Gangwar

Gangwar, is a prominent Kshatriya Clan living in the region of gangatic plains of ancient Panchala Mahajanpad Region (Central Doab and Rohilkhand Region) in India.

Gangwars are mainly found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in Northern India. Gangwar term indicates towards the kshatriya clan living around Ganga basin. This title is derived from holy river Ganga. Gangwars are originally from Kannauj and people of this clan are found in the Rohilkhand or ancient Panchala region of Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Specially in the districts of Rampur, Bareilly, Pilibhit and Farukhabad. This region was called as Katiher due to the dominance of Katiyar or Katehar Rajputs during Rajput era and this dominance continued up to the period of Moguls.They are suryavanshi kshatriya.

This clan served as soldiers and sardars in the army of Shiva Ji and other Maratha Sardars and had taken part in the Maratha missions of Rohilkhand to crush the Rohilla Pathans before and after the 3rd war of Panipat This clan was the part of Maratha mission 1771 AD and later settled around the Ganges in Uttar Pradesh hence the surname seems of Maratha origin. They are mainly speakers of the Kannauji a dialect of Hindi language.

The Gangwars are primary involved in agriculture, and also the service industry, academics, technology and politics.

Tracing history

The people of this clan switched their positions between north and south India many times in the history. The Famous Ganga Vansh (गंग वंश) reported as Western Ganga Dynasty and Eastern Ganga Dynasty of South India were established by the ancestors of this clan.

“The origin of the Gangas is derived from Iksvaku and trace back to Ayodhyapuri Under Visnugupta the seat of government was moved to Ahichhatra (in Panchalya region near Bareilly), which, it is hinted, as Vijayapura. With the arrival of Dadiga and Madhava in the South, at Ganga-perur and the establishment of the Gangavadi kingdom in Mysore aided by Simhanandi, we seem to come to historical events.”^[1]

People of Western Ganga Dynasty emerged as powerful Rastrakutas (Rashtrakuta Dynasty) and marched towards Kannauj and Kampil in the 9th century AD.It is clear from the copperplate instructions found in 9th century from badaun district that Kampil, Kannauj and Ahichhatra were reclaimed by the Rashtrakutas came from down south.<4>

Copperplate Instructions of Rastrakuta King Dantavarman [867 AD] in Kampilya, donation of land to the Kampilya vihara where 500 monks of the sangha lived and studied.

Another Copper plate Instructions of the Rastrakuta King Dharavarsa [884 AD] recording similar grants to Kampilya vihara monestry.

Gahrwar Empire

Kampil was ruled in 9th century by Rastrakuta kings and later on the social group established a powerful empire in Kannauj as Gaharwar Dynasty around 1050 AD. Copperplate Instructions found in Badaun also confirms that Rastrakutas Kshtraps of this region established a Rathore or Gaharwar empire in Kannauj under the leadership of Buddhist King Chandradeva around 1090 AD.Latter Kings were patron of both Hindu temples and Buddhist monasteries. A grand temple was built by Govindachandra at the birthplace of Bhagwan Shri Ram Chandra in Ayodhya.

Medieval period

In the medieval history this clan were soldiers in the army of Shivaji and other Maratha Kshatraps; from known historical facts it is found that they originally belonged to Gaharwar family ruling Kannauj before the invasion of Gori in last decade of 13th century. After this turmoil Gaharwars settled themselves in Swargdwari on the lower bank of Ganga and Marwar. Gaharwars ruled Swargdwari till King Kunwar Rai Singh, better known as Khor left this place and set up a new Gorakha Kingdom in Gorakhpur in Terai region in 1210 A.D. Khor was a disciple of Guru Gorakhnath and lost war against Samsuddin, subedar of Badaun under Qutubuddin Aibak.

Gangwas never bowed their heads before any Sabja-Parcham or British Flags. They never compromised with the hard earned self respect and decided not to serve any foreign power during entire period of foreign influence over the country. But Joined happily the Maratha Forces.

Gangwars returned to region with the join the army of Sindhias Holkars in 1751 defeating Afghans and Pathans. After this great victory over Rohilkhand Gangwars decided to settle in this region. Gangwars are Suryavanshi Kshatriyas.

1751-1761

It was the most important period in the history when Maratha forces advance in the North and expanded the Empire to the Natural Dimensions of the country. Malharrao Holkar, Jayappa Scindia, Gangadhar Tatya, Tukojirao Holkar, Khanderao Holkar went to help Safdarjung against Shadulla Khan, Ahmed Khan Bangash, Mohamud Khan, Bahadur Khan Rohilla as per the directions of Peshwa Balaji Bajirao. In the Battle of Fategarh and Farrukhabad, they defeated the Rohillas and Bangash (March, 1751-April, 1752).

As result of this Battle Rohillas were compelled to pay a compensation amount of 30 lakh rupees along with an annual tribute. The amount of tribute was half of the total collections from 33 Mahals of Rohilkhand and Farrukhabad. Rohillas were also forced to pay the total expenses for the management of the troops for Gangwar and Katiyar Maratha sardars stationed at Aliganj and Kannauj respectively. Ahmad Khan continued to pay the amount till the third battle of Panipat in 1761, when the Marathas left Doab.

Malharrao Holkar, Raghunathrao, Shamsher Bahadur, Gangadhar Tatya, Sakharambapu, Naroshankar and Maujiram Bania attacked Delhi on 11 August 1757 and defeated Najib Khan and Ahmed Khan became the Mir Bakshi in his place. In March, 1758, they conquered Sarhind. On 20 April 1758, Malharrao Holkar and Raghunathrao attacked and conquered Lahore. Tukojirao Holkar conquered Attock. Sabaji Scindia, Vitthal Shivdev met them at Peshawar. Raghunathrao and Malharrao Holkar returned from Punjab.

1769-1804

In 1969 AD Maratha forces once again crossed Narmada and marched towards north India to penalize Rohillas and Pathans of Rohilkhand and Farrukhabad. This time Maratha forces were led by Malhar Rao Holkar and he was assisted by Mahadaji Shinde. In early 1771, ten years after the collapse of Maratha supremacy in north India in the Third Battle of Panipat, Mahadji recaptured Delhi and restored the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II to the throne in 1772. In the same year he crushed the Rohillas and Pathans in Doab region and captured it. They destroyed Hafiz Rahmat Khan, Ahmed Khan and Zabet Khan completely. Maratha forces completely wiped out the Pathans from this land and established two Maratha colonies to consolidate their claim over this region.

Gangwar and Katiyar Sardars played a great role in all Maratha Missions of North India and a reward to their services towards Hind Swaraj these people were given the charge of their own homeland lost after Mohammadan intrusion to their region during Mogul period. These colonies were established in two strips. The first strip was dominated by Gangwar Sardars ranging from Kaimganj to Pilibhit and second strip was dominated by Katiyar Sardars ranging from Farrukhabad to Bithur. This dominance continued till the Battle of Farrukhabad fought against British Forces in November 1804 during Second Anglo-Maratha War under the leadership of Yashwantrao Holkar.

The description of revenge taken by Maratha Sardars is described by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in his book Hidu-pad-paadshahi

"The Hindu arms, even without resorting to these barbarous and brutal acts, had struck such terror in the hearts of the Rohillas and Pathans all over the land, that the very sight of a, Maratha trooper was enough to make a whole village of Robilla Moslems take to their heels. Those of their leaders who survived, Bed away to the interior of the forests of Terai. There too it was only the setting in of the rainy season alone that shielded them from the steel of the Maratha vengeance. So terribly had they to pay for Panipat."^[2]

Modern period

After the fall of Maratha Supremacy over the country, the population involved themselves completely in agricultural work. The country yielded four crops a year. Orchards of mango, guava and other tropical fruits were also developed by the farmers in due course of time.

In the post-independence era after the spread out of education to the masses, most of the people joined government services.

Gangwars in Politics

1. Mishrilal Gangwar: Mishrilal Gangwal of Congress became the Chief Minister of Madhya Bharat on 3 March 1952. He resigned from the post on 15-April-1955.
2. Santosh Gangwar: Represented Bareilly as Member of Parliament from 1989 to 2009. Mr Gangwar Served as Minister of State in Petroleum Ministry in the Government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Presently, he is National Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party.
3. Bhagwat Saran Gangwar: Represented Nawabganj assembly of Bareilly District many times since 1991. Presently he is Minister of State in Uttar Pradesh having portfolio of Small Scale Industries and Export Promotion.
4. Chetram Gangwar: Served as minister in Uttar Pradesh. He represented Nawabganj assembly seat in Bareilly for 22 years.^[3]
5. Parshuram Gangwar: Represented Pilibhit as Member of Parliament from 1991 to 1996.
6. Kesar Singh Gangwar: Member of Legislative Council from Bareilly-Rampur.
7. Harish Kumar Gangawar: Former Jail Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
8. Virendra Singh: Member of Legislative Assembly from Bithari Chainpur.
9. Dr. Siyaram Gangwar: Former Member of Legislative Assembly from Kaimganj. He was also a know for having active role in various operations against Britishers in the 1940s.
10. Rajendra Singh Gangwar: Former Member of Legislative Assembly

from Kaimganj.

1. Kuldeep Singh Gangwar: Former Member of Legislative Assembly from Kaimganj, (2007–2012).
2. Tej Bahadur Gangwar: Former Member of Legislative Assembly from BisalpurPilibhit. He also served as a Minister in Uttar Pradesh

Gangwars in Administration

Even though total population of this clan is less than 1 Million but they have shown their remarkable presence in all walks of life. Some of the officers who held important positions in administration are given here.

IAS Officers

• Dr. Dhramendra Singh Gangwar (IAS)

1988 Batch IAS officer presently working as Principal Secretary in the Department of General Administration, Government of Bihar (http://gad.bih.nic.in/). He belongs to Village Bhatasa near Kaimganj in District Farrukhabad.

• Naresh Pal Gangwar (IAS)

A 1994 batch IAS Officer from Rajasthan cadre (http://www.persmin.nic.in/ersheet/MultipleERS.asp?HiddenStr=01RJ029500).Naresh Pal Gangwar have an M.Tech. degree in Radar Engineering. Presesntly postedas Chairman & M.D. of State Road Transport Corpn.Rajasthan.

• Surya Pal Gangwar (IAS)

A 2009 batch IAS Officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre. Presently posted as District Magistrate Hathras (U.P). Surya Pal Gangwar is having a Industrial Engineering degree from IIT Roorkee and completed his schooloing from Navodaya Vidyalay,Bareilly.Surya Pal secured AIR 8 in UPSC exam 2008.

IPS Officers

• Jitendra Singh Gangwar (IPS)

He is a 1993 Batch IPS officer of Bihar Cadre and presently serving as IG in Bihar Police (http://home.bih.nic.in/Document/ZONAL_IG.pdf). He is younger brother of 1988 batch IAS officer Dr. Dhramendra Singh Gangwar and belongs to Village Bhatasa near Kaimganj in District Farrukhabad.

• Mahendra Singh Gangwar (IPS)

He served as Director General of Uttar Pradesh Police. He also contested Loksabha election from Pilibhit in 1991 and he was from Lahara village near Kaimganj in District Farrukhabad.

• Dayal Gangwar (IPS)

Dayal Gangwar is an 1998 batch IPS Officer of Odisha Cadre serving as a DIG in crime Branch (http://orissa.gov.in/cadre/ips.asp). He comes from Bareilly,Uttar Pradesh.

• Pankaj Gangwar (IPS)

He is Senior Divisional Security Commissioner (Sr. DSC) of Railway Protection Force posted in Agra(http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,304,366,533,1038,1042).

Judicial Officers

• Tendra Pal Gangwar (Judicial Magistrate)

He is a 2006 Batch PCS(J) of Uttar Pradesh Cadre and presently serving as Civil Judge in Ghazipur Court. (http://www.allahabadhighcourt.in/District/Officer/1719.html). He belongs to Param,_Rampur Uttar Pradesh.

Further reading

• Hukam Singh Bhati (1990), Maheca Rathaurom ka mula itihasa: Ravala Mallinatha ke vamsaja - Maheca, Baramera, Pokarana, Kotariya aura Khavariya Rathaurom ka sodhapurna itihasa. Publisher: Ratan Prakashan, Jodhpur.
• Hindu-pad-paadshahi, Veer Sawarkar.
• “History of the Gangas,” S. N. Rajaguru, Part-I, P. 192.
• Mahendra Singh Nagar (2004), The genealogical survey: Royal house of Marwar and other states. Publisher: Maharaja Man Singh Pustak Prakashan, Jodhpur.
• Bruyne, J.L. DE. (Rudra Kavi). The Great Poem of the Dynasty of Rastraudha. Leiden, E.J. Brill, 1968.
• Roma Niyogi, The history of the Gāhaḍavāla dynasty, p 8.
• History of Kanauj: To the Moslem Conquest

References

4. ^ History of Kanauj: To the Moslem Conquest

External links

• Indian Express, "From Bareilly to Pilibhit, BJP finds Gangwars vs its Gangwars"
• Coins of Panchala janapada
• Panchal Details from IGNCA
• IBN election results
• Election results. Election Commission of India.