Devayat Bodar

Painting of Jahal, Sonal and Devayat Bodar, who is killing his own son Uga to save Ra Navghan.

Devayat Bodar (Gujarati:દેવાયત બોદર) (circa 900 AD – 1025 AD) was an important Ahir Warrior known for his bravery, sacrifice and endless love towards his motherland, with the help of whom, Ra Navghan, Chudasama Ruler of Junagadh and father of Ra Khengar, had taken the throne of Junagadh. He was born in the Ahir family of Alidar-Bodidar village of Junagadh in Gujarat. He had two children named Uga (pron.: Oogaa) (son) and Jahal (pron.: Jaahal) (daughter) from Sonal. Devayat Bodar sacrificed his own son Uga to save Ra Navghan from the Solanki king who dethroned and killed Ra Diyas, father of Ra Navghan.[1] A maid of Ra Diyas handed the little child (Ra Navghan) of Ra Diyas to Devayat Bodar.[2] Devayat Bodar promised that he would do whatever it takes protect Ra Navghan and to give back his kingdom of Junagadh.[3]

Statue of Devayat Bodar at Junagadh

Devayat Bodar raised Ra Navghan and his own son Uga together till they reached at the age of 12. Someone informed King Solanki that Ra Navghan had been raised by Devayat Bodar. Devayat Bodar was brought to the king's court and was asked that whether the information is true or not. Devayat Bodar understood the situation and replied positively. The king asked him to bring Ra Navghan. He wrote a famous encrypted message: "રા રાખી ને વાત કરજે આહિરાણી!" meaning "Oh! Ahirani talk but keep Ra!" to his wife Sonal. So his son instead of Ra Navghan is brought to the king, as no one could differentiate between Ra Navghan and Uga. The King tested him, by asking him to kill Ra Navghan (who was actually Uga) by his own hands. Devayat Bodar cut off the head of his son, to prove that to the King that he was not his son but was Ra Navghan. The King was still not satisfied. So, he asked to bring Devayat Bodar's wife Sonal and asked her to remove eyes from the head of dead Uga, keep it on ground, and walk on that eyes, without dropping even one drop of tear from her own eyes. As, it was such a cruel and hard test for a mother, but Sonbai did that, to prove that he was not her son. Finally, the king came to the conclusion that the person whose head was cut off was Ra Navghan. Within 10 years to this event, Ra Navghan was grown up to attack Solanki.

Devayat Bodar who was a leader of his caste Ahir, called his fellow Ahirs to fight against king Solanki to de-throne him and give the throne of Junagadh to Ra Navghan, son of RaDiyas. Ahir caste warriors who are renowned for their valour and bravery fight a severe battle with king Solanki and at last, Solanki loses the battle. Ra Navghan was throned as King of Junagadh. Chudasama dynasty comeback as a ruling dynasty with the help of Ahirs.

Today there are two wells constructed by Ra Navghan in Junagadh UpperKot fort.[4][5]

Temple of Devayat Bodar is also there at Bodidar village near Junagadh. Today many Bodars live in Gujarat (Specially in Kathiyawad). These Bodars are one of the clan of Devayat Bodar. From 24 April to 1 May 2011 a huge function was organised by Bodars in honour of Devayat Bodar at Bodidar village, and for changing the name of place Bodidar to Devayatgadh.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Sree Padma; Brenda Beck; Perundevi Srinivasan; Tracy Pintchman; Sasikumar Balasundaram; Vasudha Narayanan; Neelima Shukla-Bhatt; R. Mahalakshmi; Caleb Simmons; Priya Kapoor (2014). Inventing and Reinventing the Goddess: Contemporary Iterations of Hindu Deities on the Move. Lexington Books,. p. 189. ISBN 9780739190029.
  2. ↑ Ranchodji Amarji (Divan of Junagadh.) Editor James Burgess (1882). Târikh-i-Soraṭh: A History of the Provinces of Soraṭh and Hâlâr in Kâthiâwâd. Educ. Soc. Press, & Thacker, Original from Harvard University. p. 103.
  3. ↑ James Burgess (1971). Report on the Antiquities of Kâṭhiâwâḍ and Kachh: Being the Result of the Second Season's Operations of the Archaeological Survey of Western India, 1874-75. Indological Book House, Original from the University of Michigan. pp. 141, 164.
  4. ↑ "Uperkot Fort". india9.com.
  5. ↑ "Heritage Junagadh,Junagadh India,Junagadh in India,Junagadh tourist places,Junagadh history,Junagadh tour,tour to Junagadh,Junagadh in india". indiaprofile.com.
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