[Káthiáváda contains three peculiar and associated classes of Hindus, the Mers, the Jethvás, and the Jhálás. The Mers and the Jethvás stand to each other in the relation of vassal and lord. The Jhálás are connected with the Jethvás by origin history and alliance. The bond of union between the three classes is not only that they seem to be of foreign that is of non-Hindu origin, but whether or not they belong to the same swarm of northern invaders, that they all apparently entered Káthiáváda either by land or sea through Sindh and Kacch. So far as record or tradition remains the Mers and [The Jethvás.] Jethvás reached Káthiáváda in the latter half of the fifth century after Christ, and the Jhálás, and perhaps a second detachment of Mers and Jethvás, some three hundred years later. [464] The three tribes differ widely in numbers and in distribution. The ruling Jethvás are a small group found solely in south-west Káthiáváda. [465] The Jhálás, who are also known as Makvánas, are a much larger clan. They not only fill north-east Káthiáváda, but from Káthiáváda, about A.D. 1500, spread to Rájputána and have there established a second Jháláváda, [466] where, in reward for their devotion to the Sesodia Rája of Mewád in his struggles with the Emperor Akbar (A.D. 1580-1600), the chief was given a daughter of the Udepur family and raised to a high position among Rájputs. [467] The Mers are a numerous and widespread race. They seem to be the sixth to tenth century Medhs, Meds, Mands, or Mins of Baluchistán, South-Sindh, Kacch, and Káthiáváda. [468] Further they seem to be the Mers of Meváda or Medapatha in Rájputána [469] and of Mairváda in Málava, [470] and also to be the Musalmán Meos and Minas of Northern India. [471] In Gujarát their strength is much greater than the 30,000 or 40,000 returned as [The Mers.] Mers. One branch of the tribe is hidden under the name Koli; another has disappeared below the covering of Islám. [472] Formerly except the vague contention that the Medhás, Jhetvás, and Jhála-Makvánás were northerners of somewhat recent arrival little evidence was available either to fix the date of their appearance in Káthiáváda or to determine to which of the many swarms of non-Hindu Northerners they belonged. [473] This point Dr. Bhagvánlál's remarks in the text go far to clear. The chief step is the identification of the Mers with the Maitrakas, the ruling power in Káthiáváda between the decline of the Guptas about A.D. 470 and the establishment of Valabhi rule about sixty years later. And further that they fought at the same time against the same Hindu rulers and that both are described as foreigners and northerners favours the identification of the [White Húnas.] power of the Maitrakas with the North Indian empire of the Epthalites, Yethas, or White Húnas. [474]