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A Rajput ( hi: राजपूत rājput, from Sanskrit राजपुत्र rāja-putra, "son of a king") is a Hindu kshatriya caste. The Rajputs trace their origins to the ancient Kshatriya dynasties of India and the Rajputana/Rajasthan region. It is estimated that currently there are 40 million Rajputs.

The Introduction

The Definition

Rajputs are a sub-group of hindu Kshatriya varna. They have a hindu Jati (an endogamus group within the Hindu social system). Rajputs are literally sons-of-kings. They are divided into 36 major clans, names of which are recorded in several texts including the Kumarpala Charita of Jayasimha, and Prithviraj Raso of Chandbardai.

The Origins

Rajputs predominantly belong to three lineages: the Suryavanshi (lineage of Sun), the Chandravanshi (lineage of Moon), and the Agni vanshi (lineage of Fire). Some scholars also include Rishi vanshi, Nagavanshi and Vayu Vanshi as separate classes. However in Prithviraj Raso three Rajput Vansha are mentioned:

Agnivansha is not counted as separate vansh in this book. There is difference of opinion about Agnivanshi Rajputs. Many other evidence like old inscrptions and old literature consider Chauhans and Pratiharas to be Suryavanshi and Chalukyas and Paramaras to be Chandravanshi. Thease four clans are considered to be Agnivanshi. It might be possible that these four clans were Suryavanshi and Chandravanshi before the sacred ceremony at Mount Abu. According to Bhavishya Purana (Prashasti Sarg Parva Khand 1 Chapter 6), a yagna was held at Mount Abu from which the above for clans sprang forth. This Yagna was held at the time of sons of Ashoka.( No serious student of history can, of course, believe that fire actually produced warriors).At that time India was facing attacks from Indo-Greek Kings.Like Demetrius and Menander.Mauryan Empire was weakened due to too much attention towards Ahimsa.Brahmins thought it necessary to revive Hinduism,perticulerly Kshatriyas so they could fight against invaders.Ultimately Pusyamitra Sunga murdered Mauryan Emperer and found new dynasty called Sunga Dynasty. Sungas are known for reviving Hinduism.There isnt enough evidence as to who were the persons who claim to have originated from fire.But whatever evidence available and the time of this Yagna suggests only one thing that they were Kshtriyas either they reconverted from Buddhism or the Yagna was to revitalize them.This proved true.Earlier Rajput dynasties were found by Agnivanshi Rajputs.

The Myths

There is another myth which states Rajputs were descendants of Rishabh, the founding Jain Tirthankara.

The Cultural Configuration

The Suryavanshi

Suryavanshi rajputs trace their lineage to the Vedic Sun - Surya. This is the oldest dynasty of Kshatriyas. The first king was Vivswan in the Sun Dynasty. Father of Vivaswan was Kashyap and mother Aditi. He was called Aditya by the name of mother, which means Sun (Vishnu Puran). Other important kings of this dynesty were Ikshwaku, Kakutstha or Puranjaya, Raja Harishchandra, Sagar, Dileepa I, Bhagiratha, Raghu, Dasharath. Lord Rama was also born in this lineage. He was 64th King of this dynasty. Sumitra was 120th in this dynasty and Kurma was 121st. These kings ruled large parts of ancient India. Suryavanshi rajputs ruled over Mewar, Marwar and Amber in Rajasthan.

The Chandravanshi

Somvanshi/Chandravanshi rajputs descended from Som (the vedic deity Soma or Moon). Som was son of "Atri" (Father) and "Bhadra" (mother). But this was the next in age to Sun Dynasty. Som was the first king of this Lunar Dynasty. Other important kings are Pururawa, Nahush, Yayati, Dushyant, Emperor Bharata, Kuru, Shantanu, Ydhishthir, Parikshit, Janmejaya Chandravanshi and Yaduvanshi are from the same line which bifurcated at king yadu who was the eldest of five sons of King Yayati, (details are to be found in Harivamsa about this) when his father banished him from becoming the king. Shri Krishna was also from Yadu dynasty. Jaisalmer, Karauli, Mahoba etc were ruled by chandravanshi Rajputs.

The Agnivanshi

The Agnivanshi dynasty was newest among Kshatriyas. During the fourth and fifth century BC kshatriyas lost their prominance. Kingdoms of non Kshtriyas rose to prominance. Nanda dynasty was among them. Later Maurya dynasty rose to prominanace. Emperor Ashoka became Buddhist. Many Kshatriyas became Buddhist later. But the descendant of Ashoka Emperer Brihadritha, was murdered by his general Pushyamitra sunga of the Sunga dynasty. It is believed that an Yagna was performed to reconvert thease Kshatriyas into Hinduism or to revitalize them.Because Kshtriyas were weakened due to too much emphasis on Ahimsa.Sunga dynasty is known for revitalizing of Bramhanical order. Agnimitra was son of Pusyamitra Sunga.

Agnivanshi rajputs have a mythological belief that they originated from fire. Ajmer, Bundi, Kotah, Jalore, Sirohi, Delhi were ruled by Agnivanshi rajputs. One Mythological version of the story of Agni kula origins is that four warriors, Chahman, Parmar, Pratihar and Chalukya, whose names are given to the Rajput clans, sprang from the sacred fire (Agni-kunda) in a ceremony performed by Sage Vashishtha at Mount Abu . Sage Vashishta undertook this Yagna to develop warriors who could help the ordinary mortals against the demons.

The thirty six clans

Prithviraj Raso mentions three "Vansh" and thirty six "clans" of "Rajputs" in Bhag I at page 54 as such.:

Ravi Shashi Jadav vansh, Kakutstha Parmar Sadawar,
Chahuan Chalukya Cchand Silar Abhiyar,
Doyamat Makwan Gurua Gohil Gohilput,
Chapotkat Parihar Rao Rathore Rosjut,
Devra Tank Saindhav Anig Youtik Pratihar Dadhishat,
Karattpal Kotpal Hul Haritat, Gor Kalash Mat,
Dhanyapalak Nikumbhwar Rajpal Kavinish,
Kalcchuraike adi de varane bansh chattis

Perhaps this is one of the oldest version of clan counting. However there is difference of opinion between Col Todd, C.V. Vaidya, and Mohan Lal about some of the clans mentioned above. Some of the clan names are changed and one or two may be titles of the clan because the number goes to 37 after word "Vansh" while he himself says the number to be 36 at last.


Each vansha is divided into many kula and each kula is further divided into many shakha or branch.Shakha may be further divided into Khanp or sub branch. For a pictorial description please see page 27 of this book

For example Suryavanshi Rajput kula, Rathore,Manral is divided into these shakha: Dhandhul, Bhadail, Khokra, Jodha etc; Similarly Guhilote kula is subdivided into these shakha: Aharya (at Doongarpur), Sisodiya (at Mewar), Peeparra (at Marwar), etc.And Kachwaha kula is divided in about 71 subclans like Rajawat, Shekhawat, Naruka etc.

Each shakha has its Gotra Acharya, a genealogical creed, describing the essential peculiarities, religous 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.

Kachwaha Gotra Acharya -- Manvya gotra, Madhyandini Shakha, Brahaspati Guru, Jamway Mata Kuldevi.

Marriage

As a custom Rajputs do not marry within their Kula or clan and avoid marriage whithin subclans of mother and grandmother.For example a Guhilote or Sisodiya Rajput does not marry within Guhilote or Sisodiya Rajputs of whatever origin.Similaraly a Rathore or Kachwaha does not marry within all kinds of Rathores or Kachwahas.Avoiding their own Kula or clan one is free to marry anywhere.In ancient history marriage out of caste or Varna were allowed.

A Rajput woman is always known by the clan of her Father, even after marriage.This custom comes from ancient Khstriya dynasty.For example Rama's mother was from Koushal and Known as Koushalya.Similarly a Queen from Sisodiya family will always be known as Sisodiya Rani in Jaipur or Jodhpur.Meera Bai was always known as Meratani because her fathers clan was Mertiya Rathor.Hadi Rani married Chundawat chieftain of Sisodiya family, but known after the clan of her father Hada in Chauhan family.



The Prominent Rajput clans, sub-clans and their main centres


The Clans of Jammu and Himachal

Rajput clans in Jammu and Himachal Pradesh: Guleria, Jaryal, Manhas, Minhas, Jaswal, Chambial, Mankotia, Sambial, Dadwal, Jamwal, Chib, Katoch, Suketia, Kutlehria, Baloria, Charak, Bandral, Kahluria etc.

The Geographical Configuration

The Geographical Dispersion:

While originally hailing from Rajasthan, Rajputs in India today live in Punjab, UttarPradesh/UP,Haryana,Gujarat, Bihar, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhara Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh/MP, Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh/HP, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Jammu & Kashmir. The Sikh Rajput live in Indian Punjab. The Muslim Rajputs in Pakistan live in Pakistan's Punjab, Sindh,Multan and NWFP. Rajputs also reside in Nepal. Rajputs reside mainly in northern, western, eastern and central states of India. 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." Rajputs live in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh,Chattisgarh Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar,Bengal,Jharkhand,Orissa, Haryana, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Maharashtra.

The Social Configuration

The Brahmanical Order

Rajputs supported Brahmins as scholars and priests but the latter had, on numerous occasions, betrayed and sold out the Rajputs to Islamic invaders due to jealousy. However, Rajputs had their own family priests, known as the Purohits. Some scions of noble Rajput families would officiate themselves as priests in their Hindu temples. For example, the Sisodia kings of Mewar considered themselves as the regents of the Eklingji, a manifestation of Shiva, and serve as the high priest of the deity as well as ruler of the state.

The System of Titling

The Rajput families use the titles like the Bhanwar, Kanwar and Thakur. To see full explanation, visit: Paramara

The Character

The Rajput ethos is martial in spirit, fiercely proud, loyal and independent, and emphasizes lineage and tradition. Rajput patriotism is legendary, an ideal they embodied by choosing death before dishonour. Rajput warriors were often known to fight until the last man. The practice of jauhar and shaka was followed only in rajput communities.

The Jauhar

When the outcome of a battle was against the Rajputs, jauhar would be committed by Rajput women.Rajput men committed "Shaka" at the same time.There was'nt any definite rule about that.Sometimes women committed Jauhar in the night and men went for their last fight till death (Shaka) in the morning.Sometimes when men failed in their objective a signal was sent from battlefield of their failure and women committed Jauhar inside the fort.Brahmin priests would chant Vedic mantras and Rajput women wearing their marriage dresses, would embrace sandalwood and wood flames.

The Shaka

When Rajput men were of the opinion that it is nearly impossible to defeat the enemy and there was shortage of food and water inside the fort. They considered it better to have a fight with enemy and die in battle rather then from starvation. Sometimes the women committed Jauhar before Shaka and then Rajput men wearing saffron coloured dress called "Keshariya Bana", came out from the fort and would fight till their last breath. Before coming out they appllied the ash of their women from the maha samadhi 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 annihilation of the enemy or themselves. Rajput men and women could not be captured alive.At sometimes Rajput men tried to win the battle or achieve some objective, then the women did not commit Jauhar in advance but waited till final outcome of the battle. If the outcome was against Rajputs then a signal was sent and women committed Jauhar.

When Hindu Rajputs fought against other Hindu Rajputs there were never any johars or shaka 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 or raped upon surrender and once the pols or gates of their mighty fortresses were opened. Some examples of this are wars between Rajputs and the muslim: The war between Puran Mal of Raisina and Sher Shah Suri.

The Rajput Military Configuration

The Rajput Armies:

Predominantly consisted of cavalry. They bred high quality horses, such as Marwari and Kathiawari. Rajputs fought with cocked wrist and rarely used the tip of the sword to inflict a wound. Sirohi sword was very well liked by rajputs.

The Rajputs and Invasions of India:

The Rajputs suffered the brunt of the aggression from various Mongol-Turkic-Afghan warlords who repeatedly invaded the Indian subcontinent, then known as Hindustan. Hindustan was one of the most economically prosperous regions in the world till 18-th century and had grabbed the attention of several neighbouring Islamic kingdoms.

The Religious Configuration

Nehru made mention of Islam's mass appeal, "...The impact of the invaders of the north-west and Islam on India had been considerable. It pointed out and shown up the abuses that had crept up into Hindu society-the petrifaction of caste, untouchability, exclusiveness carried to fantastic lengths. The idea of brotherhood of Islam and of the theoretical equality of its adherents made a powerful appeal, especially those of the Hindu fold who were denied any semblance of equal treatment..." (p265)

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? . . . 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. . . ".

The Political Configuration

The Medieval Period:

The Organization of Indian kingdoms during invasions:

Rajputana Agency and Ajmer-Merwara province, 1909

W.W. Hunter describes in Chapter X of his book, The Indian Empire, Its People, History And Products, the organization of Indian kings and how they fought these invaders.

Within a hundred years after his (Muhammad's) death, his followers had invaded the countries of Asia as far as the Hindu Kush. Here there progress was stayed and Islam had to consolidate itself during three more centuries before it grew strong enough to grasp the rich prize of India. But almost from first the Arabs had fixed eager eyes upon that wealthy country. Fifteen years after the death of prophet, Usman sent a sea expedition to Thana and Broach on the Bombay coast (647 ? AD). Other raids towards Sindh took place in 662 and 664 with no results.
The armies of Islam had carried the crescent from the Hindu Kush westwards, through Asia, Africa and Southern Europe, to distant Spain and Gaul, before they obtained a foothold in Punjab. This long delay was due, not only to the daring of individual tribes, such as Sindh Rajputs, just mentioned but to the military organization of the Hindu Kingdoms.
Each of these groups of kingdoms, alike in the north and in the south, had a certain power of coherence to oppose to a foreign invader; while the large number of groups and units rendered conquest a very tedious process. For even when the overlord or central authority was vanquished, the separate units had to be defeated in detail, and each state supplied a nucleus for subsequent revolt. We have seen how the brilliant attempt in 711, to found a lasting Muhammedan dynasty in Sindh, failed. Three centuries later, the utmost efforts of two great Musalman invaders (Mahmud of Ghazni and Mohammed Ghori) from the north-west only succeeded in annexing a small portion of the frontier Punjab Province between 977 and 1176 A.D. The Hindu power in Southern India was not completely broken till the battle of Talikot in 1565; and within a hundred years, in 1650, the great Hindu revival had commenced which under the form of Maratha confederacy, was destined to break up the Mughal Empire in India. That Empire, even in the north of India, had only been consolidated by Akbar's policy of incorporating Hindu chiefs into his government(1556-1605). Up to Akbar's time, and even during the earlier years of his reign a series of Rajput wars had challenged the Muhammadan supremacy. In less than two centuries after his death, the succesor of Akbar was a puppet in the hand of the Hindu marathas at Delhi.
The popular notion that India fell an easy prey to the Musalmans is opposed to the historical facts. Muhammadan rule in India consists of a series of invasions and partial conquests, during eleven centuries, from Usman's raid, circ.647, to Ahmad Shah's tempest of invasion in 1761 A.D.
At no time was Islam triumphant throughout the whole of India. Hindu dynasties always ruled over large areas. At the height of the Muhammadan power, the hindu princes paid tribute, and sent agents to the Imperial court. But even this modified supremacy of Delhi lasted for little over a century (1578-1707). Before the end of that brief period the Hindus had begun the work of reconquest. The native chivalry of Rajputana was closing in upon Delhi from the south; the religious confederation of the Sikhs was growing into a military power on the north-west. The Marathas had combined the fighting powers of the low-castes with the statesmen ship of the Brahmans, and were subjecting the Muhammadan kingdoms throughout all India to tribute. So far as can now be estimated, the advance of the English power at the beginning of the present century alone saved the Mughal Empire from passing to the Hindus.

The Modern and Contemporary Period:To get a proper insight into this aspect , visit: Paramara.

The Partial list of Rajputs who fought the invaders:

Bappa Rawal बप्पा रावल

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

Muslims started attacking India within a few decades of the birth of Islam. For a few hundred years they had no success. Mohammed Bin Qasim was able to defeat Dahir in Sindh but was routed by Bappa Rawal. Qasim attacked Chittore, which was ruled by Mori Rajputs, via Mathura. Bappa, of guhilote dynasty, was a commander in Mori army and so was Dahir's son. Bappa defeated and pursued Bin Qasim through Saurashtra and back to Sindh. 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 their kings)

Then Mahmud started his raids and was successful in looting Somnath.

Prithviraj Chauhan पृथविराज चौहान

Muhammad Ghori attacked India multiple times. First time he was routed in present day Gujarat by Rajputs. Mularaja-II was not even a teen yet and his mother organized the defences of Pattan. Battle was fought at Kayadara near Mount Abu and Ghori was resoundingly defeated. After this defeat he never entered India through Gujarat.According to Prithviraj Raso he defeated Mohammad Gouri 18 times but Muslim historians accept one defeat in 1191 at first Battle of Tarain.It might be possible that Mohammad gouris army fought minor battles before major battles at Tarain.Two of such battles are mentioned in Kachawah history "Battle of Hansi and "battle of Nagour".Pajawan or Pajjun of Amber a trusted general of Prithiviraj was leading his army in thease battles. In first battle of Tarain in 1191 Prithviraj Chauhan captured Ghori and Ghori begged for his life. Prithviraj allowed him to go despite his generals asking him not to do so. Following year Ghori came again. Prithviraj advanced with his army and sent a letter to Ghori. In this letter Ghori was asked to return as he had been defeated the previous year and was spared his life. Ghori replied that he was in India on the orders of his brother, Ghiasuddin, and that he could only retreat after he got 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 Muhammad move his camp back Prithviraj assumed that Ghori was not interested in fighting. Ghori also knew that rajputs did not fight in the night and only started fighting after sun had come up. (This is an ancient Kshatriya practice e.g mahabharata was also fought mostly in day time). He attacked in the early morning hours when Prithviraj and his army were sleeping and was able to win this war.

Prithviraj Raso

Poet Chand Bardai a Charan poet wrote an epic on the life of Prithviraj Chauhan.Accordin to this epic Prithviraj and Samyogita who was daughter of Jaichand, a Gaharwal Rathore and king of Kannauj fell in love.But Jaichand disliked Prithviraj and wanted to marry his daughter with someone else. He organised Swayamvar (a ceremony in which girl is allowed to choose her husband). In this Swayamvar Jaichand invited all prominent Rajput kings and princess but deleberately avoided Prithviraj Chauhan. To add insult to injury he placed a statue of Prithviraj at the gate of hall posing him to be gatekeeper. Prithviraj came to know of this and arrived at Kannauj with his trusted generals and soldiers in disguise. When the ceremony started Samyogita emerged with a garland in her hand, avoiding all kings she went to door and placed the garland on the statue of Prathviraj thus choosing him to be her husband. Prithviraj who was hiding in disguise nearby took Samyogita with him on a horse and fled. Jai chand ordered his army to pursue Prithviraj but as planned earlier this army was engaged in a fight with Pajawan or Pajjun of Amber, who was a trusted general of Prithviraj. Pajawan died with his two brothers and three sons in this battle. After the defeat of Prithviraj Chauhan in the II Battle of Tarain in 1192, he was arrested and taken to Ghour. He was made blind by Mohammad Ghouri. To revenge this henious act Chand Bardai and Prithviraj planned to kill Mohammad Ghouri. Chand Baradai informed Ghouri that Prithviraj can hit targets without eyes. Not believing this Ghouri wanted to see a demonstration of this art. The blind Prithviraj taken to court of Ghouri. Some iron plates were hung a man was to hit a plate with hammer and Prithviraj was supposed to hit the plate with arrow. Chand Bardai told to Prithviraj in his local dilect "Char bans choubees gaj angul astha praman, Ete pe sultan hai chuke mat chauhan". (Four measures and twenty four yards away as measured with eight finger measurement, is seated the sultan dont miss him Chauhan) While hitting the plates ghori said "Shabash". Prthviraj recognising voice of Ghouri hit him with an arrow and Ghouri was killed.

Hammir Dev Chauhan हमीर देव चौहान

Prithviraj's descendant, Hammir Dev Chauhan ruled Ranthambore. Jalore was ruled by another branch of Chauhans, the Songaras. Ala ud din Khilji usurped Delhi from his father-in-law, Jalal-ud-din Khilji, by killing him in cold blood. In 1299 Ala ud din's mongol general Ulugh Khan sought to quell Hindu resistance in Gujarat and besieged Junagadh and sacked the temple at Somnath. Ulugh Khan had broken the shivalinga of Somnath and was carrying it back to Delhi. Kanhad Dev Songara, ruler of Jalore, attacked and defeated Ulugh Khan. His son Biramdeo and Jaitra Deora were the generals who commandeered Kanhad Dev's army. They captured the fragments of the Shivalinga. Kanhad had the shivalinga washed in Gangajal and had the fragments placed at various Shiva temples around Jalore. One of Ala ud din's generals was a neo-Muslim, Muhammad Shah, who had helped Kanhad Dev. This general later went and stayed with Hammir Deo in Ranthambore. Ala ud din wanted him dead, and asked Hammir to hand him over. Hammir replied that he knows how to draw his sword, and anyone who has taken shelter in his fort would not be turned over. Hammir did not consider Khilji king of India. Ala ud din attacked Ranthambore in 1299, but his armies were defeated. He finally came himself in 1301, and there was a long siege. Hammir was very well prepared. When the fort did not fall after repeated bloody skirmishes Khilji resorted to diplomacy. Hammir 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 Hammir, 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 Hammir fought but perfidy was in his blood. Khilji bribed these two generals of Hammir's army and consequently Ranthambore fell.

Rawal Ratan Singh, Gora,Badal रावल रतन सिहँ

Palace of Queen Padmini

Khilji wanted to win Chittor because sisodiyas of Chittor never accepted the rule of Islam. Another reason was Rani Padmini. He laid a siege but Chittor would not fall. Then he requested Rawal Ratan Singh, husband of Rani Padmini, that if he is allowed a glimpse of Rani he would leave. By this time the situation inside the fort was getting bad. Rawal 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 Ratan Singh was walking Khilji out of the palace, Khilji's men captured Rawal Ratan Singh. Khilji sent a message to the fort that Rawal can be spared by exchanging Rani Padmini. Padmini discussed this with Gora, her maternal uncle, who was a Chauhan rajput. Gora told her not to worry and that he would go and bring back Rawal Ratan Singh. Padmini's nephew Badal 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 hindi) 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 Rawal. 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 Rawal's tent he asked Rawal 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. Gora 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.

Maharana Hammir महाराणा हमीर

Jag Niwas, the summer abode of the Ranas of Mewar, in Udaipur Rajasthan

After Ratan Singh's death his successor Laxman Singh tried to capture Chittor and fought a battle with Tughlaq near Chittor. 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 Hammir and he called Hammir to come to him. Hammir, 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. Hammir vowed that he would take care of Munja. Hammir took seven warriors with him and set out to finish Munja. Hammir at this stage was just a teenager. Munja was tracked. When Munja was riding with his band to plunder a village, Hammir stood in his way on his white steed. Munja asked him to leave the way or die. Hammir challenged him to a duel and seeing that Hammir was just a teenager Munja readily agreed. Hammir 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 Mewar. Ajay's sons were unhappy with this and decided to move to Maharashtra. Do note that Chittor was called Khijarabad 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 Chittor. Tughlaq became very unhappy and launched a massive campaign against Hammir which he led himself. Hammir knew as soon as he captured Chittor 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 Mewar's territory he was let go. After this defeat Mewar was never attacked by Tughlaq.

Maharana Kumbha महाराणा कुँभा

Later Rana Kumbha repeatedly defeated sultans of Malwa and Gujarat and built 32 forts in Rajasthan. Even the combined armies of sultans of Malwa and Gujarat could not beat Kumbha. To commemorate his victory over these Muslim rulers of Malwa and Gujarat, Maharana Kumbha built the victory tower in 1440 A.D. The tower has nine-stories and is covered with exquisite sculputres of Hindu Gods and Godesses depicting episodes from Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Rana Sanga राणा सांगा

In Kumbha's lineage was Rana Sangram Singh or Sanga. Ibrahim Lodi, ruler of Delhi, was defeated by Man Singh Tomar of Gwalior but being a Hindu Kshatriya, Man Singh out of magnanimity let Ibrahim go back to Delhi. Man Singh's descendants fought at Haldighati 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.

Rao Maldeo Rathore राव मालदेव राठौड़

Mehrangarh Fort, Home of Rathore rulers of (Rajasthan, India)

Humayun, Babur's son was defeated by Sher Shah Suri, a Pathan. Humayun was forced to leave India and he took refuge with Safavid king of Persia. Sher Shah became ruler of Delhi. The Sesodias of Mewar had not yet recovered from Rana Sanga's treacherous defeat. In Marwar the Rathores were becoming very powerful. The Rathore king Rao Maldeo had extended his territory to within a couple of hundred kilometers of Delhi. 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 Kumpawat rathores) 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 Sammel was fought and Sher Shah was shocked by what he saw. Sher Shah's top generals lost there lives and his army suffered heavy losses. After this Sher Shah commented that "for a few grains of bajra he had almost lost the entire kingdom of India". It is a moot point now but had Maldeo not retreated because of the fake letter Rathores/Rajputs would have defeated Sher Shah. In my bhoomi (Rajasthan) Deoras are considered the most stubborn, Hadas the most brave and Rathores the invincible warriors on the battlefield (Ranbanka Rathore).

Maharana Pratap महाराणा प्रताप

Humayun's son Akbar was born in the palace of a Hindu king, at Amarkot, 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 Kacchwaha Rajput rulers of Amber(modern day Jaipur) about a matrimonial alliance. King of Amber agreed and Maan Kunwar became Akbar's queen and the mother of Prince Salim, who later became the Mughal emperor Jahangir. Soon other Rajput kingdoms in Rajasthan also gave their daughters to Akbar. This was the darkest period in the history of Rajputs.

Only two kings remained against this. The sisodiyas of Mewar and Hadas of Ranthambore. Hada are Chauhans. Finally Kunwar Man Singh of Amber and Akbar went and met Surjan Hada that he should become friends with Akbar. 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 Maharana Pratap against Akbar. He felt so ashamed that he moved his residence to Banaras and made sure that Hindus in the holy city had no problems at the hands of Muslims. So there remained just the house of Mewar 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.

Maharana Pratap, the Sesodia ruler of Mewar, 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 Rathores, Chauhans, Sesodias, Parihars, Tomars, Kacchwaha and Jhalas. Maharana Pratap never accepted Akbar as ruler of India, and fought Akbar all his life. Akbar first tried diplomacy to win over Maharana Pratap 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 Chittor when Akbar killed 30,000 civilian, unarmed residents of Chittor, 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 Hindu Kings fought with each other unarmed civilians were never killed in the losing king's territory).

Finally Akbar attacked Maharana Pratap at Haldighati. Akbar's general was Man Singh Kacchwaha of Amber, leading an army of 40 thousand men. Maharana had about 8 thousand men and some Bhil warriors. One of Maharana's generals was Hakim Khan Sur, who was from the line of Sher Shah 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 Maharana Pratap's army routed the Mughals and Mughals ran for there life. Maharana Pratap decided to kill Man Singh, and Maharana Pratap's horse Chetak 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 Gogunda 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 Maharana Pratap 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 Chittor and that saddened him a lot. His son, Amar Singh, 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 Rathore of Bikaner 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 their maternal grandfather, Akshay Raj Songara's home who was a Chauhan rajput). Prithviraj wrote this letter to Pratap:

The hopes of the Hindu rest on the Hindu 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 Mewar); he is beyond his price. What true Rajput would part with honour for nine days (nauroza); yet how many have bartered it away? Will Chittor come to this market ...? Though Maharana Pratap 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 Rajput 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 Eklinga, 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.

Maharana Pratap'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 Rathores, Deora Chauhans, Pariharas, Tomaras, Kacchwaha and Jhalas. They are called "Rors" and settled mostly in Haryana, with some in Uttar Pradesh. Until today they do not intermarry with other Rajputs but "gotra permitting" with other Rors only.

Maharaja Jaswant Singh

In the Battle of Dharmatpur, Jaswant Singh opposed Aurangzeb. The battle was fought on 15th April 1658, fifteen miles from Ujjain. Jaswant could have attacked Aurangzeb but he allowed Murad's armies to join Aurangzeb. He was desirous of beating both mughal princes at once. This delay allowed Aurangzeb to win over the mughal general, Kasim Khan, who was sent by Shah Jahan to help Jaswant Singh. Kasim Khan defected as soon as the war started but 30,0000 rajputs of Jaswant decided that they would not leave the field. Some prominent generals in Maharaja's army were Mukund Singh Hara of Kotah and Bundi, Dayal Das Jhala, Arjun Gaur of Rajgarh in Ajmer province and Ratan Singh Rathore of Ratlam. Jaswant attacked both Aurangzeb and Murad and they barely escaped. According to James Tod in Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan:

"Ten thousand Muslims fell in the onset, which cost seventeen hundred Rathores, besides Guhilotes, Haras, Gaurs, and some of every clan of Rajwarra. Aurangzeb and Murad only escaped because their days were not yet numbered. Notwithstanding the immense superiority of the imperial princes, aided by numerous artillery served by Frenchmen, night alone put a stop to the contest of science, numbers, and artillery, against Rajput courage."

Finally the unequal contest ended and Aurangzeb named the place of victory Fatehabad. In this battle Durga Das Rathore changed four horses and lost about half a dozen swords (they broke due to intense fighting) and he finally fell down half dead. Maharaja ordered him to be carried away. After his wounds healed he promptly rejoined Maharaja's army. James Tod further writes in Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan:

"Rajputs, even in the moment of battle, worshipped the rising sun, and they sealed there faith in there blood; and none more liberally than the brave Haras of Kotah and Bundi. . . The annals of no nation on earth can furnish such an example, as an entire family, six royal brothers of Kotah, stretched on the field, and all but one in death. Of all the deeds of heroism performed on this day, those of Ratan Singh Rathore of Ratlam, by universal consent, are pre-eminent, and are wreathed into immortal rhyme by the bard in the Raso Rao Ratan."

Durga Das Rathore दुगॉदास राठौड़

When Jaswant Singh Rathore died he had no son and this gave Aurangzeb a chance to appoint a Muslim as the ruler of Marwar. This upset Rathore Rajputs a lot. Two of Jaswant Singh's queens were pregnant when he died. One queen gave birth to Ajit Singh and other to Dalathamban. After Ajit's birth, Rathore generals, chief among them was Durga Das Rathore (a Karnot Rathore) went to Delhi along with the queens and the infants, and asked Aurangzeb that crown of Marwar should be given to Ajit Singh. Aurangzeb was very cunning and he had no intention of handing over the throne of Marwar. He suggested that Ajit should grow up in his harem but internally he wanted to kill them all.

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.

Durga Das sensed this and they smuggled Ajit Singh out of Delhi to the outskirts of the city. When Mughal army came to capture them in Delhi, Durga Das and his men attacked the Mughals and started riding out of Delhi. Raghunandan Bhati 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 the Mughals had given up and Durga Das was left with just seven men out of three hundred he started with and reached Jaipur along with Ajit Singh.

The historical city of Jaisalmer was founded by the Bhati clan of Rajputs.

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

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

Finally, on his death-bed Aurangzeb 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.

Baron De Boigne payed tribute to rajput (rathaura) valor in his memoirs, which were published by his son in 18th century. De Boigne fought the rathaurs, as part of Mahadaji Scindia's army at Tonga, Lalsot and Medta.

Hinduism, Sikhism and Punjabi Hindu Rajputs

Punjabi Hindus hold Sikhism in high regard, many Punjabi Hindus not only in India but worldwide today visit their local Gurudwaras regularly and adhere to the preaching’s of the Guru Granth Sahib. Sikhism is traditionally seen as a religion of warriors who were protectors of Hindus from invaders. There has been a long standing practice in Punjab which still continuous where Hindu families give their first born son to the Guru to be baptized as a Sikh and join the Guru’s army of protectors. Many Punjabi Rajput families too have been giving their sons to be enrolled in the Guru’s Army and baptized as Sikhs. Thus there are many Hindu, Punjabi Hindu Rajput and Punjabi Hindu Mair Rajput families whose kin are proud followers of Sikhism today. Thus there are many Sikhs who call themselves "Sikh Rajputs" today.

The Contributional Configuration

Historical Figures:


The Rajput community has made enormous contributions in the fields of polity, Arts, Architecture, Literature, Sciences, Business and Valour.

The Polity:

The Art, Architecture, Literature and Science:

The Literatteurs:

The Academicians

The Intellectuals

The Playback Singers

  • Sunidhi Chauhan

The Film Actors

The Business:

  • Shri Ramesh Chauhan, owner of the famous Parle-G Biscuits.

The Sports:

The Defence Forces:

  • General Maharaj K.S. Rajendrasinhji, Chief of Indian Army.
  • Admiral V.S. Shekhawat, Chief of Indian Navy.
  • Admiral Madhavendra Singh, Chief of Indian Navy.
  • Brigadier Surendra Singh Panwar
  • Brigadier Mahipat singh Panwar AVSM
  • Lt.Col.Laxman Singh Bhati

The Param Vir Chakras (Highest gallantry award in India):

The Maha Vir Chakras (Second highest gallantry award in India):

Vayu Sena Gallantry Medal:

The Victoria Crosses:

The Finest Stories of the Rajput Valour

A former Indian customs officer , he is well known for the Bold Seizure of 113 numbers of the Illegal Silver ingots weighing 3.5 tonnes & worth Rupees 2.5 Crores effected by him under most adverse circumstances in the dead of the night in the face of a group of 25-30 smugglers at a remote sea beach on the Western Indian shores in 1991. The Indian Customs authorities used following expression about this splendid accomplishment  :"...Shri Sher Singh Parmar then Inspector of Customs Harnai Port...booked a seizure case of smuggled silver worth Rs. 2.50 Crores (Approx.) displaying exemplary bravery , resourcefulness and boldness on 30-1-1991 at Anjarla - Sawani (Taluka Dapoli, Dist. Ratnagiri ) a remote western Indian Sea-Shore."

He joined the Central Excise Department, Government of India as an inspector in the year 1999. He exhibited commendable initiative in the collection of intelligence and preventive activities. While working at the Harnai Customs Office, he received an urgent call around 0030 hours on the midnight of 30th of January, 1991 to seize the silver that was being landed illegally at Sawani-Anjarle beach, a remote spot some 7-8 kilometre away from the customs office . He immediately rushed to the spot with just one sepoy at his disposal . On reaching the Paj-Anjarle creek, 4 kilometre away from the customs office, with great difficulties he persuaded the Hody Owner to ferry him and his sepoy on to the other side of the creek. Nearing the Landing Spot, he noticed 25-30 smugglers .He had just one sepoy. Time was crucial . It was a no-win situation. However, he decided to take risk to his own life and ordered his sepoy to open fire in different directions at different angles. He himself opened fire from the revolver bursting the tyres of the Vehicles (a truck tempo and a Hero-Honda motorcycle) parked there that were meant to carry the contraband goods and smugglers. He shouted the names of his seniors/juniors/colleagues who were actually not present on the scene. He flashed torchlight from different positions on the beach. He boldly challenged the fleeing smugglers to face him. But, by 0130 hours the smugglers leaving the contraband goods behind fled away thinking that they were attacked by a big force of Customs Officers . This courageous step, exemplary bravery, presence of mind and resourcefulness helped him outwit a well equipped and numerically a bigger number of smugglers. At 0330 hours, he was joined by his another sepoy. He alongwith his sepoys safeguarded the contraband goods till 0700 hours in the morning when the seizure was formally effected after the arrival of a bigger force of Customs Officers on the Landing Spot. This resulted into the seizure of Silver and other contraband goods which were valued at Rupees 2.5 Crores approximately then in 1991.

A firebrand Customs Officer of Pune Customs, he was deployed at the Bankot creek, one of the most vulnerable points along the western Indian coast, in the critical period of January and February, 1993 during the hey days of RDX and other ammunitions smuggling, but he successfully ensured that there was no such incident in his charge. Whereas the Customs Officers of Mumbai Customs just across the Bankot creek fell prey to help the smugglers smuggle-in RDX and other ammunitions which ultimately was used in the inhuman serial bomb blasts that rocked Mumbai in March, 1993 causing enormous death and destruction.


References

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