The Performativity of Rajput Kingship

This paper looks at the performativity of Rajput kingship, taking up the case study of the Rathor house of Kishangarh. Studying historical cases of legitimation and illegitimation from the first half of the 18th century, it argues that affect and emotions played an important role in the process. Specifically, different players challenged and asserted power positions through multi-medial mobilization of “myth” integrated with evocation of different moods against the background of sacred time and space. In this process, gender played an important role, as female divinities and palace women were involved both as objects in the males’ royal displays, but also with room for an agency of their own.