Balhara

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Balhara

(Balra, Balehra, Balara, Belhara, Balaharia,Balihara,baliyara)

Location  : Rajasthan, Haryana ,Punjab and Madhya Pradesh

Country  : India

Languages : Rajasthani, Haryanvi, Punjabi

Religion  : Hinduism, Sikhism

Balhara (बलहारा)[1]/(बलहरा) [2] [3] Balra (बलरा)[4] Balehra (बलैहरा) Balara (बलारा) Belhara (बेलहरा)[5] Balaharia (बलाहरिया)[6] is a gotra of Jats found in Rajasthan, Haryana ,Punjab and Madhya Pradesh. They were supporters of Saroya Confederacy. [7] [8] [9]

Origin

  • According to mythology, these people descended from Bhima (भीम) of Mahabharata fame, who possessed a lot of strength. [10] In Sanskrit, "Bal" means "strength" and "hara" means "the possessor". Thus, Balhara (बल्हारा) means "the possessor of strength".

Jat Gotras Namesake

  • Ballarpur / Ballari Mata (Shivpuri) : Shivpuri town in Madhya Pradesh is known for temples. There is one famous temple of Ballari Mata near the Shivpuri town in Madhav National Park. It was established about one thousand years back. It is believed to be connected with Karauli. Ballari Mata temple is located in the extension area of the Park. In 1999 Ballarpur village was relocated (under the ministry of environment and forests, Beneficiary Oriented Scheme for Tribal Development), and 90 families (around 70 per cent adivasi), the majority of whom were historically almost completely dependent upon the park for survival, were moved to 2 km outside its boundary. [13]

History

Ram Swarup Joon[14] writes.... According to Bhagwatdatta, Baluchis of (of Balochistan) today are the descendants of Anu. Baluchya, Balhara, Bal, Balan are Jat gotras. Kak, Kakarzai, Klock, Kukar, Khokar, Karskar Jats belong to the Anu Branch. Thirty thousand Baluchis in Makran were recognised as Jats. Baluchis of the Lomri region are described as Jats in their chronicles. In the Rig-Veda, there are references to the Kabul River of Afghanistan, Gomal Valley, and rivers Ganga and Jamuna. There are also references to Kshatriya and the five branches of the Yayati Dynasty.

Ram Swarup Joon[15] writes that The Balhara (Balahara) gotra is found among the Sikh, Muslim and Hindu Jats. In 900 A. D. a King of this gotra was a powerful ruler in the Western Punjab. He has been greatly praised by historian Sulaiman Nadwi, who came to India as a trader. According to him this ruler was one of the four big rulers of world at the time (857 A.D.). He was a friend of the Arabs and his army had a large number of elephants and camels. His country was called Kokan (Kaikan) 'near river Herat. The boundaries of this Kingdom extended from China to the Sea and his neighbors were the Takshak and Gujar kings. Their capital was Mankir.

Ram Sarup Joon[16] writes that...The Arab historian Suleman Nadvi in his book Tarikhe-Tibri writes that in 900 A.D. there was a powerful Jat king of Balhara Gotra. He ruled on the Western frontiers of India and was a fast friend of Arab Kings.

According to Bhim Singh Dahiya[17] the Gondal clan represents the “Go-nanda” dynasty of Kashmir, the Lohar jats are the descendants of the Lohar kings of Kashmir, just as the Lalli, the Sahi, the Balhara, the Bring, the Takhar, the Dhonchak, the Samil, the Kular, and so on represent the people mentioned in the Rajatarangini of Kalhana.

About the origin of Balhara, the early Arab Geographers are unanimous in their spelling of the title "Balhará." The merchant Sulaimán says it is a title similar to the Chosroes of the Persians, and not a proper name. Ibn Khurdádba says that it signifies "King of Kings." According to Mas'údí it is a title borne by all the kings of the country, while Ibn Haukal states that it is a name derived from that of the country. Idrísí follows Ibn Khurdádba in giving to it the signification of "King of Kings," but, he adds, that the title was hereditary. Thus it seems clear that it was the general title of a dynasty, and that it must have borne some such signification as that assigned to it by Ibn Khurdádba.[18]

Balhara Jats were the rulers in Sindh from 8th to 10th century. In 710 AD Muhammad Qasim occupied Sindh. Brahman Raja Dahir was the ruler of Sindh at that time. Raja Dahirâ's father Chach killed the Jat ruler of Deol state Sahasi Rai II in year 650 by conspiracy and occupied the state. Other Jat states in Sindh were not powerful; they were also eliminated by the year 800 AD. This was the early period of Balhara Jat rulers in Sindh. Balharas ruled the area, which can be called as Bal Division. The area from Khambhat to Simari was under their rule and Manafir was their capital. [19] Manafir was probably Mandore or Mandwagarh.It is likely that after Nagas it was ruled by Balharas. The rule transferred from Balharas to Mauryas to Pawars to Chauhans to Parihars to Rathores.[20]

Sir Henry Eliot has mentioned that after defeat of Jat Raja Sahasi Rai II, Raja Matta of Shivistan attacked Alore (the capital of Chach) with brother of Raja of Kannauj and his army. The Jat Raja Ranmal was the ruler of Kannauj at that time. He was famous as Rana. After that the other Jat rulers were eliminated except the Balharas. The Balharas were strong rulers from Khambhat to Sambhar. There are seven tanks of Balharas, Banka tank in the name of Banka Balhara and Lalani tank in name of Lalaji. [21]

Bhim Singh Dahiya writes that the Balhara clan finds mention in numerous references. A country of Balhara, adjoining Jurz (Gujar) country, is mentioned as situated on the western sea coast in connection with the location of "A Race of fair women". [22] The Muslim historian, Abuzaid (916 AD) and Al Masudi (943 AD) speak of two empires, named as Juzr and Balhara. Juzr is rightly identified as Gujar Kingdom, but the identification of Balhara with Rashtrakuta by some historians is not at all called for.[23] [24] [25] Rashtrakutas are a separate clan, where as the rulers of Vallabhipura were Bal Jats, who carved out an independent kingdom after the Dharan (Gupta) empire disintegrate. Col James Todd quotes Strunjaya Mahatmya in which the author, Dhanesvara Suri, Guru of Siladitya VII, wrote, "From Ballbhi, the Bals settled in other countries.[26] [27] We have the name Balhara itself, and they are known to have played significant political/military role in the history of Kashmir and other areas. Mahabharata mentions the Vallabhikān with the Bahlikas, indicating their homeland in the north.[28] [29]

In Kasmir we know Rājavadān Balhara, son of Tejas Balhara from Kalhan's Rajatarangini.[30] Stein says that Balhara is evidently a family name or clan name. It was the period of Jaya Simha (Jai Singh), 1128-1149 AD, and Kalhana was witnessing the contemporary scene as he wrote Rajatarangini in 1149/1150 AD. [31]

Rājavadān Balhara was Governor of Eveśaka and other districts. Plots, counterplots were taking place; moral and military characters were on the low ebb. But about Balhara himself, Kalhana says[32]

"Balhara possessed a certain natural perfection of resolve and character, which, nowadays, is rare indeed, even among men. He thus did not act treacherously against Dhanyu who had come to him inconsiderately; nor against Bhoja, as he might have done from greed." History of India... by Elliot and Dowson is full of the Balhara exploits, whose king called paramount ruler of India."[33] [34]

According to Ram Swarup Joon, a Jat author, the boundaries of this Kingdom extended from China to the Sea and his neighbors were the Takshak and Gujar kings. Their capital was Mankir.[35] The capital of the Balhará is stated by Mas'údí to be Mánkír (or Manákír) - "the great centre of India," and to be situated "eighty Sindí parasangs (640 miles) from the sea" . Istakhrí and Ibn Haukal say that Mánkír is the city in which the Balhará dwells. [36]

James Tod[37] writes that The Balhara kings, and their capital Nahrwala, or Anhilwara Patan, have given rise to much conjecture amongst the learned. We shall, endeavour to condense what has been said by ancient and modern authorities on the subject ; and from manuscripts, ancient inscriptions, and the result of a personal visit to this ancient domain, to set the matter completely at rest. [38] Baleo Kouros has been identified with Vilivāyakura, a name found on coins of the Andhra dynasty. [39]

James Tod[40] writes that At all events, the prince of Deo laid the foundation of Anhilwara Patan in S. 802 (A.D. 746), which henceforth became the capital city of this portion of India, in lieu of Valabhipura, which gave the title of Balakaraes to its princes, the Balhara of the earlier Arabian travellers, and following them, the geographers of Europe. The Balhara of Arab travellers of the tenth century were the Rashtrakuta dynasty of Malkhed, Balhara being a corruption of Vallabha-raja, Vallabha being the royal title. [41]

Ballari Mata/Ballarpur (Shivpuri) : Shivpuri town in Madhya Pradesh is known for temples. There is one famous temple of Ballari Mata near the Shivpuri town in Madhav National Park. It was established about one thousand years back. It is believed to be connected with Karauli. Ballari Mata temple is located in the extension area of the Park. In 1999 Ballarpur village was relocated (under the ministry of environment and forests, Beneficiary Oriented Scheme for Tribal Development), and 90 families (around 70 per cent adivasi), the majority of whom were historically almost completely dependent upon the park for survival, were moved to 2 km outside its boundary. [42]

Sub divisions of Saroya

Bhim Singh Dahiya[43] provides us list of Jat clans who were supporters of the Saroya when they gained political ascendancy. The Balra clan supported the ascendant clan Saroya and became part of a political confederacy.[44]

Balhara in Rajatarangini

Rajatarangini mentions Balhara in several chapters:

In Kashmir, we know Rājavadan Balhara, son of Tejas Balhara from Kalhana's Rajatarangini [45] Stein says that Balhara is evidently a family or clan name. It was the period of Jaya Simha (Jai Singh), 1128-1149 A.D., and Kalhana was witnessing the contemporary scene as he wrote Rajatarangini in 1149/1150 A.D.

Rajavadana Balhara was Governor of Eveshaka and other districts. Plots, counterplots were taking place; moral and military characters were on the low ebb. But about Balhara himself, Kalhana says :[46]

"Balhara possessed a certain natural perfection of resolve and character, which, nowadays, is rare indeed, even among brave men. He thus did not act treacherously against Dhanyu who had come to him inconsiderately; nor against Bhoja, as he might have done from greed."

Rajatarangini[47] tells....Rajavadana was born of Ojas, a leader in the army and in the womb of a chaste woman. This Ojas beamed with prowess, and during the civil war, adorned Sussala's army which was, as it were, a test stone of heroism for the principal warriors. Rajavadana was, during his childhood, called the long-blanket-clad. Owing to the faithfulness of his father, he was retained by the king in his service, and the possession of the estates of Ebenaka &c. was gradually given to him.

But Nāga, born in the hermitage of Khuya, turned the king against Rajavadana, whereupon the latter, with a view to fight, held him in subjection. All feared that being a servant, he would not act cruelly towards the king, and not being a Lavanya, would not stand against the sovereign. {Book VIII (ii), p.245}

Rajatarangini[48] tells....Rājavadana's son went over to the side of Bhoja who was behaving like a king, and brought him to a place befitting a sovereign. But the father (Rajavadana) who was a determined enemy sent his son who was worthy to be tied with a string, to the king. The father did not trust his son with any important work, and he acted as he should have acted. After giving him notice he sent turn to the king without either acknowledging or disclaiming his acts. Rajavadana informed his son, through messengers, that he would soon come to know whether he (Rajavadana) was in the confidence of the king or his determined enemy. {Book VIII (ii), p.247}

Rajatarangini[49] tells.... ...The Shashtachandra, son of Garga, opposed the proud Rajavadana. Jayachandra and Shrichandra, younger brothers of Shashtha fled from the camp and went to Rajavadana. ... Rajavadana who wished to obtain the wealth of past kings caused Bhuteshwara to be plundered by the Khashakas who were travelling the hill road in great number.... The king then ordered Udaya, lord of Kampana and Rilhana to fight with Chatushka. {Book VIII (ii), p.250}

Rajatarangini[50] tells... Help from the Mahomedans:... But Viddasimha learnt the accounts about Bhoja and sent many messengers to Uttarapatha in order to bring the mlechchha kings. Thence they came to the camp of lord of Darad. (This is first instance of Kashmirians sought help of Muhammadans from plains) The kings and their feudatory chiefs from various quarters came to Bhoja.... Sent by Rajavadana, Jayachandra and others, the Kiras and Kashmirians also arrived by the side of Rajaviji. The son of Salhana, who was possessed of immense riches, satisfied Balhara and other soldiers who were far {Book VIII (ii), p.251}

[p.252]: or near, with gold. Rajavadana, an irrepressible conspirator, fearlessly joined Bhoja because he was greatly injured. They two became friends with each other, and their previous distrust was soon forgotten. Bhoja did not wish to begin hostility without the lord of Darad ; but Rajavadana, out of pride, came to help him with a few soldiers and desired to engage in battle atonce. " If our enemies in the camp give, vent to their pride, it will be checked now, though we have borne it before, and a defeat will destroy their union. Therefore I wish for a battle with the whole of our strength, and after one day my victory or defeat will be known." Thus said Bhoja, but Rajavadana smiled in pride, disregarded the soldiers of Darad and led on the advancing army. After the followers of the Rajaviji had crossed over the Sankata, he heard that the lord of Darad had arrived in his neighbourhood. With a view to join him, he returned to Kotta. Balahara caused his soldiers to enter the village of Matṛigrāma. {Book VIII (ii), p.252}

Rajatarangini[51] tells.... After this, the' king and Viddasimha treated Bhoja - who was attended by his soldiers with courtesy, and allowed him to win a victory. Leaving Viddasimha and others in the rear, Bhoja led the army in which the Mlechchhas predominated. Followed by the army which disturbed the world, the son of Salhana thought that he had already conquered the whole earth. With this powerful and proud force consisting of cavalry and Mlechchha kings, he encamped at a place called Samudradhāra. With this powerful and invincible force the beaming Rajavadana thought that Shashthachandra was doomed to death within a short time. {Book VIII (ii), p.253}

Rajatarangini[52] tells.... The Rājavīji disregarded Rajavadana, and Trillaka informed the men of Darad by messengers, that in the first instance neither force nor opposition should be employed in the affair. He strengthened Pamktihari who was in his hands, and wished to win over one of the forces [under Rajaviji or Rajavadana]. The king saw Balahara's force like a picture not painted on a wall [i. e. unsubstantial] and exposed to various dangers from the encodes. The king divided his innumerable force. Trillaka, whose evil intention was known, and who was aware of the king's prowess and also knew that he was strengthening his weak points, behaved like a fattened porcupine. He openly deserted the haughty enemy [ Chatushka ?] whom he had once before kept hidden in his own person. {Book VIII (ii), p.254}

Villages founded by Balhara clan

Balhara Kingdom

Balhara according to Acad. Suren T. Eremian’s reconstruction of the original map of Central Asia from the Armenian geographical atlas ‘Ashharatsuyts’.

Kingdom of Balhara was a state situated in the upper course of Oxus River (present Amu Darya), and the foothills and valleys of Hindu Kush and Pamir Mountains (ancient Mount Imeon). Established ca. seventh century BC.

The inhabitants of Balhara were called Bulh in the fifth-seventh century AD Armenian geographical atlas ‘Ashharatsuyts’. The atlas describes them as an old settled, artisan and trading nation rather than nomadic tribe inhabiting the area centered around the ancient major city of Balkh that comprised roughly present northern Afghanistan and most of Tajikistan. According to Bulgarian historian Georgi Bakalov, Bulhi was probably the Armenian name of the ancient Bulgars. Historiographers in late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages such as Agathias of Myrina, Theophylact Simocatta, and Michael the Syrian also identify Mount Imeon as an early homeland of the ancient Bulgars.

The Bulhi contributed to the ethnogenesis of the present Tajiks in both Afghanistan and Tajikistan, and possibly the homonymous ethnic group of Balhara in India. Some of them migrated to Europe already BC.

Bakalov cites Byzantine historian Zacharias Rhetor as saying that the Burgars (presumably also identical to the Bulgars), had towns in the valleys of Northern Caucasus. They had also the territory along the north coast of Black Sea east of Axiacus River (Southern Bug). He concludes that they migrated to that region from Balhara. In Bakalov's view, the Bulgars established their first state there in 165 AD, a date he arrives at by summing the yeras of life or reign of all rulers listed in the Nominalia of the Bulgarian khans. The Nominalia claims that the first two rulers lived for 300 and 150 years respectively, which has led earlier historians to ignore these figures. Bakalov, however, is of the opinion that their legendary names should be interpreted as referring to entire dynasties, but the dates themselves are accurate. The Kingdom of Old Great Bulgaria is known to have been established in that area in 632 AD. Among the successors of the latter are the medieval Bulgarian Empire and Volga Bulgaria, and present Bulgaria, Tatarstan, and Chuvashia.

Foot notes for Balhara Kingdom

  • Eremian, Suren. Reconstructed map of Central Asia from ‘Ashharatsuyts’.
  • Shirakatsi, Anania, The Geography of Ananias of Sirak (Asxarhacoyc): The Long and the Short Recensions. Introduction, Translation and Commentary by Robert H. Hewsen. Wiesbaden: Reichert Verlag, 1992. 467 pp. ISBN 9783882264852
  • Bakalov, Georgi. Little known facts of the history of ancient Bulgarians. Science Magazine. Union of Scientists in Bulgaria. Vol. 15 (2005) Issue 1. (in Bulgarian)
  • Dimitrov, Bozhidar. Bulgarians and Alexander of Macedon. Sofia: Tangra Publishers, 2001. 138 pp. (in Bulgarian) ISBN 9549942295
  • Dobrev, Petar. Unknown Ancient Bulgaria. Sofia: Ivan Vazov Publishers, 2001. 158 pp. (in Bulgarian) ISBN 9546041211
  • US Department of State. Background Note: Bulgaria. Historical Highlights.
  • Fries, Lorenz and Claudius Ptolemy. Tabula IX. Europae. In: Servetus, Michael. Opus Geographiae. Lyon, 1535.
  • Germanus, Nikolaus and Claudius Ptolemy. Geographia. Ulm: Lienhart Holle, 1482. (fragment)

Merchant Sulaimán on Balhara Kingdom

Merchant Sulaimán's[53] version of 851 A.D. on Balhara Kingdom is as under:

The kingdom of the Balhará: The Balharáis the most eminent of the princes of India, and the Indians acknowledge his superiority. Every prince in India is master in his own state, but all pay homage to the supremacy of the Balhará. The representatives sent by the Balhará to other princes are received with most profound respect in order to show him honour. He gives regular pay to his troops, as the practice is among the Arabs. He has many horses and elephants, and immense wealth. The coins which pass in his country are the Tátariya dirhams, each

[p.4]: of which weighs a dirham and a half of the coinage of the king. They are dated from the year in which the dynasty acquired the throne. They do not, like the Arabs, use the Hijra of the prophet, but date their eras from the beginning of their kings' reigns; and their kings live long, frequently reigning for fifty years. The inhabitants of the Balhará's country say that if their kings reign and live for a long time, it is solely in consequence of the favour shown to the Arabs. In fact, among all the kings there is no one to be found who is so partial to the Arabs as the Balhará; and his subjects follow his example.

Balhará is the title borne by all the kings of this dynasty. It is similar to the Cosroes (of the Persians), and is not a proper name. The kingdom of the Balhará commences on the sea side, at the country of Komkam (Konkan), on the tongue of land which stretches to China. The Balhará has around him several kings with whom he is at war, but whom he greatly excels. Among them is the king of Jurz. This king maintains numerous forces, and no other Indian prince has so fine a cavalry. He is unfriendly to the Arabs, still he acknowledges that the king of the Arabs is the greatest of kings. Among the princes of India there is no greater foe of the Muhammadan faith than he. His territories form a tongue of land. He has great riches, and his camels and horses are numerous. Exchanges are carried on in his states with silver (and gold) in dust, and there are said to be mines (of these metals) in the country. There is no country in India more safe from robbers.

By the side of this kingdom lies that of Táfak, which is but a

[p.5]: small state. The women are white, and the most beautiful in India. The king lives at peace with his neighbours, because his soldiers are so few. He esteems the Arabs as highly as the Balhará does.

These three states border on a kingdom called Ruhmi, which is at war with that of Jurz. The king is not held in very high estimation. He is at war with the Balhará as he is with the king of Jurz. His troops are more numerous than those of the Balhará, the king of Jurz, or the king of Táfak. It is said that when he goes out to battle he is followed by about 50,000 elephants. He takes the field only in winter, because elephants cannot endure thirst, and can only go out in the cold season. It is stated that there are from ten to fifteen thousand men in his army who are employed in fulling and washing cloths. There is a stuff made in his country which is not to be found elsewhere; so fine and delicate is this material that a dress made of it may be passed through a signet-ring. It is made of cotton, and we have seen a piece of it. Trade is carried on by means of kauris, which are the current money of the country. They have gold and silver in the country, aloes, and the stuff called samara, of which madabs are made. The striped bushán or karkaddan is found in this country. It is an animal which has a single horn in the middle of its forehead, and in this horn there is a figure like unto that of a man.

Sir H. M. Elliot on Balhara

Sir H. M. Elliot[54] writes about Balharas: Balhará: The early Arab Geographers are unanimous in their spelling of the title "Balhará." The merchant Sulaimán says it is a title similar to the Chosroes of the Persians, and not a proper name. Ibn Khurdádba says that it signifies "King of Kings." According to Mas'údí it is a title borne by all the kings of the country, while Ibn Haukal states that it is a name derived from that of the country. Idrísí follows Ibn Khurdádba in giving to it the signification of "King of Kings," but, he adds, that the title was hereditary. Thus it seems clear that it was the general title of a dynasty, and that it must have borne some such signification as that assigned to it by Ibn Khurdádba.]

Taking the accounts of the Arab writers, and comparing them with the Indian annals, there can be no great hesitation in identifying the "Balhará" with the dynasty settled at Ballabhi-pura, the princes of which were the founders of the Ballabhi era, and were

[p.355]: probably known as the Ballabhi or Ballabh Ráís. This identification, originally proposed by Colonel Tod, has met with tacit acquiescence, except from M. Reinaud, who considered the term "Balhará" to represent Málwá Ráí or "King of Málwá."

Ballabhi-pura was, according to Tod, "destroyed in the fifth century, by an irruption of the Parthians, Getes, Huns or Catti, or a mixture of these tribes," In another place he gives the date of this event from Jain records as A.D. 524. And in a further passage he says, that after the destruction of Ballabhi-pura, its princes "fled eastward, eventually obtaining Chitor, when the Islands of Deo and Somnath-pattan, in the division termed Larika, became the seat of government. On its destruction, in the middle of the eighth century, Anhalwara became the metropolis, and this, as recorded, endured until the fourteenth century." Hwen Tsang visited Balabhi in the seventh century, and Thomas gives the date of its destruction as 802 Samvat (745 A.D.) The ruins of the city are well known, being situate about twenty miles west of Bhownuggur, in Kattiwar; and the name survives in that of the modern town of Wallay, which stands near them.

Hindu authorities thus record the removal of the seat of government to the country of Lárike or Láta, which country Mas'údí names as being subject to the Balhará, and which the other writers describe as forming part of his dominions.

The capital of the Balhará is stated by Mas'údí to be "Mánkír (or Manákír) the great centre of India," and to be situated "eighty Sindí parasangs (640 miles) from the sea," a palpable exaggeration. Istakhrí and Ibn Haukal say that "Mánkír is the city in which the Balhará dwells, but they do not name it in their lists of the cities of Hind. Bírúní and Idrísí make no mention of it. The unavoidable inference is that the place had fallen to decay, and was known only by tradition in the days of these Arab writers.

....

.... [p.357]: [Hwen Tsang, who travelled in India between 629 and 645 A.D., visited the kingdom of "Fa-la-pi" (Vallabhi), but his account does not help to settle the locality of the capital, for he only says that it was a journey of 1000 li (166 1/2 miles) north from Málwá. The kings were of Kshatriya race, and were connected with the sovereigns of Kanya-kubja, the reigning monarch, Dhruva Bhatta, being son-in-law either of King Siláditya or of that king's son.

The "Balhará" would thus seem to represent, as Tod affirmed, the Ballabh Ráís of Ballabhi-pura who were succeeded by the Bala Ráís of Anhalwára Pattan. Their territories included the ports in the country of Lata (Lárike) on the gulf of Cambay. These ports

[p.358]: were frequented by Arab trading vessels, and so the accounts given of the Balhará by their geographers, vague and meagre as they are, exceed all that is recorded by them of the other contemporary kingdoms.

The extent of the Balhará's territory can only be surmised, and no doubt it underwent continual change. Mas'údí, by implication, places Tanna within his dominions, but this is farther south than would seem to be warranted. The Táptí on the south, and the Arávallí mountains on the north may perhaps represent an approximation to the real extent of the kingdom. This may appear a limited dominion for a monarch of such renown as the Arabs represent the Balhará to have been; but it must be remembered that these writers were accustomed to a simple patriarchal form of government, free from the pomp and splendour of the further east.

There are copper records extant showing that in the first half of the fourth century grants of land in the neighbourhood of Jambúsír were made by the Gurjjara rájas and by the Chalukyas. The latter were of a Rajput tribe, and would then appear to have been making their way southwards to the scene of their subsequent power. In 812 A.D., just before the time of the merchant Sulaimán, a grant was made by the "Láteswara," that is, "King of Lata," but the names therein recorded have not been identified with those in any of the dynastic lists. Allowing for the omissions not unusual in such grants, there is a Dhruva who may correspond with the Dhruva Bhatta of Hwen Tsang.

Ibn Haukal (Ashkálu-l Bilád)[55] writes that in 943 A.D., and after passing through the various lands under Musulmán rule, he returned to that city in 968 A.D.. The following year he was in Africa, and he seems to have finished his work in 976 A.D. His book received the same title as that of Ibn Khúrdádba, or "Book of Roads and Kingdoms. ....From Kambáya to Saimúr is the land of the Balhará, and in it there are several Indian kings. It is a land of infidels, but there are Musulmáns in its cities, and none but Musulmáns rule over them on the part of the Balhará. There are many mosques in these places, where Muhammadans assemble to pray. The city in which the Balhará resides is Mánkír, which has an extensive territory.

बलहारा का इतिहास

बलहारा: मारवाड़ में बलहारा जाटों का भी एक समय बड़ा राज्य था. बाकी, बिलाड़ा, बालोतरा उन्हीं राज्यों के प्रसिद्ध नगर थे. डीडवाना परगने के मौलासर पर भी उन्हीं की सत्ता थी. बाद में बलहारों ने मौलासर के पास रिणवा जाटों के राज्य कोयलपाटन (कौलिया) पर कब्जा कर लिया. उस दौरान कोयलपाटन में रिनवा और बलहारों में लड़ाई हुई थी, जिनमें कई रिणवा मारे गए थे. यहाँ कई रिणवा सतियों की मूर्तियाँ मौजूद हैं. इस इलाके पर आज से चार सौ वर्ष पहले तक बलहारे जाट अपना प्रभुत्व रखते थे. जिन दिनों दौलतखां नागौर का सूबेदार था, उस समय बुलाजी बलहारा इस इलाके के 57 गाँवों का सरदार थ. झाडोद पट्टी उसके हाथ में थी और वह मौलासर में रहता था. उसने गौचर भूमि के लिए एक बड़ी बीड छोड़ी थी और तीन हजार बीघा भूमि उसने अपने चारण को दान में दी थी जो आज भी उस चारण के वंशजों के अधिकार में है. (डॉ पेमा राम, राजस्थान के जाटों का इतिहास. पृ.21-22)

बलहारा जाटवंश का राज्य

दलीप सिंह अहलावत[56] ने लिखा है - अरब यात्री सुलेमान नदवी ने भट्टि यादवों की शाखा बलहारा जाटवंश के राज्य को भारत के चार बड़े राज्यों में से एक लिखा है। जब भारत अनेक राज्यों में बंट गया था तब प्रमुख चार राज्य सिन्ध, कन्नौज, कश्मीर तथा मानकिर में थे। मानकिर, सिंध और राजस्थान की सीमा

जाट वीरों का इतिहास: दलीप सिंह अहलावत, पृष्ठान्त-537

पर था। जो राजा मानकिर का शासक था उसका वंश बलहारा था। इस वंश का यहां पर राज्य सन् 857 ई० में था। बलहारा जाटों का सन् 900 ई० में एक शक्तिशाली राज्य भारत की पश्चिमी सीमाओं पर था। इनकी अरब शासकों से मित्रता थी तथा गुर्जरों से शत्रुता थी। उस समय 70 जाट गोत्र गुर्जरों में मिल गए और अपने को गुर्जर कहने लगे।

बलहारा जाटों का एक प्रदेश गुर्जर प्रदेश के साथ लगता हुआ था, जिसकी स्थापना पश्चिमी समुद्र के तट पर थी। [57] मुस्लिम इतिहासकार अबुजयद (916 ई०) और अल समसूदी (943 ई०) ने भी दो साम्राज्य बलहारा और गुर्जरों के लिखे हैं।

कश्मीरी कवि कल्हण ने अपनी पुस्तक राजतरंगिणी में लिखा है कि तेजस बलहारा का पुत्र राजावादान बलहारा का कश्मीर में शासन था [58] यह जयसिमहा (जयसिंह) जो सन् 1128-1149 ई० में हुआ, का समय था। कल्हण ने यह दृश्य स्वयं देखा है क्योंकि उसने राजतरंगिणी सन् 1149-1150 ई० में लिखी थी। राजावादान बलहारा एवेसका (Evesaka) और कई दूसरे जिलों का शासक था। उस समय एक दूसरे के विरुद्ध षड्यन्त्र रचे जाते थे और नैतिक अवस्था तथा सैनिक चरित्र घट गये थे। किन्तु, इस राजावादान बलहारा के विषय में स्वयं कल्हण लिखता है कि “इस बलहारा राजा में दृढ़ता एवं चरित्र के वह स्वाभाविक विशेष गुण थे जो कि आज के बहादुर लोगों में भी कम ही मिलते हैं। उसने धनयु तथा भोजा राजाओं के साथ विश्वासघात नहीं किया जो कि इसके विरोधी थे तथा इसके पास बिना विचारे और लालच के कारण आ गये थे।” ‘हिस्ट्री ऑफ इण्डिया’ (लेखक इलिएट और डाउसन) पुस्तक बलहारा जाटों के अद्भुत कार्यों से भरी पड़ी है, जिनका सम्राट् भारत के शासकों से सर्वश्रेष्ठ कहलाता है। [59]

इन बलहारा जाटों के असंख्य गांव हैं जिनमें रोहतक से 7 मील स्थित भऊ अकबरपुर एक प्रसिद्ध गांव है1।

कई स्थानों पर भाषाभेद के कारण इस बलहारा गोत्र को बलहरा भी बोला जाता है। जिसका एक गांव गिरावड़, तहसील महम जिला रोहतक में है तथा अन्य पंजाब प्रान्त में संगरूर जिला में 10-12 गांव हैं। जिनमें इस गोत्र का एक गांव बल्हाड़ा भी है।

1. आधार पुस्तकें - जाटों का उत्कर्ष पृ० 354, लेखक योगेन्द्रपाल शास्त्री; जाट इतिहास अंग्रेजी पृ० 116, लेखक ले० रामसरूप जून; जाट्स दी ऐन्शन्ट रूलर्ज, पृ० 245-246, 315 लेखक बी० एस० दहिया।

बलहारा राज्य

ठाकुर देशराज[60] ने लिखा है.... बलहारा - आजकल के बलाहरिया 857 ई. में मानकिर में राज्य करते थे। अरबी यात्री सुलेमान ने लिखा है कि बल्हारा राज्य संसार के 4 बड़े राज्यों में था। सुलेमान ने यह भी लिखा है कि बल्हारा लोगों के राज्य में अरबों का आदर था। इनकी सेना में हाथी-घोड़ों की बड़ी-बड़ी पलटने थी। इनका जुर्ज (गुजर) साथ सदैव मनोमालिन्य रहता था। संभव है भीनमाल के गूजरों उनका झगड़ा रहता हो। सीवी वैद्य इन की राजधानी मानकिर को बल्लभीरायका मान्यखेट बतलाते हैं। इससे वे राष्ट्रकूटों की राजधानी मानते हैं। किंतु इस बात को भूल जाते हैं कि वह राष्ट्रकूट कन्नौज के गाहडवाल व राठौरों से भिन्न थे। ये तो जस्टीन के समय के आराष्ट्र (जाट राठौड़)

[पृ.127]: हैं और जिनको किसी समय एडस्ट्राई ने रावी के किनारे 10 हाथी और हजारों पदाति सेना के साथ देखा था।

Distribution in Haryana

Balhara Gotra is found in Rohtak district in Haryana. Bahu Akbarpur, Bahujamalpur and Garawar villages are their main strong holds. There are some villages in Bhiwani and Sonipat districts as well where Balharas are found.

Villages in Rohtak District

Villages in Sonipat District

Kilohd,

Villages in Karnal District

Fafrana

Villages in Bhiwani district

Kungar, Ouan (ऊण),

Villages in Hisar district

Ladwi,

Distribution in Delhi

Neb Sarai also called as Neemsraa

Distribution in Punjab

Balahra, Balahri Kalan, Balahri Khurd - all three in Fatehgarh Sahib tahsil

Distribution in Rajasthan

Villages in Sikar district

There is one village named Balara in Sikar district of Rajasthan. Other villages with Balara gotra population are Dinarpura, Hirna, Shekhiwas, Mardatu Chhoti, Pichanwa

Villages in Churu district

Binasar, Biramsar, Bidasar Rawali Dhani bidasar

Villages in Nagaur district

Araksar, Chanda Roon, Jharod, Kantiya[61] Maulasar, Nimbi jodha

Villages in Barmer district

Barmer, Bhalaron Ka Bara (t.Siwana), Balotara Bachhdau

Villages in Pali district

Balara,

Distribution in Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal,

Distribution in Uttar Pradesh

Patala Ghaziabad,

Notable persons

  • Leshna Balara: Rajendra Singh Balara's daughter got Gold medal in IIT Roorkee

Balara village

Balara (बलारा) named village is there in Sikar district in Rajasthan.

See also

References

  1. ↑ B S Dahiya:Jats the Ancient Rulers (A clan study)/Jat Clan in India, p.236, s.n.16
  2. ↑ Jat History Dalip Singh Ahlawat/Parishisht-I, s.n. ब-96
  3. ↑ O.S.Tugania:Jat Samuday ke Pramukh Adhar Bindu,p.50,s.n. 1650
  4. ↑ Bhim Singh Dahiya: Jats the Ancient Rulers (A clan study)/Appendices/Appendix I, p.316
  5. ↑ Jat Varna Mimansa (1910) by Pandit Amichandra Sharma,p. 57
  6. ↑ Thakur Deshraj: balihara(बलिहारा)baliyara(बलियारा)Jat Itihas (Utpatti Aur Gaurav Khand)/Shashtham Parichhed, p.126
  7. ↑ Jat Varna Mimansa (1910) by Pandit Amichandra Sharma,p. 57
  8. ↑ Bhim Singh Dahiya: Jats the Ancient Rulers (A clan study)/Appendices/Appendix I, p.316
  9. ↑ A glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province By H.A. Rose Vol II/J,p.376
  10. ↑ Mahendra Singh Arya et al: Adhunik Jat Itihas,
  11. ↑ James Todd, Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, Volume I,: Chapter 7 Catalogue of the Thirty Six Royal Races,pp.111
  12. ↑ जाट वीरों का इतिहास: दलीप सिंह अहलावत, पृष्ठ.187
  13. ↑ http://www.epw.org.in/epw/uploads/articles/9899.pdf
  14. ↑ Ram Swarup Joon:History of the Jats/Chapter II,p.32
  15. ↑ Ram Swarup Joon| History of the Jats/Chapter V,p.73
  16. ↑ Ram Sarup Joon: History of the Jats/Chapter VI,p.116
  17. ↑ Jats the Ancient Rulers (A clan study)/Introduction,p.xi
  18. ↑ The History of India, as Told by Its Own Historians. The Muhammadan Period, Sir H. M. Elliot, Edited by John Dowson London Trubner Company, 1867-1877
  19. ↑ Thakur Deshraj: Jat Itihas, 1934
  20. ↑ Kishori Lal Faujdar: Rajasthan ke Madhyakalin Jatvans, Jat Samaj, Agra, June 2001
  21. ↑ Kishori Lal Faujdar: Rajasthan ke Madhyakalin Jat-vansh, Jat Samaj, Agra, June 2001.
  22. ↑ Journal of Royal Asiatic Society, 1904, p. 163
  23. ↑ ibid.
  24. ↑ R.Hoernle, p. 641
  25. ↑ Bhim Singh Dahiya: Jats the Ancient Rulers, Sterling Publishers, 1980, p.246
  26. ↑ op. cit., Vol. 1, p. 253
  27. ↑ Bhim Singh Dahiya: Jats the Ancient Rulers, p.246
  28. ↑ Mahabharata, II, 47/19
  29. ↑ Bhim Singh Dahiya: Jats the Ancient Rulers, p.246
  30. ↑ op. cit., VIII,2695/2696
  31. ↑ Bhim Singh Dahiya: Jats the Ancient Rulers, p.246
  32. ↑ ibid., p. 2993
  33. ↑ Elliot and Dowson: History of India as told by its Own Historians, Vol.I
  34. ↑ Bhim Singh Dahiya: Jats the Ancient Rulers, p.246
  35. ↑ Ram Swaroop Joon: History of Jats, India
  36. ↑ The History of India, as Told by Its Own Historians. The Muhammadan Period, Sir H. M. Elliot, Edited by John Dowson London Trubner Company,1867-1877
  37. ↑ James Tod: Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, Volume I, Annals of Mewar,p.250, fn-1
  38. ↑ " Hippokoura, the royal seat of Baleo Kouros " (Periplus, viii. 83).
  39. ↑ BG, i. Part ii. 158 ; McCrindle, Ptolemy, 179.
  40. ↑ James Tod: Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, Volume I, Chapter 7 Catalogue of the Thirty Six Royal Races,p.122
  41. ↑ BG, i. Part ii. 209.
  42. ↑ http://www.epw.org.in/epw/uploads/articles/9899.pdf
  43. ↑ Jats the Ancient Rulers (A clan study)/Appendices/Appendix I,p.316-17
  44. ↑ A glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province By H.A. Rose Vol II/J,p.376
  45. ↑ op. cit., VIII, 2695/2696
  46. ↑ ibid., p. 2993.
  47. ↑ Kings of Kashmira Vol 2 (Rajatarangini of Kalhana)/Book VIII (ii), p.245
  48. ↑ Kings of Kashmira Vol 2 (Rajatarangini of Kalhana)/Book VIII (ii), p.247
  49. ↑ Kings of Kashmira Vol 2 (Rajatarangini of Kalhana)/Book VIII (ii), p.250
  50. ↑ Kings of Kashmira Vol 2 (Rajatarangini of Kalhana)/Book VIII (ii), p.251-252
  51. ↑ Kings of Kashmira Vol 2 (Rajatarangini of Kalhana)/Book VIII (ii), p.253
  52. ↑ Kings of Kashmira Vol 2 (Rajatarangini of Kalhana)/Book VIII (ii), p.254
  53. ↑ The History of India, as Told by Its Own Historians/I. The Merchant Sulaimán and Abú Zaid,pp.3-6
  54. ↑ The History of India, as Told by Its Own Historians/Note (A).- Geographical,pp.354-358
  55. ↑ The History of India, as Told by Its Own Historians/V. Ibn Haukal (Ashkálu-l Bilád),p.33-34
  56. ↑ Jat History Dalip Singh Ahlawat/Chapter VI,p.
  57. ↑ (Journal Royal Asiatic Society, 1904, P. 163)।
  58. ↑ (OP Cit, viii 2695/2696)।
  59. ↑ (History of India as told by its own Historians (Elliot and Dowson vol. 1).
  60. ↑ Thakur Deshraj: Jat Itihas (Utpatti Aur Gaurav Khand)/Shashtham Parichhed, p.126-127
  61. ↑ User:Premaramisharna
  62. ↑ Kings of Kashmira Vol 2 (Rajatarangini of Kalhana)/Book VIII (ii), p.245

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