This Rajput community, which claims to be Lord Ram’s descendants, will wear pagris after 500 years!

Most of us mundane people struggle to keep our vows - whether it’s staying away from fast food, or learning a new language.

However, a little-known community from a remote village in Ayodhya has been steadfast in upholding an iron-clad vow - of not donning pagris (traditional headgear) for 500 years!

While the country is rejoicing in the upcoming consecration ceremony through processions and fireworks, the Suryavanshi (roughly translated as ‘Descendants Of The Sun’ in English), community, who hails from Saraiasi, a small hamlet in Ayodhya is celebrating the landmark event their way - by donning their pagris, after more than five centuries!

Who Are The Suryavanshis?

The community is a Rajput clan, with roots in Ayodhya. The Suryavanshi Thakurs believe they were directly descended from Lord Ram.

It is believed that about 90,000 of their ancestors bravely fought to protect Ram Kot (the fort of Lord Ram) from the attacks launched by Mughal emperor Babur’s general Mir Baqi. However, they were outnumbered and had to surrender. The Ram Temple was demolished and the Babri Masjid was built in its ruins in 1528-29.

So the leaders of Suryavanshis gathered at the Surya Kund ( a pond and temple dedicated to the household deity - Lord Surya) and vowed not to don pagris or use leather shoes and umbrellas till the Ram Mandir was resurrected.

According to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Ka Prachin Itihaas, a book penned by writer Ram Gopal Visharad, this vow is depicted through a couple of verses from a poem by Jayaraj:

“Janmabhoomi uddhar hoye, ja din bari bhag, chhata jag panahi nahi, aur nahi bandhhi paag…” (till the time the janmabhoomi is not freed from usurpers, we will shun pagdis, leather shoes and umbrellas)

According to Visharad, the descendants of the 18 valiant warriors who fought the Mughal army - such as Thakur Gajraj Singh, Thakur Kunwar Gopal, and Thakur Jagdamba Singh, stay in various hamlets such as Sirsinda, Sarairasi etc.