Katewa

Katewa is a gotra of Jats found in Rajasthan, India. The Katewa tribe is also settled in Sindh, Pakistan. Katewa is derived from the Nagavanshi kshatriyas known as Kikat, inhabiting Kikata Kingdom, during Mahabharata period. They belong to Yadu vansh. In fact they are Karkotaka or Vakataka Yadavas. [Dr Mahendra Singh Arya, Dharmpal Singh Dudi, Kishan Singh Faujdar & Vijendra Singh Narwar: Ādhunik Jat Itihasa (The modern history of Jats), Agra 1998 (Page 226)] [Thakur Deshraj: Jat Itihasa (Hindi), Maharaja Suraj Mal Smarak Shiksha Sansthan, Delhi, 1934, 2nd edition 1992 (Page 614)] The group of people developed their Vamsha according to their system of worship of Devas and Nāgas. The worshippers of Karka Naga were known as Karkotaka. Thus Karkotaka was a Nagavanshi king. The descendants of Karkotaka are still found in Jats of Rajasthan as Katewa clan.

It is believed that these were the people who lost maximum heads in war with Yavanas and hence were known as Katewas like Shishodia in Rajputs. [Thakur Deshraj: Jat Itihasa (Hindi), Maharaja Suraj Mal Smarak Shiksha Sansthan, Delhi, 1934, 2nd edition 1992 (Page 614)] [Dr Mahendra Singh Arya, Dharmpal Singh Dudi, Kishan Singh Faujdar & Vijendra Singh Narwar: Ādhunik Jat Itihasa (The modern history of Jats), Agra 1998 (Page 226)]

The Katli River that flows in Jhunjhunu was named after them. There was a Janapada of Katewas on its banks. There is place called Khudana on the banks of Katni River where there was a fort ruled by Katewas. [Thakur Deshraj: Jat Itihasa (Hindi), Maharaja Suraj Mal Smarak Shiksha Sansthan, Delhi, 1934, 2nd edition 1992 (Page 614)]

They were initially known as Kikat inhabiting Kikata Kingdom, on the banks of Vipasha (Beas River) and Shatrudh (Ravi River). Later they came to settle on the banks of river Katni and here were known as Kikatwa or Katewa. They have been mentioned in Matsya Shatapatha Brahmana 13/5/4/9.

Some historians mention their presence in Jaipur region where they were called Kachwaha. Some of these people did not believe in widow re-marriage and became Rajputs and migrated to Narwar. Rest who did not leave their old traditions remained Jats. [Thakur Deshraj: Jat Itihasa (Hindi), Maharaja Suraj Mal Smarak Shiksha Sansthan, Delhi, 1934, 2nd edition 1992 (Page 139)]

Katewas are good, sincere, faitrhfull and honest people.

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