| Jakhal | |
| — village — | |
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| Coordinates | |
| Country | India |
| State | Rajasthan |
| District(s) | Jhunjhunu |
| Population | 6,583 (2001[update]) |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Area |
• 375 metres (1,230 ft) |
Jakhal is a village in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, India. It is located in the district of Jhunjhunu, approximately 20 km east of Nawalgarh and 30 km south of Jhunjhunu. Jakhal was founded by Salehadi Singh Shekhawat on August 9, 1732 (teej of Sravana Shukla 1789). Hundreds of its residents serve in Indian Army. However, the farming is the main occupation for the most of Jakhal residents. The main crops in the monsoon seasons are Bajara (Pearl Millet), Moth, and Guar. The main crops in the winter months are Wheat, Barley, Sarson (Mustard oil, Mustard seed), and Chana (Chickpeas).
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Jakhal was founded by Thakur Salehadi Singh Shekhawat on August 9, 1732 (Teej of Sravana Shukla 1789). Salehadi Singh was the younger brother of Thakur Shardul Singh (ruler of Jhunjhunu). He was also the commander of his brother's army. He fought several wars on the behalf of his brother. Once his brother sent him to win Bhorki. However, he has to stay in Jakhal before attacking Bhorki. He was kind of impressed with the natural beauty of the area and decided to conquer the area from the local warlord. The warlord decided to keep quiet because he knew the stories about Salehadi Singh's bravery. Somebody wrote a verse in Rajasthani in the memory of Salehadi Singh's victory over the warlord:
Sataraaso Niwasiya, Saavan maas udaar|
Sallye (Salehadi) leenee jakhalan, teejaa ke tyunwaar||
In 1735, Salehadi Singh built a bastion (burj) in Jakhal. It is believed that Sikar's king Laxaman Singh destroyed parts of this burj in a cannon attack. The remains of this burj is still there (see photo right). Salehadi Singh's four sons - Samarth Singh, Sangraam Singh, Shev Singh, and Gulab Singh - decided to stay in Jakhal and their descendants still live in Jakhal.
Jakhal is located at . It has an average elevation of 375 metres (1230 feet).
Jakhal is located in the semi-desert area of the Thar Desert, the surrounding area is predominantly covered with sand dunes.
To the north of Jakhal is Bugala, Ajari, Baragaon, Jhunjhunu. To the east of Jakhal is Sonthali, Titanwar, Gudha Gorji ka. To the south is Bhorki, Inderpura, Udaipur Shekhawati, Dhamora. To the west is Kari, Barwasi, Nawalgarh, Mukundgarh, Sikar.
According to 2001 census, Jakhal had a population of 6,583. Major population in the village is of Shekhawat Rajputs about 1000 families followed by Muslims 500 families and Jats 500 families. Other castes in the village with number of families are Balai (100), Meena (30), Maniar (30), Brahman (30), Nai (20), Majajan (10), Khati (30), Kumhar (50), Daroga (20), Bhangi (10)
Notable people (past) from the village are Sujan Singh Shekhawat, Swami Sundar Das, Mahatma Jairam Das, Man Nath Nehara, Bheru Rana, etc. Jakhal's Sarpanch (village chief) is Ram Pratap Moond. Former Sarpanchs are Sugan Singh Shekhawat, Bharat Singh Shekhawat, Jai Singh Shekhawat, Seth Rampratap, Sumer Singh Shekhawat, Icharaj Kanwar Shekhawat, Azad Singh Shekhawat, and Prithviraj Singh Shekhawat. Shyam Sundar Saunthalia is a businessman from Jakhal, based in Mumbai, who has constructed Secondary School, Hospital, Community hall in the village.
Manohar Singh Rathore, Udaipurwati Digdarshan, Udaipurwati Vikas Smarika Prakashan Samiti, Gudha Gorji, Rajasthan, India, 2004.