History of Malia State of Yaduvanshi Jadeja Rajputs in Gujrat ---

History of Malia State of Yaduvanshi Jadeja Rajputs  in Gujrat--

Area. 102 sq. miles. Population.-13,589.

Revenue-60,000 rupees.

Kanyoji, the founder of Morbi, had a large progeny consisting of eight sons; the sixth of whom Modji received in appanage the four villages including Malia in Machhu Kantha, and Vandhia with several others in Vagad. Kanyoji, who died in 1734, was succeeded by Aliyoji. Modji desired to throw off the yoke of the parent state, and with that object in view he invited the Mianas from Sindh, and induced them to settle with in his territory. In addition to the villages received from his father, Modji seized several others in Machhu Kantha with the aid of the Miana settlers. On his death his eldest son Nathoji ascended the gadi, the younger Dewoji receiving Vandara. Of the seven sons of Nathoji, Bhimoji being the

There are two theories about the origin of the term Mianas. One represents it to be a patronymic from Miyo' or Miyan' the founder of the race. The second theory is that it is a corruption of Mene' the original term by which the race was known. The term in the Sindhi language means a low or inferior race. They were originally the Much -hiaras in Sindhi. As the sea is the home of the Chanchias (pirates ), land is the home of the Mianas. Chanchias commit robbery on the sea, and the Mianas on the land. Their robberies were committed mercilessly. Under the British rule, their passion for plunder is curbed, but occasionally they find their natural propensity too strong to be checked,eldest received the gadi; while Abherajji and Deshalji got Navagan. Godji got Vandhia, Pathaji got Chitrod, Kumbhoji Vijpusar and Parvat Sinh Kumbhardi; all these giras villages were situated in Vagad.

Bhimoji was succeeded by Dosoji who was a powerful prince, but on one occasion he was treacherously seized and carried as a prisoner to Morbi in 1802-3 by Jioji. The Mianas rose to his rescue; and by a series of successful raids so far desolated the country that Jioji was forced to agree to his liberation and obtain relief from constant anxiety caused by their inroads. The turbulent character of the Mianas and their depreda tions in the neighbourhood had a very baneful effect on the whole province. A regular detachment was sent against them by the British Government in 1810. but on their unconditional surrender it was with drawn.

Satoji. the successor of Desoji, had three sons, the eldest of whom Makoji having predeceased his father, his son Modji succeeded him to the gadi. He is the present ruling Chief of Malia. Kalyan Sinhji received in fief the village of Khirao and some lands in Khakharechi and to Jalam Sinhji was assigned the village of Vardusar.

The Mianas had some hand in the dacoity committed on the 1st of March 1879, in which the Mail was plundered and the property robbed was recovered from the neighbourhood of Malia. This circumstance brought the State under the displeasure of the Supreme Government. Again in 1880 in the month of February some dispute arose in connection with fodder, and a sentry of the 3rd Light Cavalry was shot dead at his post. Despite the great and strenuous efforts to detect the criminal, the perpetrator of that foul murder could not be apprehended. Government at last decided to deprive the Chief of his criminal jurisdiction, and a British Court was established there to exercise the criminal powers. The Mianas were disarmed, their homes scattered over the country were destroyed, and they were compelled to confine themselves within the walls of Malia.

Though Modji was restored his powers, the criminal jurisdic tion over the Mianas was retained by Government, and a special officer was appointed as Magistrate to exercise criminal jurisdiction over them. Modji has two sons Raya Sinhji and Abhaya Sinhji. The management of the state is placed under British control.

The Chief of Malia is enlisted in the fourth class among the chiefs of Kathiawad, so he in command deindiat simmons innrisonment for three years and fine upto Rs. 5,000, while in civil matters he is competent to hear and dispose of suits to the amount of Rs. 10,000. Malia is 22 miles distant from the Morbi Railway Station.

Genealogical Tree---

1-Dosaji
1-1-Satoji,
1-1-A-Mulvoji  (Died in his fathets's lifetime).
1-1-B- Kaliánsingh. (Received Khirai
and certain land in Khákhrechi).
1-1-C-Jamsingh.(received Vardusar ).
1-1-A -1 . Modji (the present chieftain).
A-Raya Singh (the heir apparent )
B-Abhaya Singhji

Residence.-Malia, Kathiawad, Bombay Presidency

References--

1-History of Gujarat by J.W.Watson .
2-History of Gujarat by Edalji Dosabhai.
3-The History of Sindh by K.R.Malkani.
4-Bombay Gazetteers, Kathiawar III.p ,554.
5-The Golden book of India ,a Genealogical and Biographical Dictionary of the ruling Princes , Chiefs by Roper Lethoridge.
6-Imperial Gazetteer of India ,v, 11.p78.
7-The Rajputs of Saurashtra by Virbhadra Singh.
8-Yaduvamsh prakash .,pp.,263-287.
9-History of Kathiyawar from Earliest Times .,p177, by Harold Wilberforce -Bell.
10-Bombay Gazetteer , 8,p-489-90, 565-66, p124-126.
11-Glimpses of Bhartiya History by Rajendra Singh Kushwaha.
12-A History of the Indian State forces by HH Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur.
13-Gujarat State Gazetteers :Rajkot.
14-Stastical account of Bhavanagar , p-68 by J.W.Watson , Bombay .1830.
1 5-The Hind Rajasthan or The Annals of the Native states of India., Voll.2 , issue I, part 2.complied by Manu Nandshankar Mehta and Markand Nandshankar Mehta.

Author-

Dhirendra Singh Jadaun
Village-Larhota near Sasni
District-Hatharas ,Uttar Pradesh
Associate Prof in Agriculture
Shahid Captain Ripudaman Singh Govt.College ,Sawai madhopur 'Rajasthan ,322001.