Jhala

The Jhala are a Chandravanshi Rajput clan, also called Makwana after their old dynasty at Karenti in Sindh. In 1090 Harpal Makwana led the clan into northern Gujarat and founded Jhalawad, named for them. The early Jhala rajas served the Chaulukya kings, and Santaldev founded a new capital at Santalpur in 1304.

Ranmalsinhji I, ruling from 1392, was captured by the Rathores and freed by his son Shatrusaldev, who moved the seat to Mandal and three times rebelled against Ahmed Shah I of Gujarat. In 1486 Mahmud Begada sacked the fort of Kuva, the disaster remembered as Kuva-no-Ker, and the capital moved to Halvad two years later.

The Jhala prince Ajajji died fighting for Mewar at Khanwa against Babur in 1527. In 1742 Rai Singh II built Dhrangadhra, from which the state took its later name. Jhala branches also ruled nearby states.