| Maratha Clan Nikam निकम |
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| Surname | Nikam ( Alternately Nikumpa, Nikumbha ) |
| Caste | Maratha |
| Lineage | Claimed Suryavansha (Solar Clan) |
| Religion: | Hinduism.[1] |
| Original kingdom | Jaipur Territory. |
| Other kingdom | Karnataka |
| Colour | Yellow for Horse and Throne colour is Green. |
| Nishan | Hanuman on flagpole |
| Clan goddess | Goddess Jogeshwari, |
| Devak | Umbar, Velu, Rudraksha chain of Gold or Onion chain, |
| Guru | Parashara rishi |
| Gotra | Nikam |
| Veda | Yajurveda, |
| Mantra | Gayatri Mantra. |
| Locations | Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Goa |
| Languages | Marathi, Hindi. |
The Nikam (Marathi: निकम) are a Maratha clan found primarily in in Maharashtra and bordering states of India.[2]
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The Nikam claim descent from Hindu king Nikumbha and his successors Nikumbha Rajputs who migrated from Rajasthan to settle down in Baglan region of Khandesh.[3] The faruqis defeated them and captured Baglan and rest of Khandesh to rule there. The Nikumbhas later known by their name Nikam as corruption in their surname.[4]
Surnames of Nikam clan includes : Akolkar, Awtade, Bade, Banker, Barekar, Barge, Bawankar, Bhojne, Chawde, Chimne, Chinge, Dandge, Dankne, Dhamde, Dhapse, Dharso, Dharte, Dhawre, Dhrgade, Dongre, Gajmal, Gale, Gang, Gidde, Gonk, Gudhe, Gune, Hakne, Hawilhanday, Jale, Jiwnik, Kalale, Kalokhe, Kank, Kankale, Kanknarayan, Khalate, Kudare, Kumbh, Masake, Matarmak, Matsagar, Narkhamb, Naudhare, Navratne, Navrse, Nichve, Nikde, Parvatrao, Pimpalkarad, Pubele, Rakte, Randhwne, Sable, Samke, Sarak, Sarate, Sawle, Take, Tatke, Timble, Tryambke, Vananar. (Total 62)[5]
The Nikams are descendant of Nikumbha dynasty of Rajputs.[6] They firstly settled in Khandesh and thereafter rest of Maharashtra such as Satara, Kolhapur, Sangali. The Nikams are prominent Marathas who have relationships with all Maratha chiefs. The Nikams served the Yadavs of Deogiri, Bahamani Sultanates of Deccan and joined Chhatrapati Shivaji to found Hindu empire. They were remained faithful knights of Peshwa. The Khalates are Nikam who dwells in Khunte(Phaltan), Late, Shirishne (Baramati) villages Holding Patilship. Kashil-Koparde, Apshinge, Pimpode Budruk, Ambheri of Satara District are their villages. The Apshinge village is welknown for Military service as every villager itself part of Indian military. The Barges are Nikams who holds Patilship of Koregaon(Satara District) since preshivaji period. The Sarnoubat of Chhatrapati Shivaji was Yesaji Kank, a Nikam clansman itself. The Matsagar sub clan of Nikam gained the name Matsagar by killing a man-eater snake, they are present in Jarul and Aghur(Vaijapur of Aurangabad) and Pimpalas(Niphad) of Nashik District. Nikams are present in Mauritius, a african country along with marathas like Bhoite, Bhosale, Rane, More, Sawant, Jagtap, Babar, Yadav etc. maratha clans.[7]