Tracing Modern Indian Jat Clans in Ancient Historical Sources

[DrRajpalSingh]

During the discussion on Literary and Epigraphy related sources related with name Jat and their history several existing theories have been re-interpreted and laudable efforts on the part of participants are still going on. Till some plausible source is unearthed to give agreeable evidence to prove the antiquity of the identity of 'Jat' as understood in modern times as representing a race/community or people, it has been suggested by friends that we must also concentrate our efforts towards learning the origin and history of various Gotras which constitute the modern day Jat society. Perhaps this study of smaller units that constitute the Jat people could prove helpful in proper history of both the clans and the people.


Undoubtedly names of present day Jat clans are mentioned in various sources and commendable efforts by several scholars have already been made to co-relate the data with Jat History over the years. But like other social sciences, historical research also continues to be supplemented by means of newer data and also by means of adding re-interpretation of the available data from time to time. Hence this new thread.

Participants are requested to present their views on the origin and history of any of the modern day Jat clans/ Gotras/sub-clans for discussion. We will try to find out the traces of these issues in Ancient Indian Historical Sources.

It is expected that scholarly comments based on the ancient sources used as tools of research in the study of history on the clan clan/sub-clan names will follow and this will add new dimensions to the research on history of Jats.

[DrRajpalSingh]

Let us start our journey to trace clan names from epigraphy. In this respect we can take up identification of names of present day Jat clans from nine feudatory tribal states which are mentioned on Allahabad inscription. For text as translated by Fleet link :

http://www.jatland.com/forums/showth...yas#post242794

The names of the tribes mentioned are:

1. Mallavas,
2. Arjunayanas,
3. Yaudheyas,
4. Madrakas,
5. Sanakanikas,
6. Abiras,
7.Prarajunas,
8. Kakas, and
9. Kharaparikas.

The new and latest identification of above mentioned tribes with modern Jat clan names by the participant scholars

as well as

already identifications, if any, done on the issue by various scholars

may be shared for further appraisal, please.

[drssrana2003]

I think if we for a while have a look which of the an cient clan names can be traced in the clan nam,es of more than one modern day communities like the jats, rajputs,Ahurs, gujars and other communities of north and northwest India like the sikhs and so called Khatreis ans Aroras. That will help us also in identifying a common stock branching off into several different identities based on so many elements.
The clan names given above can be examined fro this point of view. The happy thing is that all these names have by a consensus identified as the republican clans of north India. Their commonality could have been based either on small geographical areas and clan together or singly.
We can move on with yaudheyas, who have a longer presence recorded in history and studied closely.

[DrRajpalSingh]

On the identification of the region inhabited by Yaudheyas, RC Majumdar (Classical Age, p. 9), where they ruled as feadatory of Samudragupta writes :

"The Yaudheyas inhabited the territory still known as Johiyabar along both banks of the Sutlej in the borders of the Bahawalpur State, at one time their dominions extended up to the Yamuna and included Bharatpur."

[lrburdak]

Kadian Gotra

Bhim Singh Dahiya [Jats the Ancient Rulers (A clan study),p.187] writes that J.F. Fleet, referring to the inscriptions on the top of a lid of the steatite casket found in stupa No.2 at Andheri, near Sanchi, says that it should be, plainly read.

Sapurisasa Gotiputasa Kakanada-Pabhasanasa Kodina-Gotasa.

This has been translated by Fleet as,

"The relics of the virtuous Prabhasana of Kakanada, the Gotiputra, of the Kaundinya gotra".

Here no explanation has been given for the word 'Gotiputra'. It is similar to the word 'Rajaputra' occurring in the Kura inscriptions of Toramana, and it can only mean the son of a Jat. The gotra itself which Fleet changes into Kaundinya, may well be Kadin, the modern Kadian.

[drssrana2003]

Kadian Gotra

Bhim Singh Dahiya [Jats the Ancient Rulers (A clan study),p.187] writes that J.F. Fleet, referring to the inscriptions on the top of a lid of the steatite casket found in stupa No.2 at Andheri, near Sanchi, says that it should be, plainly read.

Sapurisasa Gotiputasa Kakanada-Pabhasanasa Kodina-Gotasa.

This has been translated by Fleet as,

"The relics of the virtuous Prabhasana of Kakanada, the Gotiputra, of the Kaundinya gotra".

Here no explanation has been given for the word 'Gotiputra'. It is similar to the word 'Rajaputra' occurring in the Kura inscriptions of Toramana, and it can only mean the son of a Jat. The gotra itself which Fleet changes into Kaundinya, may well be Kadin, the modern Kadian.

Gotiputra stands for Gautami-putra (son of gautami) and refers to Yajnashri -shaatakarni, who was responsible for setting up many Bauddha Viharas. Kaundinya caN NOT

BE IDENTICAL WITH kADIAN. The inscription records the consigning of his relics in the famous Vihara at Saanchi known as Kaakanaadabot Mahavihara in the Inscription of

Chandragupta _II of Gupta era 93==412/13 A.D.

[narenderkharb]

Let us start our journey to trace clan names from epigraphy. In this respect we can take up identification of names of present day Jat clans from nine feudatory tribal states which are mentioned on Allahabad inscription. For text as translated by Fleet link :

http://www.jatland.com/forums/showth...yas#post242794

The names of the tribes mentioned are:

1. Mallavas,
2. Arjunayanas,
3. Yaudheyas,
4. Madrakas,
5. Sanakanikas,
6. Abiras,
7.Prarajunas,
8. Kakas, and
9. Kharaparikas.

The new and latest identification of above mentioned tribes with modern Jat clan names by the participant scholars

as well as

already identifications, if any, done on the issue by various scholars

may be shared for further appraisal, please.

Mallavs seems to be republic of Mal/Mahli people.

Arjunayan and Yodheyas seem composite republic/Khaps with many clans. I am yet to find out Yodheya/ Johiyas connection as suggested by Scholars.

Madrakas are related Meds that may not be a Jat community.Some community among Sunar,Rajput and Meena trace their lineage in Meds .Whether Manderana /or Mande Jats are same as Meds I am not certain.

Abhiras may be related to Ahirs who were a later Yadu section on Indian Soils.Don't know anything about Sankanika and ParaArjunas.

Kakas seems Kakar/Kakran tribe of Jat/Pathans

I have always suspected connection of Kharaprikas with modern Kharbs as suggested by BS Dahiyas and Dr Rajpal but Dr Rana can give an idea whether Kharbs/or Kharps (as spoken in Uttarakhand) can in any way be related to Kharaparikas linguistically.

It would be interesting to know information of on various Jat clans as given by Panini which Dr Rana can share here and then we can focus on Yodheyas and move on.

[DrRajpalSingh]

I think if we for a while have a look which of the an cient clan names can be traced in the clan nam,es of more than one modern day communities like the jats, rajputs,Ahurs, gujars and other communities of north and northwest India like the sikhs and so called Khatreis ans Aroras. That will help us also in identifying a common stock branching off into several different identities based on so many elements.
The clan names given above can be examined fro this point of view. The happy thing is that all these names have by a consensus identified as the republican clans of north India. Their commonality could have been based either on small geographical areas and clan together or singly.
We can move on with yaudheyas, who have a longer presence recorded in history and studied closely.

Undoubtedly, the tribal organisation of republican people mentioned as Yaudheyas or for that matter others [Arjunayans, Mallavas etc.] in various ancient sources of history seem to have been constituted by the like-minded people who tended to oppose the concept of organised Monarchy since ancient times to the middle times in history of India. The stray traces of clan names found in people like Jats and so many others of modern day are found to testify their affiliation with them at one point of time or other as is testified in their references in epigraphy and literature as late as 11th-12th Century AD. Thence after no mention of these republican people has come to notice which leads to surmise that various constituents that formed these republican tribal organisation were amalgamated within the then existent social identities of castes/communities.

Hence to claim that these Yaudheyas or 'Ayudhajivis' of long historical role exclusively belonged to the modern Jat people becomes a bit difficult, if not impossible.

Comments by scholars are invited.

[DrRajpalSingh]

When we talk of ancient references to clan names, would it not be worthwhile to know if Panini's Ashtadhayi throws some sort of light on the names of present day Jat clans or not.

Dr. Rana, is requested [ if possible for him] to enlighten us in this regard .

[drssrana2003]

Narendra Ji,

I am humbled by the reliance that you place my competencies in knowing all anout what is in Sanskrit sources. I can only say that it leads to more confusionif we start

deciphering ancient terminologies on simple similarities of sound, in part or full. The principles of etymology do not pay so much emphasis on sound as much they do on

sense. And for this other circumstantial or direct evidence should be availanle. The broad parameters of time and space have always to be borne in mind while attempting

etymologies. This aspect , I have found lacking in a big way among some writers offering solutions. As we know in our contemporary times the gotras-kak, kakran,

kadian/kadyan, kakkar are entirely different identities. The gotras have had a long process of transformation and in many cases have taken unrecognisable forms. So hazarding a guess wo'nt be wise thing to do.

[lrburdak]

Bhim Singh Dahiya writes that the Allahabad pillar inscription of Samudragupta mentions the Malavas, Arjunayanas, the Yaudheyas, the Madras, the Madras, the Abhiras, the Prarjuna, the Sankanikas, the Kaks and the Kharaparikas etc. He further explains that the inscription of Dharan Jat emperor, names the other Jat clans.[Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum, Vol. III, No.1][Bhim Singh Dahiya, Jats - The Ancient Rulers, p. 234-235]

Malava = Mall, Malli (Malloi of Greeks)

Arjunayana = ?

Madra = Mad, Madan, Madhan, Maderna

Abhira = Abara (well known of Abhira-Ahir equation)

Prar = Brar

Juna = Joon

Sankanika = Salkalan

Kak = Kak, Khak

Kharaparika = Kharap,Kharab or Kharra+Varika

Munda = Moond

Atvi = Atwal

Potal = Potalia

[DrRajpalSingh]

Bhim Singh Dahiya writes that the Allahabad pillar inscription of Samudragupta mentions the Malavas, Arjunayanas, the Yaudheyas, the Madras, the Madras, the Abhiras, the Prarjuna, the Sankanikas, the Kaks and the Kharaparikas etc. He further explains that the inscription of Dharan Jat emperor, names the other Jat clans.[Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum, Vol. III, No.1][Bhim Singh Dahiya, Jats - The Ancient Rulers, p. 234-235]

Malava = Mall, Malli (Malloi of Greeks)

Arjunayana = ?

Madra = Mad, Madan, Madhan, Maderna

Abhira = Abara (well known of Abhira-Ahir equation)

Prar = Brar

Juna = Joon

Sankanika = Salkalan

Kak = Kak, Khak

Kharaparika = Kharap,Kharab or Kharra+Varika

Munda = Moond

Atvi = Atwal

Potal = Potalia

This is good to learn what Dahiya has said, but we are here trying to share newer interpretation and comments of the participants on the issue raised.

It would be interesting to know what do you deduce from the findings of Dahiya Sahib !

[prashantacmet]

In below link gurjars are claiming yashodharman of chap clan gurjar. Is there any trace of name "chap" as a clan and "narpati gurjar" as a title in any inscription? I don't find any

http://gujjar.50webs.com/yasodharman.html

3.1 Chapotkats or Chap or Chawda Dynasty of Malva
Yasodharman was from Aulikara family which ruled malwa since 4^th century, first as independent rulers and later as feudatories of Guptas.

One of the greatest Indian Kings “The Mighty Yashodharman Vikramaditya” was a Chap Gurjar Ruler of Malva or Ujjain or Avanti. His capital was at Mandsaur or Dasapura.

He ruled Malva as feudatory to Gupta Kings. This Chap dynasty later served as the feudatories to Maitriks of Vallabhi.

The Famous poet Kalidasa was in his court. (and not in the court of Chandragupta-2.) Some scholars claim that the Vikramaditya of Kalidasa was this Yashodharman only.

The name "Gujardesa" was founded by Yashodharman in 480 AD (Earlier it was Gujarat), he was Chap by clan as written at pillar inscription at Vasantgarh. According to the pillar inscriptions of Mandsaur and in Nalanda, He was mentioned as the founder of Gurjardesh. He took the title of Narpati Gurjar after defeating the Huna king MihirGul in 528 AD. King NarasimhaGupta “Baladitya” of Magadha helped him in defeating the White Huns under MihirGul, who fled to Kashmir and began his rule there (where he died in 542 AD). In this decisive fight all the ‘White Huna’ chiefs were slaughtered and the army left was assimilated into Gurjars.
It erased the ‘White Huna’ rule permanently from the Indian scenario.

Note: The ‘White Huna’ King Tomaran (father of MihirGul) was defeated and perhaps killed by Bhanugupta of the Gupta Dynasty in 510 AD.

[drssrana2003]

Prashant Ji,
The web page you have quoted from appears to have mistaken some other namesake of Yashodharman, we were talking about. Now Yashodharman is not a lone king of

his family of Aulikaras known to us after the discovery of the Risthal Inscription of his father Yashodharman. To imagine this Yashodharman as the feudatary of the

Maitrakas of Valabhi is without any trace of evidence. We now know that his family had been feudataries of the guptas since six generations. Not only this. Even therie

subordinate samantas had a continuity for all generations of the Aulikaras. Their inscriptions recor this fact. There should be limit of caste patriotism, I would say to my

Gurjar friends.Incidentally the Inscription telling us about Yashodharman's victory over Mihiakula is undated. Ascribing it to 528 is arbitrary.

[drssrana2003]

Further on I would p;oint out that the web page erroneously concludes that Toramaana was defeated and his men were totally slaughtered by Bhanugupta at eran. In fact facts were the other way round. Bhanugupta's trusted commander Goparaja lost his life in the battle and the widow commited Sati. During the same time frame we find Toramaana acknowledged as the ruling sovereign of Eran in his Inscription of his first regnal year found at Eran itself. Also we learn from the Risthal Inscription of Malava Samvat 572= %15 A.D. about his frontal defeat at the hands of the Aulikara king Prakashaharman, fart5her of Yashodhaerman.

[DrRajpalSingh]

Let us start our journey to trace clan names from epigraphy. In this respect we can take up identification of names of present day Jat clans from nine feudatory tribal states which are mentioned on Allahabad inscription. For text as translated by Fleet link :

http://www.jatland.com/forums/showth...yas#post242794

The names of the tribes mentioned are:

1. Mallavas,
2. Arjunayanas,
3. Yaudheyas,
4. Madrakas,
5. Sanakanikas,
6. Abiras,
7.Prarajunas,
8. Kakas, and
9. Kharaparikas.

The new and latest identification of above mentioned tribes with modern Jat clan names by the participant scholars

as well as

already identifications, if any, done on the issue by various scholars

may be shared for further appraisal, please.

Since the inscription is originally in Sanskrit, someone like Dr. Rana could help us better to acquaint us about the real significance and meaning of the references to modern day Jat clans are there or not !

[lrburdak]

Tendency in certain alphabets while changing from sanskrit to pali or prakrit language

I had provided earlier in the Thread: Study of Inscriptions throwing light on the Jat History
Page-7 post 125

See here -

http://www.jatland.com/forums/showth...-History/page7

If we gone through the book by Dr Naval Viyogi: Nagas – The Ancient Rulers of India. (p.154). This gives reference of Dr Bharat Singh's book - "Pali Sahitya ka Itihas" pp-21 while discussing Etymology of some clans gives following table how alphabets change. It says there is a peculiar tendency in certain alphabets while changing them from sanskrit to pali or prakrit language. Few examples are:

Sanskrit → Prakrat

R → L

P → B

K → H

T → Th or Dh

Ch → J

Sh → Chh



Applying the rule of "tendency in certain alphabets while changing them from sanskrit to pali or prakrit language as above we find -


The clan Taka (Takshaka) in Sanskrit becomes Dhaka in Prakrat.

Similarly we can find other clans also.

Sharpa → Kharpa → Kharba → Kharva

Sharpa is शर्प in Sanskrit. It means it is a Nagavanshi clan.

[DrRajpalSingh]

Let us know something about Parmar/Mori/Takshac issue:

HISTORY

There are three schools of thought about the origin of the Paramara clan. The most widely accepted school of thought is that the Paramaras – along with the Chauhans, the Pratiharas (Parihars) and the Solankis (Chalukyas) – were one of the four Agni kula ("fire-born") clans of the Rajputs.In a second school of thought, the Parmar clan is said to have been a tribe of central India that rose to political prominence as the feudatory of the Rashtrakutas. They were Rajputs.The ancient inscriptions in the Pali Buddhist character have been discovered in various parts of Rajasthan of the race of Taxak or Tak, relating to the tribe Mori and Parmara are their descendants. Taxak Mori was the lord of Chittor from very early period. The Huna Kingdom of Sialkot (of Mihir Kula 515-540 AD), destroyed by Yashodharman, was subsequently seized by a new dynasty of kshatriyas called Tak or Taxaka. The Taxak Mori as being lords of Chittor from very early period and few generations after the Guhilots supplanted the Moris. (725-35) we find amongst the numerous defenders who appear to have considered the cause of Chittor their own the Tak from Asirgarh. This race appears to have retained possession of Asirgarh for at least two centuries after this event as its chieftain was one of the most conspicuous leaders in the array of Prithvi Raj. In the poems of Chandar he is called the "Standard, bearer, Tak of Asir."In a third school of thought, the Parmar clan is said to have originally been an inseparable part of the Rashtrakutas, which later branched out from the Rashtrakutas (Rathore)and declared themselves to be a distinct Rajput clan.Whatever the origin, the Parmars established themselves as the rulers of Malwa in central India in the 9th CE century, ruling from their capital at Dhar. In this situation, the Paramars enjoyed great political power and clout in ancient India. The Paramaras ruled until 1305, when Malwa was conquered by Ala ud din Khilji, the Khilji Sultan of Delhi. It was during these medieval times that their political power began to decline.

Source link :http://www.indianrajputs.com/history/parmar.php

[DrRajpalSingh]

Let us know something about Parmar/Mori/Takshac clans past relationship:

HISTORY

There are three schools of thought about the origin of the Paramara clan. The most widely accepted school of thought is that the Paramaras – along with the Chauhans, the Pratiharas (Parihars) and the Solankis (Chalukyas) – were one of the four Agni kula ("fire-born") clans of the Rajputs

.In a second school of thought, the Parmar clan is said to have been a tribe of central India that rose to political prominence as the feudatory of the Rashtrakutas. They were Rajputs

.The ancient inscriptions in the Pali Buddhist character have been discovered in various parts of Rajasthan of the race of Taxak or Tak, relating to the tribe Mori and Parmara are their descendants. Taxak Mori was the lord of Chittor from very early period. The Huna Kingdom of Sialkot (of Mihir Kula 515-540 AD), destroyed by Yashodharman, was subsequently seized by a new dynasty of kshatriyas called Tak or Taxaka. The Taxak Mori as being lords of Chittor from very early period and few generations after the Guhilots supplanted the Moris. (725-35) we find amongst the numerous defenders who appear to have considered the cause of Chittor their own the Tak from Asirgarh. This race appears to have retained possession of Asirgarh for at least two centuries after this event as its chieftain was one of the most conspicuous leaders in the array of Prithvi Raj. In the poems of Chandar he is called the "Standard, bearer, Tak of Asir."

In a third school of thought, the Parmar clan is said to have originally been an inseparable part of the Rashtrakutas, which later branched out from the Rashtrakutas (Rathore)and declared themselves to be a distinct Rajput clan.Whatever the origin, the Parmars established themselves as the rulers of Malwa in central India in the 9th CE century, ruling from their capital at Dhar. In this situation, the Paramars enjoyed great political power and clout in ancient India. The Paramaras ruled until 1305, when Malwa was conquered by Ala ud din Khilji, the Khilji Sultan of Delhi. It was during these medieval times that their political power began to decline.

Source link :http://www.indianrajputs.com/history/parmar.php

[DrRajpalSingh]

The second paragraph taken from the proceeding post, [ though derived from secondary source yet very significant to reconstruction of Jat History], earmarks more broader scope for further detailed identification of clan names, places where they were in power and their relation with contemporary political happenings.

Comments of the participants are invited.

"The ancient inscriptions in the Pali Buddhist character have been discovered in various parts of Rajasthan of the race of Taxak or Tak, relating to the tribe Mori and Parmara are their descendants. Taxak Mori was the lord of Chittor from very early period. The Huna Kingdom of Sialkot (of Mihir Kula 515-540 AD), destroyed by Yashodharman, was subsequently seized by a new dynasty of kshatriyas called Tak or Taxaka. The Taxak Mori as being lords of Chittor from very early period and few generations after the Guhilots supplanted the Moris. (725-35) we find amongst the numerous defenders who appear to have considered the cause of Chittor their own the Tak from Asirgarh. This race appears to have retained possession of Asirgarh for at least two centuries after this event as its chieftain was one of the most conspicuous leaders in the array of Prithvi Raj. In the poems of Chandar he is called the "Standard, bearer, Tak of Asir.".............Source link :http://www.indianrajputs.com/history/parmar.php[/ "