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Rajput clans
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The Rajputs are a community of Hindus belonging to the Kshatriya or warrior varna. Apart from being an important factor in the social life of the rajputs themselves, their clan system is also of interest for certain other reasons: land tenure studies in the Indian state of Rajasthan and tracing of ancient population shifts are only two fields where this topic would be of interest.
rajputs are divided into 36 clans, each clan belonging to one of three basic lineages (vanshas or vamshas):
- the Suryavanshi lineage, claiming descent from Surya, the Hindu Sun-god or in English it is known as Solar Dynasty;
- the Chandravanshi lineage, claiming descent from Chandra, the Hindu Moon-god or in English it is known as Lunar Dynasty;
- the Agnivanshi lineage, claiming descent from Agni, the Hindu god of fire.Four Rajput clans are considered to be Agnivanshi.They are Chauhans,Paramara,Solanki and Pratiharas.
The Hindu God Rama belonged to Raghuvanshi kula /Raghav (one of the main branch of Suryavansha or Sun Dynasty) and God Krishna belonged to Chandravanshi or Lunar Dynasty.
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The Rajputs are a community of Hindus belonging to the Kshatriya or warrior varna. Apart from being an important factor in the social life of the rajputs themselves, their clan system is also of interest for certain other reasons: land tenure studies in the Indian state of Rajasthan and tracing of ancient population shifts are only two fields where this topic would be of interest.
The main lineages
The rajputs are divided into 36 clans, each clan belonging to one of three basic lineages (vanshas or vamshas):
- the Suryavanshi lineage, claiming descent from Surya, the Hindu Sun-god or in English it is known as Solar Dynasty;
- the Chandravanshi lineage, claiming descent from Chandra, the Hindu Moon-god or in English it is known as Lunar Dynasty;
- the Agnivanshi lineage, claiming descent from Agni, the Hindu god of fire.Four Rajput clans are considered to be Agnivanshi.They are Chauhans,Paramara,Solanki and Pratiharas.
The Hindu God Rama belonged to Raghuvanshi kula /Raghav (one of the main branch of Suryavansha or Sun Dynasty) and God Krishna belonged to Chandravanshi or Lunar Dynasty. There were other dynasties also at the time of Rama and Krishna and Buddha. It is not necessary for every Rajput to belong to any particular one of these dynasties. They are listed and recorded for their outstanding record. There are many dynasties in India and out of it of Kshatrias who were later known as Rajputs
Some scholars also include Nagavanshi and Rishivanshi as separate lineages. The "Yaduvanshi" lineage is actually a major branch of the "Chandravanshi" lineage: the Hindu god Krishna belonged to the Chandravansha, and his supposed descendents form the Yaduvansha clan; others who claim descent from the moon-god but not from Krishna form the existing chandravansha lineage.
Clan organization
Each of these Vamshas or lineages is divided into several clans (kula), all of whom claim direct patrilineage for a remote but common male ancestor who supposedly belonged to that Vamsha. Some of these thirty-six main clans are further subdivided into shakhas or "branches", again based on the same principle of patrilineage.
An example: Thus for instance, a present-day bearer of the surname "mahthan" belongs to the mahthan shakha of the larger Sisodia Kula, which in turn is a subset of the larger Gehlot or Guhilot clan, in turn part of the Suryavamshi lineage. Furthermore, all mahthan belong to the patrilineage of a certain rao mahthan, who was a direct male-line descendent of a definite male ancestor (in this case, Rana Hamir of Mewar) who belonged to the patrilineage of a certain Guha, believed to be the father of the Guhilot clan.
Each shakha or basic sub-clan has its individual genealogical creed, describing the essential peculiarities, religious tenets and original domicile of the clan. This creed is a touchstone of traditional affinities and also provides all information governing the laws of intermarriage.
There are thirty-six rajput clans. The following are further subdivided:Bargujar (Raghav), Bais, Guhila (Gehlot), Parmar, Chauhan, Paramara or Panwar, Solanki, Rathore, Tomar/ Tanwar, Kachwaha. The various subdivisions of these clans are detailed below.
The other twenty-four clans are not divided further. These are: Sengar, Balla, Khurwur, Chawura, Dahima/Dayma/Pundir, Dahiya, Byce, Gherwal, Nikumpa, Dewut, Johiya, Sikarwar/Sikerwal, Dodia.gh
Major clans
Sisodia
The Sisodias suryavanshi Rajputs were also known as the Ranas of Mewar, old Ranas states are to be found in many parts of India, and Nepal. The earliest history of the clan calims that they had moved from Lahore that was also known as 'Lohkot' or 'Lavasthali' to Shiv Desh, or Chitor in V.S 191. In V.S 193 their ancestor Maharaja Kanak sen whose 21 had ruled over Lahore. Later he also defeated the Kushan Satrap Rudradama who ruled over Gujarat had moved to Gujarat on a punitive expedition against Dihraj Dev Parmar the ruler of Idar (Gujarat). There he established his capital Vallabhi. They trace their descent from Bappa Rawal, purported scion of the Guhilot or Guhila or Gehlot or Gahlot clan, who established himself as ruler of Mewar in 734 AD, ruling from the fortress of Chittor (or Chittorgarh).
According to legend and clan history, Bappa grew up as a cowherd in the town of Kailashpuri (now Eklingji) but spent much of his time studying the Vedas in the hermitage of the sage Harita Rishi. He learned to respect Lord Eklingji, and later Harita Rishi gave him the title of the Diwan of Eklingji, one that has become a legacy for the succeeding maharanas. When he was 15 Bappa came to know that he was the nephew of the ruler of Chittor who had been ousted by the ruler of Malwa. He left Kailashpuri, went to the fortress city of Chittor and snatched his kingdom back from the prince of Malwa, Man Singh Mori. In the 9th century bad luck fell upon the Gehlots who were driven away by the Pratiharas who in turn made way for the Rashtrakutas and Paramaras
Rathore
Rathore The Rathore or Rathor or Rathod is a Rajput tribe of India. Rathors in India are a Suryavansh Rajput clan from the Marwar region of western Rajasthan, inhabiting Idar state of Gujarat and also the Chhapra and Muzaffarpur districts of Bihar in very small numbers. In India, their native languages are Hindi and its dialects (such as Rajasthani, Marwari and other languages of Rajasthan, Gujarati and Kutchi in Gujarat, as well as Punjabi in the Punjab a dialect of Punjabi called Rathi spoken in Ratia and Tohana in present day Haryana.Rathore are the people from the west Rajasthan. Rathore's have many gotras, most of these gotras are from the name of the great warriors of the past and gotras are being used by their family members. Some of these gotras are: Jodha, Bidawat, Banirot, Champawat, mertiya and so forth.
Rathore's were said to be the worshipers of sun. To understand the huge clan of Rathore's we will have understand their areas they occupy. Rathore's of Jodhpur were supreme in present districts such as - Jodhpur, Pali, Ajmer, Nagaur, Barmer, Sirohi. Rathore,s of Bikaner were occupant of the area that included districts Bikaner, Churu, Ganganagar, Hanumangarh.
Dynasties belonging to this clan ruled a number of kingdoms and princely states in Rajasthan and neighbouring states before India's independence in 1947. The largest and oldest among these was Jodhpur, in Marwar and Bikaner. Also the Idar State in Gujrat. The Maharaja of Jodhpur, is regarded as the head of the extended Rathore clan of Hindu Rajputs. Even in the modern times the clout of this clan in the democratic world is such that a large number of MLAs and MPs have been elected from among them.
Kachwaha
The Kachwaha (also spelled as Kachavaha,Kacchavahas, Kachhawa, Kuchhwaha & Kushwah including Kacchapghata, Kakutstha, and Kurma) are a Suryavanshi Rajput clan who ruled a number of kingdoms and princely states in India such as Alwar, Maihar, Talcher, while the largest and oldest state was Amber (city) later known as Jaipur. The Pachrang flag of the former Jaipur state. Prior to the adoption of the Pachrang (five coloured) flag by Raja Man Singh I of Amber, the original flag of the Kachwahas was known as the 'Jharshahi' (tree-marked) flagJaipur(Jainagara), an extension of the old kingdom of Amber, was founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727.The Maharaja of Jaipur is regarded as the head of the extended Kachwaha clan. Overall, sub-clans of the Kachwaha number around 71. Prominent sub-clans of the Kachhawa clan include: Rajawat, Shekhawat, Sheobramhpota, Naruka, Nathawat, Khangarot and Kumbhani. The Kachhawas belong to the Suryavanshi lineage, which claims descent from the Surya and Sun Dynasty of the ancient Kshatriyas. Specifically, they claim descent from Kusha[1] younger of the twin sons of Rama, hero of the Ramayana, to whom patrilineal descent from Surya is in turn ascribed. Indeed, the name Kachawaha is held by many[2] to be a patronymic derived from the name "Kusha".
Prominent Sub-clans are Shekhawat, Naruka, Rajawat, Nathawat, Kalyanot, Jamwal, Minhas, Manhas, Baghel, Jasrotia, Nindar.
Bargujar(Birgoojur)
The Bargujars(Birgoojur) were the vassals of the gurjara prathihars. They are the most revered and most fierce clan of the rajputs ever known.They constituted the main force in "Haraval" Tukdi the first line of offence in a battle,for a Bargujar it is the greatest honour to die in battle field defending his "Motherland",once the saffron band was tied to the forehead it triggered the suicidal instinct of fight till the end,no matter how big or strong the enemy ,engraved in their genes over the generations,no doubt because of this their numbers were greatly reduced.The bargujars chose to die rather to submit to the supremacy of the muslim kings. many bargujars were put to death for not giving their daughters to muslim rulers. some bargujars changed their clan name to sikarwar to escape mass genocide carriedout against them.
A well trained Bargujar fighting unit is uncomparable to any fighting force known in the history of mankind.
Bargujar is a highly respected suryavansh clan.They claim Lava(Lord Rama ) son as their ancestor and so they are also known as Raghav(Rama + Lava).
Pundir
Pundir The Pundirs are a proud, stiff-necked people, very clannish and always ready to unite in open or secret opposition to the law; but of late there has been much improvement in these respects. They are not too proud to labour with their own hands, but make admirable horse-breeders.
A fine hardy race who at former times were much given to helping themselves from the property of their neighbours. In this respect they were worse than the Gujars, and like them were powerful by reason of their union amongst themselves. Confident in their power of combination, the Pundirs used to resist the Police and Revenue Authorities by open force. A steadily-continued course of the severest punishment at last broke their stiffneckedness, and also reduced them to a state of destitution, from which they are now, however, gradually recovering. Notorious cattle lifters the Pundirs are equally distinguished by their pride. During the Famine of 1860-1861 they preferred to die in their homes rather than seek aid at the Central Station 20 miles off.
Solankis
Solankis were descended from the Chalukyas of Karnataka who ruled much of peninsular India between the 6th and 12th centuries. In the 10th century, a local branch of the clan established control over Gujarat and ruled a state centered around the town of Patan. They went into decline in the 13th century and were displaced by the Vaghela.
Paramaras
Paramara were near-neighbours of the Solankis. They originated as feudatories of the Rashtrakutas and rose to power in the 10th century. They ruled Malwa and the area at the border between present-day Gujarat and Rajasthan. Bhoja, the celebrated king of Malwa, belonged to this dynasty. In the 12th century, the Paramaras declined in power due to conflict with the Solankis and succumbed to attack from the Delhi sultanate in 1305.
The Rever's were of the State of Tarangagadh. The sword of Rever is known in the history of war in 11th century. They ruled Taranga and the area at the border between present-day Gujarat and Rajasthan belonged to this dynasty.
Chandelas
In the early 10th century, the Chandelas ruled the fortress-city of Kalinjar. A dynastic struggle (c.912-914 CE) among the Pratiharas provided them with the opportunity to extend their domain. They captured the strategic fortress of Gwalior (c.950) under the leadership of Dhanga (ruled 950-1008). Dhanga's grandson Vidyadhara (ruled 1017-29) expanded the Chandela kingdom to its greatest size, from the Chambal river in the northwest to the Narmada River in the south, thus covering a large portion of the present-day state of Madhya Pradesh.
Tomars or Tanwars
Tomars, or Tanwars, are Chandravanshi Rajputs, and descended from Mahabharat's great hero, Arjun, through his son Abhimanyu, and grandson, Parikshat. Chakravarti Samrat (King) Yudhishtra, founded Indraprastha, present day Delhi. Tomars (King Anangpal Tomar) conquered and re-established the Delhi Kingdom in CE 792 and founded the city of 'Dhillika,' (modern Delhi). Besides Delhi, Tomar's rule covered western U.P. and most of present day Haryana and Punjab. Tomar's rule lasted until CE 1162 when last Tomar King Anangpal II appointed Prithviraj Chauhan, his grandson (his daughter's son), and King of Ajmer- as 'catetaker,' since his own sons were very young at that time. According to the accounts kept by Tomar/ Tanwar 'Jagas,' King Anangpal Tomar appointed Prithviraj Chauhan as caretaker only when he went on a religious pilgrimage. It is also said by Tanwar 'Jagas' that when King Anangpal returned, Prithviraj refused to hand over the kingdom to him. It is worth mentioning that 'Jagas' are a caste in Rajasthen who are hereditary keepers of genealogical records of Rajputs, and present 'Jagas' of Tomar/Tanwar Rajputs reside near Jaipur, Rajasthan.
Chauhans
Chauhans originated as feudatories of the Pratiharas and rose to power in the wake of the decline of that power. Their state was initially centered around Sambhar in present-day Rajasthan. In the 11th century, they founded the city of Ajmer which became their capital. In the 12th century, their the then King Prithviraj Chauhan acquired Delhi from his maternal grand father,the then Tomar King Anangpal II Tomar (see above under Tomars or Tanwars). Their most famous ruler was Prithviraj Chauhan, who won the First Battle of Tarain against an invading Muslim army but lost the Second Battle of Tarain the following year. This loss heralded a prolonged period of Muslim rule over northern India.
List
- Bargujar Raghav - Haryana, Rajasthan, Utter pradesh
- khadad haryana (beri)
- Madadh
- Taparia
- lawtamia
- Barsal or Bersal or BasarwalRajgan Pathankot,Nurpur,Kangra
- Badhial
- Basrawl
- Baloach
- [Birdee or Birdi]
- Kohal
, Ujjain, Kannauj, Nagod
- Maharaja Nahar Rao Parihar
See also
External links
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