ksatriya

Ksatriya, often transliterated Kshatriya, designates one of the four varnas in the traditional Hindu social order. The term derives from Sanskrit ksatra, meaning sovereignty, rule, or authority, and it is commonly understood as denoting the class of rulers and warriors responsible for protection and governance.

Historically, the Ksatriyas occupied the second position in the varna hierarchy, between Brahmins (priests) and Vaishyas (merchants and cultivators). Their duties traditionally included ruling, administering justice, leading military forces, and defending the realm. In ancient texts, they are portrayed as upholding dharma and protecting the weak, citizens, and guests; governance and warfare were often seen as intertwined responsibilities.

Notable Ksatriya figures appear across Hindu epics and Puranas, such as Rama and Krishna, as exemplary kings and heroes. The category also encompassed regional dynasties and warrior clans, including groups commonly identified today as Rajputs, Thakurs, and other royal-lineage communities, though exact boundaries between varnas and jatis vary by tradition and region. Over time, the concept of Ksatriya has reflected both idealized roles of rulers and real political elites.

In contemporary India and scholarly discourse, the varna model is viewed as a historical framework rather than a rigid social order. Many communities still identify with Ksatriya as a social group or lineage, though the usage and status of Ksatriya as a caste or varna are contested and complex, with significant regional variation and ongoing debates about caste, identity, and equality.