vinodks
October 6th, 2005, 11:50 AM
Hey,
I thought that putting our views on whatever we read on Jat history might be beneficial to others so I am putting brief reviews of a book, which I also sent to Jat history yahoogrp but all of you might not be memeber so read on....
------------------
Qanungo's History of Jats
Compared to other popular books on the subject this is considerably old book on Jat history –written in 1925 by Prof K. R. Qanungo from Lucknow University. Qanungo’s impartial and comprehensively analysis of rise and fall of Jat power after the decline of Mughal empire is praise-worthy. He not only took into account lots of available material written in Persian, Marathi, French, English and Hindu religion scriptures but also mingled with Jat students in Delhi University and visited historical places and rural people in effort to connect the written account of event with fabric of history kept alive through generations in the form of legends and stories. In the same breath let me say one minor point that the title is this book should have been more aptly “Jat History in 18th Century” because most of the book is dedicated to period between Aurangzib’s death (1707) to death of Mirza Najaf Khan (1782). In my view Jat history could be divided in three parts.
1) Archaic history about origin of Jats, invasions and migrations during Vedic age. Various theories like Indo-Scythian, Rgvedic tribes etc. Most of the evidences supporting or contradicting one theory or other are drawn from analysis of ancient spiritual texts. This book deals with this briefly but it’s satisfactory considering the time of publication because more evidences on subversion of Aryan Invasion Theory came only recently. Authority of scholars like V.A. Smith on theory about Bala, Schythian, Huna and Gujar tribes being Jat is questioned by Qanungo and Yadu tribe (Yadvas of Mahabharta) as true origin of Jats is shown to be more sensible speculation. I personally hold the later view and that’s why I liked the book. (I find it difficult to see much similarity between words Jat and Gaete whereas resemblance of many more Jat gotras with Rgvedic seers presents more sincere case). Still the book doesn’t as much answer the questions about origin of Jats as it leaves the reader in kind of mid-way with more curiosity to read something else soon.
2) History during Puranic and classic period. Starting from around 600BC to the onset of Islamic invasion. Few relevant questions could be: the account of migrations from north India to west and vice-versa during the spread of Buddhism up to Persia? We know that Bhatti tribe of Rajputs reached up to Black sea and there is similarity between nomads found in Spain and Rajputs, is there more that we don’t know? Why we sometimes see name of Huns (~400AD, one of the fiercest nomads –having more to do with decline of Roman empire) in context of Jats? Jats during Greek invasion? Why is it not well known that Guptas were Jats? Were they really? Harshvardan? Jats during Bhakti movement?
Sadly this book doesn’t deal with any of these issues. This period is totally untouched by Qanungo. However he gives some detail about attacks of Gazni and bravery that Jats displayed.
3) Jats during Islamic reign in India. That’s where this book holds its merit and shines with scholarly brilliance especially regarding Bharatpur dynasty. Starting with Aurangzib’s reign he talks about history of Rajaram Jat, conflict with Rajput Bishan Singh, Churaman Jat and first Bharatpur king -father of Surajmal- Badan Singh. Half of the book is devoted to Surajmal and his sons. In the same context, a beautiful portrayal is sketched of confusion and turmoil in 18th century north India painted by political plots, dynamics of military power, loyalty and betrayals and numerous battles between Jats, Mughals, Sikhs, Rajputs, Marathas, Oudhs, Ruhelas and English. In text books I read that Jats betrayed Marathas in Panipat’s 3rd war but that account is very judiciously dealt with here and it makes sense. Then history of kingdom of Jawahar Singh and Nawal Singh followed by decline of Bharatpur in hands of Mirza Najaf Khan (who was better person compared to other Jat enemies) is very informative. Book ends here.
Verdict: an excellent book on Bharatpur dynasty.
--------------------
Vinod
I thought that putting our views on whatever we read on Jat history might be beneficial to others so I am putting brief reviews of a book, which I also sent to Jat history yahoogrp but all of you might not be memeber so read on....
------------------
Qanungo's History of Jats
Compared to other popular books on the subject this is considerably old book on Jat history –written in 1925 by Prof K. R. Qanungo from Lucknow University. Qanungo’s impartial and comprehensively analysis of rise and fall of Jat power after the decline of Mughal empire is praise-worthy. He not only took into account lots of available material written in Persian, Marathi, French, English and Hindu religion scriptures but also mingled with Jat students in Delhi University and visited historical places and rural people in effort to connect the written account of event with fabric of history kept alive through generations in the form of legends and stories. In the same breath let me say one minor point that the title is this book should have been more aptly “Jat History in 18th Century” because most of the book is dedicated to period between Aurangzib’s death (1707) to death of Mirza Najaf Khan (1782). In my view Jat history could be divided in three parts.
1) Archaic history about origin of Jats, invasions and migrations during Vedic age. Various theories like Indo-Scythian, Rgvedic tribes etc. Most of the evidences supporting or contradicting one theory or other are drawn from analysis of ancient spiritual texts. This book deals with this briefly but it’s satisfactory considering the time of publication because more evidences on subversion of Aryan Invasion Theory came only recently. Authority of scholars like V.A. Smith on theory about Bala, Schythian, Huna and Gujar tribes being Jat is questioned by Qanungo and Yadu tribe (Yadvas of Mahabharta) as true origin of Jats is shown to be more sensible speculation. I personally hold the later view and that’s why I liked the book. (I find it difficult to see much similarity between words Jat and Gaete whereas resemblance of many more Jat gotras with Rgvedic seers presents more sincere case). Still the book doesn’t as much answer the questions about origin of Jats as it leaves the reader in kind of mid-way with more curiosity to read something else soon.
2) History during Puranic and classic period. Starting from around 600BC to the onset of Islamic invasion. Few relevant questions could be: the account of migrations from north India to west and vice-versa during the spread of Buddhism up to Persia? We know that Bhatti tribe of Rajputs reached up to Black sea and there is similarity between nomads found in Spain and Rajputs, is there more that we don’t know? Why we sometimes see name of Huns (~400AD, one of the fiercest nomads –having more to do with decline of Roman empire) in context of Jats? Jats during Greek invasion? Why is it not well known that Guptas were Jats? Were they really? Harshvardan? Jats during Bhakti movement?
Sadly this book doesn’t deal with any of these issues. This period is totally untouched by Qanungo. However he gives some detail about attacks of Gazni and bravery that Jats displayed.
3) Jats during Islamic reign in India. That’s where this book holds its merit and shines with scholarly brilliance especially regarding Bharatpur dynasty. Starting with Aurangzib’s reign he talks about history of Rajaram Jat, conflict with Rajput Bishan Singh, Churaman Jat and first Bharatpur king -father of Surajmal- Badan Singh. Half of the book is devoted to Surajmal and his sons. In the same context, a beautiful portrayal is sketched of confusion and turmoil in 18th century north India painted by political plots, dynamics of military power, loyalty and betrayals and numerous battles between Jats, Mughals, Sikhs, Rajputs, Marathas, Oudhs, Ruhelas and English. In text books I read that Jats betrayed Marathas in Panipat’s 3rd war but that account is very judiciously dealt with here and it makes sense. Then history of kingdom of Jawahar Singh and Nawal Singh followed by decline of Bharatpur in hands of Mirza Najaf Khan (who was better person compared to other Jat enemies) is very informative. Book ends here.
Verdict: an excellent book on Bharatpur dynasty.
--------------------
Vinod