Sewad Clan

The Sewad are one of the most prominent clans (gotras) of the Rajpurohit community, traditionally known for their service as advisors, strategists, army generals, administrators, tax collectors, and landholders across Rajasthan and the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh. The Sewad constitute the largest proportion of the Rajpurohit community and are regarded as its most fearless and valorous clan.

Historically, they served as the Rajpurohits of the Rathore dynasty, and in recognition of their significant contributions, they were granted jagirs (land estates) in several princely states, including Marwar, Bikaner, Kishangarh, Idar (Himmatnagar), Ratlam, Jhabua, Sailana, Sitamau, Jobat, Multhan, and Alirajpur.

Etymology and Religious Tradition

The term "Sewad" originates from Shaivism, the Hindu sect devoted to Lord Shiva. It is believed that the name denotes “followers of the Shaiv tradition”, reflecting their spiritual lineage and earlier they used to be Shaivites.

In the medieval period, Sewads often followed Shakta or Vaishnav traditions, and they are known as great devotees of Bhairuji. Two of the major Bhairuji temples in western Rajasthan are situated in Sewad Rajpurohit thikanas:

Badli Bhairuji (Jodhpur)
Toliyasar Bhairuji (Bikaner)

They have also patronized major Vaishnav temples:

Kapil Muni Temple, Kolayat - Thakur Ranchhod das ji Harnathot
Chatrubhuj Temple, Kelawa – Thakur Khinda Kanawat
Gangshyam Ji Temple, Tinwari – Thakur Damaji Harpalot
Moolnayak Temple, Jodhpur – Thakur Mulrajji Kumpawat
Lakshminarayan Temple, Kalyanpur – Tikai Sheonath Singhji Kanot
Charbhuja Temple, Roopawas – Rajrishi Thakur Raj Singhji Chohtoth
Lakshminarayan Temple, Desalsar - Thakur Rughnath ji Harnathot

Rishi Gotra and Deities

Rishi Gotra: Bharadwaj
Kuldevi (Ancestral Deity): Nagnechi Mata – family goddess of the Rathores and Sewad Rajpurohits
Isht Devi (Personal Deity): Bishasthmata (Bishhat Mata) – worshipped for protection and prosperity

Historical Background and Alliance with Rathores

While older traditions claimed the Sewads migrated from Kannauj with Rao Sheoji Rathore, contemporary narratives suggest they were natives of western Marwar. They joined Rao Siha in his campaigns to establish Rathore power, providing both military support and ritual expertise.

The Rathores, led by Rao Sheoji, migrated from Kannauj after the fall of the Gahadvala dynasty in 1194 CE. Arriving in western Rajasthan (~1215 CE), they reached Pushkar, where they encountered the Paliwal Brahmins seeking help against marauding tribes.

The Sewads allied with the Rathores at Pali, and together they secured the region. This alliance became the foundation of Rathori Raj and solidified the Sewads as indispensable Raj Guru Purohits, advisors, and military aides.

Jagirs and Thikanas

The Sewad clan received extensive jagirs and thikanas for their service. Notable holdings included:

84-village jagir to Vikram Singh Ji along Bikampur in Bikaner, later expanded to the 84,000-bigha thikana of Toliyasar
84-village jagir to Rajrishi Thakur Raj Singhji of Roopawas, along with 8 personal jagirs
Tinwari Thikana, Jodhpur – Damaji Harpalot (double tazimi)
Mulrajji’s jagir of 18 villages
Kanot's Jagir of a total of 14 villages
Dothli Thikana, Kishangarh – double tazim thikana
Kachlana Thikana, Ratlam – Malpuriya/Mulrajot
Kalyanpur Thikana, Bikaner – Sona Naveshi with 5 jagirs
Desalsar Thikana, Bikaner - Held 5 jagirs
Over 100+ jagirs are still held today, and historically, 150–200 were held before independence
Idar Tikayat: Mulrajot Sewad of Bandhda (Nagaur) with 12 jagirs in Idar state and a haveli in Jodhpur
Bitti Thikana: Tikayat Thikana of Kishangarh state
Many Sona Naveshi Thikanas Like Dodu, Dholeriya etc.
Many Tazimi Thikanas Like Bhawanda, etc.

Political, Military, and Administrative Roles

The Sewads have historically served as:

Hakims of Nagaur, Godwar (Marwar), Phalodi (Bikaner), and Sarwar (Kishangarh)
Muhasib (the highest administrative post in Bikaner, above Diwan)
Judges in multiple courts
Diplomats: mediated Maratha–Jodhpur disputes, secured Ray Singh’s throne in the Mughal court, negotiated between Babur and Rao Ganga, restored Jodhpur to Rao Maldeo from Sher Shah Sur, and resolved many Rajput personal feuds
Military Leaders: fought in almost every major war
Poets: Thakur Kesari Singh and Mod Singhji Kharwa
Tax Collectors and issuers of pattas, e.g., Rughnath ji Harnathot, and Prohit Chiman ji was prominent collectors of several villages under the Bikaner state.
Kiledars: e.g., Surajmalji of Pokhran, Maanji of Jayal, Nagaur Fort
Martyrs and Jhujhars: many committed sati or traga for honor, protection of life, land, or temples
Merchants and Philanthropists: e.g., Seth Pratap Singhji of Chadwas (Beawar)
Wildlife Protectors: Khetawat Sewads and Bhojrajji Sewad of Bikaner forfeited jagirs to protect the environment
Governors: e.g., Bikamsi in Bikaner
Wars and Military Campaigns

The Sewad clan fought with unmatched valor in several historic battles:
1. Third Saka of Chittor
2. Ratighati War
3. Battle of Giri Sumel
4. Ahmedabad War
5. Battle of Dharmat
6. Battle of Samugarh
7. Battle of Narnaul
8. Numerous other campaigns across the Indian Subcontinent
  
  Legacy and Modern Achievements
  - Produced many freedom fighters and the first IAS officer of the Rajpurohit community
  - First MLA, MP, and Minister ofthe Rajpurohit Community
  - Served in World War I & II

Social Structure and Subclans

Mulrajot: Earlier Tikayat of Marwar state (later sub-branch Akherajot became Tikayat of Tinwari)
Akherajot: Tikayat of Marwar state (emerged from Mulrajot Branch of Sewad clan)
Kanot: Tikayat of Kalyanpur and Kotadi (Bikaner state)
Malpuriya/Mulrajot: Tikayat of Kachlana (Ratlam state)
Khetawat: Tikayat of Kishangarh (formerly of Nagaur state) – Narayandasot branch serves as Rajpurohit of Badnore Thikana (Bhilwara)
Achlawat: Tazimi thikanedar in Kishangarh
Devidasot: Former Tikayat of Bikaner state
Rajawat: Had been Tikayat of Marwar State and Big Feudal Lords, but left the Tikayat Post
Karmawat/Karmsiyot: Rajpurohit of Bhadrajun (Rathores)
Bhojrajot: Rajpurohit of Udawats of Raipur

Cultural and Religious Status

Recognized as a premier and socially high-ranking clan in multiple state gazettes
Jas Ra Dhol – ritual drum played only for Sewad weddings in the Rajpurohit community
Built the Savitri Temple, Pushkar
Gurus and saints, e.g., Guneshanandji (Kishandasot Sewad) – guru of Saint Kheteshwar, saints in Dadu Panth and Ramsnehi sects

Origins and Theories

Some traditions claim descent from Rajrishi Shiv, Rajpurohit of Maharaja Jaichand Gaharwar of Kannauj
Others believe they descend from Rishi Bharadwaj
Some suggest a royal Rathore origin, but without historical proof
Often regarded as Kshatriya-like due to their valorous history

Culture and Customs

Greeting: “Jai Raghunath Ji Ri Sa”
Women observed purdah; widow remarriage was forbidden
Historically Shaivite; later followed Shakta and Vaishnav traditions
Patronized communities:
- Kulguru Brahmins: mostly Gurjar Gaur Upadhyays
- Pushkarna Brahmins for rituals and marriages
- Bhats (Chandisa) – genealogists
- Dholis (Damamis) – ceremonial musicians
- Manganiyars – hereditary folk singers in desert areas

Opium Tradition

Opium (Afeem/Amal) was a significant social custom, typically consumed during weddings, betrothals, births, reconciliations, festivals (e.g., Akhatij), and major gatherings. Rajpurohits, especially the Sewads, are among the highest consumers of opium in the region, a tradition maintained over centuries.

Sewad

Gundecha

Daviyal

Jagarwal

Sodha

Siha/siya

Dudawat

Kevancha

Udesh

Siddhap

Rajguru

Raigur