Explain the process of state formation under the rajput in the early medieval period
Answers
The Rajputs, defined simply, were a group of 36 clans set in western India, mainly Rajasthan which gained substantial power over the early medieval and medieval periods in India.
The origin of Rajputs differs with various different writings, one traces Rajputs as foreign immigrants of the Post-Gupta age whereas others consider them of pure Kshatriya origin.
Historian C.V. Vaidya has stated that The Rajputs of Medieval India could not but have been the descendants of Vedic Aryans. As according to him, none but Vedic Aryans could have fought so valiantly in defence of ancestral faith.
Another viewpoint according to various writings was that the Rajputs rose to prominence in the process of resisting foreign invasions and in doing so, fulfilled the role of Kshatriyas (fighting for land and culture).
One can also understand that the history of Rajputs follows a pattern which has been characterized as a tendency to ‘dynasticize’. Which means the tendency to create lineages and genealogies and forming up a dynastic superstructure. Which creates a both temporal and genetic relationship on them, where the data provides neither.
One has to keep in mind the common claims to traditional ‘ksatriya’ status made by groups during the medieval period.
Such attempts were made to get away from their original ancestory and to hence glorify their lineage and juxtapose their stance in society(attempt to legitimize).
Hence, the Rajputs, like the traditional varna categories, were following a recognizable chanel of transition from tribal to state policy.
Hence, there was a simultaneous proliferation of the process of Rajputization in different areas.
From records available across western India, we can distinguish certain clans undergoing this process as we come across terms such as ‘rajaputras’ in inscriptions and literature.
The closest way of recognizing genuine Rajput clans was to gather evidence from later literature. Statements showing the list of clans, numbering 36, can be seen in a number of famous writings such as the works of Kumarapalacarita and the Varnaratnakara. The Rajatarangini too refers to the number 36.
However, analysis of various lists gives us an idea that it is really difficult to accertain a certain number of clans as the name rarely tally with each other.
State Formation in Rajput Era :-
In rajput era there were several small states. Each state was owned by specific rajput ruler Eg:- Chauhan, Chandel, Sholanki. There was no central ownership during that era. Hence each of these small states was ruled by individual rulers. There was not much of harmony between these rules and hence they remain politically un-united during foreign invasion. Also the boundaries of the state kept on changing continuously due to war ridden environment during that era to expand boundaries of respective state. Kings used to give their land to Zamindars. Zamindars used to called the land as Jagir and collect the taxes on behalf of king. They were like care takers of state.