Kachhwaha

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The Pachrang flag of the former Jaipur state. Prior to the adoption of the Pachrang (five coloured) flag by Raja Man Singh I of Amber, the original flag of the Kachwahas was known as the "Jharshahi (tree-marked) flag".
Chandramahal in City Palace, Jaipur, which was built by the Kachwaha Rajputs.

The Kachhwaha (also spelled as Kachwaha and Kachhawaha) is a Rajput clan found primarily in India.[1][2] Some families within the caste were royale ruling class in number of kingdoms and princely states, such as Jaipur, Alwar, Talcher and Maihar.

Etymology[edit]

According to Cynthia Talbot, the meaning of word Kachhwaha is tortoise.[3]

Origin[edit]

There are many theories on the origin of the Kachhwahas. Kachwaha claim descent from Kusha, a son of the avatar of Vishnu, Rama, as expressed by them citing historical documents during the Supreme court of India proceedings on Ram Mandir at Ayodhya.[4] Another view-point is that the Kachhawahas claim descent from Vishnu's turtle avatar.[5]

According to Rima Hooja, the Kachhwaha word became popular in the late 16th century during the reign of Raja Man Singh. There are many inscriptions and manuscripts which prove this theory, like the ones found in Balvan, Chatsu, Sanganer and Rewasa.[6]

Some consider the clan name Kushwaha as correct, others as Kachwaha or Kachawa.


Kushwaha, appears to be the most appropriate as there was a king of Ayodhya named ‘Ikshwaku’, founder of the "Suryavansha" dynasty, predecessor of Dashrath and Ram of the Ramayan days. As there is an etymological affinity between the two words, it is more likely that the name Kushwaha is derived from Ikshwaku.


Yet another belief is that Kushwaha is derived from ‘Kush’, one of the two sons of Ram and Sita. It, however, lacks substance as it is said that Kush was turned into a human being from Kush, the Sanskrit word for a blade of grass.


Ish Devji a Kushwaha Raja of outstanding merit, with his capital at Gwalior, is recorded to have died in 967 A.D. Brahmin genealogists place him as being the three hundred & third generation after Ikshwaku. The Kushwahas of Amber are descendants of Ish Devji.

History[edit]

Kachhwaha established their kingdom in Dhundhar region of modern Rajasthan in 11th century. One Kachhwaha King Dulha Rai conquered most of the dhundhar area from Bargurjars. His descendant Raja Pajvan helped Prithviraj Chauhan on his conquest. Kachhwaha King Prithviraj fought along with Rana Sanga at battle of Khanwa.[7]

Notable people[edit]

References[edit]

Notes

Citations

  1. ↑ Textbook of Indian History and Culture, By Sailendra Nath Sen pg.167
  2. ↑ The Rajput Palaces: The Development of an Architectural Style, 1450-1750 pg.88 — "the Kachwaha Rajputs ( who had previously ruled in Gwalior ) established themselves in an adjacent region , founding Dhundar as their capital in 967 AD ISBN 9780195647303."[1]
  3. ↑ Talbot, Cynthia (2015). "Imagining the Rajput Past in Mughal–era Mewar". The Last Hindu Emperor: Prithviraj Cauhan and the Indian Past, 1200–2000 (illustrated ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 146–182. doi:10.1017/CBO9781316339893.006. ISBN 9781316339893. This is a reference to Pajjun's family name, Kachhwaha, which means tortoise
  4. ↑ "Citing historical documents, Jaipur royals claim to be descendants of Lord Rama". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  5. ↑ Kapur, Nandini Sinha (2007). "Minas Seeking a Place in History". In Bel, Bernard; Brouwer, Jan; Das, Biswajit; Parthasarathi, Vibodh; Poitevin, Guy (eds.). The Social and the Symbolic: Volume II. Sage. p. 139. ISBN 978-8132101178. The Kachhawahas claim origin from the Kurma (tortoise) avatar of Vishnu (Bhatnagar 1974: 1–4).
  6. ↑ History of Rajasthan by Rima Hooja Section:The Kachwahas of Dhoondhar pg.2 ISBN 9788129108906
  7. ↑ Sarkar, Jadunath (1994). A History of Jaipur: C. 1503-1938. Orient Blackswan. pp. 20–33. ISBN 978-81-250-0333-5.

Further reading[edit]

  • Bayley C. (1894) Chiefs and Leading Families In Rajputana
  • Henige, David (2004). Princely states of India;A guide to chronology and rulers
  • Jyoti J. (2001) Royal Jaipur
  • Krishnadatta Kavi, Gopalnarayan Bahura(editor) (1983) Pratapa Prakasa, a contemporary account of life in the court at Jaipur in the late 18th century
  • Khangarot, R.S., and P.S. Nathawat (1990). Jaigarh- The invincible Fort of Amber
  • Topsfield, A. (1994). Indian paintings from Oxford collections
  • Tillotson, G. (2006). Jaipur Nama, Penguin books
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