Hamirji Gohil - Valorous Warrior Who Fought for Somnath

Hamirji Gohil, a 16 year old newly married chieftain of Lathi, Gujarat, sacrificed his life in 1401 A.D; defending the Somnath temple from attack of Mughals. Absolutely Valorous, Lion amongst Men who had just entered into adolescence, Martyred Himself for the sake of protecting Somnath Mahadev. Hamirji Gohil’s cenotaph still stands at the entrance of revered Somnath temple.

Contents

Introduction of Hamirji Gohil

Hamirji Gohil is the unbeaten hero of Arthila. The place locates in Amreli district (also known as Gohilwad) in state of Gujarat in west of India. Bhimji Gohil of Arthila had three kunwars including Dudaji, Arjanji and Hamirji where Hamirji was youngest amongst three.

Dudaji was in charge of Arthila and Lathi Gaddi, Arjanji was in charge of 11 villages of Gadhali and his youngest son Hamirji was in charge of Samadhiyala village. Thus he was born in the Royal Family of Gohilwad in Saurashtra region and lived his life in a way that suited his clan.

Zafarkhan’s Attack on Somnath

Muhammad Tughlakh II was the ruler of Delhi at that time. After defeating his suba Samsuddin in Junagadh, the emperor replaced him and appointed Zafarkhan as the suba of Gujarat.

Zafarkhan was originally from Rajasthan but overtime he became independent king of Gujarat from suba. So he setup Royal base at Somnath and appointed Rasulkhan as Thanedar. His eyes were on Somnath temple as Hindus had great faith in Him.

Zafarkhan who was staunch opponent of idolatry, orders rasulkhan not to allow large numbers of hindu to gather in temple. Rasulkhan with his army dispersed crowd by marching during Shivratri Mela at temple. As a result, things gets worse, people agitates and kills rasulkhan along with his family.

When Zafarkhan got the news he became furious and and vowed to crush Sorath. The gates of fort were broken, cannons were dropped and an army of kabuli, makrani, afghani and pathani soldiers marches to attack the Somnath temple.

Hamirji Gohil Pledged to Protect Somnath Temple

Before the attack on Somnath, Hamirji started to return to Arthila from Marwar, Rajasthan. After reaching Arthila he was still unaware of the news of upcoming mughal attack.

Once Hamirji was too much in hurry of eating food prepared by Dudaji’s wife, Hamirji’s sister in law. She asked him, “Diyar ji, why are you so much in hurry? Are you running for protecting somaiya? ” Hamirji asked his sister in law, ” Why you said that? Is Somaiya in trouble??” His sister in law informs him that the mughals are willing to demolish Somnath temple and the army of Suba of Gujarat is on the way to Somnath and there is no Rajput left to protect Somaiya.

On this instinct note of sister in law, Hamirji got angry and vows ‘Bhale koi aave na aave mari sathe pan hoon jais Somnath ni sakhate’(Whether anyone joins me or not, but I will go to protect Somnath.)

Hamirji Gohil Wedded On Way to Battle

On the way to Somnath he met a lady Charan Jagadamba of Gir who was singing Veergatha (heroic tale) for her dead son. Hamirji asked her if she would sing the same for him. She said “I will definitely sing for you but you have to marry first. I have never sung for unwedded hero”.

Hamirji asked “who will willingly want to marry me where l have already dedicated my life to Mahadev Somnath” . Then she arranged his marriage to the adopted Rajput daughter named Rajal of Bhil Chief of the village .

When the bride’s father Begda Bhil asked his daughter whether she want to marry a man who is going to sacrifice his head for Somnath, she said ‘I m a Rajputani & I ll definitely marry a Brave Rajput who is going to war to protect my motherland, even it for only one day”.

Fierce Battle in Precincts of Somnath Temple

Hamirji reached Somnath with all young warriors of Rajputs, Kathi, Ahir, Mer, Bharwad and Rabari from different villages. They joined Hamirji when he was on his way to protect Somnath. Hamirji, Vegdaji and other warriors were waiting in the courtyard of Somnath temple. The priests of temple and townpeople were on alert mode too.

The army and Zafarkhan intoxicated with false pride of victory arrived at the foot of village. Fierce war started and sharp arrows of bhils of Vegda defeated the royal army. On one side there was strong passion to destroy the temple while on other hand there was a strong zeal to save the temple…!! The army used artilleris and cannons in battle. Meanwhile, one of the chief of zafarkhan kills Vegdaji. He used elephant to kill him. As soon as Vegdaji was marytred, zafarkhan attacks fort of Somnath.

The Strategy

Hamirji became more cautious now and started defending through burning arrows, stone balls and boiling oil. Thus the first attack of Zafarkhan fell back. Aarti was performed in temple in the evening and Hamirji explains the strategy to everyone. On other side zafarkhan surrounded somnath from three sides besides the sea on one side. Next morning Hamirji and his soldiers mounted their horses and attacked enemy and their elephants with spears. This left mughals heavily shaken. Zafarkhan dug a tunnel in fort to enter but Hamirji made his attempt useless by pouring water inside. Thus war continued for nine day in row.

Martyr in Battle

By the end of ninth day, only few warriors were left alive with Hamirji – to fight against army of zafarkhan. On the tenth day morning when sun rose, the gates of the fort where opened and Hamirji and his fellow warriors struck the enemy. By evening Hamirji was successful in pushing back the enemy to foot of the village.

The battle for that day has ended. Hamirji on returning saw some of his comrades had their legs amputated, some have had their hands..!! Some of them had their intestines hanging out of their body…!!! Hamirji was left with only two hundred and fifty comrades alive…!!!

Hamirji decided with his allies to fight the morning battle in vicinity of Somnath Mahadev. As Hamirji did not wanted to take much time now, they bathed shivling with water, hugged each other for last time and landed on battlefield. After the fierce battle, only Hamirji and few warriors survived the evening battle.

Hamirji’s full body shattered like a torn cloth from all sides..! But he didn’t gave shit to the enemy…!!! Zafarkhan beckoned soldiers to encircle around Hamirji. Lump of ten swords fell on head of Hamirji. The last warrior protecting the shivling collapsed and the temple of Somnath was destroyed..!!! The temple was looted by soldiers of suba…!!!

Legendary Hamirji Gohil

Hamirji Gohil is the Valorous and Inspiring Character from History, who martyred himself to protect Somnath, battling against huge mughal army with handful of Roaring Warriors and Comrades on his side..!!! Hamirji is still worshiped by his descendants as their Surapura (brave-protecting ancestor). Even today the flag of Somnath Mahadev, before installing over temple top, is offered in feet of cenotaph of Hamirji Gohil standing at entrance. It is my honor to remember such a Majestic Personality and drawing a Bright History of his Heroism.

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