Songara

Sonigara or Songara is the name of a branch of the Chauhan clan of suryavanshi but known with Agnivanshis Rajputs. They had their seat of power at Jalore in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Kanhad Dev Sonigara is perhaps the most famous of the Sonigara rulers of Jalore.

The last prominent Rajput state Rajasthan reduced by Alauddin was chauhan Khanhadadeva sonigara’s kingdom of Jalore. The first penetration of the Khalji forces into Jalore was conducted as early as the third year of Sultans ‘reign. The object, however, was the invasion of Gujarat. On their return march from Gujarat, there was a serious uprising in the Muslim army near Jalore over the issue of distribution of one – fifth of the spoils. Many rebellious Muslims, when hard pressed, fled to join the adjoining Rais and Ranas.

Kanhadadeva sonigara’s independent existence and hostile attitude attracted the attention of the Sultan in 1305 when Delhi troops marched towards Jalore and besieged the fortress. The Kanhadadevaprabandha and other Rajput accounts mentions in detail the defense preparations carried on by the Sonigaras. The garrison was subjected to starvation and utmost misery. Flames of Jauhar rose high in which Sonigara queens consigned themselves. Kanhadadeva sonigara came out of the fortress and died fighting against the Imperial forces in 1311-12 A.D.