Takshak

Takshak (Hindi:तक्षक) or Taxak, classically called the Taxilleans (IPA2|ˌtæksəˈliːənz; _la. Taxillae), is a "gotra" or clan of Jats found in India, Pakistan and Central Asia. This clan has descended from Nagavansh king named Taxaka.

Origin

The Shavi dynasty

The gotra is mentioned in the "Vishnu Purana". Takshaks belong to the Shavi dynasty. In the twenty-ninth generation of king Shavi, one of the six sons of king Sototi was Takshak, according to the genealogical tables of the Yayati dynasty.

Tartar and Naga connection

King Satoti is considered by the Tatars to be their ancestor. Takshak and Bachak are also called the "Nagas" (the "serpent people" of Hindu and Buddhist mythology).

In the Mahabharata

There are ample references to these people in local and foreign histories. According to the 'Adi Parva' of the Mahabharata , before the Pandavas, "Khandoban" or "Khandavprastha" (Indraprastha or Delhi), was the capital of the Takshak rulers. They created obstacles in the way of construction of the new capital by Pandavas. Finally, these people were defeated, rendered homeless and driven out.

They went and settled down in Taxila (Takshashila). In the Kurukshetra War, they joined the Kauravas and later assassinated king Parikshit (said to have been killed by the bite of the Naga king, Takshak). They founded Takshakkhad (Tashkent) and Takshaksthan (Turkistan).

History

The ancient inscriptions in the Pali Buddhist character have been discovered in various parts of Rajasthan of the race of Taxak or Tak, relating to the tribe Mori and Parmara are their descendants. Taxak Mori was the lord of Chittor from very early period. [James Tod, Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, p.126] [Dr Naval Viyogi: Nagas – The Ancient Rulers of India, Their Origins and History (The History of the Indigenous people of India Vol. 2), Published by Originals (an imprint of Low Price Publications), Delhi, 2002, ISBN 81-7536-287-1, p.171]

The Huna Kingdom of Sialkot (of Mihir Kula 515-540 AD), destroyed by Yashodharman, was subsequently seized by a new dynasty of kshatriyas called Tak or Taxaka. The Taxak Mori as being lords of Chittor from very early period and few generations after the Guhilots supplanted the Moris, this palladium of Hindu liberty was assailed by the arms of Islam. (725-35) we find amongst the numerous defenders who appear to have considered the cause of Chittor their own the Tak from Asirgarh. This race appears to have retained possession of Asirgarh for at least two centuries after this event as its chieftain was one of the most conspicuous leaders in the array of Prithvi Raj. In the poems of Chandar he is called the "Standard, bearer, Tak of Asir." [Dr Naval Viyogi: Nagas – The Ancient Rulers of India, Their Origins and History (The History of the Indigenous people of India Vol. 2), Published by Originals (an imprint of Low Price Publications), Delhi, 2002, ISBN 81-7536-287-1, p.148]

Taxakeshawar temple

:main|Taxakeshwar

Taxakeshawar (तक्षकेश्वर) or Takhaji (ताखाजी) is a place of religious and historical importance with temple of Taxaka in Mandsaur district in Madhya Pradesh. It is situated at a distance of 22 km from Bhanpura town on Hinglajgarh road. [Usha Agarwal:Mandsaur Zile Ke Puratatvik samarakon ki paryatan ki drishti se sansadhaniyata - Ek Adhyayan, Chirag Prakashan Udaipur, 2007, p. 35] This is the site of serpent king taxak , where he is worshiped as Taxakeshawar but the local people call him Takhaji. Curiously enough he shares the worship of the country folk with Dhanvantari, the Indian Aesculapius. [Dr Naval Viyogi: Nagas – The Ancient Rulers of India, Their Origins and History (The History of the Indigenous people of India Vol. 2), Published by Originals (an imprint of Low Price Publications), Delhi, 2002, ISBN 81-7536-287-1, p. 27] [J.P.H. Vogel:Indian Serpent lore, p.206] The shrine in question stands on a most romantic spot from village Navali [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/0/Navali.html] situated on the table land at the foot of which Bhanpura lies. [Dr Naval Viyogi: Nagas – The Ancient Rulers of India, Their Origins and History (The History of the Indigenous people of India Vol. 2), Published by Originals (an imprint of Low Price Publications), Delhi, 2002, ISBN 81-7536-287-1, p. 27]

Takshaks today

Today, the "Takshal" and "Tokas" gotras are found among the Jats in five villages near Delhi. The Takshak Jats are found spread all over Northern India, Pakistan and Central Asia.

The village, Bhagvi in the Charkhi Dadri tehsil of the Bhiwani district in Haryana is inhabited by Takshak Jats. The village Munirka and Mohammadpur in South Delhi are inhabited by Tokas Jats.

Baba Bhagwan Dass Tokas, known as Dudhadhary in Jat Behror District Alwar Rajasthan, was the Mehant of 51 villages and he is also worshiped as Saint and protector of Tokas dynasty in this region of Rajasthan. He also brought Ganga the holy river in one of the well now in the village of Kath Ka Majra by his power of meditation and one of the descendents of this dynasty recently has started an NGO in Rajasthan by the name of Baba Bhagwan Dass Educational Society which provides Free Education to poor and needful and also a health centre where often there are Dental Camps and other medical facilities free of cost for all.

Abroad

The name "Tokas" is also found among Romanians. Takshak Jats ruled Alexandria in Egypt. Their title was "Asi."

Notable persons from Takshak clan

*Choudhary Nihal Singh Takshak - freedom fighter
*Maharaja Shalendra
*Rajat Tokas

References

Further reading

*Ram Swarup Joon: History of the Jats, Rohtak, India (1938, 1967)
*Adhunik Jat Itihas: Dharmpal Singh Dudee

External links

*http://www.jatworld.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1273