Rajasthan Board RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 16 Freedom Struggle of 1857 – Its Effect on Rajasthan and Revolutionary Praja Mandal and Peasant Movements in Rajasthan
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 16 Textual Questions
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 16 Very Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Where and when did the freedom struggle of 1857 start?
Answer:
On 10th May, 1857 from Meerut the freedom struggle of 1857 started for the first time.
Question 2.
Where did the soldiers revolt start in Rajasthan for the first time?
Answer:
On 28th May, 1857from Nasirabad Cantonment.
Question 3.
Where was 15th Bengal Infantry posted?
Answer:
At Nasirabad.
Question 4.
What was First Bombay Lancers?
Answer:
A troupe of soldiers faithful to the Britishers.
Question 5.
What was Enfield Rifles?
Answer:
The new rifles for the soldiers provided by the British government.
Question 6.
With which state Kali Bai and Nana Bhai Khant were associated?
Answer:
They were associated with Dungarpur state.
Question 7.
Where did Tantia Tope reach Rajasthan for the first time?
Answer:
Tantia Tope came to Tonk state in Rajasthan for the first time.
Question 8.
What is the significance of place called Kharwa?
Answer:
The rebel soldiers of Erinpura cantonment met Thakur Kushal Singh at Kharwa.
Question 9.
Which forces met in the battle of Bithora?
Answer:
The army of Thakur Kushal Singh battled against the state army of Maharaja Jodhpur.
Question 10.
Where were Jai Dayal and Mehrab Khan hanged to death?
Answer:
They were openly hanged to death on a neem tree near the British Agency.
Question 11.
Which state did Tantia Tope take possession of ?
Answer:
Tantia Tope took possession of Bansuara state.
Question 12.
How many cantonments were there in Rajasthan at the time of the revolt of 1857?
Answer:
There were six cantonmonts.
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 16 Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
In 1857, how many cantonments and how many soldiers were there in Rajasthan?
Answer:
At the beginning of the revolt of 1857, there were six cantonments and about five thousand soldiers were there then in Rajasthan.
Question 2.
Who was the A.G.G. of Rajasthan in 1857 ?
Answer:
The Agent to Governor General in Rajasthan was George Patrick Lawrence.
Question 3.
Which political agent’s head was hung at the gate of Auwa’s fort?
Answer:
MC Mason,the pollitical agent of Jodhpur, was killed by the revolutionaries in 1857. His head was hung at the gate of Auwa’s fort.
Question 4.
When and where did Brigadier Holmes attack?
Answer:
Brigadier Homes attacked upon Auwa on 29th January, 1858.
Question 5.
Which army did Risaldar Mehrab Khan and Jai Dayal lead during the revolt?
Answer:
Risaldar Mehrab Khan and Lala Jai Dayal led the revolutionaies. The revolting army got support and co-operation of most of the officers of Kota and fort legion. The rebels took possession of Government treasury, state armoury shops, bungalows and Kotwali.
Question 6.
When did the revolt end?
Answer:
The revolt of 1857 ended on 21st September, 1857 in Delhi. In Delhi, the Mugal emperor was imprisoned along with all the members of his family. By June 1858, the British army again took hold of all its lost places. But Tantia Tope continued his struggle. Due to the non – co – operation of the rulers of Rajasthan. Tantia Tope wandered from place to place. Ultimately, he was arrested and hanged to death. The Thakur of Auwa was also tried but he was acquitted in this way the revolt ended.
Question 7.
When did Thakur Kushal Singh of Auwa surrender ?
Answer:
On 8th August, 1860, Thakur Kushal Singh surrendered before the British army at Neemuch. He was tried but was acquitted.
Question 8.
For the Maharao of which state the guard of honour was reduced form 15 cannons to 11 cannons and why?
Answer:
The enquiry committee constituted by the Britishers into the murder case of Major Burton and sons found Maharao Ram Singh II to be innocent, but declared him responsible for the triple murder. As punishment, guard of honour of 15 cannons was reduced to 11 cannons.
Question 9.
Write a short note on the peasant movement of Bijolia.
Answer:
Bijolia was the first category Jagir of Mewar. The Umrao of this Jagir was called Raoji. There were only 63 villages in this Jagir. People belonging to different groups of society lived there. The Thikanedar tyrannized and exploited the farmers of Bijolia. Illegal taxes like, Lag-bag or forced labour was cruelly imposed and levied from them.
In 1897, for the first time, the farmers lost patience. It was decided that under the leadership of Nanji and Thakari Patel, a group of the farmers should go to Maharana Fatah Singh. The farmers untiring efforts of 6 – 7 months bore fruit and the lag – bag, etc. were abolished. But the Thikanedar still extracted new taxes cunningly and actfully. By 1913, the condition of the peasants had become miserable.
Sadhu Sita Ram Das, Brahmdev, Fatah Karan charan, etc. along with 100 peasants, went to meet Raoji, but Raoji refused to meet them and levied rupees 5 as a new Chanwari tax. In 1914, Amar Singh Ranawat and Dungar Singh Bhati restarted to suppress and exploit the peasants. In 1916, Pathik ji came to Bijoltia and the peasants movement gathered momentum.
Question 10.
What did Guru Govind Giri do to bring public awareness?
Answer:
Guru Govind Singh Giri was the first reformer of the Bhils in the Mewar state of Rajasthan. He established the Samp Sabha and carried out social and religious reforms among the Bhil tribe. In southern Rajasthan, under the leadership of Guru Govind Singh, revolt started in tribal regions. This movement was known as Bhagat movement. He organised the Bhils of Southern Rajasthan, Gujarat and Malwa and joined them.
He did his best to abolish the evils prevailing among them. In 1913, on the hills of Mangarh (Banswara), all the Bhils had gathered together to participate in social, religious and national activities under the leadership of their Guru Govind Singh Giri. The British soldiers ruthlessly fired at them as had been done in Jallianwla Bagh at Amritsar. This cruel and ruthless action of British soldiers created a feeling of unity and nationalism among Bhils.
Question 11.
Who formed the Rajasthan Sewa Sangh? When was it formed?
Answer:
In 1920, Vijay Singh Pathik formed the Rajasthan Sewa Sangh at Ajmer. This orgonisation played a significant role in the peasants movement.
Question 12.
Where was Harijan Sewak Sangh established?
Answer:
In 1935 ,at Dungarpur, Harijan Sewak Sangh was established with the inspiration of Manikyalal Verma.
Question 13.
Where was Vagad Sewa Mandir established?
Answer:
Bhogilal Pandya established Vagad Sewa Mandir at Dungarpur.
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 16 Essay Type Questions
Question 1.
Describe the contribution of Rajasthan in the freedom struggle of 1857.
Answer:
The contribution of Rajasthan in the freedom struggle of 1857 is described under the following points:
1. The revolt of Nasirabad:
On 28th May,1857 the 15th Bengal native infantry and other Indian soldiers revolted for the first time in Rajasthan. Here, the revolting soldiers attacked upon the bungalows of British officers and murdered Major Spotis Wood and Newbury.
2. Revolt at Neemuch:
On 3rd June, 1857 the soldiers at Neemuch cantonment revolted. They put the armoury on fire and attacked the bungalows of British officers and murdered the wife and children of a British sergeant. These rebel soldiers looted English bungalows at Chittorgarh, Hamirgarh and Banera. Then, they left for Delhi via Shahpura.
3. Revolt in Tonk State:
The soldiers at Deoli Cantonment revolted in 1857 and left for Tonk where the people warmly welcomed them against the order of Nawab. Then, the soldiers reached Delhi via Agra.
4. Revolt in Erinpura:
In the month of August, when the news of revolt at Nasirabad, Neemuch and Delhi reached Erinpura cantonment, the soldiers, on 21st August, 1857 revolted and took possession of Erinpura cantonment. Then, they attacked the colony of the British. They raised the slogan challo Delhi Maro Firangi’ and marched towards Delhi.
5. Revolt in Auwa:
Thakur Kushal Singh of Auwa was annoyed with the English rulers and the Maharana of Jodhpur (Takhat Singh). So, Thakur Kushal Singh accepted to lead the soldiers of Erinpura cantonment.
6. Revolt in Kota:
Kota was the only place in Rajasthan where the public revolted though there was no cantonment. In Kota, the public revolted and ran the administration for six months. In Rajasthan, people hoisted the national flag here on Kotwali for the first time.
7. Revolt in Dholpur:
Bhagwant Singh, the ruler of Dholpur, was a supporter of the Britishers. In October 1857, the rebel soldiers from Gwalior and Indore entered Dholpur, and inspired by the patriotism of the revolting soldiers, they also stood beside them and joined the revolution. The revolutionaries ruled upon the state for two months. ‘
8. Revolt in Bharatpur:
The ruler of Bharatpur, Raja Jaswant Singh, was a minor. So, the political agent Maurishan looked after the affairs of the state. Being angry w ith the Britisher’s policy, the Gurjars and the Mewons revolted on 31st May,1857 and joined the revolutionaries. Maurishan fled from Bharatpur to Agra.
9. Revolt at Karauli:
Madan Pal, the ruler of Karauli supported the British rulers. He appealed to his people not to support the revolutionaries. But the people paid no attention to his appeal and supported the revolutionaries.
10. Revolt In Alwar:
Bunne Singh, the Maharaja of Alwar sent his army to Agra in support of the Britishers. But Faizulla Khan the dewan of Alwar had full sympathy with the national feelings of the revolutionaries. The public of Alwar also were with the revolutionaries.
11. Revolt in Bikaner:
Maharaja Sardar Singh of Bikaner was a supporter of the Britishers. He went out of Bikaner with his army to suppress the revolutionaries. He provided protection and safety to the Britishers. He sternly controlled the people who had anti – British feelings.
12. Revolt in Vagad and Mewar:
Maharana Swaroop Singh the ruler of Mewar supported the Britishers in suppressing the revolt. The revolutionaries looted the Contonment at Neemuch and reached Shahpura Thikana of Mewar. The public of the state co-operated with the revolutionaries.
The feudal of Slumber and Kotharia extended full co – operation to the revolutionaries. In conclusive form,it can be said that although the revolt of 1857 did not prove to be successful,yet the anti – British feelings which had sprouted out due to this revolt affected Rajasthan also.The blaze of freedom ignited here also.
Question 2.
Describe the main causes of revolt in Rajasthan.
Answer:
The revolt of 1857 in Rajasthan started from Nasirabad cantonment. Following were the main causes for this:
1. The A.G.G. shifted the 15th Bengal infantry to Ajmer because he suspected their loyalty. This step created a discontentment among the soldiers of the Bengal infantry.
2. After the news of the revolt at Meerut, the English army officers did not reclaim the trustworthy soldiers at the cantonment of Nasirabad for its safety, and it sent them on patrol. The guns were kept ready for use. The preparation sent the message that the Britishers were all ready to suppress the Indian revolution. This awakened a feeling of revolt among soldiers.
3. In Bengal and Delhi, the staunch disguised sadhus publicized the cartridge covered with the fat of cow and pig, and that the use of these cartridges polluted the religion of both the Muslim and the Hindu soldiers. This fanned the flame of revolution into a nationwide revolt and excited more and more people against the Britishers.
The tip of the cartridge to be used in the En – field rifles had to be removed with the teeth before use. This fact infused their religious feelings and the soldiers joined the revolt with an intense feeling of revenge. These were main causes of the revolt in Rajasthan.
Question 3.
Explain in detail the Praja Mandal movement in Rajasthan.
Answer:
The Indian public was tyrannized by the bureaucracy. Besides, the tyranny of the feudal, the jagirdars and the rulers were in no way less than the cruelty of the British rule. The heavy taxes at three levels, the lag-bag and the back – breaking forced labour had made the lives of the peasant class miserable.
When the Congress demanded a responsible government in the states of the kings and the nawabs, the national movement took a new turn. The Congress declared to give the Indian states full help in establishing fully responsible government in their states. So, praja mandals were established to give a responsible administration to the people.
Following were the purposes of establishing Praja Mandals:
- In the administration, public representative should be included.
- Local self government should be fully entrusted to the people.
- In the state, freedom of speech, freedom of making an organization and freedom of writing should be given.
- There should be no ban on holding a satyagraha.
- The imprisoned fighters of freedom and political prisoners should be released without any terms and conditions.
- Freedom should be given to unfurl the national flag and to enchant the national anthem.
The praja mandals established in Rajasthan are as follows:
Marwar Praja Mandal was established in Jodhpur state in 1934. Its purpose was to establish a responsible government under the guardianship of the Maharaja. It was declared illegal, in 1937, and in May 1938, Marwar Public Conncil was established.
The political institutions of Marwar carried out many movements for the establishment of responsible rule in the state in 1932, 1940, 1942 – 44. The chief leader of Marwar Praja Mandal and Marwar Public Council was Jai Narayan Vyas.
In Bikaner, for the first time, Magharam Vaidya established the Praja Madal in 1936. But Maharaja Ganga Singh banished Magharam Vaidya for six years to nip the newly – formed Praja Mandal.
Later, Raghuvar Dayal established the Praja Mandal in 1942. Other important members of Praja Mandal were Kumbha Ram Arya and Deen Dayal Acharya. In Udaipur, Praja Mandal was established in 1938 under the presidentship of Balwant Singh Mehta. Its prime Minister was Manikyalal Verma. In Jaipur state, for the first time, in 1931,Praja Mandal came into existence by the efforts of Kapoor Chand Patni.
Later, in 1937, with the inspiration of Jamnalal Bajaj, it was re – organized. Under the presidentship of Jamna Lai Bajaj, the first annual session of Praja Mandal was held at Jaipur. The state of Jaisalmer was the center of autocratic feudalism. In jail, Sagarmal Gopa was subjected to untold tortures and tyranny (1941 – 46), Meethalala Vyas established Jaisalmer State Praja Mandal at Jodhpur in 1945.
In Alwar, Praja Mandal was established by the joint efforts of Hari Narayan Sharma and Kunj Bihari Lai Modi.
In Bharatpur state, in December 1938, Praja Mandal was established. Its chief leaders were Gopilal Yadav, Thakur Desraj, Master Adityendra and Rajbahadur etc. Bhogilal Pandya established the Praja Mandal in Dungarpur in January, 1944.
In Sirohi State, Gokul Bhai Bhatt established the Praja Mandal in January, 1939. Bundi (1944), Dholpur (1938),Karanli (1939) Praja Mandals were established at these places. The establishment of the Praja Mandal in Rajasthan led to the establishment of responsible integrated government in the state of Rajasthan, merger of the state into one Rajasthan and its ultimate merger in India.
Question 4.
Elaborate the Peasants movement in Rajasthan.
Answer:
Peasants Movement in Rajasthan:
1. Bijolia peasant Movement:
Bijolia was a big jagir of Mewar which was also called uparmal. Over taxation, Lagaan, forced labour and the tyranny of the Jagirdars forced the farmers to start a resentful movement against their oppressors. Sadhu Sitaram Das, Vijay Singh Pathik, Manikyalal Verma, Jamnalal Bajaj and Hari Bhaoo Upadhyaya led the Bijolia peasants’ movement. Tyranny was let loose to suppress this movement.
The houses were looted and inhuman treatment was given to the women. This movement was talked about throughout Rajasthan state through newspapers. Ultimately, the peasants stood unitedly. The success of the movement raised the morale of the peasants and they were inspired to organised themselves against the oppressions. Ranging from 1897 – 1941, it was the longest lasting active movement of the peasants in India.
2. The Peasant movement in Jodhpur:
In Jodhpur, the peasants were oppressed under high rate of land revenue. The surcharge and taxes levied by the Jagirdars, forced labour, social and economic exploitation of the women and children had made life miserable. So,the farmers decided to raise their voice against this oppression and tyranny.
The peasant movement of Jodhpur was led by Marwar Hitkarini Sabha, Marwar Praja Mandal, Marwar Public Council and Marwar Kisan Sabha. The chief leaders of Jodhpur peasant movement were Jai Narayan Vyas, Anand Rai Surana, Bhanwarial Saraf, Baldev Ram Mirza and Narsingh Kachhwah.
3. Peasants Movement in Bundi:
The peasants of Bundi started the movement against the exploitation done by the feudals. Pt. Nainu Ram Sharma led their Satyagraha. The bullet firing by the police and cruel suppressive activities slowed down the Satyagrah. Then, Rajasthan Sewa Sangh led Bundi Peasants’ movement. Some relief was given in Lag-Bag due to this.
4. Peasants’ Movement in Alwar State:
During 1923 – 29, Maharaja Jai Singh increased the land tax on the farmers. On 14th May, 1925, about 800 peasants gathered in Neemuchana village of Tehsil Bansur of Alwar.district The state police ruthlessly fired bullets on this gathering.
In this sad incident, 95 persons were killed and 250 were badly injured. The women were humiliated. Mahatma Gandhi called this incident more cruel and inhuman than Jallianwala Bagh massacre. It was called Double Dyerism. Ultimately, the state government had to bow down to the farmers.
5. Movement in Sikar Shekhawati:
Harlal Singh was the propounder of the peasant movement in Sikar – Shekhawati from 1930 to 1942. The peasant movement was carried on under the leadership of Kisan Panchayat, Pt. Tarkeshwar Sharma, Thakur Desraj, Harlal Singh, Ghasi Ram Chowdhary and Net Ram Singh etc .
6. The Peasants’ Movement in Bikaner State:
In 1932, the Peasant movement started under the leadership of Hanuman Singh. During 1945 – 46, the Zamindars ruthlessly tyrannized the farmers in Dudhwa Khara and Kangda village in Bikaner. The peasnat movement was revolt under the leadership of Magharam Vaidya, Kedarnath, Raghuvar Dayal Goel and Kumbha Ram Arya.
Question 5.
Describe the results of the revolt on the Rajputana.
Answer:
The results of the revolt of 1857 on Rajputana:
1. The Indian states’ rulers were rewarded by the British government after the revolt of 1857, because the rulers of the Rajputana had been helpful to them. Now, a change was seen in British government policy.
2. The ban on adoption of a heir was abolished to please the rulers of the Indian states.
3. The facility for English education to the princes was provided.
4. Now, the states directly came under the control of the British government instead of the East India Company.
5. After revolt the western style was seen in the life of the state rulers and the officers. Now, they began to praise the British way of life and administration. They now felt proud to be in the service of the British empire.
6. The Aristocrats (feudals) had openly opposed the British rule. So, after revolt the British government’s policy was to abolish the existence of (feudalism). They tried to destroy the prestige of the Jagirdars in the eyes of the public. The feudals were compelled to pay their soldiers in cash. Their judicial rights were cut short. Special rights earlier provided to the feudals were also taken back.
7. After revolt of 1857, a network of metalled roads and railways developed rapidly throughout Rajputana. This step made transportation easy and comfortable. Educational facilities were provided to the middle-class people of the society. So, the Britishers created an educated group of persons among Rajputana society. They created a new group of educated and logical minded people,who could be the Britishers.
8. The British government adopted a policy of giving protection and encouragement to the vaishya community (business class) to strengthen the economy of the state of Rajputana. Later,the Vaishya community in Rajputana became more influential.
9. The British government had developed the concept that Indian masses were frightened by tyranny and looting ways of the Mughals and the Marathas and they felt safe and secure under British administration. The revolt of 1857 proved that the concept they cherished was baseless.
It clearly proved that Indians could not bear the yoke of slavery for long. They wanted to live a free and independent life. They were the lovers of freedom for which they could sacrifice anything. They could not tolerate foreign rule. So the struggle for freedom continued in spite of failure of 1857 revolution.
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 16 Objective Type Questions
Question 1.
The beginning of the freedom struggle is considered from:
(a) 10th May 1857
(b) 1sst May 1857
(c) 15th May 1857
(d) 5th May 1857
Answer:
(a) 10th May 1857
Question 2.
On 10th May, Agent to Governor General of Rajasthan was:
(a) George Patrick Lawrence
(b) Lord Mayo
(c) Lord Curzon
(d) Waveu
Answer:
(a) George Patrick Lawrence
Question 3.
The revolt of Nasirabad cantonment in Rajasthan started on:
(a) 28th May 1857
(b) 18th June 1857
(c) 3rd June 1857
(d) 12th June 1857
Answer:
(a) 28th May 1857
Question 4.
‘Chalu Dilli – Maro Firangi’ – who raised this slogan ?
(a) Jodhpur Legion
(b) Thakur Kushal Singh Auwa
(c) Tantia Tope
(d) Maharawal Laxman Singh
Answer:
(a) Jodhpur Legion
Question 5.
Who was the editor of “Rajasthan Kesari” ?
(a) Manikyalal Verma
(b) Haribhau Upadhyaya
(c) Kesari Singh Barahath
(d) Jamnalal Bajaj
Answer:
(a) Manikyalal Verma
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 16 Other important Questions
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 16 Objective Type Questions
Question 1.
Where did the revolution break out on 10th May, 1857?
(a) Ajmer
(b) Lucknow
(c) Meerut
(d) Calcutta
Answer:
(c) Meerut
Question 2.
At the time of the revolt of 1857, the military cantonment in Rajasthan was at:
(a) Neemuch
(b) Deoli
(c) Nasirabad
(d) All these
Answer:
(d) All these
Question 3.
Who was the A.G.G. of Rajasthan at the time of the revolt of 1857?
(a) George Patrick Lawrance
(b) Major Burton
(c) Moe Masow
(d) Holmes
Answer:
(a) George Patrick Lawrance
Question 4.
Where did the revolt of 1857 first break out in Rajasthan ?
(a) Deoli
(b) Erinpura
(c) Kherwara
(d) Nasirabad
Answer:
(d) Nasirabad
Question 5.
In Rajasthan, at Nasirabad cantonment, the revolt broke out on:
(a) 28th May, 1857
(b) 18th June, 1857
(c) 10th May, 1857
(d) None of these
Answer:
(a) 28th May, 1857
Question 6.
At which cantonement in Rajasthan, Major Spotis Wood and Newbury were killed ?
(a) Nasirabad
(b) Erinpura
(c) Beawer
(d) Deoli
Answer:
(a) Nasirabad
Question 7.
The news of the revolution at Nasirabad cantonment reached Neemuch on:
(a) 28th May 1857
(b) 3rd June 1857
(c) 10th May 1857
(d) 1st June 1857
Answer:
(b) 3rd June 1857
Question 8.
In 1835 the British government accused the cavalry of Jodhpur to be inefficient, and organised the Jodhpur legion. Its centre was made at:
(a) Erinpura
(b) Jodhpur
(c) Beawer
(d) Kherwara
Answer:
(a) Erinpura
Question 9.
The rebel soldiers of Erinpura met with whom at Kharwa ?
(a) Tantia Tope
(b) Thakun Kushal Singh
(c) Wazirudaulah
(d) Bhagwant Singh
Answer:
(b) Thakun Kushal Singh
Question 10.
Who led the revolt at Auwa ?
(a) Thakur Kushal Singh
(b) Thakur Ram Dayal
(c) Lala Jai Dayal
(d) Roberts
Answer:
(c) Lala Jai Dayal
Question 11.
Me Mason whose head was hanged at the gate of Auwa fort, by the revolutionaries was the political agent of:
(a) Bharatpur
(b) Jodhpur
(c) Ajmer
(d) Jaipur
Answer:
(b) Jodhpur
Question 12.
Who was the political agent of Kota ?
(a) Major Burton
(b) General Roberts
(c) Moc Mason
(d) Brigadier Holmes
Answer:
(a) Major Burton
Question 13.
To which of the following places did the rebel army belong which was led by Risaldar Meharab Khan and Lala Jai Dayal:
(a) Jaipur
(b) Tonk
(c) Salumbar
(d) Kota
Answer:
(d) Kota
Question 14.
The nawab of which state of Rajasthan was the supporter of the British rulers but the public and the army supported the revolutionaries:
(a) Tonk
(b) Dholpur
(c) Jodhpur
(d) Bikaner
Answer:
(a) Tonk
Question 15.
Name the only ruler in Rajasthan who, in the revolt of 1857, led his army out of Bikaner to suppress the revolutionaries:
(a) Madan Pal
(b) Sardar Singh
(c) Swaroop Singh
(d) Bhagwant Singh
Answer:
(b) Sardar Singh
Question 16.
Who led the tribal revolutionaries in Rajasthan during the revolt of 1857 ?
(a) Govind Guru
(b) Arjunlal Sethi
(c) Harideo Joshi
(d) Manikyalal Verma
Answer:
(a) Govind Guru
Question 17.
The main founder of revolutionary nationalism was :
(a) Arjunlal Sethi
(b) Damodar Savarkar
(c) Bipin Chandra Pal
(d) Damodar Das
Answer:
(b) Damodar Savarkar
Question 18.
The revolutionary group under the leadership of Arjun Lai Sethi was stationed at:
(a) Kota
(b) Beawer
(c) Ajmer
(d) Jaipur
Answer:
(d) Jaipur
Question 19.
Under whose leadership the revolutionary group was active at Kota?
(a) Damodar das Rathi
(b) Sachindra Nath Sanyal
(c) Kesari Singh Barahat
(d) None of these
Answer:
(c) Kesari Singh Barahat
Question 20.
The main revolutionary of Rajasthan was:
(a) ArjunLal Selhi
(b) Kesari Singh Barahat
(c) Rao Gopal Singh
(d) All these
Answer:
(c) Rao Gopal Singh
Question 21.
ArjunLal Sethi established the Vardhman Vidyalaya:
(a) Jaipur
(b) Bharatpur
(c) Indore
(d) Shahpura
Answer:
(a) Jaipur
Question 22.
Who was exiled to Kala Pani for Neemage murder case?
(a) Vishnu Gupta
(b) Vishnu Dutt
(c) Ariunlal Sethi
(d) Kesari Singh
Answer:
(b) Vishnu Dutt
Question 23.
Which revolutionary dedicated his entire life for religious harmony and communal unity ?
(a) Jorawar Singh Barahat
(b) Vijay Singh Pathik
(c) ArjunLal Sethi
(d) Moti chand
Answer:
(c) ArjunLal Sethi
Question 24.
Which of the following revolutionaries was very much influenced by the message of love towards religion, culture, language and Swadeshi, propagated by Dayanand Saraswati ?
(a) Thakur Kesari Singh Barahat
(b) Arjunlal Sethi
(c) Jorawar Singh Barahat
(d) Ram Narayan Choudhary
Answer:
(a) Thakur Kesari Singh Barahat
Question 25.
Maharana Fateh Singh of Udaipur did not participate the Delhi Court. Under whose inspiration did he do so ?
(a) Jorawar Singh Barahat
(b) Kesari Singh Barahat
(c) Dralapsuge Barahat
(d) Rao Gopal Singh
Answer:
(b) Kesari Singh Barahat
Question 26.
On December 23, 1912, while Lord Hardinge was being carried in a procession for his entry into Delhi as the Viceroy of India, a bomb was thrown on him. Which of the following revolutionaries is associated with this incident ?
(a) Jorawar Singh Barahat
(b) Arjunlal Sethi
(c) Ram Narayan Choudhary
(d) None of these
Answer:
(a) Jorawar Singh Barahat
Question 27.
In the solitary confinement of Bareilly jail, which revolutionary sacrificed as a martyr while bearing the torture done by the English officials ?
(a) Ramnarayan Chowardhry
(b) Vijay Singh Pathik
(c) Pratap Singh Barahat
(d) Rao Gopal Singh
Answer:
(c) Pratap Singh Barahat
Question 28.
Which revolutionary of Rajasthan planned an armed revolution in northern India along with Rash Behari Bose and Sachindra Nath Sanyal ?
(a) Rao Gopal Singh
(b) Vijay Singh Pathik
(c) Manikyalal Verma
(d) Pratap Singh Barahat
Answer:
(a) Rao Gopal Singh
Question 29.
The leader of Bijolia peasant’s movement was:
(a) Pratap Singh Barahat
(b) Ramnarayan Chowdhary
(c) Vijay Singh Pathik
(d) All of the above
Answer:
(c) Vijay Singh Pathik
Question 30.
Who played an important role in the revolutionary movement by extending financial help to the revolutionaries ?
(a) Domodardas Rathi
(b) Vijay Singh Pathik
(c) Arjunlal Sethi
(d) None of these
Answer:
(a) Domodardas Rathi
Question 31.
Who first started the work of establishing political organisation in Bikaner?
(a) Raghuvar Dayal Goyal
(b) Manikyalal Verma
(c) Magharam Vaidya
(d) Bhurelal Baya
Answer:
(c) Magharam Vaidya
Question 32.
In which city of Rajasthan the session of All India States Princely Estates Council’s meeting was held under the presidentship of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru?
(a) Udaipur
(b) Jodhpur
(c) Jaipur
(d) Bikaner
Answer:
(a) Udaipur
Question 33.
The president of Udaipur Praja Mandal was:
(a) Manikyalal Verma
(b) Balwant Singh Mehta
(c) Raghuvar Dayal Goyal
(d) Gopilal Yadav
Answer:
(b) Balwant Singh Mehta
Question 34.
Who founded the Praja Mandal in Jaipur?
(a) Kapoor Chand Patni
(b) Seth Jamnalal Bajaj
(c) Pt. Harinarayan Sharma
(d) Kunibihari Lat Modi
Answer:
(a) Kapoor Chand Patni
Question 35.
The revolutionary of Jaisalmer who was burnt to death in the jail was:
(a) Meethalal Vyas
(b) Sagarmal Gopa
(c) Radhasworoop
(d) Gaurishankar
Answer:
(b) Sagarmal Gopa
Question 36.
Who is accredited for the rise,development and transcendence of public awakening in Kota ?
(a) Pt. Nainuram Sharma
(b) Bhogilal Pandya
(c) Bhupendernath Trivedi
(d) Pt. Abhinn Hari
Answer:
(a) Pt. Nainuram Sharma
Question 37.
The President of Bharatpur Praja Mandal was:
(a) Gopilal Yadav
(b) Master Adityendra
(c) Kishanlal Joshi
(d) Thakur Desraj
Answer:
(a) Gopilal Yadav
Question 38.
The barbaric treatment done to the farmers by the government of which place was commented by Mahatma Gandhi as the repetition of Dyer’s Barbarism:
(a) Sikar
(b) Neemuchana
(c) Bijolia
(d) Jodhpur
Answer:
(b) Neemuchana
Question 39.
Who was the leader of peasants’ movement in Bikaner:
(a) Hanumansingh Arya
(b) Motilal Tejawat
(c) Lakshminarayan
(d) Govind Guru
Answer:
(a) Hanumansingh Arya
Question 40.
Who organized the Bhils after Govind Guru?
(a) Gokulbhai Bhatt
(b) Hanuman Singh
(c) Motilal Tejawat
(d) All of the above
Answer:
(c) Motilal Tejawat
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 16 Very Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Name the cantonments in Rajasthan at the time of the revolt of 1857.
Answer:
There were six cantonmnets in Rajasthan ar the time of revolt of 1857.
(1) Nasirabad
(2) Neemuch
(3) Deoli
(4) Beawer
(5) Erinpura
(6) Kherwara.
Question 2.
From where did the revolt of 1857 start in Rajasthan ?
Answer:
From Nasirabad.
Question 3.
When did the revolt of 1857 start in Nasirabad ?
Answer:
28th May, 1857
Question 4.
The soldiers of which cantonment gave the slogen “Challo Delhi, Maro Firangi” ?
Answer:
The soldiers of Frinpusa cantonment.
Question 5.
When and where did the army of Thakur Kushal Singh defeat the army of King of Jodhpur ?
Answer:
On 8th Sept. 1857, at a place called Bithora.
Question 6.
Name the family deity of Auwa ?
Answer:
Sugali Mata.
Question 7.
The public of which principality of Rajasthan had a great resentment against the British rulers ?
Answer:
The public of Kota Principality.
Question 8.
Who led the rebellious army of Kota ?
Answer:
Risaldar Mehrab Khan and Lala Jai Dayal.
Question 9.
Which ruler of Alwar, during the revolt of 1857, sent his army to Agra to support the Britishers ?
Answer:
Maharaja Bunne Singh.
Question 10.
What was the symbol of revolt of 1857 against the British Government ?
Answer:
Lotus and loaf.
Question 11.
What was the name of the movement conducted by Govind Guru in the tribal areas of southern Rajasthan ?
Answer:
It was known by the name of Bhagat movement.
Question 12.
Who started the revolutionary movement in the tribal areas ?
Answer:
Govind Guru.
Question 13.
In which form was the martial nationalism expressed in Rajasthan ?
Answer:
In the form of revolutionary activities in Rajasthan.
Question 14.
Which were the three revolutionary groups in Rajasthan during the 20th century ?
Answer:
- In Jaipur, the group under the leadership of Arjunlal Selhi.
- In Kota, the group led by Kesari Singh Barahat.
- In Ajmer, the group led by Ramgopal Singh Kharwa and Damodardas Rathi of Beawer.
Question 15.
What was the idea of Arjun Lai?
Answer:
Arjun Lai Selhi believed that the root cause of political and economic plight of India was the colonial rule of the British.
Question 16.
When and where was the famous revolutionary Kesari Singh Barahat born ?
Answer:
He was born on 21th November, 1872 in the village Deopura of Shahpura state.
Question 17.
How can you say that Kesari Singh Barahat had an anti – British mentality ?
Answer:
Thakur Kesari Singh Barahat had written a phrase chetawani – ra – chungtaya to Maharana Fateh Singh and thus forbade him from attending Delhi Court organized by the then Viceroy Lord Curzon in February, 1903.
Question 18.
Name any four revolutionaries included in the revolutionary group of Thakur Kesari Singh.
Answer:
- Ramkaran.
- Hiralal Jalori.
- Dr. Guru Dutt.
- Somdutt lahiri.
Question 19.
Which revolutionary threw the bomb at Lord Hardinge ?
Answer:
Jorawar Singh Barahat.
Question 20.
Which revolutionary from Rajasthan was sentenced to imprisonment for five years in connection with Banaras conspiracy ?
Answer:
Pratap Singh Barahat.
Question 21.
Which revolutionary from Rajasthan abandoned the path of revolution and adopted the Gandhian way ?
Answer:
Ramnarayan Chowdhary.
Question 22.
Who provided the arms and weapons to the revolutionaries of Rajasthan ?
Answer:
Rao Gopal Singh.
Questionc 23.
When Rash Behari Bose and Sachindra Nath Sanyal planned an armed revolution in northern India, to whom who was given the responsibilily of attacking Ajmer ?
Answer:
Rao Gopal Singh of Kharwa village (Marwar).
Question 24.
In which fort Rao Gopal Singh and Bhoop Singh were imprisoned ?
Answer:
Hogarth (Ajmer) Fort.
Question 25.
Whom did Rash Behari Bose send to Ajmer to prepare the background of revolt in Rajasthan and to collect arms ?
Answer:
Rao Gopal Singh.
Question 26.
On whose invitation Vijay Singh Pathik accepted to lead the Bijolia Peasant movement ?
Answer:
On the invitation of Sitaram Das.
Question 27.
How did the Bijolia Peasant movement become popular throughout the country ?
Answer:
Ganesh Shanker Vidyarthi published the news of Bijolia Peasant movement in his paper. So the movement became popular countrywide.
Question 28.
Which revolutionary of Rajasthan let the revolutionaries Shyamji Krishana Verma and Aurobindo Ghosh stay with him and expressed his Patriotism and tendency to oppose the Britishers?
Answer:
Seth Damodardas Rathi.
Question 29.
Describe two reasons why the reolutionary movement started in Rajasthan ?
Answer:
- The revolutionaries were already associated with the original stream of revolution
- The suppressive policy of the British government excited the youth of Rajasthan to adopt the revolutionary path.
Question 30.
What was the ideological basis of the revolutionary movement?
Answer:
The ideological basis of the revolutionary movement was aggressive nationalism. The use of the bullets and the bomb was the duty of the revolutionaries.
Question 31.
Write down two contributions of the revolutionary movement.
Answer:
- The revolutionaries’ regards for motherland and the concept of staunch nationalism went on inspiring the Indians during national freedom movement.
- The nationalistic feelings inherent in the revolutionary movement prepared a background for peasant so movement and Praja Mandal movements.
Question 32.
Mention any two contributions of Vijay Singh Pathik.
Answer:
- He awakened the peasants of Rajasthan and activated the feeling of local patriotism.
- He uprooted feudalism from the soil of Rajasthan.
Question 33.
Whom did Ramnarayan Chaudhary call ‘Another Gandhi of woeful Rajasthan’ ?
Answer:
Vijay Singh Pathik.
Question 34.
Who prepared the background of struggle for political awakening and the establishment of a responsible government in Rajasthan ?
Answer:
The peasants’ movements and the Praja Mandal movements prepared the Background for the political awareness and the public movement.
Question 35.
Where and when was All Princely States Public Council established?
Answer:
In December, 1927, at Mumbai.
Question 36.
Why was the Indian Princely States Public Council established ?
Answer:
This Council was established to maintain coordination among various institutions of the states and the movements conducted by them and to give them political direction and instructions.
Question 37.
What was the chief purpose for establishing Indian princely States public council ?
Answer:
The chief purpose for establishing the Council was to establish a responsible government in princely states through peaceful and constitutional means as they were an integral part of India.
Question 38.
Name any four Major leaders of Marwar Public Council.
Answer:
- Jai Narayan Vyas
- Abhaymal Jain
- Chhagan Raj Chopsasni
- Ranchhod Das Guttani.
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 16 Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Why was Arjun Lai Sethi arrested ?
Answer:
On March 20, 1913, Master Vishnu Dutt along with his student Moti Chand, Jai Chand, Manak Chand and Jorawar Singh, committed daoity in the Jain Sub – Centre at village Neemage of district Ara (Bihar). They wanted money for fulfilling the needs of the revolutionaries. In this dacoity, the monk of the Jain Sub – Centre was killed. Arjunlal Selhi was arrested on the charge that he had a hand in the conspiracy of the dacoity.
Question 2.
Which two revolutionary activities Jorawar Singh Barahat is associated with ?
Answer:
Jorawar Singh is associoted with the following revolutionary incidents:
- Neemage Murder case (Bihar) due to which he went underground.
- He is charged with throwing a bomb on Viceroy Lord Hardinge on 20th December, 1912, as the viceroy was entering Delhi in a procession. After this incident, Jorawar Singh spent almost 27 years living underground.
Question 3.
Which date Rash Behari Bose had decided for the country-wide revolt including Rajasthan ?
Answer:
Rash Behari Bose was a great revolutionary. He, along with Sachindra Sanyal, had planned an armed revolt in India. In December 1914, a meeting of all the heads of all the revolutionary parties was held and was decided that, on 21st February 1915, an armed revolt would be started throughout the country.
Question 4.
When were the Praja Mandals established at Jodhpur, Jaipur, Kota, Bharatpur, Alwar and Jaisalmer respectively ?
Answer:
The Praja Mandal movements played an important role in the establishment of Responsible government in rajasthan,merger of the Princely States in India and in the direction of unifiacion of Rajasthan, The establishment of Praja Mandals in the states of Jodhpur, Jaipur, Kota, Bharatpur, Alwar and Jaisalmer took place in 1934, 1931, 1939, 1938 and 1945 respectively.
Question 5.
Which leaders and from which places were connected with Me war Peasant movement.
Answer:
The leaders of Mewar, namely, Sadhu Sita Ram Das, Vijay Singh Pathik, Prem Chand Bhil, Ganpati Mathur, Manikyalal Verma, Hari Bhau Upadhyaya and Jamnalal Bajaj, etc. were connected with Mewar Peasant movement.
Question 6.
Write a note on the personality and works of Vijay Singh Pathik.
Answer:
The actual name of Vijay Singh Pathik was Bhoop Singh. He was born on24th March 1882 in the village Guthawali (Bulandshahar Uttar Pradesh). He, first of all, came in contact with Sachindra Sanyal who was a well-known revolutionary leader and thus his methodology of life became revolutionary forever.
Rash Behari Bose sent Bhoop Singh to Ajmer to collect the arms and to prepare a revolutionary background in Rajasthan. There, he was arrested and was imprisoned in Todgarh Fort. In March 2015, Bhoop Singh escaped from the Fort. He reached Bijolia, from there on, he was known as Vijay Singh Pathik.
On the invitation of Sadhu Sita Ram Das, he accepted to lead the Bijolia peasants movement. He led the Begun peasants’ movement (1921 – 25). In 1920, he worked as the editor for Rajasthan Kesari. In 1922, he published from Ajmer, Naveen Rajasthan, and later on, the name of the newspaper was changed to Tarun Rajasthan.
In 1930, he published from Agra, Nava Sandesh. His famous book is “What are Indian States?” After independence, he established Rajasthan Sewa Ashram,Vijay Singh Pathik is known as the father of Indian peasant movements including that of Rajasthan. He passed away on 28 May,1954.
Question 7.
What were the main reasons of Peasants’ movement in Rajasthan ?
Answer:
Following were the main reasons of the peasant movement in Rajasthan:
(1) The farmers were charged unfair land taxes and the Lag – Bag tax by the Jagirdars:
The state rulers and the Jagirdars levied heavy taxes on the farmers besides the traditional lag – bag which included the forced / labour.
2. Taxes other than ‘Lag – Bag’:
Apart from lag-bagh,other taxes which were forcefully collected by the jagirdar from the farmers and given to the ruler were – Rekh (annual tax of total revenue of the Jagir),Talwar – Bandhai (Succession tax), Chakri (annual amount paid to the ruler in exchange of military services provided and Nazrana (gift amount)
3. Social and economic exploitation of the farmers:
The feudal system of various principalities of Rajasthan exploited the farmers in various ways. They were continuously exploited in social and economic terms, due to which the farmers were distressed.
4. Inhuman behaviour of the Jagirdars:
If the peasants showed their inability to do forced labour on some reasonable ground, they were mercilessly beaten. If they could not pay the levies imposed on them, they were disowned from their lands. All above reasons inspired farmers to conduct movements in Rajasthan.
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 16 Essay Type Questions
Question 1.
Describe the revolutionary movement in Rajasthan in detail.
Answer:
Revolutionary movement in Rajasthan:
1. The background of the revolutionary movement in Rajasthan:
Rajasthan also inherited anti – British ideology of failure of 1857 revolution against British rule in India in inheritence. The nationwide opposition of partition of Bengal in 1905, the idea of aggressive nationalism propounded by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal and Lala Lajpat Rai, Veer Savarkar’s concept of nationalism and the influence of Rash Behari Bose and Sachindra Nath Sanyal, all combined together to create the background of revolutionary movement in Rajasthan.
2. The heroes of the Revolt:
In Rajasthan, the expression of martial nationalism emerged in the form of revolutionary activities At that time, there were three groups of revolutionaries in Rajasthan:
(1) The leader of Jaipur group was Arjunlal Sethi. He established Vardhman Vidyalaya at Jaipur for training the revolutionaries. Later, he shifted it to Indore. Pratap Singh Barahat the son of Thakur Kesari Singh and his son – in – law Ishwar Das were the students of the college owned by Ashia Sethi.
For the charge of forming the conspiracy of Neemage murder case (20th March,1913) he was made a prisoner. After the imprisonment of seven and half years, he was released. He is regarded as one of the most important national leaders of Rajasthan.
(2) Under the leadership of Thakur Kesari Singh Barahat,the revolutionary group of Kota was active. He favoured cultural nationalism. The phrase Chetavani – ra – chungataya written by him influenced Maharana Udai Singh and he did not participate in Delhi Court hold in 1903.On the charage of murder of a rich merhant pyarelal of Jodhpur in Kota, he was awarded punishment of imprisonment for 20 years His Jagir in Shahpura (Deopura) was confiscated.
In 1919, he was released from jail. His entire family underwent severe torture and sufferings for the sake of freedom of the country. His brother Jorawar Singh played a uniqe role in revolutionary movement. His name is associated with Neemage murder case, 1913 and throwing bomb on Lord Hardinge (23thDecember, 1912).
He lived underground for 27 years. He died while living undergound in 1939. Thakur Kesari Singh’s son Pratap Singh was taken as a prisoner in Varanasi conspiracy. He was sentenced to five years imprisonment. He breathed his last while facing inhuman tortures in Bareilly Jail.
3. The planning for an armed revolution:
The revolutionary leader Rash Behari Bose had sent Bhoop Singh (later known by the name of Vijay Singh Pathik) to Rajasthan for collecting, making and repairing arms for revolution. The date fixed for armed revolution was 21th February, 1915. On that date. Gopal Singh Kharwa and Bhoop Singh, along with their hundreds of fellow revolutionaries, had been waiting in the jungle near Kharwa for signal of start of the revolt.
But. on 19th February, the secret of the mission was out and all the revolutionaries were taken prisoners. Bhoop Singh and Rao Gopal Singh Kharva were kept prisoners in todgarh fort. After some days, Bhoop Singh escaped from the fort and the leadership of Bijolia Peasant movemant was entrusted to him under the name of Vijay Singh Pathik. Rao Gopal Singh also escaped from Todgarh fort. He was arrested in August. 1915 and his Jagir in Kharwa village was confiscated. In 1920, he was released.
Evaluation:
The revolutionary movement kept alive the public feelings of opposing the British power. During the time of national movement, the Indians went on receiving inspiration of getting rid of the British slavery.
Question 2.
Evaluate the revolutionary movement in Rajasthan.
Answer:
Evaluation of revolutionary movement in Rajasthan:
Rajasthan played an important role in the revolutionary movement against the British rule. The evaluation of the revolutionary movement can be presented under the following points:
1. Activities connected with the mainstream of the national revolutionary movement:
The revolutionaries of Rajasthan were always in contact with the main stream of nationalism in India along with the national leaders of the main movement – Master Amir Chand, Rash Behari Bose and Sachindra Nath Sanyal.
2. Successful in keeping alive the anti – British rule feelings amongst Indian public:
The sphere of the revolutionary movement was limited.However,the revolutionaries filled every Indian mind with anti – British feelings.
3. A clear expression of nationalism:
Traditionally, the credit of throwing bomb at Lord Harding at Delhi in 1917 goes to Rash Behari Bose. But recent researches have revealed that it was Jorawar Singh Barahat who threw’ the bomb at Lord Harding, the then Viceroy of India.
4. Emotional nationalism:
Emotional nationalism was the basic ideology of revolutionary movement. The use of bomb and bullet was a pious duty of the revolutionaries.
5. Regards for motherland and emotional nationalism a source of inspiration for the revolutionaries:
The feelings of anti – British rule, the dedication to Indian nationalism, the forbearance of the hellish tortures of solitary confinement, and the banishment to cellular Jail (Andaman islands) are solid proofs of the ideal the revolutionaries cherished “Mother your glory must sustain, we may live or we may not.” The patriotism and nationalism of the revolutionaries went continued to provide inspiration to the different phases of national movement.
6. Want of well – organized planning at the central level:
The revolutionaries of Rajasthan had no integrated and well – organised planning and no nodal leadership to channel out their inherent feelings of patriotism and nationalism.
7. To prepare the background for peasants’ movements and:
The latent feelings of nationalism in revolutionary movement prepared a strong background for the peasant movements and the Praja mandal. Ram Narayan Chowdhary, the revolutionary and Gandhian leader, has written in his book, ‘Beesveen Sadi ka Rajasthan” (Rajasthan of the Twentieth Century) about the following worthy sons of Rajasthan:
Shri Vijay Singh Pathik:
He was the foremost leader of rural community of Rajasthan. He awakened the farmers of Rajasthan. He revived patriotism in the local public. He thought the youth to serve the society all their life. He uprooted feudalism from Rajasthan. He was another Gandhi for the woeful Rajasthan.
Pandit Arjunlal Sethi:
He was an inspire of nationality in Rajasthan. He sowed the seeds of freedom in the youth of his province. He watered it with his renunciation and dedication. He was the first person to face feudalism and capitalism in Rajasthan. He was the lokmany Tilak of Rajasthan.
Thakur Kesari Singh Barahat:
The example of renunciation which the Thagur and his family presented is unique in Rajasthan, it is perhaps impossible to find another such example all over India. He was ‘Yogi Arvind’ of Rajasthan. His eidesh son, Pratap Singh Barahat was a leader of revolutions group. As the name, is the virtue. People called him an incarnation of Maharana Pratap.
Tribal Movement in Rajasthan:
Govind Guru established the samp Sabha to create awareness among the tribes of Bhils and Garasiya against the tyranny of the Jagirdars and the British rulers. These tribes had been living in the hilly areas of Dungarpur, Banswara, southern Mewar, Sirohi, Ider, Gujarat, etc. Govind Guru did a lot to reform the society. After him, Motilal Tejawat awakened these tribes against lag – bag. He started Eki movement among the Bhils. In the state of Sirohi, the leadership of the bhils was in the hand of Motilal Tejawat, and later Gokul Bhai Bhatt became their leader.
Due to his efforts, in July 1941, forced labour was abolished in Sirohi in a meeting at Sawai Madhopur, it was resolved to start – state wide movement to lift the ban imposed on the Meena community. Due to the efforts of the Meena kshetriya Sabha and the Meena Sudhar Samiti, various states of Rajasthan cancelled the prevalent criminal law. To conclude, the Jagirdars and the British rulers showered misery upon the peasants of Rajasthan.
Consequently, the peasant movements gave birth to political leadership in Rajasthan. Praja Mandals were established and Praja Mandal movements were conducted to establish responsible government in Rajasthan. Besides all these achievements the peasants’ movements drew the attention of the Congress to the problems of the kings and the nawabs of Indian states and stressed on the social, economic and political reforms of the state.
Question 3.
Throw light on the role played by the prominent revolutionaries of Rajasthan in the revolutionary movement.
Answer:
Role of the prominent revolutionaries in revolutionary movement in Rajasthan is presented under the following points:
(i) The feeleing of Martial nationalism was expressed through revolutionary activities in Rajasthan. At that time, under the leadership of Rash Behari Bose, a revolutionary agency named Abhinav Bharat was in touch with various revolutionary groups of Rajasthan. At that time, there were three revolutionary groups in different parts of Rajasthan –
- A political party in Jaipur under the leadership of Arjunlal Sethi
- Another political party in Kota under the leadership of Kesari Singh Barahat.
- Yet another political party in Ajmer under the leadership of Rao Gopal Singh Kharwa and Demodar Das Rathi of Beawer.
Following were the prominent revolutionaries of Rajasthan:
1. Arjunlal Sethi:
The original resident of Jaipur, Arjunlal Sethi (1880 – 1841) was of the view that the plight of India in context to economy and politics was due to the imperialism of the Britishers. The Britishers can be forced to quit India through armed revolutions He established Vardhaman Vidyalava at Jaipur to train the revolutionaries, in the year 1907. Later, he left revolutionary politics and dedicated rest of his life for communal unity and harmony. He passed away on 23th December, 1941.
2. Thakur Kesari Singh Barahat:
Revolutionary Thakur Kesari Singh was born in Bhilwara on 21st November, 1872. Thakur Kesari Singh’s anti – British attitude can be inferred from the fact that he forbade Maharana Fateh Singh of Mewar from attending the Court organised at Delhi by lord Curzon in February, 1903 writing thirteen phrases in Dingal language,known as ‘chetawani – ra chungataya’ Thakur Kesari Singh had close relationship with top revolutionary politicians like Rash Behari. Bose, Master Amirchand, Lala Har Dayal, Shyamji Krishna Verma, Arjunlal Sethi, Rao Gopal Singh Kharva etc.
3. Joravar Singh Barahat:
He was the younger brother of Thakur Kesari Singh. On 23th December, 1912, he threw a bomb on Viceroy Lord Hardinge. He was badly wounded and the mahaut of his elephant was killed. The British government announced many rewards for his arrest but he could not be arrested. He remained underground for 27 years and went on striving for the freedom of the country.
4. Pratap Singh Barahat:
He was the son of Thakur Kesari Singh Barahat and had fearless courage. He was sentenced for five years imprisonment in connection with Varanasi conspiracy case (1915). He was kept in solitary confinement. He breathed his last on 24th May, 1918, while undergoing tortures in solitary celluler call at Bareilly jail. To escape the public rage, the jail authorities buried his corpse in a pit in the jail campus itself.
5. Rao Gopal Singh was a jagirdar gifted with patriotism and revolationary thinking:
He was associated with a secret military organisation,named “Veer Bharat Sanstha” His main function was to arrange arms for the revolutionaies. Later, Gopal Singh Kharwa was arrested. When he got an opportunity, he escaped from the prison. But he could not remain free for long. He was again imprisoned. He was released in 1920.
6. Vijay Singh Pathik:
His actual name was Bhoop Singh. To execute the armed revolution of 1915, Rash Behari Bose hal sent him to Ajmer to help Gopal Singh Kharwa and Damodar Rathi in Rajasthan, Unfortunately, the secret was out and he was imprisoned in Todgarh fort. He led the Bijolia Peasant movement. In 1930, he started publishing the newspaper Nava Sandesh from Agra. After independence of the country Pathik ji settled in Ajmer. On 28th May 1954, he breathed his last.
7. Other revolutionaries:
Other revolutionaries who brought in public awareness for freedom included Damodardas Rathi, Jamnalal Bajaj, Jai Narayan Vyas, Ram Narayan Choudhary, Manikyalal Verma, Bhogilal Pandya, Gokul Bhai Bhatt, Sagarmal Gopa, Hiralal Shastri and Motilal Tejawat, etc.
Question 4.
Describe Bijolia peasant movement.
Answer:
Bijolia Peasant Movement:
In India, the first non – violent struggle against the tyranny of feudalism started in an organized way in the Thikana of Bijolia in the state of Mewar. Bijolia Peasant Movement began on the following grounds:
1. Over land revenue (rent revenue)
2. The increasing number of palatial havelis and buildings for the kings and nawabs families, their decoration and luxuries resulted into the introduction of new taxes and the increase in the old taxes. In addition to these taxes, forced labour imposed on the formers,women and children was both inhuman and back – breaking. There was extreme scarcity of the sources of income. The jasirdars also had levied other taxes besides the taxes levied by the kings and the nawabs.
3. The jasirdars ill – treated the peasants. They snatched the land of the peasants, and beat them mercilessly.
1. The first phase of Bijolia Peasant Movement (1897 – 1916):
Sadhu Sitaram Das led the first phase of the Bijolia Peasant Movement. In 1903, Rao Krishan Singh levied a new tax on the peasants called chanwari tax which was extracted % Rs 5% per family on the occasion of marriage of the daughter of the family.
As a reaction to this new tax, the peasants rented their lands to others and left Bijolia and proceeded into the bordering area of Gwalior. In 1913, Rao Prithvi Singh imposed the tax called Talwar Bandhai on his people. The peasants under the leadership of Sadhu Sitaram Das opposed the Rao of the Thikana. But, the movement failed for want of strong organisation and effective leadership.
2. The second phase of Bijolia Peasants Movement (1916 – 29):
The second phase of Bijolia peasant movement started under the leadership of the revolutionary Pathikji. On his advice, the peasants refused to pay grant for the World War I and the lag – bag imposed by the Jagirdar. The nationalist newspaper Pratap from Kanpur and Maratha by Bal Gangadhar Tilak published their write – ups in favour of the peasants.
The Thikana masters continued their suppressive policy and began to extract the lag-bag forcibly. Pathik ji, Manikyalal Verma, Sadhu Sitaram Das, Ganpati Mathur and Prem Chandi Bhil were accused as traitiors and were taken prisioners. Pathikji, being underground, could not be arrested. Maharana of Mewar appointed two commissions, in April, 1919, and in February, 1920, but the grievances of the peasants could not be redressed.
The peasants of upermal left their lands uncultivated and left the Bijolia Thikana. They went to other neigbouring places to cultivate the lands. At that time, Pathik ji was directing the peasant movement from Badhana (Gwalior state). With the mediatorship of the A.G.G. Sir Roberts Holland (1922), an honourable compromise was reached between the Thikana and the peasants. This was a grand victory of Bijolia peasant movement. The law suits against the farmers were taken back.
3. The third phase of Bijolia Peasant’ Movements:
The leadership of third phase of the movement, on the request of Manikya Lai Verma, was entrusted to Jamnalal Bajaj and Hari Bhau Upadhyay. The purpose of the movement was to get back the surrendred revenue land ultimatetly after the peasant satyagrah in 1931.
Seth Jamnalal Bajaj and the prime minister of Mewar Vijay Raghavacharya succeeded in getting back the revenue lands for the old farmers. Thus, after a long struggle (1879 – 1940), in 1941, the Bijolia peasant movement came to a successful end. With the passage of time, this movement had a far-reaching effect. Consequently, at other places also, the farmers got their grievances settled through various movements.
Question 5.
Analyze the importance of Praja Mandal and Peasant movements.
Answer:
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 15th August, 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.