Rajpurohit

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Rajpurohit[a] is a community of people living in western Rajasthan, India. They maintain traditions that are similar to both Brahmins and Rajputs.They were considered as the pillar for Rajputs kingdom. They play the role of Royal advisor, chieftain in wars, jagirdar for collecting revenue and keeping an eye of kingdoms boundary, for which they were given villages at boundary of kingdom.[3]

Political activities

The Rajpurohit community had previously been allied primarily with the Bharatiya Janata Party. In 2009, however, the community switched loyalties to the Indian National Congress, due to perceived neglect by the BJP.[3]

History of the clan

  • At the beginning of 12th century, after the Battle of Tarain, the King of Ajmer,Prithviraj Chauhan and the king of Kannauj were executed in the hands of Mohammad of Ghor,there started a continuous invasion of Islamic rulers,And due to this continuous struggle,this Islamic rulers never focused on the north western part of India. Due to which Bappa Rawal of Mewar starts gaining grounds and ends up gaining a large part of modern day, Rajasthan.
  • Bappa Rawal was very fond of Hindu traditions and he appointed many Brahmins as their chief advisor,which were later known as Paliwal Brahmins,as they resides in Rajasthan, this Brahmins includes gotras of Gundecha, Mutha, Charakh, Gota, Thanak, Balwacha, Pokarna, Bhagora etc.[4].In which Gundecha,Mutha, and Balwacha are considered more prosperous due to more jagiri villages allotted to them by Maharanas of Mewar.
  • During Battle between Mewar and Allauddin Khilji, Somoji and Kanhad dev Sonigada died with gallantry and Descendant of Somoji were given title of "Mehta" which later changed to Mutha.[4] Jagiri of Mutha are Pilowani,Rungari, Ghenari, Vandar,Shivtalav. And when some people of Mutha went to Gundoj(a village in Pali). They were called Gundecha.
  • After the killing of Raja Jaichand, his grandson Rao Setram became a vassal of Ghurid Empire, which very soon gets collapsed by the mughals and his son Sheoji asked his father for a trip to Pushkar which his father responded positively. After reaching Pushkar, Sheoji encounters with a Brahmin of Bhinmal. Brahmin ask for help to sheoji, as Mughal loots them very often and the king(from Mewar),since controlling a large territory, fails to protects them. Hearing them, Rao sheoji with his army and two chief advisor Devpalji and Dalherji with his son Pitharji[5] reached Pali, and killed all the evil forces who were looting Brahmins.
  •   Dalherji was grandson of Sodhalji due to which they were called Sodha[4] Purohit and Devpalji who was descendant of Shiv Rishi(who comes from Shreegaur Brahmin family belonging to Bhardwaj gotra), due to which there descendant were called Sevad Purohit.
  • Sheoji After winning Battle against mughals gained a territory of a village named Vithu, in Pali and locals accepted him as their ruler with having a term 'Rao' before his name which means king in marwari. Sodha Purohit,Sevad Purohit, Rathores of Jodhpur share as their kuldevi, until the Battle of Sheoji against Lakha Bhati, in which Devpalji show Bishath mata (a devi with 20 hands) and he designated her as his kuldevi.Jagiri of Sodha Rajpurohit are Mandli, Tarsinghdi, Mayalawas, Gudanal, Megawas, Deriya, Modran, Simrakhia, Rewada and Bassi.
  • During expansion of Marwar, gradson of Devpalji, Basant ji wasn't able to get married . Since, he actively paricipating continuously in Battlefield which is considered weird among Brahmin  families, And as Basant ji was the only surviving descendant of Devpalji, Rao Asthanji requested other Brahmin family in the region. But none agreed, due to fear of thought that their daughter will be widowed soon. But one day, a Brahmin man came front & gave his daughter's hand in Basantji's hand and promised that his whole family's children will only marry children of Sevad gotra and they were called Mannana Gotra before the name of the him "Maan Ji", After getting this news they were given many small jagiri villages such as Mananawas, Manana ki Basni, Dasipura, Asotra, Gura Jaitsingh, Narnadi etc. as a reward showing their love to their newly formed state.
  • During 1415, the descendant of Rao Sheoji, Rao Chundaji gained control on large  territories from Guhilots of Mewar, Parasars of Mount Abu, Chauhans of Jalore. Due to which Panchlod[4] Gotra, no longer remain prominent in the region and they were categorise into simple Brahmin.And their jagiri villages are five which have been divided by a single village. Two of them are Dharamdhari and Sumdhand.
  • Same case as that of Panchlod arose with Raigur Gotra who were initially playing important role as an advisors of Chauhans,(whose territory were taken away from Rathores). Soon,shifted their loyalties to Sisodiyas of Mewar and started residing in Godwad region were other Paliwal Brahmins were residing.Their Jagiri are Sokra, Dhabar,Punayta,Sukarna, Patava etc.
  • Rivalry between Rathore and Sisodiya came to end when Daughter of Rao Chundaji,Hansa Bai and Rana Lakha married. Rao Chunda put a condition that elder son of Rana Lakha, Chunda will have to remove his claim to throne, if he wants that his father can marry Hansa Bai and promise that son of Hansa Bai of Marwar and Rana Lakha of Mewar will be the successor of Mewar throne after his death, which Chunda accepted and his descendant were known as Chundawat. Until that time, Sevad claimed control over many villages by defeating Bhils, goons etc. Some of them are Barli, Sathika,Tunkliya, Bhamatsar, Ghantiyala, Roopawas, Talkiya,Narwa,Bikarlai etc which were under their control till Govt. of India abolished Jagirdari system.
  • Hansa Bai was pregnant when Rana Lakha died. And Rao Ranmal of Marwar, Brother of Hansa Bai was appointed chief of both Marwar and Mewar state until Hansa Bai's son, Rana Mokal who was minor, grow up to a certain age of decision making.
  • Chunda Of Mewar(half-brother of Rana Mokal Singh) killed Rao Ranmal of Marwar in order to make sure the decision making capability remain in hands of Mewar royal family, not outsider.
  • Rao Ranmal's  son's including Jodha and Kandhal were prisoned in jail of Mewar . Jodha and some prince escaped the jail but some were left asleep. Jodha ordered his loyal friend Damaji Sevad Purohit and Rao Kandhal to make sure to bring  Rao Mandloji and  others back to him safely. Damaji Purohit reached Mewar and asked Chunda to release other princes and jail him as a guarantee that Jodha will not claim his Ancestral property and will give him 10 lakh rupees.  Hearing him, Chunda released other princes and when they reached mandore, to Jodha. Damaji  told that he is a poor Brahmin and his live don't matter in cost of kingdom of marwar. Hearing him chunda felt cheated and released him too. Damaji got a jagiri of Tinwari kot and Jodha reclaimed his territory and founded Jodhpur city near mandore.
  • Rana Mokal once asked a boy belonging to Shreemali Brahman family named Dudha, to buy a Horse from near territory of Mewar. And when he accepted to do so, All Brahmin families started treating him like foreigner as he have done a work of Vaishyas as vaishya do trade for king and not Brahmins, So, he left Mewar and came to Marwar and started residing with Marwari Brahmin. And by their business skills, they became very wealthy, although they don't have any big jagiri village. Their Families are known as Dudhawat. And one well known village of Dudhawat is Araba Dudhawatan.
  • Jagarwal purohit [4] migrated from Sesali Village of Jalore district in Rajasthan. Jagarwal Brahmins were purohits of Parmara Rajputs who were rulers of Jalore. Bal Rishi / Jabali Rishi was ancestor of Jagarwal Rajpurohits. Jalore / Jabalipur was named after Bal Rishi / Jabali Rishi. Bal Rishi had 12 Sasan villages including Balwara. Later on Jagarwal Rajpurohits became Rajpurohits of Sindhal Rathore rajputs.Jagarwal Rajpurohits has Jagir villages in Marwar & Godwad region i.e. Jasnagar, Kakindra, Lambiyan, Rewatada, Veerana, Rewat, Modran, Dakatara, Bagra (Marwar), Basda Dhanji, Dhola Sasan, Akadada, Dhariya, Punadiya, Lapod, Auwa Sasan & Champa Khedi, Dhangadwas, Bagar(Jhunjhunu)etc.
  • Rana Mokal when married princess of Sirohi, they saw the prosperity of godwad area, highly fertilised agricultural fields, blooming flowers etc. So, he ordered all the residing Brahmins to appear infront of him and he gave jagiri documents to them in their residing villages which include Nimbada, Lopi, Asop, Mada, Barwa, Norwa,Sokra,Falna etc. Majority of them belongs to Gundecha, Raigur etc. because these villages were not gifted by rulers but are captured by defeating local Bhil tribes. and only some Gotra has a significant population that can fight against Bhil tribes. One such important figure is Bahad ji Maharaj who especially fought Bhil tribes, emptied the village and planted flowers. So, that local Bhil can't attack their Maharana. And his village was later called Barwa after his name.
  • Following these incident,  Panwar rulers of Sirohi and Jalore, decided to enrich their Rajpurohit of Rajguru [4] gotra by giving jagiri villages in their territory but they soon fail due to continuous expansion of Rathores of Jodhpur due to which they shifted their loyalties to Rathores of Jodhpur. Their jagiri villages include Balera, Silore, Gothda (Nagaur), Bisu Rajguran, Doli, Radwa, Vani, Pandit ji ki Dhaani(Bethwasiya,Osian) Basni Purohitan Osian, Odwada (Jalore), Ghaseri (Jalore), Ledarmer (Jalore), Chitrodi (Jalore), Paovta (Jalore), Chadwal, Bawali, Kailashnagar, Manora, Raipuria, Sanpur, Bavali, Vaan Sirohi, Patau (near Kalyanpur, Barmer) and Langera etc.
  • Seeing the prosperity of other Purohits in Rajasthan.Siya [4](Rajpurohits of Solankis of Gujarat) moved to Marwar when Sher Shah Suri invaded Gujarat their jagiri villages are Bhatelai, Hingola, Bambore, Meghlasia, Balotra, Golian .
  • After the valour shown by Damaji Purohit, the Sevad Gotra became most prominent in the region .
  • When Bikaji decided to annex north western Rajasthan, Bikoji or Vikramji Rajpurohit (youngest of seven son of Damaji) who was decided to be the next thakur of Tinwari left for Jangladesh and Tinwari was decided to be given to Bissaji Purohit(sixth of the seven), whose descendant became most prominent in the region of Jodhpur
  • When Son of Bikoji, Dehidas died in the Battle of Sahawa, Bikaji gifted his eldest son the village of Toliyasar.
  • When Rao Jodha died, Rao Bika ask for his remaining as he was promised. Following the negligence,  Rao Bika started military campaign against Jodhpur, and bring a bed(kept in junagadh fort), Some treasure, swords of his father. Which bitters Bikaner and Jodhpur relations. When Rao Maldeo annexed Bikaner, Rao Kalyan Mal with help of Sher Shah Suri recover his lost territory in which Kishandas Ji Rajpurohit (Son of Dehidas ji and grandson of Bikoji) died in action. Following which he was given jagiri of Dholi Kheda, which later renamed as Kishnasar by his grandson Manohar Singh Rajpurohit.
  • Following regular conquest by Sher Shah Suri, Rao Maldeo sent Moolraj ji[4](Son of Kumpaji and Grandson of Bissaji) to Babur in Delhi with a letter. Mulraj ji made sure that Babur accept all the condition which was very beneficial for Jodhpur State.
  • In Bikaner, Rai Singh asked Lakshmidas ji Hiyadesar (Grandson of Kishandas Ji and Son of Haridasji after whom Hiyadesar was named) to make his second son Sur Singh as his successor before his death.So, when Rai Singh (Son of Kalyan mal) died, an internal struggle started for the throne of Jangladesh. And Lakshmidas ji with his intelligence, his tactics and his influence made sure to complete his promise although Babur wanted that Rai Singh's eldest son should be the successor of Bikaner throne.But, Lakshmidas ji succeeded in his plan.
  • At same time frame, Pratap Singh ji[4](Son of Mulrajji who went to Babur) along with Babur's army and Marwar's army fought to Sher Shah Suri in which Sher Shah Suri lost his many territories . Pratap Singh ji Mulrajot lost his life in action and Rao Maldeo gave him title of 'Singh' which means a 'Lion'. This title is used by his descendant including Akherajots and Mulrajot.. And after the battle, Sher Shah Suri admitted that, He might have loss his kingdom in order to win a room.
  • In Bikaner, Riddheram ji[6] (Grandson of Lakshmidasji and son of Parshuramji) fought against Sikhs at covered area of SriGanganagar and due to wounds held in that Battle. Riddheram ji died due to infection returning his village. His cenotaph is built in Hiyadesar. And his younger brother, Kanji was made chief advisor of the state.[7] During his tenure as a chief advisor of the king, the family of Parshuramji (Son of Lakshmidas ji and father of five including Riddheram ji and Kanji) got extraordinary fame as well as gift from State of Bikaner.
  • Kansinghji got jagiri of Sawai bari(Churu), Kalyanpura(Churu), Aadsar(Sridungargarh), Hirajsar(Churu) for adding the large territory of modern-day Churu in the Kingdom of Bikaner.[4] And He died along with his grandson Jagram(who saved Maharaja life). Maharaja Zorawar Singh gave him  a title of 'Singh' (Same already occurred with Pratap Singh Mulrajot of Jodhpur) as well as title of Rajpurohit in which 'Raj' means "State" and 'Purohit' means "intelligent". His descendant were known as "'Kanhawat"' or '"Kanot"' .His cenotaph is in Hiyadesar.
  • Kanji's brother Abhayramji got jagiri of Bapeu (Sridungargarh, Bikaner )
  • Kanji's brother Govardhanji got jagiri of Dodu (Jayal,Nagaur)
  • Kanji's brother Hridyanathji got jagiri of Paatlisar (Sardarshahar, Churu)
  • Kanji's eldest son Harnath Singhji got jagiri of Desalsar (Nokha,Rajasthan) :He represented Bikaner and won the horse race and sword fight on horse in a Mughal tournament held in Delhi.[8]
  • Kanji's eldest grandson Raghunath Singhji Desalsar (from Harnath Singhji) helped Abhai Singh of Marwar when he went to a Battle to suppress rebellion by thakurs of Godwad.  Due to which he got two jagiri villages of Kharukhra and Palri as a gift from Jodhpur, but when Jodhpur forces killed his grandfather Kansinghji and his brother Jagram Singhji. He attacked Mehrangrarh by cannons causing destruction of wall. Due to which Abhay Singh took back Khukri and Palri from him and gifted it to Raigur Purohit. In response, Maharaja of Bikaner, Zorawar Singh gifted him 400 bigga land in Nokha Gaon.
  • Kanji's second grandson Ranchhor Singhji (from Harnathji) got jagiri of Sri Kolayatji and Kotri(52000 bigga of land equivalent to four villages gifted to Rajpurohits of Jodhpur for their participation),(Kolayat,Bikaner):He participated in the joint Battle of Marwar and Bikaner against Sarbuland Khan in Ahmedabad.[9]
  • Kanji's grandson Jagram Singhji[10](from Harnath Singhji) got jagiri of Rasisar (Nokha,Bikaner): He rescued Maharaja Zorawar Singh's life and defended independence of Bikaner from the forces of Abhay Singh of Jodhpur. His Intestine came out but he tightly packed his Abdomen by piece of cloth and fought till the army of Jodhpur reached back to Nagaur.He died at the age of 22.His Cenotaph is built in the fortress of Junagadh,Bikaner and Desalsar where his body is cremated.[11]
  • Kanji's Grandson Jagrup Singhji (Son of Hariramji and nephew of Harnathji Desalsar) fought along with Rupram Chauhan against Sikhs of Nohar and successfully suppressed all the rebellion started by Sikhs to convert Bikaner into part Punjab. During the action, he died due to injury caused during battle.
  • Kanji's Great grandson Badridas Singhji got jagiri of Dheerdesar(Son of Raghunath Singhji Desalsar and grandson of Harnath Singhji Desalsar) for continuous suppressing of thakurs of Churu who were trying to remove the king of Bikaner from the throne.[12]
  • His descendant Bhojraj Singhji Hirajsar fought in battle of Merta,[13]
  • Nathu Singhji Aadsar fought Battle against Bhil goons who used to rob cows from his village,[14]
  • Jethmal Ji Dheerdesar killed Alfu Khan along with his horse and along with Thakur Prithvi Singh Chauhan, Salam Singh Rathore, Karni Singh Shekhawat fought against Jatmed Khan. During which he left his breathe. His body is cremated in Desalsar and his cenotaph is present in Desalsar as well as on the Ratangarh, Churu.[15]
  • In Marwar, during the time of Kanji, the title of Royal chief advisor was given to Akheraj ji Dalpatot . Akheraj ji inherited the jagiri of Tinwari, Bhainser kotwali, Bhainser khukri, Jatiyawas from his father. And during his tenure his family also gained fame in jodhpur region. Since, Akheraj ji was descendant of Bissaji( sixth of seven son of Damaji) and Kanji was descendant of Vikramji or Bikoji (youngest son of Damaji). Kanji used to write "Badere Bhai" in his letter which means big brother. Is descendant were known as Akherajots. And Thakurs of Tinwari got title of "Rajpurohit".[4]
  • Akheraj ji got jagiri of Bhawanda from Jodhpur due to his and his son's participation in Battle against Sarbuland Khan in Ahmedabad.[16]
  • His son Kesari Singh ji got jagiri of two villages :Kherapa and Dhundiyari. One for his extraordinary courage to leave Tinwari and taking a decision to safeguard Bakht Singh of Nagaur from his own king Abhay Singh and Second for defending Jodhpur against the troops of Amer along with Bakht Singh in Battle of Gangwana who himself had called the troops to safeguard Bikaner.[17]
  • His son from his second wife Mahaa Singhji got jagiri of Khichan Kot from Bikaner. Since Phalodi was in control of Bikaner until 1832.[4]
  • His  Descendant Guman Singhji,[18] Badrinathji of Tinwari rescued Maharaja Man Singh of Marwar from attack by Mihir khan pathan and his smarak is built near Mehrangarh Fort.[4]
  • Total Sevad villages are 49 in Jangladesh(Bikaner,Churu, Sriganganagar, Hanumangarh) 32 villages in Marwar (Jodhpur, Barmer,Pali, Jalore)


Notable members of the Rajpurohit community

References

Notes

  1. ^ Aside from being a community, Rajpurohit is synonymous with Rajguru as an ancient term for a type of Brahmin. Hermann Kulke and Dietmar Rothermund note that "There is much evidence in ancient texts that there were two ideal types of Brahmins in those days, the royal priest or advisor (rajpurohit, rajguru, "akherajot" and "kanot") and the sage (rishi) who lived in the forest and shared his wisdom only with those who asked for it."[1] Its modern use in this sense has been described by Sumit Sarkar as a "self-conscious archaism".[2]

Citations

  1. ^ Kulke, Hermann; Rothermund, Dietmar (2004) [1986]. A History of India (Fourth ed.). Routledge. p. 5. ISBN 9780415329194. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  2. ^ Sarkar, Sumit (2002). Beyond Nationalist Frames: Postmodernism, Hindutva, History. Indiana University Press. p. 73. ISBN 9780253342034. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Rajpurohits pitch in for Cong". The Times of India. 14 April 2009. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Dr. Prahalaad Singh Rajpurohit. Rajpurohit Jaati ka Itihaas. ISBN 9789390179060.
  5. ^ "Opening of pitharji gate by Maharaja Gaj Singh of Marwar".
  6. ^ Sindhayacha Dayaldas. Dayaldas Ri Khyat. p. 208.
  7. ^ . Itihaas-Bikaner. Vol. 1. ISBN 9788186103139. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help).
  8. ^ Dr. Hukum Singh Bhati. Parampara(Bikaner Rajya ri Khyat.
  9. ^ Sindhayacha Dayaldas. Dayaldas Ri Khyat. Vol. 2. p. 61.
  10. ^ "Death anniversary of Jagram Singh Rajpurohit in Junagadh fort, Bikaner, by Dainink Bhashkar".
  11. ^ Sindhayacha Dayaldas. Dayaldas Ri Khyat. p. 89.
  12. ^ . Itihaas-Bikaner. Vol. 1. p. 447. ISBN 9788186103139. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
  13. ^ Muhnot Nainsi. Muhnot Nainsi ri khyat. ISBN 978-8186103319.
  14. ^ Dr. Hukum Singh Bhati (2005). Parampara(Bikaner Rajya ri Khyat. Rajasthani Shodh Sansthan.
  15. ^ Dr. Hukum Singh Bhati (2005). Parampara(Bikaner Rajya ri Khyat. Rajasthani Shodh Sansthan.
  16. ^ Dr. Raghuveer Singh. Jodhpur Rajya ri Khyat.
  17. ^ Dr. Prahalaad Singh Rajpurohit (1948). Veer Kesari Singh ka Jasprakash. Rajasthani Granthagar.
  18. ^ https://www.bhaskar.com/guman-singh-rajpurohit-celebrates-shaurya-diwas-103548-3004587.html/


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