Princely States of Orissa People's Movement To Amalgamation 1930-1951

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This book narrates in detail the Political, Administrative and Economic conditions of the Feudatory Gadjat princely states of Orissa during the colonial rule. Unwilling to couping up themselves with the autocratic oppressive rule of the princes backed by the colonial authorities the patriotic people of these states challenged the parasitic nature of the Gadjat Fuedal chiefs spearheaded by local Chiefs, Tribes, Peasents, Common mass and Elite citizens. This book humbly presents the Regional, administrative, economic and nationalistic aspirations of the people of feudatory princely states and their dimensional struggle to free from foreign as well as native suppressive exploitative rule while integrating themselves with Orissa state being backed by national politics and freedom spirit, guided by reputed leaders like Gandhi, Mahatab & Patel. The present work attempts to enrich the regional history while narrating the Historical facts hither to unexpose by many scholars of eminence. Special emphasis is given here to narrate the latter on developments in the merged- united province of Orissa which set an example with representative Government and welfare measures, which was soon followed by neighboring states.

Dr. Jawaharlal Choudhury is a Historian of Repute. He received the Degrees of Post- Graduation; M. Phil; Ph.D.; & Tourism -Monumental studies from Berhampur University, Odisha. He always stood as an example of relentless academic pursuit of excellence. Teaching History in Degree Honours classes for the last 33 years and at present serving as the H.O.D of History Department of Gunupur Degree College, Odisha he has many Academic exposures in and outside the state. As the Executive Body Member of South Odisha History Society he has proven the might while exploring the native regional Historical studies under Government & Private initiatives. The present work is a fine creation born form the tip of his express writing.

The year between 1803 & 1857 witnessed the progress of two ideas simultaneously in the British-Princes relations in Orissa. The colonial Government did not like to inflame the princely states by Legislating on the lines of bureaucratic prompting and disown openly the professed policy of non-intervention as well the provisions of the Treaty Engagements. Rather they devised a method to interfere in the internal affairs of the princely Governments through the Bureaucracy in a subtle manner. This is how the hiatus between the professed policy and actual practice continued to exist.Towards 1857 a strange sense of the changed role of the Orissa princes was clearly visible. Their self-motive drove them to suppress their own people and act as the British Stooge. No wonder, universal jubilation greeted them when they went to the Oblivion just after India own her independence. Throughout the colonial rule, the people of princely states of Orissa were struggling against the poverty and ignorance that rendered the peasants supine & slavishly submissive, the princes developed highly complex and effective mechanism to promote the cause of their parasitic survival. Thus series of popular uprisings occurred in the princely states of Orissa during the colonial rule. The growth of representative institution was a remarkable feature of the historical change in British Orissa after 1935. During 1938-39 all the princely states rose against their rulers which are known as Prajamandal movements involving violence & assassinations. The report of Orissa state enquiry committee constituted in 1938 under the chairmanship of H.K.Mahatab made shocking revelations about the prevalence of various kinds of illegalities in the Garjat tracts. The year between 1803 & 1857 witnessed the progress of two ideas simultaneously in the British-Princes relations in Orissa. The colonial Government did not like to inflame the princely states by Legislating on the lines of bureaucratic prompting and disown openly the professed policy of non-intervention as well the provisions of the Treaty Engagements. Rather they devised a method to interfere in the internal affairs of the princely Governments through the Bureaucracy in a subtle manner. This is how the hiatus between the professed policy and actual practice continued to exist. Towards 1857 a strange sense of the changed role of the Orissa princes was clearly visible. Their self-motive drove them to suppress their own people and act as the British Stooge. No wonder, universal jubilation greeted them when they went to the Oblivion just after India own her independence. Throughout the colonial rule, the people of princely states of Orissa were struggling against the poverty and ignorance that rendered the peasants supine & slavishly submissive, the princes developed highly complex and effective mechanism to promote the cause of their parasitic survival. Thus series of popular uprisings occurred in the princely states of Orissa during the colonial rule. The growth of representative institution was a remarkable feature of the historical change in British Orissa after 1935. During 1938-39 all the princely states rose against their rulers which are known as Prajamandal movements involving violence & assassinations. The report of Orissa state enquiry committee constituted in 1938 under the chairmanship of H.K.Mahatab made shocking revelations about the prevalence of various kinds of illegalities in the Garjat tracts. Mahatab became the Prime Minister of Orissa in 1946; he worked indefatigably to effect the merger of these states with Orissa. Under the masterful diplomacy of Sardar Patel, 24 states were integrated with the province of Orissa in 1948-49, but another two states - Saraikalla and Kharaswan were transferred to Bihar. In 1950 the territorial map of Orissa was redrawn with 13 Districts. Thus an era of Socio-Economic reconstruction of Orissa on modern lines was ushered in. By now, we have enough published works on the history of Orissa. But in comparing to the history of coastal Orissa, there are very less works on the princely states. Many prominent historians have touched upon the socio-economic history of the princely states till the 1st quarter of the 20th Century. The present work deals in detail the political movements in the princely states of Orissa and their merger with the Orissa province. Here an attempt is made to illustrate in detail the measures taken by Orissan leaders to do away with the earlier prevailing anti-people feudal politics of the Rajas and how a new era of representative government and welfare measures was ushered in Orissa & the whole province got united setting an example before others, that formed the spirit of post freedom movement in the province of Orissa. To design & shape the present work primary data & materials are collected from state Archives of Orissa, West Bengal & Bihar. Libraries at Bhubaneswar, Cuttack & of private persons are consulted. The periodicals, Journals, Newspapers, both in English and Vernacular language of the period under review are consulted. Princely states libraries and private papers are referred. An attempt is made here to fill the gap of the regional history which is earlier not being studied seriously and used fully. Contemporary newspapers and journals, particularly the vernacular newspapers have been studied. Numerous Gazetteers, biographies, auto biographies & books are carefully scanned. The limitations of this work, I hope, will be overcome by future research and findings. I shall be happy if the present work will be appreciated by Historians, Research scholars & serve useful for the students and readers.

**Contents and Sample Pages**