The Jadejas of Kutch (II)
Allyaji was succeeded by his son Rawaji. Rawaji on succeeding to the
Gadi attacked Paddhadri and laid it waste (by sowing salt in its fields) in
revenge for his father’s murder claiming compensation from the Nawanagar Darbar
and finally receiving seven villages of which Ghunda still remains under Morbi.
Rawaji enlarged and beautified the town of Morbi and surrounded it by a wall.
On Rawaji’s death in 1764 AD, he was succeeded by his son Pachanji,
after whose death in 1772 AD without issue his brother Waghji came to Gadi.
With the help of Amirji Diwan of Junagadh, Waghji invaded Wagad in Kutch. The
Rao of Kutch instead of meeting them in battle appeased them with rich
presents. Waghji overran Khakhreechi, the town under Malia and laid it waste
with help of Gaekwar troops led by Fatehsinh Rao. He died in 1785 AD and was
followed by his eldest son Hamirji who died without issue and was succeeded by
his brother Jiyaji.
Throughout his reign Jiyaji knew no peace. At the instigation of
Khawas Meraman of Nawanagar, Dado Khachar of Jasdan made inroads on the Morbi
territory more than once; but in 1792 AD, he was overtaken near Chotila by the
Morbi army and a hand-to-hand fight ensued which resulted in Dado Khachar and
his followers being killed. The next foe confronting Jiyaji was Jadeja Junoji
of Nagdawas who was plundering Morbi territory. With the help of the Peshwa’s
army, he took Nagdawas, demolished its fort wall and compelled Junoji to flee.
This was in 1795 AD.
Kutch then attacked him. In 1880 AD Mehta Bhanji led a large Kutch army
which besieged the port of Vavania. Jiyaji not only offered a stout resistance
but eventually defeated the invaders in 1801 AD. Jiyaji then feigned peace and
goodwill with Malia subjects and with the help of Mianas headed by Chief Dosaji
of Malia overran a great part of Wagad. On his return the Chief of Malia was
taken prisoner by Jiyaji. This roused the Mianas against Morbi itself. Jiyaji
however subsidized Babaji Apaji, a Gaekwar Officer, who had encamped near Morbi
on a Mulkgiri expedition, to reduce the Mianas; Babaji marched against Malia
but failed to take it. Nevertheless he compelled the Morbi Darbar to hand over
to him the village of Hadala which was promised as a reward for his services
and his descendants enjoy the village to this day. The Mianas did not cease to
give trouble until they obtained the liberation of Dosaji, the Chief of Malia.
The Khavas of Jodiya and Balambha when driven away by the Jam Saheb
of Navanagar sought shelter with Jiyaji who gave them the village of Kanpar
where they resided unmolested until they were re-installed in the District of
Amran.
On
the arrival of Colonel Walker in Kathiawar, Morbi was in a distressed condition
but no less than other States it regained prosperity and peace with the
settlement. In 1820-21 AD Kutch incursions recommenced and the Morbi Darbar
invoked the aid of British Government. A small English contingent was
dispatched to assist Morbi and the Rao of Kutch compromised by paying
compensation.
References
1.
Interact club of Morbi, article
by Sheth Ami H. And Patel Kavita B. 1994-95
2.
The Ruling Princes, Chiefs and
Leading Personages in the Western India States Agency. Second Edition.
Published by the Manager, Government of India Press, New Delhi, 1935.
.
