Rathore caste
Rathore or Rathod is a ruling Rajput clan, claiming descent from the mythical Suryavansha (Solar dynasty). However, historians state that such claims of illustrious descent though common among Rajput clans have no historical basis.[1][2][3] According to British indologist and historian V. A. Smith, the Rathores are offshoot of the Gaharwars who associated with the Bhar tribe.The Dharmasastras recognise the possibility of lower castes being elevated to higher castes.[4]
References[change | change source]
- ↑ Koyal, Sivaji (1986). "Emergence of Kingship, Rajputization and a New Economic Arrangement in Mundaland". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 47 (I). Indian History Congress: 536–542. JSTOR 44141600.
- ↑ André Wink (2002). Al-Hind, the Making of the Indo-Islamic World: Early Medieval India and the Expansion of Islam 7Th-11th Centuries. BRILL. p. 282. ISBN 0-391-04173-8.
In short, a process of development occurred which after several centuries culminated in the formation of new groups with the identity of 'Rajputs'(Rajputization). The predecessors of the Rajputs, from about the eighth century, rose to politico-military prominence as an open status group or estate of largely illiterate warriors who wished to consider themselves as the reincarnates of the ancient Indian Kshatriyas. The claim of Kshatriyas was, of course, historically completely unfounded. The Rajputs as well as other autochthonous Indian gentry groups who claimed Kshatriya status by way of putative Rajput descent, differed widely from the classical varna of Kshatriyas which, as depicted in literature, was made of aristocratic, urbanite and educated clans...
- ↑ Brajadulal Chattopadhyaya (1994). "Origin of the Rajputs: The Political, Economic and Social Processes in Early Medieval Rajasthan". The Making of Early Medieval India. Oxford University Press. p. 59. ISBN 9780195634150.
- ↑ Sen, Sailendra Nath (1999). Ancient Indian History and Civilization. New Age International. p. 309. ISBN 978-81-224-1198-0.