"We have to live up to the expectation of these great souls who sacrificed their lives for the motherland" Battle of Jhara was a sanguinary battle in which, though the Jadejas of Kutch lost, they stood out even better than their enemies for their outstanding valour and commitment to the country to the extent that the memory cherished even today. No wonder the bards called it Haldhigathi of the Kutch and Kurukshetra of the Kutch.
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.
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 honour the dead. Tradition says that 30-80000 soldiers of Kutch died in the battle.
A traditional Kutchi ballad from Linguistic Survery 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 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 remose |
| 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.
But then, Jam Godji’s mother sent a messenger to Punja along with a strand of her grey hair imploring him not to disgrace Kutch any more 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 siezed 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 it’s 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.
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