Sachan

The term "Sachan" is believed to have originated from the Marathi word "सचाणा," meaning "Eagle." They were an infantry unit of the Maratha army established under the leadership of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, known for their mastery in guerrilla warfare. Sachans were renowned for their expertise in surprise attacks and guerrilla tactics. During the Peshwa era, they were dispatched to Kanpur (specifically Ghatampur) as representatives of the Scindhia Royal House of Gwalior, responsible for overseeing the Northern regions of the Maratha Kingdom.

Notably, they participated in the Third Battle of Panipat. Following the Marathas' defeat, many Sachans transitioned from warfare to agriculture. However, during the 1857 Revolt in Kanpur, they played a pivotal role in Tatya Tope's and Nana Saheb's armies. Their presence in the region deterred the British from entering rural Kanpur (now Ghatampur and Bhognipur Tehsils) for about a year after the revolt ended.

The Sachans trace their origins to Maharashtra and consider themselves affiliated with the Bhosale and Shinde (Scindhia) clans of Marathas. They were initially sent to Kanpur for various purposes, including administration. After the Third Battle of Panipat, many Sachans settled in the fertile lands of Kanpur. Some Sachans are said to have migrated to Kanpur when Peshwa Bajirao II was exiled to Bithoor.

Sachans trace their lineage back to the Suryavansh (Raghuvansh) and are believed to be descendants of King Lav, the son of the Hindu God-King Lord Ram of Ayodhya. It is believed that during the early 12th century Islamic invasions, Sachan Jamindars were defeated and killed, prompting their migration from Uttar Pradesh to Maharashtra, where they intermingled with other Kurmi (Kunbi) people who later formed the Maratha caste.[2]

• Nikhil Sachan
• Rakesh Sachan

• Awadhiya