Post by admin on Feb 3, 2004 12:57:52 GMT -5
Chouhan:
The Royal Chauhans called themselves Surya Vans Kshatriyas (Prithvi Raj Vijai 2-7, Hamir Maha Kavya Sarg1). The Gujar Empire marched towards its fall, its suzerains, the Chauhans, Paramars and Solankis began fighting for supremacy. First of all, the Chauhans entitled themselves Gujaresvar and attacked Bhadanas of Bayana and Tomars of Delhi, then the common lord the Raghu Kulin came in and settled the matter. The Parmar record of Bhoj states that the Parmar Raja defeated Chedi. Toggal, Bhim, Karnat, Gujar Rath
and Turshken (E.I. Vol 1 page 235-236) clearly here Bhim Solanki is not Gurjar Rath, Gurjar Rath was adjacent to Turks on the river Sutlej. Dashrath Sharma in his book Chauhan Dynasty states that the Chauhans were subdued by the Parmars. It is, therefore, clear that the Gurjar Rath- Gujar king to Parmars in record was Chauhan whose capital was Naran.
There is a contemporry evidence of Al-Beruni who states: Marching from Kanauj towards the South West, you came to Asi, 18 Farsakh from Kanauj Sahaniya,
17 Farsakh, Jandra, 18 Farsakh, Rajauri, 15 Farsakh, Bazan, the capital of Gujarat, 20 Farsakh. This town is called Narayan by the people, After it had fallen into decay the inhabitants migrated to another place called Jandura. All the historians agree that this was Gujrat to Chauhans. There is still a village Narayan in the vicinity of Ajmer. Al-Beruni further states marching from Bazan, (Yarayan) southword, you come to Mewar, 25 Farsakh from Bazan, this is a kingdom, the capital of which is Jattaraur (Chittor), From this town to Malwa and its capital Dhar the distance is 20 Farshkh. The city of Ujjain lies 7 Farsakh to the east of Dar, Marching from Bazan towards the west, you come to Multan 50 Farsakh from Bazan, Bhati, 15 Farsakh.
Thus Narayan was a famous town, from where roads were going on all sides, It was destroyed by Mahmud of Ghazna. Afterwards, Ajmer was founded which was conquered by Muhammad Ghauri in 1192. Ranthambhore the last stronghold of Chauhan Gurjars fell into the hands of Alladdin Khilji in about 1300 A.D.
A group of Chauhans migrated to Multan but they were not allowed to settle there by the Muslim Governor of Multan. The party crossed the river Sutlej and marched towards the East along the Southern bank of the river. Near a rivulet Markand, they found Rajpura now a town in District Patiala. Two or three years later, Muslim Governor of Sirhind ousted them from Rajpura. The party marched further East. One family of theirs found a village Nav Rana on the western side of the river Jamna (Yamuna) now district Panipat (Haryana) India. They call themselves by the same old name Chhamn or Chauhan. Three brothers namely, Kalsha Raj, Deo Raj and Deep Raj Chauhan crossed the river Jamna.
In those days there were forests on both sides of the river which lasted to the beginning of the twentieth century. Kalsha Raj Chauhan, the eldest brother founded Kai-Rana and possessed an area of 83 villages called Chaurasi. The affix Kai means great. Kai Thal means great or vast campared to high land. The great Thal has a town by the same name Kai Thal (India). In Persian, which is a branch of Sanskrit, the affix Kai is used in the same sense. Khusro means small ruler (Rana) so Kai Khsurao is synonymous to Kai Rana. One of the sons of Kalsha Raj Chauhan namely Rao Kumbha found Khandraol (Khand-Rao-Ii ie Rao wali Khand or Rao’s share of land) on Sunday the 10th Sudi Phalgun 1421 V.E. corresponding to the last week of February. 1364 A.D. (probably 26.2.1364). In 15th Century A.D. conversion to Islam ensured. The eldest brother in every house embraced Islam, one Muslim Gujar of Mandawar found a village namely Rana Majra which is now on the western bank of river Jamna due to the diversion of the river.
The Khand of Rao Kumbha consisted of six big villages and four hamlets. After five generations two hamlets Brahm Khera and Malhipur were built side by side, there being only a lane between them, so it is considered a full village thus there became 7 villages which are called sat gaon. One of the grand sons of Rao Kumbha was Rana Vir Sal who embraced Islam. Vir Sal’s Grandson Malha Rao found Malhipur on the site of a ruined village Lahori Pur. Even today in Revenue record of Tehsil, its name is written Lahori Pur alias Malhipur.
In the descendancy line of Malha Rao there was Rana Nadir Ali, commonly known as Nyadra who was elected the Sardar of Chaurasi by the Panchayat (Council).
Kabiz Singh of Khandrauli wrote in 1956 an article about him in monthy magazine Vir Gurjar published from Meerut (India).
Now a days all the descendants of Kalsha Raj Chauhan are called Kalshan. His younger brother was Dev Raj Chauhan who established Tuprana-Hutments of the Ranas which is now 10 kilometer distant North of Kairana. His sons found Jhinjhana, Bidoli and Lap Rana (Hamlet of Rana). In Akbar’s Time descndants of Deoraj were ousted from this area.
Tup Rana and Lup Rana were given to unruly Afghans to pacify them and other two towns were bestowed to Syeds. All Deoras scattered, now live in many villages at the foot of Shiwalik Hills. Only one village out of the old Tuprana exist by the name of Tuprana Gujtan where some families of Muslim Gujars are living.
The youngest brother Deep Raj Chauhan marched further east and in the khadar of the river Ganges found a town Mand Rana. The descendants of Deep Raj are called Deepa. These Deepa Chauhans are big landlords and are holding high position in every field of life. Deepas were called Rao and Ranas upto 1875. The ruler queen of Landhora (UP) India state, belonged to Mand Rana. The Deepas, Deoras and Kalshan belonging to same gotra, Chauhan, do not marry among themselves. Mand Rana is now being called Mandlana as changes into in Prakrit. In 1980 I was given a book in Urdu, with the father of Mr. Hukam Singh.which was lying useless. There is a mention of Landhora in the book. In this book, Mandrana is written clearly The title of honour of the Pamar Gurjars in District Saharanpur (India) is Raja. They claim their migration from Dhara.
The names of some towns and villages of the Chauhan Gurjars which they found in the 14th Century A.D. after migration from Ranthambhore to this place are as follews:
Kandela, Panjeeth, Panjokhara, Gandraon, Khargaon. Balwah, Mandwar (Mandvyavar), Jhanjhana town (Jhunijhuno), Badoli a town, (Bardoli), Assar pur (Airpur) Paoti, Sanathi, Mand Rana (Mandu), Bhadar Staana (Satyana) etc.
The same names of the old towns and villages may be seen in the old Gurjar Desa (Present western Rajasthan). By the above description I means to say: As the existing Gujrat in Mardan, Gujrat on Chenab, Gujrat in Muzaffar Garh, Gujrat- Saharanpur (1857), Gujar Dhar in Gwalior and Gujrat Kathiawar show the expansion of Gujar kingdom. Similarly, the existing towns Navrana, Kai Rana, Khand Rao Wali, Rana Majra, Tup Rana and Mand Rana are the contemporary evidences of the past that Rana, Rao, Rawal and Rawar etc were the title of the Gujars only.
In Gwalior, the Gujars have always been called as Rana. In the 15th Century A.D. there was Bagh Rao a Gujar of Gothan village (Ojha page 190). In Ain-e-Akhbari a list of all Rajput leaders is given but not a single one has been described as Rana or Rao. Only Mann Singh is written as Raja Man Singh, but the tittle Raja was not limited to the Rajput only. Birbal Brahman has also been mentioned as Raja Birbal (Tarikh-e-Farishata written in the time of Jahangir). There is no mention of a Rajput with a title of Rana or Rao. Only Partap is written as Rana Partap, but Rana Partap was not a Rajputra, he was a pure Gurjar belonging to Guhilot family. Gohilots were of shoot of maitrikas. The Maimatrias and Gohilots were undoubtedly Gurjars. Historians know that after the desctruction of the Royal Gohilot family of Chittor in 1330 A.D., the Gohilots of Sisod emerged in History and Hamir by force took over Chittor back from its new officer-in-charge of the foreign Muslims.
Hamir’s line was afterwards called Sisodia because Hamir came from Sisod. In his line Rana Pratap who died in 1596 A.D. was the last Gurjar. After his death the
family was linked in materimonial relations with the Rajputs and now the family is known as Rajput. But it is not strange. One Abdul Ghafoor Khatana, a Gujar, became the Ruler of Swat in 19th Centry A.D. His sons surrounded on all sides by the Pathan Rulers were married in Pathan families and now the family is called Pathan (see Shahan-e-Gujar and Report on Tribes of Dir, Swat and Chitral by Captain A.H. MacMohan page 24).
Secondly, by the above facts, I mean to explain when the Gurjars, migrated, Brahman, Vaish and Sudras accompanied their Yajmans, in words of Honourable K.M. Munshi they were Gurjar Kshatriyas, Gurjar Brahman. Gurjar Vaish and Gurjar Sudras ie natives of Gurjar (country). But the Brahman, Vaish and Sudra were called simply Brahman, Visha Sudra. Similar position exists today also. There is a reference that the ruler of Bengal defeated Dravid. Hun and Gurjar. Mr K.M.Munshi says Dravid and Hun are the names of
tribes but Gurjar is the name of a country. Mr. Ojha proceeded a step further. Only one example is quoted here. In the old book Prithvi Raj Vijai, Sarg 5, verse 78 is given like this, Jigai Gurjar Karn tomashanv prapt Maalava.
N.B: The Book Tarikh-e-Landhora, in which there is mention of Mand Rana was written by Harnam Singh, Khatri of Landhora. He was married at Kai Rana. He was a Civil Engineer at Ajmer where the book was published in 1876 A.D.
The Royal Chauhans called themselves Surya Vans Kshatriyas (Prithvi Raj Vijai 2-7, Hamir Maha Kavya Sarg1). The Gujar Empire marched towards its fall, its suzerains, the Chauhans, Paramars and Solankis began fighting for supremacy. First of all, the Chauhans entitled themselves Gujaresvar and attacked Bhadanas of Bayana and Tomars of Delhi, then the common lord the Raghu Kulin came in and settled the matter. The Parmar record of Bhoj states that the Parmar Raja defeated Chedi. Toggal, Bhim, Karnat, Gujar Rath
and Turshken (E.I. Vol 1 page 235-236) clearly here Bhim Solanki is not Gurjar Rath, Gurjar Rath was adjacent to Turks on the river Sutlej. Dashrath Sharma in his book Chauhan Dynasty states that the Chauhans were subdued by the Parmars. It is, therefore, clear that the Gurjar Rath- Gujar king to Parmars in record was Chauhan whose capital was Naran.
There is a contemporry evidence of Al-Beruni who states: Marching from Kanauj towards the South West, you came to Asi, 18 Farsakh from Kanauj Sahaniya,
17 Farsakh, Jandra, 18 Farsakh, Rajauri, 15 Farsakh, Bazan, the capital of Gujarat, 20 Farsakh. This town is called Narayan by the people, After it had fallen into decay the inhabitants migrated to another place called Jandura. All the historians agree that this was Gujrat to Chauhans. There is still a village Narayan in the vicinity of Ajmer. Al-Beruni further states marching from Bazan, (Yarayan) southword, you come to Mewar, 25 Farsakh from Bazan, this is a kingdom, the capital of which is Jattaraur (Chittor), From this town to Malwa and its capital Dhar the distance is 20 Farshkh. The city of Ujjain lies 7 Farsakh to the east of Dar, Marching from Bazan towards the west, you come to Multan 50 Farsakh from Bazan, Bhati, 15 Farsakh.
Thus Narayan was a famous town, from where roads were going on all sides, It was destroyed by Mahmud of Ghazna. Afterwards, Ajmer was founded which was conquered by Muhammad Ghauri in 1192. Ranthambhore the last stronghold of Chauhan Gurjars fell into the hands of Alladdin Khilji in about 1300 A.D.
A group of Chauhans migrated to Multan but they were not allowed to settle there by the Muslim Governor of Multan. The party crossed the river Sutlej and marched towards the East along the Southern bank of the river. Near a rivulet Markand, they found Rajpura now a town in District Patiala. Two or three years later, Muslim Governor of Sirhind ousted them from Rajpura. The party marched further East. One family of theirs found a village Nav Rana on the western side of the river Jamna (Yamuna) now district Panipat (Haryana) India. They call themselves by the same old name Chhamn or Chauhan. Three brothers namely, Kalsha Raj, Deo Raj and Deep Raj Chauhan crossed the river Jamna.
In those days there were forests on both sides of the river which lasted to the beginning of the twentieth century. Kalsha Raj Chauhan, the eldest brother founded Kai-Rana and possessed an area of 83 villages called Chaurasi. The affix Kai means great. Kai Thal means great or vast campared to high land. The great Thal has a town by the same name Kai Thal (India). In Persian, which is a branch of Sanskrit, the affix Kai is used in the same sense. Khusro means small ruler (Rana) so Kai Khsurao is synonymous to Kai Rana. One of the sons of Kalsha Raj Chauhan namely Rao Kumbha found Khandraol (Khand-Rao-Ii ie Rao wali Khand or Rao’s share of land) on Sunday the 10th Sudi Phalgun 1421 V.E. corresponding to the last week of February. 1364 A.D. (probably 26.2.1364). In 15th Century A.D. conversion to Islam ensured. The eldest brother in every house embraced Islam, one Muslim Gujar of Mandawar found a village namely Rana Majra which is now on the western bank of river Jamna due to the diversion of the river.
The Khand of Rao Kumbha consisted of six big villages and four hamlets. After five generations two hamlets Brahm Khera and Malhipur were built side by side, there being only a lane between them, so it is considered a full village thus there became 7 villages which are called sat gaon. One of the grand sons of Rao Kumbha was Rana Vir Sal who embraced Islam. Vir Sal’s Grandson Malha Rao found Malhipur on the site of a ruined village Lahori Pur. Even today in Revenue record of Tehsil, its name is written Lahori Pur alias Malhipur.
In the descendancy line of Malha Rao there was Rana Nadir Ali, commonly known as Nyadra who was elected the Sardar of Chaurasi by the Panchayat (Council).
Kabiz Singh of Khandrauli wrote in 1956 an article about him in monthy magazine Vir Gurjar published from Meerut (India).
Now a days all the descendants of Kalsha Raj Chauhan are called Kalshan. His younger brother was Dev Raj Chauhan who established Tuprana-Hutments of the Ranas which is now 10 kilometer distant North of Kairana. His sons found Jhinjhana, Bidoli and Lap Rana (Hamlet of Rana). In Akbar’s Time descndants of Deoraj were ousted from this area.
Tup Rana and Lup Rana were given to unruly Afghans to pacify them and other two towns were bestowed to Syeds. All Deoras scattered, now live in many villages at the foot of Shiwalik Hills. Only one village out of the old Tuprana exist by the name of Tuprana Gujtan where some families of Muslim Gujars are living.
The youngest brother Deep Raj Chauhan marched further east and in the khadar of the river Ganges found a town Mand Rana. The descendants of Deep Raj are called Deepa. These Deepa Chauhans are big landlords and are holding high position in every field of life. Deepas were called Rao and Ranas upto 1875. The ruler queen of Landhora (UP) India state, belonged to Mand Rana. The Deepas, Deoras and Kalshan belonging to same gotra, Chauhan, do not marry among themselves. Mand Rana is now being called Mandlana as changes into in Prakrit. In 1980 I was given a book in Urdu, with the father of Mr. Hukam Singh.which was lying useless. There is a mention of Landhora in the book. In this book, Mandrana is written clearly The title of honour of the Pamar Gurjars in District Saharanpur (India) is Raja. They claim their migration from Dhara.
The names of some towns and villages of the Chauhan Gurjars which they found in the 14th Century A.D. after migration from Ranthambhore to this place are as follews:
Kandela, Panjeeth, Panjokhara, Gandraon, Khargaon. Balwah, Mandwar (Mandvyavar), Jhanjhana town (Jhunijhuno), Badoli a town, (Bardoli), Assar pur (Airpur) Paoti, Sanathi, Mand Rana (Mandu), Bhadar Staana (Satyana) etc.
The same names of the old towns and villages may be seen in the old Gurjar Desa (Present western Rajasthan). By the above description I means to say: As the existing Gujrat in Mardan, Gujrat on Chenab, Gujrat in Muzaffar Garh, Gujrat- Saharanpur (1857), Gujar Dhar in Gwalior and Gujrat Kathiawar show the expansion of Gujar kingdom. Similarly, the existing towns Navrana, Kai Rana, Khand Rao Wali, Rana Majra, Tup Rana and Mand Rana are the contemporary evidences of the past that Rana, Rao, Rawal and Rawar etc were the title of the Gujars only.
In Gwalior, the Gujars have always been called as Rana. In the 15th Century A.D. there was Bagh Rao a Gujar of Gothan village (Ojha page 190). In Ain-e-Akhbari a list of all Rajput leaders is given but not a single one has been described as Rana or Rao. Only Mann Singh is written as Raja Man Singh, but the tittle Raja was not limited to the Rajput only. Birbal Brahman has also been mentioned as Raja Birbal (Tarikh-e-Farishata written in the time of Jahangir). There is no mention of a Rajput with a title of Rana or Rao. Only Partap is written as Rana Partap, but Rana Partap was not a Rajputra, he was a pure Gurjar belonging to Guhilot family. Gohilots were of shoot of maitrikas. The Maimatrias and Gohilots were undoubtedly Gurjars. Historians know that after the desctruction of the Royal Gohilot family of Chittor in 1330 A.D., the Gohilots of Sisod emerged in History and Hamir by force took over Chittor back from its new officer-in-charge of the foreign Muslims.
Hamir’s line was afterwards called Sisodia because Hamir came from Sisod. In his line Rana Pratap who died in 1596 A.D. was the last Gurjar. After his death the
family was linked in materimonial relations with the Rajputs and now the family is known as Rajput. But it is not strange. One Abdul Ghafoor Khatana, a Gujar, became the Ruler of Swat in 19th Centry A.D. His sons surrounded on all sides by the Pathan Rulers were married in Pathan families and now the family is called Pathan (see Shahan-e-Gujar and Report on Tribes of Dir, Swat and Chitral by Captain A.H. MacMohan page 24).
Secondly, by the above facts, I mean to explain when the Gurjars, migrated, Brahman, Vaish and Sudras accompanied their Yajmans, in words of Honourable K.M. Munshi they were Gurjar Kshatriyas, Gurjar Brahman. Gurjar Vaish and Gurjar Sudras ie natives of Gurjar (country). But the Brahman, Vaish and Sudra were called simply Brahman, Visha Sudra. Similar position exists today also. There is a reference that the ruler of Bengal defeated Dravid. Hun and Gurjar. Mr K.M.Munshi says Dravid and Hun are the names of
tribes but Gurjar is the name of a country. Mr. Ojha proceeded a step further. Only one example is quoted here. In the old book Prithvi Raj Vijai, Sarg 5, verse 78 is given like this, Jigai Gurjar Karn tomashanv prapt Maalava.
N.B: The Book Tarikh-e-Landhora, in which there is mention of Mand Rana was written by Harnam Singh, Khatri of Landhora. He was married at Kai Rana. He was a Civil Engineer at Ajmer where the book was published in 1876 A.D.