o - Aceh Books website

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MEOS 519
The Meos were originally Hindus; when and how they were converted is still
unclear. It seems probable on the basis of popular belief that they were converted
in stages: first by Salar Masud in the eleventh century, by Balban in the thirteenth
century and again during Aurangzeb's reign in the seventeenth century. Being
close to Delhi, the Meos apparently took an active interest in politics, sometimes
by giving refuge to dissidents, occasionally by raiding the capital for material
gain and at other times by getting involved in intrigues for succession. More
often than not they backed the wrong group and as a consequence suffered severe
reprisals. At times conversion to Islam was part of the settlement after defeat.
One clearly recorded incident of conversion occurred about the turn of the
fifteenth century when Bahadur Nahar, a Hindu Rajput ruler of Mewat, embraced
Islam. Other Rajput families followed his lead, and the clan of the Khanzadas
was established. This probably stimulated conversion of other Hindu castes in
Mewat.
The Meos claim Rajput descent for the entire community, feeling very proud
and even defensive of this background. In a recent book on Meo history, its
Meo author refers to Rajput ancestry in the title and devotes half the volume to
prove it. Two major kinds of evidence are marshaled in support. One is the
genealogical records supposedly maintained by the local jagas (Brahman genealogists).
The link is invariably established all the way back to the mythical
Hindu gods, Rama and Krishna. Another kind of evidence is derived from the
folklore. Both of these stories conform more to the desire of the group rather
than historical fact. The Meo community is divided into many (at least 800)
gotras (exogamous clans). Some of these gotras resemble those of the Rajputs,
but there are others which seem to link with such Hindu castes as Brahman,
Mina, Jat and Bhatiara. Most probably, therefore, the Meos originally belonged
to many different Hindu castes and not just to the Rajputs.
The Meos combine elements of both Hindu and Muslim traditions in their
culture. In fact, until recently Hindu customs so predominated Meo life-style
that the admixture was considered quaint by both Hindus and Muslims outside
Mewat. For instance, the popular names of both males and females were like
those of the Hindus. Muslim names were given occasionally and sometimes the
Muslim title Khan was added to a Hindu name. The rituals performed in connection
with the life cycle were mostly of the Hindu tradition, with only a few
Muslim elements added. Marriage ceremonies used all of the Hindu rituals,
including the worship of Hindu gods, performed together with the Muslim nikah
ceremony. Two major Islamic rites adopted by the Meos were male circumcision
and burial of the dead, but even these were recast into the local Hindu mold.
Almost all of the local festivals and ceremonies associated with agriculture,
health and change of seasons were retained. A few Muslim festivals, such as
the two Ids, Shab-e-barat, and Muharram, were adopted. Reading of the Quran
was less popular than reading the Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Hindu shrines far outnumbered the mosques in Mewat. Few Meos prayed in the