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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
compromise with the peasants, on 19-12-1938. The ruler Vakhatsinhji was forced to leave his state and stay at Rajkot for two years and his son Gambhirsinhji was made the ruler.
Similarly the fourth peasants, Satyagraha was staged in 1938 at Mota Charodia village of Palitana state. Here also the peasants were awakened due to the activities of 'Gram-SevaKendra' and Shambhu Shanker Trivedi of Gariadhar. The leaders of this movement Ichchhashanker P. Trivedi, Jorsinh Kavi and his wife Kasturben kavi, Devchand Korat, Vallabhbhai Patel were jailed for six months. The leaders of Kathiawad Rajkiya Parishad approached the state but in vain. So about one hundred families migrated to Palitana and male, female and children had a sitting Satyagraha before the palace.24 The land, farms, houses etc. of many people were confiscated. Many were jailed, some were exiled of the state and atrocities were at its height. Sarlaben Trivedi, Shardaben Shah, Kasturben Kavi, Narmadaben Pathak, Parvatiben Patel and many illitarte women had also participated in this agitaiton, Ultimately, the state had to bow down befoce the firm decision of the united people, supported by local, regional and national leaders.
Afterwards, the people of Saurashtra, had actively participated in Quit India Movement and the freedom movement of the people of Junagadh (1947) also. The participants in freedom movement in Saurashtra were mostly of 14-45 age group, and were by professon pleader, teacher, trader and peasants. Harijans and Muslims were less in number. The people of Saurashtra played an important role in the freedom movement. As a result it became a mass-movement. It had the inspiration, encouragement and support of the people and leaders of British India. The peasants were the most oppressed class in the society. So their participation is a remarkable feature of this movement. Their number was also praiseworthy. So, we can say that the freedom movement in princely states of Saurashtra is a great, grand and glorious chapter in the modern history of Gujarat.
References 1. Menon, V.P. - The Story of the Integration of Indian States, Bombay, 1969, P. 168. 2. Dhebar, U.N. - Darbar Gopaldas, Bombay, 1974, p.-6 3. Jaffery, Robin (Edi,) People, Princes and Paramount Power, New Delhi, 1978, p. 243. 4. Rajgor, Dr. Shivprasad - Gujarat No Rajkiya Ane Sankritik Itihas, Ahmedabad, 1974, p. 215 5. Chudgar, P.h. - Indian Princes Under British Protection, London, 1929, p. 215 6. Handa, R.L. - History of Freedom Struggle in Princely States, New Delhi, 1968, p.2 7. Korat, Jani and Bhal (Edi) Bhavnagar Rajya No Itihas, Ahmedabad, 1995, p. 152 8. Jamnaar District Gazetter, Ahmedabad, 1970, p. 88 9. Bhatt, Tribhuvan p. (Edi) Sansthan Rajkot Ni Directory Vol. I, Rajkot, 1929, p. 171. 10. Mehta, Labhuben - Mara Jee Kaka, Marun Ranpur, Bombay, 1979, p. 81. 11. Watson, J.W. - Gujarati Translation by Narmadashanker Dave, - Kathiawad Sarvasangraha
Bombay, 1886 p. 252
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