Medieval Rajasthani Literature

Medieval Rajasthani Literature

Medieval Rajsthani Literature has experienced a lot of experiments with sant poetry as well as Charan poetry and holds a prominent place in Rajasthani literature.

The medieval period in Rajasthani Literature dates from 1450 AD to 1850 AD. Change in the political scenario of the state brought about a lot of change in the life style of Rajasthan which included the literary style. During the medieval period there have been many brilliant contemporary Charans and other poets who immortalized the heroes, and their heroic deeds. Their historical value is beyond dispute. Such literary creations came under the historical and heroic poetry of the Charan style. The essence of this poetry is heroism in protecting one's own territory, and the person and property of those who seek his shelter. Poets have eulogized these virtues. Cowardice and tyranny have been condemned with severity. Such poems of ' slander and ridicule are called 'Visahar'. These trends are also found in the other school of poetry, namely the mythological and religious. Heroic deeds and assurance of protection and deliverance by Nrsinha, Ram and Krishna form the major theme of this poetry.

Poems relating to 'Niti' or morals, right behaviour and prudence also appeared. The 'Niti' poems are not copies of similar Sanskrit works. It is the folk ethics that they have propounded. Rajiyai ra Soratha heads the list of such poems.

King, religion and tradition were the three important factors which shaped to a great extent the values of the people of Rajasthan in medieval times. Steadfastness to religion, tolerance and fidelity were the characteristics of the common man. In religious matters, the Rajput rulers were generous and tolerant and their attitude appreciably touched the fringe of what we today call secular. They protected and patronized the institutions belonging to other religions. The role of a redeemer, a martyr, a hero or a saint developed into a sort of personality cult. Many such persons were raised to the status of folk deity, and the centres of their activities became places of pilgrimage. The five 'Pirs', and Karaniji and Tejoji may be cited as instances of such deified personalities.

Due to geographical factors and for reasons cited above, many religious sects came into being, flourished and prospered. These sects had their respective saints whose traditions have survived even to this day. These saints, while laying down tenets of their respective faiths, have enriched poetry in the process. The sphere of the 'Nath' influence was intensive as well as extensive. Their centres still exist. Many poems are popular and go by the names of Gorakh, Carpat and other Naths of the early times. Mostly their language is Khadi Boli mixed with Rajasthani. It is certain that many such poems are not the creations of those to whom they are attributed. We shall have occasion to discuss them in the chapter on 'Sant Poetry'.

Many saints have referred to Hathyog and its process, and have used the 'Nath' diction. The inclusion of Yog in some form or the other is common in Sant poetry. Exceptions apart, the ten incarnations of God have been popular in the poetry of some of the major sects. Namdev from 1270-1350 is the pioneer sant poet and the trend that started from him spread soon over Rajasthan and elsewhere. We have already said a few words about the language of the Sant poetry of Rajasthan. Three language forms-Braj, Pingal and Rajasthani were mostly used. Some poems were also written in Khadi Boli mixed with Rajasthani.

Sant poetry is the product of those adhering to some sects, and those who were unattached and self-willed like Miran, Din Darves and others. There appear to have been some ideological differences in the poetry flowing from these two classes. Naturally, the contents apparently identical were in fact different. Those who believed in incarnations had a wider field for expression. The deeds of Divine Incarnations also formed the subject matter of such poetry.

Akhyan Kavyas have, continued to appear in the Medieval Period. The Jain poets continued to compose poems on their traditional themes. They also gave some significant historical poems and secular love narratives with a slight religious tinge. They also rendered useful service to other branches of knowledge. Many poems on secular love narratives were composed during this period.

Thus it can be concluded saying that during the medieval period Rajasthani Literature had a variety of literary works within its realm and well known for its literary style and elegance.

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