Quit India Movement in Rajasthan

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The Indian historians have paid scant attention to the nature and extent of the Quit India Movement in Princely India. This void is bridged by the monograph entitled, Quit India Movement in Rajasthan, narrating the growth of Quit India Movement in nineteen Princely States of Rajputana. Moreover, the monograph brings to light new facts and fresh information on the basis of archival records and the Prajamandals, AISPC and AICC papers. The Prajamandals mobilized the cross sections of the society for joining the Quit India movement on the Gandhian principles of non-violence and also counteracted the efforts of the Communists and the All India States Muslim League to derail the Quit India Movement in Rajputana states.

The study highlights for the first time that the Prajamandals launched the Quit India Movement for the formation of responsible government in the Rajputana States according to a separate AISPC Resolution passed under the chairmanship of Mahatma Gandhi as well as for the end of the British rule in India according to the Quit India Resolution of AICC. In this way, the Prajamandals counterpoised the British efforts to use the Indian Princes to suppress the Quit India Movement in the Princely states and the British Provinces. At last, the Prajamandals transformed the Quit India Movement into a peaceful campaign for the establishment of responsible government in the Rajputana States in pursuance of the Congress policy. Ultimately, this peaceful campaign culminated in the integration of these states into Indian Dominion.

This is a study of a very important struggle by the people of Rajputana States waged on two fronts: one against the Princes for introduction of responsible government in the States, and two, against the British in solidarity with the people ein in British provinces for attainment of independence for the entire country. It will encourage young scholars to undertake similar studies on Princely States.

Dr. Vijay Kumar Vashishtha retired as Professor and Head of the History Department from Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University, Ajmer (1990- 2000). He has worked as UGC Award post of Research Scientist-B, Fellow at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla and National Fellow of Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi.

Prof. Vashishtha has chosen Rajasthan as part of his wider studies on Modern Indian History. He has to his credit several books, edited works and research articles. His major publications are Rajputana Agency 1832-1858, Bhagat Movement: Study of Cultural Transformation of the Bhils of the Southern Rajasthan; 1857 Revolt in the Princely State of Jaipur; Role of Gandhi's Ideas in Mobilization of Adivasis of Southern Rajputana Princely States (1921- 1948) and Rajasthan ke Samajik aaur Rajnaitika Itihasa ke Ayama. The Maharana Mewar Foundation, Udaipur bestowed on him the prestigious Maharana Kumbha Award (1993) for his contribution to the history and culture of Rajasthan.

Prof. VK Vashishtha has completed this significant and fascinating study as part of the Indian Council of Historical Research 'Senior Academic Fellowship' scheme. The publication is a part of the Council's monograph series which was started many years ago. Most studies of repute have generally studied the Quit India movement in the British Provinces. For some reason, however, the Princely States have not received the attention they deserved. Some historians have even subscribed to the view that the Quit India movement in the Princely States had little impact as compared to the British Provinces. This monograph, however, underlines the nature of the movement in the Princely States of modern day Rajasthan and also highlights the role of hitherto unknown leaders of the movements. In this way this is a pioneering work.

The study is divided in seven chapters. The first chapter presents the background of the movement and an overview of the Individual Satyagraha. The subsequent chapters deal with the role of Prajamandals and the development of the Quit India movement in the Prince States of Dungarpur, Alwar, Sirohi, Bikaner, Bundi, Kota, Jodhpur, Bharatpur, Jaipur and Mewar. The magnitude of the movement in British territory of Ajmer- Merwara has also been studied. Based to a great extent on important sources such archival records, private papers, newspapers, autobiographies and memoirs, the research has resulted in a very readable and informative narrative.

Prof. Vashishtha's hard work and sound historical method has made a major contribution to a field hitherto understated. The ICHR stands well rewarded with regard to having supported the study as part of its Senior Fellowship programme.

The Quit India Movement was the result of the long cherished desire of the Indian National Congress to attain freedom from the colonial rule. It culminated in the mass spurge on 9 August, 1942, but it changed its course from non-violent confrontational approach to peaceful negotiations for the attainment of freedom for India after the release of Mahatma Gandhi from detention in May 1944. After the reiteration of the Quit India Resolution by AICC, Sardar Vallabhabhai Patel in his address to a mammoth public meeting at Shivaji Park, Bombay on 24 September, 1945, said "it was wrong to think that the Congress has retracted from the Quit India Resolution or that the struggle has ended." In the same strain, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru also declared that the resolution "indicated the will of the people which was behind it. It was a pledge of the country to attain freedom and to retreat from it would mean the acceptance of defeat and national degradation."

The Quit India Movement was the outcome of Viceroy Lord Linlithgow's decision to involve India in the Second World War (September 1939) without conceding to the demand of the Indian National Congress for a national government. As a reaction to this, Mahatma Gandhi made political preparations for mass awakening all over the country through Individual satyagraha (October 1940-December 1941). Subsequently, his rejection of the proposals of the Cripps Mission (March-April 1942) left no alternative for the Indian National Congress except to adopt at its AICC, Bombay Session the Quit India Resolution on 8 August, 1942 for attaining freedom for India which included British provinces as well as the princely states. The repressive measures of the British government by way of arresting Mahatma Gandhi and other prominent Congress leaders, such as Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Abul Kalam Azad and several others, gave rise to spontaneous movement all over the country for attaining freedom. The Prajamandals (people's organizations) in the princely states and all political parties in the British Provinces except the Muslim League and the Communists joined the Quit India Movement for overthrowing the colonial rule.