Rawat (surname)

Last updated
Rawat
Language(s) Hindi, Kumaoni, Garhwali
Origin
Region of origin Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat
Other names
See also Panwar, Negi, Rautela, Parmar, Bisht, Bhandari, Rana

The surname Rawat is a prominent family name in South Asia, particularly in India and Nepal. [1] It is commonly associated with Rajputs, a warrior and land-owning caste traditionally from the northern and western regions of India, including Rajasthan, [2] Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. [3] The name is also used among various communities in the Himalayan regions and carries connotations of nobility and leadership.

Contents

History

The Rawats have a rich history of valor and resistance, particularly in defending their territories against invaders. In Uttarakhand, they are often linked with the traditions of Garhwal and Kumaon, [4] where they held significant roles in local governance during the rule of the Katyuri and Chand dynasties.

Origins and Meaning

The surname Rawat is derived from the Sanskrit word "Rajvata," meaning "ruler" or "kingdom." Historically, it was used as a title for local chieftains or rulers who governed smaller territories under larger empires. Over time, it became a hereditary surname passed down through generations.

Distribution

Cultural Aspects

In modern times, Rawats are found across various professions, yet the surname often retains its association with pride, heritage, and regional identity. Festivals, folklore, and traditional practices in regions like Uttarakhand often reflect their historical significance.

Notable people

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kumaon division</span> Administrative division in India

Kumaon is a revenue and administrative division in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It spans over the eastern half of the state and is bounded on the north by Tibet, on the east by Nepal, on the south by the state of Uttar Pradesh, and on the west by Garhwal. Kumaon comprises six districts of the state: Almora, Bageshwar, Champawat, Nainital, Pithoragarh and Udham Singh Nagar.

Bisht is a surname found in the country of Nepal and the Indian state of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh. Bisht was a title given by kings to nobles, derived from the Sanskrit vishisht ("distinguished").The term "Bisht" originally referred to someone who held a land grant from the government. The Bisht families in Uttarakhand were chiefly Thokdars(Zamindars) of Thuljat origin. In Uttrakhand, Bishts are generally Kshatriya Rajputs. In Nepal, Bisht was adopted as a surname by Raute and Raji people. Bishta, as Bista, was also used as a surname used by Khas people, group under the caste Chhetri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhotiya</span> Tibetic peoples of the Transhimalayan region

Bhotiya or Bhot is an Indian and Nepali exonym lumping together various ethnic groups speaking Tibetic languages, as well as some groups speaking other Tibeto-Burman languages living in the Transhimalayan region that divides India from Tibet. The word Bhotiya comes from the classical Tibetan name for Tibet, བོད, bod. The Bhotiya speak numerous languages including Ladakhi, Drejongke, Yolmo and Sherpa. The Indian recognition of such language is Bhoti / Bhotia having Tibetan scripts and it lies in the Parliament of India to become one of the official languages through Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khas people</span> Indo-Aryan & Turanian mixed ethno-linguistic indigenous group of Nepal and India

Khas peoples or Khas Tribes, popularly known as Khashya are an Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group native to the Himalayan region of the Indian subcontinent, in what is now the South Asian country of Nepal, as well as the Indian states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam and Sikkim. Khas consists of many subtribes like Kshetri, Thakuri, Bahun and Sanyasis and all spread across the Himalayas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garhwal District</span>

Garhwal District is a former district in Kumaon of British India of the United Provinces, and had an area of 5,629 sq mi (14,580 km2). It later became a part of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, today it is part of the Indian state Uttarakhand.

Mehta is an Indian surname, derived from the Sanskrit word mahita meaning 'great' or 'praised'. It is found among several Indian religious groups, including Hindus, Jains, Parsis, and Sikhs. Among Hindus, it is used by a wide range of castes and social groups, including Rajputs, Brahmins, Tyagi and sikh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Uttarakhand</span> State

Uttarakhand is a Himalayan state in North India, nestled between the Tibetan Plateau and the Indo-Gangetic Plains. The name, which means "northern land" or "section" or "northern part" in Sanskrit was made popular in the 80s as part of the wider statehood struggle within the region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garhwali people</span> Indian ethno-linguistic group in the Garhwal region of the Indian state of Uttarakhand

The Garhwali people are an Indian ethnolinguistic group native to the Garhwal, in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, who speak Garhwali, an Indo-Aryan language.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garhwal Kingdom</span> Monarchy in Himalayan (823–1949)

Garhwal kingdom was an independent Himalayan kingdom in the current north-western Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, India, founded in 823 CE by Kanak Pal the progenitor of the Panwar dynasty that ruled over the kingdom uninterrupted until 1803 CE.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vijay Bahuguna</span> 6th Chief Minister of Uttarakhand

Vijay Bahuguna is an Indian politician who served as the 6th Chief Minister of Uttarakhand. He is the eldest son of Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna, an independence activist and politician, and also a former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Vijay Bahuguna was a member of the 14th and 15th Lok Sabhas of India. He represented the Tehri Garhwal constituency of Uttarakhand and is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harak Singh Rawat</span> Indian politician

Dr. Harak Singh Rawat is a prominent political leader of the Uttarakhand state in India. He is a member of Indian National Congress after being expelled from the BJP in 2022. After joining Congress he negotiated an MLA ticket for his daughter in law, Anukriti Gusain, from Congress party and worked as a star campaigner in 2022 Uttarakhand General Elections. He became the youngest Minister of Uttar Pradesh State in the year 1991 and also won assembly election from Pauri. He has also won as an MLA from Rudraprayag, Lansdowne and Kotdwar and is one of the few leaders in the state with a wide appeal in a large area. He was the candidate of Indian National Congress from Garhwal in 2014 Indian general election. He was expelled from BJP and the Cabinet led by Pushkar Singh Dhami stating that he has indulged in anti-party activities and he is demanding ticket for his daughter in law (Anukriti) as well for the Uttarakhand Assembly Elections 2022. He later joined Congress in the presence of former Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat.

The Uttarakhand movement refers to the events of statehood activism within the undivided state of Uttar Pradesh which ultimately resulted in the formation of Uttarakhand, India as a separate state.

Negi is a title of Pahadi Rajput or Thakur. The Negi title originated from the word ‘nek’ which means ‘righteous’. This title was conferred by kings, warriors, and ministers. Individuals holding the Negi title were entrusted with the task of collecting taxes from villages. They were given a percentage of the amount collected as remuneration .Similar to the title or the surname of "Chaudhary", "Thakur", "Rana", "Negi" was adopted or mostly given as an honor to the #Kshatriyas who migrated from their homelands of Rajasthan to hills of Uttarakhand and Himachal. origin found in the Indian states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amrita Rawat</span> Indian politician

Amrita Rawat, also known as Shri Amrita Mata ji, is a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Uttarakhand, India. Shri Amrita Rawat is married to Shri Satpal Maharaj.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of Uttarakhand</span> Overview of and topical guide to Uttarakhand

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Uttarakhand:

Bista is a family name of people of North Indian Hills and Nepal belonging to Khas people group under the caste Chhetri, sub-groups of the Bahun caste. They are Hindu with a local Masto deity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tirath Singh Rawat</span> 9th Chief Minister of Uttarakhand

Tirath Singh Rawat is an Indian politician, a former Member of Parliament and former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand. He was elected to the 17th Lok Sabha from the Garhwal constituency in the 2019 Indian general election as member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He was the party chief of Bharatiya Janata Party Uttarakhand from 9 February 2013 to 31 December 2015 and former member of Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly from Chaubattakhal constituency from 2012 to 2017. He was also the first Education Minister of Uttarakhand.

References

  1. Studies in Nepali History and Society. Mandala Book Point. 2003.
  2. Lavania, B. K.; Samanta, D. K. (1998). Rajasthan. Popular Prakashan. ISBN   978-81-7154-769-2.
  3. Singh, Kumar Suresh (2005). People of India: Uttar Pradesh. Anthropological Survey of India. ISBN   978-81-7304-114-3.
  4. Arora, Ajay (1996). Administrative History of Uttarakhand (Kumaon and Garhwal), During the Rule of the East India Company, 1815-1857. Eastern Book Linkers. ISBN   978-81-86339-33-6.