Chauhan

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Chauhan clan
Vansh Agnivanshi
Common Ancestry Cheema, Chahal, Chohan Chahar, Chatha, Chhillar
Branches: Sanchora, Sonigara, Lonia Hada, Deora, Bhaduria, Chavan.[1]
Ruled in Nadol, Jalor, Dhundhar, Ajmer, Delhi, Haryana, Neemrana, Hadoti,[2][full citation needed] Godwar
Territories: Ajmer (7th century - 1365)
Ranthambore (1236–1302)
Princely States: Tulsipur (7th century - 1857), Mainpuri, Devgadh Baria, Bundi,[2] Sirohi,[2] Kotah[2]

Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan is a clan that ruled parts of northern India in the medieval period. Prithviraj Chauhan, the last Hindu king of Delhi, was a member of this community.

Contents

Myth of origin

Rajput bardic accounts, which are based on mythology, describe the Chauhans as one of the four Agnikula Rajput clans[a] who claim to have originated from a sacrificial fire-pit (agnikunda) at Mount Abu. These claims of supernatural origin are clearly improbable and have numerous variants, and they give rise to the Chauhans claiming to be a clan of the Agnivanshi dynasty.[3]

History

The Chauhans were historically a powerful group in the region now known as Rajasthan. For around 400 years from the 7th century AD their strength in Sambhar was a threat to the power-base of the Guhilots in the south-west of the area, as also was the strength of their fellow Agnivanshi clans.[4] They suffered a set-back in 1192 when their leader, Prithviraj Chauhan, was defeated at the Battle of Tarain but this did not signify their demise.[5]

Manik Rai (AD 685), progenitor of Chauhan dynasty was lord of Ajmer and Sambhar in Western Rajwara.[citation needed]

Ajay Raj (Anuraj)

Chauhans[6] asserted their independence from the Gurjara Pratiharas, and in the early 11th century, the Sakhambari king Ajaya-Raja founded the city of Ajayameru (Ajmer) in the southern part of their kingdom.[citation needed]

Samantas

Mukut Bandh and Mandaleshwar are traditionally the two type of samanta (a title for noble vassals) granted by Chauhans. The Mukut Bandh owned land but accepted the suzerainty of the Chauhans, while Mandaleshwar were granted jagirs by Chauhan rulers.[citation needed]

Notable people

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ The other Rajput clans claiming descent from Agnikula are the Chalyuka, the Paramara and the Pratihara.[3]

Citations

  1. ^ Stewart Gordon (1993). The Marathas 1600-1818. Cambridge University Press. pp. 46–. ISBN 978-0-521-26883-7. Retrieved 16 July 2011. 
  2. ^ a b c d Page 51, Chiefs and leading families in Rajputana By C. S. Bayley
  3. ^ a b Gupta, R. K.; Bakshi, S. R., eds. (2008). Studies In Indian History: Rajasthan Through The Ages: The Heritage Of Rajputs 1. Sarup & Sons. p. 7. ISBN 9788176258418. Retrieved 2 October 2012. 
  4. ^ Gupta, R. K.; Bakshi, S. R., eds. (2008). Studies In Indian History: Rajasthan Through The Ages: The Heritage Of Rajputs 1. Sarup & Sons. p. 95. ISBN 9788176258418. Retrieved 2 October 2012. 
  5. ^ Gupta, R. K.; Bakshi, S. R., eds. (2008). Studies In Indian History: Rajasthan Through The Ages: The Heritage Of Rajputs 1. Sarup & Sons. p. 100. ISBN 9788176258418. Retrieved 2 October 2012. 
  6. ^ Radhey Shyam Chaurasia (2002). History of Ancient India: Earliest Times to 1000 A. D.. Atlantic Publishers & Distributors. p. 209. ISBN 978-81-269-0027-5. 
  7. ^ Hāṇḍā, Omacanda (2004). Naga Cults and Traditions in the Western Himalaya. New Delhi: Indus Publishing. p. 330. ISBN 9788173871610. Retrieved 17 October 2012.