Public Awakening & Freedom Struggle

The Revolution of 1857 in Rajasthan

Background and Causes

• Treaties of 1818: Rajput states signed treaties with the British East India Company, seeking protection from Marathas and Pindaris. This led to British interference in internal administration (e.g., Jodhpur, Jaipur, Kota, Mewad).
• Economic Exploitation: The burden of Khiraj (tribute) and the cost of maintaining British battalions (e.g., Merwara Battalion, Shekhawati Brigade, Jodhpur Legion) fell on the states.
• Succession Interference: British interference in adoption and succession issues in Alwar, Bharatpur, and Dungarpur caused resentment.
• Immediate Cause: The introduction of Enfield rifles using greased cartridges triggered religious sentiments.

Major Centers of Revolt

The Struggle at Auwa (Marwar)

• Led by Thakur Kushal Singh Champawat.
• Defeated the joint army of Jodhpur and British at Bithoda (Sept 8) and Chelawas (Sept 18).
• Mock Mason (Political Agent of Marwar) was killed, and his head was hung on the fort gate.
• Brigadier Holmes captured Auwa in Jan 1858. The idol of Sugali Mata was taken to Ajmer.

The Struggle in Kota

• Led by Lala Jai Dayal and Risaldar Mehrab Khan.
• The administration remained in rebel hands for 6 months.
• General Roberts liberated Kota in March 1858. Jai Dayal and Mehrab Khan were hanged.

Political Awakening in Rajasthan

Role of Social Reformers & Press

• Swami Dayanand Saraswati: Propagated Swaraj, Swadharma, and Swadeshi. Wrote Satyarth Prakash in Udaipur. Established Paropkarini Sabha (1883).
• Newspapers:
  • Rajasthan Kesari, Naveen Rajasthan, Tarun Rajasthan: Published by Vijay Singh Pathik and Rajasthan Sewa Sangh.
  • Tyag Bhumi: Edited by Haribhau Upadhyay.
  • Pratap: Published by Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi (Kanpur), highlighted the Bijoliya movement.

Revolutionary Activities

• Arjun Lal Sethi (Jaipur): Established Vardhman Pathshala to train revolutionaries. Famous quote: "If Arjun Lal works for the British, who will drive them out?"
• Kesari Singh Barhath (Shahpura): Wrote "Chetawani ra Chungatya" (13 Sorathas) which stopped Mewad Maharana Fateh Singh from attending the Delhi Durbar (1903). Founded Veer Bharat Sabha.
• Pratap Singh Barhath: Son of Kesari Singh. Died in Bareilly jail due to torture. Quoted: "I cannot let thousands of mothers cry to stop my mother from crying."
• Rao Gopal Singh Kharwa: Associated with armed revolution plans (1915).

Tribal and Peasant Movements

Tribal Movements

• Govind Giri: Established Samp Sabha (1883) to unite Bhils. Led the Bhagat Movement. Mangarh Massacre (1913): 1500 Bhils killed by British firing.
• Motilal Tejawat: Led the Eki Movement (1921) for Bhil-Garasia unity. Known as "Messiah of Tribals".

Peasant Movements

• Bijoliya Movement (1897-1941): Longest non-violent peasant struggle. Against 84 types of taxes (Lag-Bag). Led by Sadhu Sitaram Das, Vijay Singh Pathik, and Manikya Lal Verma.
• Other Movements: Begun (led by Ramnarayan Chaudhary), Alwar/Bharatpur (Meo peasant movement), Shekhawati (Jat peasant movement).

Prajamandal Movements

Aim: To establish responsible government in princely states.