Jaitawat Rajput

The Jaitawats are a subgoup of the Rathore clan of Rajputs of India. They are the descendants of Jaitaji Rathore, who was the son of Panchayan Ji Rathore and his wife Lala Devi "Savant Singh" Solanki. He was born in Vikaram Sawant 1554 Asoj Sudi 8 in AkhaiDurg of Sojat.
Some important things related to Jaitawat Rathores are:-
Vansh-Suryavanshi
Gotra-Gautam Gotra
KulDevi-Nagnechiya Mata (Marwar)
KulVraksh-Neem
Bird-Baaz
Ved-YajurVed
Mantra-Gopal
Nishan (Flag)-Pachrang
River-Saryu
Purohit-Sevad Purohit
Charan-Rohdiya Charan
Bhat-Singoliya.

Dogras Rajput

Rajput Dogras are  be Suryavanshi Rajputs of Chattari origin, migrating many centuries ago

from Rajputana  to the hilly areas of Jammu and lower altitude areas

of Himachal Pradesh (Kangra, Mandi, Bilaspur and Hamirpur). They live predominantly in the

Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir but also in adjoining areas of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh,

and northeastern Pakistan. They speak their own language, Dogri, which was recognized as one

of the national languages of India in 2003.

The Jammu region

  Gulab Singh by British Government (being part of the territories ceded to the British

Government by the Lahore State according to the provisions of Article IV of the treaty of

Lahore, dated 9 March 1846) under Treaty of Amritsar , the Dogra king of Jammu and the State

was thereafter known as the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir State (Raj), also referred as

Kashmir State thereafter. The term Dogra hence is more akin to the subjects of Himachal

Pradesh, some areas of Punjab and whole region of Jammu of J&K State that was ruled by Raja

Gulab Singh as part of Dogra Raj irrespective of the religion one practised.



 The Royal House of Jammu and Kashmir
The chronology of the rulers of Jammu dates back to the Ramayana Period. Indeed, they traced

their ancestry to the Ikshvaku (Solar) Dynasty of Northern India (The same clan in which

Lord Rama was born. He, therefore is the 'kuldevta' (family deity) of the Dogras). A

Raghuvanshi descendant, 'Agnigarba' who was living as a recluse, came to Nagarkote (Kangra,

Himachal Pradesh), in the Shivalik hills. When the Raja of Kangra came to know about this

person's ancestry, he offered him the hand of his daughter and a part of kingdom. The river

Ravi was then the boundary of Nagarkote. Agnigarba crossed it and captured some villages in

the Kathua area and declared himself as sovereign king. After his death, his son Bayusharva

(B.C. 1530-1500) married the princess of Parole (Kathua). The princess was known as Erwan

and she died young. The Raja founded a city after her which is still found near Parole,

though now a small village and at the 'Samadhi' of the queen, a `Mela' (fair) is held at

every `Baisakhi'  every year. Bayusharva extended the boundaries up to the

river Ujh. Bayusharva's great grandson, Bahulochan was enthroned after his death. He

migrated from Erwan and built his fort on the banks of river Tawi. Bahulochan died in a

bloody battle with Chadaras, Raja of Sialkot (Shayalkot) and his younger brother Jambulochan

 ascended the throne. In those days the area beyond Tawi (the present city of

Jammu) was used for hunting. Tradition has it that one day Jambulochan came to this area and

while he was sitting behind a bush to ambush some bird or animal, he saw a lion (a tiger in

some accounts) and a goat drinking water from the same pond. This peaceful coexistence

encouraged him to found the city of Jammu, which some say is named after him. One of his

descendants, Raja Shaktikaran (B.C 1200-1177) introduced the Dogri Script for the first

time. Another of his descendants, Jasdev founded the city of Jasrota on the bank of river

Ujh, and another Raja, Karan Dev built a fort on the banks of the river Basantar. In the

early centuries of the first millennium the area came under the sway of the Indo-Greeks,

with their capital at Sakala (Sialkot).
Among the enlightened rulers of Jammu was Raja Ranjit Dev, who introduced

certain social reforms such as a ban on 'Sati' (immolation of the wife on the pyre of the

husband) and female infanticide. Later, under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the state became part

of the Sikh Empire of the Punjab after it was captured from its Afghan rulers. Ranjit Singh

rendered this state to his general, Maharaja Gulab Singh Jamwal, who belonged to the Jamwal

Rajput clan that ruled Jammu. He extended the boundaries of Jammu to western Tibet with the

help of General Zorawar Singh. The Sikh Empire rule extended beyond the Jammu Region and the

Kashmir Valley to the Tibetan Buddhist Kingdom of Ladakh and the Emirates of Hunza, Gilgit

and Nagar. After the First Anglo-Sikh War in 1846, the British gave Kashmir and the title of

'Maharaja' to Gulab Singh - the chief minister - as a reward for his treachery against the

Sikhs. Pratap Singh, (enthroned in 1885) in saw the construction of Banihal Cart Road (B.C.

Road) mainly to facilitate telegraph services. The last ruler of J&K was Maharaja Hari

Singh, who ascended the throne in 1925. He made primary education compulsory in the State,

introduced laws prohibiting child marriage and threw open places of worship for the low

castes. His reign saw the accession of Jammu & Kashmir to the newly independent Indian Union

in 1947. Although he originally manoeuvered to maintain his independence by playing off

India and Pakistan against each other, Maharaja Hari Singh, the last king of the Rajput

Kingdom of Jammu & Kashmir ceded his kingdom to the Indian Union in 1947, after Pakistan's

founder and Governor-General Mohammad Ali Jinnah, frustrated by his failure to merge his

kingdom into Pakistan, incited armed Pashtuns from the neighbouring North-West Frontier

Province to invade the kingdom in an attempt to seize it. This invasion by Pakistani tribals

and the consequent accession to India sparked the First Indo-Pakistan War. In 1951 Maharaja

Hari Singh's rule was terminated by the assembly and his son Yuvraj (Crown Prince) Karan

Singh was made 'Sadr-e-Riyasat' ('President of the Province') and Governor of the State in

1964.


Notable Dogras

Maharaja Gulab Singh, general of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and later Maharaja of the Dogra

Kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir
General Zorawar Singh, general of Maharaja Gulab Singh
Hari Singh (1895–1961), last ruling Maharaja of the princely state / Kingdom of Jammu and

Kashmir in India and father Karan Singh
Banda Bahadur
Karan Singh, son of Hari Singh and distinguished diplomat
Som_Nath_Sharma First recipient of the Param Vir Chakra
Shivkumar_Sharma Renowned Santoor player
Shesh Paul Vaid, IPS, Director Administration & Training in the Indian Bureau of Police

Research and Development
Ustad Alla Rakha, Padma Shri Tabla player
Prem Nath Dogra
Kundan Lal Saigal, Hindi movie singer and actor

Malika_Pukhraj Renowned singer
Premchand_Dogra Padma Shri and Arjuna Award winning Body builder
Paras_Dogra Cricketer - Plays for Rajasthan Royals in IPL

Bachal Rajputs

Bachal Rajputs are said to get the name from queen Bachal, who was mother of famous folk-deity Jaharveer Gogaji. Gogaji according to legend was son of a Chauhan Rajput Ruler named Vacha or Juar, whose wife Bachal was from Tuar clan. Gogaji was born upon blessings given to Queen Bachal by Guru Gorakhnathji. Gogaji was born in Dadrewa. Early days of Gogaji were spent at village Dadrewa, situated on Hissar-Bikaner Highway in the Churu district in Rajasthan. It is said that this region was once ruled by Gogaji. A fair is also held in memory of Gogaji here. These group of Bachal Rajputs, worship Gogaji, as their Kuldevta.

According to the story, Bachal was the daughter of king of the Sirsa, Patna, Kunwarpal and Queen Sawal Bachal have three sister Kachal, Aimal and Mhaimal and two brothers Sahja Singh and Khamba Singh Bachal got married to the son of the Sambhar's king Jewar there were both child less they both serve lots of jogis, but no result of that then Bachal serve to the Gorakhnath and then Gorakhnath gave guggal to him which she gave birth to gogaji some says she ate the guggal and also give it to his friends from which Nila Ghora, Ratan Singh, Bhaju Kotwal, Narsindh Pandey, were born. Further, Kaimkhani group of converted Muslim Rajputs, also claim descant from Gogaji and worship him as Peer.
Chandravanshi Bachal
According to their traditions, many Bachal Rajput of India and Pakistan claim descent from the mythological personage called Raja Vena of Chandravanshi lineage. It has been suggested that founder of this Bachal claiming to be of Chandravanshi lineage was Raja Bairat of Barkhar in Kheri District, who is believed to have helped Pandavas during their exile from Hastinapur. It is curious to note that Pharaohs of Egypt were said to be contemporary of this Raja Bairat. The Bachals of these early times were an enterprising race, who have constructed many canals, traces of which still exist. Their earliest settlements were in Rohilkhand, where they were dominant until 1174, when the Muslims and Katehriya Rajputs invaded their territory, and dispersed. They then settled in Lakhimpur Kheri District, where the Bachhal ranas maintained their independence until the rule of the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan, when the Bachal Ranas were subjected.
Rajbhar Bachal
A. H. Bingley further explains that in Azamgarh, Bachhals are of aboriginal origin and themselves admit to be descendants of a Raj-Bhar. During, time of Mughal rule in India, it is said that in a fight twelve Bachal Chiefs were slained, but one of their wives, who was pregnant, managed to escape and from her son descended Chabbi Singh. Chabbi Singh, a robber chief gained some hold at the time of Akbar the Great and established minor principalities. During 18th century, Bachals lost their former glory and became robbers.
Gaurua Bachal
In areas around Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, Sisodias, Kachwaha, Jasawats, Thakar (Tribe)s who call themselves, Gaurua are usually referred as Bachal. The origin of Gaurua name is obscure, but it implies impure descant and is merely a generic title. However, it must be noted here that they do not own their name Bachal after Queen Bachal, mother of Gogaji but after a place called Bachban at Sehi, where their Guru always reside. They say they emigrated from Chittor 700 to 800 years ago but it is probable their migration took place after Allahudin Khilji's famous siege in 1303 AD. However, as they gave name Ranera to one of their original settlements in Mathura district, there can be little doubt that emigration took place after 1202, when the Ruler of Chittor, themselves assumed the title or Rana instead of old Rawal.
Sehi is a large village in Chhata Tehsil of Mathura district in Uttar Pradesh. Sehi is the centre of a clan of Rajputs who call themselves Bachal from the Bachban grove in the village. The Bachban, however, is now only a grove in name and is accounted one of the hamlets of the town. In it is the temple of Bihari Ji, whom the Bachals worship, as Kuldevta. The Gosain, the Brahmins, who serve the deity, are the Gurus of the whole community. Bihariji is another name of Krishna, who in Mathura is commonly called Bihariji or Banke Bihari after famous Banke Bihari Temple.

Sengar Rajput

Sengar are a clan of Rajputs. One of the 36 clan Rajput Kshatriya, they are mainly found in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh states of India.

Origins    Etawah (UP) , Balia (UP) , Kannauj (UP) , Jalaun (UP) , Orai (UP) , Gwalior (MP) , Kirauli (Rajasthan) , some parts of Bihar and MP
Princely states:    Sarawan , Jagmanpur (Jalon) , Bhareh (Etawah) , Lakhnesar (Balia) , Rura (UP) , Ruruganj (UP) , Datia (MP) , Rewa (MP)

The exact vansh of Sengar is Rishivansh. According to an ancient story father of Lord Rama, Raja Dashrath had given his Sister 'SHANTA' in marriage to Shringi rishi. The vansh created from that marriage is Sengar rajput. Possible derivation of the 'sengar' name is (apart from 'Sringi' rishi) from 'Chattis-kul-Singar'(some name as Singraur)(the ornament or grand focal point of 36 kshtriya kul), a term often used by bards in praising the ruler. On his visit to the royal court or to a feudal lord, he recited the family's genealogy and also the deeds of the ruler's forefathers. In Mewar, along with other forms of glorification, a bard used terms such as Hindua Suraj (Sun amongst the Hindus), Gau Brahman Pratipal (Protector of Cows and Brahmans), and Chattis-kul-Singar (Ornament Amongst the 36 Rulers). Not only was this visit meant to keep the ruler informed about the good deeds of his ancestors but also a message that he should also follow suit. After reciting all these exaltations, he would bless the ruler, then take his seat in the Durbar. The traditions of the clan then interpose a period extending over some 135 generations, during which the clan emigrated first to Ceylon (Shri Lanka), thence to Malwa, and finally settled at Kanat in Jalaun, where was about 1065 A.D. on Bisukh Deo, or Sukh Deo, the founder of the fortunes of the Sengar house. "He married Deo Kali, daughter of Jaichand, the last Rathur Raja of Kannuj, And after his defeat by Shahbuddin Ghori in the year 1193 A.D. the power of the Sengar increased and the river Basindh was renamed Sengar in their honour. ( Source: Cooke's Tribes and Caste of N.W.P., Gazetteer for the Etawah District). After the fall of the kingdom of Kannuj, the Sengars under Bisukh Deo occupied the Eastern parganas of Etawah (Source:Vide Manual of Titles, Page 64, 1917 Edition) "Bisukh Deo was succeeded by Asajit, and he by Madan Deo, next came Ratahra Deo, and then singi Deo. The last had two wives, the one Chauhanin of Etawa, by whom he had Harjad Deo, the ancestor of the Bharah Rajas, and the other a Gaurani (Gaur lady) by whom he had six sons, from whom descended the Sengar Rajas of Patti Nakkat, Puri Dhar, Ruru, The Rao of Kakaotu and the Rawat of Kursi." (Source: Vide Gazetter N.W.P. Vol. IV, Part I, (Agra Division) page 276, 1878 Edition). "At any rate, the Sengar occupation of the south-eastern part of the district may with accuracy be dated in the early part of the 12th century A.D., when like the Chauhans, the clan drove out the Meos and took possession of the tract" (Source: Vide U.P. Gazatter Vol XI, page 69, 1911 Edition)

THE LAST REPUBLIC OF THE HINDUS
Many proofs have come to light of the existence, in the distance past, of the republican form of Government in India, and in fact is now so well established that it is not in the least necessary to enumerate them here. There were many republics in India about the beginning of the Buddhistic Period- particularly in several of those tribal areas which surround the birth -place of the great man- Siddarth Gautama, the Buddha (The Enlightened one). But to most of the readers of this article it will come as an agreeable discovery to learn that a republic existed in India till less than 150 years ago. This, however, has really been the case. It was the republic of Lakhnesar and was founded in the thirteenth century of the Christian era by a heroic little band of Sengar Rajputs who had fled from the irresitable onslaught of the Mohamedans. It lasted for about 500 years. This land now forms the pargana of the Ballia district of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, but the bulk of it- 83 per cent, according to the 1907 Gazetter of the district- is still owned and held by the Sengars in the bhaiyachara (literally brotherhood) form of tenure. Let us here reproduce a few lines from the “Gazetter” of the district. ”Among the earliest Rajput immigrants were the Sengars.” (Page 140) “Their history is remarkable, for at all times they were renowned for their strength and courage, but on no occasion do they seem to have had a common Raja, the republican nature of their institutions being illustrated by the fact that the 537 mahals into which the pargana (Lakhnesar) is now divided are all held in bhaiyachara tenure. Nevertheless their union was so complete that the Sengars were the only clan who preserved their property rights intact.” (Page 228) “The democratic sprit was not so strong in the case of the clans in other parganas.”
At any rate Lakhnesar was not the first republic of the Sengars, who now represent the ‘Singhoe’ mentioned by the Greek author and ambassador Megasthenes as being one of the people “which are free, have no Kingh and occupy mountain heights where they have built many cities.” These ‘Singhoe’ cannot but have been the Sengars of Bandhu (Rewah) and Kalinjar, which, according to the traditions of the clan, were among its strongholds in the remote past.

The locations in which Sengar rajputs dominate are in western UP, eastern UP, western Bihar and adjoining districts of MP -
Baraulli (about 80 KM from Kannauj, UP)
Noorpur (about 25 km from Orai, UP): The place has a rich population of Sengar thakurs (about 5000 thakur families).
Sarawan (about 17 km from Jalaun city, UP): A large fort was built by Raja Shravan Dev of the Sengar rajput clan nearby the Yamuna river. Other nearby sites are Lanka tower, Chourasi Gumbad, etc.
Jagmanpur (9 km from Rampura, UP): Once the headquarters of the Sengar rajputs under Raja Rup Shah, also houses a large masonry fort. The confluence of five rivers nearby, known the "Panch Nada" is an added attraction for the tourist. The two forts can be visited with due permission from the owners. and some of the village there shekhpur bujurg, hadrukh, sirsa, madogrh, etc.
kurshi (near Etawah): Under Akbar’s reign the place probably comprised the bulk of the old pargana of Bidhuna, and to the south of it lay the mahal of Phaphund, whose local limits probably corresponded roughly with those of the pargana which was broken up only in 1894. Then, as now, Phaphund appears to have been occupied for the most part by Sengar rajputs and to judge from the amount of revenue it paid in proportion to its size, it must have been a well cultivated and populated tract of country. Its cultivated area is recorded as 111,546 bighas paying a revenue of 5,432,391 dams, its military contingent being 2,000 infantry and 300 cavalry. The family of Sahar was founded by one Sadan Singh who shared in the proprietary right to the village Mau. " He made himself useful to the Oudh Governor, Almas Ali Khan and Raja Bara Mal, and through their influence and his own industry collected together the nucleus of a taluka just before the cession of the district to the British. He was succeeded by his son Chandan Singh who had two sons one Mahipal Singh who was given the Malhausi Estate and other Chhatar Singh who succeeded his father at Sahar. Mahipal Singh had two sons Chimna Ju and Lokpal Singh both of them were without issue and hence after their death the Malhausi estate was redirected to Chhatar Singh's grandson Drigbijai Singh son of Tej Singh. Drigbijai Singh was successed by Lal Narayan Singh and he by his son Lal Harbansh Singh. The Malhausi estate is at present being held by Rohit Sengar along with his son Dhruv Sengar and daughter Ishita Singh. late rawat shri khadak pal sing gave his state to his smallest son rawat shri ashok singh sengar. since 1992 kurshi estate is controlled under rawat ashok singh s/o khadak pal singh sengar.
Lakhnesar: At about the same time the Sengar rajputs in eastern UP were opposing the tyranny of Balwant Singh nazim of the sirkars of Jaunpur, Varanasi, Ghazipur and Chunar. Balwant Singh made it a habit of destroying the power of the local chieftains who offered resistance to Balwant Singh but in only one instance were their efforts successful. This exception was provided by the Sengars of pargana Lakhnesar, who not only treated his demands with contempt but adopted an attitude of open hostility. Not content with the refusal to pay revenue, they attacked and pillaged his treasuries so that eventually, in 1764, he was compelled to proceed against them in person with a large force. Rasra (in pargana Lakhnesar) was then most inaccessible by reason of the jungle which surrounded it and because the houses of the Sengar rajputs were all built with a view to defence. After two day’s conflict in which hundreds of lives were lost, Balwant Singh’s troops managed to set Rasra on fire, forcing the Sengars to withdraw; but so obstinate was their resistance that Balwant Singh had to enter into a compromise. The Sengar rajputs being left in possession of their estates at a low but fixed revenue.

Some of the Sengar rajputs are also in Haswa in Fatehpur district(78 KM from Kanpur).
Status of Sengar ruling families in the year 1921
Sengar rajputs ruling families
S.No    Name of Kingdom    Location    Title of the owner    Year of establishment
1    Jagamanpur    Jalaun, Etawah and Kanpur    Maharaja Dhiraj Bahadur    936
2    Bhareh    Etawah    Maharaja Dhiraj    1220
3    Ruru    Etawah    Raja, Rais Azam    1240
4    Sarawan    Jalaun    Deewan    1200
5    Hardoi    Jalaun    Raja    1220
6    Kakhawatu    Etawah    Rao    1240
7    Reneya    Jalaun    Rao   
8    Bikhira    Etawah    Rao   
9    Kursi    Etawah    Rawat    1240
10    Malhausi (Sahar)    Etawah    Lal Sahab    1775
11    Kantha    Unnao    Thakur-Talukedar    1527
12    Pargana Lakhnesar    Balia    Clan Republic    1250
13    Bicharhata (Mau)    Rewa    Raja    588
14    Nai Gardhi    Rewa    Thakur, Lal    1560
15    Gangev    Rewa    Thakur, Lal    588
16    Intar    Rewa    Thakur, Lalu Sahib    588
17    Kalyanpur    Karauli- Rajputana    Thakur   
18    Lahari- Sanvlata    Jodhpur, Marvard- Rajputana    Kaptan- Thaakur    1827
19    Atrauli    Jalaun    Rawal    1744
20    Phadi    Rewa    Thakur, Lal   
21    Jodhpur    Rewa    Thakur, Lal   
22    Umari    Rewa    Thakur, Lal   
23    Hinaiti    Rewa    Thakur, Lalu Sahib   
24    Derah    Rewa    Thakur, Lal   
25    Saliya    Rewa    Thakur, Lal   
26    Paturkhi    Rewa    Thakur, Lal   
27    Shahpur    Rewa    Thakur, Lal   
28    Samereyah    Rewa    Thakur, Lal   
29    Rampur Manjha    Gazipur    Thakur    1770

Minhas Rajputs

•  India (Punjab, Jammu, Himachal)
•  Pakistan (Punjab, Azad Kashmir)
Languages
• Pahari • Dogri • Punjabi • Hindi • English
Religion
•  Hinduism •  Islam •  Sikhism
Related ethnic groups
• Indo-Aryan people • Rajputs • Muslim Rajputs • Sikh Rajputs • Punjabi Rajputs • Pahari Rajput is a Suryavanshi Rajput clan from the Punjab region and Jammu & Kashmir in India and Pakistan. It is an off-shoot of Jamwal-Dogra Rajputs, the founders of the city and state of Jammu and its rulers from ancient times to 1948 CE. In antiquity of rule, which is generally considered a benchmark of royalty, they are second to none.Paying tribute to the antiquity of their royal lineage.
Minhas Rajputs are spread throughout Punjab Region and Jammu & Kashmir in India and Pakistan. Hindu Minhas Rajputs reside in the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Indian Punjab, Sikh Minhas Rajputs, mainly inhabit Punjab (India) and Muslim Minhas Rajputs reside in Pakistani Punjab and Pakistan controlled Kashmir.


Wheel of Konark Sun Temple. Konark in Orissa, India is famous for its Sun Temple.The idol worshipped inside the temple represents Konaditya, literally Kon+Aditya (the Sun in a particular direction).
Minhas Rajputs are Suryavanshis and claim descent from Rama a legendary king of Ayodhya. In Rajputana, their closest cousins are the Kachwaha and Raghav (Raghuvanshi) Rajputs of Jaipur.
They trace their ancestry to the Suryavansha dynasty of Northern India (The same clan in which Lord Rama was born. He, therefore is the 'kuldevta' (family deity) of the Hindu Minhas Rajputs). Specifically, they claim descent from Kusha younger of the twin sons of Ram who belongs to Raghav (Raghuvanshi) clan of Suryavansha, hero of the Ramayana.
A Raghuvanshi descendant of Raja Kusha, 'Agnigarba' who was living as a recluse, came to Nagarkote (Kangra, Himachal Pradesh), in the Shivalik hills. When the Raja of Kangra came to know about this person's ancestry, he offered him the hand of his daughter and a part of kingdom. The river Ravi was then the boundary of Nagarkote. Agnigarba crossed it and captured some villages in the Kathua area and declared himself as sovereign king. After his death, his son Bayusharva (500-530 BCE) married the princess of Parole (Kathua). The princess was known as Erwan and she died young.
The Raja founded a city after her which is still found near Parole, though now a small village and at the 'Samadhi' of the queen, a `Mela' (fair) is held at every `Baisakhi' (13th or 14 April) every year. Bayusharva extended the boundaries up to the river Ujh. Bayusharva's great grandson, Bahulochan was enthroned after his death. He migrated from Erwan and built his fort on the banks of river Tawi.
Raja Bahulochan died in a bloody battle with Chadaras, Raja of Sialkot (Shayalkot) and his younger brother Jambulochan (290-320 BCE) ascended the throne. In those days the area beyond Tawi (the present city of Jammu) was used for hunting. Tradition has it that one day Jambulochan came to this area and while he was sitting behind a bush to ambush some bird or animal, he saw a lion ( a tiger in some accounts ) and a goat drinking water from the same pond. This peaceful coexistence encouraged him to found the city of Jammu, which some say is named after him.
One of his descendants, Raja Shaktikaran (177-200 BCE) introduced the Dogri Script for the first time. Another of his descendants, Jasdev founded the city of Jasrota on the bank of river Ujh, and another Raja, Karan Dev built a fort on the banks of the river Basantar. In the early centuries of the first millennium the area came under the sway of the Indo-Greeks, with their capital at Sakala (Sialkot).
His later descendants, the Dogras ruled over the state for hundreds of years till 1948 CE, when the state of Jammu and Kashmir officially acceded to India. Maharaja Hari Singh Dogra was the last in the long list of the Dogra rulers of Jammu. The Dogras also ruled over the Kashmir Valley for three brief terms, twice for short periods around 1000 CE and one last time when Maharaja Gulab Singh Dogra became the Maharaja of Kashmir after the fall of the Sikh Kingdom of Punjab following the Second Anglo-Sikh War in 1849 CE.


Minhas History
Asia in 800 CE, showing Hindu Shahi lands.
The Minhas and Bhatti Rajput clans were extremely powerful during the time of the Hindu Shahi dynasty of Kabul and ruled over many small kingdoms extending from eastern Afghanistan through the Jammu/Sialkot areas of West Punjab and up to the Jalandhar/Kangra area of eastern Punjab. According to Farishta, during the second battle of Tarain between Prithviraj Chauhan and Mohammad Ghori in 1192, Chauhan's left flank consisted of Hindu Pathan cavalry. It is said that this Hindu Pathan cavalry was led by a minhas raja from the northwest.
A famous Manhas/Minhas in history was Baba Chamliyal also called Duleep Singh Minhas, a warrior saint, whose Samadhi (place of cremation) is still visited by hundreds and thousands of Pakistanis and Indians each year in the month of June. The Mela (fair) which is held in honour of Baba Chamliyal, was celebrated for the 317th time on Thursday, June 22, 2006 as the man-made boundary between India and Pakistan lost its importance momentarily and people from both sides participated in the mela with vigour.
Banda Bahadur, the famous disciple of Guru Gobind Singh who was the tenth Sikh Guru and the founder of the Khalsa Brotherhood, was born into a Minhas Rajput family in Rajouri in the Jammu region. Banda Bahadur was an accomplished warrior-general, who almost destroyed Mughal presence in eastern Punjab and arguably created the first Sikh State.
Etymology


Manhas and Jamwal Rajputs
All the descendants of Raja Jambu Lochan were called Jamwal Rajputs, until according to tradition, Raja Malan Hans Dev(while on a hunting trip)was tricked by his brother to help a poor old farmer working under hot sun with ploughing. In those days the stigma of touching a plough was so great for Rajputs, that Raja Malan had to immediately give up the kingship and take up agriculture as a profession and his throne passed to his cunning younger brother, Raja Suraj Hans Dev. Rajputs in general and those in the Punjab hills in particular have had a strong prejudice against taking up agriculture as a profession and therefore Raja Malan Hans and his descendants were styled Minhas.
Malan Hans ===> Manhans===> Manhas
Since that time anyone in the Jamwal clan who took up agriculture or converted to Islam was called Minhas whereas the name Jamwal has been confined to the royal branch including the Maharajas of Jammu and Kashmir.
Royal Titles used by the Minhas Rajputs

Maharaja: This title was adopted by Raja Gulab Singh of Jammu after he annexed Kashmir and Ladakh and became the ruler of the state of Jammu & Kashmir. He was also accepted as the chief by all the Jamwal and Minhas Rajputs.
Raja: Most members of the Minhas tribe including Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs use the title 'Raja' as this title was used by most of the Rajput rulers from ancient times.
Rana: Rana is a princely title of Royalty. Muslim Minhas Rajputs in Pakistan mainly in Lahore, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala and Sialkot use the title of Rana.

Thakur: Hindu Minhas Rajputs in eastern Punjab hills used this Rajput title also. A joint assembly of all the hill Rajputs also approved a resolution in 1936 and decided to use the title Thakur instead of Mian.
Kunwar: This title is used by the younger Hindu Minhas Rajputs to signify that their father Thakur the senior head of the household is still alive.
Chaudhry: This title was conferred upon the Muslim Minhas Rajputs by the Mughal King, Zaheerudin Babur. However, during Maharaja Ranjeet Singh's era, the title lost its exclusivity as the Maharaja gave this title to all the village-heads around Punjab.
Sardar: This title is manily used by the Sikh Minhas Rajputs. However, lately some Muslim Minhas Rajput clans in Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab Sialkot & Chakwal have also started using this title due to various reasons.
Rai: There is also a considerable population of Minhas families in Sialkot in the districts of Rangpura and Heerawalapura. They are descendants of Rai Luckoo Minhas.
Singh: The title Singh used by the Hindu and Sikh Minhas Rajputs while Muslim Minhas Rajputs use Khan.
Pakhral  : This is not used as a title but The People of Minhas Tribe living in Pothohar Plateau are termed as Pakhral Rajput
Malik  : This title is used mostly by the Muslim Minhas living in district Kotli and Mirpur of Azad Kashmir. Shahid Malik, the first Muslim Briton minister and Tahir Mahmood Malik is a Councillor in uk.
Muslim Minhas Rajputs

Daily Mirror Khudadad Khan was awarded Victoria Cross, the first native South Asian to receive this honour
Muslim Minhas Rajputs mainly reside in Pakistani Punjab and Pakistan Administered Kashmir. Prior to partition, the districts of Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur were home to a large number of Muslim Minhas. In what became Pakistani territory, they were and are found in numbers in Jhelum, Gujrat, Sialkot and Rawalpindi districts, which all bordered Jammu and Kashmir. The Mair Minhas, are found in Chakwal District, Raja Minhas mainly found in Jhelum district and Azad Kashmir, Nagyal are found in Daultala, Gujar Khan and the Manes and Lodhra branches were found in south Punjab. In Sialkot and East Punjab Minhas used Mian as a title, and so do the Manes and Lodhra in South Punjab while many Minhas in Lahore, Sialkot and Shekhupura use Rana as a title. The Mair Minhas use Chaudhary and Khan as a title, while the Gujrat and Potohar Minhas use Raja as a title. Minhas Rajput clans in Pakistan Administered Kashmir use Sardar as a title.
Muslim Minhas Rajputs are recognised in history as the warrior aristocracy. They were designated by the British as a Martial Race and recruited into the Imperial Army. Muslim Minhas are naturally engaged in the Pakistani military in strong numbers. They have been referred to as the most Valiant Warriors of Punjab. Their warlike nature and dominant rule of their territories against other tribes earned them a powerful reputation in upper Punjab and the Valley of Kashmir. The city of Chakwal is named after a Minhas chief, Chaudhry Chaku Khan and his decedents remained the Taluqdars of Dhanni(present day Tehsil Chakwal) till Punjab was annexed by the British after the Second Anglo Sikh War in 1849.
[edit]Mair-Minhas of Chakwal
In Chakwal, the Minhas Rajputs are called "Mair" or "Mair-Minhas"  (also spelt Maair) after their ancestor, Raja Mair, a Jamwal prince who converted to Islam in 1190 CE. According to the legend, Raja Mair (whose name before conversion was Raja Bhagir Dev) was son of the Raja of Jammu and had come to the Dhanni area (present day Chakwal) for hunting. He fell in love with a local Muslim woman of Gujjar tribe, converted to Islam and married her. According to the Glossary of Punjab Castes, the Taluqdars belonging to Mair-Minhas ribes of the Dhanni (present-day Chakwal District) were among the first few to receive the honorific title of "Chowdhury" from the Mughal Emperor Zaheer uddin Babur. Later during the Sikh rule in Punjab, when the title of "Chowdhury" became common and quite a few village headmen or "Numberdars" were given the same title by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Chowdhurys of Chakwal styled themselves as "Chowdhurial" to distinguish from the newly appointed men.



Martial Traditions and Top Military Awards


The prestigious Victoria Cross, awarded for exceptional valour "in the face of the enemy".



Minhas Rajputs in Sikh History


A depiction of Bhai Bachitter Singh Minhas Ji killing the drunk elephant set by Mughal forces on the Sikh forces in the battlefield with Nagni Barcha (snake spear) given by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. This photo was taken by outside the Sikh History museum on way from Mohali to Sirhind
The first Doaba Rajput to join the army of Guru Gobind Singh was Sangat Singh Minhas of Padhiana in the Jalandhar district, who joined the Guru’s forces with his two brothers and many other Rajput chiefs. A few months later, the Subedar(Governor) of Lahore sent a small group of armed men to collect tax dues from the Rajput Hill Chiefs in whose territory, Anandpur was located under the command of Alaf Khan. The chiefs asked Guru Gobind for help.Guru Gobind Singh agreed to send a small band under the command of Sangat Singh Minhas. Sangat Singh defeated Alaf Khan’s army. After this, the Lahore governor, sent his own son with a force to solve the matter once and for all. First of all, he defeated Raja Bhim Singh of Kahlur and collected the taxes. After that, he attacked Raja Vikram Singh Walia of the Guler State. Raja Vikram Singh turned to Guru Gobind Singh for help.Again, Guru Gobind sent another jatha under the command of Sangat Singh Minhas to help Vikram Singh. Vikram Singh and Sangat Singh fought together against the Mughal forces and defeated them again but Sangat Singh got fatally wounded and died.
This war happened in Vikrami Samvat, 1748. After this, there was peace for the next eight years. During this period, Guru Gobind Singh kept on training his army to ward off any attack by the Mughals. Meanwhile, Bhai Bachittar Singh Minhas of Padhiana in the Jalandhar district joined the army along with a large group of Doaba Rajputs.
Anandpur and the state of Kahlur were neighbouring states. Raja Bhim Chand of Kahlur got fearful because of the growing power of Guru Gobind Singh and his forces. He called upon all Hill Rajput chiefs to wage a war against the Guru. As a result of this meeting, the chiefs walked to Anandpur and gave a notice to Guru Gobind Singh to leave the town because they are feeling insecure due to his presence in the area. They told him that if he would leave Anandpur Sahib, they would help him. Guru Gobind refused to leave Anandpur Sahib at any cost.
The Hill Chiefs had army of almost 20,000 men and on top of this, Mughal forces from Lahore and Sirhind joined them. Guru Gobind Singh had only 2000 men under the command of Bhai Bachittar Singh Minhas. The battle between the Guru's forces and those of the hill chiefs started and soon, the stocks of food in Anandpur ran out.
The chiefs attacked the fort of Anandgarh and tried to break its main gate. Bhai Bachittar Singh managed to prevent them from entering the fort. Guru Gobind's army was nearly decimated. Due to this great loss, the Guru was commanded by the "Panj Piyaras" (the Five Beloved) to leave Anandpur Sahib, so as to carry forward the larger cause of fight against the oppressive Mughal regime. From here, the Guru went towards the Nabha and Jind states during Vikrami Samvat 1763, Bhai Bachittar Singh and another Doaba Rajput, Kharak Singh Minhas assisted Guru Gobind Singh in many of his future campaigns. After Guru Gobind Singh’s death, Banda Bahadur took over the torch of the Khalsa to fight against Mughal oppression. Banda reorganised the Khalsa Army and declared a war against the Mughal administration. From the Doaba region, he got help from Sikh Rajputs , Banda won almost half of the province and he offered Jagirs to his army commanders including the Rajputs, whose heirs are still holding their forts in the villages Chukhiara, Bhungarni, Dihana and Bohan.

Gohil Rajput

The Gohils are a Suryavanshi clan, a branch of the Guhilot Rajputs of Mewar and claim
descendancy from the illustrious Bappa Rawal. This branch moved from Mewar, to Marwar in an
area called Khergarh, and were later driven from there by the migration of the Rathores into
Marwar, as a result of the sack of Delhi by Ghori. In Kathiawar, they are mainly settled in
Bhavnagar, Vallabhipur, Palitana, Lathi and surrounding areas of Gohilwar.
Gohil
A plate at Royal Palace of Gohil Dynasty of Bhavnagar, claiming that Gohils are descendants
of Kush elder son of Lord Ram.
The Gohils are Suryavanshi Rajputs who have descended from the Guhilots of Mewar. After the
sack of Vallabhi, the pregnant queen of king Shiladitya of Vallabhi, who had survived the
attack due to her having been on a pilgrimage, gave birth to a boy in a cave. Due to the
circumstances surrounding the boy's birth, he was named Guha or Guhaditya.
The illustrious Bappa Rawal, the father of the house of Mewar, established his seat in
Chittor. A few generations down, a branch of this Guhilot clan migrated and settled an area
in Marwar by the river Luni. They ruled there for a significant time. It may have been
around this time that they came to be known as Gohils.
The Gohils were pushed out in early 13th century from Khergarh Marwar by the Rathores. They
then marched back to Saurashtra under their chief Mohodas, who is also referred to as Kunwar
Pal, father of Sejakji. The Gohils came to the court of the Chalukya ruler Sidhraj Jaisinh
and were appointed governors. Sejakji conquered a vast area and carved out his own
principality with Sejakpur as his capital. He also married his daughter Valum Kunverba to
the Yuvraj of Junagarh, and became right-hand man of the Solankis. Sejakji was chief from
1240 to 1254 and turned himself into a huge force in Gohilwar.
Sejakji had four sons, Pratap Pal or Somraj, Mulraj, Shahji and Sarangji. The eldest, Pratap
Pal, had no son, so Mulraj's son Ranoji became chief from 1290 to 1309. Shahji and Sarangi
were given the jagirs of Mandvi and Arthilla, which later became the princely states of
Palitana and Lathi.
There is this stirring tale of Hamirji Gohil, the 16-year-old newly-married chieftain of
Lathi, who sacrificed his life in 1401 defending the Somnath temple from the attack of
Muzaffar Shah. Hamirji Gohil's cenotaph still stands at the entrance to the fabled Somnath
temple.
Ranoji was another warrior and conqueror like his grandfather Sejakji. He further expanded
his territories and founded a new capital, calling it Ranpur. He was a staunch opposer of
the spread of Islamic rule in Gujarat and Kathiawar and in time he was expelled from there
and slain by Muslim invaders.
He was succeeded by his son Mokhdaji. He conquered Umrala from the Kolis, and wrested back
the island of Piram or Pirambet from the Muslims. There he set up the capital of his
principality of Ghogha, ruling for a long period of 38 years. He was killed in battle in
1347, succumbing to wounds inflicted by the sword of none other than Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
Mokhdaji's first wife, Sarvaiya princess of Hathasani in Kathiawar, bore him a son
Dungarsinhji who succeeded as chief of Ghogha. In 1723, his descendant Bhavsinhji founded
the city of Bhavnagar, establishing his capital there.
The second wife of Mokhdaji was the Parmar princess of Rajpipla. Their son Samarsinhji, who
assumed the ne Arjunsinhji, succeeded to the gadi of Rajpipla as his maternal grandfather
Chokrana had no male issue. Thus the Gohils extended their sway over Rajpipla too for the
next six centuries, ruling from Junaraj (Old Rajpipla) in the hills, and deep in the vortex
of the forests there. They shifted their capital in 1730, after the weakening of the Mughal
empire, to Nandod (New Rajpipla) in the plains on the banks of the Karjan, a tributary of
the holy Narmada.
Mokheraji, conquered Umrala from the Kolis and Gogha from the Muslims, succumbed fell to the
sword of Muhammad bin Ghias ud-din Toghluk's in 1347. His great-great-grandson, Sarangji,
assumed the title of Raol to honor the help and services, provided to him by the Raol Patai
of Champaner, helped him recover his throne from his uncle.
Raol Dhunaji moved his capital to Sihor ca. 1600, where it remained for over a century.
However, Sihor was found to be vulnerable to attacks, and when pressurized by the Marathas,
Thakore Bhavsinhji decided to scout a more secure area to set up his capital, as a mode of
defense against the Maratha predators. Bhavnagar became the capital in 1723, under Thakore
Bhavsinhji. Bhavnagar has been the capital and name of the state, ever since. A wise and
politically astute ruler, Bhavsinhji followed a policy of conciliation with the Muslim
rulers of Surat and with the British. Bhavnagar prospered and expanded through trade and
commerce. He died in 1764, having divided his territories between his twin sons.
Akherajji, the inheritor of Bhavnagar, sided with the Marathas against the Mogul Viceroy of
Gujerat. He assisted the British in reducing the pirate stronghold of Talaja, and sheltered
Raghunath Rao Peshwa, when a refugee. His son, Raol Shri Vakhatsinhji spent his entire reign
fighting various foes. Kathis, Jats, Kolis, Gaekwads, Babis, even his Palitana clansman all
savoured the cut of his sword. His campaign in Chital against the united Kathi uprising
became one of the key battles during his reign. The Kathis were routed with heavly losses.
Vajesinhji, the son and successor of Vakhatsinhji, succeeded in making peace with the Kathis
in 1829. He reigned for thirty-six prosperous years, leaving his throne to his grandson
Akherajji III in 1852. He died without sons two years later, being succeeded by his brother
Jaswantsinhji. The latter improved the administration and placed the revenues of his state
on a sound footing, but died leaving a minor son as successor in 1870.
Takhatsinhji assumed full ruling powers in 1878, continuing in the footsteps of his
illustrious father. He died in 1896, celebrated as one of the most generous, loyal and
benevolent princes of his age. His son and successor, Raol Shri Bhavsinhji II continued his
good works. He saved countless lives during the severe famine of 1899-1900, through a number
of relief works. He also contributed generously during to the war effort during the Great
War. These and other numerous services were rewarded with the hereditary title of Maharaja
and increased gun salutes. A great supporter of female emancipation he promoted monogamy,
advanced education and abolished "purdah". At his death in 1919, he left a flourishing state
to his minor son, Maharaja Krishna Kumarsinhji.

The last independent ruler of his line, Maharaja Krishna Kumarsinhji, like his brothers,

received an advanced education, within India and in England. He received full ruling powers

on attaining his majority in 1931. He governed as a model ruler, closely involved in

advancing the cause of independence for India. One of the first rulers to accede to the new

Republic of India, he served as the first Indian Governor of Madras between 1948 and 1952.

He died at Bombay in 1965, being succeeded by his son, Maharaja Raol Shri Dr

Veerbhadrasinhji. Maharaja Vijayarajsinhji Gohil succeeded his father as titular Maharaja

and Head of the Royal House of Bhavnagar in 1994.

Bargujar Rajput

Bargujar as descendant of Lava, son of Rama.
One of their famous kings was Raja Pratap Singh Bargujar, who was Prithviraj Chauhan's nephew and assisted in his fight against the Muslim invaders, who were led by Muhammad of Ghor in 1191. They also fought on the side of Rana Pratap of Mewar and Maharana Hammir as their generals.The Badgujars appear to held have the entire pargana Barauli and two blocks in northern part of pargana Atrauli in c,1600.In his generation Famous Badgujar king Rao Raghuraj Singh of Barauli State.
During the Muslim period, one emperor demanded in marriage the daughter of Ishwar Das (Raja of Alwar), and on his refusal many Bargujars were slaughtered. Others fled, with one faction arriving at Fatehpur Sikri, where they obtained asylum by agreeing to change their clan name to Sikarwar. The Sikarwar are a branch of Bargujar Rajputs. Another colony found refuge in present day Anupshahr, which was founded by Raja Anup Rai "Anup Singh Bargujar", the eldest son of Raja Pratap Singh Bargujar. One of them, Raja Nune Shah Bargujar of the Samthar state (founded in the 18th century) fought with the British and pushed back their forces many times but later signed a peace treaty with the British in 1817.Ranjit Singh Judeo is the present ruler of Samthar.

Rajawat

Rajawat or Rajavat is the name of the senior sub-clan of the Kachwaha, Suryavanshi rajputs. Descendants of Raja Bhagwant Das of Amber, India are born by (Nirwan Rajput Princess of Khandela,Srimadhopur,Sikar) known as Rajawats. Traditionally, the Rajawats are distinguished for their "right of presumptive heirship to the Jaipur Gaddi (throne)", thus the Maharaja of Jaipur belongs to this sub-clan.
The Thikanas of this clan and their domain near Jaipur were known as the 'Rajawati' domain. Rajawati lies in the ancient heartland of the Kachhwahas adjoining Madhya Pradesh through Ranthambore bordering Narwar and encompassing Sawai Madhopur. A number of prominent (Thikana/Jagirs) of this line are Isarda, Jhalai, Barwara, Sewar, Dhula, Baler,etc Important villages of RAJAWAT sub clan of KACHHAWAH lineage in Sawai Madhopur district are- Thikana Shiwar, Baler, Isarda, Dehlod, Jolanda, Pura, Jailalpura, Bapui, Siras, Jatavati, Badodiya, Pipalwara, Hindupura, Didwadi, Moran, Mitrapura, Gotor, Datuli, Jhanoon, Badagaon Sarwar, Bagdoli, Khijuri, Kotda,Gangwara, Torda, googdod, Aincher, Bageena. etc.

Nathawat Rajput

Nathawat is a sub clan of Kachwaha Rajputs included in Bara Kothri. Natha was a great warrior. He was the son of Gopal, who was the son of Raja Prithviraj of Amber, India. Gopal was given the jagir (fief) of Chomu and Samode. His descendants are called Nathawats. Raisar, Choumu, Samode, Mundota, Kalwara, Morija, Ajayrajpura, Baghawas and ChotiDungari and Bhoorthal were their main Thikanas. The five colored Jaipur flag was won by Nathawats after defeating five kings of Afghanistan and was presented to the ruling king, Raja Man Singh, who in turn gifted them the white flag of Kachchawas.

Khangarot Rajputs

The ruling dynasty of the Jaipur state heads the Kachwaha clan and is a part of the Suryavanshi lineage of the Sun dynasty. The Khangarot clan emerged out of this tradition.
Rajputs, or “sons of kings”, are an identifiable strand of the warrior Kshatriya caste in Vedic tradition. The 36 Rajput clans claim descent through three lineages from the gods Surya, Chandra and Agni, or Sun, Moon and Fire. The clans are further sub-divided according to region and tradition. In the 17th and 18ths century, a number of khyats, or chronicles, were compiled based on mythological oral traditions. These tales illustrated the great battles, alliances and accomplishments, and painted vivid portraits of the important traditions and characteristics within the clans. Although clan history can be more accurately verified through contemporary methods of archeological and historical analysis, the khyats remain a strong part of the Rajput consciousness and an essential part of defining their character. Even in contemporary times, Rajputs engage in spirited exchanges testing each other’s knowledge of their traditional khyats. And they are a forerunner as the desired bedtime tales for children across India.

Ancient History
Lord Ram is the legendary King of Ikchvaku linegae at Ayodhya in ancient India, and is considered to be the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Surya, as the visible form of god that one can see every day, originated from Vishnu who is ever present and prevailing. Lord Rama is referred to within Hinduism as Maryada Purushottama, literally “the Perfect Man”, and his wife Sita is considered to be the embodiment of perfect womanhood. The majority of the details about Ram come from the Ramayana, which is one of the two great epics of India of which the great sage Valmiki is regarded the author. The Kachhawas (or Kushwahas) trace their lineage from Kush, one of the twin sons of Lord Ram and Sita who were educated and trained in military skills under the care of Valmiki.
The Beginnings
From January 17, 1503 until November 4, 1527 Raja Pritviraj I ruled Amer, the capital of the Kachhawa dynasty which would later shift to Jaipur. He married nine women from different clans, and had a total of eighteen sons and three daughters. Prithviraj made his mark in Kachhawa history by supporting his father-in-law Maharana Rana Sanga of the Sisodia/Gehlot state of Mewar at the Battle of Khanua. This battle in 1527, during which the Rajput confederacy was defeated by Babur, is acknowledged as the second of the three significant battles which led to the establishment of the Mughal Empire. Pritvi Raj strengthened his kingdom by organizing his family into the Bara Kothris, or noble houses, of Amer. These chambers are the twelve patrilineal branches of the Kachhawa clan, and form the highest aristocracy of Jaipur. Jagmal was the sixth of Pritviraj’s sons, and he received the land holding of Diggi.
Though also accomplished in military arts, Jagmal earned a reputation as a great lover of wine, song and adventure. Though he always maintained good relations with his brothers, his lifestyle is reputed to have been the cause of two great quarrels with his father and the reason he left the family homelands. He settled temporarily in Amarkot (now Umerkot in Sindh), where he married the Sodhi Princess Neta Kunwari and they had five sons. While Jagmal continued his pursuit of adventure, the children were raised by their mother and maternal grandfather, Pahar Singh. Jagmal lived out his years in exile from his Kachhawa homelands until his death in 1549.
The patriarch - Khangar
After Jagmal’s death, Khangar Singhji took the initiative to make retribution for his father’s mistakes and began the move to reunite his family back to their rightful lands inside the Amber kingdom. When they crossed to the other side of the Sambhar region, they faced their first confrontation in the form of an unsettled family feud over the land holding of Boraj and Jobner. Though Khangar won in this battle 1554, he lost his youngest of the brother Sarangdeo in the fight. A banyan tree known as Sarang still stands on the spot in memory. Khangar went on to capture Kalkah in 1555, and shortly after commanded the last stronghold of the region, Jobner. Between his strength on the battlefield and his important heritage in the Bara Kothris, Khangar had become a force to be reckoned with.
Khangar’s early career followed a power struggle for the rule of Amber that began with the death of his grandfather, Raja Pritviraj, in 1527. Pritviraj had named his second son Puranmal as his successor to the throne, most likely because he favored the boy’s mother. Though Puranmal’s only had a short reign that ended when in died in battle in 1534, the strength of the family was already damaged. This unconventional appointment had caused several of the brothers to fight for the throne, weakened the unity of the kingdom, and consequently invited outside exploitation. Internal power struggles ensued until 1548 when Raja Bharmal took the throne for a long successful reign until 1574. Ascending at 50 years old, he possessed the maturity and diplomacy that his younger power-hungry relatives had not.
Akbar, ruling from 1542–1605 and widely considered the greatest of the Mughal Emperors, was known for his diplomatic religious tolerance and courtship of Rajput power. Khangar’s strategic maneuvers rewarded him with recognition and a high status with and alongside Raja Bharmal of Amar.
Captivity
Although Amer was complying with Mughal suzerainty, Khangar recognized the value of having a strong unified Rajput political and military presence in the region. Using this sharp political instinct, he initiated strengthening the power of the Bara Kothris. With the exception of the loyalty of his cousin Suja, the son of Raja Puranmal, he was successful. Suja was bitter because he had been denied the throne when his father died because he was too young. He already had an alliance with Mirza Muhammad Sahrif-ud-din Hussain, the Mughal Governor of Mewat and a brother-in-law of Emperor Akbar. However, even in his role as custodian of the region, Mirza Sharif-ud-din was showing signs of rebelling against the Imperial powers. Instigated by Suja’s desire for revenge, Mirza Sharif-ud-din led a tyrannical campaign against the Bara Kotris and the Kachhawa people. And in 1563 Sharif-ud-din captured Khangar along with two other sons of the chambers. Sharif-ud-din kept Khangar in harsh captivity for over a year while he subjugated the Kachhawa people.
Release by Akbar
At the same time Akbar was traveling through the region, though he remained uninformed of the activities of Sharif-ud-din. Akbar was baffled as to why the Kachhawa people fled from him – innocent to the fact that they believed he had ordered the capture of their leaders. When Akbar finally learned the truth about the situation, he ordered the release of the prisoners and sent a message of assurance to Raja Bharmal in Amer. Through this action Akbar authenticated the Kachhawas heritage and rule, and elevated their status as guardians in his court. To this day, landmarks through the Agra-Diggi-Ajmer path mark the places where the Emperor camped while he solved this dilemma.
Accomplishments of Khangar
After his release, Khangar became a lieutenant in Delhi for Raja Bharmal, where he was significant force in the defence of the city against Mirza Ibraham Hussain. From the mid-1570s until the end of the century Raja Man Singh of Amer defended the Afghan North-West Frontier, Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and the Deccan. The victories of Amer in Bengal are the source of great fame and wealth for Amer, and the place where Khangar’s greatest military accomplishments took place. Khangar made his mark in the famous battle of Haldighat in 1576 fighting for Raja Man Singh. And bardic tale also places him at the head of the siege against the rebellious Duda of Bundi in 1577. During this battle Khangar snatched a kettledrum and flag from his enemy. Akbar later gifted them to Khangar, and these historic relics remain a part of the family heirlooms.
Like all his contemporaries Khangar made a number of political marriage alliances, and four chatris in the Nariana Mahal in Jaipur testify the sati of his wives. Of his thirteen sons, ten became great warriors and established their own princely states. He died in 1584, either while fighting either in Bengal, or in Purmandal lands near Chitor that had been gifted by Akbar. Khangar is recognized as the first father of the Kaccahwa- Khangarot clan.
As often happens in peaceful times, recorded history over the next century is vague for the Khangarots. Khangar’s eighth son, Bhakar Singh of Sakhun, carried the rule. He married ten wives, and had eight sons who also founded new princely states. Bhakar Singh’s death is recognized in 1633 by the sati records of one of his wives. His son, Dwarkadas of Tilorna married two wives and had five sons. Three of these sons, including Ajab Singh, continued the family tradition of establishing princely states. Two of Ajab Singh’s sons, Hari Singh and Bijai Singh distinguished themselves in the Amer courts of Maharaja Ram Singh and Maharaja Bishan Singh, and in the records of the continuity of the Khangarot clan.
The descendants
Hari Singh was born around 1630, and died in 1695 the most coveted death of a Kshatriya warrior on the front line of battle. The Kachhawas honor him as the “legendary knight of Lamba”. He was a strong and wise commander of the feudal lands surrounding Lamba and Malpura, an accomplished warrior in the Afghan territory around the Khyber pass and took on the vital role as guardian of the crown prince Bishan Singh of Amer both before and after his ascension to the throne. In addition to his strong ties with Amer, Hari Singh also maintained direct correspondence with the Empire - which was highly unusual for Rajput aristocracy during the suzerain times of the Rajput rulers under the Mughal Empire. He was a great soldier and leader; who fought corruption and built the administrative machinery for the rule of Raja Bishan Singh, and maintained himself with dignity for the Mughal Empire. He not only maintained the Khangarot ascendancy, but was honored with the distinction of the sub-clan by the name of Harisinghghots.
The great ancestry of the Kachhawa Khangarots lives today, and continues to maintain their heritage lands in Diggi. They weave a rich history as fierce warriors and defenders as one of the living twelve Bara Kothris from the Kachhawa clan of the Royal House of Amer. The Khangarots embody the most valiant characteristics of the Rajputs of India; brave, courageous heroic and loyal, yet not shy of their extravagant inclinations.
Khangarot Rulers

Thakur JAG MAL, son of Raja PRITHVI SINGH I of Amber, married and had issue.
o Thakur KHANGAR SINGH
Thakuar KHANGAR SINGH fl.1556, married and had issue.
o Kunwar Raghav Das
......
Thakur MEGH SINGH fl.1818, Member of the Panch Musahibat
Thakur BHIM SINGH, Member of the Panch Musahibat
Thakur Saheb PRATAP SINGH -/1892, Member of the State Council 1881/1892, died 1892.
Thakur DEVI SINGH 1892/-, born circa 1867, son of Thakur Bairi Sal of Mundia, adopted by Thakur Pratap Singh, married and had issue?.
o[Thakur SANGRAM SINGH  oThakur Bhawani Singh, c. oThakur Bhagwant Singh oThakur NARAIN SINGH Thakur Onkar Singh
Thakur SANGRAM SINGH -/1962, married a daughter of Maharaja Bahadur RAVNESHWAR PRASAD SINGH of Gidhaur, and had adoptive issue. He died spm January 1962 (or December 1961).
Thakur NARAIN SINGH 1962/1996, born 15 November 1919 at Lambya, Tehsil Malpura, Distt. Tonk, Rajasthan; adopted by his uncle on 21 March 1952, elected MLA, Tonk 1957 (Congress Party), Malpura 1977 (Janta Party) and Malpura 1985 (Janta Dal), married Thakurani Kamla Kumari, daughter of Thakur Ram Singh Tanwar, and had issue, two sons and two daughters. He died 19 February 1996.
oThakur ASHOK KUMAR SINGH Baiji Lal Veena Kumari Baiji Lal Sandhya Kumari oThakur Ram Pratap Singh Thakur Ram Pratap Singh, born 21st march 1960, married Thakurani Jyotika Kumari, daughter of Captain R. N. Singh of the India Navy, and has issue, two sons. ooKunwar Rudra Pratap Singh ooKunwar Raghu Pratap Singh
Thakur ASHOK KUMAR SINGH 1996/2005, born 23 August 1949, married Thakurani Gayatri Devi, daughter of Maharaj Nirmal Kumar Sinhji of Bhavnagar, and had issue, one son and one daughter. He died 2005.
oThakur GAJRAJ SINGH Baiji Lal Meghna Kumari
Thakur GAJRAJ SINGH (present today)
'Thakur Kuldeep Singh (present today) Married and had Issue.

Thikanas of Khangarot Rajputs

AKODA
KHANDEL
Tordi
Sawarda
Shimbupura
Kodi
Dhindha
Dyodi
Diggi
Dujod
Dudu
gidani
Uniara Khurd
Jadawata
Manda (Rajasthan)
Sathana(Nagaur)-manohardasot
Jobner
Bichoon
Harsoli (Harisinghot sub clan)
Lambia (Marjansinghot sub clan)
Boraj
Ugriyawas
Banskoh
Gadri (Bhakarsinghot sub clan)
BHOJPURA KALAN (MANOHAR DASOT)
JAISinghpura(ManoharSINGHot)
Mundia Kalan
kurdayan
nibaj (pali)
jobner bhojpura kalan (jaipur)
Narena
Kalwar
Kachroda
Gudha Bersal
Gudha Saipura
Ladera
morsar
Bherwai(Ajmer)
Sirohi
Chir
Pithawas
Urseva
Rojadi

Gahlot Rajput

Gahlot is a Rajput clan in India, which traces its ancestry to the Suryavanshi Kshatriyas. The variations of the name include Gehlot, Guhila, Gohil or Guhilote. As a clan name.

The royal Gahlots formerly ruled a number of kingdoms and princely states. The Gahlot population and the former Rajput states are found spread through much the subcontinent, particularly in North India and central India. Their kuldevta (family deity) is Lord Rama and their kuldevi (goddess) is Sita

Origin of Gahlot

Historian such as Gahlots claim descendant from King Luv, the younger son of Lord Ramaof Suryavansha.

It is mentioned that Balvanshi Bhattarak King saved the Gupta kings by re-strengthening their power. Bhattarak ruled from 512 to 525 Vikram Samvat. According to "Corpus Inscription Antiquary"  based on a rock inscription inscribed in 569 Vikram. Bhattark Gupta Balvanshi had four sons-Dharsen, Dronasen, Dhruwasen and Dharpatsen. Each one of them succeeded to the throne one after another, and they were given titles of Maha Samant, Mahapratihar, Mahakartak and Maharaj.

Gohasen son of Dharpatsen was a follower of Vaishnavism, but he had faith in Buddhism too. His descendants are called Gahlawat. Several legends are very well known about Doha and Bappa Rawal. The dynasty is supposed to have migrated from Balabhipur.

In India Gahlot are found in states like Rajasthan,Uttar pradesh,Haryana and New Delhi. one of the famous village of Gahlot is Mitrau and Nawada near by dwarka which is close to Delhi and other village is Humayun Pur in south delhi where Gahlot lives.


First Jauhar of Chittor

Jauhar of 1303: Ala-ud-din Khilji, Sultan of Delhi, sent a marauding army across India at the turn of the 13th century; this army, commanded by Malik Kafur, soundly defeated the Guhilot rulers of Mewar in 1303.The impending fall of Chittorgarh, the main bastion of the Guhilots, occasioned the famous Jauhar of 1303 AD. when the womenfolk, led by Rani Padmini,collectively committed suicide rather than risk personal dishonor at the hands of the victorious invading army. The brave men wore saffron turbans as a mark of performing saka, of running into battle with no hope of coming back. The injured and surviving Guhilot menfolk and their retainers are said to have subsequently taken refuge in the nearby hills.

The Gehlots settled in Ahar, where they were known as Aharya. They maintained this title until they relocated to Sisoda. Sisoda was used as a name when a prince of Chittor built the town right where he had killed a hare (Susso).Since then the clan has retained the title of Sisodia. However, another version says that the dynasty was so named from the word Sisa or lead. It is said that a prince of the dynasty was accidentally made to eat a medication with pigeon blood when he had given up meat-eating. The Sisodias are staunch followers of the Hindu faith where being a Satvik is very serious business. When the prince realized his folly he chose to atone for his blunder by swallowing molten lead (sisa).

Guhils of Khergarh

A second branch of Gohils who also were the descendants of Bappa Rawal ruled Khergarh in Marwar. They were displaced by the combined forces of the Rathores and Sodhas and were forced to migrate to present day Gujarat under the leadership of Sejakji. After building various alliances with the local Solanki and Raijada rulers and displacing some of the local Kathi and Mer rulers.

Sejakji established a kingdom in eastern Kathiawar.Sejakji's descendants managed to hold a precarious hold over their newly acquired territory under constant pressure from the local Kathis and the Muslim Sultanate of Gujrat initially. During later years they had to also face hostilities from the Nawab of Junagadh and the Marathas which resulted in many armed conflicts. Many of these descendants of Sejakji perished in the almost constant state of warfare that existed in the turbulent and violent Eastern Kathiawar of those days.They had to frequently shift capitals starting from Sejakpur to Ranpur, Ghogha, Shihor and finally Bhavnagar due to land constantly changing hands during hostilities. However in spite of the tremendous odds stacked against them they kept expanding by conquering Kathi territories and gained wealth and prominence by raiding the territories of the Sultanate of Gujrat. They frequently plundered the ships of the Delhi Sultans that plied the Gulf of Khambat.

Sejakji's grandson Mokhdaji became famous as a plunderer of Mohammad Tugluq's fleet. The Gohils eventually founded the State of Bhavnagar also known as Gohilwar. One of Mokhdaji's sons inherited Rajpipla from his maternal Grandfather who ruled the area and had no other heir and so the Gohils also gained Rajpipla in Eastern Gujrat. The Gohil Rulers of Bhavnagar and their immediate brethren (up to six generation distant) are titled Raol. H.H. Maharaja Raol Shree KrishnakumarSinghji Gohil of Bhavnagar was the first Indian Ruler to voluntarily accede to the Indian Union in 1947. In addition to Bhavnagar two of Sejakji's younger sons each founded the smaller states of Palitana and Lathi in Kathiawar. Other branch of Gohils from Khergarh (Marwar) settled at Naroli in the present day Banaskantha District and made Naroli their capital. They were eventually displaced by the Chauhans.


Gehlot rulers of Mewar

Guhil was the first person of this clan, after whom the clan was named Guhilot or Gehlot. Son of Guhil was Bhoj and his son was Mahendra. Son of Mahendra was Nagaditya and his son was Shiladitya (646AD). Son of Shiladitya was Aparajit (661AD). Son of Aparajit was Mahendra II and his son was Kalbhoj. Kalbhoj is also known by his title Bappa Rawal. He established rule over Chittor in 734 AD.

Rulers from Medipata (Idar)
Guhaditya s/o Shiladitya
Bhoja
Mahendra I
Rulers from Nagda
Nagaditya
Siladitya (646 AD)
Aparajita
Mahendra II
Rulers from Chittor
Bappa Rawal or Kalbhoj.(734- 53 AD)
Khuman
Matatt
Bhartribhatt I
Singha
Khuman II
Mahoyak
Khuman III
Bhartribhatt II (942 AD)---- married Rashtrakuta Mahalakshmi
Allat (951 AD) ---- married Huna Hariyadevi
Narwahana (971 AD) ---- married Sakambhari Chauhan Jejaya's daughter
Shalivahana (ancestor of Junagadh branch of Ghuilot)
Shakti Kumar (977 AD) - fought Pratihars lost Chittor
Amba Prasad s/o Shakti Kumar
Shuchi Varma s/o Shakti Kumar
Narvarma s/o Shakti Kumar
Kirtivarma s/o Shakti Kumar
Yograj s/o Kirtivarma
Vairath
Hanspal
Bair Singh (1108 AD)
Hanspal II
Amar Singh s/o Bair Singh
Kod Singh s/o Bair Singh
Vikram Singh s/o Bair Singh
Karan Singh or Ran Singh s/o Vikram Singh
Mahup
Rahup
Kshem Singh
Samant Singh
Kumar Singh
Manthan Singh
Padma Singh
Jaitra Singh (1213–1253)
Tej Singh (1253–1273)
Samar Singh (1273–1302)
Rawal Ratan Singh (1302–1303)
INTERREGUM - Sanchori Rulers at Chittor under Alauddin Khilji (1303–1326)

Bais Rajput

History and origin

Bais Rajput residence in South Asia. The darker the red, the denser the population of Bais Rajputs per sq/km.
The Bais Rajputs are considered to be Suryavanshi. They are an ancient Hindu warrior caste. Their eponymous ancestor was Gautamiputra Satakarni also known as Shalivahana, the king of Shalikot presently known as Sialkot in Pakistan. Shalivahana is the mythic son of a snake who conquered the great Raja Vikramaditya of Ujjain in 55 AD and established his own area. The clan claims to have come from Manji Paithan in the Dekhan in 78 AD when Shalivahana was king.This was the Saka era and Shalivahana was the leader of the Saka nomads who invaded Gujarat on two occasions before and shortly after the beginning of the Christian era.It makes sense for Shesh-Vansh to be called Suryavanshi because they are descendants of Lakshman Ji, brother of Sri Rama, who is believed to be an avtar of Sheshnag.
The Bais Rajput come in the list of castes in the super caste known as the Dhangar Rajput, formed by wealthy Kshatriyas who moved to the regions of Punjab( now Himachal Pradesh and Haryana ) and Azad Kashmir and settled there.
The Bais Rajputs are now a numerous clan and have given their name to an extensive district Baiswada in the Doab,the land between the Ganges and Yamuna. They are found all over the Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
The Bais Rajput come under the list of the super Rajput caste: the 'Dhangar' meaning 'who is wealthy'. These Dhangar Rajput Kshatriyas, during times of hardship, migrated from origins in the Indian state of Maharashtra to hills and forests in The Hill States of Punjab and Azad Kashmir. Few Bais clans remain in modern day India's Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh as Hindu Bais rajputs.
Clans in Jammu and Kashmir, irrespective of the religion are discriminated againgst for not being originally from the region.
Most in Hilly areas have taken up farming and are living a backward life. These things unsaid, majority of Central Indian, UP and Bihar Bais and Pakistan Bais Rajputs enjoy a high social place in the society.
The Ain-i-Akbari describes them as being a "proud, refractory and domineering race ...  living in the Basim Sircar and, with numerous armed forces, occupying the forts and controlling the surrounding districts."
As listed in the list of Dhangar clans in India
Bhains:
Kul Devi : Maa Kaalika Mata (Kaalka Maa)
Lineage(Vansh): Suryavanshi
Kul Gotra: Bhains
Rishi Gotra: Bharadwaj

Surnames:
Bais
Byce
Bhains (Baniya),
Baruliya (Badheliya),
Beunse (Vense)
Basade (Bhainsale),
Donwar,
Kati (Kataha),
Katheriya,
Kathabhains,
Tilokchandi
Bais are considered also to be Nagvanshi. Baiswara is group of 365 villages comprising mostly Bais clansmen. King of Thanesar Harshvardhan united the whole nation and chose his capital as Kannauj.
Reputation

The Bais Rajput, over centuries, have gained a reputation in many positions such as: on the battle field, in wealth and in the modern day and age: in sports.
On the battlefield
Since the beginning of the Rajput era to the days of the British Raj, the Bais Rajput fought extensively in many wars for their own cause and the cause of their allies. This can be seen clearly in historical evidence such as during the time of the Bais Rajput king Harsha and his empire for which many battles with the Gupta empire were fought and won, in the taking over of Oudh and certain parts of northern India from the Bhars, in the rise of the Mughals and the days of the Colonial India.
At the time of the Mughals the Bais Rajput were known as Bhale Sultan (Lords of the spear) in recognition of their warlike and brave nature.
The reputation of the clan can be estimated by analysing historical references.According to tribal tradition in Sultanpur about half a millennia ago Rae Barar, the son of Amba Rae, brother of the then Raja of Morarmau, commanded a troop of cavalry entirely from the Bais Rajput clan, in the imperial service and was deputed to exterminate the troublesome Bhars, in the Isauli Pargana. Having accomplished his mission he returned to Delhi and presented himself at the head of his troop before the Emperor, who, struck with their manly bearing, exclaimed "Ao, Bhale Sultan!": "Come, spears of the Sultan!". During the days of the British Raj the Bais Rajput became particularly famous for their skills in tank building for the use of their own armies. Their Rajas and aristorats were recorded building tanks around 1730 and again in 1780.
In the 1800s a ban was imposed on all Bais Rajputs in participating in any warfare for any cause other than the cause of the Bais Rajputs themselves.
At the time of Tilokchand, the eponymous hero of the Bais Rajputs the Bais Rajput were at a peak or Arooj. They were brought to the limelight in many different ways, mainly in power. The Bais Rajput also played a major part in the Indian Mutiny of 1857 fighting on both sides.
Wealth
The Bais Rajput (in some cases to this day) are a very wealthy tribe in terms of how they dressed, ate, their homes and the money and land to their name.[citation needed] This was due to them being Zamindar and also experienced entrepreneurs. The Bais Rajput had a strong hold of the economic situation of India throughout history.[citation needed] When times were hard they would turn to trade making them skilled merchants and extremely rich.
Not only did the Bais Rajput trade, but the economy of the northern half of modern day India and the west of modern day Pakistan played in the hands of the Bais Rajput. The Bais Rajputs also gained a reputation as money lenders.
Their wealth caused the Bais Rajput to become the "best dressed and housed people" in the areas where they lived.Zamindar
The Bais Rajput clan's identity is based on them being the ones who occupy the soil. They are very dominant zamindar in the areas that they reside. A zamindar is he who owns extreme masses of land, a classic estimate would be "as far as the eyes can see".
In these masses of lands many towns were erected but there still remained vast amounts of lands wasteful as they were not being used for any cause. The Bais Rajputs then decided in making money from these lands by agriculture. They hired many farmers to work the lands and produced profits adding to their already rich positions in wealth.
The Bais Rajputs are known for well building.[16] They ordered the building of many wells that are being used still to the present day all over South Asia especially in areas of Oudh, Lucknow and the villages around Mangla Dam.


Olympic champions:-Dhyan Chand
Sports is another sector in which some Bais Rajput have excelled, particularly in the sport of Field Hockey producing many Olympic champions in the sport, namely the hockey legend: Dhyan Chand.
Dhyan Chand, a Bais Rajput Field Hockey legend. Dhyan Chand was given the title 'Hockey Wizard' by many of his fans. India has failed to again produced such a great undisputed master of any sport.
Dhyan Chand was not the last of the sports personalities to début with Gold medals in the Olympics. The list carried on and most of them were the close relatives or family of Dhyan Chand, such as his brother Roop Singh Bais and many more.

Culture customs

Their tribal totem or symbol is the cobra. They perpetuate the tradition of a serpent origin, and assert that no snake has or even can destroy one of the clan; for the same reason no Bais Rajput will even kill a cobra. Bais Rajput females can never wear cotton of any colour but white and above their feet and ankles their ornaments must be made of gold. The women wear one long cloth, which is fastened round their wastes around the middle, the lower folds covering the lower portions of the person, and the upper parts being thrown over the shoulder.
Amongst the Bais Rajput neither man nor woman, rich or poor, will put a hand to cultivation or labour of any sort.The Bais Rajputs divide their inheritance according to a system of primogeniture by which the three elder sons receive larger shares.
The Bais Rajput live in groups of villages named Baiswara, where Bais Rajput have ever migrated they have also formed such coalition of villages, namely the move to The Hills States of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. Baiswara are easily recognisable as most villages prize the name 'Bais' in the name of their village for example: Shere Bhainsi (Kashmir), Pind Bhainso (Pakistan) or Bais Godam (India).
The 'Bais' 'Rajput' clan never kill snakes, which they hold in great reverence. The Baise believe that no snake has destroyed, or ever can destroy, one of the clan. They seem to take no precautions against snake bite except hanging a vessel of water at the head of the sufferer, with a small tube at the bottom, from which the water is poured on his head for as long as he can bear it. So important is the snake to the Bais that the cobra forms part of the clan's flag

Shekhawat

Rajput clan: Shekhawat
Vansh     Suryavansh.
Descended from:     Dhundhar, Amber/Jaipur
Sub-clan of:     Kachwaha/Kachawa/Kushwaha
Branches:     Bhojraj Ji Ka, Girdhar Ji Ka, Achaldas Ji Ka, Rao Ji Ka, Ladkhani, Bhairo ji Ka, Taknet, Ratnawat, Khejdoliya, Milakpuriya, Tejsi Ka, Jagmalji Ka, Sahasmalji Ka, Lunkaranji Ka, Ugarsenji Ka, Sanwanldasji Ka, Gopalji Ka, Chandapota, Parsuramji Ka, Tajkhani, Hariramji Ka etc.
Ruled in     Shekhawati
Princely states:     Thikanas of Shekhawati

SHORT HISTORY: Following is a brief historical and genealogical outline of the Shekhawat clan, being one of the 65 branches of the Kachhawa ruling clan of Jaipur, and the most prominent of all the Kachhawas, and are the descendants of great Rajput warrior, Rao Shekhaji (BIOGRAPHY). The early rulers paid allegiance to their overlords, the rulers of Amber, but Rao Shekhaji declared himself independent in 1471 and established a separate principality for his descendants. The Shekhawats ruled over the Shekhawati region for over 500 years and are honoured with the hereditary title of “Tazimi Sirdars”, whom HH the Maharaja of Jaipur receives by rising from his seat. The Shekhawat rulers built more then 50 forts and Palaces during their rule over the Shekhawati region [land of Shekhawat rulers], which was the largest Nizamat [District] within Jaipur State, almost the whole of which is occupied by Shekhawats, Col. J.C. Brooke in his book, Political History of India, wrote that “For the recruitment of Horse-army there is no region in India at par with Shekhawati.” Shekhawat is a very common surname in the Indian military. Many members of the clan have won gallantry awards including the Param Veer Chakra (the highest Indian award for bravery in a time of war), the Mahaveer Chakra, etc.


Sub clans or septs of the Shekhawat clan with their Thikanas:

    * Bhojraj Ji Ka
          o Udaipurwati [Pentalisa]
                + Jhajhar, founded by Kunwar Purshottamdas, elder son of Raja Todarmal.
                + Gudhagaurji, founded by Thakur Jhunjhar Singh.
                + Chirana, site of a magnificent castle.
                + (Descendants of Thakur Salehdi Singh 1687-1767): Kedh, founded by Kunwar Gopal Singh son of Thakur Jagram Singh.
                + Nangali, founded by Thakur Saledhi Singh.
                + Khirod, founded by Kunwar Amar Singh and Kunwar Ram Singh, sons of Salehdi Singh, they built a castle in 1825 samwat.
                + Moonwari [Mohanwari], founded by Thakur Saledhi Singh.
                + Jakhal
                + Chapoli
                + Gura
                + Paunkh etc.
          o Panch Pana - Thakur Shardul Singh, had six sons (see below), who received shares of their fathers estate. One son died young, and his share was divided equally amongst his brothers (these five shares were known as Panch Pana), another son died without issue and his share was given to the surviving brothers.
                + (Descendants of Thakur Zorawar Singh): Chowkari, founded by Thakur Bakhat Singh in 1745, son of Thakur Zorawar Singh of Jhunjhunu. Site of a castle.
                + Malsisar, founded by Thakur Maha Singh in 1745, son of Thakur Zorawar Singh of Jhunjhunu, started the construction of Malsisar Fort in 1762.
                + Mandrella, founded by Thakur Daulat Singh in 1751/1791, third son of Thakur Zorawar Singh of Jhunjhunu. Site of a fort.
                + Chanana, founded by Thakur Ranjit Singh, son of Thakur Daulat Singh, he constructed the Fort of Chanana.
                + Gangiyasar, granted to Thakur Medh Singh. Site of a fort.
                + Tain, founded by Thakur Salim Singh, son of Thakur Zorawar Singh of Jhunjhunu. Site of a fort.
                + Sirohi, founded by Thakur Salim Singh, son of Thakur Zorawar Singh of Jhunjhunu. Site of a fort.
                + Dabdi, founded by Thakur Kirat Singh, son of Thakur Zorawar Singh of Jhunjhunu.
                + (Descendants of Thakur Kishan Singh): Khetri, founded by Thakur Kishan Singh in 1742, second largest Thikana in Jaipur after Sikar. Site of the kaleidoscopic Bhopalgarh Fort, Bagore Fort and a Palace. Thakur Bhopal Singh constructed the Khetri Mahal in 1770.
                + Alsisar I, site of a fort, founded by Thakur Chattar Singh in 1853.
                + Alsisar II, founded by Thakur Ganpat Singh in 1853.
                + Heerwa, founded by Thakur Ramnath Singh. Thakur Pahar Singh constructed the fort of Heerwa in 1763.
                + Sigra, founded by Thakur Mehtab Singh, site of a small Castle.
                + Arooka, site of a fort, the estate was founded by Thakur Duleha Singh in 1796.
                + Badangarh, site of a fort, the estate was founded by Thakur Badan Singh.
                + (Descendants of Thakur Nawal Singh): Nawalgarh, founded by Thakur Nawal Singh in 1737 at the village site of Rohili. Nawalgarh has two forts, Bala Kila Fort, built in 1737, and Fatehgarh or Kachiagarh Fort, as well as Roop Niwas Palace.
                + Mandawa, founded in 1791 by the third and fourth sons of Thakur Narsinghdas of Nawalgarh in 1791. Castle Mandawa was built by Thakur Nawal Singh, in 1755.
                + Mahensar, founded in 1768 by Thakur Nahar Singh, second son of Thakur Nawal Singh of Nawalgarh. Mahensar has a magnificent castle.
                + Parasrampura, founded by Thakur Bhawani Singh, son of Thakur Nahar Singh. Site of a small Castle.
                + Mukundgarh, site of a fort, the estate founded by Thakur Mukand Singh in 1859, son of Thakur Nathu Singh of Nawalgarh.
                + Dorasar, founded by Kunwar Prem Singh.
                + Pacheri, founded by Kunwar Prem Singh.
                + Ismailpur
                + Jakoda
                + Kolinda etc.
                + (Descendants of Thakur Kesari Singh); Dundlod, founded by Thakur Kesari Singh, who constructed Dundlod Fort in 1750. The fort has the majestic Diwan Khana.
                + Bissau, founded in 1746 by Thakur Kesari Singh, site of a fort.
                + Surajgarh, founded in 1778 by Thakur Surajmal.Site of a fort.
    * Ugarsen Ji Ka
    * Gopal Ji Ka
    * Achaldas Ji Ka
          o Jahota, granted to Thakur Achaldas, son of Thakur Bhagwan Das.
    * Bhairo Ji Ka
    * Tejsi Ji KA
    * Taknet
    * Khejroliya
          o Khejroli, granted to Kunwar Bharmal, younger son of Rao Shekha.
    * Milakpuriya
          o Milakpur, granted to Kunwar Trilok, younger son of Rao Shekha.
    * Dundawat
    * Girdhar Ji Ka
          o Khandela Senior, site of the Bara Pana Fort, the estate was founded by Raja Udai Singh in 1697.
          o Khandela Junior, site of Chhota Pana Fort, the estate was founded by Raja Fateh Singh in 1683.
          o Danta, founded by Thakur Amar Singh, later Thakur Bhawani Singh, constructed the fort of Danta in 1754; Danta was in Sambhar Nizamat of Jaipur.
          o Khood, site of a fort, the estate was founded by Thakur Shyam Singh.
          o Surera, site of a Castle.
          o Banuda
          o Ralawta
          o Palsana
          o Ramgarh (near Danta), site of a strategic Fort, built by Guman Singh Shekhawat [Ladkhani] in 1733AD.
          o Bawari etc.
    * Rao Ji Ka
          o Sikar, site of a fort and a palace, namely the Madho Niwas Palace, the estate was founded in 1687 by Rao Daulat Singh, son of Rao Jaswant Singh of Kasli.
          o Kasli, founded by Rao Tirmal, who was granted the title of Rao and the parganas of Nagore and Kasli (84 villages).
          o Shyamgarh
          o Sarwari etc.
    * Ladkhani
          o Khachariawas, site of a fort, the estate was granted to Thakur Lad Singh in 1618. Khachariawas was in Sambhar Nizamat of Jaipur.
          o Khatu, founded by Kunwar Kesari Singh, son of Thakur Lad Singh of Khachariawas.
          o Lamia, site of a fort, the estate was founded by Kunwar Maya Singh, grand son of Thakur Lad Singh of Khachariawas.
          o Dhingpur
          o Vajiwas
          o Roolana
          o Singhasan
          o Pachar, site of a fort.
          o Bidoli etc.
    * Tajkhani
    * Hariram Ji Ka
          o Mundro
          o Awawas
          o Lasada, some of these thikanas are also Bhomias.
    * Parasram Ji Ka
    * Ratnawat

Ancient sites of the Shekhawats:

    * Jhunjhunu - was taken over by the Thakur Shardul Singh in 1730 from the Kayamkhani Nawabs. Jhunjhunu has three forts, namely Badalgarh Fort, Jorawargarh Fort, Akhegarh Fort, as well as a Palace, Khetri Mahal.
    * Laxmangarh - founded in the early 19th century by Raja Laxman Singh of Sikar. Rao Raja of Sikar, Laxman Singh constructed a beautiful kaleidoscopic fort on the hill in 1862. He also founded a town, naming it after himself, as Laxmangarh in 1864. This town was styled after the Jaipur Town planning system.
    * Raghunathgarh - site of two Forts on the hill, built by Rao Raja Devi Singh of Sikar in 1791.
    * Devigarh - site of a fort on the hill, built by Rao Raja Devi Singh of Sikar in 1787.
    * Amarsar
    * Nan
    * Ralawata
    * Fatehpur - established in 1451 as a capital for Muslim Kayamkhani Nawabs, but was taken by the Shekhawat Rajputs in the 18th century.
    * Ramgarh - founded by Rao Raja Devi Singh of Sikar in 1791.

PREDECESSORS:

    * Raja UDAYAKARAN of Amber 1367/1389, married and had (with other issue).
          o Rao BALOJI (qv)

    * Rao BALOJI 1389/1430, third son, received his patrimony of Barwara, married and had issue.
          o Rao MOKALJI (qv)
          o Rao KHEMRAJ, his descendants were one of the bara Kotri.
          o Rao KHARUD, married and had issue.
                + Rao KUMAN, ancestor of the Kumawat clan (nearly extinct in 1823).

    * Rao MOKALJI 1430/1445 of Barwara, married and had issue. He died 1445.
          o Rao SHEKHAJI (qv)

    * Rao SHEKHAJI 1445/1488, born 1433, founder of Amarsar in 1460, married six wives, and had issue. He died 1488.
          o Kunwar Durga, ancestor of the Gadh Taknet clan. He died 1488 in Ghatwa battle.
          o Kunwar Puran Mal, died sp 1488 in Ghatwa battle.
          o Kunwar Ratna, ancestor of the Ratnawat clan.
          o Kunwar Abha
          o Kunwar Achala
          o Kunwar Trilok, he was given Mallikpur jointly with his two older brothers, and their descendants are known as Mallikpuria.
          o Kunwar Kumbha
          o Kunwar Ridmal
          o Kunwar Bharmal, he was given Khejroli jointly with his two older brothers, and their descendants are known as Khejroliya.
          o Rao RAIMAL (qv)

    * Rao RAIMAL 1488/1537 of Amarsar, married 7 wives, and had issue, 4 sons. He died 1537.
          o Rao SUJA SINGH (qv)
          o Kunwar Tej Singh
          o Kunwar Sahas Mal, granted the jagir of Siwar.
          o Kunwar Jagmal

    * Rao SUJA SINGH 1537/1548, married and had issue, 5 sons.
          o Rao LUNKARAN of Amarsar (qv)
          o Rao RAISAL (qv)
          o Rao GOPAL SINGH, had descendants at Jharli.
          o Kunwar Chanda Singh of Mahanpur.
          o Kunwar Bhairon Singh of Bassi.

    * Rao LUNKARAN 1548/1584 of Amarsar, which comprised some 360 villages which was overshadowed by the Junior lines some 200 years later, granted a mansab of 2000 sawars by Akbar, appointed Faujdar of Sambhar in 1571, married (amongst others), Rani Hansa Bai, grand-daughter of Raja MALDEO of Marwar, and had issue. He died 1584.
          o Rao MANOHAR, founder of Manoharpur later renamed Shahpura.
          o Kunwar Natha Singh
          o Kunwar Narsingh Das
          o Thakur Bhagwan Das of Reengus - Mehroli, married and had issue.
                + Thakur ACHAL DAS, founder of the Achaldasji ke Shekhawat clan, ancestor of the Thakurs of Jahota in Jaipur.
                + Kunwar Jagganath Singh, died in Dhauli battle.
          o Kunwar Sanwal Das
          o Kunwar Kishan das
          o Kunwar Dule Harai
          o Kunwar Ishwar Das
          o Kunwar Kalyan Das
          o Kunwar Chitar Das

    * Raja RAISAL Darbari 1584/1614, born about 1538, granted the jagir of Lamiya, granted the title of Raja and a mansab of 1250 sawars later raised to 3000, married (amongst others), 3rdly Rani Mertanji, married 4thly, Rani Hansa Kumari, died 1614, married (a), the daughter of the Raja of Khandela, adding that territory to his own, ancestor of the Raisalot clan, including the Sadhani sub-clan. He died 1614.
          o Thakur LAD SINGH of Khachariawas (better known as Lad Khan), ancestor of the Ladkhani sub-clan of the Shekhawat.
          o Thakur Virbhan Singh
          o Rao Tirmal (by 3rd wife), granted the title of Rao and the parganas of Nagore and Kasli (84 villages), married and had issue.
                + Rao Gangaram of Kasli, married and had issue, the Raos of Sikar. He died at Renwal.
          o Rao Bhojraj (by 4th wife) 1621/1640, born 1567, he represented his father, Raja Raisal in the battle of Kangra in 1582; he received the village of Kosambi in 1608 as his jagir, it was later renamed Udaipur, granted a mansab of 800 zat and 400 sawars, later raised to 1000 zat and 500 sawars; in 1596, the year of famine, he started the construction of a tank, namely the “Bhoj Sagar” for the relief of famine sufferers; married and had issue, the “Bhojraj Ji Ka” sub clan. He died about 1640 at Khandela where his cenotaph was built.
                + Raja TODAR MAL, succeded his father as the Raja Sahib of Udaipurwati 1640/1658, a generous and noble person, he served as Finance Minister and Prime Minister, and was considered to be one of the nine Gems of India during Padshah Akbar’s reign. He was one of the closest associates of the Mughal emperor Akbar, who sought his services during the conquest of Bengal in 1576. He also led the military campaign against Chitor in 1568. He was famous for his land revenue settlement known as Zabti or regulation system. He divided the cultivable land into four classes on the basis of the fertility of the soil and frequency of cultivation. Once he gave a unique reception and showed hospitality to Bareth Haridas (the Kavi of Maharana Jagat Singh of Udaipur), after testing his generosity, Bareth remarked - Two Udaipurs are glorious,two givers are unhesitating; one is Rana Jagat Singh and another is Raja Todermal; he married and had issue. He died 1658.
                      # Kunwar Purshottam Das of Jhajhar in Rajasthan (Photo), married Kunwarani Phool Kanwar Mertani Ji Sahiba of Kuchaman, and had issue, two sons and a daughter.
                            * Thakur Hari Singh, married but died sp.
                            * Thakur Prithvi Singh (Photo), married 1stly, Thakurani Biki Ji, married 2ndly, Thakurani Biki Ji, married 3rdly, Thakurani Udawat Ji, and had issue, four sons. He died in the battle of Devli and Heerapura, north of Sambhar.
                                  o Thakur Fateh Singh, [Fateh Singh Ji Ka Pana, Jhajhar], married and had issue.
                                  o Thakur Padam Singh, [Padam Singh Ji Ka Pana, Jhajhar] married and had issue.
                                  o Thakur Sabha Singh, [Pana Malam Singh Sabhasinghot, Jhajhar], married and had issue.
                                  o Thakur Karan Singh, [Karan Singh Ji Ka Pana, Jhajhar], married and had issue, two sons.
                                        + Thakur Badan Singh, married and had issue.
                                        + Thakur Devi Singh, married and had issue.
                                              # Thakur Bhairo Singh, he was granted the jagir, later named as “Bhairobas” Raola of Jhajhar; married and had issue.
                            * Maharani Sukhroopde Kanwar, married Maharaja RATAN SINGH of Ratlam. She committed sati in 1658.
                      # Kunwar Shyam Singh of Chapoli.
                      # Kunwar Himmat Singh of Kari.
                      # Kunwar Bhim Singh of Moondawarra, Rawao and Girawadi.
                      # Thakur Jhujhar Singh, married and had issue. He died 1687.
                            * Thakur Jagram Singh, married and had issue.
                                  o Kunwar Kushal Singh of Badao.
                                  o Kunwar Gopal Singh of Udaipur
                                  o Kunwar Sukh Singh of Panchlangi, died 1719.
                                  o Thakur SARDUL SINGH, born 1681, conquered the territory of the kaimkhani Nawabs of Jhunjhunu in 1730, married 1stly, 1698 Thakurani Sahaj Kanwar of Nathasar, married 2ndly, Thakurani Sirey Kanwar of Nathasar, married 3rdly Thakurani Bakhat Kanwar of Poonota, and had issue. He died 17th April 1742.
                                        + Thakur ZORAWAR SINGH (by 1st wife), born 1700 at Kant, married and had issue. He died 1745.
                                              # Kunwar Bakhat Singh of Chokri and Doomra.
                                              # Kunwar Maha Singh of Malsisar.
                                              # Kunwar Daulat Singh of Mandrella.
                                              # Kunwar Jait Singh, died sp 1752.
                                              # Kunwar Salim Singh of Taien-Sirohi.
                                              # Kunwar Medh Singh of Gangiyasar.
                                              # Kunwar Hathi Singh of Sultanu.
                                              # Kunwar Kirat Singh of Dabri Dheer.
                                        + Thakur KISHEN SINGH (by 3rd wife), born 1709, ancestor of the families of Khetri, Arooka, Seegra, Alsisar and Balaria.
                                        + Kunwar Bahadur Singh (by 3rd wife), born 1712, died 1732.
                                        + Thakur NAWAL SINGH Bahadur (by 3rd wife), born 1715, ancestor of the families of Nawalgarh, Mahensar, Dorasar, Mukundgarh, Narsinghani and Mandawa. He died 24th February 1780.
                                        + Thakur KESHRI SINGH (by 3rd wife), born 1729, ancestor of the families of Dundlod, Surajgarh and Bissau, 4th and youngest son, died 1768.
                                        + Thakur Akhey Singh (by 3rd wife), died sp 1750.
                                        + Rani Guman Kanwar (by 1st wife), born 1699, married Rao CHATTAR SINGH of Indragarh-Kotah.
                                  o Thakur Saledhi Singh of Moonwari and Nangali, born 1687, married and had issue, 13 sons and 3 daughters. He died about 1767.
                                        + Kunwar Ajit Singh, died 1785.
                            * Lad Kanwar, married Apji Inder Singh of Indragarh-Kotah.
                            * Hasta Kanwar
                            * Shab Kanwar, married Apji Megh Singh of Indragarh-Kotah.
                            * Janak Kanwar, married Apji Amar Singh of Khatoli-Kotah.
                            * Sukh Kanwar, married Maharaj Shivnath Singh of Sitamau.
                      # Kunwar Harnath Singh of Rasulpur.
                + Kunwar Kesari Singh
                + Kunwar Raghunath Singh
          o Kunwar Puras Ram of Bae.
          o Kunwar Hur Ramji of Mundurri.
          o Kunwar Taj Khan, he died sp.
          o Raja GIRDHAR SINGH (by 3rd wife), 7th son, granted the jagir of Khandela, by Padshah Jahangir.
          o Kunwar Kushal Singh, married and had issue.
                + Ladi Kanwar, married Amar Singh Rathore, became sati 26th July 1644.

The help of Bhanwar Ajit Karan Singh Shekhawat of Jhajhar is gratefully acknowledged, 2007.
Maharao Shekhaji was born in 1433 (v.s.1490), the son of Rao Mokalji and Rani Nirbanji. Rao Mokal was a chieftain who held the estate of Nan in fief from the ruler of Amber (Jaipur). The story of Shekha’s birth is rather interesting. Mokal and Nirban were much troubled as they had no son for several years. They heard about the miraculous powers of the Sheikh Burhan, a Muslim mendicant. They decided to pay the man a visit. After they received the blessings of the Sheikh, a son was born to the couple. In honour of the mendicant, the couple named their son Shekha. At the age of 12 year he succeded his father in 1445 (v.s.1502). He was granted the title of Maharao by Raja Udharan Ji of Amber. The first notice of his valour was at the age of 16 years, with his sudden attack on Napa (Sankhala Rajput) at Nagarchal, Saiwar, Multhan etc. From 1473 to 1477 (v.s.1530 to 1534), with the help of Panni Pathans, Maharao Shekha conquered Dadri from Nop Singh Jatu and Bhiwani from the Othe Jatu Rajputs, Hansi from Ikhtar Khan and Hissar from Heda Khan Kaimkhani. Thus he extended his territory and become powerfull. Shekha’s reputation and growing power attracted the notice of the Raja of Amber, who was acknowledged as the head-Tikai, and was sent as a tribute, all the colts reared on his land. Shekha refused to send the colts and as a result of it Raja Chandersen of Amber attacked him. They fought several battles and in the last one, in 1471 (v.s.1528), Shekha repulsed Chandersen at the bank of Kokus river, near Amber. A treaty was made between both of them and according to it, the practice of sending colts to Amber was abandoned. After this, they lived peacefully and Shekha become independent and founded a union which was the birth of the Shekhawati federation. In 1449 (v.s.1506), Shekha Ji founded Amarsar (other sources mention that it was founded in 1460 (v.s.1517). In Amarsar Shekha built the tample of Bhagwan Jagdish and in 1477 (v.s.1534), he built the Shikhargarh Fort. Kulraj Gaur was ruling at Ghatwa, and under his command, a tank was being excavated at Jhotari village, and he ordered that any one passing that way should remove a quantity of earth from the tank. A rajput of Kachhawa clan was returning home with his bride, the rajput obeyed the rule and removed the earth, but the Gaurs insisted that his wife should do the same. The rajput did not agree to it and was killed in the defence of his honour. According to his last wish, his widow went to Amarsar and placed a handful of dust before Shekha and told him the fame of the Kachhawas would be tarnished if they did not take revenge upon the Gaurs. Thereupon, in 1478 (v.s.1535), Shekha invaded Ghatwa and the battle took place at the same tank and Kolraj was killed. Shekha took the head of Kolraj pierced on his spear and returned to Amarsar where it was shown to the widow and was hung on the Pol [gate] of his fort. The Gaur Rajputs fought about 12 battles with Shekha. They also recieved help from Sultan Behlol Khan of Delhi. In the last battle, they met near Ghatwa on the “Khontiya” tank and fought fiercely. Rao Ridmal of Maroth wounded Shekha with his arrows and Shekha gave him a blow with his spear. Nawalraj, a son of Kolraj, killed Durga and Puranmal. Shekha tried to save his sons and gave a serve blow with his sword and killed Nawalraj. Rao Ridmal left the battle field. Shekha conquered Ghatwa and the other villages of Gaurs. Raimal with a force of two thousand horsemen arrived to help his father. Shekha was severely wounded and before his end, he nominated Raimal as his successor. Shekha expired peacefully at Ralawata in 1488, on Baisakh Sudi 3 [akha teej], v.s.1545. His cenotaph was built there. Maharao Shekha fought 52 battles in his lifetime. He was the ancestor of the Shekhawat sub-clan.