Yádu, Jádu or Jadon

The Jadaun (also spelled as Jadon) are a Rajput clan of Chandravanshi (Yaduvanshi) lineage, found in North India and Pakistan. They trace their ancestry to King Yayati's son, Yadu. According to the Puranas, Yayati had two wives, Sharmishtha and Devyani. Yadu, the son of Yayati and Devyani, became the progenitor of the Yaduvanshi clan. The term Yaduvanshi translates to "family of Yadu" in Sanskrit.

History of Jadons

The Jadauns historically occupied forts such as Bijai Garh, built by the Pundir Rajputs, at Bayana, and Timan Garh near Karauli. They are one of the 36 royal Rajput clans and belong to the Chandravanshi lineage, with their Kuldevi (family deity) being Keladevi at Karauli, Rajasthan. The Jadauns are predominantly found in regions like Karauli, Bharatpur, Jaipur, and Jaisalmer in Rajasthan.

Karauli, officially founded in 1348 AD by the Yaduvanshi Rajput Raja Arjun Pal, was initially known as Kalyanpuri after the local deity Kalyanji. Legend has it that the princely state of Karauli was established in 995 AD by Raja Bijal Pal Jadon, the 88th descendant of Lord Krishna.

The 600-year-old Karauli City Palace was likely built in the 14th century by the royal family, with a magnificent expansion of the palace completed in 1635 AD. The fort and palace remained the official residence of the Karauli royal family until 1938 AD, when the Bhanwar Vilas Palace was constructed by Maharaja Ganesh Pal Deo Bhadur, reflecting a more modern style.