Q. When defeat was certain, _____ men engaged in a ritual called 'Shaka' (or 'Saka') which was the last fight from which there was no return:
Answer: Rajput
Notes: Rajput women who per-formed Jauhar were regarded as brave pativratas, or examples of such deep devotion for their husbands that they would prefer to join them in their next birth rather than live a life of separation and dishonour. The men who rode out to perform Shaka (or Saka) were also highly respected for performing the most fearsome of sacrifices.