Songara Chauhan Ratansingh founded a new township in V. 1082 and named it Ratanpurnagar. In his fifth in the pedigree was king Dhanpal. One day when Dhanpal was sleeping, a cobra bit him. A messenger went and informed of this to the Acharya Jindutt Suri, who was in the city at that time. Acharya gave consecreated-water to be drunk by the victim.

When the king came to know that the Acharya had given him a new life, then he himself went to the Acharya with all royal dignity, and requested to be their guest. Acharya lived in his city for a few days. All the family members of the King adopted the cult of non-violence & Jainism and became Oswals. Their new gotra was known as Ratanpura. There are 10 sub-gotras of Ratanpura. Kataria, Kotecha, Balahi, Sapdrah, Samariya, Narayangotra, Bhalania, Ramsena and Bohara.

Muni Gyansunderji later said that Ratanpura was not the main gotra. The main gotra was Balaha and thete are 26 sub-gotras namely Hada, Devda, Songra, Rudnecha, Beda, Balot, Chipa, Konch, Khinchi, Vihal, songra Melwal, Valia, Malhan, Pavecha, Katlecha, Rapadia, Dudnecha, Nahta, Ishra, Rakaliya, Sanchora, Bagnto. All of them were the members of royal family. They adopted Jainism and became Oswals and their family was known by their names.

It is so said that Sultan of Multan had given the right to carry a Katar (dagger) in the Royal-Court, to Janjarshee. Therefore, their family known by the name Kataria. Janjarshee was the minister and incharge of the royal treasure. Janjarshee gave a lot of royal money in charity to the needy persons. His opponents informed the king that he was misusing the royal money. The king called Janjarshee and made an enquiry. Then the latter replied, “I gave charity to very poor persons. I can’t bear that your sons should remain in trouble. Public are your subjects, and so they are your sons and you are their father. They have all blessed you. Their blessings would make you more prosperous.” The king was pleased at the reply.

The brother of Janjarsee was a famous Oswal Shah named Pethodshah.

It is also said that Gotra Katara is a sub-gotra of Kulhat.

In Mahajan-vansh muktavali Yati Ramlal has said that in V. 1021 Songara Chauhan Ratansingh established a new city Ratanpura. Fifth in his pedigree was Dhanpal, who became th eking in V. 1181. One day the king went out for hunting on a horse-back. That horse was inversely trained, but it was not known to the king. When the king desired to stop the horse and he pulled the bridle, the horse ran very fast. The king reached in the thick forest. He was tired so he gave a long rope. And the horse stopped.

The king was tired, so he slept under a tree. A cobra bit the king. By chance Acharya Jindutt suri was passing. He saw that a man had been victim of snake bite. The Acharya immediately uttered mantras. By the effect of the mantras, the king got rid of thepoision and got a rebirth. The kingdesired to give the throne to the progenitor.

The Acharya replied, “I have renounced the world. The wealth has no meaning in my life. What would I do with the thron?” The king urged on the Acharya to show them the way by which he could be free from this debt, that is, the debt of the Acharya. Acharya replied that if he desired to get rid of the debt, he must become a Mahajan and be a Jain. He agreed to the proposal. The Acharya named his gotra ‘Ratanpura’. In his pedigree, there was a famous person Jajansingh. The Emperor of Delhi appointed him. His Minister. He did many good deeds for the public, so he became very famous. He also arranged a Sangh for Shatrunjay with the permikssion of the Emperor. At that time Jajansingh performed a ceremony in adoration of the deity presenting Rupees 52 Lacs, the government  income (i.e. the revenue of the Malav Province.)

When the Emperor came to know about the fact, that Jajansingh had spent the revenue income of malava province, he became furious and ordered the soldiers to arrest him, but Jajansingh drew out the dagger in defence. The solders went away. Jajansingh requested the Emperor that he had not done any breach of trust. The Emperor said, “O! Kataria, tell me the truths. Where you have spend the Government money?” Jajansingh replied, “I have spent the money in the expression of your respect for the God, for which God will be pleased and ‘your’ name would be immortaland I will get only the commission from God of this good deed. This slave, (pointing towards himself), has sent this massage to the almighty.” The Emperor became pleased at the answer, and admired him, and awarded the right of keeping Dagger with him even in the Royal Court. His family therefore, is called Kataria.

Following gotra and sub-gotras are of Kataria:-

Ratanpura, Kotecha, Balahi, Sapdrah, Hada, Beda, Samariha, Narayangotra, Bhalania, Ramsena, Bohara, Deora, Songara, Rudnecha, Balot, Chapa,

Koch, Khinchi, Vihal, Semta, melwal, Valia, Malhan, Pavecha (Pavesha), Katlecha, Rapadia, Dudnecha, Nahata, Ishra, Rankaliya, Sanchora and Bangto.

A few Ratanpura person were doing business of giving loan to Balai, so they were amed ‘Balai’ or ‘Balahi’.

According to the book “Anchalgachh na Jyotirdhar” Acharya Jaisingh Suri of Anchal Gachh enlightened Ravat Katarmalle in Punjvada City in V. 1244 and converted him an Oswal. His family was known as Kataria. Katarmalle built a Jain temple of Lord Mahaveera at Hastikund.

It is also said that Shisodia Rajputs were ruler of Pujvada. Chouhan Katarmal was a very popular person of the city. He was so rich that even kings used to take loan from him whe needed. In V. 1244 Acharya Shri Jaisingh suri arrived in the city. Katarmalle was enlightened and taking to the cult of non-voilence converted himself into an Oswal, his gotra was named ‘Kataria’.

Kuldevi of these is Shri Ashapura Mataji

It is also said that the enemy attacked Janjansingh, he though that it was better to commit suicide than to be murdered at the hands of Mohammedens, so he killed himself with a Dagger, his gotra was named Kataria. The temple of Hastikund was built by this family.

ACHARYA CHANDANAJI

Her father was Shri Manakchand Kataria of village Chas-Kaman situated on the bank of river Bhima in Maharashtra. Her name was Shakuntla. She renounced the world and become Sadhvi of Upadhyaya Shri Amarmuni. She developed ‘Virayatan’. It contains Singh Dwar (Main Gate), Meseum, Education Centre, Printing Press, well ‘Chidamshala’ (Meditation Hall), Upasaraya, Dharmashala, Office, akashganga (Drinking water Place), Akshaya nidhi Bhawan (Eating Room). Library etc.

Kataria Mehta Shri Laxmansinghji

Mehta Govindsinghji had no son, so he adopted Laxmansinghji. He was born in V. 1943. He joined his services in V. 1965. He remained Hakim of Bahor, Rasmi, Saharda, Bhilwara, Chitoregarh, Jahajpur respectively. After that he became Udaipur State’s Accountant General.

Mehta Shri Sawairamji

He was brother of Mehta Shersinghji. He was Diwan of Prince Jawansinghji of Udaipur. When Jawansinghji became Maharana he was much pleased with Mehta Sawairamji. At the time of the marriage of the daughter of Sawairamji, Maharana gave a village in the dowery. Sawairamji had no son, so he adopted Gopaldasji.

Mehta Shri Gopaldasji

In V.1907 Maharana ordered him to make a few villages prosperous. He made them prosperous with his brilliance. Maharana was pleased with him and honoured him with Siropav and gave him the Hakumal of Railmagra. In the times of Maharana Sajjansinghji, Raot Kesharisingh disobeyed the orders of Maharana, so he and Mehta Laxmilalji were sent to arrest him. After quite a struggle they arrested and produced Raotji before the Maharanaji. Maharana honoured Gopaldasji and Mehta Laxmilalji both. He died in v. 1946.

Mehta Shri Bhopalsinghji

He was bor in V. 1914. He became Hakim of Rashmi at the age of 18 years. Then he was transferred to Mandal. Here he increased the revenue, so Maharana was pleased with him and honoured him. He became Revenue Settlement Officer in V. 1946. In 1961 he became Head of Mahakamakhas. Here he started the process of preparing Budget. He died in V. 1968.

Mehta Shri Jagannathsinghji

He was born in V.1942. He received good education. In 1960 he became officer of the Treasurary. After the death of his father he became Personal Assstant of Maharaja. In V. 1971 he and Rao-Bahadur Sukhdeoprashadji were made Pradhan of Mahakamakhas. In v. 1975 when sukhdeoprasadji went to Jodhpur, he became the sole incharge of Mahakamakhas.

Kataria Seth Bannaji – Sanpur Sirohi State

He was born in V. 1919. In V. 1986 he organized a Sangh from Sanpur. There  were 4000 male and female in this Sangh. In 22 days this Sangh reached Eranpura From Eranpura this Sangh boarded a special train after 41 days this Sangh returned back. He held feasts at Calcutta. Azimganj and Jaipur.

He built Jain temples at Sayakaya near Sanpur and at Pune. He expired in V. 1990.

Kataria Govindsingh Mehta – Udaipur

His father Mehta Bakhtawarsingh was Hakim of the Udaipur State. Mehta Govindsingh remained Hakim of many districts. He was a good administrator. Once Bheels revolt in Magra District, so Maharana Sajjansinghji deputed Hakim Mehta Govindsingh to maintain peace in Magra. Bheel is a criminal caste. They were brave and warrior like people. Mehta treated Bheels in such a way that they promised not only to maintain peace but also not to eat cow-meat in future.

In V. 1939 Bheels of Bhorai also revolted, so Maharana deputed Mr. Mehta the Hakim of Bhorai. Here also he converted the criminal Bheels and brought peace. Under the supervision of Mr. Mehta, Bheels is a criminal caste. They were brave ad warrior like people. Mehta treated Bheels in such a way that they promised not only to maintain peace but also not to eat cow-meat in future.

In V.1939 Bheels of Bhorai also revolted, so Maharana deputed Mr. Mehta the Hakim of Bhorai. Here also he converted the criminal Bheels and brought peace. Under the supervision of Mr. Mehta, Bheels were reformed. Maharana was pleased with the services of Mr. Mehta and honoured him with the award of a Necklace and Siropav. Shri Govindsingh Mehta built a Dharmshala at Kesharianath.

Kataria Gopalsingh Mehta – Udaipur

He was son of Mehta Sawairamji. He was a successful Hakim. In V. 1963 he was deputed a member of the Chief Court. He died in V. 1968.

Kataria Bhopalsingh – Udaipur

He was Diwan of Udaipur, during the reign of Maharana Fatehsinghji.

Kataria Pathadshah

Pethadshah was younger brother of Zazanshah. He was a famous shah. One out of 74.5 Shahs of Mahajans.

Kataria shri Bhagwati Prashad ‘Bhaya’

He was son of Shahu Lalji and grand son of Shri Dashrath Sahu Kataria. He was among the famous poets of 18th century. Pt. Nathuram ‘Premi’ has praised him in his Hindi Sahitya ka Itihas. His poetry was written between 1731 to 1755. A collection of his 67 poems lies in the ‘Braham Vilas’.

Kataria Sawairam ji Mehta Udaipur

He was very close to the Maharana. At the time of the marriage of his daughter Chandbai, Maharana gave a village in Hathleva. Mr. Mehta was deputed Hakim of Railmagra. And then at many places.