Legends of Rajput Warrior Princes of Sikarwar: History of Fatehpur Sikri

Sikarwar is a clan of Rajputs found around Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Sikarwars were the founders of Vijaypur Sikri (The name was changed to 'Fatehpur Sikri') by Babur.Some Jatt clans have adopted 'Sikarwar' as their Gotras.

History

Sikarwars are a clan of Rajputs found in Rajasthan (Nadoli), Bihar, and Utter Pradesh. The clan name Sikarwar is derived from Sikar District of Rajasthan. They ruled over Sikar for a number of generations. Sikarwars established Vijaipur Sikri in A.D 823, during the time of Rana Bhatribhat of Chitor. Babur changed its name to 'Fatehpur Sikri' after the 'Battle of Kanhua'in 1527 AD. It was the SIKARWAR cavalry that had attacked Babur's ‘Advance Column’ that was moving from Sikri village to Kanhua. The surprise attack was led by Rao Dham Dev Sikarwar. He was the ruler of Sikri and a friend of Rana Sanga. It appears to have been launched from cover offered by the Sikri Ridge. The cavalry seems to have come out of the Tehri Gate of Sikri Fort. The gate opens towards Kanhua. It demoralized the Mughals so much that they suffered a serious loss of morale for over a fortnight. Sikarwar Rajputs, are the co-lineage progeny of EMPEROR KANAK SEN of V.S 191 vintage. The Guhilots of Mewar, Bargujars, Jhalas, Vallas, Kachwahas, Lewa Patils and the Rastrakutas of Maharashtra form part of this lineage. They had ruled North Western India from their capital ‘Vallabhi and Chitor’ since 2nd Century AD. They also built 'Ajargarhi' which is presently called Agra Fort. The medieval town of Vijaipur Sikri, (now Fatehpur Sikri) was built by them.

Fatehpur Sikri

LINEAGE OF SIKARWARS Those who Ruled from LOHKOT in PANJ NAAD (LAHORE IN PUNJAB STATE):

1. A total of 20 generations from Maharaja Suhad Dev to Madhav Sen had ruled over the Panj Naad or Punjab. Maharaja Kanak Sen was the son of Madhav Sen. He was born at Lahore in V.S- 156. After finishing his studies at TAXILA he recaptured North Western India from KUSHANS (Uchhi Tribe) who had then occupied North India. He established the world famous ‘Vallabhi University’ near BHAVNAGAR, Gujarat. He and his queen Maharani Vallabhi had four sons- CHANDER SEN, RAGHAV SEN, DHIR SEN and BIR SEN.

Sikri Fort Interior

2. Bir Sen was married to ‘Pusp Madhvi’, the daughter of RUDRADAMA, the Western Chatrap of Kushans in Gujarat. Rudradama is famous for his GIRNAR INSCRIPTIONS. He was probably a Panwar Rajput from Ujjain. Kanak Sen sons established towns in their names. The one established by ‘Bir Sen’ was called BIRNAGAR. Tod & Ojha tells us that it was the ‘Birnagar Brahmini’ who had wet-nursed GOHIL SEN during his infancy. Balance details regarding Vallabhi Empire are held back being personal collections.

Sikri Fort

3. Those who ruled from BHAVNAGAR :- Emperor Raghav Sen was born at Lahore in V.S 180 (A.D 123 on the 1st of Ekadashi. From Raghav Sen to Padam Sen, a total of 10 generations ruled from Bhavnagar. Balance details are held back. Those who ruled from Sikar After the empire was divided amongst four sons of Kanak Sen eastern and northern Rajasthan came to Raghav Sen. A total of 18 generations from Swarup Dev to Sumangal Dev had ruled from Sikar. Sahdev Sen handed over the Emperor ship of Vallabhi Empire to Aprajit Sen of the Guhilot clan. Balance details are held back.

Sikri Tomb

4. Those who ruled from SIKAR Kirti Bhanjan Sikarwar and Makrand Sikarwar fought 24 battles against AL-MAMUN the Abbasid Caliph of Khurasan in VS-813. In these battles the Sikarwar Prince Makrand fell for Chitor. This made Pawan Dev, his brother slay 20 Khurasani soldiers in single combat to avenge Makrand's death.SIKAR was lost to the combined might of Prithvi Raj Chauhan and Kuchawaha army. They had been pushed away from Gwalior. However the Sikarwars were able to defeat them at Sikri. The Kuchawaha King Pujan Rai and Prince Surjan Sikarwar slew each other in one of the most exciting duels at Mahoba. Mahoba was the end of Prithvi Raj expansion spree. The two Banafar brothers 'Ala' and 'Udal' also fought well. Their exploits are still sung in form of a ballad even to this day.

Sikri Panch Mahal

5. Those who ruled from Sikri about 32 generations form his son Hem Chand to Dham Dev have ruled over Sikri. Salik Dev Sikarwar helped Rana Rahup expand his state towards Mandor against Mukul Parihar. • GANGA DEV SIKARWAR planned the famous ‘BATTLE OF LITTERS’ against Ala-ud-din Khilji in A.D 1303. He fell at Chitor in honor of INDIAN WOMEN-HOOD (Queen Padmini). His son SUGAM DEV and grandson RATAN DEV SIKARWAR also fell at Chitor. • Sikri was exchanged as part of ransom of Mohammed Khilji by SUAMBER DEV SIKARWAR with help of RANA HAMIR. • Sikri was renovated on the lines of ‘Mathura and Dwarika’, Indian Temple towns. Thus most paintings, etchings or carvings of Sikri are from that era. Pratap Dev Sikarwar, the family treasurer, had spent lavishly on this project. The renovated palaces added another feather to Rao Anup Dev’s crown. Rana Kumbha seems to have assisted by providing skilled artisans and stones from Ajmer. The renovation work was completed by ‘Chaitra Shukul Navratri’ of V.S 1480 or A.D 1423. A ‘Congregation of Chaurasi’ was invited for a ‘House Warming’ dinner.Anup Rao Sikarwar provided the necessary where with all for its renovation. The famous ANUP TAL still exists in his name. He had two sons Kishun and Pratap Dev Sikarwar. Kishun Dev too had two sons Jay Raj Dev and Vijay Raj Dev. Pratap Dev had only one- Udai Raj•

Sikri Tomb Interior

RULER OF SIKRI in (1527 A.D. - DURING THE BATTLE OF KANHUA)

The names the three sons of Jayraj Dev of Sikri were Viram, Dham and Kam Dev. Kam Dev was the eldest, Viram Pratap the youngest. While Kam Dev (probably later known as Dhalkoo Baba ) proceeded along with his army towards Madhya Pradesh in South and subjugated the Muslim aborigines called Cheras. He established himself in the district of MORENA, GWALIOR and JHANSI etc. Thus the ancestors of Sikarwars towards Morena & Pahargarh had migrated much before the Mughals. They had gone to expand their kingdom and also taken the Sikarwar army with them. • DHAM DEV was crowned as the ruler of Sikri in AD 1504 . Sanga who was still the Prince of Mewar attended the coronation on behalf of his father Rana Rai Mal. While the youngest brother VIRAM DEV managed the affairs of the state. Dham Dev was a staunch worshiper of Mata Kamakhaya & like his ancestors and regularly prayed before her. Dham Dev was crowned at Sikri in AD 1505 in presence of Sanga who was still a Prince of MEWAR. The youngest brother Viram Dev managed the affairs of Sikri state. RAO DHAM DEV SIKARWAR was a close friend of Rana Sanga the Hindu Emperor of the period. Rana Sangram Singh (Sanga) fought against Babur in the 'BATTLE OF KANHUA'. The BATTLEFIELD OF KANHUA extends from KANHUA to the ramparts of SIKRI FORT. Rao Dham Dev joined the Rajput confederation of Rana Sanga. The Sikarwars also provided ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT to entire Rajput Army. In fact the complete Rajput army of 1.8 Lakhs strength stayed in and around SIKRI FORT for over a month. Each household of Sikri rose on the occasion. They cooked food for the entire confederate army. They had aimed to help Rana Sanga fight Babur. Enough rations had been stocked inside Sikri Fort before the battle. With Sikri as base, Sanga had planned to attack AGRA. However the Mughal occupied Agra before him.THE CAVALRY CHARGE led by Rao Dham Dev Sikarwar resulted in complete demoralization of Mughal troops.The 1500 strong Mughal Patrol that was moving from Sikri Village to Kanhua was attacked by Rao Dham Dev from an unexpected direction. Babur renounced liquor and broke all goblets and glasses used for liquor. He gave a pep talk to his troops with Qur'an in hand to fight.

Garden

Night Battle of Sikri the Rajput caused a number of Mughal casualties during the night battle of Sikri. This was after the day battle of Kanhua had been lost. On entering Sikri Fort after blowing its wall with gun fire, Babur had sent his Generals to pursue the Rajputs. (Babur calls Sikri Fort as enemy's CHAVANEE or cantonment). The command of the Rajput army had by then devolved up on Dham Dev Rao Sikarwar. This was because Sanga had been badly wounded. FIGHTING WITHDRAWAL The fighting withdrawal was conducted with fair amount of discipline under the Command and Control of Dham Dev Rao. The Mughals had suffered heavy casualties that night. Wounded Sanga was loaded on camel back. So was the Sikarwar deity 'Mata Kamakhaya'. Protected by a ring of crack Rajput warriors they were transported to the safety of Aravalies. The Sikarwars migrated from Sikri to save their RELIGION and their FAMILIES from Babur's atrocities and forced conversions. The town of VIJAIPUR SIKRI was renamed Fatehpur Sikri by none other then BABUR himself in AD 1527.The Sikarwar bard Vidhyadhar confirms 'FATHPUR PUKARAT MUGHAL NAAM MORI NAGRI KO, VIJAIPUR NAGRI AAJ FATHPUR BHAYO REE'. Thus 'VIJAIPUR SIKRI' was renamed 'Fathpur Sikri' by none other then Babur and not Akbar as is widely believed.

MIGRATION FROM SIKRI

Utter Pradesh state they initially migrated from VIJAIPUR SIKRI in Agra district to Gahban now GAHMAR then a densely forested area. Rao Dham Dev Sikarwar seems to have supported Sher Shah Suri against Humayun in the 'Battle of Chausa (S.W of Buxar on June 26, 1539 AD. Chausa lies across the Karmnasa River that divides U.P and Bihar). Humayun was saved from drowning by a Bhisti after Sher Shah Suri had struck him at the confluence of Karmnasa and Ganges Rivers. Gahmar lies 2 Km towards the west of Chausa. The area of present day Gahmar was occupied by Afghan forces under Sher Shah. He had blocked the Mughals across the Karmnasa river. The Sikarwars of the region also spread towards Bihar as Sher Shah’s allies. Gahmar has maximum number of Sikarwar Rajputs. The original idol pf Mata Kamakhaya brought by Rao Dham Dev Sikarwar has been established in an Elegant Temple built on the banks of River Ganges near Gahmar. Religious functions like Mundan etc for the Sikarwars and other Hindus are held here.

Fort Garden

RAJKUMARI SIKARWARS Some Rajputs seem to call themselves 'Rajkumari Sikarwars'. They are the progeny of King Saliwahan who had married a princess of Rewa during Sher Shah's period. However there is some ambiguity in their history. King Saliwahan belonged to a 'Janwar Rajwadi'. His ancestors ruled over Chainpur and Chunar from capital Buxsar. The fort of Buxsar still exists. Babur had visited Chausa twice- first time he came looking for Dham Dev Sikarwar. Fearing Mughal atrocities, Rao Dham Dev married away Princess Gangawati his daughter to King Saliwahan in A.D 1530. The Sikarwar priest Gangeshwer Upadhaya had solemnized the marriage. Sanga's son Ratan Singh had attended the marriage along with Gangawati's Maternal Uncle- Suraj Mal, the ruler of Bundi.

Sikri Fort Enrty Gate

They abound in Gwalior, Bhind, Morena, Narwar and areas around the Chambal. A region adjoining the Chambal valley is still called as Sikarwari. the grand old Sikarwar of this area was known as DALKUBABA(RAO DALPAT SINGH) re-established a kingdom in 16th century at SARSAINY village of Joura tehsil of Morena district with capital at PAHARGARH, presently located in Morena district of M.P . Certain parts of Rajasthan especially the Pahara region (Kelwara) in UDAIPUR DISTRICT still has Sikarwar population. The region was allocated as a Jagir to 'Jattan Rao Sikarwar' (their ancestor). He was the Army Commander of Rana Hamir. The Sikarwars had helped the Rana regain Chitor after Alaudin Khilji had acquired it in AD 1303. DHAULPUR DISTRICT in Rajasthan still has a sizable number of Sikarwar population. AJARGARHI FORT [Present Agra Fort] was built by Sikarwar Rajput in 9th century AD. As per Babur Badalgarh is another name of Gwalior Fort.

Sikri Hiran Minar

Gotra-Sankrit (Gotra of Sikarwars living in Sikarwari region of Dholpur and Morena district is BHARDWAJ).

Sikarwars are the real fighters of the Chambal valley in Dholpur and Morena district. At that time the leader was Shri DALKU BABA(RAO DALAPAT SINGH). all the sikarwars in morena belongs to Baba Dalku's family.now the Sikarwar's are spread in aprox 20 villages in Morena.

Source: Wikipedia