All India State People’s Conference (AISPC)
The Path to Responsible Government in Hill States
Formation of AISPC (1927)
On December 17, 1927, the AISPC was formed in Bombay. It realized that the princely states were fragments of India that could not be kept separate from the national goal of complete independence.
Ludhiana Conference (1939)
Held on February 15-16, 1939, this conference was a turning point for the Himalayan region.
— Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru (Session Chair)
Hill State Participants
This session saw the unified participation of leaders who would later lead the individual Praja Mandal movements:
| Region | Representatives |
|---|---|
| Shimla Hills | Pt. Padam Dev, Bhagmal Sohta |
| Mandi | Swami Purnanand |
| Sirmaur | Thakur Hitendra Singh |
| Bilaspur | Sadaram Chandel |
| Chamba | Vidya Sagar, Vidyadhar, Ghulam Rasul, Prithvi Singh |
Significance: Following the Ludhiana session, the “Praja Mandal” movement grew rapidly, shifting the focus from local grievances to a unified demand for a Responsible Government under a democratic India.
SIRMAUR PRAJA MANDAL
Influence of All India States Peoples Conference
Foundation & Early Body
Founded by Pt. Rajendra Dutt, it was the first public body institution of Himachal in Sirmaur. He established the office in Ponta instead of Nahan.
- 12th October, 1930: First conference of Punjab and Pahari Riyasti people in Ludhiana. Sirmaur was represented by Sardar Bhagat Singh and two others from Ponta.
- 1934: Official establishment of the Sirmaur Praja Mandal. Founding members: Dr. Devender Singh, Ramnath, and Atma Ram.
Leading Participants
• Master Chatar Singh
• Shaligram Sharma
• Kundan Lal
• Ajaib Singh
• Pt. Shivanand Ramaul*
*Pandit Shivanand Ramaul started his agitational life as a member of the “Sirmauri Association” in Delhi.
State Repression & Judicial Conflict
False Accusations: Killing the Maharaja and throwing stones at his car.
The Judgment of Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar: As District and Sessions Judge, he favored the Praja Mandal, proving the murder allegations false. This led to political differences with King Rajendra Prakash.
- 1941: Resigned from his job and was expelled from the state by the King.
- 1943 to 1946: Organized Sirmauris in Delhi to fight for democratic rights.
Shimla Hill States Praja Mandals
The Expansion of Democratic Awareness (1938–1945)
Baghal, Theog, and Jubbal (1938)
On 11 August 1938, the movement was ignited by workers in Shimla, leading to a wave of state-specific organizations:
Chair: Jeevan Ram Chauhan
Minister: Mansha Ram Chauhan
Founder: Surat Rama Prakash
Founder: Pt. Bhaskaranand
Founder: Bhagmal Sohta
Note: Similar formations began in Koti, Kumarsain, and Bushahr during this period.
Bushahr Praja Mandal Reactivation (1945)
In 1945, the Bushahr movement was revitalized by merging the efforts of several organizations:
- Bushahr Reform Conference
- Bushahr Prem Sabha
- Sevak Mandal Delhi
Key Leaders:
• Pt. Ghanshyam
• Satyadev Busheri
• Negi Thakursain
The Final Push
As activities stepped up, prominent leaders from other states joined the enthusiasm:
- Bhagmal Sohta (Jubbal)
- Daulat Ram Sankhyan (Bilaspur)
Chamba & Mandi Political Awakening (1936)
The Struggle for Responsible Government
Chamba Sevak Sangh & Praja Mandal
Established in 1936 as an institution, the Chamba Sevak Sangh eventually evolved into a political organization. Due to a state ban, it moved its center of activities to Dalhousie.
Key Demands & Grievances:
- Establishment of a popular government.
- Opposition to the Diwan, who had centralized all rights.
- Voices raised against feminism.
— The Tribune Editorial
Movement momentum led to numerous captures, while Gandhiji advised the launch of a non-violent movement.
Mandi Praja Mandal 2nd in Hill States
Established in 1936, Mandi was the second state after Sirmaur to form a Praja Mandal. The bad conditions in Chamba were being highlighted in Hindi and Urdu newspapers, fueling the local movement.
President: Swami Purnanand
• Baldev Ram
• Harsukh Rai
• Sunderlal
• Moti Ram
• Krishna Chandra
• Tej Singh Nidhak
• Keshav Chandra
• Padmanath
• Hem Raj
Despite the strong leadership, the King of Mandi imposed strict restrictions on their activities.
Dhami & Kunihar Political Formations
From Social Reform to Praja Mandal (1937–1939)
Dhami Prem Pracharini Sabha (1937)
Due to its proximity to Shimla, many residents of the Dhami estate worked in the city. In 1937, they formed this Sabha to improve their principality.
Evolution of Purpose: Initially focused on social and economic reform, the Sabha gradually transitioned into political work and began discussing active movements against the estate administration.
Kunihar Praja Mandal (1939)
A major milestone occurred on July 8, 1939, when Hill States Praja Mandal leaders visited Kunihar to mobilize the public along with Kanshi Ram.
The law establishing the “Kunihar Prajamadal” was enacted in the presence of Rana Hardev Singh. Babu Kanshi Ram was appointed as the guardian of the Mandal.
Distinguished Attendees:
Shimla Hill State Riyasati Praja Mandal
Himalaya Riyasati Praja Mandal (Est. 1938)
Key Leadership
Designation: Minister
Designation: Mahamantri
The Expansion of 1939
- June 1939: Pt. Padam Dev left Shimla for Hyderabad with an Arya Samaj group.
- The Mantle: Bhagmal Sohta took over the task of propagating and spreading the Praja Mandal influence throughout the hill states.
- July 1939: A massive campaign for organizational establishment was launched.
At the beginning of July 1939, a new organization was established in the princely state of Mahalog by:
• Bhagmal Sohta • Hira Singh Pal • Dev Suman
DHAMI BULLET SCANDAL (1939)
The Firing at Halog | July 16, 1939
Formation of Dhami Praja Mandal
On 13 July 1939, at a meeting in Camli (near Kasumpti, Shimla) chaired by Bhagmal Sohta, the “Prem Pracharini Sabha” was converted into the Dhami Praja Mandal. Pt. Sita Ram was appointed as its head.
The Seven Demands from Rana Dalip Singh
- Abolition of the Begar system.
- 50% reduction in land rent.
- Recognition of Dhami State Councils.
- Granting of Civil Rights and freedoms.
- Removal of restrictions and barriers on the people.
- Return of confiscated property of Prem Pracharini Sabha members.
- Constitution of a Responsible Representative Government.
Rana Dhami ignored the demand letter, considering it an insult. Consequently, it was decided that a delegation of seven persons would march from Shimla to the capital, Halog, on July 16.
The Seven Representatives:
The Firing at Dhami
On July 16, the group departed Shimla. Bhagat Ram and Devi Saran carried the Congress flag. Near Ghanahatti, the police took Bhagmal Sohta into custody.
As the crowd slogans against the Rana reached his residence, a frightened Rana Dalip Singh ordered fire.
The Outcome:
- Two persons died on the spot.
- Many were badly injured in the stir.
- Bhagmal Sohta was arrested and sent to Ambala.
Himalayan Hill States Regional Council
1946 – 1947 | The Path to Political Unity
Council Leadership (1946)
Major Conferences of 1946
1. Mandi (8-10 March): Presided over by Col. Gurdial Singh Dhillon (Azad Hind Fauj). Representatives from Suket, Mandi, Bilaspur, Sirmaur, Chamba, Nalagarh, Baghat, and Shimla attended.
2. Nahan (31 Aug – 1 Sept): Attended by Dr. Pattabhi Sitaramayya (President AISPC), Jaynarayan Beas, and Carnal Shahnawaz. Organized by the Sirmaur Praja Mandal agitators, it created an unprecedented awakening that shook the princely state.
Key Movements & Leaders (1946)
- Chiranji Lal: Movement against labor in Shangri.
- Gyan Chand Tutu: Head, Kohistan Praja Mandal.
- Satyadev Bushahri: Head, Bushahr Praja Mandal.
- Bhagmal Sohta: Accelerated Jubbal movement.
- Balsan State: Movement took a radical form.
The Era of Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar
February 1947: Leela Das Verma and Kanshi Ram Upadhyaya brought Dr. Yashwant Singh from Delhi to Shimla. He joined the National Liberties Movement at the request of leaders like Pt. Padamdev and Daulat Ram Sankhyan.
Headquarters: He lived at Krishna Villa Lodge in Sanjauli. Leela Das Verma opened the People’s Party office in Sanjauli simultaneously.
March 1, 1947 (Shimla Meeting): The Council held elections. Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar was elected Chief and Pt. Padamdev was elected Mahmantri.
April 1947: Dr. Parmar led a delegation to Delhi for the Gwalior Session of Congress with Daulat Ram Sankhyan, Narottam Shastri, and others.
Himalayan Hill States Sub-Regional Council
The Shimla Royal Hotel Split | June 10, 1947
The June 10 Meeting
During a meeting at Shimla’s Royal Hotel, differences arose among the 16 members of the Regional Council (11 were present). This led to a split, where six members formed the “Himalayan Hill States Sub-Regional Council”.
Elected Leadership
Tej Singh Nidhak (Mandi), Leela Das Verma (Bhajji), Sadaram Chandel (Bilaspur)
Council Executive Members
• Sadhuram
• Nar Singh Dutt
• Hira Singh Pal
• Gauri Nand
• Devi Ram
• Chaman Lal
• Chiranji Lal Verma
The Sangri Conference (July 31, 1947)
The first conference was organized by Chiranji Lal Verma in the hill state of Sangri. Attendees included Dr. Parmar, Pt. Padamdev, Satyadev Bushahri, Surat Ram Prakash, Thakur Haridas, and Radha Krishna.
Impact: Seeing the massive success of the conference, the King of Sangri fled to Aani (Kullu) with his family, marking a significant victory for the people’s movement.
Nahan Conference (August 1947)
Sirmaur Praja Mandal’s Grand Assembly
In August 1947, a landmark conference was organized in Nahan. This event was particularly notable for the presence of Raja Rajendra Prakash of Sirmaur, marking a rare moment of direct interaction between the monarchy and the Praja Mandal leaders.
Main Organizers:
- Pandit Rajendra Dutt
- Dr. Devender Singh
- Dharm Narayan Advocate
- Pt. Shivanand Ramaul
Leadership & Symbolism
Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar, recently elected as the President of the Himalayan Hill States Sub-Regional Council, was appointed the President of the conference.
In a historic act of defiance and transition, Dr. Parmar waved the national flag at the conference, signaling the dawn of independence and the shifting authority from the princely crown to the democratic will of the people.