Amagarh fort in Jaipur has become the center of conflict between the tribal Meena community and the local Hindu groups.
Context
Amagarh fort in Jaipur has become the center of conflict between the tribal Meena community and the local Hindu groups.
About the History of the Amagarh fort
- The Amagarh Fort was built in the 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur.
- On another side, it is also said that the fort was built by a MeenaSardar from the Nadlagotra, which is now known as BadgotiMeenas.
- Sardars from the Meena community ruled the large parts of Rajasthan till around 1100 AD.
- Prior to the Rajput rule by the Kachhwaha dynasty, the Jaipur and its nearby regions were ruled by Meenas, who had political control over that region.
Meena community in Rajasthan
- According to Census 2011, STs constitute 13.48% of the state’s population.
- The community has substantial representation in the legislature (27 MLAs).
- The community is also well represented in the bureaucracy.
- Due to a scattered population across the state, the community can influence election outcomes in unreserved seats, too.
- Meenas worship ancestors.
- Amba Mata was such an ancestor, a living person, and not a god.
- Amba Mata is not related to AmbikaBhawani or Durga.
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What is the dispute?
- Members of the Meena community claim that the Amagarh Fort was built by a Meena ruler which predated the Rajput rule in Jaipur.
- It was considered to be a holy site by the Meena community for centuries.
- According to the community, they used to worship Amba Mata and other deities in the fort.
- Last month idols were being vandalized and the saffron flag was hoisted at the fort.
SawaiJai Singh II
- He was the ruler of the Kingdom of Amber, who founded the fortified city of Jaipur and made his capital in 1727.
- He was the 29thKachwaha ruler born of Amber.
- Initially, Jai Singh served as a vassal ofthe Mughal Empire.
- He was given the title of Sawai by Aurangzeb in the year 1699, who summoned him to Delhi, and was impressed by his wit.
- Sawai" means one and a quarter times superior to his contemporaries.
- In 1721, the Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah bestowed upon him the title of Saramad-i-Rajah-i-Hind,Raj Rajeshvar, ShriShantanuJi, and Maharaja Sawai.
- He also performed the Ashvamedha sacrifice, an ancient rite that had been abandoned for several centuries.
- Jai Singh had a great interest in mathematics, architecture, and astronomy.
- He commissioned the JantarMantar observatories at multiple places in India, including Jaipur, Delhi, Ujjain,Mathura, and Banaras.
- He also got Euclid's "Elements of Geometry" translated into Sanskrit.
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