Society and Social Life in Rajasthan

Some Aspects of Social Life

        Our study of the structure of society suggests that the idea of hierarchy is non-existent in the case of the social life. Various aspects of social habits, behaviour, customs, institutions, games and sports are common with the men of status and men of lower position. It is quite another thing that the degree of the various aspects may vary, but the basic principles of social norms exist in one form or the other. This is evident from the study of some of the main aspects of the social life of medieval Rajasthan. 

The Joint Family 

           In the study of social life, the family is the major unit of do mestic life. The general pattern of this kind of group consisted of the father, mother, grand father and grandmother, daughters, sons and wives. The tie which keeps every one bound to the group of the joint family is due to common inheritance in the form of land, house, wells and even the joint trade. The consciousness of mutual interest and obligations make them jointly owe and work. The kind of family grouping is responsible for giving social security to its members. The life of the individuals living under the same roof often becomes colourful and enthusiastic. 

     Under the family grouping there grew certain traditions and institutions connected with the Samskaras of birth, marriage and death, the major events of life. The Brahmans and the Kshatriyas observed the Upanciyana, the rite of initiation. 

Marriage

          Another important religious and social obligation was the marriage. In order to finalise it, Tite-presents and betrothal presents were made. The neg and dowry systems associated with the marriage ceremony was so taxing that it had become a problem for persons of ordinary means. Inter-caste marriage also formed an important part of social ties among the rulers of Rajasthan. We know from our Rajlok Records that there were ladies of various communities in the harems of the Rajput Rajas. Inter-religious marriage grew popular from the time of Akbar, though the forced marriage was in practice prior to the Mughals. The practice of willing inter-marriage between the Rajput princesses and the Mughal princes continued up to the reign of Farrukhsiyar. There is no secret about this fact that these marriages were the outcome of political pressure on one hand and the policy of expediency on the part of Rajput Rajas on the other. But it must be noted that inter-religious marriage was certainly a practice which was a case of deviation from the tradition. 

     Another important feature relevant to marriage is the practice of polygamy. Our period had ample evidence of the fact that the kings, courtiers, Sudras and members of wealthier classes were polygamous. We know for certain that all Rajput princes of our period had about nine wives on an average in addition to several co-wives. Though polygamy was a fashion of theage, the fate of the woman who lost her husband was pathetic. According to several documents of 17th and 18th century, a widow, it appears, had no right to the share of her husband's property. Her claim in practice was only to her maintenance. A Hindu widowas life-long dependence on the male members, and her sub-ordinate position under young wives naturally subjected her to a hard lot. From a contemporary painting of the Khajanchi Collection it appears that she had to use coarse, black or dark brownish clothes, shave her head and wear no ornaments. Her life had been miserable in the extreme as she was denied per- mission to attend either family or public festivals, lest her presence should bring bad luck to thos. who were participating in such functions. 

        The natural outcome of the polygamous and monogamic marriage was divorce. It was not permissible in the higher order of society, though it was permitted in the lower order of society. Side by side to these practices prostitution existed. The Bikaner Gazal and Jaisalmer Garnl fully bear out the fact that it was a part of the town life of the Middle Age. According to the writers of the Gazals the prostitutes lived in the best street and house of the town- These streets and houses were beautifully decorated with flowers and paintings. Our Jamakharch records reveal that the State of Rajasthan had a regular staff of prostitutes who were paid monthly salaries and were provided with seasonal rations and occasional rewards. The Devasthan records refer to women-dancers who were attached to the temples of Jagannath Raj, Udaipur; Govindji, Jaipur and Mathuradhish, Kota.