Tumbel

Tumbel is a clan and division of the Charanas of Gujarat, Sindh, and Balochistan.^[1][2][3][4] Historically, they were known for their military services in the kingdoms of Kutch and Nawanagar.^[5]

History

Origin

The most common myths present the Charanas as creations of Parvati and Shiva. For the Tumbel, it is said that a Naga maiden Avari or Avad (distinct from 8th century goddess Avad) agreed to marry the Charana on the condition that he would never speak to her. The Charana broke their vow when Avad became pregnant with their fourth son. She released the half-formed child from her womb, placing it in a bowl/shell (tumba), and casting it into the sea. As the child was born unfinished, the lineage descended from it is considered only half a Para (marriage groups among the Kachchela Charanas). And since the boy was discovered in a tumba (shell), the lineage was called Tumbel.^[6][7]

The shell was found along the coast of Makran by a Samma chief, sometimes called Jam Lakhiar, on a pilgrimage to Hinglaj. Considering the child to be a blessing by the goddess, the Samma decides to raise him as his son. As per tradition, it was only during the marriage negotiations that the goddess disclosed to the Samma that Tumbel was a Charana, and that a Charana girl had to be found for him.^[6][7]

Migrations

The Tumbel Charanas consider the goddess Hinglaj as an ancestral figure predating the 9th century.^[8] In the Hala Hills, Hinglaj, referred to as the Kohana-Rani, resided alongside the Tumbel. She inspired this group to serve as missionaries of the divine mother and personally led them to Bela, located in modern-day Baluchistan.^[9][7]

By the 15–16th century, the Tumbel left Sindh and started migrating to Kutch after the Samma rulers converted to Islam. They arrived in Kutch where Jadeja, a sub-branch of the Samma, had established their rule. Aligning with the deposed Jadeja ruler, Jam Rawal, they formed the bulk of his forces and marched southwards in Saurashtra conquering land leading to the formation of Nawanagar State.^[1][10] Abul Fazl mentions the Tumbel as a ruling tribe in the districts of Saurashtra in his text of history, Ain-i-Akbari.^[11]

Clans

The Tumbel affix the title of Jam in their names. The clans common among the Tumbel are the following : 1) Alsura, 2) Barot, 3) Bati, 4) Bhan or Luna, 5) Buchar, 6) Gagia, 7) Ghilva, 8) Gogar, 9) Gungad, 10) Jivia, 11) Karia, 12) Kesaria, 13) Mundhuda, 14) Nandhan, 15) Sagar, 16) Sakhara, 17) Sikhadia, 18) Vanaria, 19) Varia.^[6]

Notable people

• Kavi Kag (Dula Bhaya Kag) (1903–1977), saint-poet and writer, mainly known for his work on spiritual poetry relating to Hinduism including his collection called Kagvani; facilitated with Padma Shri (1962)^[9][12]
• Aai Sonal Mata, religious leader and social reformer from Gujarat^[9]
• Isudan Gadhvi (Jam Isudan Kheraj) (b. 1982), Indian politician, former media journalist, TV news anchor, and senior Aam Aadmi Party leader from Gujarat^[13]

References

1. Singhji, Virbhadra (1994). The Rajputs of Saurashtra. Popular Prakashan. ISBN 978-81-7154-546-9. The Tumbel Charans with their martial spirit and agricultural occupations are immigrants from Sindh; and their speech and customs differ considerably from those of the other Charans. They are now found mostly in Kutch and Saurashtra.
2. Gujarat (India) (1971). Gazetteers: Kutch District. Directorate of Government Print., Stationery and Publications.
3. Jośī, Vandanā (1986). Mahiyāriyā satasaī: eka anuśīlana (in Hindi). Sāhitya Saṃsthāna, Rājasthāna Vidyāpīṭha.
4. Maru-Bhāratī (in Hindi). Biṛlā Ejyūkeśana Ṭrasṭa. 1970.
5. Mehara, Jahūrakhām̐ (1984). Dhara majalāṃ, dhara kosāṃ (in Hindi). Rājasthānī Granthāgāra. तुम्बेल चारण तौ लड़ाई – भिड़ाई सूफौज री चाकरी कर जीवारी जोग जुगाड़ जुटावता । जामनगर अर कच्छ रजवाड़ां रौ जद किणी दूजे राज सू जुद्ध मंडतौ जद इणा रा तुम्बेल सैनिक इज काण कुरब री रुखाळ करता । सो इण दोनू रजवाड़ा री पूरी फौज चारणां रीज ही ।
6. Westphal-Hellbusch, Sigrid; Westphal, Heinz. Hinduistische Viehzüchter im nord-westlichen Indien (in German). Duncker & Humblot. ISBN 978-3-428-43745-0.
7. Tambs-Lyche, Harald (1996-12-31). Power, Profit, and Poetry: Traditional Society in Kathiawar, Western India. Manohar Publishers & Distributors. ISBN 978-81-7304-176-1. He became the ancestor of the Tumbel, a half-division because he was only half-grown; in one version the vessel is found by the Samma chief on the coast of Makran, when he was on pilgrimage to Hinglaj Mata.
8. Tambs-Lyche, Harald (2020-05-12), "Goddesses of Western India", Brill's Encyclopedia of Hinduism Online, Brill, retrieved 2023-05-23
9. Westphal-Hellbusch, Sigrid (1973). Living Goddesses, Past and Present, in North-West India. Verlag nicht ermittelbar.
10. Gahlot, Jagdish Singh (1937). History of Rajputana vol.1. तुम्बेल चारण जामनगर स्टेट की तरफ बड़ी संख्या में मिलते हैं।
11. Jarrett Colonel H. S. (1949). Ain-i-akbari Of Abul Fazi -i-allami Vol.ii. Sixty years ago , Jām Rāwal , after a war of two months , was driven out of the country , and settled in Sorath between the territories of the Jaitwah , Bādel , Chāran , and Tumbel tribes .
12. "Kavi Shree Dula Bhaya Kag – Kavi Kag". Retrieved 2023-05-23.
13. "ઇસુદાન ગઢવી પાસે ગાડી નથી પણ અમદાવાદમાં છે 3 મકાન, આવક 5 વર્ષમાં 50 ટકા ઘટી". Indian Express Gujarati (in Gujarati). 2022-11-15. Retrieved 2023-05-23.