This diverse state is home to the rajputs, warrior clans claimed to originate from the sun, moon and fire, who have controlled this part of India for more than 1000 years. While they forget temporary alliances and marriages of convenience, pride and independence were always paramount with the result that much of their energy was spent squabbling among themselves and resultant weakness eventually led to their becoming vassals of the Mughal Empire. With the Mughal empire declining the Rajput gradually clawed back their independence – atleast until the British arrived. As the Raj inexorably expanded, most Rajput states allied with the British which allowed them to continue as independent states, subject to certain political and economic constraints.