Ancestors of Kag

Writer: Aashanand Gadhvi (Zarpara)

Respected Kagbapu was a remarkable individual, born to Aai Dhanbai of the Tumbel Gotra,
Kag Shakha, in the house of Bhaya Kag.

“Bhane narsaiyo tenu darshan karta kul ekoter tarya re.”
Let’s explore the rich history of Kagbapu’s ancestors, the saviors of 71 generations, who
illuminated the name of Charan kul, adorning India alongside Maa Bhom Gurjari. Kagbapu’s
forebears, from the courageous lineage of poets, selflessly sacrificed for country, religion,
society, and culture. Remembering these ancestors at dawn is believed to dispel Maha
Patak.

In the Kutchi language, a proverb resonates: *”Pariya gun parbhat me, sura je gungaan, tup
na ache tini ke, say pariya tan.”* Respected Kagbapu is the inheritor of the Indian Vedic
Sanatan Culture, recognized as the ancient culture of the world. He safeguards the legacies
of Veds, Upnishads, old and aadi theology, and revered sages.

Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva were born from the navel lotus of Lord Narayana, the origin of the
world. Kagbapu descended from Lord Shiva’s lineage during the Vedic period, belonging to
the Arya sages Devjati clan of Charno. Their ancestors resided on the seven-pointed peaks
of the Himalayas and the Sumeru Gadhya Mahan Adi mountains.

The Charans, from Prakrut and Vaikrut Sarg’s Charan caste of Devasrushti, lived on
Sumeru, the Himalayas’ aboriginal mountains. Lord Pruthu, the great king of India, invited
the Charans to participate in a yagna, integrating the Charan creed within the common
people of India. These Charans spread Vedic culture among the masses, cultivating the
earth and making it affluent.
Charans, who propagated goddess ideas in North India, were called by King Pruthu to go
towards the uncivilized Naag masses along with Telang and Kaling.

Charans, carrying the
message of goddess culture, migrated to South India, joined the Naag masses, and then
returned to North India, settling near the banks of the Narmada in Saurashtra. At that time,
Charans had seven Gotras and seven Yuthas, establishing relations with Naag clans,
resulting in 16 gotras emerging, eventually becoming 23. Kagbapu belonged to the Tumbel
Gotra of these 23 gotras, tracing back to Tumbel, the son of Aai Aadi Aavad and Adhya
Charan.

Tumbel’s heirs, including Samur Charan, came into contact with Sama Rajputs residing at
Gujarat (Saurashtra)’s Osam mountain. The Sama ancestor, Devendra, had four sons:
Asapat, Gajpat, Narpat, and Bhupat. Narpat weighed Charan Kumar against gold, as
reflected in an old doha in the Kutchi language:

“Osamta uttari, dana palkhi e per,
te duno tumer, same torya sonabher.”

Descendants of Jaam Narpat and Samur migrated from Sindh to the Adi regions of
Abdhan-Gij, resisting invasions of Islam. Subsequently, all Rajputs and Charans migrated to
different regions, eventually founding the state of Sindh with the help of Aai Avad Ashapura.
Charans settled on the banks of the Indus, flourishing culturally.
In this vibrant Charan culture, Nanad Tumbel, son of Gungad Charan, lived in happiness and
prosperity with his twelve sons and three wives. Gungad led the Charan community at that
time.

The present Gungada branch of the Tumbel gotra, along with its sub-branches, descends
from Gungada. One of Gungad’s sons, Somang, is renowned as the poet Somang Barot and
was a friend of the famous Jam Lakha Fulani. Gugad’s second son, Sonang, was also a
great poet and is fondly remembered alongside Kutch’s Danveer Sapad Chotani.

Additionally, Mawar, another son of Gungad, and his descendants are known as Mawar.
The Mawar branch has sub-branches, including Aai Shree Sonalma’s Mod branch and Poet
Dula Kag’s ‘Kag’ branch. Bhagchand, Gungad’s third son, and his descendants are known
as Bhagchand. They are present in Kodai in Kutch, Pipdiya in Baradi, and other villages.
Ladhopir and his son Vachio gained fame among accomplished men from the Bhagchand
lineage. Aai Shri Gangama’s descendants in Kodai hold the title of ‘Vadal’ and are
considered leaders among Kutch’s Charans.

From Gungad’s son Maya, after several generations, Sedayta (Shiladitya) emerged,
establishing the village of Zarpara. The lineage includes Vir Dada, Aamipa, Dayo Gadhero,
Ram Ravo, Poet Varu of Kathada, Hurdas, Musrana Thapo Bhagat, Charatrapun, and
present members like Aai Shri Deval and Swami Satyanarayan. This lineage is from the
Seda Branch of Tumbel Charans.

Sons like Gango,Samo, Rudayas, Bijal, and others have further enriched the name of the
Gungad Charan lineage. Gungad’s eldest son, Mawar, led to the lineage of Mayo, and Bijal
followed in Mayo’s lineage. Bijal Singh, a renowned poet in Kutch and Saurashtra, was a
master in Sara Portry, singing, speech, and musical knowledge. Great kings revered him,
sacrificing everything for his vocal music.

In the famous Sufi poet Shah Abdul Latif’s scripture ‘Shahjo Rasalo,’ Bijal is mentioned in
Kutchi – Sindhi language as follows:

“Allah ji asha kare, charan chore chang,
Marun je jungle jo, kan rehanu rang,
‘Bijal’ sandho bung, khalim khalim kaiye.”

Translation:

The animals of the jungle too were mesmerized by Bijal’s music, praying that
Bijal’s promise is fulfilled.

As per Kutch’s Tumbel Charans history, Bijal had two sons, Dhandhuk and Kag. According to
another opinion, among the twelve sons of Gangad Tumbel, one was Bijal, and all
three—Somang, Sonag, and Bijal—were great poet brothers. However, according to Raval
Devs’ book, Bijal’s elder son Dhandhuk established Vavar village in Kutch. Dhandhuk’s son
Mod is among the four famous heroic men of Kutch—Mod, Lapo, Amipo, and Jojirag. The
lineage of Mod continues in Vavar, and Aai Shri Sonal maa also belongs to the Mod lineage.
Disputes exist regarding the residence of the Kag branch in Kutch. One opinion suggests
their residence near Sindhodi, near Pigleshwar Mahadev, presently known as ‘Kagevara’
farm. A similar ‘Kagvera’ farm is situated in Vavar. Additionally, the Patiya village at Khedoi
(Ta. Anjar) is mentioned to have a hamlet of the ‘Kag’ branch. It is also said that Kag branch
Charans maintained good relations with Khedoi’s Darbars.

Despite differing opinions about their residence in Kutch, there is no doubt that the ‘Kag’
branch Charans resided in Kutch. The great Charan poet, Shri Dula Bhaya Kag, incarnated
in the “Kag” sub-branch of the Gungda branch of the Tumbel gotra, enhancing the pride of
Gujarat and the entire Charan Clan.

The ancestral history of Kag Bapu’s ancestors follows a glorious tradition—from the Giri
Shikhar of the Himalayas to Telang in South India, then to the banks of the Narmada,
Saurashtra, Kutch, Sindh, Punjab, Rajasthan, and back to Kutch and Saurashtra’s ‘Majadar’
village. This village is now renamed “Kagdham” as a tribute to the poet Kag.

Rano Kag, Kagbapu’s sixth-generation descendant, migrated from Kutch to Saurashtra,
settling in villages near Bhavnagar. Bhagat Bapu’s grandfather, Zala Kag, married Jasha
Ardu’s daughter. From the womb of Jasha Ardu’s daughter, Aai Ranbai, a man like Bhaya
Kag was born. On Vikram Samvant 1958 Kartak Vad 11, i.e., November 25, 1903, on a
Saturday midnight, Dula Bhaya Kag emerged as the son of the great Bhaya Kag and Aai
Dhanbai.

Dula Bhaya Kag added a feather to the laurel wreath of his heroic ancestors, blessing them
with increased glory. Hats off to Poet Kag