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that they had been able to hold against the Gaur invaders under Kuber Sah. In the beginning of the 15th century (see pargana Sandi) Raja Barwan, grandson of S^ntan II, who had fled away to the Kumaon hills, was allowed by the Governor of Kanauj to resume possession of his grandfather's domain and to establish himself at Baburhia, the deserted town of the Thatheras which he re-named Barwan.

all

In his old age Raja Barwan determined to go on a pilgrimage to Kashi (Benares) and sent for Lakhmi Sen, the eldest of his four sons, to make over the kingdom to him. Lakhmi Sen was out fishing, and refused to come till he had finished his sport ; so Karan Sen, the second son, became Raja

and

left

Barwan and

settled at Siwaichpur in

Pargana

Pali.

His two other brothers, Randhir Singh and Ram Singh, remained at Barwan. After a time they quarrelled, and Randhir Singh killed Ram Singh and fled away to his wife's family in Khakatmau Dahelia, in Farukhabad. The widow of the murdered Rdm Singh returned to her father's house in Aiha (Farukhabad), and there gave birth to a posthumous son, who was named Udiaj it. When Udiajit grewup he married a Dhakar Thakurain, and collecting followers from his own and his wife's clansmen, marched to Barwan, drove out the Thatheras who had again possessed themselves Udiajit had of it, and established himself in his grandfather's place. two sons, Askan and Har Das, and seven grandsons. Six of these left Barwan and settled in Chandpura, Nagamau, Gobindpur, Behgaon and Baranra, villages which to this day are held by their descendants. The seventh, Parmanand, the son of Askan, remained at Barwan and built a strong fort upon the ruins of the old Thathera town. His three sons Bas Deo, Todar Mai, and Bhagwan D^s, were men of mark. Bas Deo found a career under his mother's father Kalka, a Bais, Raja of Partabgarh, whom he succeeded, Kalka dying sonless. Todar Mai and Bhagwan Das attended no court and paid no tribute. They and their clansmen were formidable archers. AH attempts to coerce them failed. At last they were persuaded to send their sons Ghazi and Bahadur to Akbar's Court at Delhi. These young warriors took military service under the great emperor, and so won upon him by their prowess in the Deccan campaign, that he bestowed upon them the title of Khan and a rent-free grant of Barwan. The deed of grant has been lost, but the grant has been respected ever since. It was one of the few muafis upheld by Saadat Ali Khan, and has been maintained in perpetuity by our own Government.

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Pargana Barwan is said to have been constituted in 990 Hijri (1582 A. D). The Ain-i-Akbari gives its area at 66,052 bighas ; revenue 2,00,000 dams, cesses 26,385 dams garrison 500 foot soldiers and 20 troopers. In those days it is believed to have consisted of 84 villages. At present there The Sombansis have held it uninterruptedly for four and'a are only 69. half centuries. They have alwaj's given much trouble to the revenue

authorities,

and were,

till lately,

notorious thieves and cattle-lifters.

Once, about a hundred years ago, the Chakladar of Sandi Pali unsuccessbombarded the Barwan fort for nine days. Forty years ago another Chakladar of Sandi, Qutub-ud-din Husen Khan, attacked it with a superior The Sombansis evacuated it by night. Their fort was razed, the force. town burned, and a Government police post established on its ruins. For' fully

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