Kachwaha
Encyclopedia
| Rajput clan: Kachwaha | |
| Vansh | Suryavansha 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:... |
| Descended from: | Koshal Koshal Koshal/ Kaushals are descendants of Raja Hawaha and Kachwaha because of their equestrian prowess they came to be known as ghorewaha Rajputs.Being a martial race they had a flair of riding and breeding warrior horses... (later Gird Gird Gird is a region of Madhya Pradesh state in central India. It includes the districts of Bhind, Gwalior, Morena, Sheopur, and Shivpuri. Gwalior is the largest city in the region, and its historic center.The Chambal and Yamuna rivers form the northwestern and northern boundaries of the region... ) |
| Sub-clans: | List of the 71 sub-clans |
| Ruled in | Dhundhar Dhundhar Dhundhar is a historical region of Rajasthan state in western India. It includes the districts of Jaipur, Dausa, Sawai Madhopur, and Tonk and the northern part of Karauli District... |
| Princely states: | Narwar Narwar Narwar is a town and a nagar panchayat in Shivpuri district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Narwar is a historic town and the Narwar Fort is just east of the Kali Sindh River and is situated at a distance of 42 km from Shivpuri. Narwar was known as Narwar District during the times of... Jaipur State Jaipur State -History:During the British Raj, Jaipur was the capital of a princely state of the same name. Jaipur state, which existed from the twelfth century until Indian Independence in 1947, took its name from the city. It had a total area of 15,579 square miles in 1900. The maharajas of Jaipur belonged to... Alwar Maihar Maihar Maihar is a city and a municipality in Satna district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Maihar is known for the temple of revered mother goddess Sharda situated on Trikuta hill of Maihar.- Origin :... States, established by sub-clans |
Kachwaha (which also has numerous variant spellings) are a Suryavanshi Kshatriya
Kshatriya
*For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya or Kashtriya, meaning warrior, is one of the four varnas in Hinduism...
clan who ruled a number of kingdoms and princely state
Princely state
A Princely State was a nominally sovereign entitity of British rule in India that was not directly governed by the British, but rather by an Indian ruler under a form of indirect rule such as suzerainty or paramountcy.-British relationship with the Princely States:India under the British Raj ...
s in India such as Alwar, Maihar
Maihar
Maihar is a city and a municipality in Satna district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Maihar is known for the temple of revered mother goddess Sharda situated on Trikuta hill of Maihar.- Origin :...
, Talcher
Talcher
Talcher is one of the 4 sub-divisions of Anugul district in the Indian state of Orissa . Situated on the right bank of the river Brahmani, the capital of the erstwhile Talcher State is one of the fastest growing industrial and mining complexes of the country.-Geography:Talcher is located at...
, while the largest kingdom was Jaipur
Jaipur
Jaipur , also popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Founded on 18 November 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber, the city today has a population of more than 3.1 million....
(Jainagara) which was founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727. The Maharaja of Jaipur is regarded as the head of the extended Kachwaha clan.
Legend and early history
The Kachhawas belongs to the Suryavanshi lineage, which claims descent from the SuryaSurya
Surya Suraya or Phra Athit is the chief solar deity in Hinduism, one of the Adityas, son of Kasyapa and one of his wives, Aditi; of Indra; or of Dyaus Pitar . The term Surya also refers to the Sun, in general. Surya has hair and arms of gold...
(Sun Dynasty) or Suryavansha
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:...
of the ancient Kshatriya
Kshatriya
*For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya or Kashtriya, meaning warrior, is one of the four varnas in Hinduism...
s. They are descent from Raghav (Raghuvanshi)
Raghav (Raghuvanshi)
Badgujars rajputs, Jayas rajputs clans claim descent from Suryavanshi king Raghu and his grandson Lord Rama and his son Lava and write Raghav as their surname. They ruled some kingdoms and princely states.-Etymology:...
as they claim descent from Kusha
Kusha
Kusha may refer to:* Kusha , one of six schools of Japanese Buddhism in the Nara period* Kusha , in Hindu mythology, was one of the twin sons of Lord Rama and Sita* Kusha, tall tufted perennial grass. See also: Poa cynosuroides...
eldest of the twin sons of Rama
Rama
Rama or full name Ramachandra is considered to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism, and a king of Ayodhya in ancient Indian...
, belongs to Raghav (Raghuvanshi)
Raghav (Raghuvanshi)
Badgujars rajputs, Jayas rajputs clans claim descent from Suryavanshi king Raghu and his grandson Lord Rama and his son Lava and write Raghav as their surname. They ruled some kingdoms and princely states.-Etymology:...
clan, hero of the Ramayana
Ramayana
The Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic. It is ascribed to the Hindu sage Valmiki and forms an important part of the Hindu canon , considered to be itihāsa. The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of India and Nepal, the other being the Mahabharata...
, to whom patrilineal descent from Surya is in turn ascribed.
T.H. Hendley
Thomas Holbein Hendley
Colonel Thomas Holbein Hendley CIE was a British medical officer in the Indian Medical Service and an amateur authority on Indian art.He studied at St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London, where he was the gold medallist...
states in his Rulers of India and the Chiefs of Rajputana (1897) that the Kachwaha clan is believed to have settled in an early era at Rohtas
Rohtas
Rohtas can refer to:*Rohtas, Pakistan, a village located in Rohtas Fort, Pakistan*Rohtas Fort, Pakistan*Rohtas District, a district in Bihar, India*Rohtas Plateau in north-western Bihar...
(Rahatas) on the son river
Son River
Son River of central India is the largest of the Ganges' southern tributaries. A British 1850s diary shows that the river was written in English as Soane.-Course:...
in present-day Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
. He notes however, that their notable seats of power were Kutwar, Gwalior, Dubkhund, Simhapaniya and Narwar
Narwar
Narwar is a town and a nagar panchayat in Shivpuri district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Narwar is a historic town and the Narwar Fort is just east of the Kali Sindh River and is situated at a distance of 42 km from Shivpuri. Narwar was known as Narwar District during the times of...
(Nalapura), all in present-day Madhya Pradesh
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....
. This second westward migration to Madhaya Pradesh is said to have been initiated under Raja Nala, the legendary founder of Narwar
Narwar
Narwar is a town and a nagar panchayat in Shivpuri district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Narwar is a historic town and the Narwar Fort is just east of the Kali Sindh River and is situated at a distance of 42 km from Shivpuri. Narwar was known as Narwar District during the times of...
.
Many historians state that the Kacchapaghatas, like the Chandellas and Paramara
Paramara
Paramara is a Maratha, Gurjar,& Rajput clan of India.The Paramara clan belongs to the Agnivansha of Rajputs ancient Kshatriyas...
s, originated as tributaries of the preceding powers of the region. They point out that it was only following the downfall, in the 8th-10th century, of Kannauj
Kannauj
Kannauj , also spelt Kanauj, is a city, administrative headquarters and a municipal board or Nagar Palika Parishad in Kannauj district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The city's name is traditionally derived from the term Kanyakubja . Kannauj is an ancient city, in earlier times the capital...
(the regional seat-of-power, following the break-up of Harsha
Harsha
Harsha or Harsha Vardhana or Harshvardhan was an Indian emperor who ruled northern India from 606 to 647 AD. He was the son of Prabhakara Vardhana and younger brother of Rajya Vardhana, a king of Thanesar, Haryana...
's empire), that the Kacchapaghata state emerged as a principal power in the Chambal
Chambal River
The Chambal River is a tributary of the Yamuna River in central India, and forms part of the greater Gangetic drainage system. The river flows north-northeast through Madhya Pradesh, running for a time through Rajasthan, then forming the boundary between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh before turning...
http://www.boloji.com/places/00413.htm valley of present-day Madhya Pradesh. This view is largely supported by archaeological artifacts and Kacchapaghata coinage (minted in Gupta
Gupta Empire
The Gupta Empire was an ancient Indian empire which existed approximately from 320 to 550 CE and covered much of the Indian Subcontinent. Founded by Maharaja Sri-Gupta, the dynasty was the model of a classical civilization. The peace and prosperity created under leadership of Guptas enabled the...
-fashion) discovered in Madya pradesh, as also by inscriptions of Gopasetra.
According to Rudolf Hoernle (1905), Kachhwahas are related to the Gurjara-Pratiharas. He identifies similarities between the names of the line ruling kings of Kanauj (mid 10th) century with the recorded line of eight Kachwaha rulers of Gwalior (based on the sas-bahu' inscription of Mahipal).
After Sumitra, Madhubramh, Kanh, Devanik, and Isha Singh ruled Narwar
Narwar
Narwar is a town and a nagar panchayat in Shivpuri district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Narwar is a historic town and the Narwar Fort is just east of the Kali Sindh River and is situated at a distance of 42 km from Shivpuri. Narwar was known as Narwar District during the times of...
. The Sas-Bahu inscription is dated to 1093 AD and it gives the genealogy of the ruling family up to Mahipal who died sometime before 1104 AD.
Formation of Jaipur state and modernity
Notables
- PajawanPajawanPajawan or Pajjun was Kachwaha Rajput ruler of Dhundhar with his capital at Amber, India. He was fifth Kachwaha ruler of this area. He was married to Prithviraj Chauhan's cousin...
- Jai Singh IJai Singh IMirza Raja Jai Singh was a senior general of the Mughal Empire and a ruler of the kingdom of Amber . His father was Maha Singh the Raja of Garha, and his mother was Damayanti, a princess of Mewar.The great Raja Man Singh of Amber had several sons, the most capable of whom were the eldest Jagat...
- Ramsingh IRamsingh IMirza Raja Ram Singh I was the elder son Mirza Raja Jai Singh I and was ruler of Amber, and head of the Kachwaha Rajput clan, from 1667 to 1688.- Career as prince :...
- Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II
- Maharaja Sawai Isrisingh
- Maharaj Sawai Madhosingh IMadhosingh IMaharaja Sawai Madhosingh I was ruler of the state of Jaipur in the present-day Indian state of Rajasthan from 1751 to 1768....
- Maharaja Sawai PratapsinghPratapsinghMaharaja Sawai Pratapsingh was a Kachwaha ruler of Jaipur from 1778 to 1803. He has no relation to Pratap Singh, Maharana of Mewar. He was born on December 1764 and succeeded his father Madho Singh I. He was grandson of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, founder of Jaipur. He is known for constructing...
- Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II
- Rao ShekhaRao ShekhaMahaRao Shekha was a Rajput chieftain belonging to the Kachwaha clan of Amer/Jaipur. He ruled over Amarsar, The Shekhawati gets its name from him, comprising the districts of Sikar and Jhunjhunu in the present-day Indian state of Rajasthan...
- Maharaja Hari SinghHari SinghMaharaja Hari Singh was the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir in India.He was married four times...
of Kashmir - Maharaja Gulab SinghMaharaja Gulab SinghMaharaja Gulab Singh was the founder and first Maharaja of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, the second largest princely state in British India...
- Dr.Karan SinghKaran SinghKaran Singh is an MP in the Rajya Sabha, a senior member of the ruling Indian National Congress Party serving as Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Department, President of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations , India's Ambassador to UNESCO, Chairman of the Auroville Foundation and of the Temple...
of Kashmir - [Ex Cabinet Minister of India. (Jamwal sub clan)] - Piru SinghPiru SinghCompany Havildar Major Piru Singh Shekhawat was a Shekhawat Kachwaha Rajput. He was soldier in the British Indian Army. He died in service during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947...
- [Awarded Param Veer Chakra. (Shekhawat sub clan)] - Kripal Singh ShekhawatKripal Singh ShekhawatKripal Singh Shekhawat was a renowned craftsman of India. He was famous for his skills in Blue Pottery and is credited for the revival of that art in India...
Further reading
- Bayley C. (1894) Chiefs and Leading Families In Rajputana
- Hendley T. H. (1897) Rulers of India and the Chiefs of Rajputana
- Henige, DavidDavid HenigeDavid Patrick Henige is an American historian, bibliographer, academic librarian and Africanist scholar. The majority of Henige's academic career has been spent in affiliation with the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where for over three decades he has held the position of bibliographer in...
(2004). Princely states of India;A guide to chronology and rulers - Jyoti J. (2001) Royal Jaipur
- Krishnadatta Kavi, Gopalnarayan Bahura(editor) (1983) Pratapa Prakasa, a contemporary account of life in the court at Jaipur in the late 18th century
- Khangarot, R.S., and P.S. Nathawat (1990). Jaigarh- The invincible Fort of Amber
- Topsfield, A. (1994). Indian paintings from Oxford collections
- Tillotson, G. (2006). Jaipur Nama, Penguin booksPenguin BooksPenguin Books is a publisher founded in 1935 by Sir Allen Lane and V.K. Krishna Menon. Penguin revolutionised publishing in the 1930s through its high quality, inexpensive paperbacks, sold through Woolworths and other high street stores for sixpence. Penguin's success demonstrated that large...