Mandalika III

Mandalika III, called by the epithet Ra Gangajalio, was a Chudasama king of Saurashtra region of western India who reigned from to (VS 1507 to VS 1527). His capital was at Junagadh.

Mandalika was married to a daughter of Arjun Bhim Gohil of Arthila, named Kunta Devi, who had been brought up in the house of one Duda Gohil, her uncle. Mandalika's first military exploit was an expedition against Sangan Vadhel of Bet Dwarka, because that chieftain had omitted to send a present on the occasion of his installation. A successful attack was made against Bet Dwarka, and Sangan Vadhel was taken prisoner but afterwards released, and Mandalika returned in triumph to Junagadh. He was sent by the Gujarat Sultan to fight his relative Duda Gohil of Arthila whom he defeated and killed. He sacked Arthila and the Gohil family had to move to Lathi.

During his reign, Junagadh was attacked by Gujarat Sultan Mahmud Begada three times and finally captured in 1472. He was ordered to be converted to Islam and was given the name Jahan Khan, Junagadh was renamed Mustafabad and Saurashtra was renamed Sorath. He died at Ahmedabad and was buried at Manek Chowk in Ahmedabad. He was the last independent Chudasama ruler of Saurashtra. He had married Soma Sahiba (Umabai), daughter of Bhimsinh of Kuva and Ramabai, daughter of Maharana Kumbhakarna of Mewar.

Reign

Mandalika came to the throne when his father Mahipala III abdicated in his favour in 1451 CE (1507 CE) and went to forest.

When he was of a fitting age he was married to Kunta Devi, the daughter of Arjun, son of Bhim Gohil. Arjun had died fighting with the Muslims and his daughter had been brought up in Duda Gohil's house. Duda was brother of Arjun and was chieftain of Arthila.

Subdues Sangan Vadhel of Bet Dwarka During Mahipala's life, he installed Mandalika on the throne and all the neighbouring chiefs offered presents except Sangan Vadhel of Bet Dwarka. Mandalika accordingly marched against him and defeated him and took him prisoner after vanquishing him in single combat. Then after taking from him much plunder, he released him and returned victoriously to Junagadh. The Mirat-i-Sikandri speaks of Bhim, the son of Sagar which is probably Sangan.

Succession

Sultan Mahmud Begada changed the name of Junagadh to Mustafabad and built the fortifications round the town and the Jumma mosque in the Uparkot. And for a short time, he took up his residence there and caused his nobles also to construct palaces in that town. He sent also for Syad Kazis and other Muslims and gave them jagirs and official appointments and directed them to spread the religion of Islam. Gujarati writer Jhaverchand Meghani had written Ra Gangajalio (1939), a novel based on the life of Mandalika.