Soldiering and Society: A Socio-Historical Study of Military Recruitment and Rural Transformation in Haryana (1947–1999)

Abstract

This research paper explores the dynamic relationship between military recruitment and rural societal transformation in Haryana from the post-Independence period to the end of the 20th century. By examining the historical context, socio-economic structures, cultural narratives, and regional disparities that shaped enlistment patterns, the study investigates how Haryana’s strong martial ethos translated into a distinctive socio-military identity. The paper delves into motivations for joining the armed forces—economic, symbolic, and social—and how service in the military facilitated upward mobility, especially among marginalized groups such as Dalits and backward castes. Special attention is paid to the role of caste, masculinity, and landholding in sustaining a militarised culture in Haryana, as well as the symbolic capital attached to military service. Through a mix of historical analysis, sociological theory, and regional case studies—particularly from districts like Rewari, Jhajjar, and Bhiwani—the study contributes to a broader understanding of how military service intersects with caste identity, gender roles, and rural modernity. The paper ultimately argues that soldiering in Haryana has functioned not merely as a career but as a mode of social reconfiguration and cultural prestige that continues to shape regional identities.