Chapter 7 Independence Movement and Rajasthan — OUR RAJASTHAN STD 7 — Question

In the past, the relations of farmers with the kings and Jagirdars of Rajasthan were better. But after the Subsidiary Alliance between the British and the kings, the British started collecting taxes from the kings in cash. The kings collected this amount from the Jagirdar and in turn the Jagirdar collected it from the farmers. They were forced for bonded labour. To protest distressed farmer started movements, of which the following are the leading movements:

1. The Bijolia Movement: This organised Peasant Movement was started by the farmers of the Dhakad caste in Bijolia of Bhilwara. district. This movement was divided into three stages. First stage (1897 to 1914), 2nd stage (1914 to 1923) and the thirdstage (1923 to 1941). Social leaders like Naanji, Thakri Patel, Sadhu Sitaram Das, Fateh Karan Char an, Brahmadev, Vijay Singh Pathik, Manikya Lai pathik, Seth Jamnalal Bajaj etc. played a strong role in this movement. Women leaders like Anj ana Devi Choudhary, Rama Devi and Narayani Devi Verma also contributed to this movement.

2. The Begue Peasant Movement Motivated by the success of Bijoliya movement, the farmers of the Begue Thikana (vassal territory) of Mewar also raised their voice against the atrocities of the Jagirdar. Ramnarayan Chaudhari led the fa mers on the order of Pathik. Leader like Rapa ji and Kripa ji Dhakad made thier movement successful by sacrificing themselves. In the end the government had to bow and 34 out of 53 taxes were abolished and forced labour (Begar) was banned.

3. Bundi Peasant Movement: In the year 1926 the farmers of Bundi, also started a protest movement against Laag-Baag and forced labour under the leadership of Pandit Nenu Ram, Ramnarayan Choudhary and Hari Bhai Kinkar. The peasants protested against the Laag Baag and forced labour. The police started firing at the gathered farmers, which led to the death of Nanak Bhil on the site. The movement ended when the state government of Bundi accepted the demands of the farmers in 1943.

4. Alwar Peasant Movement: The movement went on two stages for two reasons. Firstly, in the state of Alwar, Wild boars caused damage to the crops of the farmers. But they were forbidden to kill, so in 1921 the farmers started a movement, secondly, in 1925, the farmers organised a meeting in Neemuchana village against the increased revenue imposed by Alwar Maharaja Jai Singh. This house was shot indiscriminately like Jalianwala Bagh.

5. Sikar Peasant Movement: Sikar was the biggest Thikana of Jaipur state where the farmers opposed the increase in revenue. Sardar Harlal Singh, Netaram Singh and Prithvi Singh Gothra were prominent leaders associated with this movement. The peaceful demonstrations of the farmers led to the firing, which was discussed in the House of Commons in London. Finally, the Jagirdar had to convince the farmers and the revenue was also reduced.

6. The Shekhawati Peasant Movement: The Sekhawati farmers also protested against the arbitrary increase in the revenue. Master Kalicharan of Chirawa formed the Service committee (seva samiti). The farmers of Nawalgarh, Mandawa Dhundhlod, and Malasar clearly refused to pay the revenue. Thikanedar of Malasar, caused the brutal, beating of the farmers. A permanent solution was occured only after the independence.

7. Other Peasant Movement: In 1945, Thakur Chandrawal tried to crush the peasant movement with assault of sticks and spears. In the same way, in 1947, in Dabra, when around 600 farmers went to the Jagirdar to protest against revenue, laag baag, and forced labour, he used rifles, Swords and spears causing many casualties.