Importance of Praja Mandal Movements:
Importance of Praja Mandal movements in Rajasthan has been analyzed under the following points:
1. It helped a lot in the merger process of the princely states:
The credit of merge-ring the princely states goes to the leaders of Praja Mandal movement. From 3rd June to 15thAugust, 1947, these leaders, through public movement, exerted pressure on the princely states to merge with Indian union.
Jai Narayan Vyas was the first person who had presented the idea of Joint Rajasthan in 1929. The Praja Mandal movement extended a unique contribution to Sardar VallabhBhai Patel in the merjer of 21 princely states and in the formation of Greater Rajasthan.
2. Struggle for a responsible goverment in Rajasthan:
The Praja Mandal movement exerted pressure on the princely’ states to provide a responsible government to the public of their states. The rulers of the states now began to realize that time for formation of democratic government has arrived.
3. To spread the awareness of the freedom struggle among princely states:
Praja Mandal movement spread political awareness among princely states. The rulers declared the Praja Mandals unlawful and imprisoned their leaders. This oppressive step of the rulers brought in deeper awakening among the people of the states.
Thus, Praja Mandal movements spread awareness regarding freedom struggle of the country’ against the British government and among princely states of Rajasthan. Thus, the revolutions and satyagrahs of Rajasthan became an integral part of the national movement of the country.
Importance of Peasant Movements:
The freedom struggle of peasants in Rajasthan in the beginning was concerned with local problems of the farmers. But with the passage of time, these movements became united with the mainstream national movement for freedom:
1. In the form of opposing the British rule:
The peasant movement of Bijolia sowed the seeds of anti-British rule in Rajasthan. The British Residents in Udaipur wrote a letter to the A.G.G. of Rajputana in 1923, “Mewar has become the center of lawlessness (anarchy) and other unlawful activities”.
At present, the movement appears to be against the Maharana, but soon it could take the form of anti-British revolt and can spread to British regions. The results of the peasant movement of Bijolia proved to be far reaching. This small spark of Bijolia peasant campaign took a dreadful form and spread throughout Rajasthan like wild fire.
2. Increased political awareness throughout Rajasthan:
The father of the peasant movement was Vijay Singh Pathik. He started the campaign of creating political awareness in Rajasthan through Rajasthan Sewa Sangh (Ajmer) and newspapers such as Rajasthan Kesari (Wardha) and Naveen Rajasthan (Ajmer).
3. Rise of the future freedom fighters of Rajasthan:
The freedom fighters in Rajasthan were born out from the peasant movement.viz Manikyalal Verma, Hari Bhau Upadhyay, Gokul Bhai Bhatt, Ramnarayan Chawdhary, Hans Raj Bhai, Motilal Tejawat, Kumbharam Arya, Jai Narayan Vyas, Mathuradas Mathur, Dwarkadas Purohit and Hiralal Shastri, etc.
4. Struggle against Feudalism:
Inspired by the success of the Peasant Movement, Praja Mandals were established in Rajasthan. Under the leadership of Praja Mandals, responsible government started to come in existence. Anti-feudalism campaign started and the spirit of attaining of freedom spread.
5. Draw attention of the Congress towards the problems of the princely states:
Because of the Peasant Movement Andolan attention of All India Congress was drawn to the problems of the princely states. First of all, Mahatma Gandhi called Pathik ji to Bombay to know more about the movement of Bijolia peasants and sent Mahadev Bhai Desai to Bijolia to study the condition of the movement. For the first time, in 1928, the Congress demanded the formation of a responsible government from the princely states.
6. Gave the concept of Panchayati Raj:
The Peasant movement of Bijolia gave the concept of Panchayati Raj.Panchayats played the role of primary schools for Democracy.
7. Stress on political, social and economic reforms:
Peasants’ movement, which started from Bijolia, stressed on political, social and economic reforms in the princely states. To conclude, it can be said that Peasants’ movement helped the farmers in getting rid of the exploitation by the princely states and its accomplices like Jagirdars and Thikanedars. It also helped to strengthen the national freedom struggle through unique co – operation of Praja Mandals and Peasants’ movements.
