Key facts

  • Kirtipal was the Chauhan ruler who founded the Jalor branch in 1181 CE and established the Sonagara Chauhan line around Jalor.
  • The Jalor Chauhan dynasty under Kirtipal gave Rajasthan's south-western frontier a ruling line that resisted Sultanate expansion for more than a centu…
  • Ancient inscriptions, including the Bijolia prashasti, refer to Jalor as Jabalipur.
  • The fort overlooking Jalor was known by three names: Suvarnagiri, Sonagadh and Kanchana Giri.
  • The Sonagara Chauhans derived their identity from the golden hill associated with Jalor's fort.

Key Points at a Glance

  1. 1

    Kirtipal was the Chauhan ruler who founded the Jalor branch in 1181 CE and established the Sonagara Chauhan line around Jalor.

  2. 2

    The Jalor Chauhan dynasty under Kirtipal gave Rajasthan's south-western frontier a ruling line that resisted Sultanate expansion for more than a century.

  3. 3

    Ancient inscriptions, including the Bijolia prashasti, refer to Jalor as Jabalipur.

  4. 4

    The fort overlooking Jalor was known by three names: Suvarnagiri, Sonagadh and Kanchana Giri.

  5. 5

    The Sonagara Chauhans derived their identity from the golden hill associated with Jalor's fort.

  6. 6

    Kirtipal was succeeded by Samar Singh, who strengthened Jalor with stout ramparts, a treasury and an armoury.

Who was Kirtipal, the founder of the Jalor Chauhan branch?

Kirtipal was the Chauhan ruler who founded the Jalor branch in 1181 CE, establishing the Sonagara Chauhan line around Jalor and giving Rajasthan's south-western frontier a dynasty that resisted Sultanate expansion for more than a century. According to the Census 2011 District Census Handbook for Jalor, Jalor district had a population of 18,28,730.

Jalor and the Sonagara Identity

  • Jalor in inscriptions: Ancient inscriptions, notably the Bijolia prashasti, refer to Jalor as Jabalipur.
  • Fort names: The fort overlooking the town bore three names - Suvarnagiri, Sonagadh, and Kanchana Giri.
  • Sonagara Chauhans: From this golden hill the line came to be known as the Sonagara Chauhans.

Succession and Later Descendants

  • Samar Singh: Kirtipal was succeeded by Samar Singh, who raised stout ramparts at Jalor, built a treasury and an armoury, and married his daughter Lilavati to Bhimadeva II of Gujarat.
  • Kanhadadev: Among his later descendants, Kanhadadev (reigned 1305-1311 CE) emerged as the dynasty's most celebrated ruler, perishing while resisting Alauddin Khalji's forces in 1311.