Gond community is considered to be the one of most ancient tribes of India with counting history of several thousand years. With many upheavals of long drawn political history of India it has undergone through multiple changes in its social and cultural orientations. Significantly earlier under rule of Rajputs (as subordinates of Mughals) and later under socio-cultural umbrella of Marathas, Gond tribe of contemporary Gondwana Kingdom experienced dynamic changes in its cultural and social spheres.
This study investigates subsequent changes brought by this Maratha rule with special emphasis on Bhosle’s of Nagpur in Vidarbha region of Modern State of Maharashtra in India. We try to understand reasonable causes, historical conditions, socio-political and economic background under which dynamic changes ranging right from philosophy, language, religion to the cultural heritage of Architectures of Gond Culture. Here, through a thorough investigation of available literary evidences
and our appropriate and reasonable logic we also commented on some concepts which are interesting to know about. Overall this study in brief gives idea about changes in social and cultural life on Gond Community after successful establishment and running of Bhosle Rule.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. OBJECTIVES
III. Research Methods and tools used
IV. Brief Historical background of Gonds
1) Gond kingdom of period before arrival of Bhosle-Maratha rule in central India
2) Internal dynastic struggles in Gondwana Kingdom which eventually resulted in Maratha intervention and gradual decline of kingdom.
V. Socio-cultural changes in Gond Culture after arrival of Bhosle-Maratha Rule over Gondwana
1) Class and Caste
2) Lifestyle and Social Status of people
3) Marriage
4) Religious life of Gonds
A. Gods and Goddesses
B. Concept of Death and Funeral practices
C. Festivals
5) Cultural changes
Language
A. Gothul Institution
B. Architecture and Arts.
VI. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This study investigates the socio-cultural transformations within the Gond tribal community resulting from political interventions by the Bhosle-Maratha rulers in the Vidarbha region. It aims to document how external political dominance influenced indigenous traditions, social structures, and cultural identities.
- Evolution of Gond social and cultural structures.
- Impact of the Bhosle-Maratha rule on tribal autonomy and social status.
- Socio-cultural assimilation and the adoption of Hindu religious practices.
- Changes in linguistic preservation, architecture, and traditional institutions.
Excerpt from the Book
Socio-cultural changes in Gond Culture after arrival of Bhosle-Maratha Rule over Gondwana
In order to understand the sociological perspective of changes brought by maratha rule over Gond culture this study tries to analyse functional aspects of both cultures with special emphasis on later one, through both vertical and horizontal angles. Maratha rule carved some fundamental changes on tribe’s society and culture. Provided in some cases these changes were more concerned with blind imitation of Maratha society. These changes varied from class and caste to the philosophy which reflected its footprints into art and culture of Gonds. Some of the Changes reflected on tribal culture are as follows
Summary of Chapters
I. Introduction: Defines the Gond tribe within social anthropology, detailing their historical origins, population distribution, and transition from pastoralism to a ruling class.
II. OBJECTIVES: Outlines the study's goal to investigate the historical and socio-cultural evolution of the Gond community under external political pressure.
III. Research Methods and tools used: Identifies content analysis and literature review as the primary methodologies for the study.
IV. Brief Historical background of Gonds: Examines the pre-Bhosle-Maratha era of the Gondwana kingdom and the subsequent dynastic struggles that invited Maratha intervention.
V. Socio-cultural changes in Gond Culture after arrival of Bhosle-Maratha Rule over Gondwana: Analyzes the specific impacts on caste, lifestyle, marriage, religion, language, and arts.
VI. Conclusion: Summarizes the transformation of the Gond tribe, noting the decline of traditional institutions and the shift toward Hindu-influenced social values.
Keywords
Gond Tribe, Bhosle-Maratha, Social change, Cultural change, Rajputisation, Sanskritisation, Vidarbha, Gondwana, Traditional Institutions, Tribal Identity, Socio-political history, India.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The research explores the socio-cultural shifts in the Gond tribal community in the Vidarbha region of India, specifically under the influence of the Bhosle-Maratha rule.
What are the central themes discussed?
The work covers historical evolution, caste dynamics, religious transformation, linguistic changes, and the impact of political power on traditional arts and institutions.
What is the core research question?
It investigates how political subordination to contemporary neighboring powers, specifically the Marathas, fundamentally altered the social and cultural orientation of the Gond people.
What scientific methods were employed?
The author utilized content analysis of historical documents and an extensive literature review.
What does the main body cover?
It details specific changes in class structure, marriage customs, funeral practices, the decline of the Gothul institution, and shifts in architectural styles and religious worship.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Gond Tribe, Bhosle-Maratha, Social change, Cultural change, Rajputisation, and Sanskritisation.
How did the Bhosle-Maratha rule affect the Gond language?
The administrative preference for Marathi led to a decline in the use of the Gondi language, contributing to a sense of multilingualism at the cost of native linguistic heritage.
What role did the Gothul institution play?
The Gothul served as a vital training center for social discipline, learning, and cultural preservation, which eventually lost its significance over time.
Did the religious practices of the Gonds change?
Yes, under the influence of Maratha rule and Sanskritisation, the tribe increasingly adopted Hindu deities and rituals, deviating from their original nature-worshipping traditions.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Shubham Shiwankar (Autor:in), 2021, Socio-Cultural Changes in Gond Tribal-Culture Brought by Political interventions of Contemporary Bhosle Maratha’s of Nagpur. With Special Reference to Gond Kingdoms of Vidarbha, India, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1215490
