The Benvanshi or Venvanshi is a Rajput clan found in India.[1] It is part of the Rajput Chandravanshi dynasty. Families belonging to this clan ruled several kingdoms (princely states) and feudal zamindaries (estates). The Venvanshi people are the predominant people in southern parts of Uttar Pradesh like Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, parts of Madhya Pradesh like the Baghelkhand region and northern parts of Chhattisgarh and western parts of Bihar.

Origins

The name is derived from Maharaja Ven of the Singrauli kingdom. The Venvanshi Rajputs claim descent from Brihadratha Maurya. The theory is that the grandson of the last Mauryan emperor fled after his grandfather was assassinated by Pushyamitra Shunga in c. 185 BCE. The grandson then fled to Jhusi or the surrounding area in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. From there he and his descendants lived there. After a few hundred years his descendants became the Rajas of that area.

History

Maharaja Krishna Pratap Singh, ruled 1905-1938

Distinguished historians such as Dr G.H. Ojha & C.V. Vaidya consider the Venvanshi clan to be of true Chandravanshi lineage.[2] [3] The Venvanshi Raja Kot Rai Singh amassed an army and established his kingdom at Teonthar in the Baghelkhand region. He and his descendants then ruled the region until the Baghelas of Rewa came and conquered one half of the region. The Venvanshis subjugated the other various tribes and Rajputs people in the region. The Venvanshi clan was at its zenith under Maharaja Ven and that is how the name Venvanshi was coined.[4] The Venvanshi rulers were the most powerful rulers of the Baghelkhand region from the late 13th century AD to the beginning of the 15th century. Singrauli State was the largest state in Baghelkhand. The Maharajas of Singrauli are their chieftains.[5]

Princely states

The Singrauli royal family is considered to be the chief of the Venvanshi clan. At the time of India’s independence, there were many princely states, feudal estates (zamindari) and jagirs ruled by the Venvanshi Rajputs. Some major states include:

  • Singrauli, in present day Madhya Pradesh, founded in circa ninth century by Maharaja Kot Rai Singh.
  • Maihar, in present day Madhya Pradesh, founded in 1778 by Raja Veni Singh.
  • Sohawal, in present day Madhya Pradesh, founded in 1550 by Raja Fateh Singh.
  • Baraundha, in present day Madhya Pradesh, founded in 1169 by Raja Mohan Singh.
  • Kothi, in present day Madhya Pradesh, founded in the 18th century by Raja Dulyapati Singh.

References

  1. ↑ Textbook of Indian History and Culture. New Delhi, India, Asia: Macmillan India Limited. 2007. ISBN 978-1-4039-3200-6.
  2. ↑ "Pracheen Bharat Ka Rajneetic Itihas - Dhanpati Pandey, CV Vaidya".
  3. ↑ "Madhyakalin Bharatiya Sangeet Ka Itihas - Dr GH Ojha, Dr Ashok Kumar".
  4. ↑ "Jati Vyavastha, Sachidanand Sinha".
  5. ↑ "Venvanshi clan, history and chief".
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