The 18 Gotras of Agrawals – Threads That Bind a Global Family

Every Agrawal family belongs to a gotra — a lineage tracing back to one of the sons of Maharaja Agrasen. These gotras are not just names; they are ancient identifiers connecting generations across time and continents.

Traditionally, there were 18 gotras, though some texts mention 17 or 16 main ones. Each gotra is named after a sage or ancestor who embodied certain virtues. Among the most well-known are Goyal, Bansal, Mittal, Garg, Singhal, Kansal, Jindal, Tayal, Bindal, Mangla, Airan, Mangal, Dharan, Tindal, and Kuchar. These names are proudly carried as surnames today, linking millions of Agrawals around the world to their shared heritage.

In ancient times, the gotra system also encouraged social harmony and ethics — ensuring that marriages were respectful of family lineages and values. More than just a cultural marker, it was a system that reinforced community unity and identity.

For young Agrawals today, knowing your gotra is like discovering your family’s original chapter in history — a way to remember that no matter where we live, we are part of a larger story that began with Maharaja Agrasen and continues to grow with each generation.