All India State People Conference

Background: By the early 20th century, hill state residents sought rapid progress and responsible government.
Congress Stance: Congress pursued complete independence, viewing princely states as inseparable fragments of India.
Formation: The “All India States Peoples Conference” was formed and held its first session in Bombay on December 17, 1927.
Ludhiana Session (Feb 15-16, 1939): Chaired by Jawaharlal Nehru.
Nehru’s Vision: Advocated establishing Praja Mandals and merging small princely states to create powerful organizations.
Key Himachali Participants (Ludhiana):
- Shimla: Pt. Padamdev, Bhagmal Sohta.
- Mandi: Swami Purnanand.
- Sirmaur: Thakur Hitendra Singh.
- Bilaspur: Sadaram Chandel.
- Chamba: Vidya Sagar, Vidyadhar, Ghulam Rasul, Prithvi Singh.
Impact: Triggered rapid growth of political movements across these hill states.

Sirmaur Praja Mandal & Movements

First Public Body: Inspired by the proposals of the All India States Peoples Conference, the first public body institution in Himachal was formed in Sirmaur.
Founders & Base: It was founded by Pt. Rajendra Dutt, who established his office in Ponta instead of Nahan, alongside Chaudhary Sher Jung.
Active Participants: Key figures included Master Chatar Singh, Shaligram Sharma, Kundan Lal, and Ajaib Singh.
Ludhiana Conference (1930): On October 12, 1930, Sardar Bhagat Singh and two others from Ponta represented the Sirmaur Principality.
Parallel Efforts: Pt. Shivanand Ramaul joined the Delhi-based “Sirmauri Association” , while Rajendra Dutt continued operating within the state.
Formal Establishment (1934): The Sirmaur Praja Mandal was formally established by founding members Dr. Devender Singh, Ramnath, and Atma Ram.
False Accusations: The princely government falsely accused Dr. Devendra Singh, Hari Chand Padha, Atmaram, and Indra Narayan of murdering the Maharaja and throwing stones at his car.
Dr. Y.S. Parmar’s Role: Then serving as District and Sessions Judge, Yashwant Singh Parmar favored the activists in his decision and proved the murder allegations were false.
Parmar’s Exile: This ruling led to major political differences with King Rajendra Prakash. Parmar resigned in 1941, was expelled from the state , and subsequently organized Sirmauris in Delhi from 1943 to 1946 to fight for democratic rights.

Baghal Praja Mandal

Establishment: Formed in Shimla on August 11, 1938.
Key Figures: The founding meeting was chaired by Jeevan Ram Chauhan , and Mansha Ram Chauhan was officially appointed as the minister.

Theog, Jubbal & Bhajji Praja Mandals

Theog Praja Mandal: Formed by Surat Ram Prakash.
Jubbal Praja Mandal: Formed by Bhagmal Sohta
Bhajji Praja Mandal: Formed by Pt. Bhaskaranand.

Bushahr Praja Mandal

Reactivation (1945): Revived with the active support of the Bushahar Reform Conference, Bushahr Prem Sabha, and Sevak Mandal Delhi.
Leadership: Efforts were led by Pt. Padamdev in Shimla, and by Pt. Ghanshyam and Satyadev Busheri within the princely state.
Later Joiners: Negi Thakursain actively joined the movement in later years.

Other Relevant Regional Formations

Bilaspur: Daulat Ram Sankhyan enthusiastically participated in and stepped up political activities in the area.

Koti and Kumarsain: Similar Praja Mandals were successfully initiated in these princely states.

Chamba Praja Mandal

Establishment: Initially formed in 1936 as “Chamba Sevak Sangh”.
Relocation: Turned into a political organization and was banned, forcing activities to shift to Dalhousie.
Demands: Opposed the Diwan who had seized all rights, demanding a popular responsible government.
National Attention: Activists were arrested, leading Gandhiji to urge a non-violent movement. “The Tribune” newspaper highlighted the political awakening in Chamba.

Mandi Praja Mandal

Establishment: Formed in 1936, becoming the second Praja Mandal in the hill states after Sirmaur.
Leadership: Headed by President Swami Purnanand.
Key Members: Ram Chand Malhotra, Baldev Ram, Harsukh Rai, Sunderlal, and Moti Ram.
Resistance: The King of Mandi heavily restricted their activities.

Kunihar & Mahalog Praja Mandals

Kunihar Praja Mandal: Established on July 9, 1939, chaired by Rana Hardev Singh in the Darbar Bhawan. Babu Kanshi Ram was appointed guardian.
Mahalog Praja Mandal: Formed in early July 1939 by Bhagmal Sohta, Hira Singh Pal, and Dev Suman.

Shimla Hill State Riyasati Praja Mandal/Himalayan riyasati praja mandal

Establishment: Formed on 1938, as a joint body of various hill state institutions.
Leadership: Pt. Padamdev (Minister) and Bhagmal Sohta (Mahamantri) played special roles in its establishment.

DHAMI BULLET SCANDAL (1939)

The Firing at Halog | July 16, 1939

Formation of Dhami Praja Mandal

On 13 July 1939, at a meeting in Camli (near Kasumpti, Shimla) chaired by Bhagmal Sohta, the “Prem Pracharini Sabha” was converted into the Dhami Praja Mandal. Pt. Sita Ram was appointed as its head.

The Seven Demands from Rana Dalip Singh

Abolition of the Begar system.
50% reduction in land rent.
Recognition of Dhami State Councils.
Granting of Civil Rights and freedoms.
Removal of restrictions and barriers on the people.
Return of confiscated property of Prem Pracharini Sabha members.
Constitution of a Responsible Representative Government.

Rana Dhami ignored the demand letter, considering it an insult. Consequently, it was decided that a delegation of seven persons would march from Shimla to the capital, Halog, on July 16.

The Seven Representatives:

1. Bhagmal Sohta (Leader)

2. Hira Singh Pal

3. Mansa Ram Chauhan

4. Pt. Sita Ram

5. Babu Narayan Das

6. Bhagat Ram

7. Gauri Singh

The Firing at Dhami

On July 16, the group departed Shimla. Bhagat Ram and Devi Saran carried the Congress flag. Near Ghanahatti, the police took Bhagmal Sohta into custody.

As the crowd slogans against the Rana reached his residence, a frightened Rana Dalip Singh ordered fire.

The Outcome:

Two persons died (Uma Chand and Durga Das) on the spot.
Many were badly injured in the stir.
Bhagmal Sohta was arrested and sent to Ambala.

Himalayan Hill States Regional Council (1946–1947)

Establishment & Purpose

Formed: January 1946, following the AISPC convention in Udaipur (late 1945).
Objective: To smoothly coordinate Praja Mandal activities across the hill areas.

Initial Council Leadership (1946)

Head: Swami Purnanand (Office located in Mandi).
Chief Secretary: Pt. Padamdev (Office located in Shimla).
Deputy Chief: Shyam Chand Negi.
Joint Secretary: Shivanand Ramaul.

Major Conferences of 1946

Mandi Conference (March 8-10): Presided over by Col. Gurdial Singh Dhillon (Azad Hind Fauj). Attended by representatives from Suket, Mandi, Bilaspur, Sirmaur, Chamba, Nalagarh, Baghat, and Shimla.
Nahan Conference (Aug 31 – Sept 1): Organized by Sirmaur Praja Mandal agitators. Attended by major leaders like Dr. Pattabhi Sitaramayya (AISPC President), Jaynarayan Beas, and Carnal Shahnawaz. It triggered an unprecedented political awakening in the princely state.now PREZ became ys parmar and gen sec padam dev

Key Local Movements & Leaders (1946)

Shangri: Chiranji Lal led a movement against forced labor.
Kohistan: Gyan Chand Tutu became head of the Kohistan Praja Mandal.
Bushahr: Satyadev Bushahri became head of the Bushahr Praja Mandal.
Jubbal: Bhagmal Sohta accelerated the local movement.
Balsan State: The people’s movement took a highly radical form.

The Rise of Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar (Early 1947)

Arrival in Shimla (Feb 1947): Leela Das Verma and Kanshi Ram Upadhyaya brought Dr. Y.S. Parmar from Delhi. He joined the National Liberties Movement at the request of Pt. Padamdev and others.
Headquarters: Dr. Parmar resided at Krishna Villa Lodge in Sanjauli, while Leela Das Verma simultaneously opened the People’s Party office nearby.
Leadership Election (March 1, 1947): During a Shimla meeting, Dr. Y.S. Parmar was officially elected Chief of the Council, and Pt. Padamdev was elected Mahmantri.
Gwalior Delegation (April 1947): Dr. Parmar led a delegation (including Daulat Ram Sankhyan and Narottam Shastri) to Delhi for the Congress Gwalior Session.

Himalayan Hill States Sub-Regional Council (June 1947 Split)

The Royal Hotel Split (June 10, 1947)

The Event: During a meeting at Shimla’s Royal Hotel (with 11 out of 16 members present), severe differences arose.
The Result: Six members split from the main body to form the new “Himalayan Hill States Sub-Regional Council”.

Elected Leadership of the New Council

Head: Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar
Mahamantri: Pt. Padamdev
Vice-Principals: Tej Singh Nidhak (Mandi), Leela Das Verma (Bhajji), and Sadaram Chandel (Bilaspur).
Promotions Minister: Daulat Ram Gupta
Treasurer: Surat Ram Prakash
Office Minister: Senu Ram
Key Executive Members: Shivanand Ramaul, Sadhuram, Nar Singh Dutt, Hira Singh Pal, Gauri Nand, Devi Ram, Chaman Lal, and Chiranji Lal Verma.

Key Conferences of the Sub-Regional Council

1. The Sangri Conference (July 31, 1947)

Organized by: Chiranji Lal Verma in the hill state of Sangri.
Key Attendees: Dr. Parmar, Pt. Padamdev, Satyadev Bushahri, Surat Ram Prakash, Thakur Haridas, and Radha Krishna.
Major Impact: The massive success and mobilization of this conference forced the King of Sangri to flee to Aani (Kullu) with his family, marking a huge victory for the people’s movement.

2. Nahan Conference & The National Flag (August 1947)

Event: A grand assembly organized by the Sirmaur Praja Mandal.
Rare Occurrence: The conference was notably attended by Raja Rajendra Prakash of Sirmaur, marking a rare moment of direct interaction between the monarchy and Praja Mandal leaders.
Organizers: Pandit Rajendra Dutt, Dr. Devender Singh, Dharm Narayan Advocate, and Pt. Shivanand Ramaul.
Historic Symbolism: Dr. Y.S. Parmar presided over the conference. In a historic act of defiance and transition of power, Dr. Parmar waved the Indian National Flag, signaling the shift of authority from the princely crown to the democratic will of the people.

Prajamandal movements