There is no agreement among scholars regarding the origin of the Rajputs. It has been opined by many scholars that the Rajputs are the descendants of foreign invaders like Sakas, Kushanas, white-Hunas etc. All these foreigners, who permanently settled in India, were absorbed within the Hindu society and accorded the status of the Kshatriyas. It was only afterwards that they claimed their lineage from the ancient Kshatriya families, says one theory. The other view is that the Rajputs are the descendants of the ancient Brahmana or Kshatriya families and it is due to certain circumstances that they have been called the Rajputs.
Earliest and much debated opinion concerning the origin of the Rajputs is that all Rajput families were the descendants of the Gurjars and Guijars were of foreign origin. Therefore, all Rajput families were of foreign origin and only, later on, were placed among Indian Kshatriyas and were called the Rajputs, it is said. The adherents of this view argue that we find references to the Guijars only after the 6th century when foreigners had penetrated into India.
“From Harsha’s death to the twelfth century, the destiny of India was mostly in the hands of various Rajput dynasties which were in general constantly at war among themselves. There was little sense of national unity and the frontiers of India remained neglected. The most important of the Rajput states in North India were the Chauhans of Ajmer and Delhi, the Gahadavallas or Rathors of Kanauj, The Chandellas of Bundelkhand, Guhilas or Sisodiyas of Mewar, the Parmars of Malwa, the Prathiharas of Kanauj and the Palas of Bengal. Rajputs were brave, courageous, chivalrous, loyal and patriotic. Their government was feudal in character. The Rajputs were great patron of art and architecture. They built several canals, dams, forts, palaces, temples and towers. The palaces of Jaipur and Udaipur and forts of Chittor, Mandu, Jodhpur and Gwalior are the fine specimens of palace and fort architecture. The Lingaraj Temple at Bhubaneswar and Surya (Sun) Temple at Konark exhibit the excellence of temple architecture. Khajuraho has several famous temple including the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple. The Mukuteshwara Temple at Bhubaneswar has been regarded as the gem of Orissan art. Among the many Jain temples two at Dilwara at Mount Abu are exemplary. Thus the age of Rajputs witnessed the full bloom of Indian culture,” narrated Dr. Sanmathi Kumar, HOD & Assistant Professor. Department of History, S. D. M. College (Autonomous), Ujire.
So, they were not of Indian origin but foreigners. Cunningham described them as the descendants of the Kushanas. A. M. T. Jackson described that one race called Khajara lived in Arminia in the 4th century. When the Hunas attacked India, Khajaras also entered India and both of them settled themselves here by the beginning of the 6th century. A part of Rajputana was also called Gurjara-Pradesh in the 9th century while, in the 10th century, Gujarat was referred to as Gurjara. Therefore, some scholars have described that the Gurjars entered India through Afghanistan, settled themselves in different parts of India and were the ancestors of the Rajputs. A stone-inscription at Rajora of 959 A.D. describes Mathandeo, a feudal Chief of Vijaypala as Gurjara-Pratihara.
Art and architecture
The Rajput rulers had a keen sense of beauty in art and architecture, as evidenced by the artistic excellence of their temples, forts, and palaces. During the Rajput period, the Indo-Aryan architectural style developed in North India and the Upper Deccan, and the Dravidian style developed in South India. Sculpture and architecture both achieved high levels of excellence during the times of Rajputs.
• Rajput architecture is notable for the many Rajput rulers’ forts and palaces.
• Rajput Architecture encompasses a wide range of structures that can be broadly classified as either secular or religious.
• The scales of the secular structures vary. Temples, forts, stepwells, gardens, and palaces are examples.
• Due to the Islamic invasions, the forts were specially built for defence and military purposes.
• Mughal architecture had a significant impact on indigenous Rajput art and architecture.
• Islamic elements influenced by Mughal architecture, as well as local cultural styles, coexist in Rajput architecture.
• Rajput architecture includes city or town planning as well. Several rulers built cities, and the planning was meticulous.
• The cities, which are housed within the forts, have distinct structures and functions.
Temples Built by Rajputs
• The Khandariya Temple, Khajuraho’s largest monument, was built between 1017 and 1029 AD.
• The Parshvanatha Temple was built as one of Khajuraho’s largest Jain temples between 950 and 970 AD. This temple is rectangular in shape, with some projections here and there.
• Palitana, the city of temples, is home to the Shri Rishabh Dev Temple and the Chaumukh Temple.
• The Dilwara Jain Temples were built by white marble in 1088 AD. It is located in Mount Abu, Rajasthan.
• These are a group of five temples and the most notable among them are the Vimalavasahi and Tejpala Temples.
Features of Temples Built by Rajputs
Significant features of the North Indian (Indo-Aryan) style of temple architecture are:
• The “Vimana” is a sanctuary.
• The “Garbha Griha” is the small dark cell where the main idol is placed.
• The “Shikhara” is a ribbed curvilinear spire over the Garbha Griha.
• The “Amalaka” is the round stone on the Shikhara surmounted by a golden Kalasa.
Forts and Palaces of Rajputs
• The Rajputs built magnificent fortresses in Chittorgarh, Amber (Jaipur), Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Ranthambore, Gwalior, and other locations.
• These forts are typically built on small hills, with some barriers erected to prevent unwanted visitors from entering. All of the forts had long walls and towers.
• The Chittorgarh Fort of the 7th century AD is the largest fort in India. This fort has seven gates and many historical monuments such as the Vijay Stambh, Kirti Stambh, Fatah Prakash palace, and so on.
• The most impressive is Chittor’s Vijaya Stambh, or Tower of Victory which was built in the 13th century by Maharana Kumbha to commemorate his victory over the ruler of Malwa, Mahanmed I.
• This tower stands approximately 37 metres tall and has nine storeys. Statues of Hindu deities are carved into the tower’s walls. It is square in shape and has balconies on all sides.
• The Jaisalmer Fort was built in 1156 AD by the Bhati Rajput king Rao Jaisal, hence the name Jaisalmer. This fort is located in the Thar Desert on the Trikuta hill.
• Maharana Udai Singh built the Udaipur Palace on Lake Pichola.
• Raja Jai Singh built the Hawa Mahal in Jaipur.
Their architecture is adorned with decorative marble work, mirrors, and small paintings.
The Rajputs have made significant contributions to the country’s historical and cultural landscape. Of course, the community has made numerous contributions, but one that stands out is Rajput architecture. Rajasthan is brimming with breathtaking architectural brilliance. Rajput structures exhibit the greatest influence of Mughal architecture, or perhaps the integration of Islamic and Hindu architecture. Islamic elements influenced by Mughal architecture, as well as local cultural styles, coexist in Rajput architecture.