Narwar Fort

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

Narwar Fort is a Fort of ancient historical importance. It is situated near the town of Narwar in Narwar tahsil of Shivpuri district in Madhya Pradesh, India.

Variants of name

Narapura (नरपुर): Rajatarangini^[1] mentions a place called Narapura.

Narapura (नरपुर) is mentioned in Towns and Villages of Chauhan Dominions, S.No.212^[2]

Nalapura (नलपुर) = Narvar (नरवर) (AS, p.481)^[3]

Naravara (नरवर) (AS, p.479)

Naravara (नरवर) = Navanagara (नवनगर)(AS, p.483)

Mohram Garh (मोहरम गढ) : आल्हा काव्य मे नरवर गढ़ को मोहरम गढ भी कहा गया है. जहां के राजा मोतीमल बघेल के नाम का उल्लेख है.

Padmavati (पद्मावती): Cunningham identified Padmavati with present Narwar (Shivpuri) near Gwalior.^[4]

Origin

Narapura (नरपुर) becomes Narwar (नरवर) as Purushapura (पुरुषपुर becomes Peshawar (पेशावर), literally means High Fort in Persian.

Narapura (नरपुर) : village, King Nara I built a town on the banks of the Vitasta, which he laid out with spacious roads, and adorned with the spoils of other countries. It was crowded with rich shops, and graced with fruit and flower gardens, and the river below was covered with boats. Book I (p.15). Nara I (1023-983 BC) was king of Kashmir.^[5]Nara II (520 BC-460 BC) was king of Kashmir.^[6]

Nala (नल) was a Suryavanshi Kachhawah Jat who founded Narwar and made his capital. He defeated and killed Ghumasura who had defeated even Indra. ^[7]

According to James Tod ^[8]Some of Kusha's immediate offspring, Raja Nal founded the kingdom and city of Narwar in S. 351, or A.D. 295

Location

The Narwar Fort is situated atop a hill at Narwar and spread over an area of about 8 km².

District map of Shivpuri
Mohni Sagar Dam - Narwar Fort - Khyawada in Shivpuri, MP

Visit by Author

Author (Laxman Burdak) stayed at Shivpuri during IFS Probation period (07.05.1983-14.09.83) in Social Forestry Training Institute Shivpuri and in Shivpuri Forest Division (15.09.83-30.03.84). Later as Conservator of Forests (17.01.1997-14.07.2000).

Author (Laxman Burdak) visited Narwar city and Narwar Fort several times on dates: 27.09.1983, 06.12.1983, 16.02.1997, 05.06.1997, 02.07.1997, 22.08.1997, 14.11.1997, 29.12.1997, 01.06.1998, 24.05.1999, 20.09.1999, 28.12.1999, 12.03.2000, 23.05.2000

27 सितंबर 1983 को लेखक (लक्ष्मण बुरड़क) ने नरवर का किला देखा. उस समय कैमरा साथ में नहीं होने से फोटो नहीं ले सका परन्तु जैसा देखा उसका विवरण निम्न प्रकार है. नरवर शहर के बाजार से शुरू होकर लगातार 2 किलोमीटर की चढ़ाई कर किले पर पहुंचते हैं. रास्ते में मुख्य रूप से तीन द्वार आते हैं. पहला दरवाजा पिसनहारी दरवाजा कहलाता है. यह सुबह सबसे पहले खुलता था जब चक्की पीसने के आवाज आती थी. दूसरा दरवाजा पीर दरवाजा कहलाता है. इसके पास ही एक मजार है. तीसरा दरवाजा मुख्य दरवाजा कहलाता है. अंतिम द्वार को हवापौर कहते हैं. हवापौर इसलिए कहते हैं क्योंकि यहाँ पर सभी ऋतुओं में अच्छी हवा बहती है. यहां पर लगे हुए लकड़ी के किवाड़ पर लोहे के नुकीले सरिये लगे हैं. अंदर जाकर प्रमुख देखने की जगह आगे वर्णित की गयी हैं –

छीपमहल दो मंजिला सुन्दर भवन है. यह नाम इसलिए पड़ा कि यहाँ चन्दन घिसने का काम होता था. इसमें चन्दन के लिए बड़े-बड़े टब होते थे जिनसे जनता को चन्दन लगाया जाता था. इसमें बहुत कमरे थे जिनमें जनता रहती थी. ये कमरे अब खण्डहर हो चुके हैं.

अनाज मंडी में एक बड़ा कमरा और चारों तरफ बरामदे हैं. यहाँ एक मंदिर भी था परन्तु अब इसमें पूजा नहीं होती है. अनाज भण्डारण के लिए कमरे थे.

पुराणी चक्की. चक्की भवन में एक पुराणी चक्की बहुत बड़ी है जिसका उपयोग कैदियों से चक्की पिसाई के लिए किया जाता था. इस विशाल चक्की के पार्ट अब टूट कर अंदर गिर गए हैं. यहाँ कई कमरे हैं जिनमें आम जनता रहती थी.

आठ कुए-नौ बावड़ी: यहां पर बारहमासी पानी का साधन है. 8 वीं शताब्दी में बनकर तैयार हुए नरवर के किले की सबसे ऊपर चोटी पर बनीं 8 कुएं 9 बावड़ी की संरचना पर्यटकों के आर्कषण का केंद्र है. नरवर कस्बे से 399 फीट की ऊंचाई पर बनी इन जल संरचनाओं का निर्माण दुश्मन सेना के द्वारा घेर लिए जाने की स्थिति में पानी की समस्या को हल करने के लिए किया गया था. 390 वर्गफीट में इस जल संरचना का विस्तार है और 30 फीट गहरे इस तालाब में घाट हैं. नीचे उतरने के लिए यहां सीढ़ियां भी बनी हैं. बावड़ी में चारों तरफ से सीढ़ियां इस प्रकार बनी हुई हैं कि 1600 पनिहारिन एक साथ पानी भरकर निकल सकती थी. इसीलिए इसके बारे में कहावत प्रचलित है- ‘आठ कुए नौ बावड़ी सौलह सौ पनिहार’.

इसके अलावा पानी के यहां पर दो और भी साधन हैं- चांद-तलाई और तालकटोरा. इनमें अब सिन्हाड़ा उगाया जा रहा है जो वन विभाग द्वारा ठेके पर दिया जाता है. किले पर बड़ी-बड़ी कई तोप भी थी परंतु अब देख-रेख के अभाव में चोरी चली गई है हैं. किले की परिधि 18 किलोमीटर बताते हैं. पूरा क्षेत्र इसका नरवर आरक्षित वन में आता है. वन उपज में सीताफल यहां पर मुख्य रूप से पाया जाता है.

सोनवा महल : मैराठों ने चौहानों को हरा कर इस पर कब्जा किया था. परन्तु चौहान पूरी तरह से हारे नहीं थे और वे मैराठों को कर नहीं देते थे. यहाँ आल्हा की रानी सोनवा का शाही महल है. यह महल सोनवा महल के नाम से भी जाना जाता है. सोनवा महल के ठीक सामने ही रानी दमयंती का महल है.

रानी दमयंती महल: नरवर किला राजा नल और दमयंती की प्रेम कथा के लिए भी जाना जाता है. दमयंती विदर्भ राजा भीम की पुत्री थी. वहीं राजा नल निषाद राजा वीरसेन के पुत्र थे. कहा जाता है कि नल और दमयंती दोनों ही बहुत रूपवान थे और उनकी सुंदरता के चर्चे दूर-दूर तक थे. इस कारण दोनों एक दूसरे की सुंदरता के बारे में सुनकर ही एक दूसरे को देखे बिना ही प्रेम करने लगे थे.

कचहरी महल भी किले की प्रमुख जगह है जहां पर राजा आसीन होकर निर्णय किया करते थे. यह 16वीं शताब्दी में ग्वालियर के महाराजा माधवराव शिंदे ने बनाया था. इसके थोड़ा आगे चलकर पूर्व में बना है - जनाना निवास. जनाना निवास के बाहर ठीक किले की दीवार पर एक छतरी बनी है जहां बैठकर बहुत अच्छी ठंडी वायु का आनंद लिया जा सकता है. साथ ही यहाँ से किले के नीचे पूरे नरवर शहर और आसपास के क्षेत्र का भी हवाई दृश्य प्रस्तुत होता है. राम-जानकी मंदिर भी यहां पर बना हुआ है, जिसमें राम की मूर्ति चोरी चली गई है, अब अकेली जानकी की मूर्ति लगी हुई है.

पसर देवी: यहां का एक प्रमुख आकर्षण है पसर देवी. यह राजा नल की कुलदेवी है. यहां देवी की एक विशाल मूर्ति है जो पीठ के बल लेटी हुई है. कहावत प्रचलित है कि यह देवी पहले खड़ी हुई थी परंतु जब राजा नल पर विपत्ति आई तो लेट गई और तभी से इनका नाम पसर देवी है. कहते हैं देवी की मूर्ति के नीचे राजा का खजाना छिपा है. कई व्यक्तियों ने खजाना खोदने की कोशिश भी की परंतु खजाना हाथ नहीं आया. कई लोग यहाँ सिक्का डालते हैं तो खन्न की आवाज आती है.

तांत्रिक पीठ: नरवर किले पर तांत्रिक पीठ होने का भी प्रमाण मिलता है. लोग पसर देवी के मंदिर के सामने पत्थर के ऊपर पत्थर रखकर घर बनाने का काम करते हैं. मान्यता है कि इससे उनकी मनोकामना पूरी होती है. मनोकामना पूरी होने पर दुबारा दर्शन करने के लिए आते हैं.

अब यह किला जर्जर होकर लगभग गिरने वाला सा हो गया है. पुरातत्व विभाग द्वारा इसकी देखरेख करना बहुत ही जरूरी है. अब भी चढ़ने के रास्ते के अलावा किधर से भी किले पर चढ़ना संभव नहीं है.

नरवर किले पर महाभारत काल में राजा नल ने शासन किया। ईस्वी सदी के प्रारम्भ से 344 ई. तक नव नाग वंश के नागवंशी शासकों ने शासन किया। गणपतिनाग (310-344 ई.) के समय समुद्र गुप्त ने नाग राजाओं पर आक्रमण किया एवं इस वंश को समाप्त कर किले को अधीन किया। ^[9]इस बारे में इलाहाबाद स्तंभ में उल्लेख मिलते हैं। (L-21. रुद्रदेव-मतिल-नागदत्त-चन्द्रवर्मा- गणपतिनाग- नागसेनाच्युत- नन्दि- बल- वर्म्मा- द्यनेकार्य्यावर्त्त-राज- प्रसभोद्धरणोद्धृत- प्रभाव-महत:4 परिचारकीकृत-सर्व्वाटविक-राजस्य) तत्पश्चात तोरमाण (5वीं-6वीं सदी), परिहार, चौहान, चाहर, कच्छावा, तोमर, सिकंदर लोदी, सिंधिया आदि वंशों के राजाओं का शासन रहा है।

16.02.1997 को मेरे साथी अधिकारियों AK Chaudhary DFO Shivpuri और Vivek Jain Director Madhav National Park Shivpuri के साथ नरवर का किला देखा. किले के विभिन्न भवनों में सुधार किया गया है. इस अवसर के कुछ चित्र यहाँ दिए गए हैं:

Narwar Fort, 16.02.1997
LR Burdak & AK Chaudhary at Chhatari (left) and Janana Niwas in Narwar Fort, 16.02.1997
LR Burdak & Vivek Jain at Chhatari in Narwar Fort, 16.02.1997
LR Burdak & AK Chaudhary at Ladau Bungalow in Narwar Fort, 16.02.1997
LR Burdak & Vivek Jain at Shahi Bathroom in Narwar Fort, 16.02.1997
Passage between Sonwa Mahal & Damayanti Mahal, Narwar Fort, 16.02.1997
Narwar Fort, 16.02.1997
LR Burdak & Vivek Jain at Narwar Fort, 16.02.1997

02.07.1997 को लेखक (लक्ष्मण बुरड़क) ने सपरिवार नरवर का किला देखा. किले पर पहुंचते-पहुंचते शाम हो गयी थी इसलिए पूरा भ्रमण नहीं कर सके परन्तु किले की दीवार से नरवर शहर के दृश्य देखने लायक थे. इस अवसर के कुछ चित्र यहाँ दिए गए हैं:

Narwar Forest Rest House,2.7.1997
View of Narwar City from Narwar Fort, 2.7.1997
Narwar Fort, 2.7.1997
Down Hill side of Narwar Fort, 2.7.1997
water Storage, Narwar Fort, 2.7.1997
Down Hill side of Narwar Fort, 2.7.1997
Narwar Fort, 2.7.1997
Narwar Fort, 2.7.1997
Narwar Fort, 2.7.1997
Narwar Fort, 2.7.1997
Narwar Fort, 2.7.1997
Water storage on Narwar Fort, 2.7.1997

List Of Villages in Narwar tahsil

Town: Narwar

Villages:

1 Andora, 2 Ata, 3 Badadhah, 4 Badgor, 5 Bahagawan, 6 Bamhroli, 7 Baniyani, 8 Barkhadi, 9 Baroda, 10 Barsodi, 11 Baruwa, 12 Bawdi, 13 Beejor, 14 Berkheda, 15 Bhadari, 16 Bhainsa, 17 Bhasada Kalan, 18 Bhasada Khurd, 19 Bhimpur, 20 Bichi, 21 Bilhari Khurd, 22 Biloni, 23 Budibhew, 24 Chakrampur, 25 Chandora, 26 Chandpatha, 27 Chhareta, 28 Chhidori, 29 Chhitari, 30 Chirli, 31 Chitahari, 32 Dabrasoni, 33 Dabri Panari, 34 Datla, 35 Daulatganj, 36 Dauni, 37 Dawar Ali, 38 Dawar Bhat, 39 Dehreta Awwal, 40 Dehreta Sani, 41 Deora, 42 Deori Khurd, 43 Dhakurai, 44 Dhamdholi, 45 Dhigwas, 46 Dihayala, 47 Doltabad, 48 Dongarpur Fakeer, 49 Fatehpur, 50 Gadola, 51 Gadoli, 52 Gagoni, 53 Ganiyar, 54 Goghari, 55 Gokanda, 56 Gopaliya, 57 Hateda, 58 Imaliya, 59 Indargarh, 60 Jaitpur, 61 Janori, 62 Jarawani, 63 Jargawan Sani, 64 Jhanda, 65 Jujhai, 66 Kadora Imaliya, 67 Kaikhoda, 68 Kairuwa, 69 Kalipahadi Meda, 70 Kalothara Sani, 71 Kalyanpur, 72 Kankar, 73 Karangarh, 74 Karhi, 75 Karowaha, 76 Kathegasha, 77 Khadicha, 78 Khiriya Sunwai, 79 Khudawali, 80 Khyawada, 81 Kishanpur, 82 Kondar, 83 Kubri Urf Gwalia, 84 Lamkana, 85 Leda, 86 Mador, 87 Magroni, 88 Mahoba, 89 Mau, 90 Mera, 91 Mihawara, 92 Mohni, 93 Mudeni, 94 Nainagir, 95 Nanakpur, 96 Nandpur, 97 Nandpur, 98 Naraua, 99 Narayanpur, 100 Nayagaon, 101 Nekora, 102 Nijampur, 103 Pachor, 104 Pananer, 105 Panghata, 106 Papredu, 107 Paragarh, 108 Phoolpur, 109 Pipal Khadi, 110 Pulha, 111 Raipahadi, 112 Rajpur, 113 Ramgadha, 114 Ramnagar, 115 Rao Kalan, 116 Rao Khurd, 117 Ronija, 118 Saboli, 119 Sad, 120 Sahida Kalan, 121 Sahida Khurd, 122 Saidora, 123 Samuha, 124 Sanai, 125 Sarkhadpur, 126 Shergarh, 127 Sihore, 128 Silra, 129 Simariya, 130 Singdaua, 131 Sonhar, 132 Sultanpur, 133 Sunari, 134 Sund, 135 Taka Kalan, 136 Talbhew, 137 Tharkhera, 138 Thati, 139 Toda Pamar, 140 Toriya Kalan, 141 Toriya Khurd, 142 Torsanai, 143 Tuki, 144 Urwaha, 145 Virpur,

Source - https://www.census2011.co.in/data/subdistrict/3409-narwar-shivpuri-madhya-pradesh.html

Others: Chadh, Raipur Dhamkan,

Narwar Fort

Narwar Fort: The Narwar Fort is situated atop a hill at Narwar and spread over an area of about 8 km². This fort had been built by Kachchhawahas and in 19th century conquered by the Scindia’s. The interior of the fort was divided into two parts, one is Ahata and second is Dhaula Ahata. The architecture of the fort and palaces is basically Hindu in style with flat ceiling, fluted columns and multifold arches. The inner walls of the palaces have been decorated with bright paint and glass beads. Near the fort are the Jai Stambha, Sati monument, Ladu bungalow, Chhip Mahal, Makardwaj Tal, Kacheri mahal, Sikandar Lodi's Mosque, Jail Kambha etc. It is now in a dilapidated condition, but the remains suggest that, in the flourishing days, it might have been only second to the Gwalior Fort in magnificence.^[10]

Collector Shivpuri's post

स्रोत: Collector Shivpuri's post, 27.9.2024

नरवर किला

खूबसूरत वादियों और संस्कृति से ओत-प्रोत है, मध्यप्रदेश का नरवर किला। शिवपुरी जिले से 45 किमी. दूर और ग्वालियर से तकरीबन 82 किमी. दूर, यह किला काली सिंध नदी के पूर्व में 500 फीट की ऊंची पहाड़ी पर बसा हुआ है। पूरा किला 7 किलोमीटर के दायरे में फैला हुआ है। कहा जाता है कि आज से लगभग 200 साल पहले पूर्व दिल्ली-पूना राजमार्ग का प्रमुख नगर नरवर ही था।

महाभारत में किले की चर्चा राजा नल की राजधानी के रूप की गई है। नरवर को नलपुर नाम से जाना जाता था। यहां की संस्कृति के अभिलेखों से जगह के नाम के बारे में पता चलता है। 12 वीं शताब्दी में इस पर कछवाह, परिहार और तोमर शासकों का अधिकार रहा। काफ़ी समय तक इस पर मुगलों ने भी राज़ किया। फिर 18वीं से 19वीं शताब्दी में किला मराठों सिंधियों के अधीन आ गया। किले को कछवाह शासकों ने बनवाया था।

Identification of Padmavati with Narwar

Padmavati was an ancient city mentioned in several classic Sanskrit texts, Malatimadhavam of Bhavabhuti^[11], Harshacharita of Bana,^[12] and Sarasvatīkaṇṭhabharaṇa of Raja Bhoja. Bhavabhuti describes the city with tall mansions and temples with shikharas and gates, located between Para River and the Sindhu Rivers.

Padmavati is an obscure principality in Central India of that name in ancient India, known for having been overrun in the 4th century AD by Samudragupta of the Gupta empire. Now-a-days this place is known as Pavaya or Padam Pavāya.

Identification: Cunningham identified Padmavati with present Narwar (Shivpuri) near Gwalior.^[13] M B Garde carried out excavations at Pawaya in 1924-25, 1933–34 and 1941. He identifies Pawaya with ancient Padmavati rejecting Cunningham’s identification with Narwar.^[14]^[15]

Coins of Naga Rulers: Coins of several Naga kings, who have been dated between 210-340 AD, have been found at Pawaya. It is very interesting to note that during the rainy season, a very large number of coins belonging to the Naga rulers appear at the surface.^[16] These coins have made the historians enable to identify this ancient Naga city. The first mention of this city as Padmavati, is made in the Vishnupurana ^[17], where it is stated that the Nava-Nagas made, Padmavati, Kantipuri and Mathura their capitals and ruled for seven generations. ^[18]^[19]

Among the antiquities found at Pawaya is an image of Yaksha Manibhadra.^[20] It has an inscription that mentions that it was installed in the fourth regnal year of King Sivanandi and was worshipped by the gosthas or merchants.

Vishnu Purana^[21] tells that ....The nine Nágas will reign in Padmávati, Kántipuri, and Mathurá; and the Guptas of Magadhá along the Ganges to Prayága.

Dilip Kumar Ganguly^[22] writes that ....The Nagas established their rule at Vidisha, Padmavati (modern Padam Pawaya, Mathura and Kantipura, which has been identified by KP Jayaswal as Kantit between Mirzapur and Vindhyachal, but located more properly at Kutwal or Kutwar in Morena district Madhya Pradesh.

The existence of several Naga principalities, as alluded in Puranas, is strikingly attested by Samudragupta's Allahabad pillar Inscription which mentions Nagadatta, Nagasena, Ganapatinaga, and Nandi, all Naga princes among the kings of Aryavarta slain by Samudragupta. Several Naga coins have been discovered from places like Kutwar (Morena), Narwar (Shivpuri) and Padam Pawaya (Gwalior) in Madhya Pradesh and Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. Padam Pawaya has yielded the largest number of such coins, including those of Bhimanaga, Devanaga, Brihaspatinaga, Ganapatinaga, Skandanaga, Vasunaga, Vyaghranaga, Prabhakarnaga, Bhavanaga, Ravinaga, Vibhunaga and Vrishabha.

According to Dilip Singh Ahlawat ^[23], The Naga Jats ruled over Kantipur, Mathura, Padmavati, Kausambi, Nagpur, Champavati, (Bhagalpur) and in the central India, in western Malwa, Nagaur (Jodhpur- Rajasthan). In addition they ruled the ancient land of Shergarh, (Kota, Rajasthan), Madhya Pradesh (Central India), Chutiya Nagpur, Khairagarh, Chakra Kotiya and Kawardha. The great scholar, Jat Emperor, Bhoja Parmar, mother Shashiprabha was a maiden of a Naga Clan.

History

Narwar, then called Nalapura was established by Raja Nala of Mahabharata fame.

Folklore recounts how Raja Nala's wife Damayanti magically guarded the treasury entrance as Pasardevi, a turtle goddess, a narrative that underpins the devotional traditions at the fort's gate even today.^[24]

During Sikandar Lodi's reign in the early 16th century, all Hindu structures were destroyed and repurposed in Mughal construction, notably reflected in the reuse of temple pillars within the "Chhip Mahal".^[25]

According to James Tod ^[26]The Kushwaha race claims descent from Kusha, the second son of Rama, King of Koshala, whose capital was Ayodhya. Some of his immediate offspring, is said to have migrated from the parental abode, and erected the celebrated castle of Rhotas, or Rohatas on the Soan, whence, in the lapse of several generations, another distinguished scion, Raja Nal, migrated westward, and in S. 351, or A.D. 295, founded the kingdom and city of Narwar, or classically, Nishada.³ Some of the traditional chronicles record intermediate places of domicile prior to the erection of this famed city : first, the town of Lahar, in the heart of a tract yet named Kushwagar, or region (gar) of the Kushwahas ; and secondly, that of Gwalior. Be this as it may, the descendants of Raja Nal adopted the affix of Pal until Sora Sing (thirty-third in descent from Nal), whose son, Dhola Rae, was expelled the paternal abode, and in S. 1023, A.D. 967, laid the foundation of the state of Dhoondar in Jaipur region.

Chahar (चाहर) (Jat clan) was the Gotra of Raja Chahar Deo (चाहर देव) (1298 AD) who ruled at the Narwar Fort in Shivpuri of Gwalior region at the end of 13th century. Coins of Chahar Deo are found in the region with "Asawar Sri Samant Deo" marked on one side and "King riding horse" on the other side. Raja Chahar Deo ruled Narwar till vikram samwat 1355 (=1298 AD). After the fall of his rule at Narwar his descendants moved to "Brij Bhumi" region of Uttar Pradesh and founded Chaharwati. Other group of Chahar Jats moved to Matsya and Jangladesh regions of Rajasthan where we hear of Somadevi (1416 AD), daughter of Raja Maldeo, Chahar Jat, who ruled at Sidhmukh in Jangladesh (Bikaner).

Chronology of Events in History of Narwar

Churanchhaj (चूरनछाज) is ancient site of wall paintings 10000 years old in Madhav National Park, Shivpuri. There is Churan Chhaj Dhammalipi Inscription.

Raja Nala (1500 BC) (Mahabharata) founded Narwar Fort.
Nara I (1023 BC-983 BC) was king of Kashmir.^[27]
Nara II (520 BC-460 BC) was king of Kashmir.^[28]
Bhima Naga (57–82)
Khurjara Naga (82–107)
Vatsa Naga (107–132)

Nava Naga (140-170 AD) (Founder of the Nava Naga Dynasty, Bharsiva) - The Nava Nagas ruled from three capitals Padmavati, Mathura and Kantipuri and ruled for seven generations. Nava Naga was the founder of the Nava Naga Dynasty (Bharsiva) ( 140-170 AD).
Virasena (170-210 AD) (Founder of Mathura and Padmavati Branches) - Virasena Naga (वीरसेन) (170-210 AD) was a Nagavanshi king of Bharashiva family in Nava Naga dynasty. He was founder of Mathura and Padmavati Branches of Nava Naga dynasty^[29]

Bhima Naga (210-230 AD) (भीमनाग) of Padmavati was a Nagavanshi king of Bharashiva family in Nava Naga dynasty.^[30]

Skanda Naga (230-250 AD) (स्कन्दनाग) (230-250 AD) of Padmavati was a Nagavanshi king of Bharashiva family in Nava Naga dynasty.^[31]

Brahaspati Naga (250-270 AD) (ब्रहस्पतिनाग) of Padmavati was a Nagavanshi king of Bharashiva family in Nava Naga dynasty.^[32]

Vyaghra Naga (270-290 AD) (व्याघ्रनाग) was a Nagavanshi king of Bharashiva family in Nava Naga dynasty. ^[33]

Devanaga (290-310 AD) (देवनाग) of Padmavati was a Nagavanshi king of Bharashiva family in Nava Naga dynasty.^[34]

According to James Tod ^[35]Some of Kusha's immediate offspring, Raja Nal founded the kingdom and city of Narwar in V.S. 351 =295 AD

Ganapatinaga (गणपतिनाग) (310-344 AD) was a Nagavanshi king of Bharashiva family in Nava Naga dynasty.^[36] He was one of the rulers of forest countries in Aryyavartta defeated by Samudragupta (A.D. 335-76). The first part is Ganapati and the second is 'naga', which signifies that the king belonged to the Naga dynasty. He probably ruled at Mathura.^[37] ^[38]

Toramana dynasty (5th and the early 6th century)

Chauhans

Chandelas

Kachwahas

Parihars

Tomars - Man Singh Tomar (1486–1516)

Yajvapala dynasty: Raja Chahar Deo, Asalla-deva, Gopala-deva, Ganapati-deva. It is known that the Yajvapalas ruled Narwar until 1298 CE.^[39]

Malwa Sultanate (1401–1561)

Sikandar Lodi (r. 1489-1517 AD) - In September 1507, Sikandar Lodi marched against Narwar, whose ruler (a member of the Tomara clan) fluctuated his allegiance between the Tomaras of Gwalior and the Malwa Sultanate. He captured the fort after a year-long siege.^[40] In December 1508, Lodi placed Narwar in charge of Raj Singh Kachchwaha, and marched to Lahar (Lahayer) located to the south-east of Gwalior. He stayed at Lahar for a few months, during which he cleared its neighbourhood of rebels.^[41] Over the next few years, Lodi remained busy in other conflicts.

Marathas (19th century)

Narwar Fort by Lakshmi Subramanian

Narwar Fort, Narwar, Shivpuri District, Madhya Pradesh

The ancient city of Narwar is a glorious example of art, culture, heritage and historical ups and downs! Derived from the words nara which means man and vara which means excellent or exemplary match, Narwar has been the birthplace of many romantic stories like Raja Nala and Damayanti, Raja Man Singh Tomar and Gujari Rani Mrignayani and Prince Dhola and Princess Maru.

This city used to be called as Nalapura after Raja Nala right up till the 12th century and the fort with its palatial quarters is exactly where Raja Nala gambled and lost all his wealth. Legend has it that when Raja Nala left for the forest along with Damayanti, the Kuladevi decided to lie down at the entrance of the main gateway to protect the treasury and since then, has been called Pasardevi, Goddess of tortoises. In fact, there is a massive statue of Pasardevi that is about 12 feet high and 8 feet wide at the entrance of the main doorway and a trench that is about 7 – 8 feet deep below her two arms. One can hear the distinctive sound of khanna when they drop coins in this hole and hence, it is believed that a great treasure lies beneath. Even today scions of many royal families come to seek her blessings.

Though historians say that the stories of unimaginable gold, precious stones and other valuables hidden in the fort is fairly common, what is unknown to many is that this place was reputed to be a city of tantra–mantra (magic). There is a lot of evidence of tantrism in various parts of the fort.

This historic town in Shivpuri district lies to the east of the Kali Sindh River which surrounds the famous fort of Narwar forming a natural moat. Situated atop a hillock, Narwar fort spreads across 8 sq km on an isolated steep scarp of the Vindhya range at a height of about 500 feet from the ground. The fort of Narwar comes only second in size after the fort of Chittorgarh in Rajasthan but is unfortunately in a state of disrepair.

This fort has been occupied by Kachhwahas, Scindias, Sultans of Malwa, Marathas, Mughals and others who made modifications in the style that they favoured. However, the Mughal influence is most visible as they had removed every trace of Hindu culture including the temples that were built inside the fort. This fort has been the centre for Hinduism, Islam and Jainism. The renowned musician of medieval India, Baiju Bawra is said to have adorned the royal court of Raja Man Singh Tomar.

Locals say that both Sikandar Lodhi and his father had tried many times to conquer Gwalior and had failed every time. Finally, the decision was taken to lay siege to the Narwar Fort. This siege went on for eleven months during which Lodhi made many attempts to infiltrate but soon realized that both the morale of his army and their supplies were diminishing.

The food grains were also in short supply inside the fort and so a proposal was worked out. A dancer was offered half the kingdom if she would climb down the fort and pass on a message to the intelligence officer who was waiting outside the fort to take it to Gwalior. The dancer came down the fort in the dead of night using a rope and passed on the message but met with her death while climbing back up as someone cut the rope from inside the fort. However, the message reached Gwalior and Lodhi who was informed that a mighty army was coming to the aid of Raja Man Singh Tomar immediately decided to lift the siege but outraged at his defeat, desecrated temples in the city of Narwar and massacred many innocent people. The dancer who lost her life protecting the fort and its people is revered by locals even today.

The entire fort is divided into four parts namely Majhloka, the middle, Dulha-Ahata, the western portion, Madar-Ahata, the south-eastern section and Gurjar-Ahata, the southern most part.

The entrance to Narwar fort is from the east just by the Alamgir Gate previously called as Pisanhari Gate. The original door of the second gate, Saiyidon ka Darwaza is on the verge of collapse but definitely would have impressive when the fort was occupied.

There are eight wells and nine stepwells built in the 8th century at an elevation of 399 feet. It is said that about 1600 panihara (ladies who used to collect water) would fill water in their pots simultaneously. The huge water structure is spread over 390 sq ft with ghats that are 30 feet deep.

Some of the monuments and palaces within the fort are:

Alhaudal’s arena,
Chakki Mahal,
Chhip Mahal,
Hawa Paur,
Kacheri Mahal,
Koriyon ki Haveli,
Ladau Bangla,
Phulwa Mahal,
Ram Janaki Temple
Rani Damayanti Mahal,
Rani Mahal,
Rawa Parewa Mahal,
Sunheri Mahal,

What is fascinating is that bath tubs are seen in these palaces that are more than 500 years old with a unique hot and cold-water piping system in place! The courtyards, porches and colonnaded arcades with their interplay of light and shadow and stunning natural beauty in the backdrop are indeed spectacular.

Though the fort’s splendour and architecture are unparalleled, one feels sad seeing this grand fort in ruins.

Written by Lakshmi Subramanian

Narwar Fort by Kevin Standage

Author: Kevin Standage, April 16, 2019. Narwar Fort, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

Perched on top of an irregular hill 500 feet above the town, Narwar Fort is 70 km south-west of Gwalior in the Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh. I have struggled to find much information regarding this fort, so almost all the information here will come from the Archaeological Survey of India Volume II 1864-65 by Alexander Cunningham. Clearly Narwar Fort is not visited very frequently if I’m having to rely on a document that is 155 years old.

The history of Narwar seems to extend back a very long time, all the way to mythology in fact. Traditionally said to have been the capital of Raja Nala from the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata, the town below the fort was called Nalapura until the 12th century.

Archaeological evidence would seem to suggest that Narwar was ruled by the Naga rulers from 0 AD to 225 AD under a succession of nine Naga kings. Curiously, for the next eight centuries the archaeological record falls silent with no coins or inscriptions found in the area, although an inscription discovered at Eran may suggest that the region was ruled by the Toramana dynasty.

Exactly how long the Toramana dynasty lasted is not known either, but we do know that from the 12th century onwards Narwar was held successively by Kachwaha, Parihar, and Tomar Rajputs (warrior caste) until its capture by the Mughals in the early 16th century. It was subsequently conquered by the Maratha Maharaja Scindia in the 19th century.

Access to Narwar Fort is from the east, you can clearly see the pathway on Google maps leaving the town and heading north before taking a sharp left just by Alamgir Gate, previously known as Pisanhari Gate and rebuilt in the Moghul style by Aurangzeb.

The climb is quite steep, initially just an incline but eventually becoming steps, be sure to have plenty of water with you. The original door of the second gate, Saiyidon Ka Darwaza (seen above), is still in situ although now in a state of disrepair.

There are no remains from the Hindu period at Narwar Fort except for a handful of inscriptions, none of which I found or even knew about prior to my visit. All the Hindu structures were obliterated by Sikandar Lodhi in 1508 AD. Ferishta records that Sikandar’s men remained at the fort for six months tearing down temples and building mosques and other structures.

We can still see evidence of that event today. One of the few buildings I was able to identify, the Chhip Mahal, clearly has carved pillars that have been reused from a circa 11th century Hindu temple.

It’s fortunate that Gwalior Fort did not see the same fate otherwise we may have lost the likes of Sas Bahu and Teli Ka Mandir. Sikander Lodhi was planning to lay siege to Gwalior Fort, but he died during the initial planning stages in 1517.

So what remains today are Moghul structures, but their number and magnificence would seem to indicate that at its zenith of Mughal occupation, Narwar Fort was second only to Gwalior Fort.

The circumference of the fort is nearly 5 miles, if you want to see everything inside it could take the best part of a day. In all likelihood you will be the only tourist here, on my visit I had the fort completely to myself to explore aside from a few locals who had walked up the hill for some exercise.

In some respects this fort is similar to Gohad Fort that I had visited a few days earlier, although here everything is on a much larger scale and the state of preservation is a significantly better in places.

Some work does seem to have occurred in recent years to make the fort more accessible and safe to visit. The eastern side of the fort which visitors will reach first is very well preserved and maintained.

Here you’re free to explore what can be at times a maze of tracks and alleyways taking you many interesting buildings, with courtyards and colonnaded arcades everywhere you turn. It’s a really enjoyable experience and fun just to follow your nose, satisfy your curiosity, get a little lost in the process.

The western side of the fort is in stark contrast to the east, here the structures have (for now) been left to crumble and access to many of them is almost impossible due to the vegetation (and slight concern about snakes quite honestly!).

I started wondering how the fort had got into this current situation, with half of it very accessible, conserved, safe, and quite well managed but the other half appearing as those nothing has happened for the last 50 years.

Did the authorities run out of funds ? Am I just seeing a project that is on-going and will be completed at some point ? Or is there another explanation ? If anyone can shed any light on this I would be really interested to hear from you.

I was unable to identify most of the buildings inside Narwar Fort, as there was no site map anywhere to be seen. Since returning home I’ve been unable to find anything online either.

The structures that are here are recorded as;

Catholic Chapel
Chhip Mahal,
Flour Mill or Chakki Mahal,
Hawa Paur Mahal,
Kachheri Mahal,
Koriyon ki Haveli,
Ladau Bangla,
Phulwa Mahal,
Ram Janaki Temple,
Rani Damyanti Mahal,
Rawa Parewa Mahal,
Sikander Lodhi Mosque.
Sunheri Mahal,

It would be great if anyone can help associate the building names to the photographs, just so I have Narwar Fort better documented.

Father Monserrate, a Jesuit priest from Portugal who passed through Narwar on his way to meet Akbar in 1580, describes Narwar:

“This district is called after the neighbouring town; its savage inhabitants knowing that they can commit robberies with impunity, are wont to attack travellers from ambush and to carry off their goods as plunder.”

You’ll be glad to hear that Narwar has greatly improved over the intervening centuries. I left Narwar Fort feeling that I had discovered a bit of a secret in Madhya Pradesh, in much the same way as I felt at Gohad Fort a few days previously, and also last year at Datia Palace.

This place seems to be completely off the tourist radar and yet some investment has clearly taken place to make the visiting experience a more memorable one.

I can only hope that in the future efforts are made to promote Narwar Fort a little more, it has immense potential and I can easily see this being a great day excursion from Gwalior for both foreign and local Indian tourists.

History of Chahadadeva

No. 26 Rataul Plate of Chahadadeva^[42] mentions....[p.223]: We see from what has been said above that the surviving portion of the inscription supplies no clue as to the place of Chahadadeva in the Chahamana pedigree. Nor do the Sanskrit poems referred to in the preceding paragraph mention his name. It is true that in the genealogical tree of the Chahamana tribe published by Tod, Chahadadeva (spelt Chahirdeo) is shown as the younger brother of Prithviraja. But as Tod’s account of the Chahamanas is based on the Prithviraja Rasa which has been proved to be a forgery,³ we cannot accept this information as correct unless it is supported by some more reliable source. For the present, the question must remain an open one. There is one thing, however, about this prince which seems to be fairly certain, namely, that he is in all probability the same as the ruler of that name who flourished at Narwar (ancient Nalapura) in Gwalior State in the first half of the 13th century A.D. We shall examine the evidence in the following paragraphs.

General Cunningham has shown from an inscription discovered by him in the ancient fort of Narwar that the rulers of that place included a line of five chiefs the last of whom, Ganapati, was reigning in 1298 A.D. (Vikrama Samvat 1355).⁴

The genealogy of this family opens with Chahadadeva, whose coins bear dates Vikrama Samvat 1295 to 1311 (A.D. 1255).⁵ There is, however, an earlier ruler named Malayavarmadeva whose name figures in numismatic works under the Narwar family. His coins bear dates Samvat 1280, 1283 and 1290 and have been found at Narwar, Gwalior and Jhansi. General Cunningham was of opinion that Malayavarmadeva was a ruler of Narwar but that he belonged to a different dynasty and was ejected from Narwar by Chahadadeva who 'was consequently the founder of the above mentioned family of Narwar.⁶

Now, as the Chahamana Chahadadeva of the inscription under review flourished just about this time, if we are to judge from the type of characters used in it, I am inclined to think that the founder of the Narwar family was no other than his namesake of the Chahamana tribe. When precisely Chahadadeva or his family migrated to Narwar, cannot yet be determined. It may have happened after the downfall of Prithviraja when his followers escaped from Delhi and Ajmer in large numbers. The Muhammadan historians tell us very little about this period. But we learn from the Hammira-Mahakavya that not long after the defeat of Prithviraja the Chahamanas were turned out of Ajmer, when they retired to Ranathambhor, which continued in their possession until Hammira-deva was slain and the town captured by Alau-ddin in 1299 A.D.⁷ It is surprising that the Hammira-Mahakavya, as it exists,⁸ does not

1 Elliott, History of India, Vol. II, p. 216. According to Tod (Rajasthan, II, p. 451) Prithviraja had a son by name Rainsi who was slain in the battle with Shahabu-d-din.

2 Ind. Ant., Vol. VIII, pp. 61-62. Rajasthan, II, p. 451.

3 Journal of Beng. As. Soc., Vol. LV, Part I, pp. 5 ff.

4 Archeological Survey of India, Reports, Vol. II, p. 315, and Ind. Ant., Vol. XXII, p. 81.

5 Cunningham, Coins of Medieval India, pp. 92-93 and PI. X.

6 Later, Cunningham changed his opinion and declared that Malaya may have belonged to the same family. The latter view seems to me to be unlikely.

7 This last event is narrated by Muhammadan historians in detail. Cf. Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi in Elliott History of India, Vol. III, pp. 171-179. ’ 8 Mr. Kirtane made his analysis from a copy which is dated in Vikrama Samvat 1542, ie., 186 years after the death of Hammira.

[p.224]: mention the name of Chahadadeva among the chiefs of Ranathambhor. This, however, is not a serious objection. For we learn from a Muhammadan historian, named Maulana Minhaju-ddin, that in A.H. 632 (A.D. 1234) Shamsu-d-din Altamsh defeated at Ranathambhor a powerful ruler of the name of Chahadadeva who sustained another defeat in A. H. 649 (A.D. 1251) near Narwar at the hands of Ulugh Khan, the Commander of the forces of Balban.¹ This account must be correct, for Minhaju-d-din informs us that he heard of Chahadadeva’s bravery at the battle of Ranathambhor from the mouth of Nusratu-d-din Ta-yas‘ai himself who led Altamash’s forces on this occasion.² We may, therefore, conclude that Chahadadeva held sway over both Ranathambhor and Narwar where, indeed, he is said to have been born.³ This need not surprise us for we learn from the Delhi-Siwalik pillar inscription that at one time the Chahamanas ruled over the entire territory between the Himalayas and the Vindhyas. It also follows from what has been said above that Chahadadeva must have flourished just mid-way between the fall of Prithviraja and that of Hammira.

Another argument in favour of the identification of the Chahamana Chahadadeva of our inscription and the Chahadadeva of Narwar is afforded by numismatic records. The coins of Chahadadeva discovered at Narwar, etc. are of two kinds, namely those issued by him as an independent ruler and secondly those struck by him as a tributary to Altamsh. The coins of both these kinds are of the bull and horseman type like those of the Chahamana rulers and, what is more, those of the first kind also hear on the reverse the legend of Asavari-sri-Samantadeva⁴ which only occurs on the coins of the Chahamana Somesvara and his son Prithviraja.

It will be observed that in the inscription, Chahadadeva is called a Mahakumara or chief heir-apparent. The grant must consequently have been issued by him before his enthronement.

1 Cunningham (Coins of Medieval India, pp. 90-91) and Thomas (Pathans of Delhi, p. 67) maintained that one and the same Hindu chief was defeated at Ranathambhor and Narwar. According to Cunningham Major Raverty held that two different rulers were intended. This view is refuted by Major Raverty’s own translation of the Tabakat-i-Nasiri (p. 824) where both the defeats are clearly attributed to the same person.

2 Tabakat-i-Nasiri translated by Raverty, p. 825.

3 Ind. Ant, Vol. XXII, p. 81.

4 This legend is evidently developed from that of Sri-Samantadeva on the Tomara coins, which is perfectly natural, for the Chahamanas were the immediate successors of the Tomaras at Delhi. (See Palam Baoli inscription in Journal Beng. As. Soc., Vol. XLI1I, Part I, Pi. X.) inscription

5 A part of the top stroke of ma is extant. 6 Read - Kemdurs.

Narwar Inscription of the time of Gopaladeva

Source : Inscriptions of Shivpuri (Material For the History of Gopadri Region, p.428, Arvind Kumar Singh and Navneet Kumar Singh, BR Publishing Corporation, Delhi-110052

Narwar Inscription of the time of Gopaladeva

Find spot: Narwar, now in the Gujari Mahal Archaeological Museum, Gwalior

Date : Second half of 13th century

Description: Sircar suggests that the record belongs to Asalla's son Gopala, and probably was composed by Shivanabha, who drafted the other two records....The name of Gopala may have been mentioned in short form as Gopa in verse 7. Third verse introduces the hill fort of Nalapura, the capital of Yajvapala, also having the name of vishaya (ie district or territory Pādonalaksha). Then five verses are devoted to the genealogy of the ruling house. Of which the name of the first king Chahada (चाहड़) is partially preserved, followed by Nrivarman who defeated the king of Dhara and extracted tribute from him that suggests that Nrivarman probably have sided Hammira (probably as a prince in his father's time)in the letter's expedition over Malwa.Three persons namely, Skanda, Chandra and Parita referred in the inscription, might have been Yajvapala's generals who helped Nrivarman in his encounter with the king of Dhara. The next version introduces Nrivarman's son Asalladeva, married with Lavanyadevi. Afterwards it records description of the family of Mathura Kayastha, hailing from Gopagiri and belonging to Harita Gotra....

Narvar Inscription of Gopaldev 1282 AD

An Early Medieval Stone Slab Inscription from Narwar Fort 1281 AD

An Early Medieval Stone Slab Inscription from Narwar Fort, Madhya Pradesh

Source - Amol N. Bankar - https://www.heritageuniversityofkerala.com/JournalPDF/Volume3/28.pdf

Abstract: An inscription engraved on a stone slab is reported from the ruins of Fort Narwar. This inscription was recorded during the reign of Yajvapāla king Gopāladeva. This inscription records the installation and the perpetual obeisance to god Viṣṇu by Nāgo, wife of feudal chief named Acita. Certain expressions mentioned in this Early‐medieval inscription are very important from the perspectives of socio‐religious history.

Introduction: An inscription belonging to the reign of Gopāladeva was reported from Narwar (Coordinates: 25.32°N 77.97°E), the ancient Nalapura, which was the capital of the Yajvapāla dynasty in the latter half of the c. 13th century AD. The place lies in the Sipri (Shivpurī) District of Madhya Pradesh, about 26 KMs from Karērā and almost equidistant South‐east of Shivpurī. Narwar fort contains ruins of old palaces ascribed to the ruling house of the Yajvapālas. Numerous sculptural, epigraphical and architectural fragments are still to be seen used in most of the Muhammadan buildings. Ferishtā relates that the almost entire disappearance of the Hindu remains is due to the wholesome destruction by Sikandar Lodhi. In AH 913 (AD 1508) this iconoclast remained there for six months breaking down temples and building other monuments. The details of Lodhi invasion is also mentioned in the works of Afghan historian Niāmat‐ullāh (Cunningham 1872: 307‐328).

This inscription is written in Nāgarī characters of 13th Century AD of ordinary type and does not call for any special remark. The palaeography of this inscription is very similar to the memorial stone inscriptions from Baṅglā, an important place situated about 8 km East of Narwar. The language of the record is corrupt Sanskrit and the orthography and grammar of the inscription are greatly influenced by the local dialect.

The first line of the record shows the date in decimal figures only; it is the 11th of the bright half of Phālguna of the Vikrama year 1338. This can be calculated with ephemeris and corresponds to Sunday 2nd March, 1281 AD.

This inscription records the perpetual obeisance to the Hindu god Viṣṇu by Nāgo, the wife of a certain feudal chief (Maḍalīka or Māṁḍalīka) named Acita. The name of the ruling monarch is not attested in the inscription, but the date of the inscription falls under the reign of Yajvapāla king Gopāladeva (c. 1279‐89 AD).

Discussion

It seems that Nāgo, the lady mentioned in the inscription, was a devotee of ‘Viṣṇu‐devatā’ as appear from the adjective ‘Viṣṇu‐bhakta’ used for her. She had installed ‘Viṣṇu‐devatā’ on the 11th of the bright half of Phālguna. Every 11th day in the bright half of Phālguna is celebrated as Āmalakī Ekādaśī among the Hindus. The god Viṣṇu, for whom Ekādaśī’s are sacred, is believed to reside in the Āmalaka or Āmalaka tree (Phyllanthus emblica). The Āmalaka tree is ritually worshiped on this day to get the grace of the deity (Sehgal 1999:329). This festival involves fasting and worship, and often promises specific benefits for faithful performance (Lochtefeld 2002:30).

In Vratakhaṁḍa, Hemādrī had quoted verses from Mahābhārata, Varāha Purāṇa and Viṣṇudharmottara Purāṇa where worship of god Viṣṇu considered auspicious in the month of Phālguna. Hindu wives believe, through fasts and rituals they can uphold their Saubhāgya (the blessed state of being married). Because a wife’s ambition was to avoid becoming a widow, the religious practices a woman performs have everything to do with being a good wife for her husband and protector. The word women use to describe this ideal was pativratā, meaning ‘one who has taken a vow (vrata) to [protect] her husband (pati).’ Sometimes they employ this word loosely to refer to any wife. But even in this generic sense it has an ideological nuance, for it implies a conception of how a wife should behave and of the consequences her behaviour will bring. A wife becomes a good wife, a true pativrata, by selflessly serving her husband and his family. This service includes attending to ritual and other religious responsibilities.

Each household has its specific constellation of religious deities to whom household members, including women, owe devotion. They express this devotion in a number of ways. Among these is the performance of vratas, the vows that entail fasting. Besides weekly and fortnightly vratas there are annual vows, which accompany many major festivals. (Harlan 1991:45) The explanation for Nago to install as inscription can be evaluated in the frame of the more general conception widespread in all India about the pativratā.

Earlier Willis (1996) had considered Nāgo and Suhagā as names of Acita Maṁḍalīka’s two different wives, which seems to be incorrect. Here the word ‘Suhagā’ (appeared in line no.5) is very important from the perspectives of socio‐religious studies of the Early‐Medieval period. This word was probably adopted from the local dialect and same is suffixed after the name of the Nāgo. The word ‘Suhagā’ probably indicates ‘a woman whose husband is alive’ i.e. ‘the auspicious married state of a woman’. The Hindi word ‘Suhāga’ is philologically closer to the Sanskrit word ‘Saubhāgya’ and ‘Subhaga’, originally and literally meant ‘good fortune’ or ‘prosperity’, but it came to have as its established meaning (Virūḍhalakṣaṇa) so the good fortune of the happily married woman whose husband is alive. Apte had given ‘Saubhāgya’ as ‘chiefly consisting in a man’s and woman’s securing the favor and firm devotion of each other’. A very similar expression ‘Avidhava’, which means ‘one with her husband alive’ is noted in the Early Historic inscription engraved on the pedestal of a Lajjāgaurī image installed by Mahādevī Kharhduvula the queen of Iśvāku king Ehavala Chaṁtamula at Nāgarjunakonda (Tewari 1987: 31).

Also, the phrase ‘Visnudevatā yāpyo’ in line no 2 and 3 of the inscription, can be roughly translated as ‘may the visnu devatā cause everything well’. Willis (1996) and Deshpande (1975: 55) had associated the verse ‘Visnudevatā yāpyo’ with the installation of Viṣṇu. This inscription is engraved on the left side of dvāraśākhā (door‐frame) of an Early Medieval single‐celled shrine. The dvāraśākhā of this temple is well carved. The decoration consists of band of plain lozenge shapes with diverse ornamentation (ratnaśākhā) and decoration with human figures (naraśākhā). The lalātabiṃba or dvāralalāṭa and uttarāṅga (pediment) of this shrine possess similar sculptural ornamentation. The uduṃbara (threshold) has no projections or offsets in the centre, it is adorned by floral object flaked with human figures seated on makara, elephants and lions on either sides. The dvāraśākhā is adorned by images of river‐goddesses Gangā and Yamunā. The dvārapāla (door‐keepers) figures standing in tribhaṅga are much damaged and they are holding gadā (mace) and other attributes are indistinct. The images placed in this shrine do not belong to the original shrine. It is complicated to verify the sectarian affiliation of the original temple as this shrine was destructed by the iconoclasts during medieval times and hence, it is difficult to determine if Nāgo constructed a temple, installed an image of Viṣṇu or just inscribed her obeisance in the epigraph.

The expression ‘Praṇamati nityaṁ’ in line nos. 6 and 7 cites the very common way of paying perpetual obeisance to a deity in an epigraph. We can locate several such inscriptions stating obeisance of devotees to their tutelary deities. The iconographical representation of a devotee paying obeisance to a deity was also common during the Early Medieval period.

Vikrama year 1338 (AD 1281) is very important in the history of Narwar. Several inscriptions from Baṅglā were reported by Sircar. They refer to a battle between the Yajvapāla king Gopāladeva and the Chandella monarch Viravarman (AD 1261 ‐ 1286).

All the warriors commemorated in these records are stated to have fallen in field while fighting on behalf of the Narwar ruler Gōpāladēva, which may perhaps indicate that ultimately he came out victorious. The whole incident appears to have been that the Chandēlla forces took the initiative and penetrated into the Yajvapāla territories, but soon after they crossed the river, they were defeated and driven back by the army of the Yajvapāla king. Sircar had documented 15 inscriptions found on stone pillars/hero‐ stones commemorating warriors killed in battle and often bearing representations of foot‐men, horsemen and elephant‐riders engaged in battle and fallen warriors worshipping the śiva‐liṅga and enjoying the company of celestial damsels in heaven. On some pillars the persons are represented as worshipping the śiva‐liṅga jointly with their wives, implying thereby that the ladies committed Sati on the funeral pyre of their husbands. (Sircar 1987: 324‐336). The date of the Narwar inscription is four weeks prior to the battle between the Yajvapāla and Chandēlla forces. Seven of the Baṅglā inscriptions, gives the date as 7th of the bright half of Caitra of the Vikrama year 1338, which corresponds to Friday, 28th of March, 1281 AD. The mention of the week‐day as Friday in all these inscriptions goes to indicate that the battle lasted only for a day or two.

The Narwar inscription indicates that the feudal chief Acita was alive on 2nd March, 1281 AD. Unfortunately we don’t know whether Acita participated in the battle or not, or if he survived after the battle. At least he is not mentioned in the list of deceased warriors in the Banglā inscriptions (Sircar 1987: 324‐336).

Concluding Remarks

The present inscription emphasizes the Early Medieval custom of paying perpetual obeisance to a god in the form of epigraph. This also highlights the socio‐religious status of woman during the 13th century AD and illustrates how the quest for Saubhāgya (the blessed state of being married) among early mediaeval Hindu wives was constantly enhanced through fasts and rituals. Here the installation and worship of ‘Viṣṇu devatā’ on the 11th day in the bright half in the month of Phālguna (Āmalaka /Āmalakī Ekādaśī) is mentioned in this inscription.

Acknowledgements I am extremely grateful to Mr. Lallesh Kumar, Jiwaji University, Gwalior for sharing valuable bibliographical references and images of inscriptions.

References

Cunningham, A. 1872. ‘Four Reports Made During the Years 1862‐63‐64‐65’, Vol. 2. Archaeological Survey of India, Simla: Government Central Press. p. 307‐328.

Deshpande, M.N. (Ed.) 1975. ‘Indian Archalogy: A Review’. Year 1971‐72. Archaeological Survey of India. New Delhi: Archaeological Survey of India. p. 55.
Harlan, L. 1991. ‘Religion and Rajput Woman: The Ethic of Protection in Contemporary Narratives’. University of California, Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 45.

Lochtefeld, J. G. 2002. ‘The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A‐M’. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group. p.30.

Sehgal, S. 1999. ‘Encyclopedia of Hinduism’. Vol. II (C‐G), New Delhi: Sarup and Sons, p. 329.
Sircar, D.C. 1987. ‘Inscriptions of the Time of Yajvapala Gopala’. in ‘Epigraphia Indica’. Vol. XXXI, Archaeological Survey of India. New Delhi: Archaeological Survey of India. p. 323‐336.

Tewari, S. P. 1987. ‘Contributions of Sanskrit Inscriptions to Lexicography’.Delhi: Agam Kala Prakashan. p.31.

Willis, M. D. 1996. ‘Inscriptions of Gopakṣetra: Materials for the History of Central India’. British Museum. London: British Museum Press.

नरवर

विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर^[43] ने लिखा है....1. नरवर (AS, p.479) = नलपुर: मध्य प्रदेश राज्य के शिवपुरी जिले में ग्वालियर के समीप सिंध नदी के ठीक पूर्व में स्थित है। यहाँ स्थित क़िला, जो विंध्य पर्वतश्रेणी की एक खड़ी चट्टान पर स्थित है, मध्यकालीन भारतीय इतिहास में महत्त्वपूर्ण स्थान रखता था। महाभारत में वर्णित नलोपाख्यान (वनपर्व) के नायक राजा नल की राजधानी नलपुर या नरवर में थी. 'नलपुर' नाम का उल्लेख 12वीं शताब्दी तक के संस्कृत अभिलेखों में है. यहाँ का पहाड़ी किला सर्वप्रथम कछवाहा -राजपूतों के अधिकार में था. इसके पश्चात 15वीं शती में नारपुर मानसिंह तोमर (1486-1516 ई.) के अधिकार में रहा. मानसिंह और मृगनयनी की प्रसिद्ध प्रेम कथा से नरवर का सम्बन्ध बताया जाता है। कहते हैं कि नरपुर के विषय में स्थानीय रूप से प्रसिद्ध कहावत 'नरपुर चढ़े न बेड़नी बूंदी छपे न छींट, गुदनोटा भोजन नहीं एरछ पके न ईंट,'--लगभग इसी समय प्रचलित हुई थी.

राजस्थान की प्रसिद्ध प्रेम कथा ढोला-मारु का नायक ढोला, नरवर नरेश का पुत्र बताया गया है। मारू या मरवण पूंगलगढ़ की राजकुमारी थी. नरवर परवर्ती काल में मालवा के सुल्तानों के कब्जे में रहा और 18वीं शताब्दी में मराठों के आधिपत्य में चला गया। 19वीं शताब्दी के आरंभ में मराठा सरदार सिंधिया ने इसे जीत लिया। परकोटे से घिरे इस नगर के बाहर तोमर सरदारों के स्मारक स्तंभ खड़े हैं। सिंधिया के समय के भी कुछ स्मारक, हवापोर, एकखम्बाछतरी आदि यहा स्थित हैं.

2. नरवर (AS, p.479) = नरवर अलीगढ़, उत्तर प्रदेश में गंगा नदी के तट पर स्थित राजघाट से 3 मील (लगभग 4.8 कि.मी.) दूर स्थित है। यहाँ प्रचलित जनश्रुति है कि महाराज नल की इसी स्थान पर राजधानी थी। नरवर के निकटवर्ती प्रदेश को 'नल क्षेत्र' कहा जाता है। (दे.नरवर)

नरेसर - नलेसर - नरराष्ट्र - नलराष्ट्र

विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर^[44] ने लिखा है....नलेसर (AS, p.482): नरेसर अथवा 'नलेसर' ग्वालियर, मध्य प्रदेश का एक ऐतिहासिक ग्राम था। ग्वालियर के दुर्ग से प्राय: 10 मील की दूरी पर उत्तर-पूर्व वनप्रांत के अंतर्गत नरेसर ग्राम के खंडहर उपस्थित हैं। 11वीं-12वीं शतियों के मंदिरों तथा मूर्तियों के ध्वंसावशेष भी यहाँ से प्राप्त हुए हैं, जिनमें से अधिकांश शैव मत से संबंध रखते हैं। (दे. नरराष्ट्र)^[45]

विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर^[46] ने लिखा है....नरराष्ट्र (AS, p.478): महाभारत, सभापर्व के अनुसार पांडव सहदेव ने अपनी दिग्विजय यात्रा में नरेसर को जीता था-'नरराष्ट्रं च निर्जित्य कुंतिभोजमुपाद्रवत्, प्रीतिपूर्व च तरयासो प्रतिजग्राह शासनम्'^[47] अर्थात् "सहदेव ने अपनी दिग्विजय यात्रा के प्रसंग में नरराष्ट्र को जीतकर कुंतिभोज पर चढ़ाई की।" इससे नरराष्ट्र की स्थिति कुंतिभोज (=कोटवार, जिला ग्वालियर, मध्य प्रदेश) के निकट प्रमाणित होती है. हमारे मत में ग्वालियर के दुर्ग से प्राय: 10 मील उत्तर-पूर्व के अंतर्गत बसे हुए इस ग्राम का अभिज्ञान नरराष्ट्र से किया जा सकता है। नरेसर को नालेश्वर का अपभ्रंश कहा जाता है. नरराष्ट्र और नरेसर नामों में ध्वनिसाम्य तो है ही, इसके अतिरिक्त नरेसर बहुत प्राचीन भी है, क्योंकि यहाँ से अनेक पूर्व मध्यकालीन मंदिरों तथा मूर्तियों के ध्वंसावशेष भी मिले हैं। नरेसर के खंडहर विस्तीर्ण भू-भाग में फैले हुए हैं, और संभव है कि यहाँ से उत्खनन में और अधिक प्राचीन अवशेष प्राप्त हों।

नरराष्ट्र, नलराष्ट्र का भी रूपांतरण हो सकता है. उस दशा में इसका संबंध राजा नल से जोड़ना संभव होगा. क्योंकि राजा नल की कथा की घटनास्थली नरवर (प्राचीन नलपुर) निकट ही स्थित है. महाभारत की कई प्रतियों में नरराष्ट्र को नवराष्ट्र लिखा है जो अशुद्ध जान पड़ता है.

राजा नल की नगरी नरवर अब है हेरिटेज टाउन

शिवपुरी शहर से 28 किमी. दूर एबी रोड सतनवाडा से होकर नरवर तक पहुंच सकते हैं। आजादी के पहले नरवर जिला हुआ करता था। बाद में शिवपुरी को जिला बनाया गया। राजा नल और दमयंती की नगरी माने जाने वाले नरवर का इतिहास काफी पुराना है। यहां एक किस्सा प्रचलित है कि जब राजा नल सारा राजपाट जुए में हार गए थे तो वे राजपाट छोड़कर कहीं जा रहे थे तभी वहां मंदिर में पसर देवी की प्रतिमा प्रकट हुई। मान्यता है कि देवी आज भी राजा नल के खजाने की रक्षा कर रही हैं। दरअसल, यहां महल में ही पसर देवी का प्रसिद्ध और प्राचीन मंदिर है। किले में पत्थर का विशाल सीप भी है जिसमें बड़ी मात्रा में चंदन घोला जाता था। नरवर को हेरिटेज टाउन का दर्जा भी दिया जा रहा है। किले की तलहटी में मां लोढी का मंदिर है।^[48]

राजस्थान के चाहर गोत्र से संबंध

ऋषि - भृगु
वंश - अग्नि
मूल निवास - आबू पर्वत राजस्थान। शिव के गले में अर्बुद नाग रहता है उसी के नाम पर इस पर्वत का नाम आबू पर्वत पड़ा।
कुलदेव - भगवान सोमनाथ
कुलदेवी - ज्वालामुखी
पित्तर - इस वंश में संवत 1145 विक्रम (सन 1088 ई.) में नत्थू सिंह पुत्र कँवरजी पित्तर हुए हैं, जिनकी अमावस्या को धोक लगती है। इस वंश की बादशाह इल्तुतमिश (r. 1211–1236) (गुलाम वंश) से जांगल प्रदेश के सर नामक स्थान पर लड़ाई हुई।

राजा चाहर देव - इस लड़ाई के बाद चाहरों की एक शाखा नरवर नामक स्थान पर चली गयी। सन् 1298 ई. में नरवर पर राजा चाहरदेव का शासन था। यह प्रतापी राजा मुस्लिम आक्रांताओं के साथ लड़ाई में मारा गया और चाहर वंश ब्रज प्रदेश और जांगल प्रदेश में बस गया। इतिहासकारों को ग्वालियर के आस-पास खुदाई में सिक्के मिले हैं जिन पर एक तरफ अश्वारूढ़ राजा की तस्वीर है और दूसरी और अश्वारूढ़ श्रीसामंत देव लिखा है। इतिहासकार इसे राजा चाहरदेव के सिक्के मानते हैं।^[49]इससे नरवर किले पर चाहर वंशज जाटों का शासन होने की पुष्टि होती है.^[50]

राजा चाहडपाल

राजा चाहडपाल को नरवर का अंतिम जाट राजा माना जाता है इसके सिक्के मुद्राए नरवर और चाहरवाटी क्षेत्र से बड़ी संख्या में मिली हैं । जाट सम्राट चाहड़पाल के वंसज आज चाहरवाटी छेत्र में निवास करते हैं । इसके सिक्को पर शिवजी का प्रिय नंदी का अंकन है साथ ही चाहर देवा लिखा हुआ है दूसरी तरफ एक अश्व सवार का अंकन है इसके वंशज चाहर वाटी क्षेत्र में आकर बस गए इनके बाद नरवर पर कच्छपघात जाति का पुन अधिकार हो गया जो आगे जाकर कुशवाहा ,कच्छवा नाम से जानी गई।

नरवर का किला: विदेशी यात्री टिफिनथलर ने नरवर किले की सुरक्षा के बारे में वर्णन करते हुए लिखा है कि – “नरवर किले को जीत पाना बेहद दुष्कर है। सुरक्षा के दृष्टि से इसका कोई जवाब नहीं”। इस शहर का ऐतिहासिक महत्व भी रहा है और इसे 12वीं शताब्दी तक नालापुरा के नाम से जाना जाता था। इस महल का नाम राजा नल के नाम पर रखा गया है जिनके और दमयंती की प्रेमगाथाएं महाकाव्य महाभारत में पढ़ने को मिलती हैं। आज भी नरवर में नाग राजाओं के सिक्के तथा अन्य पुरातत्वीय सामग्री बहुतायत में मिलती है। नरवर का किला समुद्र-तल से 1600 और भू-तल से 500 फीट की ऊंचाई पर स्थित है. लगभग 8 वर्ग किमी के क्षेत्र में फैला हुआ है इस दुर्ग के पूर्वी ओर पूर्व से पश्चिम दिशा की ओर लंबवत् एक दूसरा पहाड़ है, जिसे हजीरा पहाड़ कहते है, क्योंकि इसके पश्चिमी भाग के शिखर पर दो कलात्मक हजीरा निर्मित हैं। दुर्ग के दक्षिण–पश्चिम एवं उत्तर में लगी हुई सिंध एवं पूर्व से अहीर नदी ने चारो ओर से प्राकृतिक सुरक्षा प्रदान कर दी है। नरवर दुर्ग में अनेक हिंदू मंदिर निर्मित है। कनिंघम के अनुसार किले की भौगोलिक संरचना अजीब है, यह एक बत्तख के सिर, गर्दन और पेट जैसी है। लेकिन आज नक्शे के आधार पर यह सर्वविदित है कि किले के वायवीय दृश्य में उसकी संरचना कंगारू जैसी है। किले पर प्रवेश के लिए चार मुख्य द्वार हैं। एक द्वार पूर्व देशा में नरवर सदर बाजर से, द्वितीय द्वार पश्चिम दिशा में उरवाही द्वार, तृतीय द्वार दूलह द्वार उत्तर में, तथा चतुर्थ पश्चिम दक्षिण दिशा में।

प्राचीन काल से ही किले के दो द्वार चालू रहे हैं। किले की सम्पूूर्ण पहाडी का ढलान एकदम सीधा है। किले में चारों द्वारों के अतिरिक्त चढना अत्यन्त दुष्कर है।

Reference - Facebook Post of Laxman Ram Jat, 29.7.2021

नरवर दुर्ग

नरवर दुर्ग भारत के मध्य प्रदेश राज्य के शिवपुरी ज़िले के नरवर नगर में स्थित एक ऐतिहासिक दुर्ग है। यह विंध्य पर्वतमाला की एक पहाड़ी पर 500 फुट की ऊँचाई पर खड़ा है और 8 वर्ग किमी के क्षेत्रफल पर फैला है। यह किला मूलतः सूर्यवंशी कछवाहा गोत्री क्षत्रिय राजा नल द्वारा निर्मित किया गया था. राजा नल और विदर्भ देश की राजकुमारी दमयंती की प्रेम कहानी इसी किले से जुड़ी है. कहा जाता है कि यहाँ एक पुराना सैन्य निर्माण था.

कछवाहों के बाद नरवर दुर्ग पर परिहार और फ़िर तोमर राजपूतों का आधिपत्य रहा और अन्ततः यह 16वीं शताब्दी में मुगलों के अधीन आ गया, किंतु इस पर से राजपूत शासन चले जाने के कारण आस पास के राजपूत सरदारों और जमींदारों ने स्वयं को स्वतंत्र घोषित कर दिया. जो राजपूत सरदार पहले से ही स्वतंत्र शासन कर रहे थे, वे भी शक्तिशाली थे. उनमे एक बड़ी और शक्तिशाली जमींदारी रायपुर रही जिसपर पवैया चौहानों का अधिकार था. उस समय नरवर से मालवा की और जाने का यहां से एक प्रमुख मार्ग था जो कि चौहानों के अधिकार में होने के कारण मुगलों को रास नहीं आ रहा था. मुगलों के अनेक प्रयासों के वाद भी वे कुछ नहीं कर सके. रायपुर के चौहान निरंतर अपनी सीमाओं का विकास कर रहे थे और शक्ति में वृद्धि कर रहे थे. संभवतः चौहान जल्द ही नरवर पर अधिकार कर लेते किंतु कालान्तर में 19वीं शताब्दी के आरम्भ में यहां मराठा सरदार सिन्धिया ने अधिकार किया और चौहानों से रक्षित करने का प्रयास किया किंतु लोक कथाओं से पता चलता हे कि चौहानों ने मराठों को भी कभी कर नहीं दिया. आल्हा काव्य मे नरवर गढ़ को मोहरम गढ भी कहा गया है. जहा के राजा मोतीमल बघेल के नाम का उल्लेख है. यहाँ पर दांगी शासक नेपाल सिंह दांगी नेे राज्य किया जिसने 1150 ई. के बाद यह किला छोड़ दिया.

राजा: नरवर का किला बुंदेलखंड में पहले एवं मध्य भारत के ग्वालियर किले के बाद दूसरे नंबर का है। नरवर दुर्ग नाग राजाओं की राजधानी था। यहां नव नाग राजाओं ने राज किया। ये राजा इस प्रकार से थे:

भीम नाग (57–82ई.)
खुर्जर नाग (82–107ई.)
वत्स नाग (107–132ई.)
स्कंधनाग (132–187ई.)
बृहस्पति नाग (187–202ई.)
गणपति नाग (202–226ई.)
व्याग्र नाग (226–252ई.)
वसुनाग (252–277ई.)
देवनाग (277–300ई.)

इनके बाद समुद्र गुप्त ने नाग राजाओं पर आक्रमण किया एवं इस वंश को समाप्त कर किले को अधीन किया। इस बारे में इलाहाबाद स्तंभ में उल्लेख मिलते हैं। L-21. रुद्रदेव-मतिल-नागदत्त-चन्द्रवर्मा-गणपतिनाग-नागसेनाच्युत-नन्दि-बल-वर्म्मा-द्यनेकार्य्यावर्त्त- राज-प्रसभोद्धरणोद्धृत-प्रभाव-महत:4 परिचारकीकृत-सर्व्वाटविक-राजस्य

पौराणिक सन्दर्भ: महाभारत कालीन नरवर का उल्लेख श्री हर्ष रचित नैषिधीयचरितम् में निषध नगर या निषध देश के नाम से विस्तारपूर्वक मिलता है। प्रसिद्ध संस्कृत सूक्ति नरवर (तत्कालीन नलपुर) के राजा नल द्वारा अपनी पत्नी दमयन्ती को कही गयी:

चउओते। मितं च सारं च वचो हि वागमिता॥ — नैषिधीयचिरतम् (सरग - ९)

नरवर का किला भारतीय किलों की शान और अत्यन्त प्राचीन व सबसे सुरक्षित किला माना जात है। विदेशी यात्री टिफिनथलर ने नरवर किले की सुरक्षा के बारे में वर्णन करते हुए लिखा है कि - "नरवर किले को जीत पाना बेहद दुष्कर है। सुरक्षा के दृष्टि से इसका कोई जवाब नहीं"। इस शहर का ऐतिहासिक महत्व भी रहा है और इसे 12वीं शताब्दी तक नलपुर के नाम से जाना जाता था। इस महल का नाम राजा नल के नाम पर रखा गया है जिनके और दमयंती की प्रेमगाथाएं महाकाव्य महाभारत में पढ़ने को मिलती हैं।

भौगोलिक स्थिति: इस दुर्ग के पूर्वी ओर पूर्व से पश्चिम दिशा की ओर लंबवत् एक दूसरा पहाड़ है, जिसे हजीरा पहाड़ कहते है, क्योंकि इसके पश्चिमी भाग के शिखर पर दो कलात्मक हजीरा निर्मित हैं। दुर्ग के दक्षिण–पश्चिम एवं उत्तर में लगी हुई सिंध नदी एवं पूर्व से अहीर नदी ने चारों ओर से प्राकृतिक सुरक्षा प्रदान कर दी है। नरवर दुर्ग में अनेक हिंदू मंदिर निर्मित है।

Jat History

Chahar (चाहर) (Jat clan) was the Gotra of Raja Chahar Deo (चाहर देव) (1298 AD) who ruled at the Narwar Fort in Shivpuri of Gwalior region at the end of 13th century. Coins of Chahar Deo are found in the region with "Asawar Sri Samant Deo" marked on one side and "King riding horse" on the other side. Raja Chahar Deo ruled Narwar till vikram samwat 1355 (=1298 AD). After the fall of his rule at Narwar his descendents moved to "Brij Bhumi" region of Uttar Pradesh. Other group of Chahar Jats moved to Matsya and Jangladesh regions of Rajasthan.

Nagavanshi Jats had been rulers of Narwar Fort for a long time. Nine Naga rulers ruled from Padmavati. Alexander Cunningham identified Padmavati with present Narwar (Shivpuri) near Gwalior.^[51]

Bhima Naga (57–82)
Khurjara Naga (82–107)
Vatsa Naga (107–132)
Skanda Naga (132–187)
Brahaspati Naga (187–202)
Ganapati Naga (202–226)
Vyaghra Naga (226–252)
Vasu Naga (252–277)
Deva Naga (277–300)

Dilip Singh Ahlawat ^[52] mentions that the Naga Jats ruled over Kantipur, Mathura, Padmavati, Kausambi, Nagpur, Champavati, (Bhagalpur) and in the central India, in western Malwa, Nagaur (Jodhpur- Rajasthan). In addition they ruled the ancient land of Shergarh, (Kota, Rajasthan), Madhya Pradesh (Central India), Chutiya Nagpur, Khairagarh, Chakra Kotiya and Kawardha.

Jat Gotras Namesake

Chahar (चाहर) (Jat clan) → Raja Chahar Deo (चाहर देव) (1298 AD) ruled at the Narwar Fort in Gwalior region at the end of 13th century. Coins of Chahar Deo are found in the region with "Asawar Sri Samant Deo" marked on one side and "King riding horse" on the other side. Raja Chahar Deo ruled Narwar till vikram samwat 1355 (=1298 AD). After the fall of his rule at Narwar his descendents moved to "Brij Bhumi" region of Uttar Pradesh. Other group of Chahar Jats moved to Matsya and Jangladesh regions of Rajasthan.

Naga (नाग) (Jat clan) → Nagavanshi Jats had been rulers of Narwar Fort in Shivpuri district for a long time. Nine Naga rulers ruled from Padmavati. Alexander Cunningham identified Padmavati with present Narwar (Shivpuri) near Gwalior.^[53] This is confirmed by Dilip Singh Ahlawat ^[54] mentions that the Naga Jats ruled over Kantipur, Mathura, Padmavati, Kausambi, Nagpur, Champavati, (Bhagalpur) and in the central India, in western Malwa, Nagaur (Jodhpur- Rajasthan).

Nala (नल) (Jat clan) → Nalapura (नलपुर) = Narwar (नरवर) is town in Narwar tahsil of Shivpuri district in Madhya Pradesh, India. It was known by the name Nalapura till 12 century.