After 647 A.D. India politically became a conglomoration of states. The feudalistic attitude marked the transition of the society. Majority of the rulers of different states hailed from Rajput communities. From seventh to twelfth century a lot of independent Rajput kingdoms came up. They were known for their unique character. Being Hindus they resisted the muslims.

Origin

The Rajputs were the descendants of the Kshatriyas of the vedic age. It is told that they belonged to the Agnikula. There are various theories relating to their origin. Col. Todd has assigned a foreign origin to them. Scholars like C.V. Vaidhya, G.S Ojah and others believed that they should have been Aryans. From various inscriptions it is noticed that the rulers of Mewar, Jaipur, Bikaner were belonging to Suryavamsa. But the rulers of Jaisalmer and cutch have called themselves as descendants of lunar clan or chandra vamsa.

Chand Bardoi in his Prithivi Raja Raso has pointed out that they emerged out of the agni kundam of Mount Abu. Their aim was protection of the kshatriya or warring clean. The Chauhans, Chalukyas, Solankis, Paramaras and Prathikaras are said to have been those who hailed from fire pit. But this myth is an unacceptable one. V. A. Smith feels that they were people belonging to a mixed race comprising of Huns, Sakas, Kushans and others. As they call themselves as warriors it could be accepted that they were people of native origin.

Characters

The Rajputs were warriors and Kshatriyas. They add the word Singh after their names. It is a name assigned to warrior qualities. Bravery was their quality. Fear of death was condemned. The Rajput women were known for their charity. They have adopted the pardah system and adopted Jauhar or death by burning. Both men and women were known for their chivalrous attitudes. They stood for their valorous attitudes. The always tried to maintain their personal traits and glories. They had no contact with any other cultures. They stood on their own individual activities. There were factions in fields such as religion and economy. They attach greater veneration to Hindu divinities and tried to maintain their haughty aristocracy. “The spirit of chivalry, mercy towards enemies and foes, respect for truth, acceptance of patriotism, hospitality and simplicity etc. “formed the basic qualities of Rajputs. The Rajput women also were known for their courageousness, resourcefulness, determination and chastity and honour. They had their own vices such as use of alcohol. Liquor etc. they were lacking in unity and could not resist the enemies in an united way. Greater stress was offered to emotions and passions. Their character was an unique and note worthy one. Their clannish patriotism was also a cause for their glory.

The Society

The Rajput society of that period was known for its own individual unique traits. They were greatly influenced by foreign elements and clannish affinities. The caste oriented nature of the Hindus did not subside. Rather it continued in an undisturbed way. Along with the common four castes many new sub-castes have crept in due to economic disparities. As usual the Brahmins were known for their wisdom and elite position in the society. They were venerated and recognised by others. They had evincing interest in their studies. They executed religious rites and performed the different sacrifices. They were entrusted with many rights and privileges. They were exampeted from different kinds of harsh and capital punishments.

The Kshatriyas were warriots and rulers. Their sole aim was to protect the lives of others. The Vaisyas were merchants and maintained their economy. They were involved in money lending. The shudres were in the lowest ebb of the society. They even functioned as servants. They were even lower than slaves. India of the Rajput period was known for its caste system.

Inter caste marriages became common. The swayamwara system was prevalent among the royal people. It was a privilege granted to women. Child marriage began to lose grounds. Widow remarriages were not approved. Polygamy was accepted. The practice of Sati was common among people. The poor people had no faith over female child. So female infanticide was a common future. The caste of the child born of intercaste marriage was fixed according to that the father. Various new minor castes emerged mainly because of the introduction of various professions, occupations, customs, manners, religious practices etc. Due to the increasing need of the society professional like potters, weavers, carpenters, black smiths and others. The new caste called kayasthas emerged and they were accountants and clerks. Those who ate the flesh of the cow were known as antyajas or antyajati. The Vaisyas condition was not at all an appreciable one. There were widened breaches in the society.

The status of women was interior to that of man. The wives had to be obedient and subservient to their husbands. They did not have the right to study the Vedas. They were forbidden form education. But in the royal families and rich they were allowed to have the knowledge of the fine arts such as dance and music. There was no faith or belief over women.

They used dresses such as dhotis and saris. Coats, trousers and shoes were worn by the rich. Cotton and Muslin cloths were in vogue. Both men and women were fond of wearing ornaments. Ear rings, bangles and bracelets were common. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets were consumed.

Importance was assigned to-luxury and comforts of life. Hospitality was a venerable aspect. Ceremonies, fairs and festivals increased. Music, dancing, drama, dicing, boating, hunting were popular amusements of that period. They showed importance to nutritious and clean diet. No stress was assigned to non-vegetarian diet. Though they had the custom chewing they did not worry about smoking. New traditions came into vogue and they caused the removal of old values.

Economic condition

A fresh agricultural economy came into operation. By reclamation processes new lands were brought into cultivation. Lands were granted by rulers to different sets of people for various purposes. The land grantees entrusted the lands to peasants on lease who were not the real owners of the land. The grant of barren lands, transfer of works to peasants, introduction of forced labour, restrictions imposed on peasants and collection of fees to the donees, salaries by lands to the officials, multiple tax system, regional variations in the agricultural sector led to drastic changes in agrarian system. Absentee landlordism and new land lords emerged. New hereditary land lords emerged. The rural labourers were affected greatly. Migration from rural areas increased. The state rendered many facilities for promoting agariculture. Rescue operations were done by the state at the time of natural calamities. Lad tax was 1/6 of the total produce. Trade and commerce developed. Cotton and textile developed. India was generally a prosperous one.

Religious Condition

Hinduism developed and Buddhism and Jainism lost their significance. The Rajput rulers were mostly Hindus. There were many divisions among the Hindus. The concept of avataras and incarnation gained greater popular. The Mahayanists as well as Hinayanists could not withstand the brahmanical upheaval. Jainism also lost its value.

Bhakti cult attained popularity. Devotion towards god and divinity increased. Importance was assigned to salvation and emancipation of the soul. The concept of Karma too gained importance. The principles of Madva and Ramanuja became popular among people. Sakti cult attained prominence. Tantrism captivated the attention of many people.

Concepts such as Jivatma, Paramatma, Maya, Ahimsa, Karma, transmigration of soul became popular. Many pilgrim centers came up due to the growth devotion.

Literature

The Rajput rulers were eminent scholars and patrons of men of letters. Raja Munja and Raja Bhoja were great scholars.

The following works emerged during that period.

Authors Titles Bhatti Ravana Vatha. Magha Sisupala Vatha. Sri Harsha Naishada Charita. Padma Gupta Nava Sasanka. Jeya Gaya Gita Govinda. Dandin Darakumara Charitta. Raja Sekara Karpura Manjari. Kalhana Karpura Manjari. Kalhana Raja Tarangini. Jayant Prithvi Raja Vijay. Kshemendra Brihat Katta Manjari etc.,.

Art and Architecture

Temple architecture, sculpture and architecture attained greater veneration. At areas like Khajaraho, Jaisalmar, Chittor, Jaipur, Gujarat, Kathiawar and Bihaneer Rajpur monuments are available. The Rajputs were interested in buildings, art and architecture. They spend lavishly. The Toranas, arched gateways, the fortresses at Ranthampore. Chittorgarh, Mandu, Gwalior, Chanderi, Agigarh, the palaces at Udaipur, Jaipur, Gwalior, Amber, Jodhpur etc., stand testimony to their contributions to their buildings. Their buildings stand testimony to sophistication of the art.

The Somnath temple, the temples at puri, Konark, Bhuvaneswar, Khajaraho are wonderful places of Rajpurs architecture. The Puri Jagannath temple, the Lingaraja temple, the sun temple etc., are wonderful pieces of temple architecture.