Jangala Desh

Jangladesh (जांगलदेश) , also known as Janglu (जांगलू), was a historical region in north, north-western and north-eastern Rajasthan state in northern India ruled by Jats. There were various Jat principalities-states. It included the present-day districts of Bikaner, Churu, Ganganagar, and Hanumangarh and parts of Sirsa. It was bounded on the south by Marwar and Jaisalmer regions, on the east by Ajmer-Merwara region.

Origin

These Jat principalities-states started to establish in 10th or 11th century. Earliest Jat state was Sidhmukh which was established by Rao Kasupal Kaswan who was a Hindu Jat freebooter from Mandore. He attacked the Mohil Rajput principality of Chhapar with 5000 soldiers. He, then attacked the region of Sidhmukh in 1068 AD. and established his rule by defeating Jat Raja Ranjit Sinh Johiya. Another old Jat state was Laghadia which was founded by Rao Devraj Godara in 1179 AD.

List of States

According to Dayal Das ri khyat vol. II (made on the orders of chief of Bikaner) the following Jat states which were ruling the North Rajasthan -

Sidhmukh State

It was founded by Rao Kasupal Kaswan, who was a Jat chief of Mandore. He shifted his rule from Mandore and captured Chhapar which was under Mohil clan of Rajputs. He defeated them and killed 340 of them with an army of 5000 he attacked Sidhmukh which was under Raja Ranjit Singh Johiya in 1068 AD. From there onwards, the rule of Kaswan Jats started over Sidhmukh and nearby region. Rao Kasupal then moved towards Satyu and killed 7 Chauhan Rajput chiefs and captured their territories.

Churu, present-day a district and city in Rajasthan was founded by a Kaswan Jat chief Chaudhary Chuhar who was jagirdar of Kalera under Sidhmukh rajya.

Bharang State

It was ruled by Jats of Saharan or Saran clan. There original headquarter was Saranpur (Barbadiabas) and Bhadang (present-day Churu) was originally under the occupation of the Sahu Jat clan. As the record goes the Sahus gave Bali of Pitha Saran when laying the foundation of Bhadang fort, this resulted into a war between the two clans. Saran army led by Rao Mangalsi and Rao Khedji overran Bhadra, occupied it and forced the Sahus out of the territory. Saran/ Saharan Jats had control over 360 villages. The personal enmity of the Saran chief Rao Pula and Rao Pandu, the Godara ruler of Ladhania became a full fledged war. Rao Pula Saran with his army and supporters occupied and burned Ladhania. The Godara chief invited the help of Rao Bika. At the Battle of Takka, the Saran confederacy was defeated and Saran lands were occupied however the Saran were not totally subjugated. Their last independent chief was Rao Bharat Saran of Laxminarayansar (Rajasar Bikan), Bharat Saran was born in the year 1550 and had control over 140 villages. During his time the fame of the Rathore ruler Raj Singh was rising, he was a durbari at the court of Akbar. The Bidawat Rathores wanted to conquer Saranoti (Saran territory) and they were led by Rai Singh, the cousin of Raj Singh. Raj Singh died fighting Rao Bharat Saran Jat near Udasar, Raj Singh in his life was not able to defeat Bartha Saran. His son Sur Singh devised a plan to execute Bhartha through Gopaldas Sangwat (an old friend of Bharta). Bharta was survived by only one son who at the time of the downfall of the Sarans was at Bikamsara (his maternal grandfathers village, who was a Hooda by clan). The name of Laxminarayansar was changed to Rajasar Bikan and Saranoti was finally annexed in the year 1614.

Shekhsar State

Laghadia or Shekhsar State was founded and ruled by Godara Jats. Rao Devraji is known for laying the foundation for the Godara principality at Devrajsar. They commented there territory by victory over the Bhadu Jats. They were the rulers of Bikaner and adjacent territory until Rao Bika arrived. They accepted the suzerainty of Bika and his descendants and there 700 villages became part of the Bikaner. The descendants of Rao Pandu Godara were given the right to put tikka on the forehead at the coronation of the new king.

Rajgarh (Ludi) State

The principality was founded by Rao Barhdev, a Punia Jat chief who conquered Jhansal and 360 other villages. He developed Jhansal as his capital and was subsequently followed by his eldest son Rao Punam, the descendants of Punam shifted the capital to Ludi (present Rajgarh). The 12 sons of Rao Barhdev gave there name to the 12 chief branches of the clan. Two branches which are not found in the Bagar country are Rauria (from Rarah in Bharatpur district, found mostly in Atrauli tehsil of Aligarh district, Bijauli is there recognised centre and Rao Durjan Singh was there most famous chief) and Pawania. Tod places 6 Parganas under them on the eve of Jahangir's reign period.

See also

*Bikaner State
*List of Jats
*List of Jat dynasties and states
*History of Rajasthan

References

{{reflist
History of Rajasthan