Prajamandal Movement in Rajasthan

Prajamandal Movement in Rajasthan was a crucial chapter in Rajasthan History, reflecting the people’s struggle against the feudal and autocratic rule of princely states. It emerged in various regions like Mewar, Jaipur, Marwar, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Kota, Bundi, and Bharatpur, where local Prajamandals were formed to demand civil liberties, responsible governance, and socio-economic reforms. The movement held great political and socio-economic significance and also witnessed active participation of women, who played a vital role in spreading awareness and mobilizing support for democratic ideals.

Growth and Development of Praja Mandal Movement in Rajasthan

The growth of national consciousness and the emergence of the freedom movement in Rajasthan marked a significant chapter in the state’s history. Following the treaties signed with the East India Company in the early 19th century, Rajasthan’s relationship with the British evolved. The 1857-58 revolt highlighted a stark divide between the attitudes of the nobility and the masses towards the British. While the ruling elites largely sided with the British, the masses began to question British rule. The early 20th century saw a growing realization among the people to break free from the oppression of the feudal system, which was further compounded by the British colonial policies. Several factors, including agrarian unrest, the influence of social reform movements, and the spread of nationalist ideas, catalyzed this political awakening.

Causes of Political Awakening

Agrarian Unrest: The Peasants Revolt

The oppressive feudal system, with heavy taxes, levies (laag-Baag), and forced labor (begar), led to peasant revolts like the Bijolia Peasant Movement (1905). Leaders such as V.S. Pathik and Manikya Lal Verma challenged the injustices of local jagirdars.

Social Reform Movements – Arya Samaj:

Swami Dayanand Saraswati’s visit to Rajasthan in the late 19th century and the spread of Arya Samaj ideology sparked social reforms focused on Swadharma, Swaraj, Swadesh, and Swabhash. Arya Samaj branches, such as the Vedic Yantralaya Press in Ajmer and Paropkarini Sabha in Udaipur (1883), emphasized nationalism and social justice, significantly raising political awareness.

Rise of the Educated Middle Class:

The spread of English education gave rise to a middle class of lawyers, teachers, and journalists, who, despite being qualified, were denied higher positions in administration. This spurred demands for political reforms and aligned Rajasthan with the broader nationalist struggle. Leaders like Jai Narain Vyas and Master Bhola Nath played key roles.

Role of Newspapers:

Publications like Rajasthan Kesri (1920) and Naveen Rajasthan (1922) became crucial in spreading nationalist ideas. These newspapers provided a platform for political discourse and amplified the demand for independence.

Role of Transportation : 

The development of transportation, including railways and roads, improved connectivity, aiding the spread of nationalist ideas and political mobilization across Rajasthan.

Social Institutions and Reform:

Institutions such as Sewa Samitis and Hitkarni Sabhas promoted reforms and political awareness, particularly in regions affected by feudal exploitation, fostering unity and participation.

Failure of Militant Movements:

Early militant movements, inspired by revolutionaries like Ras Behari Bose, lacked sustainability. This shift towards Gandhian non-violence gained broader support for the independence cause.

Other reasons : 

The Swadeshi movement inspired Rajasthanis to embrace self-reliance and contributed to the growing demand for independence. The economic hardships caused by the First World War (1914–1918) further fueled discontent against British policies. Additionally, the business community, exposed to progressive ideas in metropolitan centers, actively pushed for an independent India.

Prajamandal Movement

The Praja Mandal movements in Rajasthan emerged from the growing demand for democratic governance in princely states. In 1927, the All India States People’s Conference in Bombay allowed people from princely states to join the Indian National Congress (INC) and the freedom struggle. The same year, the Akhil Bhartiya Desi Rajya Lok Parishad, chaired by Vijay Singh Pathik, and the Rajputana Desi Rajya Lok Parishad (in Rajasthan) were established, laying the foundation for the movements. Until 1935, the INC supported the right of residents in princely states to self-governance but emphasized that the struggle should be led locally. However, in 1938, the Haripura Session marked a significant shift as the INC declared princely states to be an integral part of India and advocated for responsible governance and the protection of civil rights. further motivating the Praja Mandals in Rajasthan to push for democratic reforms.

Nature

• Anti-Feudal and Anti-Colonial Stance: The movement opposed both the oppressive feudal systems of the princely states and British colonial rule, striving for the rights and freedoms of the common people.
• Demand for Responsible Governance: The movement aimed to make rulers accountable to their subjects. It opposed royal exploitation and proposed a constitutional system with public participation in governance. The first responsible government established by Gokul Lal Asawa in Shahpura is a prime example.
• Protection of Political and Civil Rights: The movement challenged the absolute control of princely states, advocating for democratic and civil rights while raising awareness about political, social, and economic rights among the masses.
• Integration with National Movement: The Praja Mandal activists implemented constructive programs of the broader Indian National Movement within their princely states, establishing schools, promoting the use of khadi, encouraging cottage industries, and agitating against untouchability.
• Grassroots Mobilization: The movement involved extensive grassroots mobilization, with leaders traveling across remote tribal areas and villages to educate peasants and tribesmen about their constitutional rights and encourage participation in the national movement.
• Formation of Regional Organizations: Praja Mandals were established in various princely states, providing a structured platform for civil rights movements and administrative reforms. In 1946, these regional organizations merged to form the Rajputana Prantiya Sabha, enhancing coordination and collective action across the region.
• Empowerment of Local Leadership: The movement fostered local leadership, creating a second line of leaders like Hiralal Shastri and Manikyalal Verma, who later played significant roles in the freedom struggle.
• Social Reforms: The movement worked to eliminate social evils and inequalities, advocating for reforms in areas like caste discrimination, women’s rights, and education.

Activities

• These Movements implemented the constructive programmes of the Indian National Movement in their princely states.
• They established schools, used khadi, encouraged cottage industries and started agitation against the Untouchability.

Mewar Prajamandal 

The Bijolia farmer movement sparked awareness among other classes in Mewar, leading people to unite against state policies and fight for their rights. From 1932 to 1938, several protests took place, but due to a lack of leadership, they didn’t achieve their goals. In 1938, after the Haripura Session, Manikyalal Verma established the ‘Mewar Prajamandal,’ which quickly gained popularity.The state declared the Prajamandal illegal and arrested Manikyalal Verma and other leaders. Despite this, the Prajamandal continued its efforts for public awareness and launched a Satyagraha. The ban on the Prajamandal was lifted in 1941, but the movement persisted. During the ‘Quit India Movement’ of 1942, the Prajamandal raised the slogan ‘Rajas Abandon the British (राजाओ अंग्रेजों का साथ छोड़ो),’ leading to further arrests.

In 1946, the Maharana of Mewar formed a constitution-making committee, but its recommendations were not accepted. The constitution drafted by K.M. Munshi was implemented in 1947. The Prajamandal succeeded in the 1948 assembly elections, but there was a conflict over cabinet formation. Following the death of two students on April 5, 1948, the Maharana decided to merge Mewar into the Rajasthan Union.

Jaipur Prajamandal

Early Efforts (1938-1942)

• The movement for public awareness in Jaipur started with Arjunlal Sethi’s establishment of Jain Vardhman School in 1907, followed by the formation of organizations like Jaipur Hitkarini Sabha and Arya Samaj.
• In 1922, Thakur Kalyan Singh and Shyamlal Verma led a movement to make Hindi the state language, while Jamnalal Bajaj set up the Charkha Sangh in 1927 to promote Khadi and national consciousness.

Formation (1931-1938)

• Jaipur Prajamandal was established in 1931 by Kapoorchand Patni and Jamnalal Bajaj to protest against repressive state policies and demand civil rights.
• The establishment of responsible governance and civil rights under the protection of the Maharaja was its primary objective.
• After its reorganization in 1938, the Prajamandal aimed to establish responsible governance and civil rights for the people.
• It raised demands like the creation of a legislative assembly, freedom of speech, removal of unjust taxes, and protection of peasants from tax exploitation.

Satyagraha Movement and Struggle for Rights (1938-1942)

• In 1938, after the government imposed strict laws to suppress political activities, the Prajamandal initiated a Satyagraha led by Jamnalal Bajaj and other prominent leaders.
• Despite repression, the movement gained momentum, and by 1939, Prajamandal’s efforts led to the recognition of its demands and the release of its leaders.
• Jamnalal Bajaj’s death in 1942 and the start of the Quit India Movement did not deter the Prajamandal, which continued to demand responsible governance.

Political Recognition (1946-1947)

• The Prajamandal continued to demand responsible governance after Independence and participated in the 1946 elections.
• With the formation of a new cabinet in 1947, including Prajamandal leaders like Heeralal Shastri, Deveshankar Tiwari, and Daultamal Bhandari, the movement’s objectives were closer to political power.
• The Prajamandal’s struggle played a key role in shaping the governance of Jaipur until its eventual integration into the larger Rajasthan state.

Marwar Prajamandal

Early Struggles and Awakening (1920-1931)

• The Marwar Seva Sangh was established in 1920 with the aim of promoting khadi, boycotting foreign goods, and opposing the ban on the export of female cattle.
• The Marwar Hitkarini Sabha and Jayanarayan Vyas demanded responsible governance in 1927 and opposed restrictions on newspapers and the atrocities of landlords on farmers.
• In 1929, Jayanarayan Vyas wrote pamphlets like “Marwar Ki Avastha” and “Popa Bai Ki Pol” to harshly criticize the Marwar government.

Formation of Marwar Prajamandal (1931-1936)

• In 1931, the Marwar Youth League was formed, advocating for khadi promotion, boycotting foreign goods, and demanding civil rights.
• In 1932, the state government issued the Marwar Darbar Public Safety Ordinance, which imposed a ban on all movements.
• In 1934, the Marwar Prajamandal was formed, focusing on establishing responsible governance and opposing the state’s indifference to the Krishna case (kidnapping of a girl with the help of a high-ranking royal member). Prajamandal was declared illegal in 1936, but it successfully raised public awareness.

Formation of Marwar Lok Parishad (1938-1940)

• In 1938, the Marwar Lok Parishad was established, and movements were organized against the zamindari system and for the demand of responsible governance.
• In 1939, after Jayanarayan Vyas’s banishment was lifted, the demand for responsible governance gained momentum.
• In 1940, the Lok Parishad was declared illegal, and despite police repression, the movement continued.

Freedom Struggle (1941-1948)

• During the Quit India Movement of 1942, the Lok Parishad continued its protests.
• In 1944, Lok Parishad won a majority in the municipal elections, and Jayanarayan Vyas was elected the mayor.
• The Dabda Incident (a farmer’s conference in 1947, where landlords conducted brutal repression) exposed the state’s feudal atrocities.
• After independence, the movement culminated with Jayanarayan Vyas becoming the Chief Minister on March 3, 1948, and the establishment of responsible governance.

Bikaner Prajamandal

Early Movements 

• The first effort to raise awareness among the people of Bikaner was by Swami Gopaldas in 1907. He founded the Sarvahitkarini Sabha in Churu to educate people about their rights and the drawbacks of British rule.
• In 1930, leaders like Mahant Ganpatidas and Chandmal Bahad celebrated Independence Day by hoisting the tricolor flag in Churu.
• During the Second Round Table Conference in 1931, a pamphlet titled Bikaner Administration was distributed, criticizing the state’s administration, which led to the arrest of several leaders under charges of sedition in what became known as the Bikaner Conspiracy Case.

Formation 

• In 1936, Babu Mukta Prasad and others established the Bikaner Prajamandal to fight for people’s rights. However, the state suppressed the movement by exiling its leaders.
• Due to repression, the movement shifted to Kolkata, where in 1937, the Bikaner Prajamandal was reestablished.
• During the Quit India Movement in 1942, there was minimal activity in Bikaner due to severe state repression, but incidents like the flag hoisting and subsequent police action continued to fuel the spirit of resistance.

Political Freedom

• The Bikaner Praja Parishad supported farmers against the exploitation by landlords.
• Significant events, such as the shooting of protester Birbal Singh during a peaceful march, highlighted the oppressive nature of the state, leading to widespread condemnation.
• The Praja Parishad also planned strikes against unjust taxation, which demonstrated the people’s growing unrest and desire for fair governance.

Responsible Governance and Bikaner’s Merger

• In 1946, Maharaja Sardul Singh promised responsible governance but delayed implementing the reforms, causing renewed protests.
• The Bikaner Act of 1947 aimed to introduce changes, including setting up legislative bodies and granting basic freedoms, but its provisions were not effectively enforced.
• A mixed cabinet was eventually formed in 1948, but disagreements led to the resignation of Praja Parishad members. Finally, in 1949, Bikaner merged with the Greater Rajasthan Union, marking the end of the princely state’s independent rule.

Jaisalmer Prajamandal

Early Struggle

• In Jaisalmer, the first voices against the autocracy of Maharawal were raised by Sagarmal Gopa and Narayandas Bhati.
• Gopa established a library to spread national literature among the public and demanded the government provide education up to the middle school level.
• For demanding governance reforms, Gopa, Raghunath Singh Mehta, and Aidan were imprisoned.

Formation Associations and Prajamandal

• In 1932, Raghunath Singh established the ‘Maheshwari Navayuvak Mandal’ and was jailed again.
• Gopa wrote books like “Raghunath Singh Ka Mukadma” and “Jaisalmer Ka Gunda Raj” to expose the autocracy of Maharawal, leading to his exile to Nagpur, where he formed the Prajamandal and highlighted the state’s tyranny through newspapers.

Establishment of Praja Parishad

• In 1939, Shivshankar Gopa formed the Praja Parishad in Jaisalmer but was exiled, and Lalchand Joshi and Jeevanlal received severe imprisonment.
• In 1941, Sagarmal Gopa returned to Jaisalmer after his father’s death but was jailed again, where he died in 1946 due to inhumane torture.
• Gopa’s martyrdom energized the Prajamandal movement.

Merger into Greater Rajasthan

• In 1946, Mithalal Vyas, along with Jaynarayan Vyas and other activists, hoisted the tricolor in Jaisalmer, demanding responsible governance.
• In 1947, during the Gandhi Jayanti procession, the police used lathis on the participants.
• The feudal elements in Jaisalmer formed the ‘Jaisalmer Rajya Lok Parishad,’ but it remained inactive.
• Ultimately, on March 30, 1949, Jaisalmer merged into Greater Rajasthan, abandoning the idea of merging with Pakistan.

Kota Prajamandal

Early Efforts

• The credit for raising public awareness in Kota State goes to Pandit Naynuram Sharma.
• In 1918, he founded the ‘Praja Pratinidhi Sabha’ in Kota, which aimed to bring public grievances to the Maharaw and his administration.
• In October 1921, the Sabha led a protest against the increase in grain taxes, which forced the state to reduce the tax.
• During the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Sabha promoted the boycott of foreign goods and the use of khadi.

Formation of Hadoti Prajamandal

• In 1934, Pandit Naynuram Sharma established the ‘Hadoti Prajamandal’ in Kota, with Haji Faiz Mohammed as its first president.
• The Prajamandal raised public awareness by opposing forced labor, boycotting foreign cloth, and protesting the MacDonald Award.

Establishment of Kota State Prajamandal

• In 1939, Pandit Naynuram Sharma and Abhinna Hari founded the ‘Kota State Prajamandal.’
• The first convention of Prajamandal was held in Mangrol, where a resolution for responsible governance was passed.
• On January 26, 1941, the Prajamandal celebrated Independence Day and reiterated the demand for responsible governance.

Role in Quit India Movement

• During the Quit India Movement in 1942, students from Herbert College and City School in Kota protested against Mahatma Gandhi’s arrest by organizing strikes and marches.
• On August 13, prominent leaders like Abhinna Hari, Shambhudyal Saxena, and Beni Madhav Prasad were arrested.
• Despite the government’s restrictions on gatherings, a march was held on August 14, leading to a confrontation where the public hoisted the tricolor flag at the police station.

Merger into Union

• After intense public pressure, the government released the arrested leaders and promised to work towards responsible governance.
• In March 1946, the Maharao of Kota, under the leadership of Shri Hiranya, formed a committee to draft a constitution for the state, recommending the establishment of an elected representative body.
• However, the powers of elected members were limited, and the Maharao retained most of the authority.
• In 1948, Maharao Bhim Singh II decided to form a popular government led by Abhinna Hari, but this was not implemented due to the formation of the Rajasthan Union.

Bundi Prajamandal

Early Movements

• In 1926, under the leadership of the Rajasthan Seva Sangh, farmers started an anti-begar (forced labor) movement.
• In 1927, the killing of priest Ramnath Kudal by the state police led to public outrage.
• The oppressive policies of Bundi’s Diwan Webb encouraged people to fight for their rights.

Formation of Bundi Prajamandal

• In 1931, Bundi Prajamandal was established under the leadership of Kantilal.
• Key founding members included Kantilal, Rishidutt Mehta, Nityanand Nagar, Gopal Kotia, and others.
• The Prajamandal organized morning processions, boycotted foreign goods, and held sit-ins at liquor shops to raise public awareness.
• They demanded responsible governance and civil rights.

Activities and Struggles of Prajamandal

• In 1937, the government exiled Rishidutt Mehta, the president of the Prajamandal, weakening the movement.
• In 1939, the Prajamandal resumed its agitation against livestock tax and other levies.
• In 1940, Rishidutt Mehta returned to Bundi and strongly opposed the government’s proposed constitution.

Merger into the Union

• During the Quit India Movement, leaders like Nityanand Nagar, Rishidutt Mehta, and Brijsundar Sharma led speeches and protests.
• The government declared the Prajamandal illegal and arrested many of its members.
• In 1944, after being released from prison, Rishidutt Mehta formed the Bundi State Lok Parishad.
• In 1945, police fired at a procession, killing lawyer Ramkalyan, which intensified the movement.
• Fearing the growing unrest, Bundi’s ruler Bahadur Singh accepted the demand for responsible governance.
• Bundi was merged into the Rajasthan Union on 25 March 1948.

Bharatpur Prajamandal

Initial Awakening through Arya Sam

The awakening of public consciousness in Bharatpur began with the efforts of the Arya Samaj, which established branches in places like Bharatpur, Deeg, Kumher, Bayana, and others. Arya Samaj worked towards social reforms and promoting independence. In 1912, Jagannath Adhikari founded the ‘Hindi Sahitya Samiti’ and published the ‘Vaibhav’ magazine to raise public awareness, for which he was imprisoned. From 1924 to 1927, Thakur Deshraj organized several gatherings to address farmers’ issues. Despite raising awareness, the government remained indifferent.

Formation of Bharatpur Rajya Praja Sangh (1928):

Following the harsh measures of Diwan Duncan Mackenzie, who had banned assemblies and curtailed rights, the ‘Bharatpur Rajya Praja Sangh’ was formed in November 1928. Gopilal Yadav became its president, and Thakur Deshraj was the secretary. The Praja Sangh sought to protect citizens’ rights and fought for their grievances to be addressed.

QIM & Prajamandal:

This time protests were intensified, Leaders (Nityanand Nagar, Rishidatt Mehta, Brij Sundar Sharma, Rajeshwari Devi and Dharmavati) were arrested and Prajamandal was declared illegal. To pacify the movement, the Maharaja formed the ‘Braj Jaya Representative Assembly.’ However, the assembly was given limited powers, which led to dissatisfaction and resignations from Praja Parishad members in 1945.

Demand for Responsible Governance:

The Prajamandal continued to demand the abolition of the forced labor system and the establishment of responsible governance. The struggle saw sacrifices, such as the death of Ramesh Swami, who was killed during protests in 1947.

Merger:

After independence, Bharatpur Prajamandal’s leaders, including Gopilal Yadav and Master Adityendra, were appointed ministers. The region eventually became part of the Bharatpur Matsya Union.

Socio-Economic Significance

Involving Women in the Movement:

The movement actively included women in social and political activities. Many women from Rajasthan participated in the movement and were arrested on a large scale. Notable participants included Smt. Jia Behen from Banswara, Mahima Devi Kinkar from Marwar, Durgadevi Sharma from Jaipur, and Narayani Devi from Mewar. This effort brought women out of the confines of their homes to stand shoulder to shoulder with men.

Work for Dalit Upliftment:

The movement aimed to integrate Dalits into the mainstream by establishing several organizations, such as Pt. Harinarayan’s ‘Untouchability Removal Union’ and Gokul Bhai Bhatt’s ‘Harijan Seva Sangh.’ These organizations worked on eradicating discrimination through efforts like prohibition, education, temple entry, and poverty alleviation.

Tribal Upliftment:

The movement took steps for the upliftment of tribes in the South Aravalli region, led by figures like Thakkar Bapa and Amritlal Pathak. These leaders spread awareness among tribes and worked on creating special laws for them. Campaigns were launched to establish tribal hostels, promote prohibition, and curb the Sagari practice.

Spread of Education:

The movement played a crucial role in promoting education by establishing schools, night schools, and ‘Kabir schools’ in villages and cities. Institutions like ‘Vanasthali Vidyapeeth’ by Hiralal Shastri and ‘Mahila Shiksha Sadan’ by Haribhai Kinkar were founded to advance women’s education.

Abolition of Forced Labor and Baleth System:

The movement campaigned against forced labor (begar) and the Baleth system, leading to the enactment of laws abolishing these practices. Leaders like Jaynarayan Vyas, Pt. Nayanooram Sharma, and Bhogilal Pandya played a significant role in this struggle, leading to large movements in peasant and tribal areas.

Establishment of Social Harmony and Unity:

The movement sought to eliminate caste and religious discrimination, promoting Hindu-Muslim unity, social equality, and fraternity. People from various castes and communities united in the movement to combat the common issue of autocratic feudalism.

Social Reforms:

The movement opposed social evils such as child marriage, female infanticide, the purdah system, polygamy, dowry, witch-hunting, and untouchability. It supported widow remarriage, women’s education, and raising the marriage age, with widespread campaigns to spread awareness, promote prohibition, and secure labor rights through legal reforms.

Economic Reforms:

The movement encouraged the use of khadi and promoted cottage industries, reducing reliance on British goods and creating employment opportunities. It also encouraged community participation in flood and famine relief efforts to support economically vulnerable groups.

Conclusion:

• The Prajamandal movement was not limited to restoring political rights but extended to fostering awareness, equality, and unity through social and economic reforms. It was a significant movement against the atrocities in princely states and made effective efforts to improve the common people’s living standards.

Political Significance

The Prajamandal movements played a vital role in promoting political awareness and national consciousness in Rajasthan. The political significance of these movements can be understood through the following points.

Creating Political Awareness:

Under the oppressive rule of the monarchy and feudal exploitation, the people of Rajasthan were initially indifferent. The Prajamandal movements raised public consciousness, uniting people against exploitation and tyranny and making them aware of their fundamental political rights and participation in governance.

Establishment of Responsible Government:

Following the 1938 Haripura Congress session, the responsibility for popular movements was placed on local leadership in each state. Despite limited resources, the Prajamandal movements succeeded in fighting against autocratic monarchy and British rule, making strides toward responsible government.

Youth Participation and National Awareness:

The movements actively involved youth in the freedom struggle, introducing them to ideas of national awareness and equality through education, community organizations, and demonstrations.

Strengthening the National Movement:

Until 1938, people in princely states were organizing movements at their level. The Congress began to support these movements, which became part of the national movement during the Quit India Movement, weakening the monarchy’s power and strengthening the movement against British rulers.

Political Unification of the Country:

Following independence, the pressure from Prajamandal movements led many rulers to join the Indian Union. The overwhelming public opinion generated by the movements prevented the rulers from acceding to Pakistan, strengthening the country’s political unity.

Involving Women in Political Movements:

The movement successfully involved women in political activities, with women participating alongside men in the struggle, which was a significant achievement.

Communicating with the Public through Social Reforms and Constructive Work:

The movements undertook numerous social reform activities for the upliftment of Dalits, tribals, and other sections of society. They campaigned against social evils like child marriage, dowry, untouchability, and others, establishing schools and centers for spinning and khadi production, which connected the general public with the movement.

Rural Development and Self-Reliance:

The movements emphasized rural self-reliance, focusing on local crafts, agriculture, and economic progress, creating educational, skill development, and employment opportunities in rural areas.

Legal and Administrative Reforms:

Leaders of the Prajamandal movements contributed to legal and administrative reforms post-independence, laying the foundation for democratic and transparent governance.

Women’s Role in the Prajamandal Movements

Women played a crucial and active role in the Prajamandal movements, not just as participants but also as leaders, showcasing their courage, leadership abilities, and commitment to social change. The contributions of women in different regions can be understood as follows:

Participation of Women in Jaipur

In Jaipur, Kasturba Gandhi organized women and spread political awareness. She addressed women at Nathamaji’s Katla, inspiring them to participate in the movement. Women like Ramadevi Deshpande, Sharda Devi, Sushila Goyal, and Indra Devi played active roles in Satyagraha. Ratan Devi, the director of Vanasthali Vidyapith, allowed students to participate in the movement, and Shanti Devi addressed the assembly.

Shekhawati Region

In Shekhawati, women raised their voices against the atrocities of Thakur Man Singh. Under the leadership of Kishori Devi and Uttama Devi, a women’s conference was held in Katerathal on April 24, 1934, where women defied Section 144, demonstrating their resolve. Janaki Devi, Savitri Devi, Anjana Devi, and Ramadevi Joshi educated and raised awareness among women across villages and led women in the Bijolia and Begun movements.

Women of Jodhpur

In Jodhpur, Mahima Devi Kinker highlighted women’s courage through Satyagraha. Ramadevi, Krishna Kumari, and Dayavati addressed public gatherings while shouting anti-British slogans. Gorja Devi Joshi, Savitri Devi Bhati, Sirekanwal Vyas, and Rajkaur Vyas were notable for their arrests during the movement.

Women of Bikaner

Lakshmi Devi Acharya led the Bikaner State Prajamandal from Kolkata, enhancing the political activism of women in Bikaner.

Struggles of Mewar’s Women

Narayani Devi and her daughters, Snehlata and Bhagwati Devi, participated in the Mewar Prajamandal movement. Narayani Devi took her six-month-old son to jail and established the ‘Akal Sahayata Samiti’ during famine. She raised awareness among women about the importance of swadeshi and female education. Kali Bai, a woman from the Bhil community, became a martyr during the Rasatpal Satyagraha in 1947.

Women of Bharatpur

In Bharatpur, Bhagwati Devi and Krishna participated in the ‘Quit India’ movement, while Saraswati Bohra led women in protests and played an active role in the Salt Satyagraha.

Women of Kota

In Kota, during the ‘Quit India’ movement, students from Rajkiya Mahavidyalaya and City School went on strike against the arrest of national leaders, with notable contributions from Krishna Gopal Gupta and student Kusum Gupta. Female students even took control of the police station at Rampura.

Participation of Women in Sirohi

In Sirohi, during the first anniversary of Prajamandal, 800 women participated. They demonstrated their courage by joining the Prajamandal procession.

These movements proved that women were not merely supporting actors in social and political movements but were leading them and shaping the course of change. Their sacrifices and courage highlighted the significant role of women in the struggle for independence.

FAQ (Previous year questions)

Prajamandal Movement in Rajasthan / Prajamandal Movement in Rajasthan / Prajamandal Movement in Rajasthan / Prajamandal Movement in Rajasthan / Prajamandal Movement in Rajasthan / Prajamandal Movement in Rajasthan / Prajamandal Movement in Rajasthan / Prajamandal Movement in Rajasthan / Prajamandal Movement in Rajasthan / Prajamandal Movement in Rajasthan / Prajamandal Movement in Rajasthan / Prajamandal Movement in Rajasthan / Prajamandal Movement in Rajasthan