Mohil

Mohil, Mial or Mohal is a branch of Chauhan Rajputs.^[1][2] Mohils are also one of the gotras of Yadavas.^[3][4] British Historians H.A. Rose, Ibbetson and Maclagan have stated Mohals as a gotra of Yaduvanshi Ahirs.^[5][6] The Mohils are believed to have been, like another important and far more known Muslim caste group, converts from the Mohil branch of the Chauhan Rajputs.

History

The Mohils are believed to have been, like another important and far more known Muslim caste group,the Qiyam Kjanis, converts from the Mohil branch of the Chauhan Rajputs, which finds mention in inscriptions and Rajasthani kyat literature. Mohils were so called, to distinguish them from others, after the name of their ancestor Mohil, who finds mention in an inscription of his son Rana Hathad or Hardatta, stated to be dated v.s 1162 (A.D.1105). According to bardic sources, particularly the khyat of Muhnot Nainsi and some others, Mohil, who was fifth in the line of the ruling family of Ganga or Dhandha through the latter's son Indra, while another bardic account makes Mohils descendants of Vachhra son of Ganga or the Dhandha's another son Kanha. ^[7]

Location

The Mohil Chauhans are stated to have ruled over the Chhapar- Dronapur (modern Gopalpur) Ladnun parganas, now included in the Churu District of Rajasthan.^[8][9]

According to an account, Chhapar -Dronapur was conquered by the Rathods of Jodhpur in v.s (A.D.1474), but the Ladnun pargana continued to be held by the Mohil chiefs, one of whom was Rao Jai Singh, who is stated to have granted come land to a bard,Jasudan son of poet Samaur Teja.

Conversion to Islam

According to a local tradition, the ruler of Ladaun region, Rao Jai Singh was once watching a group of women passing through the town gate to fetch water. A menacing bull had blocked the road and stood in their way. One of the young girl, who was a Muslim, took the bull by hand and pushed it out of the way.The Rao, who was watching the incident, was greatly impressed by the show of courage and valour and at once decided to marry her. Thinking that the offspring of such a brave woman would also be very brave, the Raja formally proposed marriage with her to her father. The girl gave her consent on the condition that the Raja became a Muslim. The Raja agreed and started praying, whereupon the marriage was solemnised.Later on, the girl came to know that the Raja had not given up his faith, but merely pretended to have become a Muslim and was regularly visiting Temples.After satisfying herself about this being the case, she sent a message to the Delhi Sultan who invaded Ladnun and defeated the Raja and got him converted to Islam.^[10][11]

See also

• Rajput clans

References

1. ^ Imperial gazetteer of India ... - Google Books
2. ^ Imperial gazetteer of India: provincial series, Volume 23
3. ^ Yadavas through the ages, from ... - Google Books
4. ^ Yadavas through the ages, from ancient period to date, Volume 2
5. ^ Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of ... - Google Books
6. ^ Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North West Frontier Province By H.A. Rose, IBBETSON, Maclagan
7. ^ Director (Muslim Epigraphy), Archeological Survey of India, Nagpur.
8. ^ Mediaeval history of Rajasthan - Google Books
9. ^ Mediaeval history of Rajasthan, Volume 1
10. ^ Cultural contours of India: Dr ... - Google Books
11. ^ Cultural contours of India: Dr. Satya Prakash felicitation volume By Satya Prakash, Vijai Shankar Śrivastava