ravichaudhary
March 7th, 2005, 07:09 AM
The rise of petty monarchial rule from 9th century on saw a decline in
the fortunes of the Jats and of Rajastan. The advent of Islamic rule
in the north, the alliances between the Rajput and the Muslim rulers
in Delhi, created a shift in the polity of Rajastan. The dominance in
society shifted from the Jats to the newly created Rajputs. The rise
of the British power, and surrendering of any remaining independence
to them by these Rajput states led to a state of darkness for the
population in the land of Rajastan that was not be overthrown until
the 20th century, and finally after the independence of India.
These petty Jagirdars, using grand names like Maharaja, were reduced
to the position of tax contractors, using first Muslim forces and
later British force to exploit the ordinary citizen. Their harsh
oppressive measures ensured that standard of living was shattered;
education was non-existent, the lives of the ordinary citizen and
family reduced to a life of fear.
The ancient glory of the Yaudheya and Malla and other Jat republics
was gone. What remained was a travesty, a mockery of a civilization
destroyed, a few remnants barely able to breathe in the sand dunes of
the Thar Desert.
In this environment, that Jat spirit rose once again, and the advent
of the 20th century saw to it come back to life with a vengeance.
The Indian History books do not records these struggles, but now as
more and more people start doing research, more and more is coming out
MARWAR AND JODHPUR
The princely state of Jodhpur or Marwar was the largest state in
Rajasthan and comprised of almost ¼ of the geographical area of
Rajastan. In this state 83 % of the lands was in the hands of the
Jagirdars or Zamindars, and only 17% was in the control of the Jodhpur
Raja. The area controlled by Jodhpur Raja was known as "Khalsa".
In the Jodhpur state there was 1,300 small and big Jagirdars. In the
areas controlled by them, no land measurements had occurred or
boundaries defined. There was no organized system of Land Revenue.
In addition to taking 50% of the produce of the farmer, innumerable
other taxes were also imposed on the farmer. In addition the farmer
was on call by the Jagirdars at any time.
The Jagirdars never forwent any opportunity to exploit the population.
The concept of establishing schools, hospitals, libraries, or water
facilities was alien to them. If the farmers opened any schools with
their own resources the Jagirdars would close them down with force.
The farming populace was heavily exploited, the Jagirdar seized 88 %
of the produce and only 12 % was left to the farmer for his survival.
Brutalized by this repressive environment, the farmer was sunk into
darkness, whence no ray of light could penetrate. Indeed many had even
given up any hope.
In the early 20th century a wave of awakening swept through the Marwar
area and in time the efforts brought fruit. The work of organizations
like the " Marwar Hitkarni Sabha" and the Marwar Lok Parishad stand
out as shining examples. The intense struggle to uplift the farming
population, to create the awakening, to bring in education, was led by
the Jats.
In 1925 the Akhil Bharatiya Jat Sabha held a meeting at Puskhar, in
the month of Karthik Purnima. (The All India Jat organization). It
was under the chairmanship of the Bharatpur Jat Maharaja- Krishna. In
this gathering Jats from every corner of Rajastan were present, and
there was no doubt that a new chapter had been opened. When they saw
the Bharatpur Maharaja encourage the Jats to awaken themselves, their
spirit soared.
In this gathering Babu Gullaram Chaudhary, Chaudhary Moolchand Nagaur,
Bhinyaram Siyag Parwatsar, and Master Dhara Singh were present.
Jats from U.P. Punjab, Delhi and elsewhere also in attendance in
thousands. In comparison to the Jats of Marwar they appeared better
educated and prosperous. The Jats of Marwar seeing these other Jats at
Puskhar, made up their minds to launch a struggle to uplift themselves
and free themselves from the Rajput Jagirdars of Rajastan.
They discussed among themselves, and came to the conclusion the bad
state of the Jat of Rajastan was due to a lack of education, and by
the provision of education they could all be raised to the standards
of Jats elsewhere. It was decided that a love for education would be
encouraged, schools would be established where children could be educated.
The first steps in this direction were taken by Chaudhary Gullaram
Rathkuriya. He opened a school for the children of the farmers in
Umaid Station, Jodhpur. Yet here he received no support in his
initiatives from anyone. The Jats being uneducated were unable to
advantage of his school, and soon afterwards this school was closed.
THE JAT BOARDING HOUSE, JODHPUR - 1927
Another effort was made, and Chaudhary Gullaram, Moolchand Siyaag,
Chaudhary Bhiyanram Parvatsar, master Dhara Singh and about 70 other
like-minded persons, held a meeting in Jodhpur, on March 2, 1927 under
the chairmanship of Chaudhary Radhskishan Mirdha. In this meeting Babu
Gullaram coined the mool mantra, the core mission statement, for the
Jats- " educate and be educated" A drive for funds was also launched.
- Soon an amount of 1,000 Rupees was collected. Chaudhary Gullaram
donated his house in Ratanada for one year, and there a boarding house
was established. He also agreed to pay the expenses of water,
electricity, and the cost of the kitchen and food. Thus in Chaitya
Badhi Teej, on Monday, April 4, 1927, the:" Jat Boarding House,
Jodhpur" was started.
Support for this boarding house was received from the community, and
some persons who were in the forefront were Baldevram Mirdha, Ram
Chandra Mirdha, and many offices of the Sardar Infantry Jodhpur.
Initially there were 8 or 9 children. It was soon felt that the
Boarding House should be in the centre of the city, so that the
children would have an easier access to the school Accordingly a house
belonging the Maharaj Bhopal Singh was rented. The number of students
continued to increase, and in 1929 Chaudhary Baldevram Mirdha
purchased a big mansion inside the Nagauri Gate, which had belonged
to Mahant Suratram Maharaj for Rupees 10,000. In July 1929 the Jodhpur
state government also supported this boarding house with 100 rupees a
month.
This Jat Boarding House in Jodhpur becomes a centre for providing
education to the farmers of Marwar. The wardens were initially Charan
Singh and later Master Raghuvir Singh. They did much excellent work
for many years.
The Jat leaders then considered that this Boarding house was too far
and out of reach for many farmers. It was thought that if the
boarding houses could be established in all the big towns, the
children would be able to have an easier access to education.
A meeting was held to decide on opening the next boarding house at
Nagaur. Chaudharies Baldevram Mirdha, Dhara Singh, and Bhiyanram
Siyaag were present. The moving force was Chaudhary Moolchand of
Nagaur. It was resolved to open a boarding house in Nagaur. The
boarding house was initially at the residence of Chaudhary Moolchand.
The number of students increased. In 1930 land was purchased and the
foundations laid for the construction of a barding house. With this
access to education became available to the farmers of Nagaur. With
the support and hard work of the three leaders many boarding houses
were now opened rapidly,
Barmer was opened up with the assistance of Chaudhary Ram Dhan and
Chaudhary Ram Narayan in 1934. Medtha followed in 1935 with the
assistance of Pusaram Pulotha, Maharam Kamedia, Prabhu Ghatela, and
Birdhiram Meria. Didwana came with the help of Kishanram, Roj Khatu
and Subedar Panna Ram Dhingsari, Mahroat with Ishwar ram Chaudhary
Maharajpur, Parvatsar with Chaudhary Bhinyaram Siyaag, Ravinsar with
Hethram, and Billahra with Chaudhary (Babu) Gullaram. In addition
boarding houses were opened up in Pipard, Kuchera, Roll, Landnu,
Rathkuriya, Jaaya etc.
To meet the costs of these Boarding Houses, apart from using their
own funds, Moolchand Nagaur, Raghuvir Singh, Bhiyanram Siyaag etc
would raise funds, so that the farmer's children could be educated at
a low cost.
When Chaudhary Gullaram would come back on leave from Ootacamund, he
would bring funds that he had raised with him. He would do a tour of
the villages for fund raised and also visit the boarding houses at
Parvatnagar, Barmer, and Nagaur etc. Baldevram Mirdha would raise
funds and also take the poorer children with him in his car, and admit
them to the boarding houses, and would also raise funds to pay for
their education. In this manner children from poorer families would
not only get education but would also receive their food.
In addition to these boarding houses, schools were established at
Bhappa, Rodhu, Bhudhana, Maadalya, Kawaspura, Dadesri, Rahtaaou,
Dingsari, Inandna, Phidodh, Sheelgaon, Amarpura, Bhadvaasi, Baldhu,
Dhadisara, Boogrdra, Khandnaal, Bodwa,
Khurdi etc. A society " Kisan Shishan Sanstan" or the `Farmer
Education Society' was created to maintain and run these schools. It
was recognized by the Jodhpur state Government.
The Marwar Jagirdars opposed this movement, and the founders of the
schools and funds raisers were intimidated and threatened by them. The
Jat leaders avoided direct confrontation and kept advancing towards
their goals.
The result of the establishment of these schools and boarding houses
was that many children of the farmers who had no access to educated
were now educated in the thousands. Today if there is an awakening and
thirst for education in the Jat children of Marwar, it is due to the
efforts of leaders
From: Pema Ram. Professor, Vanasthali, Rajasthan. Article in ` the
Jats' edited by Dr. Vir Singh, Suraj Mal Education Society, New Delhi
More to come
the fortunes of the Jats and of Rajastan. The advent of Islamic rule
in the north, the alliances between the Rajput and the Muslim rulers
in Delhi, created a shift in the polity of Rajastan. The dominance in
society shifted from the Jats to the newly created Rajputs. The rise
of the British power, and surrendering of any remaining independence
to them by these Rajput states led to a state of darkness for the
population in the land of Rajastan that was not be overthrown until
the 20th century, and finally after the independence of India.
These petty Jagirdars, using grand names like Maharaja, were reduced
to the position of tax contractors, using first Muslim forces and
later British force to exploit the ordinary citizen. Their harsh
oppressive measures ensured that standard of living was shattered;
education was non-existent, the lives of the ordinary citizen and
family reduced to a life of fear.
The ancient glory of the Yaudheya and Malla and other Jat republics
was gone. What remained was a travesty, a mockery of a civilization
destroyed, a few remnants barely able to breathe in the sand dunes of
the Thar Desert.
In this environment, that Jat spirit rose once again, and the advent
of the 20th century saw to it come back to life with a vengeance.
The Indian History books do not records these struggles, but now as
more and more people start doing research, more and more is coming out
MARWAR AND JODHPUR
The princely state of Jodhpur or Marwar was the largest state in
Rajasthan and comprised of almost ¼ of the geographical area of
Rajastan. In this state 83 % of the lands was in the hands of the
Jagirdars or Zamindars, and only 17% was in the control of the Jodhpur
Raja. The area controlled by Jodhpur Raja was known as "Khalsa".
In the Jodhpur state there was 1,300 small and big Jagirdars. In the
areas controlled by them, no land measurements had occurred or
boundaries defined. There was no organized system of Land Revenue.
In addition to taking 50% of the produce of the farmer, innumerable
other taxes were also imposed on the farmer. In addition the farmer
was on call by the Jagirdars at any time.
The Jagirdars never forwent any opportunity to exploit the population.
The concept of establishing schools, hospitals, libraries, or water
facilities was alien to them. If the farmers opened any schools with
their own resources the Jagirdars would close them down with force.
The farming populace was heavily exploited, the Jagirdar seized 88 %
of the produce and only 12 % was left to the farmer for his survival.
Brutalized by this repressive environment, the farmer was sunk into
darkness, whence no ray of light could penetrate. Indeed many had even
given up any hope.
In the early 20th century a wave of awakening swept through the Marwar
area and in time the efforts brought fruit. The work of organizations
like the " Marwar Hitkarni Sabha" and the Marwar Lok Parishad stand
out as shining examples. The intense struggle to uplift the farming
population, to create the awakening, to bring in education, was led by
the Jats.
In 1925 the Akhil Bharatiya Jat Sabha held a meeting at Puskhar, in
the month of Karthik Purnima. (The All India Jat organization). It
was under the chairmanship of the Bharatpur Jat Maharaja- Krishna. In
this gathering Jats from every corner of Rajastan were present, and
there was no doubt that a new chapter had been opened. When they saw
the Bharatpur Maharaja encourage the Jats to awaken themselves, their
spirit soared.
In this gathering Babu Gullaram Chaudhary, Chaudhary Moolchand Nagaur,
Bhinyaram Siyag Parwatsar, and Master Dhara Singh were present.
Jats from U.P. Punjab, Delhi and elsewhere also in attendance in
thousands. In comparison to the Jats of Marwar they appeared better
educated and prosperous. The Jats of Marwar seeing these other Jats at
Puskhar, made up their minds to launch a struggle to uplift themselves
and free themselves from the Rajput Jagirdars of Rajastan.
They discussed among themselves, and came to the conclusion the bad
state of the Jat of Rajastan was due to a lack of education, and by
the provision of education they could all be raised to the standards
of Jats elsewhere. It was decided that a love for education would be
encouraged, schools would be established where children could be educated.
The first steps in this direction were taken by Chaudhary Gullaram
Rathkuriya. He opened a school for the children of the farmers in
Umaid Station, Jodhpur. Yet here he received no support in his
initiatives from anyone. The Jats being uneducated were unable to
advantage of his school, and soon afterwards this school was closed.
THE JAT BOARDING HOUSE, JODHPUR - 1927
Another effort was made, and Chaudhary Gullaram, Moolchand Siyaag,
Chaudhary Bhiyanram Parvatsar, master Dhara Singh and about 70 other
like-minded persons, held a meeting in Jodhpur, on March 2, 1927 under
the chairmanship of Chaudhary Radhskishan Mirdha. In this meeting Babu
Gullaram coined the mool mantra, the core mission statement, for the
Jats- " educate and be educated" A drive for funds was also launched.
- Soon an amount of 1,000 Rupees was collected. Chaudhary Gullaram
donated his house in Ratanada for one year, and there a boarding house
was established. He also agreed to pay the expenses of water,
electricity, and the cost of the kitchen and food. Thus in Chaitya
Badhi Teej, on Monday, April 4, 1927, the:" Jat Boarding House,
Jodhpur" was started.
Support for this boarding house was received from the community, and
some persons who were in the forefront were Baldevram Mirdha, Ram
Chandra Mirdha, and many offices of the Sardar Infantry Jodhpur.
Initially there were 8 or 9 children. It was soon felt that the
Boarding House should be in the centre of the city, so that the
children would have an easier access to the school Accordingly a house
belonging the Maharaj Bhopal Singh was rented. The number of students
continued to increase, and in 1929 Chaudhary Baldevram Mirdha
purchased a big mansion inside the Nagauri Gate, which had belonged
to Mahant Suratram Maharaj for Rupees 10,000. In July 1929 the Jodhpur
state government also supported this boarding house with 100 rupees a
month.
This Jat Boarding House in Jodhpur becomes a centre for providing
education to the farmers of Marwar. The wardens were initially Charan
Singh and later Master Raghuvir Singh. They did much excellent work
for many years.
The Jat leaders then considered that this Boarding house was too far
and out of reach for many farmers. It was thought that if the
boarding houses could be established in all the big towns, the
children would be able to have an easier access to education.
A meeting was held to decide on opening the next boarding house at
Nagaur. Chaudharies Baldevram Mirdha, Dhara Singh, and Bhiyanram
Siyaag were present. The moving force was Chaudhary Moolchand of
Nagaur. It was resolved to open a boarding house in Nagaur. The
boarding house was initially at the residence of Chaudhary Moolchand.
The number of students increased. In 1930 land was purchased and the
foundations laid for the construction of a barding house. With this
access to education became available to the farmers of Nagaur. With
the support and hard work of the three leaders many boarding houses
were now opened rapidly,
Barmer was opened up with the assistance of Chaudhary Ram Dhan and
Chaudhary Ram Narayan in 1934. Medtha followed in 1935 with the
assistance of Pusaram Pulotha, Maharam Kamedia, Prabhu Ghatela, and
Birdhiram Meria. Didwana came with the help of Kishanram, Roj Khatu
and Subedar Panna Ram Dhingsari, Mahroat with Ishwar ram Chaudhary
Maharajpur, Parvatsar with Chaudhary Bhinyaram Siyaag, Ravinsar with
Hethram, and Billahra with Chaudhary (Babu) Gullaram. In addition
boarding houses were opened up in Pipard, Kuchera, Roll, Landnu,
Rathkuriya, Jaaya etc.
To meet the costs of these Boarding Houses, apart from using their
own funds, Moolchand Nagaur, Raghuvir Singh, Bhiyanram Siyaag etc
would raise funds, so that the farmer's children could be educated at
a low cost.
When Chaudhary Gullaram would come back on leave from Ootacamund, he
would bring funds that he had raised with him. He would do a tour of
the villages for fund raised and also visit the boarding houses at
Parvatnagar, Barmer, and Nagaur etc. Baldevram Mirdha would raise
funds and also take the poorer children with him in his car, and admit
them to the boarding houses, and would also raise funds to pay for
their education. In this manner children from poorer families would
not only get education but would also receive their food.
In addition to these boarding houses, schools were established at
Bhappa, Rodhu, Bhudhana, Maadalya, Kawaspura, Dadesri, Rahtaaou,
Dingsari, Inandna, Phidodh, Sheelgaon, Amarpura, Bhadvaasi, Baldhu,
Dhadisara, Boogrdra, Khandnaal, Bodwa,
Khurdi etc. A society " Kisan Shishan Sanstan" or the `Farmer
Education Society' was created to maintain and run these schools. It
was recognized by the Jodhpur state Government.
The Marwar Jagirdars opposed this movement, and the founders of the
schools and funds raisers were intimidated and threatened by them. The
Jat leaders avoided direct confrontation and kept advancing towards
their goals.
The result of the establishment of these schools and boarding houses
was that many children of the farmers who had no access to educated
were now educated in the thousands. Today if there is an awakening and
thirst for education in the Jat children of Marwar, it is due to the
efforts of leaders
From: Pema Ram. Professor, Vanasthali, Rajasthan. Article in ` the
Jats' edited by Dr. Vir Singh, Suraj Mal Education Society, New Delhi
More to come