ABSTRACT
In this chapter, I show the ways in which Gujjar Caste understanding of democracy is strategically deployed and performed in local and regional politics. Simultaneously, this caste understanding of democratic politics is used to reinforce a sense of Gujjar samaj, which is considered the descendants of Shri Devnarayan Bhagvan, warrior deity, and Mihir Bhoj, divine king. This shows the organizational ability of caste associations, which not only shapes ideas of what the Gujjar samaj is and what democracy is and should do, but also promotes the pursuits of power as a way of economic benefits from the state. This reveals how the imagination of divine political ancestors, sense of territory, use of strategic violence and democratic politics are intertwined and shaped by each other.
