The Rajputs are a community of Hindu origin, who claim to be of the Kshatriyaor warrior varna. However, modern historians agree that Rajputs consisted of a mix of various different social groups including Shudras and tribals.
Contents
- The main lineages
- Suryavanshi
- Chandravanshi
- Agnivanshi
- References
- External links
The main lineages
There are three basic lineages (vanshas or vamshas). Each of these lineages is divided into several clans (kula) (total of 36 clans). Historians agree that Rajputs do not actually descend from these lineages, and genealogies were fabricated by Brahmins in a process called Rajputization. In this process, an aspiring Shudra or tribal king would employ Brahmins who would fabricate a genealogy that would state the chief was of descent from an ancient Kshatriya lineage, and thus a Rajput. The Rajput now would surround himself with the paraphernalia of Brahmanism in order to obtain a higher status.
Suryavanshi
The Suryavanshi lineage (also known as the Raghuvanshies or Solar Dynasty) are clans who believed to be descent from Surya, the Hindu Sun-god.
Chandravanshi
The Chandravanshi lineage (Somavanshi or Lunar Dynasty) claims to be descent from Chandra, the Hindu Moon-god.
Agnivanshi
The Agnivanshi lineage is claiming descent from Agni, the Hindu god of fire.
