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The Rajputs (Hindi and Rajasthani: राजपूत Rājpūt) are a group of related ruling clans in Rajasthan and surrounding areas in South Asia. They were the most important Hindu power in northwestern India during the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire.
Understand
[edit | edit source]Early Rajputs
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The Rajputs trace their origins to the Pratihara Empire (730–1036), which covered present-day Rajasthan, Gujarat and western Madhya Pradesh until its victory in the Tripartite Struggle in 816 in which Pratiharas secured the throne of Kanyakubja (present-day Kannauj). The Pratiharas are known for their sculptures, carved panels and open pavilion-style temples. The empire was weakened by dynastic strife and further diminished due to a raid by the rival Rashtrakuta Empire.
By then, several feudatories became increasingly powerful and declared their independence. By the 10th century, the Pratiharas dwindled to a small state centred on Kanyakubja. Mahmud Ghaznavi captured Kanyakubja in 1018, and the Pratihara ruler Rajapala fled. Chandela ruler Vidyadhara later killed him and surrendered to Ghaznavi. They ruled the Pratihara kingdom as a vassal state till 1036.
The Tomars (736–1152) ruled over Delhi and Haryana. Anangpal Tomar was instrumental for constructing the Lal Kot (literally "Red Fort") in South Delhi. In 1180, Prithviraj Chauhan conquered the fort and renamed it "Qila Rai Pithora" (Fort of King Prithviraj).
The Chauhans (551–1194) ruled parts of Rajasthan from Shakambhari (present-day Sambhar) and later Ajayameru (present-day Ajmer). They fought battles with other Rajputs and reached its peak under Vigraharaja IV (reign: 1150–1164). However, the independent Chauhan rule came to an end in 1192 when Muhammad Ghori defeated Prithviraj Chauhan (Prithviraja III, reign: 1177–1192) in the Second Battle of Tarain and executed him, installing his son Govindaraja IV as a vassal. Hariraja later rebelled against Ghori but was defeated in 1194, leading him and his entire family to commit suicide by self-immolation.
The Kalachuris (675–1212) ruled over northern and central India, with their capital in Tripuri (present-day Tewar near Jabalpur). The dynasty reached its zenith under Lakshmikarna (reign: 1041–1073), and it gradually declined after his death. The territories eventually came under the control of the Paramaras and the Chandelas, and ultimately the Delhi Sultanate.
The Chandelas (831–1315) ruled over Bundelkhand (present-day eastern Madhya Pradesh and southern Uttar Pradesh) and fought battles with other Rajputs. They are famous for the erotic temple complex of Khajuraho, their original capital. The Chandelas subsequently faced raids from Muslim dynasties, most notably from Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the viceroy of Delhi under Ghori, leading to its decline and fall, as well as the rise of other Rajput dyansties like the Bundelas, Baghelas and Khangars.
The Solankis (940–1244) ruled over Gujarat from Anahilavada (present-day Patan). They are best known for the Rani-ki-Vav (Queen's Stepwell), and they witnessed the raid of the Somnath Temple in Veraval by Ghaznavi during 1024–25. The kingdom was later weakened by internal rebellions, uprisings by feudatories, and successive invasions.
The Paramaras (948–1305) ruled over the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh from Dhar. The dynasty reached its zenith under Bhoja (reign: 1010–1055), with his empire extending from Chittorgarh to Konkan, and from the Sabarmati River to Vidisha. The Paramaras patronised Sanskrit poets and scholars, and Bhoja was himself a renowned scholar. In 1305, Sultan Alaudin Khalji of Delhi killed Mahalakadeva (reign: 13th century–1305), the last Paramara king.
The Dogras (850–1947) were some of the rare pre-Islamic Rajput rulers to continue governing their region till India's independence in 1947. Jambu Lochan is often credited with founding the city of Jammu, and the Sikh Empire recognised Jammu as a vassal state in 1820. Jammu later accepted British suzerainty in 1846, took over the Kashmir Valley, and made Srinagar its summer capital. Hari Singh (reign: 1925–1947), the last ruler of Kashmir, faced a Pakistan-backed invasion from the northwest in 1947, forcing him to join the Union of India for military assistance. The Indian military successfully captured two-thirds of Kashmir in October 1947, leaving the remining third under Pakistani control since then.
Muslim and British periods
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The Tomars (1390–1518), originally feudatories of the Delhi Sultanate, ruled from Gwalior and patronised music and cultural activities in the city. They built many palaces and temples inside Gwalior Fort, the most famous one being the Man Mandir by Man Singh Tomar (reign: 1486–1516). The empire reached its zenith under Man Singh, and he is best known for resisting invasions from Sultan Sikandar Khan Lodi with his hit-and-run tactics. Man Singh died in 1516, and Sikandar Lodi also died a year later. His son Vikramaditya (1516–1523) signed a peace treaty with Ibrahim Lodi, forcing him to surrender the fort.
The Rathores (1226–1947) were rulers of the Marwar region of Rajasthan. They resisted Mughal invasions under Rao Ganga (reign: 1515–1532) and Maldeo Rathore (reign: 1532–1562). Marwar remained independent till its annexation by the Mughals in 1581, and it was converted into a vassal state in 1583. However, the state again came into a period of conflict with the Mughals after the death of Jaswant Singh in 1678, and Durgadas Rathole free Marwar from the Mughals after 31 years of war. The kingdom was later overrun by the Maratha hordes of Scindia and Holkar, and its once-renowned army got thinned down due to internal wars and rebellions by its nobles, forcing the Rathores to seek British aid. Man Singh accepted British suzerainty in 1818. They continued fighting for the British like other princely states and later joined the Union of India in August 1947.
The Sisodias (1326–1947) were rulers of the Mewar region of Rajasthan, and they were characterised by their military prowess and territorial expansion. They are best known for resisting Mughal invasions, most notably by Maharana Pratap (reign: 1572–1597), as well as the tradition of self-immolation by women (जौहर jauhar) during defeats. The Marathas claim lineage from the Sisodias. The forts of Chittorgarh and Kumbhalgarh are often called the jewels of Rajput architecture. After the fall of the Mughal Empire, the Sisodias accepted British suzerainty in 1818 and joined the Union of India in 1947.
Post-independence
[edit | edit source]After joining the Union of India, the 22 Rajput princely states came together to form the state of Rajasthan (Land of Kings) in 1950 with the capital in Jaipur. The estates, treasures and practices of former Rajput rulers now form a key part of Rajasthan's tourism.
Destinations
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Rajasthan
[edit | edit source]- 1 Ajmer —
- 2 Bikaner —
- 3 Chittorgarh —
- 4 Jaipur —
- 5 Jaisalmer —
- 6 Jodhpur —
- 7 Kumbhalgarh —
- 8 Udaipur —