Where have all the kshatriyas gone ?

Good question !
Where are they ?

Once the protectors of our nation, where are they now ?

1) A large number were killed in defending India and Hinduism.

India has been under foreigne attack for over a 1000 years now.  Yet, we have retained our culture and religion almost intact.  Its not a mean feat and one not seen anywhere else in the world.  Where ever the muslims and xtians have invaded, they have largely wiped out every trace of the original culture and religion.  Most of the converts do not know or ever care to know their past.   Only recently have some of these ancient people become interested in their past – mainly because it makes great tourist trade. 

India’s resistance to invaders have cost us dear.  Kshtriyas have played a large part in it – men and women.  The likes of Rana Pratap, rani Padmini of Chittod, Shivaji, Ahalyabai Holkar, Lakshmibai of Jhasi, died to preserve the honour of our nation and nationhood.  Their sacrifice has allowed us to remain Hindu and Indian for so long.

 

2) Some were converted.  During the muslim rule, it was for career / monetary gain.  To get ahead at court, they had to convert.  Hindus has a glass ceiling in terms of what they could or could not achieve at court.  Many, like the kings of Amber (Jaipur) gave their daughters away to the muslim rulers to get ahead at court.   It paid rich dividends in terms of position and power, but cost us dear in terms of culture and people.

 

3) Some of converted to Sikhism to protect themselves and keep eating meat.  The rules of food, eating / drinking, meeting people, marriage etc meant they converted to keep themselves immune to “conversion by accident”.  Many Hindus were considered to be “converted” because of accidental lapse in eating / drinking etc.  Sikhs, being drawn from both communities, were immune to Hindu’s stricter codes.  Be a martial community, Sikh way of life and worship suited the kshatriya code and life style too.

 

4) A large number were made “soft” by luxurious living.  During the british rule, many lived a soft life.  Having large tracts of land, farmed by others, with virtually no military duty to do, made them soft.  Kings out-sourced security and military duties to the british, making their own kshatiryas soliders largely ceremonial.  Drinking bouts, expensive showy darbars, trips abroad and lavish parties is all they did, while the british took ever greater control of their kingdoms.  Out-sourcing our military and monetary matters to the british, made us virtual slaves to the british.   

Many rulers who came to rule after the collapse of the mughals, were not real kshatriyas anyway.  They were men of talent and courage.  But, their children were not necessarily of the same quality.  The Gayakwads of Baroda, the Schindhiyas of Gwalior are just the most visible example of these.

 

5) Job and career functions in the modern world have left the rest totally “soft”.  They no longer take part in anything that exercises their talents.  Reservation policies in jobs, education and all other gov things in India has neutered the community and has largely kept them out of politics or government.

 

6) They are unable to celebrate their past or history.  Recently, an all out campaign against “Sati” has meant its no longer acceptable to worship the martial history or the bravery of their women.  It is politically incorrect to celebrate the brave soldiers of our past.

Japanese can celebrate their Samurai heritage.
Red Indians can celebrate their tribal warriors.
Pakistanis can name their weapons after invaders who forcefully converted them.
Sikhs can celebrate and wear their martial history.

BUT, the Hindus are called “fundamentalists” and “nationalists” if they celebrate their kshatriya past.

 

7) Whatever the foreigners did not or could not complete, the modern education system has completed.  Most of our people are unable to appreciate or understand their role in the society.  Being educated in the missionary schools, they do not appreciate our culture or religion.  Only when they wake up and realise their destiny, will they realise what they can do for the country and their community.

 

One day, hopefully soon, the kshatriyas of India will awaken and reclaim their identity.

 

© Bhagwat Shah

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