Rajputs
When the old Kshatriyas of the Vedas were completely disarmed under the influence of Buddhism , in the 5th and later centuries B.C. , they were merged into commercial tribes . The only other tribe in the Indo-Pak sub-continent, which stubbornly resisted the influence of Buddhism and eventually succeeded in expelling it to other neighbouring countries , were the Brahmins.
After the political castration of the fighting Kshatriyas and passing of the ruler ship of the country to other inferior ( non - Kshatriya ) tribes , the socio - political order passed through a period of chaos . Yet , some of the new ruling dynasties contributed to Brahmanism , but majority of them , like the Mauryas and the Guptas, professed Buddhism. This state of affairs did not suit the Brahmanical idea of both religion and politics . Just as luck would have it , a fresh wave of migration of tribes started from central Asia via Afghanistan into India , spearheaded by the famous Yadu tribe . This started sometime in the 2nd Century B.C. and lasted till the third or fourth Century A.D.
The new migrants were animistic and idolaters , as far as religion was concerned , but they were free from any influence of Buddhism . They were physically strong people , barbaric in their disposition , and great fighters . These tribes suited the Brahmins to replace the old Kshatriyas , and become rulers in India.
According to old traditions , the number of these great tribes was 36 ( hence the 36 royal races ) . It was difficult for the Brahmins to absorb these tribes into the then existing Indian society , just as Kshatriyas of the old order , simply because they were not part and parcel of the Vedic Aryans . The Brahmins , however , invented a new ceremony of purifying them by means of ' sacred fire ' or Hawan . After the ceremonial ' purification ' , the Brahmins gave them the sacred thread and called them the Rajputs - the sovereigns of India and with their spiritual blessings , they set up kingdoms and states , just like the old Kshatriyas.
The very famous of the tribes out of these ( besides the Yadus ) were Bhattis , Chauhans , Kchhwaha , Jhalas , Parmars , Rathors , and Sisodhias . These tribes spread all over the northwest , central , and southern parts of the sub - continent . In eastern India , they had set up their states in Orissa and Bihar , as well as West Bengal , while east Bengal and Assam were lightly touched by their migrations , as these zones had their own ancient tribes , and were ruling small kingdoms . There is no doubt that in the extreme southern India , like Travancore and Madras , there were some ancient states ruled by the indigenous rulers . But , side by side with them , the Rajputs also carved out large principalities , for instance the Rashtrakutas ( which after a lapse of centuries became the Nizam's territories ) , comprising of Telangara , etc.
Part of these very tribes , when they came to inhabit northern India and settled in Rajputana , changed their tribal name to Rathors . The princely states of Jodhpur and Bikaner were the renowned remnants of these tribes . It is to be noted that quite a number of the aforementioned tribes had stayed in the border countries between India and Afghanistan , as well as the present day Baluchistan . These tribes ruled in these territories for a very long time , till the advent of Islam . The Kchhwahas of Jaipur are actually the Kachtries of Baluchistan . The Jhalas migrated from Jhalawan and the Jams of Kathiawar are also a branch of the family of Lasbela .
The Bhitanis of the North West Frontier Province are in fact , the parents of the Bhattis of the Punjab and Rajputana , who were eventually divided into quite a number of sub tribes . One of the proof given by historians of note , about the origin from Turkestan of the Rajputs , lies in their extra chivalrous behaviour , their mode of dressing and ornament , like the chak - phools , etc.
The Emergence Of The Rajputs
The fall of the Gupta Empire , which held dominance in northern India for nearly 300 years , until the early 5th century , was followed by a period of instability , as various local chieftains sought to gain supremacy . Power rose and fell in northern India . Stability was only restored with the emergence of the Gurjara Partiharas , the earliest of the Rajput ( from ' Rajputra ' , or Sons of Princes ) dynasties , which were later to hold the balance of power throughout Rajasthan . Whatever their actual origins , the Rajputs have evolved a complex mythological genealogy . This ancestry can be divided into two main branches : the Suryavansa , or Race of the Sun ( Solar Race ) , which claims direct descent from Rama and the Induvansa , or Race of the Moon ( Lunar race ) , which claims descent from Krishna . Later , a third branch was added , the Agnikula , or ' Fire Born ' . These people claimed that they were manifested from the flames of a sacrificial fire on Mt.Abu . From these three Principal races , emerged the 36 Rajput clans . The Rajput clans gave rise to dynasties, such as the Chauhans, Sisodias, Kachhwahas and Rathores . Chauhans of the Agnikula Race emerged in the 12th century and were renowned for their valour . Their territories included the Sapadalksha kingdom , which encompassed a vast area including present - day Jaipur , Ranthambhore , part of Mewar , the western portion of Bundi district , Ajmer Kishangarh and even , at one time , Delhi . Branches of the Chauhans also ruled territories known as Ananta ( in present - day Shekhawati ) and Saptasatabhumi . The Sisodias of the Suryavansa Race , originally from Gujarat , migrated to Rajasthan in the mid - 7th century and reigned over Mewar , which encompassed Udaipur and Chittorgarh . The Kachhwahas , originally from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh , travelled west in the 12th century . They built the massive fort at Amber , and later shifted the capital to Jaipur . Like the Sisodias , they belonged to the Suryavansa Race . Also belonging to the Suryavansa Race , the Rathore ( earlier known as Rastrakutas ) travelled from Kanauj , in Uttar Pradesh . Initially , they settled in Palà , south of present - day Jodhpur , but later moved to Mandore in 1381 and ruled over Marwar ( Jodhpur ) . Later , they started building the stunning Meherangarh ( fort ) at Jodhpur . The Bhattis , who belong to the Induvansa Race , driven from their homeland in the Punjab by the Turks , installed themselves at Jaisalmer in 1156. They remained more of less entrenched in their desert Kingdom , until they were integrated into the state of Rajasthan following Independence .