Tera (Jagir)

Information

DynastyJadeja
StateKutch
Villages41
Revenue₹ 75,000 (1896)
Religion Hinduism
Last Updated28th Jan, 2024

Present Head/Ruler

Thakore Shri MAYURDHWAJSINH RUDRASINHJI Jadeja, Thakore of Tera, educated at Rajkumar College (Rajkot). Married Thakurani Aarti Kumari, daughter of H.H. Maharaja Shri Prithvi Bir Singh Deo of Sonepur, and his wife, H.H. Maharani Kavita Kumari, educated at La Martiniere Girls’ School, J.D. Birla Institute (Kolkata), and Birla Institute of Liberal Arts and Management Sciences (Kolkata)

Short History

Tera was originally granted to one of the sons of Rayadhanji during the reign of Deshalji I.

Thakore of Tera belongs to the same stock as the Royal Family of Kutch and is a Rajput of the Jadeja clan, being descended from Maharaj Hamirsinhji, the second son of Deshalji II. The taluka of Tera, which then comprised 10 villages, was purchased from its holder in 1845 by Deshalji II. Several villages were subsequently purchased by Deshalji and added to this taluka. In 1847, he granted all of it in perpetuity to Hamirsinhji, though he continued the management until his death in 1861.

In 1845, it yielded an annual income of only 5000 Rs, which in 1847 increased to 10,000 Rs, and in 1896, it yielded 75,000 Rs.

Tera Fort

The 500-year-old fort in Tera, badly damaged during the reign of Lakhpatji, was renovated by Thakore Sumaraji around 1845. He also commissioned frescoes from the famous Kutchi Kamgiri Kalam school of painting. Sumaraji’s family was granted the fief of Tera during the reign of Deshalji I.

Sumaraji openly criticized Lakhpatji’s unnatural conduct of imprisoning and depriving his father, Deshalji I, of authority, seizing his power. In response, Lakhpatji, determined to bring him to heel, summoned the rest of the bhayats and vassals. A well-supplied force, equipped with artillery from the new cannon-foundry set up by the famous engineer Ram Singh Malam, was sent against Tera.

Though Tera fort was strong, the unexpected power of Lakhpatji’s artillery, thanks to Ram Singh Malam’s skill, inflicted significant damage. The situation alarmed all bhayats and vassals, fearing repercussions for minor disagreements with the Maharao. Tera’s Thakore subsequently surrendered and swore allegiance to Lakhpatji.

Most of the present structures and Havelis were built during the reign of Deshalji II.

The fort walls, damaged in the Kutch Earthquake of 16th June 1819, were repaired later.

The 2001 earthquake inflicted severe damage on the building.

Predecessors

  • H.H. Maharajadhiraj Mirza Maharao Shri Deshalji II Bharmalji Jadeja Sawai Bahadur, Maharao of Kutch 1819/1860, married and had issues, two sons and one daughter.
    • H.H. Maharajadhiraj Mirza Maharao Shri Pragmalji II Deshalji Jadeja Sawai Bahadur, Maharao of Kutch
    • Maharaj Shri Hamirsinhji Deshalji Jadeja (qv)
    • A daughter, married in 1856, H.H. Maharajadhiraja Maharaja Shri Sir Jawansinhji Gambhirsinhji, Maharaja of Idar
  • Maharaj HAMIRSINHJI DESHALJI Jadeja, Thakore of Tera, born 1840, granted Tera in 1847 by his father. He had divided Tera into six minor divisions and appointed Revenue, Judicial, and Police officers to look after the affairs of each of these divisions. He established several Vernacular schools and opened libraries at principal places within his estate. He married a daughter of H.H. Maharana Raj Shri Wakhatsinhji Chandrasinhji, Maharana Raj Sahib of Wankaner, and had issue.
    • Thakore Shri Rayadhanji Hamirsinhji Jadeja (qv)
    • Kumar Shri Nanubha Hamirsinhji Jadeja
  • Thakore Shri RAYADHANJI HAMIRSINHJI [Gaghuba] Jadeja, Thakore of Tera, KIH, educated at Rajkumar College (Rajkot), Delhi Durbar medals, 1903 and 1911; married Thakorani Phuliba, daughter of Rana Muluji Jhala of Bodi, and had issue.
    • Thakore Shri Jethisinhji Rayadhanji Jadeja (qv)
    • Kumar Shri Nanha Rayadhanji Jadeja
    • Thakurani Jijiraj Ba, married Thakur Amar Singh of Namli
  • Thakore Shri JETHISINHJI RAYADHANJI Jadeja, Thakore of Tera, born at Tera Fort, Abdasa, 5th May 1906, educated at Rajkumar College (Rajkot), married Thakorani Tara Kunverba, daughter of Raj Rana Shivsinhji Govindsinji of Hampur (Dhrangadhra), and had issue. He died 25th January 2003.
    • Thakore Shri Dr. Rudrasinhji Jethisinhji Jadeja (qv)
    • Kumar Shri Narendrasinhji Jethisinhji Jadeja, educated at Rajkumar College (Rajkot)
    • Kumar Shri Gajendrasinhji Jethisinhji Jadeja, educated at Rajkumar College (Rajkot)
  • Thakore Shri Dr. RUDRASINHJI JETHISINHJI Jadeja, Thakore of Tera, educated at Rajkumar College (Rajkot), married and had issue. He died 25th January 2003.
    • Thakore Shri Mayurdhwajsinh Rudrasinhji Jadeja
  • Thakore Shri MAYURDHWAJSINH RUDRASINHJI Jadeja, Thakore of Tera (see above)