Rawal

Rawal is a title and surname used in the Indian subcontinent, historically associated with Rajput and other noble lineages in northwestern India. As an honorific, Rawal signified a ruler, chief, or lord, and was employed by various local dynasties in present-day Rajasthan and neighboring regions. The title is most closely linked with the Bhati clan, and one of the best-known bearers is Rawal Jaisal, the founder of the city of Jaisalmer, after whom the fort and the state are named. In broader use, Rawal appeared in inscriptions and chronicles to denote rulers or high-ranking chiefs within small principalities.

In addition to its royal connotations, Rawal functions as a hereditary surname and family name in the modern Indian subcontinent. Today it is found among people of diverse communities in India and Pakistan, where it may indicate ancestral affiliation with a clan or lineage rather than a formal title. As a given name, surname, or clan identifier, Rawal reflects historical practices of naming linked to status and landholding.

Etymologically, Rawal is understood as an honorific denoting authority, often associated with governance or lordship. The precise linguistic origins are not uniform across regions, and the term has evolved in usage over centuries. In contemporary contexts, Rawal is primarily a surname, with cultural and regional variations in its significance.