Definition

1. Noun:
   • A member of the dominant Hindu military caste in northern India. The Rajputs are a prominent social group historically known as warriors, rulers, and landowners.

Usage

• The word "Rajput" is a proper noun used to refer to an individual or collectively to the social group. It is often used in historical, sociological, and cultural contexts.
• It functions as a countable noun (e.g., , ).

Examples

• Noun:
  • The fort was built by a Rajput king in the 16th century.
  • Many Rajputs served as officers in the armies of various Indian princely states.
  • She studies the history and clan structures of the Rajput community.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used attributively (like an adjective) to describe things associated with the Rajput community, such as Rajput architecture, Rajput painting, or Rajput valor.
• In historical discourse, "Rajput" denotes a specific ethos of chivalry and martial honor, often referred to as "Rajput " (courage/valor).

Variants and Related Words

• Rajputana: (Proper noun) The historical region in northwestern India that was the traditional homeland of many Rajput kingdoms, roughly corresponding to modern-day Rajasthan.
• Rajpoot: (Noun) An older alternate spelling of Rajput.

Synonyms

• Kshatriya: A member of the Hindu warrior and ruler caste (varna), of which the Rajputs are considered a prominent part. However, "Kshatriya" is a broader category.
• Thakur: A title often used by and for Rajput landowners and nobility, especially in northern India.

Notes on Meaning

• The primary meaning is sociological and historical, referring to a member of a specific, influential community.
• It carries connotations of martial tradition, feudal loyalty, and a code of honor.

Noun

1. a member of the dominant Hindu military caste in northern India