Cult Of Jakhs In Kutch

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The book, "Cult of Jakhs in Kutch" by Francoise Mallison, published by ZZ_Anusandhan, is a scholarly exploration of a unique local cult in the Kutch district of Gujarat, India. The author begins by dedicating the work to Professor Bhayani, a prominent scholar of Gujarati culture, highlighting his profound knowledge, generosity, and ability to bridge linguistic and literary studies with humanistic theories.

Introduction to Kutch and Saurashtra's Religious Landscape:

The text then sets the geographical and cultural context. Kutch is presented as a district within the Saurashtra province of Gujarat, bordering the Arabian Sea and Pakistan. Due to its history of immigration, Kutch is described as having distinct physical and socio-historic features, often compared to Rajasthan for its feudalism, but with a more complex social structure.

Saurashtra, as a whole, is recognized for its rich religious traditions, housing well-known Hindu pilgrimage sites like Dwarka and Somnath, and significant Jain centers like Girnar and Palitana. However, the author emphasizes that beyond these prominent sites lies an extraordinary wealth of holy men and local cults, collectively known as loka-dharma (popular religion). These popular religious currents are not mutually exclusive and often overlap, as seen in the Santa-vāņi, a collection of hymns shared by various communities influenced by tantric traditions. The origins of Santa-vāņi are linked to the combined influence of various loka-dharma groups, including the Mahāpanth, Ravibhāņpanth, Nāthpanth, Kabirpanth, and Satpanth (formerly Nizāri Ismailis).

A key characteristic of popular religion in Saurashtra and Kutch highlighted is the strong emphasis on compassion for living beings and service to attain perfection, exemplified by saints like Kapali Mekan Dada, who helped lost travelers in the Rann of Kutch, and Saint Devidas, who established a leper house. The practice of maintaining gośālās (cow sheds) and providing for the needy through sadāvrata (feeding the poor) at shrines is also noted, with an emphasis on commensality and the disregard of caste rules, reminiscent of Buddhist influences in Saurashtra until the 13th century, particularly in Kutch.

The Cult of the Jakhs in Kutch:

The core of the text focuses on the cult of the Jakhs, a phenomenon unique to Kutch. The author describes small, often abandoned, sanctuaries in Kutch featuring alignments of statuettes representing 72 horsemen on their horses, each holding a manuscript scroll. These Jakhs are believed to have come from overseas to alleviate poverty, care for the sick, and deliver the country from a tyrant named Pumvrao. They are revered as gods.

The legends surrounding the Jakhs are primarily preserved in bardic tales, as the Jakhs are credited with thwarting an early attempt by the Samma Rajputs from Sind to rule Kutch by overthrowing Pumvrao. Several versions of their origin are presented:

• Byzantine Origin (Early Legends): One prominent legend states that seven holy men, called Rikhis or Samghar, came from near Byzantium. They worshipped their god Jakh on a hill near the fort of Padhargadh. Their ability to heal sterility is said to have attracted the queen of Pumvrao. Pumvrao subsequently had them arrested and subjected them to harsh treatment. One of the Jakhs, freed by a compassionate barber, called upon his god, leading to the arrival of Jakh with his 70 brothers and one sister. When Pumvrao refused their release, the Jakhs are said to have killed him after various struggles, leading to the ruin of Padhargadh. The 71 Jakhs and their sister were later deified and are worshipped astride their horses.
• 18th Century Miraculous Appearance: Another account mentions Rao Desalji (1716-1751) being convinced of the Jakhs' existence when they appeared on horseback near the gold market in Bhuj. A shrine, Jakh Jar or Jakh Mandir, commemorates this event.
• Shipwrecked Survivors (Rational Tale): A more "rational" tale, attributed to the last royal bard, suggests that 71 shipwrecked men and one woman reached Jakhau, an ancient harbor whose name recalls the event. With their fair skin, tall stature, and foreign language, they were believed to have come from Byzantium. They traveled the land, sharing their knowledge of medicine and other sciences, and were given horses in return. Their popularity incited the jealousy of Pumvrao, who imprisoned some of them. Their brothers, in an effort to free them, constructed a ballistic machine to bombard the palace and kill the king. Pumvrao's queen, in revenge, allegedly orchestrated a massacre of the Jakhs. However, the grateful populace worshipped them as saints and demigods.

Current State of the Cult:

The text notes that the cult of the Jakhs seems to be in recession at Jakhau, likely due to the silting-up of the harbor and subsequent emigration. However, a small shrine with seven Jakh statues on horseback exists, with offerings indicating the continuation of the cult.

The most vibrant temple is located in the village of Jakh, near the ruins of Padhargadh and a Siva temple called Pumvreśvar. This shrine, situated on a hilltop, features a terrace with a dome housing the 72 whitewashed statuettes of the Jakhs on their horses, complete with orange turbans, mustaches, and manuscript scrolls. Their sister, Sayari, is differentiated by her smaller size. Discarded statuettes are not destroyed but set aside, still receiving veneration. An oil lamp burns continuously, and visitors are numerous, indicating a living cult.

Theories on the Origin of the Jakhs:

Various theories have been proposed to explain the origin of the Jakhs, ranging from the fanciful to the more plausible:

• Celestial Beings: Their name suggests celestial beings, or Hindu/Buddhist yakṣas.
• Foreigners: Theories include Greeks, Romans, Sākas, or White Huns, and even the Varangian Guards of the Byzantine emperor.
• Iranian (Zoroastrian) Origin: Rushbrook Williams suggests they might have been Zoroastrians fleeing Islamization from Northern Iran, who were shipwrecked on the coast of Kutch. Their peaceful nature and knowledge align with attributed qualities.
• Avatara of Matang/Mataim Dev: Dalpat Shrimali, a specialist in the religious folklore of untouchables, proposes that Jakh might be an avatar of Matang or Mataim Dev, a significant Guru in Mahāmārgi mythology, known for astrology and as a preacher of Nizāri Ismailism.

The author concludes by stating that none of these theories can be definitively proven, and the legend of the Jakhs appears to have remained localized within Kutch, not crossing the Ranns.

In essence, "Cult of Jakhs in Kutch" offers a detailed account of a fascinating folk religion, tracing its legendary origins, describing its present-day manifestations, and exploring the scholarly attempts to understand its historical roots. The work is presented within the broader context of Saurashtra's diverse religious landscape, emphasizing the importance of local traditions alongside major pilgrimage sites.