Khasa
Khasa (खासा)[1] Khasha (खाशा) is gotra of Jats found in Distt Sonipat in Haryana and Sikar district in Rajasthan. Khasha (खाशा) clan is found in Shahpur, Pakistan.[2] Dilip Singh Ahlawat has mentioned it as one of the ruling Jat clans in Central Asia.[3]
Origin
History
In Rajatarangini
Rajatarangini[4] tells that Kshemagupta, King of Kashmir, bestowed thirty-six villages which were attached to the several monasteries that were burnt, to the lord of Khasa.
Rajatarangini[5] tells us....Though the king Sussala was very busy with his work, yet he sent Hitahita, son of his nurse, to Garga. Bhogasena devoid of his senses came at this moment to the king accompanied with the Khāṣhakas inhabitants of Vilvavana. (p.34)
Rajatarangini[6] tells us....Sussala's enemies gave up the pursuit as he, with twenty or thirty followers, entered Viranaka, a town of the Khashas. Without raiment or food, attended with a few followers, he stopped there, and without fear attacked and chastised the Khashas. (p.35)
Rajatarangini[7] tells... Since Rajavadana, who deserved punishment was soothed by gifts, he became bold and again welcomed Bhoja who had arrived there. In a place called Dinnagrama inhabited by the Khashas, Bhoja gave a large bribe to Rajavadana. He then told Rajavadana : — " If either you or your retainers do not come tomorrow, then the lord of Dvara, who is accompanied with a limited number of followers will come to me".
Rajatarangini[8]tells.... In order to assuage his fears fearless Khāsakas protected the treasury. Bhoja gave expression to his fears and placed guards all around where he stayed. The Valahara who was difficult of access came to the side of Bhoja in order to gain his confidence.
Rajatarangini[9]tells....Bhoja sent a lady named Kalhaṇīkā whom Bhoja thought of making, a mediator between him and the king. She journeyed on foot till she reached the frontier. For her protection, Bhoja gave much wealth, and the wealth was kept in the centre of the party. For her expenses on the road, he gave much money in which gold predominated ; and he sent her with eight well-born Rajputs to serve her, and with every mark of royalty.
Rajatarangini[10]tells.... When Bhoja's army arrived, many thousands of Khashakas belonging to that army planned the destruction of Dhanya who was in this critical situation. (p.285)
Mahabharata period
Possibly, these people have been mentioned in the Mahabharata. [11] alongwith the Johal, Kuninda (Kundu) Tangana (Tangal) clans. Their location on both sides of the river Shailoda lying between the Meru (Pamir) and Mandar mountains, where bamboos grow in abundance, Justifies this identification. [12]
Khasa (खश) - A famous Himalayan tribe in Nepal and southwest Kashmir; sided with the Kauravas. They have been mentioned in Mahabharata (II.48.3), (VI.10.66)
- मेरुमन्दरयॊर मध्ये शैलॊदाम अभितॊ नदीम
- ये ते कीचक वेणूनां छायां रम्याम उपासते (II.48.2)
- खशा एकाशनाज्यॊहाः परदरा दीर्घवेनवः
- पशुपाश च कुणिन्दाश च तङ्गणाः परतङ्गणाः (II.48.3)
- शूद्राभीराद दरदाः काश्मीराः पशुभिः सह
- खशिकाश च तुखाराश च पल्लवा गिरिगह्वराः (VI.10.66)
- The Mahabharata Tribe -Khasa (खश) may be identified with Jat Gotra - Khasa (खासा)
Described by Megasthenes
Dilip Singh Ahlawat has mention it as one of the ruling Jat clans in Central Asia. [13] This clan has been described by Megasthenes as the Cesi (Khasa) , The hill-tribes between the Indus and the Iomanes, along with the Chrysei (Karesia), Cetriboni (Khatri), the Megallae (Mukul), the Chrysei (Karesia), the Parasangae (Paraswal), and the Asange (Sangwa) Jat clans. (see - Jat clans as described by Megasthenes)
In Gupta inscriptions
According to Tej Ram Sharma[14] the Names of Mahattaras (Village-headmen) in which Khasaka has been mentioned as under:
- Khasaka: Appearing in Dhanaidaha copper-plate inscription of Kumaragupta I G.E.113. (AD 432) (L. 5), is an abbreviated name with the addition of suffix 'ka' which according to Panini is used to denote : : (i) Depreciation. [15] (ii) Endearment. [16]
It is a non-Sanskritic word most probably a local or dialectal feature. Here */:' suffix may have been used in the sense of endearment meaning a "poor khasa": Khasa is the name of a people and of their country (in the north of India). [17] Khasaka can be native of that country or a man belonging to that race (considered as a degraded kshatriya). [18]
Distribution in Haryana
Villages in Sonipat district
Ahulana, Baroda Mor, Baroda Thuthan, Jauli, Laath,
References
- ↑ Jat History Dalip Singh Ahlawat/Parishisht-I, s.n. ख-78
- ↑ A glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province By H.A. Rose Vol II/K,p.499
- ↑ Jat History Dalip Singh Ahlawat/Chapter IV (Page 342)
- ↑ Rajatarangini of Kalhana:Kings of Kashmira/Book VI,p.154
- ↑ Kings of Kashmira Vol 2 (Rajatarangini of Kalhana)/Book VIII,p.34
- ↑ Kings of Kashmira Vol 2 (Rajatarangini of Kalhana)/Book VIII,p.35
- ↑ Kings of Kashmira Vol 2 (Rajatarangini of Kalhana)/Book VIII (ii), p.266-267
- ↑ Kings of Kashmira Vol 2 (Rajatarangini of Kalhana)/Book VIII (ii),p.276
- ↑ Kings of Kashmira Vol 2 (Rajatarangini of Kalhana)/Book VIII (ii),p.283
- ↑ Kings of Kashmira Vol 2 (Rajatarangini of Kalhana)/Book VIII (ii),p.285
- ↑ Sabha Parva, Mahabharata/Book II Chapter 48
- ↑ Bhim Singh Dahiya, Jats the Ancient Rulers ( A clan study), p. 283
- ↑ Dilip Singh Ahlawat: Jat viron ka Itihasa
- ↑ Personal and geographical names in the Gupta inscriptions/Names of Local Officers,p.64
- ↑ Kutsite, Panini, V. 3.75, e.g. Puranaka, name of a servant.
- ↑ Panini, V. 3.76, etc.
- ↑ Sanskrit-English Dictionary by Monier Williams p. 338, col. 3.
- ↑ Sanskrit-English Dictionary by Monier Williams p. 338, col. 3.
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