Phatak
| Languages | |
|---|---|
| Hindi, Brajbhasha | |
| Religion | |
| • Hindu |
The Phatak are a clan of Ahir herdsmen, one of the agricultural castes bearing considerable resemblance to Rajputs, claim to be descended from a Sisodia prince of Chittore and the daughter of an Ahir King Digpal of Mahaban, to whom he was married.
Locally in Braj region, Which includes Mathura, Jalesar, Agra, Hathras, Aligarh, Etah, Mainpuri and Farrukhabad districts of Uttar Pradesh, Phataks are regarded as more Rajput than the average Yadav(Ahir). The Phatak clan claim to be descended from a Sisodia Raja of Chittore who was married to the daughter of Digpal, Raja of Mahaban, an Ahir.
The legend goes as : "once the Raja of Chittor was invaded by the emperor of Delhi. One out of the 12 gates (Phataks) of the city resisted. To commemorate the signal of bravery of the guard of the 12 gate, the king issued a decree that they and their descendants should forever be known after the name of Phatak."
Uttar Pradesh district gazetteers, Volume 24 gives an account of Phatak Ahirs as-"The Phatak Ahirs who lived along the borders of the Yamuna in Mainpuri district gave Sher Shah Suri much trouble and finally later had to send a huge force consisting of 12000 horses to crush them."
The fort at Mahaban is said to have originally been built by Rana Katera, the grand ancestor of Phataks, to whom is also ascribed the fort at Jalesar.
The Phatak prince Bijay Singh took possession of Samohan Chaurasi area, dispossessing the Mewatis owners of the land in 1106 (samvat era). After the capture of Samohan Chaurasi area, the Phataks proceeded towards Yamuna river, displacing aborigines they established themselves in the whole Shikohabad Pargana. The lawless Phataks remained a great anxiety to Mainpuri district authorities of British rule.
...
Wikipedia