Panchetiya

Panchetiya Mahakavi Dursa Ji Arha (1535–1655)

is a village located in Marwar Junction Tehsil of Pali district in Rajasthan state of India.

The village is historically associated with the medieval Rajasthani Charan poet, historian, warrior and administrator Mahakavi Dursa Ji Arha (1535–1655). In the last years of his life, Dursa Ji Arha is believed to have lived in Panchetiya with his son Kisnaji Arha.

Historical significance

In Panchetiya village there is a Deval (memorial shrine) built in memory of Dursa Ji Arha. Within the same complex, a temple dedicated to his son Kisnaji Arha is also located, along with several chhatris (cenotaphs) built in memory of members of his family. This place is considered a traditional memorial site for the Charan families of the Arha branch.

Near the Deval complex lies the Kisnalav Talab, which is traditionally believed to have been constructed by the descendants of Dursa Ji Arha. According to local traditions, the pond was built with the help of 52 elephants.

Major sites

The main historical and religious sites located in Panchetiya include:

1. Deval of Dursa Ji Arha
2. Temple of Kisnaji Arha
3. Shiva Temple
4. Dursyam Temple
5. Dholiya Mahal
6. Kaliya Mahal
7. Kisnalav Talab

According to local tradition, the Arha branch of the Charans were regarded as the principal jagirdars or Thakurs of this village.

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Panchetiya was one of the jagir villages under fiefdom of Dursa Ji Arha. Kaviraja Dursa Ji had married twice. From both wives he received four sons- Bharmal Ji, Jagmal Ji, Sadul Ji and Kisna Ji. When Dursa Ji was old, his eldest son disputed with him about the property, upon which Dursa Ji gave him a choice, he said - 'I am on one side and my property on the other, what will you choose?'. The eldest son Bharmal, who was born to his first wife, took possession of most of his feudal property in Marwar, while Kisna Ji (son from the younger wife) accepted the remaining property and lived with his father. So, Dursa Ji spent his old days peacefully in the village Panchetia (granted by Mewar Maharana) and died in 1855 AD.

Population of Panchetiya is 1,889 according to census 2001, where male population is 917, while female population is 972.^[1]