Chanda Meena

In ancient times (till 10th Century) North of India was mainly ruled by clans of Chauhans. Chanda ( a clan of Zamindar Mina) is one of the branch from Chauhans. Chandas were ruling Khoganw (Now part of Jaipur) and were head of confederation of Meena kingdoms then [1]. Khoganw was the last kingdom which was overtaken by Kachwaha. Most of the Chanda history has been distorted by later rulers of the region.

However, according to the records maintained by Jagas of Rajasthan for Chanda clan, reveals past history about Chanda clan and Kingdoms. As per Jagas, Chanda Meenas are Agnivanshis and a sub clan of Chauhans.

The son of the king Prathvi Raj of Delhi was married to the daughter of the king Alan Singh Chanda [5]. This also reveals the link between Chandas and Chauhans. Other interesting fact, Chauhan claim to be descended from Dhundhar and historically before Kachwahas it was ruled by dynasty of Chanda Meenas (approximately till 10th c.).

NOTE: Jaga is a caste in Rajasthan, who hereditarily keeps the genealogical records of Meenas.

Alan Singh Chanda

According to Tod the Meena King Raja Ralun singh also known as Alan Singh Chanda of Khoganw [2, 3, 4] kind-heartedly adopted a stranded Rajput mother and her child who sought refuge in his realm. Later, the Meena king sent the child, Dhola Rae, to Delhi to represent the Meena kingdom. The Rajput, in gratitude for these favours, returned with Rajput conspirers and massacred the weaponless Meenas on Diwali while performing rituals i.e PitraTrapan , it is customary in the Meenas to be weaponless at the time of PitraTrapan , "filling the reservoirs in which the Meenas bathed with their dead bodies" [Tod.II.281] and thus conquered Khoganw.This act of Kachwaha Rajputs was termed as most coward and shameful in history of Rajasthan.

He then subjugated the Sihra Gotra of Meenas at much later on known as Jamwa Ramgarh near Jaipur, and transferred his capital thence. Becoming the son-in-law of the prince of Ajmer, he died when battling 11,000 Meenas,most of whom he slew[Tod.II.282]. His son Maidul Rae "made a conquest of Amber from the Soosawut Meenas" whose King was the head of the Meena confederation. He subdued the Nandla Meenas, annexing the Gatoor-Gatti district [Tod.II.282]. Hoondeo succeeded to the throne and "continued the warfare against the Meenas" [Tod.II.282]. Koontal, his successor, fought the Meenas "in which the Meenas were defeated with great slaughter, which secured his rule throughout Dhundhar" [Tod.II.282]. The Meenas were the original builders of Amber, which town they consecrated to Amba, the Mother Goddess, whom they knew as "Gatta Rani" or "Queen of the Pass" [Tod.II.282].

References

1. A History of Jaipur 1503-1938 by Jadunath Sarkar, edited by Raghubir Singh Published 1994, Orient Longman, ISBN 8125003339
2. History of Agnivanshis Chanda Meenas (In Hindi) URL: Chand Meena History
3. Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan", by James Tod
4. The Central and Western Rajpoot States of India, James Tod, ISBN 81-7167-366
5. 'India, its people and their secular state' By Ram Gopal, Published 1987 Criterion Publications India, 460 pages, Original from the University of Michigan.

NOTE: The books [1, 3, 4] are strictly written and carved with the influence of Royal family of Jaipur. However, it is makes interesting reading.