The Rajputs are warrior communities who thrived in the shadows of the Aravalli mountains and controlled the Thar Desert. Some even lived in the Punjab plains and Malwa plateau. They rose to prominence during the Mughal era, and scholars have long been trying to understand their emergence, as there is no real reference to Rajputs in Vedic literature or later Puranic literature. However, they have played a very important role in Indian history since the 10th century onwards, with their influence amplifying after the 15th century. Were they Sakas or Hunas who married local women? No one knows for sure.

The Rajputs themselves have many stories about their origin. Raghuvamsi Rajputs claim descent from the solar dynasty of kings. Chandella and Yaduvamshi Rajputs claim descent from lunar lines of kings. Then there are the Agni-kula or fire-born Rajputs. They came into being when the earth was troubled by anarchy in the absence of good kings. India was being invaded by barbarians—foreigners who did not respect the Vedas, did not protect cows or Brahmins, and therefore, everybody was invoking the gods. This was when a great fire sacrifice was held by the Seven Sages (sapta Rishi).