Jakhal

Jakhal is a village in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, India. It is located in the district of Jhunjhunu, approximately 20 km east of Nawalgarh and 30 km south of Jhunjhunu. Jakhal was founded by Salehadi Singh Shekhawat on August 9, 1732 (teej of Sravana Shukla 1789). Hundreds of its residents serve in Indian Army. However, the farming is the main occupation for the most of Jakhal residents. The main crops in the monsoon seasons are Bajara (Pearl Millet), Moth, and Guar. The main crops in the winter months are Wheat, Barley, Sarson (Mustard oil, Mustard seed), and Chana (Chickpeas).Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name=Jakhal
locator_position=right
latd = 27.5100|longd=75.1500
state_name=Rajasthan(India)
state_name=Rajasthan(India)
district=Jhunjhunu
altitude= 375
population_as_of = 2001| population_total = 6583| population_density =
area_magnitude=1 E
area_total=
area_telephone= 01594
postal_code= 333305
vehicle_code_range=
footnotes = |

History

Jakhal was founded by Thakur Salehadi Singh Shekhawat on August 9, 1732 (Teej of Sravana Shukla 1789). Salehadi Singh was the younger brother of Thakur Shardul Singh (ruler of Jhunjhunu). He was also the commander of his brother's army. He fought several wars on the behalf of his brother. Once his brother sent him to win Bhorki. However, he has to stay in Jakhal before attacking Bhorki. He was kind of impressed with the natural beauty of the area and decided to conquer the area from the local warlord. The warlord decided to keep quiet because he knew the stories about Salehadi Singh's bravery. Somebody wrote a verse in Rajasthani in the memory of Salehadi Singh's victory over the warlord:

"Sataraaso Niwasiya, Saavan maas udaar"

"Sallye (Salehadi) leenee jakhalan, teejaa ke tyunwaar"|

In 1735, Salehadi Singh built a bastion (burj) in Jakhal. It is believed that Sikar's king Laxaman Singh destroyed parts of this burj in a cannon attack. The remains of this burj is still there (see photo right). Salehadi Singh's four sons - Samarth Singh, Sangraam Singh, Sher Singh, and Gulab Singh - decided to stay in Jakhal and their descendants still live in Jakhal.

Geography

Jakhal is located at coord|27.51|N|75.15|E|. It has an average elevation of 375 metres (1230 feet).

Climate

Jakhal is located in the semi-desert area of the Thar Desert, the surrounding area is predominantly covered with sand dunes.

Neighborhoods

To the north of Jakhal is Bugala, Ajari, Baragaon, Jhunjhunu. To the east of Jakhal is Sonthali, Titanwar, Gudha Gorji ka. To the south is Bhorki, Inderpura, Udaipur Shekhawati, Dhamora. To the west is Kari, Barwasi, Nawalgarh, Mukundgarh, Sikar.

People

According to 2001 census, Jakhal had a population of 6,583. Major population in the village is of Shekhawat Rajputs about 1000 families followed by Muslims 500 families and Jats 200 families. Other castes in the village with number of families are Balai (100), Meena (100), Maniar (100), Brahman (70), Nai (60), Majajan (60), Khati (60), Kumhar (50), Daroga (50), Bhangi (50)

Notable people (past) from the village are Sujan Singh Shekhawat, Swami Sundar Das, Mahatma Jairam Das, Man Nath Nehara, Bheru Rana, Gopal Singh etc. Jakhal's Sarpanch (village chief) is Prithviraj Singh Shekhawat. Former Sarpanchs are Sugan Singh, Bharat Singh, Jai Singh, Seth Rampratap, Sumer Singh, Icharaj Kanwar, and Azad Singh. Shyam Sundar Saunthalia is a businessman from Jakhal, based in Mumbai, who has constructed Secondary School, Hospital, Community hall in the village.

References

Manohar Singh Rathore, Udaipurwati Digdarshan, Udaipurwati Vikas Smarika Prakashan Samiti, Gudha Gorji, Rajasthan, India, 2004.

------Further Jakhal is also a village in the Marwar region of Rajasthan, India. It is located in the district of Jalore, approximately 12 km east of TehsilSanchore and 145 km south of Jalore. The noted chartered accountant and social activist Mangilal Bishnoi comes from Jakhal. The wonder kid Vikas Bishnoi also comes from Jakhal.

----There is another small town named Jakhal Mandi in Haryana State, India. It comes into district Fatehabad (Haryana). It has a population of around 15,000 people which mainly comprise of Aggarwal community. Prominent spoken language is Punjabi. It is well connected with other other major cities of North India with railways and roadways. It is 200km from capital of India.