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[THREAD: RAJPUT]
1/25
Ever noticed how almost every religion attempts to usurp the lead-up to its origin and claims ownership of all history even outside of its own life? This retrofitting isn't always exclusive to religion.
1/25
Ever noticed how almost every religion attempts to usurp the lead-up to its origin and claims ownership of all history even outside of its own life? This retrofitting isn't always exclusive to religion.
2/25
The longer your lineage, the stronger you claim on history. That's the driving force. Around the 4th century BC, the Indian subcontinent witnessed a series of raids from the north. The most prominent amongst these raiders were the Scythians of the steppes.
The longer your lineage, the stronger you claim on history. That's the driving force. Around the 4th century BC, the Indian subcontinent witnessed a series of raids from the north. The most prominent amongst these raiders were the Scythians of the steppes.
3/25
The Scythians were an Iranian people and known for their horse love. And their battle skills. Although they managed to spread as far south as Egypt, a branch now named Indo-Scythian crossed the Indus and floated the first Saka Empire.
The Scythians were an Iranian people and known for their horse love. And their battle skills. Although they managed to spread as far south as Egypt, a branch now named Indo-Scythian crossed the Indus and floated the first Saka Empire.
4/25
The Sakas originated in the Tarim Basin and although a part of the wider Scythian culture, aren't exactly the same as the Sythians of the Aral. But for this conversation, that's minor nitpicking. So the Sakas managed to stay in business until 395 AD.
The Sakas originated in the Tarim Basin and although a part of the wider Scythian culture, aren't exactly the same as the Sythians of the Aral. But for this conversation, that's minor nitpicking. So the Sakas managed to stay in business until 395 AD.
5/25
That's when the last Saka satrap was beaten by a Chandragupta II. But the Sakas didn't just vanish. And they weren't just kings and satraps. They were an entire people. Highly seasoned, battle-hardened, and great with horses. Those are useful qualities.
That's when the last Saka satrap was beaten by a Chandragupta II. But the Sakas didn't just vanish. And they weren't just kings and satraps. They were an entire people. Highly seasoned, battle-hardened, and great with horses. Those are useful qualities.
6/25
Those are not qualities you'd want to see perish if you're an Aryan in the hostile environs of the northwest. They had to be absorbed. So they became members of the Kshatriya varna. Much like how the Japs were "honorary Whites" during WW1.
Those are not qualities you'd want to see perish if you're an Aryan in the hostile environs of the northwest. They had to be absorbed. So they became members of the Kshatriya varna. Much like how the Japs were "honorary Whites" during WW1.
7/25
With time, Buddhist Sakas evolved into Hindu Kshatriyas and were joined by other invading and assimilating peoples such as the Hunas and the Parthians. Many of these neo-Kshatriyas grew up the ranks and ended up with little kingdoms of their own.
With time, Buddhist Sakas evolved into Hindu Kshatriyas and were joined by other invading and assimilating peoples such as the Hunas and the Parthians. Many of these neo-Kshatriyas grew up the ranks and ended up with little kingdoms of their own.
8/25
Most of these settled around modern day Rajasthan and Gujarat. This assimilation didn't happen right away though. It was only after the fall of the Guptas in the 7th century. With time, they grew both in number and clout. Western India was almost entirely their bastion.
Most of these settled around modern day Rajasthan and Gujarat. This assimilation didn't happen right away though. It was only after the fall of the Guptas in the 7th century. With time, they grew both in number and clout. Western India was almost entirely their bastion.
9/25
So we see this was by no means a homogenous group with any shared ancestry. There were descendents of Hunas, Parthians, Scythians, and also some indegenes like Gurjars, although some scholars believe even Gurjars to have foreign origins.
So we see this was by no means a homogenous group with any shared ancestry. There were descendents of Hunas, Parthians, Scythians, and also some indegenes like Gurjars, although some scholars believe even Gurjars to have foreign origins.
10/25
What were these people called? Well, the first time they were called anything in particular seems to be in the 11th century. This comes from Sanskrit inscriptions of the time. The word is rajaputra (literally, son of king). The name wasn't hereditary though.
What were these people called? Well, the first time they were called anything in particular seems to be in the 11th century. This comes from Sanskrit inscriptions of the time. The word is rajaputra (literally, son of king). The name wasn't hereditary though.
11/25
At that time, rajaputra is believed to have been anyone of a certain social class and not necessarily someone related to a king. This included people from all castes and lineages related only by their martial engagements. A professional term, if you will.
At that time, rajaputra is believed to have been anyone of a certain social class and not necessarily someone related to a king. This included people from all castes and lineages related only by their martial engagements. A professional term, if you will.
12/25
The rajput identity, contrary to the dominant notion today, does not come from a shared ancestry but from a desperate attempt to legitimate newly-acquired political clout. These attempts were made by different groups at different times in different ways.
The rajput identity, contrary to the dominant notion today, does not come from a shared ancestry but from a desperate attempt to legitimate newly-acquired political clout. These attempts were made by different groups at different times in different ways.
13/25
But the objective remained common: To wriggle into the highly stratified Hindu society by association with and eventual inclusion into the already well-placed Kshatriya class, the one most aligned with their political and martial lifestyles. Upward mobility?
But the objective remained common: To wriggle into the highly stratified Hindu society by association with and eventual inclusion into the already well-placed Kshatriya class, the one most aligned with their political and martial lifestyles. Upward mobility?
14/25
Over centuries, many of these peoples migrated out of Rajasthan in search of greener pastures and scattered along the Ganges. Having nomadic origins made these moves less than treacherous for them. Then came the Muslims and a lot started to change.
Over centuries, many of these peoples migrated out of Rajasthan in search of greener pastures and scattered along the Ganges. Having nomadic origins made these moves less than treacherous for them. Then came the Muslims and a lot started to change.
15/25
Although some historians place these changes much later around the 1400s when the Mughals came, but that's just a matter of 2-3 centuries, give it take. Nevertheless, 1200-1500 AD was the period we see the emergence of the term "rajput" in the modern sense of the word.
Although some historians place these changes much later around the 1400s when the Mughals came, but that's just a matter of 2-3 centuries, give it take. Nevertheless, 1200-1500 AD was the period we see the emergence of the term "rajput" in the modern sense of the word.
16/25
By the time the Muslims, Mughals in particular, had consolidated large empires and begun dominating the subcontinent polity, the rajputs had moved from a loose assortment of warring tribes to a more restrictive hereditary club with made-up legends of lineage. Why?
By the time the Muslims, Mughals in particular, had consolidated large empires and begun dominating the subcontinent polity, the rajputs had moved from a loose assortment of warring tribes to a more restrictive hereditary club with made-up legends of lineage. Why?
17/25
Because the Mughals were a formidable adversary and in a very short span of time most rajput kings had either perished or entered alliances and treaties with the them via marriages. Bartering daughters for peace was more commonplace than thought.
Because the Mughals were a formidable adversary and in a very short span of time most rajput kings had either perished or entered alliances and treaties with the them via marriages. Bartering daughters for peace was more commonplace than thought.
18/25
By the end of 16th century, most Rajput chiefs had become subordinate to the Mughals and had fewer conflict opportunities where they could score military achievements. Reduced military action meant better chances of gaining prestige via kinship than otherwise.
By the end of 16th century, most Rajput chiefs had become subordinate to the Mughals and had fewer conflict opportunities where they could score military achievements. Reduced military action meant better chances of gaining prestige via kinship than otherwise.
19/25
Thus, the term Rajput evolved to firmly establish itself as a class label circumscribed by birth and not by battle-worthiness. To that effect, they fabricated origin myths and genealogical stories according themselves a rich, almost divine heritage.
Thus, the term Rajput evolved to firmly establish itself as a class label circumscribed by birth and not by battle-worthiness. To that effect, they fabricated origin myths and genealogical stories according themselves a rich, almost divine heritage.
20/25
One of these was the myth of Agnikula. This myth was expressly floated to accord them an "indigenous" Vedic Aryan heritage. From this myth came the solar and lunar "clans" called suryavanshi and chandravanshi respectively. The desperation was real and probably necessary.
One of these was the myth of Agnikula. This myth was expressly floated to accord them an "indigenous" Vedic Aryan heritage. From this myth came the solar and lunar "clans" called suryavanshi and chandravanshi respectively. The desperation was real and probably necessary.
21/25
Such was the perpetuation of these myths that the Rajputs of Rajasthan wouldn't even accept those of, say, Oudh or Bengal, as their own. That's primarily because the shift to kinship came much later in the latter groups. Here's something interesting about Rajputs...
Such was the perpetuation of these myths that the Rajputs of Rajasthan wouldn't even accept those of, say, Oudh or Bengal, as their own. That's primarily because the shift to kinship came much later in the latter groups. Here's something interesting about Rajputs...
22/25
Singh is the single most common surnames in this group. Know where it came from? Well, the earliest usage of this name goes back to the two sons of Rudraraman, one of the last Scythian rulers in the subcontinent. Sure at that time it was Simha and not exactly Singh.
Singh is the single most common surnames in this group. Know where it came from? Well, the earliest usage of this name goes back to the two sons of Rudraraman, one of the last Scythian rulers in the subcontinent. Sure at that time it was Simha and not exactly Singh.
23/25
Takeaways:
- Rajputs do not have a shared ancestry.
- Rajputs do not have a Vedic heritage.
- Rajput as a hereditary class is a gift from the Mughals.
- Rajput origin myths are, well, myths.
- Rajputs were valiant because, well, was it optional?
Takeaways:
- Rajputs do not have a shared ancestry.
- Rajputs do not have a Vedic heritage.
- Rajput as a hereditary class is a gift from the Mughals.
- Rajput origin myths are, well, myths.
- Rajputs were valiant because, well, was it optional?
24/25
And the last ones about Rajput valor against the Muslims:
- More rajputs entered marriage alliances with the Muslims than fought them.
- More rajputs fought Muslims and perished than fought them and won.
- More rajputs fought each other than fought the Muslims.
And the last ones about Rajput valor against the Muslims:
- More rajputs entered marriage alliances with the Muslims than fought them.
- More rajputs fought Muslims and perished than fought them and won.
- More rajputs fought each other than fought the Muslims.
25/25
Sources:
- Rethinking India's Oral and Classical Epics by Alf Hiltebeitel
- The Last Hindu Emperor: Prithviraj Cauhan and the Indian Past by Cynthia Talbot
- India Before Europe by Catherine B Asher
Sources:
- Rethinking India's Oral and Classical Epics by Alf Hiltebeitel
- The Last Hindu Emperor: Prithviraj Cauhan and the Indian Past by Cynthia Talbot
- India Before Europe by Catherine B Asher
