Durgvanshi
Encyclopedia
Durgvanshi is a Hindu Rajput kshatriya clan whose origins date to the medieval periods in history. The exact origins with the roots being debated as being from modern day Gujarat or Madhya Pradesh
.
Currently, this sparse clan resides in eastern Uttar Pradesh
, distributed in Jaunpur and neighboring areas. Here is some information gleaned from historical documentation:
. It claims descent from the surayavansh kings of Ayodhya. At a remote period a cadet of the family name Raja Durgbhav, is said to have immigrated to Gujarat, where his descendents tool the title of Durgbansi(durgvanshi) i.e. children of Durgbhav. Several generations later, one of the chieftains named Kalyan Sah, received the title of Dikhit
(q.v.), which then forth become the tribal name. About 550 years ago, a number of Dikhit
cadets entered the service of Muhammad Tughlak and settled in Oudh (Awadh)
. About a century later their descendants were invited by the Muhammadan authorities to expel the Bhars from Jaunpur. Their efforts were completely successful, and shortly afterwards this section of the clan reverted to its old name of Durgbansi, in honor of one of Durg Sahai, one of its principal leaders. It is stated that the title of Raja was conferred on Harku Rai, their elected chief by Emperor Akbar, in recognition of the valour(brave) displayed by the clan at a great tournament held at Allahabad
. In the 18th century the Durgbansi were deprived of their possessions by Balwant Singh, the Raja of Benaras, but regained them through the annexation of the district by the British. Litigation and extravagance led to the loss of most of their ancestral domains, and by the time of the mutiny the Durgbansi raja was in very reduced circumstances. From his antecedents (preceding), poverty, and relationship to the famous rebel Koer Singh, he might well have been tempted to rebellion: but on the contrary he behaved with conspicuous (prominent) loyalty, and was rewarded with considerable estates and a title Geographical Distribution.
(Chandi). Like the Dikhit the Durgbansis belong to the Kassyap and koshik gotra.
Gothra – Kashyap, koushik
Ved - Samved.
Devi - Durga
(Chandi)
Devata- Bhagwan Shiv ji
and Mahul in Azamgarh. The raja of Garwara is a Durgbansi. They are descended from the Dikhit
, and came to the neighborhood of Jaunpur
from Simauni in Bundelkhand, about 14 generations ago.
The Durgbansi, although of the same family originally as the Dikhit
, Yet in several parts of the country have a separate name, and are regarded as a distinct tribe. They occupy lands in Garwara, Ghisua and Rari in the Jaunpur district
and also in Mahul of Azamgarh
.
They are numerous in the District of Jaunpur
, where it possesses several thousand families. Colonies also are in the neighboring district of Azamgarh
. In Mirzapur
are a few hundred Individuals; and in Benares likewise is a small community.
Originally published as: Rajputs. Simla : Govt. Central Print. Office, 1899
Published by Asian Educational Services, 1986
ISBN 8120602048, 9788120602045
http://books.google.co.in/books?id=Cc2HyXP5dygC&pg=PA67&dq=dirgbansi&hl=en&ei=-XcJTpb_IIvprQefp-2zDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDYQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=
By William Crooke
Published by Asian Educational Services, 1999
ISBN 8120612108, 9788120612105
1809 pages
Published by Asian Educational Services, 1995
ISBN 812060833X, 9788120608337
2231 pages
A. H. Bingley, Krishna Prakash Bahadur
http://books.google.co.in/books?id=UzxuAAAAMAAJ&dq=dirgbansi&source=gbs_similarbooks
By Matthew Atmore Sherring
Published by Thacker, Spink, 1872
Original from Oxford University
Digitized 24 May 2007
405 pages
by Edward Balfour - 1885 Define DurgBansi"s as -
By Henry Miers Elliot, John Beames
Contributor John Beames
Published by Asian Educational Services, 2004
ISBN 8120619056, 9788120619050
Memoirs on the history, folk-lore, and distribution of the races of the ... By Sir Henry Miers Elliot
http://books.google.co.in/books?id=mX4TAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA87&dq=durgbansi&hl=en&ei=iKUATrynEsbmrAeXj7WPDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=durgbansi&f=false
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
.
Currently, this sparse clan resides in eastern Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
, distributed in Jaunpur and neighboring areas. Here is some information gleaned from historical documentation:
Traditional origins and history
This clan is a sub division of the DikhitDikhit
The Dikhit also known as Kinwar are a Hindu Rajput clan found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India.- Origin :The clan gets its name from the Sanskrit word dikshita which means "the initiated". They are said have given the name by Rajah Vikramjit of Ujjain about 50 B.C. They claim to be...
. It claims descent from the surayavansh kings of Ayodhya. At a remote period a cadet of the family name Raja Durgbhav, is said to have immigrated to Gujarat, where his descendents tool the title of Durgbansi(durgvanshi) i.e. children of Durgbhav. Several generations later, one of the chieftains named Kalyan Sah, received the title of Dikhit
Dikhit
The Dikhit also known as Kinwar are a Hindu Rajput clan found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India.- Origin :The clan gets its name from the Sanskrit word dikshita which means "the initiated". They are said have given the name by Rajah Vikramjit of Ujjain about 50 B.C. They claim to be...
(q.v.), which then forth become the tribal name. About 550 years ago, a number of Dikhit
Dikhit
The Dikhit also known as Kinwar are a Hindu Rajput clan found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India.- Origin :The clan gets its name from the Sanskrit word dikshita which means "the initiated". They are said have given the name by Rajah Vikramjit of Ujjain about 50 B.C. They claim to be...
cadets entered the service of Muhammad Tughlak and settled in Oudh (Awadh)
Awadh
Awadh , also known in various British historical texts as Oudh or Oude derived from Ayodhya, is a region in the centre of the modern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, which was before independence known as the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh...
. About a century later their descendants were invited by the Muhammadan authorities to expel the Bhars from Jaunpur. Their efforts were completely successful, and shortly afterwards this section of the clan reverted to its old name of Durgbansi, in honor of one of Durg Sahai, one of its principal leaders. It is stated that the title of Raja was conferred on Harku Rai, their elected chief by Emperor Akbar, in recognition of the valour(brave) displayed by the clan at a great tournament held at Allahabad
Allahabad
Allahabad , or Settled by God in Persian, is a major city of India and is one of the main holy cities of Hinduism. It was renamed by the Mughals from the ancient name of Prayaga , and is by some accounts the second-oldest city in India. It is located in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh,...
. In the 18th century the Durgbansi were deprived of their possessions by Balwant Singh, the Raja of Benaras, but regained them through the annexation of the district by the British. Litigation and extravagance led to the loss of most of their ancestral domains, and by the time of the mutiny the Durgbansi raja was in very reduced circumstances. From his antecedents (preceding), poverty, and relationship to the famous rebel Koer Singh, he might well have been tempted to rebellion: but on the contrary he behaved with conspicuous (prominent) loyalty, and was rewarded with considerable estates and a title Geographical Distribution.
Religion
The clan is addicted to ‘Shakta’ worship and pays special reverence to DurgaDurga
For the 1985 Hindi Film of Rajesh Khanna see DurgaaIn Hinduism, Durga ; ; meaning "the inaccessible" or "the invincible"; , durga) or Maa Durga "one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress" is a form of Devi, the supremely radiant goddess, depicted as having eighteen arms, riding a lion...
(Chandi). Like the Dikhit the Durgbansis belong to the Kassyap and koshik gotra.
Gothra – Kashyap, koushik
Ved - Samved.
Devi - Durga
Durga
For the 1985 Hindi Film of Rajesh Khanna see DurgaaIn Hinduism, Durga ; ; meaning "the inaccessible" or "the invincible"; , durga) or Maa Durga "one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress" is a form of Devi, the supremely radiant goddess, depicted as having eighteen arms, riding a lion...
(Chandi)
Devata- Bhagwan Shiv ji
Distribution
Durgbansi Rajputs hold villages (tikhana) in Garwara, Ghisua and rari, in the district of JaunpurJaunpur District
Jaunpur is a district in the Varanasi Division of Uttar Pradesh state in India. Jaunpur serves as the district headquarters.-Geography:The district of Jaunpur is situated in the North-West part of Varanasi Division. Its land area extends from 24.240N to 26.120N latitude and between 82.70E and...
and Mahul in Azamgarh. The raja of Garwara is a Durgbansi. They are descended from the Dikhit
Dikhit
The Dikhit also known as Kinwar are a Hindu Rajput clan found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India.- Origin :The clan gets its name from the Sanskrit word dikshita which means "the initiated". They are said have given the name by Rajah Vikramjit of Ujjain about 50 B.C. They claim to be...
, and came to the neighborhood of Jaunpur
Jaunpur District
Jaunpur is a district in the Varanasi Division of Uttar Pradesh state in India. Jaunpur serves as the district headquarters.-Geography:The district of Jaunpur is situated in the North-West part of Varanasi Division. Its land area extends from 24.240N to 26.120N latitude and between 82.70E and...
from Simauni in Bundelkhand, about 14 generations ago.
The Durgbansi, although of the same family originally as the Dikhit
Dikhit
The Dikhit also known as Kinwar are a Hindu Rajput clan found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India.- Origin :The clan gets its name from the Sanskrit word dikshita which means "the initiated". They are said have given the name by Rajah Vikramjit of Ujjain about 50 B.C. They claim to be...
, Yet in several parts of the country have a separate name, and are regarded as a distinct tribe. They occupy lands in Garwara, Ghisua and Rari in the Jaunpur district
Jaunpur District
Jaunpur is a district in the Varanasi Division of Uttar Pradesh state in India. Jaunpur serves as the district headquarters.-Geography:The district of Jaunpur is situated in the North-West part of Varanasi Division. Its land area extends from 24.240N to 26.120N latitude and between 82.70E and...
and also in Mahul of Azamgarh
Azamgarh
Azamgarh is a town in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is headquarters of Azamgarh district and Azamgarh Division.-History:Azamgarh, one of the easternmost districts of the State, once formed a part of the ancient Kosala kingdom, except the north-eastern part of it which was included in the...
.
They are numerous in the District of Jaunpur
Jaunpur District
Jaunpur is a district in the Varanasi Division of Uttar Pradesh state in India. Jaunpur serves as the district headquarters.-Geography:The district of Jaunpur is situated in the North-West part of Varanasi Division. Its land area extends from 24.240N to 26.120N latitude and between 82.70E and...
, where it possesses several thousand families. Colonies also are in the neighboring district of Azamgarh
Azamgarh
Azamgarh is a town in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is headquarters of Azamgarh district and Azamgarh Division.-History:Azamgarh, one of the easternmost districts of the State, once formed a part of the ancient Kosala kingdom, except the north-eastern part of it which was included in the...
. In Mirzapur
Mirzapur District
Mirzapur district is one of the 70 districts of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. The district is bounded on the north by Sant Ravidas Nagar and Varanasi districts, on the east by Chandauli district, on the south by Sonbhadra district and on the norhwest by Allahabad district. The district...
are a few hundred Individuals; and in Benares likewise is a small community.
Marriage Custom
They intermarry with some of the highest tribes of Rajputs. Their relative position in the rank of Rajputs is shown by their giving daughters and from whom they take wives:| GIVE DAUGHTER TO | TAKE WIVES FROM | |
|---|---|---|
| Nikumbh Nikumbh Nikumbh is a clan of Chauhan Rajputs, also found in Yaduvanshi Ahirs in the states of Rajasthan and Haryana in India.Though the original home of Nikumbhs are Rajputana and Punjab, they are found in eastern Uttar Pradesh and are settled in the Farrukhabad, Jaunpur, Ballia, Tulsipur-Balarampur,... |
Nikumbh Nikumbh Nikumbh is a clan of Chauhan Rajputs, also found in Yaduvanshi Ahirs in the states of Rajasthan and Haryana in India.Though the original home of Nikumbhs are Rajputana and Punjab, they are found in eastern Uttar Pradesh and are settled in the Farrukhabad, Jaunpur, Ballia, Tulsipur-Balarampur,... |
|
| Raghuvanshi | Chandel Chandela The Chandela is a Rajput clan found in North India. A section of the Chandelas ruled much of the Bundelkhand region of central India for long periods between the 10th and the 13th centuries AD. The Chandela dynasty is famous in Indian history for King Vidyadhar, who repulsed the attacks of Mahmud... |
|
| Somvanshi | Bisen Bisen Bisen/Vishen are the Suryavanshi Rajput clan found in North India, mainly in the state of Uttar Pradesh.They trace their descent from Raja Prithvi Mull of Majhaul, and get their name from the Sanskrit words visva meaning "entire" and sena means an "army".In other words it connotes those who have... |
|
| Bisen Bisen Bisen/Vishen are the Suryavanshi Rajput clan found in North India, mainly in the state of Uttar Pradesh.They trace their descent from Raja Prithvi Mull of Majhaul, and get their name from the Sanskrit words visva meaning "entire" and sena means an "army".In other words it connotes those who have... |
Chaupat Khambh | |
| Baghel (vaghela) | Bais Bais Rajput The Bais Rajput , are an ancient Rajput clan consisting of the wealthy, warriors, entrepreneurs and Zamindar .The Bais Rajput are one of the Chattis Rajkul - 36 Royal Rajput lineages... |
|
| Surayavanshi Suryavansha The Sooryavamsham or Suryavansh or Suryavamsa or Sun Dynasty or Solar Dynasty was one of the most prominent dynasties in the mythical history of India, along with the "Chandra-vaṃśa" or Lunar Dynasty.-Introduction:... |
Gautam Gautam Rajputs -History and origin:The Gautam claim descent from a Brahmin called Siringhi, who married a daughter of the Gaharwar rajah. For his dowry he obtained all the country between Allahabad to Haridwar. They are said to have originated in the region above or around the doab area of the upper Gangetic plain... |
|
| Gaharwar | raghuvanshi |
Other References
- Handbook on Rajputs By A. H. Bingley
Originally published as: Rajputs. Simla : Govt. Central Print. Office, 1899
Published by Asian Educational Services, 1986
ISBN 8120602048, 9788120602045
http://books.google.co.in/books?id=Cc2HyXP5dygC&pg=PA67&dq=dirgbansi&hl=en&ei=-XcJTpb_IIvprQefp-2zDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDYQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=
- The Tribes and Castes of the North-Western Provinces and Oudh
By William Crooke
Published by Asian Educational Services, 1999
ISBN 8120612108, 9788120612105
1809 pages
- The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India By R V Russell, R.B.H. Lai
Published by Asian Educational Services, 1995
ISBN 812060833X, 9788120608337
2231 pages
- Caste, tribes & culture of Rajputs
A. H. Bingley, Krishna Prakash Bahadur
http://books.google.co.in/books?id=UzxuAAAAMAAJ&dq=dirgbansi&source=gbs_similarbooks
- Hindu Tribes and Castes: As Represented in Benares
By Matthew Atmore Sherring
Published by Thacker, Spink, 1872
Original from Oxford University
Digitized 24 May 2007
405 pages
- The cyclopedia of India and of Eastern and Southern Asia:
by Edward Balfour - 1885 Define DurgBansi"s as -
- Memoirs on the History, Folk-Lore and Distribution of the Races of the North Western Provinces of India
By Henry Miers Elliot, John Beames
Contributor John Beames
Published by Asian Educational Services, 2004
ISBN 8120619056, 9788120619050
Memoirs on the history, folk-lore, and distribution of the races of the ... By Sir Henry Miers Elliot
http://books.google.co.in/books?id=mX4TAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA87&dq=durgbansi&hl=en&ei=iKUATrynEsbmrAeXj7WPDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=durgbansi&f=false
- http://sakhoi.tripod.com