Samipya 2000 Vol 17 Ank 03 04

SR No.: 535817
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhartiben Shelat, R T Savalia
Publisher: Bholabhai Jeshingbhai Adhyayan Sanshodhan Vidyabhavan
Publication Year: 2000
Total Pages: 84
Language: Gujarati
Classification: Magazine, India_Samipya, & India
File Size: 8 MB

Page 36

as an insult. The entire village was up in anger mood. Shree Jayashankar Mehta, the Gaekwad's officer, was insulted when he paid visit to this village on 16-9-1857. Not only this but this village had revolted against the state. Nearly 900 Kolis of this village took arrows and bows as well as swords and turned the village into the battle field. State took position too, but Kolis were still holding upper hand. State bought succour of army from the state of Sadara, while nearby Dabhoḍā village spontaneously supplied weapons to Kolis. Kadi also extended militant help. Hence the state took stern action and proclaimed to punish those who help Chandap. Under the leadership of Kumavisdār (revenue officer) of Kheralu the Gaekwad sent an army division of 782 and deserted the village. But nearly for 4 months this tiny village of Kolis bravely resisted the government. Nevertheless, these kolis showed their Kshatriyahood proving thereby that backward communities had also did their best to absorb the ideals of nationalism.
The second point I want to analyse here is the role of Newspapers and periodicals for enhancing the cause of nationalism. The News-papers were : Kheḍāvartamān (1851), Dānḍiyo (1864), 'Deshimitra' (1873), 'Swatantrata' (1878), 'Gujarātī' (1880), 'Kaisarehind' (1882), 'Suratmitra' (1883) and 'Gujaratmitra' (1884). All these did their best to arouse the conscience of people for the importance of nationalism and abreast them about what is going on in the then British India.
Both Panachand Sheth and Kahāndās Sheth started this weekly from Khedā town with the sole aim of informing the people of the district about the happenings around, for these people were just engrossed only in religious literature. Thus it had importantly done the yeoman's work of instigating the habit of reading. This Newspaper is still getting published.* Poet Narmadashanker lounched a fortnight titled Dandiyo from Surat for educating the masses against the bad habits, immorality and unhealthy social customs which were deeprooted into the society. Before the birth of INC this fortnightly magazine awakened the people regarding political issues and earnestly desired to give military training to Hindus as well as requested the educated to learn Hindi.* The 'Shārdā Pujak Manḍali' was responsible to start everfirst monthy 'Swatantrata' from Surat. Right from the first issue this monthly targeted its guns towards British government publishing articles against injustice and atrocities the people were coming across. Not lasted long this periodical accomplished its very name and had its name engraved in the history of Gujarati Journalism proudly.* Getting himself trained in journalism in 'Swatantrata'. Ichcharam Suryaram Desai started a periodical from Bombay namely 'Gujarati'. Then three Gujarati periodicals were published by Parasi community. This was the only Gujarati periodical from Bombay who had fearlessly and unfailingly discussed issues pertaining to politics, against British government and Princely States too. Hence this was very
Dynamics of National Awareness in Gujarat Before 1885]
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