રાજવી પરિવારો
Royal Families near Nakhatrana
The Jadeja rulers of Kutch granted estates, called jagirs, to their brothers and kin. Around Nakhatrana they include the darbargadhs of Tera and Devpar and the bhayat villages of Moti Virani, Nara, Mothala and Sandhan.
Which royal estates are near Nakhatrana?
Two royal estates of the Jadeja family near Nakhatrana are covered here: Tera, about 34 km west, with its fort-palace, the Tera Darbargadh, and Devpar. Each was a jagir, an estate held by relatives of the Kutch rulers, with a darbargadh at its heart. Moti Virani, Nara, Mothala and Sandhan are also Jadeja bhayat villages.
| Place | From Nakhatrana | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Tera Darbargadh | ≈34 km W | Tera, Abdasa taluka |
| Devpar | see map | Kutch |
Which villages near Nakhatrana are Jadeja bhayat estates?
Moti Virani, Nara, Mothala and Sandhan, all around Nakhatrana, are bhayat villages: estates held by clans of the Jadeja family, the kin of the Kutch rulers. Like Tera and Devpar, each grew up around the seat of its Jadeja branch. Ask in the village before entering any darbargadh, as access varies from family to family.
- Moti Virani
- Nara
- Mothala
- Sandhan
Tera Darbargadh
Tera Darbargadh is the fort-palace of the Jadeja jagirdars of Tera, one of the estates held by the brothers of the Kutch rulers (Wikipedia). It took artillery damage in a past war and earthquake damage later, and has been partly repaired (nakhatrana.wordpress.com). It is about 34 km west of Nakhatrana in a straight line.
- What it is
- Royal estate
- Where
- Tera, Abdasa taluka, Kutch district, Gujarat
- Distance from Nakhatrana
- About 34 km west in a straight line, measured to Tera Jain Tirth in the same village
- By road
- By car or taxi from Nakhatrana. Open the directions link for the current route and road distance.
- Best season
- October to March.
- Nearby
- Tera Jain Tirth
- Directions
- Google Maps directions from Nakhatrana
Devpar
Devpar is a village near Nakhatrana associated with a Jadeja jagir, one of the estates that relatives of the Kutch rulers held across western Kutch (Wikipedia). Its darbargadh is part of the royal story of the region. Ask in the village before entering, as access to darbargadhs varies.
- What it is
- Royal estate
- Where
- Kutch district, Gujarat
- Distance from Nakhatrana
- Open the directions link for the route.
- By road
- By car or taxi from Nakhatrana. Open the directions link for the current route and road distance.
- Best season
- October to March.
- Directions
- Google Maps directions from Nakhatrana
Frequently asked questions
What is a darbargadh?
A darbargadh is the fortified residence and court of a ruler or estate holder in Gujarat, usually built around courtyards behind high walls and gateways. In Kutch, the jagirdar families of estates such as Tera and Devpar ran local affairs from their darbargadhs, which is why these buildings sit at the heart of their villages.
What was a jagir in Kutch?
A jagir was an estate of villages granted by the ruler, and in Kutch many were held by the brothers and kin of the Jadeja rulers (Wikipedia). The jagirdar collected revenue and kept order in his villages. Tera and Devpar near Nakhatrana are two such estates, and Moti Virani, Nara, Mothala and Sandhan are bhayat villages of Jadeja clans.
Can you visit Tera Darbargadh?
Tera Darbargadh is the fort-palace of the Jadeja jagirdars of Tera, partly repaired after war and earthquake damage. Ask in the village before entering. Tera village also has the Shri Tera Jirawalla Parshvanath Shwetambar Jain Tirth, so a trip to Tera, about 34 km west of Nakhatrana, covers both.
Who were the Jadeja rulers of Kutch?
The Jadejas are the Rajput dynasty that ruled the Cutch State, according to Wikipedia. Their first seat was Lakhiarviro, near present-day Nakhatrana, from 1147 to 1548, before the capital moved to Bhuj in 1549. Ashapura Mata at Mata no Madh is their family deity, and branches of the family held estates across western Kutch.
When is the best time to visit the royal estates near Nakhatrana?
October to March is the most comfortable time to visit Tera and Devpar. Darbargadhs are partly open-air, with courtyards and terraces, and summer temperatures from March to June can pass 40°C. Visiting in the morning also makes it easier to find someone in the village who can show you around and explain the history.