Bahad Ji | Rajpurohit Encyclopedia Profile

Bahadji was the second son of Rajpurohit Baantji and younger brother of Bijadji, the Tikai (chief Rajpurohit) of Khed State. Though Bijadji formally held the title, Bahadji was equally revered for his dedication and loyalty to the Rathore rulers of Marwar.

When Rao Salkhaji, heir of Rao Tidaji of Mahewa, was taken captive by the Sultan of Dobra, Gujarat, there was widespread fear and reluctance among the Rathore leadership to confront the Sultan militarily. In this crisis, Bijadji and Bahadji chose a spiritual and strategic path.

Together, they embraced the life of ascetics, adopting the attire and conduct of jogis. For several years, they performed intense tapasya (austerities) in preparation for their mission. Eventually, they travelled to the Sultan’s capital, where they publicly performed yajnas (Vedic rituals) and gained respect for their miraculous powers and saintly lifestyle.

The Sultan, having heard repeated accounts of their miraculous conduct, visited them personally. Moved by their spiritual presence, he offered to grant any request. Bahadji and Bijadji asked for the release of Rao Salkhaji, which was graciously granted by the Sultan.

After the successful rescue, the brothers returned to Marwar, where Rao Salkhaji was granted the jagir of Salkhawasni. Bahadji and Bijadji chose Badli as their place of settlement and formally ended their lives as ascetics.

While Bijadji symbolically threw his matted locks (jata) on a jaalki tree, Bahadji buried his hair near that tree, marking the end of his spiritual mission and return to worldly life.

Bahadji had a son named Kukadji, whose descendants primarily settled in the Barmer region of western Rajasthan. Unlike the widespread descendants of Bijadji, Bahadji’s lineage remained more regionally concentrated, holding jagirs in and around Barmer.

His legacy is remembered in oral traditions and genealogical records preserved by Rajpurohit families of that region.

• Marwar ka Itihas – G.H. Ojha

• Muhnot Nainsi Ri Khyat

• Rau Jaitsi ra Chhand – Amar Singh Rajvi

• Marwar ka Itihas – Bishveshwar Nath Reu

• Report on the Census of Marwar, 1891 (Mardumshumari)