Historical Figures

Expansion of Marwar State by Jodha

Rao Jodha included Merta, Phalodi, Pokaran, Bhadrajoon, Sojat, Jaitaran, Siwana, Shiva, Nagaur and some parts of Godwar region located under the state of Mewar, etc. Never before had such a large kingdom been under the authority of the Siha dynasty. Jodha tried to annex the area up to Hisar in the north of his kingdom, but due to Afghan resistance, Jodha could not succeed.

Right to Merit

When Jodha took control of Mandore, Merta was under a Muslim Subedar appointed at Ajmer by the Sultan of Mandu. In 1461 AD, Rao Jodha sent his sons Varasingh and Duda to take control of Ajmer. These two brothers took control of Merta and 360 villages adjacent to it only after a short war. After taking over Merta, a new settlement was established in the south of Merta in 1462 AD.

appointment of state officers

It was not possible to run such a large state from the capital Mandore. So Jodha deputed his brothers and sons to different places. Chunda introduced the feudal system in the state of Marwar. Jodha further strengthened that system. Jodha gave the jagir of Phalodi to his son Satal, Sojat to Neemba and Merta to Varsingh and Duda.

Properties of Sindhlon

In 1462 AD, Rao Jodha went on a pilgrimage to Kashi and Gaya etc. In order to take advantage of this situation, Sindhal Apmal of Bhadrajoon killed King Bija of Siwana with the help of Shivraj by luring Jodha's son Shivraj to get Siwana. After this, Aapmal did not give the right of Siwana to Bija and took possession of Siwana himself. When Bija's son Devidas came to know about this, he again attacked Siwana and snatched Siwana from Apmal. When Jodha returned from the pilgrimage, he came to know about all the developments. Jodha got angry with you. On this Devidas attacked Bhadrajuna and killed Apmal and avenged his father's death.

In 1464 AD, Sindhal, like the owner of Bisalpur, took away the cattle from Pali. At that time Jodha's son Neemba was managing Sojat. Nimba immediately climbed on Jaisa and surrounded it near Vatovda village. As in this battle, he was killed in the battlefield itself, but Neemba also died after five months due to being badly injured. Then Jodha called her son Souja from Phalodi and handed over the management of Sojat.

Progress of Mohils

Mohil Ajit Singh, the owner of Chhapar-Dronpur, was the son of Rao Jodha. In 1464 AD, Ajit Singh came under the delusion of his ministers and started rioting in Marwar. For some days, Rao Jodha kept silent considering him as his son-in-law, but when the matter kept increasing, Jodha was helpless and had to send an army against Ajit Singh. Ajit Singh was killed when there was a struggle with Gagrane and his nephew Bachraj became the lord of Chhapar-Dronpur. The description of this incident in the legends has been written in extreme exaggeration.

Nancy says that Rajbai, a daughter of Rao Jodha, was married to Raja Mohil Ajit Singh of Chhapar Dronapur. Once when he had come to his in-laws' house at Mandor, Rao Jodha thought of taking over the land of the Mohils, but that region could not come in the hands of Ajit Singh. Then Rao Jodha thought of killing his son-in-law Ajit Singh. Rao Jodha's Rani Bhatiyani (Ajit Singh's mother-in-law) came to know about her husband's efforts and informed Ajit Singh's chieftains. Ajit Singh's chieftains, thinking that Ajit Singh would not like to run away, told Ajit Singh that news has come from Chhapar that Yadavs have attacked Rana Bachraj (Sangawat) and Bachraj has called Ajit Singh for help. On hearing this, Ajit Singh immediately left from there. When Rao Jodha came to know about this, he understood that the secret of Ajit Singh's mistake was exposed and he followed Ajit Singh. Ajit Singh's chieftains told the right thing to Ajit Singh. On this, Ajit Singh was very upset with his chieftains. A war took place on both sides in Ganoda village, three kos away from Dronapur, in which Ajit Singh along with his 85 Rajputs came in handy. From that day there was enmity between the Rathores and the Mohils. Ajit Singh's nephew Bachraj became the Rana of Chhapar-Dronpur.

A year after this incident, Bachraj started looting the areas of Marwar state to avenge his uncle. On this, Rao Jodha took the army and again attacked the Mohils. Rana Bachraj was killed along with 165 companions and Rao Jodha was victorious but Megha, son of Bachraj, fled from there. (Megha was the nephew of Rao Jodha's Jamata Ajit Singh.) After the implementation of Rao Jodha on the area of ​​Chhapar, Megha started harassing Jodha by raiding. Rao Jodha learned that as long as Megha is alive it is impossible to maintain control over a difficult area like Chhapar-Dronpur. So Jodha, made a treaty with Megha and handed over the kingdom of Chhapar-Dronpur to him and went to Mandore.

Establishment of separate state by Bika

During the time of Jodha, Jats lived in large numbers in Janglu region. The chiefs of the Jats used to fight with each other. Because of this, there was chaos in this area. Rao Jodha thought of taking this region under his control. He ordered his son Bika to establish his kingdom in the region on the side of Janglu. It is written in the legends that one day Kandhal and Bika were talking while sitting in the court. Just then Rao Jodha came there. Looking at Kandhal and Bika, he laughed and said that today uncle and nephew together are advising to suppress any new state? Kandhal replied that it is not a big deal. If God wills it will be so. After this, on the advice of Sankhla Napa and Jat Nikodar, these people took some selected heroes with them and went towards Janglu.

In 1593 AD, in 'Karmachandravanshtkirtanak Kavyam' composed by Jayasom, it is written - the second queen of Jodha, Jasmadevi had three sons named Nimba, Souja, and Satal and she was the life of the king. When the story of Neemba was left out of Devyog (that is, he died), then Jasmadevi, who by the nature of woman developed hatred towards her sisters - this is promising, thinking that in the absence of her son's son named Vikram in solitude. Told the king some interesting story about his son. Then the king, fascinated by the deceit of his wife, called his son Vikram (Bika) to him with the desire to drive him out to Jangaldesh and said - 'O son! It is not surprising that the son will enjoy the kingdom of the father, but the one who receives the new kingdom is considered the main among the sons. There is a country called Jangal, which is difficult to control on earth, you are courageous, so I have appointed you in this work (that is, to subdue it).'

On receiving the orders of his father, Bika, along with his uncles Kandhal and Sankhla Napa etc., proceeded towards military Janglu in 1465 AD. Bika took the idol of her presiding deity Bhairav ​​from Mandore with her. After this he reached Deshnok and took blessings of Karniji. Then after staying in Chundasar for a few days, reaching Kodamdesar and established the idol of Bhairav ​​there. After this, for twenty years, Bika Janglu continued to fight with Jats, Bhatis and Sankhals in the country and snatched their territories and included them in his kingdom. In 1485 AD, Bika laid the foundation stone of the new fort and established a city named Bikaner on 12 April 1488.

Right over Nagaur

Rao Chunda had captured Nagaur in 1399 AD, but 24 years after this incident the Muslims, with the help of Bhatis, killed Rao Chunda and recaptured Nagaur. After this Maharana Mokal of Mewar made an unsuccessful attempt to capture Nagaur. When Ranmal lived near Maharana Kumbha, he also occupied Nagaur on behalf of Mewar. Ranmal was victorious in this war and the Muslim ruler of Nagaur was well punished for the crime of slaughtering cows, but probably Mewar could not maintain its authority over Nagaur. That is why till now Nagaur was ruled by Muslims. In 1467 AD, three sons of Rao Jodha - Karamsi, Raipal and Vanveer reached Fatan Khan, the Kayamkhani ruler of Nagaur. Fatan Khan kept Karamsi with him by giving Khinvsar and Raipal the jagir of Asop. Vanveer started living with his elder brother Karamsi. When Rao Jodha came to know about this, he called back his sons. On this the three brothers left Fatan Khan and went to their elder brother Bika. Fatan Khan considered this as an insult and started plundering the villages of Marwar with the army. On this, Rao Jodha marched on Nagaur. Fatan Khan lost and fled towards Jhunjhunu. After this Rao Jodha took possession of Nagaur and gave the jagir of Asop to Khimsar and Raipal to Karamsi.

Acquisition of Ajmer and Sambhar

In 1468 AD, the greedy eldest son of Kumbha, Uda (Uday Singh) became the lord of Mewar after killing his father Maharana Kumbha with a dagger, but due to this evil act, the chieftain became his opponent and started doing the industry of expelling that father-ghat. . Uda decided to make his neighbors his assistants to strengthen his side and he started giving them land. He also gave the territories of Ajmer and Sambhar to Rao Jodha. It is also said that before Uda's plan was successful, Raimal, the son of Kumbha, who was also the son-in-law of Jodha, pushed Uda towards Mandu.

The Most Influential King Of Rajputana

After the assassination of Maharana Kumbha in 1468 AD, Rao Jodha became the most experienced and influential king of Rajputana. Jodha defeated Sarang Khan, the general of Bahlol Lodi, and gained his fame far and wide and got the politics of the desert a place in the national politics. Jodha ruled a large part of the desert for a long period of thirty-five years from 1453 AD to 1489 AD.

Right over Chhapar-Dronpur

Munnot Nainsi has written- Rana Megha of Chhapar-Dronpur died in 1473 AD and his son Bairsal became the Rana of there. He was a weak ruler. That's why his brothers and sisters became free and started looting here and there. Due to this anarchy spread in the territory of the Mohils and the Mohil Sardars started fighting with each other, due to which their strength started waning. For this reason, in 1474 AD, Rao Jodha attacked the Mohils. Rana Bairsal (this was the grandson of Maharana Kumbha.) and his younger brother Narbad fled to Fatahpur without fighting. Reu has written that Narbad was the daughter-in-law of Jodha's younger brother Kandhal. That's why Jodha told Narbad that if he comes to Jodha, then he will be given the kingdom of Chhapar, but Narbad did not accept this. Rao Jodha captured Chapar-Dronpur and attacked Fatahpur. After three days of fierce battle, Fatan Khan was defeated. Rao Jodha burnt Fatahpur to ashes. Seeing Fatan Khan destroyed, Bairsal and Narbad fled from Fatahpur via Jhunjhunu and Bhatner and finally reached Mewar Maharana but Maharana did not help them. At this time, Jodha's Jamata Raimal was the Maharana of Mewar. Raimal was not ready to spoil the relationship with Rao Jodha under any circumstances. Narbad on this; And Bagha Rathore, son of Kandhal, went to Bahlol Lodi, the emperor of Delhi. Bahlol Lodi sent Sarang Khan Pathan to help him with five thousand cavalry. Narbad and Bagha Rathod, accompanied by Sarang Khan, reached near Jhunjhunu where Rana Bairsal also joined them. Rao Jodha came to face them with six thousand soldiers. Rao Bika also came to help his father with his army. By this time Jodha's eldest son Neemba had died, to whom Rao Jodha had given the right of Sojat.

Before the start of the war, Jodha called her nephew Bagha Rathore secretly to her and said - 'Well done nephew! For the sake of the Mohils, you will take the sword at your brothers and get the Bhojais and the women imprisoned. On hearing this, Bagha thought that his action was inappropriate and he became Jodha's assistant. In a fierce battle between both the sides, Sarang Khan was killed along with 555 Pathans, Bairsal fled to Mewar and Narbad was lying near Fatahpur. Thus in 1475 AD, Chapar-Dronpur became the possession of Rao Jodha. He left his son Joga in Dronapur and returned to Mandore himself. Joga could not handle the rule of Dronapur. On this Rao Jodha called him back and sent his second son Bida in his place. Bida strictly managed this area. Before Bida, this area was called Mohilwati, but after Bida became the ruler, this area came to be called Bidawati.

The description of this incident is found in different ways in the fame of Dayaldas - 'Jodha gave the area of ​​Chhapar-Dronpur from Barsal (Vairsal) to Joga, but due to his not being able to rule properly, he was removed from there to Bida. He was made the master of the place, who made all the arrangements with great perfection and made the Mohils under him. Barsal lost his kingdom and went to Bahlol Lodi, the emperor of Delhi, along with his brother Narbad. Rao Jodha's brother Kandhal's son Bagha was also with him. After many days, when the emperor was pleased with his service, he gave his army to Sarang Khan, the Subedar of Hisar, to get the area of ​​Barsal back to him. When that army reached Dronapur, Bida did not consider it appropriate to face it and after reconciling with Barsal went to Bikaner to his brother Bika. Barsal again got the right over Chhapar-Dronpur. बीदा के बीकानेर पहुंचने पर बीका ने अपनी पिता (जोधा) से कहलवाया कि यदि आप सहायता दें तो बीदा को फिर से द्रोणपुर का इलाका दिला देवें।

जोधा ने एक बार हाड़ी रानी के कहने से बीदा से लाडणूं मांगा था परन्तु उसने देने से मना कर दिया था। इस कारण जोधा, बीदा से अप्रसन्न था और उसने बीका की प्रार्थना पर ध्यान नहीं दिया। तब बीका स्वयं सैन्य एकत्र कर कांधल, मांडल आदि के साथ बरसल पर गया। इस अवसर पर जोहिये आदि भी उसकी सहायतार्थ साथ थे। बीका ने देशणोक में करणीजी के दर्शन किये तथा द्रोणपुर की ओर अग्रसर हुआ। देशणोक से चार कोस की दूरी पर बीका की सेना ने डेरा डाला। सारंग खाँ उन दिनों वहीं था। एक दिन बीका ने अपने चचेरे भाई बाघा को, जो बसरल का सहायक था, एकान्त में बुलाकर उपालम्भ दिया कि- ‘काका कांधल तो ऐसे हुए, जिन्होंने जाटों का राज्य नष्ट कर एक नया इलाका कायम किया और तू (कांधल का पुत्र) मोहिलों के बदले में मेरे ऊपर ही चढ़कर आया है। ऐसा करना तेरे लिए उचित नहीं।’ इस पर बाघा, बीका का सहायक बन गया और उसने वचन दिया कि वह मोहिलों को पैदल आक्रमण करने की सलाह देगा जिनके दांई ओर सारंग खाँ की सेना रहेगी। ऐसी दशा में उन्हें पराजित करना कठिन नहीं होगा। दूसरे दिन युद्ध में ऐसा ही हुआ। फलतः मोहिल तथा तुर्क परास्त होकर भाग खड़े हुए। नरबद तथा बरसल मारे गये और बीका की विजय हुई। कुछ दिनों वहाँ रहने के उपरान्त बीका ने छापर द्रोणपुर का अधिकार बीदा को सौंप दिया और स्वयं बीकानेर लौट गया।

उपर्युक्त दोनों विवरणों में से, दयालदास का विवरण अधिक विश्वसनीय प्रतीत हाता है, क्योंकि आगे चलकर मुंहणोत नैणसी ने स्वयं अपने कथन का खण्डन कर दिया है। नैणसी लिखता है कि बीका के कहलवाने पर कांधल को मारने के वैर में राव जोधा ने सारंग खाँ पर चढ़ाई करके उसे मारा था। उस अवसर पर बीका भी ससैन्य जोधा के साथ था और सेना की हिरोल में था। इससे स्पष्ट है कि सारंग खाँ इसके बाद वाली दूसरी लड़ाई में मारा गया था। साथ ही राव बीका द्वारा बीदा को पुनः छापर द्रोणपुर का राज्य दिलाया जाना ही अधिक युक्तिसंगत प्रतीत होता है क्योंकि ये इलाके मारवाड़ राज्य के अन्तर्गत न होकर बीकानेर के अधीन रहे। बीकानेर राजपरिवार से मैत्री सम्बन्ध रहने से बीदावत बाद में उन्हीं के अधीन हो गये। जोधपुर राज्य की ख्यात में उपर्युक्त घटना का उल्लेख नही है। आगे की कुछ घटनाएं भी जोधपुर राज्य की ख्यात में नहीं हैं परन्तु दयालदास की ख्यात में उन घटनाओं का विस्तार से विवरण मिलता है। अन्य ख्यातों से भी उनकी पुष्टि होती है।

लाडनूं पर अधिकार

जब राव जोधा ने बीदा को छापर-द्रोणपुर का अधिकार दिया तब लाडनूं पर आक्रमण करके उसे भी राठौड़ों के राज्य में मिला लिया गया। बाद में राव बीका ने लाडनूं, अपनी पिता राव जोधा को भेंट किया।

बीका को जोधपुर राज्य पर अधिकार न जताने का निर्देश

ख्यातों में वर्णन आया है कि मोहिल युद्ध की समाप्ति के बाद द्रोणपुर में राठौड़़ों की सेनाओं के डेरे हुए। उस समय राव जोधा ने बीका को अपने पास बुलाकर कहा- ‘बीका तू सपूत है अतः तुझ से एक वचन मांगता हूँ?’ बीका ने उत्तर दिया- ‘आप पिता हैं, आपकी आज्ञा शिरोधार्य है।’ जोधा ने कहा- ‘एक तो लाडणूं मुझे दे दे और दूसरे अब तूने अपने बाहुबल से अपने लिए नया राज्य स्थापित कर लिया है, इसलिए अपने भाईयों से जोधपुर के राज्य के लिए दावा न करना।’ बीका ने इन बातों को स्वीकार करते हुए कहा- ‘मेरी भी यह प्रार्थना है कि तख्त, छत्र आदि राज्यचिन्ह तथा आपकी ढाल एवं तलवार मुझे मिली चाहिये, क्योंकि मैं बड़ा हूँ।’ जोधा ने इन सब वस्तुओं को जोधपुर पहुंचकर भेज देने का वचन दिया। अनन्तर दोनों ने अपने अपने राज्य की और प्रस्थान किया।

जोधावास की स्थापना

ख्यातों में वर्णन आया है कि जब राव जोधा, सारंग खाँ को परास्त करके लौट रहा था तब मार्ग में, चमार जाति का एक आदमी जो हकलाकर और तुतलाकर बोलता था, राव जोधा की बड़ी प्रशंसा कर रहा था। जोधा ने प्रसन्न होकर उस आदमी को उसी क्षेत्र में बहुत सी भूमि प्रदान की। उस व्यक्ति ने वहाँ जोधावास नामक गांव की स्थापना की।

जालोर तथा सिरोही के शासकों का दमन

1478 ई. में जालोर के शासक उस्मान खाँ तथा सिरोही के रावल लाखा ने मारवाड़ राज्य में लूटपाट आरम्भ की। जोधा ने अपने चचेरे भाई वरजांग को उन दोनों के विरुद्ध सेना देकर भेजा। वरजांग ने इस अभियान का सफलता पूर्वक संचालन किया। जालोर तथा सिरोही दोनों ही शासकों ने राव जोधा से संधि कर ली।

सांभर की रक्षा

सांभर पर दिल्ली सल्तनत की ओर से मुस्लिम सूबेदार नियुक्त रहता था किंतु राव चूण्डा ने उसे मारकर भगा दिया था। जब चूण्डा मर गया तब मुसलमानों ने फिर से सांभर पर अधिकार कर लिया। जब राव रणमल, महाराणा मोकल की सेवा में मेवाड़ में रहता था तब रणमल ने मेवाड़ की सेना लेकर सांभर पर अधिकार किया तथा उसे मेवाड़ राज्य में मिला दिया। 1468 ई. में जब ऊदा ने महाराणा कुम्भा की हत्या की तो उसने मारवाड़ वालों को शांत बने रहने के लिये अजमेर तथा सांभर प्रदान किये। तब से सांभर, जोधा के राज्य में बना हुआ था। सांभर झील से राज्य को अच्छी आय होती थी इसलिये 1486 ई. में आमेर नरेश चंद्रसेन ने सांभर पर चढ़ाई की। राव जोधा ने समाचार मिलते ही तुरंत एक सेना सांभर भिजवाई। इस कारण आमेर की सेना सांभर पर अधिकार नहीं कर सकी।

शिव की रक्षा

जैसलमेर के रावल देवीदास की आज्ञा से उसकी सेना ने शिव पर अधिकार कर लिया। राव जोधा ने वरजांग के नेतृत्व में एक सेना को शिव पर पुनः अधिकार करने के लिये भेजा। वरजांग ने शिव पहुंचकर प्रबल आक्रमण किया जिससे जैसलमेर की सेना भाग छूटी। इसके बाद वरजांग ने जैसलमेर पर आक्रमण करने का निर्णय लिया किंतु जैसलमेर के भाटियों ने दण्ड स्वरूप कुछ रुपये देकर राव जोधा से समझौता कर लिया।