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 Malpurthe Raol of MansaThis '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 Jaisalmerthe Maharawal of Banswarathe Maharawal of Dungarpurand one in Gujarat, entitled to a (rather low-ranking) Hereditary salute of 9-guns (11-guns personal) :
the Maharaol (or Maharawal) of Bari(y)aAs a surname, "Rawal" is found among multiple communities in India, Pakistan and Nepal:
RajputsGurjarsBrahmins. The Nambudiri priests of the Badrinath and Kedarnath were given the title of "Rawal" by the king of Garhwal in 1776Raval (also known as Rawal or Raval Yogi), an Indian caste categorized among the Other Backward ClassesRawal, a caste found in Pakistan and Pakistani diaspora; its members claim to be the original rulers of RawalpindiJatPeople with the title or surname Rawal include (in alphabetical order):
Bappa Rawal, legendary ruler of Mewar kingdom IndiaBhim Bahadur Rawal, Nepali politicianJam Rawal, ruler of Kachchh princely state in IndiaJayakumar Jitendrasinh Rawal, Indian politicianJitendra Jatashankar Rawal, Indian astrophysicistKalpana Rawal, Kenyan lawyer and judgeLal Bahadur Rawal, Nepali politicianNisha Rawal, Indian model-actressParesh Rawal, Indian actorRajendra Rawal, Nepali footballerRawal Jaisal, ruler of Jaisalmer state in IndiaRawal Mallinath, folk hero of Rajasthan, IndiaRawal Ratan Singh, ruler of Mewar state in IndiaSanjay Rawal, American documentary film directorSashi Rawal, Nepali pop singerVaibhav Rawal, Indian cricketerVipul K Rawal, Indian scriptwriterGroups of people
Rawal Bhil, a clan of BhilsPlaces
Rawal lake, a reservoir in PakistanRawal Express, a Pakistani train service between Lahore and Rawalpindi