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Summary: It was her son who used the trust bestowed upon him by the king and conspired with Rajputs and attacked the fort when the Meenas were most vulnerable (during the Diwali time where they would give up arms for whole day and pay homages to their ancestors by taking dips in Badlis pond) (ancient tradition that is called pitratrapan). His mother, clothing herself in mean apparel, put the infant in a basket, which she placed on her head, and travelled westward until she reached the town of Khogong (within five miles of the modern Jeipoor), then inhabited by the Meenas. In common with the people of countries such as Finland and Scotland, the Meenas found it necessary to invent tradition through oral accounts, one of the primary uses of which is recognised by both historians and sociologists as being social protest against injustices, exploitation and oppression, a raison dêtre that helps to retrieve the image of a community.
Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R) Meena (मीणा/मीना) is a tribe found mainly in the Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh in India. ContentsOriginThe word Meena is derived from Meen (मीन), the Sanskrit word for fish, and the Meenas claim a mythological descent from the Matsya avatar, or fish incarnation, of Vishnu.[1][2] They also claim to be descendants of the people of the Matsya Kingdom, which flourished in the 6th century B.C.[3]VariantsEarly HistoryDasharatha Sharma[4] considers Meenas in the list of Antyajas and writes....Last in the social scale stood the Antyajas. But even their Social status showed variety according to the occupations they followed and the amount of independence they enjoyed. The Medas formed an important section of the population and were in their forest and mountain haunts as influential as any other caste. Another Antyaja class, the Bhils, lived in various parts of the Aravalli hills and adjoining areas. An allied tribe was that of the Minas who lived in and at times terrorised parts of south east Rajasthan by their predator activities. The Bavaris, according to Dr. D.R. Bhandarkar, are perhaps referred to in the Jalor Inscription of V. 1239. [5] The Antyaja who helped Lakshmana in the foundation of his kingdom [6] may have been a Meena or Bhil or perhaps even a Bavari. Dr Naval Viyogi[7]calls Gonds, Bhils, Meenas etc as dasyus, a term applied to the aboriginal tribes of India as contra distinguished from Aryans.HistoryThe Meenas ruled at certain places in Rajasthan till they were overpowered by invading Rajputs. From Meenas the Dhundhar was captured by Kachhwaha Rajputs (A.D. 1129), Bundi was captured by Rao Dewa (Hara Rajput) (A.D. 1342), and Chopoli fell to the Muslim rulers. Kota, Jhalawar, Karauli and Jalore were the other areas of earlier Meena influence where they were forced to surrender ultimately.[8]Amber Kingdom of MeenasDuring 11th century Khoh (at present Khoh Nagoriyan near Jaipur) was ruled by Raja Aalan Singh Meena of Chanda Gotra. Meanwhile the kingdom of Gwalior (called Narwar at that time) was being ruled by Sodh Singh who was assassinated by his brother. The queen and her son (Dulha Rai or Dhola Rai, grand father of Bharmal) managed to flee the kingdom and were given refuge by the Aalan Singh who adopted that child as his nephew. It was her son who used the trust bestowed upon him by the king and conspired with Rajputs and attacked the fort when the Meenas were most vulnerable (during the Diwali time where they would give up arms for whole day and pay homages to their ancestors by taking dips in Badlis pond) (ancient tradition that is called pitratrapan).[9] Amber was capital of Meena kings. Its ancient name was Amrapura (आम्रपुर). Founded by the Meena Raja Alan Singh (He was from Chanda clan of Meenas), Amber was a flourishing settlement as far back as 967 AD. Around 1037 AD, it was conquered by the Kachwaha clan of Rajputs. Much of the present structure known as Amber fort is actually the palace built by the great conqueror Raja Man Singh I who ruled from 1590 - 1614 AD. Col. G. B. Malleson[10] writes.... The kingdom of Jaipur, better known as the kingdom of Amber or Dhundhar, was founded by Dhola Rae in the year 957. Dhola Rae was thirty-fourth in descent from Raja Nal, traditional founder of the kingdom and city of Narwar. Raja Nal is said to have been lineally descended from Kush, the second son of Rama, King of Koshala, whose capital was Ayodhya, the modern Oudh. Hence the reigning family in Jaipur has been known from time immemorial as the Katchhawa family or rule. The exploits of Dhola Rae can only be traced in the fabulous legends of the period. This much is clear that he conquered the country inherited by his descendants. That part of Rajasthan was then divided amongst petty Rajputs and Mina chiefs, all owing allegiance to the Hindu Kings of Delhi. These he conquered in succession, and marrying the daughter of the Prince of Ajmer, he laid the foundations of a kingdom destined to be permanent. Killed in battle, Dhola Rae was succeeded by his posthumous son by the daughter of the princess of Ajmer, named Kankal ; he, again, by his son Maidul Rao, a warrior and conquerer ; and he, in his turn, by Hundeo. Kuntal followed him, and he it was who completed the subjugation of the other aboriginal race of the Minas.The treachery of Dhola Rae to MeenasJames Tod [11] writes...A case of simple usurpation originated the Cutchwaha state of Amber ; but it would be contrary to precedent if this event were untinged with romance. As the episode, while it does not violate probability, illustrates the condition of the aboriginal tribes, we do not exclude the tradition. On the death of Sora Sing, prince of Nurwar, his brother usurped the government, depriving the infant, Dhola Rae, of his inheritance. His mother, clothing herself in mean apparel, put the infant in a basket, which she placed on her head, and travelled westward until she reached the town of Khogong (within five miles of the modern Jeipoor), then inhabited by the Meenas. Distressed with hunger and fatigue, she had placed her precious burthen on the ground, and was plucking some wild berries, when she observed a hooded serpent rearing its form over the basket. She uttered a shriek, which attracted an itinerant Brahmin, who told her to be under no alarm, but rather to rejoice at this certain indication of future greatness in the boy. But the emaciated parent of the founder of Amber replied, What may be in futurity I have not, while I am sinking with hunger ; on which the Brahmin put her in the way to Khogong, where he said her necessities would be relieved. Taking up the basket, she reached the town, which was encircled by hills, and accosting a female, who happened to be a slave of the Meena chieftain, begged any menial employment for food. By direction of the Meena Rani, she was entertained with the slaves. One day she was ordered to prepare dinner, of which Ralunsi, the Meena Raja, partook, and found it so superior to his usual fare, that he sent for the cook, who related her story. As soon as the Meena chief discovered the rank of the illustrious fugitive, he adopted her as his sister, and Dhola Rae as his nephew. When the boy had attained the age of Rajpoot manhood (fourteen), he was sent to Dehli,1 with the tribute of Khogong, to attend instead of the Meena. The young Cutchwaha remained there five years, when he conceived the idea of usurping his benefactors authority. Having 1. The Tuar tribe were then supreme lords of India. [p.321]: consulted the Meena dhadhi1 or bard, as to the best means of executing his plan, he recommended him to take advantage of the festival of the Dewali, when it is customary to perform the ablutions en masse, in a tank. Having brought a few of his Rajpoot brethren from Dehli, he accomplished his object, filling the reservoirs in which the Meenas bathed with their dead bodies. The treacherous bard did not escape ; Dhola Rae put him to death with his own hand, observing, he who had proved unfaithful to one master, could not be trusted by another. He then took possession of Khogong. Soon after, he repaired to Deosah, a castle and district ruled by an independent chief of the Birgoojur tribe of Rajpoots, whose daughter he demanded in marriage. How can this be, said the Birgoojur, when we are both Suryavansi, and one hundred generations have not yet separated us ?2 But being convinced that the necessary number of descents had intervened, the nuptials took place, and as the Birgoojur had no male issue, he resigned his power to his son-in-law. With the additional means thus at his disposal, Dhola determined to subjugate the Seroh tribe of Meenas, whose chief, Rao Natto, dwelt at Mauch. Again he was victorious, and deeming his new conquest better adapted for a residence than Khogong, he transferred his infant government thither, changing the name of Mauch, in honour of his great ancestor, to Ramgurh. Dhola Rae killed in war with Meenas: Dhola subsequently married the daughter of the prince of Ajmer, whose name was Maroni. Returning on one occasion with her from visiting the shrine of Jumwahi Mata, the whole force of the Meenas of that region assembled, to the number of eleven thousand, to oppose his passage through their country. Dhola gave them battle : but after slaying vast numbers of his foes, he was himself killed, and his followers fled. Maroni escaped, and bore a posthumous child, who was named Kankul, and who conquered the country of Dhoondar. His son, Maidul Rao, made a conquest of Amber from the Soosawut Meenas, the residence of their chief, named Bhatto, who had the title of Rao, and was head of the Meena confederation. He also subdued the Nandla Meenas, and added the district of Gatoor-Gatti to his territory. Conquest of Hoondeo: Hoondeo succeeded, and, like his predecessors, continued the warfare against the Meenas. He was succeeded by Koontul, whose sway extended over all the hill tribes round his capital. Having determined to proceed to Bhutwar, where a Chohan prince resided, in order to marry his daughter, his Meena subjects, remembering the 1 Dhadi, dholi, Dhom, Jaega, are all terms for the bards or minstrels of the Meena tribes. 2. The Birgoojur tribe claims descent from Lava or Lao, the elder son of Rama. As they trace fifty-six descents from Rama to Vicrama, and thirty-three from Raja Nala to Dhola Rae, we have only to calculate the number of generations between Vicrama and Nal, to ascertain whether Dholas genealogist went on good grounds. It was in S. 351 that Raja Nal erected Nurwar, which, at twenty-two years to a reign, gives sixteen to be added to fifty-six, and this added to thirty-three, is equal to one hundred and five generations from Rama to Dhola Rae.Bundi Kingdom of MeenasJames Tod[12] write...Rao Dewa, S. 1398 (AD. 1342), took the Bandu valley from the Meenas, founded the city of Bundi, and styled the country Harawati. James Tod[13] writes that having resigned Bumaoda to Hara-Raj, Rao Dewa came to Bandu-Nal, the spot where his ancestor Colun was cured of disease. Here the Meenas of the Usarda tribe dwelt, under the patriarchal government of Jaita, their chief there was then no regular city ; the extremities of the valley (thal) were closed with barriers of masonry and gates, and the huts of the Meenas were scattered wherever their fancy led them to build. It was in S. 1398 (A.D. 1342) that Jaita and the Meenas of Usarra clan acknowledged Rae Dewa the Hara Chauhan as their lord, who erected Bundi in the valley of the Bandu-ca-Nal, which henceforth became the capital of the Haras.Nayan Kingdom of MeenasAn important kingdom of Meenas was on Naen or Nayan. It was ruled by Rao Bada Meena, which was destroyed by Bharmal Kachhawa (father of Jodha Bai) with aid from the Mughal connections. On its ruins he erected the town of Lowain. In local language there is a famous quotation , Rao Bada ko bijano akbar ko darbar, it means a hand made fan of Rao Bada in his palace was considered as having worth equivalent to the whole treasury of Akbar. Akbar wanted to marry Shashiwadini (daughter of Rao Bada Meena) but she refused to do so, after that Akbar married with Bharmals daughter Jodhabai and the combined army of Akbar and Bharmal won the kingdom Naen and grab all treasure and buried that under the Chil ka Tila (a mountain, on which Jaigarh fort has been built). [14] Nandini Sinha Kapur, a historian who has studied early India, notes that the oral traditions of the Meenas were developed from the early 19th century AD in an attempt to reconstruct their identity. She says of this process, which continued throughout the 20th century, that The Minas try to furnish themselves a respectable present by giving themselves a glorious past. In common with the people of countries such as Finland and Scotland, the Meenas found it necessary to invent tradition through oral accounts, one of the primary uses of which is recognised by both historians and sociologists as being social protest against injustices, exploitation and oppression, a raison dêtre that helps to retrieve the image of a community. Kapur notes that the Meenas not merely lack a recorded history of their own but also have been depicted in a negative manner both by medieval Persian accounts and records of the colonial period. From medieval times through to the British Raj, references to the Meenas describe them as violent, plundering criminals and an anti-social ethnic tribal group.[15] They celebrate Meenesh Jayanti on the third day of the Chaitra months Shukla paksha.[16] SubdivisionsMeenas in Jat HistoryTowns and villages founded by MeenasMeena clansThe Meena tribe is divided into several clans and sub-clans (adakhs), which are named after their ancestors. Some of the adakhs include[23] : AhariAriatBamnaBhagoraBhilChandaCharpotaChitaDadiaDadoreDaliDamiaDamoreDomaGhoghraHelaHuratKalsuaKataraKharadiKhatMahindaManautNanamaPariharParmarPhargiRanaSerohUjwalUsardaWagatMeena sub-divisionsBhil Meena is another sub-division among the Meenas. As part of a sanskritisation process, some Bhils present themselves as Meenas, who hold a higher socio-economic status compared to the Bhil tribal people.[24] A sub-group known as Ujwal Meena (also Ujala Meena or Parihar Meena) seek higher status, and claim to be Rajputs, thus distinguishing themselves from the Bhil Meenas. They follow vegetarianism, unlike other Meenas whom they designated as Mailay Meena.[25] Other prevalent social groupings are Zamindar Meena and the Chaukidar Meena. The Zamindar Meena, comparatively well-off, are those who surrendered to powerful Rajput invaders and settled on the lands believe to be granted by the Rajputs. Those who did not surrender to Rajput rule and kept on waging guerrilla warfare are called the Chaukidar Meena.[26]
राजस्थान का राजपूताना एक भ्रामक नामठाकुर देशराज[27] ने लिखा है....राजस्थान, जिसे कि प्रायः राजपूताने के नाम से पुकारा जाता है, प्राचीन समय में अनेक नामों से, अनेक प्रदेशों में बंटा हुआ था। राजपूत, जिनके नाम से यह प्रान्त मशहूर हहुआ, उनका सातवीं-आठवीं सदी में राजपूताने में आना सिद्ध होता है। सोलहवीं सदी से पहले भी यह देश, एक नाम राजपूताने की बजाय प्रदेश वार अनेक नामों से पुकारा जाता था। इस नाम की बुनियाद अकबर के जमाने में पड़ी, किन्तु प्रचार नहीं हुआ। पूर्ण रूप से राजपूताना नाम का प्रचलन टाड के ‘राजस्थान’ के लिखे जाने के पश्चात् अंग्रेज-सरकार के राज्यकाल में प्रसिद्ध हुआ है। अभी पिछले दिनों, राजपूताना या राजस्थान नाम पर एतराज करते हुए, कुंवर सूआलालजी सैल बी. ए. के विद्यार्थी ने यह भी इच्छा प्रकट की थी कि इसका नाम, संख्या के अनुपात से ‘जाटपूताना’ या जाटस्थान होना चाहिए फिर भी, मैं इस मत का समर्थन नहीं करता कि इस प्रदेश का नाम ‘जाटपूताना’ अथवा ‘जाटस्थान’ रखा जाय। मेरी दृष्टि से उचित यही है कि इस प्रदेश का नाम ‘वीरभूमि’ रख दिया जाय। ‘राजपूताना’ नाम से यह भ्रम उत्पन्न होता है कि यह राजपूतबहुल प्रदेश है अथवा इसके गौरवशाली इतिहास के निर्माण में अनुपमेय भूमिका केवल राजपूतों की रही है, जबकि ऐतिहासिक सत्य यह बताता है कि राजपूतों के साथ-साथ, जाटों, भीलों, अहीरों, गूजरों, मीनाओं तथा कुछ अन्य जातियों ने भी इसके महान इतिहास के निर्माण में योग दिया है। इन सभी जातियों ने अपने नियम-विधानों को सुरक्षित रखने के लिए बड़े-बड़े संकट और अपमान सहे हैं। साथ ही, वे लाखों की संख्या में, आन और मान की रक्षा के लिए, बलिदान भी हुए हैं। भीलों के त्याग और वीरता भुलाने की चीज नहीं है। उदयपुर को ‘हिन्दुआं सूरज’ की उपाधि दिलाने में भीलों का जो खून बहा था, उसका मूल्य कौन चुका सकता है?आमेर का इतिहासढुंढार रियासतढूंढाड़ अंचल का प्राचीन क़स्बाजमवारामगढ़ ढूंढाड़ अंचल का प्राचीन क़स्बा है जो जयपुर से उत्तर-पूर्व में 30 किमी दूरी पर स्थित है. जयपुर शहर के पानी की पूर्ती यहाँ के बाँध से होती है. कछवाहों के आगमन से पूर्व यह स्थान मांच (मंच) कहलाता था. यहाँ सीहरा वंशीय मीणों का राज्य था. मांच में उस समय वंश का राव नाथू राज्य करता था. उसका पुत्र मेदा था. राज्य स्थापना के क्रम में दूलहराय का मंच के मीणा शासक से युद्ध हुआ. दूलहराय ने स्थान का नाम राम के नाम पर रखा रामगढ़. यहीं जमवायमाता का मंदिर बनवाया. जमवाय माता कछवाहों की कुलदेवी के रूप में मानी जाती है. दूलहराय ने बाद में मीणों के अन्य संस्थान - चांदा मीना की खोह, गेटा मीना का गेटोर, तथा झोटा मीना का झोटवाड़ा पर अधिकार कर लिया। आगे चलकर कछवाहों की राजधानी आमेर होने के बाद भी रामगढ़ का महत्व हुआ यह वहाँ के शिलालेख से ज्ञात होता है.[34]गायों के लिए मीणों से तेजाजी का युद्धNotable personsKarana Meena - He was an associate of Lothoo Nitharwal, who revolted against British Raj. See more at Lothoo Nitharwal.
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During the exile of Emperor Jehangir, the emperor sought refuge in Alwar Fort of Rajasthan. It is believed that he hid a great deal of treasure here while he was on the run. While some of it was found, there was quite some part of it still uncovered.
When Man Singh I was on his way from the Afghan conquest, he had a huge chest of treasure with him. Sources have revealed that he never shared all the treasure with the king. He hid some of it in Jaigarh Fort. There is also a parallel story which states that the then PM Indira Gandhi, ordered a search in hunt of the treasure. No one knows how successful the hunt was. So, by all means, the treasure lays hidden in the fort and you might stand a fair chance of getting lucky.
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