Alha

Alha is primarily known as a legendary Rajput warrior from medieval North Indian folklore, best known from the saga cycle known as the Alha-Khand. In the ballads, Alha appears alongside his brother Udal as a skilled and loyal fighter whose deeds are celebrated in regional oral poetry. The stories exist in multiple versions with varying genealogies and settings, and they are transmitted through local bards and singers rather than a single fixed manuscript.

The tales depict Alha and Udal as valiant leaders who defend their king and homeland in battles against rival forces. Central themes include courage, loyalty, sacrifice, and the costs of war. Because the legends were transmitted orally over centuries, details such as place names, historical identifications, and the precise chronology differ across communities and regions. The Alha-Khand tradition is especially associated with Rajasthan and adjoining parts of the central Indian plains, and it circulates in languages and dialects such as Marwari, Mewari, Braj Bhasha, and Hindi.

Cultural significance of the Alha narratives extends beyond mere entertainment. They have influenced regional literature, music, and theatre, and continue to be sung or performed at festivals and gatherings in parts of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The figure of Alha, along with Udal, is often invoked as a symbol of martial valor and communal identity in folk culture. Scholarly attention typically treats the material as folklore with historical elements, emphasizing its role in shaping regional memory rather than providing a precise historical record.

Other references to the name Alha may appear in modern given names within Indian communities. See also Alha-Khand, Udal, and Rajput folklore.