CHAMBA AGITATION
1. Early Agitation (1896)
- Cause:
- Protest against unjust revenue collection system.
- Opposition to Begar (forced labor).
- Led by:
- People of Bhattiyat Wazzirat.
- Outcome:
- The government suppressed the agitation “with heavy hands.”
- The people were cowed down for almost four decades.
2. Call for Reform (1922)
- Action:
- State subjects from Chamba working in Lahore urged the Raja to form a “representative advisory council.”
- Purpose:
- To act as a link between the government and the governed in dealing with maladministration.
3. The Chamba People’s Defence League (1932)
- Organizers:
- Formed by persons exiled from Chamba State.
- Headquarters:
- Lahore.
- Issues Highlighted:
- “Monarchical regime.”
- “Irresponsible administration.”
- “Exorbitant taxes.”
- Restrictions on economic and civil liberties of the peasants.
4. Chamba Sewak Sangh (CSS)
Formation (1936):
- Began as a social service organisation to assist victims of a devastating fire in Chamba city.
- Initial Status:
- “Patronized by the State,” and included some state employees.
Political Evolution:
- Soon became the vanguard of the people’s movement.
- Issues Raised:
- Abolition of Begar (forced labor).
- Preference for sons of the soil in state posts.
- Separation of judiciary from executive.
- Permission for only legally qualified pleaders in state courts.
- Improvement of communication and medical facilities.
- Protest against nepotism by the Dewan of the State.
Outcome (Suppression):
- The ‘Sangh’ was banned in Chamba.
- Authorities “started using freely the means of repression.”
Shift to Dalhousie:
- CSS shifted its activities to Dalhousie after the ban.
Publicity Campaign:
- Articles highlighting poor conditions in Chamba were published in newspapers such as:
- The Kesari, The Inquilab, The National Congress, The Ghadar, The Paigaime Sulah, The Ahsaan, The Eastern Times, The Tribune, The Outlook, etc.
5. Chamba Riyasti Praja Mandal (CRPM)
- Formation:
- Created after the decline of CSS.
- Delegation Sent:
- Members: Sarvshri Vidya Sagar, Vidhya Dhar, Gulam Rasool, Prithi Chand.
- Attended AISPC (All India States People’s Conference) session in Ludhiana.
- Years of Repression:
- Censorship of ‘dak’ (post) and screening of people entering the state prevented it from growing roots.
Developments (1944–1946):
- End of 1944:
- State authorities revoked the “Registration of Societies Act”, under which the CRPM was banned.
- 1945:
- Headquarters shifted to Chamba town.
- 1946:
- Representatives participated in Himalayan Hill States Regional Council.
Leading Figures (CRPM):
- Sarvshri Jaswant Rai, Daulat Ram, Vidya Sagar, Vidhya Dhar Negi, etc.
6. Other Political Organizations
- Chamba State People’s Federation (1947):
- Another political association formed in 1947.
7. Merger with India
- Date: 15th April 1948
- Event: Chamba merged with the Indian Union.
- Outcome:
- Became part of the Chief Commissioner Province named Himachal Pradesh.
chamba agitation 1939
reason : wazir madho ram and British resident
location : churah chamba bhattiyat banikhet Dalhousie
leader : m.a. Ahmed (leader of CHAMBA praja suraksha league )