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Chadar (Hindi: चडार / चढार) is a Hindu caste found in central region of India. The other surnames used by peoples of this caste are Chidar, Charar, Athiya, Chandel, Pawar, Soniya, Vilye, Gehlot, Sutrakar, Sandariya, Verma, Sagar, Charul, Thakur, Pushkar, Chandravansi.

These are known to be Chandra Vanshi Kshatriya. Only few thousand chadar people currently exist and the number of chadars is continuously decreasing. Thus, they are moving towards minority community. The Chadar have customs and lifestyle like tribes. Chadars do not marry outside their community. The marriages are restricted within Chadar and subcaste of Chadar.

Surname and Pronunciation [link]

Chadar (Hindi:चडार) is commonly pronounced as Cha_daa_r.

Chadar kshatriya were known for very aggressive attacks (चढाइ) on enemy. The chadar / chadhar (चडार or चढार) surname originated from the word Chadhai (Hindi: चढाइ) which means Attack for which Chadars were known.

Other Surnames used by Chadars [link]

The other names used by people of this caste are:

1. Athya
2. Chidar
3. Charar
4. Athiya
5. Chandel
6. Pawar
7. Soniya
8. Vilye
9. Gehlot
10. Sandariya
11. Verma
12. Sutrakar
13. Charul
14. Thakur
15. Pushkar
16. Chandravansi
17. Gohiya
18. Sarawat
19. Bunkar

Origin [link]

The origin of chadar is from Chittorgarh Rajsthan and their near regions like Kota, Bundi, etc. The Chadars are known to be descendants of Chandela's. From the ninth century to the 13th century, the Chandelas ruled over central India. Their first capital city was Khajuraho, which was later shifted to Mahoba. They are regarded to be Chandravanshi; i.e., the descendants of the Som (Sanskrit literal meaning: moon). The Chandela are a Rajput clan found in Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, a dynasty, who ruled much of the Bundelkhand region of central India for long periods between the 10th and the 13th centuries AD. The Chandela dynasty is famous in Indian history for sculptures at temples of Khajuraho which is now a world heritage site.

Muslim invasions [link]

After about two centuries of obscurity a notable Chandella ruler Keerat Pal Singh rose to power and re-established his domain over Kalinjar and Mahoba. His illustrious daughter Durgavati was married to Gond ruler Dalpat-shah of Garh Mandla (near Jabalpur) in 1543 A.D. Later, Keerat Pal Singh battled bravely with Sher Shah Suri, while defending Kalinjar fort in 1545. Sher Shah, however, captured the fort after a prolonged fight but was killed in an explosion while directing final assault on the fort.

The account of Rani Durgavati's deeds is most glorious. She administered her territory admirably well after the death of Raja Dalpat Shah and in 1564 A.D. gallantly resisted the unprovoked aggression of Mughal Emperor Akbar, whose general Asif Khan attracted Garh Mandla to annex Rani's territory. The Rani gave a brave fight but lost her life in the battle-field. The aggression of Akbar on women rulers like Durga Wati and Chand-bibi tarnish his image as a liberal ruler.

There ends the saga of brave and valorous, patron of art and culture, rich and devout kings of the Chandela dynasty who ruled over central India for half a millennium. Their kingdom decreased and expanded in size in accordance with the velour and fortune of the individual ruler. But the most important objects which nearly every king left behind are the magnificent and exquisitely carved temples, thereby engraving their names in history in the golden letters.

Geographical distribution [link]

This caste is found mainly in districts of Madhya Pradesh (Jabalpur, Damoh, Sagar, Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior), including Uttar Pradesh (Jhansi, Lalitpur), Maharashtra (Mumbai, Nagpur, Amravati) and Rajasthan (Kota).

Occupation [link]

Chadars are mostly in government service. They are also considered to be good farmers. Being brave fighters and kshatriya, Chadar are the representative, commonly called Gram Rakshak (also Kotewar / Kutwar), of Govt. of Madhya Pradesh in most of the villages of Jabalpur, Damoh, Sagar etc.

References [link]