According to the extract form ‘ Marwar Census Report of 1891.’ The Bhandaris trace their origin from the Chauthan family of Ajmer. According to their tradition Lakhansi Chauhan was the Raja of Sambhar and Nadole, who having no offspring prayed for it to the family – diety Asapura. In course of time the Raja was blessed with 24 sons of whom one named Dudarao was entrusted with the charge of Bhandar viz store-house, after whom his descendants came to be called Bhandaris. He was converted to Jainism by a priest called Jaso Bhadra Suri in about the samvat year 1039. The Bhandaris came to Marwar during the time of Rao Jodha whom they are said to have greatly assisted under their leader Nara Bhandari by opposing the Mewar forces at Bhilwara by opposing the Mewar forces at Bhilwara when advancing against him. The Bhandaries assert of having done enterprising deeds for their masters and consequently held for long the highest posts in the state viz those of Diwan Bakshi and the Musahibat.

‘Bhandari Ragunath according to Colonel Walter ruled Marwar in his master’s name for a number of years during the time Maharaja Ajitsingh was at Delhi which fact is well preserved in the Hindi Couplet-Ajo Dili Ro Pasto Raja Tau Rughnath, that is Maharajas Ajit Singh was the Emperor of Delhi and Rughnath the Raja of Marwar.

The origin of gotr Bhandari took place in the year 1021. Its history is dignified and full of eminence.

Rao Lakhansee had 24 queens but had no son. One day Acharya Yashobhadra Suri arrived in Nadole. The king honoured him with full devotion. At once he requested the Acharya that as he had no son, the former might bless him to be the father of a son with the support of the goddness Asapura. Acharya gave him the boon of a son to each queen. Each queen gave a birth to a son. The name of all the 24 princes are Makadji, Sagarji, Madrechaji, Chanrasenji, Shahalji, Biloji, Balechji, Savarji, Laduji Janjraiji, Sidpalji, Dudraoji, Chitaji, Sonagji, Chanchaji, Rajsinghji, Chivarji, Bodaji, Khapatji, Jodhaji, Kirpalji, Mavachji, Malanji, Maharji.

After a few years Acharya Yashobhadra Suri again arrived at Nadole and met the king. The king gave his son Dudraoji to the Acharya. Acharya converted him into an Oswal. The king appointed Dudraoji the incharge of Bhandar viz. Store, so his gotra came to be named ‘Bhandari’.

There were 17 heads in thepedigrees of Rao Dudrao and they were as under :-

Rao Dusasan, Rao Sidhrao, Rao Devan, Rao Devrikh, Rao Sumno, Ra Shital, Rao Jasdhwaj, Rao Sodal, Rao Biuhad, Rao Lohat, Rao Raipal, Rao Jamun, Rao Belo, Rao Sundo, Rao Bbelan, Rao Samra, and Rao Nara.

Kuldevi of this gotra is Shri Ashapura Mata.

In V. 1495 Rao Ridmal was murdered by Mewar Rana by fraud. Rao Jodha ran away from Mewar with his 700 soldiers. The army of Mewar followed them. There were many wars in the mountain pas and at Chitore. Many soldiers on both the side died. Jodhaji reached Bhilwara only with the remaining 7 soldiers.

Rao Samra Bhandari was the ruler of Nadole at that time. He believed that there had benn fraud with Jodhaji, so Rao Samraji decided to help him. Rao Samraji assured Rao Jodhaji that he would check the army of Mewar and that he should proceed further with 50 soldiers under the leadership of his son Nara. Jodhaji and Nara proceeded towards Marwar and Rao Samra fought with the army of Mewar. He and all his 300 soldiers sacrificed their lives in this war. In this way state of Nadole came in the control of Mewar.

Rao Jodhaji reached Mandore, but the army of Mewar had conquered the State of Mandore. So Jodhaji took shelter in village Kahuni. Rao Jodhaji and Bhandari Nara organized a huge army and attacked Mandore. This time he got succesas.

Near-about V. 1515 Rao Jodha installed the foundation stone of Jodhpur Fort on the Chidia Toonk hill, with the help of Bhandari Nara.

Rao Jodhaji honoured Rao Nara and honoured him with the post of PRadhan and a Jagir of 7 villages, namely Rohit, Bisalpur, Mazal, Palasni, Dhundhar, Jajiwal, and Babar.

Bhandari families in quite a large number in the Jodhpur Oswal society. Their may be more than 1200 families in Jodhpur. Their Kuldevi (Family deity) is Goddess Asapura of Nadole. Bhandaris of Jodhpur alos built a temple of their deity at Kaga (Jodhpur).

Bhandar is played an important political role in the development of Jodhpur. A list of Pradhans, Diwans, and Military Commanders is as under :-

Bhandari Pradhan and Diwans

According to the Col. Tod : “A branch of Chauhans came to Nadole, their first king was Lakhan. In V. 1035 he snatched this province from the Rao of Anhilwad. The emperor of Gajni, Subuktageen and Sultan Mohammad attacked Nadole. They looted it and tried to destroy it. But the Chauhans again captured it in the time of Allauddin Khilji. Rao Lakhan had been collecting the revenue upto Anhilwad and Rana of Mewar also gave him the Tax.”

Rao Bahadur Mahamahopadhyay Pt. Gauri Shanker Ojha writes in his Hisotry of Sirohi on page 165 “Rao Lakhan was a great warrior , and te most part of the present Jodhpur State was in his possession.”

There may be a hyperbole in the above version but this much is correct that the origin of Bhandaris is from Rao Lakhansingh Chauhan of Nadole.

The family-diety of Bhandari’s and Rajput Chouhan’s and many a few gotras whose origin was from the Chauhans, is Goddess Asapura Mata of Nadol.

Bhandari Deepavat –

In the 17th line of Rao Lakhansingh was Naroji. Nariji Bhandari had seven sons named Rajseeji, Jasaji, Sihoji, Khartoji, Tiloji, Nimboji, and Nathoji. The son of Jassaji was Jaimalji. Son of Jaimalji was Rajsinghji who was the grandson Deepaji. The family of Deepaji was named ‘Deepavat-Bhandari’.

In the fifth generation of Narojio was Goroji. The second son of Garoji was Sadulji. The eldest son of Sadulji was Bhinvrajji. Bhinvrajji had seven sons. The fourth sons named Anopseeji, Bhenshdasji, Sirdarmalji, Pratapmalji, and Kushalchandji. Their families came to be named after their respective names.

Bhandari – Nimbavat

The sixth son of Naroji was Nimbaji, so the family of Nimbaji was named ‘Nimbavat’.

Bhandari Lunavat –

Bhandari Naroji got married in the family of Mohnots in V. 1512. The youngest son of Naroji was Nathoji and the fourth son of Nathoji was Udoji. In 1548 Jodhpur Maharaja appointed Udoji as Diwan and then promoted him as Pradhan. His sons were Bagoji and Goroji. Bhandari Goroji was appointed PRadhan of Maharaja Gogoji. He had four sons named Lunoji, Mailji, Sultanji, and Jayantji, The family of Lunaji was called ‘Lunavat’.

Rao Lunaji was a famous warrior and a most brilliant person. Jodhpur Maharaja Udaisinghji, Soorsinghji, and Rajsinghji honoured him with the highest post of Pradhan Diwan, and gave his a large estage of village, whose income was Ruppes 80,000/- at that time

Acharya Shri Tulsidasji

He became Acharya in 1830 He expired in V 1849 at the age of 45 years.

Bhandari Shri Khinvseeji – Jodhpur

He was a great politician. He was Pradhan of Jodhpur state at the time of Maharaja Ajitsinghji in V. 1766 to 70. He had good influence over the Britishers. Whenever Jodhpur state needed, some help or assistance he was sent to the court of Mughal Emperor. He used to play a very important role in the ascendency of the Emperor also. In V. 1776, when the Ministers of Farukhshyar murdered the brothers of Farukhshiyar, Maharaja Ajitsinghji sent Raja Ratanasingh and Bhandari khivsee ji to Delhi. He made Prince Mohammad Shah the Emperor. This evernt has been metioned  in the Pharsee Tavarikhen. He had a big hand in the taking back of the order of ‘Jazia tax’ (imposed on Hindus).

He was on the highest post of Jodhpur State He was loyal and faithful towards Maharaja. When some differences arose between Maharaja and Khivseeji, he resigned. He was again appointed Pradhan at the time of Maharaja Abhaysinghji in V.1781. He again resigned in 1782, but as Maharaja was pleased with him so he continued all the facilities given to him as Pradhan.

Bhandari Shri Ragunathsinghji – Jodhpur

He was also very powerful and loyal Diwan of Jodhpur State in V. 1769-81. He was a good administrator and a brave warrior. He fought many wars in Gujara. It was said that when Maharaja remained at Delhi at that time he worked just as the Kind of Jodhpur State. He was honoured with Palki, Elephant, and title of ‘Rao’.

Bhandari Shri Anopsinghji – Jodhpur

He was son of Bhandari Ragunathsinghji. He was brave and expert Commander. He was ordered to attack Nagour in V. 1772. At that time Rathore Indersingh was the rules of Nagour. He and Bhandari Pomsingh Hakim of Merta attacked Nagour and won the battle and amalgamate into Jodhpur State in V. 1773. He also won the battle of Gujrat and others.

Bhandari Shri Ratansinghji – Jodhpur.

He was a most important personality of Jodhpur state. When Maharaja Abhaisinghji was Governor of Ajmer and Gujrat, Mahraja Sahib handed over the Governorship of Ajmer  and Gujrat to Bhandari Ratansinghji and Maharaja went to Delhi for four years. During this period he fought many wars.

Bhandari Shri Pomsinghji – Jodhpur

He was Hakim of Merta. In V. 1770 when Sayad Hassanali attacked Marwwar, he defeated him. In 1776 he went Gujrat with Bhandari Anopsinghji and showed his warrior ability.

Bhandari Shri Bhanaji – Jodhpur

Bhandari Bhanaji was son of Bhandari Manaji. He had been Diwan of Marwar State from V. 1671 to 1675 at the time of Maharaja Soorsinghji of Jodhpur.

Bhandari Shri Fatehchand ji – Jodhpur.

Bhandari Fatehchand ji Swaroopmalot was Diwan of Marwar from Chaitra Shukla 5, 1823 to Asoj Shukla 10th 1837 (till death).

Bhandari Seth Kanahayalal – Indore

Seth Pannalal left Rampura and settled at Indore. Seth Nandlal was son of Seth Pannalaji. He was a businessman of Cloth and Opium. Seth Kanahayalal was son of Nandlalji. He took a cotton Mill on contract in V. 1976, and opened shops in different provinces. After three years he opened his own ‘Bhandari-Mill’ and a ginning factory on the bank of river Shipra. In V. 1985 he opened an industry of brass utensils. He built High School, Maternity Hospital, and Boarding House.

Bhandari Seth Balmukund  Chandanmal Mutha – Satara

This family was originally resident of Pipar. Seth Gumanchandji left Pipar and settled at Satara. He dealt in Cotton cloth. Seth Balmukundji was elected President of All India Sthanakvasi conference Ajmer. This family was named Mutha because their forefathers were clerks in the royal courts. Seth Motilal of this family was elected president of Satara Board Taluka. In V. 1988 Government of India awarded him the title of ‘Rai-Sahib’.

Bhandari Lala Sukhroopmal Ragunathprasad – Kanpur

This family was originally resident of Roopangarh (Marwar). Lala Ragunathprasad became a very rich person. He built three Jain temples at Kanpur, Samedshikhar and Lucknow. He died in V. 1948. Lala Santoshchand of this family converted Kanpur Jain temple into a glass temple. He fitted glasswork in gold and silver. It is a famous ornamental temple of India. A garden and a Dharmshala made this temple very popular. He died in V. 1989.

Bhandari Shri Manakmal – Bhinmal

He is publishing All India Bhandri Bhaipa Buletine regularly from Bhinmal.

Bhandari Samraji Jodhpur

He is the first historical person of the Bhandari Gotra. He was the first person who helped Rao Jodhaji, the founder of Jodhpur, in his tragic period. He sent his son Naroji and his soldiers with Jodhaji and he gave his life while fighting with the army of Mewar.

Bhandari Meghrajji

He was great grandson of Jaimalji and son of Dipaji. In V. 1776 he was hakim of Jaitaram

Bhandari Manmalji

He was the eldest son of Bhagvandasji. He was Hakim of Jaitaram in V. 1850. He attacked Jaitaran and won it, so Maharaja of Jodhpur pleased with him and gave him a letter of thanks. He expired at Jaitaran in V. 1884. His second wife burned herself willingly on the funeral pyre of her husband Manmalji.

Bhandari Amarsinghji

He was son of Khivseeji. After the death of his father Maharaja Bakhatsinghji of Jodhpur appointed him to the post of Diwan in place of the former’s father and honoured him. He remained the Governor of Nadiyad from 1787 to 1789. After the victory of Ahmedabad by the Maharaja of Marwar. In V. 1792 Suva Sarayat khan of Surat attacked Ahmedabad. At that battle he and Ratasinghji fought bravely. Surva Surayat Khan was killed and his army ran away. Ratansinghji was wounded. In 1792 when Amarsinghji went to Delhi, the Emperor welcomed him and honoured him with ‘Siropav’. In 1793 Maharaja of Jodhpur honoured him with the title of ‘Raiarao’ In V. 1801 he was promoted to the post of Diwan. In V. 1802 he expired at Maroth.

Bhandari Manroopji

He was the eldest son of Bhandari Pomseeji. In V. 1782 he became Hakim of Merta. In V. 1782 when Marathas attacken Merta with an army of 50,000 men, he and Bhandari Vijairajji fought bravely but were defeated. So Maharaja gave Marathas lacs of rupees and made treaty with them. When Bhandari Amarsinghji became Diwan Bhandari Manroopji became Governor of one of the states. And in V. 1804 he became Diwan. On Asad Shukla 15th, 1804 when Maharaja Abhaisinghji expired and Maharaja Ramsinghji sat on the throne, he was sent to Ajmer. There created the new animosity between Maharaja Bakhatsinghji and Maharaja Ramsinghji. They fought with each other. Bakhatsinghji knew that Manroopji was faithful to Ramsinghji, so Bakhatsinghji sent a man to attack Manroopji. When Manroopji was returning after his meeting with Ramsinghji, that culprit attacked him with his sword. Manroopji was wounded. Maharaja Ramsinghji was pleased to know that Manroopji was safe so he donated Rs. 4000/-. In V. 1800 he passed away at Dipabadi.

Bhandari Suratramji

He was the eldest son of Bhandari Manroopji. In V. 1799 an army was sent to Ajmer under his command. He won Ajmer, Rajgarh, Bhinai, Ramsar etc. Here the new Hakim of Marwar was appointed and he was posted as Hakim of Jodhpur in V. 1804. In V. 1806 Maharaja Ramsinghji sat on the throne. About the same time Surantramji was promoted to the post of Diwan. He remained on this post till Shravan Shukla 10th 1807.

Bhandari Daulatramji

He was son of Bhandari Thansinghji. He was deputed Hakim of Jodhpur in V. 1799. In 1804 he became Subedar.

Bhandari Bhawaniramji

He was son of Bhandari Daulatramji. In V. 1813 he was posted as the Commander of the army. He performed many chivalrous.

Bhandari Vijairajji

He was appointed Hakim of Merta in V. 1767 In V. 1768 when Faukhshiyar attacked Delhi with an army of 80,000 the Jodhpur Maharaja sent Vijairajji with the army and instructed him to support the winner, so he supported Farukhshyar In V. 1769 he was sent to Didvana to fight against the Mugals and he won the battle. In V. 1771 he was sent to Gujrat, here also he came out victorious. In V. 1785 the Emperor allotted Ahamadabad to Jodhpur State, but Nawab of Ahamadabad said that the question of possession of Ahamadabad said that the question of possession of Ahameddabad would be decided by swordand not by papers. So Maharaja proceeded with the army towards the trouble spot. Bhandari Vijairajji, Bhandari Girdhari dasji, and Bhandari Ratansinghji were the Commanders with the Maharaja. They defeated the Nawab. Maharaja was pleased with the bravery of Vijairajji, so he honoured him and made him Hakim of Parbatsar and Maroth.

In V. 1787  20,000 Marathas attacked Marwar, In the battle that followed Vijairajji won. In V. 1789 again 70,000 Marathas attacked. Bhandari Vijairajji, Bhandari Manroopji and Mutha Jeevrajji went to fight but a treaty was made and Marathas returned. In 1787 when Bajirao attacked Ahmedabad at that time also Bhandari Vijairaji was commissioned the task. In this way he fought many wars and won appreciation.

Bhandari Gangaramji

He was a very powerful person of his times. Jodhpur Maharaja Shri Vijaisinghji sent him with the army towards Kishangarh and Umarkot (Paklistan) Maharaja was pleased with his bravery and honoured him with the estates (Jagir). He and Singhvi Inderrajji fought many wars and won them. He expanded the Marwar State.

Bhandari Prithvirajji

He was the third son of Bhandari Abhaimalji. His residence was Sojat. In V. 1864 village Sarvadara was awarded to him a Jagir by the Maharaja of Jodhur He fought many wars. He died on Jesth Shulka 9th 1880 while fighting at Jalore. His son was Fojmalji.

Bhandari Fojmalji

In V. 1877 he was appointed Hakim of Jalore.

Bhandari Justice Daulatmal- Jaipur

He was born in V. 1964 at Jaipur. He passed his law examination from Allahabad University, and became a famous Lawyer. He joined National freedom Movement. He went to Jail on a sentence of nine months when he led the agitation against Government was formed he was elected from, Neem ka Thana and became Development Minister. In 1952 he was elected M.P. from Jaipur. When Sales Tax was imposed, the opposed the move of his government.

He was selected Justice of High Court Rajasthan In 1954. After 15 years he was promoted to the post of Chief justice of Rajasthan High Court. After retirement he was deputed on the commission on Krishna-Godavari water dispute. All the parties appreciated his Judgements.

Bhandari Dr. Sugyanchand – Jodhpur

He was born in 1910. He went to Kanpur for further studies, but left studies and joined the National Movement of India. In 1930. He took active  part in the Salt Movement and then started to live in Sabarmati Ashram with his wife. In 1931 when they returned to Jodhpur, His wife had already stopped observing Pardaha. So they were terminated from the society. He was arrested with Shri Haribhau in 1932. He went on a hunger strike in the Jail. He was released after 8 months.

He started participating in edult education programmes. He also taught Harijans, distributed free medicines. He was seriously wounded in the agitation of Quit India Movement. He was kept in the Ajmer prison, where an injunction of poison was given to him instead of medicine. Hence he died at the age of 34 years of 1944.

Bhandari Shri Balkrashan – Amravati

He was Advocate. He took active part in the National Freedom Movement. He was sent to Jail in 1941.

Bhandari Shri Ugamraj – Jodhpur

He was born on 30/08/1906. He retired from the post of the Superintendent of Government Printing Press of Rajasthan.

Bhandari Shri Shantichand Jodhpur –

He secured degrees of I.Sc. and Electrical and Mechanical Engineering from Kashi. University. He got associated with Dr. Radhakrashnan. He has the credit of Umed Bhawan Jodhpur in 2 years only on the order of Maharaja Jodhpur State. He sretired from Imperial Chemical Industries (ISI) from the post of Indian Director. Indian Government had awarded him Safety Award in 1966. In 1970 Bengal Chamber of Commerce had awarded him the ‘Best Human Relation Award.’

He was the Promoter of Bhu Foundation. He was Ex President of Vivekanand Center, Rotary Club Calcutta, Scout Guide Movement Rajasthan, and many other institutions. He arranged training for about 6000 boys and girls in Yoga. He published Monthly magazine named ‘Bharti’. He arranged 150 eye camps under Gayatri Sansthan, in which 15000 patients were treated. He was also Presided Oswal Singh Sabha and Bhandari Bhaipa.

Bjamdaro Shri Premmal Jodhpur

He is a famous historian of Bhandari Gotra. He played a very important role in the rejuvenation of Kuldevi Aashapura Mata temple of Kaga, Jodhpur. He had also written history of Jodhpur and Nakoda.

Bhandari Shri Nemichand – Maroth

Mostly Jain literature – was written by the Jain Acharyas and Monks, but Shri Nemichand Bhandari has written many books as a Shravak. His ‘Shashthi Shatak’ is very famous. May commentaries (Tika of the work have been published. The scripts of the book are also found in the Digamber libraries. His ‘Updesh Sidhant Ratnamal’. A commentary is also very famous. Its poetic translation in Sanskrit and Gujrati languages have also been published.

Bhandari Bachh.

‘Parshvanath Kalash’ written by Bhandari Bachh is available with the library of Abhay in Bikaner.

Bhandari Uttamchand

He had written ‘Alankar Aashay’ in V 1857. It is available in the Rajasthan Research Society.

Bhandari Udaichand

He had written ‘Sahitya Sar’, which is there in the Record Room or Bhandar of Rajasthan Research society.

Bhandari Shri Sukhsampatraj – Bhanpura

He was born at Bhanpura in V. 1950. He started publication of ‘Vankatesh Samachar’ at the age of 20 years, then edited and published ‘Sadharma Pracharak, ‘Patliputra’., ‘Mallari-Martanday’, Navin Bharat’ and ‘Kisan’. He wrote 25 Books on different  subjects. Lala Lajpat Rai wrote introduction of his book ‘Bharat Darshan’ and Shri Madanmohan Malvia wrote introduction of his book’ Tilak Darshan ‘His book ‘Bharat ke Deshi Rajya’ was recognized by the Rajasthan Board and was on its syllabus. His Hindi-English Dictionary was awarded the title of ‘Atal Smarak’ by Dr. Wooler,  Dr. Ganganath Jah, Sir P.C. Roy, and Dr. Radha Kumund Mukerjee.

He was the member of All India Ciongress committee. He took active part in the eggitation of V. 1977. The first congress of Local States was established by him at Indore.

He had written ‘Oswal Jati ka Itihas’ in V1991 and published from Ajmer At those times it was a difficult task to collect the details of all the prominent Oswal personalities. It was a Remarkable publication.

Bhandari Shri Mahipal

He was born in 1919 at Jodhpur. He started writing Geet and poetry even in his student life. After graduation he joined film Industry Bombay as a singer. He became Hero of Sampoorn Ramayan, Navrang, Alibaba Chalis Chor, Veer Arjun, Nag-Padmini, etc. He is the first in the community to have taken film as a career. He made such a great name.

Bhandari Shri Vasant Raj.

He was born on 20/04/1930 at Jodhpur. He was son of Shri Balvantraj Bhandari. He passed B.Com LL.B., DVM. In first division. He joined Indian Administration Staff College Hyderabad, in 1957, and also joined 10th Executive Development Programme. He worked in Kharda Jute Mills and Endersons between 1952 and 1960. In 1960 he was selected by Industrial Management Pool of Government of India.

Bhandari Shri Ranjeetmal

He was born on 14/12/1925. He became Chartered Accountantin 1944 and passed Executive control Programme Examination from Syrecuse University USA in Sugust 1962. He became Chairman and Maaging Director of Hindustan Petrolium and Caltex Refinering Ltd. Then he became Finance Director of Indian Oil Corporation 1972 as also of so many Industries.

Bhandari Shri Shripal

 He was born on 07/11/1929 at Jodhpur. He secured Gold Medal in B.Com., and also topped in C.A. He was president of Jodhpur Association of Calcutta. He was honored by Calcutta Club, Satturday Club, and Toliganj Club of Calcutta.