The Rajputs (from the Sanskrit tatpurusha compound rājaputra, "son of a king") are a community in northern India and Gujarat consisting of a number of clans such as the Gurjars. While present-day Rajasthan and Gujarat have been the main centers of the Rajputs, their clans have had a long and significant presence in other states. This page examines certain facts regarding the origins of the Rajputs, based on information gathered from inscriptions, copper-plates, contemporary Prashastis and texts. The royal Rajputs (anonymous, c. ... A Tatpurusha is a type of compound in Sanskrit grammar. ... Dark green region marks the approximate extent of northern India while the regions marked as light green lies within the sphere of north Indian influence. ... Gujarāt (GujarātÄ«: , IPA: ,  ) is the most industrialized state in the Republic of India with 19. ... Rājasthān (DevanāgarÄ«: राजस्थान, IPA: )   is the largest state of the Republic of India in terms of area. ... Gujarāt (GujarātÄ«: , IPA: ,  ) is the most industrialized state in the Republic of India with 19. ...

Rajput Origins

The Rajputs did not originate as a tribe or a single community. They emerge from history as a collection of clans ruling different regions. The term Rajput as it is used today refers to the set of intermarrying royal clans. Two lists of 36 clans are found in Kumarpala Charita and the Prithviraj Raso, apparently compiled in the Gujarat/Rajasthan region with its own historical claim to aristocratic Gurjara or Gujjar titles. Some of these clans are still quite well known (Parmara, Rever, Chalukya, Parihar, Chauhan, Rathore, Thakore), some others are not as common (Gohil, Chapotkat, Kalchuri etc), while yet other names are hard to identify; apparently, with the loss of their domains and status, they dropped out of history. This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims. ...

Any speculations as to the origins of the Rajputs has to be presaged with the caveat that in general, no single origin-theory can be held to be authoritative. The traditional occupations of the Rajput are war and agriculture. Many scholars have pointed out that these areas lend themselves uniquely to the ingress of groups that were not formerly affiliated with those professions. The gradual accommodation of the new entrants into the social and family circle of the traditional community is the essential quid pro quo of the sanskritization that the aspirant community essays. This phenomenon of gradual inclusion has indubitably obtained in the case of the Rajputs. Sanskritisation is the process by which castes placed lower in the caste hierarchy seek upward mobility by emulating the rituals and practices of the upper or dominant castes. ...

The Agni-kunda Legend

The Agni-kunda legend is the best-known traditional account that deals with the origin of the rajputs. This account begins with the puranic legend wherein the traditional kshatriyas of the land were exterminated by Parashurama, an avatara of Vishnu. Later, sage Vasishta performed a great Yagya or fire-sacrifice, to seek from the gods a provision for the defense of righteousness on earth. In answer to his prayer, one or more youths arose from the very flames of the sacrificial fire, according to different versions of the legend. The royal Rajputs (anonymous, c. ... Kshatriya (Hindi: , from Sanskrit: , ) is the title of the princely military order in the Vedic society. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Bhargava Rama and Parshuram (Discuss) Parashurama Bhargava or Parasurama (Axe-wielding Rama), according to Hindu mythology is the Sixth avatara of Vishnu, belongs to the Treta yuga, and is the son of Jamadagni. ... See Avatar (disambiguation) for other meanings. ... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari , with honorific Shri Vishnu; , ), (also frequently referred to as Narayana) is the most popularly worshipped form of God in Hinduism [1]. Within the Vaishnava tradition he is viewed as the Ultimate Reality or Supreme God (similarly to Shiva within Shaivism). ...

Sometime during 16-17th century, the legend came to be applied to the Pratiharas (Gurjara-Pariharas or Gujjars), Chauhans (Chahamanas), Solankis (Chalukyas), and Paramaras (Parmars), Rahevars (Rever) clans. The Gurjara-Pratiharas established the first royal Rajput kingdom in Marwar in southwestern Rajasthan in the 6th century, the Chauhans at Ajmer in central Rajasthan, the Solankis in Gujarat, and the Paramaras at Mount Abu. The Pratihara (Parihars) dynasty ruled north India in 6th to 11th century. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Gujar. ... Chauhan or Chahaman(a) is a clan that ruled parts of Northern India in the Middle Ages. ... For the English cricketer, See Vikram Solanki The Solanki or Chalukya is a Hindu Gurjar,Rajput dynasty of India, who ruled the kingdom of Gujarat from the 10th to the 13th centuries. ... The Chalukya Dynasty was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled parts of southern India between 550 and 750, and again between 973 and 1190. ... The Paramara or Parmar were a prominent Rajput clan of medieval India. ... Marwar (मारवाड़) is a region of southwestern Rajasthan state in western India. ... This Buddhist stela from China, Northern Wei period, was built in the early 6th century. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Gujarāt (GujarātÄ«: , IPA: ,  ) is the most industrialized state in the Republic of India with 19. ... Mount Abu is the highest peak in the Aravalli Range of Rajasthan state, in western India. ...

Evolution of the legend

A large number of inscriptions and texts have come to light since the mid-19th century that allow us to trace the evolution of this legend in detail. Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The Agnikunda story is first found in the Nava-sahasanka-charita by Padmagupta, a fictional romance where the hero is identifiable as Sindhuraja, the patron of the author Padmagupta. This work mentions that the progenitor of the Paramaras was created from fire by sage Vashishtha. During the period of decline of the Paramaras of Dhar, the story finds mention in several royal inscriptions. Later, the story is expanded to include two or three other Rajput clans. Eventually, some scholars proposed that all of the Rajputs were created from the Agnikunda. The Paramara or Parmar were a prominent Rajput clan of medieval India. ... Dhar is a town in the Malwa region of western Madhya Pradesh state in central India. ...

Early Paramara Chronology

• 949 AD: First known Paramara copperplate found at Harsola. Mentions Paramara Siyaka as a feudatory of Rashtrakuta Akalavarsha. It mentions the Paramaras as being of the same clan (kula) as the Rashtrakutas.
• 975, 986 AD: Vakpati Munja assumes Rashtrakuta name Amoghavarsha and titles Srivallabha and Prathvivallabha, indicating that he regarded himself as being a succesor of the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta.

Thus, there is no mention of the Agnikunda legend in the early records; the Paramaras appear as a branch of Rashtrakutas, as proposed by D.C. Ganguli. The origin of the Rajputs has been one of the most speculated topic in Indian history. ... The origin of the Rajputs has been one of the most speculated topic in Indian history. ... The current version of the article or section reads like an advertisement. ... Amoghavarsha Nripathunga was the greatest of the Rashtrakuta kings. ...

Chronology: Gradual Evolution of the Myth

• 1005 AD: Padmagupta writes the fictional Navasahasanka-charita during the rule of the Parmar king Sindhuraj (c.995-1055) of Dhara. This is the first mention of the legend wherein the first Paramara is created from an Agnikinda by Vashista.
• 1000-1055 AD: Bhoja: no mention of Agnikunda in his copperplates or inscriptions.
• 1042 AD: Vasantgarh inscription mentiones Paramara origin from Agnikunda.
• 1070-1093 AD: Udayaditya, Udayapur prashasti mentions Paramara origin from Agnikunda.
• uncertain date: The Prathviraj Raso is composed, the oldest copies of which do not mention the Agnikunda legend. It is attributed to poet Chand who lived during the rule of Prithviraj Chauhan (1165 to 1192), however the language of available manuscripts appears to be much more recent.
• Ain-i-Akbari by Abul Fazl (1551-1602) mentions creation of a Dhanji from an Agnikunda, somewhere in the Deccan, to fight Buddhism. That fire-born warrior goes to Malava (Malwa) and establishes his rule. When Puraraj, fifth in line from him, dies childless, a Paramara is selected to succeed him.
• 16th-17th century: Agnikunda legend inserted into the Prithviraj Raso, where three clans, Pratihar, Chalukya and Panwar, are mentions as having been created from the Agnikunda. The legend is not present in the Udaipur manuscript of 1585 CE.
• Uncertain date: Agnikunda legend in Bhavishya Purana. It mentions four clans: Paramara, Chauhan, Chalukya and Parihara, as having been created from fire to annihilate the Buddhists during the time of Ashoka.
• 1832 AD: James Tod presents his theory that the Agnikunda legend symbolizes the elevation of Sakas, Hunas etc. to the status of being Kshattriyas; by implication, all the Rajaputs are descendants of central Asian invaders.
• 1954 AD: Tod's view is repeated by A. L. Basham in his "The wonder that was India". By now, the view becomes accepted.

Bhoja from a mural in the Parliament of India building Bhoj was a great philosopher king and polymath of medieval India. ... The Prithviraj Raso or Prithvirajaraso is an epic about the life of Rajput king Prithviraj III Chauhan, who ruled Ajmer and Delhi from 1165 to 1192. ... Prithviraj III (1165?-1192) was a king of the Rajput Chauhan (Chahamana) dynasty. ... Abu al-Fazl ibn Mubarak (Persian:ابو الفضل) also known as Abul-Fazl, Abul Fadl and Abul-Fadl Allami: the vizier of the great Mughal emperor Akbar, and author of the Akbarnama, an account of Akbars reign. ... The Deccan Plateau is a vast plateau in India, encompassing most of Central and Southern India. ... A replica of an ancient statue of Gautama Buddha, found in Sarnath, near Varanasi. ... Allegiance: Magadhan Empire Rank: Emperor Succeeded by: Dasaratha Maurya Reign: 273 BC-232 BC Place of birth: Pataliputra, India Battles/Wars Kalinga War Emperor Ashoka the Great (Devanagari: अशोक(:); IAST transliteration: , pronunciation: ) (304 BC–232 BC) (Imperial Title:Devanampiya Piyadassi ie He who is the beloved of the Gods who, in... James Tod (1782-1835), British officer and Oriental scholar, was born on March 20 1782, and went to India as a cadet in the Bengal army in 1799. ... The Indo-Scythian King of Kings Azes II (c. ... Billon drachm of the Hephthalite King Napki Malka (Afghanistan/ Gandhara, c. ... According to the Sanskrit a Kshatriya is the caste of princes and warriors, conquerors, one of four varna. ... A. L Basham was a historian with an Australian University in Canberra. ...

See also

• Gujjars
• Rajput
• Rajput Clans
• History of Rajputs
• Harsola copperplate

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Gujar. ... The royal Rajputs (anonymous, c. ... Rajputs, c. ... The Rajputs (from the Sanskrit tatpurusha compound rājaputra, son of a king) are a social group of northern India and Gujarat. ... The origin of the Rajputs has been one of the most speculated topic in Indian history. ...

References

• H.V. Trivedi, "Inscriptions of the Paramaras, Chandellas, Kachchhapaghatas and two minor Dynasties", part 2 of the 3-part Vol III of Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum, 1974 (published in 1991).
• A.K. Warder "An Introduction to Indian Historiography", Popular Prakashan 1972.
• Thakur Udaynarayan Singh , "Kshatriya Vamshavali" (in Hindi), Khemaraj Shrikrishnadas, 1989.
• Updendra Thakur, ""Some aspects of ancient Indian history and culture", Abhinav Prakashan, 1974.
• R.C. Majumdar, Ed., "The Age of Imperial Kanauj", The history and Culture of the Indian People, Vol. 4, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 1955.