Sood
Encyclopedia
Sood/Sud is a mercantile caste similar to Khatri and Arora. They claim Kshatriya descent. Soods are found in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Nepal
.. In India, they are mostly in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, and other areas of Northern India.
Sood was the name given to the second son of King Parmar, who was given the Kingdom of Amarkot(or Umerkot at that time).After the death of Raja Sood, his son Manjan Rao succeeded to the throne. Manjan Rao was succeeded by Bachira Rao, Reejh
Rao, Anirudh and Ana Rao. Nothing significant happended during the period and Soods ruled over Pattan undisturbed. On the death of
Ana Rao, there was a* war of succession among his sons and relatives. Kin Rao became victorious and occupied the throne. Although
apparently the question of succession was decided, but there was great resentment under the surface. Violence and war erupted again headed by Kin Rakha Gandal. A fierce battle followed in which Kin Rao, alongwith his eight brothers, was killed and Kin Rakha Gandal won the war.
On the death of Kin Rao and his eight sons, his remaining family members and some other relatives left Pattan and migrated to Maru
Desh. Thus the descendants of Maharaj Sood were divided into two groups— one led by Gandal remained at Pattan and the other left for Maru Desh. Gandal and his sons ruled over Pattan for about 50 years. Rajas of Yadav and Amravali attacked them and they were all defeated and killed and thus Soods lost Pattan. Those who remained alive migrated to the valleys of Ganga and Yamuna and settled there. Kin Rao’s sons conquered a large territory of Marwar and began to rule there with Amarkot as their Capital. Kin Rao’s son Jachak Rao and grandson Tiri Rao were able to establish their hold in this area. Rana Jagdev, son of Tiri Rao, further extended his kingdom to the whole of Sindh and a great part of Punjab, extending from Punjab to Karachi and from river Sutlej to Sindh, including Kashmir. He shifted his capital from Amar Kot to Alwara.
In 331 BC, after defeating Poras, Alexander
's invasion and entry into India at the banks of River Beas was stopped by the superior forces of Rai Shah Sood. This event is recorded in Alexander’s memoirs and also in the Indian history books. Alexander recognized the sterling quality of the Soods and admired their strict adherence to their principles, bravery and practice of Vedic religion. After the death of Alexander, Sood reigned uninterrupted for some time and extended their territory and influence to Alwara, Kashmir, Khandar, Sistan and to Yaumna on the other side. The kingdom was even extended up to Karachi. Indian sailors escorted by Sood forces used to trade with Basara, Istanbul and Greece. There are records of 101 Sood Kingdoms with respective Rajas under Sood Emperor of Alwara.
There are accounts of various Sood queens and in particular Queen Shub Devi Sood, who was educated and took keen interest in the administration of her State. She used to ride horses fully armed like kings and went to battle. 'Sati', 'Jauhar' or self immolation was prevalent at that time by the Rajput women. In the context of circumstances prevailing at that time, this voluntary act by royal women to save the honour of the Raja after his death was an act of valour. History is charred with several such examples set by brave Sood women.
Sood King Dhar gave refuge to a Muslim from Basara named Ilafi, who later turned into a traitor. He joined hands with the local Buddhists and Lohana Jats and organized a rebellion against the Sood Emperor. After great turmoil and bloodshed this rebellion was initially crushed but later Mohamad Bin Quasim invaded India whilst Dhar was the King. Rana Mokha was the first Sood to be converted to Islam. Soods fought fierce guerilla warfare and re-established control of Amarkot under Rana Hameer in 1143 AD. After that the Moghul dynasty was well rooted in India.
After the defeat of Humayun by Sher Shah Suri, who was chased out of Delhi to take refuge in Amar Kot with Rana Rai Prashad Sood. This incident is recorded in Tazok-e-Humanyun'. It was here that the famous Prince Akbar was born. Humayun was escorted to Kabul from where he later recaptured the throne of Delhi. He invited Rana Rai Prashad Sood to Delhi and honoured him. Akbar was the next Emperor and held high regard for Sood Kings and never came into direct conflict with them. It was only when Dewan Hari Singh Sood assisted Chittor against the forces of Akbar that Amar Kot was attacked with the help of Baluch and Bahawalpur forces and lost. Soods scattered to various parts of Sindh, Marwar and Rajasthan. Rana Chagga went to Chittor and was given a 'Jaghir' known as Soodgarh which was later known as Sirhind. Amarkot was later recaptured by the son of Rana Jagga.
Soods being displaced in Sirhind had their first difficulty to marry their sons and daughter to the royal Rajput families. Their customs, dress and ornaments were different to that of other Hindus of that area. There were signs of bravery on their faces and they mostly took royal estate on contract. They began to be subdivided into various subcastes and started intermarrying. Originally, there were 52 subcastes of Soods which derived their names either from the Raja, Kingdom or village they hailed from. Soods were invariably always rich and successful. They were renowned not to publicise the marriages of their children. Boys did not always inherit their fathers’ property. All Soods used to give 10 Rupees and 10 bricks each to the couple at their marriage. Soods always, therefore, lived in brick built houses.
When Raja Man Singh Kachwaha was appointed Governor of Kabul by the Mogul Emperor, he visited Sirhind and soon five thousand Soods armed as Rajput warriors accompanied Raja Man Singh to defeat the Pathans. Upon return the Soods were appointed Governors in Lahore, Agra and Pak Pattan.
Ahmed Shah Abdali invaded India seven times and every time Sirhind was the target as it was an important trade centre and on strategic route to Delhi. So much so that it was known as the cursed city. Disgusted with constant plunder and instability, Soods began migrating to the mountaineous regions and created further separate 52 subcastes, usually after the names of the villages they settled in. Therefore there is a large concentration of Soods in the Shimla region today.
History tells that several Hindus were buried alive when they refused to be converted to Islam by the Moghul Rulers. It was in Sirhind that two brave sons of Guru Gobind Singh were buried alive in the wall. Hindu population of Sirhind at that time consisted of many Soods. All the land belonged to the rulers. Soods of Sirhind purchased land at exorbitant prices by collecting gold nuggets to cremate the brave sons of Guru Gobind Singh. After this was discovered Soods had to flee from Sirhind. Sikhs helped evacuating Soods back to their own villages in Punjab to escape Moghul atrocities and pillage.
Soods then adopted whatever profession they could earn to their living. Some took to agriculture, money lending and estate management. By this time, the Moghul rule was on its last legs and the British arrived in India.
Around 1886 some Soods ventured abroad and left for East Africa. In early 1900 many Sood families made their homes in East Africa and other parts of the world. They made a major contribution in the administration and building of East Africa together with the British.
Jallianwala Bagh episode in 1919 cannot go unrecorded, since it was Dr. Gurubux Rai Sood who presided over the meeting, since he was the chief organiser. The British massacre by General Dawyer took place and many Soods gave their lives. The partition of India in 1947 saw another displacement of Soods.
Some people of other castes also use Sood sometimes to improve their social status.
1. Burnwal
2. Baurie
3. Balgan
4. Bery
5. Badhoo
6. Bharak
7. Bodhi
8. Bhokhi
9. Behal
10. Brahmi
11. Bhola
12. Dosaj
13. Dhanda
14. Dhati
15. Dhiri
16. Dhookhi
17. Daddan
18. Dhaunchak
19. Deli
20. Dhoop
21. Gandel
22. Gajri
23. Gopal
24. Gajjey
25. Jari
26. Janpal
27. Kajley
28. Khurpay
29. Lav or lau
30. Mohindra
31. Momman
32. Mohni
33. Mukand
34. Mandal
35. Mahiyar or Mayor
36. Makaurey
37. Nandoo
38. Nehra
39. Phassi
40. Parwaha
41. Paal
42. Poora
43. Phakka
44. Rora
45. Rodher
46. Rohnir
47. Sulhan
48. Sanwal
49. Tagaley
50. Teji
51. Ugal-Virk or Virk
52. Udhar
SUB CASTES OF SOOD COMMUNITY OF HILL AREAS AND THEIR SACRED PLACES OF JATHERIES(named on sacred place location)
1. Banta Bohan Jawalaji Rani Tal Road
2. Bhagley
3. Basohal
4. Basalia
5. Bajwaria
6. Bhagra Lohara Mubarikpur-Kurloohi-Kinnoo Bharwain Road
7. Chehray
8. Chakaseday
9. Chonolia
10. Chamib
11. Chaukand
12. Chaujar
13. Chimia
14. Cheema or Cheemray Nakroh Mubarikpur, Daulatpur Road
15. Dhopal
16. Dogar Ambota Gagret- Daulatpur Road
17. Doddal
18. Dhophmal
19. Dogan
20. Indoria
21. Jullundray
22. Jehalghat
23. Jandrangloo
24. Karol Gummer Jawalaji- Rani Tal Road
25. Kuthiala Garli Garli Khad - ke- Par
26. Kataway
27. Kalandar
28. Kandal
29. Laserday
30. Lakhanty
31. Langey
32. Lahespar
33. Saluria Behdala Una- Nangal Road
34. Lamsay Jaijon Jaijon-Santokhgarh Road, 2 km. from Jaijon
35. Ling
36. Maria
37. Mithey or Mithoo Chandpur 8 km. from Jaijon
38. Mahdodia, Mehdodia Bal Khalsa Una- Pirnagaha Road
39. Mangwalich
40. Mehtay
41. Mand
42. Nehdal
43. Pnalkolia
44. Phagdey
45. Paptopay (Paway) Babu Nath Shah Village Purmandal 25 km. from Samba (Jammu)
46. Panbalia
47. Shall
48. Sabloria
49. Sawali
50. Sah
51. Saraup
52. Takalo
53. Butail
54. Haraloo Kharar Achharwal Mahilpur-Kotfatuhi Road
55. Kaunsal
[ Source: Glimpses of Sood History and Sub Castes of Sood Community is derived from Sood Sabha magazine published by Sood Sabha, Hoshiarpur.]
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
.. In India, they are mostly in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, and other areas of Northern India.
Origin and History
The word "Sood" stands for "Victor Of Enemies" according to Amarkosh in sanskrit.Sood was the name given to the second son of King Parmar, who was given the Kingdom of Amarkot(or Umerkot at that time).After the death of Raja Sood, his son Manjan Rao succeeded to the throne. Manjan Rao was succeeded by Bachira Rao, Reejh
Rao, Anirudh and Ana Rao. Nothing significant happended during the period and Soods ruled over Pattan undisturbed. On the death of
Ana Rao, there was a* war of succession among his sons and relatives. Kin Rao became victorious and occupied the throne. Although
apparently the question of succession was decided, but there was great resentment under the surface. Violence and war erupted again headed by Kin Rakha Gandal. A fierce battle followed in which Kin Rao, alongwith his eight brothers, was killed and Kin Rakha Gandal won the war.
On the death of Kin Rao and his eight sons, his remaining family members and some other relatives left Pattan and migrated to Maru
Desh. Thus the descendants of Maharaj Sood were divided into two groups— one led by Gandal remained at Pattan and the other left for Maru Desh. Gandal and his sons ruled over Pattan for about 50 years. Rajas of Yadav and Amravali attacked them and they were all defeated and killed and thus Soods lost Pattan. Those who remained alive migrated to the valleys of Ganga and Yamuna and settled there. Kin Rao’s sons conquered a large territory of Marwar and began to rule there with Amarkot as their Capital. Kin Rao’s son Jachak Rao and grandson Tiri Rao were able to establish their hold in this area. Rana Jagdev, son of Tiri Rao, further extended his kingdom to the whole of Sindh and a great part of Punjab, extending from Punjab to Karachi and from river Sutlej to Sindh, including Kashmir. He shifted his capital from Amar Kot to Alwara.
In 331 BC, after defeating Poras, Alexander
Alexander
Alexander is a common male first name, and less common surname. The most famous is Alexander the Great, the King of Macedon who created one of the largest empires in ancient history.- Origin :...
's invasion and entry into India at the banks of River Beas was stopped by the superior forces of Rai Shah Sood. This event is recorded in Alexander’s memoirs and also in the Indian history books. Alexander recognized the sterling quality of the Soods and admired their strict adherence to their principles, bravery and practice of Vedic religion. After the death of Alexander, Sood reigned uninterrupted for some time and extended their territory and influence to Alwara, Kashmir, Khandar, Sistan and to Yaumna on the other side. The kingdom was even extended up to Karachi. Indian sailors escorted by Sood forces used to trade with Basara, Istanbul and Greece. There are records of 101 Sood Kingdoms with respective Rajas under Sood Emperor of Alwara.
There are accounts of various Sood queens and in particular Queen Shub Devi Sood, who was educated and took keen interest in the administration of her State. She used to ride horses fully armed like kings and went to battle. 'Sati', 'Jauhar' or self immolation was prevalent at that time by the Rajput women. In the context of circumstances prevailing at that time, this voluntary act by royal women to save the honour of the Raja after his death was an act of valour. History is charred with several such examples set by brave Sood women.
Sood King Dhar gave refuge to a Muslim from Basara named Ilafi, who later turned into a traitor. He joined hands with the local Buddhists and Lohana Jats and organized a rebellion against the Sood Emperor. After great turmoil and bloodshed this rebellion was initially crushed but later Mohamad Bin Quasim invaded India whilst Dhar was the King. Rana Mokha was the first Sood to be converted to Islam. Soods fought fierce guerilla warfare and re-established control of Amarkot under Rana Hameer in 1143 AD. After that the Moghul dynasty was well rooted in India.
After the defeat of Humayun by Sher Shah Suri, who was chased out of Delhi to take refuge in Amar Kot with Rana Rai Prashad Sood. This incident is recorded in Tazok-e-Humanyun'. It was here that the famous Prince Akbar was born. Humayun was escorted to Kabul from where he later recaptured the throne of Delhi. He invited Rana Rai Prashad Sood to Delhi and honoured him. Akbar was the next Emperor and held high regard for Sood Kings and never came into direct conflict with them. It was only when Dewan Hari Singh Sood assisted Chittor against the forces of Akbar that Amar Kot was attacked with the help of Baluch and Bahawalpur forces and lost. Soods scattered to various parts of Sindh, Marwar and Rajasthan. Rana Chagga went to Chittor and was given a 'Jaghir' known as Soodgarh which was later known as Sirhind. Amarkot was later recaptured by the son of Rana Jagga.
Soods being displaced in Sirhind had their first difficulty to marry their sons and daughter to the royal Rajput families. Their customs, dress and ornaments were different to that of other Hindus of that area. There were signs of bravery on their faces and they mostly took royal estate on contract. They began to be subdivided into various subcastes and started intermarrying. Originally, there were 52 subcastes of Soods which derived their names either from the Raja, Kingdom or village they hailed from. Soods were invariably always rich and successful. They were renowned not to publicise the marriages of their children. Boys did not always inherit their fathers’ property. All Soods used to give 10 Rupees and 10 bricks each to the couple at their marriage. Soods always, therefore, lived in brick built houses.
When Raja Man Singh Kachwaha was appointed Governor of Kabul by the Mogul Emperor, he visited Sirhind and soon five thousand Soods armed as Rajput warriors accompanied Raja Man Singh to defeat the Pathans. Upon return the Soods were appointed Governors in Lahore, Agra and Pak Pattan.
Ahmed Shah Abdali invaded India seven times and every time Sirhind was the target as it was an important trade centre and on strategic route to Delhi. So much so that it was known as the cursed city. Disgusted with constant plunder and instability, Soods began migrating to the mountaineous regions and created further separate 52 subcastes, usually after the names of the villages they settled in. Therefore there is a large concentration of Soods in the Shimla region today.
History tells that several Hindus were buried alive when they refused to be converted to Islam by the Moghul Rulers. It was in Sirhind that two brave sons of Guru Gobind Singh were buried alive in the wall. Hindu population of Sirhind at that time consisted of many Soods. All the land belonged to the rulers. Soods of Sirhind purchased land at exorbitant prices by collecting gold nuggets to cremate the brave sons of Guru Gobind Singh. After this was discovered Soods had to flee from Sirhind. Sikhs helped evacuating Soods back to their own villages in Punjab to escape Moghul atrocities and pillage.
Soods then adopted whatever profession they could earn to their living. Some took to agriculture, money lending and estate management. By this time, the Moghul rule was on its last legs and the British arrived in India.
Around 1886 some Soods ventured abroad and left for East Africa. In early 1900 many Sood families made their homes in East Africa and other parts of the world. They made a major contribution in the administration and building of East Africa together with the British.
Jallianwala Bagh episode in 1919 cannot go unrecorded, since it was Dr. Gurubux Rai Sood who presided over the meeting, since he was the chief organiser. The British massacre by General Dawyer took place and many Soods gave their lives. The partition of India in 1947 saw another displacement of Soods.
Some people of other castes also use Sood sometimes to improve their social status.
Creation of Sub Castes
SUB CASTES OF SOOD COMMUNITY OF PLAINS AND THEIR SACRED PLACES OF JATHERIES(named on sacred place location)1. Burnwal
2. Baurie
3. Balgan
4. Bery
5. Badhoo
6. Bharak
7. Bodhi
8. Bhokhi
9. Behal
10. Brahmi
11. Bhola
12. Dosaj
13. Dhanda
14. Dhati
15. Dhiri
16. Dhookhi
17. Daddan
18. Dhaunchak
19. Deli
20. Dhoop
21. Gandel
22. Gajri
23. Gopal
24. Gajjey
25. Jari
26. Janpal
27. Kajley
28. Khurpay
29. Lav or lau
30. Mohindra
31. Momman
32. Mohni
33. Mukand
34. Mandal
35. Mahiyar or Mayor
36. Makaurey
37. Nandoo
38. Nehra
39. Phassi
40. Parwaha
41. Paal
42. Poora
43. Phakka
44. Rora
45. Rodher
46. Rohnir
47. Sulhan
48. Sanwal
49. Tagaley
50. Teji
51. Ugal-Virk or Virk
52. Udhar
SUB CASTES OF SOOD COMMUNITY OF HILL AREAS AND THEIR SACRED PLACES OF JATHERIES(named on sacred place location)
1. Banta Bohan Jawalaji Rani Tal Road
2. Bhagley
3. Basohal
4. Basalia
5. Bajwaria
6. Bhagra Lohara Mubarikpur-Kurloohi-Kinnoo Bharwain Road
7. Chehray
8. Chakaseday
9. Chonolia
10. Chamib
11. Chaukand
12. Chaujar
13. Chimia
14. Cheema or Cheemray Nakroh Mubarikpur, Daulatpur Road
15. Dhopal
16. Dogar Ambota Gagret- Daulatpur Road
17. Doddal
18. Dhophmal
19. Dogan
20. Indoria
21. Jullundray
22. Jehalghat
23. Jandrangloo
24. Karol Gummer Jawalaji- Rani Tal Road
25. Kuthiala Garli Garli Khad - ke- Par
26. Kataway
27. Kalandar
28. Kandal
29. Laserday
30. Lakhanty
31. Langey
32. Lahespar
33. Saluria Behdala Una- Nangal Road
34. Lamsay Jaijon Jaijon-Santokhgarh Road, 2 km. from Jaijon
35. Ling
36. Maria
37. Mithey or Mithoo Chandpur 8 km. from Jaijon
38. Mahdodia, Mehdodia Bal Khalsa Una- Pirnagaha Road
39. Mangwalich
40. Mehtay
41. Mand
42. Nehdal
43. Pnalkolia
44. Phagdey
45. Paptopay (Paway) Babu Nath Shah Village Purmandal 25 km. from Samba (Jammu)
46. Panbalia
47. Shall
48. Sabloria
49. Sawali
50. Sah
51. Saraup
52. Takalo
53. Butail
54. Haraloo Kharar Achharwal Mahilpur-Kotfatuhi Road
55. Kaunsal
[ Source: Glimpses of Sood History and Sub Castes of Sood Community is derived from Sood Sabha magazine published by Sood Sabha, Hoshiarpur.]
See also
- Hinduism in PunjabHinduism in PunjabPunjabi Hindus are a group of people that follows the Hindu religion and has its roots in the erstwhile joint ancient Panjab region. Today it is spread out across most parts of northern India and in some parts of western India like Mumbai, Maharashtra. In India, most Punjabi Hindus are...
- RajputRajputA Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
- Parmar
- LohanaLohanaThe Lohana also referred to as Luvana are an Indian caste,largely classified as merchants and are categorized as Vaishya or Bania caste although their ancient history proves that they are Kshatriya of Suryavanshi descant, claiming their lineage from Lava, son of Rama...
- KhatriKhatriKhatri is a caste from the northern Indian subcontinent. Khatris in India are mostly from Punjab, region but later they migrated to regions like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Jammu, Uttarkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber...
- karral