Odedra Rajputs (Agnivanshi)

The Odedras within the Mer community are known as Sumras (Soomro or Sumeras) Rajputs.
Approximately 10 miles south-east of Porbandar is the village of Odedar. This is the village of the Odedra Mers. Originally known as the Sumra-Rajputs from the region of Sindh. Acts of bravery and the fight for righteousness still exist in these small but rich in culture villages across the planes of the Kathiawad region in Saurashtra. Through the progeny of Mers may have been improved by the infusion of Rajput blood.
Sumra-Rajputs Mers were found as far North as Chambal (Madhya Pradesh) to the Peninsula of Saurashtra. The existence of Mers in Madhya Pradesh is also acknowledged by Shri Maldev Bapu. And to this day the Sumra-Rajputs Mers of Madhya Pradesh still visit the Mers of the Porbandar region. It is stated that when the Sumra-Rajput-Mers initially came into the present day India, they separated into two, one heading towards Saurashtra and the other to Madhya Pradesh.
The Sumras of the desert are one of the subdivisions of the Pramara Rajputs, and from frequently combining with their brethren the Umars, gave name to a large tract of country, which is even still recognized as Umra-Sumra, and within which Alor is situated. They are without question of the Pramara stock and belong to the Agnikulas. Their successors and opponents, the Sammas, were of the Lunar race.
The Sumra dynasty, (also written Soomra dynasty or Soomro Dynasty) was established by Sumra tribe of Sindh. The Sumra ruled Sindh from 1026-1351 AD and were known as the royal kings of Sindh and reigned 500 years and had a linage of 36 Hindu princes.
The Sumras were consolidating its rule in the southern Thar. After establishing their rule over some major areas like Mathi, Diplo, and parts of Chachro, Sumras advanced northwards, captured Amarkot, and restricted Parmars to Parkar region. Sumras, however, had to face frequent troubles from Parmars and the raja of Kathiawar. By the beginning of the eighth century, Sumras, under the leadership of Ibn Sumar, became sovereign rulers of the entire Thar excluding Parkar and Kaerr.
The later years witnessed frequent invasion of Sultan Mahmood of Ghazna. He attacked Punjab, Multan, Gujarat and other important centres of India. He did not establish his empire in the subcontinent but his attacks weakened Indian states militarily and politically. It was during these days that Sumras subjugated the whole of Sindh and built many forts and fortresses including the Amarkot fort.
The history of this district is similar to that of other districts of the lower Sindh region. The major portion of Thar desert was in occupation of Parmar Rajputs named Sodha and portion from east Chachro to Gadra and some area of Taluka Umerkot and Taluka Khipro of Sanghar District known as Khaor was ruled by Rathors. Sumras, a branch of Parmar Rajputs, possessed a portion of Mithi and Diplo talukas west of Chachro known as Deirak Pargna. When Mehmood Ghaznavi led expeditions on Somnath, it is believed that he passed through this desert a number of times.
In calling the Sumras Rajputs, James Tod is without doubt correct, for notwithstanding the assertions of the local writers, the real fact must be admitted, that the Sumras are not of Arab descent at all, and that this fictitious genealogy was assumed by them, when the majority of the tribe were converted to Islam. Those who refused to embrace Islam immigrated into present day Kathiawadh district of Gujarat.
That the Sumras were not Muslims during at least the early period of their sway, seems to be proved by their names, though this argument is not quite decisive, for down to modern times in Sind, Muhammadan converts have been occasionally allowed to retain their Hindu names.