Jangladesh

Not to be confused with Bangladesh.

Jangladesh, also known as Jangaldesh or Janglu, was a historical region in what is now northern Rajasthan. It included the present-day districts of Bikaner, Churu, Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, and parts of Sirsa. It was bounded on the south by Marwar and Jaisalmer, and on the east by Ajmer-Merwara.^[1][2][3]

Jangladesh
Historical region
The districts of Rajasthan. The northern-most light pink coloured region is roughly equivalent to Jangladesh, comprising the modern districts of Bikaner, Churu, Ganganagar, and Hanumangarh.
Country	India

The term Jangladesh means "rough and dry country", and it is first mentioned in the Mahabharata, although it does not mention an exact location. Later Sanskrit texts, such as Bhava Prakasha and Shabdakalpadruma Kosha, suggested that the land was a hot, arid region, where trees grow with little water.^[4]

History

The core territory of the Chahamanas of Shakambhari (551-1192 CE) was in this region, and it was known as both Sapadalaksha and Jangala-desha.^[4][5]

Between the 10th and 12th centuries, the political landscape had changed. Much of the northern and western regions were ruled by the Bhati Rajputs. Around Bhatner, there were many settlements of Muslim Bhattis and Johiyas. The remaining regions were controlled by Jats, who were ruled by their own chiefs and largely governed by their own customs.^[6][7][8]

In the 15th century, Rao Bika, emboldened by the prophecies of Karni Mata, successfully led a coalition of Rathores, Charans, and Godara Jats, and captured the region. As a result, most Jat chieftains had to accept the suzerainty of the Bikaner State. Bika also saved the Jats from the predations of the Bhatis, acting as their buffer.^{[1][9][clarification needed]} The region was subsequently renamed to Bikaner, and would later be incorporated into the Rajputana Agency.

List of States

The following states were ruling in Jangladesh:^[10]

Serial No.	State Name	Existed	Clan	Renowned ruler	Present-day
1.	Ludi	1188 AD- 17th century	Punia	Raja Kanha Punia[11]	Churu
2.	Raisalana or Bhadra	?- 17th century	Beniwal	Raja Raisal Beniwal[12]	Churu
3.	Bhurupal	11th century- ?	Johiya	Raja Sher Singh Johiya	Bikaner
4.	Kot Pallu	9th- 16th century	Sihag	Rana Chokha Singh Sihag[12]	Hanumangarh and Sirsa
5.	Bhadang	1263 AD- 17th century	Saharan	Rao Pula Saran[12]	Churu
6.	Shekhsar or Laghadia	1179 AD- 16th cen.	Godara	Rao Rana Pandu Godara[11]	Bikaner
7.	Sidhmukh	1068 AD- 17th cen.	Kaswan	Rao Kanwarpal Kaswan[12]	Churu
8.	Dhansia	12th- 17th cen.	Sahu	Rao Amruji Sahu[10]	Hanumangarh
9.	Riri	11th- 16th cen.	Jakhar	Rao Jaswantsimha Jakhar	Bikaner
10.	Kanjan	1268 AD- 15th cen.	Chahar	Raja Maldeo Chahar[13]	Churu
11.	Bhanipura	1185 AD- 16th cen.	Bhadu, Khod	Raja Bhur Singh Bhadu	Ganganagar

Sidhmukh State

The Sidhmukh State (1068 - 17th century) was established by the Hindu Jat adventurer Rao Kasupal Kaswan of Mandore. In 1068 AD, Kasupal attacked the Mohil Rajput principality of Chhapar with 5000 soldiers,^[14] and then marched on Sidhmukh, establishing his rule after defeating Ranjit Singh Johiya.^[2][13] Thus, he established Kaswan Jat rule over Sidhmukh and its environs. Kasupal then moved towards Satyu and killed 7 Chauhan chiefs, capturing their territories.^[13]

Churu was founded by Chaudhary Chuhar Kaswan, who was jagirdar of Kalera under the Sidhmukh state.^{[15][clarification needed]}

Bhadang State

The Bhadang State (1263 - 17th century) was founded by Hindu Jats of the Saran (or Saharan) clan. Their original headquarters was Saranpur (Barbadiabas) and Bhadang (modern Churu), which was initially under the Sahu clan. The Sahus gave Bali ^{[clarification needed]} of Pitha Saran when he laid the foundation of Bhadang fort. A war broke out between the two clans.^{[citation needed]} The Saran army was led by Rao Mangalsi and Rao Khedji, who overran Bhadra, occupied it, and forced the Sahus out of the territory. Thus, the Sarans secured control over 360 villages.^{[citation needed]}

The personal enmity of the Saran chief Rao Pula and the Godara chief Rao Pandu of Ladhania culminated in a full fledged war. Rao Pula Saran led his army and occupied and burned Ladhania. The Godara chief then invited the help of Rao Bika Rathore. At the Battle of Takka, the Sarans were defeated and Saran lands were occupied, however the Sarans were not totally subjugated. Their last independent chief was Rao Bharat Saran of Laxminarayansar (Rajasar Bikan), who was born in the year 1550 and had control over 140 villages.^[11]

During Bharat Saran's time, the fame of the Rathore ruler, Raj Singh,^[who?] was rising, and he was in the court of Akbar. The Bidawat Rathores wanted to conquer Saranoti (Saran territory) and were led by Rai Singh, the cousin of Raj Singh. Raj Singh ultimately died fighting Bharat Saran near Udasar. His son, Sur Singh, devised a plan to execute Bharta through Gopaldas Sangwat, an old friend of Bharta. Bharta was survived by only one son who, at the time of the downfall of the Sarans, was at his maternal grandfathers village of Bikamsara. The name of Laxminarayansar was thus changed to Rajasar Bikan and Saranoti was finally annexed in the year 1614.^[12]

Shekhsar State

The Shekhsar State, also known as Laghadia State, was founded by Jats of the Godara clan.^[11] Rao Devraji is known for laying the foundation for the Godara principality at Devrajsar. They consolidated their territory after securing a victory over the Bhadu Jats. They were the rulers of Bikaner^{[citation needed]} and adjacent territory until Rao Bika arrived. They accepted the suzerainty of Bika and his descendants, and so their 700 villages were incorporated into the growing Bikaner State.^[12] The descendants of Rao Pandu Godara were given the right to put a tilaka on the forehead at the coronation of the new king.^[16]

Ludi State

The Ludi State was founded by Rao Barhdev, a Punia Jat chief who conquered Jhansal and 360 other villages. He developed Jhansal as his capital and was succeeded by his eldest son, Rao Punam. The descendants of Punam shifted the capital to Ludi (present-day Rajgarh).^{[citation needed]}

The 12 sons of Rao Barhdev gave their names to the 12 chief branches of the clan. Two branches which are not found in the Bagar country are Rauria (from Rarah in Bharatpur district, found mostly in Atrauli tehsil of Aligarh district, Bijauli is there recognised centre and Rao Durjan Singh was there most famous chief) and Pawania.^{[17][relevant? – discuss]} Tod places 6 parganas under them on the eve of Jahangir's reign.^[18]

See also

• Bagar (region)
• Bikaner State
• History of Rajasthan
• History of Haryana
• Shekhawati