rajputs constitute one of the major hindu kshatriya groups from india. they claim descent from ancient royal warrior dynasties of kshatriyas. they are identified with the word "rajanya" found in ancient indian literature and trace their roots to rajputana or rajputstan (india). in ancient times the son of a king was referred as to rajput- raja-putra. (lit - king's son - prince in sanskrit) rajput is just a shortened form of raja-putra which means king's son in sanskrit.