Sodha

Sodha is a Parmar Rajput clan. The population in Pakistan comprises between 25,000 and 30,000 families. From these, around 700-800 people travel to the Indian state of Rajasthan every year in search of a spouse. This is necessary because otherwise, being the only Rajput clan in the area, they would be intermarrying within their gotra. The Government of India has arranged special visitation rights to aid this process, extending the right to stay in India from one month to six months in certain cases.[1]

Arrival of Sodhas in Sindh

History of Sodhas’ arrival in Sindh goes back to 974 AD; Mahapal, the elder son of Parmara King Dharnibrah of Mount Abu ascended the throne although, his younger son Baharr (Chahir Rai) who didn’t get anything and settled in Radhanpur.  Baharr had three sons: Sodho, Sankhlo and Bagh. (Two sons Sodho and Sankhlo and a daughter Bagh according to Prof. Nakhatsingh and some traditions) In 1126 AD, Sodho came to Sindh where he was welcomed with honor and the Soomra chieftain granted him Ratokot and adjacent area (Sanghar district). According to some other tales, the Sodhas obtained the fort by force.  

Sodho’s grandson Rajdev being mindful of power, flexed the arm, fought with Soomras and wrested the fort of Amarkot (Umerkot) in 1226 AD. Rajdev established the Sodha rule in Amarkot that continued until his fourth generation, Rana Dharabrash.  

The Soomras who were ruling Sindh since 1051AD, lost their power and defeated by Sama Jam Unar in 1351AD. After four years In 1355 AD, however, weakened and humiliated Soomras attacked Amarkot, defeated and ousted Rana Dharabrash. Soomras established their rule in Amarkot which, lasted for 84 years.

List of Ranas from 1126 AD to Date:

1. Rana Sodho     

2. Rana Chachak

3. Rana Rajdev

4. Rana Jai Brahm

5. Rana Jashar

6. Rana Someshwar

7. Rana Dharabrash (He had two sons Darjanshal and Asarai. Asarai went to Parkar) (Soomras defeated Rana and occupied Amarkot fort in 1355 AD)

8. Rana Darjanshal

9. Rana Khainhro

10. Rana Awtardev (Famous Rana, married to daughter of Rai Choondaji of Marwa, folk tales said by Bhats and Charans in his praise and offerings to poor)

11. Rana Tharo

12. Rana Hameer I (Regained Amarkot, gave a final below to Soomras and defeated Soomra ruler Hameer in 1439 AD)

13. Rana Dodho

14. Rana Verseen

15. Rana Tejsingh

16. Rana Chanpo

17. Rana Gango

18. Rana Prasad (Defeated by Sher Shah Suri, Mughal Emperor Humayun along with family women, children, men and  remaining army personnel came and welcomed and provided refuge by Rana) Humayun’s wife, Hamida Bano gave birth to Shahnshah-e- Hind, the Great Akbar at Amarkot on October 15, 1542 AD)

19. Rana Chandersen

20. Rana Bhojraj

21. Rana Esardas (Removed by Jesalmer’s Raval Sabalsingh and helped Rana Ganga’s grandson Jaisigh ascend the gadhi)

22. Rana Surtansingh

23. Rana Askarn

24. Rana Sangramsingh

25. Rana Maharaj

26. Rana Kesarsingh

27. Rana Khemoon

28. Rana Sangramsigh II

29. Rana Shivrajsingh

30. Rana Sabarsingh

31. Rana Maharaj II (Rana Ratan Singh was hanged in 1866 AD, British period)

32. Rana Bhabhootsingh

33. Rana suratsingh

34. Rana Pirdhansingh

35. Rana Jaswantsingh

36. Rana Arjunsingh

37. Rana Chandar Singh (The most popular and famous Rana of post-independence period, will be writing a separate article on his political career).

38. Rana Hameersingh II (Present Rana).