📌 Topic 04 of 6 · Chapter 07 · Early Medieval India & Rajputs
Rajput Society, Culture & Administration
Feudal system, Rajput code of honour, women (Jauhar), art and architecture — Khajuraho, Dilwara temples.
🏛️ Rajput Administration — Feudal System
Rajput administration was based on a feudal system — a hierarchy of lords and vassals:
- King (Maharaja/Maharajadhiraja) — at the top; supreme authority
- Samantas (vassal lords) — held land grants; paid tribute; provided military service
- Sub-feudatories — smaller lords under Samantas
- Peasants — at the bottom; paid revenue to lords
This feudal system was decentralised — the king depended on Samantas for military support. When Samantas became powerful, they challenged the king’s authority — a major weakness of Rajput polity.
⚔️ Rajput Code of Honour (Rajput Dharma)
- Bravery (Shaurya): Fight to the death; never surrender; death in battle = honour
- Loyalty (Swami Bhakti): Absolute loyalty to the lord — even unto death
- Protection of women and Brahmins: Sacred duty of a Rajput
- Hospitality (Atithi Devo Bhava): Never refuse a guest
- Truth (Satya): A Rajput’s word is his bond
👩 Women in Rajput Society
- Jauhar: Mass self-immolation by Rajput women when their fort was about to fall — to avoid capture and dishonour
- Most famous Jauhars: Chittorgarh — performed three times (1303, 1535, 1568 CE)
- Saka: Corresponding practice by Rajput men — fighting to death after Jauhar
- Women were respected but had limited freedom — purdah system existed
- Some women were educated and participated in court life
- Mirabai (Rajput princess) — famous Bhakti saint; defied social norms
⭐ Jauhar at Chittorgarh: The three Jauhars at Chittorgarh are among the most dramatic events in Rajput history. The first (1303 CE) was when Alauddin Khalji besieged Chittorgarh for Rani Padmini. The second (1535 CE) was when Bahadur Shah of Gujarat attacked. The third (1568 CE) was when Akbar conquered Chittorgarh.
🏛️ Rajput Art & Architecture
| Monument | Dynasty | Location | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khajuraho Temples | Chandella | Bundelkhand, MP | Finest Rajput temples; erotic sculptures; Nagara style; UNESCO WHS |
| Dilwara Temples | Solanki (Jain merchants) | Mount Abu, Rajasthan | Finest Jain temples; white marble; intricate carvings; 11th–13th CE |
| Modhera Sun Temple | Solanki | Gujarat | Dedicated to Sun god; intricate carvings; 11th century CE |
| Somnath Temple | Various | Gujarat | Famous Shiva temple; raided by Mahmud of Ghazni (1025 CE) |
| Chittorgarh Fort | Guhilot/Sisodia | Rajasthan | Largest fort in India; site of three Jauhars; UNESCO WHS |
📚 Rajput Literature
- Prithviraj Raso (Chand Bardai) — epic poem about Prithviraj Chauhan; in Braj Bhasha
- Kavirajamarga (Amoghavarsha I, Rashtrakuta) — first Kannada literary work
- Rajatarangini (Kalhana) — history of Kashmir; 12th century CE
- Sanskrit literature flourished under Rajput patronage
📝 Exam Tip:
• Khajuraho = Chandella dynasty = Bundelkhand = erotic sculptures = UNESCO WHS
• Dilwara temples = Mount Abu = Rajasthan = finest Jain temples = white marble
• Jauhar = mass self-immolation by Rajput women = Chittorgarh (3 times)
• Prithviraj Raso = Chand Bardai = epic about Prithviraj Chauhan
• Rajput feudal system = Samantas = decentralised = weakness
• Khajuraho = Chandella dynasty = Bundelkhand = erotic sculptures = UNESCO WHS
• Dilwara temples = Mount Abu = Rajasthan = finest Jain temples = white marble
• Jauhar = mass self-immolation by Rajput women = Chittorgarh (3 times)
• Prithviraj Raso = Chand Bardai = epic about Prithviraj Chauhan
• Rajput feudal system = Samantas = decentralised = weakness