27 Facts About Rajput

Rajput is a large multi-component cluster of castes, kin bodies, and local groups, sharing social status and ideology of genealogical descent originating from the Indian subcontinent.

The term Rajput covers various patrilineal clans historically associated with warriorhood: several clans claim Rajput status, although not all claims are universally accepted.

Several Rajput-ruled kingdoms played a significant role in many regions of central and northern India from seventh century onwards.

Over time, the term "Rajput" came to denote a hereditary political status, which was not necessarily very high: the term could denote a wide range of rank-holders, from an actual son of a king to the lowest-ranked landholder.

Gradually, the term Rajput came to denote a social class, which was formed when the various tribal and nomadic groups became landed aristocrats, and transformed into the ruling class.

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Scholarly opinions differ on when the term Rajput acquired hereditary connotations and came to denote a clan-based community.

The emergence of Rajput community was the result of a gradual change from mobile pastoral and tribal groups into landed sedentary ones.

The membership of the Rajput class was now largely inherited rather than acquired through military achievements.

Rajput kingdoms were disparate: loyalty to a clan was more important than allegiance to the wider Rajput social grouping, meaning that one clan would fight another.

Rajput ruled kingdoms repelled early invasions of Arab commanders after Muhammad ibn Qasim conquered Sindh and executed last Hindu king of the region Raja Dahir.

Legendary accounts state that from 1200 CE, many Rajput groups moved eastwards towards the Eastern Gangetic plains forming their own chieftaincies.

Some Rajput nobles gave away their daughters in marriage to Mughal emperors and princes for political motives.

However, David Ochterlony, who was in charge of the Rajput states broke the promise to not interfere as in his view interferences would save the states from "ruin".

Kunwar Singh, a Rajput Zamindar was an important leader in Bihar region in the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

Rajput gives examples of rebels who easily found safe havens in villages of Chittor without arrests.

On India's independence in 1947, the princely states, including those of the Rajput, were given three options: join either India or Pakistan, or remain independent.

Rajput politics refers to the role played by the Rajput community in the electoral politics of India.

In medieval Rajasthan and its neighbouring areas, the word Rajput came to be restricted to certain specific clans, based on patrilineal descent and intermarriages.

Lindsey Harlan in her study as documented in "Religion and Rajput Women" has praised the selfless and sacrificing character of a traditional Rajput woman.

Once a Rajput woman is married she has to take an active part in the traditions of her husbands house, the traditions of her own house are abandoned.

Rajput women are expected to change the way they dress, they have to wear traditional clothes during ceremonies and weddings but in their own house they can wear sarees and even clothes that they brought from their own house.

Traditional Rajput woman whose husband has passed is a sativrata where sat stands for "good".

Rajput is considered a woman of strong morals due to the duties she performed as a pativrata in the lifetime of her husband.

Rajput is believed to be benevolent and satvik and never causes any harm.

Rajput adds that evidence shows that the assumption made by officials of the time that female infanticide among clans was a result of poverty and inability to pay dowry is incorrect.

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Historically, members from the Rajput ruling clans of Rajasthan have practised polygamy and took many women they enslaved as concubines from the battles which they won.

Term Rajput painting refers to works of art created at the Rajput-ruled courts of Rajasthan, Central India, and the Punjab Hills.