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Agrasen

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Agrasen
Maharaja
PredecessorMaharaja Vallabhsen
SuccessorShail
ConsortNandini
IssueVibhu
HouseRaghuvansham
Dynasty
FatherMaharaja Vallabh
MotherBhagwati Devi

Agrasen, most commonly known as Maharaja (literally, great king) Agrasen, was a legendary Indian king of Agroha, a city of traders in the district of Hisar, Haryana. He is a descendant of the Hindu deity, Shri Ramchandra's elder son, Kush. He is credited with the establishment of a kingdom of traders in Northern India named Agroha, and is known for his compassion in refusing sacrificial slaughter of animals in yajnas. Goddess Mahalakshmi bestowed prosperity for him and his descendants.[citation needed]

The Agrawals, a community of traditional traders from northern India, regard Maharaja Agrasen as their forefather and a historical figure who established the foundations of their community in the Kingdom of Agroha.[1] In fact, the term Agrawal means "descendants of Agrasen" or "people of Agroha".

The image depicts a commemorative stamp issued by India in 1976 honoring Maharaja Agrasen. The stamp features an illustration of Maharaja Agrasen, often depicted in royal attire, emphasizing his historical significance as a revered figure in the Agrawal community. The background is typically adorned with traditional motifs, highlighting his connection to Indian culture and heritage. The stamp serves to celebrate his legacy and the values he represents, particularly in relation to the Agrawal community’s origins.
Postage stamp issued by the Government of India in 1976, commemorating Maharaja Agrasen's 5100th birth anniversary.
A regal depiction of Maharaja Agrasen, a legendary king revered in Indian history and mythology, seated on a grand throne adorned with intricate designs and flanked by two lions symbolizing strength and royalty. He is portrayed in traditional royal attire, with elaborate jewelry and a crown, holding a scepter. The artwork has a vibrant blue background with decorative floral patterns, enhancing the royal aura. The text at the bottom identifies him as "Maharaja Agrasen," with additional inscriptions describing the artwork was crafted for a Maldives postage stamp in 2016. The entire design reflects a blend of respect, reverence, and artistic grandeur dedicated to the king's legacy.
Postage stamp issued by the Maldives in 2016 on Maharaja Agrasen's birth anniversary.[2]

The occasion of his birth anniversary called Agrasen Jayanti is celebrated in the Indian states of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh where it is recognized as a public or a gazetted holiday.[3][4][5][6] The Government of India in 1976 commemorated the 5100th birth anniversary of Maharaja Agrasen by issuing a postage stamp depicting him, [7][8] and so did Maldives in 2016 as a tribute to the contributions of the Agrawal community, a prominent business group in India, in the growing trade relationship between the Maldives and India.[2] The eastern wing of the modern day Agroha Dham temple is dedicated to Maharaja Agrasen, serving as a significant cultural and heritage center for the Agrawal community.[9]

Agrasen ki Baoli in Delhi. The current structure was built in the 14th century by the Agrawal community, which traces its origin to King Agrasen.[10] It is believed that the original structure was built by the king Agrasen[11] during the Mahabharat epic era.

History

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The image showcases the grand entrance to the **Agroha Dham Hindu temple**, with three towering, ornately decorated structures rising prominently against an overcast sky. The central structure is the tallest, with a distinctive brownish-red facade adorned with symmetrically placed windows and carved niches that add depth and texture. Its dome has a rounded, layered design crowned with a golden pinnacle at the top. Flanking the central tower are two slightly shorter towers, each adorned with vibrant colors and intricate artwork. Both towers have sky-blue panels accented with floral patterns and traditional Hindu motifs in hues of pink, gold, and red. The top of each of these side towers is capped with lotus-like structures, topped by golden finials. At the main entrance of the temple, a statue depicting a divine chariot pulled by horses and guided by warriors or deities stands prominently, drawing attention. Below the chariot, a large archway leads into the temple, with detailed architectural elements on either side. The steps leading up to the entrance are wide and surrounded by well-maintained greenery, with various plants, shrubs, and flowering bushes lining the walkway. The scene is bustling with visitors, some ascending the stairs towards the temple, while others are seen standing or moving around in groups. The pathway leading up to the temple is clean and well-kept, bordered by a trimmed lawn and decorative plants, contributing to the peaceful and reverent atmosphere.
The grand entrance of the Agroha Dham Hindu temple located in Agroha, Hisar district, Haryana. The temple is dedicated to goddess Mahalakshmi, the Kuladevi of the Agrawals, who trace their origins to Agroha, whose foundations were laid by the great king Maharaja Agrasen.

Bharatendu Harishchandra (1850-1885), a renowned Agrawal author and poet, compiled the legend of Maharaja Agrasen in his 1871 essay Agarwalon ki Utpatti ("Origins of Agrawals and Agrahari"). Bhartendu is not clear about his sources, stating that he compiled the legend from "tradition" and "ancient writings", naming one of these texts as Sri Mahalakshmi Vrat Ki Katha ("The Story of the Fast for Goddess Mahalakshmi"). He claimed to have found this text in a "later" part of the Bhavishya Purana, which exists in several recensions. However, subsequent researchers were unsuccessful in tracing this text in any published version of the "Bhavishya Purana.[12] In 1976, the Agrawal historian Satyaketu Vidyalankar published a copy of the Mahalakshmi Vrat Ki Katha in his Agrwal Jati Ka Prachin Itihas ("Ancient History of the Agrawal caste"). He states that he had found this copy in the personal library of Bharatendu Harishchandra; academic Lawrence Babb notes that this copy does not contain any clue about its origin.[12]

Legend

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Agrasen was a Kshatriya king of the Sūryavaṃśi dynasty who adopted the Vanika dharma for the benefit of his people. He was the ruler of Khandavprasth, Ballabhgarh, and Agr Janapada (present-day Delhi, Ballabhgarh, and Agra).[13][14]

According to Bharatendu Harishchandra's account, Maharaja Agrasen was born on 15th September 3082 BC, or in 4250 BC on the first day of Ashvin Shukla Paksha, in the last stages of Dvapara Yuga, or the beginning of Kali Yuga. He was the eldest son of Sūryavaṃśi Maharaja Vallabhsen and Queen Bhagwati Devi of Pratapnagar (in present-day Rajasthan) and the elder brother of Shursen.[13] Maharaja Agrasen was a 34th-generation descendant of the lineage of Lord Rama's elder son, Kush. At the age of 15, Agrasen fought in the Mahabharata war alongside the Pandavas. Lord Krishna proclaimed that Agrasen would be a yug purush, or "man of the age," and an avatar in the Kali Yuga.

Marriage to Madhavi

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He was married to Madhavi, the daughter of the serpent king Nagaraja Kumud, with whom Indra was also smitten. When she chose Agrasen as her husband, Indra, the lord of thunderstorms and rain could not bear her loss and created a drought in Pratapnagar. The famine in Agrasen's kingdom forced him to go to war against Indra, but sage Narada brokered peace.[13]

Agrasen's Austerities

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Maharaja Agrasen went to the city of Kāshi and performed intense tapasya (austerity) for the welfare of his subjects. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Shiva advised him to perform tapasya for Goddess Lakshmi. Goddess Lakshmi, pleased with his selfless austerities, granted him a boon: “Establish a new kingdom and, while following the principles of Kshatriya dharma, nurture and protect your kingdom and subjects! Your kingdom will always be filled with wealth and abundance.” Goddess Lakshmi is the kuldevi of (many) Agrawals.[15]

Agrawal gotras

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Main article: Agarwal § Gotras

Per Bharatendu Harishchandra, the Agarwals are organized into seventeen and a half gotras (exogamous clans), which came into being from seventeen and a half sacrifices performed by Agrasen. The last sacrifice is considered "half" because it was abandoned after Agrasen expressed remorse for the violent animal sacrifices. Bharatendu also mentions that Agrasen had 17 queens and a junior queen, but does not mention any connection between these queens and the formation of the gotras. Neither does he explain how sacrifices led to the formation of the gotras.[16]

Historically, due to regional differences there has been no single unanimous list of these seventeen and a half gotras. In 1983, The Akhil Bhartiya Aggarwal Sammelan, a major organization of Agrawals (also Baranwals), ratified a list of Agarwal gotras.[17] To avoid classification of any particular gotra as "half", the Sammelan provides a list of following 18 gotras:[18]

  1. Garg
  2. Goyal
  3. Kucchal (Agrahari)
  4. Kansal
  5. Bindal
  6. Dharan
  7. Singhal
  8. Jindal
  9. Mittal
  10. Tingal
  11. Tayal
  12. Bansal
  13. Bhandal
  14. Nangal
  15. Mangal
  16. Airan
  17. Madhukul
  18. Goyan

The list does not include several existing clans such as Kotrivala, Pasari, Mudgal, Tibreval, and Singhla.[19]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Maharaja Agrasen". Agroha Vikas Trust | Agroha Dhaam India. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Maldives issues special postage stamp on Maharaja Agrasen". Economic Times. 1 October 2016. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Government of Punjab, Department of Personnel" (PDF). Notification from Government of Punjab, Department of Personnel. 15 December 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Haryana Government, Department of Human Resources, Notification" (PDF). Haryana Government, Department of Human Resources, Notification. 22 December 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 March 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  5. ^ "Government of Rajasthan, The General Administration Department Notification" (PDF). 9 October 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 May 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  6. ^ "2024 Public Holiday Calendar | Government of Uttar Pradesh | India". Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  7. ^ "KCR Praises Vaisyas to Skies, Says The Community Knows Art of Life". Archived from the original on 26 September 2014.
  8. ^ India, Post of (1976), English: Stamp, retrieved 27 October 2024
  9. ^ "Agroha dhaam". Agroha Vikas Trust | Agroha Dhaam India. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  10. ^ "Agrasen Ki Baoli". AgrasenKiBaoli.com. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  11. ^ Mittal, J.P. (2006), History of Ancient India (4250 BC to 637 AD) page 675, ISBN 978-81-269-0616-1 (This author considers King Agrasen an actual historical figure)
  12. ^ a b Babb 2004, p. 199.
  13. ^ a b c Bhartendu Harischandra. Agarwalon Ki Utpatti Bhartendu Harischandra.
  14. ^ "About Maharaja Agrasen – Maharaja Agrasen Medical College, Agroha (Haryana)". Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  15. ^ "Agarwālā | Indian Caste, Social Hierarchy & Endogamy | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  16. ^ Babb 2004, pp. 201–202.
  17. ^ Babb 2004, pp. 193–194.
  18. ^ Babb 2004, p. 192.
  19. ^ Babb 2004, p. 193:"...a few ostensible clan names appeared (Koṭrīvālā, Pasārī , Mudgal, Ṭibṛevāl, Singhlā) that do not appear on the official list of 18."

Bibliography

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Babb, Lawrence A. (2004). Alchemies of Violence: Myths of Identity and the Life of Trade in Western India. SAGE. p. 199. ISBN 978-0-7619-3223-9.

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