Sarah Williams, age 16, of Albuquerque, N.M., for her question:

WHO ARE THE RAJPUTS?

Rajputs are people in India who claim to be descendants of people who made up the military and ruling class in ancient India. The word Rajput means "son of a king" in the Sanskrit language of ancient India.

Rajputs are noted for their fierce pride and great courage in battle and many serve in India's armed forces.

Rajput kingdoms flourished in northern and central India between A.D. 700 and 1200. The kings followed strict rules of courtesy in their battles with one another. The Rajputs also defended the Hindu culture against Muslim invaders from Afghanistan and Persia.

The Muslims eventually conquered the Rajput territory and many Rajputs retreated into the deserts of what is now the state of Rajasthan.