Meenas
Meenas are most powerful and populated tribe in Rajasthan, India. They are widely spread in the Northern part of Rajasthan. They inhabit the Jaipur-Seekar area of Shekhawati continuing till Alwar in northwest region. They are also widely spread in Kota, Jhalawar and Bundi Area.
The Mina, largest tribe of Rajasthan are an agricultural people occulying one of the most fertile regions of the state. Despite their lands being continually invaded through history they never succumbed, retaining their individuality.
The Meena Raja Ralunsi of Khogong kind-heartedly adopted a stranded Rajput mother and her child who sought refuge in his realm. Later, the Meena king sent the child, Dhola Rae, to Delhi to represent the Meena kingdom. The Rajpoot, in gratitude for these favours, returned with Rajput conspirers and massacred the Black Meenas on Dewali, "filling the reservoirs in which the Meenas bathed with their dead bodies" [ Tod.II.281 ] and thus conquered Khogong. He then subjugated the Seroh tribe of Meenas at Mauch, and transferred his capital thence. Becoming the son-in-law of the prince of Ajmer, he died when battling 11000 Meenas, most of whom he slew [ Tod.II.282 ]. His son Maidul Rao "made a conquest of Amber from the Soosawut Meenas " whose chief was the head of the Meena confederation. He subdued the Nandla Meenas, annexing the Gatoor-Gatti district [ Tod.II.282 ]. Hoondeo succeeded to the throne and "continued the warfare against the Meenas" [ Tod.II.282 ]. Koontal, his successor, fought the Meenas "in which the Meenas were defeated, with great slaughter, which secured his rule throughout Dhoondar " [ Tod.II.282 ]. The Meenas were the original builders of Amber, which town they consecrated to Amba, the Mother Goddess, whom they knew as `Gatta Rani' or `Queen of the Pass' [ Tod.II.282 ].
Describing the destruction of the Meena town of Naed, Tod wrote: " When this latter prince [ Baharmull Cuchwaha, a contemporary of Babar and Humayun ] destroyed the Meena sovereignty of of Naen, he levelled its half hundred gates, and erected the town of Lohan (now the residence of a Rajawut chief) on its ruins " [ Tod.II.283 ].
Thus, most of the major Rajput kingdoms were founded on the `blood of Sudroid Negroes'. During the exterminations that lasted for several centuries, the Native Sudra Blacks (Bhils, Meenas, etc.) were massacred and their towns destroyed, till they eventually only survived in the extreme southern hills of Rajasthan. This is the sad truth about the `valiant Rajput heroes'.
These tribes have played an important part in the history of Rajasthan (Earlier knows as the Rajputana). In former times Rajpoot and Meena chiefs, in subordination to the Taur kings of Delhi, ruled over a considerable tract of country. Toward the end of the century the Kachwahas dispossessed all of them from what is now called Jaipur (The Pink City of India). The Meenas are said to be descended from those Rajpoots who, in the wars between their own tribes, or with Muslims, They were compelled to quit their native place and seek refuge in the fastnesses of Rajputana, Where they formed allias with the suboriginal families and established tribes. The Character of Meenas differs with places.
Some History about MEENAs.
Reference from http://www.dalitstan.org/books/bibai/bibai5.html#10
Other issue of Histroy!
The Meenas of Karauli area are the chief and the most important cultivators since the last four hundred year !. They expelled the Dhangars and Lodhis from a number of Villages they occupied five hundred year ago and have retained the possession of them until now. In Karauli,the Meenas ,Gujars and Jats smoke together.They live in complete harmony. To be continue...
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