sign in sign up
<<
Home , Chauhan, Pargana, Rajput, Sultanpur district

Territorial Organization of Settlements in a Past of the Ganga Plain,

著者 S.B. 雑誌名 The science reports of the Tohoku University. 7th series, Geography 巻 29 号 1 ページ 1-9 発行年 1979-06 URL http://hdl.handle.net/10097/45073 Territorial Organization of Settlements in a Part of the Ganga Plain, India

S.B. SINGH*

Introduction The human settlement, as a significant component of landscape and also an outcome of man's movement over space, is closely associated with the concept of bounded space, in which one's legally defined rights and obligations change when crossing the boundary (Kox 1972). The organizational pattern of bounded space may be divided into two systems, i.e., residential and agricultural. In the former system persons of different castes and communities live together and are inter- dependent for their socio-economic needs while in the latter system they cooperate mutually in the agricultural pursuits (Singh 1977). Usually we find that the spatial organization of which people adopt for such collective purposes is one which emphasizes the locational closeness of the people being served by these collective functions and the boundedness of the area being served (Kox 1972 121- 22). As a result, space is sub-divided into a mosaic of administrative units, viz., states, , tahsils, development blocks, adalat panchayats and in Indian context. The major force behind such territorial fragmentation is the spill over effect. The purpose of the present paper is to analyse, how the spatial organization of territorial systems took place and how far spill over effects have been responsible in their fragmentation since ancient times. It further aims to provide a structural model with a view to illustrating the process involved therein.

Ancient period Various literary sources and archaeological evidences suggest that while the Ganga Plain of India, of which the study area (Sultanpur , 25°59'N-26° 40'N and 81°32'E-82°41'E; 4,448.43 km2 area) is a part, was settled by incoming Aryan people, they had to absorb the pre-existing stocks through subjugation as much as by bringing them into their larger socio-cultural fold. They established a large number of villages by clearing the forests and tilling the soil. Their organization was based on decimal systems, i.e., the administrative units consisting of 10, 20, 30, 100 and 1,000 villages (Manusmriti) and their society was divided into Kulas, Janmans (villages), Visas (a local community formed of aggregate of Janmans) and Janas (tribes) (Wills 1919). Thus the traditional village system was

* Department of Geography , Banaras Hindu University, 2 S.B. SINGH influenced by a territorially dominant which took command over a certain territory and evolved as the power elite, while other groups of people were subordinated and became dependent on the dominant group (Singh 1968 p. 205). The political power is structured at different levels of the clan hegemony : the territorial authority is vested at the top and lesser authorities are echloned through a segmental hierarchy at different territorial functional tiers within the system (Marriott 1960). During early centuries of the Christian era , appears to have fallen to feudal lordships and clan republics within their strongholds until they were annexed under a stronger and larger body politic of the Guptas about 320 A.D. (Singh 1967). Harshvardhan , after the downfall of Guptas, established a strong government , but his death (A.D. 647), loosened the bonds which restrained the disruptive forces always ready to operate in India , and led them to produce their natural result, a medly of petty states with ever-varying boundaries.. naturally repelant molecules (Smith 1919). Consequently they could not hold up the any longer and the aboriginal classes (especially Bhars), succeeded in receiving firm possession of their ancient seats (N.W.P. Gazetteer 1883). They established several fortified centres , some of which were named after their chiefs, as Aldemau —after Bhar Alde, Isauli —after Raja Is. All of these centres were located along the Gomati on strategic points in dense forests and were used as the capitals. All such brick-built villages and fortified strongholds represented Bhar community or Bhaiwadi of Bhars, resembling the (Dickinson 1953) of German political unit (an area of kinship) . Their territory was split up into several perfectly independent of each other; each chief exercised authority over his own sept and over that alone; to no particular one of them was conceded the hegemony of the rest (Millet 1873). The downfall of Bhars in the area began at the end of the 12th Century , when families began to wander all over this part of the country , after the fall of Kanauj and , for new homes. By extirpating Bhars from the area as rulers they created their own territorial units and socio-political hegemony . After the death of Mohammad Ghori (A.D. 1194), the , especially , were singled out for extermination by the Muslim conquerors . As a result, Bariar Singh, direct descent from Chahirdeo (Gopal 1901) fled from his ancestral home Delhi (A.D. 1248). He declared himself as a Bachgoti Rajput and settled in village Jamuawan which became the original seat of clan in the study area . Bariar Singh had four sons, who formed the various Bachgoti settlements by covering major parts of the area. Some Rajputs migrated from Baiswara (Rae Bareli district) and established themselves in village Gajanpur . The village Isauli was then the capital of Raja Is . Ala-ud-din Khilji —Sultan of Delhi com- missioned Bais Rajputs to subjugate the Bhars from the area and their success in Territorial Organization of Settlements in India 3

attempt gave them the name of Bhale Sultan or lords of spear (Neville 1903 p. 183) for their great skill in spear-fighting. Consequently, the present tahsil, excepting Gaura Jamon pargana forms the home of Bhale Sultan Rajputs . Towards the end of the 14th Century, Kanhpuria Rajputs migrated from Rae Bareli district and occupied the Gaura Jamon pargana (Fig. 1).

BHALESULTAN• KHANJADA b.rn BHALESULTAN_ BAIS KANHPURIA i;;X BANDHALGOTI GARGBANSI NON-RAJPUT

Fig. 1 Territorial organization of clan settlements

Evolution of clan territorial units In the early decades of the 14th Century, Bariar Singh's three sons —Ghunghe, Asal and Raj Shah excepting Ghatam founded their principalities in the present Sultanpur, tahsils and Asal pargana of tahsil. Later on, Raj Shah's two sons-Rup Chand and Asrey Singh established two principalities and founded two separate , viz., Dhammaur (Raj Kumar), Bhadaiyan (Bachgoti) respectively. The Rajwars, descendants of Ghunghe, established themselves in a part of Chanda pargana by founding Partappur, Rampur and Garabpur as their estate headquarters. Asal Deo founded Nonra village and established himself there. Later his descendants held the whole of Asal pargana in coparcenary tenure. Before Jaunpur Dynasty (A.D. 1394), several principalities emerged out from Bhadaiyan and occupied the whole of Aldemau pargana by founding their headquarters at Deara, Nanemau, Meopur and Damodra. Two other estates —Kurwar and 4 S.B. SINGH

Hasanpur (Khanzada —converted Bachgoti Rajput ) emerged out from Dhammaur estate in A.D. 1526, with their strongholds at Kurwar and respectively. Later on Samarathpur sprang up from Kurwar while Gangeo and Maniarpur emerged from Hasanpur. Bandhalgotis concentrated their power in Amethi territory with Amethi (Raipur) as its capital. It was divided between the grand sons of Bandhu (A.D. 1358), after whose name Bandhalgotis emerged (Neville 1903 P. 169). The Kanhpuria Rajputs colonized Samarathpur estate as well as the Gaura Jamon pargana by founding their strongholds at Katari, Jamon, Resi, Baraulia and Shahpur. The Gargbansis colonized in the northern part of Baraunsa pargana and founded the Khapradih estate. The Bais Rajputs settled themselves in Pali estate while some of them popularly known as Bhale Sultan Rajputs colonized Isauli and Musafirkhana parganas. Bhale Sultans who also were converted to Islamic faith, established themselves in pargana with their strongholds at Mahona and Unchgaon. There was only one non- Rajput principality (held by of ) in the north- eastern part of the (Fig. 2).

4 2 0 4 8 1I12I6 KM IIIII 7 BARAULIA N ElESTATE HEADQUARTERS8 9 BHAWANSHAHGARHSAHPUR

(4'''41/4)--(17".^^ ,''''.-., El ESTATEBOUNDARY 1110 SAMRATIIPURAMETHI cl 0 VILAGE1BOUNDARY PALI 1312MANIARPURKURWAR . . 2 UNCHGAON 14 HASANPUR 3 MAIIONA 15BHARTHIPUR ....,.... .‹..c„-.1..../,77.7))z.5"...... A.-'-t 4 KATARI 16 KHAPRADIH ) -,.71 65 JAMONRESI 1817GANGEODAMODRA . . ,i--2--4Crr.:"..' r.,, 20 NANEMAU 4.--.,..;,.?,,csw-„,,,,YA-,..L.ii.:7r.r.77', ?rrt,' 21 BHADAIYAN ,..._-..D.'-••.:,....., , • _IN --- ;:x":-7.-7-e44:1,,,--4.,',N19 22 GARABPURDEARA C4-frZri--r- Z't 12re„„ ..',.i.-;:..,.. ..",..F.Q....,:*.t,i,,,",:,,'-'17 ,"-(-73--1.N z•\-s,,,,,f., .,-I-,-1:,1)1 ,10• ,....c-,, 2;11i( N. ..,/...... -,I- 17:;(",--T'-...,,l....,e.:24 /..17:: (.-,';..P.,•5:.:. :,,-i;i:p•:.:,..:7,,.•,.: .,'..--,;14'..:,','..'L23 2.;,..2 re RAMPURPRATAPPUR ,CI.,-- ...••••• ' •-•,,.1;7 7•11.-ii..".7,..1t-ii'1‘,..,:.",t417r,.'--:,,i, IL-,,,,W-c-- .[X:1(11t.:4 25MEOPUR .„„ 4.-•,,c..,-, _...„,.. -4,,,..,‹.- .-----....„ 1... . - , -,--r-`1--,-, ., ' •- '' <1..k.`'.1.:ric; i .,014 IN.,-.--),(iTh-.I f7',4 .j.;>....677:;.*5?‘ .\T W-k-14-4-'7.--,:t.-.1::-4'.71ri, A.4. ,.\-,.'.-/,,,t-_-21-!C1.:':X•N .... ,,,,,,,_„ ....,,,,,,. , ..4.,.:,•„,--:,__.,. ,?-1?....0 -","1I i',.1.,4:; ,,..'"\A-ii..,;-.-g,N,.,*'-i•'-'7"'E.,,S.:.?'ii..))1,..))...C:i..'. -.., !TA 5 rff:tliaq-l'''f'l-4., t •A91.4,:::..'.kk'r\3Z1Z •t4s _.*.; ,'.:-1-N..4A:k15--/..4.4.'5 76- , It cst-tAl T i.,....„,--951.....;.-: i 5,t

4--... " • ,...^,- ,..,))=r)) • .414;44.

Fig. 2 Spatial organization of territorial units

. Territorial Organization of Settlements in India 5

Medieval period During this period a great change in territorial organization of settlements occurred. The emperor divided his whole empire into Subas (), Sarkars (divisions), Dasturs (districts), Parganas (sub-divisions) and Mahals. This systematic organization of territorial unit also resulted in establishment of a hierarchy of administrative centres. The study area formed a part of and Oudh Sarkars of Suba Oudh and, Jaunpur and Manikpur Sarkars of Suba . It embraces eleven parganas, viz., , Satanpur, Baraunsa, Sultanpur (Manikpur at present) and Bhadaon (Asal at present) of Oudh Sarkar; Isauli and Musafirkhana of Lucknow Sarkar; Amethi, Gaura Jamon and Kathot of Manikpur Sarkar and Aldemau and Chanda of Jaunpur Sarkar (Fig. 3). This territorial organization had further fragmentation after the downfall of Akbar regime. It is evident that these Subas and Sarkars were divided into Nizamats and Chaklas to form the Oudh Dynasty in A.D. 1720. This system of organization continued up to A.D. 1857. During this period Sultanpur (Singh 1974) had become the headquarters of a Nizamat which had a territorial jurisdiction extending from the Ghaghra on the north to the Allahabad on the south and to the boundary of the to the east (Neville 1903 p. 138). Sultanpur comprises three Chaklas, namely, Sultanpur, Aldemau and Jagdishpur.

ISAULI r-' La a ) :%_.••A.,"-1

(GAURAJAMON

SULTANPUR EN1AU METH' 2 MIRANPUR r - -'4101 151\2•-^1. BHADAON CHANDA '\S‘‘ ) luso) .3;;A°

Fig. 3 Historico-political f territorial organizaorganization 6 S.B. SINGH

Modern period The great revolution in A.D. 1857-58, against caused serious set back to the territorial organization. Under their tightened bureaucracy of administration, parganas were maintained as a unit for land tenure system. Further, the establishment of administrative centres, such as district, tahsil and thana headquarters have encouraged the development of settlements. But after Independence (1947) the establishment of village panchayats and community development centres (blocks), particularly eliminated the importance of pargana headquarters. The new territorial set up (Fig. 4) paved the way to cater to the socio-economic and political needs of the rural-folk. Owing to the amenities provided by blocks, sufficient lands have been brought under cultivation. Recently consolidation has also resulted in the origin of individual settlements, which have added much to the built up area of the village territory.

Rfio

• -

‘4).*:"CW

• .L. ,•

Fig. 4 Present territorial organization

Territorial organization of settlements - A structural model The structural model has been examined within the frame of hypothesis providing four-phase sequence of settling: (i) Initial stage, (ii) First stage (before A.D. 1500), (iii) Second stage (A.D. 1500—A.D.1800), (iv) Third stage (since A.D.

Territorial Organization of Settlements in India 7

1800). This tentative stage sequence is derived from hypothetical models of settling process and empirical evidences of settlement-spread of the study area. Keeping in view the models propounded by Ildgerstrand (1952), Bylund (1960), Singh (1968), Hudson (1969) and Haggett (1972), a structural model of territorial organization of settlements is presented here. The first phase 'Entrance' was characterized by the incoming of Raj puts and their establishment of parent settlements under Bhar . The second phase saw a full subjugation of Bhars by various and the establishment of their chief strongholds, which later functioned as the original centre of the clan. This phase also witnessed the territorial organization and expansion of different clans. The third phase saw a greater development of settlements caused by growth of population and further expansion in occupance of territorial units. Thus this phase may be called as the 'Phase of Expansion'. The last phase or Saturation Stage, further encouraged the settlement development considerably owing to British ascendancy which have changed the politico-economic territorial set up of the study area. Let us now examine the four-phase framed hypothesis in a part of the study region (Fig. 5) in detail. After the death of Harshvardhan (A.D. 647) the Bhar tribes succeeded in regaining firm possession of their ancient seats. The Bhar Chieftain Alde founded village Aldemau, which later bore the name of the pargana. During this period several villages were founded in the forest clearings and the pargana was divided into ten tappas, known as Haveli (Aldemau), Sarawan, Rohiawan, Harahi, Makraha, Jatauli, Karaundi, Katghar, Bewana and Imlak. The last two lie beyond the study area in district. During Bhar rule various outsiders came and were appointed to the management of these tappas. Thus, Jagnag Rai, a Raghubansi Rajput of Ayodhya came and settled in village Harahi. Similarly, Sripat Singh, migrant of settled in Makraha. Man Singh, a Bais Rajput of Baiswara founded the village of Hamidpur and settled there, which however, was not a tappa centre. Johpat Singh, a descendant of Ujainia Rajput settled in village Rohiawan, while Sarwan Tiwari and Dhudhar Upadhyay settled in the villages of Sarwan and Katghar respectively. These Rajputs and settled themselves under Bhars, who were always too lazy to rule, and ousted their patrons (Neville 1903 p.161). In course of time the Rajput families by ousting Brahmins and other castes occupied their lands. The evolution of such settlements, serving as sources of later 'offsprings' marks the 'Phase of Entrance' and origin of initial agglomerations. During the early decade of the 14th Century, Asrey Singh established village Deara on the left bank of the Gomati as the original home of Rajkumar Rajputs and gained the supremacy throughout the pargana. His descendants established Meopur Dahla and Nanemau villages which later functioned as estate headquarters. The 8 S.B. SINGH

increasing pressure of population of such villages through natural growth and migrational accretions compelled to bring more land under plough by clearing the forested lands. It further caused the proliferation of new villages. Thus the cleared forest lands, technical improvements in farming systems and changes in socio-economic and political organizations etc., added much to the origin and evolution of settlements which signify the 'Phase of Expansion'. By the end of the 18th Century, the area was completely deforested and occupied and even less desirable lands (usar tracts) were also brought under the plough, which marks the `Phase of Saturation' of settlements under the existing conditions.

I PHASE vf,e ,'"P II PHASE M Al", M A j /.41,j .;? //• // / ,j• .,. 71/A

P C'-- -'. / * -44/ ,, 4,1.,) •-)L c, --/ c, --:.',, ,4... , . , e, rL KM v.-44;3 rqet1PPHASEi‘:11--IV PHASE 4,19 167ie AI4 tZIFYV'ZIP10).i1;176.4.)13'73.oe;i,--eee lasinee ie ?€'29_e99e,e74-ee04 1415; G.4,4- feez-e.-;?#.343-Q3/7....eVg49:1,!;.!-VeeeleeAf:Plea449, of --)k2/A•*ta.;:€,

.26ee 3,,4 . e••• l't109110: I- 7 4.°G1 , '"1e 4 -"Eae??V91 _ 0 ieeee/Ar; °i G e , "ie efe •-11:::.;-** • INITIALSTAGE PARGANABOUNDARY o I STAGE TAPPABOUNDARY •0 STAGE BLOCKBOUNDARY o IIISTAGE WOODLAND c, POND ry STREAM Fig. 5 Territorial organization of settlements

References Bylund, E. (1960): Theoretical Considerations Regarding the Distribution of Settlement in Inner North Sweden. Geografiska Annaler, 42 225-231

U Territorial Organization of Settlements in India 9

Dickinson, R.E. (1953) : Germany — A General and Regional Geography. London. p. 90. See also East, W.G. (1950): An Historical Geography of Europe. London 127-155. Gopal, K. (1901): Vatsgotra: Bans Varnan. Pub. Raja Pratap Bahadur Singh, Kurwar Estate. Chahirdeo (Brother of Prithvi Raj Chauhan), Bijai Rai, Lakhan Sia, Bariar Singh Hagerstrand, T. (1952): The Propagation of Innovation Waves, Lund Studies in Geography, Series B, Human Geography. 4 and reprinted in Philip L. Wagner and Marvin, W. Maksell (Eds.), op. cit., 355-368; Idem, Innovation Diffusion as a Spatial Process, Translation and Postscript by A. Pred (1967), University of Chicago Press, Chicago and London. Haggett, P. (1972) : Geography —A Modern Synthesis. Harper and Row Publishers, New York, London, p. 314 Hudson, J.C. (1969) : A Location Theory of Rural Settlements. Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 59 365-381 Kox, K.R. (1972) : Man, Location and Behavior —An Introduction to Human Geography. John Wiley, New York, 120-122 Manusmriti, VII, p. 15 and Maha Bharat, XII, p. 83. Marriott, M., Little Communities in an Indigenous Civilization, in C. Leslie (Ed.) (1960) : Anthropology of Folk Religion. New York, Vintage Books, footnote 2, p. 179 Millet, A.F. (1873) : Report on the Settlement of the Land Revenue of Sultanpur District, Lucknow, p. 133 N.W.P. Gazetteer, Mirzapur (1883), p. 116. Neville, H.R. (1903) : Gazetteer of Sultanpur, Allahabad, p. 138, 161, 169, 183. Singh, K. N. (1967): Rural Markets and Rurban Centres in Eastern A Geographical Analysis, Ph. D. Thesis (Unpub.), Banaras Hindu University, p. 76 (1968), The Territorial Basis of Medieval and Village Settlement in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India. Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 58, 203-220 Singh, S.B. (1974) : Origin and Evolution of Sultanpur. National Geographical Journal of India, 20(3) 178-188 (1977) : Rural Settlement Geography —A Case Study of Sultanpur District. Uttar Bharat Bhoogol Parishad, , p. 65 Smith, V.A. (1919), Oxford . p. 299 Wills, C.U. (1919), The Territorial Systems of Rajput Kingdoms of Medieval Chhattisgarh. Journal and Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of , New Series 15, p. 232