Origin of kushwaha

By

Amit

 -

Kusha (Sanskrit: कुश), in Hindu mythology, was one of the twin sons of Lord Rama and Sita (the other being Lava). Born in the Forest after Sita had been banished from Ayodhya, they were educated and trained in military skills and were under the care of Sage Valmiki. When Rama performed the Ashvamedha Yagya, then they challenged their father (who was at this point unknown to them) to a duel by holding up the Yagya horse. When Rama found out their identity, he took them back to Ayodhya. Also called “Kush,” he was believed to be the ruler of a kingdom centered at Kasur in ancient times, and the present day Pakistani city still references him in name. His brother Lava is purported to be the founder of Lahore.

The illustrious line of kings which ruled Kashi (Kasi), also called Varanasi was derived from him. The Mauryan dynasty, an empire that ruled the Indian sub-continent (320-185 BC) claimed descent from Kush.

The Kuchhwaha (also spelled as Kushwaha & Kurma) are a Suryavanshi Kshatriya clan who ruled a number of kingdoms and princely states in India such as Alwar, Maihar, Talcher, while the largest kingdom was Jaipur (Jainagara) which was founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727. The Maharaja of Jaipur is regarded as the head of the extended Kachhwaha clan.

Outside of Rajasthan Kachhwahas are found in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, but are chiefly found in Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Muttra, Agra and Cawnpore. A number of Kachhwaha adventurers from the Gwalior also emigrated to Jalaun, where settlements were established in Etawah. Kachhwahas from Bulandshahr(chhtari village) are said to have descended from Narwar, while the Kachhwahas of Muzaffarnagar called themselves Jhotiyana.

Sub Clans of Kachhwaha Rajputs

Introduction and Definition of clans Rajput is a term used for princely Kshatriyas. It is mentioned in Yajurveda, which is oldest. The Suryavanshi or of Sun Dynasty followed a rule since Manu Vaivaswat known as Primoginiture. According to this rule only eldest male offspring of a king could succeed to the throne if otherwise qualified. Who is qualified and who is not was judged by priests. According to this rule, eldest male offspring of a king was given throne after him. But younger brothers were not neglected, they were given portions from the entire kingdom but on the condition that they would remain faithful to the kingdom and rule of Manu.The best example is of Bharata who was younger brother of Rama. Though he was nominated to be the next king, He never accepted it and upon order of his elder brother Rama ruled Ayodhya as regent for 14 years. He never enjoyed benefits of kingdom. He lived a simple life in a hut out side of the town of Ayodhya. Kachawahas followed the same rule. Accordingly younger brothers of a king were given portions of land later known as Thikanas. According to this rule the clan of the king was never counted.But the clan of his yoynger brothers was counted. It was only at the time of Raja Bhagwant Das, that his offspring got a different name. However the rule of primoginiture was neglected at certain times. After the Mughal Empire was founded, it was upon the emperor to recognise someone or not. There were many examples of it. Same was the rule of Kachhwahas, The king could recognise, disrecognise, oust, grant, any chiefship under him. Without the recognition, The kingdom or chiefship could not be founded. Here is a list of persons and places who derived from Dulhe Rai the original founder of Kachhwaha kingdom at Amber (city).

1. Delnot
   Descendants of “Delan”, II son of Raja Dulah Rai, are known as Delanot. Lahar was their main Thikana.
2. Bikalpota
   Descendants of “Bikal” III son of Raja Dulah Rai.Went to Bhind in MP, and Jalon UP.
3. Jhamawat
   Descendants of “Jhama” son of Alaghrai and grandson of Raja Kankil Dev. Med and Kundal were their main Thikanas.
4. Ghelnot
   Descendants of Ghelan, son of Raja Kankil Dev.Went to Gwalior, Rampura, and Orissa
5. Ralnot
   Descendant of Ralan, son of Raja Kankil Dev.Live in Manoharpur during time of Nainsi.
6. Delanpota
   Descendants of “Delan” fourth son of Raja Kankil Dev.Went to Gwalior.
7. Jeetalpota
   Descendants of Jeetal,son of Raja Malayasi Dev.
8. Talcheer ka Kachawaha
   Descendants of Bagha, Bhola, and Naro sons of Raja Bijal Dev.Went to Katak in Orissa and found new kingdom.
9. Alnot(Jogi Kachawa)
   Descendants of Alan,son of Raja Kuntal Dev.
10. Pradhan Kachawa
    Descendants of Bhinvasi and Lakhansi,sons of Raja Pajawan Dev are known as Pradhan.
11. Sawantpota
    Descendants of Sanwat,son of Raja Rajdev.
12. Khinvawat
    Descendants of Khinvraj, son of Pala and grandson of Raja Rajdev.
13. Siyapota
    Descendant of “Siha”, son of Raja Rajdev.
14. Bikasipota
    Descendant of “Bikasi”, son of Raja Rajdev.They have many “Khanps” (Sub sub-clans)
15. Pilawat
    Descendant of “Pila”, son of Raja Rajdev.
16. Bhojrajpota(Radharaka)
    Descendant of “Bhojraj”, son of Raja Rajdev are known as Bhojrajpota, Radharaka is one of their “Khanp”. Bikapota, Gadh ka,Sanwatsipota are other Khanps (Branches)
17. Bikampota
    Descendants of Vikramsi” son of Raja Rajdev.
18. Khinvrajpota
    Descendant of “Khinvraj”, son of Raja Kilhan Dev.
19. Dasharathpota
    Descendants of “Dasharath” great grandson of Raja Rajdev.
20. Badhwada
    Descendants of “Badhawa”, grandson of Raja Kuntal Dev.
21. Jasarapota
    Descendants of “Jasraj”,son of Raja Kilhan Dev.
22. Hammirde ka
    Descendant of “Hammir Dev”,son of Raja Kuntal Dev.
23. Mehpani
    Descendants of “Napa” or Mehapa son of Raja Kuntal Dev.
24. Bhakharot
    Descendants of”Bhakhar” son of Bhadasi and grandson of Raja Kuntal Dev.
25. Sarawanpota
    Descendants of “Sarawan” son of Kuntal Dev.
26. Napawat
    Descendants of “Jeetmal” son of Raja Kuntal Dev.Napa was among descendants of Jeetmal.
27. Tungya Kachawa
    Descendants of Tungya son of Raja Kuntal Dev.
28. Sujawat
    Descendants of “Suja” son of Raja Kuntal Dev.
29. Dheerawat
    Descendants of “Dhiro” son of Khinvraj and grandson of Raja Kuntal Dev.
30. Ugrawat
    Descendants of “Ugra”, who was descendant of Jaskaran, son of Raja Junasi Dev.
31. Someshwarpota
    Descenants of “Someshwar”, son of Raja Kilhan Dev.”Ranawat” is their Khanp.Baghawat, Chittorika, etc are other khanps.
32. Singhade
    Descendants of “Singha” ji fourth son Of Raja Junsi Dev.
33. Kumbhani
    Descendants of “Kumbha” ji third son of Raja Junsi Dev. One of the Bara Kothris of Jaipur.
34. Naruka
    Descendants of “Naru” son of Meraj and grandson of Barsingh.Barsingh was second son of Raja Udaikaran.Dasawat, Lalawat,Ratanawat are their Khanps.
35. Melka
    Descendants of Melak son of Sawant Singh,who was son of Rao Barsingh Dev.)
36. Shekhawat
    Descendants of “Rao Shekha” ji. Shekha ji was son of Rao Mokal ji, and grandson of Rao Balo ji, who was third son of Raja Udaikaran of Amber. Taknet, Ladkhani, Raojika, Bhojrajika, Girdharjika etc are their khanps.
37. Balapota
    Descendants of “Khinvraj”,”Govind Das” and” “Natha” sons of Balaji. They favoured Raja Chandrasen during his conflict with Shekhaji.
38. Mokawat
    Descendants of “Moka” son of Bala ji.
39. Bhilawat
    Descendants of “Bhila” son of Bala ji.
40. Binjhani
    Descendants of “Binjha” son of Bala ji.
41. Sangani
    Descendants of “Sanga” son of Bala ji.
42. Jeetawat
    Descendants of “Jeeta” son of Dungar Singh and grandson of Bala ji.
43. Sheobramhpota
    Descendants of “Shivbramh” fourth son of Raja Udaikaran. One of the Bara Kothris.
44. Patalpota
    Descendants of “Patal” fifth son of Raja Udaikaran.
45. Peethalpota
    Descendants of “Peethal” sixth son of Raja Udaikaran.
46. Samod ka Kachawa
    Descendants of “Napa” seventh son of Raja Udaikaran.
47. Banveerpota
    Descendants of Younger sons of Raja Banveer of Amber. One of the Bara Kothris.Birampota, Mengalpota, Harjika are their khanps.
48. Kumbhawat
    Descendants of “Kumbha” son of Raja Chandrasen of Amber.
49. Bhimpota(Narwar Kachawa)
    Descendants Raja Bhim,His son Askaran was granted Jagir of Narwar By Akbar Badshah.
50. Pichyanot
    Descendants of “Pachyan”, son of Raja Prithviraj.One of the Bara Kothris.
51. Khangarot
    Descendant of Rao “Khangar”, son of Jagmal who was son of Raja Prithviraj. One of the Bara Kothris.
52. Ramchandrot
    Descendants of “Ramchandra” son of Jagmal.Ramchandra went to Kashmir with Raja Bhagwant Das and settled there. They were called Dogra thereafter.
53. Surtanot
    Descendants of “Surtan” son of Raja Prithviraj.One of the Bara Kothris.
54. Chaturbhujot
    Descendants of “Chaturbhuj” son of Raja Prithviraj.One of the Bara Kothris.
55. Balbhadrot
    Descendants of “Balbhadra” son of Raja Prithviraj.One of the Bara Kothris.
56. Pratappota
    Descendants of “Pratap” son of Raja Prithviraj.
57. Ramsinghot
    Descendants of “Ramsingh” son of Raja Prithviraj.
58. Bhikawat
    Descendants of “Bhika” son of Raja Prithviraj.
59. Nathawat
    Descendants of “Natha” son of Gopal and grandson of Raja Prithviraj.One of Bara Kothris.
60. Baghawat
    Descendants of “Bagha” son of Gopal and grandson of Raja Prithviraj.
61. Devkarnot
    Descendant of “Devkaran” son of Gopal and grandson of Raja Prithviraj.
62. Kalyanot
    Descendants of “Kalyan” son of Raja Prithviraj.One of the Bara kothris.
63. Saindasot
    Descendants of “Saindas” son of Raja Prithviraj.
64. Rupsinghot
    Descendants of “Rup Singh” son of Raja Prithviraj).
65. Puranmalot
    Descendants of Raja “Puranmal” of Amber).One of the Bara Kothris.
66. Bankawat
    Descendants of “Bhagwan Das” son of Raja Bharmal and younger brother of Raja Bhagwant Das.
67. Rajawat
    Descendants of Raja Bhagwant Das.Other sub clans also use Rajawat as surname. Kirtisinghot, Durjansinghot, Jujharsinghot etc are their khanps.
68. Jagannathot
    Descendants of “Jagannath”, son of Raja Bharmal.
69. Salhedipota
    Descendants of “Salhedi”, son of Raja Bharmal.
70. Sadoolpota
    Descendants of “Sardool”, son of Raja Bharmal.
71. Sundardasot
    Descendants of “Sundardas” son of Raja Bharmal.