Archaeological places in Ratlam district

We are mentioning, out of the above list, the Jat history connections of some important villages in Ratlam district which are also places of archaeological importance:

* Bajna Ratlam (बाजना) - There is a temple of Bhadrakali at Bajna at a distance of 36 km from Ratlam city in Malwa region. This Bhadrakali temple is of the period of Parmara rulers and known as Garhkhankhai mataji. This temple is situated in dense forested area of the valley at the sangam of Karan river and Mahi river. Raja Bhoj had constructed this temple.

* Barbad (बरबड़) - Barbad Hanuman temple is at a distance of 3 km from Ratlam.

* Borda Ratlam (बोरड़ा) - This place is very ancient. At some distance from the village is situated a tapasya sthala of rishi Bhrigu.[1]

* Bilpank - The Bilpakeshwara temple is located at a distance of 18 kms, South-West direction from Ratlam. It is approached through a deviation fare-weather Road about 3 kms from Mhow-Neemach Highway. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is built in Pachayatana variety. It was constructed in circa 10-11th Century A.D., over low Jagati consisting of plain mouldings. It is easterly oriented Nirandhara Mulaprasada and this Mulaprasada includes Sapta-Ratha-Garbhagriha. The temple is recta in plan and consists of a Garbhagriha, Antarala and a Mahamandapa, all in axis facing East. This temple is built in Gurjara-Chalukyan style of architecture, a contemporary style of the Paramara temple architecture. Such type of temples are noticed at Atree and Krishnavilas, Kota, Rajasthan.

* Dharad (धराड़) - Dhanoi (धनोई) Dhanoha (धनोहा) gotra of Jats originated from place named Dharad [2] Dharad is very ancient village. The ruler of Ratlam Raja Ratan Singh had come to this village initially. There is an ancient temple of Shankara. There is a cave under the temple.This temple is under protection of Archaeology Department.[3]

* Dodiana (डोडियाना) - There is also a village called Dodiyana (डोडियाना) in Jaora tahsil in Ratlam district in Madhya Pradesh. Its population is 1,184. It probably gets name after Dodiya rulers. It is inhabited by many Jat Gotras.

* Gunawad (गुणावद) - Gunawad has temples of Shankaraji and Mataji on the bank of Maleni River. There are remains of ancient statues scattered all around the temple. This is very ancient village even of period earlier than Mauryas and the Guptas. Faridsahab paid homage to the God about 1400 years back while he stayed at Badawda. There is a tomb constructed in his memory. People come to this place from far off places.[4]

* Jamthun (जामथुन) - Jamthun village in Ratlam tahsil in Ratlam district in Madhya Pradesh, located in northwest of Ratlam city, has traces of ancient habitation. It is known as the city of Jamvanta (जाम्*वन्त). Bricks of ancient times have been found in the excavations. There is a water tank of very ancient style. There is need to further do the excavations and discover its past history.[5]

* Jhar - Jhar is located 12 kms, East of Bhatpachalana in Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh. It is connected with Kachhalana Road with Laptiya - Sandala. Jhar means a 'water spring'. The name Jhar probably has been assigned to this place due to a Jharana on the site. Jhar possesses the ruins of a Shiva temple of Bhumija style which are assignable to the Paramara period i.e., 11th century A.D. The sculptures of this temple are lying scattered around it.

* Namli (नामली) - Very ancient historical village inhabited by many Jat gotras. The Namli Garh is built on an artificial mound, held together by fortified walls.

* Panched (पंचेड़) - There is a place of Bhanapaji (भाणपाजी) near the village Panched. A fair is organized every year of Bhanapaji. [6]

* Piploda (पिपलोदा) - There is a huge beautiful statue of Gajananda Ganesha at Piploda. There is also mataji temple near Piploda. [7]

Piploda was made the capital by Dodiya clan kshatriya Shardul Singh in 1547. There was a strong fort on the top of a hillock. The fort had a ditch on one side surrounded by Khedra nalah. Goddess Chamunda was Kuladevi of the Dodiya rulers. The Dodiya rulers were well protected due to the fort. They never hesitated to challenge the powerful Rajput rulers of Rajasthan. Maharawat Pratap Singh (1673-1708) of Pratapgarh, Rajasthan defeated Dodiya ruler Rawat Bhawat Singh (1663-1703). On accepting his supremacy Maharawat Pratap Singh returned the statehood to Dodiya rulers. Later Dodiya rulers successively ruled under the reign of Yashwant Rao Holker, Jaora Nawab Gafoor Khan, and British rule. [8]

Dodiya is a Jat clan found in Ratlam and Nimach in Madhya Pradesh and Chittorgarh in Rajasthan. It is probably a variant of Dudi Jat Gotra. In Malwa region they are called as Dodiya, Dundi, Dundiya etc. due to local language variation.

* Sukheda (सुखेड़ा) - Sukheda village has a cave here on Khedapati Hanuman Tekari. This type of cave is also there in temple of Laxman Singhji. The Somnath temple of this place is very ancient. [9]

References

1. ↑ Dr Ajit Raizada: Art,Archaeology and History of Ratlam, Sharada Prakashan Delhi, 1992, ISBN 81-85320-14-4, p. 115
2. ↑ Dr Mahendra Singh Arya, Dharmpal Singh Dudee, Kishan Singh Faujdar & Vijendra Singh Narwar: Ādhunik Jat Itihasa (The modern history of Jats), Agra 1998 p.258
3. ↑ Dr Ajit Raizada: Art,Archaeology and History of Ratlam, Sharada Prakashan Delhi, 1992, ISBN 81-85320-14-4, p.113
4. ↑ Dr Ajit Raizada: Art, Archaeology and History of Ratlam, Sharada Prakashan Delhi, 1992, ISBN 81-85320-14-4, p.116
5. ↑ Dr Ajit Raizada: Art, Archaeology and History of Ratlam, Sharada Prakashan Delhi, 1992, ISBN 81-85320-14-4, p.115
6. ↑ Dr Ajit Raizada: Art, Archaeology and History of Ratlam, Sharada Prakashan Delhi, 1992, ISBN 81-85320-14-4, p.116
7. ↑ Dr Ajit Raizada: Art, Archaeology and History of Ratlam, Sharada Prakashan Delhi, 1992, ISBN 81-85320-14-4, p.116
8. ↑ Dr Ajit Raizada: Art,Archaeology and History of Ratlam, Sharada Prakashan Delhi, 1992, ISBN 81-85320-14-4,p 111
9. ↑ Dr Ajit Raizada: Art, Archaeology and History of Ratlam, Sharada Prakashan Delhi, 1992, ISBN 81-85320-14-4, p.116

Note - Detailed article about Ratlam may be read on Jatland Wiki at

http://www.jatland.com/home/Ratlam#L...atlam_district