Shekhawat

Rajput clan

Shekhawat is a clan of Rajputs found mainly in Shekhawati region of Rajasthan.^{[citation needed]} Shekhawats are descendants of Maharao Shekha of Amarsar. Shekhawat is the most prominent sub-clan among Kachhwaha Rajputs. The Shekhawati region was ruled by them for more than 500 years and are honoured with the hereditary title of “Tazimi Sirdars”, whom HH the Maharaja of Jaipur receives by rising from his seat. Fought against mughals many time. Rao Sujjan Singh of Chhapoli fought mughal army with 300 men to save a temple. Col. J.C. Brooke in his book, Political History of India, wrote that “For the recruitment of Horse-army there is no region in India at par with Shekhawati.” Shekhawat is a very common surname in the Indian defence forces.^[1]^[2]

Notable people

Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, the former Cabinet Minister of Food & Civil Supplies Consumer affairs, Government of Rajasthan.^[3]
Ajit Singh of Khetri, of the Shekhawat clan helped the Swami Vivekanand by giving financial help^[4]^[5]^[6]
Rao Shekha, the founder of Shekhawat clan. Shekhawati region is named after him.
Thakur Bhojraj, ruler of udaipurwati.
Thakur Shardul Singh, ruler of jhunjhunu.
Thakur Nawal Singh, ruler of Nawalgarh
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat former Chief minister of Rajasthan and former Vice president of India.^[7]^[8]
Devisingh Ransingh Shekhawat, former first gentleman of India. He was the husband of former President of India Smt. Pratibha Patil.^[9]
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the present Union Cabinet Minister in Ministry of Jal Shakti.^[10]^[11]
Brigadier Saurabh Singh Shekhawat.^[12]
Admiral Vijai Singh Shekhawat, former Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy. ^[13]
Piru Singh was awarded the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), India's highest military decoration 3245.^[14]^[15]^[16]
Major Thakur Dalpat Singh Shekhawat, Commander of Jodhpur Lancers of the British Indian Army, also known as the "Hero of Haifa" for his actions in the Battle of Haifa during the first World War. ^[17]

Legacy

Shekhawats constructed many forts and temples, step well(bawdi) in Shekhawati region and patronized Hindu culture. There are more than 50 forts constructed by them. Shahpura, Alsisar, Bissau, Dundlod, Danta Ramgarh, Mahansar, Khetri, Mandawa, Nawalgarh, dalelgarh(Baloda) Laxmangarh, Khandela Sikar, Jhunjhunu these are sites of some beautiful fort, temples and other architectural beauty work done under shekhawat rule in Shekhwati^[18]^[19]

Branches

Bhojraj Ji Ka, Girdhar Ji Ka, Jagmal Ji Ka, Achaldas Ji Ka, Rao Ji Ka, Ladkhani, Bhairo ji Ka, Taknet, Ratnawat, Khejroliya, Milakpuriya, Tejsi Ka, Jagmalji Ka, Sahasmalji Ka, Lunkaranji Ka, Ugarsenji Ka, Sanwanldasji Ka, Gopalji Ka, Chandapota, Parsuramji Ka, Tajkhani, Hariramji Ka etc.^[20]^[21]

References

^ Sinh, Ranbir (2001). History of Shekhawats. Publication Scheme. ISBN 9788186782743.
^ Sinh, Ranbir (2001). History of Shekhawats. Publication Scheme. ISBN 9788186782743.
^ "Pratap Singh Khachariyawas(Indian National Congress(INC)):Constituency- CIVIL LINES(JAIPUR) - Affidavit Information of Candidate". myneta.info. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
^ https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Complete_Works_of_Swami_Vivekananda/Volume_9/Letters_-_Fifth_Series/CXXVIII_Your_Highness%E2%80%94
^ "Swami Vivekananda's Special Relationship with Raja Ajit Singh – II &*124; News @ Ramakrishna Mission, Khetri". 6 September 2011.
^ Samkara (2011). The Monk as Man: The Unknown Life of Swami Vivekananda. Penguin Books India. ISBN 9780143101192.
^ "Vice President of India: Former Vice President of India". www.vicepresidentofindia.nic.in. Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
^ "Bhairon Singh Shekhawat uses political skills to win vice-presidential polls".
^ "SMT. Pratibha Patil's Inspirational Journey".
^ "Modi Cabinet news: Meet Modi's formidable force in run-up to 2019 general elections &*124; India News - Times of India". The Times of India. 4 September 2017.
^ "Who is Gajendra Singh Shekhawat?". 3 September 2017.
^ "Gallantry Awards | Ministry of Defence, Government of India".
^ https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/vs-shekhawat. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
^ "Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950". The Times of India. 25 January 2008. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
^ "Param vir Chakra winners since 1950 &*124; India News - Times of India". The Times of India. 25 January 2008.
^ Reddy, Kittu (January 2007). Bravest of the Brave (Heroes of the Indian Army): Heroes of the Indian Army. Prabhat Prakashan. ISBN 9788187100003.
^ "Life story: Thakur Dalpat Singh Shekhawat | Lives of the First World War". livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
^ "Dundlod Travel and Tourism Guide".
^ "Shekhawati Tourism: Places to visit in Shekhawati - Rajasthan Tourism".
^ "History of Shekhawat – Rajput Samaj Of UK". Retrieved 13 December 2023.
^ Rathore, Abhinay. "History of Shekhawats". Rajput Provinces of India. Retrieved 15 November 2023.