Dr. Sushil Bhati
I
Modern Kasanas are historical Kushans:
Alexander Cunningham identified the Kushans with the modern Gurjars in the Archaeological Survey Report, Volume IV, 1864. He says that after the Jats, the Gurjars are the largest population in north-western India, so they might be historical Kushans. In support of his belief, he says that the Kasana gotra of modern Gurjars is representative of the Kushans.
Alexander Cunningham's point becomes more important because the Kasana gotra of Gurjars is the largest in terms of area and population. Kasana gotra is found from Afghanistan to Maharashtra, and in India, it is found only among the Gurjar caste.
Gurjars have a belief regarding their social organization, which clearly points towards their Kushan origin. According to H.A. Rose, it is a social belief that two and a half houses of Gurjars are real, Gorsi, Kasana, and half Bargat. Hence, the Kasana gotra is of special importance in the social organization of Gurjars, which, according to Alexander Cunningham, is the present representative of Kushans.
According to historians, the Kushans were one of the Yue Chi tribes whose language was Tocharian. Tocharian was a Centum-class language of the Indo-European group. But after settling in Bactria, they adopted a language of the Middle Iranian group. Historians have called this language the Bactrian language. On the coins of Kushan emperors, Koshano is written in the Bactrian language and in Greek script. The Kasana gotra of Gurjars is called Kosano in their own Gujari language. Hence, it is completely clear that the modern Kasanas are the representatives of the Kushans.
Not only Koshano, but the word ‘Kasana’ has also been used for Kushan since historical times. It is well known that Kasana is the main gotra of the Gurjars. According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, the founder of the Kushan dynasty in India, Kujula Kadphises, has been written as 'Kashana Yavugo' (Kashana king) on his coins. The word 'Kasana' has also been used on the coins of Kidar, the founder of the Kidar Kushan dynasty. According to Studies in Indo-Asian Culture, Volume 1, contemporary Iranians called the Kushan rulers Shok and Pariok, the Kasana rulers, instead of Kushan rulers. Some modern historians have also used the word Kasana dynasty for the Kushan dynasty in their writings, like Hajime Nakamura, who has written Kanishka as the ruler of the Kasana dynasty in his book.
Therefore, there is no doubt that the Kasana gotra of modern Gurjars are the descendants and heirs of the historically famous Kushans.
II
Amazing similarity between the Bactrian language of the Kushans and the Gujari language of the Gujars:
The Gurjars have always had their own unique language. Evidence of the existence of the Gujari language exists since the seventh century. In the seventh century, Rajasthan was called Gurjar Desh, where Gurjars ruled from their capital Bhinmal. The people of Gurjar Desh had their own Gurjari language and unique culture. There is strong evidence that modern Gujarati and Rajasthani have evolved from this Gurjari Apabhramsa. At present, this language is spoken among the Gurjars of Jammu and Kashmir. G. A. Grierson has given a detailed description of the Gujari language in Linguistic Survey of India, Volume IX, Part IV. According to historians, the Kushans were one of the Yue Chi tribes, whose language was Tocharian. Tocharian was a Centum-class language of the Indo-European group. But after settling in Bactria, they adopted a language of the Middle Iranian group. Historians have called this language the Bactrian language. There is a great similarity between the Bactrian language spoken by Kushans and the Gujari dialect of Gurjars. The Bactrian language has been used by Kushans in Kanishka's Rabatak and other inscriptions. The Bactrian language has been used in Greek script on Kushan coins. In the Bactrian language used by Kushans, like the Gujari dialect, most of the words have the alphabet 'O ' and are pronounced especially at the end of the word. Like Uma is written as Omo, Kumar as Komaro, and Mihir as Miiro in Bactrian, similarly in the Gujari dialect, Ram is called Rom, Pani as Poni, Gaam as Gom, Gaya as Gayo, etc. That is why on the coins of Kushans, they are written as Koshano in Bactrian, and at present, Kosano is spoken in Gujari. Hence, the similarity between the Bactrian language used by Kushans and the modern Gujari language also proves the oneness of Kushans and Gujjars. However, more research is needed on the similarities between Bactrian and Gujari, which can throw more light on Kushan-Gujar relations.
III
Gusura>Gujur>Gujjar>Gujar>Gurjar:
According to some historians, the word Gurjar has originated from the word 'Gusura'. Gusura is an Iranian word. According to H. W. Bailey, the word 'Gusura' means a person born in a high family, i.e., Kulputra. The word 'Gusura' means a royal family or a member of a royal family. According to B. N. Mukherjee, a part of the royal class of the Kushan Empire was called 'Gusura'. According to him, 'Gusuar' were probably army officers. An inscription of Senvarman, a contemporary ruler of the Kushan emperor Kujul Kadphises, has been found in Swat, in which the word 'Gusura' has been used for army officers.
P.C. Bagchi was the first to put forward the theory of the 'Gusura' origin of Gurjars. Famous historian R.S. Sharma has supported the theory of the 'Gusura' origin of the Gurjars.
In an inscription found from a stupa in northern Afghanistan, 'Gusura' has been mentioned as the title of Vihar Swami. As has been mentioned above, the word 'Gusura' has also been used in the Swat inscription of Senvarman, a ruler under the Kushan emperor Kujul Kadphises.
In an inscription found in Abbottabad in the Hazara region of north-western Pakistan, there is mention of a person named Shaphara, who is the son of Maka and a member of a tribe called 'Gasura'. The language and script of this inscription are of the Kushan period. The inscription is of the twenty-fifth year of the unknown era. In the inscription of Kanishka found from a place called Rabatak in Afghanistan, the name of a Kushan official named Shaphara is also mentioned. Gashur Shaphara of the Abbottabad inscription and the Shaphara mentioned in Kaniska's Rabatak inscription may be the same person. More research is required to establish this identity.
A person named Gosura Simha Bal is also mentioned in the Sanchi inscription of the Kushans.
So, it is clear from the above description that the members of the royal family, feudal lords, and the class of military officers of the Kushans were called 'Gusura'. Gusura is also mentioned in the inscriptions of Kushans as 'Gasuar', 'Gausura'. Members of the royal family of the Kushans and high military officers used 'Gusura' as a title. Actually, 'Gusura' is a royal class of Kushans whose members used to become kings and military officers.
According to F. W. Thomas, Kujul in the name of Kujul Kadphises, the founder of the Kushan dynasty, is actually the word 'Gusura'. B. N. Mukherjee has supported the fact that Kujul should be read as 'Gusura'. B. N. Mukherjee has drawn attention to the fact that in the Bactrian language of Kushans, 'Sha/S' was pronounced and written as 'J'. For example, the Kushan emperor Vasudev has been written as Bajodeo. Similarly, in Kanishka's Rabatak inscription, Saket has been written as Jagedo. Thus, in the Kushans' own Bactrian language, 'Gusura' was pronounced as 'Gujura' and the founder of the Kushan dynasty, Kadphises I, used to bear the title of 'Gujura'. 'Gujura' has been written as Kujula in the North Western Indian Prakrit and script, because while writing Iranian words in the North Western Indian Prakrit, 'G' was pronounced as 'K' and the 'R' as 'L'. Hence, Kushan emperors used to call themselves 'Gujur' in their Bactrian language. What better proof can there be of the Kushan origin of Gurjars than the fact that in the original region of Bactria, the Gurjars still call themselves 'Gujur' in Northern Afghanistan (Bactria). Another form of 'Gusura' mentioned above, 'Gosura', was pronounced as 'Gojur'. In Kashmir, the Gujjars call themselves Gojar or Gujjar, and their language is also called Gojri.
It is crystal clear that the word Gurjar has originated from the Iranian word 'Gusura', which means a member of the royal family or a royal family. When the Kushans settled in northern Afghanistan (Bactria), they adopted the title 'Gusura' as 'Gujur' in the Bactrian language there, as their descendants call themselves even today. In Punjab, under the influence of the local language, Gujur changed to Gujjar. The word Gujur changed to Gujar in the Ganges-Jamuna region. The words Gujjar and Gujar have been used in ancient Jain Prakrit literature. During the same period, the words Gurjjar and Gurjjar have been used in the Sanskrit language. In the seventh century, copper plates of Bharoch, Dadda is written as the king of the Gurjjar dynasty. Over time, the word Gurjjar was refined from Gurjjar to Gurjar.
The Kushan origin of the Gurjars is automatically proved from the above description.
IV
Historical connection of Bhinmal, the capital of the Gurjar country, and Emperor Kanishka:
Early evidence of the word Gurjar is found in Marwar and the Abu mountain region of Rajasthan since the seventh century. Rajasthan was called 'Gurjar Desh' in the seventh century due to the political dominance of Gurjars. Bhinmal was the capital of 'Gurjar Desh'. Historian A. M. T. Jackson has written the history of Bhinmal in detail in the 'Bombay Gazetteer'. He described many folk traditions and myths prevalent in Bhinmal, which reveal the very important role of Kushan Emperor Kanishka in populating Bhinmal, the capital of the Gurjars. According to one such myth, the famous Jagaswami temple of the Sun God in Bhinmal was built by King Kanak (Emperor Kanishka) of Kashmir. According to the oral tradition prevalent in Bhinmal, Kanishka also built a lake named 'Karda' there. Kanishka is also credited with establishing a city called Kankavati, seven kos east of Bhinmal. It is believed that people of the Devda gotra of Bhinmal, Shrimali Brahmins, and Oswal Baniyas went from Bhinmal and settled in Gujarat. Oswal Baniyas came to Bhinmal from Kashmir along with King Kanak (Emperor Kanishka). A. M. T. Jackson believes that Shrimali Brahmins and Oswal Baniyas originated from the Gurjars.
In Rajasthan, Gurjars are divided into two endogamous groups called 'Laur' and 'Khari'. According to Campbell, the Laur Gurjars of Marwar believe that they came from Lohkot with King Kanak (Kanishka Kushan), and were called Laur because they came from Lohkot. This belief of the Laur Gurjars is clearly proof of the Kushan origin of the Gurjars.
So it is clear that Gurjars, Shrimali Brahmins of Gurjar origin, and Oswal Baniyas all settled in Bhinmal, the capital of Gurjar country, along with Kanishka Kushan. This historical association of Gurjars with the Kushan emperor Kanishka from the beginning proves that Gurjars are Kushans by origin. During the heyday of the Gurjars of Bhinmal, all the Khaps and tribes of the Kushan confederacy were known as Gurjars.
V
Clan Study:
The Khap Study of Gurjars also points towards their Kushan origin. According to H.A. Rose, the Gurjars of Punjab believe that the two and a half houses of Gurjars are original - Gorsi, Kasana, and half Bargat. In the Delhi region, Chechi, Nekadi, Gorsi, and Kasana are considered the original houses of Gurjars. In the Karnal region, Gorsi, Chechi, and Kasana are considered the original houses of Gurjars. In the Gujarat district of Punjab, Chechis are considered to be of Khatana origin. H.A. Rose says that based on the above description, Kasana, Khatana, and Gorsi can be considered the original and original Clans of Gurjars. In total, six clans- Chechi, Kasana, Khatana, Gorsi, Bargat, and Nekadi have been recognized as the original houses or clans of Gurjars.
According to historians like Cunningham, etc., the ancestors of Gurjars are the confederation of Kushans and their kindred tribes, and they came to India from the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan, from where they spread to North India. According to this concept, the purest or original form of Gurjars should still be there in Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, only six clans of Gurjars are mainly found: Chechi, Kasana, Khatana, Bargat, Gorsi, and Nekadi. The ancestors of Gurjars have repeatedly discussed these clans as their real clans, i.e., gotras. In Northern Afganistan Gurjars are still called Gujur (Gusura). Gusura was the name given to the royal class of the Kushan Empire. The word Gurjar has originated from the word Gusura. Therefore, in terms of ethnonym and other characteristics, the Gurjars in Afghanistan are still in their purest and original form.
The early history of Yuechi-Kushan is connected to Central Asia, where it was a tradition that the victorious clans and tribes became powerful by expanding their numbers by adding similar kindred clans and tribes to themselves. Therefore, it is not surprising if the Yuezhi-Kushans have done the same in India.
The Kushan origin of the clans, which are said to be the original house of the Gurjars, needs to be discussed separately.
Chechi: According to ancient Chinese historians, before the arrival in Bactria, the kindred clans and tribes of the Kushan confederation were called Yuchi. In fact, Yuechi was also a confederation of the kindred tribes, which was called Yuechi after the name of its ruling family clan. When their ruling family or clan became Kushan, the Yuechi confederation came to be known as Kushan. There is a phonetic similarity between Chechi and Yuechi. Yuchi may be the Chinese version of the word Chechi. Or it is also possible that Chechi is the Indian version of Yuchi. However, more research is required to identify Chechi as Yuchi. We have seen that Chechi is counted as the real house or Khap of Gurjars. Chechi gotra is the main gotra of Gurjars in terms of numbers and area expansion, which is found from the hills of the Hindu Kush to South India. In most places, their population is found along with Kasanas.
Gorsi: According to Alexander Cunningham, Kushan can also be read as Kors or Gors on the coins of Kushans. He says that Gorsi is derived from Gors. Gorsi gotra is found in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.
Khatana: Khatana is a royal clan of Gurjars. It is a major Gurjar clan in Afghanistan. Khatana are very strong socially and economically in Jhelum-Gujarat, situated in Pakistan. There is a tradition among the Gurjars of Pakistan that the kings of the Hindu Shahi dynasty, Jaipal and Anandpal, were Khatana. At the time of independence, the kings of the Samthar state situated in the Jhansi district were Khatana. The Samthar family also considers itself to be related to Jaipal and Anandpal. The family considers Kaid Rai as their ancestor. A class of Khatana who came from Punjab to Rajasthan is also called Turkia. The Hazara state in Pakistan also belonged to the Khatana clan.
Khatana Gujjars are probably the original residents of Khotan, situated in the Tarim Valley of China. Khotan has a deep connection with the history of the Kushans. Yuechi-Kushans were originally residents of the Tarim Valley, situated in China. Yuechi-Kushans had to leave the Tarim Valley region due to their defeat by the Hing-Nu tribe. But Kushan emperor Kanishka the Great defeated China and captured the Khotan, Kashgar, and Yarkand regions of the Tarim Valley. A large number of Kushan coins have been found here. Kanishka's ally, Khotan King Vijay Singh, has been referred to as Khotana Rai in Tibetan texts.
Probably, the Khatana clan is related to the Kidar Kushans. The Khatana kings of the Samthar estate consider King Kaid Rai of Punjab as their ancestor. Kaid Rai is probably derived from the words Kidar and Rai. The first king of the Kidar Kushans was also Kidar. It is a subject of research whether the first ruler of the Kidar Kushans, Kidar, had any relation with Khotan or Khotana Rai Vijay Singh or not?
Nekadi: Nekadi is considered to be the most sacred clan among the Gurjars of Rajasthan. The Nekadi clan is found in Afghanistan and India. It is viewed with special respect among the Gurjars of Rajasthan. Nekadi are basically considered to be Chechi.
Bargat: Bargat clan is found in Afghanistan and the Rajasthan region of India.
Kasana: Alexander Cunningham has identified the Kushans with the modern Gujjars in the Archaeological Survey Report, Volume IV, 1864. In support of his belief, he says that the Kasana clan of modern Gurjars is the representative of the Kushans. Alexander Cunningham's point becomes more important by the fact that the Kasana clan of Gujjars is the largest in terms of area and population. The Kasana clan is spread from Afghanistan to Maharashtra. A lot has already been said about Kasanos.
84 villages of the Kalshan clan are found in the upper Doab of the Ganga and the Yamuna. The word Kalshan has a similarity in phonetics with Kushan. Kalshan also has a similarity in phonetics with Khalchayan, the capital of the Kushans in Bactria. Kalshan Khap is probably related to the Kushan confederation.
Devda/Divda: There are twelve villages of the Devda clan of the Gurjar in the Muzaffarnagar region of the upper doab of Ganga-Jamuna. Campbell, in his article, Bhinmal has linked Devda with the title of Devputra of the Kushan emperor Kanishka.
Deepe/Dapa: The population of the Dapa clan Khap of Gurjars is found along Kalshan and Devda Khap, and all three Khaps consider themselves to be one. While following the rule of exogamy, all three do not marry each other and are considered brothers. Probably like the other two, they are also related to the Kushan confederation.
Kapasia: Kapasia Khap of Gujjars seems to have originated from Kapisha (Begram), the capital of Kushans. Kapasia Khap has twelve villages in the Bulandshahr area situated in the upper doab of the Ganga-Yamuna.
Mundan: The Mundan gotra of Gurjars is probably related to the title Murunda of Kushan emperors, which means master. In the Allahabad inscription of Gupta emperor Samudragupta, there is mention of Devputra Shahnushahi Saka Murund rulers in north-western India. In ancient times, the rule of the Murund dynasty was also known in Bihar. At present, Mundan Gurjars are found in the upper doab of the Ganga-Yamuna. Mandar, Modhel, and Motla clan are related to the Mundan clan.
Meelu: One of the titles of Kushans was Melun. The Milu clan of Gurjars seems to be related to the title Melun of the Kushan emperor. This clan is mainly found in Punjab.
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Dorata: The Dorata clan of Gurjars seems to be related to the title Domrata (Domrata- Law of the living word) of the Kushan emperor Kanishka. At present, the clan is found in Rajasthan and western Uttar Pradesh.
Chandana: Chandana was a title of Kanishka. At present, the Chandana Gurjars are found in Rajasthan.
Kasana and Khatana, which are considered to be the original home of Gurjars, have a Na ending. These clans are not found in other castes. There are many clans of Gurjars with similar endings, such as Adhana, Bhadana, Harshana, Sirandhana, Karhana, Rajana, Phagana, Mahana, Amaana, Karhana, Ahmana, Chaparana, Riyana, Awana, Chandana, etc. In terms of numbers, these are the large clan of Gurjars. Probably all these clans were related to the Kushan confederacy. An important title of Kanishka himself was Chandana. The title Gasurana has been used in the Abbotabad inscription. The word Gasurana is formed by combining the words Gasura and Rana. Probably, this is the first mention of the use of the title Rana. In the Chaprana clan of Gurjars, Rana is completely clear. Hence, the word Rana is included in the Gurjar clans ending with Na. In the Meerut region, Karhana and some Chaprana Gurjar write Rana as their title. If the title Gasurana has been used for Shaphar in the Kushan period Abbotabad inscription, the title Gurjarana has been used for the Gurjar Pratihara ruler of Kannauj in the 10th century Khajuraho inscription. Hence, Gurjars originated from the Gusura/Gasura/Gausure clan of the Kushans.
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