Native inhabitants of Rajasthan, India.

Rajasthani people or Rajasthanis are an Indian ethnic group native to

Rajasthan ("the land of kingdoms") ^{region of India.}

The first mention of word Rajasthan comes from the works of George Thomas (Military Memories) and James Tod (Annals). Rajasthan literally means a Land of Kingdoms

The history of Rajasthan goes back as far as Indus Valley Civilization

Oldest Kingdom of Rajasthan

The state of Alwar, in north-eastern Rajasthan, is possibly the oldest kingdom in Rajasthan. Around 1500 BC.

It formed a part of the Matsya territories of Viratnagar (present-day Bairat) encompassing Bharatpur, Dholpur, and Karauli.

Castes and communities

Noblemen from Jaipur 1875

Major sub ethnic groups are Sirvi, Ahirs, Jats, Khatiks, Rajputs, Rabari, Gurjars, Bhils, Meenas, Brahmins, Mali Rajputs, Meghval, Chamar, Kholis, Agrawal, Jains, Kumhar, Chippa etc.

Criminal tribe!

There are few other tribal communities in Rajasthan, such as Meena and Bhils. The Ghoomar dance is one well-known aspect of Bhil tribe. Meena and Bhils were employed as soldiers by Rajputs for their bravery and martial capabilities. Meenas, in ancient times, were ruler of Matsya, i.e., Rajasthan or Matsya Union.However, during colonial rule, the British government declared 250 groups ^{which included Meenas, Gujars, etc. as "criminal tribes". Any group or community that took arms and opposed British rule were branded as criminal by the British government in 1871.}