Discuss critically the debate on the origins of the rajputs For 20 mark
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‘Rajput’ is derivative of a Sanskrit word raj-putra which means “son of a king”. Rajput were recognized for their bravery, faithfulness and royalty. They were the warriors who fought in the battles and took care of the governing functions. The Rajputs originated from western, eastern, northern India and from some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs enjoyed their eminence during the 6th to 12th centuries. Until 20th century Rajputs ruled in trounce majority in the princely states of Rajasthan and Surashtra.
In the 6th century, India was divided into caste systems which consist of The Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and shudras. The Brahmins was known as upper class Hindus who was only responsible for the scared works. The Kshatriyas were the warriors who fought in the battles and took care of the governing functions. The Vaishyas were the agriculturalist, landowners, traders and money-lenders and the shudras known as the lower class Hindus who have to serve the above three caste. The Rajput falls in the category of the Kshatriyas. Throughout their periods of rule in northern India, Rajput built remarkable shrines, castles and forts and were eager supporters of paintings.
The origin of Rajputs is the topic of argument. Authors, such as V. P. Malik and M. S. Naravane, considered that the period was not given to any particular community or communal group until the 6th century A.D, as there is no reference of the period in the historic record. Leaders and aristocrats from the intruders were called as the Kshatriya in the Hindu caste system, although others who trailed and helped them — such as the Jats, Ahirs and Gurjars - were ranked as Shudra. At the similar time, some congenital communities were graded as Rajput. Few examples of these are the Chandelas, Rathors and Bundelas. Aydogdy Kurbanov says that the integration was precisely between the Hephthalites, Gurjars, and folks from northwestern India. Though, some researchers, such as C. V. Vaidya and Gauri Shankar Ojha do not accept these integration philosophies.
The Rajput had a widespread population almost of the subcontinent particularly in north, west and central India. Populations were found in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand Himachal Pradesh, Surashtra, Jammu, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.