What do we know about Rajput Origin? There are several theories about Rajput Origin. But, first let us understand what happened after the Gupta Dynasty.

AFTERMATH OF THE GUPTA DYNASTY

Different sects like Malav, Yodhay, Shivi etc. were partially controlled by the Gupta dynasty. After the fall of the Guptas these sects became independent. They started quarrelling with each other in order to gain supremacy. This was the time when the Hunas attacked the region. However, Yashovarman of Malwa would conquer the Hunas by around 532 AD. He forced the Hunas to settle like peaceful citizens. Hence, for some time, there was happiness and prosperity in the region.

After his death, the situation became bad once again and there was huge unrest in the region. During this time, around the 7th century, Harshvardhan brought about temporary peace in the area. However, the situation had already gone out of hand and after his death in 648 AD, the situation only worsened.

THE IMPACT OF JAINISM

Jainism had a huge impact in the area. It helped unite people of different races and origins. Now, along with the war attributes of the people, they also developed traits of local religion and traditions. As a result, the foreigners who were trying to destroy the land, started to help in developing the area. They slowly developed means of earning a living and also developed socio-political system.

The religious priests found them as protectors of Hindus and Jains. They started accepting them as Kshatriyas. They gave them the title of Rajputra (royal sons). In due course, Rajputra became Rajput and they were considered as equal to Kshatriyas.

THE INITIAL PHASE

The groups which had established a friendly relationship, started to establish political control over the surrounding areas. Several Rajput groups came from areas of Gujarat, Punjab and the plain lands of Ganga – Yamuna  and settled in different parts of Rajasthan. They had to cross several forests, rocky areas, mountains, water bodies and deserts to search for proper dwelling places. Hence, they took a long time to settle in. The important initial groups consisted of the following among others:

  1. Pratihar and Rathor of Marwad
  2. Guhila of Mewar, Chauhan of Sambhar
  3. Maurya of Chittor
  4. Chwda of Bheemnal and Abu
  5. Kachhwaha of Amber
  6. Bhati of Jaisalmer

START OF THE RAJPUTS

What information do we have about the Rajput Origin? There are several theories and we will go through each one of them. If you are interested in any particular theory, you can click on the same. We will try to decode what historians think about the Rajput Origin. Regardless of their origin, one thing that is certain is that the architecture and culture of the Rajputs have always been exemplary.

Jantar Mantar: An apt example of the cultural developments and transition in Rajasthan from the early Rajput Origin
Jantar Mantar at Jaipur, Rajasthan (Pic: Public Domain, Link)
  1. Agnivanshi
  2. Suryavanshi and Chandravanshi
  3. Foreign Lineage
  4. Gurjar Vansh
  5. Brahman Vansh

AGNIVANSHI THEORY OF RAJPUT ORIGIN

To give importance to the theory of the Rajputs being of a high and pure community, they have been called Agnivanshis. It finds one of the first mentions in Chand Bardai’s Prithviraj Raso. He writes that the Pratihar, Parmar, Chalukya and Chauhan clans originated from the yagna kunda of Sage Vashishta. The purpose was to protect the sages from the demons. Nancy and Suryamall supported this theory.

However, there are some vagaries in the above theories. Chand Bardai himself has mentioned in his book that 36 clans of the Rajputs were Suryavanshi, Chandravanshi and Yaduvanshi. Several other texts do not support this theory. This is thus, mostly considered as poetic imagination.

SURYAVANSHI AND CHANDRAVANSHI THEORY OF RAJPUT ORIGIN

Dr. Hirachand Gaurishankar Ojha has not accepted the Agnivanshi theory. He told that Rajputs are Suryavanshi and Chandravashi. He spoke about evidences from Nath Abhilekh (971 AD), Atpur Lekh (977 AD), Abu Stone Carvings (1285 AD) etc. In these, Rajputs have been linked to Raghukul (the vansh of Lod Rama).

Some writers have claimed that Rathod were Suryavanshi while Chauhan as Chandravanshi. Based on these theories, they were called as Kshatriyas. However, here also, some have linked them to Indra, Vishnu etc. Hence, this theory also cannot be fully supported.

However, the main crux of the above is that around the 11th century, the Rajputs began to be accepted as Kshatriyas as they followed the Kshatriya duties by fighting the foreign invasions. As a result, this became popular later on and started to gain more acceptance.

FOREIGN LINEAGE THEORY OF RAJPUT ORIGIN

Colonel James Todd is referred to as the originator of Rajasthan History. He linked them to Saka and Scythians (who were of Iranian Origins). Several customs like Sun worship, Sati Pratha, Ashvamedh Yagna, Alcohol Consumption, weapons & horse worship etc. were old customs of the Sakas. The similarity of several mythological stories also led to this belief. Further to this, several foreign invaders came and mingled with the local people. The publisher of Colonel Todd’s book, William Crook also supported this theory. He claimed that due to the large time gap between the Vedic age kshatriyas and the Rajputs, it is not possible to link their dynasties.

GURJAR VANSH THEORY OF RAJPUT ORIGIN

Dr. Bhandarkar considered that the Rajputs emanated from Gurjar Vansh. By this, he supported the foreign origin theory. He believed that the Gurjars were a close relation to the Hunas. They are both of foreign origin. However, some Vaidyas do not agree to this theory. They say that the Rajputs have been called Gurjars as they had control over Gujarat and not because of their foreign origin.

BRAHMAN VANSH THEORY OF RAJPUT ORIGIN

Dr. Bhandarkar also mentions that some Rajputs were from religious sectors. For this, he takes the help of Bijolia Shilalekh. He believes that Rajshekhar Brahman married Avanti Sundari. This led to the start of the Chauhans. Kamkhya Raso also hints at the Chauhans emanating from the Brahmanas. Dr. Bhandarkar also believes that Guhil Rajput emanated from Nagar Brahmanas.

Dr. Ojha, however, refutes this theory. He mentions that the manuscripts referred to by Dr. Bhandarkar actually indicates that the Rajputs were Kshatriyas and not Brahmanas.

Bappa Rawal, who was from Guhil Vansh was from Anandpur Brahman clan. He later on became a ruler. He was an important ruler for the Mewar Dynasty and Rajputana (more on him later).

CONCLUSION

Can we arrive at a conclusion? It is tough. So many foreigners came to this land and became part of this area. So, it is possible that as a result of the mixed culture, the Rajputs could have emanated from them. It is also possible that not all are from the mixed origins. However, nothing is certain and it is tough to conclude primarily due to the huge time gap.

Source: The above article has been based on the book Rajasthan Ka Itihaas by Dr. Gopinath Sharma.

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