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	The '''Rajputs''' (from the ] ] compound ''{{IAST\|rājaputra}}'', "son of a king") are a prominent social group belonging to the ~~northern part of the ]. In the ] and ] languages, those belonging to the ] caste of ]s are generally referred to as "Rajputs" (alternately: "Thakurs").~~		The '''Rajputs''' (from the ] ] compound ''{{IAST\|rājaputra}}'', "son of a king") are a prominent social group belonging to the

			northern part of the ]. In the ] and ] languages, those belonging to the ] caste of ]s
	The term ''{{IAST\|rājaputra}}'' is first found in the ]. It evidently originated in the areas that form the present-day states of ] and ] and spread only gradually to other Hindi-speaking areas; the ]s of ] and eastern ] still do not generally self-describe as rajputs. The association of this term with ] and ] is definite; even in areas where the term is used widely, the people referred to as "Rajputs" tend to ascribe an origin in those areas to themselves.

			are generally referred to as "Rajputs" (alternately: "Thakurs").
	Rajput dynasties played a prominent role in the history of ]. They developed an ethos of warlike chivalry that served as the benchmark for other Indian communities as the latter ascended to regional dominance. This martial ethos did not preclude patronage of the arts: distinctive forms of painting and architecture developed under the aegis of rajput courts, and ] found support. Thus, the rajputs have contributed directly and indirectly to many facets of the Indian crasis.

			The term ''{{IAST\|rājaputra}}'' is first found in the ]. Rajputs are dominant in the state of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and
	==Demographics==
	The 1931 census of undivided India was the last to record caste affiliation in a manner that provides reliable information on rajput demographics. That census reported a total of more than 11 million people self-describing as rajputs. Of this population, around 9 million people also self-described as Hindus, about 50,000 as Sikhs, and 2.1 million as Muslims. These census figures attest to a substantial number of non-Hindus choosing to describe themselves as being rajputs, a claim contested by others. Information on several such communities are detailed in subsequent sections.

			Bihar. Rajput dynasties played a prominent role in the history of ]. They developed an ethos of warlike chivalry that
	The successor-states of the ] have chosen not to record caste affiliation; present-day estimates are therefore necessarily inexact, and range in the vicinity of 40 million people claiming people claiming Rajput heritage. Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi and dialects of these languages are the native languages of the Rajputs.

			served as the benchmark for other Indian communities as the latter ascended to regional dominance. This martial ethos did not preclude patronage of

			the arts: distinctive forms of painting and architecture developed under the aegis of rajput courts, and ]

			found support. Thus, the rajputs have contributed directly and indirectly to many facets of the Indian crasis.

	==Origins==		==Origins==
	The traditional occupations of the rajput are war and agriculture. As many scholars have pointed out, these areas lend themselves uniquely to the ingress of groups that were not formerly affiliated with those professions. The gradual accommodation of the new entrants into the social and family circle of the traditional community is the essential ''quid pro quo'' of the ] that the aspirant community essays. This phenomenon of gradual inclusion has indubitably obtained in the case of the Rajputs, with certain ] and ] dynasties being among the most recent to venture the claim of affiliation with the rajput community. ~~In view of this, to seek a single and common, definitive origin for every present-day rajput is widely recognised as being an exercise in futility. However, we~~ present both the traditional view and certain scholarly speculations made by ~~researchers on the origin of the rajputs.~~		The traditional occupations of the rajput are war and agriculture. As many scholars have pointed out, these areas lend themselves uniquely to the

			ingress of groups that were not formerly affiliated with those professions. The gradual accommodation of the new entrants into the social and family

			circle of the traditional community is the essential ''quid pro quo'' of the ] that the aspirant community essays. This phenomenon of

			gradual inclusion has indubitably obtained in the case of the Rajputs, with certain ] and ] dynasties being among the most recent to

			venture the claim of affiliation with the rajput community. We present both the traditional view and certain scholarly speculations made by

			researchers on the origin of the rajputs.

	====Traditional====		====Traditional====
	{{main\|Rajput clans}}		{{main\|Rajput clans}}
	As ]s, the rajputs regard themselves as being descended from the ] warrior class. Legend ascribes to the Rajputs an origin springing from certain ] deities; every rajput must eventually belong to one of three great patrilineages, being:		As ]s, the rajputs regard themselves as being descended from the ] warrior class. Legend ascribes to the

			Rajputs an origin springing from certain ] deities; every rajput must eventually belong to one of three great patrilineages, being:
	*the ] lineage, claiming descent from ], the ] Fire-god;		*the ] lineage, claiming descent from ], the ] Fire-god;
	*the ] lineage, claiming descent from ], the ] Sun-god;		*the ] lineage, claiming descent from ], the ] Sun-god;
	*the ] lineage, claiming descent from ], the ] Moon-god.		*the ] lineage, claiming descent from ], the ] Moon-god.
	Some scholars also count ''Nagavanshi'', ''Rishivanshi'' and ''Vayuvanshi'' as traditional lineages. The ''Yaduvanshi'' lineage, claiming descent from the ~~] god ], are in fact a great sept of the ''Chandravanshi'' lineage.~~		Some scholars also count ''Nagavanshi'', ''Rishivanshi'' and ''Vayuvanshi'' as traditional lineages. The ''Yaduvanshi'' lineage, claiming descent from the

			] god ], are in fact a sept of the ''Chandravanshi'' lineage.
	The aforementioned three patrilineages (''vanshas'') sub-divide into 36 main clans (''kulas''), which in turn divide into numerous branches (''shakhas'') to create the intricate ] of the rajputs. The principle of patrilineage is staunchly adhered to in determining one's place in the system and a strong consciousness of clan and lineage is an essential part of the Rajput character. Authoritative listings of the 36 rajput clans are to be found in the ''Kumārpāla Charita'' of Jayasimha and the '']'' of ].

			The aforementioned three patrilineages (''vanshas'') sub-divide into 36 main clans (''kulas''), which in turn divide into numerous branches (''shakhas'')

			to create the intricate ] of the rajputs. The principle of patrilineage is staunchly adhered to in determining one's place in

			the system and a strong consciousness of clan and lineage is an essential part of the Rajput character. Authoritative listings of the 36 rajput clans

			are to be found in the ''Kumārpāla Charita'' of Jayasimha and the '']'' of ].

	====Scholarly speculations====		====Scholarly speculations====
	{{main\|Origin of Rajputs}}		{{main\|Origin of Rajputs}}

			Among the origin-legends mentioned above, the one which addresses the origin of the '']'' rajputs is particularly interesting, not least
	Among the origin-legends mentioned above, the one which addresses the origin of the '']'' rajputs is particularly interesting, not least because they were the earliest to rise to political prominence. This legend begins with the ] legend wherein the traditional '']'' of the land were exterminated by ], an ] of ]. Later, sage ] performed a great ''Yagya'' or fire-sacrifice, to seek from the gods a provision for the defense of righteousness on earth. In answer to his prayer, a youth arose from the very flames of the sacrifice -- the first ''Agnivanshi'' rajput. In some versions of the legend, ''all'' the rajput lineages rose from the sacred flames in this manner.

			because they were the earliest to rise to political prominence. This legend begins with the ] legend wherein the traditional
	This legend is interesting in suggesting the possibility that people who were not hitherto regarded as kshatriyas/rajputs could come to be regarded as such after the customary fire-sacrifice based purificatory rituals. This legend has been used as the basis for many scholarly speculations on the origin of the rajputs. ] uses this legend as a basis for speculating upon a ] origin for the Rajputs. He suggests that Scythian (], ]) tribes which invaded India in the ] and disappeared into the population soon afterwards were the forbears of present-day rajputs.{{ref\|Tod}}

			'']'' of the land were exterminated by ], an ] of ]. Later, sage ] performed a

			great ''Yagya'' or fire-sacrifice, to seek from the gods a provision for the defense of righteousness on earth. In answer to his prayer, a youth arose

			from the very flames of the sacrifice -- the first ''Agnivanshi'' rajput. In some versions of the legend, ''all'' the rajput lineages rose from the sacred

			flames in this manner.

			This legend has been used as the basis for many scholarly speculations on the origin of the rajputs. ] uses this legend as a basis for

			speculating upon a ] origin for the Rajputs. He suggests that Scythian (], ]) tribes which invaded India in the [[6th

			century AD]] and disappeared into the population soon afterwards were the forbears of present-day rajputs.{{ref\|Tod}}

	==Political history==		==Political history==
	{{main\|History of Rajputs}}		{{main\|History of Rajputs}}
	], Rajasthan, which was built by ] Rajputs]]		[[Image:Pritam niwas with.jpg\|thumb\|right\|250px\|During the centuries-long rule of northern India, the Rajputs constructed several magnificent

			palaces. Shown here is the ''Chandramahal'' in ], Rajasthan, which was built by ] Rajputs]]
	Rajput history, being a part of the broader ]n, can be classified classified easily into several distinct periods.		Rajput history, being a part of the broader ]n, can be classified classified easily into several distinct periods.

	===Early history (7th-11th centuries AD)===		===Early history (7th-11th centuries AD)===
			The first Rajputs kingdoms are attested in the ], and the Rajputs rose to prominence in Indian history in the ninth and tenth centuries.
	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 Rai dynasty ruled ] during the 6th and 7th centuries AD. Sindh was conquered by an Arab Muslim army of the ], led by Bin Qasim, in the 8th century. According to some sources, Bin Qasim also attacked ], and was defeated by ]. Certain other invasions by murauding ''"Yavvanas"'' are also recorded in this era. By this time, the terms ''"Yavvana"'' (literally: "Greek") was applied any tribe that resided to the west and north-west of present-day ]. ] of ] defeated one such invasion in the 8th century and the Pratiharas rebuffed another in the 9th century. The Pratiharas initially established themselves at ] and ruled ]. Later, they established themselves at ], from which they ruled much of northern India, from ] in the west to ] in the east, in the 9th century.

			The four '']'' clans, the ]s (Pariharas), ]s (Chahamanas), ]s (Chaulukyas), and
	Archaeological evidences and contemporary texts suggest that the Indian society had achieved significant prosperity during the Rajput rule. Numerous inscriptions from this period have been found. The literature composed in this period in ] and in ]s constitutes a large segment of the classical Indian literature. The early 11th century also saw the reign of the ] king Bhoj, Paramara ruler of Malwa. He was not only a patron of scholars, but was himself a distinguished writer. His ] deals with architecture and ''Raja-Martanda'' is a famous commentary on ]-].

			]s (Parmars), rose to prominence first. The Pratiharas established the first Rajput kingdom in ] in southwestern Rajasthan, with
	'''Early kingdoms:''' The ] organization first become crystallized in this period. Intermarriage among the Rajput clans interlinked the various regions of India, facilitating the flow of trade and scholarship. 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 ]) in the 8th century, under Bappa Rawal, who ruled from Chittorgarh. 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 Chauhans at ] in central Rajasthan, the Solankis in ], and the Paramaras in ]. The Rai dynasty ruled ] during

			the 6th and 7th centuries AD. Sindh was conquered by an Arab Muslim army of the ], led by Bin Qasim, in the 8th century. According to

			some sources, Bin Qasim also attacked ], and was defeated by ]. Certain other invasions by murauding ''"Yavvanas"'' are

			also recorded in this era. By this time, the terms ''"Yavvana"'' (literally: "Greek") was applied any tribe that resided to the west and north-west of

			present-day ]. ] of ] defeated one such invasion in the 8th century and the Pratiharas

			rebuffed another in the 9th century. The Pratiharas initially established themselves at ] and ruled ]. Later, they established

			themselves at ], from which they ruled much of northern India, from ] in the west to ] in the east, in the 9th

			century.

			Archaeological evidences and contemporary texts suggest that the Indian society had achieved significant prosperity during the Rajput rule.

			Numerous inscriptions from this period have been found. The literature composed in this period in ] and in ]s constitutes a

			large segment of the classical Indian literature. The early 11th century also saw the reign of the ] king Bhoj, Paramara ruler of Malwa. He

			was not only a patron of scholars, but was himself a distinguished writer. His ] deals with architecture and

			''Raja-Martanda'' is a famous commentary on ]-].

			'''Early kingdoms:''' The ] organization first become crystallized in this period. Intermarriage among the Rajput clans

			interlinked the various regions of India, facilitating the flow of trade and scholarship. Clans claiming descent from the Solar and Lunar races later

			established independent states. The ]s (later called the ]s) established the state of ] (later ]) in the 8th

			century, under Bappa Rawal, who ruled from Chittorgarh. The ] clan came to rule ], with their capital at [[Amber,

			India\|Amber]], 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.

	===Islamic invasions (11th-16th c.)===		===Islamic invasions (11th-16th c.)===
	{{main\|Rajputs and invasions of India}}		{{main\|Rajputs and invasions of India}}
	] fort in Rajasthan was the site of several battles between the Rajputs and the Islamic ~~invaders.]]~~		] fort in Rajasthan was the site of several battles between the Rajputs and the Islamic

			invaders.]]
	Due to geographic reasons, rajput-ruled states suffered the brunt of aggression from various ]-]-] warlords who repeatedly invaded the Indian subcontinent. Within a hundred years after ]'s death, ] had invaded the countries of ] as far as the ].
	Fifteen years after the death of prophet, ] sent a sea expedition to ] and ] on the ] coast. Other raids towards ] took place in ] and ] with no results. Due to the military organization of the Hindu kingdoms, it was only from ca. 1000 AD that the Islamic armies could establish any foothold in the Punjab.

			Due to geographic reasons, rajput-ruled states suffered the brunt of aggression from various ]-]-] warlords who
	In the early 11th century, ] conquered the Hindu ] kingdom in the ]. His raids into northern India weakened the Pratihara kingdom, which was drastically reduced in size and came under the control of the Chandelas. In 1018 AD, Mahmud sacked the city of ], seat of the ] kingdom. He later withdrew to Ghazni, being interested in loot rather than empire. In the ensuing chaos, the ] dynasty established a modest state centered around Kannauj, ruling for about a hundred years until they were defeated by ] in 1194 AD; the city was again sacked.

			repeatedly invaded the Indian subcontinent. Within a hundred years after ]'s death, ] had invaded the countries of ] as
	Meanwhile, a nearby state centered around present-day ] was ruled successively by the ] and ] clans. The Rajputs fought each other in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. ], ruler of Delhi, defeated ] in ] at the ], who however defeated Prithviraj the following year at the ]. As we have seen, Muhammad's armies later brought down the Gahadvala kingdom of Kannauj in ] AD. Some surviving members of the Gahadvala family are said to have refugeed to the western desert, where they formed the ] clan and founded the state of ]. The Chauhans led by Govinda, grandson of Prithviraj III, later established themselves a small state at ]. The ] sept of the Chauhan clan later ruled the town of ], while and ] sept established their rule over the ] region in the mid-13th century. The Tomaras later established themselves at ], and the ruler Man Singh built the fortress which still stands there.

			far as the ]. Fifteen years after the death of prophet, ] sent a sea expedition to ] and ] on the ]
	The ] was founded by ], Muhammad of Ghor's successor, in first decade of the 13th century. Sultan ] (1296-1316) conquered ] (1297) and ] (1305), and captured the fortresses of Ranthambore in 1301, ] (capital of Mewar) in 1303 and ] in 1311, all of these after long sieges with fierce resistance from their Rajput defenders. In particular, the seige of Chittor, its brave defence by the ]s, the saga of ] and the ''Jauhar'' she led are the stuff of immortal legend. Ala ud din Khilji delegated the administration of the conquered areas to his principal rajput collaborator, based at Jalore; the latter was soon displaced by his son-in-law ], a scion of the Guhila clan, who re-established the state of ] and was progenitor of the ] clan. ] emerged as the leading Rajput state; Rana Kumbha expanded his kingdom at the expense of the sultanates of Malwa and Gujarat.

			coast. Other raids towards ] took place in ] and ] with no results. Due to the military organization of the Hindu kingdoms, it was

			only from ca. 1000 AD that the Islamic armies could establish any foothold in the Punjab.

			In the early 11th century, ] conquered the Hindu ] kingdom in the ]. His raids into northern India weakened the

			Pratihara kingdom, which was drastically reduced in size and came under the control of the Chandelas. In 1018 AD, Mahmud sacked the city of

			], seat of the ] kingdom. He later withdrew to Ghazni, being interested in loot rather than empire. In the ensuing chaos, the

			] dynasty established a modest state centered around Kannauj, ruling for about a hundred years until they were defeated by

			] in 1194 AD; the city was again sacked.

			Meanwhile, a nearby state centered around present-day ] was ruled successively by the ] and ] clans. The Rajputs

			fought each other in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. ], ruler of Delhi, defeated ] in ] at the [[First

			Battle of Tarain]], who however defeated Prithviraj the following year at the ]. As we have seen, Muhammad's armies later

			brought down the Gahadvala kingdom of Kannauj in ] AD. Some surviving members of the Gahadvala family are said to have refugeed to the

			western desert, where they formed the ] clan and founded the state of ]. The Chauhans led by Govinda, grandson of Prithviraj

			III, later established themselves a small state at ]. The ] sept of the Chauhan clan later ruled the town of ], while

			and ] sept established their rule over the ] region in the mid-13th century. The Tomaras later established themselves at ],

			and the ruler Man Singh built the fortress which still stands there.

			The ] was founded by ], Muhammad of Ghor's successor, in first decade of the 13th century. Sultan [[Ala ud

			din Khilji]] (1296-1316) conquered ] (1297) and ] (1305), and captured the fortresses of Ranthambore in 1301, ]

			(capital of Mewar) in 1303 and ] in 1311, all of these after long sieges with fierce resistance from their Rajput defenders. In particular, the

			seige of Chittor, its brave defence by the ]s, the saga of ] and the ''Jauhar'' she led are the stuff of immortal legend. Ala ud

			din Khilji delegated the administration of the conquered areas to his principal rajput collaborator, based at Jalore; the latter was soon displaced by his

			son-in-law ], a scion of the Guhila clan, who re-established the state of ] and was progenitor of the ] clan.

			] emerged as the leading Rajput state; Rana Kumbha expanded his kingdom at the expense of the sultanates of Malwa and Gujarat.

	===Mughal era (16th-18th c.)===		===Mughal era (16th-18th c.)===
	] was founded by the Kachwaha clan of Rajputs.]]		[[Image:Jaipur is called the pink city.jpg\|thumb\|right\|250px\|The Rajputs founded several cities of modern-day Rajasthan. The historical city of

			] was founded by the Kachwaha clan of Rajputs.]]
	] defeated ] at the ] on ], ]. ] rallied an army to challenge Babur. He was betrayed by one of his rajput generals, and was defeated by ] at the ] on ], ]. While the rajput rulers had to submit to Babur, they retained control of their states. Babur's son Humayun was an ineffectual ruler and lived long periods in exile.

			] defeated ] at the ] on ], ]. ] rallied an army to challenge Babur. He
	During this time, Mewar, which was under the regency of Rani Karmavati, widow of Rana Sanga, was menaced by Bahadur Shah, ruler of Gujarat. Karmavati importuned the assistance of Humayun, son of her late husband's foe. The help arrived too late; Chittor as reduced by Bahadur Shah. This is the occasion for the second of the three ''Jauhars'' performed at Chittor. Karmavati leads the ladies of the citadel into death by fire, while the menfolk sally out to meet the beseiging muslim army in a hopeless fight to the death.

			was betrayed by one of his Tomar rajput generals, and was defeated by ] at the ] on ], ].
	Humayun's son ] consolidated control of his inheritence and expanded what had been the "Delhi sultanate" into a wide empire. One main factor in this success was indubitably his co-option of native rajput chiefs into his empire-building project; his reign countenenced, for the first time, the involvement of Indians in the affairs of the empire. The rajput chiefs collaborated with alacrity, an alliance cemented by marriage alliance, with numerous rajput noblewomen being wed to mughal grandees. The Kachwahas were the first to give a daughter to Akbar; they pioneered a trend that soon turned pervasive and played no small roile in extending rajput influence to the far corners of India, as also to the north-west frontier and to Afghanistan. Rajput chiefs served as mughal officers and administrators and enjoyed much influence in the government. Two successive mughal emperors, ] and ], were born to rajput mothers. The period is one where the rajput identity, as aristocrats, can be said to have finally crystallized, and caste-divisions became rigid. The trend of political relations between rajput states and the central power was the precursor for similar relations between them and the british.

			During this time, Mewar, which was under the regency of Rani Karmavati, widow of Rana Sanga, was menaced by Bahadur Shah, ruler of Gujarat.
	However, these relations were not universally approbated. ], which justly enjoys a unique position in the rajput mind, held out and valiantly gave battle to Akbar. However, after a brave struggle, during which the ladies of the fort perfomed ''Jauhar'' for the third and last time in the history of that citadel, ] finally fell to Akbar in ]. The ruler, Udai Singh, had however retired to the nearby hills prior to this event; he was succeeded, while in exile, by his son ] as head of the Sisodias. Even in exile, the Sisodias knew no rest, and harassed the mughal administrators of the land enough to cause them to make overtures. ], a present-day rajput icon, refused all such overtures of friendship and alliance from Akbar, and rallied an army to meet the mughal forces. He was defeated at the battle of ] on ], ]; however, he carried out a relentless guerilla struggle from his hideout in the Aravalli hills. He also banned marraiges between his loyal rajputs with other rajputs of rajasthan, who has entered into matrimonial alliance with the muslims. Rana Pratap's son, Amar Singh, entered into the vassalage of the mughals and thus regained control of his state. The rajputs remained loyal to the mughal dynasty and empire even until the 19th century; in all their official ''communiques'' and documents, the rajput courts rarely failed to formally affirm their loyalty to the (by now entirely powerless) mughal emperor.

			Karmavati importuned the assistance of Humayun, son of her late husband's foe. The help arrived too late; Chittor as reduced by Bahadur Shah. This

			is the occasion for the second of the three ''Jauhars'' performed at Chittor. Karmavati leads the ladies of the citadel into death by fire, while the

			menfolk sally out to meet the beseiging muslim army in a hopeless fight to the death.

			Humayun's son ] consolidated control of his inheritence and expanded what had been the "Delhi sultanate" into a wide empire. One main

			factor in this success was indubitably his co-option of native rajput chiefs into his empire-building project; his reign countenenced, for the first time,

			the involvement of Indians in the affairs of the empire. Akbar married Jodha bai taking her to be a Rajput princess. However she was not the real

			daughter of Raja Bharmal, the ruler of Amber. She was actually the maidservant of his wife. Her actual name was Heera Kunwar. When Emperor Akbar

			demanded the hand of Raja Bharmal's daughter, the Raja presented his maid-servant instead, rechristened her Jodha Bai, indicating that she was

			from Jodhpur. So Jodha Bai was not from the royal stock at all, and Raja Bharmal had tricked Akbar to marry a maidservant, posing her as a princess.

			It was political compulsion that had led Raja Bharmal to agree to the alliance.

			However, these relations were not universally approbated. ], which justly enjoys a unique position in the rajput mind, held out and valiantly

			gave battle to Akbar. However, after a brave struggle, during which the ladies of the fort perfomed ''Jauhar'' for the third and last time in the history

			of that citadel, ] finally fell to Akbar in ]. The ruler, Udai Singh, had however retired to the nearby hills prior to this event; he was

			succeeded, while in exile, by his son ] as head of the Sisodias. Even in exile, the Sisodias knew no rest, and harassed the mughal

			administrators of the land enough to cause them to make overtures. ], a present-day rajput icon, refused all such overtures of

			friendship and alliance from Akbar, and rallied an army to meet the mughal forces. He was defeated at the battle of ] on ],

			]; however, he carried out a relentless guerilla struggle from his hideout in the Aravalli hills. He also banned marraiges between his loyal

			rajputs with other rajputs of rajasthan, who has entered into matrimonial alliance with the muslims. Rana Pratap's son, Amar Singh, entered into the

			vassalage of the mughals and thus regained control of his state. The rajputs remained loyal to the mughal dynasty and empire even until the 19th

			century; in all their official ''communiques'' and documents, the rajput courts rarely failed to formally affirm their loyalty to the (by now entirely

			powerless) mughal emperor.

	===Maratha and British suzerainty (18th-20th c.)===		===Maratha and British suzerainty (18th-20th c.)===
	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 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 ].		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 19th century. 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

			].

			The British colonial officials as a rule were very impressed by the military qualities of the Rajputs. In his ''Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan'' [[James

			Tod]] wrote. :''"What nation on earth could have maintained the semblance of civilization, the spirit or the customs of their forefathers, during so

			many centuries of overwhelming depression, but one of such singular character as the Rajpoot? . . . Rajputs exhibits the sole example in the history

			of mankind, of a people withstanding every outrage barbarity could inflict, or human nature sustain, from a foe whose religion commands annihilation;

			and bent to the earth, yet rising buoyant from the pressure, and making calamity a whetstone to courage. . . . Not an iota of their religion or

			customs have they lost. . . ".''

			Rajput rulers of Rajputana and Central India acceded to newly-independent India after ], and Rajputana, renamed Rajasthan, became an
	The British colonial officials as a rule were very impressed by the military qualities of the Rajputs. In his ''Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan'' ] wrote.
	:''"What nation on earth could have maintained the semblance of civilization, the spirit or the customs of their forefathers, during so many centuries of overwhelming depression, but one of such singular character as the Rajpoot? . . . Rajast’han exhibits the sole example in the history of mankind, of a people withstanding every outrage barbarity could inflict, or human nature sustain, from a foe whose religion commands annihilation; and bent to the earth, yet rising buoyant from the pressure, and making calamity a whetstone to courage. . . . Not an iota of their religion or customs have they lost. . . ".''

			Indian state in ].
	Rajput rulers of Rajputana and Central India acceded to newly-independent India after ], and Rajputana, renamed Rajasthan, became an Indian state in ].

	==Culture and ethos==		==Culture and ethos==
			The Rajput ethos is martial in spirit, fiercely proud and independent, and emphasizes lineage and tradition. Rajput ] is legendary, an ideal
	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 saffron-coloured garments and apply the ash from the pyres 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. Rajputs honour their word more then their life and are renowned for their loyalty.

			they embodied with a sometimes fanatical zeal, often choosing death before dishonour. Rajput warriors were often known to fight until the last man.
	], 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 practice of '']'' and '']'' was followed only in rajput communities. When the outcome of a battle was against the Rajputs, ''jauhar''
	The Rajput lifestyle was designed to foster a martial spirit. Tod (1829) describes at length the bond between the Rajputs and their swords. The double-edged scimitar known as the khanda was the favorite weapon of the Rajput. On special occasions, a primary chief would break up a meeting of his chiefs with khanda nareal, or a distribution of swords and coconuts (453). In order to attain a greater bond with one's sword, Rajputs revered their swords and conducted the ritual of Karga Shapna during the annual festival of Navratri.

			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 saffron-coloured garments and apply the ash from the pyres 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. Rajputs honour their word more then their life and are renowned for their loyalty.

			], 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 Rajput lifestyle was designed to foster a martial spirit. Tod (1829) describes at length the bond between the Rajputs and their swords. The

			double-edged scimitar known as the khanda was the favorite weapon of the Rajput. On special occasions, a primary chief would break up a meeting

			of his chiefs with khanda nareal, or a distribution of swords and coconuts (453). In order to attain a greater bond with one's sword, Rajputs revered

			their swords and conducted the ritual of Karga Shapna during the annual festival of Navratri.

	===Clan, kinship and communities===		===Clan, kinship and communities===
			By the late nineteenth century, there was a shift from an emphasis on questions regarding the political relations amongst the Rajputs to a concern
	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). Some of the Muslim Rajput groups like Thakurais of East Champaran in ], and some other Muslims of Rajput extraction are notable among ] for their descent from a prestigious Hindu caste. Their marginality is sometimes self-imposed as they want to retain their exclusivity by deciding not to marry among other Muslims and preserve their distinction (Siddiqui 2004). 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, Girasia). Some branches of ]'s and ]'s had rajput forefathers but none of them are considered Rajputs today.

			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). Some of the Muslim Rajput

			groups like Thakurais of East Champaran in ], and some other Muslims of Rajput extraction are notable among ]

			for their descent from a prestigious Hindu caste. Their marginality is sometimes self-imposed as they want to retain their exclusivity by deciding not

			to marry among other Muslims and preserve their distinction (Siddiqui 2004). 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, Girasia). Some branches of ]'s and ]'s had rajput forefathers but none of them are considered Rajputs

			today.

	==Famous Rajput people==		==Famous Rajput people==
Line 106:		Line 343:
	==See also==		==See also==
	*]		*]
	*]
	*]		*]
	*]		*]
Line 122:		Line 358:
	}} .		}} .
	*Kasturi, Malavika, '' Embattled Identities Rajput Lineages'', Oxford University Press (2002) ISBN 01956-5787-x		*Kasturi, Malavika, '' Embattled Identities Rajput Lineages'', Oxford University Press (2002) ISBN 01956-5787-x
	*M K A Siddiqui (ed.), ''Marginal Muslim Communities In India'', Institute of Objective Studies, New Delhi (2004) ()		*M K A Siddiqui (ed.), ''Marginal Muslim Communities In India'', Institute of Objective Studies, New Delhi (2004)

			()
	*{{Harvard reference		*{{Harvard reference
	\| Surname1 = Tod		\| Surname1 = Tod
Line 132:		Line 370:
	\| Publisher = Trans-Atl		\| Publisher = Trans-Atl
	\| ID = ISBN 8170691281		\| ID = ISBN 8170691281
	\| Comment = 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 ] in this book. Treachery against Rana Sanga is also described in this book. (Treachery against Rana Sanga: Annals of Mewar, Chapter IX Vol-I: Pages 243-246. Surjan Hada: Page 381-385 volume II).		\| Comment = 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 ] in this book.

			Treachery against Rana Sanga is also described in this book. (Treachery against Rana Sanga: Annals of Mewar, Chapter IX Vol-I: Pages 243-246.

			Surjan Hada: Page 381-385 volume II).
	}}.		}}.
	*W.W. Hunter, ''The Indian empire, its people, history and products.'' First published: London, Trubner & Co., Ludgate Hill, 1886. ISBN 81-206-1581-6.		*W.W. Hunter, ''The Indian empire, its people, history and products.'' First published: London, Trubner & Co., Ludgate Hill, 1886. ISBN

			81-206-1581-6.

	==External links==		==External links==
Line 161:		Line 407:
	\| Publisher = Kavi Prakashan		\| Publisher = Kavi Prakashan
	\| ID = ASIN B0000CPJC0		\| ID = ASIN B0000CPJC0
	\| Comment = 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.		\| Comment = 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.
	}}.		}}.
	*{{Harvard reference		*{{Harvard reference
Line 310:		Line 558:
	\| Publisher = Rupa Co. Ansari Road Daryaganj, New Delhi 110 002		\| Publisher = Rupa Co. Ansari Road Daryaganj, New Delhi 110 002
	\| ID = ISBN 81-29100-33-9		\| ID = ISBN 81-29100-33-9
	\| Comment = Detailed description of Maharana Kumbha's life. His victory over sultans of Malwa and Gujarat (Chapter 6: Pages 37-43. Chapter 10: Pages 65-80)		\| Comment = Detailed description of Maharana Kumbha's life. His victory over sultans of Malwa and Gujarat (Chapter 6: Pages 37-43. Chapter

			10: Pages 65-80)
	}}.		}}.
	*{{Harvard reference		*{{Harvard reference
Line 325:		Line 575:
	\| Given1 = Professor Dashratha		\| Given1 = Professor Dashratha
	\| Year = First ed 1975, Reprint 2002		\| Year = First ed 1975, Reprint 2002
	\| Title = Early Chauhan dynasties: a study of Chauhan political history, Chauhan political institution, and life in the Chauhan dominions, from 800 to 1316 A.D.		\| Title = Early Chauhan dynasties: a study of Chauhan political history, Chauhan political institution, and life in the Chauhan dominions, from

			800 to 1316 A.D.
	\| Publisher = Books Treasure, Sojati Gate, Jodhpur		\| Publisher = Books Treasure, Sojati Gate, Jodhpur
	\| ID =		\| ID =
Line 355:		Line 607:
	\| Publisher = Books Treasure, Jodhpur		\| Publisher = Books Treasure, Jodhpur
	\| ID =		\| ID =
	\| Comment = 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. (Chapter 1, Page 8-42).		\| Comment = 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. (Chapter 1, Page 8-42).
	}}.		}}.
	*{{Harvard reference		*{{Harvard reference
Line 372:		Line 628:
	\| Publisher = Lotus Collection, Roli Books, New Delhi		\| Publisher = Lotus Collection, Roli Books, New Delhi
	\| ID = ISBN 81-7056-051-9		\| ID = ISBN 81-7056-051-9
	\| Comment = 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.		\| Comment = 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.
	}}.		}}.
	*{{Harvard reference		*{{Harvard reference

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"Rajputs" (anonymous, c.1860)
*From the collection of the British Library*

The Rajputs (from the Sanskrit tatpurusha compound rājaputra, "son of a king") are a prominent social group belonging to the

northern part of the Indian sub-continent. In the Hindi and Gujarati languages, those belonging to the Kshatriya caste of Hindus

are generally referred to as "Rajputs" (alternately: "Thakurs").

The term rājaputra is first found in the 7th century AD. Rajputs are dominant in the state of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and

Bihar. Rajput dynasties played a prominent role in the history of northern India. They developed an ethos of warlike chivalry that

served as the benchmark for other Indian communities as the latter ascended to regional dominance. This martial ethos did not preclude patronage of

the arts: distinctive forms of painting and architecture developed under the aegis of rajput courts, and classical music

found support. Thus, the rajputs have contributed directly and indirectly to many facets of the Indian crasis.

Origins

The traditional occupations of the rajput are war and agriculture. As many scholars have pointed out, these areas lend themselves uniquely to the

ingress of groups that were not formerly affiliated with those professions. The gradual accommodation of the new entrants into the social and family

circle of the traditional community is the essential quid pro quo of the Sanskritization that the aspirant community essays. This phenomenon of

gradual inclusion has indubitably obtained in the case of the Rajputs, with certain Jat and Maratha dynasties being among the most recent to

venture the claim of affiliation with the rajput community. We present both the traditional view and certain scholarly speculations made by

researchers on the origin of the rajputs.

Traditional

Main article: Rajput clans

As Kshatriyas, the rajputs regard themselves as being descended from the vedic warrior class. Legend ascribes to the

Rajputs an origin springing from certain Hindu deities; every rajput must eventually belong to one of three great patrilineages, being:

the Agnivanshi lineage, claiming descent from Agni, the Hindu Fire-god;
the Suryavanshi lineage, claiming descent from Surya, the Hindu Sun-god;
the Chandravanshi lineage, claiming descent from Chandra, the Hindu Moon-god.

Some scholars also count Nagavanshi, Rishivanshi and Vayuvanshi as traditional lineages. The Yaduvanshi lineage, claiming descent from the

Hindu god Krishna, are in fact a sept of the Chandravanshi lineage.

The aforementioned three patrilineages (vanshas) sub-divide into 36 main clans (kulas), which in turn divide into numerous branches (shakhas)

to create the intricate clan system of the rajputs. The principle of patrilineage is staunchly adhered to in determining one's place in

the system and a strong consciousness of clan and lineage is an essential part of the Rajput character. Authoritative listings of the 36 rajput clans

are to be found in the Kumārpāla Charita of Jayasimha and the Prithvirāj Rāso of Chandbardai.

Scholarly speculations

Main article: Origin of Rajputs

Among the origin-legends mentioned above, the one which addresses the origin of the Agnivanshi rajputs is particularly interesting, not least

because they were the earliest to rise to political prominence. This legend begins with the puranic legend wherein the traditional

kshatriyas of the land were exterminated by Parashurama, an avatara of Vishnu. Later, sage Vasishta performed a

great Yagya or fire-sacrifice, to seek from the gods a provision for the defense of righteousness on earth. In answer to his prayer, a youth arose

from the very flames of the sacrifice -- the first Agnivanshi rajput. In some versions of the legend, all the rajput lineages rose from the sacred

flames in this manner.

This legend has been used as the basis for many scholarly speculations on the origin of the rajputs. James Tod uses this legend as a basis for

speculating upon a Scythian origin for the Rajputs. He suggests that Scythian (Saka, Huna) tribes which invaded India in the [[6th

century AD]] and disappeared into the population soon afterwards were the forbears of present-day rajputs.

Political history

Main article: History of Rajputs

Rajput history, being a part of the broader north Indian, can be classified classified easily into several distinct periods.

Early history (7th-11th centuries AD)

The first Rajputs kingdoms are attested in the 7th 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 Rai dynasty ruled Sindh during

the 6th and 7th centuries AD. Sindh was conquered by an Arab Muslim army of the Caliphate, led by Bin Qasim, in the 8th century. According to

some sources, Bin Qasim also attacked Chittorgarh, and was defeated by Bappa Rawal. Certain other invasions by murauding "Yavvanas" are

also recorded in this era. By this time, the terms "Yavvana" (literally: "Greek") was applied any tribe that resided to the west and north-west of

present-day Pakistan. Lalitaditya of Kashmir defeated one such invasion in the 8th century and the Pratiharas

rebuffed another in the 9th century. The Pratiharas initially established themselves at Ujjain and ruled Malwa. Later, they established

themselves at Kannauj, from which they ruled much of northern India, from Kathiawar in the west to Magadha in the east, in the 9th

century.

Archaeological evidences and contemporary texts suggest that the Indian society had achieved significant prosperity during the Rajput rule.

Numerous inscriptions from this period have been found. The literature composed in this period in Sanskrit and in Apabhramshas constitutes a

large segment of the classical Indian literature. The early 11th century also saw the reign of the polymath king Bhoj, Paramara ruler of Malwa. He

was not only a patron of scholars, but was himself a distinguished writer. His Samarangana-sutradhara deals with architecture and

Raja-Martanda is a famous commentary on Yoga-sutra.

Early kingdoms: The Rajput clan organization first become crystallized in this period. Intermarriage among the Rajput clans

interlinked the various regions of India, facilitating the flow of trade and scholarship. Clans claiming descent from the Solar and Lunar races later

established independent states. The Guhilas (later called the Sisodias) established the state of Mewar (later Udaipur) in the 8th

century, under Bappa Rawal, who ruled from Chittorgarh. The Kachwaha clan came to rule Dhundhar, with their capital at [[Amber,

India|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.

Islamic invasions (11th-16th c.)

Main article: Rajputs and invasions of India

The Chittorgarh fort in Rajasthan was the site of several battles between the Rajputs and the Islamic invaders.

Due to geographic reasons, rajput-ruled states suffered the brunt of aggression from various Mongol-Turkic-Afghan warlords who

repeatedly invaded the Indian subcontinent. Within a hundred years after Muhammad's death, Islam had invaded the countries of Asia as

far as the Hindu Kush. Fifteen years after the death of prophet, Usman sent a sea expedition to Thana and Broach on the Bombay

coast. Other raids towards Sindh took place in 662 and 664 with no results. Due to the military organization of the Hindu kingdoms, it was

only from ca. 1000 AD that the Islamic armies could establish any foothold in the Punjab.

In the early 11th century, Mahmud of Ghazni conquered the Hindu Shahi kingdom in the Punjab. His raids into northern India weakened the

Pratihara kingdom, which was drastically reduced in size and came under the control of the Chandelas. In 1018 AD, Mahmud sacked the city of

Kannauj, seat of the Pratihara kingdom. He later withdrew to Ghazni, being interested in loot rather than empire. In the ensuing chaos, the

Gahadvala dynasty established a modest state centered around Kannauj, ruling for about a hundred years until they were defeated by

Muhammad of Ghor in 1194 AD; the city was again sacked.

Meanwhile, a nearby state centered around present-day Delhi was ruled successively by the Tomara and Chauhan clans. The Rajputs

fought each other in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Prithiviraj III, ruler of Delhi, defeated Muhammad of Ghor in 1191 at the [[First

Battle of Tarain]], who however defeated Prithviraj the following year at the Second Battle of Tarain. As we have seen, Muhammad's armies later

brought down the Gahadvala kingdom of Kannauj in 1194 AD. Some surviving members of the Gahadvala family are said to have refugeed to the

western desert, where they formed the Rathore clan and founded the state of Marwar. The Chauhans led by Govinda, grandson of Prithviraj

III, later established themselves a small state at Ranthambore. The Songara sept of the Chauhan clan later ruled the town of Jalore, while

and Hada sept established their rule over the Hadoti region in the mid-13th century. The Tomaras later established themselves at Gwalior,

and the ruler Man Singh built the fortress which still stands there.

The Delhi Sultanate was founded by Qutb ud din Aybak, Muhammad of Ghor's successor, in first decade of the 13th century. Sultan [[Ala ud

din Khilji]] (1296-1316) conquered Gujarat (1297) and Malwa (1305), and captured the fortresses of Ranthambore in 1301, Chittorgarh

(capital of Mewar) in 1303 and Jalor in 1311, all of these after long sieges with fierce resistance from their Rajput defenders. In particular, the

seige of Chittor, its brave defence by the Guhilas, the saga of Rani Padmini and the Jauhar she led are the stuff of immortal legend. Ala ud

din Khilji delegated the administration of the conquered areas to his principal rajput collaborator, based at Jalore; the latter was soon displaced by his

son-in-law Hammir, a scion of the Guhila clan, who re-established the state of Mewar and was progenitor of the Sisodia clan.

Mewar emerged as the leading Rajput state; Rana Kumbha expanded his kingdom at the expense of the sultanates of Malwa and Gujarat.

Mughal era (16th-18th c.)

File:Jaipur is called the pink city.jpg

The Rajputs founded several cities of modern-day Rajasthan. The historical city of Jaipur was founded by the Kachwaha clan of Rajputs.

Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat on April 21, 1526. Rana Sanga rallied an army to challenge Babur. He

was betrayed by one of his Tomar rajput generals, and was defeated by Babur at the Battle of Khanua on March 16, 1527.

During this time, Mewar, which was under the regency of Rani Karmavati, widow of Rana Sanga, was menaced by Bahadur Shah, ruler of Gujarat.

Karmavati importuned the assistance of Humayun, son of her late husband's foe. The help arrived too late; Chittor as reduced by Bahadur Shah. This

is the occasion for the second of the three Jauhars performed at Chittor. Karmavati leads the ladies of the citadel into death by fire, while the

menfolk sally out to meet the beseiging muslim army in a hopeless fight to the death.

Humayun's son Akbar consolidated control of his inheritence and expanded what had been the "Delhi sultanate" into a wide empire. One main

factor in this success was indubitably his co-option of native rajput chiefs into his empire-building project; his reign countenenced, for the first time,

the involvement of Indians in the affairs of the empire. Akbar married Jodha bai taking her to be a Rajput princess. However she was not the real

daughter of Raja Bharmal, the ruler of Amber. She was actually the maidservant of his wife. Her actual name was Heera Kunwar. When Emperor Akbar

demanded the hand of Raja Bharmal's daughter, the Raja presented his maid-servant instead, rechristened her Jodha Bai, indicating that she was

from Jodhpur. So Jodha Bai was not from the royal stock at all, and Raja Bharmal had tricked Akbar to marry a maidservant, posing her as a princess.

It was political compulsion that had led Raja Bharmal to agree to the alliance.

However, these relations were not universally approbated. Mewar, which justly enjoys a unique position in the rajput mind, held out and valiantly

gave battle to Akbar. However, after a brave struggle, during which the ladies of the fort perfomed Jauhar for the third and last time in the history

of that citadel, Chittor finally fell to Akbar in 1568. The ruler, Udai Singh, had however retired to the nearby hills prior to this event; he was

succeeded, while in exile, by his son Rana Pratap as head of the Sisodias. Even in exile, the Sisodias knew no rest, and harassed the mughal

administrators of the land enough to cause them to make overtures. Rana Pratap, a present-day rajput icon, refused all such overtures of

friendship and alliance from Akbar, and rallied an army to meet the mughal forces. He was defeated at the battle of Haldighati on June 21,

1576; however, he carried out a relentless guerilla struggle from his hideout in the Aravalli hills. He also banned marraiges between his loyal

rajputs with other rajputs of rajasthan, who has entered into matrimonial alliance with the muslims. Rana Pratap's son, Amar Singh, entered into the

vassalage of the mughals and thus regained control of his state. The rajputs remained loyal to the mughal dynasty and empire even until the 19th

century; in all their official communiques and documents, the rajput courts rarely failed to formally affirm their loyalty to the (by now entirely

powerless) mughal emperor.

Maratha and British suzerainty (18th-20th c.)

Jodhpur was conquered by Sindhia, who levied a tribute of 60,000 rupees, and took from it the fort and town of Ajmer. Internecine disputes

and succession wars disturbed the peace of the early years of the 19th century. 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.

The British colonial officials as a rule were very impressed by the military qualities of the Rajputs. In his Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan [[James

Tod]] wrote. :"What nation on earth could have maintained the semblance of civilization, the spirit or the customs of their forefathers, during so

many centuries of overwhelming depression, but one of such singular character as the Rajpoot? . . . Rajputs exhibits the sole example in the history

of mankind, of a people withstanding every outrage barbarity could inflict, or human nature sustain, from a foe whose religion commands annihilation;

and bent to the earth, yet rising buoyant from the pressure, and making calamity a whetstone to courage. . . . Not an iota of their religion or

customs have they lost. . . ".

Rajput rulers of Rajputana and Central India acceded to newly-independent India after 1947, and Rajputana, renamed Rajasthan, became an

Indian state in 1950.

Culture and ethos

The Rajput ethos is martial in spirit, fiercely proud and independent, 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 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 saffron-coloured garments and apply the ash from the pyres 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. Rajput men and women could not be captured alive. When Hindus fought against other Hindus there were never any

johars 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

Raisina and Sher Shah Suri. Rajputs honour their word more then their life and are renowned for their loyalty.

Rajasthan, which has a very high concentration of Rajputs, is located in northwestern India, near the Khyber Pass 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,

Stanley Wolpert wrote "The Rajputs were the vanguard of Hindu India in the face of the Islamic onslaught."

The Rajput lifestyle was designed to foster a martial spirit. Tod (1829) describes at length the bond between the Rajputs and their swords. The

double-edged scimitar known as the khanda was the favorite weapon of the Rajput. On special occasions, a primary chief would break up a meeting

of his chiefs with khanda nareal, or a distribution of swords and coconuts (453). In order to attain a greater bond with one's sword, Rajputs revered

their swords and conducted the ritual of Karga Shapna during the annual festival of Navratri.

Clan, kinship and communities

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). Some of the Muslim Rajput

groups like Thakurais of East Champaran in Bihar, and some other Muslims of Rajput extraction are notable among Indian Muslims

for their descent from a prestigious Hindu caste. Their marginality is sometimes self-imposed as they want to retain their exclusivity by deciding not

to marry among other Muslims and preserve their distinction (Siddiqui 2004). 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, Girasia). Some branches of Jain's and Marwari's had rajput forefathers but none of them are considered Rajputs

today.

Famous Rajput people

The rajputs have contributed to many facets of Indian life, both historically and in the modern age. A few rajput stalwarts are mentioned here.

Historical heroes

Modern era

Vishwanath Pratap Singh, Prime Minister of India (Dec.2, 1989-Nov.10, 1990)
Chandra Shekhar, Prime Minister of India (Nov.10, 1990-June 21, 1991)
Jaswant Singh, Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Vice-president of India.
Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, olympic silver medalist

References

Template:Harvard reference .
Kasturi, Malavika, Embattled Identities Rajput Lineages, Oxford University Press (2002) ISBN 01956-5787-x
M K A Siddiqui (ed.), Marginal Muslim Communities In India, Institute of Objective Studies, New Delhi (2004)

(review)

Template:Harvard reference.
W.W. Hunter, The Indian empire, its people, history and products. First published: London, Trubner & Co., Ludgate Hill, 1886. ISBN

81-206-1581-6.

External links

Rajputs Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition; 2005
Rajput Encyclopedia Britannica; 1911
British Association of Rajputs

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