07-21-2007, 02:30 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-kartiksri+Jul 21 2007, 10:42 AM-->QUOTE(kartiksri @ Jul 21 2007, 10:42 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->I have always wondered what is the origin of the jauhar practice, its so terrible.
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Kartik,
This is a reactionary practice which arose because:
a) Hindus saw the muslims did not have any code of conduct in the war. Muslims never kept there word.
b) Hindu men/women after a loss were captured and asked to convert by eating
cow meat.
c) Men were sometimes castrated.
d) Women and children were sold as slaves and ofcourse they were tortured.
Thus the twin practices of Jauhar and Saka arose:
http://hindurajput.blogspot.com/#Jauhar
http://hindurajput.blogspot.com/#Saka
<!--QuoteBegin-kartiksri+Jul 21 2007, 10:42 AM-->QUOTE(kartiksri @ Jul 21 2007, 10:42 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->In it we see the besieged populace strongly believe a lack of mercy from the invading force.
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Muslims could not be trusted because they had no scruples in a war and after the war.
<!--QuoteBegin-kartiksri+Jul 21 2007, 10:42 AM-->QUOTE(kartiksri @ Jul 21 2007, 10:42 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->Are there any instance of jauhar other than against the Muslims.
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Probably none other then against Mllecha.
<!--QuoteBegin-kartiksri+Jul 21 2007, 10:42 AM-->QUOTE(kartiksri @ Jul 21 2007, 10:42 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->
I distinctly remember one instance of a Northwestern tribe doing the same against Alexander's army.
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Can you elaborate a bit? Many kshatriya fought against Alxander. Mallis (who are Chauhan rajputs) pierced his lungs with arrows when after his defeat at the hands of Porus his armies were sailing down the indus.
<!--QuoteBegin-kartiksri+Jul 21 2007, 10:42 AM-->QUOTE(kartiksri @ Jul 21 2007, 10:42 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->
Also what is the exact meaning of the word Hammir or Hamvira.
[right][snapback]71408[/snapback][/right]
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Rajasthan has a habit of keeping the names after forts etc. So you have people like Ajmer Singh (after Ajaymeru the castle of chauhan rajputs: http://hindurajput.blogspot.com/#Prithviraj_Chauhan)
Similarly Hammir most likely stood for our "fort" metaphorically meaing a "person of lofty heights".
-Digvijay
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Kartik,
This is a reactionary practice which arose because:
a) Hindus saw the muslims did not have any code of conduct in the war. Muslims never kept there word.
b) Hindu men/women after a loss were captured and asked to convert by eating
cow meat.
c) Men were sometimes castrated.
d) Women and children were sold as slaves and ofcourse they were tortured.
Thus the twin practices of Jauhar and Saka arose:
http://hindurajput.blogspot.com/#Jauhar
http://hindurajput.blogspot.com/#Saka
<!--QuoteBegin-kartiksri+Jul 21 2007, 10:42 AM-->QUOTE(kartiksri @ Jul 21 2007, 10:42 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->In it we see the besieged populace strongly believe a lack of mercy from the invading force.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Muslims could not be trusted because they had no scruples in a war and after the war.
<!--QuoteBegin-kartiksri+Jul 21 2007, 10:42 AM-->QUOTE(kartiksri @ Jul 21 2007, 10:42 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->Are there any instance of jauhar other than against the Muslims.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Probably none other then against Mllecha.
<!--QuoteBegin-kartiksri+Jul 21 2007, 10:42 AM-->QUOTE(kartiksri @ Jul 21 2007, 10:42 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->
I distinctly remember one instance of a Northwestern tribe doing the same against Alexander's army.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Can you elaborate a bit? Many kshatriya fought against Alxander. Mallis (who are Chauhan rajputs) pierced his lungs with arrows when after his defeat at the hands of Porus his armies were sailing down the indus.
<!--QuoteBegin-kartiksri+Jul 21 2007, 10:42 AM-->QUOTE(kartiksri @ Jul 21 2007, 10:42 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->
Also what is the exact meaning of the word Hammir or Hamvira.
[right][snapback]71408[/snapback][/right]
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Rajasthan has a habit of keeping the names after forts etc. So you have people like Ajmer Singh (after Ajaymeru the castle of chauhan rajputs: http://hindurajput.blogspot.com/#Prithviraj_Chauhan)
Similarly Hammir most likely stood for our "fort" metaphorically meaing a "person of lofty heights".
-Digvijay