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Chahar Jat Clan: An Overview

The Chahar Jats, also known as Chahad, Chaharag, and Chahal, are a prominent Jat community found in Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh in India. Renowned for their simplicity and honesty, Chahar Jats have been honored with titles such as Faujdar by Muslim rulers, a title bestowed upon individuals responsible for the protection of territories. This title was similarly awarded to other Jat groups like the Sinsinwar, Kuntal, and Sogarwar.

Origins and Name

The Chahar clan is believed to have origins in Afghanistan, which may have influenced the clan’s name. The clan’s name is sometimes spelled as Chahar, Chahal, Chayal, or Chahal, reflecting regional variations. In the Braj region and Rajasthan, they are known as Chahar, while those who moved from Agra to the district of Sambhal are referred to as Chahal.

Jat Gotra Namesake

The name “Chahar” is linked to historical and geographical references:

• Charmae: Mentioned by Pliny, it possibly refers to the Chahar clan.
• Chachar: A village in Gujranwala, Pakistan.
• Chahar Burjak: A district in Nimruz Province, Afghanistan.
• Chamunda: A goddess mentioned in ancient inscriptions, associated with the Chahar name.

Historical Background

According to historian Ram Swarup Joon, the Chahar clan is ancient and historically significant. They once ruled parts of Central and Southern India and were also present in Gujarat. Evidence shows their prominence in Bharatpur and Gurgaon, where they were also referred to as Faujdars. In Agra, they have 242 villages clustered together. Chahar Sikhs are scattered across Punjab, and there are numerous references to Chol Kshatriyas in the Mahabharata.

Notable historical figures include Raja Chahar Deo, who ruled the Narwar fort in Gwalior at the end of the 13th century. His reign ended around Vikram Samvat 1355, leading his descendants to migrate to the Brij Bhumi region in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Another significant figure was Raja Maldeo, who ruled in Sidhmukh (Bikaner). During his rule, he fought against the Muslim army, resulting in his death and the migration of his remaining family members to Jhunjhuwati.

Ramki Chahar is celebrated for his bravery alongside Raja Khemkaran in resisting the Muslim army. The Rajatarangini mentions Charadeva in the context of battles between Uchchala and the King of Kashmir.

Greek Historical Connections

The Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BC, during Alexander the Great’s era, saw Thebes, an ancient city, revolt against Alexander. Arrian’s accounts highlight the repercussions of this conflict and Alexander’s dealings with Athens. The Thebans’ revolt and subsequent destruction may hint at connections with the Chahar Jat clan, though this remains speculative.

Villages Founded by the Chahar Clan

The Chahar Jats have founded numerous villages across Rajasthan and Haryana:

• Abusar, Baggar, Bakra, Bhorki: Villages in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan.
• Charwas, Charawas: Villages in Rajasthan, including Charawas founded by Gopal Chahar in 1453 AD.
• Chahron Ka Bas, Dhani Chhoti Chahara Wali: Villages in Rajasthan.
• Kanjan, Meghsar: Villages founded by Chahar Jats in Rajasthan.
• Khudaniya, Lutoo, Nagla Chahar: More villages in Rajasthan.

Chahar Pal

The Chahar Pal encompasses 242 villages in the Chaharwati area of Agra district, making it a significant Khap. Notable villages include Akola, Veri, Jengora, and Ramnagar. This Khap has produced many distinguished leaders, such as Captain Bhagwan Singh, Ajay Singh, Ramesh Verma, and Kishori Lal.

History of the Chahar Clan

Reference: Anoop Singh Chahar, Jat Samaj Agra, November 2013, pp. 26-27

According to ancient history, during the fourth century, the Chahal (known as Chola by European historians) were rulers in Gurargan, located in Dahistan, which lay east of the Caspian Sea in Central Asia. In 438-439 CE, the Iranian Emperor Yazdgerd II launched a campaign against the Chahals. The Chahals killed Yazdgerd in the emperor’s military camp in Dahistan’s grassy plains. In 440 CE, Yazdgerd III defeated the Chahals in battle. The Chahals likely arrived in India during the fifth century, and their name is pronounced both as Chahal-Chahal and Chahar-Chahar.

The name Chahal is recognized in Greece, Central Asia, and South India as Chola, while in China, Mongolia, and Braj (India) it is known as Chahar. In Punjab, Haryana, and Pakistan, they are referred to as Chahal-Chahal. Chahal-Chahal Jats can be found in India and abroad among Muslims, Christians, Hindus, and other religions.

The Cholas are mentioned in the Ramayana, Mahabharata, accounts of Megasthenes, Ashoka’s inscriptions, and other texts. The Chahars are a branch of the Chola Jat lineage, which ruled South India during the Ramayana period and extended into northern regions during the Mahabharata period.

In the Mahabharata’s Vanaparva, Chapter 48, it is noted that the Chola ruler donated a substantial amount of wealth to King Yudhishthira’s Rajasuya sacrifice:

“Yatra sarvan mahipalāñ shastratejo bhayārthitān
Svaṅgāṅgān sapauṇḍra uḍrān sa-chol thara-viḍāndhakān” (III.48.18)

In the Sabha Parva, Chapter 24 of the Mahabharata, Arjuna’s conquest of the Chola kingdom is mentioned among the northern territories:

“Tataḥ suhmāṃś cha cholāṃś cha kirīti pāṇḍavarṣabhaḥ
Sahitaḥ sarva-sainyena prāmadad Kurunandhanaḥ” (II.24.20)

The Mahabharata’s Bhishma Parva, Chapter 10, describes the geography of Bharatvarsha, including the Chola state among the southern kingdoms:

“Karnikāḥ kuntikāś chaiva saubhidā nalakālikāḥ
Kaukuttakās tadā cholāḥ koṅkaṇā mālavāṇakāḥ” (VI.10.58)

In Chapter 46 of the Bhishma Parva, the Chola king is listed with other southern states:

“Bāhlikās tittirāś chaiva cholāḥ pāṇḍyāś cha bhārata
Ete janapathā rājan dakṣiṇaṃ pakṣam āśritāḥ” (VI.46.50)

In the eighth century, the Chola dynasty ruled over Jats in South India, encompassing most of Tamil Nadu and Mysore.

In the ninth century, the Chola dynasty established its rule over the remnants of the Pallavas. The founders of the Chola dynasty were Vijayapala Narkeshari (850-891 CE), with their capital at Tanjap (Tanjore or Tanjavur). The dynasty had many valiant rulers, including Rajendra Chola II (1051–1063 CE) and Rajaraja Chola (1063–1070 CE). After Kulottunga (1070–1120 CE), the dynasty’s rulers weakened, and by the 14th century, the Chola dynasty was defeated by the Chalukyas and Malik Kafur.