Gora (clan)

Gora ( _hi. गोरा) or Gor or Gaur is a clan or gotra of Jats found in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh in north India. In ancient times ruled in Ajmer-Merwara, Mewar, and Bundi-Sirohi areas in Rajasthan. They are descendants of Pingala Nagavanshi. [Dr Mahendra Singh Arya, Dharmpal Singh Dudi, Kishan Singh Faujdar & Vijendra Singh Narwar: Ādhunik Jat Itihasa (The modern history of Jats), Agra 1998, Page 237 ]

In Bhat records they have been mentioned as Gor of Ajmer. The period of their inhabitance in this area was prior to the rule of Chauhans. [James Todd: Annals and antiquities of Rajasthan]

Gora in Rigveda

Bhim Singh Dahiya in his book "Aryan Tribes and the Rig Veda" has mentioned that Gora is a Rigvedic clan. In Rigveda it has been written as Ghaura (1/36-43) that is present Jat clan Gora or Gaur or Gauri. [Bhim Singh Dahiya: "Aryan Tribes and the Rig Veda"]

Inscription at Chhoti Sadri

Gors have been mentioned in an inscription found in 'Bhavar Mata' (भवर माता) temple on a hillock near village 'Chhoti Sadri' (छोटी सादड़ी) in Chittorgarh district. It is in Brahmi script and Sanskrit language. Thakur Deshraj, Jat Itihas (Hindi), Maharaja Suraj Mal Smarak Shiksha Sansthan, Delhi, 1934, 2nd edition 1992, Page-591 ] Pandit Gauri Shankar Hirachand Ojha has written about the inscription of 'Chhoti Sadri' in an article published in "Nagari pracharini-patrika, part 13, issue-1" under the title "Gaur namak agyat kshatriya vansh - गौर नामक अज्ञात क्षत्रिय वंश". Some lines from that inscription are as under in Sanskrit language: Thakur Deshraj, Jat Itihas (Hindi), Maharaja Suraj Mal Smarak Shiksha Sansthan, Delhi, 1934, 2nd edition 1992 Pages 591-92]

:तस्या प्रणम्य प्रकरोम्यह x x जस्त्रम

:(कीर्तिशु) भां गुणा गणोघम (पींन्टपाणाम) (3)

:x x कुलो (भद्) वव (ञ् श) गौरा

:क्षात्रेप (दे) सतत दीक्षित x शौंडा ।

:x x x

:धान्य सोम इति क्षत्र गणस्य मध्ये (4)

:... ... ...

:x x किल राज्य जित प्रतापो

:यो राज्यवर्द्धण (न) गुणै कृत नाम धेयः

:x x x

:जातः सुतो करि करायत दीर्घ बाहु ।

:नाम्ना स राष्ट्र इति प्रोद्धत पुन्य (पय) कीर्ति (6)

:सोयम यशो भरण भूषित सर्व गात्रः

:प्रोत्फुल पद्मः ......तायत चारु नेत्रः ।

:दक्षो दयालु रिह शासित शत्रु पक्षः ।

:क्षमां शासति ....यश गुप्त इति क्षितीन्दुः (8)

:तेनेयं भूतधात्री क्रतु मिरिहचिता (पूर्व) श्रंगेव भाति

:प्रासादे रद्रि तुंगैः शशिकर वषुषैः स्थापितेः भूषिताद्य

:नाना दानेन्दु शुभ्रैर्द्विजवर भवनैर्येन लक्ष्मीर्व्विभक्ता ।

:x x x स्थित यश वषुशा श्री महाराज गौरः (11)

:यातेषु पंचसु शतेष्वथ वत्सराणाम्

:द्वे विंशतीसम धिकेषु स सप्तकेषु ।।

:माघस्य शुक्ल दिवसे त्वगमत्प्रतिष्ठाम् ।

:प्रोत्फुल्ल कुन्द धवलोज्वलिते दश म्याम् (13)

The above inscription proves that Maharaja Dhanya soma (धान्य सोम) was a popular king of Gor kshatriya clan. Rajyavardhan (राज्यवर्द्धण), Rashtra (राष्ट्र) and Yasha Gupta (यश गुप्त) rulers followed in succession. The inscription also reveals that the Gor kings had constructed goddess temple in memory of their ancestors on "magha shukla 10" in samvat 547 (491 AD). The inscription proves the rule of Gor kings near 'Chhoti Sadadi' place in Rajasthan in 6th century. They were considered to be powerful till the rule of Maharana Raimal. Thakur Deshraj, Jat Itihas (Hindi), Maharaja Suraj Mal Smarak Shiksha Sansthan, Delhi, 1934, 2nd edition 1992, Page - 592 ]

Gora in Eurasia

*Góra is a town in Poland
*Gora, region inhabited by Gorani, on the southernmost tip of Serbia
*Gora is a Slavic word meaning mountain or forest.

Notable persons from this clan

* Gora Badal - Gora Badal has been a legendary warrior from Gora clan who fought very bravely in the war of Gayasuddin with Rana Raimal in 1488. Gora Badal has been mentioned in history as warrior who protected Padmini. Pandit Gaori Shankar Hirachand Ojha has clarified in the article published in "Nagari pracharini-patrika, part 13, issue-1" under the title "Gaur namak agyat kshatriya vansh - गौर नामक अज्ञात क्षत्रिय वंश", that Gora and Badal mentioned in literature as two separate persons are in fact one person. Badal is his name and Gora was his clan. He was so brave that he could kill many muslims simultaneously. One burj has been mentioned in his name as Gaur-burj. The story of Gora Badal has been depicted on a wall painting in Eklingaji temple in Udaipur. Two dome shaped houses have been constructed in the name of Gora-Badal Mahal, south of Padmini Mahal, in Chittorgarh fort. Thakur Deshraj, Jat Itihas (Hindi), Maharaja Suraj Mal Smarak Shiksha Sansthan, Delhi, 1934, 2nd edition 1992, Page 592 ]

*Pratap Mal Gora- is another famous person from this clan from Beawar in Ajmer district. Thakur Deshraj, Jat Itihas (Hindi), Maharaja Suraj Mal Smarak Shiksha Sansthan, Delhi, 1934, 2nd edition 1992 Page 593 ]

References