Indian People ~ Who Are The "Rajputs"?

Question

Who are the Rajputs and what Indian ethnicity do they belong to? For example are they punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi etc?

Thanks

Answer 1

Rajput constitute one of the major Hindu Kshatriya groups from India. They claim descent from ancient royal warrior dynasties of Kshatriyas. They are identified with the word "Rajanya" found in ancient Indian literature and trace their roots to Rajputana. In ancient times the son of a king was referred as to Rajput- Raja-putra. The Rajputs are comprised of many different clans.

The Sanskrit word Rajputra is found in the Vedas, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata. It has been used by Panini. The word Kshatriya was initially used for the community of warriors and rulers. After the passage of much time there were many Kshatriyas. Some of them left their traditional occupation. Some were still rulers and warriors. As a custom these kings married only with the daughters of kings. They were abundant in India. It is very clear from the Puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Prithviraj Raso, Akbarnama, and present genealogy that they intermarried with the royal families only. The rule of primogeniture allowed only the eldest male offspring of a king to succeed him. The rest were known as Rajputras. The word Rajput is claimed to be a corruption of Rajputra. Gradually it became a jati within the Kshatriya or warrior caste, however the Rajputs are often considered the elite of the Kshatriyas - at least by their own members.

The traditional occupations of the Rajputs is military service and at times agriculture. However, due to their natural ability in warfare and their discipline, this would give them opportunities to rise through the ranks and eventually become rulers or at least hold high positions in office.

The concept of the Raja-putra, or "son of a king," is mentioned in Vedic literature. Rajput, a shortened version of Raja-putra, is a name that has come to be associated with specific clans that would gain political importance in a given region. Because of the fluid social structure in early medieval India, a tribe could gain or lose its status based on its political importance, its occupation, and its survival or extinction. Many tribes over the course of time became extinct because of war, or relocated to another location and changed their names. Traditionally, 36 "royal races," or raj-kul, were known as Rajputs.

The term Rajputra was first used by Harshavardhan (606-648 AD) of Kannauj.

There is misconception that Rajputs are migrants to India from Central Asia who mingled with the aboriginal tribes and were given Kshatriya, or warrior status by the priests, however this view is not supported by the archaeological evidence that has come to light in the past century.[citation needed] ( Also see Death of the Aryan Invasion Theory)

During the rule of the British, Lieutenant Colonel James Tod visited Rajasthan and attempted to write a definitive list of the 36 Rajput tribes. However, everyone that he spoke to gave him varying lists of tribes. It can thus be concluded that a tribe that had furnished warriors or was politically dominant in a particular region can justly call itself a Rajput tribe.

Answer 2

leave it all, rajputs are said to be the descendents of foriegn clans or aryans.they consider themselves suryavanshi or chandra vanshi(as they came from west)

Answer 3

RAJPUTS are Hindu, they are from GUJARAT and RAJASTHAN in INDIA. Many years ago they did the job of securing their state's people. RAJPUTS are known for their bravery. ROYAL. OK!

Answer 4

the rajputs is generally the warrior clan of rajasthan .they have a great history building a many forts and palaces

Answer 5

the kings or ordinary people of rajasthan (marwad) are known as rajput in India before independence

Answer 6

Half these people are completely off or incorrect. The wikipedia article posted by someone is probably your best explanation but it wont answer your question.

Rajputra, means "son of the king" literally..over time its been shortened to Rajput. First of all, punjabi, gujarati, marthi etc is the term given to someone whos from punjab, gujarat, maratha etc. So if someone lives in these states and they are rajput then yes they are gujrati, rajasthani etc.

Rajputs are people of the 2nd caste- Kshatriya caste or "warrior/king" caste. Other groups can be classified as Kshatriyas (ie: vermas, guptas etc) (google it). They ruled India in ancient times and now many of them take up important government posts, are in the military, or own business empires. Alot of Rajputs have the last name Singh, but that doesnt mean they are sikh (a religion), punjabi (someone from punjab) or Jatts (a seperate caste subgroup). Today, Rajasthan has the highest concentration of Rajputs and thats because that is where most of the ancient clans settled (ie Aryan invasion theory). The palaces of Rajasthan are all owned/built by Rajputs.

So to summerize and answer your question: we do not belong to any one ethnicity as far as states go. Some classify Rajputs into their own ethnicity

Answer 7

RAJPUTS WILL BE RAJPUTS HOW CAN THEY BE PUNJABI MARATHI OR PUNJABI'S????????????

Answer 8

RAJPUTs are the people of Rajputana, Rajputana is well known as RAJASTHAN now days.

Answer 9

no...they are difft..they r hindus...but difft..from all these...like these...it is something...which has itzz own importance..!like the rest...

c...there are main 4....kshatriyas....brahamana...vaishya and shudra...

kshatriyas were those who were kings type off and used to fight in the battle-field....brahmana...u know..all those panditss type...then the vaishyas...they were those bankers type of much time back..and shudras were the lower-classes..

now.....ksatriyas include rajputs...jaats....gujjars...etc....

brahmana include panditss type..

vaishyas include baniyas....punjabis....etc...etc.

and shudras those lower class ppl..

hope u understud now..!!