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Rajput Caste

rajput Wedding

Religion : Hindu

Varna : Kshatriya

Clans : The Rajputs are divided into 36 clans, each clan belonging to one of three basic lineage (vanshas or vamshas):

  • - The Suryavanshi lineage, claiming descent from Surya, the Sun-God
  • - The Chandravanshi lineage, claiming descent from Chandra, the Moon-God
  • - The Agnivanshi lineage, claiming descent from Agni, the Hindu God of Fire

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

Famous Personalities

  • - Historical Heroes: Bappa Rawal, Prithviraj Chauhan, Rani Padmini, Rana Sanga, Rana Pratap, Mirabai
  • - In Modern Times: VP Singh (former PM), Chandra Shekhar (former PM), Jaswant Singh (politics), Bhairon Singh Shekhawat (politics), Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (sports)

About Rajputs

:

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.