Rao Bhati

Rao Bhati
The Bhatner Fort, supposedly built by Rao Bhati's son Bhupat in memory of his father.
Monarch of Bathinda
Reign	c. 3rd century
Successor	Bhupat
Issue	Bhupat
Dynasty	Ancestor of the Bhati dynasty
Religion	Hindu

Rao Bhati was an ancient Hindu monarch (raja) who ruled during c. 3rd century. He is considered the eponymous ancestor of the Bhati clan of Rajputs present in modern-day India and Pakistan. Bhati and his claim direct descent from the Hindu mythological Yaduvanshi lineage of the Lunar dynasty. He is also the common ancestor of many notable individuals and families.

Bhati and his ancestors claimed direct descent from Yadu, the legendary king of the Hindu Yaduvanshi lineage,^[1] a branch of the Lunar dynasty in Hindu mythology.^[1] Bhati's ancestor and a semi-legendary emperor, was according to some historians, the first of the Yaduvanshi Rajputs to settle in Punjab.^[2][3] According to some historical accounts, in c. 78 CE, Shalivahna defeated the Indo-Scythians in a battle near modern-day Multan, and in commemoration, he adopted the title 'Sakari', which meant 'foe of the Scythians'.^[3][4] He is also the common ancestor of many notable individuals and families.^[5][6]

Bhati was born in the Punjab region, in what is now Sialkot, during the 3rd century.^[2] His early life, according to historical sources, was in Punjab.^[1][2] Bhati was a monarch and the leader of a Yaduvanshi Yadu Rajput clan, which was named after Yadu, the Historical king in Hinduism.^[7] During his rule in the 3rd century, Bhati conquered and annexed territories from 14 princes in Punjab, including the area of what is now modern-day Lahore.^[8][7] He is also credited with establishing the modern city of Bathinda, Punjab, after he captured the area in the 3rd century.^[2][9]

During Bhati's rule, and in recognition of his achievements, the patronymic of his clan, which had previously been named Yadu after the same mythological king in Hinduism, was changed to Bhati.^[2][7][5] The Bhati Rajput clan was then named after him.^[5][7] Many of Bhati's descendants achieved notability. His descendant in the 12th century, Jaisal Singh, became the founder and Rawal of the Kingdom of Jaisalmer.^[7] Through his 17th-century descendant, Phul Sidhu, who was also a direct descendant of Jaisal Singh, he is the direct ancestor of the Phulkian dynasty royal families of Patiala, Nabha, Jind, and Faridkot, and their descendants.^{[2][6][10][7]}

• Lethbridge, Sir Roper (1900). The Golden Book of India. A Genealogical and Biographical Dictionary of the Ruling Princes, Chiefs, Nobles, and Other Personages, Titled Or Decorated, of the Indian Empire. With an Appendix for Ceylon. London: S. Low, Marston & Company. p. 112.
• Singh, Kirpal (2005). Baba Ala Singh: Founder of Patiala Kingdom (2nd ed.). Amritsar: Guru Nanak Dev University. pp. 113–120.
• Vadivelu, A. (1915). The ruling chiefs, nobles and zamindars of India. Madras: G. C. Loganadham Bros. p. 205.
• Imperial Gazetteer of India: Provincial Series: Rajputana. Vol. 23. Calcutta: Superintendent of Government Printing. 1908. pp. 208–209. Archived from the original on 18 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
• Singh Yadav, J.N. (1992). Yadavas Through The Ages. Vol. II. Delhi: Sharada Publishing House. pp. 68–71.</ref> He is also credited with establishing the modern city of Bathinda, Punjab, after he captured the area in the 3rd century.^[1]
• Singha, H. S. (2000). The Encyclopedia of Sikhism (over 1000 Entries). New Delhi: Hemkunt Press. p. 165. ISBN 978-81-7010-301-1. Archived from the original on 20 June 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
• Todd, James (2008). Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, v. 2 of 3 or the Central and Western Rajput States of India. Project Gutenberg. p. 1169. ISBN 978-8174365798.
• Bond, J. W.; Wright, Arnold (2006). Indian States: A Biographical, Historical, and Administrative Survey. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. ISBN 978-81-206-1965-4. Archived from the original on 20 June 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
• Punjab District Gazetteers: Bathinda. Chandigarh: Revenue Department, Punjab. 1992. p. 37. Archived from the original on 17 July 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.