Bisen Kshatriya

The Visen clan (also spelled Bishen or Virsen) is a prominent Rajput clan belonging to the Suryavanshi (Solar Dynasty) lineage of Kshatriyas in India. Traditionally warriors and rulers, they trace their Gotra to the ancient sage Vatsa, placing them within the esteemed Vedic and historical heritage of Northern India.

Etymology

The name Bisen is believed to derive from the Sanskrit words "viswa" (entire) and "sena" (army), implying a clan strong enough to challenge or command a complete army. Some legends also trace the clan's name to a legendary ancestor named Virsen or Vishwajeet Sen.

Origins and Historical Background

The Visen Kshatriyas claim descent from the Ikshvaku dynasty of the Suryavansha, which includes legendary figures such as Lord Rama. This lineage is considered among the most prestigious of the Kshatriya varnas in ancient Indian tradition. They trace their specific ancestry back to Chandraketu, son of Lakshmana (brother of Lord Rama) and King of Karnataka.

The Visen clan ruled for approximately 100 years during the 4th and 5th centuries CE. The name Visen or Bishen is said to have been adopted from King Vishwasen, grandson of King Kukusthavarman and son of Mayurbhatt II, around 356 CE. This name was also attributed to the valiant King Birsen.

Gotra and Pravara

Gotra: Vatsa. Bisen Kshatriyas belong to the Vatsa Gotra, a lineage tracing back to Rishi Vatsa, believed to be a descendant of the sage Bhrigu or Gautama. This association reflects an integration of both warrior (Kshatriya) and sage (Rishi) lineages.
Pravara (Lineage of Sages):
- Bhargava
- Chyavana
- Apnavana
- Aurva
- Jamadagni These sages are considered part of the ancestral line in rituals and sacred rites.

Vatsa Kingdom Connection

The Vatsa Mahajanapada was one of the 16 major realms of ancient India. Its capital, Kaushambi, is located near modern-day Prayagraj (Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh. The kingdom played a crucial role during the Vedic and Buddhist periods and was associated with the Vatsa Gotra in name and tradition.

Key States and Rulers

The Bisen Rajputs historically ruled in parts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and parts of Nepal. Key regions of influence include:

Majhauli Raj (Deoria), Uttar Pradesh: Historically known as Mallamahajanpad, it was founded by King Prithvimall, considered the most powerful ruler of the clan around 1500 years ago. This was the most powerful kingdom in North India, with its influence extending from Ayodhya to Pataliputra. All Visens are said to have migrated from the Majhauli Raj dynasty. In medieval times, Majhauli Raj was a notable Zamindari and Thakurate (chieftain) estate.
Sukhet (Mandi), Himachal Pradesh: Founded by Birsen.
Gonda, Uttar Pradesh: Established by Prince Pratap Mall, the younger son of King Nripal of Majhauli state. Later, Bhavani Singh, the second son of King Man Singh II of Gonda, founded the Bhinga state.
Bhinga (Bahraich): Founded by Bhavani Singh, second son of King Ram Singh of Gonda. Maharaja Uday Pratap Singh of Bhinga made significant contributions to social and educational development. He founded the Hewett Kshatriya High School in Varanasi in 1909 (upgraded to Uday Pratap Intermediate College in 1921 and Uday Pratap Autonomous College in 1949). He also established the Akhil Bhartiya Kshatriya Mahasabha organization.
Unnao: Founded by Unwant Singh Visen around 1830.
Sultanpur, Mankapur, Balrampur, Lakhimpur, Kunda (Pratapgarh), Kalakankar.
Punuk, Bihar.
Pachhimgaon and Madhuban Raj: Other significant medieval Zamindari and Thakurate estates.

Role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857

The Visen clan played a significant role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857:

Narharpur: Visen King Hari Prasad Mall fiercely resisted the British.
Badlapur (Pratapgarh): Descendants of Lok Mall, Roopmall, and Harimall, led by Babu Bahadur, rallied locals against the British.
Paina Village (Barhaj, Gorakhpur/Deoria): Visen Rajputs of Paina village were known for looting British supplies and drowning British soldiers. On July 31, 1857, despite a combined land and water attack by the British under Lieutenant Pullan, Brigadier Douglas, and Colonel Rookcroft, the villagers initially repelled them. However, with the arrival of the Gorkha army, thousands of villagers, led by Thakur Ajarayal Singh, Ayodhya Singh, and Param Dayal Singh, were martyred. The Kshatriya women performed Jauhar (mass self-immolation or drowning) in the river, echoing the historical event of Chittor.

Cultural and Religious Practices

Kuldevi (Clan Goddess): Many Bisen families worship Goddess Shachi (Indrani), consort of Lord Indra, as their Kuldevi. Other regional deities like Durga, Kali, or Devi Vindhyavasini may also be venerated. The clan's traditional Kuldevi is Durga.
Vedas: Samaveda / Yajurveda.
Sacred Thread Ceremony (Yagnopaveet): Performed at the age of 12.
Tradition: Worshippers of swords.
Festivals and Traditions:
- Vijayadashami: Marks the martial legacy of Rajputs.
- Rama Navami: Given the lineage from Lord Rama, this is particularly important.
- Kuldevi Puja: Regularly observed in ancestral temples.
Gotra Rules and Marriage: As per Vedic Hindu traditions, marriage within the same Gotra is strictly avoided due to the belief in shared ancestry. Vatsa Gotra members, therefore, marry into clans with different gotras.

Geographical Distribution

The Visen clan is predominantly found in:

Uttar Pradesh: Ballia, Gonda, Deoria, Azamgarh, Gorakhpur, Basti, Mau, Kushinagar, Maharajganj, Unnao, Kanpur, Lakhimpur, Lucknow, Pratapgarh, Fatehpur, Ballia (specifically in five villages: Choura, Kathariya, Pipra, Daulatpur, Itahi, and also a cluster of 52 villages in the same district), Ghazipur, Varanasi, Mirzapur, Sultanpur, Kalakankar, Bhadohi (Sant Ravidas Nagar), Ambedkar Nagar, Jaunpur, Allahabad, Bahraich, Balrampur, Shravasti.
Bihar: Siwan, Gopalganj, Chhapra (Mahrauda), Bhojpur, Buxar, Motihari, Purnia, Katihar, Begusarai, Madhepura, Dumaria, Punuk.
Himachal Pradesh: Sukhet (Mandi) royal family, Kangra-Baroh (Barohar).
Uttarakhand and Haryana.
Madhya Pradesh: Rewa, Satna (Khohar village – descendants of Thakur Jagatdhari Singh Visen, with Thakur Sharda Singh Visen migrating from Pratapgarh in 1801).
Nepal Terai.

They are generally engaged in agriculture, military, politics, and administration, continuing their traditional role as leaders and protectors.

Notable Surnames and Titles

Common surnames and titles include:

Singh
Rai
Thakur
Chaudhary These signify both Rajput status and landholding heritage.

Related Communities

Rajput
Suryavanshi
Vatsa Gotra Brahmins
Gaur Brahmins (some with similar gotra)

Related Places

Baba Gangeshwarnath Dham: A Shiva temple in Itahara village, Deoria, constructed around 1750 CE by Visen Rajputs with the help of the contemporary Kashi Naresh. It's significant for its location facing the west-flowing Ganga and is a major site for Maha Shivratri celebrations.
Majhauli Raj: A town and district panchayat in Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, known for its ancient history and connection to the Visen Rajputs. It boasts ruins reflecting its glorious past and is near sacred sites like Bhagda Mandir and Baba Dirgheshwarnath Temple (said to be founded by Ashwatthama). The Mall-Vishen royal family of Majhauli received the title 'Shahi' from Mughal Emperor Akbar.
Itahara: A village in Sant Ravidas Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh, surrounded by the Ganga river. It was a well-developed market center in the Koniya region and is predominantly inhabited by Visen Rajputs, who founded the village.
Kuldevi Temple: Located in Derwa, Pratapgarh district, this is the temple of the Kuldevi of the renowned Bhadri royal family, who are Visen Thakurs. Built by the ancestors of Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh, the temple is approximately 800 years old. It's a significant site for family rituals and has received government funding for development as a tourist spot.

References

Standard of Lifestyle - Vatsa Gotra
Jatland - Vatsa Janapada
Sahu Brahmin Matrimony – Vatsa Gotra
Wikipedia – Vatsa Kingdom
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/20382/IN
https://www.rajputcommunity.in/t/bisen-mallavanshi-rajputras/433
Majhauli Raj