Freedom Struggle and Regional Movements | HPPSC HPAS Preparation - HPPSC HPAS (Himachal Pardesh) PDF Download

Events before 1857 A.D.

• Disillusionment of Hill State Rajas: Following the treaty of Lahore, the Rajas of Hill states grew disillusioned with the British because the British failed to fulfill their promise of returning their old estates.
• British-Sikh Conflict: During the second British-Sikh war in 1848, the principalities of Kangra hills sided with the Sikhs against the British forces.
• Rebellion in Hill Principalities: The hill principalities of Nurpur, Kangra, Jaswan, and Datarpur rebelled against the British in 1848. Commissioner Lawrence suppressed this rebellion.
• Outcome of the Rebellion: The rebels were captured and taken to Almoda, where they met their demise.
• Challenge from Ram Singh Pathania: The Wajir of Nurpur, Ram Singh Pathania, posed a significant challenge to the British. He was eventually defeated near 'dale di dhar' after being betrayed by a Brahmin named Pahad Chand.
• Exile and Death: Ram Singh Pathania was sent to Singapore, where he met his end, highlighting the consequences of opposing British rule.

National Movement with Special Reference to Praja Mandal Movements in Himachal Pradesh, 1848-1948 

The revolt of 1857 in Himachal Pradesh

• The initial spark of resistance against the British East India Company in Himachal Pradesh ignited at the Kasauli Soldier Cantonment.
• During the 1857 revolt, General Anson held the position of commander-in-chief in the Shimla hills, while Lord William Hay served as the Deputy Commissioner of Shimla.
• The soldiers of the Nasiri Battalion, a Gorkha regiment stationed at Jutogh in Shimla, were the first to rise in rebellion.
• Around 80 soldiers from the Kasauli guard rebelled by looting the government treasury, with Subedar Bhim Singh leading the uprising.
• The rebel soldiers from Kasauli joined forces with the Nasiri Battalion from Jutogh, combining their efforts.
• Rumors circulated in Shimla about the impending arrival of rebel soldiers aiming to plunder the city.

Hill States Supporting the British

• Keonthal: The Raja of Keonthal provided shelter to the British in Shimla and Junga.
• Koti and Balsan: Both states offered assistance to the British.
• Bilaspur: Soldiers from Bilaspur helped the British in Boileauganj.
• Sirmaur: Soldiers from Sirmaur assisted the British in Bada Bazar.
• Bhagal, Dhami, Bhajji, and Jubbal: Miyan of Bhagal Jay Singh and the Rajas of Dhami, Bhajji, and Jubbal cooperated with the British.
• Chamba: Raja Shri Singh of Chamba sent his army under Miyan Avtar Singh to accompany the British in Dalhousie.

Revolutionaries of 1857

• Ram Prasad Vairagi: Arrested and executed in Ambala.
• Pratap Singh: Led a revolt in Kullu with the support of Negi from the Seraj area. He and his companion, Vir Singh, were captured and hanged in Dharamsala on August 3, 1857.

Bushahr Princely State's Stance

• Non-Cooperation: Raja of Bushahr, along with Raja of Sibba Ram Singh, Raja of Nadaun Jodhvir Singh, and Wazir Ghasaun of Mandi, did not support the British. Bushahr was the only princely state in Himachal Pradesh that neither cooperated with the British nor assisted them during the revolt.
• Subedar Bhim Singh: Escaped jail and sought refuge with Raja Samsher Singh of Bushahr. Despite Deputy Commissioner William Hay's intent to act against Bushahr, logistical challenges and the ongoing construction of the Indo-Tibet road prevented effective action.
• British Suppression: The British suppressed the revolt with significant help from the rulers of various hill states. William Hay played a key role. The British blockaded roads, creating rifts among Gurkha and Rajput soldiers. Rebel soldiers, including Subedar Bhim Singh, were arrested. Bhim Singh eventually committed suicide after learning of the rebellion’s failure.

Delhi Durbar

• 1877 Durbar: Organized by Lord Lytton, with participation from the Raja of Chamba, Shyam Singh; Raja Vijai Singh of Mandi; and Raja Hirachand of Bilaspur.
• 1911 Durbar: Marked the shift of India's capital from Calcutta to Delhi. Attended by Raja Amar Prakash of Sirmaur, Raja Amar Chand of Bilaspur, Raja Vijai Sen of Keonthal, Raja Bhimsen of Suket, Raja Bhoori Singh of Chamba, Raja Deep Singh of Bhagat, and Rana Bhagat Singh of Jubbal.

Mandi Conspiracy

• Gadar Party: Founded by Lala Hardayal in San Francisco, U.S.A.
• Conspiracy (1914-15): The Gadar Party aimed to incite a rebellion in India. Members traveled to Mandi and Suket to recruit workers and influence local leaders, including Miyan Jawahar and Queen Khairgarhi of Mandi.
• Plans: Intended to murder the superintendent and Wajir of Mandi, loot the treasury, and blow up the Beas Bridge. The conspiracy largely failed except for the Nagchala robbery.
• Consequences: The movement was suppressed. Queen Khairgarhi was exiled, Bhai Hirda Ram was hanged for his role in the Lahore conspiracy case, and Surjan Singh and Nidhan Singh Chugha were executed for the Nagchala robbery. Hardev of Mandi, a Gadar Party member, became known as Swami Krishnanand.

Pahari Gandhi Baba Kansi Ram

• 1920s Visits: M.K. Gandhi first visited Shimla in 1921 and stayed at Shanti Kutir in Summer Hill. Other prominent leaders like Nehru and Patel frequently visited Shimla.
• 1927 Conference: At a conference in Sujanpur Tihra, police officers clashed with the people, injuring Thakur Hajara Singh, Baba Kansi Ram, and Chatar Singh. Baba Kansi Ram vowed to wear only black clothes until India's independence.
• Titles: Baba Kansi Ram was honored with the title “Pahadi Gandhi” by Pandit J.L. Nehru at the Gadriwala Jan Sabha and “Pahadi Bulbul” by Sarojini Naidu.

Praja Mandal

• All India State People Conference (1927): Established to promote peace among Praja Mandals. Sir Harcourt led this conference.
• Bilaspur State Praja Mandal (1945): Founded by Daulat Ram Sankhyan, Narotam Dutt Shastri, and Deviram Updaya as part of the All India People Conference.
• Chamba: The Chamba People's Defence League was established in Lahore in 1932, followed by the Chamba Servant Association in Chamba city in 1936.
• Himalayan Riyasti Praja Mandal (1938): Established in Shimla with Pandit Padam Dev as the secretary.

Himalayan Hill State Regional Council (HHSRC)

• March 1946 Meeting: Held in Mandi, attended by representatives from 48 hill states, from Shimla to Tihri Garhwal. The council was led by Swami Puran Chand, with Pandit Padam Dev as secretary and Pandit Shivanand Ramaul as deputy secretary. The headquarters were in Shimla.
• August-September 1946: The council met in Nahan, deciding that elections would be held again.
• March 1947 Elections: Under the guidance of H.L. Mashurkar, elections were held, electing Dr. Y.S. Parmar as President and Pandit Padam Dev as Secretary.
• Himalayan Hill State Sub Regional Council (HHSSRC): Formed by six members of HHSRC due to internal differences, but was part of the HHSRC. Y.S. Parmar was the President and Pandit Padam Dev the Secretary.

Other Praja Mandals

• Kullu People League (1933): Established in Lahore.
• Mandi Praja Mandal (1936): Founded to address local grievances and promote political awareness.
• Bhagal Praja Mandal (1938): Formed to represent the interests of Bhagal residents.
• Kunihar Praja Mandal (1939): Established to advocate for local rights.
• Shimla Hill State Conference (1939): A conference aimed at uniting various hill states in their demands for political reforms.
• Sirmaur Praja Mandal (1939): Founded to address the issues in Sirmaur.
• Dhami Praja Mandal (13 July 1939): Established to represent the people of Dhami.
• Prem Pracharni Conference (1937): Held in Dhami to discuss political and social issues.

Famous Movements

Dujjam Movement (1906)

A type of Non-Cooperation Movement started in Rampur Bushahr to challenge local injustices.

Kotgarh Movement

Led by Satyanand Stokes against the “Begar Custom,” which required forced labor.

Bhai Do, Na Pai Movement (1938)

Initiated by the Himalayan Riyasti Praja Mandal, where people refused to give money or resources to the British.

Jugga Movement (1883-1888)

Against Raja Amarchand of Bilaspur, where Brahmins from Gehdvi protested against forced labor by putting up flags on their sheds, burning them, and committing suicide to resist arrest.

Dhami Firing Tragedy (16 July 1939)

• In Dhami, Bhagmal Sautha and other leaders demanded the removal of the ban on the Prem Pracharni Sabha. 
• When they were refused and protests ensued, Rana of Dhami ordered a firing at Halog Chowk, resulting in two deaths and many injuries. 
• Duni Chand, a lawyer appointed by Nehru, was involved in investigating the matter.

Pajhota Movement (1942)

• Context: Part of the Quit India Movement.
• Location: Pajhota area of Sirmaur.
• Key Leaders: Laxmi Singh, Vaid Surat Singh, Miya Chu Chu, Basti Ram Pahari.
• Activities: Established the “Pajhota Kisan Sabha” to oppose the suppression by the King’s employees. They managed to prevent police and government officials from entering Pajhota for seven months.
• Outcome: The Kisan Sabha established control under Miyan Chu Chu, but leaders were eventually arrested.

Kunihar Movement (1920)

• Context: Directed against Rana Hardev Singh of Kunihar.
• Key Leaders: Gauri Shankar, Babu Kansi Ram.
• Outcome: On 9th July 1939, Rana Hardev Singh accepted the conditions of the Praja Mandal, leading to a resolution of the movement.

Other Movements

• 1909 Mandi Movement: Led by Shobha Ram against the Raja’s Minister for corruption. Shobha Ram was arrested and sent to Andaman.
• 1859 Rampur Bushahr Revolt: An uprising occurred in Rampur Bushahr.
• 1862 and 1876 Suket Movements: Protests against Raja Ishwar Singh and Minister Gulam Kadir.
• Bilaspur Farmer Movements: Took place in 1883 and 1930, addressing farmer grievances.
• 1878 Sirmaur Land Management Movement: Against Raja Shamsher Singh’s land management policies.
• Bhatiyat Movement in Chamba: During Shyam Singh’s reign, a movement against the Begar Custom.

Administrative Improvements

• In 1933, the King of Mandi established a legislative council, marking the first Panchayati Raj Act in the Shimla Hill States.
• Other states like Bilaspur, Bushahar, and Sirmaur also introduced administrative improvements around the same time.

Formation of Congress

O. Hume founded the Indian National Congress at Roothny Castle in Shimla.

National Leaders' Arrival

• Lala Lajpat Rai visited Mandi in 1906.
• Annie Besant, leader of the Theosophical Society, visited Shimla in 1916.
• Mahatma Gandhi, along with Maulana Muhammad Ali, Shaukat Ali, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Madan Mohan Malviya, visited Shimla for the first time in 1921.
• Mohammad Ali Jinnah, leader of the Muslim League, came to Shimla to meet Viceroy Lord Reading.
• Mahatma Gandhi visited Shimla multiple times (1921, 1931, 1939, 1945, and 1946), staying at Manor Villa and Summer Hill.

Protesters and Revolutionaries

• Rishikesh Lath started a revolutionary movement in Una in 1915.
• Yashpal, a famous novelist from Hamirpur, joined the independence struggle in 1918 and was imprisoned for life in 1932. He was the chief commander of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Army.

Indian National Army Honors

• Major Mehar Das received the title Sardar-E-Jang.
• Captain Bakshi Pratap Singh received Tagma-E-Shatrunash.
• Hari Singh from Sarkaghat was honored with the title Sher-E-Hind.
• Two Gurkha brothers, Durga Mal and Dal Bahadur Thapa, from Dharamsala, were hanged in Delhi.

Incidents in the 1920s

• The Non-Cooperation Movement started in Himachal in 1920.
• Local rulers formed the Chamber of Princes (Narender Mandal) in 1921.
• In December 1921, protests erupted against the arrival of the Prince of Wales.
• Lala Lajpat Rai was transferred from Lahore Jail to Dharamsala.
• In 1925, Viceroy Lord Reading inaugurated the Central Council Chamber (now the Vidhan Sabha) in Shimla.
• In 1928, people in Shimla and Kangra protested against the arrival of the Simon Commission.

Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931)

• The Civil Disobedience Movement was active in Shimla, Dharamsala, Kullu, and Una in 1930.
• On March 5, 1931, the Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed in Shimla.

Quit India Movement (1942)

• On August 9, 1942, the Quit India Movement began in Shimla, Kangra, and other hill areas.
• Rajkumari Amrit Kaur led the movement from Shimla and edited Gandhi's magazine Horizon during his imprisonment.
• Leaders like Bhagmal Sautha, Hariram, and Chaudhary Divanchand were arrested during the movement.

Wavell Conference (1945)

• On May 14, 1945, the Wavell Plan was announced in Parliament.
• Viceroy Lord Wavell invited Indian political leaders to a conference on June 25, 1945.
• Congress leaders, including Gandhi, Nehru, Rajendra Prasad, and Sardar Patel, participated, alongside Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Liaquat Ali, and others.

Independent Kehlur Group

• King Anand Chand of Bilaspur opposed the independence movement and created the Swadin Kehlur Dal to counter the AISPC and Bilaspur Praja Mandal.
• However, after many negotiations, Raja Anand Chand eventually agreed to merge Kehlur with India.