Arkavansham

"Arka"form clan

The Arkawanshis are an ancient kshatriya clan of Indian origin who at one time ruled large areas of Awadh. The heroes of the Arkavanshi clan include sun-worshipper Maharaja Trilok Chandra Arkavanshi (who captured the throne of Delhi in 918 AD by defeating king Vikrampal), Salhia Singh Arkavanshi (who established the town of Sandila), Malhia Singh Arkavanshi (who established the town of Malhiabad) and Maharaja Khadagsen Arkavanshi (who established Khaga town in Fatehpur district of Uttar Pradesh).

Historical Background

In ancient time, the Arkavanshi held sway over large areas of Awadh such as Malihabad, Datli, Sandila, Khaga, Ayah (in Fatehpur district), Sarh-Salempur (in Kanpur), Padri (in Unnao), Arkavanshis estate (in Rae Bareilly), parts of Allahabad (around Singrur), Bahraich, etc.

It is said that at one time Arkavanshi were so powerful that they performed Dashashwamegha yajnas (performed by kshatriyas to prove their dominance) in the Aryawarta and no contemporary king dared to challenge their authority. The ruins of a fort of Arkavanshi at Ayah (in Fatehpur district of Uttar Pradesh) seem to narrate the story of their glorious past.The Arkavanshi rulers were the worshippers of the Sun God ('Lord Arka' अर्कनारायण) and Lord Shiv, hence many ancient Sun and Shiv idols have been found in and around the region.

Origin

Arkavanshis are one of the ancient-most kshatriya tribes of Indian origin. They claim their descent from ancient Suryawanshi kshatriya clan to which Lord Rama belonged. 'Arakh' is said to be the distorted form of 'Arka' 'अर्क' (a Sanskrit word meaning sun). 'Arkawanshi' (अर्कवंशी) is a synonym of 'Suryawanshi'. Thus a clan of Suryawanshis was also called as 'Arkawanshi'. The founder of Suryavansha Vaivasvat Manu was also known 'Arka Tanaya' (अर्क तनय) meaning 'the son of Arka'. 'Arkawanshi' became 'Arka' (अर्क) and later 'Arak' (अरक) and 'Arakh' (अरख) in locally spoken dialects. Arkavanshi have been the worshipper of sun god (Lord Arka-अर्क) and Lord Shiva. Arkawanshis also have different sub-clans as Khangars, Gauds,and Adhiraj. Other kshatriya clans related to Arkawanshis are Pratihara (Parihar), Raghuwanshi, Gohil, Guhilots, Sisaudwansh, Khadagwansh, etc.

One of the Shiv-worshiping sub-clans of Arkawanshi kshatriyas was also known as Bhaarshiva kshatriyas भारशिव क्षत्रिय in ancient times. They were brave kshatriyas who ruled large parts of North India and Central India during a period known as "Dark age" (as no recorded history of India during that period is available except Puranic and Buddhist literature). When Kushan tribals attacked and occupied Varanasi, the Bhaarshiv warriors drove them off the Holy land and performed 'Ashwamegha Yajnas' (symbolic rituals performed by Kshatriyas after victory in battlefield). Bhaarshivas were known so because they carried the weight (भार) of Shiva (शिव) in the form of 'linga' round their necks. Thus those Arkawanshi kshatriyas who carried the weight (in Hindi-'भार') of Shiva (शिव) came to be known as Bhaarshiv (भारशिव = भार (weight) + शिव (Shiva)).In the beginning of 1 AD Bhaarshivs belongs to Nagvanshi clan because in Suryavansh and Nagvansh they had matrimonial relations For this reason Arkavanshi kings promoted Nagvanshi king as a Bhaarshiv title. Which later gave birth to heroes like Maharaja Veersen was the most famous monarch of Bhaarshiv clan.In Farrukhabad district of Uttar Pradesh has an inscription which mentions the majestic king. Perhaps it was the beginning of a new Samvat. Maharaja Navnag, Maharaja Bhavnag They are seven kings. The Bhaarshiv kshatriyas were one of the most powerful ruling clans of their times. They had matrimonial relationships with almost all the contemporary Royal families of India including Vakataka (वाकाटक) rulers.Vakataka ruler Vindhyashakti was belonged vishnuvridhi (विष्णुवृद्धि) gotra brahman.

Maharaja Trilok Chandra Arkavanshi

Maharaja Trilok Chandra Arkawanshi was a brave and ambitious ruler. In 918 AD, he led a powerful army against king Vikrampal of Delhi and after defeating him, took control of Delhi. Subsequently, nine generations of Maharaja Trilok Chandra Arkavanshi ruled over Delhi. In 1093 AD Maharani Bhimadevi, the religious-minded widow of Govind Chand (who died without an heir), handed over the reins of her empire to her spiritual guru Hargovind.

The empire of Maharaja Trilok Chandra Arkavanshi comprised areas of Delhi and large parts of Awadh including its mountainous areas. Maharaja Trilok Chandra Arkavanshi was a worshipper of sun-god (Arka) like his fore-fathers. He built a large sun-temple named Balarka temple in Bahraich, which was later destroyed by the Turkish invaders.

Maharaja Khadag Sen Arkavanshi

The town of Khaga is said to have been established by a brave ruler belonging to the martial Arka or Suryavanshi clan, named Maharaja Khadagsen (also referred to as Khadag Singh). Maharaja Khadagsen Was The Son Of Maharaja Dalpatsen . Maharaja Dalpatsen Belongs to Raja Kanaksen Family And Raja Kanaksen Was a Bloodline Of Raja Kush . And Raja Kush Was The Son Of Lord Ram . The Arka or Suryavanshi who ruled doaba region post Gupta period, came to control large parts of Fatehpur district(including Ayah and Khaga) and parts of Allahabad region under Khadagsen's rule. It is also said that Suryavanshi kshatriya (also referred to as 'Arkawanshi' अर्कवंशी) rulers conducted Dashashwamegha yajnas in the doab region (area between Ganges and Yamuna) to prove their supremacy. Their power decayed with the rise of competing powers in the form of other kshatriyas and Rajputs. Fort was situated near Kukri kukra lake but is now in ruins, however many people say that there was a fort there. Many stories about Maharaja Khadagsen were destroyed during the British Raj, or by singrour Ruler Dariyao Singh.

Two Brothers Saga Of War

Since then, the saga begins when Duo brothers of belonged to martial Arkavanshi clan Maharaja Malhia Singh Arkavanshi and Maharaja Salhia Singh Arkavanshi established the two states.The town of Malhiapura (later known as malihabad) was established by Maharajaaja Malhia Arkavanshi, the younger of the brave brother duo, Salhia and Malhia.Maharaja Salhia Singh Arkavanshi established the town of Salhiapura ( later known as sandila ) Maharaja Malhia Singh Arkavanshi made Malihabad a contemporary power and a prosperous town. During his rule, Arkavanshi dominion stretched south of Malihabad to parts of Kakori and Bijnour, and along the left bank of Sai to Sissandi. Arkavanshis held sway over Malihabad and adjoining areas including Datli till 15th century.Sandila thus became the seat of Arkavanshi power in early 13th century and became a flourishing town under Maharaja Salhia Singh Arkavanshi's rule. Arkavanshis held the region till last quarter of the 14th century. In AD 1470, two brothers of the Gautam tribe, Deva Rai and Naya Rana came as a refugee to Malihabad after being exiled from Argal state of Gautams. After winning over the confidence of the Arkavanshi king, they conspired with Muslims to overthrow Arkavanshis from Malihabad and establish their control.Their efforts paid off when after a prolonged struggle with Arkavanshis, Gautam brothers took over the control of Malihabad. But soon after, they were themselves displaced by the Muslim invadors.when a large army sent by Feroz Shah Tughlaq under his lieutenant Syed Makhdum Alauddin, captured the town and the adjoining areas after a fierce battle with Arkavanshis.The remains of Arkavanshi rule are seen in form of ruined fortresses in the mounds of Garhi Jindor, Malhia garhi, Sahinjana tila, Samad Khera, Datli, Naurang garh (Tarauna), Sandila qila, and many others. After the decline of Arkavanshi power, Sandila came under the rule of Delhi. The folklore of Arakh (also called Arkawanshis ) still sings about the bravery of its heroes, Maharaja Salhia Singh Arkavanshi and Maharaja Malhia Singh Arkavanshi.

Kund and temples built by the rulers

When Arkavanshi rulers ruled in north, east & central parts of prachin Bharat.They built the kund named Arka-kund (surya kund).Along with Surya Kund construction of temples was built by the kings of this dynasty.The temple occupies an important place in Bahraich named Balarka which is the Sanskrit word (meaning sunrise).The temple was built by Maharaja Tilokchand Arkavanshi the temple at that time was huge and magnificent temple,The temple was dedicated to suryadev (Arkadev).Near the temple there was Arka-kund.The skin disease in which to bathe and used to cure diseases like smallpox.The significance of the kund was too much time in the form of Arka in the temple worship of God was Suryadev.Every year at that location first Sunday in the month of (ज्येष्ठ मास) is the third month according to Hindu Panchangam a large fair was organized.By that time it was a religious site for Hindus in Bahraich.But Turkish Muslim invaders in the 14th century when the miracle of the temple heard and saw how the people have faith in the temple he destroy the temple.And the pond was covered with the remains of the temple broken.Then he made up shrine of Muslim invaders.The tomb is the attacker who was killed along with his half-million Crusader army.His death was the hands of Shravasti ruler Maharaja Suheldhwaj Bhaarshiv,With which the Maharaja Suheldhwaj Bhaarshiv ( Bais Rajput, Arkavanshi Kshatriya,) and the support of the kings of dynasty Bhaarshiv.In this fierce battle Islamic invaders invaded India with army of more than 1,00,000 men with 50,000 cavalry but destroy these invaders did just 17 Kshatriyas.This war was fought in 1034 AD The record of what happened in the war of Islam invaders the next 300 years of any Muslim invaders did not dare to invade India.But the temple in 14 AD and a pound was demolished by Turkish invaders.Lucknow has been discovered in the Mahabharata period Suryakund (Arka-kund).Which was erected by the Suryavanshi (Arkavanshi) kings.And its restoration over the LDA (Lucknow Development Authority) has been awarded to.

A Treasure Apologue

Adampur huge property in Uttar Pradesh came to light at the archaeological site of the archaeological site Tehsil area has become a subject of discussion. Archaeological department neglected to such places where funds have become active Tantric greedy while local villagers has awakened curiosity also.Khaga town located close to the village of Kukra Cookery Aeli mound and dune Tikri village has become the center of attraction for curious people these days. These places have increased people's walk, while some people have drawn to controversial positions, which the people have taken their own.District headquarters under bhitaura block Adampur village situated on the banks of the Ganges to be buried gold treasure in the discussion of the region's places of archaeological importance have increased media attention. Such has been the subject of discussion among the people place.The founder of Khaga Maharaja Khadag Singh Arkavanshi Kukra Kukri huge real estate is likely to be in place. The location the longest active journalist says that villagers around the mound Sometimes precious stones are hand stones and coins. They say that he made the excavation of the mound was a little too much, in which certain ruins were his hands. According to ASI, he wrote about it, but the lack of any response and sat down.Now adampur treasure is exposed, these days people walk, the place has increased. Fond of ancient monuments and goods,the place went round tantric have met them several times, inside the mound, who is claimed to be valuable assets.In 1984, when the tower to show that the surface of the mound was excavated, the huge amounts of silver and copper coins were found. Foreign writing in the hands of villagers were these coins, but because of fear and greed is silent in respect of those coins. Spread over an area of approximately 200 square meters around the mound despite rising population now lives in the night, mysterious atmosphere of the mound, the village also are afraid to go to the mound.