Talk:Rajputana
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[edit] Use Rajputana seems racial
Rajputana name for Rajasthan prior to independence creates confusion as if Rajput population is in majority in this state. Thakur Deshraj has provided facts that total Jat population in Rajasthan in 1931 census was 11,42,025 where as Rajput population was 6,33,830. Thus Jats were about double the population of Rajputs. Shekhawati was part of Jaipur state, which had the highest Jat population of 3,13,609. In some of the princely states it was about 25 percent of total population, forming the single largest caste. [1] As per Imperial Gazeteer of India v-8, p-22, More than 44 per cent of the population in Bhadra tehsil in 1901, were Jats at that time. [2]
Historical traditions are that Jats, Bhils, Ahirs, Gujars, Meenas and some other tribes had a great contribution in building the state of Rajasthan along with Rajputs. All these tribes had to suffer great difficulties to protect their culture and the land. Millions of them martyred for this land. ‘The Hinduan Suraj’ title to Udaipur was due to Bhils. Jats had been fighting since beginning. Gujars had been exterminated in Bhinmal and Ajmer areas fighting with the invaders. Bhils ruled Kota and Bundi one time. Gujars were sardars in Alwar, Jodhpur and Ajmer areas. [3]
The truth is that purohits, Charans and Court poets out of greed for money and land gave prominence to Rajputs. Later James Tod wrote annals after taking bribe from Maharaja Udaipur and Maharaja Jodhpur of the Rajputana state. He was biased towards these states and Rajputs. The earlier contributions of warriors and protectors of the land Jats, Bhils, Gujars and Meenas were neglected and lost in the history. [4]
Jats lived in the Thar Desert since ancient times according to the puranic sources. They were also settled in Sindh and Punjab who migrated to the desert area of Rajasthan from time to time. The Author of the book ‘India of the dark ages’ writes that Jat republics were present in Rajasthan. Rule of Yaudheyas in desert area and naga Jats in Nagaur has been mentioned. [5] These republics were there till the rule of Harshavardhana. After the fall Harsha in 647 AD, the Jat republics weakened due to invasions by Mugals, Turks, Muslims and Yavanas. In the sixth and seventh century when new Agnikula clan of Rajputas was created in mount Abu, many of the Jat clans merged in them. Rajput sangha was formed from Gujar clans also. The Jat clans who joined Rajput sangha were termed Rajputs. Jat clans who did not leave the Vedic tradition of widow marriage remained in Jat sangha. Later during Muslim rule, to avoid the excesses by Mugals some of these Rajputs started child marriages of girls and the widow marriages, these groups left Rajput sangha and joined again the Jats and Gurjars. According to the records of Bhats, the rule of Anangapal and Prithvi Raj Chauhan was on these Jat areas of Ajmer, Sambhar, Fulera, and Shekhawati and up to Delhi. After the fall of Prithvi Raj Chauhan, there was no alternative left for these clans except to join the Jat sangha. The large number of common clans amongst Rajputs, Jats and Gurjars indicates that intermixing of clans with these sanghas was a trend at that time. [5]
- ^ Thakur Deshraj, Jat Itihas (Hindi), Maharaja Suraj Mal Smarak Shiksha Sansthan, Delhi, 1934, 2nd edition 1992, page-694
- ^ Imperial Gazeteer of India v-8,p-22
- ^ Thakur Deshraj, Jat Itihas (Hindi), Maharaja Suraj Mal Smarak Shiksha Sansthan, Delhi, 1934, 2nd edition 1992 page 588.
- ^ Dr Natthan Singh, Jat-Itihas, (Jat History), Jat Samaj Kalyan Parishad, F-13, Dr Rajendra Prasad Colony, Tansen marg, Gwalior, M.P, India 474 002 2004, page-91
- ^ a b Sahiram, Ek adhūrī krānti, Shekhawati kā kisān āndolan (1922-1952), page - 14
It is suggested to redraft this article in accordance with NPO Policy of Wikipedia in light of above facts. burdak 05:10, 20 March 2007 (UTC)
