Kheda

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Kheda | type = city | latd = 22.75 | longd = 72.68
locator_position = right | state_name = Gujarat
district = Kheda
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altitude = 21
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 24,034| population_density =
area_magnitude= km²
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area_telephone =
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Kheda is a town and a municipality in Kheda district in the Indian state of Gujarat. Kheda, also known as Kaira, is 35 km from Ahmedabad. The National Highway no. 8 connecting Ahmedabad and Mumbai passes through Kheda. It forms the administrative center of Kheda District.

History

The town of Kheda passed to the Babi family early in the eighteenth century, with whom it remained until 1763, when it was taken by the Marathas. The Marathas ceded the district to the British in 1803, and it became part of the Bombay Presidency of British India. It was a large military station until 1830, when the cantonment was removed to Deesa. Gujjars established many villages in the Kheda District area, as did Jats and other groups. Most of them do not keep their former surname, which was probably a clan name(as shown below), and have changed it to other surnames such as Patel or Chaudhary.

Kheda is also where Gandhi launched a Satyagraha struggle against oppressive taxation by the British at a time of famine.

Kheda is on the bank of the river "Vatrak" and "Shedhi". "Patel" is most popular surname in Kheda

Geography

Kheda is located at coord|22.75|N|72.68|E|. [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/9/Kheda.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Kheda] ] It has an average elevation of 21 metres (68 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Kheda had a population of 24,034. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Kheda has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 77%, and female literacy is 63%. In Kheda, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

The clans of Jats in Gujarat are similar to those of Jats of North India. The following clans are found in the Kheda District. The way they are written in Gujarati is given in brackets.VP Desai's book "Bharat ke chaudhary" (Bharatna Anjana)] Kheda District is one of few districts in Gujarat with a Jat population(BanasKantha, Mehsana, SabarKantha, Kutchh, etc.)Mahaveer Singh Verma: Jat Veer Smarika 1992 – "Jat Samaj Ahmedabad"] .

* Chauhan, Chawan, Chahar (Chauhan)
* Gaur, Goru (Gaur, Gor)
* Godara-Godha (Goda)
* Gulia (Galia)
* Maan (Manar)

Rajputs in this District are usually of the Chauhan clan. Rajputs have had a huge influence in this area as well as the state of Gujarat in general. There are Vohra/Vora Gujjar populations also.

Many of the villages have names based on the clans of Jats who inhabited them. These are some of those clans:

*Sunda(jat)
*Odasi(jat)
*Narwar(jat)
*Pichkya(jat)When Jats moved into this area they established their own Panchayats(circles of villages) and married only within them, however there was "mixing in" with Gujjar groups such as Parihars when they first moved in, which would explain why they look somewhat different from Haryanvi Jats. Sometimes Gujars(as do many Jats and Kambojas) tend to have Iranian/Afghan features due to shared ancestry.

Famous Places in Kheda

There is one temple of Meldi Mata in Kheda, which holds annual fair every year on the 13th 14th and 15th of February. Around 100000 people visit kheda during this time.

Famous "Khedia Hanuman Temple" at the Hanuman Tekro(literally translated Hunuman Hill). Built by king Mayurdhwaj of kheda.

References

*Mahaveer Singh Verma: Jat Veer Smarika 1992 – “Jat Samaj Ahmedabad”