A Study on Socio-Economic Conditions in Haryana –During Mugmal Period

Haryana, as an independent political entity, came into existence on 1st November. 1966 due to bifurcation of erstwhile Punjab state. Though significant historically, it is one of the smallest states of the Indian Union. It comprises about 1.34 per cent of the total geographical area and shares about 2.1 per cent population of the country. The region now comprising Haryana state has passed through various vicissitudes and upheavals since ancient times. Though small in size. Haryana had been in focus all through during ancient, medieval and now modern time. Politically, it remained strategic because of its location in the north. The foreign invaders from Afghanistan and Arabic world passed through this territory to reign Delhi. Several important towns falling in Haryana on the routes had to face the furry of these invaders. Haryana is the gateway to the prosperous Gangetic-valley system. Throughout the Sultanate and Mughal periods, the Haryana region acquired a strategic significance from trade and defence point of view. Mahabharata at Kurukshetra in ancient time, and three battles of Panipat, which completely changed the fortune of India, were fought in Haryana. This is the place from where Lord Krishna gave the message of Bhagvadgita to the humanity in the entire world. The saints and seers meditated on the banks of sacred river Sarasvati-that once flowed through the region, and composed famous epics, scriptures and treatises. Haryana made significant historical contribution to socio-economic-religious facets of the life of the people in the country. The hallowed land and its sturdy people have a rich and unparalleled heritage and mythological significance. Its impact on Indian history was still more pronounced as it being in the proximity of Delhi - the sine sure of all and that served a seat of power for kings and rulers of all hues since ancient times. The present research work is designed to relate in a dispassionate and systematic manner the socio-economic conditions of the Haryana region during later Mughal period (1707-1857). It deals with events from those following the death of Aurngzeb to the first war of independence of freedom in 1857. This period serves as the twilight where Mughal and other local powers diminished and new order of East India Company emerged in a big way on the scene. This period, which is a sub-period of Mughal history, is chosen for the study as the period was full of turbulence on account of various reasons. The death of Aurangzeb in March 1707. was followed by a period of decline, confusion and disorder throughout northern India. And Haryana which is in the vicinity of Delhi, the seat of power could not escape it. Politically linked with the fortunes of the Mughal and British empires, Haryana was deeply affected by the changing order. The region had been the paradise of free looters and the people of this area had suffered heavily and faced severe hostile forces, hardships and agony during this period. It had become the looting ground for many including foreign adventures.

For the study of this kind in hand, factual accounts of events and situations need to be gleaned and compiled to arrive at some definite conclusions. The study is also built up to refine and qualifying the new findings on the basis of earlier studies and makes an original contribution to knowledge. We have drawn freely from the various standard work on the subject and tried to present the facts in a concise and lucid due to the efforts made by several scholars, the history of Haryana has taken some shape. B.C. Lai and R.C. Aggarwal were the earliest Indian scholars who had written on several aspects of history and culture of Haryana much before the creation of new state. Kurukshetra, which is the holiest place of pilgrimage of the ancient world had been the central theme of these writers. Then H. R. Gupta, edited a book on Marathas and Panipat, giving vivid description and events and incidents. Besides H. R. Gupta, T. S. Shejwalker’s Panipat 1761. and S.M. Pagadi's Panipat Cha Pangram, are significant works giving good account of the third battle of Panipat that took place between Ahmad Shah Abdaii and Marathas. However, more systematic and consistent efforts were made by K. C. Yadav through Journal of Haryana Studies, and by writing several outstanding books depicting vividly a systematic historical treatment of this region through different periods. Buddha Praksh’s two books, Haryana Through the Ages and History of Kurukshetra, provide the historical growth of Haryana from the earliest times to the present. H.A. Phadke’s book on Haryana : Ancient and Medieval, is another notable contribution. Silak Ram on the Inscription of Haryana, and Suraj Bhan on the basis of archaeological and literary sources, through his book Recent Archaeological Investigations and their Contribution to the Cultural History of Haryana, are useful work in this direction. Mulk Raj Anand’s Haryana Heritage, published in ‘Marg’ provides commendable illustrated survey of the art tradition of the region. The faculty and research scholars in the department of History, M.D.University and Kurukshetra University, have also produced research work pertaining to the state of Haryana leading to new insights, knowledge and findings. We have provided liberal and also detailed bibliography at the end of the thesis which will benefit all prospective scholars interested in writing Haryana history in future.

Haryana region was aligned with Punjab in 1858 after the revolt of 1857 as a measure of punishment. Haryana region remained more or less neglected all through these years. Even after independence of India in 1947, the Punjab government did not pay adequate attention for its development. The hopes and aspirations of the people of Haryana region were not cared for by its elder brother-Punjab, as they ought to have been in sawraj. The demand for separate state of Hayrana got currency. Meanwhile, the Sikhs also demanded separate Punjabi Sitba. But the government as well as the Punjabi Hindus for their fear of being reduced to minority, opposed these demands. However, with the passage of time, the demand of the Punjabi speaking province became more pressing and intense. Haryana Vikas Committee, and a Parliamentary Committee, were appointed to study the division of Punjab. Parliamentary Committee, Indian Union was carved out of Punjab under the Punjab Reorganization Act, on November 1,1966. This met the long cherished demand of both the parties viz., the Sikhs and the Hindus. And this is how Haryana was born.

History of Haryana during Mughal period had been quite eventful. Situated between Lahore and Delhi, Haryana region had been the scene of battles throughout the Mughal period. It was here at the battle field of Panipat in 1526 that Babur laid the foundation of Mughal Empire in India.

Through this section, we now proceed to discuss research process consisting of series of actions or steps necessary to effectively carry out research and the desired sequencing of these steps. These steps include need, rational or justification of the present study, objectives, review of literature, method and methodology in the conduct of research. Methodology, obviously, is related to the research design, selection of study period and sources material for writing the Paper.

For a long time, the historians concentrated on the study of the regional political history dealing with war and battle. It was only recently that the social, economic and cultural history assumed a greater significance than the political history. Therefore, this study has been undertaken with a view to provide deeper insights into the social, economic, religious and cultural history of Haryana of the later Mughal periods in an integrated manner. Inspite of Haryana’s immense contribution to the country in several fields, the region has somehow escaped the needed attention of the scholars of writing the history of this region relating to later Mughal period. During this period, the struggle for power between various powers continued. This chaotic political situation facilitated, if not invited, foreign invasions, notably those of Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali. This period also saw the uprising and patriotism of the local people who sacrificed their lives. It was a transitional period from medieval to modern period of history when people of Haryana came into contact with the western world. With all negativities and ruthless exploitation of people and resources, the British Empire also left some positive impact on social and economic life of the people as well, particularly, in the fields of education and transportation. Looking at the happenings and events, this period in Haryana history occupies an important place which needs to be researched appropriately and adequately. There is

existed. The period (1707 to 1857), chosen for the purpose of our enquiry, has been an eventful period that witnessed the end of Mughal rule, the rise and fall of Sikh, Marat ha and Jat powers and the emergence and domination of British rule in Haryana. It is a meeting point between the medieval and the modern historical periods. The entire period (1707-1857) may roughly be divided into three periods. The first period covers years from 1707 to 1761, and the second period begins after the battle of Panipat till the taking of Britishers of Haryana in 1803. Period III commences with 1803 and ends with the revolt of 1857.

Research methodology is a way to systematically solve the research problem . It is through proper research methodology that objectives of any research are met. Methodology, broadly, includes the research design and the methods employed for collecting records, information and material. It is to be remembered that the research design should be compatible with the availability of source material. There are two major components and dimensions of research methodology. These are: (i) Research Design, and (ii) Source Material;

The research design adopted for our study is of a composite nature : mixing descriptive and explorative designs. This describes and explore the characteristics of the individuals, groups and the authorities. Most of the social research (historical research) comes under this composite category of design. This type of design gives equal importance to collection of existing facts and also moves to explore more new facts, as the situation demands. It is a rigid design which must take enough provision for safeguard and protection against bias ensuring maximum reliability.

The history is not the mere narration of past events of deeds and misdeeds of ruling monarchs but places due emphasis on social institutions, their economic, religious and cultural conditions. Because of this new trend, historical research is coming much closer to the society. In case of Haryana, the facts of Mughal history have been fairly well known, but the historical facts of later Mugal period, to which our study relates, remained neglected and hidden, to be brought on the arranged from different sources. Though the sources are strewn all round but the same lack integrity and correlation. Every effort has been made to access and make the record as complete as possible. But unfortunately, social and economic life particularly in rural India is sparsely recorded. However, a reconstruction may be attempted on the basis of scattered information gleaned from contemporary literature as also from stray references in chronicles of this period. The sources of the history of Haryana relating to this period include both unpublished and published material. Unpublished materials are of two types: govt, records and private papers. Further, government records are archival records and non-archival records. Published material are in the shape of books, journals, periodicals, newspapers etc. Regarding archives, National Archives of India, New Delhi, Haryana State Archives, Panchkula, and Punjab State Archives, Patiala possess wealth of data and documents pertaining to this period with reference to Haryana region.

This research work, running through preceding five chapters, has led to some significant conclusions as adduced here under: Haryana region comprising the present Haryana state had been in focus all through the ages due to its geo-political strategic location. It has been a cradle of civilization and contributed immensely to the dynamics of socio-economic-religious facets of the life of the people in the country. However, its history remained blurred as Haryana had never been an independent composite political entity before as it exists today. The Haryana region experienced utter confusion and disorder during the period of study. The period saw the decline and then extinct of the Mughal Empire, emergence of British colonial rule, foreign invasions, uprising, conflict collusion and participation of local powers in the vortex of power game. Later Mughals served as titular heads with nominal status of a king. Local people suffered heavily against the tyranny and ruthless exploitation of its rulers. In Haryana, even for a small ripple in public place invited a sledge hammer for its suppression. This resulted into the eruption of the revolt of 1857 that ignited from Haryana and whose impact at all India level had been stupendous. The revolt has been remarkable for many reasons. The movement was completely devoid of any trace of regional or religious chauvinism. This historical event infused the spirit of nationalism and patriotism among the masses. The revolt also fostered better communal relationship between Hindus and Muslims, dubious as they behaved in a manner most unbecoming of the leaders of the people. Social structure and culture during the period under study, although not entirely new or radically different from the preceding period, were certainly under great strain due to unsettled conditions in the region. Society was divided into several religions and castes. The proliferation of caste had become a special feature of social system because of the dislocation and misuse of sources of production. Caste system can easily be attributed to the unchangeableness of the society in the region. There were, in fact, flowing two currents in social organizations. If one was of raditionalism and rigidity, the other was of somewhat dynamic and progressive character. And we find that both the tendencies were operative in various spheres of society.

Aitehison. Treaties, Engagements and Sanads, Vol.IV, pp. 384-9. D.C. Sircar, Studies in the Geography of Ancient and Medieval India, Delhi, 1971. p 49. Economic Survey. Govt, of India, New Delhi, 2006-07, pp.5,117. Haryana Research Journal, Vol.l. No. 2, p.6.

M.L.Bhargava, The Geography of Rig Vedic India, pp, 96-97. P.L. Bhandari, India in the Vedic Age, pp. 65. Rigveda, X- 75-5. See Amhala District Gazetteer, pp. 6-8; Karnal District Gazetteer, p.4; Settlement Report, Sirsa,para 5; HRJJJo 1. 1, No. 2, 1966, p.5. The Ages, pp. 15-16. Delhi District Gazetteer, 1975, pp. 12-13.

M.A. (History) From Kurukshetra University Kurukshetra, Haryana-136118, India E-Mail – arora.kips@gmail.com