Praja Mandal Movements and Revolutionary Activity in Pre-Independence India

Activity in Pre-Independence India

The national movement in princely states started after 1920 after the non-cooperation movement which had taken place in the British provinces only. Under the national movement, the subjects of the princely states established people’s organisations. The people’s organisations started by the people of princely states for the national movement were called ‘Praja Mandals’ or ‘Praja Parishads’. The national movements in the princely states were also called the Praja Mandal movements. The State’s People’s Conference brought together representatives from hundreds of Indian princely states including Baroda, Bhopal, Travancore and Hyderabad. It was established to encourage political dialogue between the princely class of India, and the British Raj, on the issues of governance, political stability and the future of India.

Nature of the Praja Mandal Movements

The Praja Mandal movements were oriented against Feudalism and colonialism. 

• The people of the Praja Mandal movement fought against their feudal princes and the British administration simultaneously for their rights. 
• The main demand of the Praja Mandal movements was democratic rights.

Activities of Praja Mandal Movements

Grassroots Implementation of Nationalist Programs: The people of the Praja Mandal Movements implemented the constructive programs of the Indian National Movement in their princely states.

• Promotion of Social Reforms: They established schools, used khadi, encouraged cottage industries, and started agitation against the Untouchability.

The National Movement Associations in the Princely States

The Hitvardhak Sabha: The Hitvardhak Sabha was founded in Poona in May 1921. This association aimed to solve the problems of the people of southern princely states.

• Akhil Bhor Sansthan Praja Sabha: Wamanrao Patwardhan founded Akhil Bhor Sansthan Praja Sabha in the Bhor region in November 1921. 
  • This Sabha aimed to fight the problems related to the people of the Bhor region.
• All India Association of the People’s Council: In the Bombay session of the All India Association of the People’s Council in 1927, the princely state’s national movement was made a national-level movement. 
  • The Bombay session of the Council demanded responsible government and rights of citizenship for the people of Princely States.
• Advocacy for Electoral Rights: The Madras Session of Congress also adopted the demands of the Bombay session of the All India Association of People’s Council. In the Karachi Session of the Council in 1936, the Council rejected the clause of the 1935 Act wherein the nomination of Princes of the Princely states to the Imperial Legislature was allowed. 
  • The Karachi Session of the Council demanded that the right of election of representatives should rest with the subjects of the princely states. 
  • The Council and other people’s movements also struggled for the farmer’s loans, taxes, etc. in the princely states.

Role of Congress in the Praja Mandal Movement

The policy and program of the Congress party contributed to the Praja Mandal Movement. The Gandhian Movement of Non-Cooperation, civil disobedience, the role of Congress in the organisation of the All India States People’s Conference, and the declaration of objectives to be involved in the States People’s Movement in the Tripuri Congress session provided the morale booster to Praja Mandal Movement. The Indian National Congress joined hands with the People’s Council and made it a part of the national movement. They worked to end British rule in India and integrate the princely states with India.

• Formation of the Orissa State People’s Conference: In Orissa, the Congress leaders became instrumental in the organisation of the State People’s Conference in 1937 to enquire into the condition of the states, which was reconstituted in 1938 with H.K. Mahatab, Member of the Congress working committee as its chairman. 
  • The installation of a popular congress ministry in Orissa in July 1937 inspired the people of feudatory states to carry on their crusade against the despotic rulers. 
• Covert Support to the Feudatory States Movement: The congress leaders because of the legal injunction could not participate in the movement of the States openly but they extended great moral support and much valuable indirect help to the movement.
• Orissa State Committee’s Enquiry Report: The plight of the people of feudatory states was reflected in the enquiry report of the Orissa State Committee, which was presented to Lord Linlithgow, the Viceroy who came to Orissa in the first week of August 1939. 
• • The Viceroy discussed the matter with the Congress ministry. 

Importance of Praja Mandal Movements

The Praja Mandal Movement nakedly exposed the character of feudal polity and prepared the ground for the integration of princely states. Thus the people’s movement in the princely states was the reflection of the inner desire of the people to merge into the mainstream of the nation’s political, social, economic and cultural life. As a result of the merging of the People’s Movement with the national movement, the princely states integrated with independent India after 1947.

Revolutionary Activity with a Turn towards Socialism

During the early 20th century, as India was embroiled in its struggle for independence, a section of nationalists felt the need for a more radical approach than the prevalent non-violent methods advocated by the mainstream Congress leadership. This desire for a transformative, radical change was not just limited to the political realm; it was intertwined with a socio-economic vision inspired by socialism.

Rising Discontent with Non-Violence-Centric Strategy

• Debates: While non-violent civil disobedience movements led by Gandhi captured the national imagination, they also had their share of critics. 
• Revolutionary Discontent: Many young revolutionaries felt that the non-violence strategy was not sufficiently aggressive or quick to bring about desired changes. 
• Vision for a Socialist and Equitable India: This sentiment, combined with global socialist movements, led them to envisage an India where not only was the nation free, but its wealth was equitably distributed among its citizens.

Hindustan Republican Association (H.R.A.)

• Geographical Reach: The H.R.A. primarily operates in the regions of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
• Philosophy and Actions: Initially formed with a vision to overthrow the British colonial rule through an armed revolution, the H.R.A. later renamed itself the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (H.S.R.A) in 1928, indicating its socio-economic leanings towards socialism. 
  • Under leaders like Chandrashekhar Azad, Ram Prasad Bismil, and Bhagat Singh, the H.S.R.A. not only planned and executed acts against the British authorities but also envisaged a post-independence India based on socialist principles.

Revolutionary Groups in Bengal

• Yugantar and Anushilan: Bengal, with its history of revolutionary activities, was home to several groups. Yugantar and Anushilan were among the most significant. Engaging in various anti-British activities, these groups had a vast network of young men and women who were ready to lay down their lives for the cause. 
  • While initially more focused on the act of the revolution, as time progressed, many members gravitated towards socialist ideas.
• Chittagong Revolt Group: Under the leadership of the charismatic Surya Sen, this group carried out the famous Chittagong Armoury Raid in 1930. Aimed at capturing weapons from the British and declaring a provisional independent government, the raid, though unsuccessful in its primary goals, became a significant symbol of defiance against British rule. 
  • The group’s activities showcased not just a demand for political freedom but also a desire for a more egalitarian society.

The revolutionary movements in India during the early 20th century showcased a deep yearning for not just political freedom but also socio-economic equity. This shift towards socialism among revolutionaries highlighted a mature, comprehensive understanding of freedom where the shackles of colonialism and socioeconomic disparities were both seen as chains that needed to be broken.

Conclusion

The Praja Mandal movements were instrumental in India’s struggle for independence, bringing together the residents of princely states to oppose feudal and colonial forces. Through their support for democratic rights, social changes, and political unification, these movements revealed the oppressive characteristics of feudal governance and set the foundation for the merging of princely states with a sovereign India post-1947. Their actions showcased a wider aspiration for social, political, and economic integration into the country’s dominant society.

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