Help needed for Jat & Sikh history presentation

[vinodks]

Dear friends,
I am pretty new to the forum and reading archives on Jat history and culture was very informative. After getting enthused by New Jeresy AJA meeting, me and my friend (Anmol) thought of doing something in the direction of presenting and portraying Jat culture among Indian community in our campus in whatever scale that is possible. Indian community in University of Maryland(CP) is very vibrant(AID was founded here, a new orgn DESI was founded 2 years back) and various talks get organized here frequently.
E.g. Last year I gave an interesting talk on 'Vedic Science and Modern Science' and their connection through "mysticism". Interested people can view it at http://www.wam.umd.edu/~vinods/vedic.pps . So we were thinking of presenting a talk on culture and history of Jats and Sikhs but I am very ignorant on the subject.

In Jatland discussion threads one comes across various references scattered here and there but I cudn't find any centralized list of references which covers the subject extensively and exhaustively. So it would be great if people could list whatever books they have come across or website and journal papers which have any relevence to the topic.

That list could also be helpful to all of us who want to educate themselves on the subject. And having a centralized repository of references it can be referred to in future if anybody needs to look for something. So this thread of discussion can be used to compile all books (and where and how they can be obtained), your views on particular book if you have read it, websites or any other type of source.

By the way, right now I could think this broad structure of subject in term of various aspects
1) Jat references in ancient indian texts(if any)
2) migrations and invations(various viewpoints)
3) known history of kings, wars and different interpretations
4) recorded habits, events(mythical or real) of people in ballads(ragnis), poems and folk lores
5) language and physical traits
6) dynamics of culture in recent history in religious, social and economical context

Thanks
Vinod

[sejwaldeepak]

[I]bhai vinod,


here i am sening you some links and some JATs personalities that i have collected from our jatland forums.

The famous Jat people

1. Ch. Gokula (at the time of Aurangjeb)
2. Ch. Rajaram singh (after the Gokula)
3. Ch. Vir Churaman
4. Ch. Jawahar Singh (Bharatpuria)
5. Ch. Shahmal Singh (Bijrol Vale) he fought against the english and defeated many times)
Ch. Yashpal Singh (Retd. IAS) former Election Commissioner, U.P.
Ch. J.P. Singh(IAS) Addl Secretary, Labour Ministry
Prof. R. S. Nirjar, Former Member Secretary AICTE, New Delhi
Prof. Premvart, Director, IIT Roorkee
Prof. Vir Singh, Director,IIM Lucknow
Dr. B. P. Dhaka, Secretary General, PHD House and former Chairman, National Productivity Council.
Sh. Surendra Dhaka, Leutinant General, Indian Army
Ch. Rajsingh (at present in USA and a big industrialist there)
Ch. Harsh Kumar (President of the Trust of Montessary Schools in USA)
Ch. Anuradha Singh M.P. (A very energetic lady, who did a lot of work in western U.P. in his time as PWD Minister)
1. R.P. Dahiya(IITD Professor)
2. Dr.Sharad Malik(IITD Professor)
Prof. R.S. Sirohi took over as the Director, IIT Delhi in December 2000
polo players are jats like... TARUN SIROHI, COL. GARCHA
Swami Keshwanand (1883-1972) was a great saint
Ashish Nehra ( Cricket player)
Mamta kharab(Hockey player)
Cheti lal verma(industrialist)
K.P.singh (DLF)
mahendra Singh Malik(Former DGP haryana,President of all india wrestling)
association)
mahindra choudhary former pm fiji
satbeer choudhary seeneter USA
UJJAL DOSANJH
col. sonaram choudhary
capt. tarachand
1. Ch. Bansi Lal
2. Ch. Ranveer Singh, Member of Constituent Assembly and father of the present CM of Haryana.
3. Ch. Nathu Ram Mirdha
4. Ch. Daulat Ram Saran, MP and social activist
5. Ch. Hardwari Lal
6. Ch. Priyavrat, (the Bhatta King)
7. Virender Sehwag
8. Principal Hoshyar Singh (a dedicated teacher, whose several students reached high positions)
9. Dr. Lal Chand Kajla (a famous doctor and unfortunately grand father (nana)
of Pamela Bordes)
10. Som Pal Shastri
11. Master Chandgi Ram - Pahalwan
12. Dr. S.S. Rana, (Principal of Shivaji College and Dean of Colleges, Delhi University)
13. Ch. Om Prakash Chautala
14. Raja Nahar Singh of Ballabh Garh
15. Brig. Hoshiyar Singh
16. Col. Hoshyar Singh, PVC
Ch. Sajjan Kumar MP(Outer Delhi)
Sh. Sahib Singh Verma (Ex. MP & Ex. CM Delhi)
Ch. Mitarsen Sindhu Ji (Industrialist and social worker)
Baldev Ram Mirdha
Bhim Singh Dahiya
Captain Bhagwan Singh
Captain Dilip Singh Ahalawat
Chaudhari Charan Singh
Chaudhari Chhotu Ram
Chaudhari Devi Lal
Col.G.S. Dhillon
Dhanna Bhagat
Dharmendra (Actor)
Dr. Bal Ram Jakhar
Dr. Sarup Singh
Gyan Prakash Pilania
Justice Mahavir Singh
Kunwar Natwar Singh
Maharaja Bhim Singh Rana
Maharaja Ranjit Singh
Maharaja Suraj Mal
Maharani Kishori
Mahendra Singh Tikait
Pahalwan Dara Singh
Raja Mahendra Pratap
Swami Keshwa Nand
Thakur Deshraj
Veer Teja
- Justice D. S. Lamba
- Sir Chajju Ram Lamba
I would like to add a name and that is Shri Parasram Maderana,former speaker of rajasthan assembly and senior congress leader.
MALLIAKA SEHRAWAT- NEEDS NO INTRO
RANDEEP HOODA - GOING TO B FAMOUS IN APRIL/MAY AFTER THE RELEASE OF "D"
I would like to add one more name , He is Mohit ahlawat , making his debut in 'JAMES' (will realease in June) directed by Ram Gopal verma

[/URL]

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page)
Jats
[URL]http://www.iranchamber.com/history/articles/common_origin_croats_serbs_jats.php
On scythians [7]
On Sakas [8]
Recognize any names [9]
Jatt World library [10]
Western Historical accounts of scythians [11]
http://www.bookrags.com/ebooks/2124/34.html
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20021109/windows/main1.htm

[sejwaldeepak]

Swami Keshwanand

The Childhood

Swami Keshwanand (1883-1972) was a great saint, freedom fighter and social reformist of Rajasthan and Punjab in India. He was born at village Magloona in Sikar district of Rajasthan in year 1883 in a poor Dhaka gotra Jat Hindu family. His father's name was Thakarsi and mother's name Saran. His childhood name was Birama. Birama did not get the formal primary education, as there was no school in that desert region in those days of British Raj.

Birama spent his childhood as a shepherd boy. At the age of five years Birama along with family left the village Magloona and moved to nearby city Ratangarh. In Ratangarh his father Thakarsi used to carry Seths (Businessman) of Ratangarh to Delhi on his camel. He lost his father at the age of 7 at Ratangarh in 1890. Birama and his mother moved from here to there in search of fodder for animals and landed at village Kelania in Sri Ganganagar district in 1897.

The Rajasthan state was heading for the greatest famine of history. There was no vegetation left on the ground. There was no drop of water. All the animals died for want of fodder. People survived on the bark of Khejri trees and seeds of grasses. Even that also became scarce. There was nothing like governance. The ruling Samants were least bothered for the poor people. Birama's mother Saran could not bear the natural and human calamity and died in year 1899 at village Kelania.

Education

The greatest famine of the history, 1899, forced Birama to leave the desert region and moved to Punjab for livelihood. He approached Mahant Kushaldas of udasi sect and expressed willingness to learn Sanskrit. Mahant Kushaldas advised that as a Jat he would not be allowed to learn Sanskrit. Birama became sanyasi (saint) to learn Sanskrit language in 1904. He got education at Sadhu Ashram Fajilka (Punjab). He learnt Hindi, Gurumukhi and Sanskrit languages at the Ashram. In year 1905 on the occasion of Prayag Kumbh Mela Mahatma Hiranandji Avadhut awarded Birama, the title of Swami Keshwanand,.

The Freedom Fighter

Swami Keshwanand felt the heat of Jalianwala Bagh Massacre. He started going to the meetings of Arya Samaj and was influenced by its philosophy. He had a strong desire for the upliftment of helpless poor people. He started attending the meetings of congress. He mat Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan at Ahmedabad Adhiveshan of the congress. Pandit Madan Mahan Malviya influenced him. He attended Delhi Adhiveshan of congress chaired by Madan Mahan Malviya in 1919. He joined Indian Independence Movement under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. For taking part in non-cooperation movement of Mahatma Gandhi he was imprisoned for two years in Ferozepur (1921-1922). The role of Swami Keshwanand became so important in freedom movement that he was appointed dictator of Ferozepur district in 1930 to conduct the freedom movement in that area. He was again arrested in 1930 but released due to Gandhi-Irvin agreement.

The Social Reformist

Swami Keshwanand felt that the knowledge of Hindi language is must to keep the country united and to educate the public about nationality. He started "Vedant Pushp Vatika" library in year 1911 in the Ashram with the support of funds collected in it. In 1912 he started a Sanskrit school in the Ashram. In 1916 he handed over the charge of Ashram to his guru-bhai Shyamdas

Swami Keshwanand was a great social worker. He always remained associated with the spread of education, social and village upliftment. He was connected with the establishment of Sahitya Sadan, Abohar, Ferozepur district in Punjab (1917-1932). He started his progrrame of spreading knowledge of Hindi with a Hindi-forum in Abohar town. He founded 'Nagari Pracharini Sabha' institute at Abohar in 1920 that was renamed as Sahitya Sadan, Abohar.

He started a press 'Deepak' at Abohar in 1933 and published material in Hindi language and got distributed to villagers either free or at a very nominal price. Sahitya Sadan, Abohar developed into an institution comparable with Shantiniketan of Ravindranath Tagore. He organized 30th All India Hindi Sahitya Sammelan at Sahitya Sadan, Abohar in 1941. He was awarded degree of "Sahitya Vachaspati" looking to his services for Hindi in 1942.

Swami Keshwanand was connected with Gramothan Vidyapith, Sangaria (Rajasthan) (1932-1952). He was made director of Jat School Sangaria in 1932 that was just to close for want of funds. He went from village to village and to the Seths of desert region who were in Calcutta and far off places and collected funds. He became instrumental in starting hundreds of schools in the desert region. The Jat School Sangaria was renamed as Gramothan Vidyapith, Sangaria in 1948. He developed here a beautiful museum with collection of rare documents, ancient items, paintings etc. brought from various places. Large-scale plantations were done in this arid area with the help of people and students of the Institute. Gramothan Vidyapith, Sangaria had become center of inspiration for educationists from India and abroad.

Swami Keshwanand , an orphan, illiterate, nomadic man who never got formal education in a school was the founder of more than 300 schools, 50 hostels, so many libraries, social service centers and museums. He got 100 books translated from other languages or wrote himself. With the great efforts of 11 years he got published the Book "History of Sikhs" in Hindi in 1954.

He had deep understanding of society in the desert region. He tried all his life with full devotion to remove social evils like untouchability, child marriage, woman illiteracy, indebt ness, poverty, backwardness, intoxication, dissipation, bad customs etc. An idea about his visionary and logical thoughts can be had from the book he has published- "Maru Bhumi Seva Karya" in Hindi. In this book he has explained the peculiarities of the Desert region, identified the problems and suggested proper solutions.

Swami Keshwanand, born in a Jat Hindu family, Sadhu of Udasi sect propagated by Srichandji, son of Sikh guru Nanakdevji, was a unique example of communal harmony. He organized celebrations in honour of Sikh, Bisnoi, Namdhari and Jain gurus. Gramothan Vidyapith, Sangaria being adjoining to Pakistan felt the heat of 1947 division of the country. He got admitted the wounded Muslims in hospitals and arranged food and shelter for them.

Swami Keshwanand was member of Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Allahabad. He was imprisoned several times in satyagraha movements of Mahatma Gandhi. He was presented "Abhinandan Granth" by the chief minister of Rajasthan on March 9,1958. He was first elected to the Rajya Sabha of India in 1952 and was re-elected to the House in April, 1958. He remained member of Rajya Sabha till 1964. He died on September 13,1972 at Delhi.

Department of Posts, Government of India, has issued a commemorative postage stamp on "India's Struggle for Freedom" on Swami Keshwanand on August 15, 1999.
Reference
Saran, D.C., Swami Keshwanand. Jaypal Agencies, Agra,1985 (in Hindi)

[ravichaudhary]

Dear friends,
I am pretty new to the forum and reading archives on Jat history and culture was very informative. After getting enthused by New Jeresy AJA meeting, me and my friend (Anmol) thought of doing something in the direction of presenting and portraying Jat culture among Indian community in our campus in whatever scale that is possible. Indian community in University of Maryland(CP) is very vibrant(AID was founded here, a new orgn DESI was founded 2 years back) and various talks get organized here frequently.

So we were thinking of presenting a talk on culture and history of Jats and Sikhs but I am very ignorant on the subject.

Vinod

Dear Vinod

We need more initatives like the one you are proposing.

Education of university academicians is one of the prime objectives of our little Yahaoo Jathistory group.

Talks on university campuses is an exce;llenty idea

Why do not draft something.

I will help to review the draft, if you like.

You may contact me directly


Ravi Chaudhary

[scotlandjat]

I suggest you look up Sher-e-Punjab or as the Persian called him Shah-e-Shah the JAT Emperor Maharaja Ranjit Singh Sandhanwalia.

Regards

[vinodks]

Hi, Its been slightly more than 1 year since I joined Jatland and this thread was one of my first threads. Last summer I didn't know any Jat in US (except one student) and had absolutely zero knowledge of Jat history. Then by chance I happened to attend AJA NJ picnic and thus came to know of Jatland. On hindsight, last one years looks very eventful, personally as well as otherwise. As result of which I came to know so many nice people, worked on quite a few things.

I had started this thread when I didn't even know if such a thing as history of Jat exists. Finally, after a year I have started working on this talk which is planned for Diwali function of AJA DC chapter. It's meant to be approx 1 hr long (50 slides) and actual content will be made available only after the event, though I will discuss the content personally with some people from Jat history group.

-vinod

[nijjhar]

I suggest you look up Sher-e-Punjab or as the Persian called him Shah-e-Shah the JAT Emperor Maharaja Ranjit Singh Sandhanwalia.

Regards

Hi,

This Gotra is not popular, Was Ranjit Singh a Sandhu Jatt?

Tel. 0118 962 3200 - U.K.

[kharub]

A brilliant initiative ....... highly commendable ... you go Tiger, tell them who Jats really are ...

My whole hearted support .. and let me know in case any help needed ....

[nijjhar]

Dear friends,
I am pretty new to the forum and reading archives on Jat history and culture was very informative. After getting enthused by New Jeresy AJA meeting, me and my friend (Anmol) thought of doing something in the direction of presenting and portraying Jat culture among Indian community in our campus in whatever scale that is possible. Indian community in University of Maryland(CP) is very vibrant(AID was founded here, a new orgn DESI was founded 2 years back) and various talks get organized here frequently.
E.g. Last year I gave an interesting talk on 'Vedic Science and Modern Science' and their connection through "mysticism". Interested people can view it at http://www.wam.umd.edu/~vinods/vedic.pps . So we were thinking of presenting a talk on culture and history of Jats and Sikhs but I am very ignorant on the subject.

In Jatland discussion threads one comes across various references scattered here and there but I cudn't find any centralized list of references which covers the subject extensively and exhaustively. So it would be great if people could list whatever books they have come across or website and journal papers which have any relevence to the topic.

That list could also be helpful to all of us who want to educate themselves on the subject. And having a centralized repository of references it can be referred to in future if anybody needs to look for something. So this thread of discussion can be used to compile all books (and where and how they can be obtained), your views on particular book if you have read it, websites or any other type of source.

By the way, right now I could think this broad structure of subject in term of various aspects
1) Jat references in ancient indian texts(if any)
2) migrations and invations(various viewpoints)
3) known history of kings, wars and different interpretations
4) recorded habits, events(mythical or real) of people in ballads(ragnis), poems and folk lores
5) language and physical traits
6) dynamics of culture in recent history in religious, social and economical context

Thanks
Vinod
Go and read my articles. Jatts are Jatts and religion has nothing to do with our tribal affairs of Jatts.