Political and Social Structure of Medieval Rajasthan
A study of the emergence of the Rajputs has been done in order to outline the political and social structure of medieval Rajasthan. Apart from kinship ties, the inter-clan relationships have been studied as well as the process State formation which developed through distinct stages. Study of these developments aids in understanding the marriage network among the clans. Whereas during the early period of State formation, caste boundaries were quite blurred, by the 15th–16th centuries, caste distinctions acquired importance both for marriage purposes and systematisation of administration. It is apparent from the study of the caste structure of this region that it cannot be seen in terms of the fourfold varnas. For the Rajputs, it was the clan structure that was more significant and this governed the marriage rules.