Devpal Dev Ji | Rajpurohit Encyclopedia Profile

According to theories and some Bahis (genealogical records), Depal De Ji was born in Kannauj. He was a descendant of Rajrishi Shiv Rishi, who served as the Rajguru of Maharaja Jaichand Gaharwar, the ruler of Kannauj.

After the fall of the Kannauj kingdom, Depal De Ji went on a pilgrimage to Dwarka with Sihaji. During this journey, a battle took place between Sihaji and Lakha Bhati's brother, in which Depal De Ji's uncle, Jasoji, attained martyrdom. After this, they reached Dwarka.

Pali was originally ruled by the Paliwal Rajpurohits, but they faced constant battles with neighboring states. Additionally, there were ongoing conflicts with the Mer and other forest-dwelling tribes. To counter this, they formed an alliance with Rao Siha and defeated the local tribal groups. After this victory, Sihaji established his rule in Khed and expanded his influence by defeating the Dabi and Gohil clans.

After that, Rajpurohit Depal De Ji formed a matrimonial alliance with Raja Jasodhar Paliwal of Pali. This was also a strategic political move, in which Rao Siha acted as a mediator. As a result, Depal De Ji married Raja Jasodhar’s daughter.

Rao Sihaji had won some battles against Lakha Bhati, but later he kept facing defeats, as Lakha Bhati had the divine support of Maa Bishath. At that time, Depal De Ji performed a Yajna in the name of his deity, Mahadev Ji, which led to Sihaji’s victory against Lakha Bhati. Following this, Maa Bishath was accepted as his divine protector. Since then, Maa Bishath has been revered as the Isht Devi of all Sevad Rajpurohits.

According to Bahis (genealogical records) and Khyats (historical chronicles), Depal De Ji held the position of Rajguru Purohit until the time of Rao Duhad and attained martyrdom in vikram samvat 1352 during the period of regional expansion. Although some Khyats and Bahis mention the migration from Kannauj to Marwar but new findings suggest that the Sewad clan were originally natives of Marwar and did not migrate from elsewhere. We will discuss this topic in more detail in a future blog post.

1. The castes of Marwar by Munshi Hardayal
2. Article by Dr. Mahendra Singh Tanwar by name of "Rajasthani Lok Gathao mai Ashwa"
3. Jodhpur Rajya ki khyat
4. Thikana Tinwari ki khyat
5. Bahis of Thikana Mada, pilovani and Other sewad jagirs.