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"The
militant defenders"
The Minas are not just Rajasthan’s largest tribal groups- they are
also the most widely spread. In the north, they inhabit the
Jaipur-Sikar belt of Shekhawati,
continuing into Alwar
district in the southwest; the Minas settlements mix with the
Bhils of
Bundi-Kota-Jhalawar.
The Minas, who are proto-dravidians, were the original inhabitants of
the pre-historic Indus valley civilization. They battled with the
Aryans and despite their expulsion from their earlier settlements,
remained a powerful militant group. The Vedas mention them as the
enemies of the Aryans and the Mahabharata records their glory in the
kingdom of Matsyaraj. It was the Kachhawaha clan of Rajputs who
finally dispersed their power, relegating them to forest and hill hide
outs in the Aravalis.
The dresses of Minas are casual and practical. The men wear loincloth
around the waist; sometimes a waistcoat and a long fabric tied loosely
on the head like a turban. The women wear a long flared skirt with
many gathers called Ghagra; a minimal blouse called Kurti
or Kanchali and large squarish scarf called Odhani
that drapes back after covering the head. In the presence of men this
is pulled down to cover the face by a Ghunghat. Only the
prosperous among them wear gold and silver ornaments further
beautified with ivory and pearls.
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