WANET (Wireless Ad hoc Network) is a decentralized wireless network. WANET does not have any pre-existing infrastructure. Each node in WANET forward data to other nodes in the network. The research paper is focused on discussing the working of proactive and reactive protocols involved in WANETs. The research paper elaborates the strong features of WANETs like high performing capacity, use of unlicensed frequency spectrum, quick circulation of information around sender, and no single point of failure. The research paper details the working of prominent proactive routing protocols (DSDV, WRP, CGSR) and reactive routing protocols (DSR, AODV, TORA).