Cultural Memory and Syncretic Identity: A Case Study of Hindu-Islamic Heritage Among the Mewatis of Gurgaon, Haryana, India

Abstract (English)

For Ram Ahmad of the Harnool region of Gurgaon, his name feels as inherent as his blended identity, a combination of Hindu and Islamic heritage inherited through the ages. Ram's family, similar to numerous others in the area, traces its lineage back to a period when their forebears—Hindu Rajputs—embraced Islam in the 12th century, influenced by Sufi missionaries and the changing political landscape of the time. This pivotal moment in history signifies a profound shift that presents a unique case of the persistence of Hindu customs alongside the embrace of Islam, which has continued to be a fundamental aspect of Mewati identity. The Mewatis represent a nuanced blend of their Hindu roots and Islamic traditions, forming a unique cultural and religious identity that questions traditional notions of faith and belonging.

This ethnographic study examines the Mewatis of Gurgaon, who are descendants of Hindu Rajputs that embraced Islam, and how they uphold both Hindu rituals and Islamic practices. This research explores cultural memory by examining how practices like oral histories, rituals, and intangible heritage preserve the dual heritage of the Mewatis. These practices provide a sense of continuity across generations, preserving a hybrid identity that intertwines Hindu and Islamic traditions.

The research further examines how material culture—like sacred icons, religious texts, and ritual paraphernalia—serves as indicators of this syncretic identity. This research presents their syncretic practices as forms of resistance, affirming a cultural identity that confronts religious orthodoxy.

The study explores the syncretism of the Mewatis by integrating ethnographic and archaeological perspectives, focusing on community spaces, sacred sites, and material culture. IIt contributes to ongoing conversations about heritage preservation, religious diversity, and the dynamics of identity among the Mewatis of Gurgaon, India.