Bachal

Bachal (also known as Bachhal, Bachhawat, Bachgoti and Bachalgoti^[1]) are a clan of Rajput group in India. Further, in Pakistan and Afghanistan, Bachal or Bachhal (also known as Bachak, Bajal, Buchal) are part of converted Muslim Rajput group.

Origin

Chauhan Bachal

Many Bachal Rajputs are said to get the name from queen Bachal, who was mother of famous folk-deity. Jaharveer Gogaji.^[2] Gogaji according to legend was son of a Chauhan Rajput Ruler named Vacha or Juar, whose wife Bachal was from Tuar clan.

Chandravanshi Bachal

According to their traditions, many Bachal Rajput of India and Pakistan claim descent from the mythological personage called Raja Vena of Chandravanshi lineage. It has been suggested that founder of this Bachal claiming to be of Chandravanshi lineage was Raja Bairat of Barkhar in Kheri District, who is believed to have helped Pandavas during their exile from Hastinapur. It is curious to note that Pharaohs of Egypt were said to be contemporary of this Raja Bairat. The Bachals of these early times were an enterprising race, who have constructed many canals, traces of which still exist. Their earliest settlements were in Rohilkhand, where they were dominant until 1174, when the Muslims and Katehriya Rajputs invaded their territory, and dispersed. They then settled in Lakhimpur Kheri District, where the Bachhal ranas maintained their independence until the rule of the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan, when the Bachal Ranas were subjected.

Gaurua Bachal

In areas around Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, Sisodias, Kachwaha, Jasawats, Thakars who call themselves, Gaurua are usually referred as Bachal. The origin of Gaurua name is obscure, but it implies impure descant and is merely a generic title. However, they do not own their name Bachal after Queen Bachal, mother of Gogaji but after a place called Bachban at Sehi, where their Guru always reside. They say they emigrated from Chittor 700 to 800 years ago but it is probable their migration took place after Allahudin Khilji's famous siege in 1303 AD. However, as they gave name Ranera to one of their original settlements in Mathura district, there can be little doubt that emigration took place after 1202, when the Ruler of Chittor, themselves assumed the title or Rana instead of old Rawal.^[3]

Bachal (Muslim Rajput)

Further, Bachal Rajput are seem to have occupied large portions of North Western Province, present day Pakistan and Afghanistan as per history. Some sources also mention that they were associated with Batani Buddhists, when they occupied that part of county (present day Afghanistan & North-Western Pakistan). Further, Bachak, Bajal, Buchal in this countries refers to Bachal Rajput. They are now a part of converted Muslim Rajput groups in these countries. They could be either descendant of historical Chandravanshi lineage or Chauhan-Gogaji descent.^[4][5]

See also

• List of Rajputs
• Rajput clans
• Yaduvanshi Ahirs

References