Have Pride

Thakur Bhai and Behens,

I may have been slow in posts over the last little while. I look forward to increasing activity once more, and therefore continue to ask that you have pride in our common heritage, and keep your responses to the posts coming. Including any discussion topics you would like.

Thakur

Getting Active in the community

Fellow Thakur brethren and Sisters, (Bhai & Behen),

Over the past decade, we have seen an influx of questions from Rajput's across UP and the Hindi heart-belt (Bihar, MP, Chhattisgarh, HP) looking to find their roots from a past which is quickly becoming obscure.
As each generation passes, so does the history that comes with it.

Lets commit to documenting the history from our respected  elders within each family. I encourage each of you to ask your parents, chacha, dadi, phupha etc. more about your history... and bring these back to this blog. To share with all of us, and build pride in the Rajput heritage which exists outside of Rajasthan today.

Regards,

Thakur

Rajputs of UP (Uttar Pradesh & Uttaranchal): Rajputs of UP and Uttaranchal

Rajputs of UP (Uttar Pradesh & Uttaranchal): Rajputs of UP and Uttaranchal: Feel free to ask me questions that might help identifying your rajput clan. By providing your original village and details of any migrations...

Happy New Year 2017 to Fellow Thakurs (Rajputs/ Kshatriyas)

It is Thakur's commitment to all my fellow clansmen and clanswomen that we will have an interactive year in 2017. 

I look forward to sharing my views, however, more importantly, मैं चाहता हूं, आपके विचार पढूँ (Reading the views of all of us). Please actively post your thoughts and responses to this blog.

Happy 2017 all!

नया साल मुबारक आप सभी को!

Happy Vasant Panchami

Aahh. The start of spring is in the air.

Fellow Rajputs, whats on your mind? How has the fabric of time affected our cultural past? Please share your views by responding to this post and starting a healthy conversation between generations of Rajputs.

Thakur

Muslim Rajputs of UP

Hi Fellow Rajputs,
I found an interesting article about a clan of UP Rajput (Gautams) who converted into Islam, yet maintain their historical affiliations.

I have reproduced the article from Times of India and give credit to its author Mr Atul Sethi

Read it below, and please share your comments:

Dusk is slowly enveloping the small village of Missi in the Bidinki sub-division of Fatehpur district of Uttar Pradesh. Hasan Ahmed, a Muslim, is getting ready to attend a Hindu marriage ceremony, which he says, won't start without his arrival. 

The occasion is the marriage ceremony of the son of one of the members of his biradari — the Gautamanas 

The Gautamanas are a unique community, consisting of both Hindus and Muslims, whose common ancestry binds them together. Descendants of Raja Bahrawat Singh, a Rajput king, who converted to Islam, the Gautamanas are fiercely proud of their lineage, with both Hindus and Muslims of the community preferring to call themselves Gautam Thakurs, to highlight their Rajput ancestry. 

Hasan Ahmed, for instance, says that he considers himself a Gautam Thakur first and a Muslim later. "It's not that I don't value my religion. It's just that my ties with my community are deeper," he says matter-of-factly. 

In an area where caste and religion hold sway, the Gautam Thakurs epitomize communal tolerance. "Whenever any youngster from our community — either Hindu or Muslim meets me, he makes it a point to touch my feet," proudly proclaims Pratap Bhan Singh of Naraicha village, another Gautam Thakur stronghold. Communal tension within the community has never happened, says Ahmed. 

"In fact, such has been the bhai-chara between us that during the communal riots in 1947 after Partition, not even a single Muslim from our community was harmed, since our Hindu brothers took up arms to protect us," he says. 

The Muslims too have responded by being staunchly loyal to the Hindus in the community. "If in an election, a Gautam Hindu is pitted against an outside Muslim, we will vote for the Hindu," says Rasool, Ahmed's cousin. 

There has, however, been a price to pay for this solidarity. Muslims outside the community treat the Gautam Muslims, with suspicion. "They feel that we have compromised our religion. However, we know in our hearts, that this is not the case. So, we don't care what they say," says Ahmed with a shrug. 

The Gautam Muslims themselves make up over one lakh of the population in the district. The combined strength of the Gautamanas is much more, which makes them an important vote bank in Fatehpur. Since the community votes enmasse for a particular candidate, their vote is a crucial one, that can make or mar political fortunes. 

This is a fact realised by successive politicians, who have contested from here, including two- time Fatehpur MP — former Prime Minister VP Singh. "He got the vote of the Gautamanas, because he was a fellow Thakur", says Ahmed. This quest for a Rajput identity amongst the Gautam Muslims may seem paradoxical, but it has now become a way of life for them. 

In their marriages too, Rajput customs are followed, like bursting of fire crackers and sending specially made laddoos to community members, which form part of marriage celebrations. "Why shouldn't we be proud of our Thakur lineage?" reiterates Ahmed. 

"After all, our ancestors' warrior blood still runs in our veins," he says. To prove his point, he cites the example of his grandson, Major Salman Khan, who died while fighting insurgents during the Kargil war in 1999. "Woh sachhe Rajput ki tarah shaheed hua" (He died like a true Rajput), says the proud grandfather. 

In fact, the Gautam Thakurs have always been known for their patriotism, says Anang Pal Singh of Naraicha village. In 1857, fifty-two Gautam Thakurs were hanged by the British for their role in the uprising. The tamarind tree from which they were hanged, says Singh, stopped growing after the hanging. 

This tree, known as the Bawani Imli, still exists near Missi village and is somewhat of a local tourist spot. 

Although the Government has built a park around it and is maintaining it, the Gautam Thakurs want a memorial to Raja Bahrawat Singh also built nearby. 

Along with it, they are petitioning for a degree college built in the memory of their ancestor. Although there are a few other communities like the Bais and the Dikhits, who converted to Islam, and which include both Hindus and Muslims, the Gautamanas are the biggest such community in the region — a fact which they want to highlight, in order to make their presence felt. 

It's a feeling that is now growing within the community, as many of its members are now in well placed jobs in cities. Anang Pal Singh, for instance, recounts how the District Magistrate from the nearby district, who was a Gautam Thakur, came to their village, to trace his roots. 

"We now want to showcase our unique lineage," says Ahmed. "For long, we have been used by politicians for their own gains. Now, we want to better our lot." 

Perhaps, for the Gautamanas, their unique past may just hold the key to an improved future. 

atul.sethi@timesgroup.com

Dear fellow Rajputs of U.P.

Its been a while since I last posted to this blog. Reading the comments received to the first post shows the amount of enthusiasm and desire to learn more about our rich heritage and contribution to Indian history.

One of the largest bones of contention revolves around "Who came first?". Was it the Rajasthan Rajput - or was it the Gangetic Plain Rajput?

If we define a Rajput as "Raj - Putra" vs "Rajasthan' Kshatriya" does it help provide an answer?

Lets leave this topic for another day....But what are your thoughts?

April 1 - April fools day is every day for many Rajputs

Yes, many of our brethren and sisters are living oblivious to their own histories every day.

Kind of sad isnt it? In a rapidly evolving world it is actually ever more necessary to be connected to our roots to discover who we are and what we are capable of.

don't wait till its time to date or marry when you really need to know about gotras and clans - it may be too late then. \\so just go out today, and try to dig into your histories - just meet with your parents; grand parents; the older generation - so that you can absorb the knowledge, about yourself.

Dont let every day be April 1 for you/

Happy New Year to my fellow rajputs

As the new year dawns, and I reflect on all the posts and responses - I am enthused by the sheer excitement we have to learn about our roots.

What is a Thakur?
In the 80s/90s - the broader Indian sub-continent, became well versed with the Bolly-wood depiction of the Thakur, as being the wealthy; greedy; haughty and unemotional landowner. While true in a few cases, as we know this is far from reality.

A Thakur  is synonymous with any person of Rajput heritage in U.P.; however considered a selective ruling title in Rajasthan and parts of East India. Many West Bengali Brahman's (Most notably Rabindranath Tagore - Anglicized from Thakur) have this name as do the Gond tribals from MP.


Outside of North India; even the term Rajput becomes vague. It is the term Kshatriya which truly encompasses us all - and brings us to the root heritage and links us to the time of Manu and our ancestors depicted in the great books of Ramayana and Mahabharata.

This year, lets explore our heritage in this regards.

Post ahead and Happy New Year again

Dear fellow Rajputs of UP,

To have pride in one's origins, requires one to have knowledge of those origins.

Let me share with you a bit about my clan - Durgbansi Thakur

More important than the history, are the resources from whence I obtained this history. Their are numerous on line resources to learn more about the various gotras and clans of Rajputs. I encourage you all to research and share your stories with us fellow clansmen/clanswomen.

History of the Durgbansi ( Also known as Durgavanshi; Durgvansi; Durgvanshi; Drugabansi; Durgbansh)

A kshatriya clan whose origins date to the medeival periods in Hindustani history. The exact origins are sketchy, with the roots being debated as being from modern day Rajasthan, Gujarat or Madhya Pradesh.

Currently, this sparse clan resides in eastern Uttar Pradesh, distributed in Jaunpur, and neighbouring areas. Here is some information gleaned from historical documentation:

Traditional origins and history.

This clan is a sub division of the Dikshits. It claims descent from the surajbans kings of Ajudhya. At a remote period a cadet of the fmily name Durg Bhao, is said to have emigrated to Guzerat, where his descendents tool the title of Durgbansi. Ie children of Durg. Several generations later, one of the chieftains named Kalyan Sah, received the title of Dikhit (q.v.), which thenceforth becoame the tribal name. About 550 years ago, a number of Dikhit adventurers entered the service of Muhammad Tughlak and settled in Oudh. About a century later their descendants were invited by the Muhammadan authorities to expelthe Bhars from Jaunpur. Their efforts were completely successful, and shortly afterwards this section of the clan reverted to its old name of Durgbansi, in honor of one of Durg Sahai, one of its principal leaders. It is stated that the title of Raja was conferred on Harku Rai, their elected chief by Emperor Akbar, in recognition of the valour dispalyed by the clan at a great tournament held at Allahabad. In the 18th century the Drigbansis were deprived of their possessions by Balwant Singh, the Raja of Benaras, but regained them through the annexation of the district by the British.Litigation and extravagance led to the loss of most of their ancestral domains, and by the time of the mutiny the Dirgbasi raja was in very reduced circumstances. From his antecedants, poverty, and relationship to the famous rebel Koer Singh, he might well have been tempted to rebellion: but on the contrary he behaved with conspicuous loyalty, and was rewarded with considerable estates and a title.

Geographical Distribution

Dirgbansis are found chiefly in the Jaunpur District of the North West Provinces. They had a male population of 7600.

Religion

The clan is addicted to Shakta worship and pays special reverance to Durga. Like the Dikhits the Dirgbansis belong to the Kassyap gotra.

Dirgbansis contract marriages with members of the following clans:

Give Daughters to

Take wives from

Sombansi Rajkumar Gaharwar Raghubans Nikumbh Bisen Surajbansi Sirnet

Bisen Nikumbh Kath-Bais Chaupat Khambh Gargbansi Chandel Donwar

Other facts and interpretation:

Durgbansi

Name of a clan of Rajputs who hold villages in Garwara, Ghisua and rari, in the district of Jaunpur and Mahul in Azimgarh. The raja of Garwara is a Durgbansi. They are descended from the Dikhits, and came to the neighbourhood of Jaunpur from Simauni in Bundelkhand, about 14 generations ago. Their relative position in the rank of Rajputs is shown by their giving daughters in marriage to Chamargaur, Bandhalgoti, Tilokchandi, Bais, Sombansi,Surajbansi, Sarnayt, Baghel and Gaharwar of kantit. Their sons marry into the families of chandel, powar, gautam, raghubansi, Ujayin and inferior grades of Bais

Durgbansis

The Durgbansls, although of the same family originally as the Dikshits,

yet in several parts of the country have a separate name, and are regarded as a

distinct tribe. They occupy lands in Garwara, Ghisera, and Rarl, in the

Jaunpur district, and also in Mahul of Azimgarh. They intermarry with some

of the highest tribes of Rajpoots. The Raja of Garwara belongs to the Durg-

bansl tribe (a).

Dhrigubansi.

This tribe sprang from the province of Oudh. It is numerous in the district of Jaunpur, where it possesses several thousand families. Colonies also are in the neighbouring district of Azimgarh. In Mirzapur are a few hundred individuals ; and in Benares likewise is a small community. In Oudh the Dhrigubansis have one chief, whom they are permitted to send as their representative to the Governor General's Durbar.

References:

Extract from: Page 67-68

 Handbook on Rajputs

By A. H. Bingley

 Originally published as: Rajputs. Simla : Govt. Central Print. Office, 1899

Published by Asian Educational Services, 1986

ISBN 8120602048, 9788120602045

The Tribes and Castes of the North-Western Provinces and Oudh

By William Crooke

Published by Asian Educational Services, 1999

ISBN 8120612108, 9788120612105

1809 pages

Memoirs on the History, Folk-Lore and Distribution of the Races of the North Western Provinces of India

By Henry Miers Elliot, John Beames

Contributor John Beames

Published by Asian Educational Services, 2004

ISBN 8120619056, 9788120619050

(Page 87)

 The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India

By R V Russell, R.B.H. Lai

Published by Asian Educational Services, 1995

ISBN 812060833X, 9788120608337

2231 pages

Hindu Tribes and Castes: As Represented in Benares

By Matthew Atmore Sherring

Published by Thacker, Spink, 1872

Original from Oxford University

Digitized 24 May 2007

405 pages

The cyclopædia of India and of Eastern and Southern Asia:

by Edward Balfour - 1885  Define Durg Bansi"s as -

Durg Bansi - A tribe of Rajputs in Jonpur & Azimgurh

Rajputs of UP and Uttaranchal

Feel free to ask me questions that might help identifying your rajput clan. By providing your original village and details of any migrations, we might be able to bucket you in the right grouping.

It started in Rajasthan.
During the second year of my MBA course, I met this girl who happened to also be a "Singh". We got to talking, and dicovered that we both were Rajputs from U.P. This kicked in a long term friendship that began with a discussion of the superiority of U.P. Rajputs to the Rajasthani Rajputs and although we went our seperate ways, the camraderie exists to this day.

I always felt that our arguments were never substantiated. All Major Todd's book (I will talk on this Todd later in this topic) talked about was the Rajputs of Rajasthan (and Gwalior). There is no resource to describe the history of our people. The prevailing concept is that the Rajputs migrated from Rajasthan some 300 years ago spreading to neighbouring states all across the borders. It might be true, but I feel that this is not the case.

Rajput is a derivitive of Rajputra (Blood-line of royalty). It is a common descriptive of the North & Western Indian warrior caste (Kshatriya). The Kshatriya were of two main lines - the Suryavanshi (Descendents of the Sun) and the Chandravanshi (Descendents of the Moon) . These date to the epic times. Ram was a Suryavanshi and a Rajputra. Subsequently, all kings (few exceptions) were Kshatriya.

Somewhere along the medeival times, with the establishment of Rajputana along the Thar, Rajput became a term synonymus with those rajputs living in the current state of Rajasthan/Gujarat. The agni-kul (fire clan) was an off shoot of the Suryavanshi's, that arose with 4 major clans.
They were the Parmar, Pratihara, Chauhan and the Solanki(Chalukya) tribes. this is followed by even more detailed surnames like Khangarot, Rathore, Kachwaha, Gehlot, Bhati, Chandel etc..

..so it seems that if you have a middle or last name that announces your tribe name, the origin can be quite easily discovered...but if like me..all you know is that you are this Banarasi guy... a Kshatriya.. a thakur.. a durgavansi.. and Gotra Koutsa. You have always been called a rajput.. but am I really related to rajasthan?? or am I in a class of my own.

Thanks to you MS (the girl I mentioned above) we might definitively prove the UP superiority.

That's what this blog hopes to achieve. A better understanding of who we are, and more pride to our heritage.