SIRMAUR SATYAGRAHA
Early Political Awakening (1920)
- Year: 1920
- Event: First signs of political awakening appeared in Sirmaur State.
Secret Society:
- Nature: A secret organization inspired by the revolutionary terrorist movements in Punjab.
- Leader:Chaudhary Sherjang
- Involved in a train dacoity.
- Later imprisoned by the British.
Context:
- The ruler introduced some administrative reforms, but these were far below the expectations of the people.
Formation of the Sirmaur Praja Mandal (SPM) – 1939
- Year: 1939
- Event: Establishment of the Sirmaur Praja Mandal (SPM) to organize the political struggle.
Leading Figures:
- Chaudhary Sherjang
- Shivanand Ramaul
- Devinder Singh
- Nahar Singh
- Naginder Singh
- Harish Chander, etc.
State Repression
- The growing popularity of the SPM became an “eyesore” to the state authorities.
Concocted Cases:
- Two false cases were fabricated against the Praja Mandal workers:
- Conspiracy to murder the Raja.
- Throwing stones at the Raja with intent to kill.
Accused Workers:
- Sarvshri Devinder Singh, Harish Chander, Nahar Singh, and Jagbandan Singh.
Judicial Proceedings
Initial Verdict:
- The Session Judge, Dr. Y.S. Parmar(later first Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh),
- Discharged the accused in the conspiracy case.
State’s Reaction:
- Annoyed by the judgment, the authorities
- Transferred the case to a special tribunal.
- The tribunal convicted the accused persons.
Suppression:
- The state deployed Jehlami Police to suppress the Satyagraha.
Agitation Reaches its Peak (1942)
- Year: 1942
- Event: The Sirmaur agitation reached a high pitch.
Trigger:
- The state’s attempts to collect money and foodstuffs to support British war efforts during World War II provoked resistance.
Pajotha Movement (October 1942)
- Nature:
- An extension of the All-India “Quit India Movement” of 1942.
- Known locally as the Pajotha Movement.
Main Leaders:
- Shri Surat Singh Vaid
- Sunahari Devi (wife of Surat Singh)
- Matha Ram
- Atma Devi (wife of Matha Ram)
- Deep Ram
- Daya Ram
- Sita Ram Sharma
- Shiva Nand Ramaul
Vaid Surat Singh’s Other Associates:
- Gulab Singh
- Mian Chu-Chu
- Mehar Singh
- Attar Singh
- Jalim Singh
- Madan Singh
Later Developments (1944–1948)
1944:
- Formation of the Sirmauri Association and the Sirmaur Riyasti Praja Mandal.
1946:
- The Praja Mandal office and General Secretary Shri Shiva Nand Ramaul were shifted to Nahan.
State’s Response:
- Authorities took partial and limited steps to address the Praja Mandalists’ demands.
Resolution (1948):
- The issue was finally resolved with the merger of Sirmaur State into the Indian Union as part of Himachal Pradesh in 1948.
Summary Timeline of Sirmaur Satyagraha
| Year / Date | Event | Key Details / Leaders |
|---|---|---|
| 1920 | Early political awakening | Formation of a secret revolutionary society led by Chaudhary Sherjang |
| 1939 | Formation of Sirmaur Praja Mandal (SPM) | Leaders: Sherjang, Shivanand Ramaul, Devinder Singh, Nahar Singh, Harish Chander, etc. |
| 1940–41 | State repression | False cases filed; accused discharged by Dr. Y.S. Parmar, later convicted by tribunal |
| 1942 | Agitation peaks | Reaction against state’s support to British war effort |
| Oct 1942 | Pajotha Movement | Led by Surat Singh Vaid, Sunahari Devi, Matha Ram, Atma Devi, Shiva Nand Ramaul, etc. |
| 1944 | New organizations formed | Sirmauri Association and Sirmaur Riyasti Praja Mandal |
| 1946 | Office shifted to Nahan | Under Shiva Nand Ramaul |
| 1948 | Final resolution | Merger of Sirmaur with Himachal Pradesh |
Significance
Paved the way for democratic reforms and integration into the Indian Union (1948).
Early Political Consciousness:
Sparked political awareness in Sirmaur long before independence.
Leadership Development:
Produced leaders like Chaudhary Sherjang and Dr. Y.S. Parmar (who later guided Himachal).
Unity & Resistance:
Showed solidarity among peasants and workers against feudal repression.
Link with National Movement:
The Pajotha Movement connected Sirmaur’s struggle directly with the Quit India
pajhota kisan andolan 1942 :
location : pacchad , sirmaur
reason : multiple taxes on livestock and fodder . submit 10 mounds of grain at lower prices .
king : rajender Prakash
revenue minister : ram Gopal abhi
(system called gopalshahi)
leader : valid surat Singh and Ian Madan Singh
event : lala badhva mal assaulted . villagers captured dsp Thakur jagat . later released . then yashwant Singh Parmar joined .pn may 14-15 martial law was imposed . them surat Singh house was demolished and he was arrested . later released .