Shivaji Maharaj aani Musalmaan

Solanki Kings

By Prof. Yashwant Malaiya, Colorado, USA

The word Solanki is another form of Chaulukya. They were certainly Chaulukya.

The Chaulukyas arose in Badami perhaps in 6th cent. One of their major branches ruled Kalyan (Kalyani) . They had some other branches also.

King Mularaja I, founded the Chaulukya line of Anahilavad in A.D. 942.

He was the son of King Raji of Kalyan. Jayasimha Siddharaj was 6th and Kumarpal as the 7th ruler in this line.

The Chaulukyas of Badami and Kalyani were also frequent supporters of Jainism. Many Jain scholars wrote books in their rule. Some of their dandadhipatis and mandalaikas were devout Jain.

At times Chaulukyas were subordinate under the Rashtrakuta (at other times, Chaulukyas were rivals) who were often enthusiastic supporters of Jainism.

The Chaulukyas had a long tradition of supporting Jainism, although none of them are as distinguished in this resepct as King Kumarpal.

Chaulukyas and Chauhan (Chahamana) are not related. The Chauhans arose  in Shakambhari (Sambhar, Ajmer) in Rajasthan.

The Meguti temple (634 AD) is very famous for its historical inscription, popularly known as Ahihole inscription.

Forced Conversions to Hinduism

-Mahavir Sanglikar

(Shivdharmi Marathas should think about this subject seriously)

Hinduism is being forced on the followers of Non-Vedic religions like Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism, and people like Dalits, Adivasis and NTs. The people forcing it do not tell you to go to Hindu temples or perform rituals, but they just change your religious identity on documents. They write your religion as Hindu wherever possible.

All this starts right from the admission of the pregnant woman to the maternity home. When the registration process goes on, the clerk writes her religion as Hindu, without asking her or her relatives accompanying her. For these clerks, if the woman is not a Muslim or Christian, then she is a Hindu. After the birth of the child, the doctor issues a birth certificate mentioning the child's religion as a Hindu. For the parents, the religion is not important at that time as they are in heaven. They do not take pain even for reading it. But thereafter, whenever they see the birth certificate, they find that their child is converted to Hinduism.

Same thing happens in the school while the admission of the child. The parents do not know that here also their child is growing as a Hindu. They realize it only when the student gets a `School Leaving Certificate' from the school. It mentions the religion of the student as Hindu-Sikh or Hindu-Punjabi in case of Sikhs, Hindu-Jain in case of Jains and Hindu-Buddhist in case of Buddhists. Sometimes it mentions just `Hindu'. So the School Leaving Certificate is actually Certificate of Religious Conversion to Hinduism.

The most stupid thing in these School Leaving Certificates is that there is no standardized format for it. One school mentions `Religion and caste', other mentions `Race and religion', another mentions `Race and caste'. Who knows about race? But many schools have a `Race' column on the leaving certificate. It is there because it was there while British rule. Change is not acceptable for most of the people.

Now let us speak about the census. On every tenth year, the Census Commission of India counts the people of India. The Census form mentions 7 religions namely Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Jain, Buddhist and Parsi. The followers of other religions are counted under `Other' column. But while census, the data
collectors do the same thing what the clerks in hospitals do. They do not ask religion at all. For them all those are Hindus if their name is not a Muslim or Christian name. This happens not just because of lack of knowledge. It is being done systematically by the Hindutwa minded people working as Census Data
Collectors.

The population of Hindus in India is about 79%. It is because of the forced Hinduism. We can not know the actual population of Jains, Buddists, Sikhs and people having 'No' religion in India. We can not know the actual population of Adivasis and Nomadic tribes, who are not Hindus but they are counted as Hindus.

96 Clans of Marathas

01. Yadav/Jadhav
02. More
03. Bhosale
04. Sisode
05. Chavan
06. Shelar
07. Kadam
08. Rathod
09. Chalukya
10. Salunkhe
11. Shinde
12. Sawant
13. Salav
14. Laad
15. Nikam
16. Ahir
17  Gangnaik
18. Pawar
19. Gaikwad
20. Mohite
21. Kalchuri
22. Mahadik
23. Mane
24. Chulake
25. Angre
26. Chandale
27. Kakade
28. Rane
29. Ghatge
30. Jagtap
31. Dhamdhere
32. Jagdale
33. Dhawle
34. Dabhade
35. Dhumal
36. Thorat
37. Dalvi
38. Nalwade
39. Pansare
40. Pisal
41. Malap
42. Phalke
43. Angane
44. Vichare
45. Malusare
46. Tawde
47. Khaire
48. Bagwe
49. Raut
50. Renuse
51. Wagh
52. Pandhare
53. Bhogale
54. Bagrao
55. Bhagwat
56. Mulik
57. Surve
58. Kshirsagar
59. Shitole
60. Thakur
61. Shankpal
62. Shirke
63. Tuwar
64. Madhure
65. Mhambar
66. Bande
67. Teje
68. Devkate
69. Sambhare
70. Phakde
71. Harphale
72. Darbare
73. Kokate
74. Dhekale
75. Thote
76. Parte
77. Palande
78. Phatak
79. Jagdhane
80. Dhybar
81. Pingale
82. Phadtare
83. Bhoware
84. Rasal
85. Khadtare
86. Dadhe
87. Dhone
88. Misal
89. Pathare
90. Babar
91. Bhoite
92. Gavane
93. Gavase
94. Dhamale
95. Palav
96. Khandagale

Assasination of Parashuram

Parshuram is the famous sage of Hindu scriptures. He was the man who massacred the Kshatriyss, the warrior people of ancient India, for many times. Various scriptures including Mahabharat describe that he made the earth Kshatriyless for 21 times.

Brahmins of modern India have made him their idol, while the Kshatriys think that he was their worst enemy. Famous scholar Dr. A. H. Salunkhe rightly says that Parashuram has become the icon of dividing people. Yes, the story of Parshuram boosts ego amongst the orthodox Brahmins and on the other hand it creates hatred against Brahmins in Kshatriy people.

When I read the story of Parashuram, I thought it was surely written by a clever Brahmin to tease the Kshatriys. It is not a true story. It is just a fantasy like many other fantasies found in various Hindu Purans. But as most of the believers believe that everything written in the scriptures is a fact, both the Brahmins and kshatrisys took this fantasy as a true story.

One of my friends told me that there is a Jain version of Parshuram’s story. I searched for it and found it in various Jain scriptures.

The Jain version is very interesting, especially for those who dislike Parshuram. The first half of the story is almost like the Hindu version, with few variations. The second half of the story is very different.

According to the Jain version, when Parashuram killed King Sahasrarjun, the latter’s queen was pregnant and successfully ran away from the Capital. She got shelter in an Ashram of a sage where she eventually gave birth to a son. She kept his name as Subhoum. When he became elder, he was taught everything that a Prince requires. Eventually his mother told him about his father’s murder by Parshuram. Angry Subhoum formed an army with help of his friends and attacked the Capital from where Parshuram was ruling. There was a battle between the armies of Parashuram and Subhoum. The result was killing of Parshuram by King Subhoum. Thus Subhoum took the revenge of his father’s assanination. This very simple but interesting story ends here.

This Jains version is given in ancient Jain scriptures namely Samvayang Sutra, Brihat Katha Kosh, Mahapuran, Trishasti Shalaka Purush and many other books. This story is also a fantasy. I think that the Jain version was written to counter attack the Hindu version.

According to Jain mythology, Subhoum was 8th Chakravarti (mythical emperor) in the series of 12 Chakravartis. It is notable that ancient Jainism was the religion of Kshatriy people, so it was their necessity to counter attack the Hindu version, and they would have used this story to mock the orthodox Brahmins. I do not know how successful the ‘Kshatriy Jains’ were in their intention. Later when Jainism became a religion of Baniyas (merchants), there was no question of telling this story, as it was not of their interest. If you ask any Jain including the scholars whether he knows this story, you will find that they know nothing. Thus the modern Jains have assassinated Subhoum by ignoring the Jain version of Parashuram’s story!


-Mahavir Sanglikar ©

This story has been published in Marathi in form of a small book  named Parashuramacha Vadh by Subhoum Prakashan. Noted scholar Dr. A. H. Salunkhe has wrote about this story in detail in his book Parashuram: Jodanyaache Pratik Ka Todanyache?

शिवजयंती २०११ निमित्त स्मरणिका प्रकाशित होणार

सुभौम प्रकाशन या प्रकाशन संस्थेतर्फे १९ फेब्रुवारी २०११ रोजी शिवजयंती स्मरणिका प्रकाशित करण्यात येणार आहे. या स्मरणिकेत अनेक इतिहास संशोधकांचे लेख व शिवकालाशी संबंधित विविध प्रकारची माहिती, फोटो वगैरे प्रकाशित करण्यात येणार आहे. तसेच शिवजयंती निमित्त घेण्यात येणार्‍या निबंध स्पर्धेतील निवडक निबंधही या स्मरणिकेत प्रकाशित करण्यात येणार आहेत.

 स्मरणिकेसाठी आपणही लेख शकता. लेख मराठी भाषेत, सुमारे ५०० शब्दांपर्यंत असावा. इमेलने या पत्त्यावर फक्त युनिकोडमध्ये पाठवावा किंवा साध्या पोस्टाने सुभौम प्रकाशन, पोस्ट बॊक्स नं. ५८, चिंचवड पूर्व, पुणे ४११०१९ या पत्त्यावर पाठवावा. (कुरियरने पाठवू नये). अधिक माहितीसाठी ९६२ ३७२ ५२४९ या नंबरवर फोन करावा.

Yadavas of Devgiri

YADAVAS OF DEVAGIRI

Yadavas of Devagiri -The predecessors of Yadavas of Devagiri, who Devagiri. ruled over Khandesh, Nasik and Ahmadnagar Districts, were the vassals of the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta and the Chalukyas of Kalyani for a period of over three hundred years. Drdhaprahara, the founder of the family hailing from Dhvaravatipura or modern Dvaraka in Kathiawar, flourished in the first half of the 9th century A.D. and had Chandradityapura or modern Chandor in Nasik district as his capital. His son Seunachandra I founded a city called Seunapura and also gave the name Seun-desa to the country on the confines of Dandaka and included Devagiri, modern Daulatabad, in the Aurangabad district. Inscriptions of the successors of Seunachandra style themselves as Seunas. Kama, one of the remote successors of this Seunachandra I had as son Bhillama V who was the first independent king of the race.

Bhillama ascended the throne in 1185 A.D. This was the time of a great upheaval in the Deccan. Failure of Chalukya Someshvara IV in consolidating his power, emboldened him in bidding for a paramount power in the Deccan. With the help of his able generals, he wrested power and territories from Someshvara IV including Kalyarm in 1189 A.D. Inscriptions of 'Bhillama's reign refer to his supermacy over Belvola, Tardavadi and Madagihar in the old Jath State. The statement of the Mutgi inscription that he secured victories over the Kalnigas, Gaudas, Vashigas, Arigas, Napalas and the Panehalas seems to be very extravagant. According to Hemadri, Bhillama founded the city of Devagiri and probably made it his capital. The earliest mention of Devagiri as the capital of Seunas is found in an inscription of Jaitugi or Jartrapala, son of Bhillama in 1196 A.D. Inscriptional evidence reveals that Bhillama associated with him his son in the Government from A.D. 1191 and died shortly after 1193 A.D. During the closing years of his reign he had to fight with Ballala II of Hoyasalas with no success. Jaitugi also failed to dislodge Ballala II from his position. Nevertheless the kingdom of Seunas during Jaitugi's reign extended upto the confluence of Krshna and Tungabhadra bringing Seunas near Kakatiyas who were also defeated by jaitugi. Jaitugi ruled up to 1210 (1191 to 1210) A.D. and was succeeded by his son Singhana about the year 1210 (1210-1247 A.D.).

Singhana was certainly the most distinguished member of the family. He put an end to the rule of the Kolhapur branch of the Silahara family by overthrowing Bhoja II. With the exception of powerful Hoyasals, Singhana was able to assert supremacy over all kingdoms in the south. Singhana's empire extended from Khandesh up to the Shimoga and Anahtpur districts, and from the western coast (including Northern Konkan) up to the eastern parts of Hyderabad and Berar. During the reign of this king, Sharangdhara composed his famous treatise on music called Sarigita-ratnakara. Singhana was on the throne up to June 1247 A.D. Krshna, his grandson, came to the throne in 1247 A.D., and continued Singhana's policy of expanding the Seuna empire in all directions. Stone inscriptions of Krshna found in the Shimoga, Chitaldurg, Bellary, Dharvar and Belganv districts show that he succeeded in retaining the hounds of the kingdom of his grandfather Jalhana. The author of Suktimuktavali was his counsellor and commander. Krshna appointed Mahadeva, his brother, as heir apparent who succeeded him in 1261 A.D., Mahadeva continued hostilities with the Hoysalas, and Silaharas of Northern Konkan, the Vaghelas of Gujarat, the Parmaras of Malva and the Kakatiyas of Telunga country. His attempt to penetrate into the heart of the Hoyasala kingdom was crowned with a failure. Hemadri, the founder of Hemadapanti architecture, was his minister. Mahadeva closed his reign in 1270-1271 A.D. Civil war between his son Amna and Ramachandra, the son of King Krshna resulted into the treacherous capture and slaughter of the former by the latter. Ramachandra in the early years of his rule made a frantic effort to crush the power of Hoyasalas, but was unable to achieve the end. He also failed in overcoming Vaghela Sararigadeva. He, however, succeeded in defeating the Chiefs of Dahala (modern Jabalpur), Vijrakara (modem Vairagarah in Madhya Pradesh) and Bhandagara (modern Bhandara in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra). Inscriptions of Ramchandra show that he was able to retain the Seuna kingdom during the early days of his rule. But the prestige of the Seuna kingdom was irretrievably damaged on account of Ramachandra's failure to save his capital from being plundered by Ala-ud-din Khilji the governor of Kara, who invaded Devagiri by way of Eliehpur in 1296 A.D. Hereditary enemies now pressed hard upon them. Kakatiya Prataparudra succeeded in pushing the western border of his empire upto Medak and Raichur. In A.D. 1305, Hoyasala Ballala III wrested from Ramchandra Banavasi, Santaliga and Kogali. In fact, there is no evidence to prove  that Shimoga and Chitaldurg districts were under the rule of Seunas after 1300 A.D.. The Deccan was again raided by Muslims, when Seunas were fighting for defence in the south. Ramachandra had to swerve from his allegiance to the Government of Delhi due to strained relations and in 1307 A.D. Ala-ud-din Khilji sent Malik-Naib Kafur with a great army, who overran the Seuna kingdom and took Ramachandra a prisoner to Delhi. Ramachandra was, however, released after a period of six months and was allowed to rule his kingdom as a vassal under the Sultanate army for an invasion of Telingana country. Ramachandra helped Muslims against Hoyasala Ballala III of Dorasamudra in 1311.

Ramachandra was succeeded by his son Shankaradeva in 1311 A.D. who antagonised the Sultan by his hostile activities. In A.D. 1313, Malik-Naib directed an expedition against Shankaradeva, killed him and assumed the government of Devagiri. Ala-ud-din's death caused confusion in Delhi. Taking advantage of this, Harapaladeva, the son-in-law of Ramachandra [The Struggle for Empire p. 48.] declared his independence and captured the fort of Devagiri with the help of Raghava, the minister of Ramachandra. But in 1318 A.D. [Ibid., p. 40.] Mubarak the son and successor of Ala-ud-din, recovered Devagiri by defeating and killing Harapaladeva or Haripala. Raghava suffered defeat at the hands of Khusrav Khan, Mubarak's commander. Thus the kingdom of Seunas passed into the hands of Muslims in 1318 A.D. [Ibid., p. 42.]

(From Gazetter of Satara)

Who Are Marathas?

By Mahavir Sanglikar

The origin of the word Maratha is in the ancient Marahatti language word `Marhatta'. That is a geographical term, which was used for all the people of Maharashtra. But later it was being used for all the warrior people of Maharashtra.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj gave an opportunity to fight with enemies to the people of all the castes in Maharshtra. For him, everybody was a Maratha, who helped for the freedom. So for him all his soldiers, including his Muslim soldiers (Who were in large numbers in his navy and in artillery) were Marathas.

It should be noted that Peshavas, who were Chitpavan Bramhins were also known as Maratha. The Muslim Queen of Ahmednagar Chandbibi was also known as a Maratha.

Later, Bramhins stopped to call themselves as Maratha.Today in Maharashtra a specific community who is politically strong, calls themselves as Maratha. This community has 96 clans. Most of the clans are newer (Did not existed before Shivaji Maharaj). But there are more than 30 clans which have ancient or medieval history.  Some of such clans are:

Yadav/Jadhav
Morey
Kadam (Kadamb)
Salunkhe
Rathod
Chavan
Shinde (Scindia)
Shelar
Sawant
Pawar
Kalchuri
Sisodia 

The cultivaters of Maharashtra were known as Kunabis most of whom started themselves call as Marathas before one hundred years. This increased the number of Marathas rapidly in Maharshtra. So they became politically stronger. But the Marthas are divided in several groups namely Deshmukhs, 96 Kulis, Common Marathas, Kunabis and Kadus. They do not intermarry. There are geographical divisions also and they generally do not marry outside their region.(Like a Maratha of Sangli district marries with the maratha of surrounding districts of Satara and Kolhapur but not with the Marathas of Pune or Nagar districts. Which is just 110 Km. from Satara).

It is said that when a Kunabi becomes stronger, he becomes a Maratha, When a Maratha becomes stronger he becomes a Patil, When a Patil becomes stronger he becomes Deshmukh. (My addition: and when a Deshmukh becomes stronger, he becomes a Chief Minister!)

Deshmukh was the highest Designation, like District Collector in this era, while Patil is the chief of a village.

Generally, Marathas are not interested in the history before Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. So,  for them history starts with Shahaji Maharaj and ends with Sambhaji Maharaj.  This wrong tendacy of Marathas was a plus poing for Vedic Brahmins, but now many Maratha scholars are finding their roots in ancient era, especially in Indus Valley Civilization. This is a good sign. Thanks to the great scholars like Dr. A.H. Salunkhe and others, who have written lot of books on the ancient history of Marathas.

Santaji Ghorpade Samadhi Photographs

These are the photographs of the great Maratha Warrior Santaji Ghorpade. This place is situated on the Bank of River Krishna near Kurundwad in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra.