Bachhal
Encyclopedia
Bachal are a clan of Rajput
group in India
. Further, in Pakistan
& Afghanistan
, Bachal or Bachhal (also known as Bachak, Bajal, Buchal) are part of converted Muslim Rajput group. Bachal is also a clan among Jats of Punjab.
. Gogaji according to legend was son of a Chauhan Rajput Ruler named Vacha or Juar, whose wife Bachal was from Tuar clan. Gogaji was born upon blessings given to Queen Bachal by Guru Gorakhnathji. Gogaji was born in Dadrewa
. Early days of Gogaji were spent at village Dadrewa, situated on Hissar-Bikaner Highway in the Churu district
in Rajasthan
. It is said that this region was once ruled by Gogaji. A fair is also held in memory of Gogaji here. These group of Bachal Rajputs, worship Gogaji
, as their Kuldevta
.
According to the story, Bachal was the daughter of king of the Sirsa, Patna, Kunwarpal and Queen Sawal Bachal have three sister Kachal, Aimal and Mhaimal and two brothers Sahja Singh
and Khamba Singh Bachal got married to the son of the Sambhar's king Jewar there were both child less they both serve lots of jogis, but no result of that then Bachal serve to the Gorakhnath and then Gorakhnath gave guggal to him which she gave birth to gogaji some says she ate the guggal and also give it to his friends from which Nila Ghora, Ratan Singh, Bhaju Kotwal, Narsindh Pandey, were born. Further, Kaimkhani group of converted Muslim Rajputs
, also claim descant from Gogaji and worship him as Peer
.
and Pakistan
claim descent from the mythological personage called Raja
Vena of Chandravanshi lineage. It has been suggested that founder of this Bachal claiming to be of Chandravanshi lineage was Raja Bairat of Barkhar in Kheri District, who is believed to have helped Pandava
s during their exile from Hastinapur. It is curious to note that Pharaohs of Egypt
were said to be contemporary of this Raja Bairat. The Bachals of these early times were an enterprising race, who have constructed many canals, traces of which still exist. Their earliest settlements were in Rohilkhand
, where they were dominant until 1174, when the Muslim
s and Katehriya Rajput
s invaded their territory, and dispersed. They then settled in Lakhimpur Kheri District, where the Bachhal ranas
maintained their independence until the rule of the Mughal
Emperor Shahjahan, when the Bachal Ranas were subjected.
, Bachhals are of aboriginal origin and themselves admit to be descendants of a Raj-Bhar
. During, time of Mughal
rule in India, it is said that in a fight twelve Bachal Chiefs were slained, but one of their wives, who was pregnant, managed to escape and from her son descended Chabbi Singh. Chabbi Singh, a robber chief gained some hold at the time of Akbar the Great
and established minor principalities. During 18th century, Bachals lost their former glory and became robbers.
, Sisodia
s, Kachwaha
, Jasawats, Thakar (Tribe)
s who call themselves, Gaurua
are usually referred as Bachal. The origin of Gaurua name is obscure, but it implies impure descant and is merely a generic title. However, it must be noted here that they do not own their name Bachal after Queen Bachal, mother of Gogaji
but after a place called Bachban at Sehi, where their Guru
always reside. They say they emigrated from Chittor 700 to 800 years ago but it is probable their migration took place after Allahudin Khilji's famous siege in 1303 AD. However, as they gave name Ranera to one of their original settlements in Mathura district, there can be little doubt that emigration took place after 1202, when the Ruler of Chittor, themselves assumed the title or Rana instead of old Rawal.
Sehi is a large village in Chhata
Tehsil of Mathura district
in Uttar Pradesh
. Sehi is the centre of a clan of Rajputs who call themselves Bachal from the Bachban grove in the village. The Bachban, however, is now only a grove in name and is accounted one of the hamlets of the town. In it is the temple of Bihari Ji
, whom the Bachals worship, as Kuldevta
. The Gosain, the Brahmin
s, who serve the deity, are the Guru
s of the whole community. Bihariji is another name of Krishna
, who in Mathura is commonly called Bihariji or Banke Bihari after famous Banke Bihari Temple
.
& Afghanistan
as per history. Some sources also mention that they were associated with Batani Buddhists, when they occupied that part of county (present day Afghanistan
& North-Western Pakistan
). Further, Bachak, Bajal, Buchal in this countries refers to Bachal Rajput. They are now a part of converted Muslim Rajput
groups in these countries. They could be either descendant of historical Chandravanshi lineage or Chauhan-Gogaji descant.
, are now found mainly in the districts of Bulandshahr, Mathura, Moradabad
, Shahjahanpur
, Sitapur
and Lakhimpur Kheri
.
Bachal Rajputs, who worship Gogaji
as their Kuldevta
are found in large numbers in Rajasthan
, as well in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh
, etc.
Bachal Jats, are found mainly in Punjab & Haryana
.
Further, converted Bachal Rajputs, known by name of Bachal, Bachak, Bachhal are now a part Muslim Rajput of population of Pakistan
& Afghanistan
.
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
group in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Further, in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
& Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, Bachal or Bachhal (also known as Bachak, Bajal, Buchal) are part of converted Muslim Rajput group. Bachal is also a clan among Jats of Punjab.
Chauhan Bachal
Many Bachal Rajputs are said to get the name from queen Bachal, who was mother of famous folk-deity Jaharveer GogajiGogaji
Gogaji also known as Jahar Veer Gogga is a folk deity of Rajasthan state in India. He is an eminent warrior-hero of the region. He is also venerated as a saint and even as 'snake-god'.- Introduction :He is known as Goga among the Hindus...
. Gogaji according to legend was son of a Chauhan Rajput Ruler named Vacha or Juar, whose wife Bachal was from Tuar clan. Gogaji was born upon blessings given to Queen Bachal by Guru Gorakhnathji. Gogaji was born in Dadrewa
Dadrewa
Dadrewa is a village situated in Churu district of Rajasthan, India. The village is situated on the Hissar-Bikaner Highway in between Sadulpur and Taranagar. It was the ancient capital of Chauhan Rulers. The famous Gogaji Pir, was also born at Dadrewa. This was also ruled by Punias and Kaimkhanis....
. Early days of Gogaji were spent at village Dadrewa, situated on Hissar-Bikaner Highway in the Churu district
Churu district
Churu is a district of Rajasthan state of western India. The town of Churu is the administrative headquarters of the district.Churu lies in the Jangladesh region of northern Rajasthan...
in Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
. It is said that this region was once ruled by Gogaji. A fair is also held in memory of Gogaji here. These group of Bachal Rajputs, worship Gogaji
Gogaji
Gogaji also known as Jahar Veer Gogga is a folk deity of Rajasthan state in India. He is an eminent warrior-hero of the region. He is also venerated as a saint and even as 'snake-god'.- Introduction :He is known as Goga among the Hindus...
, as their Kuldevta
Kuldevta
Kuladevata or Kuladevi, also known as Kuladev and Kŭladaiwat, stands for "family deity, that is either a god or a goddess" within Hinduism, as distinct from personal ishta-devata and village deities...
.
According to the story, Bachal was the daughter of king of the Sirsa, Patna, Kunwarpal and Queen Sawal Bachal have three sister Kachal, Aimal and Mhaimal and two brothers Sahja Singh
Singh
Also see SinhaSingh is a common title, middle name, or surname in Northern India and South India used by sikhs warriors and kings. eg. Man Singh I, Maharana Pratap Singh. It is derived from the Sanskrit word Siṃha meaning "lion and used by Ahir kings of Nepal". It is also used in Sri Lanka by...
and Khamba Singh Bachal got married to the son of the Sambhar's king Jewar there were both child less they both serve lots of jogis, but no result of that then Bachal serve to the Gorakhnath and then Gorakhnath gave guggal to him which she gave birth to gogaji some says she ate the guggal and also give it to his friends from which Nila Ghora, Ratan Singh, Bhaju Kotwal, Narsindh Pandey, were born. Further, Kaimkhani group of converted Muslim Rajputs
Muslim Rajputs
Muslim Rajputs or Musulman Rajputs are Muslims belonging to the Hindu Rajput Kshatriya groups of Indian subcontinent, who converted to Islam.-History:...
, also claim descant from Gogaji and worship him as Peer
Pir (Sufism)
Pir or Peer is a title for a Sufi master equally used in the nath tradition. They are also referred to as a Hazrat or Shaikh, which is Arabic for Old Man. The title is often translated into English as "saint" and could be interpreted as "Elder". In Sufism a Pir's role is to guide and instruct his...
.
Chandravanshi Bachal
According to their traditions, many Bachal Rajput of IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
claim descent from the mythological personage called Raja
Raja
Raja is an Indian term for a monarch, or princely ruler of the Kshatriya varna...
Vena of Chandravanshi lineage. It has been suggested that founder of this Bachal claiming to be of Chandravanshi lineage was Raja Bairat of Barkhar in Kheri District, who is believed to have helped Pandava
Pandava
In the Hindu epic Mahābhārata, the Pandava are the five acknowledged sons of Pandu , by his two wives Kunti and Madri. Their names are Yudhisthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva. Although, Karna is told by Lord Krishna that according to the laws and ethics he is the first son of Kunti making...
s during their exile from Hastinapur. It is curious to note that Pharaohs of Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
were said to be contemporary of this Raja Bairat. The Bachals of these early times were an enterprising race, who have constructed many canals, traces of which still exist. Their earliest settlements were in Rohilkhand
Rohilkhand
Rohilkhand is a region of northwestern Uttar Pradesh state of India.Rohilkhand lies on the upper Ganges alluvial plain and has an area of about 25,000 km²/10,000 square miles...
, where they were dominant until 1174, when the Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
s and Katehriya Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
s invaded their territory, and dispersed. They then settled in Lakhimpur Kheri District, where the Bachhal ranas
Rånäs
Rånäs is a locality situated in Norrtälje Municipality, Stockholm County, Sweden with 449 inhabitants in 2005....
maintained their independence until the rule of the Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
Emperor Shahjahan, when the Bachal Ranas were subjected.
Rajbhar Bachal
A. H. Bingley further explains that in AzamgarhAzamgarh
Azamgarh is a town in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is headquarters of Azamgarh district and Azamgarh Division.-History:Azamgarh, one of the easternmost districts of the State, once formed a part of the ancient Kosala kingdom, except the north-eastern part of it which was included in the...
, Bachhals are of aboriginal origin and themselves admit to be descendants of a Raj-Bhar
Bhar
The Bhar are a Hindu caste found in North India. They are also known as Rajbhar. British historian General Cunningham said that Bhars are branch of the Ahir tribe.-History and origin:...
. During, time of Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
rule in India, it is said that in a fight twelve Bachal Chiefs were slained, but one of their wives, who was pregnant, managed to escape and from her son descended Chabbi Singh. Chabbi Singh, a robber chief gained some hold at the time of Akbar the Great
Akbar the Great
Akbar , also known as Shahanshah Akbar-e-Azam or Akbar the Great , was the third Mughal Emperor. He was of Timurid descent; the son of Emperor Humayun, and the grandson of the Mughal Emperor Zaheeruddin Muhammad Babur, the ruler who founded the Mughal dynasty in India...
and established minor principalities. During 18th century, Bachals lost their former glory and became robbers.
Gaurua Bachal
In areas around Mathura in Uttar PradeshUttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
, Sisodia
Sisodia
The Sisodia are Chattari Rajputs of the Suryavanshi lineage who ruled the kingdom of Mewar in Rajasthan. Prior to Rana Hamir the clan was known as Gehlot or Guhilot. In 1303 CE Alla-ud-din Khilji attacked Chittor...
s, Kachwaha
Kachwaha
Kachwaha are a Suryavanshi Kshatriya clan who ruled a number of kingdoms and princely states in India such as Alwar, Maihar, Talcher, while the largest kingdom was Jaipur which was founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727...
, Jasawats, Thakar (Tribe)
Thakar (Tribe)
Thakar is a scheduled tribe of India. They are adivasi tribe mainly living in forest areas of MaharashtraThey are also called by other names like Thakur, Thakar, Ka Thakar, Ma Thakur, Ma Thakar....
s who call themselves, Gaurua
Gaurwa
The Gaurwa are a Rajput community, found in the Punjab province of Pakistan, and the states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi in India.-History and origin:...
are usually referred as Bachal. The origin of Gaurua name is obscure, but it implies impure descant and is merely a generic title. However, it must be noted here that they do not own their name Bachal after Queen Bachal, mother of Gogaji
Gogaji
Gogaji also known as Jahar Veer Gogga is a folk deity of Rajasthan state in India. He is an eminent warrior-hero of the region. He is also venerated as a saint and even as 'snake-god'.- Introduction :He is known as Goga among the Hindus...
but after a place called Bachban at Sehi, where their Guru
Guru
A guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom, and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others . Other forms of manifestation of this principle can include parents, school teachers, non-human objects and even one's own intellectual discipline, if the...
always reside. They say they emigrated from Chittor 700 to 800 years ago but it is probable their migration took place after Allahudin Khilji's famous siege in 1303 AD. However, as they gave name Ranera to one of their original settlements in Mathura district, there can be little doubt that emigration took place after 1202, when the Ruler of Chittor, themselves assumed the title or Rana instead of old Rawal.
Sehi is a large village in Chhata
Chhata
Chhata is a town and a nagar panchayat in Mathura district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.-Geography:Chhata is located at . It has an average elevation of 186 metres .-Demographics:...
Tehsil of Mathura district
Mathura District
Mathura District is a district of Uttar Pradesh state of northern India. The historic town of Mathura is the district headquarters.The district is bounded on the northeast by Aligarh District, on the southeast by Hathras District, on the south by Agra District, and on the west by Rajasthan and...
in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
. Sehi is the centre of a clan of Rajputs who call themselves Bachal from the Bachban grove in the village. The Bachban, however, is now only a grove in name and is accounted one of the hamlets of the town. In it is the temple of Bihari Ji
Krishna
Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
, whom the Bachals worship, as Kuldevta
Kuldevta
Kuladevata or Kuladevi, also known as Kuladev and Kŭladaiwat, stands for "family deity, that is either a god or a goddess" within Hinduism, as distinct from personal ishta-devata and village deities...
. The Gosain, the Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
s, who serve the deity, are the Guru
Guru
A guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom, and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others . Other forms of manifestation of this principle can include parents, school teachers, non-human objects and even one's own intellectual discipline, if the...
s of the whole community. Bihariji is another name of Krishna
Krishna
Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
, who in Mathura is commonly called Bihariji or Banke Bihari after famous Banke Bihari Temple
Banke Bihari Temple
Banke Bihari Mandir is the most popular Hindu temple of Lord Krishna in the holy city of Vrindavan in the Mathura district, especially in the month of Shraavana . Banke Bihari was originally worshiped at Nidhivana. Banke means “bent in three places” and bihari means “supreme enjoyer.” Lord Krishna...
.
Bachal Jat
Bachals also are found among Jat community, major population of which is in Punjab. Bachal Jats are said to descendant of Taoni by a Jat wife. Taoni is a tribe of Jats of Bhatti origin.Bachal (Muslim Rajput)
Further, Bachal Rajput are seem to have occupied large portions of North Western Province, present day PakistanPakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
& Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
as per history. Some sources also mention that they were associated with Batani Buddhists, when they occupied that part of county (present day Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
& North-Western Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
). Further, Bachak, Bajal, Buchal in this countries refers to Bachal Rajput. They are now a part of converted Muslim Rajput
Muslim Rajputs
Muslim Rajputs or Musulman Rajputs are Muslims belonging to the Hindu Rajput Kshatriya groups of Indian subcontinent, who converted to Islam.-History:...
groups in these countries. They could be either descendant of historical Chandravanshi lineage or Chauhan-Gogaji descant.
Demographics
Bachal Rajputs, in IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, are now found mainly in the districts of Bulandshahr, Mathura, Moradabad
Moradabad
Moradabad is a city and a municipal corporation in Moradabad district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It was established in 1600 by prince Murad, the son of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan; as a result the city came to be known as Moradabad. It is the administrative headquarters of...
, Shahjahanpur
Shahjahanpur
Shahjahanpur is a municipal board, town and district headquarters of Shahjahanpur District in Uttar Pradesh, India.-History:During the reign of Shahjahan, Mughal forces demolished the city of Kant...
, Sitapur
Sitapur
Sitapur formerly spelled as Citapore is a town and a municipal board in Sitapur district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is in the Lucknow Division of Uttar Pradesh...
and Lakhimpur Kheri
Lakhimpur Kheri
Lakhimpur Kheri is a district of Uttar Pradesh in the Lucknow division. It is located in India along the border with Nepal. The headquarters of the Lakhimpur Kheri District are situated in the city of Lakhimpur....
.
Bachal Rajputs, who worship Gogaji
Gogaji
Gogaji also known as Jahar Veer Gogga is a folk deity of Rajasthan state in India. He is an eminent warrior-hero of the region. He is also venerated as a saint and even as 'snake-god'.- Introduction :He is known as Goga among the Hindus...
as their Kuldevta
Kuldevta
Kuladevata or Kuladevi, also known as Kuladev and Kŭladaiwat, stands for "family deity, that is either a god or a goddess" within Hinduism, as distinct from personal ishta-devata and village deities...
are found in large numbers in Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
, as well in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
, etc.
Bachal Jats, are found mainly in Punjab & Haryana
Haryana
Haryana is a state in India. Historically, it has been a part of the Kuru region in North India. The name Haryana is found mentioned in the 12th century AD by the apabhramsha writer Vibudh Shridhar . It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south...
.
Further, converted Bachal Rajputs, known by name of Bachal, Bachak, Bachhal are now a part Muslim Rajput of population of Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
& Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
.
See also
- List of Rajputs
- Rajput clansRajput clansThe Rajputs are a martial race and caste of the Indian subcontinent. They are a Hindu caste whose members generally consider themselves to belong to the Kshatriya varna ; however, Encyclopædia Britannica notes that their members have come from a variety of lineages, including from foreign...
- History of RajputsHistory of RajputsThe Rajput are a ruling class of the Indian subcontinent and south east Asia. In the Hindustani language, those belonging to the Kshatriya Varna of Hindus are generally referred to as "Rajputs"...
- Rajputs
- Yaduvanshi Ahirs