RAJPUTANA

[s. 631] : A vast territory in the northwest of India, which derives its name from the Rajput clans who inhabit it. The word “Rajput” means “son of a king,” and the Rajputs trace their origin from the princely families among Some of the original Aryan invaders of India. these clans have had their abodes here from time immemorial. The exact boundaries of Rajputana it is difficult to give. In a general way it may be said to lie between Sindh on the west, the Punjab on the northwest, the United Provinces on the northeast and the Mahratta states of the Gaikwar, Sindhia, and Holkar on tlie south. Its limits of north latitude are 23° and 30°, and of Its area is east longitude 69° 30’, and 78° 15’. supposed to be about 127,541 square miles, containing a population (1901) of 9,723,301 peoThe population is prevailingly Hindu, only ple. about 10 per cent, being Mohammedan and about half as many Jains. Those of other faiths furnish a mere sprinkling in the total ma . There are many wild jungle tribes especiahy Bhils, of which any exact enumeration is well nigh ’impo ible; the Bhils, however, are supposed to number nearly 200,000, included mostly among the Hindus, whose religion they follow. Much of the territory of Rajputana, especially The south in the western part, is mere desert. The chief city is eastern portion is more fertile. Jaipur, capital of the native state of the same name. Population (1901), 160,000. Mi ionary — Rakal Reeve, WJlllain work in Rajputana is chiefly that of the United Free Church of Scotland, and dates from 1860. The principal stations are Jaipur, Ajrnere, Nasirabad, Deoli, Beawar, Todgarh, Udaipur, Alwar, and Jodhpur. Much attention has been given to medical work, and the diligence of the mi ionaries in relieving distre during famine has given them a firm hold upon the hearts of There is a mi ion pre at Ajrnere. the people. Education is making fair progre , the female education is neglected. The Rajputs, who have given their name to the country, and who constitute its aristocracy, furnish only about half a million of the population. 632