
The princely state of Porbandar was a 13-Gun Salute State of British India.The reigns of Rana Bhavsinhji Madhavsinhji (1900–1908) and Rana Natwarsinhji (1908–1979) both Maharaja of Porbandar
Maharaja of Porbandar
Lieutenant-Colonel H.H. Maharaja Rana Shri Sir Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji Sahib Bahadur, KCSI was the Maharaja of Porbandar belonging to Jethwa dynasty.-Lifesketch:...
gave the state of Porbandar
Porbandar
Porbandar is a coastal city in the Indian state of Gujarat, perhaps best known for being the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sudama...
first class status after many battles for the throne within the royal family in 1811, 1869 and 1886.The Porbandar remained the Capital of Jethwa dynasty till the State of Porbandar was merged in to Union of India, when the last ruler of the kingdom, Rana Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji signed the Instrument of Accession on 15th August 1947.
The last Rana
Rana (title)
Rana is a Princely title of Royalty in Sanskrit. Rana is used by the Jats and Rajput of South Asia. The name is usually interpreted to mean "Prince".Compound titles Rana Sahib, Rana Bahadur, and Maharana.-Royal title in India:...
and ruler of Jethwa dynasty of Porbandar
Porbandar
Porbandar is a coastal city in the Indian state of Gujarat, perhaps best known for being the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sudama...
, Shri Natwarsinhji died in 1979. Before him in 1977, the successor to his throne the crown-prince Udaybhansinhji Natwarsinhji Jethwa
Udaybhansinhji Natwarsinhji Jethwa
Patvi Namdar Maharajkumar Shri Udaybhansinhji Natwarsinhji Jethwa Sahib , was the last Maharajkumar or Yuvraj of Jethwa dynasty of Princely State of Porbandar....
died, leaving the throne of more than 2000 year old dynasty vacant and uncertain, perhaps the longest continuous ruling dynasty of Indian Peninsula.
The grandfather of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Uttamchand Gandhi and later his father - Karamchand Gandhi and uncle - Tulsidas Gandhi, served as Dewan
Dewan
The originally Persian title of dewan has, at various points in Islamic history, designated various differing though similar functions.-Etymology:...
to Rana of Porbandar.
Architectural heritage left by Jethva
- Navlakha Temple at GhumliGhumliGhumli is a village located 35 km from Porbandar, at foothills of Barda, in Jamnagar district of Gujarat, India.-History:Ghumli also called Bhumli, was once the ancient capital of Jethwa dynasty of Gujarat...
built by Jethwa rulers in 12th century dedicated to Sun god is oldest sun temple of Gujarat. It has the largest base (Uagati) of the temples in Gujarat, measuring 45.72 x 30.48 m. Facing East, it had a beautiful entrance arch or Kirti Toran, that is now lost. The sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha), covered pradakshina path, large gathering hall and its three shringar chokis are eye catching. On the surrounding walking path we find three directions with balconies. The mandapaMandapaA mandapa in Indian architecture is a pillared outdoor hall or pavilion for public rituals.-Temple architecture:...
has eight-sided pillars for support. In the small niches we find sculptures. The entrances are two storied. At the back wall of the temple we find two huge elephants fighting with their trunks. In Bhadra gavaksha is the image of Brahma-Savitri, in the west is the Shiva-Parvati, to the north is LakshmiNarayan. The Navlakha Temple built at a cost of Nine LacLacLac is the scarlet resinous secretion of a number of species of insects, namely some of the species of the genera Metatachardia, Laccifer, Tachordiella, Austrotacharidia, Afrotachardina, and Tachardina of the superfamily Coccoidea, of which the most commonly cultivated species is Kerria lacca.The...
s hence the name rivals the Somnath Temple in its architect and interiors.The temple is built in Solanki style of architecture have the three entwining tusks of elephants as its trademark and is considered to be high noon of Solanki style of architect.
- Kileshwar Mahadev temple built on Barda Hill near Ghumali.
- Vikai or Vikia Vaav, a Step well is the oldest and one of the biggest step wells of Gujarat built by Jethwa ruler Vikiaji after whom it is named.This ruined step-well is one of the largest of its kind in the state, measuring almost 60 by 40.5 sq m. The well has numerous flights of steps leading up to it and string-coursed carvings. The entrance pavilions can still be seen standing intact at three places.
- Jetha Step well, similar to Vikia step well near Ghumali.
- Bhan Gate named after Bhan Jethwa near Ghumali Navlakha Temple and Rampol Gate at Ghumali.
- Ghumali Ganesha Temple at GhumliGhumliGhumli is a village located 35 km from Porbandar, at foothills of Barda, in Jamnagar district of Gujarat, India.-History:Ghumli also called Bhumli, was once the ancient capital of Jethwa dynasty of Gujarat...
- Darbargarh, the palace of Jethwas at Chhaya built around 1600.
- Darbargarh at PorbandarPorbandarPorbandar is a coastal city in the Indian state of Gujarat, perhaps best known for being the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sudama...
was built by Rana Sartanji Jethwa (1671-1699) in end of 17th Century. This palace has a huge carved stone entrance gate flanked by high turrets and massive wooden doors. It is a typical example of such royal enclosures situated within the town of Gujarat.The fort has several bastions, 3 small gates (baris) and 4 main gates. The main gates are Porbandar gate in the west, Kathiawar Darwaja in the east, Halar Gate in the North and Junagadh gate in the south. Darbargadh is designed to resemble a jewel box, in the architectural style of the Navlakha palace situated at Gondal.
- Sartanji Choro at Porbandar :Rana Sartanji (1671-1699) also built Sartanji Choro, the three storied summer pavilion. This palace was built in the Rajput style as a retreat in the middle of the garden. Each side of the garden represent a different reason. It is also known as Grishmabhuvan.
- Daria Mahal Palace is located at the end of Marine Drive on sea shore of Porbandar city, in a huge campus. It was built in late 19th century by Rana Bhavsinhji Madhavsinhji.Standing on the edge of the Arabian Sea the palace shows the influences of the Arabian culture. However, some parts of the palace are Italianate in style with an interesting blend of Renaissance and Gothic touch. The interiors of the palace like chandeliers, painted murals and the European furniture are eye catching. The palace has now been converted into a college.
- Huzoor Mahal Palace was built by Rana Natwarsinhji also on sea shore of Probandar city. This sprawling palace is built in the European style with sloping roofs, several wings and big windows, overlooking the sea.
- Anut Nivas at Khambalia, over looking the dam, is a summer palace built on Barda hills built by last ruler of Porbandar State, Rana ShriNatawarsinhji in 1927. The interior is lavish but not ostentatious. The Rajput Room is a museum of Kathiawad's past.
- The Lal Mahal or Red Palace in Porbandar, previously official guest house of the rulers of Porbandar State, now lies closed.
Other details and Kuldevis
The Jethwa RajputRajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
s belong to the Gautam
Gautama Maharishi
Gautama Maharishi is one of the Saptarishis Gautama Maharishi is one of the Saptarishis Gautama Maharishi is one of the Saptarishis (Seven Great Sages Rishi of the current Manvantara (seventh). He was one of the Maharishis of Vedic times, known to have been the discoverer of Mantras --...
/Vajas Gotra
Gotra
In the Hindu society, the term Gotra broadly refers to people who are descendants in an unbroken male line from a common male ancestor. Panini defines gotra for grammatical purposes as apatyam pautraprabhrti gotram , which means "the word gotra denotes the progeny beginning with the son's son"...
and their Kuldevi is Vindhyavasini
Vindhyavasini
Vindhyavasini is name of a benevolent aspect of Devi Amba or Durga. Her temple is located at Vindhyachal, 8 km away from Mirzapur on the banks of river Ganges, in Uttar Pradesh.The goddess gets her name from Vindhya Range....
Devi
Devi
Devī is the Sanskrit word for Goddess, used mostly in Hinduism, its related masculine term is deva. Devi is synonymous with Shakti, the female aspect of the divine, as conceptualized by the Shakta tradition of Hinduism. She is the female counterpart without whom the male aspect, which represents...
. Jethwas also worship Chamunda
Chamunda
Chamunda , also known as Chamundi, Chamundeshwari and Charchika, is a fearsome aspect of Devi, the Hindu Divine Mother and one of the seven Matrikas . She is also one of the chief Yoginis, a group of sixty-four or eighty-one Tantric goddesses, who are attendants of the warrior goddess Durga...
and Harsidhhi
Harsidhhi
Harsidhhi is considered one of the aspect of Amba and also Kalika, the Hindu Devi.Her temples are found in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.-Kuldevi:She is worshiped as Kuldevi by many Kshatriya and Rajput clans of India...
, whose main temple was in Miani, one of their original colonies. In the temple of Harsiddhi at Miani, three lamps used to burn till dissolution of princely states, one lamp of the temple, one from Jethwa rulers of Porbandar
Porbandar
Porbandar is a coastal city in the Indian state of Gujarat, perhaps best known for being the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sudama...
and another from Jams of Nawanagar
Nawanagar
Navanagar was an Indian princely state, in Kathiawar region, situated on the south of the Gulf of Kutch. It was ruled by the Jadeja dynasty from its formation in c 1540 until 1948 when it succeed to newly formed, India. The district is now known as Jamnagar. It had an area of and a population...
. Jethwas also worship Brahmani
Brahmani
In Hinduism, Brahmani is a kind and benevolent aspect of Devi, the Divine mother. Brahmani is associated with the Hindu creator god, Brahma as His consort or Shakti . She is one of the seven Mother Goddesses called Matrikas.-As Kuldevi:Many Kshatriya clans consider Her to be their Kuldevi...
& Chamunda
Chamunda
Chamunda , also known as Chamundi, Chamundeshwari and Charchika, is a fearsome aspect of Devi, the Hindu Divine Mother and one of the seven Matrikas . She is also one of the chief Yoginis, a group of sixty-four or eighty-one Tantric goddesses, who are attendants of the warrior goddess Durga...
Mata as Kuldevi and their temples are located one at Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
and another at Nagalpar
Nagalpar
Nagalpur or Nagalpar is a small village in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. It comes under Anjar taluka.-History:About history of Nagalpar or Nagalpur it is one of the 19 villages established by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris as they are known in Kutch...
. Some of them also claim themselves to be of Bhardwaja Gotra
Gotra
In the Hindu society, the term Gotra broadly refers to people who are descendants in an unbroken male line from a common male ancestor. Panini defines gotra for grammatical purposes as apatyam pautraprabhrti gotram , which means "the word gotra denotes the progeny beginning with the son's son"...
.Many also worship Momai Mata, who again is an incarnation of Harsiddhi of Miani.Again there is one aspect of devi
Devi
Devī is the Sanskrit word for Goddess, used mostly in Hinduism, its related masculine term is deva. Devi is synonymous with Shakti, the female aspect of the divine, as conceptualized by the Shakta tradition of Hinduism. She is the female counterpart without whom the male aspect, which represents...
, who is known as Jethwa Mata, who is identified as Gaur Matas or clan deities.
The main villages from which Jethwa Rajputs hail from are Morana, Ratdi, Shrinagar, Pandavadar, Gosa, Chhaya, Rozda, Hathla, Gadu, Kantela, Baradiya, Katvana, Lodava, Bhanvad and and Ghumli in Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Jethwas are also found in Kutch in large numbers, where they seem to have migrated along with other Rajput / Kshatriya belonging to Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya group of warriors, who arrived in Saurashtra in early 7th Century from Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
fighting and repealing attack from North West. Later a major group entered Kutch in 12th Century AD and established themselves at Dhaneti
Dhaneti
Dhaneti or Dhanetee is village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is at a distance of about 26 km from Bhuj the Taluka and District Headquarter of Kutch...
. At present population of Jethwa in Kutch is centralized around Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
town and some villages of Anjar Taluka.
Branches of Jethwa
The author of the book Shree Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya Samaj : A brief history & glory of our fore-fathers, Raja Pawan Jethwa, further gives elaborate details of some known branches of Jethwas, citing references from a GujaratiGujarati language
Gujarati is an Indo-Aryan language, and part of the greater Indo-European language family. It is derived from a language called Old Gujarati which is the ancestor language of the modern Gujarati and Rajasthani languages...
book published in 1896 and records of Barot
Barot (Caste)
Barot are a caste of Rajasthan, who were involved in profession as bards and especially as Vahivanchas: meaning traditional genealogists. They also additionally worked as Mythographers. They were also known by name of Bhat or Brahmbhatt.- Origin :...
s, as under :-
- Jethwa : Originally Jethwas came from North West and via Rajasthan and first entered present day Gujarat and settled in ViramgamViramgamViramgam is a city and a municipality in Ahmedabad district in the Indian state of Gujarat.-Geography:Viramgam is located at . It has an average elevation of 32 metres...
from 7th century onwards. They later founded Mayurpuri now called MorviMorviMorvi or Morbi is a city and a municipality in Rajkot district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It was a Princely State ruled by Jadeja clan of Rajputs until Indian independence in 1947. It is situated on the Kathiawar peninsula. , the city's population was determined to be 73,327. Its chief...
around 900 AD and declared it as its capital. The Jethwas after losing Morvi in beginning of 12th Century shifted their capital to GhumliGhumliGhumli is a village located 35 km from Porbandar, at foothills of Barda, in Jamnagar district of Gujarat, India.-History:Ghumli also called Bhumli, was once the ancient capital of Jethwa dynasty of Gujarat...
. Ghumli was destroyed in beginning of 14th century by invasion of JadejaJadejaJadeja belong to the Yaduvanshi rajputs or Chandravanshi rajputs. They are one of the 36 royal dynasties of old tracing their origins to Lord Krishna...
army, who came from SindhSindhSindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
. This lead to major disbursement of Jethwa Rajputs of Gujarat.
- Poria Jethwa : A branch of Jethwas upon destruction of GhumliGhumliGhumli is a village located 35 km from Porbandar, at foothills of Barda, in Jamnagar district of Gujarat, India.-History:Ghumli also called Bhumli, was once the ancient capital of Jethwa dynasty of Gujarat...
, shifted their capital RanpurRanpurRanpur is town located on the bank of river Bhadar. Ranpur is 112 km from Ahmedabad, India.It has population of around 25,000, containing both Muslims and Hindus. Ranpur is also known for its "unity" between community...
, Chhaya and finally to PorbandarPorbandarPorbandar is a coastal city in the Indian state of Gujarat, perhaps best known for being the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sudama...
. The families of Jethwas, who migrated to various places in Saurashtra from Porbandar, especially to village Dhulkot in Saurashtra, began to call themselves as Poria Jethwa, to identify themselves with PorbandarPorbandarPorbandar is a coastal city in the Indian state of Gujarat, perhaps best known for being the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sudama...
. Many of these Poria Jethwas migrated from Dhulkot in year 1178 AD to DhanetiDhanetiDhaneti or Dhanetee is village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is at a distance of about 26 km from Bhuj the Taluka and District Headquarter of Kutch...
and from there to NagalparNagalparNagalpur or Nagalpar is a small village in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. It comes under Anjar taluka.-History:About history of Nagalpar or Nagalpur it is one of the 19 villages established by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris as they are known in Kutch...
in Kutch.
- Ravalia Jethwa : Upon destruction of Ghumli, some Jethwas migrated and settled in Raval village and thus called themselves Ravalia Jethwas. Some of these Ravalia Jethwa later migrated to Vijapar and Valasame. Again some from Vijapar shifted to DhanetiDhanetiDhaneti or Dhanetee is village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is at a distance of about 26 km from Bhuj the Taluka and District Headquarter of Kutch...
and onwards to MandaviMandaviIn the Hindu epic Ramayana, Mandavi was the daughter of Kushadhwaja, a brother of King Janaka of Mithila and hence a cousin of Sita. She was the wife of Bharata, the younger brother of Lord Rama. They had two sons, Taksha and Pushkara. The Pushkara mentioned here is not related to Nala in Nala...
in Kutch.
- Gola Jethwa : Again a branch of Jethwas upon demolition of Ghumli, migrated and settled in a village named GoladarGoladaraGoladara is a village in Vagra Block of Bharuch district in Gujarat State of India. Panchayat name is Goladar. It is located at a distance of 33 km from Bharuch, district headquarter....
, thus calling themselves Gola Jethwa. Again some of them shifted to a place called NagvadarNagvadarNagvadar is a village in Upleta Taluka of Rajkot District of Gujarat State in India. It is located at a distance of 83.5 km from Rajkot.The village has several schools and banks....
and from there to DhanetiDhanetiDhaneti or Dhanetee is village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is at a distance of about 26 km from Bhuj the Taluka and District Headquarter of Kutch...
and finally settled in AnjarAnjar, IndiaAnjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
in Kutch.
- Bhagat ni akai ( family of a Bhagat ) : These are again a branch of Gola Jethwas in whose family a BhagatBhagatFor the Sindhi performance art see Sindhi bhagatIn Sikhism, the Sikh Bhagats were holy men of various sects whose teachings are included in the Sikh holy book the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The word "Bhagat" means devotee, and comes from the Sanskrit word Bhakti, which means devotion and love...
( literally a Saint ) was born in 13th Century, who was worshiper of Lord RamaRamaRama or full name Ramachandra is considered to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism, and a king of Ayodhya in ancient Indian...
. The descendant of him, started to call themselves as family of a Bhagat as well as Gola Jethwa. These family still worship Rama as their chief deity.
Jethwas in folk-tales
The bardic tales of Jethwas are immortalized in folk tales like RajasthaniRajasthani language
Rajasthani Rajasthani Rajasthani (Devanagari: , Perso-Arabic: is a language of the Indo-Aryan languages family. It is spoken by 50 million people in Rajasthan and other states of India and in some areas of Pakistan. The number of speakers may be up to 80 million worldwide...
folk tale of immortal love between Jethwa and Ujali and heroic tales of Bhan Jethwa and Vijo related to defeat of Kathi
Kathi (caste)
The Kathi are a Hindu caste found in the state of Gujarat in India. Kathi is also a big gotra of Yaduvanshi Ahirs of Haryana. Also inter-marriage between the Ahir and the Kathi is an old phenomenon.Kathi tribe is named as Catti or Cat'hi and has been named as 36 royal races by James Tod.-History...
s by them, in which the names of Jethwa territories of Bhanvad
Bhanvad
Bhanvad is a city and a municipality in Jamnagar district in the state of Gujarat, India.-Geography:Bhanvad is located at . It has an average elevation of .-Demographics:...
and Lodhva
Lodhwa
Lodhwa / Lodhva is a town in Junagadh district of Gujarat. It is a historic town once ruled by Jethwas. The population of town is around 57,000. Lodhva is a tourist destination with other places like Sasan Gir, Veraval, Chorvad located within 50 km of it. The nearest railway station from Lodhwa are...
are mentioned in bardic folk-songs of Kathiawar.Also the bardic songs of Bhan Jethwa, who fell in love with Son Kansari, who was in love with Rakhayata Babaria, his commander. Bhan got Rakhayat murdered by his servant Kumbha. Son became a Sati
Sati (practice)
For other uses, see Sati .Satī was a religious funeral practice among some Indian communities in which a recently widowed woman either voluntarily or by use of force and coercion would have immolated herself on her husband’s funeral pyre...
cursing that Ghumali will be destroyed in due course of time. Her prophecy came true when Ghumali was demolished by Jams in 1313. The Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
s who gave shelter and also died for the cause of protecting Son built a temple in her memory later.
Distribution
At present, outside India, the Jethwas are mainly found among migrant population in East Africa, United Kingdom, Canada and United States of America, as well as far flung countries like Australia, New Zealand.Notable Persons
- Lieutenant-Colonel His Highness Maharaja Rana Shri Sir Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji Sahib Bahadur KCSI- Maharaja of Porbandar of Jethwa dyansty (1901-1979), the last ruler of Princely State of Porbandar. He also captained Indian Test Cricket team in 1932. He was an avid painter, author and musician; his literary works include "From the Flow of Life" (1967), "India's Problems: Reflections of an Ex-Ruler" (1970) and "International Solidarity" (1975). He also was joint composer the "Oriental Moon Waltz" in 1930.
- Udaybhansinhji Natwarsinhji JethwaUdaybhansinhji Natwarsinhji JethwaPatvi Namdar Maharajkumar Shri Udaybhansinhji Natwarsinhji Jethwa Sahib , was the last Maharajkumar or Yuvraj of Jethwa dynasty of Princely State of Porbandar....
(1901-1977), the last RajkumarRajkumarRajkumar , born as Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju was a popular actor and singer in the Kannada film industry...
of State of PorbandarPorbandarPorbandar is a coastal city in the Indian state of Gujarat, perhaps best known for being the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sudama...
, a recipient of Padma ShriPadma ShriPadma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan...
award in 1971.
- Amit JethwaAmit JethwaAmit Jethwa was an Indian environmentalist and social worker, active in the Gir Forest area near Junagadh, Gujarat. He had filed several court cases against illegal mining in the protected area, naming Bharatiya Janata Party member of parliament, Dinu Solanki as one of the respondents...
(1975-2010) - an Indian environmentalist and social worker from Gujarat