Anangpal Tomar

Remains of Lal Kot walls, built by Anangpal, in Mehrauli

The Iron pillar, erected by Chandragupta Vikramaditya (375–413) of the Gupta Empire, within the Qutb Complex

Anangpal Tomar or Anangpal I (731-36 A.D.) was the first ruler to make Delhi his capital. Anangpal, a chief of Tomar Rajput dynasty, who came from north-west but according to Harihar Nivas Dwivedi Tomers came from central-south India. Anangpal I built his capital in Delhi was rebuilt again in 731-36 AD, Anangpal II again rebuilt it in 1052 AD. He was followed by Prithviraj Chauhan (1164 - 1192 AC) who was killed in a battle with the Turks at Tarain in 1192. From then onwards Muslims ruled Delhi.

Anangpal II

Anangpal Tomar II ruled Delhi in the mid-eleventh century. He gave Mihirawali (now Mehrauli) name to modern Delhi which means path of Mihir. In middle of 11th century, he built a fort called Lal Kot (literally Red Fort), in which the Qutb Minar stands today, and founded a town. He also removed the famous Iron pillar of Delhi on which are inscribed the eulogies of Chandragupta Vikramaditya (r. 375–415 CE), probably from Mathura, and set it up in 1052 CE, near a group of temples. He also built the Yogmaya Temple nearby.

The dynasty lasted just a century, as after him, came his son, Ausan Singh and then his grandson Kosal Dev Singh, when in 1151 CE, it was taken over by Visaldev or Bisaldeo, a Chauhan chief of Ajmer. Bisaldeo's grandson, the famous Prithvi Raj Chauhan (1149-1192 CE), rename the Lalkot fort as Qila Rai Pithora, and ruled both Delhi and Ajmer, and built the city which bore his name at the former place.

Caste origin

Anangpal Tomar was kshatriya and belonged to Gurjara Pratihara rajput clan. He gave his throne to his nephew Prithviraj Chauhan and went down south near Chambal river. Tomars under Man Singh Tomar also built great fort of Gwalior to balance the administration activity between north and central India. Gwalior fort was eyed by Babur as well post occupation of Delhi which he described said as pearl of Central India. Delhi, Gwalior, Chittorgarh & Kannauj were major administrative centers of Rajputs prior to Muslim invasion. After defeat in Second Battle of Tarain (Muhammad of Ghor defeating Prithviraj Chauhan) and successive major blow by defeat in Battle of Khanwa (Babur defeating Rana Sanga and Gujjar allies) Rajputs suffered huge losses in life and kingdoms. Some converted into vassal states and even converted to Islam to avoid death. Rajputs were pushed south and eastwards post these battles & occupation by Turks & Mughals. Some were later evolved as Marathas in south western India. Tomars are now concentrated near Gwalior in MP & in Rajasthan as Tanwars.

History shows that Rajputs were named for their royal lineage i.e. sons of kshatriya kings and rulers. Rajputs, Gurjars, Jats and Ahirs. Yadav all were kshatriyas as per the varna of Hinduism, however over a period of time elite kshtriyas became rulers and called got Rajputs lineage / name. Rajputs were royal elite clans evolved from kshtriya tribes of Surya-vanshi (Pratihar or Parihar).

Kshtriyas in northern India under control of Mughals split from rajputs and classified themselves as Gurjars and Jats as their main activity was now farming and cattle grazing. Kashtriyas who still worked served as soldiers under vassals & Hindu kings maintained their rajput status. Northern India (Punjab, Haryana, northern Rajasthan & Western Uttar Pradesh) bear most war prone atmosphere and Hinduism mere got limited to lower varna as upper varnas were killed or lost control of society to Mughals.

See also

• Anagpur Dam

Further reading

• Lalkot to Lodi Gardens: (Delhi of Sultans), by Ranjit Sinha. Published by South Asia Books, 1996. ISBN 817167237X.

References

• "History of Delhi District". The Imperial Gazetteer of India, Vol. 11. Oxford at Clarendon Press. 1909. p. 225. http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V11_231.gif.