Bargujar

The Badgurjar is one of the most ancient and revered Suryavanshi Rajput tribes in India. Known as the "Great Gurjars," they should not be confused with the common Shudra Gujjars. The Badgurjars were the authentic rulers, and the people they conquered were labeled as Gujjars. In battle, they were the primary force in the front lines, known as Haraval Tukdi, often choosing death over submitting to Muslim rulers. Many Badgurjars were killed for refusing to give their daughters to Muslim rulers. Some even changed their clan name to Sikarwar to escape the mass genocide carried out against them.

A significant colony of the Badgurjars found refuge in present-day Anupshahar, which was founded by Raja Anup Singh Bargujar, the eldest son of Raja Pratap Singh Bardbujjar. The Badgurjars are credited with building numerous monuments, including the famous Nilkanth Temple in the Sariska Tiger Reserve, the fort and Neelkanth Mahadev Temple at Kalinjar (dedicated to Shiva), Amber Fort, and several other forts and palaces in places like Alwar, Machari, Sawai Madhopur, and Dausa. The old capital of the Badgurjar tribe was Rajor, also called Rajor Garh. Raja Pratap Singh Bargujar, a prominent Badgurjar king, was the nephew of Prithviraj Chauhan and assisted him in the fight against the Muslim invaders led by Muhammad of Ghor in 1191. The Badgurjars also fought alongside Rana Pratap of Mewar and Maharana Hammir as their generals. One famous Badgurjar, Raja Nune Shah Bardbujjar of Samthar, fought against the British forces, successfully repelling them multiple times before eventually signing a peace treaty in 1817.

The Badgurjars are distinct from the Hepthalites or Huns, who arrived in India during the 6th century. One branch of the Bardbujjars, led by Raja Bagh Singh Bargujar, established the ancient capital Rajor in Vikrami Samvat 202, which corresponds to circa AD 145. This place was also known as "Baghola." Raja Bagh Singh is also credited with the construction of a lake near Sileser Lake. When this lake was dug, red water flowed from it, and it came to be known as Kanganoon.