The Jats - Their Role in the Mughal Empire/Preface
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The Jats are located prominently in the North-West region of India. Renowned historians called them 'almost a nation' which excelled in agriculture and in battlefield alike. The Jats (maybe Hindu, Muslim, or Sikh) are true sons of the soil, which is why these patriots always stood in ancient as well as medieval times like rock in the face of invaders seeking to ravage the motherland. But the irony is that these patriots were branded as rebels by historians.
I feel happy that Dr. Girish Chandra Dwivedi has highlighted the dynamic role of the Jats during the later period of the Mughal Empire. This intensive study shows that an instinctive attachment to democratic ways and a sturdy independence have throughout been the chief characteristics of the Jats. In 1669 this race of warrior-agriculturists rose against the narrow and over-centralised despotic regime of Aurangzeb. The author asserts that besides an oppressive agrarian system and the religious policy of Aurangzeb, the adventurous disposition and martial character of Jats has been the third major factor in rebellion. He elaborates further that probably not many agricultural communities possessed obstinate courage, indomitable spirit, heroic valour and tribal unity of Jats which were needed to transform a deep resentment into a military regime. This powerful movement of the Jat-peasantry gave birth to strong leaders like Gokula, Rajaram and Chudaman. After critically examining the activities and situation prevailing in their times, the author describes in detail how Badan Singh assisted by his ablest son Surajmal laid the foundation of strong Bharatpur State.
History bears testimony to the fact that the Jats always rose against tyranny, injustice, economic and social exploitation and were never overawed by claims of racial or tribal superiority. Whenever the occasion arose they beat their ploughshares into swords and taking advantage of the decrepit political structure, they laid the foundations of their politlcal power under several tribal chiefs. Maharaja Suraj Mal, the builder of Bharatpur, was by far the most resplendent star in the
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Eighteenth century political firmament. He distinguished himself in war and diplomac alike and earned the reputation of a strong and wise ruler, possessing administrative acumen and consideration for common weal. His rule extended over substantial portions of the modem States of Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
Though many erudite scholars like Prof. Jadunath Sarkar, Prof. Kalika Ranjan Qanungo, Prof. Satish Chandra, Prof. Irfan Habib have written extensively on the history of the Jats, there is a feeling that there are many gaps in these studies that come in the way of truly appraising the contributions of the Jats to the emergence of national ethos. The contribution of Dr. G.C. Dwivedi in this respect is outstanding.
Surajmal Memorial Education Society is encouraging scholars by providing various facilities to undertake research on different aspects of the history of the Jats and publishing works of eminent scholars. The Society is thankful to Dr. Rajiv Dwivedi, the elder son of late Dr. G.C. Dwivedi, who compared the two corrected copies of this work and supplied one copy to the Society. I wish to acknowledge with deep appreciation the serious effort put in by Dr. Vir Singh towards bringing out this revised edition. We are grateful to Originals (an imprint of Low Price Publications) for the personal interest that they took in bringing out this book.
Chairman,
Surajmal Memorial Education Society