Gaur (clan)

Gaur also known as "Gour" is a Hindu Rajput clan of India.[1][2][3][4] They have ancient ancestry and find mention by James Tod as one of 36 royal races in his book Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan[5] The Gaur Rajputs once held a prominent position in Ajmer till the time of Prithviraj Chauhan.[1] Gorwar region gets its name from this clan.[6][7] In later years they lost the territories ruled by them. In 15th century, they fought at least 13 battles with Shekhawats were defeated and were reduced to feudetory or jagirdars in Shekhawati region. The Rajgarh territory was one of the last bastion of Gaur Rajputs during the times of Mughal Emperors, Humayun and Akber, which was lost to Kishan Singh in 17th century.[8] Gaur Rajputs remained allies to Mughal till the time of Aurangzeb, whose political decisions, alienated Rathods, Sisodias, Hadas and Gaur Rajput from Mughals.[9]

Some of them converted to Islam and are now part of Garha Biradari or Gaur Muslims, Musalman Rajputs group.[1][failed verification]

Outside, Rajasthan, the Chief of Chamraoli (near Unnao), a Gaur Rajput, was held in high esteem by Alwar Raj and was amongst the very few who were given honor of tazim.[1]

Sheopur town and fort was founded by Gaur rulers in 1573.[10]

Their population today is found in Indian States of Rajasthan,[6][7] parts of Uttar Pradesh[2] and parts of Madhya Pradesh.[11][10]

  1. ^ a b c d Bayley, C. S. (2004). Chiefs and Leading Families in Rajputana. Asian Educational Services. pp. 25, 82, 100, 106, 110. ISBN 978-81-206-1066-8. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  2. ^ a b Khan, Rānā Muḥammad Sarvar (2005). The Rajputs: History, Clans, Culture, and Nobility. Rana Muhammad Sarwar Khan. pp. 12, 159. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  3. ^ Gazetteer of the Province of Oudh: N to Z. North-Western and Oudh Government. 1878. p. 386. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  4. ^ Fox, Richard Gabriel (1971). Kin, Clan, Raja, and Rule: Statehinterland Relations in Preindustrial India. University of California Press. pp. 85–88. ISBN 978-0-520-01807-5. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  5. ^ Tod, James (1829). Annales and Antiquities of Rajasthan, Or the Central and Western Rajpoot States of Indian. Smith. pp. 80, 115–116. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  6. ^ a b Hooja, Rima (2006). A History of Rajasthan. Rupa & Company. p. 399. ISBN 978-81-291-0890-6. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  7. ^ a b Bahadur), Har Bilas Sarda (Diwan (1941). Ajmer: Historical and Descriptive. Fine Art Printing Press. pp. 300, 309. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  8. ^ Meharda, B. L. (2006). Territory, Polity, and Status: A Study of Shekhawats. Rawat Publications. pp. 14, 110. ISBN 978-81-7033-887-1. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  9. ^ Indian Defence Review. Lancer Publishers. 2003. p. 81. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Sheopur history, District Sheopur, Government of Madhya Pradesh, India". Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  11. ^ census of India. 2011. Retrieved 19 May 2021.