Meenas
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Meenas, or Meena, is a tribal community mainly found in Rajasthan, India.
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Geography
Members of the tribe are found in the northern part of Rajasthan. They inhabit the area from Jaipur-Sikar in Shekhawati region and Alwar in the northeast region of the state. They are also widely spread in Kota, Jhalawar and Bundi. Meenas are also found in north-western Madhya Pradesh. The Meenas, largest tribal community of Rajasthan, are an agricultural people occupying one of the most fertile regions of the state.
Ancient History
The Meena Raja Ralunsi of Khogong kind-heartedly adopted a stranded Rajput mother and her child who sought refuge in his realm. Later, the Meena king sent the child, Dhola Rae, to Delhi to represent the Meena kingdom. The Rajput, in gratitude for these favours, returned with Rajput conspirers and massacred the Black Meenas on Diwali, "filling the reservoirs in which the Meenas bathed with their dead bodies" [Tod.II.281] and thus conquered Khogong. He then subjugated the Seroh tribe of Meenas at Mauch, and transferred his capital thence. Becoming the son-in-law of the prince of Ajmer, he died when battling 11,000 Meenas, most of whom he slew [Tod.II.282]. His son Maidul Rao "made a conquest of Amber from the Soosawut Meenas" whose chief was the head of the Meena confederation. He subdued the Nandla Meenas, annexing the Gatoor-Gatti district [Tod.II.282]. Hoondeo succeeded to the throne and "continued the warfare against the Meenas" [Tod.II.282]. Koontal, his successor, fought the Meenas "in which the Meenas were defeated, with great slaughter, which secured his rule throughout Dhoondar" [Tod.II.282]. The Meenas were the original builders of Amber, which town they consecrated to Amba, the Mother Goddess, whom they knew as "Gatta Rani" or "Queen of the Pass" [Tod.II.282].
Describing the destruction of the Meena town of Naed, Tod wrote: "When this latter prince (Baharmull Cuchwaha, a contemporary of Babar and Humayun) destroyed the Meena sovereignty of Naen, he levelled its half hundred gates, and erected the town of Lohan (now the residence of a Rajawut chief) on its ruins" [Tod.II.283].
Most of the major Rajput kingdoms were expanded at the expense of the tribal peoples. During the exterminations that lasted for several centuries, the native Shudras (Bhils, Meenas, etc.) were massacred and their towns destroyed, until they eventually only survived in the extreme southern hills of Rajasthan.
Recent History
Despite invasions of their lands throughout history, they were never assimilated, thereby retaining much of their culture and individuality.
The Meenas have played an important part in the history of Rajasthan (earlier known as the Rajputana). In former times, Rajput and Meena chiefs, in subordination to the Taur kings of Delhi, ruled over a considerable tract of the country. Toward the end of the century, the Kachwahas dispossessed them from what is now called Jaipur (The Pink City of India). The Meenas are said to be descended from those Rajputs who, in the wars between their own tribes or with Muslims, were compelled to quit their native home and seek refuge in the vastness of Rajputana, where they formed alliances with the aboriginal families and established tribes. The character of Meenas differs from place to place. The Meenas of the Karauli, Sawai Madhopur, Jaipur, Gangapur area are the most important cultivators for the last four hundred years. They expelled the Dhangars and Lodhis from a number of villages they occupied 500 years ago, and have retained their possession until now.
References
- "Mina, The Ruling Tribe of Rajasthan (Socio-biological Appraisal)" ISBN 8170184479
- "Impressions of Rajasthan" ISBN 208011171X
- "Annals and Atiquities of Rajast'han", or "The Central and Western Rajpoot States of India", James Tod ISBN 817167366X
External links
- Rajput Aryan Invasion : http://www.dalitstan.org/books/bibai/bibai5.html#10