The Imperial Connections of the Thar Desert: Environment, Power and Political Alliances

Abstract

In the history of India, the Thar Desert always had a backseat due to its harsh weather conditions and apprehensions flowing from the adverse weather conditions. Ignorance of the region for long in writings of the discipline has pushed the region under the carpet and if any approach has been made to explore its history, it has been mainly in terms of the nomadic (Mer, Rebari, etc.) and professional groups like musicians (Maganiyars, Bhopa, etc.) and folk artists (Kalbeliyas, Dum, etc.). Keeping an insight of all the works done so far around the region of Thar, this study is an attempt to explore the ecological components of the Thar Desert as without taking stock of its resources, it will be impossible to relate with its history. It is significant to explore the ecological ingredients of the Thar Desert as their economic worth led to the formation of political alliances amongst various ruling houses—close and afar—as they all wanted a share in its resources and that too peacefully. Finally, all these associations led to the expansion of the imperial control that was aiming to gain a larger share in the resources and regulate the political moves of this environmentally harsh region.