MeraPahad Community Of Uttarakhand Lovers

              Garhwali Soldiers in 1st World War   
                  British Administration in Garhwal   -320
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History of British Rule/Administration over Kumaun and Garhwal (1815-1947) -340
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            History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -1174
          By:  Bhishma Kukreti (History Student)   
       
      First World War began between British Allies and German Allies in 1914. In 1913, British government declared that it would not include Indian Army in its war with other country. However, as soon as war started, British started dispatching Indian troops around the world. Indian Kings also sent their armies for helping British. Tehri Riyasat King Kirtishah also sent his army for helping British. Kirti Shah encouraged Tehri youth entering in British army.
           British appointed Garhwali youth in army at Lansdowne camp. British sent newly appointed cadres to various front.
         On 9th August 1914, Army head quarter ordered both the battalions of Garhwali platoon in Lansdowne for marching to various fronts. The Indian soldiers were brought under one division Meerut Division. Garhwal Platoon was called 20th Brigade of Meerut Division. There were two more battalions with Garhwal Brigade. On 19th September, those three brigades soldiers boarded on a ship at Karachi port and reached Marcels port of France on 13th and 14th October.
 Regional Commander sent Garhwal battalion immediately to battle fronts.
                      Capturing Trench
   In October end, commanders sent Garhwali force to a front where the British allied army was tired. The front was eight miles long. At right front, Barely Brigade was there and Dehradun Brigade was at left front. Lieutenant .Colonel   Swini was commanding one Garhwali brigade and L. Co. Drack Backman was commanding second Garhwali brigade. By 19th and 30th October, both the Garhwali battalions grabbed trenches from enemies. The battle continued till 2nd November 1914.
         Initially, Garhwalis were unable in coping the French cold climate in October but within no time they acclimatized faster than others. There was bombardment from both the forces.
              First Raid on Enemy in Night
                      The Garhwal platoons captured trenches from enemies where very near to other trenches of the enemies. Therefore, commanders planned for raiding enemy trenches on ninth and tenth October mid nights. Commanders choose fifty soldiers from each Garhwali Battalions. Major Tailor of second battalion led those soldiers. Soldiers captured six enemy soldiers. The trench was so deep that it was necessary for running from there. In the meantime, enemy bombarded on second Garhwali battalion. Enemy attack killed one Garhwali officer and five soldiers. Seven Garhwali soldiers were injured and three soldiers were missed. a battalion lost four soldiers and the came back with captured enemy soldiers.
                       Second Raid
  On 13th November night, major Tailor led  fifty soldiers of second battalion of Garhwal Platoon  and fifty soldiers of  third battalion of Gorkha  Platoon and  soldiers and two snipers. There was no full planning for the raid and there were heavy casualties of soldiers. The casualties were as
19 soldiers were killed and 133 injured from First battalion
36  army men were killed and 120 injured from second battalion. British army lost Captain Robertson Glasgo too.
                   Fest Wort Font
    After three days, commander ordered first battalion of Garhwal Platoon for marching to Fest Wort front for supporting Firojpur Brigid. There was fierce battle in that front on 30th November. German army captured 300 yard front trench from British. British Army was in great prpblem there. Commander ordered first battalion of Garhwali platoon for capturing lost trench in night. Garhwali soldiers recaptured lost trench by 80 yards.
     Major Vardel and Captain Orten were injured before returning due to piling of dead and injured soldiers and captured enemy soldiers in the trench. Orten never retuned back.  captain Lumb with a few Garhwali soldiers came out of trench and started marching ahead and entered in that trench captured by Garhwali soldiers. Lomb and Garhwali soldiers started attacking German soldiers by bayonet and killed a few and captured others. Encouraged by results by Lomb and company, other Garhwali soldiers also entered into trench. It was just for down. Captain and his company reached justr to trench where soldiers of 107 the British pioneers were there.
    Suddenly, German bombarded by heavily on Garhwali soldiers.  It was difficult for Garhwali soldiers to forward in narrow trench with captured German soldiers. However, grhwali soldiers were ready for forwarding.  Nayak Darban Singh Negi of first battalion of Garhwali platoon was in front line in all attack. Daban Singh was injured but was not ready  for leaving the troop for capturing trench from German.  Garhwalis did not care for bombardment. They marched forward and captured the lost trench from German.
    There were following casualties in Garhwal platoon-
 Killed- One British officer, One Garhwali Officer and 18 Garhwali riflemen soldiers
Injured- One British officer, two Garhwali officer and 33 Garhwali riflemen
     British government awarded Daraban Singh Negi by Victoria Cross Award. Government also awarded by army medals many soldiers from both the battalions. Government awarded Captain Lumb by Military Cross medal.
    First Garhwali battalion stayed in the trench for two days and then second battalion replaced first battalion and stayed there for many days.
      100 soldiers each from each battalion of Garhwali platoon participated in welcome parade before George fifth arrival in France on first December 1914. Army took Darban Singh in car and reached to Amy Head Quarter. King George awarded Darban Singh by himself. Darban Singh Negi was first Indian awarded by the British King. Darban Singh Negi belonged to Kafarteer village of Kadakot patti.
        Garhwali platoon remained there for many months. There used to be raids from both the sides. Garhwalis lost their lives and got injured in daily raids and their numbers were reduced that a few soldiers from Dogra platoon had to come there for fulfilling vacuum. .
     
                   New Way Chapple Battle
       There started war between German and Allies forces at New Way Chapple of France in March 1915. Commanders planned that fourth Indian forces would be camped at a hill top in east of Chapple village. Commanders ordered Garhwali brigade for attacking on that hill top. The situation was follows-
 Right hand – First Garhwali battalion
At right hand center- Lester British battalion
Left at center –Third Gorkha battalion of second Gorkha platoon
Left hand – Second Garhwali battalion
  Garhwali battalions had to protect Later and Gorkha battalions and also march ahead. Soldiers of London regiment were behand for back up.
    Garhwali battalions started marching. German started bombarding on  Garhwali soldiers were and killed and injured Garhwali soldiers . However, Garhwalis did not stop and marched ahead.
       Garhwalis soldiers of right hand side ran on two trenches successfully and captured a few German soldiers. They also captured third German trench.  When both the Garhwali battalions started marching towards hill top, German bombarded from both the sides. Left side battalions tried protecting right side. Till that time German killed and injured many Garhwali soldiers. At the end Garhwalis and others captured hill top and German soldiers surrendered.
  Rifleman Gabbar Singh Negi of second Garhwal battalion showed great courage. After death of leader of Garhwali soldiers, Gabbar Singh took charge of that group. He led from the front and killed and captured many German soldiers.  He was killed there by a bombardment. Government awarded Gabbar Singh Negi the Victoria Cross Medal after death.
        Gabbar Singh Negi was born in April 1895 in Sanjur village of Bamund Patti of Tehri Garhwal. his father expired early age. Gabbar Singh Negi worked as gardener in Pratapnagar Garden of Tehri king. Gabbar Singh entered in Indian Army in 1913. His wife took Viactoria Cross Medal after his death.
   Garhwali platoon lost 60 soldiers lives and 73 were injured.
     Capturing hill top near New Way Chapple village, Garhwali soldiers of second battalion had better position then.  The attack on left hand was successful but right hand second battalion battalions faced worst. 
      While coming out from trenches and marching by main line, the soldiers did not pay attention that a couple of German trenches were not attacked by bombs. Taking the stock, soldiers cut tars of German trench and could capture only 200 yard land. In that action, British army lost English officers and soldiers. That soldiers group was cut off from main line. There was a German trench without bombarded by British allied force. German soldiers were bombing from that trench on Garhwali soldiers. Garhwali soldiers showed tremendous courage were there for whole day. All army men appreciated Garhwali courage. German injured Lieutenant Colonel Swini in morning but he was still there in front and guided Garhwali force till Garhwali soldiers of first battalion captured balance Garman occupied trench.
  On 11 and 12 March 1915, German soldiers bombarded regularly and attacked on Garhwali soldiers.  Garhwali soldiers pushed back German army on each attack. There was heavy casualty in enemy camp and Garhwali troop too.
     Killed – 7 British Officers, 6 Garhwali officers and 112 other Garhwali ranks soldiers
     Injured –5 British officers, 4 Garhwali Officers and 190 Garhwali soldiers
     Coppers commander wrote that Garhwalis showed tremendous courage. There was comments in Army orders’ book too.
       Temporary Reorganization of  Garhwal Platoons
   There was high degree of casualties of soldiers of both the battalions of Garhwal platoons. Commanders put all soldiers from both the battalions and created Garhwal rifle platoon.   In the meantime ‘Imperial service sappers’ battalion of Tehri Kingdom reached there. There were two Garhwali officers and 96 other rank holders in the sappers’ battalion. Burma Military police sent 240 Garhwali soldiers there. Commanders put a battalion of second battalion of Gorkha platoon with Garhwal platoon. However, due to Garman bombarding, Garhwal platoon got heavy casualties. Army lost 3 European officers and 111 Garhwali soldiers.
     On 15th May, Garhwal platoon attacked on a German company and the attack was unsuccessful. the loss in that attack was as under-
British officer -7, Garhwali officers-10 and Garhwali soldiers-366
 Garhwal platoon killed 155 German soldiers.
    Garhwal platoon was busy in trenches from Festburt battle till Loos battle. British Army Chief Lord Kitchener visited twice there and he appreciated courage of Garhwalis.
       German attacked on Garhwal platoon on 25th September 1915 and killed 30 soldiers and injured 43 soldiers.
                         Courageous Acts by Totaram Thapaliyal
   Before First World War, British perceived that only Garhwali Rajput community is fit for army. British officers rarely appointed  Brahmin in army. Totaram Thapaliyal built a Garhwali battalion by his own efforts around First World War. British officers promoted Totaram as Subedar of that battalion. British Army awarded Totaram for ‘Sword of Honor’.
     Born in Simtaol village of Khatsyun Patti, Totaram was teacher in Shrinagar. After joining army, Totaram in 1904-05 , participated in Tibbets battle as supervisor of Colie Core. Totaram Thapaliyal worked with PWD in Shimla and Garhwal too. In World War, Brahman battalion showed courage and skill in various battles. British understood that Garhwali Brahmins are fighters too.
                       Courage by Jim Corbett
 Very few people know that Jim Corbett also participated in First World War. Jim Corbett killed tigers from 1907-1939 in Garhwal and Kumaon. Jim Corbett wanted to join Army but he was overage (39 years old). Government handed over job for appointing labor for army. Jim Corbett appointed 5000 labor from Kumaun division. Jim Corbett went to France with 500 labor for army.  Jim Corbett returned back to Kumaon with 499 labor. Jim Corbett established those labors in various villages. Jim Corbett participated in Afghanistan battle. At the time of retirement, Jim was Major. He donated his income for building canteen for army personnel.

      Garhwal Platoon Returning to Lansdowne
       British Administration or Allied administration sent back Indian army on 10th November 1915.
        The Commander in Chief of the region Sir James Wilcock wrote in ‘With the Indians in France’-
     Garhwalis fulfilled their duties remarkably.  They proved that Garhwalis were brave community. The highest life losses and injuries from Garhwal platoon proved that they participated in the war the most.  Garhwalis showed that in discipline, Garhwali is another name for discipline. Their discipline was marvelous in FestWart and New Chaple battles.
        Garhwali platoon board on the ship at Marsalis Port. They reached Egypt on10th November 1956. Garhwalis took charge of protecting Suez Canal till 27th February 1916. Garhwalis started their ship journey from Egypt and reached Lansdowne on 27th March 1916.
  Garhwalis had to suffer a lot due to deaths and injuries got by soldiers. However, the desire for entering into Army by Garhwalis did not come down. On the contrary army job attracted the more to Garhwalis. Army job became major source of income for Garhwalis.
 
References   1-Shiv Prasad Dabral ‘Charan’, Uttarakhand ka Itihas, Part -8 Garhwal par British -Shasan, part -2, page- .
2- Atkinson, Himalayan Districts, Vol. 3
3-Garhwal Gazetteer
4- Paw, Garhwal settlement reports
5- Census hand book 1951


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Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India,bjkukreti@gmail.com 21/3/2018
History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -1175
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*** History of British Rule/Administration over British Garhwal (Pauri, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli1815-1947) to be continued in next chapter
-
(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)
 
 History of British Garhwal, Education , Caste, History of Devalgarh Garhwal , ; History of Badhan Garhwal; Education , Caste History of Barasyun Garhwal; Education , Caste, History of Chandpur Garhwal; Education , Caste History of Chaundkot Garhwal; Education , Caste History of  Gangasalan Garhwal;  History of Mallasalan Garhwal;  Education , Caste, History of Tallasalan Garhwal; Education , Caste History of Dashauli Garhwal; Education , Caste, History of Nagpur Garhwal; Society  in British Garhwal. History of British Garhwal, History of Social Structure and Religious Faith in Chamoli Garhwal, History of Social Structure and Religious Faith of Pauri Garhwal ,  Education , Health, Social and Culture History of Rudraprayag Garhwal

               Garhwali Soldiers in Arab and Afghanistan in British Period   
                  British Administration in Garhwal   -322
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History of British Rule/Administration over Kumaun and Garhwal (1815-1947) -342
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            History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -1176
          By:  Bhishma Kukreti (History Student)   
                 In June 1920, Arab rebelled against suppression and repression by British. Therefore, British administration kept First Garhwal battalion in Mosul till December 1920.
     Garhwal battalion started journey for India on 22nd December 1921 from Mosul. Garhwal battalion reached Lansdowne in February. Major General T Fraser of 18t Division remarked at farewell ceremony for Garhwal Battalion-
      “I would like to vouch that the whole 18th Division sees Garhwal Battalion with respect. From the beginning, the record of Garhwal Battalion had been brave, courageous and wise. Garhwal Battalion had been in discussion for its disciplined, courageous and swift behavior. Garhwali soldiers were liked in all ranks. Those know Garhwali soldiers are sad for separation and offer best wishes to them”
               Garhwali Soldiers in Afghan Fronts
  The war started in Afghanistan. British authorities ordered for Garhwal solders reaching to Afghanistan. Garhwal soldiers started journey from Lansdowne on 9th May 1919 and reached to Peshawar on 15th May 1919.
     L. Colonel Stansfield was in charge of the Command. The Command sent Garhwali Battalion to Jamrud with Stansfield. For a year, a few soldiers were kept for guarding conveys and some were kept for guarding Khaibar forts. Battalion returned to Lansdowne on 28th April 1920.Garhwal Battalion got medals for remarkable duties.
     Again , Garhwal battalion started journey for Afghanistan in September and reached to Daros fort of Chitraj on first October.
      British established fourth Garhwal battalion on 18th October 1918. Army Administration deputed fourth Battalion for participating in third Afghan war in 1920. Fourth Battalion captured Spinwara hill. Later on British named that hill as Garhwali hill.
   In Barari Tangan, Garhwali soldiers marched when temperature was below 65 degree. Garhwalis showed the courage that Afghan soldiers did not show any desire again for fighting with Garhwalis.
     London Gazette praised and reported all incidents of Garhwal battalion regularly.
   Garhwal battalion spent one year in Bajiraasthan. Garhwal battalion returned to Lansdowne on 24th May 1921.
      There was shower of army medals on Garhwal battalion.       
         Campaign of Mopala
   There occurred unrest by rebellion Arab in Mopala. First Battalion of Garhwal Platoon marched from 21st October 1921 towards Calicut. Garhwal battalion stopped unrest by 26th February 1922.
               Royal Garhwal Riffle
       On 2nd February 1921, at the time of inaugurating Army memorial, Duke of Kannaut declared that HH King permitted using Royal Rifle for 8 Platoons. He declared Garhwal Platoon is one of those 8 platoons. From that day, Garhwal Platoon was named as Royal Garhwal Rifle.     
      Positive Awareness in Garhwal for War
      Government used government machinery and government servants for propaganda for positives of War. Government circulated ‘Ladai Ka Akhbar’ in schools.  School teachers and students used to go village to village for donating to War effected soldiers or war workers welfare.
  However, the families of soldiers busy in fronts were always suspicious for bad news.
References   1-Shiv Prasad Dabral ‘Charan’, Uttarakhand ka Itihas, Part -8 Garhwal par British -Shasan, part -2, page- .
2- Atkinson, Himalayan Districts, Vol. 3
3-Garhwal Gazetteer
4- Paw, Garhwal settlement reports
5- Census hand book 1951


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Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India,bjkukreti@gmail.com 28/3/2018
History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -1177
-
*** History of British Rule/Administration over British Garhwal (Pauri, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli1815-1947) to be continued in next chapter
-
(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)
 
 History of British Garhwal, Education , Caste, History of Devalgarh Garhwal , ; History of Badhan Garhwal; Education , Caste History of Barasyun Garhwal; Education , Caste, History of Chandpur Garhwal; Education , Caste History of Chaundkot Garhwal; Education , Caste History of  Gangasalan Garhwal;  History of Mallasalan Garhwal;  Education , Caste, History of Tallasalan Garhwal; Education , Caste History of Dashauli Garhwal; Education , Caste, History of Nagpur Garhwal; Society  in British Garhwal. History of British Garhwal, History of Social Structure and Religious Faith in Chamoli Garhwal, History of Social Structure and Religious Faith of Pauri Garhwal ,  Education , Health, Social and Culture History of Rudraprayag Garhwal

               Feminine in Uttarakhand  in British Period   
                  British Administration in Garhwal   -323
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History of British Rule/Administration over Kumaun and Garhwal (1815-1947) -343
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            History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -1177
          By:  Bhishma Kukreti (History Student)
        It started famine  in Garhwal in first of 20th century.  There were draughts and famines in the years- 1901, 02, 07, 08, 09, , 013-14,07-19 and 21 -22.
           There was scanty rain from 1917 -21 and resulting severe famine in Garhwal and Kumaon.
    There was drought in other parts of India too.  Hridayanath Kanjaru and Shriram Bajpei from Allahabad; Lal Lajpat Ray from Punjab reached Kashipur for persuading the government. Govind Ballabh Pant was with them. Government opened two public distribution shops in border of Garhwal and Kumaon for supplying grains at cheap rates.
      Bhabhar Superintendent Ganga Datt Joshi played a great role in getting feminine relief in Garhwal. Ganga Datt Joshi and other officers repeatedly wrote letters to their senior officers for relief in Garhwal.  When the seniors did not take actions, all those officers started criticizing the seniors openly. None the less, senior officers took action very late and sent ration for free distribution. However, Garhwalis denied taking ration free. Then cheap shops were opened after suggestions from Ganga Datt Joshi.
      The biggest problem was for transporting the cheap ration to the villagers. Banjaras took the advantage and increased rates from 4 rupees loading charges to 10 rupees per man. Ganga Datt Joshi threatened for hunger strike and after few days, banjara started transporting the ration at old rates.
 There was bad experience from free ration in 1878 famine. The free ration was rotten grains and people died because of consuming rotted grains. Therefore, Garhwalis were not ready for free ration.
  In 1917, Arya Samaj leader Shradha Nand travelled Garhwal for taking the famine stock. Arya Samaj helped people of Garhwal. In Tehri, Tehri administration paid loans to people. D.A.V. College trust had balance money or Rs. 40000 from drought fund. Ganga Datt Joshi advised for opening schools from that balance famine fund. District Magistrate had also balance fund for Rs. 16000 from famine fund.
           

References   1-Shiv Prasad Dabral ‘Charan’, Uttarakhand ka Itihas, Part -8 Garhwal par British -Shasan, part -2, page- .
2- Atkinson, Himalayan Districts, Vol. 3
3-Garhwal Gazetteer
4- Paw, Garhwal settlement reports
5- Census hand book 1951


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Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India,bjkukreti@gmail.com 29/3/2018
History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -1178
-
*** History of British Rule/Administration over British Garhwal (Pauri, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli1815-1947) to be continued in next chapter
-
(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)
 
 History of British Garhwal, Education , Caste, History of Devalgarh Garhwal , ; History of Badhan Garhwal; Education , Caste History of Barasyun Garhwal; Education , Caste, History of Chandpur Garhwal; Education , Caste History of Chaundkot Garhwal; Education , Caste History of  Gangasalan Garhwal;  History of Mallasalan Garhwal;  Education , Caste, History of Tallasalan Garhwal; Education , Caste History of Dashauli Garhwal; Education , Caste, History of Nagpur Garhwal; Society  in British Garhwal. History of British Garhwal, History of Social Structure and Religious Faith in Chamoli Garhwal, History of Social Structure and Religious Faith of Pauri Garhwal ,  Education , Health, Social and Culture History of Rudraprayag Garhwal

               Emerging of Kumaun Parishad  h in British Garhwal   
                  British Administration in Garhwal   -323
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History of British Rule/Administration over Kumaun and Garhwal (1815-1947) -343
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            History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -1177
          By:  Bhishma Kukreti (History Student)   
                   Unrest among Educated persons
      There was more political awareness among educated people   after the War. Elites used to discuss on various issues  in small or big gatherings. In 19116,  Eliites from Kumaon as Gobind Ballabh Pant, Prem Ballabh Pande, Indu Lal Shah , Mohan Singh darmwal, Har Govind Pant, Chandralal Shah, Badri Datt Pande,  Lakshmi Datt Shastri and others founded an organization as Kumaon Parishad’. Well known parsonalities started participating in th meetings of Kumaon Parishad.
 The aims of Kumaon Parishd were    improvement in political, social and economic conditions in Kumaon –Almora, Nainital and Pithoragarh.
  Kumaon Parishad used to celebrate its function in various places with vigor and enthusiasm.
    By 1923, Kumaon parishad adopted the action plans of Indian Congress. Kumaon Parishad held  conferences in various places  as follows –
Year --------------------Place---------------------- Chairperson
1916---------------------Majhera --------------------Ray Bahadur Narayand Datt Chhimal
1917---------------------Almora ----------------------Jay Datt Joshi
1918---------------------Haldwani --------------------Rabahadur (RB) Tara Datt Gairola
1919------------------------Kotdwara ---------------------RB Badri Datt Josshi
1920-    ---------------- Kashipur ----------------------Har Govind Pant
1923------------------------Tanakpur ----------------------Badri Datt Pande
1926--------------------------Ganiya dyoli -----------------Mukandi Lal barrister
 The biggest achievement of Kumaon parish was abolition of Kuli Begar system.



                                                                                                             
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Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India,bjkukreti@gmail.com 1/4/2018
History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -1178
-
*** History of British Rule/Administration over British Garhwal (Pauri, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli1815-1947) to be continued in next chapter
-
(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)
 
 History of British Garhwal, Education , Caste, History of Devalgarh Garhwal , ; History of Badhan Garhwal; Education , Caste History of Barasyun Garhwal; Education , Caste, History of Chandpur Garhwal; Education , Caste History of Chaundkot Garhwal; Education , Caste History of  Gangasalan Garhwal;  History of Mallasalan Garhwal;  Education , Caste, History of Tallasalan Garhwal; Education , Caste History of Dashauli Garhwal; Education , Caste, History of Nagpur Garhwal; Society  in British Garhwal. History of British Garhwal, History of Social Structure and Religious Faith in Chamoli Garhwal, History of Social Structure and Religious Faith of Pauri Garhwal ,  Education , Health, Social and Culture History of Rudraprayag Garhwal

                 Provincial councils in Uttarakhand in British Garhwal   
                  British Administration in Garhwal   -326
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History of British Rule/Administration over Kumaun and Garhwal (1815-1947) -346
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            History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -1180
          By:  Bhishma Kukreti (History Student)   
       Election of Council in 1920
      The government published Montague -Chamfprd repot on 8th July 1918. Government offered a few rights for Indians. Congress called an emergency meet in Mumbai. Hasan Imama presided the meet. Congress declared that people were not satisfied by the report. Congressed demanded complete autonomy. There was a meeting between a committee headed by Surendra Nath Banerji and Montague. It was decided that British will follow suggestions by Congress.
                There was congress Meet in 1918 presided by Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya. Congress rejected improvement lines by Motague and Chamford. Since, British won the First World War; it was not ready to listen people.
         There was meeting between council members and British officer Lord Thevery in lucknow for improvement. Govind Ballabh pant Represented Kumaon and Mukandi Lal Barrister represented Garhwal and put their views. Committee allowed one representative each for councils from Garhwal, Kumaon and Nainital.
     Moti Lal Nehru was president of congress conference of Amritsar in 1916 . Motilal Nehru was  not inagreement of improvement lines of British. However, congress announced accepting some improvement and congress was ready for standing for provincial council membership.
 Gandhi ji called for noncooperation movement on 10th March 19120 and asked people  for noncooperation with the government. kolkatta Congress Conference accepted non-cooperative call by Gandhi. Nagpur conference supported the movement. Govind Ballabh Pant from Kumaon, Tara Datt Gairola and Barrister Mukandi Lalal from Garhwal were delegates in Congress Conference of Nagpur.
                           There as provincial conference of Congress in Moradabad in 1920.  The provincial conference decided congress movement in Kumaon division too. Govind Ballabh Pant and Barrister Mukandi Lal were delegates from kumon division.
 There was division in congress in Nagpur. The moderate division was in favor of entering through council membership. The no changer group was of opinion that British had conspiracy through provincial councils and were supporters of Gandhi’s non-cooperation movement. Govind Ballabh pant was supporter of Moderate group and Barrister Mukandi Lal was supporter of No Chnager group.
               Council Election of 1920
    Mukandi Lal Barrister did not stand for provincial council election. Ray Bahadur Tara Datt Gairola filed papers for council election from Garhwal. Gairola had reputation and respects from all sects for his social causes interests.
                Jodh Singh Negi also stood for the council election. Jodh Singh Negi was famous for his Kuli Agency works in Garhwal. Jodh singh Negi was founder member of helping Rajput for getting government jobs and was founder of Kshatriya Samaj.
           The provincial election sowed the seeds of division between Rajput and Brhamins in Garhwal (kha, Ba). British Officilas fuled the Rajput –Brahmin divisions.
 Jodh Singh Negi won the election. Later on British awarded Jodh Singh Negi as Raybahadur.
          In Kumaon, Narayan datt chhimwal stood against Govind Ballabh pant from Nainital. Both were Brahmins , so there was no caste division in Kumaon. Narayan datt won the lection. 
                1923 Election
    There was division in Congress for fighting with British. Moti Lal Nehru and Chitranjan Das founded Swaraj party. The aim of Swaraj Party was to fight British within administration.
     Motilala Nehru visited Nainital in 1923 for promoting Swaraj Party candidates. There was a meet for Swaraj party candidatures for council election on 20th July in Nainital. Swaraj party declared following candidates –
 For Central Councils—Shriranga Ayyar
 For Provincial councils
Nainital seat – Govind Ballabh Pant
Almora – Hargovind Pant
Garhwal- Barrister Muknadi Lal
           All Swaraj Party candidates elected the election-
Swaraj party ------------votes – opponent ---------------------votes
Mukandi Lal ------------------------15487--------------Jodh singh -----4165
Hargovind pant -------------------11387--------------------------------------5576
Govind Ballabh pant ----------------4481--------------Badri Datt joshi ---370
 The results from Kumaon division were shocking for all.
    The first or new session of second Provincial council started on 8th January 1924. There were 100 elected members out of 123 members in council. 10 were representatives of various classes. Out of 90 members, 60 were Hindus and 30 were Muslims members. 30 members were from Swaraj party. Swaraj party was virtually the  opposition party.
      On first session, Govind Ballabh Pant raised the issue of imposing panel code 144 in Bageshwar and he asked many questions about Kumaon forests. Pant advocated for freeing people caught in forest fire incidents.
  There was meeting of ellites in Indian club on 30th August 1925.  Govind Ballabh pant, Badri Datt Joshi , Mukandi Lal barrister were present in the meet. The meet passed a resolution to bring judiciary of Kumaon under high court . On that time, commissioner was highest authority of judiciary of Kumaon.
  Har Govind Pant raised the issue of judiciary in Kumaon  on 14th December 1925 in the council session. Pant argued that if officers had to decide judiciary then what was the use of council. Har Govind suggested council should make rules.
   Government agreed for reducing half the tax on Bhabhar farmers due to persuasion from Kumaon members.
 All three Council members from Kumaon were very active social workers and active in councils too.  Kumaon division was having specific problems and immediate solutions were required. Kumaon councilmembers used to rais issues and used to put motions for the issues. Government was annoyed by actice participation by Kumaon members. Once, the financial committee memer remarked, “ Is the council is made for only Kumaon?”
   Micheal crane retired from chairman ship of the council in 1923. Sir Seeta Ram and Mukandi Lal Barrister stood for the post. Nominated members voted for Sir Seeta ram. Members respected Sir Seeta Ram for his work as chairman of Council.
 In 1926, council elected Mukandi Lal as deputy chairman of the council.
        In the congress annual meet of Kanpur on 25yh December 1925, Moti Lal Nehru put the resolution,” If by February 1926, government does not reply satisfactorily for the prosals sent by central assembly on 18th Feberuary 1825, the Swaraj party will stop working in provincial and central councils.” Congress passed the resolution by majority.
    In march 1926, Govind Ballabh pant spoke before budget discussion,” My opinion is that government is ignoring people’s voice. The dead structured government does not want to bent before people. We want to get power from people. Therefore we all Swaraj party members are resigning.” After that statement , all Swaraj pay members resigned from council.
   1926 council Election
   There was council election in 1926. Madan Mohan Malviya, Lala Lajpat ray founded another party –Nationalist party. Nationalist party also fought election. In that election, the members from swrak party were less in council.
     Govind Ballabh Pant from Nainital  and  Hargovind Pant wond from Almora.
             British government supported a Rajput Candidate Narayan Singh Negi against Mukandi Lala barrister and Mukandi Lal won the election.
 Again, Mukandi Lal was made deputy chairman of the council. Mukandi Lal Barrister was deputy chairman up to 1930. The government used to do land settlement every fifth year in Bhabhar for tax increase. Kumaon members put suggestion for land settlement in Bhabhar after forty years. That resolution could not be passed.
      Nayak people used to have culture of making their girls as prostitutes. A committee was set up under chairmanship of Kumaon commissioner.  Mukandi Lal Barrister, Govind Ballabh Pant and ramswarup were members of the committee.  Due to perusal of Kumaon council members, Council passed a  law ‘Nayak Sudhar Kanun in 1928. According to new law, it was punishable for pushing eighteen years and below aged girls into prostitution. Government opened  training centres for Nayak community for new jobs and crafts.
          Congress under the president ship of Jawahar Lal Nehru in Congress meet of Lahore of 1929 passed a resolution for complete freedom. on 2nd January 1930, Congress working committee passed resolution for boycotting councils and even schools and colleges. Congress ordered their council members for resigning from councils. In case, any members did not resign it was thought that public would persuade  the members for resigning from councils. Congress also informed voters for boycotting council election.       
     Govind Ballabh Pant and other members resigned from Councils. Mukandi Lal was against reigning. He did not resign from council but resigned from Congress.   
     
         
   
       
 

               
     
 

                   

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Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India,bjkukreti@gmail.com 17/4/2018
History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -1182
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*** History of British Rule/Administration over British Garhwal (Pauri, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli1815-1947) to be continued in next chapter
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(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)
 
 History of British Garhwal, Education , Caste, History of Devalgarh Garhwal , ; History of Badhan Garhwal; Education , Caste History of Barasyun Garhwal; Education , Caste, History of Chandpur Garhwal; Education , Caste History of Chaundkot Garhwal; Education , Caste History of  Gangasalan Garhwal;  History of Mallasalan Garhwal;  Education , Caste, History of Tallasalan Garhwal; Education , Caste History of Dashauli Garhwal; Education , Caste, History of Nagpur Garhwal; Society  in British Garhwal. History of British Garhwal, History of Social Structure and Religious Faith in Chamoli Garhwal, History of Social Structure and Religious Faith of Pauri Garhwal ,  Education , Health, Social and Culture History of Rudraprayag Garhwal.