Children s Learning Within Early Childhood Education

Play in early childhood education is of great importance in the holistic development of children. Play is hard to define, due to its various presenting means. It must be regarded as an indispensable component of an individual’s development (Saracho, Olivia, Spodek Bernard,1998). Through play, the child interacts with their peers as they explore and participate in different activities. The role of the early childhood teachers is crucial in encouraging and stimulating children’s interest in play. In this essay, I will discuss the relevance of play to young children’s learning within early childhood education. Firstly, I will begin with my own childhood experience of play in China, along with my parents’ perspective and expectation on me†¦show more content†¦Due to his socio-cultural background which emphasized academic attainment, my father was a strict parent, who had started to teach me to speak and read since I was less than a year old. As a you ng child, unlike all my peers at that time, I did not have any toys to play with, but I had a whole shelf of books as company. I could play with the children in my neighborhood at their home or in the playground only when my father was at work because he would scold me for playing too much. Mostly we ran on a large lawn playing different versions of chasing game, like appointing one person as â€Å"the saver† who can rescue people that have been caught, or simply played pretend in a sand pit with all the natural resources like cobblestones and leaves as our money and food, which are some universal games in almost everywhere. In my kindergarten, children were taught by lessons in fixed timetable, like they were mass produced goods that had to adjust themselves to fit in the society. We learned to read and write basic Chinese characters, sang along with teachers sitting properly with our hands on the desks and went home with pencil-and-paper homework. I remember there was a gr eat playground there but it was barely used due to the fact that everyone was supposed to stay in their classroom quietly. In conclusion, back to the time when I was a child, play would not be an acceptable way for children toShow MoreRelatedSocio-cultural Assessment1369 Words   |  5 Pagesunderstanding the way a child responds to challenges and change. Their responses and perceptions are based on the world in which they live. Their understanding of the world comes from the values and beliefs of the adults, community, socio-economic status, education and culture that surround them. (Mooney, 2000). When making an assessment on an individual child it is necessary to consider the background and culture in which they exist. Berger (2005), states that human development results from dynamic interactionsRead MoreEarly Childhood Education : Children s Understanding And Development Essay826 Words   |  4 PagesEarly childhood education typically pertains to the education of children who range in age from babies to kindergarten age. This does not start and end inside the class room. Early childhood training is debatably the most crucial phase of educational development as it is from this cornerstone that future development and learning happen. High quality programs need to incorporate teaching in reading capabilities, motor skills, vocabulary and communication abilities. This will create substantial benefitsRead MoreGood Communication Skills are Essential for Early Childhood Education1306 Words   |  6 PagesGood communication skills form a critical element of early childhood education. Communication consists of two main styles: Verbal and non-verbal. These styles of communication form the foundation of effective teaching and learning within the early childhood forum. A good early childhood educator will enhance learning and development with an extensive knowledge of both the verbal and non-verbal elements of communication. An early childhood educator will un derstand what constitutes good communicationRead MoreEssay on 20th Century Approaches in Early Childhood Education861 Words   |  4 Pagesthere are many kinds of programs and approaches used in early childhood education? The 20th century was the start of inclusive classrooms and about the idea of education for all. Education in the early preschool years boomed with early childhood development programs. While there are many popular approaches, I find that Maria Montessori and Rudolf Steiner have the reliable strait forward and captivating approaches to early childhood education. Maria Montessori has an educational method that is inRead MoreEarly Childhood Education Essay1573 Words   |  7 PagesThe education of the young mind is an important step in preparing the child for future learning experiences. The evolution of early childhood education has changed how adults and parents view the importance of offering stimulating and exciting opportunities to the very young. Early childhood Education offers the young child learning experiences that benefit them throughout their educational career. They soon embark on a whole new world of learning. These children are not only experiencing standardRead MoreCo Constructive Environments Create Learning Opportunities For Children927 Words   |  4 Pages Co-constructive environments create learning opportunities for children. The learning strategy of co-construction is an extension of the philosophy of constructivism that maintains interpretation is required to â€Å"make meaning† of the world (Schwandt, as cited in MacNaughton Williams, 2009). The early childhood setting often bases their program on the developmental play curriculum as this relates to Piaget’s theory of children’s cognition. This approach is about the child constructing their ownRead MoreBronfenbrenner s Ecological Systems Theory And Its Impact On Early Childhood Development869 Words   |  4 Pagesoverview of Bronfenbrenner s ecological systems theory and its impact on early childhood development. The researcher will review key literature to present a background of the ecological approach. Furthermore, the researcher will discuss how to implement the ecological approach to develop a quality learning environment for early childhood education (i.e., for children 0-8 years). A summary will conclude the essay. Ecological Systems Theory Background Bronfenbrenner s ecological systems theoryRead MoreIdentification and Description of the Influences and Discourses Surrounding the Development of Different Educational Curricula1361 Words   |  6 Pagesproposed ‘education revolution’, which aimed to embrace the ‘Australian’ ‘fair go for all’ mentality and provide a meaningful, enriching education to all (MCEETYA, 2008; Reid, 2009). The emphasis on social justice at this given time, is further promoted by Rudd’s iconic apology to Indigenous Australians on the 13th February 2008 (Australian Government, 2014). Through encompassing these philosophies, the Melbourne declaration (MCEETYA, 2008) provided the basis for the first national early childhood frameworkRead MorePhilosophy of Early Childhood Essay854 Words   |  4 Pagesphilosophy of Early childhood Education My philosophy of Early childhood education is based on research that indicates that a child’s growth is developmental. Every child is unique in terms of life experiences, developmental readiness, and cultural heritage. A high quality early childhood program that provides a safe and nurturing environment, which promotes physical, social, emotional, language and cognitive development will ensure a positive continuation of the child’s education process. TheRead MoreYoung Children s Early Arts1552 Words   |  7 PagesYoung children s early arts experiences are important in terms of effective early childhood educational practices and learning. This presentation will promote awareness of the various modes that young children (from birth to five years of age) can and should have experiences of art-based activities within educational settings, at home and within their communities. It was previously believed that in the early childhood years, arts education was not essenti al. The arts education available were only

Environmental Protection Agency Standards During The New...

Due to continued rainfall in December of 2014, the water level in the New River Lagoon was higher than normal. Higher water levers allowed us to conduct more extensive testing deeper into the tributaries that feed Belize’s largest body of freshwater. Over time, this testing will provide a clearer picture of the movement of the water that passes from runoff and ground water into the tributaries and into the New River Lagoon. The New River Lagoon then flows north to the New River and empties into the Bay of Corozal. The nitrate levels for water sampled at a minimum of 1.0 meters below the surface showed lower nitrate levels as compared to surface levels, and to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standard of safe levels of nitrate†¦show more content†¦The levels from the samples taken in December of 2014 align within a low range that has been stable over the last several years (Studer M. , Community Based Research in Northern Belize, 2012) (Studer M. A., 2014). Samples were taken at various depths at the mouth of the New River Lagoon and further downstream directly in the New River. The level of nitrates at those sites ranged from 1.76 mg/L to 2.20 mg/L. Samples were also taken from the tributaries that feed the New River Lagoon, namely, Lemonal Creek, Ram Goat Creek, Irish Creek, Harry Jones Creek, and Lamanai Creek. All of these tributaries, with the exception of Irish Creek, lie on the east side of the Lagoon and drain either into the savanna areas or small—predominately non-agricultural—villages. The results of nitrate testing for tributaries overall ranged from 0.0mg/L- 5.72mg/L. December, 2015 In December of 2015, we acquired probes from the Hach Company that allowed us to test temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen within seconds. Since the levels of nitrates in groundwater are typically higher than in water that contains levels of dissolved oxygen greater than 0.5mg/L (Dubrovsky, et al., 2010), pairing nitrate levels with dissolved oxygen readings at coincident depths provides a better understanding of the data. Although lower water levels inhibited us from testing as far into the tributaries as we had in 2014, we

The association between audit committee - Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss about the The association between audit committee. Answer: Wooolsworth Group, in its financial report of 2017, has evidently published a corporate governance statement. The corporate governance statement as disclosed by the management of the Woolsworth Group for the financial year of 2017 claims to describe the key corporate governance policies and practices of the company that have been followed throughout the year. The particular process that has been followed by the company for the purpose of preparing the financial statements is that the management of the Woolworths group has compulsorily followed the guidelines or recommendations that have been laid down by the ASX Corporate Governance Council under the Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations (ASX Principles). The particular domain or section of the financial report under which the information about the corporate governance statement of the company is found is the Directors Report (Section 3) of the annual report and under the Other Information (Section 5) of the annual report of Woolsworth Group. The company has four board committees in regards to the assistance that is required by the Board of Directors of the company in exercising its responsibilities and providing the necessary recommendations and advice. These four committees are that have been established by the Woolsworth Group are as follows: Nomination Committee Audit, Risk Management and Compliance Committee (ARMCC) People Performance Committee Sustainability Committee The different Board committees have essentially established a charter that defines the different duties and responsibilities of the respective committees. The Audit, Risk Management and Compliance Committee (ARMCC) consist of five members as mentioned in the annual report of the company. The composition of the audit committee is according to the ASX recommended guidelines that have been established in order to maintain a stable corporate structure of the business. This can be evidently derived from the fact that the composition of the board committee has minimum three directors. The majority of the directors are independent. The chair is independent and not board chair. The members of the committee are mandated to have business experience and have knowledge about the financial aspect of business. One of the members or staff of the committee should mandatorily have financial qualifications and experience. Thus, the disclosure in the annual report of the company about the composition of the ARMCC signifies that the audit committee has the correct composition and is in accordance to the ASX guidelines (Contessotto and Moroney 2014). The statement that the different audit committees are of significant benefit to the auditing profession, the company, the auditor and/or society as a whole is correct and applies to Woolsworth Group significantly. This is because of the following benefits provided by the audit committee: The audit committee makes the entire process of scrutinizing and evaluating the financial statements of the company easier, which in turn helps the external auditor in carrying out the auditing proceedings. The audit committee also implements proper internal controls in the organization that helps in mitigating chances of fraud and misstatements in the books of accounts. This in turn will not only help the external auditor but also ensure that the accounting statements present a fair image of the company, which is essential for the third party investors (Safari and Safari 2017). The audit committee also focuses on the financial management and the reporting of the company, which is highly beneficial for the company as a whole (Martinov-Bennie, Soh and Tweedie 2015). References Contessotto, C. and Moroney, R., 2014. The association between audit committee effectiveness and audit risk. Accounting Finance, 54(2), pp.393-418. Martinov-Bennie, N., Soh, D.S. and Tweedie, D., 2015. An investigation into the roles, characteristics, expectations and evaluation practices of audit committees. Managerial Auditing Journal, 30(8/9), pp.727-755. Safari, M. and Safari, M., 2017. Board and audit committee effectiveness in the post-ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations era. Managerial Finance, 43(10), pp.1137-1151.

American Foreign Policy free essay sample

This paper examines the need for change in American Foreign Policy through the opinions of three articles. An examination of American Foreign Policy from three articles from Annual Editions American Foreign Policy: Article 33, Musclebound: The Limits of U.S. Power by Stephen M. Walt; Article 12, A Small Peace for the Middle East by Arthur Hertzberg; and Article 11, To Be An Enlightened Power by Wu Xinbo. It discusses the overall foreign policy theme that links the articles together, the central arguments of each article, the article the author tends to support, and what should be the final foreign policy responses and solutions to the problems. All three authors, Walt, Hertzberg, and Xinbo, clearly believe that the United States should change its approach to foreign policy. The authors views are linked by their portrait of the United States as the major super power in the world and the problems and responsibilities that arise with this reality. During the early 1900s, and even looking to the present day, on balance has the rise of American as an empire or hegemon been working for the global good? Looking at this idea in purely black and white terms, sure. US involvement during the late 1800s and early 1900s, including the liberation of Spanish colonies such as Cuba and the Philippines, without a doubt yielded numerous international benefits to the natives of these regions and the United States. However, if when looking deeper and longer, to the actual motivation for the rapid rise of the US to the top of the international society and what actually happened after the initial involvement, it becomes more apparent that maybe, the US was not necessarily the perfect nation that everyone, including US citizens thought they were. Due to the game of politics, the desire to expand the economy, and the thoughts about acquiring land in geostrategic locations, the seemingly pure motivations for moving forces beyond the border of the country become marred. Even from the start of the nation, one of the primary focuses of the people and the government was the expansion of the economy to become competitive with the more industrialized Europe. Initially, thru tariffs, subsidies from the government, and foreign loans, American companies slowly became just as capable, if not more than those in Europe. In addition, the vast new continent had the benefit of an abundance of natural resources. Moving into the late 1800s and early 1900s, the US economy and companies were strong enough to make a forceful appearance into the international limelight. In an attempt to gain more consumers and find more resources to manufacture, the US greedily sought to form economic alliances with countries all over the world in accordance with the ideas put forth in Washington’s Farewell address. However, as wars began to tear Europe apart, the United States inevitably became involved. Due to economic alliances with countries on both sides of wars like WWI, the best policy seemed simply to remain neutral as planned and continue trade. However, to these European nations, providing for the enemy was not an option. While the war presented a unique and profitable venture to arms manufactures and other industries in the United States, it became increasingly clear that neutrality was not a viable option if the government wanted to protect US citizens, particularly US merchant and trade lanes open. The sinking of the Lusithania, while still a British Ship, was one of the last straws, finally adding the United States to the mix of growing international powers engaged in a bloody war. The continuous use of U-boats by Germany on any American merchant ships in European waters could not go unnoticed. However, when Wilson publicly addressed the nation he proclaimed that the United States was going in to help bring peace to the nation and try to work towards a diplomatic solution. He wanted to bring democracy and the ideals of freedoms to the region. However, if one actually looks at what was at stake for the Americans, one realizes that this ideological philosophy was not the core reason behind the entry into the war. In order to preserve the economy, the trade routes that were established, and keep up the prosperity that was observed in the recent past, a stable Europe is necessary. As a source of consumers and general trade partners, European nations were essential to American companies. However, there is no doubt that America’s entrance into WWI and the peace process afterwards had no benefits. Even so, the political involvement in trying to create the American Empire should not be ignored. Rather, it is important to note how Americans political involvement, especially in proceedings after WWI, were beneficial but still with American betterment at heart. However, it is important to  note that American expansion during this time period was fueled by what are now called the â€Å"Foreign Policy Elite,† a group of politicians, bureaucrats, and wealthy Americans who had considerable influence on the political decisions made during the time period. Indeed, the desire of these people to expand markets and improve the clientele of major Americans businesses. Because of the political clout possessed by these individuals, they were able to effectively c ontrol legislation and declarations of war, including that against Spain in order to free Cuba, the Philippines, and Guam. However, more importantly is noting the American impact on the peace proceedings directly after WWI. Wilson’s fourteen points and plans for peace were instrumental in an attempt to bring peace to war-torn Europe. The fourteen points detailed a plan to try and have a balance of power between all the nations in Europe while preventing any one nation from taking the blame for the war or paying reparations. In addition, establishing the League of Nations to help act as a middle man was a novel one for the time period. Sadly, the fourteen points were never put into effect as the European nations met together, excluding Russia and Germany, in order to create a plan that worked for them. Indeed, the treaty of Versailles had Germany paying reparations that would demolish their economy for years and create land borders that would only serve to fuel the fire for more conflict. Wilson could have cared less, and simply watched as Europe lit the fire that would eventually start WWI. The only part of Wilson’s idea that was adopted was the League of Nations. But, ironically, the US never joined due to political tensions between Wilson and the republicans in congress who did not want an international body to govern their choices. In this alone, it is clear that the political rivalry that existed during this time period served to greatly influence American presence in the world as well as their foreign policy. While America’s intentions were noble in trying to bring peace to Europe, the inaction to forward US ideas shows that sometimes, America was not as strong as it needed to be in attempting to bring about democracy and world peace. In addition to the pure politics and economy associated with American foreign policy, the desire to expand both economically and ideologically required us to have presences in geo strategic locations around the globe. After the Spanish-American war, the United States obtained land abroad, including the American Guam and the Philippines. While the US entered the war under the pretense of bringing democracy and freedom to the region, it must be observed how and why the US actually did get involved in this conflict. Originally, under the Monroe Doctrine, it was important to remove foreign influence from the western hemisphere. It was not acceptable that Spain controlled colonies in the Caribbean, so close to the homeland. Therefore, while the US intervened in the name of justice and freedom for the inhabitants of those islands, they had multiple other motivations for doing what we did. Indeed, the people of the United States learned that it is important to not have European influence in the Western Hemisphere. With the turmoil ravaging every single European country, sparing no one, the US learned the importance of having a strong international standing, especially in regards to geopolitical importance. Remembering that we were mostly focused on the expansion of trade routes and commerce, having islands in key refueling lines to Asia and Europe and even to South America was extremely important. In addition, in order to streamline trade routes between the Pacific and the Atlantic, the United States militarily took over Panama in order to build and finish the Panama canal. While the US had an agreement with Panama that we would let them be autonomous, in order to advance US geopolitical interests, the government â€Å"temporarily† broke the agreement, showcasing the American’s desire to improve only their quality of life. â€Å"We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal. † These words, written by the founding fathers of the nation, are a true testament to what exactly America is supposed to stand for. America hopes to try and bring the constitution wherever the US flag goes, yet truly what happens is what needs to be examined. It must be realized that while Americans try to work with the idea of trying to spread ideals such as democracy and freedoms, they definitely have their own motives for doing what they do. On a basic level, the United States Empire was a force for expanding ideals that were believed to be good and fundamental to humanity. However, the actual reason for going through with the actions is slightly less ideological. Looking at the specific cases of the Spanish American War and US involvement in World War I, it is visible that the United States on a whole had noble intentions of spreading the ideas of universal freedoms and democracy. However, the true motivation was for the betterment of America. So, on a whole the work done by America abroad did reap benefits for every country involved, as autonomy was eventually given to former colonies, and temporary peace was forged in Europe. Overall, the United States was split pretty much down the middle in terms of the extent to which it was a force for good. While the intentions weren’t all pure and some of the actions were counterproductive to the goals of the United States, the US and the countries in which they were involved still gained benefits from US presence.

Issue Of Gun Control And Violence Essays - Firearms, Gun Politics

Issue of Gun Control and Violence The issue of gun control and violence, both in Canada and the United States, is one that simply will not go away. If history is to be any guide, no matter what the resolution to the gun control debate is, it is probable that the arguments pro and con will be much the same as they always have been. In 1977, legislation was passed by the Canadian Parliament regulating long guns for the first time, restructuring the availability of firearms, and increasing a variety of penalties . Canadian firearms law is primarily federal, and "therfore national in scope, while the bulk of the firearms regulation in the United States is at the state level; attempts to introduce stricter leglislation at the federal level are often defeated". The importance of this issue is that not all North Americans are necessarily supportive of strict gun control as being a feasible alternative to controlling urban violence. There are concerns with the opponents of gun control, that the professional criminal who wants a gun can obtain one, and leaves the average law-abiding citizen helpless in defending themselves against the perils of urban life. Is it our right to bear arms as North Americans? Or is it privilege? And what are the benefits of having strict gun control laws? Through the analysis of the writings and reports of academics and experts of gun control and urban violence, it will be possible to examine the issues and theories of the social impact of this issue. Part II: Review of the Literature A) Summary In a paper which looked at gun control and firearms violence in North America, Robert J. Mundt, of the University of North Carolina, points out that "Crime in America is popularly perceived [in Canada] as something to be expected in a society which has less respect for the rule of law than does Canadian society..." . In 1977, the Canadian government took the initiative to legislate stricter gun control. Among the provisions legislated by the Canadian government was a "Firearms Acquisition Certificate" for the purchase of any firearm, and strengthened the "registration requirements for handguns and other restricted weapons..." . The purpose of the 1977 leglislation was to reduce the availability of firearms, on the assumption that there is a "positive relationship between availability and use". In Robert J. Mundt's study, when compared with the United States, trends in Canada over the past ten years in various types of violent crime, suicide, and accidental death show no dramatic results, "and few suggestions of perceptible effects of the 1977 Canadian gun control legislation". The only positive effect , Mundt, found in the study was the decrease in the use of firearms in robbery with comparion to trends in the United States . Informed law enforcement officers in Canada, as in the United States, view the "impact of restricting the availability of firearms is more likely to impact on those violent incidents that would not have happened had a weapon been at hand"(152). In an article by Gary A. Mauser of the Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, he places special emphasis on the attitudes towards firearms displayed by both Canadians and Americans. According to Mauser, large majorities of the general public in both countries "support gun control legislation while simultaneously believing that they have the right to own firearms" (Mauser 1990:573). Despite the similarities, there are apparent differences between the general publics in the two countries. As Mauser states that "Canadians are more deferent to authority and do not support the use of handguns in self defence to the same extent as Americans". As Mauser points out that "it has been argued that cultural differences account for why Canada has stricter gun control legislation than the United States"(575). Surprisingly enough, nationwide surveys in both Canada and the United States "show remarkable similarity in the public attitude towards firearms and gun control"(586). Both Canada and the United States were originally English colonies, and both have historically had similar patterns of immigration. Moreover, Canadians are exposed to American television (both entertainment and news programming) and, Canadians and Americans read many of the same books and magazines. As a result of this, the Canadian public has adopted "much of

Sample Essay About Thomas Thumper Tomson

Sample Essay About Thomas 'Thumper' TomsonDo you know how to write a sample essay about Thomas 'Thumper' Tomson's argument against abortion? You can learn from this quick guide that helps you write a typical essay on the topic. Using this essay, you will not only improve your writing skills but also give the desired results in an effective manner.So, who is Thomas Tomson? He is a legal scholar, a proponent of American constitutionalism and defender of the rights of children. He is considered one of the most influential legal scholars who has contributed most to the advancement of the United States Constitution. One of his most famous works is his book The Right to Life. It has served as a basis for many debates among the constitutionalists.You can start your research about Thomas Tomson by doing some online research. Find some articles related to him and write them down so that you have a good outline in hand. You can use a calculator if you do not have much time to write the essay. If you want to avoid the trouble of plagiarism, try to use a text editor such as Microsoft Word to enter the keywords.After entering the keywords, change the content of the body of the essay to suit the theme. For example, for 'Tomson' take out the word 'struck', which shows the author's feelings against the procedure. After this, you should add a point about the importance of life and make a brief outline of the argument. In the next paragraph, you should give the reasons why the American Constitution gave you the right to make the decision in the matter. In this way, you can strengthen your argument.You can change the title of the essay after you are done with the outline of the essay. For example, if you want to show the consequences of childlessness, you may use ''. Moreover, you can leave some thoughts for the future by changing the topic of the essay. This will be useful if you want to teach other students how to write essays.In fact, you can also come up with your own conclus ions about Thomas Tomson's arguments about the morality of abortion. If you are worried about time, you can include a special section of the essay.What makes Thomas Tomson's argument about abortion so powerful is that he did not only defend the right to abortion but also defended the rights of the mother. He wrote the book in order to protect the rights of both the mother and the child. Finally, he raised the question of whether the mothers' rights are absolute or not. Most of the time, it was assumed that the right to abortion comes under the first amendment of the constitution, thus the debate turned to this.

Overview of the Rajput People of India

Overview of the Rajput People of India A Rajput is a member of northern Indias Hindu warrior caste. They live mainly in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. The word Rajput is a contracted form of raja, or monarch, and Putra, meaning son. According to legend, only the first son of a king could inherit the kingdom, so the later sons became military leaders. From these younger sons was born the Rajput warrior caste. The term Rajaputra was first mentioned around 300 B.C., in the Bhagvat Purana. The name gradually evolved to its current shortened form. Origins of the Rajputs The Rajputs were not a separately identified group until the 6th century AD. At that time, the Gupta empire broke up and there were repeated conflicts with the Hephthalites, the White Huns. They may have been absorbed into the existing society, including leaders into the Kshatriya rank. Others from the local tribes also ranked as Rajput. The Rajputs claim descent from three basic lineages or vanshas. Suryavanshi, the Solar Dynasty, descended from Surya, the Hindu Sun-god.Chadravanshi, the Lunar Dynasty descended from Chandra, the Hindu Moon-god. They include major sub-branches of Yaduvanshi (Lord Krisha was born into this branch) and Puruvanshi.Agnivanshi, the Fire Dynasty descended from Agni, the Hindu god of fire. This lineage has four clans: Chauhans, Paramara, Solanki, and Pratiharas. These all are divided into clans who claim direct patrilineal descent from a common male ancestor. These are then divided into sub-clans, shakhas, that have their own genealogical creed, which governs the laws of intermarriage. History of the Rajputs Rajputs ruled many small kingdoms in North India from the beginning of the 7th century. They were an obstacle to the Muslim conquest in North India. While they opposed invasion by the Muslims, they also battled among each other and were loyal to their clan rather than uniting. When the Mughal empire was established, some Rajput rulers were allies and also married their daughters to the emperors for political favor. The Rajputs revolted against the Mughal empire and led to its downfall in the 1680s. In the late 18th century, Rajput rulers formed an alliance with the East India Company. By the time of British influence, Rajputs ruled most of the princely states in Rajasthan and Saurashtra. Rajput soldiers were valued by the British. Purbiya soldiers from the eastern Ganga plains had long been mercenaries for Rajput rulers. The British gave more self-rule to the Rajput princes than to other areas of India. Upon independence from Britain in 1947, the princely states voted for whether to join India, Pakistan or remain independent. Twenty-two princely states joined India as the state of Rajasthan. Rajputs are now a Forward Caste in India, meaning they do not get any preferential treatment under the system of positive discrimination. Culture and Religion of Rajputs While many Rajputs are Hindu, others are Muslim or Sikh. Rajput rulers exhibited religious toleration to a greater or lesser extent. Rajputs generally secluded their women and were seen in older times to practice female infanticide and sati (widow immolation). They are usually not vegetarians and eat pork, as well as drinking alcohol.