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Rana Jashraj, a king of Lohar Gadha, in the 13th century AD belong to Lohana caste, Suryavanshi kshatriya

Back ground
Rana Vasupal, the king of Lohar Ghdha (near Multan, Pakistan) and his queen, Veerkaur had two sons named Vachchharaj and Jashraj and a daughter named Harkaur. Vasupal killed by betraying of Firoz Durani, but Firoz also killed in avange of Vachchharaj. As an elder son of Rana, Vachchharaj became a king of Lohar Gadha. Vachchharaj lost his leg in a battle, and subsequently appointed his young brother as king. Thus Jashraj became a king of Lohar Gadha.

As a king
Jashraj was crowned by his elder brother, Vachchhaaraj. Jashraj was then elected as chief of 24 states (Janapada) of the Lohana clan. Mahajana describes the union of all 24 states, which is why this is another name for Lohana.

Victory on Genghis Khan
When Genghis Khan, the Mongol leader, was returning to home from his campaigns, he lost his path, and decided to retire to Multan, which he attacked. In the battle, Rana Jashraj, leading the resistance to Genghis Khan, dealt a fatal blow to the warlord. Jashraj's attack with a spear wounded Genghis, who was then surrounded by Jashraj's lancers. Genghis Khan was wounded, and fell.

Conflict in Kabul
When Jashraj get engaged with Suryakumari, princess of Unnalkot was a daughter of opponent of Shah of Kabul ( jalal-ud-din). So Jalal-ud-din became angry, and he announced a reward that would be granted to any man who killed Jashraj. Jashraj, however, was presented at the Shah's court disguised as an Arab trader, then decapitated the Shah.

Revenge of Kabul
Jashraj wed Surya Kumari, the princces of Unnalkot. The army of Kabul's new Shah took advantage of the ceremony to abduct all cows in the area. In the Hindu religion, the cow is a holy animal. To save the cows Jashraj went to battle and returned victorious, in time for the marriage ceremony, but some of the Shah's soldiers, led by a chief named Shamsuddin, were present in woman’s dresses. They managed to kill Jashraj by striking his neck, but were then killed by Lohana present at the wedding.

Kuladevta (Deity)
Rana Jashraj was elevated to the name Veer Dada Jashraj and he was worshiped by Lohana caste. In memory of Jashraj, Vasant Panchami (the fifth day of the spring season as per the Hindu calendar) is celebrated as a Shahid din (martyr day) of Veer Dada Jashraj.

Veer Dada Jashraj is a deity worshiped by Lohana, Bhanushali, Khati Brahmin, and Saraswat Brahmin community of  Panjab, Sindh,Gujrat of Indian Subcontinent.

As per their folk tales Jashraj, who lived around between 1205 and 1231. Rana Jashraj was at wedding mandap, when he came to know that enemies were taking away cows, the holy animal worship by Hindus. he left his feras and went after enemies to save cows. He was assisted in war even by his own sister Harkor. Although, enemy was eventually defeated and became victorious but he was killed by enemy by stratagem. He has ever since been worshiped by Lohanas and Bhanushalis as Veer Dada Jashraj and his sister Harkor Pabaru is worshiped as kuladevi by Lohana clan.

However, Lohanas today consider Dada Jasraj, as their folk-deity or kuladevata and there is custom to offer the idol of Dada Jasraj, who is shown riding a horse, some dates and jaggery. Newly wed brides offer this to Dada Jasraj wearing colorful clothes. Previously it was prescribed to wear only white clothes, while offering puja which now Lohanas have almost forgotten.

External Link

 * Lohanas in Diaspora, Sanjay Barot, Departmen of Sociology, Centre for the Study of Minorities and Social Change,University of Bristol[]