Balhara
Balhara (Hindi: बल्हारा) is a gotra of Jats found in Haryana, Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan in India.[citation needed] The Balhara gotra exists among both Sikhs and Hindus.[citation needed]
[edit] Origin
In Sanskrit, "Bal" means "strength" and "hara" means "the possessor", thus, "Balhara" means "the possessor of strength".; another theory is that "Balh" refers to the city of Balkh (Balhara's capital) and that "ar" means "man of", so Bal-hara could mean "man of Balh/Balkh". According to mythology, these people descended from Sardar Ranjit Singh of Punjab , who possessed a lot of strength.[1][page needed]
[edit] History
Balhara Jats were the rulers in Sindh from 8th to 10th century. This was the early period of Balhara Jat rulers in Sindh. Balharas ruled the area, which can be remembered as Bal Division. The area from Khambhat to Simari was under their rule and Manafir was their capital. Manafir was probably Mandore or Mandwagarh. It is likely that after Nagas it was ruled by Balharas. The rule transferred from Balharas to Mauryas to Pawars to Chauhans to Parihars to Rathores.[2]
Henry Elliot has mentioned[where?] that after defeat of Jat Raja Sahasi Rai second, Raja Matta of Shivistan attacked Alore (the capital of Chach) with brother of Raja of Kannauj and his army. The Jat Raja Ranmal was the ruler of Kannauj at that time. He was famous as Rana. After that the other Jat rulers were eliminated except the Balharas. The Balharas were strong rulers from Khambhat to Sambhar. 'Koyala Patan' which is now known as 'Kolia', was a single city from Kolia to 'Kalindi Katkeri' spread over about 36 km in length. There used to be bricks of one cubit long and half cubit thick. There are seven tanks of Balharas, Banka tank in the name of Banka Balhara and Lalani tank in name of Lalaji. There is one village named Balhara in Sikar district of Rajasthan. The biggest village of Balhara jats is Baddi Bhau/ Bhaau Akbarpur in Rohtak district of Haryana which was established by Baahu Balhara in 12th century A.D. after he shifted from Neem Sarai of Balhara jats in South Delhi.[2]
