Religion : Hindu
Varna : Kshatriya
Clans : The Rajputs are divided into 36 clans, each clan belonging to one of three basic lineage (vanshas or vamshas):
Language : Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati. Rajputs of Rajasthan may speak Rajasthani dialects eg, Rajput Garasia, Loarki/Gade Lohar or Gaddi
Regional Spread : Mainly northern India, Rajasthan and Gujarat
Traditional Occupation : Agriculture, Rajputs are mainly landowners
Population : Around 40 million in India
Time of Origin : Between 6th and 8th centuries BC
Place of Origin : Rajasthan and Gujarat
Food Habits : Like both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food
Marriage Preference : Prefer intra-caste marriages
The Rajputs (from the Sanskrit tatpurusha compound rajaputra, "son of a king") are a social group of northern India and Gujarat. The Rajputs are known to be martial in spirit, fiercely proud and independent, and are said to emphasize lot on lineage and tradition. Patriotism of Rajputs is legendary, as it is an ideal they carry out with a fanatical zeal. Rajputs are known to choose death before dishonor. Rajput warriors were often known to fight until the last man. The practice of Jauhar and Saka was followed only in Rajput communities.
History and Origin : According to Hindu Puranic legends, the Rajputs first came into historical prominence between the 6th and 8th centuries BC as a set of inter-marrying tribes located in central India and Rajasthan. The Rajputs were allegedly migrants to India from Central Asia who mingled with the aboriginal tribes and were given Kshatriya, or warrior status by the priests.
The term Rajputra was first used by Harshavardhan (606-648 AD) of Kannauj. The term was used for the descendants of the Turkic-Shahi dynasty present in Kashmir in Rajatarangini of Kalhana. The 36 Rajput clans are first mentioned in Kumarpala Charita of Jayasimha and then in Prithviraj Raso of Chandbardai. The Rajputs are said to have played a significant role in providing resistance to Mughals.
Later History : At the time of India's independence in 1947, Rajput rulers of Rajputana and Central India acceded to newly independent India. Rajputana was renamed Rajasthan and became an Indian state in 1950. The Maharajas were given special recognition and an annual amount termed Privy Purse was endowed them. Many of the Rajput Maharajas entered politics and served India as elected representatives. In 1971, Indian Government "de-recognized" the Maharajas and abolished the privy-purses. As a result, the Maharajas had to transform some of their palaces into hotels and tourist destinations. Today, the Maharajas still fulfill some of the ceremonial duties as recognized elders and private citizens in India.