Jats in Rajasthan politics
Electoral dynamics in Rajasthan / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rajasthan (Hindi: [rɑːdʒəsˈtʰɑːn] ⓘ; lit. 'Land of Kings') is a state in northern India.[1] It shares its western boundary with Pakistan and Gujarat to the southwest, Madhya Pradesh to the southeast, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to the northeast, and Punjab to its north. The state encompasses a total area of 342,239 square kms.[2]
The Jat community in Rajasthan has a longstanding agricultural tradition and has been a key player in the state's political sphere for several decades.[3][4] The community became notably active in politics during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. A notable milestone in their political history was the establishment of the Bharatpur kingdom, which was founded by Maharaja Suraj Mal in the 18th century.[5][6][7] Maharana Kirat Singh, also known as Rana Kirat Singh, was a Jat emperor who ruled Gohad kingdom (1803–1805) in Madhya Pradesh, India, from 1763 to 1735. He was the princely state's founder and first ruler (1805–1835) of Dholpur.[8][9] He was the founder and first ruler of Dholpur (princely state) (1805–1835). These events marked the Jats' rise to prominence and power within the region.
As a folk deity, Veer Tejaji is highly esteemed in Rajasthan and renowned for his bravery and status. Celebrated for his efforts toward social reform, he is frequently linked to the political and cultural narratives of the Jat group.[10] Tejaji's efforts to promote moral principles and solidarity among people, as well as his opposition to caste prejudice, will always be remembered. There are many ways to remember his life and deeds, such as yearly fairs honoring his memory and temples built in his honor.[11][12]
Since India did not conduct a caste-based census after 1931, it is currently unknown how many Jat people live in Rajasthan. There are about 5.6 crore people living in Rajasthan overall, with the Jat community being the largest and most influential caste in Rajasthan state.[13][14]
Approximately 1 crore people, or 8-10% of Rajasthan's total population, are Jats.[14]
In the modern era, the Jats of Rajasthan have continued to be a significant force in the state’s politics. Their influence stems from both their historical legacy and their substantial demographic presence. According to recent reports, Jats comprise around 8% to 10% of the total electorate in Rajasthan.[15][16]
In the 2023 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly Elections, the Indian National Congress nominated 36 Jat candidates; out of which 16 won. On the other hand, 13 of the 31 Jat candidates who received tickets from the BJP won.[17][18] Elections were won by one member of the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party i.e., Hanuman Beniwal and two independent are Priyanka Chaudhary and Jivaram Chaudhary. Therefore, 32 members of the 16th Rajasthan Legislative Assembly belongs to Jat community.[19]