Ancient Jat Kingdoms
The [[Jat people]] of [[India]] had many kingdoms in ancient times.
=== Jat rulers in Kaikan ===
[[Kaikan]] was a province in [[Sind]]. Kikania is the name of a mountain. When the Arab invaders first time came to Kaikan mountains, the Jats repelled them. K.R.Kanungo<ref>K.R.Qanungo, History of the Jats, Ed. dr Vir Singh, 2003, p.17</ref> writes that when [[Muhammad bin Qasim]] invaded [[Sind]], Kaikan Country Was in independent possession of Jats. The country of Kaikan was supposed to be in south-eastern [[Afghanistan]] <ref>Elliot, I, 383</ref>, which was conquered from Jats by the Arab general Amran Bin Musa in the reign of the Khalifa Al-Mutasim-bi-llah, ([[833]]-[[881]] AD)<ref>Elliot, I, 448</ref>. During the same reign another expedition was sent against the Jats who had seized upon the roads of [[Hajar]] (?)...and spread terror over the roads and planted posts in all directions towards the desert. They were overcome after a bloody conflict of twenty five days. 27000 of them were led in captivity to grace the triumph of victor. It was a custom among these people to blow their horns when Marshalled for battle.<ref>Elliot, II, 247</ref>, <ref name=" Thakur Deshraj "> Thakur Deshraj, Jat Itihas (Hindi), Maharaja Suraj Mal Smarak Shiksha Sansthan, Delhi, 1934, 2nd edition 1992 page 702. </ref>,<ref>Sindh Ka itihas, p.30</ref> H.C.Verma wrote <ref> H.C.Verma : Mediewal History [Part-1][Delhi University Publication</ref> that the Jats of Kikkan fought very bravely and defeated the Arabs very badly again & again.So Arab could not attack on India by Kikkan route.
=== Panwar rulers in Omarkot ===
[[Umerkot]] or Omarkot (Urdu: عمرکوٹ) is town in the province of [[Sindh]], Pakistan. It is also referred to as Amar Kot as per old histories, "Amar Kot Itehas" by Tej Singh Solanki. Once, it has been Capital of Greater Sindh Province, including some parts of present [[Rajasthan]] state of India. According to [[Thakur Deshraj]], [[Panwar]] clan Jats were rulers here prior to Mughal ruler [[Humayun]]. Jame Todd tells it to be a Rajput state confusing Panwar with Rajputs, but it was denied by [[Cunningham]], who wrote it to be a [[Panwar]] Jat state referring to the author of '[[Humayun Nama]]'. <ref>Memoirs of Humayun, p. 45</ref>, <ref>[[Tahkur Deshraj]], Jat Itihas, p.705</ref>
=== Other Jat rulers in Sind ===
[[Thakur Deshraj]] mentions about rule of other Jat named Chandra Ram of [[Hala]] clan. He was ruler of [[Susthan]] but he lost it to [[Muslim]]s. He wandered for some time but later he attacked the fort and occupied it. When [[Muhammad bin Qasim]] learnt it he sent 1000 sawar and 2000 footsoldiers to suppress Chandra Ram. He fought bravely but killed. His state was known as Halakhandi.<ref name=" Thakur Deshraj "> Thakur Deshraj, Jat Itihas (Hindi), Maharaja Suraj Mal Smarak Shiksha Sansthan, Delhi, 1934, 2nd edition 1992 page 702. </ref>,<ref>Sindh Ka itihas, p.30</ref>
=== Maharaja Shalinder ===
After the fall of [[Kushan Empire]] country was divided in to small states. There is no information of any important Jat state in a period of two centuries following [[Kushan]] rule. In the beginning of [[fifth century]] we find Jat ruler [[Maharaja Shalinder]] with his rule extending from [[Punjab region|Punjab]] to [[Malwa]] and [[Rajasthan]]. This is proved from the Pali inscription obtained from village [[Kanwas]] in [[Kota]] state in year [[1820]] AD. We get following information from this inscription: <ref>Thakur Deshraj, Jat Itihas, p.208-211</ref>
Shalinder was the ruler [[Shalpur]], known in the present by the name [[Sialkot]]. He established this state on his own power, which indicates that he was a monarch emerged from chieftain ship of a [[republic]] state. He had a powerful army full of strong warriors amongst whom he felt proud of glory of his caste. He had many small states under him and a rich treasury. He was a [[Kashyap]]vanshi ([[Suryavanshi]]) [[Taxak]] clan Jat. He had left [[Buddhism]] and adopted puranic religion and started vedic culture like performing yagyas etc. <ref>Thakur Deshraj, Jat Itihas, p.208-211</ref>
He married with a lady of other caste as he has been mentioned as having a ''dogla'' issue from him. His descendant Degali had married with daughters of [[Yaduvanshi]]. One of these queens gave birth to Veer Narendra. The chronology derived from this inscription is as under: 1. Maharaja Shalinder, 2. Dogla, 3. Sambuk, 4. Degali, 5. Veer Narendra 6. Veerchandra 7. Shalichandra
In samvat 597 ([[540]] AD) a temple was built on the bank of river [[Taveli]] in [[Kota]] state and a close relative of Jit Shalinder had written the inscription. Probably the writer of the inscription was [[Shalichandra]] (son of [[Veerchandra]] and grandson of [[Veer Narendra]]), who left Shalivahanpur in samvat 597 (540 AD) due to attack of [[Hun]]s and came to [[Malwa]]. Maharaja Shalinder had probably sought the help of his own clan ruler Maharaja [[Yasodharman]] of [[Malwa]]. In the first attempt of combined Jat power, they defeated Huns and repulsed them from Punjab which is clear from the Chandra’s grammar ‘Ajaya jarto Hunan’. <ref>Thakur Deshraj, Jat Itihas, p.208-211</ref>
=== Kartik Jat ruler of Bundi ===
[[James Todd]] obtained a [[Pali]] inscription about Jit or Jat tribe at village Ramchandrapura 3 ''kos'' (6 miles) east of [[Bundi]] state, which he sent to [[Asiatic Society London]]. The inscription reveals that there was a king [[Thot]] born in [[Uti vansha]]. His son was Raja Chandrasain, a powerful and beloved of his subject. The son of Chandrasain was Kartik, renowned for his prowess. His wife was Gunaniwas, who gave birth to two sons Mukund and Daruk. Daruk produced son named Kuhal. Kuhal produced son named Dhunak, who achieved great works. He had war with Hill [[Meena]]s tribes and defeated and destroyed them. He along with his brother Dok worshipped gods and brahmanas. They founded a temple. Kuhal had founded this temple and a Maheshwar temple in east. The popularity of this was spread by [[Achal]] son of Mahabali [[Maharaja Yashovarma]]. <ref>James Todd, Appedix 1], [Thakur Deshraj, Jat Itihas, p.588-589</ref>
The period of war of this dynasty with pahari Meenas is difficult to asses. If we assume that Jat ruler Kartik had war with [[Menander I|Menander]] then the period of this comes about [[150 BC]]. Menander had attacked areas up to [[Chittor]]. It is very likely that Kartik had a war with Menander. This way the period of his descendant becomes the [[first century]]. If we look into the period of Achal who made this temple popular it comes around third or [[fourth century]] or beyond it, as ruler [[Yashovarman]] was in [[Maukhari]] vansha in [[eighth century]] in [[Kannauj]]. He had sent a delegation to [[China]] in [[731]] AD. <ref>Bharat Ke Prachin Rajvansh, II</ref> Lack of records and history prior to [[sixth century]] prevents prom determining the exact period of the rule of Kartik and his descendants. According to [[Thakur Deshraj]], We can presume their rule from fourth to [[sixth century]]. <ref>Thakur Deshraj, Jat Itihas, p.589-590</ref>
=== Jat republics in Rajasthan ===
'''Jat republics in [[Jangladesh]]'''
'''[[Jangladesh]]''' was the name of a region of northern [[Rajasthan]] state in India. It included the present-day districts of [[Bikaner]], [[Churu]], [[Ganganagar]], and [[Hanumangarh]]. These districts are predominant districts of the [[Jats]]. It corresponds to the former princely state of [[Bikaner]], which was founded in the 15th century and persisted until shortly after India's Independence in 1947. The principal towns of Jangladesh at present are [[Bikaner]], [[Churu]], [[Rajgarh]], [[Ratangarh]] and [[Reni]].
According to [[James Todd]] as mentioned in his book "Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan (1829)" the Jangladesh region was inhabited by [[Jats]], who had for ages been established in these arid abodes,<ref>''Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan''. (1829-1832) [[James Tod]] and William Crooke, Reprint: Low Price Publications, Delhi (1990), Vol.II, Appendix. p. 1126.</ref> prior to Bika Rathor annexed these small republics. At every stage of invasion to India the foreign invaders had to encounter with the Jats of this region. At what period the Jats established themselves in the Indian desert is not known. By the 4th century they had spread up to [[Punjab region|Punjab]] in India.
The north-eastern and north-western [[Rajasthan]], known by the name [[Jangladesh]] in ancient times, was inhabited by Jat clans ruled by their own chiefs and largely governed by their own customary law. <ref>Dashrath Sharma, Rajasthan through the ages, Jodhpur, 1966, Vol.I, p. 287-288</ref> Whole of the region was possessed by six or seven cantons namely [[Punia]], [[Godara]], [[Saran]], [[Sihag]], [[Beniwal]], [[Johiya]]<ref>James Todd, Annals and Antiquities, Vol.II, p. 1126=27</ref> and [[Kaswan]]<ref>Ibid., Seventh clan of Jats</ref>. Besides these cantons there were several sub-castes of Jats, simultaneously wrested from Rajput proprietors for instance Bagor, Kharipatta, Mohila or Mehila,<ref>James Todd, Annals and Antiquities, Vol.II, p. 1126=27</ref> [[Bhukar]], [[Bhadu]], [[Chahar (clan)|Chahar]]. <ref>Thakur Deshraj, Jat Itihas, Delhi, 2002, p. 269-285</ref> According to History of Bikaner State and by the scholars, the region was occupied by Jats with their seven territories. It is said about Jat territories that ''Saat Patti Sattavan Majh'' (means seven long and fifty-seven small territories).<ref>G.S.L.Devra, op. cit., Cf. Dayaldas ri Khyat, Part II, p. 7-10</ref> Following are the main clans and their heads with capital and number of villages in each territory.<ref>Jibraeil: "Position of Jats in Churu Region", The Jats - Vol. II, Ed Dr Vir Singh, Delhi, 2006, p. 222</ref>, <ref>Dr Brahma Ram Chaudhary: The Jats - Vol. II, Ed Dr Vir Singh, Delhi, 2006, p. 250</ref>
'''Table of Jat republics in Jangladesh:'''
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"; border="5"
! S.No. !! Name of janapada !! Name of chieftain !! No. of villages !! Capital !! Names of districts
|-
| 1. || [[Punia]] || Kanha || 300 || [[Luddi]] ||[[Bhadra]], [[Ajitpur]], [[Sidhmukh]], [[Rajgarh]], [[Dadrewa]], [[Sankhoo]]
|-
| 2. || [[Beniwal]] || Raisal || 150 || [[Raisalana]] ||[[Bhukarkho]], [[Sanduri]], [[Manoharpur]], [[Kooi]], [[Bae]]
|-
| 3.|| [[Johiya]] || Sher Singh|| 600 || Bhurupal ||[[Jaitpur]], [[Kumanu]], [[Mahajan]], [[Peepasar]], [[Udasar]]
|-
| 4. || [[Sihag]] || Chokha || 150 || [[Suin]] ||[[Rawatsar]], [[Biramsar]], [[Dandusar]], [[Gandaisi]]
|-
| 5. || [[Saharan]] || Pula || 300 || [[Bhadang]] ||[[Khejra]], [[Phog]], [[Buchawas]], [[Sui]], [[Badnu]], [[Sirsila]]
|-
| 6. || [[Godara]]|| Pandu || 700 || [[Shekhsar]] || [[Shekhsar]], [[Pundrasar]], [[Gusainsar]] (Bada), [[Gharsisir]], [[Garibdesar]], [[Rungaysar]], [[Kalu]]
|-
| 7. || [[Kaswan]] || Kanwarpal|| 360 ||[[Sidhmukh]] ||
|}
According to [[James Todd]], during the period of Rathor domination ("intermediate between Timur's and Babur's invasion of India", i.e. sometime between 1398 and 1526) out of total 2670 villages in the Jangladesh, 2200 villages were under the rule of [[Jats]].<ref>''Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan''. (1829-1832) [[James Tod]] and William Crooke, Reprint: Low Price Publications, Delhi (1990), Vol.II, Appendix. pp. 1126-1127.</ref> Each canton bore the name of the community, and was subdivided into districts. After [[Chauhan]]s, Jats completely established their supremacy and hold over administration in their own traditional fashion, which continued till the conquest of the region by Rathores.<ref>Ibid., p.103</ref> The Jats claimed their right over the land which was under their possession, before the Rathores occupied it and this claim was inherited by their descendants, who used to divide the land among themselves for cultivation. It appears probable that in the early period of their conquest the Rathores could not exercise any definite claim on the land as landlords. However, it was possible only in the 17th century, <ref>Ibid, p.203</ref> due to internal rivalries among Jats, primarily [[Godara]]s surrendered, later on all Jat clans accepted Rathor's suzerainty.<ref>G.S.L. Devra, op. cit., 7-8, Cf. Dayaldas ri Khyat, part 2, p. 4-5</ref>, <ref>Jibraeil: "Position of Jats in Churu Region", The Jats - Vol. II, Ed Dr Vir Singh, Delhi, 2006, p. 223</ref>
'''Other republics in Jangladesh'''
*[[Bhadu]] - Bhadus were rulers in [[Jangladesh]] where they established an important city [[Bhadra]]. Samantraj was a popular ruler of Bhadus. Bhadus had a war with '[[Bhagore]]' people and after capturing it they moved to [[Marwar]] area. Bhadus also occupied many villages in [[Ajmer-Merwara]].<ref>[[Thakur Deshraj]]: Jat Itihas (Hindi), Delhi, 1934, p. 597</ref>
*[[Bhati]] - Jat Bhatis ruled [[Bhatner]], presently [[Hanumangarh]], and [[Bhatinda]]. Bhatner was historically important because it was situated on route of invaders from Central Asia to India. <ref>[[Thakur Deshraj]]: Jat Itihas (Hindi), Delhi, 1934, p. 601</ref>
*[[Bhukar]] - Bhukars were initially settled at [[Sambhar]] in [[Rajasthan]]. They were the rulers in this area and their ruling method was that of 'Bhomia-chor'. [[Gothra Bhukaran]] was their capital.
*[[Chahar (clan)|Chahar]] - In the [[thirteenth century]], a Chahar Jat, [[Raja Maldeo]] ruled at [[Sidhmukh]] in [[Jangladesh]].
*[[Jakhar]] - The king of the Jakhar clan, Jakhbhadra, settled in [[Jangladesh]] and made his capital at [[Reni, Rajasthan|Reni]] (modern-day [[Taranagar]]). <ref name=" [[Thakur Deshraj]] "> [[Thakur Deshraj]], Jat Itihas (Hindi), Maharaja Suraj Mal Smarak Shiksha Sansthan, Delhi, 1934, 2nd edition 1992 page 594-95. </ref> At a later date, the Jakhars established a kingdom, the ruins of which are found at [[Madhauli]], which was in the princely state of [[Jaipur]]. <ref name=" [[Thakur Deshraj]] "> [[Thakur Deshraj]], Jat Itihas (Hindi), Maharaja Suraj Mal Smarak Shiksha Sansthan, Delhi, 1934, 2nd edition 1992 page 594-95. </ref>
*[[Sangwan]] - The Sangwan jats ruled at Sarsu in Jangladesh region of Rajasthan in 8th to 10th century.
*[[Sahu (clan)|Sahu]] - They have been the rulers of a small republic in [[Jangladesh]]. Their capital was at village Dhansia, situated at a distance of 65 km in northwest of [[Churu]] town. <ref>Dr Mahendra Singh Arya, [[Dharmpal Singh Dudee]], Kishan Singh Faujdar & Vijendra Singh Narwar: Ādhunik Jat Itihasa (The modern history of Jats), Agra 1998, p.282 </ref>There were 84 villages in their territory.<ref>GSL Devra, op. cit., Cf. Dayaldas ri Khyat, Part II, pp. 7-10</ref>, <ref>Jibraeil: "Position of Jats in Churu Region", The Jats - Vol. II, Ed Dr Vir Singh, Delhi, 2006, p. 222</ref>
'''Jat republics in Marwar'''
*[[Dhaulya]]
*[[Dudi]]
*[[Gaina]]
*[[Jewlia]]
*[[Karwasra]]
*[[Kulhari]]
*[[Moond]]
'''Jat republics in Matsya region'''
*[[Katewa]]
*[[Khoja (clan)|Khoja]]
*[[Vijayrania]] - Mentioned as [[Varetatae]] people of [[Greek language]] by [[Megasthenes]] were rulers in [[Khandela]]wati. Vijayranias founded a village called 'Vijarna' in [[1078]] and constructed a fort at '[[Ladhana]]' in [[1178]]. One chieftain Jagsingh of this clan founded his rule in [[Palsana]] of [[Shekhawati]] region in year [[1255]].
'''Jat republics in southern Rajasthan'''
*[[Jatrana]] - This is an ancient gotra. According to [[Kautilya]] they fought against [[Alexander the Great]]. According to [[Alberuni]] this hilly place called [[Chittor]] ( Jattaur) was the capital of the Jatrana clan. They call themselves descendants of [[Tur]].
*[[Gora (clan)|Gora]] - In ancient times ruled in [[Ajmer-Merwara]], [[Mewar]], and [[Bundi]]-[[Sirohi]] areas in [[Rajasthan]]. They are descendants of [[Pingala]] [[Nagavanshi]]. <ref>Dr Mahendra Singh Arya, Dharmpal Singh Dudi, Kishan Singh Faujdar & Vijendra Singh Narwar: Ādhunik Jat Itihasa (The modern history of Jats), Agra 1998, Page 237 </ref>
*[[Ranthambore]] - It was founded by Ran Mal Jat, by putting a stambh (pillar) at the location of present Ranthambore. He challenged the neighbouring rulers for battle. The area around Ranthambore was ruled by [[Gora]] and [[Nagil]] jats till two centuries prior to the rule of [[Prithvi Raj Chauhan]].<ref>[[Thakur Deshraj]] : Jat - Itihas, 1934, p. 593</ref>
* [[Sheoran]] - A branch of [[Shivi]] Jats ruled in [[Malwa]] and [[Rajasthan]].
* [[Chandlai]] - A small republic founded by Jat chieftain 'Chandla'. He got constructed a pucca pond near the village in the name of her daughter ‘Bhala’ and put an inscription on it on baisakh sudi 15 samvat 1027 ([[970]] AD). Chandla was ruler of [[Tonk]] at that time. <ref>[[Thakur Deshraj]]: Jat Itihas (Hindi), Maharaja Suraj Mal Smarak Shiksha Sansthan, Delhi, 1934, p.603-604</ref>,<ref>Rajasthan Sandesh, Year 1, Vol 2</ref>
=== Jat republics in United province ===
*[[Garhwal (clan)|Garhwal]] - the rulers of [[Garhmukteshwar]]
*[[Kaliramna]] - A king of this gotra was the ruler near [[Mathura]], on the banks of [[Yamuna River]]. The ancient fort of Kaliramna is in ruins near Mathura. His fort was known as fort of Kalidheh.
*[[Khirwar]] - ''Raja Khir'' was the son of ''Aniruddha'', the grandson of [[Sri Krishna]]. Khirwars are the descendants of Raja Khir. Khirwar Jats were the rulers of the [[Brij]] area of Uttar Pradesh. From here they moved to [[Madhya Pradesh]], where they occupied good land for cultivation on the banks of the [[Narmada River|Narmada]] and founded the city of [[Narsinghpur]] in Madhya Pradesh where they ruled for a long period.
* [[Nauhwar]] - Rulers in ancient times at Noh lake area near [[Mathura]].
* [[Koīl]] - In the ancient times the people of [[Kampilya]] were later known as Koil. The Koīl people came from Kampilya and founded the city known as Kampilgarh, situated south east of [[Ganges]]. The town of Kampilgarh later became popular as Koil which is now [[Aligarh]].
*[[Hala (clan)|Hala]]
*[[Kuntal]]
*[[Pachar]]
*[[Thenua]]
*[[Thakurele]] - [Aligarh,In 18th century they defeat the Hada Rajputs & have a strong hold on Khair,Inglash tahsil]
=== Jat republics in [[Malwa]] ===
*[[Malwa]]
**[[Harshavardhana]]
**[[Shiladitya]]
**[[Singhavarma]]
**[[Vishnuvardhan]]
**[[Yasodharman]]
=== Jats in the pre-Aurangzeb period ===
{{main|Jats in the pre-Aurangzeb period}}
We do not have the means to form an accurate and comprehensive view of their past, from the early medieval times to commencement of the reign of [[Aurangzeb]] when their brethren of [[Mathura]] and Bharatpur step by step rose to political prominence. Our sources contain incidental and meager information about the Jats. <ref>G.C.Dwivedi, The Jats, Their role in the Mughal Empire, Ed. Dr Vir Singh, Delhi, 2003, p. 7</ref>
The lack of any systematic and complete history from the Jat side causes difficulties. The non-Jat sources do provide facts about the Jat activities. The sources consulted include such as Majmal-ut-Tawarikh, Tabkai-i-Akbari, Kamil-ut-Tawarikh, Tarikh-us-Subuktigin, Malfuzat-i-Timuri, ''[[Tarikh-i-Sher Shahi]]'' etc.
The history of pre-Aurangzeb period reveals that they (the Jats) have shown in all times – whether against Sultan [[Mahmud of Ghazni]], or against [[Nadir Shah]] and [[Ahmad Shah Abdali]] – the same propensity to fall upon the rear of a retreating army undeterred by the heaviest odds, or the terror-inspiring fame of great conquerors. When encountered they showed the same obstinate and steady courage unmindful of the carnage on the field or of the miseries that were in store for them after defeat". <ref>Qanungo, Jats,30</ref>, <ref>G.C.Dwivedi, The Jats, Their role in the Mughal Empire, Ed. Dr Vir Singh, Delhi, 2003, p.11-12</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Jat]]
[[Category:History of India]]