Charan
Encyclopedia
Chāraṇ is the term for a caste
living in the Gujarat and Rajasthan
states of India. According to Shrimada Bhagwata Skand
(3.a.10 Slok 728) Charans were created along with other divine forms such as Yaksha
, Gandharvas, Kinnara
, Sidhdhas, Apsara
, etc. and lived with them in Heaven. Members of this caste are known for their high literary sense, deep loyalty towards the society and cleverness and unflinching readiness for martyrdom in war.
The caste is also identified with the surnames "Adha
", "Gadan", Kaviraj, Barhath / Barhat and Gadhavi / Gadhvi. Members of this caste are considered to be divine by a large section of society. Women of the caste are adored as mother goddesses by other major communities of this region including Rajput
kings. The goddesses Karani
, Bahuchra
, Hinglaj
(whose main temple is now in Baluchistan
), Khodiyar
and Sonal are well-known examples of Charan deities. In the medieval era, it was considered a matter of prestige and pride for a rajput king to keep a charan in his court.They were good poets and better soldiers. Kings and landlords gave them grants of villages, and various kings also gave them Lakh Pasavs, large gifts equivalent to 100,000 rupees that usually consisted of elephants, money, and ornaments. The kings would also invite them to occupy a place in the Royal Courts. Indeed, a Rajput's regard for a Charan was uppermost. Because of their ability to compose poems instantaneously, another popular way of addressing members of the Charan caste is "Kaviraj", which literally means "king among poets". Charans are considered to be the only thakurs other than the rajputs. Charans were always posted in the front lines of attacks in the armies.
. A Charan will accept all the other Charans as equals even if they do not know each other and have radically different economic or geographic status. They are divided into four sections. Each section has several sub-sections and subsections have several stocks. Males and females of the same stock are considered brothers and sisters, and thus marriage within a stock is strictly forbidden. Similarly, marriages outside the Charan community are not allowed. Instead of four sections, many authors consider 23 divisions a more fundamental way division comprising four [Pahada]s which literally means mount peaks, sixteen sakhas and three chals. The four sections mentioned before are just based on geographical identity and may overlap with many of the divisions under 23 divisions. As per 23 divisions the four Pahadas are (1) Nara (2) Chorada (3) Chuva and (4) Tumbel, three chals are (1) Ausura (also spelled Avsura), (2) Maru and (3) baati. Charan of one Pahad are considered brothers and sisters and cannot intermarry. As per these divisions Nara charan usually mary with Ausura, Chorada with Maru and Chuva with Baati. Tumbel don't have exclusive chaal to marry from and hence they are referred as half-Pahada. Tumel usually marry from any of the other three Pahadas and Chaals. Rest of the community is divided into sixteen sakhas (known as Sakhiyas), which literally means sections. They usually marry with other sections as well as three Chaals and three and half Pahadas. Large part of the 16 sakhiyas is living in Rajasthan. As per Bombay Gazetteer four sections and their sub-sections are mentioned below.
Daagal huyoo Maharana.."when Maharana Bhagwat Singh ji came out after voting for thefirst time and asked Kavivar to comment]
known as tragu. It was believed that anyone who shed the blood of a Charan would meet with ruin. Self-immolation, known as tragu, was practiced by Charans whose demands had not been met. Tragu consisted of shedding blood of some member of one's family and calling down the vengeance of heaven upon the offender whose obstinacy necessitated the sacrifice.
Self immolations were performed for a variety of reasons. One Gadhavi woman practised self-immolation to save a wild hare
. Her name was Punai Mata. There is a temple of her near a small village named Zarpara in the Kachchh district of Gujarat. While she was collecting fodder for her livestock, a wild hare came running from a huntsman and leaped into her lap. The huntsman demanded that she give it back. Punai Mata refused, telling him that the hare was seeking refuge and that she now provided it and would honor that responsibility until death. The huntsman overpowered her, and so she performed self-immolation.
This type of sacrifice was greatly respected. The mother goddess Bahuchara Ma
(one the three most important mother goddesses worshipped in Gujarat) was a Charan woman who cut off one of her breasts when attacked by members of the Koli
caste. Near the entrance of almost every village in western Gujarat stand guardian stones (known as paliyas), which were set up to perpetuate the memory of Charan men and women who performed tragu to prevent robbers from carrying off the cattle of the village. Hence, even robbers came under the religious sanctions of Charans. The British government in India put a ban on performing tragu from 1808 onward; nevertheless, incidents of it kept occurring during a large part of the later period. However, in post-independent India, one encounters almost no instances of tragu.
Many times Mahatma Gandhi
announced that he would fast until death in order to change the opinions of those who opposed him. This closely resembles the practice of tragu; however, tragu performed by Charans used to be much more violent, and the reasons for it were not as broad and far reaching as those of Mahatma Gandhi. It is worth noting, however, that Mahatma Gandhi was born and brought up in the part of India where the Charan population is dominant.
and drinking liquor. Opium and liquor are also widely used substances in the Rajputs of this region. . Charans do not eat the flesh of cows and hold those who do in utter disregard. Cows are respected like mothers. A husband and wife will not drink milk from the same cow, or milk soiled by their counterpart. Drinking milk from one mother (cow) symbolizes that those who do so should be considered as siblings. Before Indian independence in 1947, a sacrifice of a male buffalo constituted a major part of the celebration of Navratri. Such celebrations quite often used to be presided over by Charan woman.
Animal sacrifice is illegal now in India, and modern day Charans no longer perform animal sacrifices as part of religious rituals, nor do they encourage drinking of opium or liquor as a social value. On the contrary, vegetarianism
has become a highly valued lifestyle. The social movement of the mid nineteen-sixties
led by aai (mother goddess) Sonal Ma, Limbdi Kaviraaj Shankardanji Detha and his son Haridanji Detha,the poet Dula Bhaya Kag
, Merubha.Meghanand.Gadhavi, Pinglshin Bapu and others focused on stopping animal sacrifice, discouraging drinking of liquor and opium, and encouraging modern education. This movement had great success for socio-economic reform of this community.
literature and Dingal language exist largely due to this caste. It is generally agreed that modern Rajasthani literature began with the works of Suryamal Misran
, who was of the Charan caste. Zaverchand Meghani
divides Charani sahitya (literature) into thirteen sub genres:
Other classifications of Charani sahitya are Khyatas (chronicles), Vartas and Vatas (stories), Raso (martial epics), Veli
- Veli Krishan Rukman ri, Doha-Chhand (verses). Dursa Adha, Keshavdas, Karanidan, Virbhan, Ishwar Dan, sayaji zula kuvava, etc.sayaji zula was the saint he was the part of lord krishna . hold dignified positions in the literary field of mediaeval India. Rajrupak by Virbhan, Surajprakash by Karanidan, and Hariras by Ishwar Dan are examples of verses.
Another form Charani literature is thecharaj, or song of mother's worship. Other minor forms are aaraniyu and zilaniyu, which are also songs for worship.
Other eminent poets are Hinglajdan Kavia, Baldevdan Kavia and Dr.Omendra singh Kavia of Sevapura, Jaipur,who have contributed to charan literature in recent times .
s (a community of warriors). The historian Qanungo describes the special relationship between Rajput and Charan: "The Charan was the esteemed and faithful companion of the Rajput, sharing his opium and half his loaf in adversity and receiving his extravagant bounty in prosperity. He followed his client chief on horseback to the thickest of fight, where poetic fire of his deed of old gave a Rajput the strength of ten on the field of carnage". .
Charans are also known to speak truth to the kings of the Rajputs, something which others would not do because they feared to arouse the anger of the kings. James Tod
remarks that "Their chroniclers (Charans) dare utter truths, sometimes most unpalatable to their masters. Many resolutions have sunk under the lash of their satire." In spite of their amnesty as a divine community, speaking the truth cost many Charans their life and led to mass persecution.
The other community with whom Charans have very close relationship is the Ahir/Yadav community. Ahirs are considered to be descendent of the god Krishna
. Presently most of them are farmers and herdsmen. Charans refer to Ahirs using the word "mama" which means "brother of one's mother".
(3.a.10 Slok 728) Charans were created along with other divine forms such as Yaksha
, Gandharvas, Kinnara
, Sidhdhas, Apsara
, etc. and lived with them in Heaven. According to Padma Purana
, King Prithu
brought the Charans from Himalaya to India and gave to them Telang Kingdom (may be Telinga Kingdom
or present day Telangana
).
honored the Charans with large amount of land grants around 119 AD to 128 AD
Brahmanand Swami who is one of the most prominent figure for Swaminarayan Community, was a Ashiya Charan born in Khann village, Sirohi District, Rajasthan. His original name was Ladudanji. Few years earlier Swminarayan Community had built Brahmanand Nagari in Khann village.
mewar
from 1509 to 1527 .He once went to aakhet where an elephent lost his temper and ran towards rana sanga seeing this Haridass mahiyaria who was also accompaning the maharana remembered her sister devi sundar baisa an incarnation of goddess Karni
,at once the elephant turned around and everyone was safe .After coming to fort Rana Sanga told everyone that in the jungle he saw a hand on the elephants head and that's the moment he got saved. On knowing that it was the hand of non other that "Sundar maa" rana sanga offered Haridasji Mahiyaria to act as rular of Mewar
for three days as reward and gave jagir
of "Panchli village". Sundar baisa and her hands are worshipped by "Mahiyaria" till today. The main temple is at "Bhildi" in Bhilwara district
. The pond there have miracle and said to believe can cure skin desises.
Kaviwar Nathu Singh Mahiyaria was know to be among one of the best poets in the court of Mewar
.He had written ample number of poetry
, poetry in dingal
. Kavivar use to keep a paper and a pencil everytime in his pocket and whenever thought came in his mind he would note it. His books Karni Shatak, Vir Satsai, Chunda Shatak, Haadi Shatak, Jhalamaan Shatak are still admired. Dr.Rajender Prasad, the first president of India was one of the great admirer of kaviwar. When India
got independence
elections were commenced and it was a coincidence
that when Kaviwar Nathu singh Mahiyaria
was going to cast his vote the then
Maharana
Bhagwat Singh Ji was coming out of the room after casting his vote showing the spot of ink on his finger he asked kavivar/poetto comment something on the occasion. Charan kavi Nathusingh ji Mahiyaria with his brilliance said ""Andaagal Chetak
rayo, Andaagal Hindbhaan, vota main shamil wheh dagal huai mahraan". HINDU HERE MEANS Hindu
and BHAN MEANS sun
.Hindubhan here said for Maharana Pratap. The translation is "Chetak
and Maharana Pratap who were your forefathers fought for the soil throughout their life and never surrendered and were spotless throughout their life, and you being his descendant
wore the spot on your finger".
At the advent of 16th Century, contemporary to Mirabai, Pata Barhat was in the court of rao Ratan Singh Rathore of Merta. He was another famous martyr from the Marwar
region of Rajasthan
. During the Mughal
attack on Merta Pata Barhat with his 17 sons sacrificed their life to save the king from the Mughals. In lieu of their sacrifice the King gave 12 villages in gift to descendants of Pata Barhat. In the present day the Village is known as Ratnas.
Adha Duraso, known as Dursaji, was a poet of the medieval era. He born at Jaitaran
in Pali district
in Rajasthan
in 1538 and died at Panchetiya
in 1651. Dursa Adha is believed to have been a maternal uncle of the goddess Karni
. Historian remembers him for his boldness to sing praises of Maharana Pratap(an archenemy of Akbar) in the court of the Akbar. Opo Adha was also a famous poet. A golden statue of Dursaji stands in Achalgadh
, Mount Abu. Dursaji's niece the mother-goddess Karni
(between 1387 and 1537) is revered as the major deity of Rathod and other communities of this region. She is supposed to have helped Rao Bika
(a ruler of Rajasthan) to occupy the territory of Bikaner. Her shrine is at Deshnok near Bikaner.
A saintly Charan woman Maa Barvadi ji from Gujarat, of whom Sauda / Souda Barhat are descedents, mother of Baru ji Sauda, helped Rana Hamir
, using her own funds to supply him with 500 horses to use in the recovery of Chittor
.After victory, Rana Hamir
gave the title of Barhat to Baruji along with 12 villages, in which Soniyana,Aantri and Paaner are the main ones. The Sauda were officially declared as 'Barhat ji' for Sisodia
Rajput
clan in Mewar
.http://shreerajput.com/kul/gautardiguhil.php
There have been many chivalrous Saudas who have laid down their life for Mewar.
Charan Khemraj Dadhiwadia (of village Dharta) saved the life of Prince Jagat Singh of udaipur by killing Naruka Rajput, who attempted to murder the prince.
Following are the quotations about Charans taken from book of Dr. G. N. Sharma.
There are records of gifting villages for glorious military service, the book Palanpur Rajayano Itihas (p. 266) gives accounts of gifting a village Manaka to Royal Charan who organised Mercenary Army of Arab Soldiers and helped his Master to stabilise as the Nawab of the state.
Again there were several such incidents in the state of Rajasthan as well and literature of Marwar and Mewar have evidences that Charans were gifted village for acts of bravery in War..
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
living in the Gujarat and 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...
states of India. According to Shrimada Bhagwata Skand
Bhagavata purana
The Bhāgavata Purāṇa is one of the "Maha" Puranic texts of Hindu literature, with its primary focus on bhakti to the incarnations of Vishnu, particularly Krishna...
(3.a.10 Slok 728) Charans were created along with other divine forms such as Yaksha
Yaksha
Yaksha is the name of a broad class of nature-spirits, usually benevolent, who are caretakers of the natural treasures hidden in the earth and tree roots. They appear in Hindu, Jain and Buddhist mythology. The feminine form of the word is ' or Yakshini .In Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist mythology,...
, Gandharvas, Kinnara
Kinnara
In Buddhist mythology and Hindu mythology, a kinnara is a paradigmatic lover, a celestial musician, half-human and half-horse or half-bird...
, Sidhdhas, Apsara
Apsara
An Apsara , also known as Vidhya Dhari or Tep Apsar in Khmer, Accharā or A Bố Sa La Tư , Bidadari , Biradali , Widodari and Apson , is a female spirit of the clouds and waters in...
, etc. and lived with them in Heaven. Members of this caste are known for their high literary sense, deep loyalty towards the society and cleverness and unflinching readiness for martyrdom in war.
The caste is also identified with the surnames "Adha
Adha
Adha may refer to: a surname used by the *Charans of Rajasthan.*Adha *Eid al-Adha...
", "Gadan", Kaviraj, Barhath / Barhat and Gadhavi / Gadhvi. Members of this caste are considered to be divine by a large section of society. Women of the caste are adored as mother goddesses by other major communities of this region including 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...
kings. The goddesses Karani
Karni Mata
Karni Mata was a female Hindu sage born in the Charan caste and is worshiped as the incarnation of the goddess Durga by her followers. She is an official deity of the royal family of Jodhpur and Bikaner. During her lifetime, she laid the foundation stone of two of the important forts in Rajputana...
, Bahuchra
Bahuchara Mata
Bahuchara Mata is a Hindu goddess. She was a daughter of a charan Bapal dan Detha. She and her sisters were on journey with a caravan when a marauder named Bapiya attacked their caravan. It was common practice in charan men and women if overpowered by their enemies, not to surrender but to kill...
, Hinglaj
Hinglaj
Hinglaj is an important Hindu pilgrimage place in Balochistan, Pakistan and Kuldevi of many Kshatriya and other Hindu Communities of India. It is situated in Balochistan province about 250 km north of Karachi.-Mythological Origin:...
(whose main temple is now in Baluchistan
Balochistan (Pakistan)
Balochistan is one of the four provinces or federating units of Pakistan. With an area of 134,051 mi2 or , it is the largest province of Pakistan, constituting approximately 44% of the total land mass of Pakistan. According to the 1998 population census, Balochistan had a population of...
), Khodiyar
Khodiyar
Khodiyar Maa is the Hindu goddess who appeared in the story of Mamaniya Gadhvi in about AD 700.Mamaniya Gadhvi had a superb relationship with the then ruler - Maharaj Shilbhadra. The ruler's ministers envied this exceptional relationship and prepared a way to get rid of Mamaniya Gadhvi...
and Sonal are well-known examples of Charan deities. In the medieval era, it was considered a matter of prestige and pride for a rajput king to keep a charan in his court.They were good poets and better soldiers. Kings and landlords gave them grants of villages, and various kings also gave them Lakh Pasavs, large gifts equivalent to 100,000 rupees that usually consisted of elephants, money, and ornaments. The kings would also invite them to occupy a place in the Royal Courts. Indeed, a Rajput's regard for a Charan was uppermost. Because of their ability to compose poems instantaneously, another popular way of addressing members of the Charan caste is "Kaviraj", which literally means "king among poets". Charans are considered to be the only thakurs other than the rajputs. Charans were always posted in the front lines of attacks in the armies.
Social structure
The word Charan and Charans have diffrent meaning. According to Adhyatmic the Charan represent the foot of Saint aur God. If we say Charan Kamal the word kamal means the softness of God"s foot, but the Charans' caste system is based on written genealogyGenealogy
Genealogy is the study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history. Genealogists use oral traditions, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinship and pedigrees of its members...
. A Charan will accept all the other Charans as equals even if they do not know each other and have radically different economic or geographic status. They are divided into four sections. Each section has several sub-sections and subsections have several stocks. Males and females of the same stock are considered brothers and sisters, and thus marriage within a stock is strictly forbidden. Similarly, marriages outside the Charan community are not allowed. Instead of four sections, many authors consider 23 divisions a more fundamental way division comprising four [Pahada]s which literally means mount peaks, sixteen sakhas and three chals. The four sections mentioned before are just based on geographical identity and may overlap with many of the divisions under 23 divisions. As per 23 divisions the four Pahadas are (1) Nara (2) Chorada (3) Chuva and (4) Tumbel, three chals are (1) Ausura (also spelled Avsura), (2) Maru and (3) baati. Charan of one Pahad are considered brothers and sisters and cannot intermarry. As per these divisions Nara charan usually mary with Ausura, Chorada with Maru and Chuva with Baati. Tumbel don't have exclusive chaal to marry from and hence they are referred as half-Pahada. Tumel usually marry from any of the other three Pahadas and Chaals. Rest of the community is divided into sixteen sakhas (known as Sakhiyas), which literally means sections. They usually marry with other sections as well as three Chaals and three and half Pahadas. Large part of the 16 sakhiyas is living in Rajasthan. As per Bombay Gazetteer four sections and their sub-sections are mentioned below.
- Tumbel[Tumer]:The Tumer (also spelled Tumbel) are believed to originate from SindhSindhSindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
. The clans of Tumers are:
-
- Mudhuda
- Seda
- Sindhiya
- Gelwa
- Rudach
- Bhan
- Kachhelas
- Also called Parajias, from the Kachchh district of Gujarat, the Kachhelas have three clans:
- Chanwas (72)
- Choradas (52)
- Naras (66)
- Kesariya [This surname belongs to 16 sakhiyas]
- Aalgya [This is a surname of Chunva pahada]
- Paaliya [This is a surname of Nara pahada]
- Soya [This is a surname of 16 sakhiya]
- Keedia [This is a surname of Nara pahada]
- Maru
- The Marus are from MarwarMarwarMarwar is a region of southwestern Rajasthan state in western India. It lies partly in the Thar Desert. In Rajasthani dialect "wad" means a particular area. The word Marwar is derived from Sanskrit word 'Maruwat'. English translation of the word is 'The region of desert'., The Imperial Gazetteer...
in Rajasthan. They have 20 clans and more than 300 stocks: - 1 Ashiya
- 2 Adha (Arha, this is a clan of Sandu)
- 3 Barhat(includes Roharia, Bithu as brothers)
- 4 Badhva (19)
- 5 Baratrohdia (12)
- 6 Bati (13)[ This is Chaal of Chunva pahada]
- 7 Boxa
- 8 Budhda
- 9 Bitu
- 10choda(chola)
- 11Deval
- 12 Detha (brothers of Souda / Sauda Barhat, Descendents of Maa Barvadi ji from Gujarat)
- 13Dhadhania (11)
- 14Dadhvadia (19)
- 15Gelva (6)
- 16Gadan(Harmada)
- 17Varnsurya
- 18Jula (Zula) (31)
- 19Jadiya(dahej)
- 20Jhiba
- 21Khadia/Khidia(khiria)(36) [This is the surname of Chorada pahada]
- 22Kharol (2)
- 23Kiniya (The members of this sub-caste are known as the descendants of goddess Karni Mata)
- 24Kaviya
- 25Kharal
- 26lalas
- 27Mahud/ Muhad
- 28Mishan(The Renowned poet of this surname was shri Surmallji Mishan, born in Rajashthan who wrote a huge epic named "VANSH BHASKAR"incarnation of the Sun and his heirs)
- Mahiya
- Mada (2)
- Mahiyaria (11)[This is the surname of Nathu Singh MahiyariaNathu singh mahiyariaKavivar Nathu Singh Mahiyaria was the only son of Thakur Kesri Singh Ji Mahiyaria. He was a poet at the court of Oodeypur Mewar. Kaviwar was very versatile and brilliant in his childhood, he use to keep a pencil and a piece of paper handy everytime so as to give shape to his thoughts into Dohas...
a great poet.who said "Andaagal Chetak Rayoo Andagal Hindbhaan Yoh toh Votaa me
Daagal huyoo Maharana.."when Maharana Bhagwat Singh ji came out after voting for thefirst time and asked Kavivar to comment]
-
- Mahedu [This is the surname of 16 sakhiya and also brother to Kesariya]
- Nadhu (29)
- Pandarsinga
- Ratnu (1)
- Rohadiya
- Samor
- sindiayach (bhacharliyaand Bhada inclusive in 16 sakhiya]
- Sandu (8)
- Sau
- Siyal (0)
- Silga
- Soda (33)
- Tapariya
- Ujjwal (clan of Sindayach)
- Vacha (they are brother to Adha & mahiya)
- Vija (1)
- Varasda [This is the surname of charan and also brother to Zula ]
- Vithu
- Mod
- Hada(10)
- Sorathiya
-
- Langavadra
- Langa
- Leela
- Kunchala
- Khalel
- Narela
- Gujjar
- Gujjar are apparently a remnant of the great tribe that gave Gujarat its name.
Values and belief
Charans respect loyalty and cleverness. Their respectful word is "Jay Mataji" ("Hail the mother goddess"), which is also a phrase used by male members of the Charan community to greet each other. Since female Charans are actually regarded as Mataji (mother goddesses), they use blessings to greet each other, so as to avoid hailing themselves.Self-immolation
The Charans are highly feared by other communities for their readiness to self-immolateSelf-immolation
Self-immolation refers to setting oneself on fire, often as a form of protest or for the purposes of martyrdom or suicide. It has centuries-long traditions in some cultures, while in modern times it has become a type of radical political protest...
known as tragu. It was believed that anyone who shed the blood of a Charan would meet with ruin. Self-immolation, known as tragu, was practiced by Charans whose demands had not been met. Tragu consisted of shedding blood of some member of one's family and calling down the vengeance of heaven upon the offender whose obstinacy necessitated the sacrifice.
Self immolations were performed for a variety of reasons. One Gadhavi woman practised self-immolation to save a wild hare
Hare
Hares and jackrabbits are leporids belonging to the genus Lepus. Hares less than one year old are called leverets. Four species commonly known as types of hare are classified outside of Lepus: the hispid hare , and three species known as red rock hares .Hares are very fast-moving...
. Her name was Punai Mata. There is a temple of her near a small village named Zarpara in the Kachchh district of Gujarat. While she was collecting fodder for her livestock, a wild hare came running from a huntsman and leaped into her lap. The huntsman demanded that she give it back. Punai Mata refused, telling him that the hare was seeking refuge and that she now provided it and would honor that responsibility until death. The huntsman overpowered her, and so she performed self-immolation.
This type of sacrifice was greatly respected. The mother goddess Bahuchara Ma
Bahuchara Mata
Bahuchara Mata is a Hindu goddess. She was a daughter of a charan Bapal dan Detha. She and her sisters were on journey with a caravan when a marauder named Bapiya attacked their caravan. It was common practice in charan men and women if overpowered by their enemies, not to surrender but to kill...
(one the three most important mother goddesses worshipped in Gujarat) was a Charan woman who cut off one of her breasts when attacked by members of the Koli
KOLI
KOLI is a radio station serving Wichita Falls, Texas and Vicinity with a country music format. It operates on FM frequency 94.9 MHz and is under ownership of Cumulus Media. It is the radio flagship station for the Wichita Falls Wildcats hockey team....
caste. Near the entrance of almost every village in western Gujarat stand guardian stones (known as paliyas), which were set up to perpetuate the memory of Charan men and women who performed tragu to prevent robbers from carrying off the cattle of the village. Hence, even robbers came under the religious sanctions of Charans. The British government in India put a ban on performing tragu from 1808 onward; nevertheless, incidents of it kept occurring during a large part of the later period. However, in post-independent India, one encounters almost no instances of tragu.
Many times Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , pronounced . 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement...
announced that he would fast until death in order to change the opinions of those who opposed him. This closely resembles the practice of tragu; however, tragu performed by Charans used to be much more violent, and the reasons for it were not as broad and far reaching as those of Mahatma Gandhi. It is worth noting, however, that Mahatma Gandhi was born and brought up in the part of India where the Charan population is dominant.
Food and Drink
Their food and drink habits resemble those of warrior community "The Rajputs". Few Charans used to enjoy eating opiumOpium
Opium is the dried latex obtained from the opium poppy . Opium contains up to 12% morphine, an alkaloid, which is frequently processed chemically to produce heroin for the illegal drug trade. The latex also includes codeine and non-narcotic alkaloids such as papaverine, thebaine and noscapine...
and drinking liquor. Opium and liquor are also widely used substances in the Rajputs of this region. . Charans do not eat the flesh of cows and hold those who do in utter disregard. Cows are respected like mothers. A husband and wife will not drink milk from the same cow, or milk soiled by their counterpart. Drinking milk from one mother (cow) symbolizes that those who do so should be considered as siblings. Before Indian independence in 1947, a sacrifice of a male buffalo constituted a major part of the celebration of Navratri. Such celebrations quite often used to be presided over by Charan woman.
Animal sacrifice is illegal now in India, and modern day Charans no longer perform animal sacrifices as part of religious rituals, nor do they encourage drinking of opium or liquor as a social value. On the contrary, vegetarianism
Vegetarianism
Vegetarianism encompasses the practice of following plant-based diets , with or without the inclusion of dairy products or eggs, and with the exclusion of meat...
has become a highly valued lifestyle. The social movement of the mid nineteen-sixties
1960s
The 1960s was the decade that started on January 1, 1960, and ended on December 31, 1969. It was the seventh decade of the 20th century.The 1960s term also refers to an era more often called The Sixties, denoting the complex of inter-related cultural and political trends across the globe...
led by aai (mother goddess) Sonal Ma, Limbdi Kaviraaj Shankardanji Detha and his son Haridanji Detha,the poet Dula Bhaya Kag
Dula Bhaya Kag
Dula Bhaya Kag was renowned poet, social reformer and freedom fighter. He was born in Majadar village near Mahuva in Gujarat. He hailed from Charan caste. The subject of his poems was mainly spiritual and devotional, he also wrote eulogical poems for Mahatama Gandhi and Vinoba Bhave. His poems are...
, Merubha.Meghanand.Gadhavi, Pinglshin Bapu and others focused on stopping animal sacrifice, discouraging drinking of liquor and opium, and encouraging modern education. This movement had great success for socio-economic reform of this community.
Charani literature
Literature and poems are an integral part of the identity of Charans. A whole genre of literature is known as Charani literature. The DingalDingal
Dingal is an ancient Indian language written in Nagri script and having literature in prose as well as poetry.This language was being spoken and used for writing in present Rajasthan, Gujarat and Sindh of Pakistan...
literature and Dingal language exist largely due to this caste. It is generally agreed that modern Rajasthani literature began with the works of Suryamal Misran
Surajmal Misrana
Surajmal Misrana Surajmal Misrana Surajmal Misrana (also spelled Suryamal Misan (1815-1863) was a poet from Bundi, Rajasthan, India. He hailed from the Charan caste. He knew six languages and was a scholar of grammar, logic, history and politics. He wrote in Hindi, Pingal and Dingal...
, who was of the Charan caste. Zaverchand Meghani
Jhaverchand Meghani
Jhaverchand Meghani was noted poet, litterateur, social reformer and freedom fighter from Gujarat.He is well known name in the field of Gujarati literature. He was born in Chotila. Mahatma Gandhi spontaneously gave him the title of Raashtreeya Shaayar...
divides Charani sahitya (literature) into thirteen sub genres:
- Songs in praise of gods and goddesses (stavan)
- Songs in praise of heroes, saints and patrons (birdavalo)
- Descriptions of war (varanno)
- Rebukes of wavering great kings and men who use their power for evil (upalambho)
- Mockery of a standing treachery of heroism (thekadi)
- Love stories
- Laments for dead warriors, patrons and friends (marasiya or vilap kavya)
- Praise of natural beauty, seasonal beauty and festivals
- Descriptions of weapons
- Songs in praise of lions, horses, camels, and buffalo
- Sayings about didactic and practical cleverness
- Ancient epics
- Songs describing the anguish of people in times of famine and adversity
Other classifications of Charani sahitya are Khyatas (chronicles), Vartas and Vatas (stories), Raso (martial epics), Veli
Veli
Veli is a Turkish and Finnish male given name, meaning guardian and brother in each language respectively.-Given name:* Veli Acar, Turkish footballer* Veli Kavlak, Austrian footballer* Veli Kızılkaya, Turkish footballer...
- Veli Krishan Rukman ri, Doha-Chhand (verses). Dursa Adha, Keshavdas, Karanidan, Virbhan, Ishwar Dan, sayaji zula kuvava, etc.sayaji zula was the saint he was the part of lord krishna . hold dignified positions in the literary field of mediaeval India. Rajrupak by Virbhan, Surajprakash by Karanidan, and Hariras by Ishwar Dan are examples of verses.
Another form Charani literature is thecharaj, or song of mother's worship. Other minor forms are aaraniyu and zilaniyu, which are also songs for worship.
Other eminent poets are Hinglajdan Kavia, Baldevdan Kavia and Dr.Omendra singh Kavia of Sevapura, Jaipur,who have contributed to charan literature in recent times .
Relationship with other communities
Charan enjoyed very cordial relationship with most of the other communities. Charans had great influence with the RajputRajput
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 (a community of warriors). The historian Qanungo describes the special relationship between Rajput and Charan: "The Charan was the esteemed and faithful companion of the Rajput, sharing his opium and half his loaf in adversity and receiving his extravagant bounty in prosperity. He followed his client chief on horseback to the thickest of fight, where poetic fire of his deed of old gave a Rajput the strength of ten on the field of carnage". .
Charans are also known to speak truth to the kings of the Rajputs, something which others would not do because they feared to arouse the anger of the kings. James Tod
James Tod
Lieutenant-Colonel James Tod was an English officer of the British East India Company and an Oriental scholar.Tod was born in London and educated in Scotland, later joining the East India Company as a military officer. He travelled to India in 1799 as a cadet in the Bengal Army where he rose...
remarks that "Their chroniclers (Charans) dare utter truths, sometimes most unpalatable to their masters. Many resolutions have sunk under the lash of their satire." In spite of their amnesty as a divine community, speaking the truth cost many Charans their life and led to mass persecution.
The other community with whom Charans have very close relationship is the Ahir/Yadav community. Ahirs are considered to be descendent of the god 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...
. Presently most of them are farmers and herdsmen. Charans refer to Ahirs using the word "mama" which means "brother of one's mother".
Prehistoric period
According to Shrimada Bhagwata SkandBhagavata purana
The Bhāgavata Purāṇa is one of the "Maha" Puranic texts of Hindu literature, with its primary focus on bhakti to the incarnations of Vishnu, particularly Krishna...
(3.a.10 Slok 728) Charans were created along with other divine forms such as Yaksha
Yaksha
Yaksha is the name of a broad class of nature-spirits, usually benevolent, who are caretakers of the natural treasures hidden in the earth and tree roots. They appear in Hindu, Jain and Buddhist mythology. The feminine form of the word is ' or Yakshini .In Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist mythology,...
, Gandharvas, Kinnara
Kinnara
In Buddhist mythology and Hindu mythology, a kinnara is a paradigmatic lover, a celestial musician, half-human and half-horse or half-bird...
, Sidhdhas, Apsara
Apsara
An Apsara , also known as Vidhya Dhari or Tep Apsar in Khmer, Accharā or A Bố Sa La Tư , Bidadari , Biradali , Widodari and Apson , is a female spirit of the clouds and waters in...
, etc. and lived with them in Heaven. According to Padma Purana
Padma Purana
Padma Purana , one of the major eighteen Puranas, a Hindu religious text, is divided into five parts.In the first part of the text, sage Pulastya explains to Bhishma about religion and the essence of the religion. The second part describes in detail Prithvi...
, King Prithu
Prithu
According to Hindu mythology, Prithu is a sovereign , named in the Vedic scriptures and considered an Avatar of the preserver god—Vishnu. He is also called Pruthu, Prithi and Prithu Vainya, literally, Prithu — the son of Vena...
brought the Charans from Himalaya to India and gave to them Telang Kingdom (may be Telinga Kingdom
Telinga Kingdom
Telinga was a kingdom south to Kalinga. Andhra Kingdom lay to the south of it. Telinga was one of the ancient South Indian kingdoms.It falls in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, i.e., the northern part of Andhra Pradesh.References i Mahabharata...
or present day Telangana
Telangana
Telangana is a region in the present state of Andhra Pradesh, India and formerly was part of Hyderabad state which was ruled by Nizam. It is bordered with the states of Maharashtra on the north and north-west, Karnataka on the west, Chattisgarh on the north-east and Orissa to the east...
).
Ancient period (1000BC-1000 AD)
King NahapanaNahapana
Nahapana was an important ruler of the Western Kshatrapas, descendant of the Indo-Scythians, in northwestern India. According to one of his coins, he was the son of Bhumaka.-History:...
honored the Charans with large amount of land grants around 119 AD to 128 AD
Brahmanand Swami who is one of the most prominent figure for Swaminarayan Community, was a Ashiya Charan born in Khann village, Sirohi District, Rajasthan. His original name was Ladudanji. Few years earlier Swminarayan Community had built Brahmanand Nagari in Khann village.
Medieval period (1000 AD - 1800 AD)
(1509 to 1527) when Rana Sangram Singh popularly known as Rana Sanga was the ruler of chittorgarhChittorgarh
Chittorgarh is a city and a municipality in Rajasthan state of western India. It lies on the Berach River, a tributary of the Banas, and is the administrative headquarters of Chittorgharh District and a former capital of the Sisodia clans of Rajputs of Mewar...
mewar
Mewar
Mewar is a region of south-central Rajasthan state in western India. It includes the present-day districts of Pratapgarh, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Udaipur, Dungarpur, Banswara and some of the part of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The region was for centuries a Rajput kingdom that later...
from 1509 to 1527 .He once went to aakhet where an elephent lost his temper and ran towards rana sanga seeing this Haridass mahiyaria who was also accompaning the maharana remembered her sister devi sundar baisa an incarnation of goddess Karni
Karni Mata
Karni Mata was a female Hindu sage born in the Charan caste and is worshiped as the incarnation of the goddess Durga by her followers. She is an official deity of the royal family of Jodhpur and Bikaner. During her lifetime, she laid the foundation stone of two of the important forts in Rajputana...
,at once the elephant turned around and everyone was safe .After coming to fort Rana Sanga told everyone that in the jungle he saw a hand on the elephants head and that's the moment he got saved. On knowing that it was the hand of non other that "Sundar maa" rana sanga offered Haridasji Mahiyaria to act as rular of Mewar
Mewar
Mewar is a region of south-central Rajasthan state in western India. It includes the present-day districts of Pratapgarh, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Udaipur, Dungarpur, Banswara and some of the part of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The region was for centuries a Rajput kingdom that later...
for three days as reward and gave jagir
Jagir
In historic India, a jagir was a small territory granted by the ruler to an army chieftain in fairly short terms usually of three years but not extending beyond his lifetime, in recognition of his military service...
of "Panchli village". Sundar baisa and her hands are worshipped by "Mahiyaria" till today. The main temple is at "Bhildi" in Bhilwara district
Bhilwara district
Bhilwara District is a district of the state of Rajasthan in western India. The town of Bhilwara is the district headquarters.-Geography and demographics:...
. The pond there have miracle and said to believe can cure skin desises.
Kaviwar Nathu Singh Mahiyaria was know to be among one of the best poets in the court of Mewar
Mewar
Mewar is a region of south-central Rajasthan state in western India. It includes the present-day districts of Pratapgarh, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Udaipur, Dungarpur, Banswara and some of the part of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The region was for centuries a Rajput kingdom that later...
.He had written ample number of poetry
Doha
Doha is the capital city of the state of Qatar. Located on the Persian Gulf, it had a population of 998,651 in 2008, and is also one of the municipalities of Qatar...
, poetry in dingal
Dingal
Dingal is an ancient Indian language written in Nagri script and having literature in prose as well as poetry.This language was being spoken and used for writing in present Rajasthan, Gujarat and Sindh of Pakistan...
. Kavivar use to keep a paper and a pencil everytime in his pocket and whenever thought came in his mind he would note it. His books Karni Shatak, Vir Satsai, Chunda Shatak, Haadi Shatak, Jhalamaan Shatak are still admired. Dr.Rajender Prasad, the first president of India was one of the great admirer of kaviwar. When 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...
got independence
Independence
Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory....
elections were commenced and it was a coincidence
Coincidence
A coincidence is an event notable for its occurring in conjunction with other conditions, e.g. another event. As such, a coincidence occurs when something uncanny, accidental and unexpected happens under conditions named, but not under a defined relationship...
that when Kaviwar Nathu singh Mahiyaria
Nathu singh mahiyaria
Kavivar Nathu Singh Mahiyaria was the only son of Thakur Kesri Singh Ji Mahiyaria. He was a poet at the court of Oodeypur Mewar. Kaviwar was very versatile and brilliant in his childhood, he use to keep a pencil and a piece of paper handy everytime so as to give shape to his thoughts into Dohas...
was going to cast his vote the then
Maharana
Maharana
Maharana is a variation on the Indian royal title Maharaja, also meaning 'Great king' in Hindi. It is composed of Maha- 'great' and the royal title Rana, a variation on Raja.-Salute states :...
Bhagwat Singh Ji was coming out of the room after casting his vote showing the spot of ink on his finger he asked kavivar/poetto comment something on the occasion. Charan kavi Nathusingh ji Mahiyaria with his brilliance said ""Andaagal Chetak
Chetak
Chetak is the name of all of the following:*Chetak The horse of Rana Pratap, famous in Indian folk-legend. Pratap was mounted on Chetak during the gruesome Battle of Haldighati , fought between his army and the Mughal forces. This famous war horse was of Marwari breed.* HAL Chetak is a make of...
rayo, Andaagal Hindbhaan, vota main shamil wheh dagal huai mahraan". HINDU HERE MEANS Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
and BHAN MEANS sun
Sun
The Sun is the star at the center of the Solar System. It is almost perfectly spherical and consists of hot plasma interwoven with magnetic fields...
.Hindubhan here said for Maharana Pratap. The translation is "Chetak
Chetak
Chetak is the name of all of the following:*Chetak The horse of Rana Pratap, famous in Indian folk-legend. Pratap was mounted on Chetak during the gruesome Battle of Haldighati , fought between his army and the Mughal forces. This famous war horse was of Marwari breed.* HAL Chetak is a make of...
and Maharana Pratap who were your forefathers fought for the soil throughout their life and never surrendered and were spotless throughout their life, and you being his descendant
Lineal descendant
A lineal descendant, in legal usage, refers to a blood relative in the direct line of descent. The children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc...
wore the spot on your finger".
At the advent of 16th Century, contemporary to Mirabai, Pata Barhat was in the court of rao Ratan Singh Rathore of Merta. He was another famous martyr from the Marwar
Marwar
Marwar is a region of southwestern Rajasthan state in western India. It lies partly in the Thar Desert. In Rajasthani dialect "wad" means a particular area. The word Marwar is derived from Sanskrit word 'Maruwat'. English translation of the word is 'The region of desert'., The Imperial Gazetteer...
region of 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...
. During 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...
attack on Merta Pata Barhat with his 17 sons sacrificed their life to save the king from the Mughals. In lieu of their sacrifice the King gave 12 villages in gift to descendants of Pata Barhat. In the present day the Village is known as Ratnas.
Adha Duraso, known as Dursaji, was a poet of the medieval era. He born at Jaitaran
Jaitaran
Jaitaran is a city and a municipality in Pali district in the Indian state of Rajasthan.-Geography:Jaitaran is located at . It has an average elevation of 307 metres .-History:...
in Pali district
Pali district
Pali District is a district of the state of Rajasthan in western India. The town of Pali is the district headquarters.-History:...
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...
in 1538 and died at Panchetiya
Panchetiya
Panchetiya is a village located in Marwar Junction Tehsil of Pali district in Rajasthan state of India.Adho Durasoji , famous Rajasthani poet of the medieval era, stayed in the Pancheiya village in his last days with his son Kisnoji....
in 1651. Dursa Adha is believed to have been a maternal uncle of the goddess Karni
Karni Mata
Karni Mata was a female Hindu sage born in the Charan caste and is worshiped as the incarnation of the goddess Durga by her followers. She is an official deity of the royal family of Jodhpur and Bikaner. During her lifetime, she laid the foundation stone of two of the important forts in Rajputana...
. Historian remembers him for his boldness to sing praises of Maharana Pratap(an archenemy of Akbar) in the court of the Akbar. Opo Adha was also a famous poet. A golden statue of Dursaji stands in Achalgadh
Achalgadh
Achalgadh is a village development committee in Sarlahi District in the Janakpur Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 2497 people living in 467 individual households.-External links:*...
, Mount Abu. Dursaji's niece the mother-goddess Karni
Karni Mata
Karni Mata was a female Hindu sage born in the Charan caste and is worshiped as the incarnation of the goddess Durga by her followers. She is an official deity of the royal family of Jodhpur and Bikaner. During her lifetime, she laid the foundation stone of two of the important forts in Rajputana...
(between 1387 and 1537) is revered as the major deity of Rathod and other communities of this region. She is supposed to have helped Rao Bika
Rao Bika
Rao Bika was the founder of the city and principality of Bikaner in present-day Rajasthan. He was a scion of the Rathore clan of Rajputs. He was a son of Rao Jodha, founder of the city and principality of Jodhpur....
(a ruler of Rajasthan) to occupy the territory of Bikaner. Her shrine is at Deshnok near Bikaner.
- Thakur Jugtidan Varnsurya(commonly referred to as Jugto Ji Bapji meaning Jugto Ji,the father) was Thakur {JAGIRDAR-RULER of seven villages including KOTDA, PARLU etc.} and born in Kotda village,now in Jalore district. He helped Maharaja MAN SINGH RATHORE(1803–1843) of Jodhpur(erstwhile MARWAR) by providing diplomatic and logistics support while the King was under siege at the fort of Jalore and at war with the then state of Marwar.After the successful accession to the thrown of Marwar, Maharaja Man Singh showed immense respect and payed many tributes to Jugto Ji Bapji including the prestigious villege of PADLAO (now known as PARLU) which was a land having a territory of fifty six thousand bighas.Maharaja Man Singh also honoured Jugto Ji Bapji with the Rank of Thakur,Tajim(the King would stand in honor when the Thakur joins or leaves the royal court),Gold in leg(symbol of prestige), elephant, fort at village Kotra and seven other honors and privileges known as Kurabs.Most important among other Kurabs was one equivalent to licence to kill ( known as "Khoon Maaf"). Karamsot Rathors, the then rulers of Parlu, were asked to relinquish the village.When they refused, were threatened by the King to quit immediately or he would send five hundred rajput horsemen to take the village by force.The village was left by them and later handed over to Jugto ji Bapji.After the death of his beloved thakur the king erected a royal chatri( a special structure built in honor at the site of funeral) which can still be seen at the Kaga Shamshan Ghat(Place of funeral) in Jodhpur city,the only Charan in history to have one. The book "Maharja Man Singh Ji Ri Khyat" written by the then state historian (now published by Rajasthani Granthagar,Jodhpur) states all these facts precisely..
- Varnsuraya Bherudan who was son of Thakur Jugtidan Varnsuraya was given a task to kill the prime minister of Bundi by Maharaja Man Singh of Marwar (Jodhpur). With hundred Rajputs under his command he accomplished the duty and returned to Marwar. This was perhaps the only situation where a charan was given command of Rajputs.This fact is mentioned in the book Vansh Bhaskar authored by Sooryamall Mishan, the famous poet of Bundi,however he has criticized the attack showing his loyalty towards Bundi.
A saintly Charan woman Maa Barvadi ji from Gujarat, of whom Sauda / Souda Barhat are descedents, mother of Baru ji Sauda, helped Rana Hamir
Hamir, Maharana of Mewar
Rana Hammir was a 14th century ruler of Mewar in present-day Rajasthan, India. Following an invasion by the Delhi sultanate at the turn of the 13th century, the ruling Guhilot clan had been displaced from Mewar...
, using her own funds to supply him with 500 horses to use in the recovery of Chittor
Chittorgarh
Chittorgarh is a city and a municipality in Rajasthan state of western India. It lies on the Berach River, a tributary of the Banas, and is the administrative headquarters of Chittorgharh District and a former capital of the Sisodia clans of Rajputs of Mewar...
.After victory, Rana Hamir
Hamir, Maharana of Mewar
Rana Hammir was a 14th century ruler of Mewar in present-day Rajasthan, India. Following an invasion by the Delhi sultanate at the turn of the 13th century, the ruling Guhilot clan had been displaced from Mewar...
gave the title of Barhat to Baruji along with 12 villages, in which Soniyana,Aantri and Paaner are the main ones. The Sauda were officially declared as 'Barhat ji' for 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...
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...
clan in Mewar
Mewar
Mewar is a region of south-central Rajasthan state in western India. It includes the present-day districts of Pratapgarh, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Udaipur, Dungarpur, Banswara and some of the part of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The region was for centuries a Rajput kingdom that later...
.http://shreerajput.com/kul/gautardiguhil.php
There have been many chivalrous Saudas who have laid down their life for Mewar.
- Jaisa ji Sauda and Keshav ji Sauda fought with Maharana Pratap in the Battle of HaldighatiBattle of HaldighatiThe Battle of Haldighati was fought between the Mughal Empire and the forces of Rajput kingdom Mewar on 18 June 1576 at Haldighati Pass which lies 44 km north of Udaipur in Rajasthan, India....
and became martyrs. - Naru ji Sauda, worshipped by both HinduHinduHindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
s and MuslimsIslamIslam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, achieved martyrdom at the gate of Jagdish Temple, UdaipurJagdish Temple, UdaipurJagdish Temple is a large Hindu temple in the middle of Udaipur in Rajasthan. A big tourist attraction, the temple was originally called the temple of Jagannath Rai but is now called Jagdish-ji. It is a major monument in Udaipur. The Jagdish Temple is raised on a tall terrace and was completed in...
in UdaipurUdaipurUdaipur , also known as the City of Lakes, is a city, a Municipal Council and the administrative headquarters of the Udaipur district in the state of Rajasthan in western India. It is located southwest of the state capital, Jaipur, west of Kota, and northeast from Ahmedabad...
when Taj Khan and Ruhullah Khan came to destroy it on the order of Muslim emperor Aurangzeb. Two shrines for him were built; one, tended by Hindus, is where his body fell; the other, a few yards away and tended by Muslims, is where his head fell.
Charan Khemraj Dadhiwadia (of village Dharta) saved the life of Prince Jagat Singh of udaipur by killing Naruka Rajput, who attempted to murder the prince.
Following are the quotations about Charans taken from book of Dr. G. N. Sharma.
- In the Battle of Haldighati, which took place in 1576 between Rana Pratap Singh of Mewar and Raja Man Singh of Amber, general of the Mughal emperor Akbar,charan warrior Rama Sandu displayed unprecedented valor.
- In the year 1615 AD, Narhar Charan fell fighting in the action of Sur Singh against Kishan Singh of Kishangarh.
- In the famous field of Dharmat in 1658 AD, Jagmal Khadiya made his end as a valiant warrior.
- In the battle of Delhi when Durgadas planned the rescue of Ajit Singh, Charan Sandu and Mishan Ratan distinguished themselves as martyrs for the cause of their land.
- One of the Unique Battle of Martyr and self respect was fought by VISHAL RABA AND OTHER 11 CHARANS at Ambardi in 1600- 1620 AD with Gujarat Sultan. Jhaverchand Meghani has noted this act of bravery as "ANNAM MATHA" [Heads that never bowed]. Even today there are 12 nos of pillars [paliyas] of Vishal Raba and others who fought with 500-600 persons of Gujarat Sultan's army for not bowing the head in front of Gujarat Sultan.
- Valabha Kesariya of Garni in Saurashtra{Ta- Babara} was honoured by Gaekwad in 1830-1840 AD for his charity to one of his Suba's Childhood without any relationship. Valabha Kesariya had given a widow amount equivalent to accomplish her needs for 20- 25 yrs as he could not resist her insult done by the shopkeeper in the Vadodara city when he was there for selling his horses and other specious diamonds etc. He had said ' Sister i cannot accept such a insult of a lady by such crooked shopkeepers so keep this amount and jewellery to bring up your child and live life with respect. Even if you need more call me any how. I am Valabha Kesariya of Garni in amreli paragana." Later on child became Suba of Gaekwad and met Valabha Kesariya and bowed to him. Further Valabha Kesariya use to help him accomplish the amount of revenue[Khandani] from all Saurashtra kings to Gaekwad. In such a event of recovering the revenue from Jamnagar state, the King of Jamnagar had argument with Vithoba who was Suba of amreli pargana. Suba involved Valabha Kesariya for the Strict recovery from Jamnagar state and to take revenge Jamanagar's King killed Valabha Kesariya by giving him poison in his shoes [Mojadi].
- Charan Jogidas, Mishan Bharmal, Sarau, Asal Dhanu and Vithu Kanau were among the chosen brave warriors who escorted prince Akbar through his way to Shambhaji's court.
- Dhanraj Charan (1801 AD) and Ghan Rama (1822 AD) have been recorded as well-known traders in records of that period.
- Alha charan gave selter to the rathore king Rao Veeramdev rani-Mangilani and her son rao Chunda who than taken over The Mandor Kingdom from Inda(Parihar Rajputs) Alha charan Gave not only selter but complite Army and training to Rao Chunda and by his efforts Inda rajput got married there daughter to Rao Chunda and gave mandor in Dowry to rathore, Alha Charan are now Known as ALAWAT barath of Marwar Jodhpur. Due to grete contribution to the Rathore Kings Alhawat were holding very important position Marwar.
- Dhanabha Raba of Rabana Samadhiyala Village had also helped his friend Ala Khachar who was King of Kundani [Jasdan-Saurashtra] in 1850. He was held by Gaekwad for not paying 18000 kori as amount of treaty between them. Ala Khachar was released as Dhanabha paid the amount to save his friends prestige.
There are records of gifting villages for glorious military service, the book Palanpur Rajayano Itihas (p. 266) gives accounts of gifting a village Manaka to Royal Charan who organised Mercenary Army of Arab Soldiers and helped his Master to stabilise as the Nawab of the state.
Again there were several such incidents in the state of Rajasthan as well and literature of Marwar and Mewar have evidences that Charans were gifted village for acts of bravery in War..