Rao Jodha

Rao Jodha Rathore (28 March 1416 – 6 April 1489) was the 15th Rajput chief of Rathore clan who ruled the Kingdom of Marwar in the present-day state of Rajasthan. He was the eldest son of Rao Ranmal (Rao Ridmal). He is known for his illustrious military career and for founding the city of Jodhpur in 1459, which subsequently became the new capital of Marwar after Mandore.

Ancestry Rao Ranmal secured the throne of Mandore in 1427. In addition to ruling Mandore, Rao Ranmal also became the administrator of Mewar to assist Maharana Mokal (father of Rana Kumbha). After the assassination of Maharana Mokal by two brothers (Chacha and Mera) in 1433, Ranmal continued as administrator of Mewar at the side of Rana Kumbha.

Coronation Due to weakening of Rathore power after the Sisodia assault on Mandore, Rathore chiefs set aside their internal feuds and rallied under the banner of Jodha. At Kavani, Rathore clansmen collectively decided to declare Jodha as Rao, and successor to Rao Ranmal, and the succeeding day was fixed for the Raj-Tilak. Rao Jodha sent emissaries to Deshnoke to request Karni Mata to grace the occasion and herself apply the Tilak. She was unable to come and instead sent Pugree Dastoor to Kavani with her sons and Jaggu Doshi.

Therefore, on Kartik Vadi 5, VS 1496 (27 October 1439), Jodha was put on the Rathore throne and declared the Rao. On the request of the assemblage, Karniji's son Punya Raj, on her behalf, performed the ceremony and applied the Raj-Tilak. Punya Raj gave five leaves of Jhadberi as Karniji's gift which Jodha respectfully put in the Pugree that he had received from Karniji. In 1453, he was able to capture his ancestral capital of Mandore from Mewar. After the capture of Mandore, Marwar and Mewar signed a treaty through which peace was restored. Rao Jodha's daughter was also married to Rana Kumbha's son Raimal. After the treaty, Rao Jodha captured Chapar Drona from the Mohils and Fatehpur from the Pathans. In order to further secure his position Jodha also founded the city of Jodhpur and built the fort of Mehrangarh. Instead of conquering more territories, Jodha adopted the policy of giving frontier territories of his kingdom to his sons. Amongst his sons Duda secured the area of Merta, Satal conquered territories of the Bhatis and founded Satalmer, Suja secured Sojat, Raipal captured Asop from Fateh Khan, Karamsi founded Khimsar and Bika with the help of his uncle, Kandhal and brother Rao Bida founded his own kingdom which was later called Bikaner state, Bida founded Bidasar. Rao Jodha raised the political strength of the Rathores to such an extent that even Rana Kumbha sought an alliance with him. The boundaries between Marwar and Mewar were also fixed to avoid hostilities. After Rana Kumbha's death, his successor Rana Udai Singh I requested help from the Rathores against his own clansmen and gave Jodha the territories of Sambhar and Ajmer. Jodha's last battle against the Delhi Sultanate took place in 1489 when Sarang Khan, the Sultan's governor of Hissar, killed Jodha's brother Kandhal in a skirmish. Rao Jodha and his son Bika led an army to Dronpur where a battle took place. After heavy casualties, the Delhi army was defeated.

Recapture of Mandore (1453 AD) Mandore was occupied by Sisodia forces and on behalf of Maharana of Mewar, Narbad (son of Rao Satta) was stationed there with a strong garrison at Mandore with orders to pursue and destroy Jodha. For the next 12 years, Narbad would relentlessly devise ways to draw out and capture Jodha. He would often deliberately leave his flanks exposed and even leave the route to Mandore ill-defended in the hope enticing Jodha to attack in the open. But Karniji had forewarned Rao Jodha. She had told him not to risk a major battle until she gave an all clear. Thus forewarned, Rao Jodha bided his time at Kavani for 12 years. Jodha's wife Rani Hadi Jasmade built Ranisar tank, which is now within walls of Mehrangarh fort. Rani Sonagri Chand Kanwar built a Baori, called Chand Baori

Death and the succession Rao Jodha died on 6 April 1489, aged 73. The death of Rao Jodha was followed by a struggle for succession amongst his sons. He was succeeded by his son Rao Satal (1489–1491). After Satal's death, Rao Jodha's son Rao Suja (1491–1515) occupied the throne.