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.
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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.
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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
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