Shekhawat is a clan of Rajputs found mainly in Shekhawati region of Rajasthan.[citation needed] Shekhawats are descendants of Maharao Shekha of Amarsar. Shekhawat is the most prominent sub-clan among Kachhwaha Rajputs. The Shekhawati region was ruled by them for more than 500 years and are honoured with the hereditary title of “Tazimi Sirdars”, whom HH the Maharaja of Jaipur receives by rising from his seat. Fought against mughals many time. Rao Sujjan Singh of Chhapoli fought mughal army with 300 men to save a temple. Col. J.C. Brooke in his book, Political History of India, wrote that “For the recruitment of Horse-army there is no region in India at par with Shekhawati.” Shekhawat is a very common surname in the Indian defence forces.[1][2]
Notable people
- Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, the former Cabinet Minister of Food & Civil Supplies Consumer affairs, Government of Rajasthan.[3]
- Ajit Singh of Khetri, of the Shekhawat clan helped the Swami Vivekanand by giving financial help[4][5][6]
- Rao Shekha, the founder of Shekhawat clan. Shekhawati region is named after him.
- Thakur Bhojraj, ruler of udaipurwati.
- Thakur Shardul Singh, ruler of jhunjhunu.
- Thakur Nawal Singh, ruler of Nawalgarh
- Bhairon Singh Shekhawat former Chief minister of Rajasthan and former Vice president of India.[7][8]
- Devisingh Ransingh Shekhawat, former first gentleman of India. He was the husband of former President of India Smt. Pratibha Patil.[9]
- Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the present Union Cabinet Minister in Ministry of Jal Shakti.[10][11]
- Brigadier Saurabh Singh Shekhawat.[12]
- Admiral Vijai Singh Shekhawat, former Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy. [13]
- Piru Singh was awarded the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), India's highest military decoration 3245.[14][15][16]
- Major Thakur Dalpat Singh Shekhawat, Commander of Jodhpur Lancers of the British Indian Army, also known as the "Hero of Haifa" for his actions in the Battle of Haifa during the first World War. [17]
Legacy
Shekhawats constructed many forts and temples, step well(bawdi) in Shekhawati region and patronized Hindu culture. There are more than 50 forts constructed by them. Shahpura, Alsisar, Bissau, Dundlod, Danta Ramgarh, Mahansar, Khetri, Mandawa, Nawalgarh, dalelgarh(Baloda) Laxmangarh, Khandela Sikar, Jhunjhunu these are sites of some beautiful fort, temples and other architectural beauty work done under shekhawat rule in Shekhwati[18][19]
Branches
Bhojraj Ji Ka, Girdhar Ji Ka, Jagmal Ji Ka, Achaldas Ji Ka, Rao Ji Ka, Ladkhani, Bhairo ji Ka, Taknet, Ratnawat, Khejroliya, Milakpuriya, Tejsi Ka, Jagmalji Ka, Sahasmalji Ka, Lunkaranji Ka, Ugarsenji Ka, Sanwanldasji Ka, Gopalji Ka, Chandapota, Parsuramji Ka, Tajkhani, Hariramji Ka etc.[20][21]