ABOUT US
Welcome to SVMH, a Hindu community center dedicated to fostering a sense of community and promoting the exchange of ideas. Our mission is to provide a welcoming space where people can come together to share articles, participate in events, and communicate with one another. We believe in the power of community to bring people together and promote positive change
Mythology
The Rastogis are believed to be the descendants of Satyavadi Maharaja Harishchandra. Raja Harishchandra was a Rajarshi (king-sage) and the only earthly king who found a place in the assembly of Gods. Raja Harishchandra was an ancestor of Lord Ram. The famous Raja Bhagirath, who brought Gangaji to the Earth was also a descendant of Raja Harishchandra and an ancestor of Lord Ram.
King Raghu was the grandfather of Raja Dashrath, in whose name Lord Ram was called Raghuvanshi. One of the ancestors of Raja Harishchandra was Vivaswan, also called Suryadev (not the Sun), by his name the Suryavansh was started, so Lord Ram was also called Suryavanshi. Therefore, we the Rastogis are also Suryavanshi as well as Raghuvanshi. It is believed that the word Rastogi is derived from the name of Rohit (Rohitashva), the son of Raja Harishchandra. It was initially spelled as Rohitvanshi, then Rohatagi, then Rustagi, and then Rastogi as per the dialects of different places from where they migrated from time to time.
History
It can not be claimed the exact year when we came to Lucknow, Faizabad, Varanasi, Salon, Bahraiach, Karnailganj, Prayag, Moradabad, Meerut, Bulandshahar, Badaun, Farrukhabad, Kayamganj, Shamshabad, Kanpur, etc. in Uttar Pradesh. But, based on Govt. Gazetteers of different provinces and the genealogy of about 15 generations available with some families of Lucknow, it is established that we came here in the 17th century.
According to the available history, Aurangzeb attacked Rohatashgarh and ruined it violently, and looted the Rotashvanshis. In this situation, the Rotashvanshis get shelter in Rohtik (now Rohtak) in Harshiyana (now Haryana). But, here also they were tortured by Aurangzeb. These Rohitiks were also Harishchandravanshi. Now, the natives of Rohtashgarh and Rohitiks both decided to leave the territory of Aurangzeb and departed from Rohtak, Jhhajhhar, Delhi, etc. to some other places ruled by Nawabs at that time. To safeguard their wealth and honor, they left Haryana and Delhi and routed through Ghaziabad, Muradnagar, Bulandshahar, Meerut, Atrauly, Mathura, Agra, etc. and finally reached Awadh province and settled in the planes of Ganga and Yamuna, and therefore, called Maidaniye. This transition was in about 1670 AD. During this period our ancestors spread over Mughalsarai, Chopan, Varanasi, Chunar, Mirzapur, Chitrakoot, Manikpur, Fatehpur, Raebareily, Salon, Dalmau, and Lucknow. In the past of time, they were called Dalmau, Baddosaraiya, Shahchaudhary, Dilliwal, etc.
In 1735 AD, Nadirshah attacked Delhi and the then-Muslim rulers of Delhi also allied with him in looting and devastation of innocent people. The situation worsens and hence again they decided to migrate and then 44 Rastogi families with 27 other Hindu families left Delhi leaving behind their properties etc. in 1739. During this journey, some people left and some others joined the convoy at their convenience. In 1741, the convoy having 13 Rastogi families and 6 other Hindu families reached Lucknow near the bank of river Gomti. They decided to stay near the river bank; they formed some small huts etc. and started living there. Over time, some families shifted to Chowk, and some to Tikait Rai area and thereafter, they spread over to Chowk, Rajabazar, Rastogitola, Asharfabad, etc.
The families settled near Varanasi were called Indrapati or Indraprasthi, some were called Rohatagi or Rustagi, and others as Rastogi but the roots of all were the same i.e., Harishchandravanshi, Suryavanshi or Raghuvanshi. Therefore, we are Kshatriya by birth and Vaishya by profession. So, proudly say to be the descendants of Satyavadi Maharaja Harishchandra and Lord Ram and follow their teachings of Satya, Daya, Charity, Prem, Devotion, etc., which are our inherent qualities.
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