RAJPUT VANSH-GOTRAS-KULDEVI

Branch                Location                                  Gotra                               Kuldevi

Suryavanshi      UP & Uttranchal                       Kashyap                          Chandika
Raghuvanshi     UP, Bihar, Raj,MP                    Kashyap,Vasistha             Kalika
Nimivansha      Bihar                                         Vasishtha                         Chandika
Nagvanshi        Jharkhand, Orissa,MP               Kashyap                          Chandika
Gohil Vansha   Gujarat, Rajasthan                     Kashyap                           Vanmata
Rathore            Bihar, Rajasthan                        Kashyap, Gautam             Vindhyavasini
Gautam            Bihar,UP                                   Gautam
Parmar             Bihar,UP,MP                            Vashishtha                         Durga
Kachwaha        Bihar, UP,Rajasthan                  Gautam                             Mangala
Parihar             UP, MP, Rajasthan                    Kashyap                           Chamunda
Gaud                UP,MP,Rajasthan                      Bhardwaj                         Mahakali
Chauhan           Bihar,UP,Haryana                     Vatsa                                Shakambhari
Vaishya            UP,Bihar                                   Bhardwaj                          Kalika
Pundir              UP,Gujrat,Rajasthan                  Paulsatya                           Dadhimata
Dixit                 Gujrat,UP,Bihar                         Kashyap                           Chandi
Kaushik            UP,Bihar                                   Kaushik
Bisen                UP,Bihar                                   Prashar

Somvansha       UP,Bihar,Punjab                        Aatri                                 Mahalaxmi

Puruvansha       UP                                             Bhardwaj                         Chandi

Haridwar          UP                                             Bhargawa 

Kuruvansha       Bihar,UP                                    Bhardwaj                         Bandi

Drahhuvansha    Tripura,Assam                           Aatri                                 Mahalaxmi

Bhriguvansha     UP                                             Bhargava 

Bhativansha       Bihar,Rajasthan                          Aatri                                 Mahalaxmi

Chandel            Bihar,UP,Himachal                     Chandraya,Vatsa               Mahadevi

Jhala                 Gujrat,Rajasthan                         Kashyap                           Mahakali

Solanki             Guj,Rajashthan,Bihar                   Bhardwaj                         Chandi

Sengar              Bihar,UP                                    Gautam                             Vindhyavashini

Some Famous Forts

The Royal State of Rajasthan is one of the biggest tourist attaction. Rajasthan is blessed with lots of forts n fortresses. These forts are the reflection of rich cultural heritage, art and architecture of India.

Amber Fort: In 16th century, Amber fort was built by Raja Man Singh. Artistically this fort is reflection of Both Rajput and Mughal architecture.Built by white marble and red sandstone. The interior of the fort is decorated with beautiful paintings, intricate carvings, mirror settings and precious stones. The exterior of the fort is strongly built and was used for defense purposes by the kings. Beautyful halls, gardens, palaces and temples inside.

Jaigarh Fort: Jaigarh fort is built on top of the hill, overlooking the city of Jaipur. Most spectacular building and popularly know as the fort of Victory.This fort was built by Raja Sawai Jai Singh .This fort provides the best view of the Aravalli hills. Tall tower, numerous temples, a granary gardens n temples inside the fort. The 'Jai Van' which is one of the biggest canons in the world is housed inside the Jaigarh fort. Fort has three large underwater tanks which help in rainwater harvesting. It belived that Jaigarh and amber fort are connected through a secreat passage. And the kings used this fort as a treasury.

Mehrangarh Fort: This fort is largest citadels in India. Fort was built by Rao Jodha in 1949, and earlier known as the 'Chintamani' fort. This fort is built on 150 m high steep hill overlooking the magnificent city of Jodhpur. The walls of the fort a embelliched with beautyful carvings, paintings and mirror work. The Phool Mahal, Sileh Khana, Daulat Khana, Sheesh Mahal and the Moti Mahal are the most charming palaces inside the fort. There is also a Museum inside the fort with miniature paintings, musical instruments, royal cradles and palanquins.

Chittorgarh Fort: The Chittorgarh has an extermely tragic history.  It has witnessed Jauhar's and bloody sieges many a times in the past. It has two main entrances Ram pol and Suraj pol which has seven gates. The nine floored structure is decorated by beautiful sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddess. The palaces like Ratan Singh palace, Rana Kumbha Palace, Fateh Prakash Palace and Rani Padmini Palace are inside the fort.

Taragarh Fort: This fort is in centre of the Rajasthan and one of the oldest  hill forts in the World. The thick walled fort has six gateways and houses a massive canon called Bhim burj. During wars the people shifted to this fort for safety. There is a huge reservoir inside the fort which used to store water. this fort is the  biggest forts of historical significance in Rajasthan.

Kumbhalgarh Fort: This is the second most important fort in Rajasthan after Chittorgarh. Fort has strong and thick walls, which gaves a great protection during wars. Has large number of gardens, temples and palaces. The Badal Mahal is the biggest attraction of the tourist.

Jaisalmer Fort: This fort was the second most oldest fort in the Rajasthan, more than 800 years old. Fort was built on Trikuta hills. The fort has four enterences hawa pol, bhoot pol, suraj pol, and ganesh pol. Inside the fort has a small lake and royal living area.

The Nahargarh Fort: Which literally means ' the abode of tigers' was built by Sawai Raja Jai Singh in the year 1734. This was one of the very first forts built by the rulers of jaipur. A lovely view of the city below and the Man Sagar Lake from this fort. This fort was also used as a treasury for many years.

Jauhar and Shaka

Every community of the world has struggled to secure their independence and prosperity and have made every possible sacrifice. In the history of war tradition of Rajasthan, Jauhar and Shaka has a special space where inspite dependency on others people prefer to welcome death happily when they could not live further in their survilence.

Jauhar:
Jauhar refer to the ancient Indian tradition. Honorary self immolation of women and subsequent march of men to the bettle field to end their life with respect. It was specially followed by Rajput clans. It was originally the voluntary death on a funeral of the queen and royal of defeated Rajput Kingdoms.

First Jauhar:
In 1303 AD. Ala-ud-din Khilaji was the sultan of Delhi, and Rana Rawal Ratan Singh was King of Chittor and Rani Padmini Was Queen. Ala -ud-din ordered his army to attack on Chittor while Rawal Ratan Singh was a prisoner of Ala-ud-din Khilaji. So the choice was in favour of suicide through Jauhar. A huge pyre was lit and followed by their queen, all the women of Chittor jumped into the flames and deceived the lustful enemy waiting outside.

Second Jauhar:
In 1528 AD, Rana Sanga died and then after his widow Rani Karnavati came under the regency of Mewar and Chittor. The Kingdom was menaced by Bahadur Shah of Gujarat, who besieged Chittorgarh. Without relief from other forces and facing defeat, Rani committed Jauhar with other women. According to one legend, Karnavati importuned the assistance of Humayun, her late husband's enemy, by sending him a Rakhi and a request for his help as a brother. the help arrived too late.

Third Jauhar:
In September 1567, Emperor Akbar besieged the fort of Chittor. Rana Uday Singh II, his sons, and the royal women escaped from fort using secret route after the siege began.The fort was left under Jaimal Rathore and Patta sisodiya's command. One morning Akbar found Jaimal who was inspecting repairs to the fort which had been damaged by explosives. Akbar killed him. On the same day the Rajputs realized that defeat was certain. The rajput women committed Jauhar in the night of Feb 22, 1568.

Shaka:
When Rajput warriors see their women and other dear ones burning themselves through Jauhar, they used to wear saffron cloths and attack enemy forces in such a way that either they do or they die thats Shaka.