What were the different theories about the
origin of Rajputs?
Answers
The word Rajputs derived from Sanskrit word Rajaputra, which means son of a king. Rajputs rose to prominence during the 6th to 12th centuries in north Indian history also known as Rajputs era. There are several major subdivisions of Rajputs, known as vansh or vamsha. The Rajput are generally considered to be divided into three primary vansh:
The word Rajputs derived from Sanskrit word Rajaputra, which means son of a king. Rajputs rose to prominence during the 6th to 12th centuries in north Indian history also known as Rajputs era. There are several major subdivisions of Rajputs, known as vansh or vamsha. The Rajput are generally considered to be divided into three primary vansh:• Suryavanshi or Raghuvanshies (the clans of the Solar dynasty), descended through Rama.
The word Rajputs derived from Sanskrit word Rajaputra, which means son of a king. Rajputs rose to prominence during the 6th to 12th centuries in north Indian history also known as Rajputs era. There are several major subdivisions of Rajputs, known as vansh or vamsha. The Rajput are generally considered to be divided into three primary vansh:• Suryavanshi or Raghuvanshies (the clans of the Solar dynasty), descended through Rama.• Chandravanshi or Somavanshies (the clans of the lunar dynasty), descended through Krishna.
The word Rajputs derived from Sanskrit word Rajaputra, which means son of a king. Rajputs rose to prominence during the 6th to 12th centuries in north Indian history also known as Rajputs era. There are several major subdivisions of Rajputs, known as vansh or vamsha. The Rajput are generally considered to be divided into three primary vansh:• Suryavanshi or Raghuvanshies (the clans of the Solar dynasty), descended through Rama.• Chandravanshi or Somavanshies (the clans of the lunar dynasty), descended through Krishna.• Agnivanshi (the clans of the fire dynasty), descended from Agnipala
During the early medieval period in Indian history-750-1200 AD, Rajputs emerged as a new Kshatriya clan. It started with emergence of various warrior castes which later got assimilated into a single caste-Rajputs.
The origin of Rajputs is a highly debated topic. Different historians have given different theories in this regard so i am writing a brief overview.
1. Agnikul Theory- that they emerged from sacred agni at mount abu as a result of havan performed by rishi vashishth. This is written in the bardic tradition.
2. Foreign Theory-Alexander Cunninghum, James Todd, Vincent Smith, R.n.Bhandarkar- That rajputs actually came along with foreign tribes like Hunas,Shakas, KUshanas, etc and thus are a later addition to the population who later hinduised themselves.
3. Indian Theory- C.v.Vaidya- That rajputs are Chandravanshi and suryavanshi and are original Indians and pure Aryans who fought against muslim foreign invaders.
4. Mixed origin theory
5. B.D.Chattopadhay has stated that origin and emergence of rajputs was closely related to the political, social and economic developments of that time.