Zala Rajputs

Zala, also spelled Jhala or Jauvla, is one of the 36 clans of Rajputs. According to traditional sources, they were aligned with Sooryawanshi lineage of Rajputs. They claim their descent from Harpaldev and Shakti Devi. Harpaldev was a prince of the Kingdom of Karentigarh/ Kerteegarh (Kerokot, kanthkot), current day Pakistan. And later established their rule in Gujarat by name of Jhalawar. Zalas also received estates of Sadri, Delwara, and Gogunda from Sanga Sisodia in the Kingdom of Mewar.

Origin

Although the exact origin of Zala is still unknown, there is one theory that seems to have some evidence behind it. According to the theory, the Zala are descendants of White Huns (Hephthalites) that overran northern and western India during the 5th century. This is believed to be true as two of the leaders of the White Huns Toramana and Mihirakula have been known to use the epithet Jauvla in their name.

Another source states that Jhala is a branch of Makhawan/ Makwana Rajputs that were turned into Aryan lords by Rishi Markendeya to protect the sacrifices to gods and their first King was Kundamalla Deva who established his throne at Kuntalapura in Uttar Pradesh, in which Makha in Sanskrit means sacrifice and Kunda means fire pit.

There is also a record of land known as Jaulistan in southern Afghanistan beyond Hindukush being occupied by people of the Jauvla tribe. Hiuen Tsang the Chinese traveler notes the King of Jaulistan being a follower of K-Sun or Sun, which was also recorded as Zabulistan by Arabs. However, the real name is confirmed to have been Jaulistan.

History

Prathumala, the one hundred and sixty-third king of Kuntalapura, was a noted warrior and won the title of Maharana. His great-grandson, Amarsen, had five sons.

On the death of Amarsen, his youngest son, Malandevji, killed his four elder brothers and seized the gadhi of Kuntalapura. Shalandevji, son of one of the murdered princes named Chachakdevji, fled to the east, where he defeated a Pathan chief and made himself ruler of Sikhri. Shalandevji was succeeded by his son Kripalji. While Kripalji was away on a pilgrimage, the kingdom of Sikhri was seized by his younger brother Dhanraj Ji. Kripalji accordingly went to Sindh, where he defeated the Baloch ruler of Karenti / Kertee (Karentigarh, Kanthkot, Kerokot) near Nagar Parkar and made himself ruler of the area (662 AD).

Records of Arab travelers and invaders confirm the existence of the Jauvli/Zabuli tribe in the area. They are credited with being protectors of the Khyber pass for centuries because of being known for repulsing the Arab invasions of India during 654-655 AD and another wave of the expedition was sent by Caliph Al Mehdi during 786-809 AD which too was effectively checked by Jauvla's.

In 1082 AD, there was a battle between the King of Karentigarh and emperor Hamir Sumra of Sindh. After a hard-fought battle, most Zalas were killed and only Prince Harpaladev survived who took refuge in Gujarat under King Karnadev Solanki. After serving under him for many years and saving his life on many occasions, Karna Solanki made Harpaladev Lord of Horses. At the time, there was a rebellious leader named Babaro Bhut that used to attack and plunder the Kingdom of Karna. To test his bravery, Karna sent Harpaladev on a mission to defeat Babaro. Harpaladev not only defeated Babaro but, using his intellect, also befriended him. Seeing this, Karnadev gave Shaktidevi's hand in marriage to Harpaladev along with 2,300 villages. These villages became the land upon which the Kingdom of Jhalawar was established.

Noteworthy personalities

Kesardev Makwana - last ruler of Karentigarh. Slain by Hamir Sumra along with his 10 sons.
Harpaldev- Founder of Zala kingdom in Gujarat.
Sodhshaldev- Lord of horses under Siddhraj Jaysinh Solanki. Constructed fort of Jhinjhuwada.
Durjanshalji- Chief commander of the military of Gujarat during the battle of Gadarghatta (1178 AD), he defeated Muizuddin Mohammed Ghori.
Arjundev- Military Commander to Solanki Kings.
Sursinhji (1280-1304)- Captured kingdoms of Wadhwan and Sayla from Vaghela's.
Satarsalji or Sultanji (1408-1420)- When his father Ranmalsinh was captured by Rathore's of Barmer Kotda, he attacked and destroyed Barmer Kotda freeing his father. Rebelled three times against Sultan Ahmad Shah of Gujarat.
Jetsinhji- Established Kingdom of Kuva kankawati.
Ranvirji (1441-69) Captured Jhinjhuwada from Sumra's.
Vaghoji (1469-87)- Defeated Khalil Khan Begadha in battle at Kankawati, after which sultan Mohammad Begadha himself attacked. His 6 sons were slain in battle, thinking he too was dead his wives committed Jal Jauhar (the only instance of Jauhar by water). On returning to the fort when he learned that, he reentered the battle and was killed. This battle is famously known as Kuva No Ker
Rajodharji (1487-1500)- Founder of Halwad.
Ajaysinhji- Ousted by Bhojrajji from his throne. So he entered service of Sanga Sisodia and led Rajput forces in the battle of Khanwa against Babur as Supreme commander of Rajputs. Received estates of Sadri, Delwada, and Gogunda.
Ranigdev( 1500-1523)- banned practice of Sati.
Rao Man Ghelo- Slew Malik Bakhan taking revenge on his father's death at Dasada.
Jhala Manna/ Bidda- Sacrificed his life to save Maharana Pratap in a battle of Haldighati(1556).
Raysinhji- Defeated Eko Mal Hebat Khan in presence of Emperor Akbar.
Jaswantsingh (1673-1717)- Deposed of his throne by Jaswantsingh Rathore of Jodhpur on instructions of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. He started a rebellion and later recaptured it from Mughals.
Raysinh II (1730-45) Built the fort of Dhrangadhra.
Gajsinh II (1745-1782)- His wife Jijima dealt with internal civil war led by Seshoji against Gajsinh. Also, a treaty with Maratha was concluded.
Jaswantsingh II ( 1774-82) Regained his territories that had been lost to Mughals.

Princely states and estates

Name Type

Baghpura Thikana

Bari Sadri Thikana

Chuda Princely State

Dedhrota Princely State

Delwara Thikana

Depur Thikana

Dhrangadhra Princely State

Gogunda Thikana

Hampur Jagir

Ilol Thikana

Jakhan Taluk

Jhadol Thikana

Jhalawar Princely State

Kuda Jagir

Kunadi Thikana

Labhowa Zamindari

Lakhtar Princely State

Limbdi Princely State

Punadra Princely State

Rajpur Taluk

Sayla Princely State

Talawada Thikana

Tana Thikana

Vana Taluk

Vasan Jagir

Wadhwan Princely State

Wankaner Princely State

References

https://books.google.co.in/books?id=hRjC5IaJ2zcC&pg=PA242&lpg=PA242&dq=jauvla&source=bl&ots=ndxSLy8upb&sig=ACfU3U09yoZQpA2QbWgsk8g--ZEWwqmHRw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj5nu_BtvzpAhX563MBHWz4Ap8Q6AEwA3oECAgQAQ
https://books.google.co.in/books?id=PPlNxFkiVfIC&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=jauvla&source=bl&ots=2vh3jQD69f&sig=ACfU3U3GJ5vl3p2Hk3VDujXl03RzbTp4aw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj5nu_BtvzpAhX563MBHWz4Ap8Q6AEwBXoECAoQAQ
https://books.google.co.in/books?id=NYK7ZSpPzkUC&pg=PA48&lpg=PA48&dq=jhala+rajputs&source=bl&ots=CwK21bmHrm&sig=ACfU3U1PA-56m5R-YxlLM9Rxr-ktuvt2fw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwji3pbktvzpAhVeH7cAHabADI84ChDoATADegQIChAB
https://books.google.co.in/books?id=m9L-jRCQZnYC&pg=PA38&lpg=PA38&dq=jhala+rajputs&source=bl&ots=hQAERr5KqH&sig=ACfU3U15NiEOpXEhmoLJ6V0dBrd1HVqPug&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwji3pbktvzpAhVeH7cAHabADI84ChDoATAGegQICRAB
https://books.google.co.in/books?id=7iOsNUZ2MXgC&pg=PA123&lpg=PA123&dq=jhala+rajputs&source=bl&ots=Zk89iAgdB_&sig=ACfU3U1-W20_2D8V-0d1t_RALXT8WqteQw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwib8LyBt_zpAhVJ8HMBHXLiAaA4FBDoATAJegQICRAB
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.amazon.in/Dynasty-Western-Regions-English-Tripitaka/dp/1886439028&ved=2ahUKEwiivIb6zvzpAhUmlEsFHR1iDZQQFjAJegQIEhAB&usg=AOvVaw0PB7OYJhAv_xEupTrLN1M1
Geneology, archive, image interpreting dynastic history in western India. Angma Jhala and Jaysinhji Jhala

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