Rajputs are an Indian subcontinent martial race and caste. During the 6th to 12th century, Rajputs grew to prominence and they dominated the "vast majority" of the princely kingdoms. They patronised many poets, including Padmagupta, Shantisena, and Jayadeva. During this time, Gujarati, Hindi, and Rajasthani were encouraged to be spoken. This article will explain to you the major literary works of the Rajputs which will be helpful in History preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Literary Works of Rajputs

• During the Rajput period, many poems were produced. Gitagovinda by Jayadeva, Keerthanarjuneeya by Bharavi, Ravanavada by Bharthruhari, and Kavya Meemamse by Mahendrapala were authored.
• Important dramas were composed, including Rajashekara's Bala Ramayana, and Bhavabhuti's Mahaveeracharitha and Uthararamacharitha.
• Kalhana's Rajatharangini, Jayanika's Prithiviraja Vijaya, and Hemachandra's kumarapla charitha are among the Rajputs' other noteworthy works.
• Notable biographies include Chand Bardahi's Prithiviraja Raso and Balalla's Bhoja Prabandha.
• Rajashekhara, a poet who worked during Rajput’s clan Pratiharas, left a significant body of work.
• He wrote Karpuramanjari, Kavyamimamsa, and Balaramayana.

Some Major Works During Rajput’s Reign

Gita Govinda

• Jayadeva, a 12th-century Hindu poet, authored the Gita Govinda (Song of Govinda).
• It depicts Krishna's, Radha's, and Vrindavan's gopis (female cow herders) relationship.
• There are twelve chapters in the Gita Govinda. Each chapter is split further into one or more divisions, for a total of twenty-four divisions.
• Radha is said to be more powerful than Krishna.
• The poem also goes into detail on Heroine's eight moods, known as the Ashta Nayika, which has inspired many compositions and choreographic works in Indian classical dance.
• The work depicts Krishna's love for Radha, the milkmaid, his betrayal, and subsequent return to her, and is interpreted as a metaphor for the human soul's wandering from its true loyalty but eventually returning to the God who created it.

Rajatarangini

• The metrical epic and historical chronicle of the north-western Indian subcontinent, particularly the monarchs of Kashmir, is known as Rajatarangini ("The River of Kings").
• In the 12th century CE, Kashmiri historian Kalhana wrote it in Sanskrit.
• The poem is broken into eight books named Tarangas and contains 7826 verses.
• The Rajataringini is the first source on Kashmir that may be considered a "historical" text on the subject.
• Although the chronology is incorrect, the book remains an excellent source of knowledge about early Kashmir and its neighbours in the Indian subcontinent's northwestern regions and has been regularly cited by historians.

Prithviraj Raso

• The Prithviraj Raso is an epic poem about the life of Prithviraj Chauhan written in Brajbhasha, a 12th-century Indian king (1166-1192 CE).
• Chand Bardai, the king's court poet, is credited with writing it.
• Although some researchers date the text's oldest version to the 13th century, the earliest existing copy originates from the 16th century.
• Under the patronage of Rajput monarchs, various interpolations and changes to the original text had been made by the 19th century.
• There are now four recensions (revisions) of the text. It, like any other historical text, is subject to debate.
• Prithviraj Raso is a collection of works that have yet to be critically edited, rather than a single text.

Prithviraja Vijaya

• The Sanskrit epic poem Prithviraja Vijaya ("Prithviraja's Victory") is about the life of the Indian king Prithviraja III also known as Prithviraj Chauhan).
• Jayanaka, a Kashmiri poet-historian in Prithviraja's court, is thought to have written it about 1191-1192 CE.
• It is the only known manuscript which is a birch bark manuscript written in Sharada script and it was discovered in 1875.
• Some of the poem's lines have been lost. The poem also includes an account of Prithviraja's forebears in addition to his biography.

Mahaviracharita

• The drama Mahaviracharita ("Exploits of a Great Hero"), was written by the Sanskrit playwright Bhavabhuti in the eighth century.
• It is based on the early life of Rama, the hero of the Ramayana and a Hindu god.
• It is Bhavabhuti's first play, hence it lacks character and style in comparison to his later works.
• The play is divided into seven acts.

Conclusion

The name Rajput refers to a number of patrilineal clans historically linked with warriorship. They were known for their bravery and loyalty. Their era is sometimes referred to as the "Age of Chivalry” but along this warriorship, literature was also patronized by many Rajputs kings and some famous literary works were produced during their reign.