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Battle of Jhara – History of battle between Kutch and Sindh

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Battle of Jhara – History of battle between Kutch and Sindh

Jhara or Zara is a famous battlefield situated on the borders of Rann of Kutch and at least six major wars were fought there, the most famous of which in 1762-1763.

By Cbkwgl

Jhara or Zara is a famous battlefield situated on the borders of Rann of Kutch and at least six major wars were fought there, the most famous of which in 1762-1763 immediately after Jam Godji became the ruler.

As the story goes, when Jam Lakhpatji of Sindh passed away, Punja Seth, one of the main pillars of Lakhpatji’s reign and the new king Godji’s guardian expected to become the Diwan. But, perchance, when the Jam passed away, he was on a state visit to Junagarh and by the time he came back, Jeevan Seth was made the Diwan by Godji.

Ghulam Shah Kalhoro marched at the head of 70000 troop

A stung Punja Seth swore revenge and went to the ruler of Sindh, Ghulam Shah Kalhoro with the offer that he will help take Kutch. Along with that, he promised the hand of the beautiful sister of Godji. The Kalhoro marched at the head of 70000 troop and Jiwan Seth marched from Bhuj. But, he was no man of military and Thakur Lakhani of Vinjan was made the commander. They waited at Jhara Hills and attacked the enemy when they attacked. In fact, the expected encounter was that severe that a conscription was imposed on all of Kutch and help was sought from Radhanpur and Nawanagar to protect Bhuj.

In a stiff contest which went for seven days, Thakur Lakhaji died at the head of the troop and including Jiwan Seth and most of the front ranking leaders of the Bhayat, many notables fell. The head of the Brahmin contingent Jivram Joshi, the Sadhus under Sadhu Jivandas, Charans, Baloch Muslims and many died fighting for Kutch that day. The fighting that was tenacious, at one point, the Kalhoro decided to quit and retreat only to be goaded by Punja to stop and fight. On top of his losses, a night raid party of his attacked his own army killing thousands!! One still finds bone fragments and remnants of weapons on the battlefield. The battle is aptly called Kutchha jo Kurukshetra Jharo and an annual ceremony is organized to honor the dead. Tradition says that 30, 000-80000 soldiers of Kutch died in the battle.

A traditional Kutchi ballad from Linguistic Survey of India – Specimens of Sindhi and Lahnda on the battle goes thus. The English translation seems to be weak and may need some rework.

Bhimaji Thakar Jharo maolayo

Muryo mag na de

Je-ji ummar hui tarar

Jareje Jharo malayo.

[By Bhimaji Thakur Jhara was made renowned

Ready to die, way not he gives

Immortal was his sword

By the Jadeja Jhara was made renowned]

***

Gaji Gulam-sah charyo

Sare-Sindh-minjha

Vijhan nu Thakar charya

Je-me Lakhoji Raja

[Ghazi Ghulam Shah marched

And all Sindh with him

The Thakurs marched from Vijhan

Leading them, Lakhoji Raja]

***

Bhar Bhimani charya

Bodhaliye-ja asawar

Malak markai charya

Anjar-ja jamadhar

[The gallant Bhimanis marched

And Bodhalias on their horses

The Malaks marched proudly

And Anjar of the Jamadars]

***

Hakal pii Hothiye me

Thakara maryo bal bachcha

Uni pindh-ja gabharu

Hathe-se rosya

[A cry rent among the Hothis

Thakurs, kill your children

Their own children

they killed by their own hands]

***

Kuari kandh namaya

Gote gha kea

Chota jhalya chosara

Wadhyu kandh vicha

[Virgins bowed their necks

Bridegrooms made the blows

The siezed the hair knots four braided

Necks were cut without remorse]

***

Katarie-nu charya pou

Kuwar Kayani

Achi ubha chok me

Chodo se ne chari

[Kataria then marched

And the Princes of Kayani

They came and stood in the field

Fourteen Hundred and Forty]

***

Achi ruta pir me

Pawar ja pada

Hano tararu takaryu

Karyo bhale ja gha

[In the battle ground they planted themselves

Like a he-buffalo, unmoving

Strike your swords swiftly

Throw your spears and blows]

***

Tarare ji tar pii

Bhale kea bhunga

Galoleja hot thya

Dharu dhos kea

[The swords fell with a clang

Huts were made of spears

Pellets became clouds

Gunpowder made a dust storm]

***

Matho chhanyo pat te

Khodh te viryo

Jade istri galayo

Tade chhani pat peo

[The heads fell on the ground

Trunks still fought

When a woman addressed them

They fell on the ground dead]

***

Jorie juwan na upare

Tade gade ghas kea

Sawa-ser-jo payano

Ruryo rat minjha

[In sheets, they couldn’t carry the dead

By the carts, tracks were made

One and quarter seer of stone

Floated in the blood there]

***

Sath hajar Sarai-ja

Chhani pat pea

Chari hajar Raja

Rawata ran me rea

[Sixty thousand Sarais

Dropped dead on the ground

Forty Thousand Rajas

and Rawats remained on the battle field]

The Kutchi army was broken and the way to Bhuj was open. Even though he was not capable of proceeding further, that was a chance the Kalhoro can’t ignore.

Capture-1But then, Jam Godji’s mother sent a messenger to Punja along with a strand of her grey hair imploring him not to disgrace Kutch anymore and asked him to negotiate for terms. Ashamed at his conduct, rather than taking the Sindhi troop by the main way, he took them on a detour – at Sandhan, his advance party was slaughtered. Using that as an opportunity, Punja dissuaded the Kalhoro from proceeding further by saying there are 360 such forts one should cross before reaching Bhuj. The Kalhoro was also waiting for an opportunity to go back.

The deal was struck – Godji’s sister will be given in marriage to the Kalhoro and an agreed tribute. Leaving his son as hostage, Punja Seth returned back to Bhuj. He became the Diwan as promised by the Queen Mother and strengthened Bhuj considerably. But, the Jam was not to listen to his words on the promises made. Neither was a tribute paid nor was his daughter sent. One day, the Jam got Punja Seth arrested and forced to drink him a bowl of poison. The Kalhoro, on hearing the news, marched again. This time, Bhuj was taken and the Jam had to buy peace by marrying the daughter of his kinsman Wesuji to the Kalhoro. At this point, it is important to note that the second time, the Kalhoro was not even able to muster 50,000 clearly telling how disastrous Jhara was to him as well. The Kalhoro went back and built the city of Hyderabad in commemoration of the twin victories.

One would note that the disaster of Jhara and the non-stop wars with Jamnagar after Meraman Khawas seized power along with the fact that while going back, the Kalhoro ruined the rich Lakhpat tract by diverting Indus, a severely weakened Bhuj didn’t have enough time to come back to its pre-eminence when the British invaded Bhuj in 1815.

However, unlike Bhuchar Mori, Jhara is not remembered as a disaster but is proudly cherished even today. Nothing can be more closer to the mood of the people when referring to Jhara, the late Maharao Pragmalji said in 2013, We have to live up to the expectation of these great souls who sacrificed their lives for the motherland.

__________________

Courtesy: Kreately, India (Published on December 1, 2021)  

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