Good morning kunal78-ga and thank you for allowing me to answer your
question regarding this most unique family history!
I have been able to locate a brief family history of the Gohil name
and have posted it below for your review. Additionally, I have found
a quit detailed genealogy of the Gohil Dynasty and have presented you
with a link to that website.
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HISTORY:
Ancient bardic tales and genealogical records suggest that the Gohil
clan, to which the Royal house of Bhavnagar belongs, descend from the
Lunar race of Paurava Rajputs. They ruled in Kathiawar in ancient
times, certainly before 800 AD. They settled at Khergadh, in Marwar,
after the collapse of the Valbhi Dynasty.
The direct ancestor of the family was Sejakji, twenty-third in descent
from Shalivahan and Chief of the Gohil clan of Surya Vanshi Rajputs.
He returned the Gohils to Saurashtra after his expulsion from Khagadh
by the Rathores. There, he married his daughter, Walam Kunverba to Ra
Khengar [Kawat] of Junagadh, receiving Shahpur and several villages in
jagir. He founded a capital in 1250 AD, naming it Sejakpur after
himself. Dying in 1254 AD, Sejakji was succeeded by his son Ranoji,
who established a new Gohil capital at Ranipur. Expelled from there,
he was slain by Muslim invaders in 1309. Mokheraji, Ranoji's son,
conquered Umrala from the Kolis and Gogha from the Muslims, succumbed
fell to the sword of Muhammad bin Ghias ud-din Toghluk's in 1347. His
great-great-grandson, Sarangji, assumed the title of Raol at the
request of Raol Patai of Champaner, after helping him recover his
throne from a usurping uncle.
Raol Dhunaji moved his capital to Sihor ca. 1600, where it remained
for over a century. Bhavnagar became the capital in 1723, after Raol
Shri Bhavsinhji I found Sihor vulnerable to attack by the Maratha
invaders. Bhavnagar has been the capital and name of the state, ever
since. A wise and politically astute ruler, Bhavsinhji followed a
policy of conciliation with the Muslim rulers of Surat and with the
British. Bhavnagar prospered and expanded through trade and commerce.
He died in 1764, having divided his territories between his twin sons.
Akherajji, the inheritor of Bhavnagar, sided with the Marathas against
the Mogul Viceroy of Gujerat. He assisted the British in reducing the
pirate stronghold of Talaja, and sheltered Raghunath Rao Peshwa, when
a refugee. His son, Raol Shri Vakhatsinhji spent his entire reign
fighting various foes. Kathis, Jats, Kolis, Kathis, Gaekwads, Babis,
even his Palitana clansman all savoured the cut of his sword.
Vajesinhji, the son and successor of Vakhatsinhji, succeeded in making
peace with the Kathis in 1829. He reigned for thirty-six prosperous
years, leaving his throne to his grandson Akherajji III in 1852. He
died without sons two years later, being succeeded by his brother
Jaswantsinhji. The latter improved the administration and placed the
revenues of his state on a sound footing, but died leaving a minor son
as successor in 1870.
Takhatsinhji assumed full ruling powers in 1878, continuing in the
footsteps of his illustrious father. He died in 1896, celebrated as
one of the most generous, loyal and benevolent princes of his age. His
son and successor, Raol Shri Bhavsinhji II continued his good works.
He saved countless lives during the severe famine of 1899-1900,
through a number of relief works. He also contributed generously
during to the war effort during the Great War. These and other
numerous services were rewarded with the hereditary title of Maharaja
and increased gun salutes. A great supporter of female emancipation he
promoted monogamy, advanced education and abolished "purdah". At his
death in 1919, he left a flourishing state to his minor son, Maharaja
Krishna Kumarsinhji.
The last independent ruler of his line, Maharaja Krishna Kumarsinhji,
like his brothers, received an advanced education, within India and in
England. He received full ruling powers on attaining his majority in
1931. He governed as a model ruler, closely involved in advancing the
cause of independence for India. One of the first rulers to accede to
the new Dominion of India, he served as the first Indian Governor of
Madras between 1948 and 1952. He died at Bombay in 1965, being
succeeded by his studious son, Maharaja Raol Shri Dr Veerbhadrasinhji.
Vijayarajsinhji Gohil succeeded his father as titular Maharaja and
Head of the Royal House of Bhavnagar in 1994.
CLAN: Gohil clan, of the Surya Vanshi Rajputs.
SALUTE: 13-guns.
ARMS: (this can be viewed on the Source website) Murrey, an eagle or
displayed; in chief on a canton of the second, a lion statant of the
first. Helmet: Argent. Crest: An Eastern gallion argent profile in
full sail. Supporters: Two bisons argent rampant, service with
bezanté. Motto: "Manushaya Yatna Ishwara Kripa" (man proposes, God
disposes) or on a label azure bordered or. Lambrequins: Murrey and or.
FLAG: A rectangular horizontal bicolour of scarlet over white, with
the arms in gold in the centre.
STYLES & TITLES: The ruling prince: Maharaja Raol Shri (personal name)
(father's name) Sahib Gohil, Maharaja of Bhavnagar, with the style of
His Highness.
The consort of the ruling prince: Maharani Bai Shri (personal name)
Sahiba, Maharani of Bhavnagar, with the style of Her Highness.
The Heir Apparent: Maharaj Kumar Shri (personal name) (father's name)
Sahib Gohil, Yuvraj Sahib of Bhavnagar.
The younger sons of the ruling prince: Kumar Shri (personal name)
(father's name) Sahib. They were usually promoted to the title of Raol
Shri, after they reached their majority or the death of their father.
The daughters of the ruling prince: Maharaj Kumari Bai Shri (personal
name) Kunwarba Sahiba.
The other male descendants of the ruling prince, in the male line:
Raol Shri (personal name) (father's name) Sahib Gohil.
The other female descendants of the ruling prince, in the male line:
Bai Shri (personal name) Kunwarba Sahiba.
ORDERS & DECORATIONS: None.
RULES OF SUCCESSION: Male primogeniture, with the right of adoption
by the recognised head of the family on the failure of natural male
heirs.
SOURCES:
Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, since 1826
Waman P. Kabadi (ed.), Indian Who's Who 1937-38,Yeshanand & Co., Bombay, 1937.
Sir Roper Lethbridge, KCIE. The Golden Book of India. Macmillan and
Co., London, 1893.
Dr Hansdev Patel, Royal Families and Palaces of Gujerat. Scorpion
Cavendish Ltd., London, 1998.
The Ruling Princes, Chiefs and Leading Personages in the Western India
States Agency, 1st edition. Rajkot, 1928.
The Ruling Princes, Chiefs and Leading Personages in the Western India
States Agency, 2nd edition. Manager of Publications, Delhi, 1935.
Who Was Who, Vol. I to Vol. VII, A&C Black, London, 1915 - 1980.
Who's Who in India 1911.
Who's Who in India, Burma & Ceylon, Who's Who Publishers (India) Ltd.,
Bombay, 1940.
SOURCE: Bhavnagar
(http://www.4dw.net/royalark/India/bhavnaga.htm)
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GENEALOGY:
Sejakji, Thakore Sahib of Sejakpur 1194 - 1254
Ranoji, Thakore Sahib of Ranipur 1254 - 1309
Mokhadaji [Mokheraji], Thakore Sahib of Gogha 1309 - 1347
Dungarji, Thakore Sahib of Gogha 1347 - 1370
Vijoji, Thakore Sahib of Gogha 1370 - 1395
Kanoji, Thakore Sahib of Gogha 1395 - 1420
Sarangji, Maharaj Raol of Umrala
I'm afraid this genealogy is entirely too long to post in this answer
so instead, I ask that you visit the source page for the complete
genealogy.
SOURCE: The Gohil Dynasty
( http://www.4dw.net/royalark/India/bhavnag2.htm )
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The genealogy of the Mewar rajput rulers starts in 566AD with Raja
Gohil. His descendant, Rana Hamir Singh, the 43rd Sisodia ruler
(1326/1364), was the first ruler to use the title Maharana. Rulers
were.... (see source web site for full genealogy)
SOURCE: Udaipur (Mewar) (Princely State)
(http://www.uq.net.au/~zzhsoszy/ips/u/udaipur_r.html )
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Atpur inscription (Atpur Abhilekh, dated 977 AD), from the period of
Rawal SHAKTI KUMAR (977-993). British Agent Capt. James Tod, stationed
in Udaipur during the reign of Maharana Bhim Singh (1778-1828),
discovered this inscription in the temple ruins at Atpur (now known as
Ahar, once an ancient capital but today a northeastern suburb of
Udaipur). He gave the following translation in his Annals and
Antiquities, Vol. II. It was considered to describe Rawal GUHIL,
founder of the Guhilot family, as coming from ANANDPUR. Three
historians (Dr. BHANDARKAR, Dr. Dashrath Sharma and Dr. G.N. Sharma)
were of the opinion that Guhadatta (Guhil) was a Vipra (Brahman or
priest) on the basis of the Atpur inscription. Another historian, Dr.
Ozha, differed from this view, saying that Guhadatta was the Protector
of the Brahmans who came from Anandpur and he was not a Vipra. The
Atpur inscription also eulogised Rawal BHERT PATT II (942-942), son of
RAWAL KHUMAN III, and Rawal NARWAHAN (971-973). The inscription lists,
and often comments on, many of the Guhilot rulers from its founder,
Guhil (ca. 569-603) to the 20th ruler, Shakti Kumar (977-993).
"In samvatsir 1034, in the 14th month of month Byak, was erected this
temple of Nanuk Swami. From Anandpur came he of Brahman race (may he
flourish!) Muhideosur Gohadit [Guhil], from whom came the famous Gohil
tribe [Guhilots]. Bjoj [Bhoj (ca. 603-615)]. Mahendra [Mahendra I (ca.
615-626)]. Naga [Nagaditya (626-646)]. Syeela [Shiladitya (646-661)].
Aparajit (661-688). Mahindra [Mahendra II (688-716)], no equal did
then exist on the earth surface. Kalbhoj [aka Bappa Rawal (734-753)]
was resplendent as the sun. Khoman [Khuman I (753-773)], an unequalled
warrior; from him. [Does not mention Mattat (773-793)]. Bhertrpat
[Bhert Patt I (793-813)], the tiluka of the three worlds, and from him
was Singse [Sinha (813-828)], whose Rani [was] Mahalakshmee of the
war-like race of Rastra (Rathore), and from her was born * [does not
mention Khuman II (828-853), Mahayak (853-878), Khuman III (878-942),
or Bhert Patt II (942-943)] * Sri Ullut [Allat (951-953)]; to him, who
subdued the earth and became its lord, was born a mighty warrior in
whose arm the victory reposed the khetra of the field of battle who
broke the confederacy of his foes, and from the tree of whose fortune
riches were the fruit and altar of learning; from him was Nirvahana
[Narwahan (971-973)] by the daughter of Shri Jairah, of the Chouhan
[Chauhan] race was born. Salvahana [Shaliwahan (973-977)], such were
their [the princes'] fortunes I have related, from him was born
Sectikoomar [Shakti Kumar (977-993)] - how can he be described? He who
conquered and made his own the three qualifications (sacti) whose
fortunes equalled those of Bhertrpat. In the abode of wealth Sri
Aitpoor [Atpur, i.e., Ahar], which he made his dwelling surrounded by
a crowd of princes, the kulpdroom to the people, whose foot soldiers
are many, with vaults of treasures whose fortunes have ascended to
heaven, whose city derives is beauty from the intercourse of
merchants; and in which there is one single evil, the killing darts
from the bright eyes of beauty carrying destruction to the vassals of
the prince."
SOURCE: The Mewar Encyclopedia
(http://www.mewarindia.com/ency/as.html )
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I hope this answers your question. As always should this answer a
require further explanation, please request clarification before
rating it, and I'll be happy to look into this further.
Nenna-GA
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