Dandra Movement, which took place against the New Land Settlement in Bilaspur in 1930, the people of which Pargana first started a movement against the land settlement?
(A) Ratanpur
(B) Rampur
(C) Bahadurpur
(D) None of these
Correct Answer : C
🟩 BILASPUR STRUGGLE (1930) – “BHOOMI BANDOBAST ABHIYAN”
(Also known as the “Dandra Movement” of Bahadurpur Pargana)
🏞️ 1️⃣ Background
Land Revenue & British Policies
- The British land revenue system and the new settlement pattern caused severe hardship to farmers across India.
- Unfavourable land settlements and apprehensions of increasing land revenue and taxes led to rural discontent and revolts in many regions.
- In Bilaspur (then a princely state in Himachal Pradesh), this discontent resulted in the Dandra Movement, an agrarian uprising against exploitative land policies.
📍 2️⃣ Location & Origin of the Movement
- Region: Pargana Bahadurpur, present-day Bilaspur district (Himachal Pradesh).
- Nature: A peasant protest against new revenue settlements and unjust taxation.
- Trigger: Refusal of peasants to supply free provisions and services to British-appointed settlement workers.
⚙️ 3️⃣ Background to the 1930 Agitation
First Settlement (1905):
- The first land revenue settlement (1905) had doubled the revenue compared to nearby British districts (Kangra and Hoshiarpur).
- Farmers already suffered under excessive revenue demands and official oppression.
Immediate Cause (1930):
- The Bhoomi Bandobast Abhiyan (Land Settlement Campaign) launched in 1930 during an economic slump further worsened farmers’ conditions.
💢 4️⃣ Outbreak of the Dandra Movement (1930)
Initial Action by Kisans:
- Farmers of Bhadarpur Pargana refused to supply free firewood and provisions to the land settlement staff.
- Workers retaliated with disturbances and harassment, worsening the situation.
- Frustrated villagers destroyed measuring instruments used by officials.
- Peasants took an oath of unity and participation in the agitation.
Failure of State Authority:
- Ruler: Raja Anand Chand
- Chairman of the State Council: P.L. Chandulal
- Neither could pacify the revolt; they sought British assistance.
🚨 5️⃣ British & State Suppression
- The British dispatched armed forces from Punjab to Bilaspur.
- The movement was declared illegal, and the police used brute force to suppress it.
- The batons (dandras) used by police gave the movement its name — “Dandra Movement.”
Consequences:
- Many protesters were imprisoned and tried for sedition.
- Heavy fines were imposed on villagers.
- Despite suppression, the movement’s spirit inspired future anti-imperialist struggles in the hill states.
⚖️ 6️⃣ Detailed Outcomes of 1930 Agitation
- Police Response:
- Punjab armed police units were deployed.
- Arrest of several leaders; brutal lathi-charge on villagers demanding their release.
- Duration of Suppression:
- Troops conducted “flag marches” for about three months.
- Punishments:
- 19 leaders arrested.
- Collective fine: ₹25,000 levied on participating villages.
👑 7️⃣ Raja Anand Chand’s Rule (1933–1947)
Invested with Full Powers: 9 January 1933.
Policy Approach:
- Followed a “twin policy of repression and reform.”
Repression:
- Fixed stern punishments for any anti-state activity.
- Common penalties: confiscation of property, exile, or imprisonment.
Reform:
- Introduced educational, social, and moral reforms — though largely symbolic.
🔒 8️⃣ Covert Political Activities
- Despite repression, political awakening continued secretly.
- Educated citizens formed:
- Sewa Samiti
- Sanatana Dharam Sabha
- Outward Objective: Social and religious reform.
- Hidden Purpose: Dissemination of political messages and anti-state ideas among the people.
🌍 9️⃣ New Influences After World War II
- The Indian freedom movement and return of INA (Indian National Army) soldiers ignited nationalist sentiments in Bilaspur.
🏛️ 10️⃣ Formation of Bilaspur Rajya Praja Mandal (BRPM)
Inspiration:
- Young men attended the Udaipur session (1945) of the All India States People’s Conference (AISPC).
Founders:
- Shri Daulat Ram Sankhyan
- Narottam Datt Shastri
- Devi Ram Upadhyay
Objective:
- To secure civil liberties, responsible government, and democratic reforms.
✊ 11️⃣ The Bilaspur Satyagraha (1946)
Cause:
- The Raja refused to accept the BRPM’s demands for reforms and representative government.
Action:
- Satyagraha launched: 21 December 1946.
Outcome:
- Suppressed “with a heavy hand.”
- Demonstrations in Shimla organized in solidarity.
Shimla Leaders: Daulat Ram Sankhyan, Sadanand Chandel, Sant Ram Kanga, Sant Ram Sant, and others.
📝 12️⃣ AISPC Resolution (27 December 1946)
- Passed by: Standing Committee of the All India States People’s Conference.
- Criticism of Raja Anand Chand:
- Denial of civil liberties and fundamental rights.
- Repressive policies and hostility toward popular movements.
🏫 13️⃣ Raja Anand Chand’s “Reforms” (Post-1946)
Introduced Reforms:
- Hindi medium education up to matriculation.
- Complete prohibition policy.
- Panchayati Raj institutions.
- Harijan Upliftment programmes.
- Child Marriage Act enforcement.
- Voluntary renunciation of his title (“His Highness, K.C.I.E.”) and gun salute.
Motivation:
- These measures were described as “deceptive reforms” to pacify opposition and impress the British.
⚔️ 14️⃣ Repression & Resistance
- The BRPM was forced into exile.
- The Raja openly challenged the INC and AISPC with the slogan:
👉 “Hands off Bilaspur!” - He created a paramilitary force — “Swadheen Kahloor Dal” — to crush liberation movements.
🇮🇳 15️⃣ Merger of Bilaspur with India
Process of Integration:
- Following persuasion by national leaders, the Raja finally agreed to merge.
- Merger Agreement Signed: 15 April 1948.
- Bilaspur Merged with Himachal Pradesh:1 July 1954
- Under the H.P.–Bilaspur (New State) Act, 1954.
- Became the 5th district of Himachal Pradesh.
🏆 16️⃣ Significance & Legacy
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Nature of Movement | Peasant revolt against British-influenced land revenue and state oppression. |
| Leaders | Local kisans, later supported by reformists and BRPM founders. |
| Outcome | Suppression in 1930; long-term political awakening. |
| Legacy | Inspired later political movements (BRPM, Satyagraha 1946). |
| Integration | Culminated in merger with Himachal Pradesh (1954). |
| Architect of Integration | Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel credited for final unification efforts. |
🗓️ SUMMARY TIMELINE: BILASPUR STRUGGLE (1905–1954)
| Year / Date | Event | Significance / Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 1905 | First land revenue settlement | Revenue doubled; foundation of agrarian unrest |
| 1930 | “Bhoomi Bandobast Abhiyan” (Dandra Movement) | Peasant resistance against land settlement; suppressed by police |
| 1933 | Raja Anand Chand invested with full powers | Adopted policy of “repression and reform” |
| 1945 | Udaipur AISPC session | Inspired formation of Bilaspur Rajya Praja Mandal |
| 21 Dec 1946 | Bilaspur Satyagraha | Popular uprising for rights; suppressed |
| 27 Dec 1946 | AISPC resolution | Condemned Raja’s repression |
| Post-1946 | Raja’s reform programme | Attempt to pacify dissent |
| 15 Apr 1948 | Merger agreement signed | Raja agrees to join Indian Union |
| 1 Jul 1954 | Bilaspur merged into HP | Became 5th district under H.P.–Bilaspur (New State) Act |