Rise and Glory History of Halari Visa Oshwals

Author(s): Rati Dodhia
Publisher: Rati Dodhia

Page 78

CHAPTER 12
MIGRATION TO HALAR
Two Rajput (warrior caste) families of the Jadeja dynasty ruled the kingdoms of the Bara and Lakhiya in Cutchh. Even though they were related to each other animosity existed between the two families, which was passed down from generation to generation.
Around 450 to 500 years ago, Jam Hamirji, father of Rao Khengarji, ruled the kingdom of Lakhiya and Jam Lahkhyaji, father of Jam Rawal ruled the kingdom of Bara. Jam Hamirji assassinated Jam Lakhyaji. To take revenge for the assassination Jam Rawal held a party. He invited his uncle Jam Hamirji and murdered him and took over his Kingdom.
Rao Khengarji son of Jam Hamirji asked Mohamed Begdo, Sultan of Ahmedabad for help. The sultan was more than happy to do that. Khengarji with the backing of Sultan's army marched toward Cutchh to regain his father's Kingdom.
Jam Rawal was remorseful about what he had done to his uncle. And when his spies told him that Rao Khengarji was marching towards Cutchh with the army of Sultan Begdo to attack him, he became alarmed and did not have any desire to fight. He was a staunch devotee of the family deity the goddess Ashapura. He prayed to the goddess Ashapura, asking her to forgive him for killing his uncle and promised that he will not kill any more of his relatives. The goddess Ashapura came to him in a dream and told him to give both kingdoms to Rao Khengarji, leave Cutchh and go to Kathiawad (Saurastra) and build a new Kingdom.