- Medieval Indian History Tutorial
- Medieval Indian History - Home
- Kingdoms of North India
- The Rajputs
- The Invaders
- Delhi Sultanate
- The Khilji Sultans
- Tughlaq Sultans
- Lodi Sultans
- New Kingdoms
- Religion
- The Sikh Movement
- Babur’s Advent into India
- Major Battles
- Significance of Babur's Conquest
- Humayun’s Conquest
- Humayun’s Downfall
- Sur Empire
- Akbar the Great
- Early Phase of Akbar’s Reign
- Expansion of Mughal Empire
- Akbar’s Administrative System
- Akbar’s Organization of Government
- Akbar’s Relation with Neighbours
- Rebels during Mughal Empire
- Deccan & South India
- Conquest of South – I
- Conquest of South – II
- Deccan’s Cultural Contribution
- Political Development Mughals
- Nur Jahan
- Shah Jahan’s Rebel
- Mughals’ Foreign Policy
- Mansabdari System
- Social Life under the Mughals
- Nobles & Zamindars
- Trade & Commerce
- Mughals’ Cultural Developments
- Language, Literature & Music
- Religious Ideas & Beliefs
- Problems of Succession
- Aurangzeb’s Reign & Religious Policy
- North-East India
- Popular Revolts & Movements
- Rise of Maratha
- Administrative System of Shivaji
- Aurangzeb & Deccani States
- Reference and Disclaimer
Medieval Indian History - The Rajputs
The Rajputs always insisted that they were of the kshatriya caste and they were divided into clans.
The Rajput kings belonged to ordered family, which connected them with either the sun-family (surya-vamshi) or the moon-family (chandra-vamsha) of ancient Indian kings. However, there were four clans who claimed that they had not descended from either of these two families, but rather from the fire-family (agni-kula).
Rajput Clans
The four clans, namely −
Pratiharas, (or Pariharas),
Chauhans (or Chahamanas),
Solankis (or Chaulukyas), and
Pawars (or Paramaras).
These four agni-kula clans established their power in western India and parts of central India.
The Pariharas ruled in the region of Kanauj;
The Chauhans were strong in central Rajasthan;
Solanki power rose in the region of Kathiawar and the surrounding areas, and
The Pawars established themselves in the region of Malwa with their capital at Dhar near Indore.
Besides, some other minor rulers also became powerful and gradually built small kingdoms in various parts of northern India, for example −
Nepal,
Kamarupa (in Assam),
Kashmir, and
Utkala (in Orissa).
Many of the hill states of the Punjab also developed during the early phase of medieval period; such as −
Champaka (Chamba),
Durgara (Jammu), and
Kuluta (Kulu) in Himachal.
Some other worth noting kingdoms of central India (contemporary to the Rajputs) were −
The Chandelles in Bundelkhand,
The Guhilas in Mewar to the south of the Chauhans, and
The Tomaras in Haryana and the Delhi region.
Over a period of time, the Chauhans defeated the Tomaras and annexed their kingdom.
Prithviraj III, the prince of Chauhan dynasty, was the most powerful king of that period in northern India. Chandbardai, the Hindi poet of his (Prithviraj’s) court had written the famous poem ‘Prithviraja-raso.’