Rajput history

The Rajput (from the Sanskrit tatpurusha compound rājaputra, "son of a king") are a ruling class of the Indian subcontinent and south east Asia. In the Hindustani language, those belonging to the Kshatriya (warrior) Varna (major subgroup) of Hindus are generally referred to as "Rajputs". They ruled in the Indian sub-continent from the 6th to the 20th century and in south east Asia from the 9th to 15th centuries. Nepal was the last empire of Rajputs, which ended in 1950. At the time of the Partition of India in 1947, Rajputs ruled in the "overwhelming majority" of the princely states of Rajasthan and Saurashtra, where the largest number of princely states were found.[1] Many Rajputs claim descent from Rama[2] and Krishna.[3] Contents [hide] 1 Origins 2 Early dynasties 3 Rajput resistance to Muslim invasions 3.1 Fall of Gupta Empire 3.2 Gaznavid invasions 3.3 Spread of the Gahadvalas, Chandels, Tomars, and Chauhans 3.4 Muhammad Ghori's invasion 3.5 Delhi Sultanate 3.6 Fight against Khiljis 3.7 Fight against Tuglaqs 3.8 Lodis and Mughals 3.9 Rajputs at the rise of the Mughals 3.9.1 Akbar and Rajputs 3.9.2 Jahangir and Rajputs 3.9.3 Aurangzeb and Rajput rebellion 4 Maratha domination and British rule 5 Independent India 6 See also 7 References 8 Sources Main article: Origin of Rajputs See also: Category:Chhatis Rajkul and Rajput clans With the aid of inscriptions and copper plates discovered, today it is possible to trace the history of the royal clans with considerable certainty. However, they were not available in the 17–18th century when a number of chronicles (khyats) were compiled, often based on oral tradition. By this time, the Agni-kunda myth had been expanded to explain the origin of four of the major clans. Colonel James Tod wrote his influential book The Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan in 1829 and 1832 on the basis of these chronicles. In the 1820s, Colonel Tod published a list of the 36 royal races (Chattis Rajkul) of India.[4][5] During 2nd-3rd century BC, there were 16 great kingdoms in India called Mahajanapadas. Each Mahajanapada had several janapadas, and their number was about 36. The 36 royal races include clans from the major Rajput groups of Suryavansha, Chandravansha, Agnivansha, and Nagvansha. [edit]Early dynasties Rajputras were ruling families of various states from ancient times.[citation needed] Most of them belonged to either the Suryavansha or Chandravanshi lineages. These families continued to rule until they were annexed by others. In modern times, of which written history is available as stone inscriptions and other sources, the first Rajput kingdoms are attested to in the 6th century. The Rajputs rose to prominence in the 5th and 6th centuries after the collapse of the Gupta empire. The Rajput empire spread in many countries: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Southeast Asia, and some parts of Tibet. The clans that descended from the Suryavanshi and Chandravanshi lineages rose to prominence first, followed by the Agnivanshi clans: the Gurjar Pratiharas (Parihars), Chauhans (Chamahanas), Solankis (Chaulukyas), and the Paramaras. [edit]Rajput resistance to Muslim invasionsRajput kingdoms contended with the rising and expansionist empires of Central Asia, be they Arabs, Moghuls, Mongols, Afghans, or other Turkic people. They earned their reputation by fighting battles with a code of chivalrous conduct rooted in their strong adherence to tradition and Hindu dharma. The Rajput kingdoms held out against the Arab Caliphates and other Central Asian Empires for several centuries. A few Rajput kings converted to Islam, and eventually an alliance formed with the Moghuls, which laid the foundations for the creation of the largest pre-colonial era empire in South Asia. hi this sultan 1) With a view for helping orphans, Children, Widows, Women and Men having low financial condition and below poverty line and such others. 2) For promoting of hospital facilities in every urgent medical cases in assistance with government help and facilities. 3) For performing the marriages of orphan Children and Girls below poverty line. 4) For providing the expenses of funerals in all respects by committee work and such other means. 5) For providing facilities to the children below poverty line in all type of educational Institution whether Government or Private. 6) For providing facilities to the “Minority communities” in the respect of rehabilitation and with a view of helping to the women suffering due to divorce. 7) For Rehabilitation of “Minority communities” below poverty line. 8) With a view for resolving the minor disputes caused or arisen in the family in all the types of family relations. 9) With a view for providing financial help, legal assistance and the medical assistance in the accident cases caused to the victims. 10) With a view for helping all the persons who affects due to natural calamities such as heavy rains, floods, earth quack and such other situations. 11) With a view for helping the girls of “Minority communities” who suffers due to bad elements or Raudisms in the society. [edit]Gaznavid invasions In the early 11th century, Mahmud of Ghazni conquered the Hindu-Shahi kingdom in the Punjab, and his raids into northern India weakened the Gurjar Pratihara kingdom, which was drastically reduced in size and came under the control of the Chandelas. Mahmud sacked some temples across northern India to stop idol worship, including the temple at Somnath in Gujarat, but his permanent conquests were limited to the Punjab. The early 11th century also saw the reign of the polymath king Raja Bhoj, the Paramara ruler of Malwa. [edit]Spread of the Gahadvalas, Chandels, Tomars, and Chauhans The Rajputs occasionally united against foreign invaders – once under Bappa Rawal, then under Shakti Kumar of Mewar and Jaypal Tomar. Once the foreign invasions stopped, the Rajputs fought each other in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Major wars broke out between the Tomars of Delhi and Gahadvalas of Kannauj. The Rathores, as the Gahadvala dynasty, established the kingdom of Kannauj, capturing it from Tomar rulers in the 11th century. The Rever dynasty established the kingdom of Tarangadh in 11th through the 12th century, and conquered Marwar in the 13th century. The Chandelas established Jejakbhukti and ruled from Mahoba. [edit]Muhammad Ghori's invasion Prithiviraj II, ruler of Delhi, crushed Muhammad of Ghor in 1191 at the First Battle of Tarain, with the help of his Bargujar allies and relatives. Ghori was captured. After Ghori sued for his life, he was let go, despite strong resistance from Prithviraj's generals. Ghori managed to defeat Prithviraj the following year at the Second Battle of Tarain, and the attacks of Muhammad's armies brought down the Gahadvala kingdom of Kannauj in 1194. [edit]Delhi Sultanate The Delhi Sultanate was founded by Qutb ud din Aybak, Muhammad of Ghor's successor, in the first decade of the 13th century. The Chauhans reestablished themselves at Ranthambore, led by Govinda Chauhan, grandson of Prithviraj III. Jalore was ruled by another branch of Chauhans, the Songaras. Another branch of the Chauhans, the Hadas, established a kingdom in Hadoti in the mid-13th century. [edit]Fight against Khiljis Sultan Ala ud din Khilji (1296–1316) conquered Gujarat (1297) and Malwa (1305), captured the fort of Mandu and handed it over to the Songara Chouhans. They captured the fortresses of Ranthambore (1301), Mewar's capital at Chittorgarh (1303), and Jalor (1311), after long sieges with fierce resistance from their Rajput defenders. Ala ud din Khilji also fought the Bhatti Rajputs of Jaisalmer and occupied the Golden Fort. [edit]Fight against Tuglaqs The Mewar reestablished their supremacy within 50 years of the sack of Chittorgarh, under Maharana Hammir. Hammir defeated Muhammad Tughlaq with Bargujars as his main allies, and captured him. Tughlaq had to pay a vhuge ransom and relinquish all of Mewar's lands. After this the Delhi Sultanate did not attack Chittorgarh for a few hundred years. The Rajputs reestablished their independence, and Rajput states were established as far east as Bengal and north into the Punjab. The Tomaras established themselves at Gwalior, and the ruler Man Singh Tomar built the fortress which still stands there. Mewar emerged as the leading Rajput state, and Rana Kumbha expanded his kingdom at the expense of the sultanates of Malwa and Gujarat. [edit]Lodis and Mughals The Delhi Sultanate recovered somewhat under the Lodi dynasty, and Rana Sanga of Mewar convinced Babur to challenge Ibrahim Lodi for control of the Delhi Sultanate, hoping that the struggle between Muslim rivals would allow the Rajputs to reclaim Delhi. Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat on 21 April 1526, and the Rana Sanga rallied a Rajput army to challenge Babur. Babur defeated the Rajputs at the Battle of Khanwa on 16 March 1527. The Rajput rulers agreed to pay tribute to Babur, but most retained control of their states, and struggles between Babur's successor Humayun and the Suri Dynasty for control of the Sultanate preoccupied the Muslims for several decades. [edit]Rajputs at the rise of the Mughals Soon after his defeat in 1527 at The Battle of Khanwa, Rana Sanga died in 1528. Bahadur Shah of Gujarat became a powerful Sultan. He captured Raiseen in 1532 and defeated Mewar in 1533. He helped Tatar Khan to capture Bayana, which was under Mughal occupation. Humayun sent Hindal and Askari to fight Tatar Khan. At the battle of Mandrail in 1534, Tatar Khan was defeated and killed. Puranmal, the Raja of Amber, helped the Mughals in this battle. He was killed in this battle. Now it became necessary for Humayun to crush the rising power of Bahadur Shah. While Bahadur Shah was besieging the fort of Chittorgarh, Humayun started against him. Hearing the news, the Rani Karmawati, widow of Rana Sanga, sent rakhi (passion flowers) to Hymayun. Humayun is considered to have accepted the rakhi, but stopped at Sarang Pur in January 1535. Mewar was weakened due to constant struggles. After a long wait, the Rajputs had a last fight on 8 March 1535, and Rani Karmawati, together with other women, committed Jauhar (mass suicide) the same day. Humayun now pursued Bahadur Shah. Later Bahadur Shah and Sher Shah Suri created many problems for Humayun, and he lost the empire. He regained the empire in July 1555, and died in January 1556. Akbar, the son of Humayun, tried to persuade Mewar to accept Mughal sovereignty, like other Rajputs, but Rana Udai Singh refused. Ultimately Akbar besieged the fort of Chittor in 1567. This time, Rana Udai Singh left the fort with his family. Jaimal Rathore of Merta and Fatah Singh of Kelwa were left to take care of the fort. On 23 February 1568, Akbar hit Jaimal Rathore, who was looking after the repair work, with his gun. That same night, the Rajput women committed jauhar (ritual suicide) and the Rajput men, led by the wounded Jaimal and Fatah Singh, fought their last battle. Akbar entered the fort, and at least 30,000 people were killed. Later Akbar placed a statue of these two Rajput warriors on the gates of Agra Fort. [edit]Akbar and Rajputs Akbar won the fort of Chittorgarh, but Rana Udai Singh was ruling Mewar from other places.[where?] On 3 March 1572 Udai Singh died, and his son, Rana Pratap, sat on throne at Gogunda. He vowed that he would liberate Mewar from the Mughals; until then he would not sleep on a bed, would not live in a palace, and would not have food on a plate (thali). Akbar tried to arrange a treaty with Rana Pratap, but did not succeed. Finally he sent an army under Raja Man Singh in 1576. Rana Pratap was defeated at the Battle of Haldighati in June 1576. Rana Pratap escaped from the battle and started guerrilla warfare with the Mughals. Ultimately he was successful in liberating most of the Mewar, except the fort of Chittorgarh. The Bargujars were the main allies of the Ranas of Mewar. Rana Pratap died on 19 January 1597, and Rana Amar Singh succeeded him. Akbar sent Salim to attack Mewar in October 1603, but he stopped at Fatehpur Sikri and sought permission from the emperor to go to Allahabad, and went there. In 1605 Salim sat on the throne and took the name of Jahangir. [edit]Jahangir and Rajputs Jahangir sent an army under his son Parvez to attack Mewar in 1605. A indecisive battle was fought at Debari. The Mughal emperor sent Mahabat Khan in 1608. He was recalled in 1609, and Abdulla Khan was sent. Then Raja Basu was sent, and Mirza Ajij Koka was sent. No conclusive victory could be achieved. Ultimately Jahangir himself arrived at Ajmer in 1613, and appointed Shazada Khurram to fight against Mewar. Khurram devastated the areas of Mewar and cut the supplies to the Rana. With the advice of his nobles and the crown prince, Karna, the Rana sent a peace delegation to Prince Khurram, Jahangir's son. Khurram sought approval of the treaty from his father at Ajmer. Jahangir issued an order authorising Khurram to agree to the treaty. The treaty was agreed between Rana Amar Singh and prince Khurram in 1615. The Rana of Mewar accepted Mughal sovereignty. Mewar and the fort of Chittorgarh was returned to Rana. The fort of Chittorgarh could not be repaired or renovated by Rana. The Rana of Mewar would not attend the Mughal court personally. The crown prince of Mewar would attend the court and give himself and his army to the Mughals. It was not necessary for the Rana to establish a marriage alliance with the Mughals. This treaty, considered respectable for both parties, ended the 88-year long enmity between Mewar and the Mughals. [edit]Aurangzeb and Rajput rebellion The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb (1618–1707), who was far less tolerant of Hinduism than his predecessors, placed a Muslim on the throne of Marwar when the childless Maharaja Jaswant Singh died. This enraged the Rathores, and when Ajit Singh, Jaswant Singh's son, was born after his death, the Marwar nobles asked Aurangzeb to place Ajit on the throne. Aurangzeb refused, and tried to have Ajit assassinated. Durgadas Rathore and the dhaa maa (wet nurse) of Ajit, Goora Dhaa (The Sainik Kshatriyas Gehlot Rajput of Mandore), and others smuggled Ajit out of Delhi to Jaipur, thus starting the thirty-year Rajput rebellion against Aurangzeb. This rebellion united the Rajput clans, and a triple-pronged alliance was formed by the states of Marwar, Mewar, and Jaipur. One of the conditions of this alliance was that the rulers of Jodhpur and Jaipur should regain the privilege of marriage with the ruling Sesodia dynasty of Mewar, on the understanding that the offspring of Sesodia princesses should succeed to the throne over any other offspring. This stipulation would lend itself to many future conflicts. [edit]Maratha domination and British rule The internal conflicts which existed among the Rajput communities were significant in enabling the Mughal invaders to achieve control over them, while nonetheless recognising the role of the Rajputs as a ruling class. [6] The quarrels among the Rajputs led to their inviting the Marathas for help in their power struggles; this resulted in the subjection of the Rajput states to the Marathas. Jodhpur was conquered by the Sindhia, who levied a tribute of 60,000 rupees, and took the fort and town of Ajmer. Internecine disputes and succession wars disturbed the peace of the early years of the 19th century, and few Rajput princes asked for British help from the Marathas during the Third Anglo-Maratha War of 1817–1818. At the conclusion of this war in 1818, 18 states in the Rajputana region, of which 15 were ruled by Rajputs, became princely states of the British Raj, while the British took direct control of Ajmer, which became the province of Ajmer-Merwara. A number of other Rajput states in central India, including Rewa, Ajaigarh, Barwani, Chhatarpur, Datia, Orchha, Samthar and Ratlam, became princely states as well, and were placed under the authority of the Central India Agency. [edit]Independent India On India's independence in 1947, the princely states, including those of the Rajput, were given three choices: join either India or Pakistan, or remain independent. Rajput rulers 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 Indira Gandhi "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 the ceremonial duties of the monarchs of former princely states. [edit]See also Battle of Rajasthan Yadav Ahir clans

[edit]References ^ Virbhadra Singhji. The Rajputs of Saurashtra. Popular Prakashan, 1994. ISBN 8171545467, 9788171545469. Pg vi ^ Edward Balfour (1885). The cyclopaedia of India and of eastern and southern Asia. B. Quaritch. pp. 701–. Retrieved 25 April 2011. ^ Maud Diver (1971). Royal India: a descriptive and historical study of India's fifteen principal states and their rulers. Ayer Publishing. pp. 83–. ISBN 9780836921526. Retrieved 25 April 2011. ^ Tod, Col James, Annals of Rajasthan, Vol 1, Page 175 ^ Sherring,Matthew Atmore, Hindu Tribes and Castes, Volume 1, page 121 ^ Freitag, Jason (2009). Serving empire, serving nation: James Tod and the Rajputs of Rajasthan. BRILL. p. 25. ISBN 9789004175945. [edit]Sources Punjab Castes, Sir Denzil Ibbetson, 1916, part of Panjab Ethnography, Simla, 1883 (Report on Census of 1881, Punjab); reprinted in `Landmarks of Indian Anthropology', Vol. 17., Cosmo Publications, New Delhi 1987 Annals and Antiquities of Rajast'han, or The Central and Western Rapoot States of India, Lieut.-Col. James Tod in 2 vols., York Place, 1832, Routledge and Kegan Paul Ltd.; reprint K.M.N. Publishers, New Delhi 1971 . The Rajpoot Tribes, by C.T.Metcalfe, reprinted in Landmarks in Indian Anthropology, vol.52 (i) & (ii), Cosmo Publications, N.Delhi 1987; p. 1–257 in vol. 52(i), p. 257ff in vol. 52(ii) New South Asia Policy and Collapse of the Brahminist Empire in South Asia, by G.S.Khalsa, published by Dr.Paramjit Singh Ajrawat, Sikh Educational Press, Canada 1997. The People of India, by Sir H.H.Risley, 1915 2nd ed., ed. by Sir W. Crooke 1969 Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum, Several volumes published during the 20th century An Introduction to Indian Historiography, A.K. Warder , Popular Prakashan 1972 Kshatriya Vamshavali (Hindi), Thakur Udaynarayan Singh, Khemaraj Shrikrishnadas, 1989 Jati Bhaskara, Jwalaprasad Mishra, 1914, Khemaraja Shrikrishnadas Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan (two volumes), Col. James Tod, published in 1829, 1832