The Annals of Rajputana

Col. James Todd’s Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan describes Rajputana through History, Geography, Mythology, Folklores, Veer Gathas, Traditions, Cultures, Heritage, Rules, Valour and its people. However, one must remember that he was commissioned to write the narrative and his resources are not based on historical evidence. However, it is worth a read and very interesting. The following excerpts are from his book. Please take note that Todd's accounts are based on hearsay, stories and commissioned by royals and hence aren't treated as historically accurate. However, his book is important as it is the first English-language book to have extensive work done on Rajputana.

Rajputs are commonly believed to be people from Rajasthan, however, their branches have spread far and wide into Punjab, Gujrat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Maharastra and even parts of Bengal. The initial origination-based clans/tribes had been subdivided first in the book Prithvirajraso by Chand Bardai, but however, James Todd, in his Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan had made extensive research from various sources to conclude the subdivisions as follows.

Image result for historical map of Rajputana

The 36 Tribes of Rajputana (Land of the Rajputs)

1. Ishkvaku/ Ishku/ Suryavansh/ Raghuvansh

2. Indu/Soma/Chandravansh

3. Yadu Vansh

4. Twar

5. Rathores

6. Cushwaha/Kutchwaha

7. Pramara/Parmers/Punwars

8. Chahomans/Chauhans

9. Chalukya/Solanki

10. Parihars/Parihara

11. Chawura

12.Tak/Tauks/Takshak-Naga

13. Jitt/Jatt/Gete

14. Huns/Hoons

15. Kalti

16. Bhalla

17. Jhalla

18. Jaitwa/Kamari

19. Guhils

20. Sarvuya

21. Silars

22. Dabi

23. Gor

24. Doda/Dor

25. Gherwal

26. Birgoojur

27. Sehgar

28. Sikerwal

29. Byce

30. Dahiya

31. Johya

32. Mohil

33. Nicoompa

34. Rajpali

35. Dahima

36. Hool/Dahiryas

We are here by mentioning some tribes and their relevant info as found in the book.

Image result for yadu vansh

Puranic Lineages

Yadu Clan:

The Subdivisions of the Yadu Clan:

1. Yadu – from Kerowli, Rajasthan.

2. Bhatti/Bhattiyani – Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

3. Jareja – Kutch/Bhuj, Gujrat

4. Sumaitcha – Sindh, Now Pakistan.

5. Mudaicha

6. Bidmun

7. Budda

8. Soha

The last four tribes are believed to have merged with other tribes and lost their uniqueness with time hence, the places of existence remain untraceable.

Suryakulas (Mewar, Marwar, Amber):

Marwar:

Genealogically, they claim that they are the descendants of Kush, the second son of Rama. However, they claim to be descendants of Rishi Kashyap from his wife Diti, mother to the tribe of Devtas. Seoji founded the Rathore Dynasty in Marwar on the ruins of the Pariharas of Mandore, which derives its name from its princess Mandodari, wife to Ravana. Rao Jodha had decided to move the dynasty from Madnore and founded Mehrangarh, the city of the sun, the present Jodhpur fort.

The Rathores have 24 sub tribes, some of them are as follows:

1.Dhandul

2. Bhadail

3. Chachit

4. Doohuria

5. Kokra

6. Baddora

7. Chajira

8. Ramdev

9. Kabria

10. Hatoondia

11. Malavat

12. Soondu

13. Kataicha

14. Muholi

15. Gogadeva

16. Mahaicha

17. Jaisingha

18. Moorsia

19. Jobsia

20. Jora

Meera Bai, the saint Poetess, Rao Dudha, Rao Maldeo Rathore, Jaimal Rathore, Kalla Rathore (Chittor seize) are all from this clan.

Amber:

The dynasty at Amber is of the Kacchwaha Rajputs. They are also the lineage of Kush, as per their records however their pedigree trace back is very vague to conclude them as Suryavanshis. Notable are Bhagwan Das, Raja Man Singh, Harka Bai (wife to Akbar), Maan Bai (wife to Jehangir) Raja Jai Singh (founder of Jaipur)

Mewar:

The lineage claims to trace back to Rama’s eldest son Labh, who founded Lah-kot (present Lahore). The lineage of the Mewaris trace back to Kanaksen who moved to Dwarka, Saurashtra from Lah-Kot. After their expulsion from the Sultanate in Saurashtra, the clan moved to the Ahar Valley (Aravallis). Kanaksen wrestled dominance of the Pramaras and founded Birnagar in 144AD. Four generations hence, Vijay Sen founded Vijaypura (Present Dholka, Saurashtra) and Vidurba (Seehor) His capital was at Balabhipura/Balbhi, 10 miles northwest of Bhoonager.

It is after the sack of Balbhi around 524AD that the Guhilot branch moved to the Aravalllis near Kumbhalmer (Kumbhalgarh). Bappa Rawal established Chittorgarh as the capital while Rana Kumbha extended the seat of power back to Kumbhalgarh. Rana Udai Singh shifted it to modern Udaipur.

The Mewar Royals used "Sen" after their name till the Guhilots started using Aditya, meaning sun which was changed by Kal Bhoj to Rawat. The term Rana came much later in the late 12th Century from a Parihara prince of Mandore who surrendered both title and capital to the ruler of Mewar. Rawal is still used in Dungerpura and Jaisalmer states.

Legend says that Shiladitya fell to the Sultan of Gajni (Present Khambat) and his pregnant queen Parmer princess Pushpavati escaped from Balbhi to the Aravallis where he gave birth to Guha, and handed him to a Brahmin lady from Birnagar, Kamlavati. After Guha, the dynasty came to be known as Guhilots. Guha with the help of Bhils founded his empire. However, until the 8th generation from Guha after the Bhils assassinated Nagaditya, Bappa Rawal, his son became the founder of a new Mewar after a brief rule of the Mori - Parmer Rajputs.

The Sisodia branch springs from a prince of Chittor who had managed to hunt a hare (sissoo) a hard-to-catch animal. They are also known as Ranawat or the “Royal Blood” but Seesodia made itself famous through its’ brave sons.

Rana Ratan Singh, Rana Kumbha, Rana Sanga, Rana Pratap Singh, Rana Raj Singh, Patta are all Bravehearts from this dynasty. Presently this dynasty is the oldest surviving dynasty in India. Shivaji Raje Bhosale's family to is a direct offspring of one of Bappa Rawal's branches.

AgniKulas (Parmers, Solankis and Chauhans):

The following tribes/Sub tribes are considered Agnikulas.

1. Parmers/Punwars

2. Pariharas

3. Chaluk

4. Solanki

5. Chauhans

Parmars:

The Parmers were the first Agnivanshis to become warriors from their original professions of trade. The family name moved all over Maheswar, Dhar, Mandu, Oojain (Ujjain), Chandrabhaga, Chittorgarh, Mt. Abu, Chanravati, Parmavati, Umarkot, Bekher, Lodurva, and Pattan leaving its traces of names everywhere. However, the Parmers never became significant rulers like the Chauhans or Solankis.

The Prince of Umarkot, who had sheltered Humayun and in his fort Akbar was born, was also a Parmer Rajput.

The Rao of Bijoli (Bijolia, Rajasthan) was one of the 16 superior nobles in the court of Mewar’s Rana. They are regarded as “Dhar”Punwars and are the most respected clan of Punwars.

The Mori dynasty or Mauryas are also an off branch of the Parmers, from the maternal side. They ruled Chittorgarh, along with the Parmers ruling Bhilwara before Bappa Rawal’s rule.

There are 35 Sub Tribes of the Parmers. The chief ones are :

1. Mori/ Mauryas – Rulers of Chittorgarh prior to the Guhilots.

2. Soda- Sogdi of Alexander, Prince of Dhatt

3. Sankla – from Poogul, Marwar

4. Khyr – From Kyraloo

5. Umra/Sumra/ Amra – branch of Mahamadans

6. Vehil/Behil – Chandravati

7. Maipawut – The chiefs of Bijolia

8. Bulhar – The northern desserts.

9. Kaba – from Saurastra/ Sirowi

10.Omuta – From Malwa

Maharani Ajabdeh Baisa, wife to Rana Pratap Singh, and mother to Rana Amar Singh was an offspring of the Punwar Rajputs of Bijolia. Ranisaheb Saibai Nimbalker Bhosale's family too was a part of the Panwar dynasty. She was wife to Shivaji Raje Bhosale and mother to Sambha Ji.

Chauhans:

The Chauhans were originally the chieftains of Ajmer, Rajasthan. They rose to power as prominent chieftains of the Hindu rulers of Delhi, and Prithviraj Chauhan, whose mother was a princess, was chosen to rule by his heirless maternal grandfather thus uplifting the status of the Chauhans.

The Sub tribes of the Chauhans are:

1.Chauhans

2. Hada

3. Khichi

4. Songara

5. Deora

6. Pabia

7. Sanchora

8. Goelwal

9. Bhadoria

10. Nurbhan

11. Malani

12. Purbaii

13.Sura

14.Madrachetcha

15.Sanraetcha

16. Bhooratcha

17. Balatcha

18. Tussairah

19. Chacharah

20. Rosaiah

21.Chundu

22. Nacoompah

23. Bhawur

24. Bankut

Solankis:

Originating from Lahkut they are sometimes believed to be actually subdivisions of the Rathore clan in Kanauj. In Mewar, they rank second as a class of chieftains from Roopangarh, only after the Chundawats.

The Subdivisions of Solankis are:

1. Bhagela – Bhagelkhand, Bandugarh, Pitapura, adalauj

2. Beerpura – Lunawarra

3. Behila – Kubanpura in Mewar (Rao of Salumber)

4. Bhoorta

5. Kalachi – Baru, Tehra, Chahir in Jaisalmer.

6. Langaha- Multan

7. Togru- Muslim clan in Punjab

8. Briku

9. Surki – Dekkhan (Deccan)

10. Sirwureah- Girnar (chief rulers)

11. Raoka – Jaipur

12. Ranibia – Daisoori, Mewar

13. Kharura – Malwa

14. Tantia – Salumbari

15. Almetcha

16. Kulamor - Gujrat

The Queen of Mewar

There have been many versions, folktales and local stories in Rajputana on their Kings and Queens. None of these versions is, however, historical as history only mentions her as wife to Maharana Pratap, his consort and Queen Mother to Amar Singh. She was busy making a garland when Ratnawati rushed inside, hardly able to breathe. Concerned, the elder sister stopped her work and looked at her panting young sibling. " What is it? What's wrong?" "Jija maa sa is not letting me go to the haat mela alone. Please come with me, I need to buy some bangles." The spoiled younger one pleaded. " Wait, let me do my aarti first, then we can go." The reluctant Ratnawati sat down impatiently. In another room, their mother was helping their father get ready for the day. He was the Samant of Bijolia, the representative of the Rana of Mewar. Throughout the day he had to deal with administrative problems in Bijolia and give people justice, but today he had something...

The Queen Mother of Mewar

Let me start by saying, this is a representation of history and folklore in my own words, trying to show how great a soul this lady was. And let me start with a line here. “Naari Ki Balidaano Ko Sadev Bhulta Aya hai Itihas.” Yes, most women lay forgotten in the pages of history, only alive through the folklore and local tales that fail to reach the pages of books due to a lack of historical evidence. Their names don’t remain, but their haunting hand prints on the fort walls before Jauhar, their names on inscriptions as daughter, wife and mother, often make us wonder, who were they, how were they and how were their lives! Historically, the only thing we know about Maharani Jaivanta Bai Songara, princess of Jallore and queen of Mewar is that she was the first queen of Rana Udai Singh II, the mother of most probably her only son Maharana Pratap and daughter of ally of Rana Sanga, Akshay Raj of Jallore. Apart from that her entire life has no historical existence and is spun on ...

Teeja Saka Chittor Ra

23rd February 1568. The sun rose on the eastern horizon, not with the hope of a new day. But, with the horror of what was to follow. The first rays of the Sun God were met by the chants of “Jai Bhavani!” that echoed in the air of Chittorgarh. The Mewaris knew it was time. Four months back, when the Mughals camped at the base of the fort, a helpless Chittorgarh had watched. Rana Udai Singh had left with his closest aides to make the new city westwards, his capital. If rumours were to be believed, he had left behind a cavalry of 8000 soldiers, under Rao Jaimal of Merta and Rawat Patta of Kelwa to look over the fort. He had also left behind some of his lesser queens and infant princes, as an assurance to the people that Chittorgarh was invincible. Their safety and hope had lived in Kunwar Pratap. Truth be said, they had already taken the crown Prince as their King. Ever since Ranisa had left with him till he became the Senapati, he had time and again proved to be a better lead...

The Princess of Marwar

Historically we know nothing about Phool Bai Rathore except that she was the daughter of Ram Singh Rathore, granddaughter of Raja Maldeo Rathore and fifth wife of Maharana Pratap. There is no historical evidence of Akbar's alliance with her in particular however Maldeo did give his granddaughters in a marriage alliance with Mughals and other major dynasties. Phool Kanwar's cousin Maanwati Bai (Better known as Jodha Bai or Jagat Gossain) married Salim, Akbar's son and later emperor Jahangir. The Princess was in her chambers. The Mehrgarh Fort was in a quiet dark state and everyone feared what lay ahead. The men of the Rathore clan had gone to ally with the Mughal emperor Akbar. Rao Maldeo had decided that it was the only way to save Marwar's future. His second son Udai and youngest one Chandrasen supported his decision to save the country. But his heir and firstborn Ram Singh Rathore was a rebel. He was not going to bow down before the Mughals and lose his dignity. A...

Maharana Pratap: The Sun of Mewar

Many of you have read my fan fiction as well as historical representations of the life and times of Maharana Pratap Singh of Mewar. I provided small details of his life in many articles. But never have I ever made a separate historical post on him. It is very difficult to put together his life without the help of folklore because historical evidence is scarce. This one was requested and hence here it goes. Needless to say, this one is very special. This is a blend of history and folklore. Leave your love. ❤️ Background and Birth: The year was 1540. Mewar was under a cloud of uncertainty. Banbir, their ruler for four years now, was a very incompetent ruler who always spent his time in luxury, drinking and dancing with girls. The crown prince Udai Singh was rumoured to be killed by him. Chittorgarh was in darkness. Around March 1540, Mewar once again saw hope as some trusted generals along Mewar with Kunwar Udai Singh attacked Chittorgarh taking Banbir by surprise. He was soon to re...

The Navroz Incident

This popular folklore has been recreated from Col, James Todd's Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan. Names I have added, from my own historical research. This one is especially for Garima to thank her for the books and love! Yet another Veer Gatha from the dessert! Ps. This is folklore with no evidence of history, please remember that Bikaner, lying in the western part of the Thar, was a small yet independent state ruled by a clan of Marwari Rathores until Raja Kalyanmal surrendered to Akbar's Rajput Policies in 1571. His fourth son Prithviraj Rathore, being a great warrior and poet was respected as one of the "Nine Gems" in Emperor Akbar's court. Prithviraj, was the son of Kalyanmal's first wife and queen Rani Songaribai Rainawati, a cousin of Maharani Jaiwanta Bai of Mewar. Hence he was cousin to the valiant Pratap Singh of Mewar. He was also married to one of Rana Udai Singh of Mewar's daughters from his other wives, sister to Kunwar Pratap, Baisa Ja...

Symphony of Love

A week was enough for the master to be pleased enough with the new student to tell the Sultan that she was ready for her first performance. The Sultan was extremely pleased and rewarded him with a gold chain. As the master bowed to leave, the guards announced the arrival of the chief queen. Sultan Baz Bahadur sat upright. She was his first bride, a childhood alliance his father had forced upon him when he did not even know what marriages implied. Now he only saw her face when she had complaints about the inner palace and its inhabitants. Honestly, he expected her there since Roopmati arrived. His queen did not like changes especially if those changes were threatening to her position. The Chief Queen arrived with her maids, dismissed them at the threshold and came up to her husband to bow and greet him. “What brings you here?” Baz Bahadur asked, with a lingering smile on his lips. The queen could hear the hint of taunt in his voice. She forced a smile. Her marriage to this reckles...

Kalbhoj: The Legend of Bappa Rawal

The Historical fiction is woven mainly from folklore from James Todd's semi-historical book. However, a very vague historical presence is found in Bhojraj the first king of Mewar. The year was 713AD. The Maurya decedents, Moris ruled over the Chitrakut area of west Rajasthan. The areas around Chitrakoot were ruled by many small Chieftains. One of them was Rawal Mahendra II a Guhilot descendent. (The decendent of Guha and Nagaditya) As most power struggles suggest, one of his ministers betrayed and killed him and made himself Rawal. Once, Kalbhoj was in the forests near Nagda close to the borders of the Solanki ruler, looking after his herds. The youngest Solankhini princess was out in the forest playing with her Sakhis. They were making failed attempts to make a Jhula on a banyan tree. Kalbhoj was watching them try when one of the Sakhis spotted him. Witty and charming he always grabbed everyone's attention. Mahendra II had two wives, his first being a Paramara princess from Mt...

Chittorgarh: The First Jauhar

Jauhar is the process a Rajutani welcomes, by jumping into the fire altar, invoking the Gods, and choosing death over dishonour when their men lose battles and the enemies come for a siege. It is the most honourable death a Rajputani can have and unlike Sati, it is not forced upon them or compulsory. Jauhar Gate The Chittorgarh Fort once had the palace of Rana Ratan Singh near the location of the Vijay Stambh and his Jal Mahal at the end of the fort near the main Pol. When Allauddin Khilji invaded Chittor everything was destroyed but later, kings who came, rebuild the Jal Mahal and reestablished the Jauhar Sthal in honour of Queen Padmavati, or Padmini. Rawal Ratan Singh ruled Mewar when Allauddin Khilji was the Sultan of Delhi. He was a peace-loving man who spend most of his time indulging in the music and poems of his courtiers. One such Courtier was Raghav Chetan who worked as a spy for Khilji. Jal Mahal Entrance Ratan Singh had 15 queens and 19 sons the chief one being his 15t...

The Reva Cries

Roopmati had watched the troops leave. She had stood behind the chief queen as she traditionally bid goodbye to her sons. She had waited for the Sultan to come to her. He did. He was confident that the sudden advancement of Akbar’s foster brother Adham Khan could be curbed. It was not war, just precaution. He reassured her. Malwa would never bow to the Timurids. And he would not let anything happen to her. To Her. Roopmati felt suffocated by her husband’s affectionate hug. She felt trapped in the scrutinising eyes of all the people in the palace. Angry blaming eyes. She tried to pace herself and sing but her voice cracked in fear. Her melody was drowned in tears. Every evening a messenger would come to the chief queen with the news of war. Roopmati was kept in the darkness. She was not told about anything. She knew the rumours. She was a witch. A temptress who caused doom to the Sultan of Malwa. She was a spy of the enemy planted in his life to destroy him. She wondered if he came back...

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