Society under Rajputs

Introduction: 

Rajputs were the strength, power and courage in the human form. They considered being the fearless warriors as their ‘dharma’ and fought with the fierce spirit. But the supremacy of Rajputs lies in their generosity and kind heart. They were brave and arrogant enough to be entitled as the illustrious fighters and had that stamp forever with them. The inception of the Rajput ruling period was the 6th century till the 12th century, which is marked with their devisely fighting spirit. The land of Rajputs was termed as Rajputana, a region in South Asia, including the present-day northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan.

Rajputs – Foreword

‘Rajput’ is a Sanskrit word that means ‘son of a king’. Courage, Loyalty, and Royalty are the glorious make-up of their personality definition. The origin of Rajput was from eastern, western, northern parts of India and some parts of Pakistan. They ruled over the princely states of Suhastra and Rajasthan until the 20th century. 

The word “Rajput” refers to a group of castes, clans, and lineages. It’s a nebulous phrase, and there’s no general agreement on which clans comprise the Rajput group. The title Rajput came to be restricted to particular distinct clans in mediaeval Rajasthan (historical Rajputana) and its surrounding areas, based on patrilineal descent and intermarriages. The Rajput groups in the eastern part of Rajasthan, on the other hand, were more fluid and inclusive.

Rajputs are divided into numerous significant subdivisions known as vansh or vamsha, a step below the super-division jti. They are separated into three major vansh, denoting claimed heritage from diverse sources. Suryavanshi means descent from the sun god Surya, Chandravanshi (Somavanshi) means descent from the moon god Chandra, and Agnivanshi means descent from the fire god Agni. Parmar, Chalukya (Solanki), Parihar, and Chauhan are among the Agnivanshi clans. 

People’s Social and General Situation

• The Rajput culture and civilisation were dominated by conquests and won in wars
• The society also suffered due to the wide discrepancy in people’s living standards, they had caste and creed systems in place
• Ministers, bureaucrats, and feudal chiefs belonged to the upper class, and as such, they were able to live in luxury and grandeur, allowing them to accrue fortune
• The Rajputs flaunted their wealth by having Harems and many servants
• On the other hand, peasants were saddled with land revenue and other taxes levied by feudal lords with brutality or forced to perform forced labour

Women’s Situation

1. Although the Rajputs valued women’s honour and treated them with respect, they lived in an inauthentic and crippled society.
2. The right to study the Vedas was restricted to low-caste women. Higher-income households, on the other hand, obtained more schooling. Women’s rights were severely restricted. They were expected to sacrifice themselves beside their husbands’ bodies cheerfully.
3. There was no ‘purdah’ system in place. Even though the ‘Swayamvar’ kind of marriage was popular in some royal houses.

Science and Education

1. Only Brahmans and a few upper-class families were allowed to attend school during Rajput rule.
2. The most popular topics for study and conversation were religion and philosophy.
3. However, as society became more restrictive, the overall evolution of scientific knowledge slowed and thought was primarily confined to conventional philosophy. Science also did not have the right scope or chance to develop during this time.

Architectural Framework

1. The Rajputs were notable builders who lavished their riches and valour on constructing forts, palaces, and temples to demonstrate their generosity and courage. During this time, temple construction reached its pinnacle.
2. They were also famed for their accuracy and high-quality irrigation canals, dams, and reservoirs, which are still revered today.
3. The Rajput emperors built the foundations for several cities, later embellished with majestic palaces and forts and are now recognised as Heritage Cities.
4. The Victory Tower at Chittor Fort, the Lake Palace at Udaipur, the Hawa Mahal, and the Astronomical Observatory erected by Sawai Jai Singh in the 18th century are a few examples of intricate Rajput architecture.

History of Rajputana

Rajputana, also known as Rajwar, was a former group of princely states in northern India that included what is now the Rajasthan state. The word “Rajputana” means “Rajput Land.” The area, which covered 132,559 square miles, was divided into two sections: the area northwest of the Aravalli Range and the area southeast of the range, which was generally higher and more fertile. As a result, the entire region became a compact block occupying the hill and plateau terrain between the northern Indian plains and peninsular India’s major plateau.

Rajputana was made up of 23 states, one chiefdom, one estate, and the Ajmer-Merwara British district. The bulk of governing princes were Rajputs, warrior monarchs from Rajputana, who first arrived in the area in the 7th century. The largest states were Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Jaipur, and Udaipur. The process of state consolidation began in 1947, and the state of Rajasthan was formed as a result. Some of Rajputana‘s previous territory in the southeast now belongs to the state of Madhya Pradesh, while others in the southwest now belong to the state of Gujarat.

Conclusion

The term “Rajput” refers to several Kshatriya or warrior castes. The Rajput culture of India is alive and well. Rajputs are revered as Hindu dharma’s champions (faith). They have left an indelible impact on India, especially in Rajasthan. Rajputs are thought to be descended from Central Asian tribes like the Parthians, Kushans, Shakas, and Huns. These clans arrived in India as invaders and rose to the position of kings or rulers. They frequently married Hindu women of high rank or converted to Hinduism. Some Rajputs are Hindu, while others are Muslim or Sikh. Rajput monarchs practised religious tolerance to varying degrees.