Rawal (also spelled Raval) or Raol is a regional variation of the Hindi princely ruler title Raja/Radjah (literally 'king') 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", means "Great Rawal".
Surnames
Further information: Rawal (name)As a surname, "Rawal" is found among multiple communities in India.
- 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
- Raval (also known as Rawal or Raval Yogi), an Indian caste categorized among the Other Backward Classes
- 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
See also
References
- 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