The Sahs of Kumaon: A Unique social community in India.

Introduction: In India, the surnames ‘Shah’ or ‘Sah’ are found mostly in the following states: In Gujarat and Rajasthan, these are known as ‘Shah’ and are used by the Baniyas, Jain, and Rajput communities; in Bihar, Odisha and Bengal, the community is traditionally associated with oil-pressing, agriculture, and commerce. The Sahs of Kumaon or Uttarakhand have been mentioned in Wikipedia as follows – “Sahs are a prominent, historically prosperous urban community. They trace their roots back to traders, merchants, and landowners who migrated centuries ago. Deriving from the Sanskrit word ‘Shresthi’ (meaning ‘merchant’), this group is highly literate and has traditionally belonged to the Baniya (Vaishya) and Kayastha communities.” However, the Chaudhari refers to numerous castes and communities throughout India This description of Kumaon Sah is somewhat incorrect. However, the Chaudhari refers to numerous castes and communities throughout India. This paper deals in detail with the origin of Chaudharis and Sahs of Kumaon and their

history and their actual different surnames like Kumayan, Gangola, Kholibhiteria, and Jagati and many others.

2. The region Kumaon: Kumaon had been an independent state and it was ruled mainly by two dynasties, viz., the Katyuri dynasty for 500 years from 600-1100 A.D.; the Chand dynasty for more than 700 years from 1150-1790 A.D. The invader Gorkhas of Nepal also ruled for 25 years from 1790-1815 A.D. and this period is regarded as the darkest period for the Kumaon region. It created many upheavals in the Kumaon. The Britishers, after defeating the Gorkhas, ruled for 122 years, from the year 1815 up to the independence of India in 1947. Even when there was Mughal rule in India, Kumaon remained an independent state. During the British period, it was run like a state under the British Commissioners. Later, it was run like a district under the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh and later the United Provinces. After independence, the province was known as Uttar Pradesh.

3. The Kumaon region and its culture: Kumaon had been a highly cultured region in India; it owes this mainly to the Chand rulers of Kumaon, a picturesque place full of beautiful (https://colorsofuttarakhand.com/culture/chand-dynasty-of-kumaon/)

hills, mountains and rivers. (Figs. 1, 2 & 3), and ultimately, the culture is known as ‘Kumaoni culture’, like any other culture, having its own languages, traditions, customs, religious rites, taboos, legends and myths, folk tales and folk songs, riddles, similes (a literary comparison for the sake of expressing something), etc.; their traditional food preparations, cuisines and recipes; medicine, etc.

The Kumaoni language is classified under Indo-European > Indo-Iranian > Indo-Aryan > Northern zone > Central Pahari and, ultimately, Kumaoni. [1].

The people, who live in the mid-region of Kumaon in the districts, viz., Udhamsingh Nagar (though it is in the plains, mostly the people of Kumaon live in this region), Nainital, Almora, Champawat, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh, are known as ‘Kumaoni’.

There is a community, the Sah community, which consists of two main groups or

components: the Chaudharis and the Sahs, both of whom migrated from other regions of the country at different times in the history of Kumaon.

4. The Chand rulers for calling Sah communities: The main rulers in  Kumaon were the intelligent rulers, the Chand kings, and to make the country more prosperous and cultured, they invited many learned scholars and persons, mostly from prominent Brahmin families from the Konkan region of Maharashtra. The presence of these enabled them to rule in Kumaon for a long period: 953-1790 A.D.[2] These migrants predominantly belong to the Pants, Pandey and Joshis. These learned scholarly families migrated from Maharashtra to serve as royal priests, astrologers, cooks, etc.

5. Incoming of Sah Community in Kumaon: The various high-caste Rajput that came from different parts of India and settled down in Kumaon for over four centuries. These loyal Rajputs  were given the title ‘Sah’ by the Chand king himself due to their being high-class Rajputs and being loyal. This community represents a unique segment of Indian society as a prime example of ‘Unity in Diversity’, as its members migrated from various parts of India from various points and in different periods. They came in different periods of time during the Chand dynasty.

But there was a problem: these ‘Sahs’ had to visit their native homes during their sons’ or daughters’ marriages. So they have to ask the king for leave. The leave was as long as they had to visit far-away places like Rajasthan, Awadh, Jhansi, etc. This caused Kings’ works to be late. At last he suggested to these Rajputs why don’t you make a relation with other Rajputs already present in Kumaon?’ They also agreed and started making relations with other Rajput Sahs or Chaudharis. Henceforth, there were relation with Sahs and & Chaudharis

First, the Sahs made marriage relations with Chaudharis, as they seemed to be the high-class Rajputs. These Rajput Sahs belonged to different parts and were known by the work they performed with the king or their profession. The Sah communities, whose origin and past history are well known, are the following: the Kumayian, Thulgharia, Gangola, Kholibhiteria, Jagati, Salamgaria, Bhusa, Tamkia, Chauteria or Askotia; and the Doti or Nepali. These are discussed as follows: about their place of origin and their period of time and the ruler of that time. After the Chand king’s suggestion, a community was formed in Kumaon to be known as the ‘Sah Community’. They adopted the Kumaoni language, culture, and traditions—and not only did they adopt them, but they also enriched them with their own contributions. Consequently, there are numerous customs and traditions that are observed exclusively by the Sah and Chaudhari community. Initially, their presence is concentrated primarily within the Kumaon region—specifically in Dwarahat, Almora, Bageshwar, Bhowali, Bhumiadhar, Nainital, and Haldwani.  Later, they expanded their presence to Lucknow and Delhi, while some families eventually migrated further afield to settle in countries such as the USA, the UK, Germany and Australia.

6. The Chand kings’ generosity: The Chand kings, in different periods of time, welcomed the Sahs as loyal Rajputs and handed over to them the higher posts, like the Treasurer. Comptroller of the palace, Tax collectors, and many suitable posts. However, there was a problem: in order to visit their home cities and ask the king for a leave of absence for their sons’ and daughters’ marriages, they had to obtain permission from the king. This process used to take months, and the majority of the time was lost on the arduous journey and the king’s work was held while the employee was on leave. The king must have then summoned the so-called Sah (Rajputs) and asked, “Why don’t you marry among the other Rajputs since you belong to good clans?”

The Rajputs’ Sahs fully complied with the recommendation. From that point on, the marriages of the various Sahs with their many subtitles—Kummayan, Thulgharia, Kholibhiteria, etc.—began. Thus, although they have distinct subtitles, Sahs typically marry one another. The Kummayan Sahs will not wed Kummaya. They did not wed members of their own clans.

The main Sah communities are as follows, with their origin:[2] [3] and [4].

7. The Gorkha regime and the Sah community at Almora (Kumaon): When the Sah (Rajputs) reached Almora in Kumaon, they were in the early stages of settling down and some were well settled. In 1790, the Gorkhas from Nepal launched an invasion of Kumaon taking control and causing significant suffering. The Gorkhas held Almora for approximately one year. They initially captured the city and installed local leaders to govern. In Almora, they systematically went from house to house, robbing the residents. Each day, items of great value, including gold, silver, and copper, were gathered and sent back to Nepal. There was no reason for the bloodshed that occurred. This was a very bleak period in Almora’s history. The Sah people, along with others, escaped Almora to various nearby or distant locations in an attempt to protect themselves. Gangola made their way towards Vanar Devi Hill, located to the south. After a few generations they forgot their own lineage and began to call themselves Jakhwal and mixed with other Sah communities socially. Similarly, other Sah communities fled towards Bageshwar and other border areas, like Say Salam, where they started trading. Due to this fleeing from the main place after two to three generations, they forgot to which lineage they had belonged so they changed their community name according to the place they were living or the work they were doing and identified themselves as Salamgaria, where they were living.

8. The main Sah Communities of which origin is well known and which are in majority: i. The Chaudari ii. The Sahs or Shahs.The Main Sahs are as follows- Kumayan, Thulgharia, Gangola, Kholibhiteria, Jagatis, Salamgaria.

The other Sahs, the origin is to be found out, though they have their Vansawali or genealogy and they are found in minoririty- Tamkia, Bhussa,Okhalia, Chukadiyat,

Kanyal, Nakuriyal,Chaugrkhia , Bakari, Tola,Dhungtsilia, Kawwa,Charri,Hathkatu

Kallada, Siyal,Tatari. and Phatt. These have been discussed later.

1. The first to arrive were the Chaudharis in Kumaon: According to historians, the Chaudhrys arrived during the Katyuri regime, ranging from 953 A.D. to 978 A.D.—the Chaudhrys  were the first to arrive in Kumaon during the final phase of the Katyuri kings’ reign. A detailed account of the Chaudharys  of Kumaon is available in a book  by [5]. It is stated that during the reign of the Katyuri dynasty, the Chaudharys migrated from Kot-Kangra in Punjab. They were on a pilgrimage to Badrinath. It is said that at Dwarahat, the ‘Dola of their Kul Devi ‘ stopped in Dwarahat. The priest of the Chaudharis, who were lifting the Dola of their Kul Devi, failed to lift it at Dwarahat. The Katyuri King learned of their presence at Dwarahat, dispatched a representative to welcome them, and formally received them into their new homeland in Kumaon. He permitted them to settle in the villages surrounding Dwarahat. These villages were named by them in memory of their

ancestral villages, such as Parkot, Nagarkot, and Rewari. Through their intellect and skills, the Chaudharys  rose to prominence during the Katyuri, Chand, and Gorkha regimes, evolving into a martial community. Much like the Joshis of Jhijhar in Almora, they were accorded the title of ‘Diwan’. They were also accorded positions as courtiers—serving alongside the Joshis of Jhajjar and Gali—and were formally designated as *Diwans*.

2. Kumayan: After settling in Kumaon, the first king, Som Chand (1100 A.D.), brought from his home city Jhansi or Jhusi Shankh Sah, a samant and head warrior and high-class Rajput and appointed him in charge of the fort in Champawat and henceforth, settled in Kumaon at Champawat. Now known as Kumayan among the Sahs of Kumaon They were Vashistha Gotri Yajurvedi and belonged to the Madhyanandin branch. It was in Champawat—the capital of Kumaon at the time—that one of the Sah family first arrived in the Kumaon region. In Champawat, the former capital of Kumaon, the patriarch of the Sah family was accorded a high status, being designated as the “Chief of the Fort” (Kile ka Sardar). The descendants of this patriarch came to be known collectively as the ‘Kumaoni Sahs’. During the reign of King Laxmichand (1567–1621), the capital of Kumaon was shifted away from Champawat to Almora. And many of the Kummayan Sahs also migrate from Champawat to Almora.

3.Thulghariya:These Rajputs came during the reign of Vikram Chand in 1423-1437 under the head name Gujar Sah and arrived from Jhusi; some say from Kannauj. Subsequently, some of his noble kinsmen also migrated to the region. During the Bhisma Chand period (1555-1560 they built a house near the royal palace and the king himself came to place the foundation stone so they were called “Thulghariya”—signifying “a person with a large house”—and their residence, situated near the royal palace, was formally inaugurated by the King himself. Narayan Sah was appointed to a high office by the King. It is on record that before Narayan Sah, the post was with Kumayan Sahs but after two generations they left the post, saying it was inauspicious to them, and then it was given to Narayan Shah Thulgharia. Consequently, the position of *Khajanchi* (Royal Treasurer)—a role that had traditionally been hereditary within the royal lineage—was bestowed upon him as his rightful inheritance. During the British period, also, their ancestors were offered the post of Royal Treasurer. Jai Sah Thulghariya. Even after independence, they were appointed as Treasurer. viz., Tularam Sah Khazanchi and his son Bihari Lal Sah Kajanchi.

4 Gangola: Another prominent Rajput clan among the Sahs is the Gangola. They arrived during the Laximi Chand 1597-1621 period. Historical accounts suggest that one of their ancestors, Mahendra Shah, was a Diwan to Raja Mankoti and that their future generations were in the post of ‘Diwan’. They came to Kumaon either from Chipri or Badayun. Some claimed that they are from Rajasthan. Shri Brajesh Shah, s/o of Capt. Nand Lal Shah, told the author that in Rajasthan he met a family sacrificing a goat and a follower of Mahakali. They are of the Bharadwaj Gotri, Yajurvedi, and the Mahyanandi branch. They are the followers of Mahakali. From Champawat they migrated to Gangolihat and henceforth began to be called ‘Gangola’. They remained Dewan or Commander with the Chand Kings. The Salamgaria and Hawalbagia Sahs  are actually the Gangolas.

5. Jakhwals: In history, it is stated that the people living in Jakh village are known as Jakhwals. It happened in 1790; the Gurkhas invaded  Almora and lived here for one full year. They committed atrocities in the town and looted the person, mainly Sahs so the Gangolas, who had arrived in Almora to save themselves, fled towards the hill of Vanar devi to Jakh village and settled down for two to three generations. They forgot their main identity of caste  of Gangola and called themselves Jakhwal from the name of the village Jakh.

6. Kholibhiteria: On the other side, during the Laximi Chand period (1597–1621), a Rajput family arrived in Kumaon. Purkha Shah, the chief of Kholibhiteria, was from Awadh, and since the nation was at peace, they were given various domestic tasks. He was offered the position of Comptroller of the Palace, which would have given him the same standing as a royal courtier. They became known as “Kholibhiteria” (or “Kul-bhiteria”), which means “one who is permitted to enter the King’s palace”, since they were allowed to access the King’s palace, which is referred to locally as the “Kholi. Kholibhiteria, Captain Nand Lal Sah (1938), claims that the “Kholibhiteria” came to Kumaon from Awadh between 1597 and 1621, under Laximi Chand’s reign. They claimed ancestry from Suryavanshi and Kashy

7. The Jagatis: Originating in Udaipur (Chittor) under the reign of Kumaon Udyot Chand (1678–1698), the Jagatis are descended from Maharana Pratap (1540–1597),[3]. Rana Pratap’s principal adversary was Akbar the Great, who personally spearheaded a protracted battle against the Rana in September 1576. Before long, all areas under Rana Pratap were taken. Rana Pratap had to escape with his family. Maharana Pratap had eleven wives, twenty-two sons, and five daughters, for a total of twenty-seven offspring. Every daughter had a spouse. History documents that Rana Pratap was an important person. His family left Udaipur. Even Rana Pratap sprinted in the direction of the Aravali hills. But while being tormented by the Mughals, one of his relatives fled to the Kumaon highlands. The people who lived close to Munsiyari and Ranidor  used to call themselves Ranas.

Later, they settled close to Almora at Katarmal, the Chand King’s winter capital. They received the surname “Jagati” because the Chand monarch welcomed them into his court and gave them the responsibility of collecting taxes (*jagat*).

The first member of this lineage to come to Kumaon was Padarath Sah; since then, the family has grown through twelve generations. They were upper-class Rajputs who preferred non-vegetarian diets and used to participate in Rajput traditions like hunting. Rai Sahib Harkision Lal Shah Jagati of Ranikhet has set up a coat of Arms of Chittor in his house, Jagati Ganj, with two elephants to show that they belonged to Chittor.

8. Salamgariua:There is no information regarding the origins of the Salamgaria Sahs. Jagdish Chandra Sah, a resident of Shankar Villa in Almora, has written a detailed article on the Salamgarias  [6]. Salamgaria families residing in Kumaon and elsewhere. There is a need for such research to provide information about their lineage and total population in every town. The author believes that they are a branch of the Gangolas clan; three or four generations ago, they migrated to ‘Salam’ due to the atrocities committed by the Gorkhas, and after amassing significant wealth there through trade from Bhotias, they returned to Almora and purchased property. It is from this association with Salam that they came to be known

9. Bhussa: They are said to be in minority and have are in Kumaon for 300 years

It is only stated in writing that a Kshatriya clan migrated from Bhusawal in the Maharashtra region and settled in Kumaon.. Historians have not provided extensive  accounts regarding them. They have their Genealogy tree (Vansawali).

10. Tamkia. They have been said to be from Tamak Village, Gujarat? Does any village exist in Gujarat by this name? Further, it has been said that earlier they used to trade of Tobacco hence they were called ‘Tamkia’, like ‘Bhusa’. They also maintain their Genealogy tree (Vansawali).

11. The Doti Sahs of Nepal: During the British era, Gusain Sah, a native of Nepal, relocated to Almora around 1840. His son, Moti Sah, was a lively and energetic entrepreneur. After building significant wealth through trade, he commissioned the “Bhairav Sah Mandir” temple and constructed the first water tank in Almora, known as “Motia Dhara”. He later moved to Nainital during its early development, where he became a prominent landowner, reportedly owning half of the town through his real estate ventures.
Moti Sah’s sons, Amarnath Sah and Krishna Sah, later inherited his property. Moti Sah once owned the Victoria Hotel, which he sold to the government for Rs 4,000; the building was subsequently converted into the current Court and Treasury. He also developed the Mallital Bazaar and funded the original Naina Devi Temple and a Dharamsala, both of which were destroyed in a massive landslide in 1880. His son, Amarnath Sah, later rebuilt the present-day Naina Devi temple, which originally housed the temple bell.
Historical accounts suggest Moti Sah maintained a close relationship with Kumaon Commissioner Henry Ramsay, who served from 1837 to 1884. He frequently provided loans to the government through Ramsay and assisted the administration in transferring funds from Bareilly to Nainital during the 1857 Indian Rebellion. Amarnath Sah and his descendants continued this legacy of influence.
In 1906, Jubilee Hall’s Kishenpur lower, Alma lower, Belvedre, Brae Side, Garden House, Snow View, Balmoral, Blackenberry, and Clinton were among the Nainital bungalows held by Krishna Sah. Melrose, The Mahal, Norton House, Plain View, Rookwood, Cloud, Cottage, St Helens, Tara Cottage, Tara Hall, and Tunstall Hall were all part of the Krishnapuri territory that he owned. There were 206 bungalows in Nainital during 1906.[7]. and  about 20 were owned by Amarnath and Krishna Sah Nepali.

12. Askotia or Chauteria:In the year 1790 Kumaon was under the rule of the Gorkhas of Nepal, and in 1825 the British Army defeated the Gorkhas and took Kumaon under their control. In the treaty of Sigauli with Nepal, the General who fought for the Gorkhas was Bum Sah Chauteria; in the treaty, he was given land near Askot and a pension of Rs.12000/- per annum, so he did not return to Nepal and settled down in Kumaon. [8]. Because he was a high-class Rajput, they made marriage relations with the high-class Rajputs, among whom were also Sahs of Kumaon. Under Chauteria or Askotia, there is one family of Ramlal Sah & Kundon lal Sah.at Ranikhet.[9]. Further research is required to trace the other families.

13The Okhalia:There is clan Okhalia family found in Ranikhet They had come during the time of the establishment of Ranikhet 1869 This clan is not known. Probably they were the offshoots of some early coming sah people.

14. Chakuriat: It is a  minority group among the Sah clans. Chakuriat was a title given to this clan. [4]. Only one family member was identified The work is required to trace other members of this family and also others.

15. The Kalada. These are the Sah clans, well established through out Kumaon even outside Kumaon but they do not have their origin known These people are thought to be healthy and beautiful. Probably, they are the offshoots from the main sashes.

There are many Sahs who are in the minority and seldom found in society. These can be classified due to the place name, the trade they were doing or the head of the clan had some characteristic by which the clan was known

i) After the place the  name is given.

Kanyal- of village Kanda;

Nakurial- from village Nakuri.

Chaugrkhia of village Chaugarkha

ii.) After the trade: The clans must be trading;

Bakri – Trading of goats.

Dhungsilia – Trading of stones.

Tola – Trade of oil

iii). The head had some characteristic features:

Kawwa – the head was sharp and intelligent like a crow.,

Charri – hot-tempered;

Hathkatu – The head of the clan must have been a hand-cut person.

Kallada – This clan was with good physique and fair-skinned girls were beautiful. w.

Siyal – The old head of the family was clever, crafty or timid like a fox.

Tatri – Head of the family of a Sharp temperament, henceforth known as Tatri.

Phatt-Community, who was famous doing their jobs quickly;

Conclusion: The majority of the Sah Community in Kumaon are well-known Rajputs from a well-known origin. They formed a community despite coming from all over the country, which exemplifies “Unity in diversity”. They are arranged in the order that they arrived in Kumaon. 1. Kumayan. 2. Gangola. 3. Thulgharia. 4. Kholibhiteria, 5. Jagati. 6. Chautaria / Askotia. The Chand kings gave this Rajput community the title of ‘Sah’ or ‘Shah’.
There are additional ones known as Sahs, whose origins are unknown. Despite being clearly established and having a lineage (Vansawali). Most likely, they are offshoots of the main Sah’s community, separated from their original well-known community. They were known by various names. The main cause of separation is attributed to the Gurkhas’ invasion, which involved atrocities and cruelty. The main Sahs, such as Gangola and Thulgharia, etc. fled and settled in faraway places where Gorkhas could not reach them. They eventually forgot their main clan name and became known by their place names, trades, or family characteristics,etc..

References:

1.Brown, C.H. 1984. Language and Living things. Rutgers University Press,

    NewJersey. Pp. 1-306.

2. Sah, Capt. Nand Lal (1938) Kumaon ka Sah Vansa. (in Hindi)

3. Tiwari, DeviDutt (1939) Kurmanchaliya  Sah Samaj. Tinura, Almora.(in       

    Hindi)

4. Thulgharia, G. L. Sah (1980)  Sah vansh ka Itihas. Edited U.C.Shah.

    Pub.Rajendra Prasad Sah,Nainital. (in Hindi)

5. Chaudhary,Ghanshyam (1949 Kurmachal Itihas Mein Dwarahat

    KeChaudhary (“The Chaudharys of Dwarahat in the History of  

    Kumaon”).(in Hindi)

6.  Sah, Jagdish Chandra(2001) Salamgaria sah ek Parichaya. Patrika Sah

     Samj,Lucknow.February: 6-7.(in Hindi)

7. Murphy, C. W. (1906) A Guide to Nainital and Kumaon. Printed at      

    The Pioneer Press, Allahabad

8. Saxena, B.D. (1956)  U.P. State Records Series.No.3.Historical Papers    

    Relating Kumaun 1809-1842. Govt. Central Record Office,Allahabad. pp.   

    1-280.

9. Niranjan (2017) Kumaon ke Sah Samudaya mein Chauteria Vans: Ek  Khoj) (In the Sah community of Kumaon Chauteria lineage- a discovery)  Patrika  

    Sah Samaj August : 3-6. (In Hindi)