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The History of Throne |
It
is found from various literatures that people of ‘Gond’
tribe lived here before several years. So, the name is
affiliated as Gondal. It is also believed as Gondal. It is
also believed that the town’s name was ‘Gondal’ but as
the people had difficulty in pronouncing it, it become
Gondal. Certain other prediction tells us that ‘Gau mandal’
that is ‘cows place’ represent Gondal. All the views
prescribed seem to be illusionary in nature as no resembling
fact is available.
The History of the Gondal State affords an
illustration of what energy, fact and courage may achieve in
the way of building up a principality. The early history is
wrapped in obscurity. Different masters of different
dynasties such as the Yadavas, the Guptas, the Chundasamas,
the Jethwas, the Mohammadans and the Vaghelas ruled Gondal.
Jadeja Rajputs were the first to settle in Gondal. From the
available references, it is said that in St. 1506 Jam
Haimirji was
murdered by Raval, thirteenth descendant branch. Hamir’s
son Khengar was eager to take revenge so, he seek aid from
Mohammad Begda, viceroy of Gujarat, who married a sister of
Khengar. With this aid Khengar returned to his native but
Raval fled away and gave the territory to the right owner.
In St. 1663 Jam Sataji died. He had 3 sons – Ajaji,
Jasaji and Vibhoji of these Ajaji was killed in the battle
of Dhrol. But by the right of primogeniture his oldest son
Lakhaji was entitled to the throne. Jasaji set Lakhaji’s
claims aside and took the government in his hands, giving
Kalavad to his younger brother Vibhaji. But Vibhaji was not
satisfied. So, he repaired to Sardhar the seat of a Vaghela
Chief, his maternal him kindly who received him kindly and
gave him right to enjoy the revenue of ‘Chibhda’. After
that he suspected to have killed the Sardhar to marry his
daughter. This way he conquered Sardhar and Vibhoji, he got
Kalavad back, Vibhoji, an ambitious ruler was also the
founder of Rajkot district in 1611 A.D.
Vibhoji died in 1635 and after him his son Mehramanji came
and reigned the thorne. He too was daring and adventurous as
his ancestors. Mehramanji, had two queens. Kunvar Sahebji
was the son of Vagheli Rani and Chudasama Rani’s son was
Kunvar Kumbhoji. From his youth Kumbhoji was of a (wiels)
disposition and he won’t allow his brother have the Gadi.
Mehramanji felt himself dying he called Sahebji and warned
him to be on his guard (excasing) a plea of illness and
asked Kumbhoji to go to the burning ground after his death.
When Kumbhoji returned from the funeral ground, all the town
gates were shut. Kumbhoji finding himself unsupported, fled
to Junagadh to (soliat) assistance from the Fouzdar there.
Sahebji asked for help of Jam Ranmalji. But the Jam felt no
inclination to involve him in a useless quarrel. After much
negotiations it was agreed that the district to the
south of the Sardhar dyke should belong to Kumbhoji and to
the north of the dyke should remain in the possession of
Sahebji. Kumbhaji acquired twenty villages. He took up his
() about at Ardoi, which was at that time a flourishing
village owned by a Kathi Garasia. Gondal which was then a
small village of 300 hundred houses was occupied by him, but
on temporary basis in St. 1703. This way Kumbhoji gained
Gondal but in 1678 Governor of Junagadh who had recently
arrived from Ahmedabad, on hearing from of Kumbhoji
insolence dispatched a small body of soldiers to retake the
place back. When the army approached a heavy stone fell on
the commandant and crush him to death. Kumbhoji, seeing his
inability to oppose the infuriated soldiery fled by a
postern gate to Ardoi. There, after a year in 1679 he died
leaving two sons. Sagramji and Sangoji.
Sangoji separated himself receiving six villages and
establishing chief. The town Kotada Sangani is named through
his name.
Sagramji
Sangramji I was born in St. 1690 and succeeded his father
when was only fifteen years of age. His main policy was to
keep on good terms with the Junagadh authorities. He used to
pay constant visits to Junagadh and in time
of need always offered his services to the governor.
In 1709 Sagramji changed his seat of government from Ardoi,
to Gondal and made it his capital. The new place was then a
small and humble village of only a few huts and two or three
temples hotably one dedicated to Gondla Nag and to which
according to popular theory, the town owns its name, though,
perhaps the more probable origin is from ‘Gaumandal’ or
‘herd of cows’.
Sagramji died in St. 1770, at the age of eighty years. He
had married the daughter of
a Jhala Rajput of Vaghasia in Jhalavad, by whom he
had four sons, namely- Haloji, Nathuji, Hothiji and Bhoraji.
Haloji
Haloji being the oldest succeeded him, while the nest
received each an appange of six villages. Haloji also
continued the policy of his predecessors friendly relation
where maintained with Junagadh for self-interest. Many
causes of disorder were prevailing in Sorath, and it gave
rise to perpetual tumults jealousies and disorder. Bahadur
Khan in Junagadh, made their offices hereditary, this was
revolted by Vasantrai Pourabia who had great influence and a
large force. His object was to take the Nawab prisoner and
then to govern the country in the name of the ambitious and
intriguing Sultanbibi. The Nawab, becoming aware of the
plot, and finding himself unable, to restore order, fled to
Balasinor and hence to Ahmedabad, leaving the administration
of affairs in the hand of his Divan, Dalpatram a Nagar of
Gujarat. (St. 1803). The expulsion of Vasantrai went far to
remove the prevalent disorder, and Divan Dalpatram leaving
the town in charge of Haloji, hastened to Balasinor to bring
back Nawab Bahadur(Sher) Khan. Then Dhoraji, and four other
villages were assigned to Gondal by the Nawab. After
completion of these agreements Haloji returned to Gondal.
Haloji obtained about half a dozen more villages from the
Kathis, Ayars. Bhhayavadar, which at the collapse of the
Moghal Empire, was acquired from Govindram Desai partly by
threats and partly by force.
Haloji was married to a Jala lady Balala , by whom he had
four sons and one daughter. Haloji died in St 1809. After
his death Bha Kumbhaji II succeeded his father at the age of
41.
Kumbhoji
II
Bha Kumbhaji or Kumbhoji II was the most daring and
enterprising chief Gondal ever had, His friendship and
co-operation were heading states, of the province and his
name was a terror to many. His chief desire was to expand
his possession and to place his state on a sound and durable
basis, He perhaps followed an old maxim of a Hindu sage.
“Woe be the Brahman who is disconted, And to The king who
is contented”. The maternal uncle of Kumbhoji was Jala
Harisinghji was granted two villages of Chordi and Gundala.
He took services from many people and gave them possession
of his properties for capturing many other territories. In
the similar manner the Raizadas, Sumaranis, Khanderias and
other Rajputs were enlisted into the service of the state.
The Arabs in Kathiawar, like good-will by providing settled
dwellings providing their families at Dhoraji which was
called the second Vildyat of the Arabs.
There are many other accessions wherein the performed his
bravery and gave
the best service to his
state and its possessions.
Kumbhoji married two wives. One was Naniba, daughter of the
Raizada of Soroder, by whom he had a son named Sangramji and
the other was Jhalivalu, daughter of a Bhayad of Limdi by
whom he had a son named Mokaji, who was given the villages
of,Lunviyar, Analgadh and Sidhavadar in appanage,. Kumbhaji
died in 1790 A.D.
Sagramji the elder of to had died in st 1836 at the age of
48, during his fathers lifetime, living four sons viz,
Malubhai, Devobhai, Hathibhai and Bhavobha. Bhavobha was by
Motiba and the others were by Fuliba, Kunkabai was married
to Raj Saheb Bhavoji
of Vankaner but owing to some difference of a trifling
nature she is said to have returned to Gondal where she
spent the rest of her days in piety and devotion.
Muluji
Muluji was the grandson of Kumbhaji and eldest son of
Sagramji. He was born in St 1811. He was in his thirty fifth
year when he assumed the reins of the govt. He was a weak
Prince and was entirely under the influence of one Vaghela
Veroji of, Bandhia.. Muluji had two wives, one was Ajiba
daughter of Thakore Akheraj of Bhavnagar. His other wife was
Adiba, daughter of the Raizada of Chorvad, By this lady he
has two sons Bapji was dumb and cripple and the other was
Dajibhai who succeeded the Gadi. Muluji died in St. 1848
A.D.
Dajibhai
Dajibhai was born in St. 1832. He succeeded the throne at
the age of 16 years. In St. 1849 the position of Junagadh
was again disturbed. Nawab Hamad Khan with his wonted
duplicity and treachery had plundered the Nagarwada of the
town occupied by habitation of the Nagar Brahman caste. The
Nagars were seized and sealed were put on their honours and
property. Amarji Divanis son were kept in confinement. The
brave Kathis of Jetpur took advantage of the confusion and
began to encroach on several Junagadh villages. Thus
embraced the Nawab applied to the chief of Gondal for help.
Dajibhai deputed Mehta Vasanji – a very shrewd and
intelligent officer to the Nawab’s court, Amarji’s sons
were relieved and their movable property was transferred to
Dhoraji where they resolved to reside. This was not the only
issue where in Dajibhai showed his intelligence and carried
on good contacts with Junagadh
In administrative affairs Dajibhai was more or less
guided by his uncle, Devobhai, who afterwards succeeded him,
but this was disliked by Dajibhai’s wife Vagheli Vahu, a
clever and accomplished lady, who by her graces and
unsurpassed beauty had captivated the heart of her husband.
She prevailed on him to remove Devobhai from the court and
he was constrained much against his will to ask his uncle to
go to the village assigned to him. Devobhai however
preferred going to seek an honourable living at Navanagar.
In St. 1856, the Gondal forces nearly came into
collision with the Jetpur troops through the indiscretion of
the Vania Manager, Shamji of Dhoraji. It so happened that
Valera Vala of Vaghania, an influential Kathi Cheiftain,
made a halt with three hundred horses at Kerala after having
plundered some villages belongings to Navanagar. All the
Kathis were wildly indigent at this act of treachery, as
they called it for hithereto they had been on the mostly
friendly terms with Gondal. They unanimously resolved to
make war on Gondal and to humiliate Dajibhai. Accordingly,
Vasanji collected 30,000 Arab mercenaries 2,500 horses and
10 guns and marched on Dhari-Gundali. While preparation were
made for an assault, Dajibhai breathed his last in Gondal at
the early age of thirty-four.
Dajibhai was a patron of letters and was especially
fond of poetry. He was a contemporary of Mehramanji II of
Rajkot and the author of ‘Pravin Sagar’. He entertained
at his court Dullabhram a good poet, and son of Kavi Jasuram,
the celebrated author of ‘Rajniti’.
Dajibhai married three wives, namely Chuvanvahu of
Vaosavey, Jhalivalu of Saela and Jethvivahu of Saela and
Jethvivahu of Porbander.
He didn’t have heir from any of them. But Vageli Vahu
conspired with Adiba, Kuru
Sheth Govindji and others and declared that she was
expecting her confinement. As the throne cannot be kept
unoccupied it was decided that when the male child attains a
particular age Devobhai will handle him the gadi and until
that he will protect it. Devobhai then seated on the throne.
A strict watch was kept on the Zenana. It was at last
confessed that the pregnancy was a fraud. So, Devobhai’s
succession remained undisputed.
Devobhai
or Devaji
Devaji was 43 years old when he assumed charge of the
state. He soon fell under the influence of bad companions.
He was very much under the power of his old companion
Nathuji a crafty and ambitious man whose all towards the
endeavours were directed towards the diminishing the
importance of Vasanji.
Devaji was a brave prince. At the instance of Colonel
Alexander Walker, then Political Agent of Kathiwar, Devaji
was the first to discourage the practice of infanticide at
that time common among the Jadejas. The Jadejas not finding
suitable husband for their daughters or lacking means for
their marriage expenses were in the habit of putting their
new-born girls to death. The British Govt. desired to put a
stop to this unnatural practice, and Devabhai set an
honourable example, introducing the reforms in his own
state. Others have since followed his lead and now the
inhuman and wicket custom is entirely abolished.
Devobhai married two wives. Kasiba, daughter of the
Jhala chief of Balala and Baijiba of Dhrangadhra. The former
had no issue. While the latter had four sons Nathuji Kanuji,
Motibhai and Bhanabhai all of who mounted the gadi.
Nathuji
Nathuji reign
was very short and void of any remarkable event. When
Vasanji resigned the Kamdarship, Nathuji instead of
appointing a successor carried on the administration
himself.
Nathuji’s reign was full of disastrous situations.
Nathubhai died in St. 1870. He was a man of courage and
education. He was fond of gymnastic exercises. Dying
childless he was succeeded by his brother Kanuji.
Kanuji
Throughout his reign Kanuji was confined to his bed through
ill health, brought on by excessive drinking. He never had
hi appearance in public and only few could have access to
him. His temper was extremely petulant and irascible. Kanji
and Jagannath enjoyed his confidence, especially the former.
There was everywhere disorder in the state. Kanuji expired
in St. 1877. He had married three wives viz.Nanibaiba, of
Soderda, Valivahu, of Talaja; and Motibaiba, of Ganod. All
being childless, the gadi lapsed to Motibhai, the third son
of Devobhai.
Motibhai
alias Chandrasinhji
The history of the reign of Motibhai, as well as of his
successor, is mainly one of changes of ministers, internal
intrigues and financial embarrassments. It also lays bare
the general weakness of the administration and the want of
proper check on irresponsible managers expert in the art of
peculation. Motibhai was twenty-four years old when
succeeded his brother. He was under the influence of
unscrupulous Kanji. Motibhai died in 1897, after a reign of
twenty years. He had married two wives, Sunderba of
Narichana and Anopba of Vaniavadhar. He was very handsome
and well builds man. In religion he was staunch follower of
Shiva. Having died childless, he was succeeded by his
brother Bhanabhai.
Bhanabhai
On Motibhai’s death a rumour was set afloat that Anopba
was in a state of pregnancy; but it turned out to be
groundless. Bhanabhai received in legacy a State-debt of
twenty lakhs of koris. Bhanabhai had married two wives –
one was the daughter of Jhala of Gundala, who died at the
early age, and the other was Motiba of Gundiali, by whom he
had two sons, Sagramji and Muluji. Sagramji being the eldest
son succeeded to the throne.
Sagramsinhji II
Thakorshree Sagramji was born in 1822 A.D.
Thakore Saheb Sagramji was a remarkable man, unlike his
predecessors, who took pleasure in was and manly exploits, he
delighted in a life of peaceful piety and passed his days in a
mental tranquility commonly denied to those in his position. It
cannot be denied that his self-abnegation interfered to some extent
with his public duties.
Thakore Saheb’s reign may be said to make a transition between the
old order of things and the new. The old ways had just begun to be
touched by the influence of the west. In accordance with the spirit
of the time new courts and court-houses at the town of Upleta, a
well-built jail in Gondal, the formation of a municipality, a
drilled police improvements effected during Sagramji’s reign.
He married three
queens. First was Panchaliji Zala’s daughter Raiba who couldn’t live longer .Second was Ramba, daughter of Harisinh Zala of
Gundiyadi. She had two sons, Balubha and
Pathubha . Balubha died at the age of 2 , Pathubha was born in
1841 A.D. But at the age of 21, in 1862 A.D. he died. Then in
1913 A.D. Queen Ramba died and Maharaja Sagramji had no heir
for the throne . Later, he married Monghiba daughter of
Zala Sartanji of Meenapur in 1913 A.D. Maharaja Sagramsinhji and Queen Monghiba had two children, one
was Bhagvatsinhji and the other was princess Majirajba.
After Thakore Sagramsinhji’s death and Shri Bhagvatsinhji’s
minority the state was at first administered directly under the
Kathiawar Agency. The first among them was Captain Good fellow who
joined the province on 27th April 1870. St. 1926. As he
was acting for Captain Lloyd, he could not stay for than 10 months.
After that Captain Lloyd took charge on 10th June 1872.
During this British management the police organization was
inefficient. Then, Captain Lloyd was succeeded by Captain Phillips,
who remained till the end of 1875. He also made dharma shalas,
traveller’s bunglows, bridges and roads during his period.
Then came Major Scott, Major Reeves, Captain Salman respectively and
ruled upto 1879. This period was one of general progress in all the
departments of the State. Money was spent for the public works such
as Gondal Hospital, telegraph and post offices, the state utara at
Rajkot, the new palace at Gondal, the Peile Bridge over the Bhadar
and grain And vegetable markets at Gondal.
Bhagvatsinhji
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