Sachan is one of the sub-castes within the

Kurmi Kurmi is traditionally a non-elite tiller caste in the lower Gangetic plain of India, especially southern regions of Awadh, eastern Uttar Pradesh and parts of Bihar and Jharkhand. The Kurmis came to be known for their exceptional work ethic, ...

caste in

Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh ( ; UP) is a States and union territories of India, state in North India, northern India. With over 241 million inhabitants, it is the List of states and union territories of India by population, most populated state in In ...

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

. Sachans belong to one of the 96 kul of

Marathas The Maratha Empire, also referred to as the Maratha Confederacy, was an early modern India, early modern polity in the Indian subcontinent. It comprised the realms of the Peshwa and four major independent List of Maratha dynasties and states, Ma ...

, that is Dharmaraj kul. The Sachans attained prominence during the

Third Battle of Panipat The Third Battle of Panipat took place on 14 January 1761 between the Maratha Empire and the invading army of the Durrani Empire. The battle took place in and around the city of Panipat, approximately north of Delhi. The Afghan (ethnonym), Af ...

, where they demonstrated their combat skills and strategic ingenuity. Their involvement in this significant confrontation highlighted their prowess as formidable warriors. However, in the aftermath of the Maratha defeat, many Sachans transitioned from the battlefield to the agrarian sphere, redirecting their focus toward agricultural livelihoods while preserving the valorous legacy of their lineage. During the

1857 Revolt Events January–March * January 1 – The biggest Estonian newspaper, ''Postimees'', is established by Johann Voldemar Jannsen. * January 7 – The partly French-owned London General Omnibus Company begins operating. * Janu ...

, the Sachans were initially part of the Gwalior Contingent. In contrast to the rest of the Gwalior state army, which refrained from participating due to royal directives, the Sachans defied these orders. Under the aegis of

Tatya Tope Tantia Tope (also spelled Tatya Tope, : ̪aːt̪ʲa ʈoːpe 16 February 1814 — 18 April 1859) was a notable commander in the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Early life Born as Ramachandra Panduranga Yewalkar to a Marathi Deshastha Brahmin fami ...

, they engaged in combat against the

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. * British national identity, the characteristics of British people and culture ...

at Masawanpur in

Kanpur Kanpur (Hindustani language, Hindustani: ), originally named Kanhapur and formerly anglicized as Cawnpore, is the second largest city of the Indian States and union territories of India, state of Uttar Pradesh after Lucknow. It was the primary ...

. Despite their valorous efforts, they faced defeat and were compelled to retreat to

Bhognipur Bhognipur or Bhoganipur is a town in Kanpur Dehat district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is the headquarters of the Tehsil of the same name and consists of the Amraudha and Malasa Development Blocks. Situated at the junction of Nation ...

which is now in

Kanpur Dehat district Kanpur Dehat district is a districts of Uttar Pradesh, district in Uttar Pradesh States and union territories of India, state in northern India. The administrative headquarters of the district are at Mati-Akbarpur, Kanpur Dehat, Akbarpur. This d ...

, while other units of their regiment were stationed in

Ghatampur Ghatampur is a town and a municipal board in Kanpur Nagar district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is 40 km away from Kanpur, the main industrial and educational hub of the state. History About 15 km North-East of Ghatampur ...

. Throughout the pivotal revolt in

, the Sachans emerged as crucial allies of

and Nana Saheb. Their unwavering commitment to their leaders was evident in their willingness to relinquish their zamindaries in support of the uprising, showcasing steadfast loyalty and determination in the face of adversity. This act not only reflected their allegiance but also played a pivotal role in prolonging resistance against British forces, effectively preventing their incursion into the rural Kanpur region for an entire year following the conclusion of the revolt. The Sachans migration to

for administrative purposes, coupled with their establishment in the region's fertile lands after the

, further solidified their ties to

. Additionally, it is believed that following Peshwa Bajirao II's exile to

Bithoor Bithoor or Bithur is a town in Kanpur district, 25 km (15mi) by road north of the centre of Kanpur city, in Uttar Pradesh, India. Bithoor is situated on the right bank of the River Ganges, and is a centre of Hindu pilgrimage. Bithoor is also ...

, some Sachans migrated to Kanpur, reinforcing their historical connections to the area. The Sachans are revered not only as formidable warriors but also as guardians of their land. Their multifaceted history exemplifies a narrative of resilience, martial excellence, and unwavering fealty to their lineage.

Notable people

* Nikhil Sachan * Rakesh Sachan

References

{{Reflist Castes Social groups of Uttar Pradesh

Notable people

See also

References