Chadar

For the outer garment worn by women, see Chador.

Chadar Kshatriya (Hindi: चडार/ चढार) is a Hindu caste found in central regions of India.

These are known to be Chandra Vanshi Kshatriya. Only few thousand Chadar people currently exist and the number of Chadars is continuously decreasing. Thus, they are moving towards minority community. The Chadar have customs and lifestyle like tribes.

Surname and pronunciation

Chadar (Hindi:चडार) is commonly pronounced as Cha_daa_r.

Chadar kshatriya were known for very aggressive attacks (चढाइ) on enemy. The Chadar / chadhar (चडार or चढार) surname originated from the word Chadhar (Hindi: चढाइ) which means Attack for which Chadars were known. Chadar cast originally origin in Vedic literature mention Bunker cast.

Other Surnames used by Chadars

The other names used by people of this caste are:

1

1. Athya
2. Atthaya
3. Charar
4. Athiya
5. Chandel
6. Pawar
7. Soniya
8. Vilye
9. Gehlot
10. Sandariya
11. Sundre
12. Ghangere
13. Verma
14. Sutrakar
15. Charul
16. Thakur
17. Pushkar
18. Chandravansi
19. Gohiya
20. Sarawat
21. Chadhar
22. Chadar
23. Bunkar
24. Katiya
25. Amalkaar
26. Bhartiya
27. Binakiya
28. Bisrotiya
29. Beliya
30. Bachheliya
31. Barha
32. Brahmaniya
33. Hanumantiya
34. Hardiya
35. Ghuraiya
36. Magariya
37. Ghure
38. Sure
39. saad(Salad)
40. Saanvar
41. Vinayak
42. Tameshwari
43. Naga(Naag)
44. Kumeriya
45. Magra
46. Atthaya

Origin

The origin of Chadar is from Chittorgarh Rajsthan and their near regions like Kota, Bundi, etc. The Chadars are known to be descendants of Chandela's. From the ninth century to the 13th century, the Chandelas ruled over central India. Their first capital city was Khajuraho, which was later shifted to Mahoba. They are regarded to be Chandravanshi; i.e., the descendants of the Som (Sanskrit literal meaning: moon). The Chandela are a Rajput clan found in Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, a dynasty, who ruled much of the Bundelkhand region of central India for long periods between the 10th and the 13th centuries AD. The Chandela dynasty is famous in Indian history for sculptures at temples of Khajuraho which is now a world heritage site.

Muslim invasions

After about two centuries of obscurity a notable Chandella ruler Keerat Pal Singh rose to power and re-established his domain over Kalinjar and Mahoba. His illustrious daughter Durgavati was married to Gond ruler Dalpat-shah of Garh Mandla (near Jabalpur) in 1543 A.D. Later, Keerat Pal Singh battled bravely with Sher Shah Suri, while defending Kalinjar fort in 1545. Sher Shah, however, captured the fort after a prolonged fight but was killed in an explosion while directing final assault on the fort.

The account of Rani Durgavati's deeds is most glorious. She administered her territory admirably well after the death of Raja Dalpat Shah and in 1564 A.D. gallantly resisted the unprovoked aggression of Mughal Emperor Akbar, whose general Asif Khan attracted Garh Mandla to annex Rani's territory. The Rani gave a brave fight but lost her life in the battle-field. The aggression of Akbar on women rulers like Durga Wati and Chand-bibi tarnish his image as a liberal ruler.

There ends the saga of brave and valorous, patron of art and culture, rich and devout kings of the Chandela dynasty who ruled over central India for half a millennium. Their kingdom decreased and expanded in size in accordance with the velour and fortune of the individual ruler. But the most important objects which nearly every king left behind are the magnificent and exquisitely carved temples, thereby engraving their names in history in the golden letters.

Geographical distribution

This caste is found mainly in districts of Madhya Pradesh.