Gohad State

Gohad State or Kingdom of Gohad was a kingdom in India.^[1] It was established by King Singhadev II in 1505.

Garhi Padhavali fortress - It was built by Jat Ranas of Gohad in 18th century by renovating & converting a 10th century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva into a formidable fortress.

Entrance of Garhi Padhavali

Kingdom of Gohad
1505–1805
Gohad near north side of Gwalior
Capital	Gohad
Common languages	Hindi, Braj, Sanskrit
Government	Monarchy
Maharaj Rana
• 1068 AD-? (Ancestor)	Rana Jai Singh
• 15th century	Rana Singhadev I
• 1709- 1756	Maharaja Bhim Singh Rana
• 1803–1805 (last)	Maharaja Kirat Singh Rana
Historical era	Medieval India
• Established	1068 AD 1505
• Foundation of Garhis (fortresses near Gohad town)	15th century
• Gohad merged into British Empire	1805 (later Dholpur State) 1805
Preceded by Succeeded by Delhi Sultanate Gwalior State
Today part of	India  · Madhya Pradesh

Gohad Fort main gate

Outer walls of Gohad Fort

Origin

The royal clan of Gohad traces its origin to Haryana's adjacent-twin villages of Bhadani-Dulehra, 8 km east of present day Jhajjar. From there, the Bamrolia chiefs migrated to Agra. Later in 12th century, their first raja, Rana Jai Singh Deshwal, conquered territories in Bairat (60 southwest of Alwar).^[2]

History

Maharaj Bhim Singh Rana

The state's formation happened in the time period of Tomar dynasty of Gwalior. The Jats settled the town of Gohad and nearby forts and garhis (fortresses) in 16th century. The most renowned ruler was Maharaja Bhim Singh Rana (Deshwal) who established the Jat rule over the trans chambal region and historic Gwalior fort. During his reign, the revenue of the kingdom was 56 lakhs and Bhim Singh Rana (Deshwal) had control on 56 mahals or small parganas.^[3] The most successful ruler of Gohad is meant to be Maharaja Chhatar Singh Rana (Deshwal) also known as Rana Lokendra Singh. He repulsed Maratha raids on Gohad and other Jat forts many times. He even defeated Peshwa Raghunath Rao.

Maharaja Chhatar Singh Rana's resistance against Marathas:

An attack on Gohad city was made by Faujdar Melsarao Appa of Bhilsa and Amba Ingle in 1778, the Maratha army was defeated by Jats under Maharaja Chhatar Singh.^[4]

Later, in the same year, Maharaja Chhatar Singh Rana (Deshwal) invaded Lahar state of Kachwaha Rajputs. He defeated them and added Lahar and adjacent territories in his kingdom with the help of Capt. Popham.^[5]

Maharaja Chhatar Singh Deshwal handed over the administration of Gwalior fort to his younger queen. Later, jealous of the success of Jat Raja, Mahadaji Sindhia planned an attack to conquer Gwalior. In 1782, he besieged Gwalior with the help of East India Company and bribed one of Maharani's trusted guards & prepared him to depart from Jat Raja along with 2000 troops. Seeing no scope of victory, Maharani committed Jauhar on 27 February 1783 and Marathas occupied the fort. The place is still renowned as Jauhar-kund in Gwalior Fort.It is noted that after the siege the Jats returned to their native villages in Haryana.^[6]

Gohad coins

Gohad fort

One of the unexplored aspect of history is Jat dominance in trans chambal tracts. Various Jat clans migrated to this region from haryana,doab & braj as early as 13th-14th century & carved out various principalities, kingdoms etc which were defended by large number of forts like Gohad fort. It was built by Bamrolia Jat ruler Rana Singh Dev in 16th century.^[7] It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.^[8]

See also

• Dholpur State
• Gohad Fort
• Utila Fort