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THE BHANDARIS OF MARWAR
The Bhandaris belong to the official (Mutsadı) section of the Osval community. They occupy an eminent position in Marwar society In Jodhpur, they, at present, number about 300 families
The Bhandaris trace their descent from the Chohan kings of Ajmer Their ancestor Rao Lakhanası 1 (Lakshamana) separated himself from the Ajmer House and became the founder of an independent line of rulers at Nandole. Inscriptions recently brought to light record gifts and concessions made by the Chahamana princes and princesses in favour of Jaina temples, and thus testify to the great influence once exercised by Jainism over the aristocratic classes of Marwar Perhaps the best known chief of the Chahamana dynesty was Alhanadeva, who in A. D. 1162 made a generous endowment towards the maintenance of a Jaina temple at Nadole and also promulgated an edict forbidding the slaughter of animals on certain days of the month
1 There are Bhandari settlers in Jaipur and Cawnpur carrying on Jewellery business
2 No record of Lakshamana has yet come to light But on the Surajpol at Nadol there is an inscription of the time of Kelhana dated V E 1223 which incidentally mentions the name of Lakhana and the date V E 1039 for him -Ep Ind XI, 67
