Origin of Rajputs

A Rajput is considered a member of one of the several patrilineal generations of central, northern, western, and Pakistan. Rajputs claim to be the children of ruling warrior classes in Hindus of North India. They rose to prominence from the period of the 6th – 12th centuries. A Rajput is recognised for his faithfulness, royalty, and bravery, and Rajputs happened to be warriors who fought in several battles besides taking good care of different governing functions. Until the twentieth century, Rajputs did rule in the overwhelming majority of Saurashtra and Rajasthan. Here, there is everything you need to know about the origin of Rajputs and their widespread history.

Rajput History

In the sixth century, India was split into various caste systems, and they comprised the Kshatriyas, Brahmins, Shudras, and Vaishyas. In the Rajput history, among these castes, the Brahmins were considered upper-class Hindus, and they were liable for completing all the sacred tasks. The Kshatriyas happened to be warriors, and they were responsible for taking care of the functions of the government. 

The landowners, agriculturalists, money-lenders, and traders belonged to the class of the Vaishyas, and the Shudras were considered lower-class Hindus. Their only job was serving the three castes mentioned above. The Rajput caste falls in the class of the Kshatriyas. Through their rule duration, Rajputs built many remarkable castles, forts, and shrines that always supported paintings.

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Fig: A Typical Rajput Royal

The Population of the Rajputs

Rajputs boast of having a widespread population. You will find them densely populated in states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Saurashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Jammu.

Some find the origins of the Rajputs to be a topic that surrounds argument. Like M. S. Naravane and V. P. Malik, some authors found that the period wasn't provided to any specific communal group or community until the sixth century A.D. because of the shortage of a reference that described this period. Aristocrats and leaders were known as the Kshatriyas, though others who helped and trailed them, like the Ahirs, Jats, and Gurjars, were rated as Shudras. 

During this time, few congenital communities were known as Rajputs, and some instances are Authors, Bundelas, and Chandelas. However, some researchers, like Gauri Shankar Ojha and C. V. Vaidya, refuses to accept these philosophies of integration.

Rajput Caste Categories

The Rajput caste list is divided into vamsha and vansh. The vansh is divided further than Suryavanshi, and it symbolises "House of Sun." They are the descendants of Lord Ram, whereas Chandravanshi denotes "House of Moon" and descended from Lord Krishna. The last one is Agnivanshi, who fell from the family of "Fire God."

The vansh division is further split into minor subdivisions: kul, khanp or kahmp, and nak. Karl works as the chief identity amongst Rajputs, and all of them worship and get shielded by kuldevi, their family goddess.

The Suryavanshi clans are considered Chattar, Bais, Kachwaha, Gaur, Pakhral, Minhas, Pundir, Patial, Sisodia, Rathore, and Naru. In Chandravanshi, people will find Chandelas, Bhati, Chudasama, Bhangalia, Jadeja, Jadauns, Katoch, Jarral, Som, and Lahore. In Agnivanshi, people will discover Dodiya, Chauhan, Bhaal, Paramara, Solanki, Naga, Mori, and Chavda. Thus, the Rajput caste category was diverse and widespread all over India. 

The Dynasty of the Rajputs

The Rajput dynasty is a hugely popular one. In the medieval and later colonial and feudal periods, several portions of the subcontinent of India were ruled in the form of princely states by different Rajput dynasties. The Rajputs became prominent during the early medieval age in nearly the 7th century. People who are Rajputs continue to dominate in regions called Delhi, Rajasthan, Western Gangetic Plains, Haryana, and Bundelkhand.

List of Rajput Dynasties

To know who is Rajput, here is the list of some significant Rajput dynasties: 

• Chauhans of Ranthambore, Jalor, Nadol, and Sambhar

• Imperial Pratiharas of Kannauj

• Chawdas of Gujarat

• Kachchhapaghatas of Gopadri, which is now modern Gwalior

• Chandelas of Jejakabhukti that is modern Bundelkhand

• Guhilas of Medapata that is modern Mewar

• Vaghela's of Gujarat and Chalukyas or Solankis

• Tomaras of Delhi

• Gahadavalas of Kannauj and Varanasi

• Paramaras of Chandravati and Malwa

Rajputs and Their Conquests

The Rajput empire turned out to be a big problem for the entire conquest of Muslims during the era of Islamic invasions. During this period of supremacy of Mughal Emperor Akbar, Rajputs accepted the Mughal authority, and they were permitted into the emperor's court. Additionally, Akbar's administration provided them with various statuses. The Rajputs also formed some martial associations during this period with the Emperor.

Amongst the prominent rules of the Rajputana dynasty, Prithviraj Chauhan is one notable one. He has a significant role in the origin of Rajputs. After his father's death, Prithviraj Chauhan took over the seat when Chauhan was just 13 years old. He was well-known for his experienced archery, and he could aim his target, hearing the sound only without even looking at it. In between, he expanded his territory and organised many Haryana and Rajasthan fusing Rajput against the attacks of the Muslims. 

Shahabuddin Muhammad Ghori, a Muslim defeater, became a danger to Prithviraj and his territories because he was seizing the close-by empires. Prithviraj was captured and defeated at the 2nd battle of Tarain, and he was also tortured. His eyes were stuck with a red hot iron rod, due to which he became blind.

After this, in a rivalry of archery, he displayed his skills by striking targets. Ghori was highly praised for his achievements on hearing his voice, and Prithviraj aimed his arrow in the direction that killed him.

Maharana Pratap was another well-known ruler, and he ruled over Mewar for several years. He was acknowledged as a brave warrior and clever strategist who fought the Mughals successfully and safeguarded his people until he died. Slowly with the declining power of the Rajputs, there wasn't any match for the Mughals' supremacy.

After the British reached India, the states of Rajputs turned into colonies, and they, in turn, finished the ruling of the Rajputs for good. After India became free, the majority of the states of Rajput were merged to form Rajasthan in the Indian union.

Rajputs are considered an influential ethnic group comprising of landowners, and many Rajputs presently reside in towns and cities. Many Rajputs are engaged in the police departments, whereas many take part in the military service. According to a report, 31% of the Rajputs tend to be wealthy, and 7.3% are in poverty. People who are left are middle-class people.

Rajputs comprise nearly 40 percent or more of India's population. Rajputs constitute above 10 percent of the population: Ganges Valley, western Madhya Pradesh, and western Bihar. Rajputs who live in Rajasthan speak one among several dialects of Rajasthani, and it is a variety of Hindi. Many Rajput states have cultural and historical regions and also political regions.