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Kachwaha

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The Kachwaha (also Kacchavahas, Kachhawa, Kuchhwaha or Kushwaha) are a Rajput clan which ruled a number of kingdoms and princely states, including Jaipur, Alwar and Maihar, before India's independence in 1947. The largest and oldest of these was Jaipur, also known as Amber; the Maharaja of Jaipur is regarded as the head of the extended Kachhawa clan.

Prominent branches (sub-clans) of the Kachhawa clan includes: Rajawat, Shekhawat,Sheobramhpota, Kumbhani, Naruka, Nathawat,Kumbhawat,Balapota Jeetawat, Bankawat, Balbhadrot, Khangarot and Chaturbhujot.

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[edit] Legend and early history

The Kachhawas/Kushwahas belong to the Suryavanshi lineage, claiming descent from Surya, the Hindu Sun-God(or Vivasvan). Specifically, they claim descent from Kusha<ref>RajputIndia website,</ref> younger of the twin sons of Rama, hero of the Ramayana, to whom patrilineal descent from Surya is in turn ascribed. Indeed, the name "Kuchwaha/Kushwaha" is held by many reputable sources<ref>Tod, James (1829) Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan' to be a patronymic derived from the name "Kusha". However, it has been suggested by General Cunningham that 'Kachhwaha' is a dimunitive of the Sanskrit conjoint word 'Kachhaha-ghata' or 'Tortoise-killer', Tortoise in Sanskrit being Kashyapa.But names are not entered in history by killing Tortoise,it is assumed the Kachawahas defeated and killed Kashyaps (may be another clan of khastriyas)

Sumitra was the last king of this dynasty in Ayodhya.In fourth century BC Mahapadmanand included Ayodhya in his empire and Kushwahas were forced to leave.They setteled near Rohatas.They moved westwards from Rohatas.

T.H. Henley states in his Rulers of India and the Chiefs of Rajputana that the Kachhawa clan is believed to have settled in an early era at Rohtas on the Son river in present-day Bihar. He notes however that their notable seats of power were Kutwar, Gwalior, Dubkhund, Simhapaniya and Narwar (Nalapura), all in present-day Madhya Pradesh. The Kachhawas connection to Rohtas may actually be of much more recent provenance: in the 16th century, Raja Man Singh, a Kachhawa ruler, was deputed by the mughal emperor Akbar to conquer the eastern provinces, where he remained as governor. Rohtas was his capital and many Kushwaha families settled there permanently. This may have given rise to a general belief of long association, which Henley duly recorded, qualified by other comments and observations.


James Tod has recorded<ref>Tod, James (1829) Annals and Antiquities of the Rajpootana states</ref> the view as being prevalent in his time (c.1820) that the clan occupied Narwar in the 10th century and remained there until Narwar was captured by Parihara rajputs in the 12th century. Many other historians also aver that the Kacchapaghatas, like the Chandellas and Paramaras, 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 (the regional seat-of-power, following the break-up of Harsha's empire), that the Kacchapaghata state emerged as a principal power in the Chambal[1] valley of present-day Madhya Pradesh. This view is largely supported by archeological artifacts<ref>[2]</ref> and Kacchapaghata coinage (minted in Gupta-fashion)<ref>[3]</ref> discovered in Madya pradesh, as also by inscriptions of Gopasetra (Willis) or in the Sihoniya temple. According to an inscription in the Sas-Bahu temple within Gwalior fort, Vajradamana (975-1000 AD), the successor of the Kacchapaghata ruler Laksmana (950-975 AD) "put down the rising power of the ruler of Gandhnagara (Kannauj) and his proclamation-drum resounded on the fort of Gopadri (Gwalior)." 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.

The Kacchapaghatas are said to have made their capital initially at Kutwar and later at Gwalior and Simhapaniya (present-day Sihonia).<ref>[4]</ref> At Simhapaniya, the Kacchapaghata ruler Kirtiraja had a Shiva temple constructed to fulfill the wish of his queen Kakanwati. Built between 1015 to 1035 A.D., the Kakan Math temple is 115 ft. high and rivals in splendour the temples of Khajuraho.<ref>[5]</ref> According to popular legend,<ref>According to this legend, Suraj (Surya) Sen, an 8th century scion of the Kachhwaha clan, was afflicted by leprosy. As was usual in that era, he retired to a forest to spend his remaining days far removed from human settlements. In the forest, he chanced upon a venerable old mendicant, Sage Gwalipa, who resided on an isolated hill. Thirsty and tired, Surajsen asked for some water and the sage led him to a pond. Upon drinking the water of that pond, Suraj (Surya) Sen found to his astonishment that he was cured of leprosy! Rejoiced, the prince asked the sage if there was anything he could do as thanksgiving for this benediction. The sage told him to fortify the hill. The hill was fortified and named Gwalior, in honour of the sage; the city that developed around it gradually acquired the same name</ref> a Kachwaha prince of the 8th century, named Suraj/Surya Sen was responsible for the building of Gwalior fort and the founding of that city.<ref>[6]</ref>.

[edit] Dhundhar

In 1093 Dūlaha Rāya (also known as Tej Karan which was his original name), a son of Soda Rāya, the Jagirdar of Nindarali, wed a daughter of Ralhan, the Chauhan ruler of Ajmer. He received Dausa, which was part of the Dhundhar region of present-day Rajasthan as dowry, Tej karan who was son in law of chauhans was called Dulhe Rai or bride groom prince, this was followed by his conquest of neighboring Meenas strongholds at Manchi and Khoh. Todate, the 11th century, Jamwa Mata temple built by Dūlaha Rāya to commemorate his victory over the Meenas is still worshipped by the Kachhawas. His son Kākila Deva(-1138) further consolidated and organised the Kachhawa rule in Dhundhar. Following his suppression of the Meenas, the Badgujars and the Yadavas Rajputs in Dhundhar, Raja Kākila Deva shifted his capital from Dausa westwards to Amber(Ambikeshwar/Ambawati) in 1136.He got constructed the fort of Amber and Ambikeshwar Mahadev Temple. By the time Kākila Deva was succeeded by his eldest son, Hanutdeva(1138-1153) in 1139, the Kachhawas had become the undisputed sovereign of Dhundhar with the Meenas as their allies, and keepers of their forts. Nevertheless they were destined to have lost most of their domain in present day Madhya Pradesh by the early 12th century, save but the Rajawati fiefdoms that todate still dots the area adjoining Rajasthan and Madhya pradesh (being the area around Sawai Madhopur/Narwar). The original capital of the state in Dhundhar was thus Dausa prior to the shift to Amber and Jaipur respectively.
Image:Jaigarth.jpg

Another alliance with the Chauhan was forged through the marriage of Pajwan(Pradhyumn)Singh with a sister of Prithviraj III of Delhi as recorded in the chronicles of the Prithviraj Raso. Raja Pajwan Singh fought valiantly alongside (his brother in law) Prithviraj Chauhan at the Battle of Kannauj in 1185.In this battle Pajawan was leading the forces of Prithviraj chauhan.Much has been said in Prithviraj raso about Pajawan.Pajwan held the forces of Jaichand while Prithviraj Chauhan escaped with Sanyogita.In this battle Pajawan,his three brothers Palansi,Jaitsi,and Kansi and two sons Balbhadra,Bhinvsi were killed.Pajawans son Malayasi who became the king after him also fought in this battle bravely and suffered wounds.Malayasi is believed to have been killed in second battle of Tarain in 1192Prithviraj chauhan-Muhammad of Gour Following the capture and death of Prithviraj Chauhan in the Second Battle of Tarain in 1192, the Kachawas remained a constant threat to the neighboring Islamic Sultanate of Delhi, their kingdom also stood on major trade and (Islamic) pilgrimage routes leading to the shrines of Ajmer and the ports of Gujarat.After Malayasi his son Bijaldev sat on the throne.Bijaldev s daughter was married to Veernarain chauhan of Ranthambhore in 1226.After Bijaldev his son Rajdev became the king. During the siege of Ranthambore by the Khilji invaders, Rajadeva(-1216) is said to have given his support to Rana Hamir of Mewar. Rajadeva is also said to have added much fortification, temples and water tanks to his capital of Amber. In March 1527, Raja Prithviraj of Amber (1503-1527) supported (his father-in-law) Rana Sanga of Mewar at the battle of Khanua, but was unable to prevent his defeat by Babur, leading to the establishment of the Mughal Empire. He also organised his family into what is known as the Bara Kotris, or the 12 patrilineal branches of the Kachwaha clan, his successor Puran Mal (1527-1534) is said to have helped Humayun's brother Hindal, in his struggle against Tatar Khan in the battle of Mandrail (1534 AD).After death of Puran Mal his brothers Bhim,Ratan Singh,Askaran ruled Amber for short periods. The period of 13 years following Puran Mal's death is shrouded with mystery and controversies, intrigues and murders until Bharmal ascended the throne of Amber in 1547.Bharmal was another son of Prithviraj who was killed in the battle of Khanua in 1527 and brother of Puran Mal.

In February 1562, Jodhabai, daughter of Bharmal (1547-1573), Raja of Amber, was wed to the Mughal emperor Akbar at a grand ceremony held at the town of Sambhar, the son born through this marriage being none other than the next Mughal emperor Jahangir. This pragmatic alliance created a major shift in the balance of power within the Indian subcontinent and ushered a period of harmonious co-operation between the Rajputs and the Mughals. However details of the marriage between Akbar and Jodhabai remains a disputed subject. The Kachwahas provided the Mughals some of their most distinguished generals. Raja Bhagwant Das (1575-1589) brought with him the secret of artillery production from Lahore (where he and his son Man Singh remained for many years as governor) to Amber in 1584, soon cannons began to be made at the Foundry in Jaigarh Fort(including the world's largest cannon on wheels, the Jaivana[7]), much to the infuriation of the Mughals who kept the secret to themselves ever since they used it in the epic battles, against the Lodhis and the Rajputs.

In 1589, Bhagwant Das was succeeded by Raja Man Singh (1589-1614) (Akbar's Commander in Chief), who did much to further the establishment of Mughal rule over Kabul Afaganistan in the west to Assam in the east from Kashmir in the north to Southernmost parts of India , and also served them in various other capacities, notably as governor of Kabul and Bengal. Man Singh’s monumental Fortress in Kabul, was used as headquarters by subsequent Mughal Governors. As governor of Bengal, Raja Man Singh made Rohtas (his alledged Ancestral domain in Bihar) his headquarters[8]; he rebuilt the fort and also built a palace there.
Image:Jaivana.jpg

Jai Singh I (1622-1667), commonly known by the title 'Mirza Raja' conferred to him by Shah Jehan, was one of the most prominent Mughal generals during the reigns of Shah Jehan and Aurangzeb. An accomplished scholar and diplomat, He defeated the sultan of Bijapur in 1635 (thus chasing Shahji Bhosale, Shivaji's father, out of Malwa). Interestingly, despite the fact that it was Jai Singh that captured Shivaji from Purandar, his successor Raja Ram Singh (1667-1688) earned the lasting displeasure of Aurangzeb, who suspected him of complicity in the escape of Shivaji from Agra. As soon as Ram Singh ascended the throne of Amber in 1667, Aurangzeb sent him off to govern the remote and unhealthy border of Assam, having survived this post, he was sent to govern the north-western Khyber Frontier where he died, at Kohat in April 1688. He was succeeded by his Grandson, Raja Bishan Singh (1689-1700), whom remained for a time the governor of Mathura. Bishan Singh suffered a fatal shot by Afghan Insurgents while quelling a revolt in Kabul in 1700.

Sawai Jai Singh II (1700-1743), a grandson of his namesake Mirza Raja Jai Singh I, was known to be supremely talented - politically, intellectually and on the battle field. He founded the city of Jaipur in November 1727. Towards the end of the 18th century, the Jats of Bharatpur and the chief of Alwar (Also a Kachwaha) each declaired themselves independent from the Maharaja of Jaipur and annexed the eastern portion of Jaipur's territory. This period is generally characterized by internal power-struggles and constant military conflicts with the Marathas, Jats, other Rajput states, as well as the British and the Pindaris (Jaipur's former mercenary allies). Yet enough wealth remained with the clan for continuous patronage of fine forts/temples/palaces, the employment of Sanskrit, Urdu and Hindi scholars/artists as well as the continuity of lavish courtly traditions.

A treaty was initially made between Maharaja Sawai Jagat Singh (1803-1818) and the British in 1803 but was abolished shortly afterwards. Another treaty was signed in the last year of Sawai Jagat Singh's reign in 1818. In 1835, there was a serious disturbance in the city, after which the British government intervened; under the rule of Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II (1835-1881) the state gradually become well-governed and increasingly prosperous. Sawai Ram Singh's devotion to Shaivism earned him the nickname of 'Rishi Raj' or the Sage-King while his reign was known to his people as 'Ram rajye ek lahar' 'a wave of the rule of Rama'(Tillotson). Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh (1881-1922), G.C.S.I., G.C.V.O., was born in 1861, and succeeded in 1882 and was distinguished for his enlightened administration. He visited England at the time of King Edward VII's coronation in 1902. It was he who started and endowed with a donation of 15 lakhs, afterwards increased to 20 lakhs, of rupees the Indian Peoples Famine Fund. The Jaipur imperial service transport corps saw service in the Chitral and Tirah campaigns. The last ruling Maharaja was Sawai Man Singh II (1922-1949), who in 1948, shortly after India's independence, acceded the state of Jaipur to the Government of India. Sawai Man Singh then became the first Rajpramukh of the newly formed State of Rajasthan in 1949. He passed away in 1970 while playing Polo in England, and was succeeded by his eldest son Sawai Bhawani Singh of Jaipur, who reigns as current Head of the Kachhawas.

[edit] Kachhawa rulers in Dhundhar

  • Dūlaha Rāya(Bridegroom prince) (c. 1006-1036)
  • Kākila Dev (c. 1036-1038)
  • Hunut Dev(-1151)
  • Janad Dev (1151-1168)
  • Pajwan rai/Pradhyumn Singh (1168-1192)
  • Malaysi Dev
  • Bijal Dev
  • Raja Dev
  • Kilhan Dev
  • Kuntal Deva
  • Junasi (-1366)
  • Udayakarna (1366-1388)
  • Nahar Singh Dev (1388-1427)
  • Banvir (1427-1439)
  • Uddhran Dev (1439-1467)
  • Chandra Sen (1467-1502)
  • Prithvi Raj (1502-1527)
  • Puran Mal (1527-1534)
  • Bhima (1534- 1537)
  • Ratan Singh(1537-1548)
  • Askaran (1548)
  • Bhāramala/Bihārīmala(1548- 1573)
  • Bhagwant Das (1573 -1589)
  • Man Singh I (1589-1614)
  • Jagat Singh I (1614)
  • Bhao Singh (1614-1622)
  • Maharaja Jai Singh I (1622-1667)
  • Maharaja Ram Singh I (1667-1688)
  • Maharaja Bishan Singh (1688-1700)
  • Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II (1700-1743)
  • Maharaja Sawai Ishwari Singh (1743-1750)
  • Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I (1750-1768)
  • Maharaja Sawai Prithvi Singh II (1768-1778)
  • Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh (1778-1803)
  • Maharaja Sawai Jagat Singh II (1803-1818)
  • Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh III (1818-1835)
  • Maharaja Sawai Rama Singh II (1835-1881)
  • Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II (1881-1922)
  • Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II (1922-1949)
  • Maharaja Sawai Bhawani Singh (Reigning but not ruling, succeeded his father in 1970)

[edit] The 12 Kothris

The twelve Kotris or "chambers" of Amber were an honoured institution of the state. These Kothris were essentially patrilineal branches of the Kachwaha clan. Maharaja Prithvi Raj (1502-1527 AD) recognized each major branch of his family (being his sons and kinsmen) as being a noble house in the peerage of the state. It is said that this was done to avoid internecine feuds amongst his kinsmen. The heads of these 12 families held large baronial estates and were prominent members of the court. The twelve kothris of Amber included:1- Puranmalot( Sons of Raja Puran Mal are called Puranmalot Kachwahas), 2- Pachyanot(One of the sons of Raja Prithviraj was Panchayan and his sons are called Pachanot)3-Nathawat(One another son of Prithviraj was Gopal. Gopal had nine sons.One of them was Natha ji a great warriar, his sons are called Nathawats,Choumun and Samod were there main thikanas)4- Balbhadrot (Another son of Prithviraj was Balbhadra sons of Balbhadra are called Balbhadrot. Acharol was there main thikana.),5- Surtanot(Surtan was son of Prithviraj ,his sons are called Surtanot.Suroth,Bansthali,Hamirpur etc.were there thikanas.)6- Khangarot(One son of Prithviraj ji was Jagmal.Jagmal had two sons Khangar and Ramchandra sons of Khangar are called Khangarot, Jobner Mandha Ugariavas etc were there thikanas.) ,7- Chaturbhujot(Chaturbhuj was son of Prithviraj and his sons are called Chaturbhujot.Bagru was there main thikana.),8- Kalyanot(Kalyan was also son of Prithviraj and his sons are called Kalyanot, Kalwad Padampura Ramgarh etc were there thikanas.),9- Kumbhani(Kumbha was one of the sons of Raja Junasi of Amber and brother of Raja Udaikaran ji 1366-1388.His sons are called Kumbhani Banskho Bhandarej etc were there thikanas.) ,10- Sheobrahmapota(One of the sons of Raja Udaikaran (1366-1388) was Shivbramh.He was given jagir of Nindar.His sons are called sheobramhpota.Nindar Gudha Barnala etc were there thikanas.) and 11-Banvirpota.(Younger sons of Raja Banveer ji (1427-1439 )were Baroji and Naroji .Sons of both are called Banveerpota.Vatka was there thikana.)

Thus nine of the 12 kotaries of Kachawaha, s including Jaipur itself (Rajawats)came from sons of Raja Prithviraj of Amber (1502 to 1527).One from sons of Raja Junasi of Amber,One from sons of Raja Udaikaran of Amber,and one from sons of Raja Banveer of Amber.

[edit] Notes

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[edit] References

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