Veer Dada Jasraj

After the death of Rana Vasupal, Rana Vachhraj ascended the throne of Lohgarh. Around the same time, Shah Firoz of Kabul attacked Lamgarh. The fort of Lam was then under the control of his maternal uncle, Harchand Thakrar. While going to his aid, Rana Vachhraj’s leg was injured in the battle, rendering him crippled, and Jasraj took over the administration on his behalf.

Seeing the valor of this Lohar warrior, the Tartars, Iranians, and Afghan Muslims were alarmed. Shah Jalal of Kabul convened a royal assembly to eliminate Jasraj. Upon learning this, Jasraj disguised himself as a horse trader, reached Kabul, and entered the royal assembly. He beheaded the Afghan who had announced a reward of two hundred thousand gold coins for his head, and his general, Sindhu Sharma, speared Shah Jalal through his throne. Jasraj displayed such bravery in many battles. During Jasraj’s wedding in Unnkot, when the celebrations were in full swing, a group of enemy soldiers took advantage of the opportunity and raided Unnkot, stealing the cattle. Stealing cattle was considered a serious offense in those times. Upon learning this, Jasraj’s commander quietly took a small army to pursue the enemies, ensuring the wedding was not disrupted.

A fierce battle ensued. In this battle, Sindhu Sharma’s head was severed. His loyal horse then fled with Sindhu Sharma’s headless body and stopped in Unnkot, where the wedding festivities were taking place. At that very moment, Jasraj, dressed in his wedding attire, was present in the wedding pavilion. He saw Sindhu Sharma’s horse from a distance. His Kshatriya spirit surged. Tossing aside his turban, Jasraj jumped out of the wedding pavilion. The wedding was set aside, and Jasraj pursued the cattle-stealing enemies, pouncing on them with his soldiers like a hungry lion on the banks of the Tarangtai River. Eventually, the enemies fled, leaving the cattle behind. Jasraj returned to Unnkot with the cattle. However, he was not at peace. He felt restless. As Jasraj reached the gates of Unnkot, an enemy disguised as a Hindu bowed before him and then beheaded him with a sword. At that moment, his commander, Indrasen, stepped forward and thrust his spear into the chest of the treacherous enemy, killing him instantly.

Thus, Veer Jasraj met a heroic death at the age of twenty-four in 1094 AD. The Lohar region was left desolate. The border gates of Aryavarta were opened to foreign invaders. Today, in this Lohar region, a memorial dedicated to Veer Jasraj and his beloved horse Lalu is worshipped, and a grand fair is held on his death anniversary on the banks of the Kurm River. The miracles of this Lohar warrior are still present today. Moreover, during Lohana weddings, this warrior is remembered, and before the Saptapadi (seven vows), the groom removes the turban tied on his head in his honor and ties a white turban, which is then sprinkled with kumkum. These descendants of Veer Jasraj, who belonged to the Chande clan and migrated to Kutch from the border region in the 14th century, are known by the name of Dada Pautra Chande or Chandan.

Today, Veer Dada Jasraj is worshipped as a vigilant family deity by the Rana, Chandarana families, and the Saraswat Brahmins of Kutch.