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] of Udaipur]]
A '''Rajput''' ( ]: {{Unicode|राजपूत}} ''rājput'', ]: {{Unicode|راجپوت}} ''rāǧpwt'' from ] राजपुत्र ''rāja-putra'', "son of a king") is a ]. Rajputs represent the descendants of royal dynasties of India. Rajputs reside mainly in northern, western, eastern and central ]. It is estimated that there are 40 million rajputs.
A '''Rājput''' (from the ] राजपुत्र ''rāja-putra'', "son of a king") is a member of a prominent community who live throughout northern and central ], but primarily in the northwestern ] of ], which was called ''Rājputānā'' until the ] after ].
] of Udaipur]]
<!--Census breakdown is
These are estimates from an evengeligacal organization.
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==Definition==


They are thought to number about 12 million{{fact}}. The Indian census has not recorded caste affiliation since 1931 (except in the case of Backward or Scheduled Castes) and any estimates of those claiming Rajput lineage or caste are necessarily inexact.
The term ''Rajputra'' has been used since the time of ], however the modern usage of the term refers to the descendants of the 36 major clans who ruled western/central and north India. Names of these clans are given in the ''Kumarpala Charita'' of ], in the '']'' of ] and other sources also.


==Definition==
The term Rajput ordinarily refers to the group's ''"]"'' which is an endogamus group within the traditional ] social system. The Rajputs are considered to be the descendants of the ] warrior ''(])'' ''varna''. Although all members of a warrior caste, Rajputs vary in profession from aristocrats to farmers.
The term ''Rājaputra'' has been used since the time of ]; however, modern usage of the term refers to the descendants of the 36 major clans that ruled western India between the 8th and 13th centuries CE. A listing of rajput clans is available in the ''Kumarpala Charita'' of Jayasimha and in the '']'' of ]. There are numerous legends and folklores about Rajputs in India.


The term Rajput ordinarily refers to the group's ''"]"'' which is a social hierarchical status found within the caste system of ], which developed out of the ] ''varna'' system. The Rajputs consider themselves descendants of the Vedic warrior ''(])'' ''varna''.
There is one independent country, still ruled by a Rajput clan - ]. They are regarded to be the descendants of Ranas of ].


It should also be noted that a number of sub-castes, or ''jatis'', claim to be Rajputs. Some of them have a historical basis for the claim. Some are considered to be descendants of the Rajputs but are not generally accepted by the main Rajput community (for example, ]). Many branches of ]'s and ]'s had rajput forefathers but none of them are considered rajputs today. See James Tod's Annals and Antiquities for various ] and ] lines that originated from rajputs. A number of other ''jatis'' or sub-castes, claim to be Rajputs. While some of them have a historical basis for that claim, most such claims are efforts by other castes to negotiate a change in caste status for themselves. Such claims are generally not recognized by the main Rajput community{{fact}}.
<!-- (for example, ]).-->

Ancient Rajput kings have permitted all faiths to flourish in their domains. While personally they have often practiced Vedic, ], ] and occasionally ] traditions; they supported Buddhists, ] and Sufi traditions as well. Moinuddin-chisti was allowed by ] to set up his madarsa.

Rajputs in India are mostly Hindu. There are some Rajputs who follow the ] panth, and they often intermarry with Hindu Rajputs today. History has also recorded that a very small minority amongst rajputs did convert to Islam. Most of these converted to save there land / kingdom or remain a chief in the army. Some of the conversions of rajputs, it is claimed, happened at the hands of muslim saints. There has been some discussion whether this group can be considered Rajput which can be seen at the ] page.

==The Rajput Rule of India==

Today the Rajput kings are mainly remembered as warriors. However as influential rulers, they were responsible for emergence of the modern Indian society.

An examination of the archeological evidence and contemporary texts suggest that the Indian society had achieved significant prosperity during the Rajput rule. Most of the archaeological remains in a large part of India are from the Rajput period.

It was also a period of spread of literacy. Numerous inscriptions from this period have been found. A significant fraction of them are by people who were unaffiliated with the nobles, suggesting that education was spreading among the common people. The literature composed in this period in ] and in ]s constitutes a large fraction of the classical Indian literatures. The ] king ] of ] not only a patron of scholars, but himself a distinguished and prolific scholar. His ] deals with architecture and ] is a famous commentary on ]-].

The intermarriage among the Rajput clans interlinked different regions of India, making it easier for the trade and scholarship to flow from one part of the country to another.


Ancient Rajput kings have permitted all the faiths to flourish in their domains{{fact}}. While personally they have often practiced Vedic, ], ] and occasionally ] traditions; they supported Buddhists, ] and Sufi traditions as well. Rajputs in India are mostly Hindu. There are some Rajputs who follow the ] panth, and they often intermarry with Hindu Rajputs. There are many ] in Pakistan, and some also in India{{fact}}.
===Social Hierarchy===
Historically the Rajputs have supported Brahmins as scholars and priests. Rajputs often have their own family priests, known as Purohits. Also many Rajputs have ] ]s. Some ]s of their noble families even officiate as priests in their Hindu temples; for example, the ] kings of ] consider themselves regents of ], a manifestation of ], and serve as the high priest of the deity as well as ruler of the state.


==Origins== ==Origins==

The Rajputs are divided into 36 ], claiming three basic lineages: the ] (Solar Race), the ] (Lunar Race), and the '']'' (Fire Born). Some scholars also include ''Rishi vanshi'', ''Nag Vanshi'' and ''Vayu Vanshi'' as separate classes. House of ], ], ] are Suryavanshi rajputs. Rulers of ], ], ], ] are Agnivanshi. ] and ] are from the same line which bifurcated at king yadu when his father banished him from becoming the king. House of ] are yaduvanshi rajputs. The Rajputs are divided into 36 ], claiming three basic lineages: the ] (Solar Race), the ] (Lunar Race), and the '']'' (Fire Born). Some scholars also include ''Rishi vanshi'', ''Nag Vanshi'' and ''Vayu Vanshi'' as separate classes. House of ], ], ] are Suryavanshi rajputs. Rulers of ], ], ], ] are Agnivanshi. ] and ] are from the same line which bifurcated at king yadu when his father banished him from becoming the king. House of ] are yaduvanshi rajputs.
The Suryavanshi trace their lineage to the Vedic Sun -Surya( Lord ] was also born in this lineage) Somvanshi to ] (the vedic deity Soma or Moon )and Agnivanshi orginated from fire. The Yaduvanshi trace there lineage to Lord ]. The Suryavanshi trace their lineage to the Vedic Sun -Surya( Lord ] was also born in this lineage) Somvanshi to ] (the vedic deity Soma or Moon ) and Agnivanshi orginated from fire. The Yaduvanshi trace there lineage to Lord ].


Each ] has many ] and each ] has ]. Rathores are divided into these ] : Dhandhul, Bhadail, Khokra, Jodha etc. Gehlote ] is subdivided into these shakhas: Aharya (at ]) , ] (at ]), Peeparra (at ]) etc. ] are divided into these ]: Hada, Kheechee, Deora, Songara etc. Similarly there are various shakha in Kacchwaha, Parihaar and rest of the 12 clans described below. For a pictorial description please see page 27 of ] Each ] has many ] and each ] has ]. Rathores are divided into these ] : Dhandhul, Bhadail, Khokra, Jodha etc. Gehlote ] is subdivided into these shakhas: Aharya (at ]) , ] (at ]), Peeparra (at ]) etc. ] are divided into these ]: Hada, Kheechee, Deora, Songara etc. Similarly there are various shakha in Kacchwaha, Parihaar and rest of the 12 clans described below. For a pictorial description please see page 27 of ]
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Twelve of 36 ] of ] further subdivide. These 12 are ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]. These 24 clans are 'Eka' and do not divide further. ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] ,], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. Twelve of 36 ] of ] further subdivide. These 12 are ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]. These 24 clans are 'Eka' and do not divide further. ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] ,], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].


===Myths=== ==History==
{{main|History of Rajputs}}
One version of the story of ''Agni kula'' origins is that four warriors, Agnikul, Yadaukul, Suryakul and Odak, whose names are given to the Rajput clans, sprang from the sacred fire (]) in a ceremony performed by ] ] near ].
] fort]]


==Character== ===Middle Ages===
The Rajput ethos is martial in spirit, fiercely proud and independent, and emphasizes lineage and tradition. Rajput ] is legendary, an ideal they embodied with a sometimes fanatical zeal, often choosing death before dishonour. Rajput warriors were often known to fight until the last man. The practice of '']'' and '']'' was followed only in rajput communities. When the outcome of a battle was against the Rajputs, ''jauhar'' would be committed by Rajput women and children in the night and next morning men would commit ''saka''. Brahmin priests would chant Vedic ]s and Rajput women wearing their marriage dresses, along with their young children, would embrace ] flames. The next morning after taking a bath, the men would wear ] and apply the ash from the ] ] ''of their wives and children'' on their foreheads and put a ] leaf in their mouth. Then the palace gates would be opened and men would ride out for complete annhiliation of the enemy or themselves. Rajput men and women could not be captured alive. When ]s fought against other ]s there were never any '']'' or ''saka'' because the defeated were treated with dignity. However, history records very few instances wherein a Rajput king sued for peace after a battle reversal and the Muslims initially agreed to the peace terms, only for the Rajputs, and their women and children, to be slaughtered upon surrender and once the ''pols'' or gates of their mighty fortresses were opened. One example of this is war between Puran Mal of ] and Sher Shah Suri.


An examination of the archeological evidence and contemporary texts suggest that the Indian society had achieved significant prosperity during the Rajput rule{{fact}}. Most of the archaeological remains in a large part of India are from the Rajput period{{fact}}.
Rajputs love there steed and sword and enjoy listening to the tales of bravery of there ancestors. Rajputs honour there word more then there life and are renowned for there loyalty.


It was also a period of spread of literacy. Numerous inscriptions from this period have been found. A significant fraction of them are by people who were unaffiliated with the nobles, suggesting that education was spreading among the common people{{fact}}. The literature composed in this period in ] and in ]s constitutes a large fraction of the classical Indian literatures{{fact}}. The ] king ] of Dhara not only a patron of scholars, but himself a distinguished and prolific scholar. His ] deals with architecture and ] is a famous commentary on ].
], which has a very high concentration of ], is located in northwestern ], near the ] route used by most foreign invasions of India, including the Arabs, Afghans, Turks, Mughals, and other Islamic invaders of the Middle Ages. In his ''New History of India'', ] wrote "The Rajputs were the vanguard of Hindu India in the face of the Islamic onslaught."

The intermarriage among the Rajput clans interlinked different regions of India, making it easier for the trade and scholarship to flow from one part of the country to another.

Historically the Rajputs have supported Brahmins as scholars and priests. Rajputs often have their own family priests, known as ]. Also many Rajputs have Brahmin ]s. Some ]s of their noble families even officiate as priests in their Hindu temples; for example, the ] kings of ] consider themselves regents of ], a manifestation of ], and serve as the high priest of the deity as well as ruler of the state.


==History==
] fort]]
The first Rajputs kingdoms are attested in the ], and the Rajputs rose to prominence in Indian history in the ninth and tenth centuries. The four '']'' clans, the ]s (Pariharas), ]s (Chahamanas), ]s (Chaulukyas), and ]s (Parmars), rose to prominence first. The Pratiharas established the first Rajput kingdom in ] in southwestern Rajasthan, with the Chauhans at ] in central Rajasthan, the Solankis in ], and the Paramaras in ]. The Rajput ] ruled ] during the 6th and 7th centuries. Sind was conquered by an Arab Muslim army of the ], led by Bin Qasim, in the 8th century. Bin Qasim attacked ], and was defeated by ] ]. ] of kashmir defeated Arabs in the 8th century. The Pratiharas rebuffed another Arab invasion in the ninth century. Significant Muslim invasions were then not attempted until the eleventh century, largely due to the formidable reputation of the Rajput clans. The Pratiharas later established themselves at ] and ruled ], and afterwards at ] in the ]-] ], from which they ruled much of northern India, from ] in the west to ] in the east, in the ninth century. Clans claiming descent from the Solar and Lunar races, who were originally vassals of the other clans, later established independent states. The ]s (later called the ]s) established the state of ] (later ]), under Bappa Rawal, who ruled at Chittorgarh, which was given in dowry to Bappa in 734 for his bravery. The ] clan came to rule ], with their capital at ], and later ]. The ] clan ruled ] after the tenth century, occupying the fortress-city of ] and building the famous temple-city of ]. The ]s established a state in ], founding the city of Dhiliki (later ]) in 736. The Kachwahas, Chandelas, and Tomaras were originally vassals of the Pratihara kingdom. The first Rajputs kingdoms are attested in the ], and the Rajputs rose to prominence in Indian history in the ninth and tenth centuries. The four '']'' clans, the ]s (Pariharas), ]s (Chahamanas), ]s (Chaulukyas), and ]s (Parmars), rose to prominence first. The Pratiharas established the first Rajput kingdom in ] in southwestern Rajasthan, with the Chauhans at ] in central Rajasthan, the Solankis in ], and the Paramaras in ]. The Rajput ] ruled ] during the 6th and 7th centuries. Sind was conquered by an Arab Muslim army of the ], led by Bin Qasim, in the 8th century. Bin Qasim attacked ], and was defeated by ] ]. ] of kashmir defeated Arabs in the 8th century. The Pratiharas rebuffed another Arab invasion in the ninth century. Significant Muslim invasions were then not attempted until the eleventh century, largely due to the formidable reputation of the Rajput clans. The Pratiharas later established themselves at ] and ruled ], and afterwards at ] in the ]-] ], from which they ruled much of northern India, from ] in the west to ] in the east, in the ninth century. Clans claiming descent from the Solar and Lunar races, who were originally vassals of the other clans, later established independent states. The ]s (later called the ]s) established the state of ] (later ]), under Bappa Rawal, who ruled at Chittorgarh, which was given in dowry to Bappa in 734 for his bravery. The ] clan came to rule ], with their capital at ], and later ]. The ] clan ruled ] after the tenth century, occupying the fortress-city of ] and building the famous temple-city of ]. The ]s established a state in ], founding the city of Dhiliki (later ]) in 736. The Kachwahas, Chandelas, and Tomaras were originally vassals of the Pratihara kingdom.
In the early 11th century, ] conquered the Hindu ] kingdom in the ], and his raids into northern India weakened the Pratihara kingdom, which was drastically reduced in size and came under the control of the Chandelas. Mahmud sacked temples across northern India, including the temple at ] in Gujarat, but his permanent conquests were limited to the Punjab, and Somnath was rebuilt after the raid. The early 11th century also saw the reign of the ] king Bhoj, the Paramara ruler of Malwa. In the early 11th century, ] conquered the Hindu ] kingdom in the ], and his raids into northern India weakened the Pratihara kingdom, which was drastically reduced in size and came under the control of the Chandelas. Mahmud sacked temples across northern India, including the temple at ] in Gujarat, but his permanent conquests were limited to the Punjab, and Somnath was rebuilt after the raid. The early 11th century also saw the reign of the ] king Bhoj, the Paramara ruler of Malwa.
Line 65: Line 49:
The Chauhans reestablished themselves at ], led by Govinda, grandson of Prithviraj III. ] was ruled by another branch of Chauhans, the Songaras. Another branch of the Chauhans, the ]s, established a kingdom in ] in the mid-13th century. The Chauhans reestablished themselves at ], led by Govinda, grandson of Prithviraj III. ] was ruled by another branch of Chauhans, the Songaras. Another branch of the Chauhans, the ]s, established a kingdom in ] in the mid-13th century.


Sultan ] (1296-1316) conquered ] (1297) and ] (1305), and captured the fortresses of Ranthambore (1301) by bribing generals in Hammir Deo Chauhan's army, Mewar's capital ] (1303) and ] (1311) after long sieges with fierce resistance from their Rajput defenders. ] resestablished there supremacy within 50 years of the sack of Chittor under Maharana Hammir. Hammir defeated Muhammad Tughlaq and captured him. Tughlaq had to pay huge ransom and relenquish all of Mewar's lands. After this Sultanate did not attack Chittor for a few hundred years. Rajputs reestablished their independence, and the Rajput states were established as far east as ] and north into the ]. The Tomaras established themselves at ], and the ruler ] built the fortress which still stands there. ] emerged as the leading Rajput state, and ] expanded his kingdom at the expense of the sultanates of Malwa and Gujarat. The Delhi Sultanate recovered somewhat under the ]. Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi at the ] on ], ], and the Rana Sangha rallied a Rajput army to challenge Babur. Babur, like his predecessors resorted to treachery and managed to bribe a general in Sanga's army and managed to defeat the Rajputs at the ] on ], ]. The Rajput rulers agreed to pay tribute to Babur, but most retained control of their states, and struggles between Babur's successor ] and the ] for control of the Sultanate preoccupied the Muslims for several decades.


===Islamic invasion of India===
Humayun's successor ] consolidated control of the empire and sought to expand it by realising that wars with Rajputs will not allow him to rule India and he used marriage diplomacy. Kachwahas were the first to give a daughter to Akbar. This prompted Maharana Pratap to ban marraiges between his loyal rajputs with other rajputs of rajasthan. The Kachwaha rulers of ] and Rathore rulers of ] became tributaries of the empire. The Sisodias of Mewar and their vassals, the Hadas of Bundi, continued to refuse Mughal hegemony, and Akbar invaded ], capturing ] in ] after a long siege. The Sesodias of Mewar moved the capital to the more defensible location of ] and carried on fighting the Mughals. Akbar respected the martial prowess of the Rajputs, and he married a Rajput princess, and Rajput generals, particularly the Kachwahas of Jaipur, commanded some Mughal armies.
{{main|Rajputs and Invasions of India}}


In his ''New History of India'', ] wrote "The Rajputs were the vanguard of Hindu India in the face of the Islamic onslaught."
] The Mughal emperor ], who was far less tolerant of Hinduism than his predecessors, put a Muslim on the throne of ] when Maharaja Jaswant Singh, ruler of Marwar, died without a child. This enraged the rathores. Ajit Singh, Jaswant Singh's son was born after his death. Marwar nobles asked Aurangzeb to give the throne back to Ajit but Aurangzeb refused and instead tried to kill the infant Ajit. Durgadas Rathore and others smuggled Ajit out of Delhi and did not let pursuing Mughals capture them and reached Jaipur safely. This started the 30 year rajput rebellion against Aurangzeb. This cemented all the Rajput clans into a bond of union, and a triple alliance was formed by the three states of Marwar, Mewar, and Jaipur, to throw off the Mughal yoke. One of the conditions of this alliance was that the rulers of Jodhpur and Jaipur should regain the privilege of marriage with the ruling Sesodia dynasty of Mewar, which they had forfeited by contracting alliances with the Mughal emperors, on the understanding that the offspring of Sesodia princesses should succeed to the state in preference to all other children. The quarrels arising from this stipulation lasted through many generations, and led to the invitation of ] help from the rival aspirants to power, and finally to the subjection of all the Rajput states to the Marathas. Jodhpur was conquered by ], who levied a tribute of 60,000 rupees, and took from it the fort and town of ]. Internecine disputes and succession wars disturbed the peace of the early years of the century, and the Rajput princes asked for ] protection from the Marathas during the ] of ]-]. At the conclusion of the war in 1818, 18 states in the ] region, of which 15 were ruled by Rajputs, became ]s of the ], while the British took direct control of Ajmer, which became the province of ]. A number of other Rajput states in central India, including ], ], ], ], ], ], and ], became princely states as well, and were placed under the authority of the ]. Rajput rulers of Rajputana and Central India acceded to newly-independent India after ], and Rajputana, renamed Rajasthan, became an Indian state in ].
] Agency and Ajmer-Merwara province, 1909]]


Rajput ] is legendary, an ideal they embodied with a sometimes fanatical zeal, often choosing death before dishonour. Rajput warriors were often known to fight until the last man. The practice of '']'' and '']'' was followed only in rajput communities. When the outcome of a battle was against the Rajputs, ''jauhar'' would be committed by Rajput women and children in the night and next morning men would commit ''saka''{{fact}}. Brahmin priests would chant Vedic ]s and Rajput women wearing their marriage dresses, along with their young children, would embrace ] flames. The next morning after taking a bath, the men would wear ] and apply the ash from the ] ''of their wives and children'' on their foreheads and put a ] leaf in their mouth. Then the palace gates would be opened and men would ride out for complete annhiliation of the enemy or themselves. The practices of Johar and Saka were, however not universal amongst all the Rajput clans and even among the same clan during different periods of time.
==Rajputs and Invasions of India==
===]===
There is a big misconception that India was conquered very easily by Muslims. Facts are very different and are discussed on the page pointed to by the heading of this section.


===]===
Muslims started attacking India within a few decades of the birth of islam. For a few hundred years they had no success. Bin Qasim was able to defeat ] in ] but was routed by ]. Qasim attacked ], which was ruled by ] Rajputs, via ]. Bappa, of ] dynasty, was a commander in Mori army and so was Dahir's son. Bappa defeated and pursued Bin Qasim through ] and back to ]. After this resounding defeat of the caliphate at the hands of Bappa, for next few hundred years there were no more Islamic incursions into India. (note muslim historians rarely recorded the defeats of there kings)


Sultan ] (1296-1316) conquered ] (1297) and ] (1305), and captured the fortresses of Ranthambore (1301) by bribing generals in Hammir Deo Chauhan's army, Mewar's capital ] (1303) and ] (1311) after long sieges with fierce resistance from their Rajput defenders. ] resestablished there supremacy within 50 years of the sack of Chittor under Maharana Hammir. Hammir defeated Muhammad Tughlaq and captured him. Tughlaq had to pay huge ransom and relenquish all of Mewar's lands. After this Sultanate did not attack Chittor for a few hundred years. Rajputs reestablished their independence, and the Rajput states were established as far east as ] and north into the ]. The Tomaras established themselves at ], and the ruler ] built the fortress which still stands there. ] emerged as the leading Rajput state, and ] expanded his kingdom at the expense of the sultanates of Malwa and Gujarat. The Delhi Sultanate recovered somewhat under the ]. Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi at the ] on ], ], and the Rana Sangha rallied a Rajput army to challenge Babur. Babur, like his predecessors resorted to treachery and managed to bribe a general in Sanga's army and managed to defeat the Rajputs at the ] on ], ]. The Rajput rulers agreed to pay tribute to Babur, but most retained control of their states, and struggles between Babur's successor ] and the ] for control of the Sultanate preoccupied the Muslims for several decades.
Then Mahmud started his raids and was successful in looting ].


Humayun's successor ] consolidated control of the empire and sought to expand it by realising that wars with Rajputs will not allow him to rule India and he used marriage diplomacy. Kachwahas were the first to give a daughter to Akbar. This prompted Maharana Pratap to ban marraiges between his loyal rajputs with other rajputs of rajasthan. The Kachwaha rulers of ] and Rathore rulers of ] became tributaries of the empire. The Sisodias of Mewar and their vassals, the Hadas of Bundi, continued to refuse Mughal hegemony, and Akbar invaded ], capturing ] in ] after a long siege. The Sesodias of Mewar moved the capital to the more defensible location of ] and carried on fighting the Mughals. Akbar respected the martial prowess of the Rajputs, and he married a Rajput princess, and Rajput generals, particularly the Kachwahas of Jaipur, commanded some Mughal armies.
===]===
Ghori attacked many times. First time he was routed in present day ] by Rajputs. ]-II was not even a teen yet and his mother organized the defences of ]. Battle was fought at ] near ] and Ghori was resoundingly defeated. After this defeat he never entered India through Gujarat. In first battle of ] (tarain is misspelledword) in ] ] captured Ghori and Ghori begged for his life. ] allowed him to go despite his generals asking him not to do so. Following year Ghori came again. ] advanced with his army and sent a letter to Ghori. In this letter ghori was asked to return as he had been beaten last year and was spared his life. Ghori replied that he was in ] on the orders of his brother, Ghiasuddin, and that he can only retreat after he gets a word from his brother. This letter was sent in the evening and Ghori moved his camp back a few kilometers. On receiving this letter and seeing Ghori move his camp back ] assumed that Ghori is not interested in fighting. Ghori also knew that ] did not fight in the night and only started fighting after sun had come up. (This is an ancient ] practice e.g ] was also fought mostly in day time). He attacked in the early morning hours when ] and his army were sleeping and was able to win this war.


] The Mughal emperor ], who was far less tolerant of Hinduism than his predecessors, put a Muslim on the throne of ] when Maharaja Jaswant Singh, ruler of Marwar, died without a child. This enraged the rathores. Ajit Singh, Jaswant Singh's son was born after his death. Marwar nobles asked Aurangzeb to give the throne back to Ajit but Aurangzeb refused and instead tried to kill the infant Ajit. Durgadas Rathore and others smuggled Ajit out of Delhi and did not let pursuing Mughals capture them and reached Jaipur safely. This started the 30 year rajput rebellion against Aurangzeb. This cemented all the Rajput clans into a bond of union, and a triple alliance was formed by the three states of Marwar, Mewar, and Jaipur, to throw off the Mughal yoke. One of the conditions of this alliance was that the rulers of Jodhpur and Jaipur should regain the privilege of marriage with the ruling Sesodia dynasty of Mewar, which they had forfeited by contracting alliances with the Mughal emperors, on the understanding that the offspring of Sesodia princesses should succeed to the state in preference to all other children. The quarrels arising from this stipulation lasted through many generations, and led to the invitation of ] help from the rival aspirants to power, and finally to the subjection of all the Rajput states to the Marathas. Jodhpur was conquered by ], who levied a tribute of 60,000 rupees, and took from it the fort and town of ].
===],],]===
Later Ala ud din Khilji usurped ] from his father-in-law. Khilji wanted to win ] because ]s of ] never accepted the rule of Islam. Another reason was ]. He laid a siege but ] would not fall. Then he requested Rana ], husband of ], that if he is allowed a glimpse of Rani he would leave. By this time the situation inside the fort was getting bad. Rana discussed this with his advisers and they agreed that they can show Padmini's face in a mirror to the sultan. The meeting took place and afterwards out of courtesy when Rana was walking Khilji out of the palace, Khilji's men captured Rana Ratan Singh. Khilji sent a message to the fort that Rana can be spared by exchanging ]. Padmini discussed this with ], her maternal uncle, who was a ] rajput. Gora told her not to worry and that he would go and bring back ] ] and Sultan is not brave enough to stop him. Padmini's nephew ] who was just sixteen also assured her. A message was sent from the fort to Khilji that Padmini would come with 700 of her servants in "palanquins" (palki in ]) and that no muslim soldier should peek inside the palki to outrage the modesty of the women. Letter also said that before Padmini meets khilji she would like to talk to Rana. Khilji agreed. All the palki's had the best rajput warriors with two swords each. When Padmini's palki, which was occupied by Gora, reached Rana's tent he asked Rana to mount the horse and go back to the fort. Then Gora gave a signal and every rajput came out of the palki and attacked the muslims who were cut to pieces. ] reached Khilji's tent and was about to kill the sultan when khilji moved his concubine in front of himself. Gora, being a rajput could not kill an innocent women and these few seconds were enough for Khilji's guards to kill Gora from behind.


===]=== ===British Raj===
] Agency and Ajmer-Merwara province, 1909]]
After Ratan Singh's death his successor ] tried to capture ] and fought a battle with Tughlaq near ]. He died along with his son Ari. His second son Ajay was severely wounded but was taken away from the battlefield by other soldiers and survived. Ajay was not a powerful ruler and his sons were likewise. Ajay knew that Ari had a son ] and he called ] to come to him. ], along with his mother came to see his uncle. Ajay said that he had grown weak and a dacoit, Munja Balicha, was wreaking havoc in Rana Ajay's domain. ] vowed that he would take care of Munja. ] took seven warriors with him and set out to finish Munja. ] at this stage was just a teenager. Munja was tracked. When Munja was riding with his band to plunder a village, ] stood in his way on his white steed. Munja asked him to leave the way or die. ] challenged him to a duel and seeing that Hammir was just a teenager Munja readily agreed. ] killed Munja and brought his head and put it at Rana Ajay's feet and told his uncle that Munja will never be a problem again. Rana Ajay realized Hammir should be the ruler and he coronated Hammir as the new ruler of ]. Ajay's sons were unhappy with this and decided to move to ]. Do note that ] was called ] at this time as Ala ud din had renamed it after his son and at Hammir's coronation was ruled by Muhammad bin Tughlaq. Hammir captured ]. Tughlaq became very unhappy and launched a massive campaign against Hammir which he led himself. Hammir knew as soon as he captured ] that Tughlaq would attack him. He rallied all nearby rajput states to join him and they did. Battle was fought and Tughlaq was badly defeated and captured. After he paid a hefty fees and surrendered all of ]'s territory he was let go. After this defeat Mewar was never attacked by ].
Internecine disputes and succession wars disturbed the peace of the early years of the 19th century, and the Rajput princes asked for ] protection from the Marathas during the ] of ]-]. At the conclusion of the war in 1818, 18 states in the ] region, of which 15 were ruled by Rajputs, became ]s of the ], while the British took direct control of Ajmer, which became the province of ]. A number of other Rajput states in central India, including ], ], ], ], ], ], and ], became princely states as well, and were placed under the authority of the ]. Rajput rulers of Rajputana and Central India acceded to newly-independent India after ], and Rajputana, renamed Rajasthan, became an Indian state in ].


By the late nineteenth century, there was a shift from an emphasis on questions regarding the political relations amongst the Rajputs to a concern with kinship (Kasturi 2002:2). According to Harlan (1992:27), many Rajputs of Rajasthan are nostalgic about their past and keenly conscious of their genealogy, emphasizing a Rajput ethos that is martial in spirit, with a fierce pride in lineage and tradition. These lineages were linked to different networks, both sacred and profane. Branches on a stratified lineage could be either Hindu or Muslim (Kasturi 2002:2).
===]===
Prithviraj's descendant ] ruled ]. ] was ruled by another branch of ]s, the ]s. In ] Ala ud din's ] general Ulugh Khan sought to quell ] resistance in ] and besieged ] and sacked the temple at ]. Ulugh Khan had broken the ] of ] and was carrying it back to ]. ], ruler of ], attacked and defeated Ulugh Khan. His son ] and ] ] were the generals who commandeered Kanhad Dev's army. They captured the fragments of the ]. ] had the ] washed in ]jal and had the fragments placed at various ] ]s around ]. One of Ala ud din's generals was a neo-muslim, Muhammad Shah, who had helped ]. This general later went and stayed with ] in ]. Ala ud din wanted him dead, and asked ] to hand him over. ] replied that he knows how to draw his sword, and anyone who has taken shelter in his fort would not be turned over. ] did not consider Ala king of India. Ala ud din attacked ] in ], but his armies were defeated. He finally came himself in 1301, and there was a long siege. ] was very well prepared. When the fort would not fall after repeated bloody skirmishes khilji resorted to diplomacy. ] was very suspicious but he heeded to his councillors who told him that sword is not always the best recourse. Ratipal and Ranmal, who were close confidants of ], were sent to the khilji camp. Ranmal's father was hung by Hammir for treachery and his property was confiscated. Ranmal earned the trust of Hammir by being brave in battles that ] fought but perfidy was in his blood. Khilji bribed these two generals of ]'s army and consequently ] fell.


===]=== ===20th century===
{{stubsection}}
Later Rana Kumbha repeatedly defeated sultans of ] and ] and built 32 forts in ]. Even the combined armies of sultans of Malwa and Gujarat could not beat Kumbha.


==Demographics==
===]===
], which is believed to be the birthplace of Rajputs has a very high concentration of ]. Rajputs are spread throughout India and Pakistan with ] also having high numbers of both Sikh and Muslim Rajputs.
In Kumbha's lineage was ] or Sanga. Lodi was defeated by Man Singh ] of ] but being a Hindu Man Singh out of magnaninimity let Ibrahim go back to Delhi. Man Singh's descendants fought at ] along with Maharana Pratap against Akbar and showed exemplary bravery. Lodi was defeated by Babur later. Now Babur was having sleepless nights because of Sanga. Babur sent about 1500 choice cavalry to attack Sanga. These were butchered by Sanga's rajputs. Babur wanted to discuss peace terms. For discussions Sanga sent his general Silhadi (Shiladitya). Babur won this general by promising him independent kingdom. Silhadi came back and reported that babur does not want peace and he wants to fight. Fight started and Babur's army was being knocked out of the field and victory was certain for Sanga. At this juncture Silhadi and his army just left the field and this tilted the war in favor of Babur and he won.

===]===
Humayun, Babur's son was beaten by SherShah Suri, a ]. Humayun was forced to leave India and Sher Shah became ruler of Delhi. The ] of ] were not yet recovered from ]'s treacherous defeat. In ] the ]s were becoming very powerful. The ] king Rao Maldeo had extended his territory to within a couple of hundred kilometers of ]. Sher Shah attacked Maldeo. Maldeo came with a force of 40 thousand and Sher Shah had 60 thousand. In the evening Sher Shah sent forged letters to Maldeo's camp. In these letters it was stated that few generals from Maldeo's army were buying arms from Sher Shah's army. This caused great consternation in Maldeo who thought there is treachery and that some of his generals had crossed over to Sher Shah. Maldeo left with 20 thousand men. In reality there was no treachery. Later when Maldeo's generals Kumpa (his progeny are ] ]s) and Jaita (his progeny are Jaitawat rathores) found out what happened they did not loose cool and decided they would not leave the field even though they just had 20 thousand men and had to face 60 thousand Pathans of Sher Shah. Finally battle of ] was fought and Sher Shah was shocked by what he saw. SherShah's top generals lost there lives and his army suffered heavy losses. After this Sher Shah commented that "for a few grains of ] ]] he had almost lost the entire kingdom of ]".It is a moot point now but had Maldeo not retreated because of the fake letter ]s/]s would have defeated SherShah. In my bhoomi (Rajasthan) ]s are considered the most stubborn, ]s the most brave and ]s the invincible warriors on the battlefield (Ranbanka ]).

===]===
Humayun's son Akbar was born in the palace of a Hindu king, at ], who had given Humayun shelter when he was being pursued by Sher Shah. Akbar realized that he can never subdue Rajputs and become sole ruler of India. He decided to pursue diplomacy and was able to convince the ] Rajput rulers of ](modern day ]) about a matrimonial alliance. King of ] agreed and Jodhabai became Akbar's queen and the mother of Prince Salim, who later became the Mughal emperor Jahangir. Soon other ] kingdoms in ] also gave there daughters to Akbar. This was the darkest period in the history of Rajputs.

Only two kings remained against this. The ]s of ] and ]s of Ranthambore. ] are ]s. Finally Man Singh of ] and Akbar went and met ] that he should become friends with Akbar and Surjan some how agreed but one of his conditions of friendship was that no daughter of Hadas would ever be asked to marry mughals and Akbar agreed. Surjan was very saddened by this friendship with Akbar and the fact that he could not help ] against Akbar. He felt so ashamed that he moved his residence to ] and made sure that ] in the holy city had no problems at the hands of Muslims. So there remained just the house of ] the sole bearer of Rajput pride in the face of immense opposition from Mughals as well as other rajputs who had sold there souls essentially to mughals by giving there daughters.

], the ] ruler of ], passed a law in his state that none of his followers will intermarry with Rajputs who have given their daughters to Muslims. This rule was followed by his loyal band of Rajputs, which included ]s, ]s, ]s, ]s, ]s, ] and ]s. ] never accepted Akbar as ruler of India, and fought Akbar all his life. Akbar first tried diplomacy to win over ] but nothing worked. Pratap just said he has no intention to fight with Akbar but he cannot bow down to Akbar and accept him as the ruler. Some scholars argue that there is some chance that Maharana could have become friends with Akbar but in the siege of ] when Akbar killed 30,000 civilian, unarmed residents of ], because they refused to convert to Islam, left a lasting impression on Maharana's mind and he decided he cannot bow to such an unjust and cruel human being as Akbar was. (People should note that when ] Kings fought with each other unarmed civilians were never killed in the loosing king's territory).

Finally Akbar attacked ] at ]. Akbar's general was Man Singh ] of ], leading an army of 40 thousand men. Maharana had about 8 thousand men and some ] warriors. One of Maharana's generals was Hakim Khan Sur, who was from the line of SherShah Suri, a pathan. Pathans are the only faction of Muslims that Rajputs do not mind befriending
because a Pathan would rather give his life then his word. During the first attack ]'s army routed the ] and Mughals ran for there life. Maharana Pratap decided to kill Man Singh, and Maharana Pratap's horse ] put his front feet on the trunk of the elephant that Man Singh was riding and Maharana threw his lance. Man Singh ducked, and the elephant driver was killed. Finally the numerical superiority of the Mughal army was too much and the battle ended in a stalemate. When Mughal army entered the nearby town of ] they were so mortified that Maharana would attack them again that no one would venture out of the camp for months. They ran out of food and conditions were just miserable in the Mughal camp. They killed there own horses and ate them to survive. Finally help arrived many months later. Akbar was very unhappy with his generals and his army and he refused to see his generals for months.

Akbar kept sending expedition after expedition against ] but never succeeded. He lost lot of money and men in trying to defeat Maharana Pratap. For 30 years Pratap remained ahead of Akbar and in last ten years of his life was able to free most of his kingdom. The only fort Pratap could not recover was ] and that saddened him a lot. His son, ], won that fort after Pratap's death.

It is said that somebody told Akbar that Pratap wanted to accept Akbar as the king. Akbar was very happy to hear this. One of Akbar's general was Prthviraj ] who was a very good poet. He told Akbar this is a lie (incidentally Prithviraj's mother and Pratap's mother were real sisters. Pratap and Prithviraj played together as kids in there maternal grandfather's home who was a ] rajput). Prithviraj wrote this letter to Pratap:

''The hopes of the ] rest on the ] yet the Rana forsakes them. But for Pratap, all would be placed on the same level by Akbar; for our chiefs have lost their valour and our females their honour. Akbar is the broker in the market of our race; he has purchased all but the son of Udai (Singh II of ]); he is beyond his price. What true Rajput would part with honour for nine days (nauroza); yet how many have bartered it away? Will ] come to this market ...? Though Patta (an affectionate name for Pratap Singh) has squandered away wealth (on warfare), yet he has preserved this treasure. Despair has driven man to this market, to witness their dishonour: from such infamy the descendant of Hammir (]) alone has been preserved. The world asks, from where does the concealed aid of Pratap emanate? None but the soul of manliness and his sword .. The broker in the market of men (Akbar) will one day be surpassed; he cannot live forever. Then will our race come to Pratap, for the seed of the ] to sow in our desolate lands. To him all look for its preservation, that its purity may again become resplendent. It is as much impossible for me to believe that Pratap has called Akbar his emperor as to see the sun rising in the west. Tell me where do I stand? Shall I use my sword on my neck or shall I continue my proud bearing?''

Pratap replied to him:

''By my god ], Pratap would call the emperor Turk alone and the sun would rise in the east. You may continue your proud bearing as long as Pratap's sword dangles on the mughal head. Pratap would be guilty of Sanga's blood, if he was to tolerate Akbar. you would have the better of it, no doubt Prithviraj, in this wordy quarrel.''

Prithviraj was overjoyed on getting this letter.

]'s son, Amar Singh, fought 17 wars with the Mughals but he finally accepted them as rulers. At this time a large chunk of Maharana Pratap's band of loyal Rajputs became disillusioned by the surrender and left Rajasthan. This group included ]s, ] ]s, ]s, ]s, ] and ]. They are called "Rors" and settled mostly in ], with some in ]. Until today they do not intermarry with other Rajputs but "] permitting" with other Rors only.

===]===
After Akbar in his line, few generations later, came Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb did not like ] ], ruler of ]. When Jaswant Singh ] died he had no son and this gave Aurangzeb a chance to appoint a Muslim as the ruler of ]. This upset ] rajputs a lot. Two of Jaswant Singh's queens were pregnant when Jaswant Singh died. One queen gave birth to ]. After his birth, ] generals, chief among them was ] (who belonged to the ] ] of ]s. Karna was a son of ], the ] ruler who founded ] during Rana Kumbha's time and ]s are descendants of this Karna. Jodha's other son, ], founded ]), went to Delhi along with the queens and ], who was an infant, and asked Aurangzeb that the crown of ] should be given to ]. Aurangzeb was very cunning and he had no intention of handing over the throne of ]. He suggested that Ajit should grow up in his harem but internally he wanted to kill them all. Durga Das sensed this and they smuggled ] out of ] to the outskirts of the city. When Mughal army came to capture them in delhi ] and his men attacked the mughals and started riding out of delhi. Raghunandan ] and others soaked the streets of Delhi in crimson by flowing the blood of mughal pursuers. There were about three hundred rajputs with Durga Das and there were thousands of pursuing mughals. Every so often 15 - 20 Rajputs would fall behind attack the mughal pursuers and in the process get themselves killed but it allowed the forward party to create some distance between Ajit and the Mughals. This continued till the evening by which time mughals had given up and Durga Das was left with just seven men out of three hundred he started with and reached ] along with Ajit Singh.

Thereby started the 30 year rajput rebellion against Aurangzeb. ] and ] forces combined together and almost killed Aurangzeb when he was trapped in the mountains of ] but the ] king out of magnanimity allowed aurangzeb to escape.

All the trade routes were plundered by ]s and they started looting various treasuries of ] and ]. To crush them Aurangzeb sent many expeditions but no success. These expeditions and drying up of revenue from trade routes running through ] had severe effect on his resources. In addition the lion of ], ], had freed almost all of ] and was at constant war with Aurangzeb. ] had some Rajput ancestry.

Finally on his deathbed Aurang complained that his life had been a complete failure. He was the sole reason for Mughal empire's crumbling. His war campaigns had practically left the treasury dry for his progeny.

A point to note here is that lot of Muslims and some hindu historians think that Islam/Muslims did not do conversion of Hindus by sword. The argument they give is that there are so many hindus still today in India. This is completely wrong because most muslim rulers in India tried to convert as many as they could but it was the strength of rajput sword and later ],] swords that kept hinduism alive in India. If there were no ],],] in India then India would be just like ]/]/]/] in terms of religion of the population.

The preservance of ] in India by the rajput sword against the entire might of Islamic rulers is the most glorious achievement by a race in the annals of world history and every one should know this fact, more so Indians and most definitely each and every rajput.

==Genetics==
The Rajputs are genetically similar to other upper castes and ]ns. ''See ].''


==Prominent Rajput clans & their main centers== ==Prominent Rajput clans & their main centers==
]
For further details see ]
* ]: ]
* ]: ]
* ] (Chauhan): ]
* ]: ]
* ]: ]/]
* ]: ]/]
* ]: ] in ]
* ]: ]
* ]: ]
* ] (Rathore): ]
* ]: ]/]
* ] (Guhilot): Chittor/Udaipur
* ] (Chauhan): ]
* ] (Kachwaha): ]
* ]: ]
* ]: ]
* ]: ], ]
* ]: ]
* ]: ], ]
* ]: ], ]
* ], ] (Parmar): ], ]
* ]: ]
* ] (Parihara): ], ]
* ]: ], ]
* ]: Anhilwara in Gujarat
* ] or ]: ], ]


==See also==
* ]
* ]
** ]: ]
* ]
*** ]: ]
** ]: ] * ]
* ]
** ]: ]/]
* ]
*** ]: ]/]
*** ]
** ]: ]/]
*** ]
*** ]
*** ]
*** ]: ]
** ]: ]
** ]: ]/]/]/]
*** ]
*** ]
*** ]
*** ]
*** ]
* ]
** ]: ]
*** ]: ]
*** ]: ]/]
*** ]: ]
*** ]: ]
** ]: Anahilawad (Patan)
*** ]
** ], ] (Parmar): ]/]
** ] (Parihara): ], ]
* ]
** ]: ]
** ]: ]
** ]: ]/]
** ]: ]
** ]: ]
** ]: ]
** ]: ]
** ]: ]
** ]: ]
*** ]: Uttarakhand
** ]: ]/]

==References==

* Kshatriya Vamshavali, Thakur Udainarain Simha.
* Jati Bhaskara, Jwalaprasad Mishra, Pub. Khemaraj Shrikrishnadas, 1914.
* An Introduction to Indian Historiography, A. K. Warder, 1972.
* Some aspects of Ancient India History and culture, Upendra Thakur, 1974.
*Maharana Kumbha: sovereign, soldier, scholar
:''Har Bilas Sarada, Paperback - 182 Pages (Year: 2003) Rupa ~ ISBN: 8129100339''
:: '''Detailed description of Maharana Kumbha's life.'''
*Maharana Pratap
*Maharaja Mansingh: the mystic monarch of Marwar
*Maravara ka itihasa
:: '''Description of Rathore rise in Marwar. Various wars are described. Battle of Sammel and Rathore rebellion against Aurangzeb are covered in great detail'''
*The glory of Ranthambhor
:''Dr LS Rathore: Jodhpur university press, Jodhpur (India) First published in 1990''
::'''Detailed description of wars between Hammir Dev Chauhan and Khilji.'''

*Rathaura rajavamsa ke riti-rivaja : 1600-1850 I.
:: '''Social customs of Marwar kings are described. Marriage ceremonies, festivals etc.'''
*Maharana Hammir of ]: Chittor's lost freedom restored
:: '''Life of Maharana Hammir and his campaigns to free chittor. His wars with Muhammad Tughlaq.'''
*Maharana Pratapa: eka aise vira yoddha ki jivana-gatha jisane svatantrata ke lie apani akhiri samsa taka visala Mugala samrajya se janga ki
*Maharana Pratapa : aitihasika adhyayana
*The genealogical survey : Royal house of Marwar and other states
:: '''Lineage of Rathore rulers is provided starting with Rao Sheoji.'''
*Unveiling Ajitsingh's Sanskrit biography : issues in Marwar history and Sanskrit poetics
:: '''A very good biography of Maharaja Ajit Singh ] of Jodhpur, son of Maharaja Jaswant Singh ].'''
*Marwar-Jodhpur
*The house of Marwar
*Relations between Marwar and the Marathas, A.D. 1724-1843 A.D.
:: '''Rathore and Maratha wars are described and how Ajmer proved to be a stumbling stone in the establishment of Maratha, Rathore confederacy.'''
*Maravara ke thikanom ki puralekhiya sampada
:: '''An excellent research book to figure out which clans tilled what piece of land in ] and how much revenue they had to provide to the Maharaja of Marwar.'''
*Durgadas Rathor :
:: '''Life history of DurgaDas Rathore and his help in getting Ajit Singh out of Delhi and then leading the Rajput rebellion against Aurangzeb while Ajit was still an infant.'''
*War strategy of Maharana Pratap, its evolution and implementation
*Maharana Pratapa
*Poems of Mewar
*The johur of Padmini : the saga of Chitor's deathless heroine
:: '''Description of Padmini's Jauhar, Gora and Badal's bravery, Allauddin's treachery against Rana Ratan Singh.'''
*Maharana Pratap : a biography
*Maharana Pratap, the hero of Haldighati
:: '''A very detailed description of the battle of Haldighati. Which clans fought along with Maharana and in what order various Rajputs and Mughals fell. It also describes Maharana's personal duels and how his life was saved by his own estranged brother Shakti Singh who was actually fighting against the Maharana.'''
*Maharana Kumbha and his times: a glorious Hindu king
*Maharana Pratap & his times
*The luminous life of Maharana Pratap
*Maharana Pratapa
*Hindupati Maharana Sanga: sacitra
*Rashtra-gaurava suravira Maharana Pratapa
*Sirohi rajya ka itihasa
*Essays on Bardic literature : Professor V.S. Bhatnagar felicitation volume
*Bhati vamsa ka gauravamaya itihasa
*Annals of Jaisalmer: a pre-mediaeval history
:''Hari Simha Bhati: 486 pages (2002) Publisher: Kavi Prakashan ISBN: B0000CPJC0''

::'''Very detailed description of Bhatti clan of rajputs. Contains details on the siege of Jaisalmer and how proudly Jaisalmer was defended by Bhattis for eight consecutive years.'''
*Rajput tales: adapted and abridged from Tod's Annals and antiquities of Rajasthan
*Svatantrya vira Rava Candrasena: Jodhapura ka sasaka 1562-1581 I.
*Maheca Rathaurom ka mula itihasa: Ravala Mallinatha ke vamsaja - Maheca, *Baramera, Pokarana, Kotariya aura
*Khavariya Rathaurom ka sodhapurna itihasa
*Amara Simha Rathaura
::'''Fiercely proud and brave Amar Singh Rathore's life is chronicled in this book.'''
*Folk tales of Rajasthan
*Panna dhaya : prabandha kavya
*Mevara jagiradaram ri vigata : Maharana Amarasimha Dvi. evam Maharana Bhimasimha
*Maratha confederacy : a study in its origin and development
*Vira siromani Rava Amarasimha Rathaura : Nagaura ka sasaka, 1638-1644 I.
*Vira Durgadasa Rathaurha
*Svatamtrata-premi Durgadasa Rathaura
*Prithiraja Rathaura
*Bharata ka Liyonidasa, Sonigira Virama de Cauhana, Jalaura: Lionidas of India Sonigira Viram de Chauhan
:: '''A very detailed description of the victory of Kanhad Dev and Biram Dev against Ulugh Khan and there subsequent war with Khilji.'''
*Jalore: a history of greatest patriotic saga of Chauhan clan
*Folklore of Rajasthan
*Rise of the Maratha power
*Studies on Maratha & Rajput history
*Pranapala Durgadasa Rathaura
*Rathaura rajavamsa ke riti-rivaja: 1600-1850 I.
*Gogunda ki khyata
*Rathaudam ri khyata
*Early Chauhan dynasties: a study of Chauhan political history, Chauhan political institution, and life in the Chauhan dominions, from 800 to 1316 A.D.
:''Prof Dashratha Sharma. Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass; 2d rev. ed edition (1975) Language: English ISBN: 0842606181''
:: '''Wars between Prithviraj Chauhan and Ghori are described in great detail by Professor Dasrath Sharma in this book.'''

*Survey of Kheechi Chauhan history, with biographical notes
*Folklore of Rajasthan
*Maharana Pratap & his times
*Rashtravira Durgadasa Rathaura
*The Mertiyo Rathors of Merto, Rajasthan (2 vols.)
:''Select Translations Bearing on the History of a Rajput Family, 1462-1660 Translator Saran, Richard D. Annotations by Saran, Richard D. Hardcover Edition: Series#:51; Michigan Papers on South and Southeast Asia (Hardcover) 772 pages Publisher: University of Michigan Press ISBN / EAN: 0891480854''
:: '''This book describes the battle of Sammel between Maldev's generals and Sher Shah Suri.'''

*Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan (2 vols.)
:''Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan; or the Central and Western Rajput States... (Hardcover) by James Tod, William Crooke (Editor) Book Description Relates the history of the Central and Western Rajput states of India; edited by William Crooke. 3 volumes. classic on early Rajasthan (amazon.com) Product Hardcover Publisher: Trans-Atl (1994) Language: English ISBN: 8170691281''

::'''The way Surjan Hada was befriended by Man Singh and Akbar and the conditions that Surjan laid down for this friendship are chronicled. Surjan's leaving ] and living in ] because of this friendship is also documented by ] Tod in this book. Treachery against Rana Sanga is also described in this book.'''

* Lindsey Harlan, ''Religion and Rajput Women: The Ethic of Protection in Contemporary Narratives'', University of California Press (1992), ISBN 0520073398

===See also===

*]
*]

===Links===


==Links==
* *
* *
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==References==
*Saran, Richard D. (trans.) ''The Mertiyo Rathors of Merto, Rajasthan; Select Translations Bearing on the History of a Rajput Family, 1462-1660'', Michigan Papers on South and Southeast Asia 51, University of Michigan Press (2001). ISBN 0891480854
* Har Bilas Sarda, ''Maharana Kumbha, sovereign, soldier, scholar'' (1917) ISBN 8129100339
*Dashratha Sharma, ''Early Chauhan dynasties: a study of Chauhan political history, Chauhan political institution, and life in the Chauhan dominions, from 800 to 1316 A.D.'', Motilal Banarsidas; 2nd rev. ed. (1975). ISBN 0842606181

==Suggested reading==
*Bhattacharyya, Sukum, ''Rajput States and the East India Company'' ISBN 11418-7209-9
*DeWitt, C. Ellinwood, Jr, ''Between Two Worlds: A Rajput Officer in the Indian Army, 1905-21: Based on the Diary of Amar Singh of Jaipur'', Hamilton Books (2005), ISBN 0761831134
*Dirk H. A. Kolff, ''Naukar, Rajput, and Sepoy : The Ethnohistory of the Military Labour Market of Hindustan, 1450-1850'', University of Cambridge Oriental Publications, Cambridge University Press; (2002), ISBN 0521523052
*Hallissey, Robert C, ''Rajput Rebellion Against Aurangzeb: A Study of the Mughal Empire in Seventeenth-Century India'' University of Missouri Press (1977) ISBN 08262-0222-5
* ''Kshatriya Vamshavali'', Thakur Udainarain Simha, Khemaraj Shrikrishnadas, 1976.
* ''Jati Bhaskara'', Jwalaprasad Mishra, Pub. Khemaraj Shrikrishnadas, 1914.
* Lindsey Harlan, ''Religion and Rajput Women: The Ethic of Protection in Contemporary Narratives'', University of California Press (1992), ISBN 0520073398
*Pauline Van Lynden, ''Rajasthan'', Assouline (2003), ISBN 2843234468
*Dowager Maharani of Couch Behar, ''The Rajput Princesses'', Aryan Books (1997) ISBN 81730-5025-2
*Kasturi, Malavika, '' Embattled Identities Rajput Lineages'', Oxford University Press (2002) ISBN 01956-5787-x
*Leigh Minturn, Swaran Kapoor, ''Sita's Daughters: Coming Out of Purdah-the Rajput Women of Khalapur Revisited'' Oxford University Press (1993), ISBN 01950-7823-3
*Denzil Ibbetson, ''Tribes and Castes of Punjab and NWFP'' (1892) ISBN 8120605055
*Upendra Thakur, ''Some Aspects of Ancient Indian History and Culture'', Popular Prakashan (1972), ASIN B0006C8HP2
*Tod, ''Annals and antiquities of Rajasthan'' (1829) ISBN 8170691281
*Anthony Kennedy Warder , ''An introduction to Indian historiography'', Monographs of the Department of Sanskrit and Indian Studies, University of Toronto, Popular Prakashan (1972), ASIN B0006C8HP2


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File:Maharanapratap.jpg
Maharana Pratap of Udaipur

A Rājput (from the Sanskrit राजपुत्र rāja-putra, "son of a king") is a member of a prominent community who live throughout northern and central India, but primarily in the northwestern state of Rajasthan, which was called Rājputānā until the reorganization of Indian states after independence.

They are thought to number about 12 million. The Indian census has not recorded caste affiliation since 1931 (except in the case of Backward or Scheduled Castes) and any estimates of those claiming Rajput lineage or caste are necessarily inexact.

Definition

The term Rājaputra has been used since the time of Harshavardhana; however, modern usage of the term refers to the descendants of the 36 major clans that ruled western India between the 8th and 13th centuries CE. A listing of rajput clans is available in the Kumarpala Charita of Jayasimha and in the Prithviraj Raso of Chandbardai. There are numerous legends and folklores about Rajputs in India.

The term Rajput ordinarily refers to the group's "jati" which is a social hierarchical status found within the caste system of Hinduism, which developed out of the Vedic varna system. The Rajputs consider themselves descendants of the Vedic warrior (Kshatriya) varna.

A number of other jatis or sub-castes, claim to be Rajputs. While some of them have a historical basis for that claim, most such claims are efforts by other castes to negotiate a change in caste status for themselves. Such claims are generally not recognized by the main Rajput community.

Ancient Rajput kings have permitted all the faiths to flourish in their domains. While personally they have often practiced Vedic, Shaiva, Vaishnava and occasionally Jain traditions; they supported Buddhists, Zoroastrians and Sufi traditions as well. Rajputs in India are mostly Hindu. There are some Rajputs who follow the Sikh panth, and they often intermarry with Hindu Rajputs. There are many Muslim Rajputs in Pakistan, and some also in India.

Origins

The Rajputs are divided into 36 clans, claiming three basic lineages: the Suryavanshi (Solar Race), the Chandravanshi (Lunar Race), and the Agni vanshi (Fire Born). Some scholars also include Rishi vanshi, Nag Vanshi and Vayu Vanshi as separate classes. House of Mewar, Marwar, Amber are Suryavanshi rajputs. Rulers of Bundi, Kotah, Jalore, Sirohi are Agnivanshi. Chandravanshi and Yaduvanshi are from the same line which bifurcated at king yadu when his father banished him from becoming the king. House of Jaisalmer are yaduvanshi rajputs.

The Suryavanshi trace their lineage to the Vedic Sun -Surya( Lord Rama was also born in this lineage) Somvanshi to Som (the vedic deity Soma or Moon ) and Agnivanshi orginated from fire. The Yaduvanshi trace there lineage to Lord Krishan.

Each vansha has many cula and each cula has shakha. Rathores are divided into these shakha : Dhandhul, Bhadail, Khokra, Jodha etc. Gehlote cula is subdivided into these shakhas: Aharya (at Doongarpur) , Sisodiya (at Mewar), Peeparra (at Marwar) etc. Chauhan are divided into these shakha: Hada, Kheechee, Deora, Songara etc. Similarly there are various shakha in Kacchwaha, Parihaar and rest of the 12 clans described below. For a pictorial description please see page 27 of

Each shakha has its Gotra Acharya, a genealogical creed, describing the essential peculiarities, religious tenets and pristine locale of the clan. It is a touchstone of affinities and guardian of the laws of intermarriage.

Rathore Gotra Acharya -- Gautam gotra, Mardwunduni Shakha, Shukra-Acharya Guru, Garroopata Agni, Pankhini Devi.

Twelve of 36 clans of rajputs further subdivide. These 12 are Gehlote, Parmara, Chauhan, Solanki, Rathore, Tuar/Tomar, BirGoojur, Parihaar, Jhala, Yadu, Katchwaha, Gor. These 24 clans are 'Eka' and do not divide further. Sengar, Balla, Khurwur, Chawura, Dahima, Dahiya, Byce, Gherwal, Nikumpa, Dewut, Johya, Sikerwal, Dabia, Doda, Mori ,Mokarra, Abhirra, Kalchoruk, Agnipala, Aswariya, Hool, Manutwal, Mallia and Chhahil.

History

Main article: History of Rajputs
The Chittor fort

Middle Ages

An examination of the archeological evidence and contemporary texts suggest that the Indian society had achieved significant prosperity during the Rajput rule. Most of the archaeological remains in a large part of India are from the Rajput period.

It was also a period of spread of literacy. Numerous inscriptions from this period have been found. A significant fraction of them are by people who were unaffiliated with the nobles, suggesting that education was spreading among the common people. The literature composed in this period in Sanskrit and in Apabhramshas constitutes a large fraction of the classical Indian literatures. The Paramara king Bhoj of Dhara not only a patron of scholars, but himself a distinguished and prolific scholar. His Samarangana-sutradhara deals with architecture and Raja-Martanda is a famous commentary on Yoga-sutra.

The intermarriage among the Rajput clans interlinked different regions of India, making it easier for the trade and scholarship to flow from one part of the country to another.

Historically the Rajputs have supported Brahmins as scholars and priests. Rajputs often have their own family priests, known as Purohits. Also many Rajputs have Brahmin gurus. Some scions of their noble families even officiate as priests in their Hindu temples; for example, the Sesodia kings of Mewar consider themselves regents of Eklingji, a manifestation of Shiva, and serve as the high priest of the deity as well as ruler of the state.

The first Rajputs kingdoms are attested in the 6th century, and the Rajputs rose to prominence in Indian history in the ninth and tenth centuries. The four Agnivansha clans, the Pratiharas (Pariharas), Chauhans (Chahamanas), Solankis (Chaulukyas), and Paramaras (Parmars), rose to prominence first. The Pratiharas established the first Rajput kingdom in Marwar in southwestern Rajasthan, with the Chauhans at Ajmer in central Rajasthan, the Solankis in Gujarat, and the Paramaras in Malwa. The Rajput Rai dynasty ruled Sind during the 6th and 7th centuries. Sind was conquered by an Arab Muslim army of the Califate, led by Bin Qasim, in the 8th century. Bin Qasim attacked Chittorgarh, and was defeated by Bappa Rawal Guhila. Lalitaditya of kashmir defeated Arabs in the 8th century. The Pratiharas rebuffed another Arab invasion in the ninth century. Significant Muslim invasions were then not attempted until the eleventh century, largely due to the formidable reputation of the Rajput clans. The Pratiharas later established themselves at Ujjain and ruled Malwa, and afterwards at Kanauj in the Ganges-Yamuna Doab, from which they ruled much of northern India, from Kathiawar in the west to Magadha in the east, in the ninth century. Clans claiming descent from the Solar and Lunar races, who were originally vassals of the other clans, later established independent states. The Guhilas (later called the Sisodias) established the state of Mewar (later Udaipur), under Bappa Rawal, who ruled at Chittorgarh, which was given in dowry to Bappa in 734 for his bravery. The Kachwaha clan came to rule Dhundhar, with their capital at Amber, and later Jaipur. The Chandela clan ruled Bundelkhand after the tenth century, occupying the fortress-city of Kalinjar and building the famous temple-city of Khajuraho. The Tomaras established a state in Haryana, founding the city of Dhiliki (later Delhi) in 736. The Kachwahas, Chandelas, and Tomaras were originally vassals of the Pratihara kingdom. In the early 11th century, Mahmud of Ghazni conquered the Hindu Shahi kingdom in the Punjab, and his raids into northern India weakened the Pratihara kingdom, which was drastically reduced in size and came under the control of the Chandelas. Mahmud sacked temples across northern India, including the temple at Somnath in Gujarat, but his permanent conquests were limited to the Punjab, and Somnath was rebuilt after the raid. The early 11th century also saw the reign of the polymath king Bhoj, the Paramara ruler of Malwa. The Rathores, as the Gahadvala dynasty, reestablished the kingdom of Kannauj, ruling the Ganges plain from the late 11th through the 12th century, and conquering Marwar in the 13th. The Rajputs fought each other in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Prithiviraj III, ruler of Delhi, crushed Muhammad of Ghor in 1191 at the First Battle of Tarain and Ghori was captured. After Ghori begged for life he was let go despite strong resistance by Prithviraj's generals. Ghori treacherously defeated Prithviraj the following year at the Second Battle of Tarain, and the attacks of Muhammad's armies brought down the Gahadvala kingdom of Kannauj in 1194. The Delhi Sultanate was founded by Qutb ud din Aybak, Muhammad of Ghor's successor, in first decade of the 13th century.

The Chauhans reestablished themselves at Ranthambore, led by Govinda, grandson of Prithviraj III. Jalore was ruled by another branch of Chauhans, the Songaras. Another branch of the Chauhans, the Hadas, established a kingdom in Hadoti in the mid-13th century.


Islamic invasion of India

Main article: Rajputs and Invasions of India

In his New History of India, Stanley Wolpert wrote "The Rajputs were the vanguard of Hindu India in the face of the Islamic onslaught."

Rajput patriotism is legendary, an ideal they embodied with a sometimes fanatical zeal, often choosing death before dishonour. Rajput warriors were often known to fight until the last man. The practice of jauhar and saka was followed only in rajput communities. When the outcome of a battle was against the Rajputs, jauhar would be committed by Rajput women and children in the night and next morning men would commit saka. Brahmin priests would chant Vedic mantras and Rajput women wearing their marriage dresses, along with their young children, would embrace sandalwood flames. The next morning after taking a bath, the men would wear kesariya and apply the ash from the maha samadhi of their wives and children on their foreheads and put a tulsi leaf in their mouth. Then the palace gates would be opened and men would ride out for complete annhiliation of the enemy or themselves. The practices of Johar and Saka were, however not universal amongst all the Rajput clans and even among the same clan during different periods of time.


Sultan Ala ud din Khilji (1296-1316) conquered Gujarat (1297) and Malwa (1305), and captured the fortresses of Ranthambore (1301) by bribing generals in Hammir Deo Chauhan's army, Mewar's capital Chittorgarh (1303) and Jalor (1311) after long sieges with fierce resistance from their Rajput defenders. Mewar resestablished there supremacy within 50 years of the sack of Chittor under Maharana Hammir. Hammir defeated Muhammad Tughlaq and captured him. Tughlaq had to pay huge ransom and relenquish all of Mewar's lands. After this Sultanate did not attack Chittor for a few hundred years. Rajputs reestablished their independence, and the Rajput states were established as far east as Bengal and north into the Punjab. The Tomaras established themselves at Gwalior, and the ruler Man Singh built the fortress which still stands there. Mewar emerged as the leading Rajput state, and Rana Kumbha expanded his kingdom at the expense of the sultanates of Malwa and Gujarat. The Delhi Sultanate recovered somewhat under the Lodhi dynasty. Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat on April 21, 1526, and the Rana Sangha rallied a Rajput army to challenge Babur. Babur, like his predecessors resorted to treachery and managed to bribe a general in Sanga's army and managed to defeat the Rajputs at the Battle of Khanua on March 16, 1527. The Rajput rulers agreed to pay tribute to Babur, but most retained control of their states, and struggles between Babur's successor Humayun and the Suri Dynasty for control of the Sultanate preoccupied the Muslims for several decades.

Humayun's successor Akbar consolidated control of the empire and sought to expand it by realising that wars with Rajputs will not allow him to rule India and he used marriage diplomacy. Kachwahas were the first to give a daughter to Akbar. This prompted Maharana Pratap to ban marraiges between his loyal rajputs with other rajputs of rajasthan. The Kachwaha rulers of Jaipur and Rathore rulers of Marwar became tributaries of the empire. The Sisodias of Mewar and their vassals, the Hadas of Bundi, continued to refuse Mughal hegemony, and Akbar invaded Mewar, capturing Chittorgarh in 1568 after a long siege. The Sesodias of Mewar moved the capital to the more defensible location of Udaipur and carried on fighting the Mughals. Akbar respected the martial prowess of the Rajputs, and he married a Rajput princess, and Rajput generals, particularly the Kachwahas of Jaipur, commanded some Mughal armies.

Mehrangarh fort, Jodhpur

The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who was far less tolerant of Hinduism than his predecessors, put a Muslim on the throne of Marwar when Maharaja Jaswant Singh, ruler of Marwar, died without a child. This enraged the rathores. Ajit Singh, Jaswant Singh's son was born after his death. Marwar nobles asked Aurangzeb to give the throne back to Ajit but Aurangzeb refused and instead tried to kill the infant Ajit. Durgadas Rathore and others smuggled Ajit out of Delhi and did not let pursuing Mughals capture them and reached Jaipur safely. This started the 30 year rajput rebellion against Aurangzeb. This cemented all the Rajput clans into a bond of union, and a triple alliance was formed by the three states of Marwar, Mewar, and Jaipur, to throw off the Mughal yoke. One of the conditions of this alliance was that the rulers of Jodhpur and Jaipur should regain the privilege of marriage with the ruling Sesodia dynasty of Mewar, which they had forfeited by contracting alliances with the Mughal emperors, on the understanding that the offspring of Sesodia princesses should succeed to the state in preference to all other children. The quarrels arising from this stipulation lasted through many generations, and led to the invitation of Maratha help from the rival aspirants to power, and finally to the subjection of all the Rajput states to the Marathas. Jodhpur was conquered by Sindhia, who levied a tribute of 60,000 rupees, and took from it the fort and town of Ajmer.

British Raj

Rajputana Agency and Ajmer-Merwara province, 1909

Internecine disputes and succession wars disturbed the peace of the early years of the 19th century, and the Rajput princes asked for British protection from the Marathas during the Third Anglo-Maratha War of 1817-1818. At the conclusion of the war in 1818, 18 states in the Rajputana region, of which 15 were ruled by Rajputs, became princely states of the British Raj, while the British took direct control of Ajmer, which became the province of Ajmer-Merwara. A number of other Rajput states in central India, including Rewa, Ajaigarh, Barwani, Chhatarpur, Datia, Orchha, and Ratlam, became princely states as well, and were placed under the authority of the Central India Agency. Rajput rulers of Rajputana and Central India acceded to newly-independent India after 1947, and Rajputana, renamed Rajasthan, became an Indian state in 1950.

By the late nineteenth century, there was a shift from an emphasis on questions regarding the political relations amongst the Rajputs to a concern with kinship (Kasturi 2002:2). According to Harlan (1992:27), many Rajputs of Rajasthan are nostalgic about their past and keenly conscious of their genealogy, emphasizing a Rajput ethos that is martial in spirit, with a fierce pride in lineage and tradition. These lineages were linked to different networks, both sacred and profane. Branches on a stratified lineage could be either Hindu or Muslim (Kasturi 2002:2).

20th century

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Demographics

Rajasthan, which is believed to be the birthplace of Rajputs has a very high concentration of Rajputs. Rajputs are spread throughout India and Pakistan with Punjab also having high numbers of both Sikh and Muslim Rajputs.

Prominent Rajput clans & their main centers

"Rajputs" (anonymous, ca. 1860, British Library)

For further details see Rajput Clans

See also

Links

References

  • Saran, Richard D. (trans.) The Mertiyo Rathors of Merto, Rajasthan; Select Translations Bearing on the History of a Rajput Family, 1462-1660, Michigan Papers on South and Southeast Asia 51, University of Michigan Press (2001). ISBN 0891480854
  • Har Bilas Sarda, Maharana Kumbha, sovereign, soldier, scholar (1917) ISBN 8129100339
  • Dashratha Sharma, Early Chauhan dynasties: a study of Chauhan political history, Chauhan political institution, and life in the Chauhan dominions, from 800 to 1316 A.D., Motilal Banarsidas; 2nd rev. ed. (1975). ISBN 0842606181

Suggested reading

  • Bhattacharyya, Sukum, Rajput States and the East India Company ISBN 11418-7209-9
  • DeWitt, C. Ellinwood, Jr, Between Two Worlds: A Rajput Officer in the Indian Army, 1905-21: Based on the Diary of Amar Singh of Jaipur, Hamilton Books (2005), ISBN 0761831134
  • Dirk H. A. Kolff, Naukar, Rajput, and Sepoy : The Ethnohistory of the Military Labour Market of Hindustan, 1450-1850, University of Cambridge Oriental Publications, Cambridge University Press; (2002), ISBN 0521523052
  • Hallissey, Robert C, Rajput Rebellion Against Aurangzeb: A Study of the Mughal Empire in Seventeenth-Century India University of Missouri Press (1977) ISBN 08262-0222-5
  • Kshatriya Vamshavali, Thakur Udainarain Simha, Khemaraj Shrikrishnadas, 1976.
  • Jati Bhaskara, Jwalaprasad Mishra, Pub. Khemaraj Shrikrishnadas, 1914.
  • Lindsey Harlan, Religion and Rajput Women: The Ethic of Protection in Contemporary Narratives, University of California Press (1992), ISBN 0520073398
  • Pauline Van Lynden, Rajasthan, Assouline (2003), ISBN 2843234468
  • Dowager Maharani of Couch Behar, The Rajput Princesses, Aryan Books (1997) ISBN 81730-5025-2
  • Kasturi, Malavika, Embattled Identities Rajput Lineages, Oxford University Press (2002) ISBN 01956-5787-x
  • Leigh Minturn, Swaran Kapoor, Sita's Daughters: Coming Out of Purdah-the Rajput Women of Khalapur Revisited Oxford University Press (1993), ISBN 01950-7823-3
  • Denzil Ibbetson, Tribes and Castes of Punjab and NWFP (1892) ISBN 8120605055
  • Upendra Thakur, Some Aspects of Ancient Indian History and Culture, Popular Prakashan (1972), ASIN B0006C8HP2
  • Tod, Annals and antiquities of Rajasthan (1829) ISBN 8170691281
  • Anthony Kennedy Warder , An introduction to Indian historiography, Monographs of the Department of Sanskrit and Indian Studies, University of Toronto, Popular Prakashan (1972), ASIN B0006C8HP2
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