The Gandhavariya (also known as Gandhawariya and Gandhawaria) are a Rajput clan based in northern Bihar. They are descendants of King Vikukshi and they are descendants of Lava, son of Lord Rama . ^[1] They ruled over parts of Madhepura district^[2] and Saharsa district during medieval times after the decline of the Oiniwar Dynasty.^[3]

Origin

One of the theories put forward about the origins of the Gandhavariyas is that they originate from a branch of the Karnat dynasty of Mithila that remained in the region after the Karnat king, Harisimhadeva fled to Kathmandu following the invasion of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq.^[4]

History

The writer Jyotirishwar Thakur recorded the existence of the Gandhavariyas Rajaputas in his 14th century book Varṇa Ratnākara and detailed how they held sway over much of North Bihar.^[5] The traditions of the Gandhavariyas record that prior to their ascendancy in the region, they were engaged in a war with the Bhar who the Gandhavariyas claim to have finished.^[6]

The zamindari estate of Sonbarsa Raj was established by Raja Ranjit Singh who belonged to the Gandhavariya clan. They also controlled Baruari and Barail.^[4]

See also

• Sonbarsa Raj
• Bihari Rajputs

References