Backward-caste Hindu Warriors

[edit] Personalities

Ahilyabai Holkar - Daugther in Law of Malhar Rao, the Holkars were from the tribal Dhangar caste of Maharashtra. She was a member of the Malwa Dynasty. She built Ghats on Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada, rebuilt temples including the temple complex in Ayodhya. She was the queen of Indore.
Hemu (Hemchandra) - Dhansar (market weighman), Ruler of Delhi for 1 month under the title 'Raja Vikramaditya.' Fought with Mughals (which was then headed by Akbar) and was killed in the 2nd battle of Panipat (Nov.5, 1556) including Tanhaji Malusare, Yesaji Kank, Jiva Mahal. Hemu was on the side of the Suri Dynasty to expel the Mughals from India.[1] He was beheaded by Akbar's army and his head was sent to Kabul as a sign of 'victory' to the women in Hamuyun's harem[2] and his torso to Delhi (for exposure on a gibbet.)
Khushru Khan - A backward-caste Hindu forcibly converted to Islam, ruled Delhi for 4 months, called himself Hindu Pad-paadshah, hastened the decline of Khilji empire.
Sudas - also a Shudra. Sudas of the Puru Dynasty is one of the most celebrated kings of the Rigveda, being the hero of the Dasarajna war, defeating the Irani tribes.
Vidura, born to a maid and became advisor of the king of Hastinapur. ^[1] He is further thought of to be an avatar of Yamraaj [3]

Most of the Mawalas - Followers of Shivaji Maharaj
Malhar Rao Holkar - Dhangar (goat herder) who became the royal Sardar of Marathas. He was appointed by the Brahmin Peshwas as all Hindus and especially the Marathi at the time were uniting against Islamist domination.

Bhil Kingdom of King Guh (From Ramayana)
- King Guh was a great friend of Rama. He was a member of the Nishadha tribe, which is also called Shabara (e.g. Shabari).
Bhil Kingdom
- Bappa Rawal (also Kalbhoj) was raised by Bhil and became king when 18 years old, protected Bharatiya culture and religion. He was the eighth ruler of Guhilot Dynasty (vansh).[4]
Chanda-Sirpur Kingdom
Chandella Kingdom
Deogarh-Nagpur Kingdom
Garha-Mandla Kingdom
Gond (Gondwana) Kingdom (10th century-18th century)
- Rani Durgavati was of Chandella-Gond heritage and repreatedly fought with the Mughal dynasty. She said, "Better to die free than live as a slave," referring to Mughal domination.[5]
Meena Kingdom