Arkavansham

(Suryavansham,Arkavansham or Solar dynasty)is a mythological dynasty of Āryāvarta.The term Arkavanshi (meaning"arka"in Sanskrit is"Surya") refers to a person belonging to Suryvanshi dynasty.Arka" form is worshiped mostly in North India and Eastern parts of India. The temples dedicated to the "Arka" form of Surya are Konarka Temple in Orissa, Uttararka and Lolarka in Uttar Pradesh,There was an old sun temple in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh named Balarka Surya Mandir, built by Maharaja Tilokchand Arkawanshi in early 10th century AD which was destroyed in the 14th century during the Turkish invasions.The founder of suryavansh manu is also known as "Arka Tanay"or son of Arka (Surya).Maharaja Ikshvaku's clan was also known as("Aadikul आदिकुल") Whole of which are as pure and virtuous.The dynasty is also known as the Ikshvaku dynasty.

Genology Of Suryavanshi (Arkavanshi)

"Arka"form clan

The Arakh or Arkawanshis are an ancient kshatriya clan of Indian origin who at one time ruled large areas of Awadh. The heroes of the Arakh clan include sun-worshipper Maharaja Tilok Chand Arkavanshi (who captured the throne of Delhi in 918 AD by defeating king Vikrampal), Salhia Singh Arkavanshi (who established the town of Sandila), Malhia Singh Arkavanshi (who established the town of Malhiabad) and Maharaja Khadagsen Arkavanshi (who established Khaga town in Fatehpur district of Uttar Pradesh).

Historical Background

In ancient time, the Arakh held sway over large areas of Awadh such as Malihabad, Datli, Sandila, Khaga, Ayah (in Fatehpur district), Sarh-Salempur (in Kanpur), Padri (in Unnao), Arkha estate (in Rae Bareilly), parts of Allahabad (around Singrur), Bahraich, etc.

It is said that at one time Arakh were so powerful that they performed Dashashwamegha yajnas (the horse sacrifices performed by kshatriyas to prove their dominance) in the Aryawarta and no contemporary king dared to challenge their authority. The ruins of a fort of Arakh at Ayah (in Fatehpur district of Uttar Pradesh) seem to narrate the story of their glorious past.

Origin

Arakh are one of the ancient-most kshatriya tribes of Indian origin. They claim their descent from ancient Suryawanshi kshatriya clan to which Lord Rama belonged. 'Arakh' is said to be the distorted form of 'Arka' 'अर्क' (a Sanskrit word meaning sun). 'Arkawanshi' (अर्कवंशी) is a synonym of 'Suryawanshi'. Thus a clan of Suryawanshis was also called as 'Arkawanshi'. The founder of Suryavansha Vaivasvat Manu was also known 'Arka Tanaya' (अर्क तनय) meaning 'the son of Arka'. 'Arkawanshi' became 'Arka' (अर्क) and later 'Arak' (अरक) and 'Arakh' (अरख) in locally spoken dialects. Arakh have been the worshipper of sun god (Lord Arka-अर्क) and Lord Shiva. Arkawanshis also have different sub-clans as Khangars, Gauds, Bachhals and Adhiraj. Other kshatriya clans related to Arkawanshis are Pratihara (Parihar), Raghuwanshi, Gohil, Guhilots, Sisaudwansh, Khadagwansh, etc.

One of the Shiv-worshiping sub-clans of Arkawanshi kshatriyas was also known as Bhaarshiva kshatriyas भारशिव क्षत्रिय in ancient times. They were brave kshatriyas who ruled large parts of North India and Central India during a period known as "Dark age" (as no recorded history of India during that period is available except Puranic and Buddhist literature). When Kushan tribals attacked and occupied Varanasi, the Bhaarshiv warriors drove them off the Holy land and performed 'Ashwamegha Yajnas' (symbolic rituals performed by Kshatriyas after victory in battlefield). Bhaarshivas were known so because they carried the weight (भार) of Shiva (शिव) in the form of 'linga' round their necks. Thus those Arkawanshi kshatriyas who carried the weight (in Hindi-'भार') of Shiva (शिव) came to be known as Bhaarshiv (भारशिव = भार (weight) + शिव (Shiva)).The Bharshiv kshatriyas were one of most powerful ruling clans of their times. They had matrimonial relationships with almost all the contemporary Royal families of India including Vakataka (वाकटक) rulers.Vakataka ruler Vindhyashakti was belonged vishnuvridhi (विष्णुवृद्धि) gotra brahman.

Maharaja Tilok Chand Arkavanshi

Maharaja Tilok Chand Arkawanshi was a brave and ambitious ruler. In 918 AD, he led a powerful army against king Vikrampal of Delhi and after defeating him, took control of Delhi. Subsequently, nine generations of Maharaja Tilok Chand ruled over Delhi. In 1093 AD Maharani Bhimadevi, the religious-minded widow of Govind Chand (who died without an heir), handed over the reins of her empire to her spiritual guru Hargovind.

The empire of Maharaja Tilok Chand comprised areas of Delhi and large parts of Awadh including its mountainous areas. Maharaja Tilok Chand Arkawanshi was a worshipper of sun-god (Arka) like his fore-fathers. He built a large sun-temple named Balarka temple in Bahraich, which was later destroyed by the Turkish invaders.

Maharaja Khadag Sen Arkavanshi

The town of Khaga is said to have been established by a brave ruler belonging to the martial Arka or Suryavanshi clan, named Maharaja Khadagsen (also referred to as Khadag Singh). Maharaja Khadagsen Was The Son Of Maharaja Dalpatsen . Maharaja Dalpatsen Belongs to Raja Kanaksen Family And Raja Kanaksen Was a Bloodline Of Raja Kush . And Raja Kush Was The Son Of Lord Ram . The Arka or Suryavanshi who ruled doaba region post Gupta period, came to control large parts of Fatehpur district(including Ayah and Khaga) and parts of Allahabad region under Khadagsen's rule. It is also said that Suryavanshi kshatriya (also referred to as 'Arkawanshi' अर्कवंशी) rulers conducted Dashashwamegha yajnas (Horse sacrifices) in the doab region (area between Ganges and Yamuna) to prove their supremacy. Their power decayed with the rise of competing powers in the form of other kshatriyas and Rajputs. Fort was situated near Kukri kukra lake but is now in ruins, however many people say that there was a fort there. Many stories about Maharaja Khadagsen were destroyed during the British Raj, or by singrour Ruler Dariyao Singh.

Two Brothers Saga Of War

Since then, the saga begins when Duo brothers of belonged to martial Arkavanshi clan Maharaja Malhia Singh Arkavanshi and Maharaja Salhia Singh Arkavanshi established the two states.The town of Malhiapura (later known as malihabad) was established by Maharajaaja Malhia Arkavanshi, the younger of the brave brother duo, Salhia and Malhia.Maharaja Salhia Singh Arkavanshi established the town of Salhiapura ( later known as sandila ) Maharaja Malhia Singh Arkavanshi made Malihabad a contemporary power and a prosperous town. During his rule, Arkavanshi dominion stretched south of Malihabad to parts of Kakori and Bijnour, and along the left bank of Sai to Sissandi. Arkavanshis held sway over Malihabad and adjoining areas including Datli till 15th century.Sandila thus became the seat of Arkavanshi power in early 13th century and became a flourishing town under Maharaja Salhia Singh Arkavanshi's rule. Arkavanshis held the region till last quarter of the 14th century. In AD 1470 , two brothers of the Gautam tribe, Deva Rai and Naya Rana came as a refugee to Malihabad after being exiled from Argal state of Gautams. After winning over the confidence of the Arkavanshi king, they conspired with Muslims to overthrow Arkavanshis from Malihabad and establish their control.Their efforts paid off when after a prolonged struggle with Arkavanshis, Gautam brothers took over the control of Malihabad. But soon after, they were themselves displaced by the Muslim invadors.when a large army sent by Feroz Shah Tughlaq under his lieutenant Syed Makhdum Alauddin, captured the town and the adjoining areas after a fierce battle with Arkavanshis.The remains of Arkavanshi rule are seen in form of ruined fortresses in the mounds of Garhi Jindor, Malhia garhi, Sahinjana tila, Samad Khera, Datli, Naurang garh (Tarauna), Sandila qila, and many others. After the decline of Arkavanshi power, Sandila came under the rule of Delhi. The folklore of Arakh (also called Arkawanshis ) still sings about the bravery of its heroes, Maharaja Salhia Singh Arkavanshi and Maharaja Malhia Singh Arkavanshi.

Ponds & Temples Built By The Rulers

When Arkavanshi rulers ruled in north,east & central parts of prachin Bharat.They built the kund named Arka-kund (surya kund).Along with Surya Kund construction of temples was built by the kings of this dynasty.The temple occupies an important place in Bahraich named Balarka which is the Sanskrit word (meaning sunrise).The temple was built by Maharaja Tilokchand Arkavanshi the temple at that time was huge and magnificent temple,The temple was dedicated to suryadev (Arkadev).Near the temple there was Arka-kund.The skin disease in which to bathe and used to cure diseases like smallpox.The significance of the kund was too much time in the form of Arka in the temple worship of God was Suryadev.Every year at that location first sunday in the month of (ज्येष्ठ मास) is the third month according to Hindu Panchangam a large fair was organized.By that time it was a religious site for Hindus in Bahraich.But Turkish Muslim invaders in the 14th century when the miracle of the temple heard and saw how the people have faith in the temple he destroy the temple.And the pond was covered with the remains of the temple broken.Then he made up shrine of Muslim invaders.The tomb is the attacker who was killed along with his half-million Crusader army.His death was the hands of Shravasti ruler Maharaja Suheldev Bharshiv,With which the Maharaja Suheldev Bharshiv ( Baisvanshi, Arkavanshi) and the support of the kings of dynasty Bharshiv.This war was fought in 1034 AD The record of what happened in the war of Islam invaders the next 300 years of any Muslim invaders did not dare to invade India.But the temple in 14 AD and a pound was demolished by Turkish invaders.Lucknow has been discovered in the Mahabharata period Suryakund (Arka-kund).Which was erected by the Suryavanshi (Arkavanshi) kings.And its restoration over the LDA (Lucknow Development Authority) has been awarded to.

See also

Ikshvaku

Suryavansha

Raghuvanshi

Bhaarshiva

Nagavanshi

external links

Valmiki Ramayana

References

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