Rawal (also spelled Raval) or Raol is a regional variation of the Hindi princely ruler title Raja/Radjah (literally 'king'[1]) used in some princely states in Rajputana and Western India (notably Gujarat), and is now also used as a caste designation or surname by several communities in Southern Asia.
The term "Rawal" derives from the Sanskrit title "Rājakula". The related term Maharawal, which derives from the Sanskrit title "Mahārājakula",[2] means "Great Rawal".[3]
Surnames
editAs a surname, "Rawal" is found among multiple communities in India.
- [4][5][6] for example Bappa Rawal.
- The Nambudiri priests of the Badrinath and Kedarnath were given the title of "Rawal" by the king of Garhwal in 1776[7][8]
- Raval (also known as Rawal or Raval Yogi), an Indian caste categorized among the Other Backward Classes[9]
- Rawal , a surname used by some Thakuri and Chhetri people living in Karnali and Lumbini province of Nepal.
- Rawal, a gotra of Gurjars found in Pakistan and Pakistani diaspora; its members claim to be the original rulers of Rawalpindi[10][11]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Lindsey Harlan (1992). Religion and Rajput Women: The Ethic of Protection in Contemporary Narratives. University of California Press. p. 28. ISBN 978-0-520-07339-5.
- ^ Narayanchandra Banerjee (1980). Development of Hindu Polity and Political Theories. Munshiram Manoharlal. p. 345. OCLC 6969389.
- ^ Roper Lethbridge (1985). Prominent Indians of Victorian Age. Archives Rare Prints. OCLC 13642123.
- ^ A. N. Bharadwaj (1994). History and culture of Himalayan Gujjars. Jay Kay Book House.
- ^ Naravane, M. S. (1999). The Rajputs of Rajputana: A Glimpse of Medieval Rajasthan. APH Publishing. ISBN 978-81-7648-118-2.
- ^ SANJAY, RAJENDRA (1 April 1971). Bappa Rawal. Amar Chitra Katha Pvt Ltd. ISBN 978-81-89999-95-7.
- ^ James G. Lochtefeld (2002). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M. The Rosen Publishing Group. p. 78. ISBN 978-0-8239-3179-8.
- ^ J. P. Singh Rana (1997). Himalayan Heritage. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p. 8. ISBN 978-81-7533-026-9.
- ^ S. P. Agrawal; J. C. Aggarwal (1991). Educational and Social Uplift of Backward Classes: At what Cost and How? : Mandal Commission and After. Concept Publishing Company. p. 227. ISBN 978-81-7022-339-9.
- ^ T. N. Madan (1 July 1995). Muslim communities of South Asia: culture, society, and power. Manohar in association with the Book Review Literary Trust. p. 132. ISBN 978-81-7304-090-0.
- ^ The Ranking of Brotherhoods: The Dialectics of Muslim Caste among Oversees Pakistanis by Pnina Werbner pages 103 to 145 in Muslim Communities of South Asia by T N Madam Manohar publications 1995 page 127