Nikam

Maratha Clan Nikam निकम
Surname	Nikam ( Alternately Nikumpa, Nikumbha )
Caste	Maratha
Lineage	Claimed Suryavansha (Solar Clan)
Religion:	Hinduism.[1]
Original kingdom	Jaipur Territory.
Other kingdom	Karnataka
Colour	Yellow for Horse and Throne colour is Green.
Nishan	Hanuman on flagpole
Clan goddess	Goddess Jogeshwari,
Devak	Umbar, Velu, Rudraksha chain of Gold or Onion chain,
Guru	Parashara rishi
Gotra	Nikam
Veda	Yajurveda,
Mantra	Gayatri Mantra.
Locations	Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Goa
Languages	Marathi, Hindi.

The Nikam (Marathi: निकम) are a Maratha clan found primarily in in Maharashtra and bordering states of India.

Origin

The Nikam claim descent from Hindu king Nikumbha and his successors Nikumbha Rajputs who migrated from Rajasthan to settle down in Baglan region of Khandesh.^[2] The faruqis defeated them and captured Baglan and rest of Khandesh to rule there. The Nikumbhas later known by their name Nikam as corruption in their surname.^[3]

Branches

''''''''''''Akolkar 'Khalate, , *The Khalate surname are found in Late, Khunte (Satara), Shirasane, and Kambaleshwar (Pune) villages of Satara and Pune district.The Akolkar surname found in Karanji dist AhemadNagar(This surname is releted to Mahadji sciendhia Gwalior State Sardar Fafily)Ref. Book TAREEKH A SARDARS & JAGIRDARS*The Matsagar surname has been changed from the original surname Nikam after a tale about unity shown by a group of people in killing a man-eater snake. Mat (मत) stands for 'opinion' in Marathi language, whereas Sāgar (सागर) stands for 'Ocean'; thereby मतसागर signifies collection (unity) of opinions for a good cause! These community people are found in the two neighboring villages in Vaijapur taluka namely Jarul and Aaghur, in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra; and in Niphad taluka namely Pimplas, in Nasik district of Maharashtra. Therefore, the marriages between two families from Matsagar and Nikam are never happen.

• Nikam (Nikumpa, Nikumbh) were rulers of Khandesh. It is proved by inscription found dated 1153AD. They also had a kingdom in Jaipur territory. Nikams were active Maratha warriors who contributed in expansion of Maratha Empire.''''

Notables

• Raja Allashakti Nikumbha ( Nikam ), seventh century ruler in Khandesh territory who donated Pimpalner in Dhule to Brahmans to perform cultural practice.
• Raja Vairdev Nikumbha ( Nikam ), Eightth Century ruler in Khandehs territory who donated villages Bahal and Devagav to Nagsharman Brahman.
• Raja Krishna Nikumbha ( Nikam ), Ruler in Khandesh who had donated palsane village to the Brahmans.
• King Bappaji Nikam, chief of Baglan Area.^[4]
• Gopajirao Nikam, warrior chief of Baglan who fought against Emperor Akbar.^[5]
• Krishnaji Nikam, comrade of Peshwa Balaji Vishwanaths
• Yesaji Nikam, Peshwa Balaji Vishwanaths faithful Sardar.
• Sardar Manaji Nikam, was faithful Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath who defeated the last faruqi kings with the help of Other Maratha Noblemans such as Hari Pandit.^[6]
• Yesaji Kank (Nikam), was Sarnoubat of Infantry of King Shivaji, who killed an elephant of Gowalkonda Chief Kutubshah, when Shivaji asked for elephant fight from Kutubshah. Shivaji replied that any one from my army is like a elephant.^[7]
• Krishnaji Yesaji Kank, sardar of Shivaji, died in the Battle of Karnatak in 1682.^[8]
• Sardar Bajirao Barge,of Koregaon was Sardar under Chhatrapati Shivaji and Sambhaji,Rajarams reign.He also Comrade of Santaji Ghorpade.^[9]

References

1. ^ Thomas Edmund Farnsworth Wright; Oxford University Press (15 November 2006). A dictionary of world history. Oxford University Press. pp. 401–. ISBN 9780199202478. http://books.google.com/books?id=2QcZAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA401. Retrieved 15 May 2011. 
2. ^ Kshatradharma Book published by Samartha Seva Kendra, Nashik
3. ^ Page 219, Khandeshacha Rajkiya va Sanskrutik Itihaas By T.T.Mahajan (Marathi)http://www.sahyadribooks.org/books/khandeshchaitihas_pageflash.html
4. ^ Schotts Deccan I page 32-33
5. ^ Ogilby (1670, Atlas V) showed Baglan as territory belonged to Duke Gopaji.
6. ^ http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/DHULIA/his_mediaeval%20period.html
7. ^ Maharashtratil Prasiddha Sardar Gharani written in Marathi By A.R.Kulkarni.
8. ^ Maharashtratil Prasiddha Sardar Gharani written in Marathi By A.R.Kulkarni.
9. ^ Marathyanchya Itihaas Sadhan Parichay By A.R.Kulkarni.

Sources

Marathi

• Balagi Nathugi Gavand; Govind Moroba Karlekar (1997). Kshytriya Marathyanchi Vanshavali and Shannavkuli aani Surya, Som, Bhramh and Sheshvant. Tukaram book Depo, Madhavbag, Mumbai 4. 
• Bhramibhoot sadguru param pujya Moredada (Thursday 11 July 2002). Shree Shatradharma, Prachalit and pramikh kshtravansh and tyanche gotra, pravar, kuldaivat, kuldevata a Devak. Shree Swami Samarth Seva And Adhyatmik vikas pradhan kendra District Nasik, Taluka Dindori, Maharashtra state. 
• Gopal Dajiba Dalwi (1912). Maratha Kulancha Etihas. 1-6. Induprakash Press, Mumbai. 

English

• Chintaman Vinayak Vaidya (1979). History of Mediaeval Hindu India: Downfall of Hindu India. Cosmo Publications. http://books.google.com/books?id=RIkBAAAAMAAJ. Retrieved 20 May 2011. 
• R. M. Betham (1 December 1996). Maráthas and Dekhani Musalmáns. Asian Educational Services. pp. 152–. ISBN 9788120612044. http://books.google.com/books?id=6mATx3PBupsC&pg=PA152. Retrieved 20 May 2011. 
• Sushil Mittal (2003). Surprising bedfellows: Hindus and Muslims in medieval and early modern India. Lexington Books. ISBN 9780739106730. http://books.google.com/books?id=tn3Dnz2S2KAC. Retrieved 20 May 2011.