RaNavghan
Encyclopedia
Rah Navghan I, period of Kingdom (1025-1044 CE) was the son of king of Junagadh RaDiyas. RaDiyas lost the battle against King Solanki
and was killed during battle. RaDiyas wife became sati and burn herself in the pyre of her dead husband, leaving alone their only child of age less than a year. This child was RaNavghan who was latter become the king of Junagadh
. Child was given to Devat Bodar, a man of his word, to save this from King Solanki, who was hunting for this child to kill.
Devat Bodar adopted the RaNavghan and brought up like his own child. Someone informed King about this and to prove it wrong Devat Bodar had to kill his own son. When RaNavghan was young Devat Bodar decided to fight against King Solanki. Fierce battle was fought between Solanki
and Bodar(Ahirs
). Finally, Ahirs won the battle and RaNavghan was made the King of Junagadh.
RaNavghan then Ruled for many years as King of Junagadh. During his time he even fought and won battle with Hamir Sumra, nawab of Kutch. RaNavghan was the father of RaKhengar who was the next King of Junagadh after RaNavghan. RaKhengar was killed by Sidharaj Jayasinh son of Solanki King who lost the battle against Bodar(Ahirs) in past. One of the favourite legends with the Gujarat bards is woven around the siege of Junagadh by Sidhraj Jaysinh. The fort was ultimately captured by him along with Ranakdevi, the Queen of the ruler Rakhengar. However, in the true tradition of the Kshatriya
s, Ranakdevi preferred to become a 'sati' rather than marry Sidharaj Jaysinh. Sidharaj was persuaded to allow Ranakdevi to commit 'Sati' by burning herself on a pyre at Wadhavan. A temple was built on the hallowed place where she became 'Sati'. The temple still stands in Wadhavan, Saurashtra, as a mute testimony to the woman who preferred death to marriage with the person who had humbled her husband. The temple is called Ranakdevi's temple. The two large step wells (vavs) of Uperkot Fort were both commissioned by RaNavghan
Solanki
The Solanki was a royal Hindu Indian dynasty that ruled parts of western and central India between the 10th to 13th centuries. A number of scholars including V. A. Smith assign them Gurjar origin....
and was killed during battle. RaDiyas wife became sati and burn herself in the pyre of her dead husband, leaving alone their only child of age less than a year. This child was RaNavghan who was latter become the king of Junagadh
Junagadh
Junagadh is the headquarters of Junagadh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The city is the 7th largest in Gujarat. The city is located at the foot of the Girnar hills, 355 km south west of state capital Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. The city is in western India. Literally translated,...
. Child was given to Devat Bodar, a man of his word, to save this from King Solanki, who was hunting for this child to kill.
Devat Bodar adopted the RaNavghan and brought up like his own child. Someone informed King about this and to prove it wrong Devat Bodar had to kill his own son. When RaNavghan was young Devat Bodar decided to fight against King Solanki. Fierce battle was fought between Solanki
Solanki
The Solanki was a royal Hindu Indian dynasty that ruled parts of western and central India between the 10th to 13th centuries. A number of scholars including V. A. Smith assign them Gurjar origin....
and Bodar(Ahirs
Ahirs
Ahir is an Indian caste. The term can be used synonymously with Yadav, as the latter term refers to Ahirs who have identified as Yadavs. The major divisions of Ahirs are: Yaduvanshi, Nandvanshi, and Gwalvanshi.-Etymology:...
). Finally, Ahirs won the battle and RaNavghan was made the King of Junagadh.
RaNavghan then Ruled for many years as King of Junagadh. During his time he even fought and won battle with Hamir Sumra, nawab of Kutch. RaNavghan was the father of RaKhengar who was the next King of Junagadh after RaNavghan. RaKhengar was killed by Sidharaj Jayasinh son of Solanki King who lost the battle against Bodar(Ahirs) in past. One of the favourite legends with the Gujarat bards is woven around the siege of Junagadh by Sidhraj Jaysinh. The fort was ultimately captured by him along with Ranakdevi, the Queen of the ruler Rakhengar. However, in the true tradition of the Kshatriya
Kshatriya
*For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya or Kashtriya, meaning warrior, is one of the four varnas in Hinduism...
s, Ranakdevi preferred to become a 'sati' rather than marry Sidharaj Jaysinh. Sidharaj was persuaded to allow Ranakdevi to commit 'Sati' by burning herself on a pyre at Wadhavan. A temple was built on the hallowed place where she became 'Sati'. The temple still stands in Wadhavan, Saurashtra, as a mute testimony to the woman who preferred death to marriage with the person who had humbled her husband. The temple is called Ranakdevi's temple. The two large step wells (vavs) of Uperkot Fort were both commissioned by RaNavghan