Jat - Identity and Social Status

[DrRajpalSingh]

During the last few years, a fierce debate is on about the identity and social status of the Jats in the Indian Society. Specifically to get the slice of Reservation carrot being offered to Backward and other Backward castes in the country, the otherwise well known Martial Race equally good at farming and welding of sword has also produced evidences from all quarters to prove that they deserve it as much as others. Some states of the Indian Union have already agreed to give them OBC status. But in private discussion and even in discussion at the Jatland.Com the topic of the social status of the Jats is hotly being discussed under a number of threads such as general discussion, current affairs and so on.

Therefore, it is imperative to study the gamut afresh to understand the Etymology of the word Jat and also to see how the identity of the Jat community evolved. Who the Jats are and what has been their social status in the Indian society through the Ages? What are the first references in the literature, epigraphy, archaeology/inscriptions and so on about the Jats.

All the members of the Jatland.Com are requested to contribute to make constuctive contribution in the form of review of literature and by putting their criticle views and comments.

[DrRajpalSingh]

On visiting old threads of the history section, one interesting post related to the topic

by Ch. Ashok Verma and subsequent discussion came to knowledge which is being

referred to for reading of the participants to update them on the topic of thread.

Kindly log in :

http://www.jatland.com/forums/showth...-word-'Jat'

[DrRajpalSingh]

Now, let us start discussion with finding out the origin of the word JAT

and its synonymous words as well as its meaning as found in the

sources of ancient history.

[DrRajpalSingh]

Now, let us start discussion with finding out the origin of the word JAT

and its synonymous words as well as its meaning as found in the

sources of ancient history.

Some of the names to denote the Jat community so far used are :

Jat, Jatt, Jath, Jut, Gut, Gutt, Sujat, Sujata, etc.etc.

The participants are welcome to add more such names to smoothen the research on the topic.

[DrRajpalSingh]

A very interesting debate was initiated on December 14, 2005 by Ravi Chaudhary under the thread :

Jat in Jatved in the Rigveda

but after just three/four post it ended abruptly without any tangible result/conclusion.

To read log in please:

http://www.jatland.com/forums/showth...7657#post67657

[DrRajpalSingh]

About the origin of the word 'Jat' an interesting discussion between Ravi Chaudhary and L.R. Burdak ended with the following last post under the thread :

जाट शब्द कैसे बना

जाट शब्द का निर्माण संस्कृत के 'ज्ञात' शब्द से हुआ है. अथवा यों कहिये की यह 'ज्ञात' शब्द का अपभ्रंश है. लगभग 1450 वर्ष इस पूर्व में अथवा महाभारत काल में भारत में अराजकता का व्यापक प्रभाव था. यह चर्म सीमा को लाँघ चुका था. उत्तरी भारत में साम्राज्यवादी शासकों ने प्रजा को असह्य विपदा में डाल रखा था. इस स्थिति को देखकर कृष्ण ने अग्रज बलराम की सहायता से कंस को समाप्त कट उग्रसेन को मथुरा का शासक नियुक्त किया. कृष्ण ने साम्राज्यवादी शासकों से संघर्ष करने हेतु एक संघ का निर्माण किया. उस समय यादवों के अनेक कुल थे किंतु सर्व प्रथम उन्होंने अन्धक और वृशनी कुलों का ही संघ बनाया. संघ के सदस्य आपस में सम्बन्धी होते थे इसी कारण उस संघ का नम 'ज्ञाति-संघ' रखा गया. [1][2]

यह संघ व्यक्ति प्रधान नहीं था. इसमें शामिल होते ही किसी राजकुल का पूर्व नाम आदि सब समाप्त हो जाते थे. वह केवल ज्ञाति के नाम से ही जाना जाता था.[3] प्राचीन ग्रंथो के अध्ययन से यह बात साफ हो जाती है की परिस्थिति और भाषा के बदलते रूप के कारण 'ज्ञात' शब्द ने 'जाट' शब्द का रूप धारण कर लिया. महाभारत काल में शिक्षित लोगों की भाषा संस्कृत थी. इसी में साहित्य सर्जन होता था. कुछ समय पश्चात जब संस्कृत का स्थान प्राकृत भाषा ने ग्रहण कर लिया तब भाषा भेद के कारण 'ज्ञात' शब्द का उच्चारण 'जाट' हो गया. आज से दो हजार वर्ष पूर्व की प्राकृत भाषा की पुस्तकों में संस्कृत 'ज्ञ' का स्थान 'ज' एवं 'त' का स्थान 'ट' हुआ मिलता है. इसकी पुष्टि व्याकरण के पंडित बेचारदास जी ने भी की है. उन्होंने कई प्राचीन प्राकृत भाषा के व्यकरणों के आधार पर नविन प्राकृत व्याकरण बनाया है जिसमे नियम लिखा है कि संस्कृत 'ज्ञ' का 'ज' प्राकृत में विकल्प से हो जाता है और इसी भांति 'त' के स्थान पर 'ट' हो जाता है. [4] इसके इस तथ्य कि पुष्टि सम्राट अशोक के शिला लेखों से भी होती है जो उन्होंने २६४-२२७ इस पूर्व में धर्मव्लियों के स्तंभों पर खुदवाई थी. उसमें भी कृत के सतह पर कट और मृत के स्थान पर मत हुआ मिलाता है. अतः उपरोक्त प्रमाणों के आधार पर सिद्ध होता है कि 'जाट' शब्द संस्कृत के 'ज्ञात' शब्द का ही रूपांतर है.अतः जैसे ज्ञात शब्द संघ का बोध करता है उसी प्रकार जाट शब्द भी संघ का वाचक है. [5]

इसी आधार पर पाणिनि ने अष्टाध्यायी व्याकरण में 'जट' धातु का प्रयोग कर 'जट झट संघाते' सूत्र बना दिया. इससे इस बात की पुष्टि होती है कि जाट शब्द का निर्माण इस पूर्व आठवीं शदी में हो चुका था. इसके बाद ईसा पूर्व पाँचवीं शदी के चन्द्र के व्याकरण में भी इस शब्द का प्रयोग हुआ है.[6]

द्वारिका के पतन के बाद जो ज्ञाति-वंशी पश्चिमी देशों में चले गए वह भाषा भेद के कारण गाथ कहलाने लगे तथा 'जाट' जेटी गेटी [7] के नाम से उन देशों में चिन्हित हुए.

References

1. ↑ महाभारत नारद-श्रीकृष्ण संवाद
2. ↑ ठाकुर गंगासिंह: "जाट शब्द का उदय कब और कैसे", जाट-वीर स्मारिका, ग्वालियर, 1992, पृ.
3. ↑ ठाकुर गंगासिंह: "जाट शब्द का उदय कब और कैसे", जाट-वीर स्मारिका, ग्वालियर, 1992, पृ.
4. ↑ प्राकृत व्याकरण द्वारा बेचारदास, पृ. 41
5. ↑ ठाकुर गंगासिंह: "जाट शब्द का उदय कब और कैसे", जाट-वीर स्मारिका, ग्वालियर, 1992, पृ.
6. ↑ ठाकुर गंगासिंह: "जाट शब्द का उदय कब और कैसे", जाट-वीर स्मारिका, ग्वालियर, 1992, पृ.
7. ↑ जाट इतिहास ठाकुर देशराज पृ 96

Log in for full discussion details :http://www.jatland.com/forums/showth...jhut-sandhateh

[DrRajpalSingh]

Kindly See for some inputs, rather, sharp questions on the origin of the Jats in an earlier thread by logging in : http://www.jatland.com/forums/showth...jhut-sandhateh

[DrRajpalSingh]

For oldest historical reference about the word 'Jat', an earlier inconclusive thread discussion log in :http://www.jatland.com/forums/showth...522#post140522

and for Jat language: http://www.jatland.com/forums/showthread.php?16787-What-is-the-origin-of-Jat-Language/page1

[DrRajpalSingh]

For relation between Gutians and the Jats, discussion thread :http://www.jatland.com/forums/showth...513#post135513

[maddhan1979]

About the origin of the word 'Jat' an interesting discussion between Ravi Chaudhary and L.R. Burdak ended with the following last post under the thread :



Log in for full discussion details :http://www.jatland.com/forums/showth...jhut-sandhateh

Lot of the above stated facts are not backed by archelogical artifacts. Lot of people who are mentioned in such talks exist only in Folk Lore and their physical presence has never be confirmed. Most of the ancient texts in India were written based on folklore and other verbal information with no archaeological proof or backing.

Jat existence goes way beyond several hundred years before Christ.

[maddhan1979]

About the origin of the word 'Jat' an interesting discussion between Ravi Chaudhary and L.R. Burdak ended with the following last post under the thread :



Log in for full discussion details :http://www.jatland.com/forums/showth...jhut-sandhateh

Again, what language Jats spoke in earlier times, we do not know. As per my knowledge "No Scythian", language has been found as yet.

[DrRajpalSingh]

...................

Jat existence goes way beyond several hundred years before Christ.

Quote source to support Antiquity of the Jat community or word before Christ.

Thanks

[DrRajpalSingh]

Thread: Jaat and Jat

by Mr. S S Goyat on history section contains three entries on the issue and for many other posts on the same issue, also see, Differnce Between Jats And Jatts in General section

[DrRajpalSingh]

While going through back threads a very interesting thread came to knowledge on the topic, which would be a useful addition to knowledge :
Etymology of the word JAT

Started by shobhitdeshwal,


another interesting link on the forum regarding origin:
Origin of Jats--->True story

Started by atul.jhajhria

[DrRajpalSingh]

Jats a preclan study

Started by nirajsihag,

and


the jats

Started by beniwalanupama

[DrRajpalSingh]

Origin of Jats

Started by chashokverma

and


Jats : Aryan or Scythian ?

Started by satbir_grewal,


and also go through :

jats ,the descends of thracians

Started by smeker,

[DrRajpalSingh]

This is, perhaps, one of the best debated thread on the topic :


Not Mixed Race: Veda Is Indian

Started by anjuliedalal,

[DrRajpalSingh]

Friends,

After starting of this thread, I was made to realise that many good discussions on the similar or almost same topic have already taken place. Therefore, I visited the earlier threads and have put their links for providing easier access to the readers interested to participate in the discussion. Several of the threads stand already locked and many were discussed a couple of years back. Important ones have been put here at one place for smooth assessment by the readers.

The below given thread can be starting point for adding newer sources unearthed during the last 5-6 years or the existing literature may be reinterpreted in the light of the progress in methodology of research in humanities and social sciences.
History of origins - Myth?

Started by amans,



Kindly start fresh inputs from now onwards on the emergence of the word Jat

and

identify their Identity which fixed their standing in the contemporary society

through the years to make the discussion a success.

Thanks and regards ,

[maddhan1979]

Friends,

After starting of this thread, I was made to realise that many good discussions on the similar or almost same topic have already taken place. Therefore, I visited the earlier threads and have put their links for providing easier access to the readers interested to participate in the discussion. Several of the threads stand already locked and many were discussed a couple of years back. Important ones have been put here at one place for smooth assessment by the readers.

The below given thread can be starting point for adding newer sources unearthed during the last 5-6 years or the existing literature may be reinterpreted in the light of the progress in methodology of research in humanities and social sciences.
History of origins - Myth?

Started by amans,



Kindly start fresh inputs from now onwards on the emergence of the word Jat

and

identify their Identity which fixed their standing in the contemporary society

through the years to make the discussion a success.

Thanks and regards ,

I am sorry to say, i find it hard to debate even go indepth in all the threads and posts that u have posted here on the forum just because of two reasons:

1. Archelogical digging in India is very less. Archaeological artifacts have been looted and changed through out history of India. Religion has played a very negative role in this perspective, what or which ever religion that might be.
2. History of India is incomplete untill and unless we connect it with history of "Bharat". At least in north western regions of "Bharat", and we all know, what has happened to arts, artifacts, and other reminents of ancient past of this land that ancient Indians called "Bharat" (Present India, Pakistan, Afghanistan). The ancient sculptures, monuments, paintings and other artifacts which were the window of any land to its ancient past has been destroyed in the name of different religions or out of shear ignorance. Whatever was left, was put infront of the public according to the way in which the ancient rulers or present day public and religious leaders wanted.

[DrRajpalSingh]

I am sorry to say, i find it hard to debate even go indepth in all the threads and posts that u have posted here on the forum just because of two reasons:

1. Archelogical digging in India is very less. Archaeological artifacts have been looted and changed through out history of India. Religion has played a very negative role in this perspective, what or which ever religion that might be.
2. History of India is incomplete untill and unless we connect it with history of "Bharat". At least in north western regions of "Bharat", and we all know, what has happened to arts, artifacts, and other reminents of ancient past of this land that ancient Indians called "Bharat" (Present India, Pakistan, Afghanistan). The ancient sculptures, monuments, paintings and other artifacts which were the window of any land to its ancient past has been destroyed in the name of different religions or out of shear ignorance. Whatever was left, was put infront of the public according to the way in which the ancient rulers or present day public and religious leaders wanted.

Friend,

You sound convincing in pointing out the loss of adequate sources to study past of India!

But everything is not lost.

So, instead of lamenting loss of sources, could we reconstruct past with re-interpreting the available data and also supplement it by adding some newer information dag out in not distant past but recent times in the region you refer to and also outside this area.

Thanks