Chattar
Chattar,Chhatari,Chattur, or Chatri is the mother caste of suryavanshi Rajputs which originated from Rajputana in Rajasthan. Chattaris belong to the military and ruling order of the traditional Vedic-Hindu social system as outlined by the Vedas. According to Vedas "Chattaris are the sacred warriors who save the people from wounds by sustaining wounds themselves".They are Kshatriyas and are placed second to Brahmins in the Varna. Chattar has many subcastes and Gotras.Most commonly the subcastes are known by the subcaste title,not by their mother caste for example Chattaris of Jammu region are commonly classified as Dogra Rajputs.Some of the Chattaris after embracing Islam use the title of Sheikh or Malik while some use Raja.The names of many places in India,Pakistan and Kashmir is Chattar which represents the Chattri ruler of the area.
Distribution
Places in Pakistan and Kashmir
Pir Chattar,Mool Chattar Doda Kashmir,Chattar plain,Chattar Judicial Town islamabad,Chattar Park,Chattar class,Chattar Domel,Upper Chattar,Lower Chattar,Bun Chattar,Chattro,Chattan etc.
Places in India
Chittor,Chittorgarh,Chattissgar,Chattar Manzil,Chattarpur,Kot Chattar etc.
References
- Castes and Tribes of India by Edgar Thurston
- Castes and Tribes of Southern India By Edgar Thurston,K.Rangachari page 240
- Handbook on Rajputs by A.H Bingley
- Tawreekh Aqwam-e-Kashmir by Mohammad Din Folk
- Tribes and Castes of the central Provinces of India by R.V Russel and R.B.H Lai page 411.