Talk:Rajput/Temp

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A Rajput (from Sanskrit rāja-putra, "son of a king") is a member of a prominent caste or group which lives throughout northern and central India, primarily in the northwestern state of Rajasthan.

They are thought to number about {I don't know where that 12 million figure came from and I don't want it unless it's sourced}. Any estimates of those claiming Rajput lineage or caste are necessarily inexact. The Indian census has not recorded caste affiliation since 1931 (except in the case of Backward or Scheduled Castes).

Definitions of Rajput[edit]

From the point of view of caste[edit]

There are many who see a Rajput as defined by his or her "jati", or sub-caste. Hindu Rajputs consider themselves members of the Vedic warrior caste, or Kshatriya varna. As caste is theoretically defined by descent, Rajputs place a good deal of emphasis on lineage, and the maintenance of lineage records. However, they do not regard lineage as the sole determinant of Rajput status. They argue that if a Rajput converts to another religion, so that he or she is no longer a Hindu, then he or she is necessarily outcaste, without caste, and cannot be a Rajput. (Need sources. Not editors here, real sources.)

From the point of view of lineage[edit]

Yet others argue that a Rajput is defined by his or her lineage alone. They claim that a Rajput who converts to Islam or Christianity remains a Rajput. There are followers of all four major religions of the sub-continent (Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Sikhism) who believe that they are Rajputs.

Those who take a lineage view of Rajput identity point to an essay by the late Victorian British official Denzil Ibettson found in the 1883 census of the Punjab. Ibettson accepts Rajput identity as a lineage, not a caste. Critics of the "Hindu-only" view say that this view is a recent development, one strongly influenced by the anti-Muslim Hindutva creed of groups like the Sangh Parivar.

The negotiation of status[edit]

Historians and social scientists who have studied the Indian caste system have argued that the caste system, far from being static, is constantly in flux as lower-ranking castes try to improve their status. As Rajput status is prestigious, many families or lineages have an interest in claiming this status. However, these claims may not be accepted by other "Rajputs", or by the community at large, that is by non-Rajputs.

Historically, the lower-ranking castes of northern India have been fairly successful in assuming higher-caste status. XXX's 19XX study of caste points out that in southern India (which never underwent a Muslim conquest), Brahmins and Kshatriyas, the two highest castes, comprise only X% of the population. In northern India, XX% of the population claims to be Brahmin or Kshatriya. (Sorry, don't have these figures on the top of my head, need to check my notes.)

From this point of view, disagreement about who is or is not a member of a caste is endemic to the Indian social system, and the argument over the Rajput status of non-Hindus is yet another instance of this boundary negotiation.

Origins[edit]

Rajputs usually trace their origins to one of three basic stocks: the Surya Vansi (Solar Race), the Chandra Vansi (Lunar Race), and the Agni kula (Fire Born). Various myths recount the divine beginnings of each of these lineages.

Historians believe that these myths are a later pious gloss upon the facts -- the rise of a number of petty kingdoms after the fall of the Gupta dynasty of the northern sub-continent in the 7th century CE. Some claim that these princedoms were founded by some of the same Central Asian invaders who helped bring down the Guptas; others see a native origin for these small kingdoms.

Whatever their origins, the leaders of these principalities believed themselves to be of elevated birth, and insisted on marrying only within their ranks. Thus a congeries of small, constantly feuding kingdoms gave rise to a cohesive social group that regarded itself as Rajput.

From the 7th through the 12th centuries, the Rajputs were left in control of the northwestern sub-continent. They fought constant border wars with the Muslim princes who controlled Afghanistan, Baluchistan, and Sind, on the western bank of the Indus river. Towards the end of this period, Turkic Muslim groups grew ever bolder in their attacks east of the Indus. At the end of the 12th century, the Delhi Sultanate was established. Under various rulers and dynasties, the Delhi Sultanate expanded across the north of the sub-continent. The Rajputs never succeeded in establishing a common front against the Muslim forces, but individual rulers and princedoms distinguished themselves in these wars -- sometimes on opposing sides.

During the centuries of Muslim rule, before the advent of the British Raj in the 18th century, Rajputs to a great extent managed to keep both their principalities and their Hindu faith. However, there were numerous instances of conversion to Islam or later, to Sikhism. There was a further erosion of Rajput status during British rule, as Rajput rulers became mere figureheads, and a complete loss of state-level power after the Partition of India, when the new Indian government took complete control and instituted land reform.

Contemporary Rajputs[edit]

Over the centuries, the Rajputs became less of a royal caste, and more of a dominant caste. Not just rulers and generals, but village landowners claimed Rajput status. (Isn't it true that there are humble villages today where EVERYONE except the untouchables claims to be Rajput?)

Contemporary Rajputs, whatever their social status or occupation, still take pride in their royal ancestors and their martial exploits. A male Rajput is expected to be strong, forthright, and brave. (Female Rajputs? Characteristics?)

(More contemporary stuff here, please.)

Prominent Rajput clans[edit]

See also[edit]

[Jarral] Rajouri Rulers [(http://www.geocities.com/jarralrajputs/)] Chib (Kashmir) Dogra (Kashmir) Mungral (Kashmir)

References[edit]

Ibbetson, Denzil -- 1916 Panjab Castes; Being a Reprint of the Chapter on "The Races, Castes and Tribes of the People" in the Report on the Census of the Panjab, published in 1883 by the late Sir Denzil Ibbetson, K.C.S.I. Lahore: Government Printing, Punjab



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