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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
The Peasant's Participation in Freedom Struggle in Saurashtra
Dr. S. V. Jani*
Before independence Saurashtra comprised of 222 big and small states with varying degrees of power and autonomy, of these 222 states, 14 were salute states, 17 non-salute states. and 191 other small states exercising varying degree of jurisdiction.' The principal ruling clans were Jhalas, Jethwas, Jadejas, Parmars, aohils and Babis. The Baroda state also had territories in Saurashtra. The Portuguese territory of Diu was also in this region.
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 as well as in the freedom struggle.' Except some liberal states like Rajkot and Bhavnagar, in other states monopoly and tyranny were prevalent. The rulers had the support of the Sovereign British power and the people had no voice. The rulers wasted money in reckless extravagance without any sense of responsibility.5
The annual session of the congress held in 1902 at Ahmedabad and in 1907 at Surat and the "Bang Bhang Movement" and "Swadeshi Movement" had its impact on the 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.
The freedom struggle was nurtured mainly in British Indian territory, but whenever it gained momentum in the British provinces, neighbouring princely states were invariably affected and the agitation always found some echo, howsoever faint among the subjects of the princely states. After Gandhiji's return to India from South Africa in 1915, the freedom struggle in Saurashtra got momentum. National awaking was aroused slowly but steadily in the people of princely states of Saurashtra. In some of the states "Praja-Parishad" or "Praja Mandal" were established. Baroda state was the first state in western India to have a Praja Mandal in 1916. Baroda's example was soon followed by Bhavnagar, Rajkot etc. in Saurashtra. Bhavnagar state declared the formation of Praja Pratinidhi Sabha in 1917. Thus, Bhavnagar was the first state in Saurashtra to include the representatives of the people in administration.' Jamnagar state also formed an advisory council in 1919. Rajkot was the first state to establish Praja Prtinidhi Sabha in 1923 consisting of all elected members."
From 1920 to 1947 Gandhiji became the main leader of the Freedom Struggle. His ashram at Sabarmati was the main centre of nurturing constructive workers. According to the suggestion of Gandhii in 1920 "Kathiawad Rajkiya Parishad" was established to ventilate the
* Ritired Professor & Head, PG Department of History, Saurashtra University, Rajkot. The Peasant's Participation in Freedom Struggle in Saurashtra
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