Dabhi

The Dabhi are a Rajput clan found in the state of Gujarat in India. They are a clan of the Jadaun Rajputs, and as such are Chandravanshi. The Dabhi are found mainly in Mahesan and Danta.

Origin

The Dabhi claim descent from an ascetic named Dabshilim, who had a claim to the throne. At his request Mahmud of Ghazni carried him to Ghazni for safe custody another Dabshilim, a relative whose pretensions the newly made king dreaded, and detained him until king Dabshilim was securely seated on his throne, when he sent him back to Gujarat at the king's request. When the prisoner approached Anhilvara the king, according to custom, went forth to meet him, and, arriving at the appointed spot before him, passed the time in hunting. At length, overpowered by the heat and by fatigue, he lay down under a tree to rest, covering his face with a red handkerchief. A bird of prey, taking the handkerchief for a piece of flesh, swooped down upon it and, driving his talons into the king's eyes, destroyed his sight. One so injured was disqualified from reigning, and the prisoner Dabshilim, arriving at that moment, was acclaimed by the popular voice as king, while the blinded man was confined in the dungeon under the throne-room which he had destined for his relative.