Samipya 1991 Vol 08 Ank 01 02

Author(s): Pravinchandra C Parikh, Bhartiben Shelat
Publisher: Bholabhai Jeshingbhai Adhyayan Sanshodhan Vidyabhavan

Page 69

Quit India Movement in Princely States of Saurashtra
S. V. Jani*
Saurashtra is a peninsula on the Western coast of India projecting into the waters of the Arabian Sea. It is known from times immemorial.1 In ancient times it was known as "Surashtra", "Sur rashtra" and "Saurashtrini". In Mughal times it was referred as "Sorath" in Akbarnama and Ain-1-Akbari and as "Kathiawad" in Maratha and British Period. After independence once again it was renamed "Saurashtra".
Immediately before 1947, Saurashtra comprised of 222 big and small states with varying degrees of power and autonomy. Out of these 222 states, 14 were salute states like Junagadh, Nawanagar, Bhavnagar, Dhrangadhra, Porbandar, Morvi, Gondal, Wankaner, Palitana, Limbdi, Rajkot etc,, 17 non-salute states and 191 other small states exercising varying degree of jurisdiction.2 Saurashtra had an area of 23,500 sq. miles and population of 36 lakhs.3 The principal ruling clans were Jhalas, Jethwas, Parmars, Gohels4 and Babis. The Baroda state also had its territories in Saurashtra. The Portuguese territory of Diu was also situated in this peninsula.
At the outset of the twentieth century national awakening was aroused among the people residing in British India but it was not possible in the princely states of Saurashtra, because these states were the centres of pomp, exploitation and treacherous plots. Most of these princely states did not allow any participation of the people in the government.
Except some liberal states like Rajkot and Bhavnagar, in other states monopoly and tyranny were prevalent. As the rulers had the support of the sovereign power, the people had no voice.7 The rulers talked of being trustees of their people and yet wasted all money drawn from them in reckless extravagance without any sense of responsibility.
The annual session of the Congress held in 1902 at Ahmedabad and in 1907 at Surat and the "Bangbhang Movement" and "Swadeshi Movement" had its impact on the people of the princely states of Saurashtra also. Though these people of the princely states of Saurashtra also. Though these people could not participate in national or revolutionary activities but they managed to get the literature arousing nationalism and read it secretly.
*Prof. & Head., Department of History, Saurashtra University, Rajkot
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