Jodha of Mandore

Rao Jodha (28 March 1416 – 6 April 1489) was a Rajput ruler of Mandore (in the present day Rajasthan state of India). He was the son of Rao Ranmal (Ranamalla) of the Rathore clan. He is known for founding the city of Jodhpur in 1459.

Ancestry

Rao Ranmal secured the throne of Mandore in 1427. In addition to ruling Mandore, Rao Ranmal also became the administrator of Mewar to assist Maharana Mokal (father of Rana Kumbha). After the assassination of Rana Mokal in 1433, Ranmal continued as administrator of Mewar at the side of Rana Kumbha. In 1438, Rana Kumbha decided to end the power sharing arrangement, and had Rao Ranmal assassinated in Chittor. Warned by a domb, Rao Jodha escaped towards Marwar. He was pursued by the older brother of Rana Mokal, Chunda (progenitor of the Chundawat branch of the Sisodiyas).

Early years

Approximately 450 horsemen accompanied Rao Jodha as he escaped from Chittor. Fighting near Chittor and a valiant attempt to bar the pursuers at Someshwar Pass resulted in heavy losses amongst Jodha's warriors. When Jodha reached Mandore he had only seven people accompanying him. Jodha collected whatever forces he could, abandoned Mandore and pressed on towards Jangalu. Jodha barely managed to reach safety at Kahuni (a village near present day Bikaner). For 15 years Jodha tried in vain to recapture Mandore. Jodha's opportunity to strike finally came in 1453 with Rana Kumbha facing simultaneous attacks by the Sultans of Malwa and Gujarat. Jodha made a...
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