Gotra

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A gotra (गोत्र) (lit. "cow-pen" or "cow-shed" in archaic rigvedic Sanskrit) is a patrilineal classification and identification of castes in India. Jats have more than 2700 gotras. Gotra is the Sanskrit term for a much older system of tribal clans.The Sanskrit term "Gotra" was initially used by the Vedic people for the identification of the lineages. Maharshi Panini has defined gotra in his grammar ashtadhyayi as under-

उपत्यं प्रौत्रं प्रभृति गोत्रम upatyam prautram prabhriti gotram

Meaning – Gotra is the name of group of descents, leaving son, including grandsons and great grandsons.


Contents

Vanshas

Initially there was only one vansha that was Manuvansha. Later one branch started from sons of Manu, which was called Suryavansh and other branch started from daughter of Manu, Ila, that was called Chandravansh. Later to minimize the influence of Buddhism and Jainism in India, the Brahmans organized a grand yagya at mount Abu in Rajasthan, which continued for 40 days. Almost all the ruling clans attended this yagya. The ruling clans which took part in this yagya were titled as ‘Rajputs’. Four kshatriyas appeared from the agnikunda namely, Solankis, Pratiharas, Chauhans and Paramaras. These were termed Agnivanshi kshatriyas. [1]

According to Agni Purana Agnivanshi kshatriyas were born from the fire which resides in Mt. Abu in Northwestern India after the "destruction of ancient Kshatriyas". However historians interpret this as suggestive of Indo-Scythian origin because this place was entrance gateway for scythic groups in India. In fact lineage of all 36 Rajput ruling clans has been traced to Indo-scythic races [2] The ruling clans who took part in the above yagya were termed Rajputs but those who did not take part remained Jats, Gurjars as such in their old clans. Gotras did not change in this process that is why common gotras are found in Jats, Rajputs and Gurjars.

A vansha is connected with ruling clan like Huna vansha in China and Agnivansha in India. All the gotras try to link with some vansha. Those who joined mount Abu yagya connect their gotra with four Rajput clans namely Solanki, Pratihara, Chauhan Paramara. Rest connect their gotra with Suryavansha or Chandravansha or some great Rishi or a King.

Basis of Vanshas and gotras

Gotras have initially been created in the name of a person, a place or some historical incidence. When in a generation a great person takes birth all the previous titles of this generation are included in the name of this great person and a new gotra starts in his name. Like caste does not change, gotras and vanshas also do not change. There can be more than one gotra in a vansha but there can not be more than one vansha in a gotra. For example Chauhan vansha has 116 gotras included in it. [3]

According to Dilip Singh Ahlawat, Vanshas and gotras start on the basis of some important person, country, period, title and language. [4]

Based on persons

The vanshas or gotras started on the basis of persons are Yadavavanshi, Raghuvanshi, Pandava, Paurava, Kuruvanshi, Tanwar, Salkhalan, Dahiya, Jakhar, Kushan, Budhwar, Deshwal, Dalal, Maan, Sihag, Kadian, Lamba, Punia, Lalla, Balan, Nava, Taxak, Kakrana, Chandravanshi, Shivi, Gaur, Madra, Bhimbhraulia, Sangwan, Gill, Hala and Suryavanshi etc. [5]

Based on places

The vanshas or gotras started on the basis of place are Sindhu, Gandhari, Kuntal, Khutail, Ahlawat, Chedi, Sinsinwar, Bhind, Dahima, Nehra, Tewatia, Vahika, Bais, Magadh, Mohil, Tushar, Malloi (Malwa), Sikarwar, Sisodia etc. [6]

Based on languages

The vanshas or gotras started on the basis of language are Kakurath, Kak, Kakk, Kukkur, Gandhir, Gandir, Gandila, Gandasia, Gul, Gala, Golia, Galaran, Gahlot, etc. [7]

Based on titles

The vanshas or gotras started on the basis of title are Rao, Rawat, Harawat, Chauhan, Solanki, Parihar, Parmar, Thakurela, Chhokar, Thenua, Chapotkat, Rana, Godara, Dixit, Mithe, Chatte, Khatte, Janghare, Bhagaur, Lohchab, Thakur, Antal, Malik, Gathwale, Jatrana, Chaudhari etc. The creation of new vanshas stopped with the vanishing of Rajshahi or Rajvansh. [8]

Utility of Gotras

Sagotra i.e same gotra marriages are banned under the traditional matrimonial system. According to the Hindu marriage traditions commonality of four gotras of mother, father, father’s mother (dadi) and mother’s mother (nani) are avoided for marriages. This has been advocated necessary for proper health and morality of the society. Manava dharmashastra, chapter-3, shloka-5 mentions that-

अस पिण्डा च या मातुर गोत्रा च या पितुः । as piṇdā ca yā mātura gotrā ca yā pituḥ

सा प्रशस्ता द्विजातीनां दार, कर्माणि मैथुने ।। sā praśastā dvijātīnām dāra, karmāṇi maithune

Meaning – The girl who is not from mother’s clan of six generations and who is not of father’s gotra is suitable for marriage. [9]

References

  1. ↑ Dr Ompal Singh Tugania: Jat samudāy ke pramukh Ādhār bindu, Jaypal Agencies, Agra 2004 (Page 7)
  2. ↑ Scythic Origin of the Rajput Race
  3. ↑ Dr Ompal Singh Tugania: Jat samudāy ke pramukh Ādhār bindu, Jaypal Agencies, Agra 2004 (Page 5)
  4. ↑ Dilip Singh Ahlawat:Jat viron ka Itihasa
  5. ↑ Dr Ompal Singh Tugania: Jat samudāy ke pramukh Ādhār bindu, Jaypal Agencies, Agra 2004 (Page 7-8)
  6. ↑ Dr Ompal Singh Tugania: Jat samudāy ke pramukh Ādhār bindu, Jaypal Agencies, Agra 2004 (Page 7-8)
  7. ↑ Dr Ompal Singh Tugania: Jat samudāy ke pramukh Ādhār bindu, Jaypal Agencies, Agra 2004 (Page 7-8)
  8. ↑ Dr Ompal Singh Tugania: Jat samudāy ke pramukh Ādhār bindu, Jaypal Agencies, Agra 2004 (Page 7-8)
  9. ↑ Dr Ompal Singh Tugania: Jat samudāy ke pramukh Ādhār bindu, Jaypal Agencies, Agra 2004 (Page 9)

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