Khant (caste)

The Khant are a Subcaste of the Koli community found in the India state of Gujarat.[1][2][3]

History

The Khant subcaste was founded by Koli chief Sonang Mer, who traveled from Sindh to Gujarat. He had twelve sons, one of whom was Dhan Mer, who founded Dhandhuka and Dhandhalpur. His other sons included Patal Khant, who conquered Petlad, and Mer Rana, who conquered Mahiyar in Junagadh. The most famous Koli chief was Jesa Khant, who defeated the Rao Khengarji I of Junagadh with the help of Muhammad bin Tughluq. Khant Kolis is a branch of Mer Kolis.[4][5][6]

Rebellion in Junagadh

The rebellion was raised by Mansa Khant against the first Nawab of Junagadh State because the Nawab was Viceroy of Gujarat Sultanate under the Mughal empire. Khant Kolis captured Uparkot Fort and plundered surrounding villages. The Nawab was unable to prevent Kolis, so he sought help from an Arab Jamadar Sheikh Abdullah Zubaidi and Thakur of Gondal State. Their combined forces attacked, captured the troops at the fort, and suppressed the rebellion.[7][8]

Princely state

The Princely state of Ambliara was ruled by Hindus Khant Kolis of Chauhan dynasty. The rulers were famous for resistance to the troops of Gaekwad Baroda State.[9][10]

Sant State

The Khant Kolis saved the Sant State from Rajputs of Banswara State. In 1753, Ratana Singh of Sant State died, and Sisodia Rajput ruler of Banswara attacked Sant. He killed three princes, but the fourth prince named Badansingh escaped with Khant Kolis. The Banswara troops were established in Sant and annexed in Banswara. Prince Badansingh was nurtured by Khant Kolis, and when he came of age, Kolis attacked Banswara troops and drove them out of Sant. Afterward, Kolis enthroned Badan Singh as Rana at Sant.[11][12]

Society

The Khants have clans called the 56 attacks, such as the Dabhi, Baria, Parmar, Kandoliya, Zala, Gohil, Bheda, Sarvaiya, Deavla, Patriya, Bataviya, etc. Their claim to the Kshatriya status is generally acknowledged, and they are referred to as Pallavi Darbars. The Khants are agriculturists, but as small and marginal farmers, many are involved with agricultural wage labor.[13]

References
  1. Shah, Ghanshyam (2004). Caste and Democratic Politics in India. Permanent Black. ISBN 9788178240954.
  2. Bhatavadekar, Gajanan Krishna (1867). Various Census of India.
  3. Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Rewa Kántha, Nárukot, Cambay, and Surat states. Government Central Press. 1880.
  4. Williams, Raymond Brady; Trivedi, Yogi (12 May 2016). Swaminarayan Hinduism: Tradition, Adaptation, and Identity. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199089598.
  5. State), Bombay (India (1884). Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency ... Government Central Press.
  6. Behera, Deepak Kumar; Pfeffer, Georg (2002). The concept of tribal society. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 9788170229834.
  7. "KOLIS-shodhganga" (PDF). Shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in.
  8. Williams, Raymond Brady; Trivedi, Yogi (12 May 2016). Swaminarayan Hinduism: Tradition, Adaptation, and Identity. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199089598.
  9. Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Cutch, Palanpur, and Mahi Kantha. Printed at the Government Central Press. 1880.
  10. Lethbridge, Sir Roper (2005). The Golden Book of India: A Genealogical and Biographical Dictionary of the Ruling Princes, Chiefs, Nobles, and Other Personages, Titled Or Decorated of the Indian Empire. Aakar Books. ISBN 9788187879541.
  11. Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Rewa Kántha, Nárukot, Cambay, and Surat states. Government Central Press. 1880.
  12. Solomon, R. V.; Bond, J. W. (2006). Indian States: A Biographical, Historical, and Administrative Survey. Asian Educational Services. ISBN 9788120619654.
  13. People of India Gujarat Volume XXI Part Two edited by R.B Lal, P.B.S.V Padmanabham, G Krishnan & M Azeez Mohideen pages 643-645
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