প্রবাসীতে রাজপুত ও উগ্রক্ষত্রিয়ের সমালোচনা

Rajput O Ugrakshatriya. Compiled and edited by Sri Haricharan Basu [surname as read in this review]. Publisher: Sri Ashutosh Chowdhury, Burdwan. No price is stated. The origins, customs, practices, observances, lineage conventions and social standing of the Ugra Kshatriya community have been collected in this book from various scriptures and from regional literature and history.

The author has sought to show that the Vedic Agnikula Rajputs [a following lineage description is unclear in the scan] came to Bengal as soldiers of the Muslim conquerors, established settlements in Burdwan district, and came to be known as Ugra Kshatriyas. Later, during Akbar’s reign, Raja Man Singh’s Kshatriya—

—soldiers also came to live in that part to assist the governor of Burdwan. The lineage born of the union of these two groups of Kshatriya settlers is identified through the Brihaddharma Purana’s statement: “Ugra and Rajputra were born of a Kshatriya by her (a Vaishya woman).” Therefore, they are Kshatriyas.

Although this book deals with the history of one particular community, it seems likely to be enjoyable reading for readers interested in the study of communities. We do not understand why the introduction to this book was written in English.