Jadaun

In Hindu culture, Jadaun (also spelt as Jadon) is a name of Chandravanshi (Yaduvanshi) Rajputs.

Origins

Jadauns are the descendants of King Yayati's son Yadu. According to Purans, King Yayati had two wives, Sharmishtha and Devyani. Devyani was the daughter of Asura Guru Shukracharya. Yadu was the son of Yayati and Devyani. From Yadu Yaduvanshi came and now they became Jadaun/Jadon.

God Krishna was born in this clan. The clan ruled the state of Karauli along with a few other kingdoms till India's independence.

They also occupied forts of Bijai Garh, built by Pundir Rajputs, at Bayana and Timan Garh near Karauli. The distance between the two forts is about 50 kilometers.

Other branches

Jadon Bhati is another branch of Jadon Rajputs who ruled over Jaisalmer. Jadon are known as "Jadeja" Rajputs in Gujrat. Other branches of Jadon Rajputs are Banaphar, largely found in Bundelkhand (Some people doubt Banaphar as they are converted from some other caste), Dabhi and Chhokar Rajputs found in UP West. There are some Chokar Rajputs in Haryana as well.

Maharaja of Mysore also claims to be Yaduvanshi Rajputs.

Pricely state of Bharatpur in Rajsthan claims its origin to Jadon Rajput King, named Sindpal of Karuali. Patiala Princely State claims its origin to Jadon Bhati house of Jaisalmer. However, due to inter-marriage with 'Jat' women, rulers of both the erstwhile States of Bharatpur and Patiala ceased to be Rajputs. Rulers of erswhile Bharatpur State were 'Sinsinwar' Jats, whereas those of Patiala state were 'Sidhu' Jats.

Jadon Rajputs are one of the high class Rajputs, and are among the 36 Royal Clans of Rajputs as enumerated by Col. James Tod in his Books on "Annals and Antiquities of Rajputana" [http://www.amazon.com/s/?search-alias=stripbooks&field-author=James%20Tod] . Col James Tod [http://www.electricscotland.com/history/men/tod_james.htm] had mentioned that Yaduvansh has eight branches (sakhas) namely:
*Jadon,
*Jadeja of Gujrat,
*Jadon Bhati of Jaisalmer,
*Samaiva of Sind (now converted to Islam),
* Madecha
*Bidman,
*Bidda and
*Soha. Nothing is known of last four branches.

Maharaja Of Karauli used to get 17 Gun Salutes during British Period whereas House of Jaisalmer and Jamnagar got 15 Gun Salutes.

Col Tod says that Tomar Rajput is another subdivision of Yaduvanshi Rajputs. His claim is further borne out by the fact that all Tomars in UP claim to be of Atri Gotra which is Gotra of Jadon, Bhati and Jadejas.

However, Col. Tod is not quite right in this regard, since Tomar/ Tanwar Rajputs are descended from Mahabharat's great hero, Arjun, through his son Abhimanyu, and grandson, Parikshit. Both Kauravas and Pandavs were 'Bharatvanshis', descendants of King Yayati's youngest son, Puru, through Dushyant, Bharat, Hastin, Kuru, Shantanu, etc. Also, 'Bharatvanshis' and 'Yaduvanshis' could not be of the same clan, otherwise Kunti, aunt of Shree Krishn, a Yaduvanshi, would not be married to King Pandu, and Subhadra, sister of shree Krishna would not be married to Arjun.