Kshatriya

‎---> ... Kshatriya literally means "protector of gentle people". Second in the social hierarchy of the caste system (see Varna), the Kshatriyas were kings and warriors. They were said to have evolved from the arms of Brahma, signifying that their role in society was the protection of people and livestock. The Hindus maintain that only a Kshatriya had the right to rule, though Brahmin rulers are not unknown. They were supposed to be brave and fearless, and to live and die by a code of honour and loyalty. They could eat meat and drink liquor and their most exalted death was to die in battle. --->...If a person possessed the qualities of action, will, aggression, and energy, seek honor, power, status and have a martial and political temperament, they would be represented by the color Red (rajas = energetic; the color of blood, sacrifice). Those that belong to this color belong to the Kshatriya class. --->...In the past people looked upon Kshatriyans to protect them from all dangers. Kshatriyans were kings and warriors in the army, all soldiers knew basics of Kshatriyan martial arts. The Kshatriyans were held in respect by everybody. The Kshatriyans were always members of some Royal - Families or Raja-kudumba's. They were also known as Kshatriya-kul's. The folklore talks of some great Kshatriyans and legends. The status of Kshatriyans was clearly exalted. Legends tell that Kshatriyan could be told by sight because of his tall, strong and muscular male look. They were supposedly able to fight blindfolded and archers could hit a target by just sound in the dead of the night. Stories of exemplary courage still circulate by word of mouth and are recorded as folk-tales. Some stories reveal a darker side. Non-Kshatriyans were rejected in the Kshatriyan society even if they did a Kshatriyan's job better than a Kshatriyan. Teachers of Kshatriyans never accepted non-kshatriyans, for example see the story of Ekalavya. --->...The situation has changed in these modern times and Kshatriyas do not have much to gain or lose in status by their Kshatriya lineage. Only grown or old men take actual pride and speak about a Kshatriya lineage. But one area where the Kshatriya heritage reigns supreme is the Indian Army. Even now, the majority of the Indian army is composed of Kshatriyas[3]. And many of the high ranking officers state openly that they are proud to be born as Kshatriya. For example, Major General KP Candeth once told reporters who were interviewing him during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971:"I am a Nair from Kerala. I am a Kshatriya"[4] Kshatriya regiments make up a huge portion of the Indian and Nepali Armed forces. Notable among them are Punjab Regiment (Mostly Punjabi Rajput), 9th, 16th and 17th Battalions of Madras Regiment (Nair), Maratha Light Infantry (Maratha), Rajputana Rifles (Marwari Rajput), Rajput Regiment (Marwari Rajput), Jat Regiment (Jat), Dogra Regiment (Dogra Rajput), Jammu & Kashmir Rifles (Mostly Dogra Rajput), Garhwal Rifles (Pahari Rajput), Kumaon Regiment (Pahari Rajput), Gorkha Regiments (Chhetri).etc. (See Also: Martial Races in Indian Army)