Rajput History

Tales of Bravery and Treachery

Rajputs are a warrior clan settled in NW India. Rajput (from Sanskrit raja-putra, "son of a king" is a member of one of the warrior clans of the Indian subcontinent. They rose to prominence from the late 6th century CE, and, until the 13th century, the Rajput rulers dominated many regions of central and northern India including Punjab regions of India and Pakistan.

Rajput-Sikh Wedding in Punjab

The Rajput population and the former Rajput states are found spread through much of the subcontinent, particularly in north, west and central India. These areas include Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Jammu, Kashmir, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Sindh.

Origin of "Rajputs"

The origin of the Rajputs is the subject of debate. There is no mention of the term in the historical record as pertaining to a social group prior to the 6th Century AD. The collapse of the Gupta empire during the late 6th century, the invading Scythian (Saka) tribes were integrated within Indian society as ruling class. The first Saka king in India was Maues or Moga who established Saka power in Gandhara (Afghanistan) and gradually extended supremacy over Punjab and north-western India. The larger armed divisions from among the newcomers were assimilated into the Kshatriya ritual rank in the Hindu varna system as "Rajputs", while others who followed in smaller clans such as the Gujjars and Jats – were ranked as cattle herders or cultivators.

The Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty was an Indian imperial power that ruled much of Northern India from the mid-7th to the 11th century. The origin of the dynasty and the use of the term "Gurjara" in its name is a an indication of their origin. It is named after its origin from the Gujjar tribe, who settled in NW India in the 6th century.  The rulers of this dynasty used the self-designation "Pratihara" for their clan, which literally means "door-keeper". It's possible that the ancestors of the Pratiharas served Khatris (Kshatriyas) as door-keepers.

Agnikula Title

According to the Agnikula or Agnivansha legend given in the later manuscripts of Prithviraj Raso, the Pratiharas and three other Rajput dynasties originated from a sacrificial fire-pit (agnikunda) at Mount Abu. This legend suggest a foreign origin for these dynasties and their assimilation into Indian caste system. According to this theory, the foreigner settlers were admitted in the Hindu caste system after performing a fire ritual at Mount Abu. During the reign of Mihira Bhoja (836–885 CE), the Pratihara Empire reached its peak of prosperity and power. The extent of its territory rivaled that of the Gupta Empire.

Rajputs of Punjab

The Khatris (Kshatriya) kingdoms of Punjab were in decline as the result of Mahabharata where majority of Punjabi kingdoms were on the side of Kauravas against the Pandavas supported by newcomer nomad Yadavs. The annihilation of Khatris in the hands of Persian invaders around 500 BC is documented in Indian mythology as destruction of kshatriyas by Parshu Rama (Parshu = Persia, Ram = King). They also bore the brunt of Greek invasion under Alexander, the Great in 320 BC. The scythian settlers filled in the vacuum and established new kingdoms across Punjab. Cities like Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Gujarat, Gojra, Sialkot, Bhatinda were stttled by these newcomers. Punjabi clans such as Rawals or Bhattis, Yodhyaa or Janjuas, Chauhans, Samra, Rathods, Sials, Mairs, Parmars, Minhas, and Dogras are the descendants of these kingdoms in Punjab.

Qila Mubarik, Bhatinda

Great Rajput Warriors

The Islamic expansionist had set their eyes on NW India after defeating the Persians and establishing Islamic sovereignty in Persia, The first to fall was the Indian kingdoms in Afghanistan - Gandhara, Taxila, and Kabul which were weakened by repetitive invasion by marauding White Huns (Ephthalites or Abdalis). After the fall of Sindh in the hands of Mohammad Bin Qasim, The Turkish settlers in Afghanistan were planning the annexation of the fertile plains of Punjab.Their major hurdle was Jayapala, the Rajput King of West Punjab (964 to 1001 CE). 

Raja Jaypal

Jayapala saw a danger in the consolidation of the Turkish Ghaznavids in Afghanistan and invaded their capital city of Ghazni both in the reign of Sebuktigin and in that of his son Mahmud. Sebuktigin, however, defeated him, and he was forced to pay an indemnity. Jayapala defaulted on the payment and took to the battlefield once more. Jayapala, however, lost control of the entire region between the Kabul Valley and Indus River. After losing the battle of Peshawar, he committed suicide because his subjects thought he had brought disgrace to the Rajput pride.

Raja Anandapal

Prince Anandapal ascended his father's throne in about March/April AD 1002 aand began his life long struggle against the Islamic invaders from Gazni. During his reign as king of West Punjab, many losses were inflicted on his kingdom by the Ghaznavids of Afghanistan. Anandpal made a last stand against Mahmud of Ghazni and lost the battle. He eventually signed a treaty with the Ghaznavid Empire in 1010 and shortly a year later died as a result of a natural death. His successor Trilochanpal rebelled but was killed by Gaznavi. His grandson Sukhpal converted to Islam and pledged allegiance to the Gaznavid empire.

Bhappa Rawal

Bappa or Bhappa Rawal played an important role in the Battle against the Arabs, a series of wars fought in the 8th century AD between the Rajput rulers of North-Western India and the Arabs of Sindh, in which the regional Indian rulers inflicted a resounding defeat on the invading Arabs. Bin Qasim was able to defeat Dahir in Sindh but was stopped by Bhappa Rawal. The Bhappa defeated and pursued Bin Qasim back to the western banks of the Sindh.

Prithviraj Chauhan

Rai Pithora, commonly known as Prithviraj Chauhan (1149–1192 CE), was a Rajput king of the Chauhan dynasty,who ruled Ajmer, Delhi, and Punjab during the latter half of the 12th century. Chauhan defeated Shahabuddin Muhammad Ghori in the First Battle of Tarain in 1191. Ghauri attacked for a second time the following year, whereupon Chauhan was defeated, captured at the Second Battle of Tarain (1192) and executed. Prithviraj Raso, a folkloric poem written by Chand Bardai, says that the death of Ghori was caused by Prithviraj with the help of Chadravardai and that afterwards they killed each other,This folktale is disputed by Afghan historians but the practice of slapping the grave of Prithviraj in Afghanistan by locals indicate the anger of Afghans towards Prithviraj borne out of the assassination of their king.

Rana Kumbha

Rana Kumbha successfully defended Mewar against the invading Afghan ruler Alhauddin Khilji. Bloodied by these engagements, the Sultan did not attack Mewar again. In order to commemorate his resounding victory over the Afghans, Rana Kumbha got the famed 37 meter, 9 storey high Vijay Stambha erected at Chittorgarh which was completed in 1448 CE. In a patricide, Rana Kumbha was killed by his son Udai Singh.

Maharana Pratap Singh

Pratap Singh (9 May 1540 – 29 January 1597) was the ruler of Sisodia clan from Mewar, Rajasthan. He was the eldest son of Udai Singh II, founder of Udaipur. The Battle of Haldighati was fought on 18 June 1576 for around 4 hours. Maharana Pratap is widely regarded as a fearless warrior and ingenious strategist, who successfully fought the Mughals and safeguarded his people until his death.

Treachery of Rajputs

The bravery of Rajput warriors is well documents but so is their treachery and how they gave priority to feudal upmanship against each other allowing the Islamic expansionists to get a firm stronghold in India. Infact the vast majority of Rajputs sided with the Mughals against Guru Gobind Singh, Banda Singh Bahadur, Rana Pratap, and other who stood up for their sovereignity

This subservient behavior was shamelessly exhibited as a demonstration of loyalty by married their young princesses to the Mughals. The first Mughal to marry a Rajput princess was Emperor Akbar who married Jodha Bai, a princess from the Jaipur royal family. Jodha Bai was the daughter of the Rajput Raja Bharmal of Amber. She was converted to Islam and named Mariam Zamani due to marriage with Akbar. Matrimony with the daughters/sisters of defeated Rajput Kings was also a strategy with him! Only two Rajput Kings- those of Mewar and Ranthambore- refused matrimonial alliance with Akbar.

His son, Emperor Jahangir married his cousin sister princess Manbhawati Bai of Amber. Manbhawati Bai was the daughter of Raja Bhagwant Das, who was the brother of Jodha Bai and son of Raja Bharmal. Jahangir's third wife and a favourite wife too, was another Hindu, the Princess Manmati who was the daughter of Raja Udai Singh of Jodhpur.

Now this explains the loyal contributions of the Rajput kingdoms of Jaipur and Jodhpur in establishing Mughal empire and oppressing their countrymen when they rose up for their sovereignty.

Raja Jaychand Rathod

Jaychand or Jayachandra was the Rajput king of Kannauj, who was political rival of Prithviraj Chauhan. Jaichand not only refused to help Prithviraj against the Ghurids, but also formed an alliance with the foreign invader Muhammad of Ghor. He divulged Prithviraj's war plans to the enemy. The name "Jaichand" became synonymous with the word "traitor" in Indian folklore because of this legend. 

Mirza Raja Jai Singh

Mirza Raja Jai Singh (1611 – 1667) was a senior general ("Mirza Raja") of the Mughal Empire and a ruler of the kingdom of Amber (later called Jaipur). He created matrimonial alliances with Akbar and Jahangir by marrying the princess to the Mughals. He campaigned for Mughal army against Shivaji, Maharana Pratap, His son Ram Singh, however was a reluctant patriot who helped Shivaji escape from Mughal prison and seek guidance from Guru Teg Bahadur in enacting a peaceful treaty in Assam.

Raja Man Singh

Raja Man Singh was Rajput King from Rajasthan and a trusted general of the Mughal emperor Akbar, who included him among his nine gems in the royal court. His daughter Manorama Bai was married to Crown Prince Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Emperor Shah Jahan and brother of Aurangzeb. He was famous for his rivalary with Maharana Pratap Singh. Maharana Pratap refused to attend dinner with Man Singh and sent his son "Kunwar" Amar Singh to dine with "Kunwar" Man Singh. Rana Pratap also made mockery of Man Singh as his aunt Jodhabai was married to Akbar. Man Singh took this as an insult to Akbar and himself. He knew Maharana Pratap was making an excuse to avoid him. He refused to dine with Amar Singh. He remarked, "I will come again and then will have a dinner". Understanding the hidden meaning a noble of Pratap remarked "well, don't forget to bring your uncle Akbar". This laid the foundation of war between the Mughals and Rana Pratap, who already had many decades of rivalry and enmity. 

Raja Ajmer Chand

Ajmer Chand, ruler of Kahlur (Bilaspur), one of the princely states in Punjab hills. He succeeded his father. Raja Bhim Chand, who had led battles against Guru Gobind Singh. Ajmer Chand, continued the hostility against the Guru. He formed a league of the hill chieftains and solicited help from Emperor Aurangzeb in order to evict Guru Gobind Singh from Anandpur which fell within his territory. Their siege of Anandpur in 1700 and 1703 proved abortive, but Guru Gobind Singh chose to to evacuate the citadel in 1705 after an appeal from Aurangzeb after a prolonged siege, and the promise of a safe passage for the Sikhs to Panjab. However, Ajmer Chand and the Mughal troops attacked the Sikh column as they were forging the rain swollen Sirsa river, forcing the Sikhs to separate in the confusion. They continued their pursuit of the Guru, his two eldest sons and 40 or so of his Sikhs to Chamkaur were the heavily outnumbered Sikhs put up a fierce defense.

Raja Chhatrasal

Raja Chhatrasal (1649–1731) of Bundelkhand had a checkered history. At one time He fought along side Marathas to safeguard his kingdom. But later he joined the call of Jehad against Banda Singh Bahadur when commanded by Aurangzeb, the Mughal Emperor. The support of Hindu Rajputs strengthened the Mughals who captured Banda Singh Bahadur and hundreds of Sikhs from Gurdas nangal and executed them with torture on the streets of Delhi.

Raja Gulab Singh Dogra

Gulab Singh (1792–1857) was the founder of royal Dogra dynasty of Jammu and Kashmir, which was created after the defeat of the Sikhs in the First Anglo-Sikh War. When hostilities broke out between Sikhs and the British, Gulab Singh, true to form, betrayed his Sikh masters and allied himself secretly with the British whom he rightly anticipated as the future masters of the whole of India. The Treaty of Amritsar (1846), formalized the sale by the British to Gulab Singh for 7,500,000 Nanakshahee Rupees of all the lands in Kashmir that were ceded to them by the Sikhs by the Treaty of Lahore.

Although, Hardinge rated Gulab Singh as 'a rascal', he found in him sufficient ability to act as a buffer between British and Sikhs.