State Formation in Rajasthan

This book is an expanded version of author’s Ph.D. thesis submitted to Jawaharlal Nehru University. The scope of this research monograph is wide. It examines among others, issues like nature of state in early medieval/medieval India, regional history of Rajasthan and origin of Rajputs. This work challenges the notions of political fragmentation or mere feudatory status for the state of Mewar. Alternatively, it explores the political, economic, social and ideological processes between the seventh and the fifteenth centuries in the making of the regional state of Mewar. Geographical perspective has enabled us to highlight the integrative role of the Guhila dynasty in forging the geographical sub-regions of Mewar into a regional state. Territorial integration involved political integration through accommodation of the local level Rajput chiefs and non-Rajput social groups in the political and administrative hierarchies. This work also explores the relationship between the state and Bhil tribe: the process of ‘Peasantization’ and tribal participation in areas of state–functioning. Ideological support or legitimization of the Guhila power was drawn from the regional cult of Ekalingaji on a strong Pasupata base. Finally, the image of the Guhila state, perceived by different social groups has been discussed to show that the state of Mewar had come to be popularly identified with the Guhila dynastic tradition.