Jogidas Khuman

Jogidas Khuman (Gujarati: જોગીદાસ ખુમાણ) was a Kathi Jagirdar of Kundla (now Savarkundla) who resorted to outlawry to resist the Bhavnagar State in Kathiawar, in present-day state of Gujarat, during early 19th century. He successfully led the Khuman resistance against expansionist policies of Bhavnagar State during the reign of Thakor Wakhatsinh and later his son Wajesinh Gohil.

Early life Jogidas was born to Hada Khuman of Kundla, who along with his six brothers, succeeded Jagirdari of Kundla Chorasi (eighty four villages of Kundla), following the death of their father, Ala Khuman. the father of Ala and great-grandfather of Jogidas.

The story of Jogidas Khuman is described in the historical ballad of Indian poet and writer Jhaverchand Meghani in his work Sorathi Baharvatiya Bhaag-2. Meghani claims that Ala Khuman had nine sons.

Family tree

Conflict with Bhavanagar State Following Ala Khuman's death in 1784, a dispute arose among his six sons over the division of territory. Wakhatsinh died in 1816, and his son, Wajesinh, ascended to the throne.

In 1822, his wife and children were placed under house arrest in the Bhavanagar royal palace as a means of pressuring him to surrender.

In March 1828, D. A. Blane, then Political Agent in Rajkot, issued peremptory orders to Kathi Talukdars of Jetpur, Jasdan and others to deliver up the Khuman outlaws. Talukdars delivered outlaws to political agents with their securities.

He rescued Naniba, the queen of Wajesinh, from a thief named Ragho Chavdo of Akadia, safely escorting her back to Bhavnagar.

His truthfulness was recognized by the Bhavnagar State, despite their enmity. Bhavnagar agreed to his mediation in settling the border dispute between the Amreli Prant of Baroda State and Bhavnagar State.

Miscellaneous

1965: Narendra Modi played the role of Jogidas during a drama event in his school.