Chamba

Chamba Peasant Movement (1896)

• Ruler: King Shyam Singh
• Wazir: Govind Ram
• Leaders: Larja, Bassi, Billu from Balana Village
• Region: Bhattiyat Waziratin

Primary Causes

1. Unjust Revenue Collection System
2. Exemption of Upper Classes from Tax
3. Huge Increase in Land Tax
4. Begar: One person from every family required to work 6 months / year

Events & Method

• Strict Non-Cooperation + Non-Violent
• Refusal to pay Land Lease
• Blocked Tax Collectors from entering Villages

Outcome

• Raja could not suppress it, so British intervened.
• Commissioner of Lahore arrested leaders and the movement was strictly suppressed.

Evolution of Political Movements in Chamba

1922

• State subjects working in Lahore demanded a Representative Advisory Council from the Raja.
• Purpose / Objective: Act as a link between government and governed, deal with maladministration, and bridge the communication gap.

1932: Chamba People Defence League / Chamba Praja Suraksha League

• HQ: Lahore
• Leader: M.A. Ahmed
• Organisers: People exiled from Chamba states
• Issues Highlighted:
  1. Monarchy
  2. Irresponsible Administration
  3. Exorbitant Taxes
  4. Restriction on Civil Liberties of peasants

Political Consciousness (Regional Overview)

1. Praja Mandal (People’s Councils fighting local Kings): Shimla Hill States (including Solan), Sirmaur, Bilaspur, Mandi & Suket, Chamba
2. Freedom Struggle (Fighting the British directly): Kangra, Kullu, Lahaul Spiti

1936: Chamba Sewak Sangh

• Aim: Assist victims of devastating fire in Chamba City.
• Status: Patronised by states, so State Employees could join (and joined).

Demands

1. Preference for sons of soil in State Posts
2. Protest against Nepotism by Diwan
3. Abolition of Begar
4. Separation of Judiciary from Executive

Outcome

• Banned in Chamba.
• Method: Shifted operations to Dalhousie.
• Publicity Campaign: Conducted via newspapers like Kesari, Inquilab, and Tribune.

1939: Chamba Agitation

• Location: Churah, Chamba, Bhattiyat, Banikhet, Dalhousie
• Primary Target: 1) Wazir Madho Ram, 2) British Resident
• Leader: M.A. Ahmed

1939: AISPC Session at Ludhiana

• Chamba Representatives:
  1. Vidya Sagar
  2. Vidya Dhar
  3. Ghulam Rasool
  4. Puthi Chand
• Chamba Riyasati Praja Mandal (CRPM) formed because of the decline of Chamba Sevak Sangh.

Government Action

• Dak (Post) Censorship
• Strict Border Screening

Later Developments & Integration

• 1944: Ban on CRPM revoked because the state revoked its registration under the Registration of Societies Act and allowed it to register officially.
• 1946: CRPM officially affiliated with HHSRC (Himalayan Hill States Regional Council).
• 1947: Chamba State People Federation formed to navigate the final transition of the princely state.
• 15 April 1948: Chamba merged into HP (Himachal Pradesh).

Bilaspur

Jhugga Movement (1883)

• King: Raja Amar Chand
• Leaders:
  1. Kishori Lal
  2. Gulab Ram Nadda
• Location: Lulhan, Kot, Nada, Pandtehra in Geharwin

Reasons

1. Bethanga Tax: (25% of Land Revenue)
2. Land Revenue: Strictly payable in cash only.
3. Taxation of Brahmins and Chandel Rajputs for the first time.
4. Begar

Course of Action

1. Method: Violent and Non-Cooperation
2. Hoisted religious flags of their deities.
3. Lived in huts for 9 months.
4. If Raja used force $\Rightarrow$ set Thuggas on fire and burn themselves alive (Karmic sin of their death to King).

Raja’s Response / Events

1. Amar Chand ignored the religious taboo.
2. He sent Tehsildar Niranjan Singh to arrest the leaders.
3. Gulab Ram Nadda killed the Tehsildar.
4. People set the Jhuggas ablaze and several people perished before they could be arrested.

Consequence

1. Bethanga Tax revoked.
2. Administrative system rebalanced.
3. Gulab Ram Nadda jailed for 6 years at Saryun Fort.
4. Exodus of families to Kangra.

Dandra Movement (1930)

• King: Bijai Chand abdicated the throne in 1927 and Anand Chand was a minor.
• Centre of Rebellion: Bahadurpur Pargana

Reasons

• 1905: 1st Land Revenue Settlement in Bilaspur.
• 1930: Economic slump, Raja implemented a new land settlement and Increase in already high taxes (double of neighbouring Kangra, Hoshiarpur).

Financial Triggers

1. Unjust Land Revenue
2. High Nazrana Rates
3. Fishing License Fee

Social Triggers

1. Indiscriminate Forest Policies
2. Molestation of village ladies by revenue staff

Events

1. Kisans refused to supply free firewood, milk, ghee, and bread to the settlement staff.
2. When the staff became oppressive, the villagers broke the accessories of Patwaris in defiance.
3. Naming: During a fair at Namhol village, Punjab police used batons (Danda) to beat protestors. The sheer violence due to the Danda gave its name.

Suppression

• Local Council Chairman Pt. Chandulal failed to manage the unrest.
• Resident James Fitz Patrick dispatched Edward Wakefield from Lahore.
• Armed Punjab Police were summoned to reinforce state police.
• Troops conducted a flag march for 3 months to intimidate the populace.
• ₹25,000 fine on participating villages and mass arrests.

Raja Anand Chand Reign

• Jan 9, 1933: Anand Chand invested with full powers.
• 1933 – 1944: Sewa Samiti and Sanatan Dharam Sabha formed with stated goals of social / religious reform, but they served as a platform for raising political consciousness.
• Reason: Stern penalties for anti-state activities like exile and confiscation of property.

AISPC (All India States Peoples’ Conference): 1945 Udaipur Session

• Representatives from Bilaspur include:
  1. Daulat Ram Sankhyan
  2. Narottam Dutt Shastri
  3. Devi Ram Upadhyay
• After return, they formed Bilaspur Rajya Praja Mandal (BRPM) and put forward a few demands.

Dec 21, 1946

• Non-Violent Satyagraha by BRPM.
• Suppressed violently.

Outcome (Dec 27, 1946)

• Standing Committee of AISPC passed a resolution criticising the Raja’s stance.
• Demonstrations in Shimla in solidarity with Bilaspur satyagraha (By: 1. Daulat Ram Sankhyan, 2. Sadanand Chandel, 3. Sant Ram Kanga).

Under Pressure, Reforms By Raja Anand Chand

1. Basic education in Hindi medium up to Matriculation.
2. Implemented Panchayati Raj and Harijan Upliftment Program.
3. Rigid enforcement of Child Marriage Act.
4. Only Prince to give up his title of:
   1. His Highness
   2. KCIE
   3. Gun salute

Real Situation

1. BRPM was forced to remain in exile.
2. Open challenge to AISPC: “Hands off Bilaspur”.
3. “Swadheen Kehlur Dal” army was formed to suppress liberation activities.

Integration

• 15 April 1948: Merger with India
• 1 July 1954: Merger with HP

Sirmaur

1878 Land Movement

• King: Raja Shamsher Prakash
• Settlement Officers: Munshi Nandlal and Munshi Fateh Singh
• Field Officer: Munshi Jeet Singh (Tehsildar)
• Leaders: Achbu (Sangrah Nominee) and Pritam Singh
• Centre of Rebellion: Renuka

Reason

• 1st ever land settlement in Sirmaur initiated.
• People felt the King would increase the taxes.

Events

1. Both leaders and people physically fought with settlement staff to halt land measurement.
2. Attempts to capture Tehsildar Jeet Singh.
3. Landlords refused to believe King’s assurances that taxes would not rise unfairly.

Suppression

1. Settlement staff retreated to Nahan to report violence.
2. Soldiers dispatched from Nahan to capture rebels.
3. British Superintendent in Shimla was coordinated for assistance.
4. Leaders were imprisoned at Nahan and caught by Shimla Superintendent.

Result

Settlement work resumed successfully after rebels were punished.

1929 Land Movement

• Raja: Amar Prakash
• Leader: Rajendra Dutt
• Location: Paonta and Nahan

Reason

Arbitrary land settlement.

Events

1. Advertisement to Raja Amar Prakash and British government.
2. Procession in Paonta.

Outcome

State government and British government suppressed the agitation.

Sirmaur Praja Mandal

• Influence: On the influence of AISPC, Pt. Rajendra Dutt formed the first public body institution of Himachal in Sirmaur.
• HQ: Paonta
• Members:
  1. Chaudhary Sher Jung
  2. Shaligram Sharma
  3. Kundan Lal
  4. Ajaib Singh
  5. Master Chattar Singh

12 Oct 1930: 1st Conference of Punjab and Pahari Riyasati People

• Location: Ludhiana
• Sirmaur Representative: Sardar Bhagat Singh + 2 others

Sirmauri Association in Delhi

• Operated under Rajendra Dutt.
• Pandit Shivanand Ramaul became a member.

1934: Sirmaur Praja Mandal

• Founders:
  1. Devender Singh
  2. Ram Nath
  3. Atma Ram

Government Action

• Fake case / accusations on SRPM members of killing Maharaja of Sirmaur by throwing stones at his car.
• Accused:
  1. Devendra Singh
  2. Hari Chand Padha
  3. Atma Ram
  4. Indra Narayan

Role of Y.S. Parmar

• As District and Session Judge of Sirmaur, he gave the decision in favour of the Praja Mandal.
• So, the case was transferred to a Tribunal who convicted them.
• State deployed Jehalmi Police to suppress the rebellion.

Pajhota Kisan Movement (1942 – 43)

• Location: Pachhad Tehsil
• Context: 2nd World War / Extension of Quit India Movement
• Oct 1942: Pajhota Kisan Sabha formed in Taproli Village in Pachhad Tehsil.

Structure of the Sabha

• Initial Prez: Lakshmi Singh (Kotla village)
• Later Prez: Madan Singh (Chamla Village)
• Secretary: Vaid Surat Singh
• Members:
  1. Mian Gulab Singh (Jadol)
  2. Attar Singh (Jadol)
  3. Mehar Singh (Pankufar)
  4. Madan Singh (Dhamla)
  5. Jamal Singh (Vaghot)
  6. Kali Ram Shavani (Neri)

Events

1. Vaid Surat Singh requested Raja Rajendra Prakash to visit personally to understand the grievances of the people.
2. Raja sent police under Dhamla Habban who could not suppress the movement.
3. For 2 months, Pajhota was under Martial Law.
4. Kamna died with a bullet.
5. Protestors fled to Jubbal’s King Bhakt Chand.
6. Protestors tried at a special Tribunal at Nahan.

Outcome

1. Vaid Surat Singh,
2. Mian Gulab Singh,
3. Amar Singh and
4. Madan Singh were sentenced to Ten Years Jail.

SOLAN

Nalagarh Mass Movement (1877)

• Ruler: Raja Ishwar Singh
• Wazir: Ghulam Kadir Khan

Causes

1. Imposition of New Taxes
2. Significant Increase in Land Revenue

Methods

1. People assembled and took out rallies.
2. People started hindering employees’ work.

British Intervention

Superintendent of Hill States from Shimla reached Nalagarh with a police team and suppressed the revolt.

Outcome

1. Wazir Ghulam Kadir was removed.
2. Taxes were reduced.

Nalagarh Forest Movement (1918)

• Ruler: Raja Joginder Singh
• Wazir: Chaudhary Ramji Lal

Reason

Grassland and Forest Laws that restricted the traditional rights of hill people.

Events

1. British suppressed the revolt and jailed the protestors.
2. People adopted a policy of Non-cooperation.

Outcome

The government changed the laws and addressed all public grievances to restore peace.

Baghal Land Movement (1897 – 1902)

• Ruler: Raja Dhyan Singh

Reason

1. Huge Increase in Land Rent
2. Lack of grazing pastures
3. Prohibition on killing of wild animals (who damage crops)
4. Excessive Landlordism

Events

Brahmins of Barog village made a sacrifice and met the King for justice.

Outcome

British government intervened. Hence, the state government provided relaxations.

Baghal Revolt (1905)

• Ruler: Vikram Singh (Minor)
• True Ruler: Mian Maan Singh

Reason

Internal family dispute in King’s family and his brother.

Event

1. All Kanet people rose in revolt against the King’s Representative and his brother.
2. People stopped paying Tax.

Resolution

1. Superintendent of Hill States of Shimla intervened and went to Arki.
2. Mian Sher Singh was transferred from Kumarsain to the council, who started land settlement and reforms.

Baghal Praja Mandal

• 11 Aug 1938: People working in Shimla held a meeting under the Chairmanship of Jeevan Ram Chauhan.
• Minister: Mansha Ram Chauhan

Kunihar Movement (1920)

• Ruler: Rana Hardev Singh
• Reason: Atrocities of the Administration of Kunihar state.
• Outcome: British intervened and suppressed the revolt.

1921

Baba Kanshi Ram (Kunihar) and Satyanand Stokes (Kotgarh) raised their voice against slavery and Begar.

Kunihar Praja Mandal (July 8, 1939)

• Leaders:
  1. Baba Kanshi Ram
  2. Gauri Shankar

9 July 1939

In the Darbar Bhawan of Kunihar, Rana Hardev Singh accepted:

1. Release of political workers
2. 25% Reduction in Land Revenue
3. Lifting the ban on Praja Mandal (ban was imposed on 13 June 1939)
4. Setting up a Reforms Committee

• Other Members in Meeting:
  1. Bhagmal Sautha
  2. Dev Suman
  3. Representatives of Dhami, Baghal, Mahlog

Outcome

Inspired the formation of the Dhami Praja Mandal.

SHIMLA

Dhami

• 1937:Dhami Prem Pracharni Sabha formed.
  • Prez: Baba Narayan Das (Shimla)
  • Sec: Pt. Sita Ram
• 13 July 1939: Dhami Prem Pracharni Sabha becomes Dhami Riyasati Praja Mandal (Leader: Pt. Sita Ram).
• Meeting of Praja Mandal of Hill States of Shimla at Kamla near Kasumpti in Shimla under Bhagmal Sautha.

Demands of Dhami Riyasati Praja Mandal to Rana Dalip Singh

1. Abolition of Begar
2. 50% Reduction in Land Revenue
3. Recognition of Dhami Praja Mandal

• Rana’s Response: Rejected demands (sent via Mansa Ram).

16 July 1939 Plan

A 7-person delegation would meet the Rana at Halog:

1. Bhagmal Sautha (will come from Shimla)
2. Pt. Sita Ram (Locals)
3. Mansa Ram (Locals)
4. Hira Singh Pal (Locals)
5. Babu Narayan Das (Locals)
6. Bhagat Ram (Locals)
7. Gauri Singh (Locals)

• Reality: Bhagat Ram and Devi Saran had lifted the Congress Flag.
• Ghanahatti: Bhagmal Sautha arrested, flag burnt, and he was sent to Ambala.
• Halog: Police without warning fired $\Rightarrow$ 1) Shri Uma Dutt, 2) Durga died.

Subsequent Actions

• Letters sent to: 1) Mahatma Gandhi, 2) J.L. Nehru.
• Deputation to Gandhi included:
  1. Pt. Sita Ram
  2. K.S. Sautha
  3. Bhaskaranand
  4. Rajkumari Amrit Kaur
• Action by Nehru: Sent Shanti Swarup Dhawan for inquiry, who met both the people and the Rana.
• 30 July 1939: Non-Official Inquiry Committee
  • Head: Lala Duni Chand Ambalvi
  • Members:
    1. Dev Suman (Tehri Garhwal)
    2. Shyam Lal Khanna (Prez of Shimla District Congress Committee)

Dumh / Dujam Movement — Bushahr (1859)

• Ruler: Raja Shamsher Singh
• Leader: Mian Fateh Singh
• Outside Official Appointed by Ruler: Paras Ram
• Intervention: DC Shimla William Hay sent G.C. Barnes.
• Meaning of Dumh: A traditional, organised, and peaceful protest where subjects abandoned their villages and retreated to forests to show fury against unjust laws, halting agricultural production and state revenue.

Causes of Unrest

1. Tax Reform: Munshi Shyam Lal (1854) introduced Cash Revenue (Malguzari) instead of traditional goods.
2. Farmers lacked physical currency to pay taxes.
3. Abolition of hereditary dynasty Wazirs (e.g., Luari Wazirs of Kinnaur).

British Intervention & Outcome

The King accepted:

1. Abolition of leasing system of tax.
2. Restoration of dynasty Wazirs.
3. Tax collection in kind.

Dodra Kwar Revolt (1906)

• This was a political secession movement, not like previous movements on tax.
• Leader: Ran Bahadur Singh (Luari Wazir of Kinnaur) — Administrator of Dodra Kwar region under Bushahr.
• Goal: To make Dodra Kwar an independent territory.

Events

1. Ran Bahadur stopped depositing revenue into the Bushahr Treasury.
2. Local population also supported Ran Bahadur.

• British Intervention: Arrested him.

Beja Movement (1898)

• Ruler: Thakur Uday Chand
• Event: Direct physical challenge to the state’s military authority. Agitators captured and detained 2 soldiers.
• British Intervention: Arrested people and suppressed the movement.

Theog Movement (1898)

• Reason: 1) Begar, 2) High Taxation, 3) Irregularities in Land Settlement Process.
• Leader: Devi Ram Keola and peasants.
• Consequences: 1) Relaxation to people, 2) Imprisonment to Devi Ram Keola.

Theog Movement (1926)

• Ruler: Rana Padma Chand
• Leader: His brother Mian Kharak Singh + wife Devvati.

Events

1. Kharak Singh shifted to Khaneti.
2. Kharak Singh revolted from Khaneti.
3. Rana’s son Karam Chand and Rajmata supported the public openly.

• British Intervention: Shimla DC Salisbury dispatched specialised police who arrested Mian Kharak Singh.

SUKET

Suket Revolt (1862)

• Ruler: Raja Ugar Sen II
• Leader: Prince Rudra Sen
• Location: Garh Chawasi
• Wazirs: 1. Narottam, 2. Dhaungal

Reasons

1. Widow sale allowed
2. Tyranny by Wazir
3. Heavy Taxation
4. Begar

Event

Wazir Dhaungal was in confinement for 12 days. He was released only when the Raja directly ordered it and heard the grievances of the people in person.

Outcome

1. Wazir Dhaungal removed; fined ₹20,000 and sentenced to 9 months in jail.
2. Widow sales revoked.

• Impact: Increased British oversight in Suket affairs.

Suket Revolt (1878)

• Ruler: Raja Rudra Sen
• Wazir: Dhaungal
• Leader: Mian Shiv Singh

Causes

1. Immediate and sharp increase in Land Tax
2. Begar
3. Royal inaction vs. Wazir Dhaungal
4. Firing of dynasty members who supported the people.

Events

1. People adopted non-cooperation.
2. British Intervention: Jalandhar Commissioner Tremblett visited.

Outcome

1. Wazir Dhungal replaced by Wazir Ram Dutt Mal.
2. Rudra Sen removed from the throne in 1879 and replaced by his son.
3. Land Tax reduced.
4. Karsog activists released.
5. Mian Shiv Singh returned from Kangra.

• Note: Suket (1914) came under the influence of the Ghadar Movement, but there was not much action.

Suket Revolt (1924)

• Ruler: Raja Laxman Sen
• Leader: Mian Ratan Singh of Bonedha (Sundernagar)
• Location: Chatrokhari (Sundernagar)

Reason

Laxman Punishment Law: A notorious system where property was seized if a person refused Begar.

Method

People encircled the court of Laxman Sen and the Raja fled to Dehradun.

British Intervention

1. Gorkha and Peshawari soldiers were brought in.
2. Colonel Michigan came from Dharamshala with soldiers.

Outcome

• Mass arrests + 4 years jail to Rattan Singh.
• Activists were dispersed to remote prisons in Jalandhar, Multan, and Rawalpindi to prevent coordination.

MANDI

Mandi Movement (1870)

• Ruler: Raja Vijay Sen

Reason

1. Wazir Goswami’s governance .
2. Official Shiv Shankar Purohit was doing corruption.

Outcome

Shiv Shankar Purohit and his son were expelled from the state.

Impact

British took the opportunity to tighten their grip. David Clark was appointed as Advisor to the King.

Mandi Peasant Movement (1909)

• Ruler: Raja Bhawani Sen
• Wazir: Jeevanand Padha
• Leader: Shobha Ram (Sarkaghat)

Reason

1. Maladministration by the Wazir
2. Wazir took the grain business into his own hands
3. Taxes increased

Event

1. Agitation grew from 20 to 20,000 farmers from Sarkaghat and the Balh Region, leading to direct military confrontation.
2. Mandi Raja’s forces were defeated in a pitched battle.
3. Volunteers seized the court and the police station.
4. Wazir Jeevanand and Tehsildar Hardev were locked in jail.
5. Shobha Ram directed everything.

British Intervention

1. DC Kangra
2. District Assistant Commissioner Kullu
3. Commissioner Jalandhar H.S. Davis arrived

Outcome

1. Shobha Ram tried for treason and deported to Andaman.
2. Mian Indra Singh made Wazir.
3. Rajendra Pal, Tikka of Kutlehar, appointed advisor to the King.
4. Tax reduced.
5. Open trade of grains allowed.

Dodavan Movement (Sept 1909) — Mandi

• Location: Balh Region
• Leader: Siddha Karada of Badsu Village
• Reason: Inconsistent forest laws
• Intervention: Raja’s advisor, Tikka Rajendra Pal
• Outcome: Protestors arrested and later released. Siddha Karada fled to Hamirpur (later caught in Mandi Conspiracy).