Rawal (also spelled Raval) or Raol originally is a variation of the Hindi princely ruler title Ra(d)ja(h) (literally "king") used in some princely states in Rajputana and Western India (notably Gujarat), and is now also used as a caste designation or surname by several communities in Southern Asia.
Notable (but non-salute) states using this title for their ruling prince were, both under the colonial Mahi Kantha Agency (in the third -high- of seven classes of states) and in present Gujarat :
the Raol of Malpur
the Raol of Mansa
This 'Western' equivalent of the higher (gradually deflated) Hindi title Maharaja (literally 'great king') was notably used by three salute states in Rajputana (presently in Rajasthan), all entitled to a (high-ranking) Hereditary gun salute of 15-guns :
the Maharawal of Jaisalmer
the Maharawal of Banswara
the Maharawal of Dungarpur
and one in Gujarat, entitled to a (rather low-ranking) Hereditary salute of 9-guns (11-guns personal) :
the Maharaol (or Maharawal) of Bari(y)a
As a surname, "Rawal" is found among multiple communities in India, Pakistan and Nepal:
Rajputs
Gurjars
Brahmins. The Nambudiri priests of the Badrinath and Kedarnath were given the title of "Rawal" by the king of Garhwal in 1776
Raval (also known as Rawal or Raval Yogi), an Indian caste categorized among the Other Backward Classes
Rawal, a caste found in Pakistan and Pakistani diaspora; its members claim to be the original rulers of Rawalpindi
Jat
People with the title or surname Rawal include (in alphabetical order):
Bappa Rawal, legendary ruler of Mewar kingdom India
Bhim Bahadur Rawal, Nepali politician
Jam Rawal, ruler of Kachchh princely state in India
Jayakumar Jitendrasinh Rawal, Indian politician
Jitendra Jatashankar Rawal, Indian astrophysicist
Kalpana Rawal, Kenyan lawyer and judge
Lal Bahadur Rawal, Nepali politician
Nisha Rawal, Indian model-actress
Paresh Rawal, Indian actor
Rajendra Rawal, Nepali footballer
Rawal Jaisal, ruler of Jaisalmer state in India
Rawal Mallinath, folk hero of Rajasthan, India
Rawal Ratan Singh, ruler of Mewar state in India
Sanjay Rawal, American documentary film director
Sashi Rawal, Nepali pop singer
Vaibhav Rawal, Indian cricketer
Vipul K Rawal, Indian scriptwriter
Groups of people
Rawal Bhil, a clan of Bhils
Places
Rawal lake, a reservoir in Pakistan
Rawal Express, a Pakistani train service between Lahore and Rawalpindi
