Kachwahas

Kachwahas, also spelled Kachhawaha, are a Rajput clan from Rajasthan, India. Traditionally associated with the historic kingdoms of Amber (Amer Fort) near Jaipur and later the city of Jaipur, the Kachwahas formed one of the leading royal lineages in western India.

Origin and status: The Kachwahas are generally described as Suryavanshi (Solar dynasty) Rajputs, though like many Rajput lineages their early genealogies mix legend and history.

Historical role: From the 15th to 18th centuries, they ruled Amber Fort and controlled the strategic region in western Rajasthan. Rao Man Singh I (c. 1550–1614), a Kachwaha ruler, served as a trusted general of Emperor Akbar and commanded Mughal forces in several campaigns. In the mid-18th century, Sawai Jai Singh II (r. 1699–1743) established Jaipur as the capital in 1727 and built a new urban center, along with the Jantar Mantar observatories, reflecting a blend of Rajput and Mughal influences. The Kachwaha rulers continued to govern the state of Jaipur until the integration of princely states into India after 1947 and the subsequent reorganization in 1949.

Legacy and present: The Kachwaha dynasty left a lasting architectural and cultural imprint on Rajasthan, notably Amber Fort and the City Palace in Jaipur. Today, the Kachwaha lineage persists as a prominent royal family in Rajasthan, wielding ceremonial titles and managing heritage properties that are major tourist attractions.