Glorious Past
KATHIAWAR: The vibrations and magnetism of this mysterious land of Kathiawar bestows a unique character and personality, not only to the place but also to its people. Every tree, stone, ridge, hillock and path, every brick remaining is a store-house of legends and myths. Though a bit exaggerated – bards have been recorded singing ballads about the stories of courage, kindness, justice and generosity of our kings and princes. They form the golden chapters of the history of our princely states.
KHIRASARA PALACE: legends and myths – The Khirasara Palace has a unique geography and an incomparable history of more than 450 years to unveil. This majestic palace stands a few miles away on the west of Rajkot city. Towering 150 feet above the Khirasara village, it stands imposing, majestic and undefeated.
PREDECESSORS: Historians have recorded three phases of the Khirasara State
- Thakore Bhimaji gained Khirasara
- Thakore Ranmalji added Khirasara as a glory of Saurashtra
- Shree Sursinhji educated the people of Khirasara
The Khirasara Palace has a mysterious but a legendary and true story to be narrated.
THAKORE BHIMAJI: The Taluka, a Seventh Class State, is an offshoot of the Dhrol State. The ruler, Shree Kaloji of Dhrol had seven sons of whom Sangoji was the eldest, Bhimaji the second and Junoji the third. On Kaloji’s death, Sangoji succeeded the ‘Gaadi’ (throne) of Dhrol, the other brothers (Bhimaji and Junoji) being provided with suitable appendages. Sangoji died while fighting from Nawanagar State with a Mohammedan army.
The succession accordingly devolved on Bhimaji but he abdicated in favors of his younger brother Junoji, himself remaining content with his adored appendage of the Khirasara Castle and 12 other villages. At that time Khirasara was a small castle.
THAKORE RANMALJI: It is recorded that Khirasara Palace was built by Thakore Ranmalji, an illustrious and mighty descendent of Thakore Bhimaji, during the Ghori Empire. Thakore Ranmalji, who played a major role in redefining the regional history, started restoration of Khirasara Castle with 350 masons. Mysteriously, in spite of the sustained efforts the masonry work used to collapse in the evening. Thakore Ranmalji visited ‘Nale-Sat-Pir’, a Sufi fakir from Sindh, dwelling nearby to the north of the castle.
When asked about the mysterious happenings at the site, the Pir said, ‘Son, the world is a forest full of dangers and difficulties, a beguiling place – a maze.
If you want your castle unbeaten, for Allah’s sake construct an enchanting place here. Then you will be blessed and your worldly structure will last forever.’ Thakore Ranmalji interpreted those esoteric words and constructed a grand structure to the north of the castle, where two to four hundred people could reside. The Pir and his retinue stayed in that abode for many years and the castle remained unbeaten. Even today there are tombs of the Pir and his descendents Aaras Mahmad Pir and Hakimbai present in the abode. The restorated Palace was looked with disfavor, distrust and envy by the enemies, especially Mohbatkhan, the Nawab of Junagadh. He attacked the Khirasara Castle twice – but his forces could not stand the strategy and bravery of Thakore Ranmalji.
As memories of those victories, two canons of Junagadh artillery were mounted on the eastern gate of the castle. Once Meraman Khawas of Jamnagar attacked Khirasara but the Castle again remained undefeated. In the government treasury one big Kettledrum of two and half mounds was constructed as a symbol of victory.
Thakore Ranmalji and his victories have remained a favorite theme for the writers and the poets. At one point of time in history, the state of Khirasara was so influential that the rulers could have expanded the borders of the state, but Thakore Ranmalji – a loving and kind soul remained friendly with all the neighbouring states. He breathed his last at the Gondal ruled ‘Gomta’ village.
THAKORE SURSINHJI:The Seventh generation, Thakore Sursinhji made efforts to resurrect and rebuild Khirasara Palace. In great tradition of his fore fathers, he tried to regain the honour and riches of Khirasara by improving the conditions of the farmers, increasing the production, establishing the agencies for the benefits of the common people. He introduced Khirasara to the post-independence development and progress.
Honour us by being our guests, and experience the hospitality and tradition of Kathiawar.
‘HERITAGE’ KHIRASARA PALACE:
- The Khirasara Palace stands grand once again!
- Throbbing with life – in its restored splendor and glory
- Inviting you to come and visit this monumental treasure
- To rediscover the history in its true splendor
- To cherish the footprints of time
- To decipher the mystery of the heroic tales.
