Devat Bodar

Painting of Jahal, sonal and Devat Bodar who is killing his own son Uga to save RaNavghan

Devayat Bodar (around 900 AD - 1025AD) was an important person, known for his bravery, sacrifice and endless love towards his motherland, with the help of whom, RaNavghan, King of Junagadh and father of Rakhengar, had taken the throne of Junagadh. He was born in the Ahir family of Alidar-Bodidar village of Junagadh in Gujarat. He had two children named Uga(Pron.: Oogaa) (son) and Jahal(Pron.: Jaahal) (daughter) from Sonal. Devat Bodar sacrified his own son Uga to save RaNavghan from Solanki king who de-throned and killed, RaDiyas, father of RaNavghan. A maid of RaDiyas handed little child(RaNavghan) of RaDiyas to Devat Bodar.^[1] Devat Bodar promised that he will do whatever it takes protect RaNavghan and to give back his kingdom of Junagadh.^[2]

Location of Devayatgadh

Devat Bodar raised RaNavghan and his own son Uga together till they reached at the age of 12. Someone informed King Solanki that RaNavghan had been raised by Devat Bodar. Devat Bodar was brought to King's Court and was asked that whether the information is true or not. Devat Bodar understood the situation and replied positively. King asked him to bring RaNavghan. He writes a famous encrypted message: "રા રાખી ને વાત કરજે આહિરાણી!" meaning "Oh! Ahirani talk but keep Ra!" to his wife Sonal. So his son instead of RaNavghan is brought to king, as no one could differntiate between RaNavghan and Uga, King tested him, by asking him to kill RaNavghan(who was actually Uga) by his own hands. Devat Bodar cuts off the head of his son, to prove that to King that he was not his son but was RaNavghan. King was still not satisfied. So, he asked to bring Devat Bodar's wife Sonal and asked her to remove eyes from the head of dead Uga, keep it on ground, and walk on that eyes, without dropping even one drop of tear from her own eyes. As, it was such a cruel and hard test for a mother, but Sonbai did that to prove that he was not her son. Finally, king comes to a conclusion that person whose head was cut off was RaNavghan. Within 10 years to this event, RaNavghan was grown up to attack Solanki.

Devat Bodar who was a leader of his caste Ahir, called his fellow Ahirs to fight against king Solanki to de-throne him and give the throne of Junagadh to RaNavghan, son of RaDiyas. Ahir caste warriors who are renowned for their valour and bravery fight a severe battle with king Solanki and at last, Solanki loses the battle. RaNavghan was throned as King of Junagadh. "Ra" dynasty comeback as a ruling dynasty with the help of Ahirs.

Today there are two wells constructed by RaNavghan in Junagadh UpperKot fort.^[3][4] Temple of Devat Bodar is also there at Bodidar village near Junagadh. Today many Bodars live in Gujarat (Specially in Kathiyawad). These Bodars are one of the clan of Devayat Bodar. From 24th April-1 May 2011 a huge function was organised by Bodars in honour of Devat Bodar at Bodidar village, and for changing the name of place Bodidar to Devayatgadh.

See also

• RaNavghan
• Junagadh
• History of Gujarat
• Ahir
• Ahir clans

References

1. ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=XmrUykZPLpoC&pg=PA293&dq=bodar+junagarh&hl=en&ei=I-Q3TfrYGMGclgeottTlBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CEcQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=ahir&f=false
2. ^ http://books.google.com/books?ei=dOo3TdjhF8P6lweK_bjOBg&ct=result&id=Yu2fAAAAMAAJ&dq=chudasama+ahir&q=+ahir
3. ^ http://www.india9.com/i9show/Uperkot-Fort-21399.htm
4. ^ http://www.indiaprofile.com/destinations/junagadh.htm