Narhar

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Narhar (नरहड़) is an ancient town situated in Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan, India. It is Located at a distance of 40 km from Jhunjhunu in northeast direction from Jhunjhunu and south of Pilani. It is a place of pilgrimage of the Muslims as well as Hindus. There is an old Durgah after the name of Sufi saint Sakharbar Shah. The devotees smear the dust of the place to seek the blessing of the saint. The people pour forth from all over the country on the famous Fair of the Janama Ashthami. It is an emblem of National integrity.

[edit] History

Pandit Jhabar Mal Sharma writes about the nawabs of Narhar that about the same time as that of the nawabis of Fatehpur and Jhunjhunu, Nagar Pathans established nawabi at Narhar. In 1446 (samvat 1503) a group of Pathans under the leadership of nawab Ismail Khan Daler Jang came from Afghanistan. Bahlol Lodi made him his general and subedar of Bihar. He had attacked Narhar and occupied it after defeating Jod Chahan Rajputs. His son Dilawar Khan constructed dargah of hajarat Hajid shakargah in 1455 (samvat 1512). [1]

About Narhar, Thakur Deshraj writes that it was ruled by Nehra Jats. Nehra jats ruled in Rajasthan over an area of 200 square miles. The Nehra hills of Rajasthan were their territory. To the west of Jhunjhunu town is a Hill 1684 feet above see-level and visible from miles around. [1]. This hill near Jhunjhunu town is still known as Nehra Hill in their memory. [2] Another hill was known as Maura which was famous in memory of Mauryas. Nehra in Jaipur was the first capital in olden times. In the fifteenth century Nehras ruled at Narhar, where they had a fort. At Naharpur, 16 miles down below the Nehra Hill, there another group ruled. [2]The present Shekhawati at that time was known as Nehrawati. [3]

At the end of 16th century and beginning of 17th century there was a war between Nehras and Muslim rulers. When Nehras were defeated by nawabs, they used to offer gifts to the Nawabs on special occasions, due to this they were also called 'Shahi bhentwal'. [2]

After nawab Kasim Khan Husain Khan became nawab of Bagar. His some descendants lived at Bagar and Nunia Gothra. Husain Khan’s younger brother Sikandar Khan lived at Khudana. Another younger brother of nawab, Bahlol Khan founded Islampur in 1622. Bahlol Khan’s son Jalal Khan constructed a well in Islampur, which is known as “Jalal Khan ka kuan”.

The pathans of Narhar unitedly opposed the Jagir given to Shardul Singh Shekhawat. [4] Jujhar Singh Nehra (1664 – 1730) played an important role in fighting with the Nawabs. His father was a faujdar of Nawabs. Shardul Singh sought the help of Jujhar Singh Nehra. The Jats through Jujhar Singh and Rajputs through Sardul Singh agreed upon a proposal to fight united against Muslim rulers and if the Nawab were defeated Jujhar Singh would be appointed the Chieftain. [2]

Jujhar Singh Nehra, one day found the right opportunity and attacked Nawabs at Jhunjhunu and Narhar. He defeated the army of Nawab Sadulla Khan on Saturday, aghan sudi 8 samvat 1787 (1730 AD). The Nehra chieftain Jhunjha or Jujhar Singh won the war and captured Jhunjhunu town. [2]This is clear from the following poetry in Rajasthani language -

Satrahso Satashiye, Agahan Mass Udaar,

Sadu linhe jhunjhunu, Sudi Athen Sanivaar.

The Muslim Nawab 'Sadulla Khan', in charge of Jhunjhunu, was defeated jointly by Shardul Singh and Jujhar Singh Nehra. But, as per Kunwar Panne Singh's book 'Rankeshari Jujhar Singh', Later at the time of victory ceremony Jujhar Singh was deceived and killed by Shekhawats after he was appointed the chieftain. [5] It is clear from the poetry in Rajasthani language -

Sade, linho Jhunjhunu, Lino amar patai,

Bete pote padaute pidhi sat latai.

Jhunjhunu town in Rajasthan was established in the memory of Jujhar Singh Nehra the above Jat chieftain. [2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Jhabar Mal Sharma: Shekhawati ke nawabi rajya aur unka avasan, marubharati 1/3, page 12
  2. ^ a b c d e f Thakur Deshraj, Jat Itihasa (Hindi), Maharaja Suraj Mal Smarak Shiksha Sansthan, Delhi, 1934, 2nd edition 1992 page 614-615.
  3. ^ Dr Mahendra Singh Arya, Dharmpal Singh Dudi, Kishan Singh Faujdar & Vijendra Singh Narwar, Adhunik Jat Itihasa (The modern history of Jats), Agra 1998
  4. ^ Sahiram: Ek adhūrī krānti, Shekhawati kā kisān āndolan (1922-1952), page-8
  5. ^ Kunwar Panne Singh, Rankeshari Jujhar Singh