| Khengara | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ra of Saurashtra | |||||
| Reign | 1331–1351 CE | ||||
| Predecessor | Mahipala I | ||||
| Successor | Jayasimha I | ||||
| Issue | Jayasimha I | ||||
| |||||
| Dynasty | Chudasama dynasty | ||||
| Father | Mahipala I | ||||
| Religion | Hinduism | ||||
Khengara[A] was aChudasama king ofSaurashtra region of western India who reigned from 1331 CE to 1351 CE (VS 1387 to VS 1407).[1] His capital was atJunagadh.
Khengara succeeded his fatherMahipala I in 1331 CE. He expelled the Muslim governors fromSomnath andPrabhas Patan and restored decayedSomnath temple.[1]
A cobbler named Taghan or Tagi, who had been raised to power in Gujarat, raised a rebellion amongst the nobles against the governor appointed byDelhi SultanMuhammad bin Tughluq. Tughluq marched with an army onAnhilawada Patan to restore order, and Taghan fled to Junagadh and sought protection from Khengara. In 1350 CE (HS 760/VS 1406), Tughluq again led an army against Junagadh, besieged the fort for two rainy seasons and eventually captured it. In this battle, Vaghela Vir, a devoted adherent of Khengara, was slain. Khengara was imprisoned and however soon released. But Taghan fled toSindh. Tughluq, after subduing the coastal town and several petty chiefs, spent rainy season atGondal where he became ill with fever. After rains were over, Tughluq went to Sindh but his health worsened and he died atThatta in Sindh in 1351 CE.[1][2]
Revati Kund inscription mentions that he had conquered the eighteen islands on the coast and was a great patron of music. He is said in theMandalika Kavya to have subdued eighty four minor chieftains,Jhalas andGohils included, thoughMandalika Kavya is not historically reliable source.[1]
Khengara died in 1351 CE and was succeeded by his sonJayasimha I.[1]
He is mentioned in the inscription (VS 1402/1346 CE) incised on the pedestal ofChaturvinshati Jinapatta (the 24Tirthankara display) atMangrol which says his minister named Jhajha had caused thisJinapatta to be made atGirnar.[3][1] He is also mentioned in genealogy in inscriptions at Revati Kund nearDamodar Kund, Junagadh (VS 1472/1417 CE); at the Hanivav, Dhandhusar (VS 1445/1389 CE); and at Neminath Temple (c. VS 1510/c. 1454 CE) onGirnar.[4][5][6]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.