Rebellious Rajputs

A STORY OF A PRINCE WHO TURNS INTO A REBEL FOR A RIGHT CAUSE. Rajputs emerged into political importance as early as the 7th century. From about 800 Rajput dynasties dominated northern India and the many petty Rajput kingdoms there were among the main obstacles to the complete Muslim domination of Hindu India. Rajputs regard themselves as descendants or members of the Kshatriya (warrior ruling) class but they actually vary greatly in status from princely lineages to simple cultivators. Most authorities agree that successful claims to Rajput status frequently were made by groups that attained secular power; invaders from central Asia as well as patrician lines of indigenous tribal peoples were probably absorbed in that way.