Ravana Rajput is an Indian upper caste.[1] Ravana Rajputs,a sub-set of Rajput clan[2] and they are culturally similar to Rajput but have historically faced caste discrimination.[3] They are among the castes known as Darogas.[4][5] It is the only caste to protect the princely states of the warrior race, which is known as Ravana Rajput. This name came to existence in 1912 in the Jodhpur city progeny under the patronage of Sir Pratap Singh Rai Bahadur, the regent of the Marwar state.[6][7][8]
Origins
The Ravana Rajputs are descendants of Rajput men and non-Rajput women, and were not originally accepted by the Rajput community as Rajputs.[9] They were regarded as the children of the Rajputana princes[10][11][12] and were household slaves.[10][13] They served the royal Rajputana families as guards, soldiers and household servants.[14]
Jai Singh Baghel states that during princely period,the Rav(Rao) was also official Royal title like Raja,Rana etc. Many caste like Rawal, Rawat, Ravana were formed from the title Rav. By adding suffix 'Na' to the word Rao, the word Ravana (Raona) was formed. The meaning of the word 'Ravana' is used to denote the caste of Rao Rajput (Kshatriya) group and if 'Naa' is considered to be a sentimental word then it means Rajputi person, if it is a verb then it means Raavokt verb and if it is considered a caste word then it means Rajput caste. Therefore, if we pay attention to the above structures, the word Ravana proves to be a synonym of the word Rajput[15][16]
In order to raise their status, these people organized themselves into a caste[17] They claim Kshatriya status.[citation needed]
Ravana Rajputs are pure Kshatriya Rajput
In this lettet the Kingdom of Marwar Maharaja Gaj Singh state that:
Before the invasion and occupation of the Mughals, Kshatriyas ruled the entire India. In that period, 'Raj-putra' indicated Kshatriya princes or dynasties. The word Rajput or Rajput is a corruption of the Sanskrit word Rajputra. Which is authentic. Those who had kingdom and land started being called by names like Maharaja, Raja Rajvi, Umrao and Samant etc. Those who had land only for their own cultivation were called Rajput, Ada Rajput, Halkhand Rajput. After the peaceful period of the British, many Rajputs retired from military services and due to weak economic condition and lack of land, they started working in the administrative services of kings and emperors. According to the country, region and language difference, these jagir-less Rajputs, who worked on the same posts from generation to generation, started being addressed by the names of their posts and the word Ravana Rajput started being used for this class. There is no caste named Ravana Rajput in history. The whole-hearted support and ancient services given by this class to the royal family (in the state, in domestic affairs, in diplomacy and in trust works) cannot be forgotten. Due to the crookedness of the times, some vested interests and illiterate people do not like to see the progress of this section of the Rajput society. They are engaged in differentiating and separating the state families and chieftains from this class. Even this section of Rajput society has been addressed by different names as undesirable and indecent, creating an atmosphere of confusion. Such efforts are not helpful in creating a pure social environment. In the royal family, people of this Rajput class have been respected and addressed by the names of mother, grandmother, brother-in-law, uncle, maternal uncle etc. It would be a big mistake to forget the sacred relationship of brotherhood between the royal family and the Ravana Rajput community at any cost. Due to economic backwardness, Rajput society cannot be divided by spreading an atmosphere of confusion and calling them by different names. The relationship of this Rajput class with the royal family has always been and will always be one of brotherhood. People of this class have worked in the state services very efficiently, with devotion, patriotism and sacrifice, bravery and patience on senior military and civilian posts. Women have also not lagged behind in patriotic works.An effort to eliminate the above classified discrimination was made by Sir Pratap Singh Ji Musahibala in Jodhpur[18] and after this by Late Maharaj Shri Ummed Singh Ji Saheb, which had a very good impact on the Rajput society[19] Is. I have come to know that today in independent India, some selfish and ignorant people, in order to create rift and division among the Rajputs, say inappropriate things about these jagir-less Rajputs and Ravana Rajputs, which is their foundation and is an indicator of ignorance. Actually Rajput, Ravana Rajput is not a different caste from Rajputs. Rather, it is a section of the Rajput caste. I hope that the Rajput people will unite and take the lead in serving the country and public service, this is my believe.
— Maharaja Gaj Singh, Rajput or Ravana Rajput are all Kshatriya Rajputs,Date-15-11-1970
Notable people
- Col. Thakur Hari Singh was a Jagidar of Deoli[22] and served in the Second Afghan War, during the Tirah Campaign.[23]
- Major Thakur Dalpat Singh MC was a British Indian Army officer, known as the "Hero of Haifa" for his actions in the Battle of Haifa during World War I.[24]
Present status
Historically, the Ravana Rajputs have led the armies.[25][12] The Ravana Rajputs are the highest in the rural caste hierarchy.[11]
According to a 2013 Business Standard report, the Ravana Rajputs form around 7% of the Rajasthan state's population.[26] They have been granted the Other Backward Class status for affirmative action.[27]
In July 2017, the Ravana Rajput community were among those who protested against the alleged fake encounter killing of Anandpal Singh, who belonged to their community and was considered a hero by many in his village.[28] Aside from being a gangster, Singh was known for having escalated the rivalry between Rajputs and Jat people.[29] and the agitation following his death united the local Rajput community.[30]