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<figure id="figure-u7u84j6xcmmfowm0ja" class=""><img id="u7u84j6xcmmfowm0ja" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/2cP5ldQQ8VgYeuYStKMGBH2UqJ4MLWk7nNyss6MXwyb5gGQgCxjXRe6O8RhzcQIc.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/2cP5ldQQ8VgYeuYStKMGBH2UqJ4MLWk7nNyss6MXwyb5gGQgCxjXRe6O8RhzcQIc.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Few figures in the history of Mewar evoke as much pride and controversy as Rana Punja Solanki, the legendary leader from Panarwa who fought alongside Maharana Pratap in the Battle of Haldighati (1576). His memory continues to inspire, yet in recent decades, his true identity has been distorted for political purposes. This blog sets the record straight, drawing upon official records, historical texts, and testimonies from descendants and the Mewar royal family.<h3>&nbsp; &nbsp;Rana Punja: A Rajput Leader of the Bhils</h3><figure id="figure-x2lzwyefk9mfowmiyq"><img id="x2lzwyefk9mfowmiyq" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/255YKvWMol8Sr4mnkPvmvreBuWsAzuqbk2eDo3YPTd64mG7N0iVmYBeELTNWhVKp.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: 50% 15%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="3:2" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="15%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/255YKvWMol8Sr4mnkPvmvreBuWsAzuqbk2eDo3YPTd64mG7N0iVmYBeELTNWhVKp.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: 50% 15%;"></figure> Historical sources spanning more than a century establish that Rana Punja was a Solanki Rajput chieftain of Panarwa. He was not a tribal chief himself, but rather a Rajput leader of the Bhils, who held sway over the forested Bhomat region.<h3>Key facts include:</h3><figure id="figure-ng615k5cnnmfox465q"><img id="ng615k5cnnmfox465q" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/bqQAN1wGyUooYvSw5HTXFrqOHVONIYKmUzW5dfvvJRhgKgva8YyPP4ulBlwAjCMU.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: 50% 45%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="3:2" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="45%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/bqQAN1wGyUooYvSw5HTXFrqOHVONIYKmUzW5dfvvJRhgKgva8YyPP4ulBlwAjCMU.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: 50% 45%;"></figure><ol><li>Ancestry: Descended from the Solankis of Gujarat, with Panarwa founded by Akshayraj Solanki.</li><li>&nbsp;Hereditary Title: The title of “Rana” was granted to his grandfather, Rana Harpal Solanki, by Maharana Uday Singh of Mewar.</li><li>Twin Estates: Panarwa and Oghna were Solanki Rajput estates under Mewar. Contemporary Recognition: British-era works like Chiefs and Leading Families in Rajputana (1903) and Rajputana and Ajmer List of Ruling Princes (1931) consistently identify Rana Punja as Rajput.<h3>The Distortion of Identity</h3><figure id="figure-0ir12ulnajmfoxj749"><img id="0ir12ulnajmfoxj749" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/0fMSqCIsclofFgSi3LsAmomg1ryq6wdV40gMKu4PhDGr4Y2RHHxS6tZfEk8l6L4k.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 50%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="50%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/0fMSqCIsclofFgSi3LsAmomg1ryq6wdV40gMKu4PhDGr4Y2RHHxS6tZfEk8l6L4k.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 50%;"></figure>The controversy began in 1997, during the government of Bhairo Singh Shekhawat. In a move critics called the “Shekhawat Doctrine”, efforts were made to portray Rana Punja as a Bhil tribal hero rather than as a Rajput leader.</li></ol>This reinterpretation, aimed at political vote-bank expansion, was strongly opposed at the time:The Mewar Royal Family issued statements clarifying that the coat of arms of Mewar only depicts a generic Bhil warrior, not Rana Punja.<figure id="figure-dnvc57f6ncmfoxkzse"><img id="dnvc57f6ncmfoxkzse" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/14YhsRfRSrmVORJHGl4aykLv2vo85grG80Xs6Aqg2atSmHSFPfDyxLQ2qBXnveyV.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: 50% 30%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="3:2" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="30%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/14YhsRfRSrmVORJHGl4aykLv2vo85grG80Xs6Aqg2atSmHSFPfDyxLQ2qBXnveyV.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: 50% 30%;"></figure> Letters were written to the President of India and the Chief Minister of Rajasthan by Maharana Mahendra Singh of Mewar and Rana Manohar Singh Solanki of Panarwa, protesting the distortion. The Solanki families of Panarwa and Oghna, along with prominent nobles like Maharaj Randhir Singh Bhindar, openly rejected the false narrative. Despite this, statues and public messaging continued to misrepresent Rana Punja’s identity.<figure id="figure-50jgwoklzbmfoxp35e"><img id="50jgwoklzbmfoxp35e" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1bOXHFjNEHz074oJnwvPeXvZT1N7T5h7Mk8eoZtgmL5gHQm6O2tcwTxuTS83Dsui.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="3:2" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure><h3>&nbsp; What the Records Actually Say</h3> Across history books, genealogies, and administrative documents, Rana Punja is consistently recorded as Rajput:<ul><li>Chiefs and Leading Families in Rajputana (1903) → Establishes Solanki Rajput ancestry.</li></ul><figure id="figure-2id6t5qbhimfox92lv" class=""><img id="2id6t5qbhimfox92lv" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/3WM668FHeah6uK6mLstvf0JcZLunlXxIyWcCKUB9fV9lQ4DjbSyhi9VaTiRL4JNY.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 25%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="25%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/3WM668FHeah6uK6mLstvf0JcZLunlXxIyWcCKUB9fV9lQ4DjbSyhi9VaTiRL4JNY.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 25%;"></figure><ul><li>Feudal Polity of Mewar (1987, T.K. Mathur) → Confirms Panarwa as a Solanki Rajput estate.</li></ul><figure id="figure-gvrx0rdybmmfoxazj9"><img id="gvrx0rdybmmfoxazj9" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/19KH4QNqa42a58oUjMiqgwxhfuRAUwq194ochbWwKSxKpkwN4mxRInp3dD88Oa4K.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 5%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="5%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/19KH4QNqa42a58oUjMiqgwxhfuRAUwq194ochbWwKSxKpkwN4mxRInp3dD88Oa4K.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 5%;"></figure><ul><li>Mewar and the Mughal Emperors (1954, G.N. Sharma) → Places Punja in Rajput military tradition.</li><li>Panarwa ka Solanki Rajwansh (2000–2001, Devilal Paliwal) → Documents detailed genealogy.</li><li>Even the Mewar coat of arms, often misused, depicts a Rajput warrior and a Bhil warrior side by side—a symbol of unity, not a claim that Rana Punja himself was Bhil.</li></ul><figure id="figure-osbwg7139emfox5ydq" class=""><img id="osbwg7139emfox5ydq" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/bqQAN1wGyUooYvSw5HTXFrqOHVONIYKmUzW5dfvvJRhgKgva8YyPP4ulBlwAjCMU.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100" style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: 50% 45%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="3:2" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="45%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/bqQAN1wGyUooYvSw5HTXFrqOHVONIYKmUzW5dfvvJRhgKgva8YyPP4ulBlwAjCMU.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: 50% 45%;"> </figure><h3>Why This Matters</h3>Misrepresenting Rana Punja is not a trivial mistake—it deliberately distorts the heritage of Mewar, marginalizes the contributions of Rajput estates like Panarwa and sabotages human rights of the concerned families. It also undermines the unique Rajput–Bhil alliance, where a Rajput chieftain commanded the loyalty of indigenous Bhils, creating one of the strongest resistance fronts against the Mughals.Rana Punja Solanki was a Rajput leader of the Bhils, not a Bhil himself. His Rajput identity is affirmed in British records, Mewar archives, and genealogies spanning centuries. The distortion of his identity began only in the late 20th century for political reasons.His descendants still reside at Panarwa Fort, with the current titular prince being Kunwar Parikshit Singh Solanki.Rana Punja’s story is not just about one man—it is about truth, memory, and the fight to preserve history against political distortion. His legacy deserves to be told with accuracy, dignity, and pride.

Rana Punja in Mewar's Documents

पानरवा के राणा पूंजा सोलंकी जी का विवाह जवास ठिकाने में हुआ था। इसी जवास से निकला बावलवाड़ा ठिकाना, जहाँ से महापुरुष और महान क्रांतिकारी श्री दौलत सिंह जी खींची बावलवाड़ा (जवास) का उदय हुआ।<h2>&nbsp; भोमट का योगदान</h2> मेवाड़ का भोमट क्षेत्र, जो आदिवासी और राजपूत एकता का प्रतीक रहा है, ने पहले राणा पूंजा जी के नेतृत्व में मुगलों के विरुद्ध और बाद में अंग्रेजों के विरुद्ध भी अविस्मरणीय योगदान दिया।<h3>&nbsp; भील विद्रोह के जनक: दौलत सिंह खींची बावलवाड़ा</h3><figure id="figure-l1azihvvuvmfoupi98"><img id="l1azihvvuvmfoupi98" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/281f97zSqJXz9nyqMgdiUquh5mgc5q85KZD574fADIozIjVaMII4EpZQNRfIob4o.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 45%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="50%" data-positionY="45%" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure> “दौला काका” के नाम से विख्यात दौलत सिंह खींची चौहान भोमट क्षेत्र के जवास ठिकाने के बावलवाड़ा गांव के वीर योद्धा और क्रांतिकारी थे।<h3>अंग्रेजों से टक्कर</h3> 1818 ई. में मेवाड़ राज्य और अंग्रेजों की संधि के बाद, अंग्रेज सरकार ने भोमट के पहाड़ी और वन क्षेत्र को अपने अधीन करना चाहा। इस दमनकारी नीति के विरुद्ध दौलत सिंह ने भील समुदाय को संगठित किया और पुलिस थानों को नष्ट कर दिया। 1827 ई. में ईडर से आई अंग्रेजी टुकड़ी का भी पहाड़ी भाग में सफाया कर दिया गया। अंततः अंग्रेजों को दौलत सिंह जी से संधि करनी पड़ी। अंग्रेजों और महाराणा की आँख की किरकिरी भोमट ठिकाना जवास रावत का चाचा और बावलवाड़ा का जागीरदार ठाकुर दौलतसिंह खींची बहुत साहसी, वीर और निर्भीक पुरुष थे।वे अत्यंत बलशाली और हृष्ट-पुष्ट थे, किसी भी कार्य को असम्भव नहीं मानते थे। उन्हें पकड़ने के लिए महाराणा और अंग्रेज अफसरों ने बहुत कोशिश की, किंतु वे कभी हाथ नहीं आए। उनका इतना भय था कि छावनी में सोते सैनिक भी सपने में उन्हें देखकर डरकर जाग उठते और कहते – “दौला काका आया!” दौलत सिंह अक्सर भेष बदलकर अंग्रेजी छावनी पर छापा मारते।एक बार वे भील की पोशाक पहनकर लकड़ी बेचने का बहाना बनाकर अंग्रेज अधिकारी के तंबू में पहुँचे। अधिकारी ने उन्हें भील समझकर पूछा कि दौलत सिंह कैसा है। तब भील वेशधारी दौलत सिंह ने कहा – “दौलत सिंह अद्भुत पराक्रमी है। उसके पास अनगिनत सैनिक हैं और हर पहाड़ पर उसकी टुकड़ियाँ मौजूद हैं। समय आने पर वह तुम्हारी सारी सेना का नाश कर देगा।” प्रमाण हेतु उन्होंने कहा कि रात में पहाड़ों की ओर देखना। रात्रि में अधिकारी ने देखा कि चारों ओर पहाड़ों पर अग्निशिखाएँ जल रही हैं, जिससे उसे दौलत सिंह की शक्ति का आभास हो गया। &nbsp; लोकगीतों में अमर दौला काका दौलत सिंह की वीरता और अद्भुत साहस ने उन्हें जन-नायक बना दिया। उनकी प्रशंसा में आज भी लोकगीत गाए जाते हैं, जिनमें अंग्रेजी सत्ता और महाराणा की शक्ति को चुनौती देने वाले उनके पराक्रम का वर्णन है।<h3>एक प्रसिद्ध लोकगीत</h3> गड गड त्रंबक गाज , &nbsp; फौजा बीच झंडा फरे : &nbsp; लड लड दोला लाज , &nbsp; भूपां री राखी भली : &nbsp;गहके गोलाग्री घणां : &nbsp; नर पण वालो नूर , &nbsp; दीसे तुं मरव दोलता ; &nbsp;काला मगरा केक , &nbsp; रूधीरे झाझा रंगीया &nbsp; अधपत लीया अनेक , &nbsp; थने दुनो रंग दोलता ; &nbsp;थे बांधी हींदबाण , &nbsp; गढ़ बरबत हुआ घणा ; &nbsp; मगरा वाली मान , &nbsp; दूनो राख्यो दोलता ; &nbsp;थड़ लाखा थाड़ा , &nbsp; काका सुं लड़ता कही ; &nbsp; (थारा) दुनियां माही दोलता ; &nbsp;मेवासी कांकण मथे ; &nbsp; कर लायो दौलो कहुं : &nbsp; सोले ने बत्रीस , &nbsp; अवर फरंगी उमरा (व) &nbsp;

दौला काका: भोमट विद्रोह  के जनक और स्वतंत्रता सेनानी

<figure id="figure-d0fn3l7hzomfo8tmoa"><img id="d0fn3l7hzomfo8tmoa" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/29O9ICqGjXGXEpkuwZmlatp6AT4BED8ORqh4N4osOnBnFmi2AhAyU2lc9cRzaYwm.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="An imaginary Portrrait of Rana Punja leading the Bhomat Bhils in service of Mewar forces" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/29O9ICqGjXGXEpkuwZmlatp6AT4BED8ORqh4N4osOnBnFmi2AhAyU2lc9cRzaYwm.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">An imaginary Portrrait of Rana Punja leading the Bhomat Bhils in service of Mewar forces</figcaption></figure>In recent years, there has been a surge in cases of political outfits appropriating the identities of historical figures and linking them with a certain caste. It has evolved into a crucial tool in caste-based politics. Rana Punja, a Solanki Rajput who was the chief of Panarwa in Mewar and a contemporary of Maharana Pratap, is one such historical figure whose identity has been appropriated in recent times.Panarwa is located in hilly tracts of Mewar, called Bhomat. The Junior Rajput branches of the Yaduvanshi and Chauhan clans entered the Bhomat region in the 13th and 14th centuries, respectively. Later, the Yaduvanshis were forced to move out by Solankis in the 15th century. Sarangdevot Sisodia Rajputs entered Bhomat in 16th century and established themselves in Madri.<figure id="figure-mqxh6eix4emfo8l5ch"><img id="mqxh6eix4emfo8l5ch" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1eBb2vlobzz8ON7TeGLPJX832pgUeGcyNwLsvXnDUnhIaicVUD0Pv6pkPv84gsAv.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="Rana Mobabbat Singh Solanki of Panarwa (1923-1965)." data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1eBb2vlobzz8ON7TeGLPJX832pgUeGcyNwLsvXnDUnhIaicVUD0Pv6pkPv84gsAv.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">Rana Mobabbat Singh Solanki of Panarwa (1923-1965).</figcaption></figure>&nbsp;The founder of Panarwa was Rawat Akshayraj Solanki, one of the grandsons of Bhoja Solanki who was the direct descendant of the Solanki Kings of Anhilwara Patan. Akshayraj moved to the hills of Bhomat, where he fought a battle with Jeevraj, a Yaduvanshi Rajput. Hundreds of Solankis and Yaduvanshis were killed in the battle, along with Jeevraj and his son Udaibhan.Akshayraj Solanki established himself at Panarwa in 1478 AD. Majority of the population in this area were the Bhils, who accepted suzerainty of Akshayraj. (Tej Kumar Mathur,1987, Feudal Polity in Mewar, p23); (Dr. Devilal Paliwal,2000,Panarwa ka Solanki Rajvansh,p37-38); (Shyamaldas,1986,Veer Vinod-Part 1,p196)Rawat Harpal, the grandson of Akshayraj, was contemporary of Maharana Udai Singh-II of Mewar. When Maharana Udai Singh entered into Bhomat region in 1568 CE, Rawat Harpal and his followers provided great help to the Sisodia ruler (FP, p. 23). As a mark of gratitude, Maharana granted the title of Rana to Rawat Harpal. Since then, the chief of Panarwa was called Rana (Paliwal, 2000,p45).Harpal’s younger son Nahar Singh (Naharu Ji) established his control of Ogna after killing the Audichya Brahmin chief named Udairaj. Nahar Singh’s descendants continued to rule over Ogna, till Independence, with title of Rawat. (Mathur,1987,p23); (Paliwal, 2000,p38) Rana Harpal’s son Dooda, who died soon after becoming Panarwa’s ruler, was succeeded by Dooda’s son Punja as Rana of Panarwa. Punja and his followers, who apart from his clansmen, were majorly from the local population of Bhils, were positioned in the rear at Haldighati. Bhils, along with Rajputs, played an essential role in blockade of Gogunda, surrounding the Mughal army which was stationed there, after the battle of Haldighati. Similar tactics to harass Mughal supply lines were used later as well. Rana Punja’s son, Rana Ram, took part in an attack on Mughal forces during the reign of Maharana Amar Singh, where they looted the Mughal garrison.(Shyamaldas-Part2,1987,p223). Rana Chandrabhan, descendant of Rana Ram, provided his service to Maharana Raj Singh during Aurangzeb’s invasion of Mewar.Mewar State had granted different class of judicial powers to the Rajput chiefs of Bhomat.<figure id="figure-mxdhgiqnwqmfo8r7gh" class=""><img id="mxdhgiqnwqmfo8r7gh" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/efwROFEwTkhsGL2yWDp8Qg6n4B515YxOOaiLhLc2rk5ZbeRsfMFbGmkHmEuwUOYL.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="Judicial powers and other details of Rajput chiefs of Bhomat region." data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/efwROFEwTkhsGL2yWDp8Qg6n4B515YxOOaiLhLc2rk5ZbeRsfMFbGmkHmEuwUOYL.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">Judicial powers and other details of Rajput chiefs of Bhomat region.</figcaption></figure>&nbsp;Above table shows us various details about these chiefs, their annual income, tribute paid by them and their Judicial powers in the 1930s (Sir Sukhdeo, 1935, Mewar Under Maharana Bhupal Singhji,p22). In 1945, judicial powers of Rana of Panarwa were upgraded to first class.During census of India, 1961, the village survey report recorded that the Thikanedar of Panarwa was a Solanki Rajput. The current head of Panarwa family is Rana Manohar Singh Solanki.In recent times, Political outfits, owing to the caste based politics are hijacking identities of historical figures, stoking feelings and false pride. Since Rana Punja’s name became famous by his association with Maharana Pratap, he became an easy target where many politicians are hell-bent to paint Punja as a Bhil. Many people incorrectly believe that since Punja was from Bhomat and his followers were majorly Bhils, so he was also a Bhil. With complete disregard shown to historical proofs, records of Mewar State, Punja’s living descendants who are still living in Panarwa, a spree of installation of Rana Punja’s statues as a Bhil by Political outfits has occurred over the years.<figure id="figure-noh05nb5fomfo9n0ed"><img id="noh05nb5fomfo9n0ed" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/10J2xi7kC2YjcxwTxPZtQJFiHB3DmH4DIcx2ExCnjECdZlSTTok41xgURwZuPSgP.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 50%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="Judicial Seal of Panarwa Jagir" data-positionX="50%" data-positionY="50%" data-fullWidth="false"/><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">Judicial Seal of Panarwa Jagir</figcaption></figure>In 1989, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi unveiled a statue of Rana Punja as Bhilu Raja Rana Punja, in Bhil attire at Pratap Smarak, Udaipur. Balwant Singh Mehta, who was a freedom fighter, former Minister of Commerce and Industries in the Rajasthan Govt. and had worked on upliftment of Bhils, protested against it and called it a distortion and falsification of Mewar’s history. He wrote a letter to Rajiv Gandhi, who then sent an enquiry to Udaipur, and “Rana Punja” was removed from the statue.In 1997, the Rajasthan government invited the President of India to Panarwa, to unveil the statue of Rana Punja Bhil. This incident was opposed not just by Rana Punja’s descendants, but also by Maharana Mahendra Singh, the present titular Maharana of Mewar, and a number of other significant persons. The event was eventually cancelled. Rana Punja’s descendants, who are still living in Panarwa, has recently sent an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting that this erroneous portrayal of their ancestor should be stopped.This appropriation and distortion of Rana Punja is an insult not only to history, Rana Punja, and his descendants, but also to the Bhils, whose desire for their own memorial has been exploited by various political groups, and the Bhils have been denied any true memorial that reflects their own history.(This article was initially published at<a data-mce-href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/rana-punja-a-warrior-wronged-by-identity-politics/" href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/rana-punja-a-warrior-wronged-by-identity-politics/"> timesofindia Voice)</a>

Rana Punja Solanki of Panarwa: History Wronged by Identity Politics

The royal family of Panarwa has written to PM Modi, complaining about the distortion of their family history by politicians who falsely claim that their ancestor Rana Punja, a Rajput, was a Bhil tribal.After uproar over a complaint by the descendants of Samrat Mihir Bhoj in the run-up to the Uttar Pradesh elections, more royals have alleged distortion of their ancestral history by politicians to rake in votes.The royals of Panarwa estate near Udaipur in Rajasthan have now shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing local and state-level politicians, largely belonging to the BJP, of distorting their family history.<figure id="figure-niqcqteb44mfpqkx3z"><img id="niqcqteb44mfpqkx3z" src="https://cdn.durable.co/profile/cDOe9mK0CntW8IqGW6m2LWSRr5MoT1ZYAobU65GeG1J7cfuHwxE9LAWtIRYogK77.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/profile/cDOe9mK0CntW8IqGW6m2LWSRr5MoT1ZYAobU65GeG1J7cfuHwxE9LAWtIRYogK77.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>The Panarwa royals are descendants of Rana Punja, who fought with Maharana Pratap against the Mughals in the 15th century. According to historian Dr SB Singh, Rana Punja was a Rajput from Solanki clan. After accumulating an army of local Rajputs and Bhils, he joined hands with Maharana Pratap in battles against the Mughals in. Now, the Panarwa royal family has alleged that some political parties are trying to change the identity of Rana Punja by terming him a Bhil.&nbsp;“We are Kshatriyas, commonly known as Rajputs and historians have given multiple evidences of Rana Punja, our ancestor, being a Rajput as well. Rana Punja was a fierce warrior who participated in many wars with the mighty Maharana Pratap. It’s true he had local Bhil tribesmen, who were expert archers, in his army, but it doesn’t mean that he was a Scheduled Tribe like the Bhils,” said Parikshit Solanki, the heir of the Panarwa estate.<figure id="figure-79spl11v2lmfpr0qo9"><img id="79spl11v2lmfpr0qo9" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1d9CmXAnA99SNgEc22joEFf3os2ORnBxmfpjES2tJnDHHbT6LbWeanHJ5k1zYNWZ.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 100%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="100%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1d9CmXAnA99SNgEc22joEFf3os2ORnBxmfpjES2tJnDHHbT6LbWeanHJ5k1zYNWZ.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 100%;"></figure><figure id="figure-uk8s7ad52mfpr3kjo"><img id="uk8s7ad52mfpr3kjo" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/15J4qVtDJkk49crDv05F1DeONbVCMYOV6LAPrbfim3MVitNnItzSlOvaqwfZfO1c.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/15J4qVtDJkk49crDv05F1DeONbVCMYOV6LAPrbfim3MVitNnItzSlOvaqwfZfO1c.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure><figure id="figure-auxjkp361imfpr4kt1"><img id="auxjkp361imfpr4kt1" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/dWZNhNmzebzjCuuNXhPuf6YJUyUOz4oFEeP5kI69JOXp1UG0ip5EkRqRQ8ZPVw1W.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined% 30%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined%" data-positiony="30%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/dWZNhNmzebzjCuuNXhPuf6YJUyUOz4oFEeP5kI69JOXp1UG0ip5EkRqRQ8ZPVw1W.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined% 30%;"></figure>“Some local and state level leaders are repeatedly trying to steal our history and inaugurate Rana Punja’s statue attributing him to the Bhil community. Hence we decided to bring this to the PM’s notice and wrote a letter to him seeking his help against this distortion of Rajput history,” he added.READ | BJP wins Dadri seat despite backlash over Samrat Mihir Bhoj row“Our family had conducted a couple of press conferences in the past with historians to tell people that lies are being spread and there are attempts to distort our history which we cannot tolerate. Politicians are trying to steal the identity of our ancestor and trying to create social divide in the area. There were attempts to distort history in Jaipur as well, where some politicians termed Rana Punja as Bhil,” Solanki said.The Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Mahasabha (ABKM) also lashed out at political parties across the spectrum for purportedly misrepresenting the history of the Kshatriyas.“In the last few decades, political groups from the RSS and the BJP to the Samajwadi Party, and few elements from left wing parties have been manipulating Rajput history using mainstream media and academic propaganda. On one hand, they distort our history to encourage prejudices against us and on the other hand they change identities of Rajput rulers like Mihir Bhoj and Suheldev Bais to create social schisms. The sad story of appropriation of Rana Punja Solanki is just another example. The fact that this has happened despite three decades of activism by Punjaji’s descendants and a section of media has often sabotaged their truth, is a testimony of bad politics,” said Adityakrishna Deora, National Media Advisor of ABKM.(This letter was first published at India Today &amp; can be read <a data-mce-href="https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/rana-punja-rajput-not-bhil-panarwa-royals-complain-modi-distortion-family-history-1931532-2022-03-30" href="https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/rana-punja-rajput-not-bhil-panarwa-royals-complain-modi-distortion-family-history-1931532-2022-03-30">here</a>)&nbsp;

Rana Punja was a Rajput, not Bhil: Panarwa royals write to PM over distortion of family history

Rana Punja Heritage & Welfare Trust

Preserving the Legacy of Rana Punja Solanki & Other Historical figures of Bhomat; Nurturing the people of Bhomat with Education, Healthcare & Social Justice; Conserving the Nature & Wildlife of Bhomat to ensure Harmony between Nature & its People. 

Rana Punja Heritage & Welfare Foundation

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दौला काका: भोमट विद्रोह के जनक और स्वतंत्रता सेनानी

Rana Punja Solanki of Panarwa: History Wronged by Identit...

Rana Punja was a Rajput, not Bhil: Panarwa royals write t...