Gujarat First Muslim Ruler Alauddin Khilji (Part 5) : Tragic end of Gujarat last Hindu king Karnadev Vaghela & his family

                     In 1300 AD Alaudin army returned Delhi from Gujarat they brought looted huge treasure & wealth, elephants, horses, slaves & Gujarat queen Kamaladevi.Ulughkhan gifted very beautiful Kamaladevi who was queen of Gujarat last Hindu king Karnadev to Delhi Sultan Alauddin who married her.Ulughkhan also gifted Sultan Alauddin a Rabari slave boy & beautiful slave Kafur captured from Veraval and Khambhat. Later they became famous in history.Gujarati Rabari slave boy became army chief Khushrukhan who killed last Khilji Sultan Kutubuddin in 1320 AD & became Delhi Sultan Nasiruddin. Slave Kafur captured from Khambhat became favourite Amir-lord Malek Kafur of Sultan Alauddin.Malek Kafur murdered Sultan Alauddin Khilji in 1316 AD.
                           Ulughkhan who led Alauddin army & won Gujarat in 1298 AD was Alauddin's brother. His real name was Almas Beg. He was awarded the title of Ulughkhan.He was very brave. After Gujarat victory, he and Sultan Alauddin invaded Ranthanbhor Chauhan king Hamirdev and won Ranthambhor fort. Nusratkhan who led Alauddin army in Khambhat & south Gujarat was killed by a stone thrown by lithobolos in the battle of Ranthambhor in Rajasthan.After the victory of Ranthambhor Sultan Alauddin gifted Ranthambhor to Ulughkhan but while returning to Delhi Ulughkhan died of sickness on way.
                           In 1300 AD Gujarat's defeated Hindu king Karnadev left Gujarat with his 7 years old princess Devaldevi.He took asylum of Devgiri ruler Ramchandra.Gujarat last Hindu king Karnadev Vaghela was in the shelter of Devgiri ruler Ramchandra who asked him to go to Baglan fort in Khandesh as his ruler.Gujarat last king Karnadev with his princess Devaldevi lived in Baglan in Khandesh as Samant-subordinate of Devgiri king Ramchandra Yadav.Devgiri king Ramchandra asked Gujarat last king Karnadev to marry his daughter Devaldevi with his prince Singhaldev but Karnadev refused.
                          In 1306 AD Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji prepared huge army under command of Malek
Kafur to conquer south India which began the march in the same year.In 1306 AD Gujarat queen Kamaladevi & now favourite Begum of Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji requested Sultan to bring her daughter Devaldevi.Devaldevi was living with her father Gujarat last king Karnadev at Baglan Khandesh.Alauddin ordered Gujarat Nazim Alapkhan to bring her.In 1307 AD Gujarat Nazim-Governor Alapkhan attacked 
Gujarat last kiKarnadev at Baglan & sent a message to surrender his princess Devaldevi King refused.
As Karnadev refused to surrender his daughter to Alapkhan to take her Delhi, Sultan army engaged Karndev in battle. This news reached Devgiri.As Karnadev was in trouble Devgiri crown prince Singhaldev sent his brother Bhimdev with gifts to Baglan & made a proposal to marry Devaldevi.
In past Karnadev refused Singhaldev's proposal as he was Maratha caste.Now Karnadev thought Hindu Maratha is better than a Muslim, so he agreed.Gujarat last king Karnadev accepted Devgiri crown prince Singhaldev proposal & sent his daughter Devaldevi to Devgiri with escorts in 1307 AD.
When news of Devaldevi departure reached Alapkhan,he fiercely attacked Karnadev & defeated him. Again Karnadev fled to Devgiri for shelter.A group of 400 soldiers of Alapkhan went to visit Ellora Caves. On way, they met Devaldevi & her escort party.Alapkhan soldiers attacked them.A bow injured Devaldevi horse & she fell down. Soldiers did not identify her but her maid shouted to soldiers"Behave properly she is Devaldevi".Soldiers brought Gujarat princess Devaldevi to Alapkhan who camped in Khandesh. He overjoyed as he was succeeded to carry out orders of Sultan.In 1307 at age of 14-year princess Devaldevi was brought Patan in Palakhi from Khandesh by Alapkhan. She was sent to Delhi with royal honour.
                            In 1307 AD Gujarat las Hindu king Karnadev Vaghela fled to Devgiri but condition changed there as its King Ramchandra was defeated by Malek Kafur of Alauddin army.
So king Karnadev desperately left Devgiri & went to Telangana. After sometime he died in roaming condition in Andhra Pradesh. In 1866 AD first novel of Gujarati literature 'Karan Ghelo' was written by Nandshankar Mehta (1835-1905). It was based on Gujarat last Hindu king Karnadev Vaghela.

Written by Bipin Thanky
(From my tweets of my twitter handle @GujaratHistory)

Gujarat First Muslim Ruler Alauddin Khilji (Part 4) - South Gujarat invasion

                     In 1300 when Alauddin army advaced in Saurashtra,Gujarat last king Karnadev was roaming in Saurashtra afraid & fled to Devagiri in Maharashtra.It is amazing fact that Gujarat first Muslim ruler Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji never visited Gujarat himself during his 18 years rule.In old time, it was practice in all world to make subject of defeated king slave by victors.Slaves were selected on their physical condition.In 1300 Alauddin army captured thousands of Hindu men,women & children as slave from Saurashtra.Among them there was a Rabari boy of Veraval.Rabari boy slave was sent to Delhi & converted to Muslim.He was named Hasan who later became favourite of Delhi Sultan Kutubuddin Khilji.14th century Delhi Sultan Kutubuddin awarded title of Khushrukhan to Hasan who was originaly Saurashtra Rabari and made him his army chief.In 1320 after death of Sultan Kutubuddin Khilji his Gujarati Rabari army chief Khushrukhan became Delhi Sultan but he was killed in 3 months.It is fact that a Gujarati Hindu Rabari boy caught as a slave & converted Muslim became Delhi Sultan who ruled north India & Gujarat in 1320 AD.
                            In 1299 AD Alauddin armies 2nd group under command of Nusratkhan marched to Khambhat & south Gujarat.Khambhat was major port with rich traders.Alauddin army looted Khambhat's rich Hindu & Muslim traders,burnt houses & temples & killed thousands of innocent people of all ages.Alauddin army looted large quantity of gold,silver,diamonds,pearls,ruby,jade,silk clothes from rich & prosperous port city Khambhat.In 1299-1300 AD Alauddin army led by Nusratkhan spread reign of terror & destruction in south Gujarat cities.It captured people as slaves.Delhi Sultan Alauddin's army led by Nusratkhan captured 20000 beautiful girls as slaves from south Gujarat.Alauddin's army captured a very beautiful slave named Kafur of a Muslim trader of Khambhat.Later he became powerful Delhi Sultnat Amir (lord) Malek Kafur.In 1299 AD Alauddin's army converted famous ancient Jain temple 'Shakunika Vihar' at Bharuch into Jami Masjid. It is Gujarat's oldest Masjid.
                            In 1300 AD after victory of Gujarat Alauddin army,Ulughhkan & Nusratkhan returned back to Delhi. On way neo Muslim soldiers revolted near Jalor.Alauddin army rebels led by Mohmmedshah disputed distribution of Gujarat loot. They killed Nusratkhan's brother Azazuddin & Sultan Alauddin's nephew.In old time there was practice in Muslim armies that 20% of looted wealth in a invasion was kept by ruler & remaining 80% were given to soldiers.In 1300 AD Ulughkhan & Nusratkhan suppressed soldiers mutiny caused by unjust distribution of Gujarat loot. Rebels fled away.Army reached Delhi.Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji ordered Nesratkhan to punish rebel soldiers families.He arrested women & children who were gang raped & brutaly killed.Sultan Alauddin killed rebel soldiers children by making their pieces on breast of their mothers.Historian Ziaudin Barni noted that it was against Islam religion.

Written by Bipin Thanky
(From our tweets of our twitter handle @GujaratHistory)

Gujarat First Muslim Ruler Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji ( Part 3 ) - Somnath & Saurashtra invasion

                     13th century Gujarat last Hindu king Karnadev Vaghela's Chief Minister was Madhav who was Visnagara Nagar Brahmin of Kutch.He brought Alaudin Khilji.In 1298 AD Gujarat capital Patan was won by Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji army. It remained under Muslim rule for 460 years until Maratha won it from Mughals in 1758 AD.In 1298 AD Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji appointed Sarvarkhan as Gujarat Nazim-Governor at Patan temperately.After victory of capital Patan in 1298, Alauddin army divided into 2 groups One went Saurashtra & other marched to Khambhat & South Gujarat.In 1299 AD Alauddin army under command of Ulughkhan marched in Saurashtra to destroy Somnath & other temples & to capture absconder Karnadev.In 1300 AD Alauddin huge army reached Somnath via Una, Diu & Mangalpur.On way it looted,burnt & destroyed towns & temples.All Saurashtra rulers & people feared.In 1300 AD Sorath's Vala,Vaja & Jethwa Rajput rulers with their armies gathered at Somnath to protect Somnath temple from invading Muslim army of Alauddin Khilji.In 1300 AD a fierce battle was fought between Sorath rulers' armies & Alauddin army at Somnath. As Rajput army was outnumbered they lost the battle.In 1300 AD Alauddin army entered in Sutrapada town near Prabhas-Somnath & damaged famous Sun temple.It looted & burnt houses & killed people.Alauddin soldiers entered in Somnath temple playing drums & shouting slogans & began to break idols in sculptures of temple wall.Alauddin army dug out huge Shivlinga intact from ground & loaded on bullock cart and sent to Delhi as gift to Sultan Alauddin Khilji.274 years after Mahmood Gazani destroyed Somnath temple 1st in 1026 AD,Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji army destroyed Somnath temple 2nd time in 1300 AD.After destroying Somnath temple, Ulughkhan spread reign of terror & torcher,killed Brahmins & innocent people,looted & burnt houses.In 1300 after destroying Somnath temple Ulughkhan army marched on sea coast to famous Shiv temple Bileshwar via Chorwad,Mangrol & Madhavpur.Alaudin army led by Ulughkhan destroyed Shakti temple at Zund-Chorwad,Ranchhodrai temple of Madhavpur & famous Bileshwar Shiv temple.In 1300 after damaging Bileshwar temple Ulughkhan attacked & defeated Sorath Chudasama king Ra'Mandalik at Vanthali. Penalty was inposed on him.In 1300 AD after conquering Saurashtra,Ulughkhan appointed adminisrators at various stratigical places & towns & left Gujarat to return Delhi.
                             As per myth it is believed that when Somnath Shivling being transported by Alauddin army to Delhi it was taken back by people near Jasdan.Brave people built a Shiv temple on Shivling of Somnath around 1300 AD.This temple later became famous as Ghela Somnath.

Written by Bipin Thanky
(From our tweets of our twitter hamdle @GujaratHistory)

Gujarat First Muslim ruler Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji (part 2)-Gujarat invasion

                                    In 1296 AD Gujarat's king Sarangdev Vaghela died after rule of 21 years.His nephew Karnadev became 5th Vaghela king who was last Hindu king of Gujarat.13th century.He was famous as Karan Ghelo-mad because of his whimsical nature & unpredictable behavior.Karnadev did not performed duties of a king & a Kshatriya.As per old books he was full of vices of woman & vine.His Chief Minister Madhav's brother Keshav's wife was very beautiful. King Karnadev attracted by her beauty. So he killed her husband Keshav & kidnapped her.Gujarat Chief Minister Madhav became angry on murder of his brother & abduction of his wife by king Karnadev Vaghela. He vowed to revenge & left Gujarat in 1297 AD.He went to Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji.He requested & provoked Sultan to invade Gujarat. Madhav assured Alauddin all guidance about Gujarat.In 1297 AD Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji sent huge army under command of his brother Ulooghkhan, Almasbeg and Malek Nusratkhan to invade Gujarat.In 1297 AD reached Rajasthan.Jalor king Kanhaddev Chauhan refused to pass Alauddin army through his state but Mewad ruler Samarsinh gave way & paid tribute to Alauddin army.In 1297 AD Delhi Sultan Alauddin's army marched through Mewad, Dungarpur & Banas river bank and arrived at Modasa.In 1297 AD Modasa ruler was Batad Thakor. He was brave.Instead of giving way to Alauddin huge army,he gave fight bravely & sacrificed his life.After victory in 1st Gujarat battle at Modasa,Alauddin army looted & fired Modasa.Then they advanced to capital Patan via Palanpur & Mehsana.In 1297 AD Alauddin army arrived at Gujarat capital Patan. It was called Naharwala by Muslims. Gujarat king Karan Vaghela was prepared with army of 110000 soldiers.There were Turks,Sindhi,Afghan,Momgol & 3000 Tartars in Alauddin army.Gujarat army was of 30000 lancers,80000 foot soldiers & 30 elephants.In 1298 AD Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji army defeated Gujarat last Hindu king Karnadev Vaghela & won capital Patan after 16 months war.
                                     In 1298 AD after defeat king Karnadev fled to Saurashtra.Alauddin army looted palaces,treasure,riches mansions & temples.They burnt houses.In 1298 AD Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji's army won Patan.Ulughkhan captured Gujarat king Karnadev's queen Kamaladevi & sent her Delhi where Sultan Alauddin married her.

Written by Bipin Thanky
( From our tweets of our twitter handle @GujaratHistory)

Gujarat's First Muslim Ruler Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji (Part 1)

                           Gujarat's first Muslim ruler Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji became Delhi Sultan by killing his uncle Sultan Jalaluddin Khilji in 1296 AD.On the 1st day of Ramzan month in 1296 AD Alauddin Khilji killed his uncle & father in law Sultan Jalaluddin who brought up him as his son at Kada.Sultan Alauddin Khilji was very cruel.He killed his father like uncle Jalaluddin by beheading & exhibit his head on a spear in Avadh area.Delhi Sultan Jalaluddin brought up his nephew Alauddin as his son & wedded his daughter with him who killed Jalaluddin by treachery in 1296AD.Alauddin Khilji became Delhi Sultan in 1296 AD.He made late Sultan Jalaluddin's family members, sons & grandsons blind & then killed them.
                            Gujarats 1st Muslim ruler Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji introduced reforms by imposing ban on liquor & gambling & forced land requisition.13th century Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji acquired all types of private land owned by citizens,Amirs,Jamindar,temples & Wakf.Delhi Sultan banned liqour & night dinner parties.He punished violators with death penalty by burring them in land pit alive.Sultan Alauddin was very cruel.He tried to make Hindus poor by imposing highly excess taxes & land revenue onthem & collected it by force.In rule of 13 century Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji Hindus were tortured most .His tyranny,terror & torture were narrated by historian Ziauddin Barani (1285-1357).He was historian in Delhi Sultnat time. He was of aristocratic family. His father & elders were high government officials.
                            Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji was one of most cruel ruler in Indian history.He killed thousands of innocent men,women,children,freinds & relatives.Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji was so cruel that he killed 30000 neo Muslim including old,women,children merely on suspicion of their loyalty.13th century proud Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji believed that he could found new religion like Prophet Hzrat Muhammad Paygambar with help of his four friends.

Written by Bipin Thanky
( Tweets from my twitter handle @GujaratHistory )

15th Century Gujarat brave Naval Chief Malek Ayaz

                                    In 15th century Malek Ayaz Sultani was Gujarat Sultnat naval chief during the rule of Sultan Mahmud Begada & Sultan Muzaffar.He was top Amir-lord of Sultnat.Malek Ayaz was Russian white slave caught by Turks & brought in Istambul.He was sold to a middle east trader.Arab trader came to Gujarat for trade.He gave his very clever white Russian slave Malek Ayaz to Gujarat Sultan Mahmud Begada as a gift.In 15th century during Malawa invasion Malek Ayaz killed flying falcon by an arrow as falcon pray fell on Sultan Mahmud.He became very pleased.15th century Gujarat Sultan Mahmud Begada freed brave Malek Ayaz Sultani from slavery for his quick & prompt action & awarded the title of Malik.
                                      15th century Malek Ayaz sultani was very clever, intelligent & brave.He became top Amir-lord of Gujarat Sultnat.He was powerful & very rich.Gujarat Sultan Mahmud Begada appointed Malek Ayaz Sultani as Sorath-Saurashtra governor & Sultnat naval chief with his headquarter at Diu.Gujarat Sultnat navy chief Malek Ayaz Sultani fought many naval battles with rising Portuguese power in Arabian sea.In 1508 AD combined naval force of Gujarat Sultan under Malek Ayaz & Egypt Sultan under Amir Husen attacked Portuguese & defeated them at Chaul.15th century Gujarat naval chief Malek Ayaz was so powerful that Portuguese could not conquer Diu after many attacks during his lifetime.In the 15th century, no Portuguese ship was allowed to enter Gujarat ports without prior permission of Gujarat Sultanate naval chief Malek Ayaz.In 1483 AD Gujarat Sultnat naval chief Malik Ayaz brought foreign cannons from Diu to Pavagadh when Sultan Mahmud Begada invaded Pavagadh.In 1483-84 AD CANNONS were FIRST TIME used in the history of India by Gujarat Sultan Mahmud Begada in the battle of Pavagadh.Gunners were foreigners.On 21-11-1484 Gujarat Sultnat naval chief Malik Ayaz broke Pavagadh fort wall by cannon fire.He, Sultan Mahmud & soldiers entered in Pavagadh.
                                       15th century Gujarat naval chief Amir-lord Malek Ayaz lived a lavish life.His servants were given costly velvet uniforms.His expenses were huge.He was fond of food.He had chefs who knew to cook famous international cuisine.He hosted party often.Amir-lord Malek Ayaz's mega kitchen was always open for hungry persons who get food there.He had large stock of foreign crockery.In 1522 AD powerful Gujarat naval chief Malek Ayaz died at Una.He was buried near Shah Shamsuddin grave.His estate was given to his son Ishak.

Written by Bipin Thanky
(Tweets from my twitter handle @Gujarathistory)

Great Devotee Poet Narsinh Mehta of Gujarat

                                                      વૈષ્ણવ જન તો તેને કહિયે જે પીડ પરાયી જાણે રે 
                                                        પર દુ:ખે ઉપકાર કરે તો યે મન અભિમાન ન આણે રે. ..
                                                        Gujarati hymn written by poet Narsinh Mehta

                     Before tweeting on poet Narsinh Mehta we bow & pay homage to Saint like great soul.He is one of greatest personalities of Gujarat history.15th century Narsinh Mehta is the pioneer of Gujarati literature.He was great devotee poet who explained the eternal truth of life in poems & hymns.15th century devotee poet Narsinh Mehta's literally work is very popular in Gujarat for centuries & providing spiritual guidance to people.Valabhi was Gujarat capital in Maitrak rule during 6th to 8th century.Many Nagar families shifted from Vadnagar to Valabhi for livelihood.In 788 AD Valabhi was destroyed by Arab invaders & Maitrak rule ended.So some Vadnagara Nagar families shifted to the Vala Rajput state of Talaja.In 1025 AD Sorath Chudasama ruler Ra'Navghan Nagar chief minister Shridhar invited Nagars of Gujarat to settle in Sorath.Many Nagar came to Sorath.In 1260 AD a large group of Nagars settled in Junagadh on the invitation of Nagar chief minister Mahidhar of Sorath Chudasama ruler Ra'Mandlik 1st.
                      15th century devotee poet Narsinh Mehta born to Vadnagara Nagar Gruhasth Krishna Damodar at Talaja in 1414 AD. Talaja is in Bhavnagar district.Around 1415 AD Narsinh Mehta father Krishna Damodar & his family shifted from Talaja to Sorath capital Vanthali to serve Sorath ruler Ra'Melig.
Around 1416 AD poet Narsinh Mehta's father Krishna Damodar died in a battle near Vanthali fighting under Sorath Chudasama ruler Ra'Melig.Around 1416 AD after the death of Narsinh's father Krishna Damodar, his uncle Parvat/Parbat Mehta shifted Narsinh's family from Vanthali to Mangrol.Ppoet Narsinh Mehta's uncle Parbat Mehta was the great devotee of Lord Shri Krishna.He used to go Dwarka pilgrimage every year with Tulsi in hand.In old age when Parbat Mehta was unable to go Dwarka , Ranchhodji idol emerged in Sodhali well near Parbat Mehta home in Mangrol for Parbat.In mid 15 century Narsinh Mehta uncle shifted family from Mangrol to Junagadh with Ranchhodji idol which is in Junagadh Ranchhodji temple now.It is not true that Narsinh Mehta was illiterate.He was erudite & scholar who studied Ved-Vedang, Upnishad, Darshanshastra, Puran & Kavyashastra.It is believed that devotee poet Narsinh Mehta worshiped Gopnath Mahadev who took him to Vaikunth & show him Raslila of Lord Shri Krishna.
                        15th century poet Narsinh Mehta's wife was Manekbai.Their son & daughter were Shamaldas & Kunvarbai..Junagadh was Narsinh's maternal town.15 century poet Narsinh Mehta's son Shamaldas married Kamalalakshmi/Juthibai who was a daughter of Madan Mehta of Vadnagar.Shamaldas died soon after marriage.15th century devotee poet Narsinh Mehta's daughter Kunvarbai married Vatsaraj who was the son of Shrirang Mehta of Una.Her son was Bhavaniprasad.
                        Devotee Narsinh Mehta used to go very early in morning to Damodar Kund & temple for bath & Darshan.On way, he sang Prabhatiya-morning hymns.Poet Narsinh Mehta was a progressive thinker.He was well in advance of his time.He did not believe in untouchability in that era.Devotee poet Narsinh Mehta lived the life of Sufi Saint.He used to go dwellings of downtrodden & untouchables to sing Bhajan-hymns.There are many folk tales about devotee poet Narsinh Mehta in which God Shri Krishna helped him in his social needs & crisis by miracles.Devotee poet Narsinh Mehta described how God helped him by miracles in his poems 'Hundi','Mamerun' , 'Putra No Vivah' and 'Harmala'.In 1456 AD famous miracle incident of 'Harmala' of poet Narsinh Mehta happened.Swami Ramanandtirth complained Junagadh ruler Ra'Mandlik 3rd that Narsinh Mehta is a fraud & cheating people.So Narsinh was arrested & jailed.He was asked to prove his relation with God Shri Krishna.Narsinh Mehta sang Kedaro Raga & Shri Krishna put his Har-garland in the neck of Narsinh Mehta in jail.King apologized & released Narsinh Mehta.Poet Narsinh Mehta created & composed philosophical, devotional & religious poetry in large scale in form of epics, verses & stanzas.Devotee poet Narsinh Mehta enlightened people & increased their faith in Hinduism when Gujarat was under Muslim rule for 150 years.
                         As per one belief poet Narsinh Mehta left Junagadh after his arrest in 1456 AD & went Mangrol.Then went to Una & lived until his death in 1480 AD.As per another belief devotee poet Narsinh Mehta never left Junagadh and lived in Junagadh until his death around 1480 AD.Devotee poet Narsinh Mehta's only son Shamaldas died at young age His widow Kamalalakshmi cared Narsinh Mehta.She was also a poetess.Narshi Mehta had no descendants but his uncle Parbat Mehta's descendants are Vaishnav, Bakshi & Majmudar surnames Nagar families of Junagadh.
                                                               
                                                    અખિલ બ્રહ્માંડમાં એક તું શ્રીહરિ, જુજવે રૂપ અનંત ભાસે;
                                                     દેહમાં દેવ તું, તેજમાં તત્વ તું, શૂન્યમાં શબ્દ થઇ વેદ વાસે 
                                                                      ( Poem by Narsinh Mehta)

Written by Bipin Thanky
(Tweets from my twitter handle @GujaratHistory)