Rajasthan: 1857 and the freedom movement

Rajasthan's freedom struggle includes the 1857 fight of Tantya Tope near Rajsamand, the sacrifice of Bhils at Mangarh under Govind Guru, and the slow growth of representative bodies in the princely states of Rajputana. The twenty-two princely states were unified in five phases.

The 1857 Event in Rajsamand

The Rakamgarh Fort, located about 10 kilometres south-east of Rajsamand, is associated with the year 1857.

• It is described as the silent evidence of the fight for freedom fought between Tantya Tope and the British troops in 1857.
• The fight took place in the fields of Rakamgarh.
• Tantya Tope is said to have stayed in the Rakamgarh Fort for a short duration.
• He was given all types of help by the then ruler of Kotharia and the Tilkayat of Shrinathji.

Bhil Sacrifice in Banswara

Govind Guru was a popular saint of the Bhils who made the Mangarh hill a centre of faith.

• He awakened the Bhil community and filled them with a sense of patriotism.
• The Bhils were inspired and sacrificed their lives for freedom.
• 1500 Gurubhakt Bhils sacrificed their lives while fighting against the British army.
• This event is known as the Jallianwala Bagh of Rajasthan.
• An important fair is held on margshissha Purnima where the tribals of Rajasthan, M.P., and Gujarat gather to pay tribute to Govind Guru, the founder of the Samp Sabha.

Forts and British Rule

Several forts in Rajasthan have histories involving interactions with the British.

• Lohagarh Fort in Bharatpur withstood many attacks by the British.
• The fort is surrounded by a moat which used to be filled with water to keep enemies out.
• Raja Suraj Mal built Jawahar Bhurj and Fateh Bhurj to commemorate victories over the Mughals and the British.
• Ajmer was handed over to the British, making it the only region in Rajputana directly controlled by the British East India Company.
• Modern Tonk was founded by Nawab Ameer Khan after a treaty with the British in 1818.

Political Awakening and Legislative Bodies

Even under princely rule, several states set up representative bodies.

• Bikaner: Maharaja Ganga Singh made a gift of the House of Representatives to the people of Bikaner State in 1913. Changes made in 1937 and implemented in 1942 raised its strength to 51, with 26 elected and 25 nominated members.
• Jaipur: A Vidhan Samiti was created in 1923; Maharaja Mansingh constituted a Central Advisory Board in 1939. The Jaipur Government Act, 1944, provided for a House of Representatives consisting of 120 elected members and 5 nominated non-official members.
• Udaipur: A Reforms Committee headed by Shri Gopal Singh was constituted in May, 1946. It recommended a Constituent Assembly of 50 members. The Maharana agreed to set up an Executive Council in October, 1946.
• Banswara: The Maharaja formed a "Rajya Parishad" on 3 February, 1939 with 32 nominated members. The State Constitution Act, 1946, led to a Vidhan Sabha with 32 elected members. The Praja Mandal of Banswara got the majority in the September, 1947 elections.
• Bundi: Maharaja Ishwar Singh set up the 'Dhara Sabha' on 18 October, 1943. It consisted of 23 members, with 12 elected and 11 nominated.

Merger of Princely States

The princely states were declared annexed to the Union of India on 15 August, 1947, and the merger took place in five phases.

• Matsya Union: Formed by Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, and Karauli; inaugurated on 17th March, 1948.
• Union of Rajasthan: Banswara, Bundi, Dungarpur, Jhalawar, Kishangarh, Pratapgarh, Shahapura, Tonk and Kota; inaugurated on 25 March, 1948, with Kota as capital.
• Three days later the Maharana of Udaipur decided to join; the enlarged Union was inaugurated by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru on 18 April, 1948.
• Greater Rajasthan: Formed by the merger of Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jaipur, and Jodhpur with the Union of Rajasthan; inaugurated on 30 March, 1949 by Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel.
• Final Merger: The Matsya Union was merged with Greater Rajasthan on 15 May, 1949.
• Ajmer State: The Ajmer Legislative Assembly met on 4, 5 and 6 April, 1956 to consider the States Reorganisation Bill, 1956, and approved the merger of Ajmer State into Rajasthan State (November, 1956).
• The Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha came into existence in March 1952.