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	], which is believed to be the birthplace of Rajputs has a very high concentration of ]. In his ''New History of India'', ] wrote "The Rajputs were the vanguard of Hindu India in the face of the Islamic onslaught."		], which is believed to be the birthplace of Rajputs has a very high concentration of ]. In his ''New History of India'', ] wrote "The Rajputs were the vanguard of Hindu India in the face of the Islamic onslaught."



	==Genetics==		==Genetics==
	The Rajputs are genetically similar to other upper castes and North Indians. See ].		The Rajputs are genetically similar to other upper castes and North Indians. See ].
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			==See also==

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A Rajput (from Sanskrit rāja-putra, "son of a king") is a member of a prominent caste who live throughout northern and central India, primarily in the northwestern state of Rajasthan. They are thought to number about 12 million.

Definition

The term Rajput 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 the original descendants of the Vedic warrior (Kshatriya) varna. Although all members of a warrior caste, Rajputs vary in profession from aristocrats to farmers. Rajputs are followers of all four major religions of the sub-continent Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Sikhism.

Brief history

The Rajputs are divided into 36 clans, claiming three basic lineages: the Surya Vansi (Solar Race), the Chandra Vansi (Lunar Race), and the Agni kula (Fire Born). 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 (Agni-kunda) in a ceremony performed by Sage Vashishtha near Mount Abu. Historically the Rajputs refuse to accept the social authority of Brahmin priestly caste, however Rajputs do have their own family priests, known as Purohits, which do come from the Brahmin caste. 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 Rajput ethos is martial in spirit, fiercely proud, and emphasizes lineage and tradition. 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 commited 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.

Rajasthan, which is believed to be the birthplace of Rajputs has a very high concentration of Rajputs. In his New History of India, Stanley Wolpert wrote "The Rajputs were the vanguard of Hindu India in the face of the Islamic onslaught."

Genetics

The Rajputs are genetically similar to other upper castes and North Indians. See Aryan Invasion Theory.

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