Chadar

Chadar (Hindi: चडार / चढार) is a Hindu caste found in central region of India. The other surnames used by peoples of this caste are Chidar, Charar, Athiya, Chandel, Pawar, Soniya, Vilye, Gehlot, Sutrakar, Sandariya, Verma, Sagar, Charul, Thakur, Pushkar, Chandravansi.

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 chadars have customs and lifestyle like tribes. Chadars do not marry outside their community. The marriages are restricted within chadars and subcaste of chadar.

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 Chadhai (Hindi: चढाइ) which means Attack for which chadars were known.

Other Surnames used by Chadars

The other names used by people of this caste are :

1. Athya
2. Chidar
3. Charar
4. Athiya
5. Chandel
6. Pawar
7. Soniya
8. Vilye
9. Gehlot
10. Sandariya
11. Verma
12. Sutrakar
13. Charul
14. Thakur
15. Pushkar
16. Chandravansi
17. Gohiya
18. Sarawat
19. Bunkar

Origin

The origin of chadar is from Chittorgarh Rajsthan and their near regions like Kota, Bundi, etc. The chadars are known to be descendends 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 2 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 king 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 valour 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 (Jabalpur, Damoh, Sagar, Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior), including Uttar Pradesh (Jhansi, Lalitpur), Maharashtra (Mumbai, Nagpur, Amravati) and Rajasthan (Kota).

Prominent People in Chadar Caste

Some of the prominent chadars include:

1. Sri Hakam Singh Chadar (Ex Member of Legislative Assembly from Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), Gotegaon constituency, Madhya Pradesh), ^[1]
2. Sri Brij Bihari Chadar (serving in Military Farm Jabalpur),
3. Sri Anoj Kumar Chadar, Scientist at Ministry of Science and Technology, New Delhi,
4. Engineer Ghanshyam Chadar M. P. W.R.D.[Irrigation, dept.] (Jabalpur),
5. ''''Engineer K K Chadar M.P. P.W.D.(Jabalpur)'',
6. '''Engineer B K Sutrakar M.P.P.W.D.(Shujalpur)'',
7. "Smt. Basanti Athya" Assistant Director JD Treasury and Account Rewa (MP)
8. Ramakant Athya' "Asst. Librarian" Govt. Engg. College Rewa.
9. "Ashok Kumar Chadar" SGTPS Birsinghpur Pali MP.
10. Dr Saraswati Chadar (Principal govt MLB schhol Sagar ),
11. Sri C.L. Chadar officer in western central railway,
12. Shri Sunil Soni S/O Shri Bhagirath Soni (V.H.P.) Indore M.P.
13. Dr. Satendra SINGH ASSITANT SURGEN DISRIC (DINDORI M.P) HOME ADDRESS RAM NAGAR ADHARTAL JABALPUR (M.P)
14. “SANDEEP CHADAR” TAX ASSISTANT IN MP COMMERCIAL TAX,
15. Shri Shyam Lal Gahlout (SUPERVISOR, Coperaive Bank, Ashok Nagar and SANRAKSHAK-Chidar Samaj Samiti, distt.Ashok Nagar),
16. Mr.Anil Gahlout (LOCO PILOT, Western Central Railway)
17. DR. Ajay Kumar Gahlout (MEDICAL OFFICER, Mungaoli, distt Ashok Nagar),
18. Mr.Amit Gahlout (ACCOUNT AUDITOR, Defence Ministry of India, MES, Jabalpur),
19. Mr.G.R.Chidar (Lab.Tech.)S.A.T.I.Engg.College vidisha (M.P.),
20. Mr. M. K. Pawar (Chief Research Officer[Civil Engineer] at Central Water & Power Research Station, Pune, Maharashtra)

Welfare Organization of Chadars

The welfare organisation of Chadar is registered as society called Akhil Bhartiya Chadar (Chidar) Kshatriya Samaj Society (Hindi:आखिल भारतीय चडार (चिडार) क्षत्रिय समाज समिति). This society organises Annual Youth Festival at different locations of Madhya Paradesh with a view to encourage marriage within caste. This event is known as Chadar Samaj Yuwak Yuwti Parichay Sammelan. It has also built a Hanuman Temple at the bank of holi Narmada river at Jabalpur M.P.

A free of cost lodge (Dharmshala) has also been built by Chadar Society at Bhedaghat (tourist place at the bank of Narmada river), Jabalpur M.P..

The Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated by Chadars at Hanuman Temple Bhedaghat, Jabalpur every year. Most recent celebration was organised on March 30, 2010 where the chief guest was Ms. Pratibha Singh, MLA from Bargi constituency Jabalpur Madhya Pradesh.

Sri Anoj Kumar Chadar was awarded a certificate of appreciation at the hands of Ms. Pratibha Singh, MLA, Bargi, Jabalpur for achieving excellence in career.

Ma. Ravi Chadar S/O Shri Mahesh Chadar, Mandla (M.P.), was selected for educational tour of Japan under JENESYS programme conducted jointly by HRD ministry of India and JICE, Japan. He completed this 10-day tour with complete excellence which is a big achievement for us.He has also entitled to a scholarship provided by National Talent Search(NTSE) under NCERT.

Ma. Kartik Chadhar S/O Shri Ganesh Prasad Chadhar, Jabalpur (M.P.),in 2008-09 was selected by the National Council of Education Research and Training(NCERT) for a scholarship under the National Talent Search Scheme(NTSE) for studies up to 2nd level degree which is a great matter of pride for the DR.AJAY KUMAR GAHLOUT S/O Shri Shyam Lal Gahlout, two times got merit position in madhya prades board examination at state level. He also two times awarded under the National Scholarship Scheme and Jawahar Lal Nehru Scholarship Scheme of Indian Government.

Occupation

Chadars are mostly in government service. They are also considered to be good farmers. Being brave fighters and kshatriya, Chadar are the representative, commonly called Gram Rakshak (also Kotewar / Kutwar), of Govt. of Madhya Pradesh in most of the villages of Jabalpur, Damoh, Sagar etc.

About this page

This page has originally been Developed By Shri Anoj Kumar Chadar with a view to give visibility to Chadar Caste.

See also

	India portal
	Sociology portal

• Chadhar
• Chandra Vanshi Kshatriya
• Caste system in India

References

1. ^ Sri Hakam Singh Chadar, former member of Legislative Assembly from Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), Gotegaon constituency, Madhya Pradesh