| Rajput Warrior | |
|---|---|
| |
| Weapons | Khanda, Aara, Chakram, Katar |
| Origin | Rajasthan, India |
| Activities | Defending India from invaders |
| Service | 900 AD |
| Battle Status | Won vs the Roman Centurion |
| Experts | Gugun Deep Singh (Rajput Descendant/Weapons Expert) Bhajneet Singh (Gatka Martial Artist) Sukhwinder Singh (Aara Expert) |
"You don't just become a Rajput -- you're born one. 'Rajput' literally means 'Son of a King'." Gugun Deep Singh
The Rajput Warrior, India's menacing martial arts master, who defeated enemies with a diabolical arsenal designed to kill;
the Roman Centurion, killer commander whose brutal assaults lead Rome to conquer the world.
Stats
- Year - 900 AD
- Height - 5 ft 6
- Weight - 145 lbs
- Armor - Leather & Chainmail
Symbol - Rajput helmet with two crossed spears behind it.
History
India in general was not always as unified as it is today: rather multiple kingdoms who were constantly at war with each other. While the first major Indian Empire was the Maurya Empire (322 BCE–185 BCE), India has frequently returned to being divided when empires like these fell. Even today, it is common to find villages across India who have their own unique culture, religion and language. With these constant wars, Ancient India developed its military technology and culture to a degree unseen in other regions of the world at that time.
With the Tibetan and Himalayan Mountains in the north and the Burmese jungles in the east, India as a subcontinent was able to isolate itself from other Asian nations with these natural barriers. However the exception was the Khyber Pass (located in modern day Afghanistan). Macedonian, Arab, Persian, Turkish, Afghan, Mongol and other empires attempted to use this path to invade India. This geographic location needed to be defended to protect India from outside threats: which meant that the local populations of the Rajputs were the first Indian tribes and kingdoms to encounter western invaders and so grew to be fierce warriors to survive: building massive forts and mastering warfare. The Khyber Pass was the site of so many battles that it is rumored that 'every stone is stained with blood'. Even today this is the case as the Taliban attempt to use the pass to control their influence and trade.
The Rajput (literally "king's son") were members of one of the major Hindu Kshatriya (warrior) groups who live in Rajasthan and most of the north India and parts of Pakistan. They enjoy a reputation as fear
some warriors; many of them still serve in the Indian Armed Forces (in the 'Rajput Regiment'), and a number of people with Rajput ancestry serve in the Pakistani Armed Forces as well. Five out of 10 of the Nishan e haider (Pakistan's highest military decoration) have been awarded to Rajputs. The Rajputs originated from Rajasthan which means Land of Kings. Their effective combat techniques and weapons have been adopted by many communities.
The Medieval Indian Rajput depicted in the show ended with the Mughal Empire beginning in the 1500s. The Mughals brought gunpowder weapons to India and their strict Islamic laws changed much of Indian society, eventually leading to the Islamic populations that later formed modern Pakistan.
Rajputs still participate in the modern military of India today: as the Rajput Regiment (formed in 1778).
Weapons
| Close-Range: | Khanda |
| Mid-Range: | Aara |
| Long-Range: | Chakram |
| Special Weapons: | Katar |
Note: Rajputs later learned how to use muskets.
Armor
The Rajput wore a chain mail suit over a layer of leather, all of which was concealed under a silk covering, and an iron helmet with a nose guard. In several pictures seen on Spike.com, the Rajput wore a kind of veil made of chain mail over his face. The Rajput also carried a round steel shield called a Dhal.
Simulated Battle
The battle starts with a Rajput Warrior walking through a forest, investigating a clicking noise being made in the distance. As it turns out, the clicking noise is coming from the Roman Centurion cranking the lever on his Scorpion Crossbow. As the Rajput warrior gets closer and closer, the Roman Centurion loads a bolt into the Scorpion. The Rajput pokes his head from behind a tree and spots the Centurion. The Centurion fires his Scorpion, but the bolt misses the Rajput completely. He then pulls out his Pilum Javelin and charges at the Rajput, causing him to flee. The Centurion makes his way to a more open area, only to be met with one of the Rajput's Chakram discs. The Centurion blocks the Chakram with his shield, and then throws his Pilum. The Rajput, however, pulls out his Khanda sword and slices the Javelin in two. The two warriors glare at each other, waiting for the other to make his move. The Rajput pulls out his Aara sword and whips it around. The Roman Centurion then takes his Dolabra and charges at the Rajput. The Rajput jumps back and tries to strike with his Aara, but the Centurion blocks with his shield. The Centurion lunges at the Rajput and swings his Dolabra, but the Rajput jumps out of the way. He then swings his Aara and coils it around the Centurion's leg. The Centurion completely falls over, but is able to save himself from the Rajput by kicking a log at the Rajput and tripping him. The Centurion gets up with his Dolabra at hand and sees that the Rajput has also gotten up and pulled out his Khanda sword again. The Centurion swings at the Rajput, who moves back to avoid it. However, in doing so, he backs up and falls onto a giant log. The Centurion tries to take advantage and swing at the Rajput, but the Rajput rolls out of the way and causes the Dolabra to get stuck in the log. The Rajput then swings his sword and cuts the head of the Dolabra off from the handle. He prepares to swing at the Centurion, but the loss of the Dolabra's head allows the Centurion to swing the broken handle fast enough to hit the Rajput and knock him over. The Centurion pulls out his Gladius and begins swinging wildly at the Rajput, eventually knocking the Khanda out of his hands. He slashes the Rajput's face and forces him to the ground. He raises his sword and prepares to finish him off, but the Rajput puts on his Katar and stabs the Centurion in the stomach. The Centurion falls in pain, then looks up. The image of the Rajput weilding his Khanda is the last thing the Centurion sees before the Khanda tears into his face and kills him. The Rajput then pumps his fists in the air and yells in victory.
Expert's Opinion
Following the battle the experts gave their opinion on why the Rajput won. While the Centurion was a more professional soldier, hardened by his intense training alone, he was meant to fight in large battles with the rest of his Legion, not in single combat. The Rajput on the other hand, could battle by himself or with other Rajput, just as effective in either situation. Also, each Rajput was trained from birth to become a warrior, each one being trained in martial arts, and a master with each of his weapons. When it came down to it, it was the Rajput's superior training and skills in single combat that won him the match.
Trivia
- According to online polls, the Rajput was the most popular season 2 ancient warrior for fans.
- Shabdbedi was a rajput martial art which consisted of using only your hearing senses to fight.
- In the Battle of Dharmatpur a British General who had observed the battle commented saying "Ten thousand Muslims fell in the onset, which cost seventeen hundred Rathor, besides Guhilotes, Haras, Gaurs, and some of every clan of Rajwarra (They are all names of rajput clans). Aurangzeb and Murad (Moghul Kings) only escaped because their days were not yet numbered. Notwithstanding the immense superiority of the imperial princes, aided by numerous artillery served by Frenchmen, night alone put a stop to the contest of science, numbers, and artillery, against Rajput courage.
In Deadliest Warrior: The Game
Class: Berserker
Rajput warrior in the game
Weapons:
Special Weapons: Katar
Armor: Coat of 10,000 Nails, Chahar-Aina
Brutal Finisher: The Rajput dances around as he stabs his opponent in the chest, then the right armpit, causing to fall out, then beheads his opponent and stabs his opponent in the chest again, as the Rajput finishes killing his opponent, he wipes off the blood from his Katars.
Trivia
- Video of Rajput weapons [1]
Gallery
