Nikam

The Nikam (निकम) are a Maratha clan found primarily in Maharashtra and bordering states of India.

Origin
The Akolkar are descendents of Suryavanshi king Nikumbh and his successors Nikumbh Rajputs. The Nikumbhs later known by their name Nikam as corruption in their surname. Nikumbhas were amongst the earliest Aryan settlers in Rajputana. During the lapse of many centuries they lost their central provinces, and at the time of the Muhammadan conquest only the two outlying districts of Khandesh on the south and Alwar on the north remained to them.

Two inscriptions have been found in Khandesh, one dated in Saka 1075, or A.D. 1153,and the other in Saka 1 128, or A.D. 1216. In the latter the reigning king is said to be of the great solar race, from which " the king Nikumbha, best of princes, sprang ; in whose line Mandhata was famous, as well as Sagara, Bhagiratha, and others." In the former the reigning prince is said to be " celebrated in the race — the illustrious solar race in which the Nikumbh was bom — whose descendant was Rama

History
The Nikams are descendants of Nikumbh dynasty of Rajputs. They were rulers of Khandesh. Their descendents joined Chhatrapati Shivaji to found Hindu empire.

The Nikumbhas are descendents of a very ancient and famous Solar race. The Solar race of the Nikumbhas, the kings of Ayodhya, from which sprang Mandhatri, Sagara, Bhagiratha, and Rama. Kuvalayaswa, the great-grandfather of Nikumbha, having conquered the demon Dhundhu, acquired the title of Dhundhumara, or " Slayer of Dhundhu," and gave his name to the country which is now known as Dhundhar, or Jaypur. Here his descendants remained under the name of Nikumbhas, and to them is attributed the foundation of most of the old forts and cities in Alwar and Northern Jaypur.

The name of Nikumbha has been supplanted in Northern India by that of Raghuvansa, or ** descendant of Raghu," one of the ancestors of Dasaratha and Rama.

Rulers of Khandesh

 * Raja Allashakti Nikumbha ( Nikam ), seventh-century ruler in Khandesh territory who donated land in Pimpalner village in Dhule to Brahmans to perform cultural practice.
 * Raja Vairdev Nikumbha ( Nikam ), eighth-century ruler in Khandesh territory who donated villages Bahal and Devagav to Nagsharman Brahman.
 * King Bappaji Nikam, chief of Baglan Area.
 * Gopajirao Nikam, warrior chief of Baglan who fought against Emperor Akbar.
 * Nikams (NikumbhRaje) of Khandesh are descendents of old Nikumbh Dynasty. The Rulers of Nikumbhvanshas ruled Khandesh during the period of 1000-1216 AD.

Branches
Surnames of Nikam clan includes : Akolkar, Awtade, Badhe, Banker, Barekar, Barge, Bawankar, Bhojne, Chawde, Chimne, Chinge, Dandge, Dankne, Dhamde, Dhapse, Dharso, Dharte, Dhawre, Dhrgade, Dongre, Gajmal, Gale, Gang, Gidde, Gonk, Gudhe, Gune, Hakne, Hawilhanday, Jale, Jiwnik, Kalale, Kalokhe, Kank, Kankale, Kanknarayan, Khalate, Kudare, Kumbh, Masake, Matarmak, Matsagar, Narkhamb, Naudhare, Navratne, Navrse, Nichve, Nikde, Parvatrao, Pimpalkarad, Pubele, Rakte, Randhwne, Sable, Samke, Sarak, Sarate, Sawle,Shrirampur, Take, Tatke, Timble, Tryambke,Tapare Vananar. (Total 62)


 * Khalates are Nikam who dwells mainly in "Khunte"(Phaltan) & "Late", Shirishne, Kambaleshwar (Baramati) villages Holding Patilship.The Nikams are also found in villages like Kashil-Koparde, Apshinge, Pimpode Budruk, Ambheri and many others of Satara District. The Apshinge village is welknown for Military service as every villager itself part of Indian military.
 * The Barges are Nikams who holds Patilship of Koregaon, Chinchner Vandan (Satara District) since Pre-shivaji period. Many Barges served all the Chhatrapatis of Satara, Kolhapur and Peshwas. Sardar Barge clansmen are also present in Sardar Barge ki Goth, Gwalior being Sardars of Principality. Chhatrapati shahu maharaj in early 17th century awarded(Inaam) kasabe koregaon of prant wai(now in dist. satara) to Barge who had shown great courage & bravery in pandawgarh.
 * The Sarnoubat of Chhatrapati Shivaji was Yesaji Kank, a Nikam clansman itself. Kank sub clan of Nikams are found in Bhutonde Village of Velavand Khore and were Deshmukhs in Maval, descendants of Yesaji Kank still live in their "prachin wada"..
 * The Matsagar sub clan of Nikam gained the name Matsagar by killing a man-eater snake, they are present in Jarul and Aghur(Vaijapur of Aurangabad) and Pimpalas(Niphad) of Nashik District.
 * Sardar Sabale(Sable), was sub clan of Nikam, who majoritily found in Waduth, Shivthar villages of Satara District. Sardar Udaji Sabale was Sardar of Peshwa who helped Sardar Pawars of Dhar in the Conquest of Dhar(1728).

Notables

 * Yesaji Kank (Nikam), was Sarnoubat of Infantry of King Shivaji, who killed an elephant of Gowalkonda Chief Kutubshah, when Shivaji asked for elephant fight from Kutubshah. Shivaji replied that any one from my army is like an elephant.
 * Krishnaji Yesaji Kank, Sardar of Shivaji, died in the Battle of Karnatak in 1682.
 * Sardar Narayan Nikam, was Saranjamdar of Chhatrapati Shahu I of Satara.
 * Sardar Kanoji Nikam, was received Mokasa Grant from Chhatrapati Shahu I of Satara.
 * Sardar Kedarji Nikam, was received Mokasa Grant from Chhatrapati Shahu I of Satara.
 * Sardar Vajoji Nikam, was Sardar of Chhatrapati Shahu I of Satara.
 * Sardar Subhanji Nikam, was Sardar of Chhatrapati Shahu I of Satara.
 * Sardar Janaji Nikam, was Sardar of Chhatrapati Shahu I of Satara.
 * Krishnaji Nikam, comrade of Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath.
 * Yesaji Nikam, Peshwa Balaji Vishwanaths faithful Sardar.
 * Sardar Manaji Nikam, was faithful Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath who defeated the last faruqi kings with the help of Other Maratha Noblemans such as Hari Pandit.
 * Sardar Sidoji Nikam Deshmukh of Pargana Shirol.
 * Sardar Bajirao Barge of Koregaon was Sardar under Chhatrapati Shivaji and Sambhaji, Rajarams reign.He also Comrade of Santaji Ghorpade.
 * Sardar Nikams of Sangali was Deshmukh (Desai) of Shirala Peta under chhatrapati Sambhaji.
 * Nikams were part of the troops of Shahajiraje Bhosale at Bengalore.
 * Sardar Khetroji and Anandrao Barge Patil was Patils of Kasabe Koregaon of Prant wai.
 * Sardar Piraji Nikam, was Sardar under Chhatrapatis of Kolhapur.
 * Sardar Daulatrao Nikam, was Sardar under Chhatrapatis of Kolhapur.
 * Sardar Mahadji Nikam, was Sardar under Chhatrapatis of Kolhapur.
 * Sardar Baloji Nikam, was Sardar under Chhatrapatis of Kolhapur.
 * Sardar Jyotyaji Nikam, was Sardar under Chhatrapatis of Kolhapur.
 * Sardar Mansing Khalate(Nikam), was Sardar of Peshwa who fought Battle of Kharda a gainst Nizam in 1795.