With the downfall of Harsha, Rajput dominance began in the 7th century and continued till the 12th century. The name Rajaputas was derived from the word "Rajputra" meaning "ruler's son." Their bravery, loyalty, and royal status were adored. They were the battle-hardened warriors who managed the governing functions. They belonged to a patrilineal clan of western, central, and northern India and claimed to be descendants of North India's ruling military aristocracy. This article will explain to you about the Rajaputas (647 - 1200 AD) which will be helpful in History preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Rajputs - Background

• There are several theories as to how Rajputs came to be. They were thought to be the offspring of foreign invaders and Indian Kshatriyas.
• The invaders were Indianized and assimilated into Indian society. Many Rajput legends support this theory.
• As a result, it is possible to say that various elements contributed to the formation of the Rajput clan.
• The Rajputs are divided into 36 clans and each clan belongs to one of three basic lineages (vanshas). These are Suryavansh, Chandravanshi and Agnivanshi.
• Suryavanshi Rajput clan is related to Surya, the Hindu Sun God. It is known as the Solar Dynasty in English.
• Chandravanshi Rajput clan to be a descendant of Chandra (the moon). In English, the Chandravanshi lineage is known as the Lunar Dynasty.
• Agnivanshi Rajputs assert that they are descendants of Agni, the Hindu god of fire.
• Each of these Vanshas or lineages is broken into multiple clans or kula, each of which claims direct patrilineage from a remote but common male ancestor who allegedly belonged to that Vansha.

Geographical Area under Different Rajput Clans

Major Clans of Rajputs

Chauhans of Delhi-Ajmer (7th Century - 1192)

• The Chauhan dynasty flourished from the eighth to the twelfth century AD.
• Delhi, Ajmer, and Ranthambhor were all under the control of the Chauhans.
• They were also prominent at Sirohi in the southwest of Rajputana, and at Kota in the east.
• The Pratiharas, Paramaras, and Chalukyas were the other three important Rajput dynasties of that time.
• Prithviraj III is known as the Chauhan king of Delhi who repelled the Muslim onslaught in the First Battle of Tarain (1191).
• The following year, Prithviraj was beaten in a second battle at Tarain.

Chandellas of Bundelkhand (831-1202 AD)

• Chandellas ruled over central India for approximately 500 years between the 9th and the 13th centuries.
• As they dominated most of Bundelkhand, they were also known as the Chandelas of Jejakabhukti (now called Bundelkhand).
• Chandellas descended from the Gurjar, Huna, and central Asian tribes who crossed the northwest frontier and settled in this territory after fighting battles.
• They belong to the Chandravanshi lineage of Rajputs.

Rathors of Kannauj (1090-1194 AD)

• The Rathors of Kanauj or Gahawars ruled over Kanauj for more than a century (1090 -1194 CE).
• They ruled over the regions of Banaras, Ayodhya, and Kanauj.
• During the time of Govinchandra, Rathors of this dynasty reached at the peak of power.
• He ruled for a long time (1112–1155) and was successful in restoring the Kanauj kingdom's splendour.
• Jaichanda was the last great ruler of this dynasty and killed by Muhammad of Ghori after that Rathors of Kanauj fell down.

Paramaras of Malwa (790-1150 AD)

• Paramaras were successors of the Rashtrakutas, who controlled Malwa from the early ninth century with their capital at Dhar.
• Upendra or Krishnaraja was the founder of the Paramara dynasty.
• There were other branches of Paramaras ruling in Rajputana, including Mount Abu, Bhinmal, and others, but the Paramaras of Malwa (Dhar) were the most powerful of all.
• Their capital was originally in Ujjain, but it was eventually moved to Dhara (both Ujjain and Dhara are in Madhya Pradesh).
• The last known Paramara king, Mahalakadeva, was defeated and killed by the forces of Delhi's Alauddin Khalji in 1305 CE.

Sisodias of Mewar (8th Century - 1930 AD)

• The Sisodia of Mewar, popularly known as the "House of Mewar," was one of the many Rajput clans who ruled the Kingdom of Mewar, afterwards known as the Udaipur State during the British Raj.
• After defeating the Tughluq sultans of Delhi, Hammir Singh, a descendant of this Guhila branch dynasty, restored the Kingdom of Mewar.
• Famous rulers of this dynasty are Maharana Kumbha (1433-1468), Maharana Sanga (1509-1528), Maharana Pratap Singh (1540- 1597), Amar Singh I (1597-1620).

Senas (1097- 1225 AD)

• During the 11th and 12th centuries, Senas ruled from Bengal.
• The Sena Dynasty traces its origins to the south Indian region of Karnataka.
• Vijayasena deposed Madanapala (the last ruler of the Pala dynasty) and established the Sena dynasty. He was the genuine founder of the Sena kingdom.
• His son, Ballala Sena (1160-1178), instituted the social reforms known as Kulinism in Bengal.
• Lakshamanasena succeeded Ballal Sena. This dynasty's greatest ruler was Lakshmana Sena.
• He became weak near the end of his reign. Within his kingdom, there were signs of disintegration.
• Muhammad Bhaktiyar Khalji dealt the Sena kingdom its final blow (1204 AD).

Pratihara of Kannauj (730-1036 AD)

• The Paramaras are Agnivanshi Rajputs who lived near the Solankis.
• They began as Rashtrakuta feudatories and rose to power in the 10th century.
• They dominated Malwa and the region near the present-day Gujarat-Rajasthan border.
• This dynasty produced Bhoja, the legendary Malwa monarch.
• Due to battle with the Solankis in the 12th century, the Paramaras lost power and surrendered to a Delhi sultanate attack in 1305.

The Rashtrakutas of Manyakhera (753-982 CE)

• They were feudatories of the Chalukyas of Badami and claimed genealogy from Satyaki (the Yadava monarch of Mahabharata).
• The kingdom was founded by Dantidurg (752–756), who established his capital at Malkhand/Malkhet (Gulbarga district, Karnataka).
• Govinda III (793-814) and Amoghvarsha were the greatest Rashtrakuta rulers (814-878).
• Amoghvarsha ruled for 64 years, yet he preferred religion and literature over battle because of his nature.
• He was an author himself, having written Kavirajamarga, the first Kannada book on poetry.
• One of the Rashtrakuta kings Krishna I erected the magnificent rock-cut Shiva temple at Ellora.

Administration of Rajputs

• The Rajput states' administration was based on a caste system.
• Only those from the upper caste were allowed to work in the administration, even the king was a member of this caste.
• In the early phase, if the king behaved against the interests of that estate or caste-group, the leaders may remove him from power and replace him with someone from another caste-group.
• Later on, the king became the state's supreme head and controlled the whole executive, judicial, and military government.
• The ministerial council served as a consulting forum on all major polity issues.
• Ministerial positions were almost always hereditary and officials became increasingly powerful as a result of the combination of hereditary and feudal positions.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Administration of Rajput Dynasty

Religion of Rajputs

• The majority of Rajputs were Hindus while some of the dynasties also followed Islam and Sikhism.
• Many Rajput clans worship Karni Mata as a family deity and link her to their community's existence or survival in difficult times.
• Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga are also famous deities among Hindu Rajputs.
• During the medieval period in India, few Rajputs switched from Hinduism to Islam while keeping Hindu surnames such as Rana and Chauhan and also keeping many of their Hindu rituals.
• During the Muslim invasion, the Rajputs were the primary defenders of Hindu religion and culture.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Religion of Rajputs

Art and Architecture of Rajputs

• Rajput architecture is notable for the many Rajput rulers' forts and palaces.
• Rajput Architecture encompasses a wide range of structures that can be broadly classified as either secular or religious.
• The scales of the secular structures vary. Temples, forts, stepwells, gardens, and palaces are examples.
• Due to the Islamic invasions, the forts were specially built for defence and military purposes.
• Mughal architecture had a significant impact on indigenous Rajput art and architecture.
• Rajput architecture includes city or town planning as well. Several rulers built cities, and the planning was meticulous.
• The Rajputs constructed the Rathas of Mahabalipuram, the Kailash temple at Ellora, and the Elephanta engravements between 600 and 900 AD.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Art and Architecture of Rajput Dynasty

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, 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 Pala, left a significant body of work.
• Sandhakar Nandi (1084 - 1155 AD), Pala’s court poet, wrote "Ramacharita”.
• Both King Munja and King Bhoja were poets who wrote numerous works of literature.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Major Literary Works of Rajput Dynasty

Decline of Rajputs

• Rajputs are known for their bravery and loyalty. They reigned supreme from the sixth to the twelfth centuries and were dethroned by Sultanate.
• Rajputs did not believe in central authority and were frequently at odds with one another.
• The constant feud among themselves, lack of unity, old military practices, and weak espionage system are some of the reasons for their decline.
• That's why Rajputs, who were brave fighters and capable warriors, were defeated by a small group of Muslim foreign invaders.
• Major political reasons for the decline were that they fought for selfish reasons and the honour of their own families, with no regard for country or nation.
• They ruled for the sake of their own pride and a sense of mutual enmity.
• As a result, lack of unity was one of the first major reasons for the demise of Rajputs.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Decline of Rajputs

Conclusion

Rajput rulers ruled much of northern and western India from the 7th to the 12th centuries, until they were overthrown by Muslim invaders in 1200 AD. Rajput refers to a variety of patrilineal clans historically associated with warriorship, with a total of 36 Rajput clans. Their era is sometimes referred to as the "Age of Chivalry." Their decline can be attributed to a persistent dispute among themselves, a lack of unity, archaic military practises, and a weak spying system.

FAQs

Question: Who were the Rajputs?

Question: What were the major Rajput kingdoms?

Question: What role did the Rajputs play in resisting foreign invasions?

Question: What was the impact of the Rajput period on Indian art and architecture?

Question: What were the causes of Rajput decline?

MCQs

1. Which Rajput ruler fought the First Battle of Tarain against Muhammad Ghori?

a) Rana Kumbha

b) Prithviraj Chauhan

c) Raja Bhoja

d) Rana Sanga

2. Which of the following Rajput dynasties built the Khajuraho temples?

a) Chauhans

b) Chandelas

c) Paramaras

d) Pratiharas

3. Which Rajput ruler is associated with the defense of Delhi against Mahmud of Ghazni?

a) Prithviraj Chauhan

b) Rana Sanga

c) Raja Bhoja

d) Chand Bardai

4. Which Rajput dynasty was part of the tripartite struggle for control over Kannauj?

a) Pratiharas

b) Chauhans

c) Paramaras

d) Solankis

5. The famous Dilwara Temples were built by which Rajput dynasty?

a) Chauhans

b) Solankis

c) Pratiharas

d) Paramaras

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the contribution of the Rajputs to medieval Indian art and architecture.

Answer: The Rajputs made significant contributions to Indian art and architecture during the medieval period. Their most notable architectural achievements include the construction of forts, palaces, and temples. The Khajuraho temples built by the Chandelas and the Dilwara Temples constructed by the Solankis are examples of exquisite craftsmanship and architectural brilliance. Rajput architecture also included grand forts such as Chittorgarh and Kumbhalgarh, known for their strategic design and intricate detailing.

Q2: Analyze the causes of the decline of the Rajputs during the medieval period.

Answer: The decline of the Rajputs can be attributed to several factors, including their internal disunity and lack of central leadership. Frequent conflicts among Rajput clans, such as the Chauhans, Pratiharas, and Chandelas, weakened their defense against foreign invaders. The Second Battle of Tarain (1192), in which Prithviraj Chauhan was defeated by Muhammad Ghori, marked a turning point, leading to the establishment of Turkish rule in northern India. Additionally, the Rajputs' traditional focus on chivalry over strategic diplomacy further contributed to their downfall.

Q3: Evaluate the role of Rajputs in the tripartite struggle for Kannauj.

Answer: The tripartite struggle for control over Kannauj involved the Palas, Pratiharas, and Rashtrakutas. The Pratiharas, a powerful Rajput dynasty, played a central role in this conflict. Under their ruler Mihira Bhoja, the Pratiharas successfully defended Kannauj for a significant period. However, the constant warfare weakened all three kingdoms, leading to their eventual decline and the rise of Islamic invasions in northern India.

Previous Year Questions on The Rajputs (647 - 1200 AD) 

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2017:

Question: Which of the following dynasties was involved in the tripartite struggle for Kannauj?

A. Cholas

B. Palas

C. Rashtrakutas

D. Pratiharas

Answer: B and D 

Explanation: The tripartite struggle involved the Palas, Pratiharas, and Rashtrakutas, who fought for control over the prosperous region of Kannauj.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2016 (GS Paper 1):

Question: Evaluate the role of Rajputs in resisting the Arab and Turkish invasions in India.

Answer: The Rajputs played a crucial role in defending northern India against Arab and Turkish invasions from the 7th to 12th centuries. Notably, Prithviraj Chauhan resisted Muhammad Ghori in the First Battle of Tarain (1191) but lost in the Second Battle of Tarain (1192), leading to the decline of Rajput power. The Rajputs' internal disunity and lack of centralized control allowed invaders to defeat them, despite their valiant resistance in numerous battles.

3. UPSC CSE Prelims 2016:

Question: Which Rajput dynasty built the Khajuraho temples?

A. Chauhans

B. Pratiharas

C. Paramaras

D. Chandelas

Answer: D

Explanation: The Khajuraho temples were constructed by the Chandelas of Bundelkhand, and they are famous for their erotic sculptures and Hindu-Jain architectural styles.