Migration, Mobility and Memories: Meos in the Processes of Peasantisation and Islamisation in Medieval Period

Abstract

Image of communities in medieval India as a self-sufficient and autonomous entity has come under scrutiny in the recent past. Studies have successfully challenged these stereotypes and have argued that communities have regularly seen changes and transformations have been an integral part. Another dominant corollary has been the argument that these communities were averse to centralised polity as any negotiation with the state would have diluted their autonomy and dominance over various components. Meos of Mewat have also been portrayed as practitioner and believer of ‘Pal polity’/ autonomous community. It is in this respect, the present article makes an attempt to challenge the oft-repeated idiom of ‘autonomy of communities’ in the medieval India. During Sultanate period Meos were broadly identified as tribes inhabiting the Aravalli hills, valleys and dense forest of the Mewat region and were known for cattle-lifting, loot and plunder. However, one witnesses a major transformation in their identity with the passage of time. Soon Meos were not only peasantised but they were also able to establish their zamindaris. One also notices gradual and very slow but continuous Islamisation of this community. During Mughal era we follow them engaged in several other important occupations. They became trusted post carriers for the Mughal Empire and came to be known as dak Meoras. Similarly, they were also employed as personal bodyguards and as security guards in the royal palace and came to be known as khidmatiyyas. Interestingly and contrary to traditional portrayal, Meos approached Mugahl state administration for the redressal of their grievances, even intra-community. Rajasthan State Archives has a good repository of numerous Arzdashts, Chithis, Vakil reports, Khatut-ahalkarn, Arsattas, etc., depicting the processes of negotiations and contestation among Meos and between Meos and Mughals. Thus, it is necessary to challenge the established scholarship on these counts and the present article argues, on the basis of contemporary Turko-Persian literature and archival records, that there is a need to examine the inherent dynamism of any community, in this case Meos of Mewat region between thirteenth and eighteenth centuries.