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The Rajputs - Part 2
7.0 Kalachuris
The Kalachuris, also known as the Haihayas, were an ancient people known from the Epics and Puranas from 249 or 250 A.D. Several branches of the Kalachuris were settled in different parts of Northern India. In the later half of sixth century A.D., they ruled over a powerful kingdom comprising Gujarat, northern Maharashtra, and later then some parts of Malwa.
One of them founded a principality in Sarayupara in the modern Gorakhpur District. The other, which soon became very powerful, ruled in Chedi country in Bundelkhand.
The Kalachuris of Chedi also known as kings of Dahalas, had their capital at Tripur, represented by the modern village of Tewar, six miles to the west of Jabalpur.
According to legends, Kalli meaning long moustache and Churi meaning sharp knife is the source of their dynastic name. They were also referred to as Katachuris (shape of a sharp knife), Kalanjarapuravaradhisvara (Lord of Kalanjara) and Haihaya (Heheya). Mount Kalanjara is in north central India, east of the Indus Valley floodplain. Kalachuri is the name used by two kingdoms who had a succession of dynasties from the 10th-12th centuries, one ruling over areas in Central India (west Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan) and were called Chedi or Haihaya (Heyheya) (northern branch) and the other southern Kalachuri who ruled over parts of Karnataka.
In the second half of the sixth century AD, the Kalachuris emerged as a political power and their kingdom comprised Gujarat, northern Maharashtra and even parts of Malwa. Three Kalachuri kings - Krishnaraja, his son Sankaragana and the latter's son Buddharaja - were known to have ruled between 550-620. They had to contend with the two powerful neighbours - the Maitrakas of Valabhi and the Chalukyas of Badami. But the Kalachuris continued to exist as families of some importance in eastern Malwa and the neighbouring regions and established matrimonial relations with the Eastern and Western Chalukya princes.
7.1 Political history
Kalachuris of Tripuri: In the 8th century, several branches of the Kalachuris were settled in different parts of northern India. One of them founded a principality in Sarayupara in the modern Gorakhpur district and the other, the most powerful, ruled in the Chedi country in Bundelkhand. The Kalachuris of Chedi, also known as kings of 'Dahala-mandala' had their capital at Tripuri, near Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh.
Kokalla I: With the accession of Kokalla I in or about 845, the real history of the Kalachuris of Tripuri may be said to have begun. Kokalla I is credited with victories over many powerful kings. He came into conflict with the Pratihara king Bhoja I and gained a resounding victory over him. He is said to have plundered Vanga or East Bengal, vanquished the Rashtrakuta king Krishna II, who was his son-in-law, and invaded northern Konkan. Thereafter, the Kalachuris entered into a series of matrimonial alliances with the Rashtrakutas till the time of Krishna II and the two families maintained amicable relations.
Sankaragana I: Kokalla I married the Chandella princess Nattadevi and had 18 sons. The eldest son, Sankaragana, succeeded his father and defeated the Somavamsi king of Kosala. He was succeeded by his son, Balharsha whose reign was very brief.
Yuvaraja I: Notwithstanding the close relationship with the Kalachuris the Rashtrakutas under Krishna III invaded the kingdom of Yuvaraja I. Later Yuvaraja succeeded in driving the Rashtrakutas from his kingdom. This was a significant achievement in commemoration of which the famous poet Rajasekhara, who now lived in the Kalachuri court, staged the famous drama Viddha-salabhanjika at the court of Yuvaraja. Yuvaraja I was a Saiva and helped the Saiva ascetics in preaching their doctrine in his kingdom.
Lakshmanaraja and Sankaragana II: Yuvaraja I was succeeded by his son Lakshmanaraja who won a victory over Mularaja I, the founder of Solankis. Like his father Lakshmanaraja patronised Saivism. Lakshmanaraja was succeeded by his son Sankaragana II, who was a Vaishnava. He was succeeded by his brother Yuvaraja II, who lacked martial ardour and the kingdom suffered serious reverses during his rule. His maternal uncle Chalukya Taila II attacked his kingdom. Hardly had he recovered from this shock, when he was overwhelmed by the Paramara king Munja.
Kokalla II: After the withdrawal of the Paramaras, the ministers of Sankaragana II placed his son Kokalla II on the throne. Under Kokalla II, the Kalachuris recovered their power. He was succeeded by his son, Gangeyadeva.
Gangeyadeva: During his reign the Kalachuris became the greatest political power in India. The most important factor contributing to his success was that the Kalachuris remained unaffected by the marauding raids of Sultan Mahmud. He carried his arms to Orissa as far as the sea coast. He commemorated this great victory by assuming the proud title of 'Trikalingadhipati' or 'Lord of Trikalinga'. He sent an expedition under his son Karna against Anga and Magadha, which were under the Pala king Nayapala. According to Tibetan tradition, Atisa Dipankara, who at that time had been residing in Magadha, took the initiative in inducing Karna and Nayapala to conclude a treaty on the basis of mutual restitution of conquered territories.
Karna: Gangeyadeva was succeeded by his son Lakshmikarna, better known as Karna. He was one of the greatest generals of his time. He wrested Allahabad from the Pratiharas. Karna defeated the Chandella, Krittivarman and occupied Bundelkhand. But a feudatory of the Chandellas freed the country from the Kalachuris. Far more important was Karna's invasion of the Paramara kingdom of Malwa in alliance with Bhima I, the Chalukya king of Gujarat. During the war the Paramara king Bhoja died and the two allies got possession of Malwa. Subsequently a quarrel broke out between Karna and Bhima on the question of division of spoils.
Despite the numerous wars fought with many powers throughout the greater part of his life, the results achieved by Karna were too insignificant. Allahabad was the only addition to his paternal kingdom. The series of reverses which Karna suffered particularly at the end of his reign diminished his earlier glory and loosened his hold over his feudatories.
Later rulers: Karna abdicated the throne in favour of his son Yashkarna. Immediately however, a series of invasions overwhelmed him. His kingdom was raided by the Chalukya king Vikramaditya VI. Chandradeva of the Gahadvala dynasty wrested Allahabad and Banaras; the Chandellas defeated him and Paramara Lakshmadeva plundered his capital. Vijayasinha was the last kalachuri king of any importance. Trailokyavarman, a Chandela, defeated him and conquered the whole of the Dahala-mandala.
8.0 Tomars
Tomars, also known as Tanwar or Toor, are descendants of the Chandravanshi or Moon dynasty. Initially they were the feudatory chiefs of the Pratiharas. History also states that the Tomars are descendants from Arjuna. Thereafter, they became independent, made Delhi as their base and established their kingdom in Haryana and parts of the Punjab. Their independence was not long lasting and in the mid twelfth century Chauhana Vigraharaja III took the Tomars under his suzerainty. Tomar clans include Kshatriyas - Rajput, Jats and Gurjars.
The various subclans of the Tomars are:
- Jatu Rajputs: Jatu Rajputs are descendents of Thakur Jatu Singh. They resided in surrounding villages of Bhiwani in Haryana. There are a significant number of villages of Tanwar Rajputs. A few known ones among these villages are Luhari Jatu, Bawani Khera, Devsar, Haluwas Bapora, Chhapar, and Paluwas.
- Janghara Rajputs: They are considered as large and turbulent branch of the Tomar Rajput clan. They were recruited by the British Indian Army. The chaotic nature of the tribe is enhanced by the origin of the name Janghara being derived from the words meaning "the men who hunger for war". The Janghara separated from the main Tomar branch in disgust after Delhi was lost to the Chauhans.
- Jarral Rajputs: Jarral Rajputs gained status after their conversion to Islam in the 12th century. They are descendants of Pandavas and ruled Kalanaur in North India. They fought against Muhammad Ghori in both the battles of Tarain (1191 and 1192) joining Prithviraj Chauhan of Ajmer. They are wild and resilient to battles by nature. Jarrals were engaged in continuous combats and in the process expanded their state in great length and width of the Punjab Hills. Jarral Rajputs are the highest castes of Tomar who converted to Islam. At present they reside in India, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and other parts which are now in Pakistan.
- Pathania Rajputs: Pathania Rajputs are descendants of Raja Jhet Pal, younger brother of Jaipal Tuar of Delhi. He established his kingdom at Paithan, now called Pathankot. They are known for their resistance against foreign rule, which they proved by battling the invaders. This clan had received three Maha Vir Chakras and many other gallantry awards while serving in the British Army of India.
- Janjua Rajputs: Janjua Rajputs claim that they are the descendants of the Pandava dynasty through the Pandava Prince Arjun.
- Beruari Rajputs: Beruari is one of the most dominating Rajput sub castes of eastern Uttar Pradesh. The present day Balia and Mirzapur districts were once governed by Sudras of Berua caste. There are many villages belonging to this clan in Bihar as well. Hati is one of the prominent villages of this clan. They are treated as superior Rajput clans in Bihar. There are many sub branches also like Badwar, Katiyar, Birwar, Jinwar, etc.
The Tomars are scattered over various parts of North India. They can be found in Delhi, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan. They also reside in Punjab, Western Uttar Pradesh, Bewar and parts of Himachal Pradesh, western Rajasthan, northern Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
The Tomars are reckoned as one of the 36 Rajput clans. According to the bardic tradition, Anangpal Tuar founded Delhi in 736 and established the Tomar dynasty. The Tomars ruled the Haryana country from their capital city Dhillika or Delhi. King Jaula of the Tomar dynasty was apparently a petty feudatory chief. The next important member of the family was Vajrata, who seems to have lived in the middle in the 9th century.
Vajrata was succeeded by his son Jajjuka, who had three sons Gogga, Purnaraja and Devaraja. The three brothers built three temples of Vishnu on the banks of Sarasvati at Prithudaka in the Kamal district. In the first half of the 11th century the Tomaras came into conflict with the Muslim invaders. With the rise of the Chahamanas of Sakambhari, they soon felt their irresistible pressure. A Tomar chief named Rudrena, lost his life in a battle with the Chahamana, Chandanaraja II. The struggle practically ended with the capture of Delhi by the Chahamanas under Vigraharaja in the middle of the 12th century.
India was on the verge of the Islamic Period
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