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{{Short description|Clan of Rajputs in India}}
{{About|a Rajput clan historically associated with Jaipur state|agricultural communities of the Indo-Gangetic Plain|Kushwaha}}
{{Lead too short|date=June 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}

The '''Kachhwaha''' is a [[List of Rajput dynasties and states|Rajput]] clan found primarily in [[India]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sen |first=Sailendra Nath |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fpJ7ry7B5TYC&dq=kachwaha+rajput&pg=PA167 |title=Textbook of Indian History and Culture |date=2007 |publisher=Macmillan India Limited |isbn=978-1-4039-3200-6 |location=New Delhi, India |pages=167 |language=en}}</ref><ref>The Rajput Palaces: The Development of an Architectural Style, 1450–1750 p. 88 – "the Kachwaha Rajputs (who had previously ruled in Gwalior) established themselves in an adjacent region, founding Dhundar as their capital in 967 AD {{ISBN|9780195647303}}."[https://books.google.com/books?id=jgTqAAAAMAAJ&q=The+Rajput+Palaces:%C2%A0The+Development+of+an+Architectural+Style,+1450-1750+pg.88]
</ref> They claim to be descendants of [[Kusha (Ramayana)|Kusha]], hence from the [[Solar dynasty|Suryavanshi (Solar) dynasty]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=“Out of thirty six major clans of the Rajputs, ten belong to Suryavanshi (Sisodia, Rathor, Kachhwaha etc.) and ten to Chandravanshi” |first=Kumar Suresh Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dhAwAQAAIAAJ&q=kachhwaha+suryavanshi |title=People of India: Rajasthan |date=1998 |publisher=Anthropological Survey of India |isbn=978-81-7154-769-2 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=“12. The suryavanshi are divided into three major clans: the Guhilot, Kachwaha and the Rathod (Karve 1965: 166).” |first=Maya Unnithan-Kumar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b9ktWLud0oIC&dq=kachhwaha+suryavanshi&pg=PA136 |title=Identity, Gender, and Poverty: New Perspectives on Caste and Tribe in Rajasthan |date=1997 |publisher=Berghahn Books |isbn=978-1-57181-918-5 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Metha |first=Arun |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X0IwAQAAIAAJ&q=kachhwaha+suryavanshi |title=History of Medieval India |date=2004 |publisher=ABD Publishers |isbn=978-81-85771-95-3 |language=en}}</ref> The Kachhwahas ruled the [[Kingdom of Amber]] in present-day [[Rajasthan|Rajasthan, India]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chakravarti |first=Anand |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fD4HAAAAMAAJ |title=Contradiction and Change: Emerging Patterns of Authority in a Rajasthan Village |date=1975 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-560523-5 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Kingdom of Amber |date=2025-06-29 |work=Bharatpedia |url=/w/index.php |access-date=2025-08-01 |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Raja Man Singh of Amber.jpg|thumb|Painting depicting Raja Man Singh Kacchwaha]]

==Etymology==
According to Cynthia Talbot, ''Kachhwaha'' is a [[Sanskrit]] word which means [[tortoise]].<ref>{{cite book |title=The Last Hindu Emperor: Prithviraj Cauhan and the Indian Past, 1200–2000 |edition=illustrated |year=2015 |pages=146–182 |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |chapter=Imagining the Rajput Past in Mughal–era Mewar |first=Cynthia |last=Talbot |doi=10.1017/CBO9781316339893.006 |isbn=9781316339893 |quote=This is a reference to [[Pajawan|Pajjun]]'s family name, Kachhwaha, which means tortoise}}</ref> According to other sources, the clan name ‘Kacchwaha’ has been derived from the name of Kusha, [[Rama|Rama’s]] son, so they also claim descent from Rama’s son Kusha and thus from the Suryavanshi lineage.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Prasad |first=Rajiv Nain |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.35121 |title=Raja Man Singh Of Amber}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=“Also, there are people in India by surname Kushwaha & Kachhwaha, who claims to be descendants of Lord Rama.” |first=Suresh Kumar Pareek |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VywbEQAAQBAJ&dq=kachwaha+lord+rama&pg=PT6 |title=Know the God through the Lens of Science |date=2024-08-22 |publisher=Notion Press |isbn=979-8-89519-587-1 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=“The Kachhwahas are suryavanshi (of the Sun dynasty), tracing their descent from Kush, son of Lord Rama.” |first=DK |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oXa60HtlNOYC&dq=kachwaha+lord+rama&pg=PA196 |title=Great Monuments of India |date=2009-11-02 |publisher=Dorling Kindersley Limited |isbn=978-1-4053-4782-2 |language=en}}</ref>

==Origin==
[[File:Flag of Kohra.png|thumb|Original Jharshahi Flag (Kovidar/kachnar dhvaj)]]

The Kacchwahas claim descent from Kusha, son of the [[Hindus|Hindu]]<nowiki> God Rama{{.</nowiki><ref>{{Cite book |last=Bhatnagar |first=V. S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=plFuAAAAMAAJ&q=origin+of+kachwaha |title=Life and Times of Sawai Jai Singh, 1688-1743 |date=1974 |publisher=Impex India |language=en}}</ref> According to James Mills, the ancestors of Kacchwaha Rajputs had migrated from [[Kosala kingdom|Kosala]] and established a new dynasty at [[Gwalior]] and later migrated to [[Rajasthan]] in 1028 AD. Some historians associate Dulha Rao, the founder of the [[Jaipur]]-Kachhwaha lineage, with the [[Kachchhapaghata dynasty]] of 10th century.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bahadur |first=Krishna Prakash |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CaGAAAAAMAAJ&q=kachwaha+rajput+origin |title=Caste, Tribes & Culture of India |date=1977 |publisher=Ess Ess Publications |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Nijjar |first=Bakhshish Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xQM9voN21ekC&dq=kachwaha+rajputs+migrated&pg=PA342 |title=Origins and History of Jats and Other Allied Nomadic Tribes of India: 900 B.C.-1947 A.D. |date=2008 |publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Dist |isbn=978-81-269-0908-7 |language=en}}</ref>

According to Rima Hooja, the Kachhwahas were initially referred to by names such as ''Kachhapaghata'', ''Kachwaha'' and ''Katsawaha''. The variant ''Kachawa'' became popular in the late 16th century during the reign of [[Raja Man Singh]], a Mughal [[Subahdar]] of [[Bihar Subah]] (1587-1594),<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ahmad |first1=Imtiaz |date=2002 |title=Mughal Governors of Bihar Under Akbar and Jahangir |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44158096 |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume=63 |pages=281–288 |jstor=44158096}}</ref> and of [[Bengal Subah]] (1595-1606.<ref>{{Citation |title=Peshawar, Pakistan, 1980 |work=Crossing the River Kabul |pages=153–155 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt1p6jhvp.50 |access-date=2023-12-24 |publisher=Potomac Books |doi=10.2307/j.ctt1p6jhvp.50 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Several inscriptions and manuscripts, such as those found in Balvan, Chatsu, Sanganer and Rewasa are cited in support of this theory.<ref>History of Rajasthan by Rima Hooja Section:The Kachwahas of Dhoondhar p. 2 {{ISBN|9788129108906}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:1 Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II ca 1725 Jaipur. British museum.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Jai Singh II|Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II]] (1688–1743) one of the Greatest Kachhwaha Ruler.]]
[[File:Jaipur 03-2016 19 City Palace complex.jpg|thumb|''Chandramahal'' in [[City Palace, Jaipur]], which was built by the Kachwaha Rajputs.]]

=== Dulha Rai ===
Kachhwaha established their kingdoms in the Dhundhar region of modern Rajasthan in the 11th century. One Kachhwaha [[Dulha Rai]] conquered most of the Dhundhar area from [[Bargujars]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Sarkar|first=Jadunath|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O0oPIo9TXKcC|title=A History of Jaipur: C. 1503–1938|date=1994|publisher=Orient Blackswan|isbn=978-81-250-0333-5|pages=20–33|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Wink|first=André|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bCVyhH5VDjAC|title=Al-hind: The Making of the Indo-islamic World|date=2002|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-90-04-09249-5|pages=287|language=en}}</ref>

=== Raja Kakil deo ===
After Dulherai, his son [[Kakil]] Deo defeated the Meenas of Amer and made Amer the capital of Dhundhar after [[Khoh]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Jaigarh, the Invincible Fort of Amber| year=1990 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hkBuAAAAMAAJ&q=Khoh|page=18|publisher=RBSA Publishers, 1990| isbn=9788185176482 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Taknet |first1=D. K. |author-link=D. K. Taknet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5tCeDAAAQBAJ&q=khoh |title=Jaipur: Gem of India |last2=IntegralDMS |date=2016-07-07 |publisher=IntegralDMS |isbn=978-1-942322-05-4 |language=en}}</ref> He also defeated the Ahirs of Dhundhar region and annexed their territories in the battles of Med and Bairath. Bairath is the corrupted name of Viratnagar which has a great significance in Mahabharata.

=== Raja Pajawan ===
Raja [[Pajawan]] helped [[Prithviraj Chauhan]] in his most of the campaigns and conquests. In total, he is credited to have fought 64 battles in his career. He was married to a cousin of Prithviraj Chauhan.<ref name=":0" /> He died before the popular Battle of Tarain.

=== Raja Prithviraj Singh I ===
Kachhwaha King [[Prithviraj Singh I]] fought along with [[Rana Sanga]] at battle of Khanwa.<ref name=":0" /> He was married to the daughter of Rao Lunkarna of Bikaner, with all his wives summed to nine, giving birth to 18 sons. One of his sons, Purnamal died fighting with Humayun's brother Hindal in a battle that occurred in 1539 AD.

=== Raja Man Singh I ===
He was one of the most trusted nobles of Akbar. He was the supreme commander of the Mughal forces. He built the Amer Fort. He built and saved a number of Hindu temples.

=== Sawai Jai Singh II ===
He built the pink city of Jaipur and five astronomical observatories at Delhi, Jaipur, Benaras, Mathura and Ujjain. He also established Govind Dev Ji temple at Jaipur.

==Sub-Clans==
There are approximately 71 subclans of the Kachhwahas.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Meena |first=R. P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RH--DwAAQBAJ&q=71+subclans+&pg=PA20 |title=RPSC RAS Prelims: History of Rajasthan Complete Study Notes With MCQ |publisher=New Era Publication |language=en}}</ref> The prominent ones are:
*Rajawat - The Rajawats hold the right of succession to the Jaipur throne, and the Maharaja of Jaipur belongs to this subclan.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Crooke |first=William |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=61Y2M9ppW64C&dq=rajawat+clan&pg=PA88 |title=The Tribes and Castes of the North-western Provinces and Oudh |date=1896 |publisher=Office of the superintendent of government printing |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Aberigh-Mackay |first=George |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4uoHAAAAMAAJ&dq=rajawat+clan&pg=PA29 |title=The Native Chiefs and Their States in 1877: A Manual of Reference |date=1878 |publisher=Times of India Steam Press |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Shekhawat]] - Descendants of [[Rao Shekha|Rao shekha]].<ref name="Hooja 2006">{{Cite book |last=Hooja |first=Rima |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tosMAQAAMAAJ |title=A History of Rajasthan |date=2006 |publisher=Rupa & Company |isbn=978-81-291-0890-6 |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Naruka]] - Descendants of Rao Naru .<ref name="Hooja 2006" />
*Nathawat - Descendants of rao natha.
*[[Khangarot]]- Descendants of Rao khangar.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bayley |first=C. S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7nwUqnwj4h4C&q=khangarot+&pg=PA76 |title=Chiefs and Leading Families in Rajputana |date=2004 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |isbn=978-81-206-1066-8 |language=en}}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{unreferenced section|date=February 2022}}

===Khoh Kingdom===
* [[Dulha Rai]]
* [[Kakil]]

===Amber Kingdom===
* [[Pajawan]]
* [[Prithviraj Singh I]]
* [[Bharmal]]
* [[Bhagwant Das]]
* [[Man Singh I]]
* Mirza Raja [[Jai Singh I]]

===Jaipur State===
* Maharaja Sawai [[Jai Singh II]]
* Maharaja [[Ram Singh I]]
* Maharaja Sawai [[Madho Singh I]]
* Maharaja Sawai [[Pratap Singh of Jaipur|Pratap Singh]]
* Maharaja [[Sawai Man Singh II]]
* Maharani [[Gayatri Devi]]
* Maharaja [[Bhawani Singh|Sawai Bhawani Singh]]
* Princess [[Diya Kumari]]
* Maharaja [[Padmanabh Singh]]

===Alwar State===
* Rao Raja [[Pratap Singh Prabhakar|Pratap Singh]]
* Colonel HH Raj Rishi Shri Sawai Maharaja Sir [[Jai Singh Prabhakar|Jai Singh]]
* HH Raj Rishi Shri Sawai Maharaja [[Jitendra Singh (Congress politician)|Jitendra Singh]]
* Rajkumari [[Bhuvneshwari Kumari]]

===Kohra Estate===
* [[Babu Himmat Sah]]
* [[Babu Bhoop Singh]]

===Shekhawati Region===
* [[Rao Shekha]] of amarsar
* [[Ajit Singh of Khetri]]

==See also==
•[[Rajput clans]]

•[[Rajputana Agency|Rajputana]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*Bayley C. (1894) ''Chiefs and Leading Families in Rajputana''
*[[David Henige|Henige, David]] (2004). ''Princely states of India;A guide to chronology and rulers''
*Jyoti J. (2001) ''Royal Jaipur''
*Krishnadatta Kavi, Gopalnarayan Bahura(editor) (1983) ''Pratapa Prakasa, a contemporary account of life in the court at Jaipur in the late 18th century''
* Khangarot, R.S., and P.S. Nathawat (1990). ''Jaigarh- The invincible Fort of Amber''
*[[Andrew Topsfield|Topsfield, A.]] (1994). ''Indian paintings from Oxford collections''
*Tillotson, G. (2006). ''Jaipur Nama'', [[Penguin books]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kachwaha, Kachhwaha}}
[[Category:Rajput clans]]
[[Category:Rajput dynasties]]
[[Category:Rajput clans of Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Dynasties of India]]

Kachhwaha - Revision history

Dwps at 08:11, 1 January 2026