Population of Sainthwar Community

There are contradictory views about origin of Sainthwar Kshatriyas by various historians. Shri Mehtab Narayan Mall in his book “Bisen Vansh Darpan” considers all Sainthwars, Mall and Gaharwars to be originated as separate Rajput community around 1600 – 1700 AD. While Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan, Dr. Rajabali Pandey, Dr. Raghunath Chand Kaushik, Pandit Dr. Harinandan Pandey, Dr. Kasi Prasad Jayaswal and Tripatkacharya Mahopadhyay Bikshu Buddhamitra traces the origin of Sainthwar community to Kshatriyas of Gana-Sangha of 600 BC India. Lal Khadag Bahadur Mall, Bisen Prince of Majhauli estate around 1870 AD, in his book “Bisen Vansh Vatika” accepts the parental linkage of Sainthwar community especially Mall branch with Bisen Rajputs and traces their origin from common father around 600 BC. The same legendary connection between Sainthwar and Bisens Rajputs is also echoed by Sir Edward Arthur Henry Blunt and Sir Edward Blunt in their book “The Caste System of Northern India”. However, the origin theory put forward by Lal Khadag Bahadur Mall and Sir Edward Arthur Henry Blunt and Sir Edward Blunt from Brahmin Mayur Bhat do not withstand on scientific ground but yet important as they accept the linkage of Sainthwar community with Bisen Rajputs.

To understand the origin of Sainthwar community, population is used as a tool in this article. The population growth of world, India and Gorakhpur district of UttarPradesh, India is analyzed along with population of Sainthwar community.

World Population:

Modern Humans traces their origin to Africa around 2,00,000 years ago from Homo Sapiens. The out of Africa migration took place around 70000 – 77000 BC to various parts of world. By 50000 BC, the humans were developed with respect to language, music and behavior.

The human’s race saw near extinction around 70000 BC which is widely known as “Population bottleneck” caused by “Toba Catastrophe”. It is known as one of the earths’s known largest eruption till now and occurred in Lake Toba of Indonesia. This resulted in 6-10 year of “Volcanic winter” on earth and near extinction of human race. Scientist estimated that there were approximately 10000 peoples or nearly 1000 breeding couples were left. Genetic evidence suggests that all humans alive today, despite apparent variety, are descended from a very small population, perhaps between 1,000 to 10,000 breeding pairs about 70,000 years ago.

Till 8000 BC, humans lived mostly as hunters. The agriculture technique developed by this time led to permanent settlement of humans around those agricultural areas. The population of world estimated to be around 1.5 crore by 8000 BC grew to 20-60 crore by 1st AD. From that time, the population was nearly constant till 1650 AD. The industrialization in certain parts of world by this time lead by decreased mortality rate accelerated the population growth of entire world. By 18th century, when most part of world witnessed industrialization and revolution in medical science, the population saw a rapid growth thereafter. By 1804 AD, the world population crossed the 1 billion {100 crore} mark. The population growth of entire world is given in table 1.

So world population which took almost 2 lakh years to reach to 100 crore by 1804 AD, it took only 123 years to reach 200 crore and thereafter just 81 years to reach to 650 crore in 2006 AD. So, it can be seen that the world population multiplied by nearly 6.5 times from period 1804 - 2006 AD.

Table 1:

Population of India

Population of India around 300 B.C.

The facts about population of ancient India can be gathered from the writings of foreign scholars who visited India during these periods. According to Herodotus {490 B.C}, India was the most populous of all countries in world. Alexander’s army who invaded India in 327-326 B.C., found a large population here. One small kingdom was said to have 37 towns of over 5000 inhabitants each. India’s first real empire under Chandragupta Maurya {321-297 BC} left records indicating the existence of a standing army of approximately 700000 {7 lakh} men. Only a very substantial population could have supported such a large army. Historical evidences suggest even prior to Christian era, India had a substantial population. This view was confirmed by Pran Nath who, after a painstaking survey of the literatures concluded that population of India in 300 B.C was between 100 to 140 million {10 to 14 Crore}.

Population of India around 1600 AD.

Moreland in 1920 AD, while making an estimate of India’s population for the year 1600 A.D. cited contemporary accounts to show that in the 15th and 16th centuries, Europeans were impressed by the density of settlements in India, both on the plains and the deccans. Some visitors considered the country to be overpopulated even at that time. Their estimation indicates that India had cities with quarter to half a million in population. Taking into account, the strength of army in the south and the land under cultivation in Akbar’s empire, for which a contemporary figure are available and making adjustments for areas about which little, was known, Moreland concluded that the total population of India at that time was around 100 million. Davis {1951 AD} and Das Gupta {1972 AD} considered Moreland’s estimates on the lower side and concluded that the population of Indian subcontinent in the year 1600 AD was 125 million and 135 million {12.5 crore and 13.5 crore} respectively. Dutta in 1960 AD estimated the India’s population to be around 110 million in 1600 AD while Durand in 1967 AD estimated the population of India in 1600 AD around 140 million.

It can be thus concluded that around 1600 AD, the population of India was around 100-140 million {10-14 crore}.

Table 2 gives the population of India at various time period estimated by various researchers.

Table 2:

Source: Population education, NCERT, New Delhi P.47

Growth of Population in India in later years:

Analysis of estimates

1.      Population of India, similar to world population was nearly constant from the period of 300 BC to 1650 AD estimated to be around 100 million to 140 million.

2.      Estimation of analysis by all researchers show the population of India in 1600 AD around 125 million.

3.      By 1750 AD, a gap of almost 150 years, the population was nearly same around 125 million put forward by Davis. {Corrected figure around 180 million}.

4.      By 1800 AD, the population was shown to be around 207 million, a huge jump of 65.6%, which implies a high annual growth rate of 1.01%. This lead to some analyst doubting the figure of 1750 AD and putting it higher to somewhere around 180 million considering 0.3% annual growth rate.

5.      By 1871 AD, the population was found to be 255 million in Indian census. Surprisingly this gives an annual growth rate of 0.3 percent in last 71 years.

6.      Till 1921 AD, the population remains same around 251 million as per Indian census. This gives an annual growth rate of 0.0 percent for 50 years.

7.      The population grew annually by 1.3 percent per annum for next 30 years i.e till 1951 AD.

8.      The population grew very fast at the rate of 2.3 percent per annum from 1951 AD onwards.

The overall picture is that population was almost steady with very slow growth from ChandraGupta Maurya Period 300 BC till 1921 AD. There must be fluctuation in populations in this period due to peace time, war, natural clamity etc. The industrialization in India started in the beginning of 20th century and as a result, the mortality rates decreased. The period of 1921 - 1951 AD, the growth seems to be moderate with average annual growth rate of 1.3 %. Later after 1951 AD, rapid growth in population is witnessed with annual growth rate of approx. 2.35%.

In conclusion population of India doubled from 1600 AD to 1901 AD and thereafter grew by 4 times from 1901 to 2001 AD.

Population of Gorakhpur

Gorakhpur, Basti and Deoria formed one single district of Gorakhpur up to 1865 when the present district of Basti was carved out. It was split up again in 1946 into the district of Deoria and Gorakhpur. About 1813 Buchanan endeavoured to estimate the  population, calculating it from the number of families and ploughs in each police circle, and on this rough and untrustworthy basis he obtained an aggregate of some 12,26,110 persons in the combined district of Gorakhpur giving an average density of 271 to the sq. mile. The returns of 1872 were 20, 19,361 rising to 26, 17,120 in 1881 and 29, 94,057 in 1891.

The following table lists the population of Gorakhpur and Maharajganj districts combined. In 1989, Maharaganj district was carved out as separate district.

The annual population growth rate of Gorakhpur was almost matching the Indian population growth rate till 1951. In later period of 1951-1971, the growth rate for Gorakhpur division declined compared country level due to higher mortalitity caused by various types of illness. The period of 1971-1991 saw similar growth rate that of country; approximately around 24% per decade. After 1991, the growth rate of country started to decline due to good focus given on family planning but the combined district of Gorakhpur and Maharajganj district maintained the average population growth of 24-26% per decade.

Overall it is observed that the population of entire India as well as combined district of Gorakhpur and Maharajganj districts of Uttarpradesh grew by four fold from the period of 1901-2001. The population of India grew from approx. 24 crore to 102 crore while the combined districts of Gorakhpur and Maharajganj district grew from approx. 15 lakh to 60 lakh.

Population of Sainthwar Community

The population of Sainthwar community and Mall of Azamgadh {now in Mau} district are shown in the following table. This is as per census records of 1881, 1891, 1911, 1921 and 1931.

If we observe the table, the population of Mall and Sainthwar grew by almost 30% from 1891 – 1931 which is very similar to population growth of combined districts of Gorakhpur and Maharajganj districts i.e. 30% from 1901-1931 periods.

Sainthwar as a community is highly concentrated in Gorakhpur, Maharajganj, Kushinagar and Deoria districts of Uttarpradesh, India. Applying the approximation of four fold population growth from 1901-2001 periods, the population in 2001 for Sainthwar comes around 4, 32,000 to 4, 50,000 and that of Mall in Mau districts come around 12,000 – 13,000. Assuming the decade growth of 25% in the period of 2001-2011 for northern India especially UttarPradesh, the population of Sainthwar and Mall {in Mau} community will be approximately around 5, 50,000 and 16,000.

The following table lists the projected approximate population in the area of Gorakhpur division {area as per 1931 census} for Sainthwar and its Mall branch in Indian census of 2011. The approximate projected population is also given for Gorakhpur and Maharajganj district. A fair idea about the population of Sainthwar and its Mall branch is also given for the period of 300-600 BC {Buddha Period}.

Today, Sainthwar community and its Mall branch are found in Lumbini Nepal and western Parts of Bihar, though in very less number. The Mall branch of Sainthwar community was counted separately in Madhuban area of Mau district of UttarPradesh while they were counted under Sainthwar caste in Gorakhpur and adjoining districts during census. It is observed that Malla community is found in nearly 100 villages in Kushinagar district alone. Further they are scattered across Deoria, Gorakhpur and parts of western Bihar. Based on this, the total population of Malla titled people can be around 30000-35000 in census of 2011 across northern India.

The entire population of Gorakhpur, Maharajganj, Deoria and Kushinagar districts was 1,15,42,343 as per census of 2001. The entire projected population of Sainthwar-Mall community was around 4,50,000 to 4,60,000 which gives a population strength of nearly 4%.

Segregation and analysis of Sainthwar population:

“Bisen Vansh Darpan” written by Shri Mehtab Narayan Mall relates all Mall titled people of Madhuban area to Raja Madhav Mall of Madhuban area of 1564 AD. The book co-relates Mall titled people found in other districts with Malls of Madhuban saying that they were migrated as soldiers during Majhauli Raj around 17th century.

One big question remained unanswered by above statement –

1.      Is it possible to have nearly 16000 Mall populations {projected} till 2011 AD from single family of Raja Madhav Mall of 1564 AD in Madhuban? If we consider all Malls of other districts belonging to same family then this figure shoots upto nearly 30000+. This is terrible population growth rate for any single family and did not match with the population growth of entire region/ state / country. If we assume this entire population of Mall belonging to single person Madhav Mall, then entire 120 crore populations of today's India can be calculated back to 40000 persons of 1564 AD – a highly unscientific assumption.

Gaharwar Rajput person Bhual Rai, the founder of Padrauna estate, existed at same time as Raja Madhav Mall. Bhual Rai and his 50 Gaharwar associates from Allahabad area got the Jamindari of 5 villages from Majhauli King around 1581 AD. The population of Gaharwar Rajputs are concentrated in few villages like Semra, Bishunpura, Shivrajpur, Sekhwania etc and scattered across other small 4-6 villages with main family ruling the Padrauna estate.  They are commonly referred as “Raikar”.

Further “Bisen Vansh Darpan” gives the origin of all Sainthwar titled people to Mahabat Khan’s 1626 rebellion against Badshah Jahangir. However as per history reference, Mahabat Khan took 4000-5000 Rajputs from Punjab and adjoining areas and did rebellion against Badshah Jahangir in 1626 AD. He also brought families of many Rajputs with them. The rebellion was crushed after 100 days and in this entire process nearly 2000-3000 rajputs were killed. Later remaining Rajputs migrated to various parts of northern India like Aagara, Merath, Saharanpur, Dehradun, Kalinjar, Benaras and Gorakhpur. It is believed that nearly 500-700 rajputs alongwith their family settled around Gorakhpur area adopting agriculture as their profession. Some of them also took Jamindari.

So going by the simple calculation, the entire rajput population belonging to Raja Madhav Mall’s family, Gaharwar warriors associated with Bhual Rai and Mahabat Khan’s 1626 rebellion can not be more than 5000 – 6000 by 1650 AD. The back calculation of Sainthwar community population gives a figure of 39000-55000 around 1650 AD. This leads to a large chunk of population remaining, who are mostly agriculturist and claiming to be of Kshatriya origin of various sects like Suryavanshi, Chandravanshi and Nagvanshi. Most historians relate this larger section to “Kshatriya of ancient Gana-Sangha” such as Malla, Shakya, Koliya, Maurya and Lichchhavis. Further “Sainthwar” word is a unique word with origin from “Santha-war” which can be traced to “Santha-agara of ancient Gana-Sangha”.

So going by the population estimates and historical meaning of Sainthwar word, it can be said that the statements given by Shri Mehatab Narayan Mall in his book “Bisen Vansh Darpan” about origin of entire Sainthwar-Mall community is far away from truth and therefore the theories put forward by other historians look correct. Further, the presence of Bisen Raja Madhav Mall or Raja Nattha Mall in history can not be denied and hence their family chain should be present. The only possibility is that since Madhav Mall got the area of Madhuban to rule, which already had large number of “Malla” titled people belonging to ancient Gana-Sangha, they merged into them after they were socially isolated from other mainstream Rajputs around 1740 AD.

So the population of Sainthwar community can be divided in four broad categories –

1.         BisenMall Rajputs of Madhuban

2.      Gaharwar Rajputs of Padrauna

3.      Rajputs of Mahabat Khan’s 1626 rebellion

4.      Santhawar-Mall Kshatriyas of ancient Gana-sangha {82-87% population}

Looking at population figures, it can be projected that in year 2011 AD, the population of Rajputs and ancient Santhawar-Mall Kshatriyas can be distributed like this –

Rajputs {BisenMall, Gaharwar, Western} population – approx. 60,000 – 70,000

Kshatriyas {Santhawar and Mall} population – approx 5,00,000

In recent years, there is increased tendency in Mall titled people across northern India to co-relate themselves with BisenMall Rajput family of Madhav Mall and the same tendency is visible in rich class of Sainthwar  who relate  themselves with Rajputs  who took part in Mahabat Khan's 1626 rebellion. The tendency of linking self with some important family / person is very much found across India and is very high in north India.

Bisen clan rajputs of Madhav Mall family, similar to Bisen Rajputs of Majhauli, were not having any marital relations with Mall Kshatriyas of ancient Gana-Sangha. On the other side, Mall titled kshatriyas of ancient Gana-Sangha never intermarry in the same title giving indication that they all are blood related. This probably led to complete assimilation of Raja Madhav Mall's descendents in broader Mall Kshatriyas of ancient Gana-Sangha around 1740-1850 AD. This complete loss of identity or assimilation or confusion has probably resulted in Lal Khadag Bahadur Mall of Majhauli Estate denying the existence of Raja Madhav Mall and Raja Nattha Mall in his book “Bisen Vansh Vatika” written around 1870-1880 AD. Based on historical facts, Pandit Harinandan Pandey relates the “Malla of Madhuban” to “Malla of ancient Pava” and Rahul Sankrityayan relates the Malla titled people to “Malla of Kusinara” and Sainthwar to “kshatriyas of Gana-sangha”.

Other related Sites:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santhagara

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malla_(India)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahajanapadas

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malla_Kingdom

http://mahabharata.sainthwar.tripod.com/

http://forum.indianetzone.com/14/koliya_clan_part_sainthwar_kshatriya.htm

www.hvk.org/articles/0698/0087.html

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/letters-to-the-editor/6255/

By -

Sarita Ramashre Singh {c/o Shivnarayan Singh}

Village - Ahirauli {Opp. Narrey Village}

Post - Rajgadh {Dadwapar Chauraha, Gola Bazar}

District - Gorakhpur

State - Uttarpradesh, India