Friday, December 17, 2010


Solanki Rajputs

Maher Surnames
Vansh : Agnivanshi
Chalukya (Solinki or Chalok) with 16 branches. Main Shakha- Baghel
The Marathi septs of Chalukya are: Chalukya, Chalke, Ingale, Pisal, Rannavre, Dubal, Mahale and of Solanki: Salunke, Pandhare, Patankar, Patole, Shevale, Babar, Padwal, Magar, Randheer, Ranpise, Sonvane, Gunjal, Lahane, Vyavhare, Navale, Londhe
It is said that Brahma created a young man from fire. He was holding a sword in one hand and Ved in the other. He came to be known as ‘Chilonki’ because it is believed that as Brahma had prepared the putla or human image on his hand, then had thrown it into fire, the man had born. It is said that the word got corrupted to ‘Milonki’ and later on to ‘Solinki’. Another version is that their original name is Chaluka, because they were formed in the palm (chalu) of the hand. They were not very prominenet in rajputana, but were very prominent in the Deccan.
Here they were commonly called Chalukya, though in northern India the name Solanki is more common. As early as AD 350 Pulakesin I made himself master of the town of Vatapi, the modern Badami in the Bijapur District and founded a dynsty, which developed into the most powerful kingdom south of the Nerbudda, and lasted 2 centuries, when it was overthrown by the Rastrakuta Pulakesin II, one of this Chalukya dynasty successfully defended an inroad of the great emperor Harsha Vardhana of Kannauj, who aspired the conquest of the whole of India.
The Rastrakuta kings governed for 2 centuries and in AD 973 Taila or Tailapa II, a scion of the old Chalukya stock, restored the family of his ancestors to its former glory and founded the dynasty known as that of the Chalukya of kalyan, which lasted like that which it superseeded for nearly 2 centuries and a quarter, up to AD 1190. In the 10th century apparaently another branch of the scion migrated from Rajputana into Gujarat and established a new dynasty there, owing to which Gujarat, which had formerly been known as Lata, obtained its present name. The principal king of this line was Sidh raj Solanki, which is well known to tradition. From these Chalukya or Solanki rulers the Baghel clan arose, which afetrwards migrated to Rewah. The Solankis are found UP and in small numbers in MP (Hoshangabad and Nimar).
Salunkhes are descendents of Solanki Dynasty of Gujarat. Solankies ruled on Gujarat before 900 years. Solankies were descendents of Chalukyas of Karnataka in 6th to 8 century A.D. from Badami. Another branch of Chalukyas ruled between 973 A.D. to 1186 from Kalyan on Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Chalukyas were Jains and this tradition was also in Solankies.
Kumarpal Solanki was the famous king of this dynasty who ruled between 1143 to 1172 A.D. He defeated the Turk invaders. Solanki is the famous clan of Oswal Jains.
Baghel / Vaghela (means race of the tiger or tiger club)
Baghel: In the ancient work entitled "Komarpal Charitra," Baghel was listed as one of the Rajput tribes of Rajasthan (Tod 69), but are a branch of Sisodias. Walker described the Baghel, or Baghela, as one of the chief Rajput clans who played a major part in history. "Baghela or Vaghela of Gujarat...are related to the Chalukyas, and most propable a branch of it and have given their name to Baghelkhand" or Rewa, but others of the tribe have spread through Budelkhund. Allahabad, Benares, Kanpur, Gorakhpur and Farrukhabad. The chiefs of Rewah are Baghel and the Maharaja Raghuraj Singh has written a traditional history in Bhakt Mala. He derives their name from a chield , having the form of a tiger (bhagh), who was born to the Solanki Raja of Gujarat.
The Bombay Gazetteer states that the founder of the clan was one Anoka, nephew of the Solanki king of Gujarat, Kumarpal (1143-1174). He obtained a grant of the village of Vaghela, the tiger’s lair. Subsequently the Baghels extended their power over the whole of Gujarat, but in 1304 the last king Karnadeva, was driven out by the Muhameddans and of his most beautiful wives was captured and sent to the emperor’s harem. Karnadeva and his daughter fled and hid themselves near Nasik, but the daughter was subsequently taken also, while it is not stated what became of Karnadeva. Mr. Hira Lal assistant of Mr.Russel suggests that he fled towards Rewah and that he is the Karnadeva of the list of Rewah Rajas, who married a daughter of the Gond-Rajput dynasty of Garha-Mandla. At any rate the Baghel branch of Solankis apperently migrated to Rewah from Gujarat and founded that state in the 14 th century and in the 15 th century they became prominent. According to captain Forsyth , the Baghels claim descent from a tiger and protect it when they can, They are found in Hoshangabad in Mandla and Chattisgarh which are close to Rewah. They were also known as Makwara.


Baghel or Vaghela or Pal is the name of a Rajput clan. They are a branch of the Solanki rajputs , who in turn belong to the Raghav (Raghuvanshi),Agnivanshi lineage.
The Baghelkhand region in India, part of the present-day state of Madhya Pradesh, takes its name from that of this clan. The region was ruled in past centuries by dynasties belonging to the clan. Rewa was the premier princely state ruled by the Baghel clan.
History and origin
It is said that Brahma created a young man from fire. He was holding a sword in one hand and Ved in the other. He came to be known as ‘Chilonki’ because it is believed that as Brahma had prepared the putla or human image on his hand, then had thrown it into fire, the man had born. It is said that the word got corrupted to ‘Milonki’ and later on to ‘Solinki’. Another version is that their original name is Chaluka, because they were formed in the palm (chalu) of the hand. They were not very prominent in Rajputana, but were very prominent in the Deccan. Here they were commonly called Chalukya, though in northern India the name Solanki is more common. As early as AD 350 Pulakesin I made himself master of the town of Vatapi, the modern Badami in the Bijapur District and founded a dynsty, which developed into the most powerful kingdom south of the Nerbudda, and lasted 2 centuries, when it was overthrown by the Rastrakuta Pulakesin II, one of this Chalukya dynasty successfully defended an inroad of the great emperor Harsha Vardhana of Kannauj, who aspired the conquest of the whole of India.
Early history
The Rastrakuta kings governed for 2 centuries and in AD 973 Taila or Tailapa II, a scion of the old Chalukya stock, restored the family of his ancestors to its former glory and founded the dynasty known as that of the Chalukya of kalyan, which lasted like that which it superseeded for nearly 2 centuries and a quarter, up to AD 1190. In the 10th century apparaently another branch of the scion migrated from Rajputana into Gujarat and established a new dynasty there, owing to which Gujarat, which had formerly been known as Lata, obtained its present name. The principal king of this line was Sidh raj Solanki, which is well known to tradition. From these Chalukya or Solanki rulers the Baghel clan arose, which afetrwards migrated to Rewah. The Solankis are found UP and in small numbers in MP (Hoshangabad and Nimar).
Salunkhes are descendents of Solanki Dynasty of Gujarat. Solankies ruled on Gujarat before 900 years. Solankies were descendents of Chalukyas of Karnataka in 6th to 8 century A.D. from Badami. Another branch of Chalukyas ruled between 973 A.D. to 1186 from Kalyan on Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Chalukyas were Jains and this tradition was also in Solankies.
Kumarpal Solanki was the famous king of this dynasty who ruled between 1143 to 1172 A.D. He defeated the Turk invaders. Solanki is the famous clan of Oswal Jains.
Baghel / Vaghela (means race of the tiger or tiger club)
Baghel: In the ancient work entitled "Komarpal Charitra," Baghel was listed as one of the Rajput tribes of Rajasthan (Tod 69), but are a branch of Sisodia. Walker described the Baghel, or Baghela, as one of the chief Rajput clans who played a major part in history. "Baghela or Vaghela of Gujarat...are related to the chalukyas, and most probably a branch of it and have given their name to Baghelkhand" or Rewa, but others of the tribe have spread through Budelkhund. Allahabad, Benares, Kanpur, Gorakhpur and Farrukhabad. The chiefs of Rewah are Baghel and the Maharaja Raghuraj Singh has written a traditional history in Bhakt Mala. He derives their name from a child, having the form of a tiger (bhagh), who was born to the Solanki Raja of Gujarat.
The Bombay Gazetteer states that the founder of the clan was one Anoka, nephew of the Solanki king of Gujarat, Kumarpal (1143–1174). He obtained a grant of the village of Vaghela, the tiger's lair. Subsequently the Baghels extended their power over the whole of Gujarat, but in 1304 the last king Karnadeva, was driven out by the Muhameddans and of his most beautiful wives was captured and sent to the emperor's harem. Karnadeva and his daughter fled and hid themselves near Nasik, but the daughter was subsequently taken also, while it is not stated what became of Karnadeva. Mr. Hira Lal assistant of Mr.Russel suggests that he fled towards Rewah and that he is the Karnadeva of the list of Rewah Rajas, who married a daughter of the Gond-Rajput dynasty of Garha-Mandla. At any rate the Baghel branch of Solankis apparently migrated to Rewah from Gujarat and founded that state in the 14th century and in the 15th century they became prominent. According to Captain Forsyth, the Baghels claim descent from a tiger and protect it when they can, They are found in Hoshangabad in Mandla and Chattisgarh which are close to Rewah. They were also known as Makwara. Baghels are also in Vidisha, Ganj Basoda, Raisen, Sagar, Harda etc. Here they are very big farmers.
Vaghela
The Vaghelas were an Indian dynasty of Gujarat. The Vaghelas were based in the town of Dholka, and were feudatories of theSolanki dynasty, who ruled Gujarat from the 10th to the 13th centuries. The Solanki went into decline in the thirteenthcentury, and by 1243 the Vaghelas were firmly in control of Gujarat. They restored stability to Gujarat for the latter half of the 13th century, and the Vaghela kings and officials were dedicated patrons of the arts and temple-building.
Virdhaval was the first Vaghela king, and two of his Jain minister brothers, Vastupal and Tejpal, built the exquisite DilwaraTemples on Mount Abu in Rajasthan, and temples at the Girnar and Shetrunjay hills. His successor Vishaldev built temples atDabhoi and founded Vishalnagar. Karandev was the last Vaghela king, who died in the 1304 conquest of Gujarat by Ala-ud-dinKhilji, Sultan of Delhi.
List of Vaghela kings
Virdhaval (Visala) (c. 1243 - c. 1262)
Arjuna (Vishaldev) (c. 1262 - c. 1275)
Sarangadev (c. 1275 - c. 1297)
Karandev (II) (c. 1297-1304)
Vaghela is a Kshatriya name. (Hindi: क्षत्रिय, kṣatriya from Sanskrit: क्षत्र, kṣatra) It is one of the four varnas (Social Orders) in Hinduism. It constitutes the military and noble order of the traditional Vedic-Hindu social system as outlined by the Vedas and the Laws of Manu. Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira all belonged to this social order.
Initially in ancient Vedic society, this positions was achieved on the merits of a person's aptitude (guna), conduct (karma), and nature (swabhava). Over the years it became hereditary.
List of rulers of Gujarat Maharajadhiraj Raj Solanki (He married & issued two sons) ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Mulraj(Solanki Vansh) Rakayat Mulraj was the son of the Raj’s first rani, she was a sister of Patan’s Raja Samantsingh
Chavda & Rakayat was the son of the Raj’s second rani, she was the sister of Kutchch’s king Rao Lakha --------------------------------------- Rakayat
Rakayat married with rayamati and issued son named Vyaghradeo, She keep him in Vyaghreshvari mataji’s temple at Aatkot’s
jungle and she was be SATI Marana Vyaghradeo He protected by Vyaghreshvari Mataji so he knowned by Vyaghradeo and After him,
his vansh known as VAGHELA/BAGHEL/WAGHELA He married with Kashi’s Raja’s daughter and issued Five sons ---------------------------------------------------------------
Karandeo Kandhardeo Suratdeo Kiratdeo Shyamdeo (Reva state) (Kasota) (Gujarat) (South) (East) Maharana Suratdeo Vaghela (GUJARAT)
(He came in Gujarat and his grandfather Rakayat was a cousin of Mulraj Solanki so he stay in Dholka Gadi (vairatnagar of
pandavas) ) Maharana Dhavaldeo Vaghela
(He became a king of Vairatnagar and because of him named, vairatnagar known now Dholka, His son Aranorajdeo) Maharana Aranorajdeo Vaghela in Dholka Maharana Lavanrajdeo Vaghela in Dholka
Origin of solanki’s -In many recent sources, Chalukyas or famously Solankis are considered to be Agnivanshis, born from the Agnikund at Abu, by Sage Vashishtha. These thoughts are just following the famous Prithiviraj Raso by Chandbardai. But this fact is purely fiction. There is proof to believe this. Inscriptions of ancient Chalukya kings trace back their origin to Arjun, one of the famous Pandavas. So, they are considered to be purely descendents of the lunar race or Chandravanshis.Arjun was 41th descendent of Lord Visnhu. His 7th descendent was Udayan. Starting from Udayan, 56 kings ruled near the area of Soram. Thus, "nikas" of Chalukyas is considered to be "Soram Ghat".After that, Chalukya was born, from which the clan took its name. Some sources claim that he took this name after worshipping Lord Vishnu on Chalukya mountain. He was married to Rashtrakuta princess, from which manvya was born. In the lineage of Chalukya, Vijayaditya was born who moved to southern India to form new kingdom.Vijayaditya fought with Trilochan Pallav and died. His queen, who was about to birth a child, took shelter in at Vishnubhatt Somayaji in Madivemu village, where Vishnuvardhan was born.Vishnuvardhan worshipped Goddess Gauri, who gave him with the royal insignia of the Chalukyas. Royal insignias - Silver Chattra, Panchamahashabdh Shank, Palidhwaj (Flag), Prati Dhakka (Royal drum), Sign of Varah (which remain the their sign forever), Morchaal, MakarToran, Royal Seat (Sinhasan), Sword of gold.Vishnuvardhan defeated Kadambvanshi Kings and annexed their 7500 villages. His descendents ruled from there, but they were unable to control the kingdom and thus readily declined.After 15 generations of Vishnuvardhan, Jaysingh was born. He defeated Rashtrakuta King Krishna and restablished the honour of Chalukyan Empire.His capital was Badami and his descendents were known as Chalukyas of Badami.His grandson was Pulkeshi-I(553-566 A.D).

Journey from Chalukya to Solanki
Chalukya - the name without which no part of India's ancient history is complete.There are many beliefs regarding the origin of the name "CHALUKYA".One says, it is the name of the warrior who was born from the Agnikund of Abu,and thus his descendent's were called Chalukyas. This beliefs is based on the conceptof Agnikula Rajputs.Second theory, which is also based on fiction as the first one, says that, Lord Brahma has created a warrior by taking Gangajal in his "chuluk" (palm) and ordered him to protectmankind from the "Asurs". Being created from Brahma's chuluk, he was called Chalukya. Most south Indian Kings belonging to Chalukyan family had followed this belief.Another theory which is not much famous, but is believed to be near true says that, in the lineage of Arjun,the famous warrior from Mahabharat, there was a King named Chalukya, and after his name, his descedents were called Chalukyas. This theory gets some support from history of Solankis of Gujarat, which also mentions lunar race of Solankis, descendents of Arjun.Gaurishankar Ojha, most famous historian of Rajputana after Col. James Tod, had written a book "Early history of Solankis". In this book, he had given many accounts of ancient Chalukyan inscriptions which says that Chalukyas are of Lunar race ("Chandra Vanshis").In history of both Chalukya families(South and Gujarat) mentions that their ancestors were ruling in the northern part of India, near Ayodhya and from there they had migrated to South and Central India. Chalukyan King Rajraj's inscription says that "After Udayan, there were 59 Chakravarti Kings in Ayodhya, then King Vijayaditya,of this lineage attacked Southern king Trilochan Pallav. Vijayaditya was killed in the battle, his queen, was given sheltered by a Brahmin, where Vijayaditya's son Vishnuvardhan was born. From Visnhuvardhan, all southern Chalukya kings were descended.History of Gujarat mentions that Raj and Beej, both came from Kalyani. Most historians have mistakenly took this Kalyani as the famous Kalyani, capital of a strong Chalukyan Kingdom in Southern India. Researchers have shown that there exist a place Kalyankataka, mentioned in Prabandchintamani, Ratnamala and many other books, is believed to be in Vindya ranges in Central India. The bard of Roopnagar, the Jagir Solanki Rajputs in Mewar, traces lineage of his masters to the kings, who ruled near banks of Soram river, which is in central India.Inscriptions of Kaluchari Kings of Central India describes that this place was under the supremacy of Chalukyan Kings. Thus, the belief that Chalukya of Gujarat and Southern India, shares a common lineage and both were migrated from North-central India. Though they have got separated many years before, but shares their title.The Chalukya brothers from Kalyankataka, migrated to Gujarat and established a dynasty, which was one of the most powerful and famous dynasty of Indian history. This dynasty had changed the future of Gujarat and its surrounding areas.In the western India, people pronounces "Cha" as "Sa". When the Chalukya Kings migrated to Gujarat, the name Chalukya was pronounced in local language "Salukya, Saluki", and later got changed to Solanki. There are many maratha families in Maharasthra which still have their title as "Saluki or Salunke". In the inscription, which were written in Sanskrit, it was spelled correct "Chalukya", but in local language it got variations and now got a common pronounciation "Solanki". From the period, when the history was started to be written in local languages and the name was written as it was spelled "Solanki".There are some difference in the Southern and Northern Chalukyas, as the gotra of Southern Chalukyas is "Manavya" and of Northern Chalukya is "Bhardwaj". The family insignia is also different. The clan deity is also different, Southern family worhips Lord Vishnu as their clan deity and the Northern family worhsipped Lord Somnath as their clan deity. But these difference occured due to their different ruling areas. Their is a large difference in both the cultures, thus these differences can occur. Besides these differences, both the families share a common thing, a "Shwet Chattra" which is believed to be their ancient insignia. Though, now a days, the trace of southern family is hard to find, but the northern family is still holding much of its patrimony, mostly in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and in Rajasthan, especially in Mewar.

Rajput Clan's Utan (Oldest Place of Family Division)
Historically, there are 36 clans of Rajputs, thus called chattis-kul.Rajputs are known by the place they belong. Some clans even took their names by the place they used to rule, as Sisodiya(from Sisoda), Sonigara Chauhan(from Svarngiri Fort, Jalore) and many others. Rajputs are mostly identified by the place they belond or used to belong or ruled. According to the historical books, Utan of the different Rajput clans are-Dhar,Abu - ParmarJayal - KhichiSambhar,Nadol - ChauhanParbatsar - DahiyaTunk-Toda - SolankiMandore - PariharPatan - ChavdaKannauj - RathoreNarvar - KachhwahaDelhi - TanwarBhatner,Lodurva - BhatiBundi - HadaJalore - Sonigara ChauhanChittor - MoriHalvad-Patdi - JhalaJanglu - SankhlaBandhogarh - BaghelaMerta - Mertiya Rathore.There are many small sub-clans in different Rajput clans which are having their name took from the place they used to rule but it will produce an messed up list here, so are avoided.