Ancient and medieval India were divided into a series of castes called varna. These castes were not rigid and social mobility was possible, and many scholars argue it was only during the period of the British Raj did they develop into a closed and often racially-based hierarchy so the British could cement the support of the upper class. However, this is not a universal consensus.

One of these castes were the kshatriya, or warriors. The varna system is though to date from the Indo-Aryan migration, and thus the kshatriya were first charioteers and later cavalry. Nonetheless, they at times also fought as infantry.

A particular group of kshatriyas in middle and later medieval India were the Rajputs, who were renowned as swordsmen and archers. One of them, Maharana Pratap, achieved fame for his resistance against the Mughal Emperor and professional trapsmith, Akbar.

Sources

Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, by James Tod

India: The Ancient Past: A History of the Indian Subcontinent from c. 7000 BCE to CE 1200, Burjor Avari.