Jadeja (Gujarati: જાડેજા Hindi: जाडेजाSindhi: جاڙيجا) belong to the Yaduvanshi rajputs or Chandravanshi (Moon Dynasty) rajputs. They are one of the 36 royal dynasties of old tracing their origins to Lord Krishna. They ruled huge parts of Kathiawar peninsula and Kutch until India's independence in 1947.
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The dominant races in Kutch previous to the 9th century of Christian era were the Chavda, Kathees and Waghela, they ruled the western, central and the eastern parts of Kutch respectively.
The reigning Prince of Nagar Thatta in Sindh towards the end of 8th century AD was Lakho Ghuraro. He had eight sons by two wives, the eldest son being Unad from the first wife and the other being Mod by a wife from Chawda tribe. As Unad was the eldest, he succeeded the throne by virtue of his primogeniture. Shortly afterwards brothers Mod and Manai started planning against the life of Unad in order to usurp his throne. However they did not succeed and found it necessary to go into exile with their followers to Kutch where they had maternal relations with the Chawda tribe. This was the first historically noted foray of Samma Rajputs of Sind in Kutch.After arrival in Kutch, Mod had a dispute with his maternal Uncle Chawda Whagum, The ruler of Eastern Kutch, and was killed by Mod, thereafter, Mod assumed the sovereignty of the province. There is no concrete information available for the period that followed except the names of the rulers up to five generations. They were Jam Mod, Jam Saad, Jam Phool, Jam Lakho Phoolani and Jam Pooeronjee. It is important to note here that Lakho Phoolani is the most revered and cherished warrior in the history of Kutch and Saurashtra. Jam Pooeronjee was a very cruel ruler and created despair and apathy among his dominion until he was killed by Jakhs. During this time the direct descendents of Jam Unad in Nagar Thatta Sindh was Jam Jada, as he did not have any legitimate heir to the throne he adopted his brothers son Lakho, however, after adopting Lakho, Jam Jadas wife gave birth to a child named Ghao, As Jam Jada had already adopted lakho, he decided to divide his dominion equally among both his legitimate son Ghao and adopted son Lakho, however after the demise of Jam Jada, Ghao refused to give any share to Lakho and was forced to leave Sindh with his twin brother Lakhiar and well wishers. Lakho and Lakhiar ventured into Kutch and slowly regained the territories in control of Chavdas, as Lakhiar was childless, Lakho named his territory after his brother and called it Lakhiarviro. Lakho was adopted by Jam Jada, the descendants of this Lakho Jadani were called Jadejas. The name Jadeja means "Belonging to Jada" in the Sindhi and Kutchi language and is pronounced as "Jaa day jaa.
In Vikram Samvat 683, present day Egypt was called Misr. One of the states in Misr was Sonitpur, which was ruled by Jam Devendra Sama. His forefathers were given the title of 'Jam' by the emperor of Iran. In that year Shonitpur was attacked by Omar Khalifa, and King Devendra was defeated in that battle of Sonitpur. Omar Khalifa offered the eldest son Aspat of Devendra the throne of Sonitpur with the condition that Aspat will have to convert to Islam. Aspat converted to Islam and became king of Sonitpur, however his three brothers Gajpat,Narpat and Bhupat refused to convert and they migrated to present day Afghanistan. They captured Gazni by defeating King Firozshah and Jam Narpat was made King of Gazni. He ruled a major part of Afaghanistan from Gazni for 18 years. After that in a war with Badshah of Kabul,he was defeated and he became a Martyr. His son Samaji migrated to present day Sindh in Pakistan. They were all called "Sama" Rajputs at that time. The Kings of Sama Rajputs were called Jam, since then many generations of Samma Dynasty Rajputs ruled Sindh. Their capital was "Sama Nagar" or Nagar Thaththa which is about 100 km from Karachi. Jam Lakho Jadani is attributed to the surname Jadeja being adopted for all his descendants. Lakho Jadani reigned in Kutch between AD 1147–1175 and had one heir to the gaddi (throne), Jam Rato Raydhan. Rato means Red in Kutchi and he was so called because he used to tie a red cloth across his turban to prevent it from dislodging during battles. Jam Rato Raydhan had four sons namely, Jam Othaji, Dedaji, Hothiji and Gajanji and they were given the territories of Lakhirviro, Kanthkot, Gajod and Bara respectively in Kutch. As Othaji was the eldest he ascended to the throne and the rest became a part of Bhayyat or the Brotherhood. Bhayyat is the term used for all the descendants of the royal family who own and control their own domains allocated to them within the state and adhere to the feudal system. Over the years, there were constant skirmishes due to jealousy that marred within these houses, until they merged in two groups of Othaji and Gajanji. The first incident among these which changed the history of kutch is the murder of Jam Hamirji of Lakhiarviro, chief of eldest branch of Jadeja and descendant of Othaji, by Jam Rawal of Bara. It is believed that Jam Rawal attributed the murder of his father Jam Lakhaji to Hamirji, as he was killed within the territory of Lakhiarviro, and on the pretense of resolving the dispute between the two branches, took a fake oath of Ashapura Mataji, the supreme deity of Jadejas, invited Hamirji for a meal and killed him by deceit. During this time Alioji and Khengarji, two sons of Hamirji were in Ahmedabad and escaped the complete destruction of the royal family perpetuated by Jam Rawal,thereafter Jam Rawal usurped the throne of Kutch and reigned with supreme authority. Khengarji was 15 years old when his father was murdered, he enlisted in to the army of Mahmud Begada, during one Royal Hunting party, Khengar killed a lion and saved the life of Sultan for which he was asked to name his reward, the prime ambition of Khengar was to regain Kutch and hence he asked for support to fight Jam Rawal, whereby, he was given 1000 soldiers and complete access to Morvi and given a title of Rao by the sultan Mohamad of Ahmedabad. Rao Khengar with the support of well wishers within Kutch and Morvi fought with Jam Rawal and slowly started gaining the territories of Rapar and nearby villages, as Khengar was the rightful heir to the throne he was welcomed and dissent towards Jam Rawal grew within the state of Kutch. Jam Rawal was ardent devotee of Maa Ashapura,it is believed that the Goddess indicated Jam Rawal to leave Kutch and establish himself at Halar (Saurashtra), and that she will support him in this venture.Jam Rawal set out for Saurashtra and established himself at Nawanagar. Khengar became the 1st Rao of Kutch in AD 1549 and established Bhuj as Capital.
The first four Raos of Kutch ascended the throne in regular succession according to primogeniture, however after Rao Khengarji II died, there was a break in succession, and in order to prevent the throne being given to Khengarjis illegitimate son, the Bhayyat instated Tamachiji who was the second son of Rao Khengarjis younger brother.
| Rulers | Accession |
|---|---|
| Rao Khengarji | AD 1549 |
| Rao Bharmalji | AD 1585 |
| Rao Bhojrajji | AD 1631 |
| Rao Khengarji II | AD 1645 |
| Rao Tamachiji | AD 1654 |
| Rao Raydhunji | AD 1665 |
After the demise of Rao Raydhunji this regularity of succession was again deviated, Raydhunji had three sons, Ravaji,Nagulji and Pragji.Ravaji the eldest son was murdered by Sodha rajputs, his second brother Nagulji had died of natural causes before, both the brothers,however had left sons, who by right were entitled to succeed the throne of kutch, but as they were young, Pragji eventually usurped the throne of Kutch and became Maharoa Pragmulji. Kayanji, the eldest son of murdered Ravaji was given Morvi, from where he unsuccessfully tried many a times to regain his rightful throne of Kutch. The descendants of Kanyoji Jadeja settled in Morvi and were called Kanyani. Thus The State of Morvi was formed.
Jam Rawal was the founder of Nawanagar, his descendants branched out and formed the state of Rajkot,and Dhrol,The descendants of Royal family of Rajkot formed Princely state of Gondal. This Genealogy is still maintained today, by the Barots of respective Jadeja Branches,and every single person in Jadeja clan can trace their ancestry through to Jam Rato Raydhun.
These were states founded and ruled by Jadejas until merger into Republic of India.[1]
| Regime | Rulers | Born | Died | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1698–1715 | Pragmalji I | |||||
| 1715–1719 | Godaji I | 1719 | ||||
| 1719–1752 | Daishalji I | 1752 | ||||
| 1741–1752 | Lakhpatji (regent) | 1717 | 1761 | |||
| 1752–1761 | Lakhpatji | (s.a.) | (s.a.) | |||
| 1761–1778 | Godaji II | 1734 | 1778 | |||
| 1778–1786 | Rayadhan III (1st time) | 1763 | 1813 | |||
| 1786–1801 | Prithvirajsinhji | 1801 | ||||
| 1786 - 5 October 1813 | Fateh Mohammad (regent) | (s.a.) | (s.a.) | |||
| 1801 - 30 Oct 1813 | Rayadhan III (2nd time) | (s.a.) | (s.a.) | |||
| October, 1813–1814 | Hosayn Miyan (regent) | (s.a.) | (s.a.) | |||
| November 6, 1813 - March 25, 1819 | Bharmalji II | 1798 | 1846 | |||
| March 25, 1819 - July 26, 1860 | Daishalji II | 1814 | 1860 | |||
| July 26, 1860 - December 19, 1875 | Pragmalji II | 1839 | 1875 | |||
| December 19, 1875 - January 15, 1942 | Khengarji III | 1866 | 1942 | |||
| January 15, 1942 - February 26, 1948 | Vijayaraji | 1885 | 1948 | |||
| February 26, 1948 - June -01, 1948 | Meghrajji | 1909 | 1991 | |||
| October 17, 1991 | Pragmulji III | 1989 | - | november 12, 1989 | Amardeepsinh Jadeja | 1989 |
| Regime | Rulers | born | die |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1844–1886 | Jaysinhji Bhupatsinhji | ||
| 1886–1914 | Harisinhji Jaysinhji | ||
| 1914–1937 | Dolatsinhji harisinhji | ||
| 1937–1939 | Joravarsinhji Deepsinhji | ||
| 1939–1947 | Kumardeepsinhji Dolatsinhji |
| Regime | Rulers | Born | Died |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2, 1690 - October 13, 1708 | Lakhaji Tamachi | 1708 | |
| October 13, 1708 - August 13, 1711 | Raisinhji Lakhaji | 1711 | |
| August 13, 1711–1743 | Tamachi Raisinhji | 1743 | |
| September, 1743 - November 2, 1767 | Lakhaji Tamachi | 1743 | 1767 |
| November 2, 1767 - August 6, 1814 | Jasaji Lakhaji | 1814 | |
| August 6, 1814 - February 24, 1820 | Sataji Lakhaji | 1820 | |
| February 24, 1820 - February 22, 1852 | Ranmalji Sataji | 1852 | |
| February 22, 1852 - April 28, 1895 | Vibhoji Ranmalji | 1827 | 1895 |
| April 28, 1895 - August 14, 1906 | Jashwantsinhji Vibhoji | 1882 | 1906 |
| March 12, 1907 - April 2, 1933 | Ranjitsinhji Vibhoji | 1872 | 1933 |
| April 2, 1933 - August 15, 1947 | Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji | 1895 | 1966 |
| Regime | Rulers | Born | Died / Killed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1620–1635 | Vibhoji Ajoji | 1635 | |
| 1635–1656 | Mehramanji I Vibhoji | 1656 | |
| 1656–1675 | Sahibji Mehramanji | 1675 | |
| 1675–1694 | Bamanioji Sahibji | 1694 | |
| 1694–1720 | Mehramanji II Bamanio | 1720 | |
| 1720–1732 | Interregnum | ||
| 1732–1746 | Ranmalji Mehramanji | 1746 | |
| 1746 - 17xx and 1794–1795 | Lakhoji I Bhabhoji Ranmalji | 1796 | |
| 1795–1825 | Ranmalji II Mehramanji | 1825 | |
| 1825–1844 | Saroji Ranmalji | 1844 | |
| 1844–1862 | Mehrmansinhji IV Saroji | November 8, 1862 | |
| November 8, 1862 - April 16, 1890 | Bawajiraj Mehrmansinhji | August 30, 1856 | April 16, 1890 |
| April 16, 1890 - February 2, 1930 | Lakhajiraj III Bawajiraj | December 17, 1885 | February 2, 1930 |
| February 2, 1930 - June 11, 1940 | Dharmendrasinhji Lakhajiraj | March 4, 1910 | June 11, 1940 |
| June 11, 1940 - August 15, 1947 | Pradumansinhji Lakhajiraj | February 24, 1913 | November 9, 1973 |
| Regime | Rulers | Born | Died |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1698–1733 | Kanyojisinghji Rawaji | 1733 | |
| 1733–1739 | Aliyaji Kanyoji | 1739 | |
| 1739–1764 | Rawaji I | 1764 | |
| 1764–1772 | Pachanji Rawaji | 1772 | |
| 1772–1783 | Waghji I Pachanji | 1783 | |
| 1783–1790 | Hamirji Waghji | 1790 | |
| 1790–1828 | Jyaji Waghji | 1828 | |
| 1828–1846 | Prithirajji Jyaji | 1846 | |
| 1846 - February 17, 1870 | Rawaji II Prithirajji | 1870 | |
| February 17, 1870 - 11 June 1922 | Waghji II Rawaji | 1858 | 1922 |
| June 11, 1922 - June 3, 1926 | Lakhdirji Waghji | 1876 | 1957 |
| June 3, 1926 - August 15, 1947 | Lakhdirji Waghji | (s.a.) | (s.a.) |
Jadejas belong to the Atri Gotra therefore follow the teachings of Atri (Atri gotra yaduvanshi), one of the Saptarishis seven great Sages of Hinduism. Atri was instrumental in the Kurukshetra war as he advised Dronacharya.
Ashapura Maataji and Momai Maataji are Jadejas' presiding deities. The Temple of Maa Aashapura is located in Mata no Madh about 100 kilometres north east of Bhuj.
Apart from the royalties mentioned above other notable Jadejas include cricketer and statesman K.S. Ranjitsinhji, [2] India's first Chief of Army Staff General Rajendrasinhji Jadeja,[3] cricketer Kumar Shri Duleepsinhji,[4] statesman K.S. Digvijaysinhji[5] and cricketer and TV personality Ajay Jadeja.[6]
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