The Rajputs occupy a significant position in Rajasthan’s history. Their involvement dates back to 5,000 years when their ancestors settled on the banks of Drishadwati river to establish a kingdom in modern-day Rajasthan. Rajputs belonged to the ruling warrior clans that fought for the pride of their state. Perhaps, that’s why Rajasthan is known as the ‘Land of the Rajputana’. Realising the importance of this clan in forming the supportive framework of the state, Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje made appropriate attempts to restore the glory of Rajputana royal families from time to time.
Raje’s involvement in Rajasthan politics began with the tragic death of one of the crucial pillars of BJP Rajasthan– late Bhairo Singh Shekhawat, who played a key role in uniting all Rajput families together. After his death, BJP almost lost its grip on state until the senior party leaders decided to launch Vasundhara Raje in Rajasthan politics. Raje, who’s a member of Gwalior’s royal family was married to the king of Dholpur. Therefore, this young and dynamic leader shared a strong bond with the neighbouring royal families.
Her debut was followed by entry of several Rajput leaders like VP Singh, Devi Singh Bhati, Gajendra Singh and Rajendra Rathore into Rajasthan’s battleground set against the opposing Congress party. Her relentless efforts were backed by Padmini Devi and Sawai Man Singh II, the descendents of late Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur. The couple actively supported Raje in her initiatives. In time, chief members of royal families like Rohini Kumari (Karauli), Diya Kumari (Jaipur) and Sidhi Kumari (Bikaner) joined her mission for strengthening the base of Rajputs in modern Indian politics.
Determined to fight for the rights and recognition of all 36 communities in Rajasthan, Raje took control of Rajasthan’s rein in 2003. That’s when she devoted herself to the development of the state as well as to the cause of uplifting her clan.
Concurrently, Raje made attempts at preserving Rajputana history by restoring historic cities and monuments. Kumbalgarh fort, Maharana Pratap’s Gaurav Kendra and King Surajmal’s panorama were some of the sites that acquired their lost splendour under Raje’s reign.
When she won people’s mandate in 2013, her cabinet was a balanced representation of all social communities, including 3 Rajput MPs and 28 Rajput MLAs. With Raje’s increasing power in Rajasthan, a selected few Rajput members started spreading rumours regarding her negligence towards Rajasthan’s royal families. Despite what the world may say, we can’t ignore CM Raje’s contribution towards the representation of Rajput families in Rajasthan. Probably this is why the Rajputs showed their confidence in her. She re-acquired the chief ministerial position in Rajasthan for the second time.
