Gautam
The Gautams of Kapilvastu are regarded as the lineage that founded Buddhism, approximately five hundred years before Christ, according to “Kshatriyas and Would Be Kshtriyas” by Kumar Cheda Singh (pg. 37). It is widely believed that the ancient name Saket, now known as Ayodhya, was associated with the Gautams. The Gautam Kshatriyas trace their descent from the line of Raja Kush, identifying themselves as successors of the Sakyakul, the reputed ruling family of the Ikshvaku (Ishvaku) dynasty. The family of Raja Suddhodhana belonged to the Gautam clan, and Siddhartha Gautam (Gautama Buddha) was born into this clan (Kumar Cheda Singh, pg. 19).
Historical Background
The capital of the Sakya Kingdom, Kapilvastu, was plundered by Kosala Maharaja Vidarbha, after which the Sakyas dispersed and divided into new lineages. For example, the Sakyas of Piplivahan later came to be known as Mori Kshatriyas. Amritodana, the brother of Raja Suddhodhana and the last ruler of Kapilvastu, left the kingdom with his sons and crossed the Ganga. His youngest son Pandu settled in Shringverpur in Kaushambhi, and his descendants ruled the region until the 6th century. This presence links the Maghas of Kaushambhi to the Gautams. A river named Pandu still flows in Fatehpur, supporting the historical association.
Shift of Power
For unknown reasons, Gautam political power shifted from Kaushambhi to modern-day Kora Jahanabad in the Fatehpur district. Raja Arga Dev is said to be the first to establish Argal as his capital. His descendant Raja Kaling Dev constructed the fort of Kora on the ancient site of Mahakaya. The name “Kora” is believed to derive from the word Karra (meaning “hard”), indicating the suitability of the location for military protection. Rahid-ud-din, citing Al-Biruni, recorded the name as Karwa, which may have evolved into Kora over time.
Other Historical References
The Gautams of Gorakhpur hold that their ancestors once held possession of Bundelkhand (Buchanan’s Eastern India, Vol. II, p. 458; Elliot Supplementary Glossary, Vol. I, pp. 177, 118). This suggests a connection to the Maghas, so named by archaeologists due to the use of “Magha” as a surname.
Lineage and Gotra
The Gautams identify as Suryavanshi and descendants of the Sakyas of Kapilvastu, with Gautam Gotra. Raja Amritodana is believed to have been a leading chief of the Kapilvastu kingdom, whose territory extended into modern-day Siddharthnagar and Basti. Existing Gautam settlements in this region support the belief that they descend from the ancient Sakyas.
Later Gautam Settlements
Before the Indian uprising of 1857, there existed a Gautam state known as the Nagar Khas Kingdom, established by Rao Jagdev (Report of Archaeological Survey of India of Central Doab and Gorakhpur, Vol. 12). The first officer, Mr. Carlleyle, noted the presence of two distinct Gautam groups—one acknowledging ancestors who arrived from Argal, and another unaware of this migration, rejecting any connection to the Nagar Khas Kingdom located in the center of Basti District. This suggests two settlements: an ancient group residing for centuries, and a newer group migrating from Argal.
Cultural Identity
The Gautams are recognized both in British historical accounts and in Buddhist tradition as descendants of the illustrious Sakyas.