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 claim 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, Ranthambore, part of Mewar, the western
portion of Bundi district, Ajmer Kishangarh and
even, at one time, Delhi. Branches of the Chauhans
also ruled territories know 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) traveled from Kanauj,
in Uttar Pradesh. Initially they settled in Pali,
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 untill they were integrated into
the state of Rajasthan following Independence.
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