 They are said to have acquired this name on the account of the fact that they were the only community that was employed as guides by travelers in the Terai.According to the community's own traditions, they are Rajputs from the Deccan Plateau that fled to the hills to escape the Muslim conquerors of India.This is said to be reflected in their sub-division, the Rajvanshi, Suryavanshi, Chandravanshi and Dujvanshi, all well known Rajput sub-groups.