Daviyal | Lineage of a Rajpurohit

Salawas is a historical village in the Marwar region of Rajasthan, India, known for its association with the Dāviyāl Rajpurohit community, who served as royal priests (Rajpurohits) to the Pratiharas of Mandor and later the Rathore rulers of Marwar. The village has a rich history dating back to the 9th century, marked by settlements, battles, and religious significance.

• Around 832 CE, during the reign of the Pratihara dynasty in Mandor, the Rajpurohit Dūdā Ji and his family migrated to the region near the Jojari River and established a village called Dūdākheda (near present-day Salawas).

• Seven women from the Rajpurohit community performed Sati here for the protection of their honor.

• The Dāviyāl Rajpurohits served as Rajgurus (royal priests) to the Pratiharas for nearly 300 years.

• The Kuldevi (clan goddess) of the Dāviyāl Rajpurohits, Hinglaj Mata, was brought from Piloda and installed in Salawas.

• In 1392, Selo Ji Rajpurohit (a descendant of Dūdā Ji) was instructed in a dream by Hinglaj Mata to resettle near Bhakri (a sacred mound).

• The village of Salawas was officially founded, and over time, other communities also settled there.

• The Dāviyāl Rajpurohits were granted jagirdari (land rights) by the Rathores and served as revenue collectors (Lāta Lātne) for Marwar for 400 years.

• Mod Singh Rajpurohit, a treasurer and administrator of Mehrangarh Fort, was falsely accused in a dispute involving Pokhran and Auwa Thakurs and committed self-immolation (his chhatri still stands in Salawas).

• Following this injustice, the Rajpurohits returned their copper-plate land grants to the Maharaja of Marwar and ceased revenue collection.

• The Karnot Sirdars were later assigned the task but faced decline due to the Rajpurohits' curse.

• During Maharaja Man Singh’s reign (1803–1843), Nath yogis gained influence and began oppressing villagers.

• Shri Guman Singh Ji Rajpurohit, enraged by their cruelty, beheaded himself in a ritual sacrifice and fought the Naths with his severed head in one hand and a sword in the other.

• He slaughtered the oppressors, and his headless body continued fighting until the Maharaja intervened.

• His samadhi (memorial) was built in Salawas, while the Naths also erected a chhatri in Pal in his honor.

• After Guman Singh Ji’s martyrdom, Salawas was declared "Khalsa" (direct state control).

• The worship of Hinglaj Mata was entrusted to the Bharati community.

• The Dāviyāl Rajpurohits trace their origins to Salawas, with many branches spreading across Marwar.

• Salawas Kot (fort) and chhatris of Mod Singh and Guman Singh Ji stand as historical monuments.

• The village remains significant for the Rajpurohit community, with oral and written records preserved in Marwar’s historical texts.

1. Shri Dādosa (Guman Singh Ji) Chhatri Inscription (Salawas)

2. Marwar Pargana Ri Khyat (Historical Poetry of Marwar)

3. Rāv-Bhāt Bahis (Genealogical Records)