Varaha: Hunnic Migration to Hind-Defenders of Bharat Lost in History sheds light on the untold saga of the Varaha Rajputs-fierce warriors descended from the Xiongnu tribes of Mongolia, who journeyed through Central Asia, Iran, and Afghanistan before ultimately settling in India. For over two centuries, they served as guardians of Bharat's northern frontiers, yet mainstream history has relegated them to the shadows.
This book is a mission to break that silence.
Author Amit Singh uncovers a remarkable lineage by integrating historical records, Persian and Chinese sources, and mythological references. It is the only book of its kind to employ DNA evidence in support of historical facts. Singh reveals how the Varahas evolved into powerful dynasties, such as the Hindu Shahis, and fought valiantly before being nearly erased from collective memory. This work is not merely about history-it is a reclamation of truth and a restoration of honour to a forgotten legacy.
AMIT SINGH is an aviation safety expert with over 35 years of experience in civil aviation. He is a commercial pilot, prolific author, and speaker, and is one of the few Indians to have received a Fellowship from the Royal Aeronautical Society in London for his contributions to the field. He is also the founder of the Safety Matters Foundation, through which he advocates for greater awareness of aviation safety.
Despite a distinguished career in flight operations, Singh's deep connection to his ancestry led him to undertake a decade-long exploration into the history of the Varaha Rajputs. Drawing on his analytical background and passion for historical accuracy, he combines scholarly precision with personal devotion in this compelling narrative.
This is his second book-a blend of professional rigour and heartfelt homage to his ancestors.
In human history's vast and intricate tapestry, threads remain elusive, and enigmas resist unravelling. Among these mysteries, the story of the Varaha Rajputs stands out as one of the most intriguing yet obscure. This book is a testament to the painstaking journey undertaken to uncover and piece together the scattered remnants of their illustrious past-a narrative that has, for too long, been veiled in obscurity.
The Varaha Rajputs, a clan whose bravery and legacy were central to South Asia's historical landscape, has been almost entirely erased from mainstream historical accounts. Migrating from Central Asia and crossing the formidable Hindu Kush Mountain range, they settled in India around the 5th century CE. Despite their significant role, historical records about them are alarmingly scant. Ancient scriptures and inscriptions from various dynasties offer fragmented insights into their existence, revealing a trail that spanned East Asia, Central Asia, Persia, and Afghanistan before reaching Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. The scant nature of these records has rendered their history a daunting puzzle, challenging the efforts of historians to piece it together.
The task of reconstructing the Varaha Rajputs' history has been arduous and intricate. Historical accounts have been marred by omissions, distortions, and deliberate erasures. European and Islamic historians have long criticized the Indian ruling class for their lack of thorough historical documentation, compounding the obscurity surrounding the Varahas. Indian historians, too, have often failed to cross-reference historical facts with sources from Persia, Central Asia, and China, further perpetuating gaps in our understanding. In my quest to bridge these gaps, I have scoured many documents from diverse sources-Chinese, European, Persian, and Indian-endeavouring to piece together the fragmented legacy of the Varaha Rajputs.
The challenge of this endeavour was magnified by the need to navigate through a complex web of misinformation and misrepresentation. European and British historians, influenced by prevailing prejudices and limited perspectives, have often mischaracterized the Huns and their kin, including the Varahas. These misrepresentations have persisted over time, obscuring the true nature of the Varaha Rajputs and their contributions to India's rich cultural heritage.
A critical component of my research involved examining epigraphic sources related to the Huns in South Asia. These sources fall into three categories: inscriptions of their enemies, acknowledgements from their subordinates, and records attributed to the Hunnic rulers.
Prof. Narinder Kumar Singh, a Varaha himself, wrote this foreword. He is the author of many books on Eastern cross-cultural management and poetry. Prof. Singh has held key positions in various governmental and non-governmental organisations, allowing him to travel extensively.
I researched the Masrur temple in Himachal Pradesh. The temple, probably built in the 7th and 8th centuries, is a unique single-rock temple on the top of the hill in District Kangra. I published the outcome of the research work in Coronation of Shiva - Rediscovering Masrur Temple in 2009 (Singh, 2009). Unfortunately, there is no evidence of the temple builders. Creating sixteen rock-cut temples on a hilltop required colossal resources and skill, which the rulers of Himachal's small states could not have provided.
I theorised that since the Hindu Shahi dynasty had a vast empire from Kabul to Lahore, they could have made the resources available for the temples built in phases during different periods. My theory was based on the fact that Mahmud Ghaznavi, who vanquished Hindu Shahi's Jai Pal, headed straight for Gujarat's Somanatha temples for gold and wealth, which he ransacked. Few researchers have noted that he attacked Kangra Fort, too, where it was known that the wealth of the Hindu Shahis was stored for safe custody. Located within 37 kilometers of the fort, the temples were easily accessible to Ghaznavi's soldiers via shorter hill routes. They could easily reach Masrur and cause destruction by looting, disfiguring the sculptures, and collecting booty.
The possibility of Ghaznavi's men looting Masrur arises from the available evidence of his attacks and looting in the vicinity.
This also proves that the Hindu Shahis, worshippers of Shiva, had created a vast empire of holy pilgrimages near their fort to store their wealth.
Amit Singh has conducted extensive research on the Varaha-Rajput clan, which is also linked to the Hindu Shahis. Varaha were Rajput and warriors. His analysis yields a wealth of material, providing various routes from the clan's origin to total dispersal.
However, the fact that they went in various directions and travelled near and far to settle is a surprising development in history and is not easy to understand.
Amit Singh's research, which links to Ambota, is worth understanding in order to analyse the Rajputs' movement.
I am pleased to see his new light on how the Rajputs scattered after numerous battles, finally leading to their subjugation.
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