There are over 200 million Rajputs in India. Rajasthan is their original home but they are also settled in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Saurashtra (Gujarat), Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Some people of Bengal and Assam also claim Rajput descent. The members of nearly all the Hindu ruling families have been Rajputs of the Sisodia clan, originating from Udaipur.

History Of The Rajput Community
The word `Rajput` means king`s son or the prince. Rajputs claim to be the descendants of the Kshatriyas who were originaly Aryans. They are considered dvija (twice born) and are entitled to wear the sacred thread.

There are 36 Rajput clans tracing their mythical descent from the sun, the moon and the sacred fire, known as the Suryavansi, Chandravansi and Agnivansi respectively. Bravery, chivalry, loyalty, beauty, feuds, assassinations, wars - all these abound in the history of the Rajputs.

The Rajputs considered war and governance as the highest arts of all but among them have been poets, scientists, musicians and architects. The Rajput noble`s court was a centre for the cultivation of the fine arts and even some sciences. The Jantar Mantar observatory at New Delhi was the creation of a Rajput prince, Maharaja Jai Singh II (1699-1744). He himself was a great astronomer and also built similar observatories at Varanasi, Ujjain, Udaipur and Mathura.

Beautiful paintings, acclaimed as exquisite pieces of art, have been produced by Rajput artists in certain distinctive styles.

Hakim Khan Sur was one of the prominent generals in Maharana Pratap Singh`s army, who fought the battle of Haldi Ghati. The history of Rajputs is dotted with tales of bravery and compassion. They have always proved to be the best of friends. A Rajput prince gave shelter to Prince Khurram (later Shahjahan). There was a tradition in many Rajput States of having at least one Muslim amongst their social chiefs.

Society and Religion Of The Rajput Community
Amongst themselves Rajputs are egalitarian in their social norms and behaviour. Within the clan or the sub-clan, the richest and the poorest share the same hookah, eat out of the same thali and expect the same treatment from their priests. The Rajput values honour more than anything else in life but is somewhat vain and extravagant in money matters. In most Rajput families the men and not the women eat meat. Women are given a respectable position in society. They are given education and in the pats they even were taught martial art for self protection. Rajput women are known to be the bravest lot amongst Indian women.

This warrior clan is quite religious minded. They have full faith in mother goddesses. Temples are scattered in the regions where they are settled. Festivals, such as, Shivaratri, Dussehra and Diwali are quite poplar with the Rajput community. Although they were dedicated Hinus this community was religiously tolerant. Under the reign of the Rajput rulers the Muslims, Jains and Buddhists practiced their faith unhindered.

Many Rajputs are engaged in agriculture today and serve in the armed forces and the police as well. A minority is engaged as clerks and in the professions though some have occupied senior positions in the services. Of late some have been attracted to the field of politics.

Honesty and honour were and still are the building stones for the Rajput community.