The Rajputs got their name from the Sanskrit ‘rajaputra’, which means ‘son of a king.’ They are generally Kshatriyas from North India and Gujarat, and are a war-loving, land owning community. They had many outstanding virtues and a spirit of chivalry. The Rajputs were generous and merciful even to enemies, if the latter submitted and sought shelter. Even when they were victorious, they did not resort to wholesale massacre of their enemies. They did not cause needless misery to the poor and innocent people. They offered the stiffest resistance to foreign invaders, but if they once submitted and took an oath of fidelity, they remained faithful to their word of honour.
Agriculture was the main profession of the people. The poor toiled for the construction of temples, forts and palaces, irrigation works, reservoirs, tanks, wells and canals. The upper classes lived in palatial buildings and enjoyed all kinds of comforts. They even had slaves. There were many festivals and fairs throughout the year. Music, dancing, drama, dice, hunting and chess, were popular.
Trade and commerce flourished during the Rajput period. Big cities were linked up with roads. The people were wealthy. Although the Rajputs were strong and brave, they failed to accomplish much. That was partly due to their clannish patriotism. They cared only for their chiefs and clans. They did not bother about the country as a whole. They were not able to team up to defeat foreign invaders. They kept on quarrelling among themselves, and this eventually led to their decline.
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