Sood

Sood also spelled Sud or Suhd are a community in India. They were originally a Rajput (from Sanskrit raja-putra, "son of a king") community also 'Sood' means "Victor of Enemies" in Sanskrit, being descendants of Sodha Rajputs. The Sood's were renowned for their potent adherence to righteousness and high moral conduct as well as being magnificent warriors. The ancient lineage generally consists of Kshatriya Hindu high-tier warriors, princes, kings and queens who dominated over various kingdoms before Muslim and British invasions in India.
In 331 BC, after defeating Poras, Alexander's invasion and entry into India at the banks of River Beas was stopped by the superior forces of Rai Shah Sood. This event is recorded in Alexander’s memoirs, and also in Indian history books. Alexander recognized the sterling quality of the Soods. He admired their strict adherence to their principles, their bravery and their practice of Vedic religion. After the death of Alexander, the Sood reigned uninterrupted for some time, and extended their territory and influence to Alwara, Kashmir, Khandar, Sistan and to Yamuna on the other side. The kingdom was even extended up to Karachi. Indian sailors escorted by Sood forces used to trade with Basara, Istanbul, and Greece. There are records of 101 Sood Kingdoms with respective Rajas under the Sood Emperor of Alwara.
Origin and history
The word "Sood" "Sudh" means "Victor of Enemies" in Sanskrit, according to Amarkosh. Sood "Sudh" was the name given to the second son of King Parmar, who was given the Kingdom of Amarkot (now known as Umerkot). After the death of Raja Sood, his son, Manjan Rao, succeeded to the throne. Manjan Rao was succeeded by Bachira Rao, Reejh Rao, Anirudh and Ana Rao. During this time, Soods ruled over Pattan undisturbed.
On the death of Ana Rao, there was a war of succession among his sons and relatives. Kin Rao was victorious and occupied the throne. Although apparently the question of succession appeared to be decided, there was great resentment under the surface. Violence and war erupted again, headed by Kin Rakha Gandal. A fierce battle followed, in which Kin Rao, along with his eight brothers, was killed. Kin Rakha Gandal won the war.
On the death of Kin Rao and his eight sons, his remaining family members and some other relatives left Pattan and migrated to Maru
Desh. Thus the descendants of Maharaj Sood were divided into two groups. One group led by Gandal remained at Pattan, and the other left for Maru Desh. Gandal and his sons ruled over Pattan for about 50 years.
Subsequently Rajas of Yadav and Amravali attacked them, and they were defeated with many killed, and thus Soods lost Pattan. Those who remained alive migrated to the valleys of the Ganges and Yamuna and settled there. Kin Rao’s sons conquered a large territory of Marwar and began to rule there with Amarkot as their capital. Kin Rao’s son Jachak Rao and grandson Tiri Rao were able to establish their hold in this area. Rana Jagdev, son of Tiri Rao, further extended his kingdom to the whole of Sindh and a great part of Punjab, extending from Punjab to Karachi and from the river Sutlej to Sindh, including Kashmir. He shifted his capital from Amarkot to Alwara.
In 331 BC, after defeating Poras, Alexander's invasion and entry into India at the banks of River Beas was stopped by the superior forces of Rai Shah Sood. This event is recorded in Alexander’s memoirs, and also in Indian history books. Alexander recognized the sterling quality of the Soods. He admired their strict adherence to their principles, their bravery and their practice of Vedic religion. After the death of Alexander, the Sood reigned uninterrupted for some time, and extended their territory and influence to Alwara, Kashmir, Khandar, Sistan and to Yamuna on the other side. The kingdom was even extended up to Karachi. Indian sailors escorted by Sood forces used to trade with Basara, Istanbul, and Greece. There are records of 101 Sood Kingdoms with respective Rajas under the Sood Emperor of Alwara.
There are accounts of various Sood queens and in particular Queen Shub Devi Sood, who was educated and took keen interest in the administration of her State. She used to ride horses fully armed like a king, and went to battle. 'Sati', 'Jauhar' or self-immolation was prevalent at that time by the Rajput women. In the context of circumstances prevailing at that time, this voluntary act by royal women to save the honour of the Raja after his death was an act of valor. History shows several such examples set by brave Sood women.
Sood King Dhar gave refuge to a Muslim from Basara named Ilafi, who later turned against him. He joined hands with the local Buddhists and Lohana Jats and organized a rebellion against the Sood Emperor. After great turmoil and bloodshed this rebellion was initially crushed, but later Mohamad Bin Quasim invaded India whilst Dhar was the King. Soods fought fiercely using guerilla warfare, and re-established control of Amarkot under Rana Hameer in 1143 AD.
After the defeat of Humayun by Sher Shah Suri, who was chased out of Delhi to take refuge in Amar Kot with Rana Rai Prashad Sood. This incident is recorded in Tazok-e-Humanyun. It was here that the famous Prince Akbar was born. Humayun was escorted to Kabul from where he later recaptured the throne of Delhi. He invited Rana Rai Prashad Sood to Delhi and honored him. Akbar was the next Emperor; he held high regard for Sood Kings and never came into direct conflict with them. It was only when Dewan Hari Singh Sood assisted Chittor against the forces of Akbar that Amar Kot was attacked with the help of Baluch and Bahawalpur forces and lost. Soods scattered to various parts of Sindh, Marwar and Rajasthan. Rana Chagga went to Chittor and was given a 'Jaghir' known as Soodgarh which was later known as Sirhind. Amarkot was later recaptured by the son of Rana Jagga.
Soods displaced in Sirhind had their first difficulty in attempting to marry their sons and daughter to the royal Rajput families. Their customs, dress and ornaments were different from those of other Hindus of that area. There were signs of bravery on their faces and they mostly took royal estate on contract. They began to be subdivided into various sub-castes and started intermarrying. Originally, there were 52 sub-castes of Soods, who derived their names either from the Raja, Kingdom or village they hailed from. Soods were invariably rich and successful, and they were known for not publicizing the marriages of their children. Boys always inherited both their mother's and father's property. All Soods gave 10 Rupees and 10 bricks each to the couple at their marriage. Soods always, therefore, lived in brick-built houses.
When Raja Man Singh Kachwaha was appointed Governor of Kabul by the Mogul Emperor, he visited Sirhind and soon five thousand Soods armed as Sikh warriors accompanied Raja Man Singh to defeat the Pathans. Upon return, the Soods were appointed Governors in Lahore, Agra and Pak Pattan.
Ahmed Shah Abdali invaded India seven times. Each time Sirhind was the target, as it was an important trade centre on the strategic route to Delhi. It was attacked so many times that it was known as "the cursed city". Disgusted with the constant plunder and instability, Soods began migrating to the mountainous regions, and created further separate 52 sub-castes, usually named after the villages they settled in. Therefore there is a large concentration of Soods in the Shimla region today.
During the time of the Moghul Rulers, two brave sons of Guru Gobind Singh were buried alive in a wall. The Hindu population of Sirhind at that time consisted of many Soods, and all the land belonged to the rulers. Soods of Sirhind purchased land at exorbitant prices by collecting gold nuggets to cremate the brave sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh. After this was discovered, Soods had to flee from Sirhind. Sikhs helped evacuating Soods back to their own villages in Punjab to escape the Moghul atrocities and pillage. Later some of the sub-castes of Soods came under influence of Sri Guru Gobind Sing, and adopted Sikhism as their religion. But they still followed their Rajpoot traditions.
Soods then adopted whatever profession they could, in order to earn a living. Some took to agriculture, money-lending and estate management. By this time, the Moghul rule was on its last legs, and the British arrived in India. In various books Soods are entitled Kshatriya, as they have been defenders for their country India.
Around 1886, some Soods ventured abroad and left for East Africa. In early 1900 many Sood families made their homes in East Africa and other parts of the world. They made a major contribution in the administration and building of East Africa together with the British.
Jallianwala Bagh episode, in 1919 is notable, since Dr. Gurubux Rai Sood presided over the meeting as he was the chief organizer. During the British massacre by General Dawyer, many Soods gave their lives. The partition of India in 1947 saw another displacement of Soods.
Some people of other castes also sometimes use the name Sood to improve their social status.
Creation of subcastes
Sub-castes of Sood communities of the Plains, and their sacred places or Jatheras (listed by the location of the sacred place)
1. Burnwal
2. Baurie
3. Balgan
4. Berry/Beri
5. Badhoo
6. Bharak
7. Bodhi
8. Bhokhi
9. Behal
10. Brahmi
11. Bhola
12. Dosaj
13. Dhanda
14. Dhati
15. Dhiri
16. Dhookhi
17. Daddan
18. Dhaunchak
19. Deli
20. Dogar
21. Dhoop
22. Gandel
23. Gajri in Noormahal
24. Gopal
25. Gajjey
26. Jari
27. Janpal
28. Kajley
29. Khurpay
30. Lav or lau
31. Mohindra
32. Momman
33. Mohni
34. Mukand
35. Mandal-Jathere for Mandal is located at Village SANGOWAL SOODEN District LUDHIANA Punjab (Landmark Village situated At sidhwan canal 8 k.m. from Ludhiana City)
36. Mahiyar or Mayor
37. Makaurey
38. Nandoo
39. Nehra
40. Phassi
41. Parwaha
42. Paal
43. Poora
44. Phakka
45. Rora
46. Rodher
47. Rohnir
48. Sulhan
49. Sanwal
50. Tagaley
51. Teji
52. Ugal-Virk or Virk
53. Udhar
54. Phakay
Sub-castes of Sood communities of hill areas and their sacred places or Jatheras (listed by the location of the sacred place)
1 Banta Bohan Jawalaji Rani Tal Road
2 Basohal
3 Bhagley
4 Bhagra Lohara Mubarikpur-Kurloohi-Kinnoo Bharwain Road
5 Bajwaria
6 Basalia
7 Butail
8 Chakaseday
9 Chamib
10 Chaujar
11 Chaukand
12 Cheema or Cheemray Nakroh Mubarikpur, Daulatpur Road
13 Chehray
14 Chimra
15 Chonolia
16 Chub
17 Dhopal
18 Dhophmal
19 Doddal
20 Dogan
21 Dogar Ambota Gagret- Daulatpur Road
22 Dunyal
23 Gach
24 Haraloo Kharar Achharwal Mahilpur-Kotfatuhi Road
25 Indoria
26 Jandrangloo
27 Jehalghat
28 Jullundray
29 Kalandar
30 Kandal
31 Karol Gummer Jawalaji- Rani Tal Road
32 Kataway
33 Kaunsal
34 Kuthiala Garli Garli Khad - ke- Par
35 Lahespar
36 Lakhanty
37 Lamsay Jaijon Jaijon-Santokhgarh Road, 2 km. from Jaijon
38 Langey
39 Laserday
40 Ling
41 Mahdodia, Mehdodia Bal Khalsa Una- Pirnagaha Road
42 Mand
43 Mangwalich
44 Maria
45 Mehtay
46 Mithey or Mithoo Chandpur 8 km. from Jaijon
47 Nehdal
48 Panbalia
49 Paptopay (Paway) Babu Nath Shah Village Purmandal 25 km. from Samba (Jammu)
50 Phagdey
51 Pnalkolia
52 Sah
53 Sahloria
54 Saluria Behdala Una- Nangal Road
55 Saraup
56 Sawali
57 Shall
58 Takalo
[Source: "Glimpses of Sood History and Sub Castes of Sood Community" from the Sood Sabha magazine, published by Sood Sabha, Hoshiarpur.]

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