Navaghana (late 11th century king)

In Prabandha-chintamani, Merutunga has given following account of Navaghana but it may be applied to Khengara if his identification in incorrect:

Navaghana is mentioned as the Abhira Ranaka, similar to Hemachandra's reference to Graharipu in Dvyashraya. Merutunga claims in his prose that Navaghana defeated Jayasimha eleven times, but Jayasimha went himself twelfth time after capturing newly fortified Vardhamanapura (now Wadhwan). Merutunga's claim cannot be taken literally: 12 was a favourite number of the Jain writers, and he may have used the number to emphasize the seriousness of the war. Jayasimha besieged Junagadh fort. Navaghana's nephews had agreed to show secret entry of the fort on condition that Jayasimha will not kill Navaghana with weapons but with coins which they meant that Jayasimha will only collect a tribute from him. When Jayasimha entered the fort, he captured Navaghana from his great palace in which he was hidden by his queen. He was not killed with weapons but he was beaten to death with vessels full of coins.[2][7]

The bardic tales says that Navaghana was defeated and insulted by Jayasimha who compelled him on one occasion to take grass in his mouth and make submission. Navaghana was also enraged against Harraj of Umeta on the Mahi river (also referred as Harraj Mahida) and contrived also to have a feud with the Vaghela of Bhoira. He was much displeased with a Charan named Mesan who had insulted him and thus he had vowed that he would split this Charan's cheeks.[8]

Navaghana had four sons; Shatrashalji, the founder of the houses of Bhadli, Sarva and Gamph; Devghanji and Savghanji who received the Osham Chorasi; and Khengara who succeeded him.[8]

It is said that when Navaghana lay a dying his spirit would not pass from his frame until his sons would promise to perform four behests with which he charged them. These were; to slay Harraj of Umeta, to destroy the fort of Bhoira, to break down the gate of Anahilapataka (Patan) and to split the cheeks of a Charan named Mesan who had spoken disrespectfully of him. Khengar alone undertook to perform these four tasks and poured water into his father's hand as a token that he had sworn perform these deeds. Then Navaghana died. Khengara succeeded Navaghana and made Junagadh his capital, though often residing at Vanthali.[8]

When Khengara was informed that Jayasimha was absent in Anahilapataka warring in Malwa, he marched to Anahilapataka and broke down one of the gates. He carried off the wooden gates to Junagadh and put them up in the Kalve gateway at that town. He then advanced to Umeta killed Harraj and washed his blade in the Mahi river and on his return he passed by Bhoira and broke down the fortress thereof. When he returned to Junagadh, he sent for the Charan and filled his mouth with gold and jewels until he said, "My cheeks are split"; thus fulfilling the vow and afterwards he bestowed on him the village called after him Mesanka near Palitana.[8][9]

The breaking of gates of Anahilapataka had enraged Jayasimha and he later attacked Junagadh in which Khengara lost eventually. The bards also mentions the Ranakadevi as the immediate cause of war.[3][8][9]