jehad: see JIHAD.

Jesa, Kunwar, a weak and incompetent man chosen by Maharana RAIMAL (1473-1509) to succeed him, only when he thought he had no heir. After a family feud (see SANGA AND PRITHVI RAJ), Raimal's third son, Sangram Singh (Sanga) went into self-exile near Ajmer. Later, the other two sons involved in the brawl, Crown Prince Prithvi Raj and Jaimal, were killed. Obviously thinking Sanga was also dead, Maharana Raimal had no recourse but to select a mystery person named Jesa as his successor. Fortunately (for Mewar), Raimal shortly learned that Sanga was still alive and had him brought back to Chittor to become the heir apparent. In 1509, Sanga mounted the throne as Maharana SANGRAM SINGH I and ruled for eighteen years, becoming one of Mewar's greatest heroes. The elusive Jesa, having been in the royal spotlight but briefly, disappeared from the pages of Mewar's history. However, although chronicles state that Maharana Raimal named Jesa as his heir, there is no record in any of the official records of him being a son of the Maharana. Possibly he was a relative from another branch of the family.

Jeth Singh, a Saktawat of BHINDAR; son of Amar Singh. His son was Umaid Singh.

Jethpura, a town near Kheroda, the jagir that Maharana JAI SINGH (1680-1698) bestowed on MAN SINGH SAKTAWAT but then resumed at a later date.

Jhala (Jhalas), a Rajput clan of BARI SADRI, GOGUNDA, DELWARA and TANA. Bari Sadri, the parent house of the Jhalas in Mewar, occupied the 1^st Rank among the Nobles (Umraos) of Mewar. Also known as Makwanas, their ancestors lived, originally, in Kirtigadh in Sind. In AD 1506, Harpal Makwana migrated to Halvad Kathiawad in Gujarat and established the kingdom of Halvad. During the reign of Maharana RAIMAL (1473-1509) two of the then Raja Raj Singh's sons, AJJA and Sajja, came to Mewar. The Maharana granted Ajja the jagir of BARI SADRI and recognised him as a 1^st Rank Noble, his title being 'Rajrana'. Ajja fought alongside Maharana SANGRAM (SANGA) SINGH I (1509-1527) and against BABUR in 1527 at the Battle of KHANWA. When Sanga was wounded on the battlefield, Ajja donned the Maharana's tunic, which kept the Mewar army together, but proved fatal for Rajrana Ajja, who died in the battle. From that day, the Jhalas of Bari Sadri retained the honour of standing in for their Prince whenever the need arose. James TOD in his Annals, provides an anecdote about the Jhala clan. In the 1800s, when Tod was the British Agent in Udaipur, the then young Jhala chieftain had a very doting mother. Although she was a woman of great strength of mind and excellent character, she was too indulgent to her only son. He was a fine, bold youth, and, though impatient of control, could be managed. On horseback with his lance, in chase of the wild boar, a more resolute cavalier could not be seen. When he left the estate alone for court, which he seldom did without her accompanying him, his mother never failed to send Tod a long letter, beseeching him to guard the welfare of her son. Tod's house in Udaipur was the youth's great resort; he delighted to read Tod's books, or go fishing or riding with the British Agent.

The deaths of successive generations of the Jhala clan in battle in the services of Mewar, gave rise to the saying: "What is the history of India if not the history of Rajasthan, and what is the history of Rajasthan if not the history of Mewar, and what is the history of Mewar if not the history of the Jhalas."

Jhalaka, a small monastery of ATITS, destitute holy men, usually Sannyasis, followers of Shiva. It was located in eastern Mewar near BHAINSRORGARH whose chiefs had given this abode to the holy men.

Jhali Bao, Chittorgarh, a step well reservoir built by Rani Jhali, a wife of Maharana UDAI SINGH II (1537-1572).

Jhamar Kotra Mines, east of Udaipur along Udai Niwas Road. They produce silver and lead.

Jharna, Chittor; the cascade of excess water that falls down the western cliff face from the sacred GOMUKH KUND reservoir.

Jharol (Jhala clan), a village 125 km. north of Udaipur, near Sardargarh in Rajsamand District. It is not far from the place where CHETAK, the gallant mount of Maharana Pratap Singh I, died; a memorial, the CHETAK-KA-CHABUTRA, marks the spot. Jharol is the jagir of the descendants of Shyam Singh, second son of Deda of BARI SADRI. Their title is 'Raj'.

Genealogy: Shyam Singh; Maha Singh; Amar Singh; Agar Singh; Mokham Singh; Maha Singh II; Amar Singh II; Durjansal; Nahar Singh; Salam Singh; Badan Singh; Devi Singh; Sardar Singh; Kuber Singh.

Jhilwara, a pass in the ARAVALLI HILLS, about 12 km. north of KUMBHALGARH.

Jhirah Bakhtar, chain mail and plate armour worn for protection over padded cotton clothing tied with silken strings.

jhool, (Hindi) the usually ornate cloth on the back of elephants, which hangs down both sides. The HOWDAH is tied upon this.