Kshetriya

Kshetriya, commonly transliterated as Kshatriya, is a term from the Hindu varna system used to describe a social group traditionally associated with warriors, rulers, and administrators. Etymology traces to Sanskrit kṣatra, meaning "realm" or "rule," and kṣatriya meaning "one who is of power" or "descendant of the ruling class."

In the traditional four-varna framework, Kshatriyas are positioned between Brahmins (priests) and Vaishyas (merchants and producers). Their dharma, or duties, included protection of society, governance, defense of the realm, maintenance of law and order, and leadership of the armed forces. Religious and literary sources describe Kshatriyas as uphold­ers of justice and protectors of the weak, though actual practices varied across regions and historical periods.

Historically, the term has encompassed a range of regional communities and lineages that identified as Kshatriya or Kshetriya. Many dynasties and noble families traced their origins to Kshatriya status, contributing to its association with royal power and military leadership. In modern India, the rigid application of the varna system has diminished, and caste identities interact with regional, linguistic, and socio-economic factors. Legal and social reforms prohibit caste-based discrimination, and social mobility has increased, affecting traditional hierarchies.

Today, Kshetriya is still used in some contexts as a regional or cultural identifier or in anthropological discussions to describe communities claiming Kshatriya ancestry. Regional spellings and pronunciations vary, with Kshatriya remaining the standard transliteration in many scholarly sources.