Gothra Bhukaran

Gothra Bhukaran ( _hi. गोठड़ा भूकरान) is an ancient village in Sikar district in Rajasthan. It was founded by Bhukar gotra Jas. It was the capital of small republic of Bhukars. Bhukar is a Sanskrit word comprising of 'Bhu' (land) and 'Kar' (tax), which means land-tax. Bhukars were initially settled at Sambhar in Rajasthan. They were the rulers in this area and their ruling method was that of 'Bhomia-chor'. Later on they started collecting tax on land. The village has a total population of about 700 out of which 500 families belong to Bhukar gotra Jats. The other Jat gotras in the village are Vijayrania, Kajala, Koka etc.

History

A group of Chahuman descendents came to Sambhar in 9th century. The newly formed Chauhans forced them to move away from this area. Earlier Bhukars and Chauhans were same prior to their consecration of new Hindu religion at Mount Abu. Bhukar people came to Sambhar under the leadership of two brothers Khem Singh and Som Singh. Khem Singh founded the town named 'Hiras' and started increasing his influence in the area. Som Singh went to Jangladesh and founded town named 'Bhukar'. After many generations some of these people moved towards Panipat in Haryana.

After the fall of Chauhans at Ajmer and Delhi one of Bhukar warriors named Uday Singh was appointed as 'Bakshi'. Uday Singh was expert in land-tax collection. Uday Singh's son Kaula Singh was appointed Tehsildar of Ajmer.

During those days Kalu Nag was the chief of Sikar republic state. His capital was at village 'Gothra (Bhukaran)'. Prior to this the Bhukars had founded village Bhukaredi in present Churu district of Rajasthan. He was a renowned 'Malik' of his state from Delhi Badshah. He used to go to Delhi to pay land-tax regularly. He was sonless. He married his daughter to Kaula Singh. Kaula Singh's son Kander Singh became the successor of Gothara. Kander Singh's son was Dalu Singh who was chieftain of 25 villages. Dalu Singh's stone statue is still present at village Gothara. The successors of Dalu Singh were Sayar Singh, Kaula Singh II, and Narbad Singh. Narbad Singh had initially gone to village Roru to his maternal grandfather but came back to Gothra (Bhukaran) after the death of his father.

When the Shekhawats attacked this state the small republic of Bhukars was finished. With a view to keep the discontent under control, Shekhawats maintained their status as 'Tax collectors'. Later on this status was reduced to 'Chaudhary'. The Chaudharys used to get their share as 'Pachotra'. They were also authorized free grazing lands.

References

*Thakur Deshraj: Jat History (Hindi), Delhi, 1934, pp. 597-598