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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
grievances of the people of Saurashtra. In the same year non-co-operation movement was launched. A weekly named "Saurashtra" was also promoted by Amritlal Sheth. It became the torch-bearer of the demands of the people. It had started a battle against the autocracy of the rulers. It also was blowing the bugle of the freedom struggle.10 Saurashtra (kathiawad) Vidyarthi Parishad was organised in 1921 under the presidentship of Acharya Kriplani. "Kathiawad Yuvak Parishad" was also held in 1929 at Rajkot under the presidentship of Jawahrlal Nehru. The people of Saurashtra had participated in the Nagpur Flag Satyagraha in 1923 and Bardoli Satyagraha in 1928.
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
The majority of the people of Saurashtra were peasants. Their economic condition was full of sorrows. They were the lot adding maximum to the state treasury through revenue taxes. But their social and financial position was shocking. It was a class which was being oppressed to the maximum by the rulers. They had no voice in the administration. They were born as if to tolerate all the oppressions. Though, there were some liberal and progressive rulers like Bhagwatsinhji of Gondal. He used to call his peasants as "the trees of gold". So, he cared most for their amenities.
The peasants of Saurashtra were heavily burdened. Over and above land revenue, the following extra taxes were collected from them
Hawaldari (for the chowkidars of the village)
Mandri (for tolats - who weighed agriculture produce)
Sukhdi (for storekeepers)
1.
2.
3.
4. Zampo guest charge)
5. Khola (for patel of the village)
Maplan (for downtrodden of the village)
7.
Kamdari (for kamdar)
8. Kunvar or Bai Sukhdi (for Prince or wife of king)
9.
Muthi-Chapti (for servants of Kamdar)
10. Khara-jat (charge of collecting revenue)"
Thus, the majority people i.e. peasants were oppressed by the princely, states in general. Moreover the land belonged to the state. So, if they protested they were driven out of the land. But after non-co-coperation movement some peasants have indirecly participated in the freedom struggle. They were inspired and encouraged by the leaders like Gandhiji, Vallabhbhai Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru etc. Some volunteers from Saurashtra had taken part in Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928. When they returned home they started telling the stories of the Bardoli Movement. It created a sense of awakening in the common people. Hence during ten years of 1929 to 1939, the peasanty of Saurashtra had mass participation in the freedom struggle. As the majority, of the people were peasants, in those movements, they are called the Peasant Movement. They were at (1) Khakhrechi (1929), (2) Panch Talavada (1937-38), (3) Vallabhipur (vala) 1938 and (4) Mota Charodia (1938)."
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સામીપ્ય : પુ. ૨૫, અંક ૩-૪, ઓક્ટો. ૨૦૦૮
માર્ચ, ૨૦૦૯
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