Start of Rights on Forest Movement in Ravain, Jaunpur Uttarkashi
History of Tehri King Narendra Shah -38
History of Tehri Kingdom (Tehri and Uttarkashi Garhwal) from 1815 –1948- 230
History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) – 1477
By: Bhishma Kukreti (History Student)
Indian Freedom Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi:-
The Indian Freedom Movement had been there big news and inspiring news for Tehri Garhwal citizens. There had been freedom movement in British Garhwal and Kumaon. The newspapers in India used to publish news along with photos about freedom fighters, people greeting freedom fighters with great enthusiasm .Newspapers also used to publish photos of people greeting freedom fighters. In Rajat a place on the road from Chakrata to Ravain , Shop keeper lala ram Prasad used to call newspaper for his own reading . However, Ravain n people from nearby villages and tourists used to come there for reading news about freedom fight to the shop. The Ravain citizens took much interest in reading freedom fight news there. Usually , one person used to read and other used to hear the news. The Ravain citizens got inspired by Indian freedom movement news . A few brave citizens decided to start fight forest right movement in Ravain, They founded Hira Singh from Nagan village , Dayaram from Kesaru village and Baijram from Khumundi –Gaudar took responsibilities for leading the forest right movement. Lal Ram Prasad of Rajtar used to convey their news to each other (!). Ravain citizens founded ‘Azad Panchayat’. . From forest point of view, Azad Panchayat’ worked as parallel government in Tehri Garhwal. Azad Panchayat declared that every citizen has rights on forest produces consumption. There was strong emotion among people against forest department. People started giving position to Azad Panchayat members as King and Diwan. Hira Singh was called as ‘Panch Sarkar’ and Baijram as Teen Sarkar. The Ravain –Jaunpur people started opposing the government rules and started harming government forests. The forest department officers escaped away from Ravain. Azad Panchayt made a seal of jug (Lote ka Chhap ) too. (2).
The people organization in Jaunpur and Ravain regions became stronger. People decided to have people conference in Chandadokhari , Thaple of Talari. Initially, Thokdar (landlord) too part in movement for getting benefits from the movement for getting more rights as land Lords. (3). However, their desire fulfilment was not possible in people’s movement and land lords became spies for the government. The Kingdom administration was aware of the strong feeling against the kingdom from people by that movement. Sensing the strength of movement, the t Administration sent ex-Prime Minister Hari Krishna Raturi for calming down the movement. Raturi assured them for positive decision and retaining their forest from the Kingdom.
One side, there was talks and getting amicable solution from the talk by sending Raturi to Ravain. At the same , there was court case against the movement activist in the court of D.M Surendra Datt at Rajgarhi (Ravain) . DFO Padma Datt Raturi initiated the court case against the activists as Dayaram, Rudrasingh, Lala Ramprasad and Jamman Singh. S.D.M. found them guilty and gave decision of jail for those activists. The situation in Ravain –Jaunpur was explosive. The people were to much restless. Therefore, when the accused were being taken to Tehri court from Rajgarhim, there were policemen and Patwari with them. SDM Surendra Datt and DFO Padma datt Raturi were also there with police party.
When the police party along with accused reached to near Dandiyal village, the movement activists attacked on police party for releasing the so called accused.(5) There were gun firing from both the sides. DFO fired from his revolver for his defence. By his firing Gyan Singh of Nagan village was killed. It is also said that The revolver fire by Raturi killed two persons – Joon Singh and Ajit Singh (5). SDM Surendra Datt was also injured. Padma Datt Raturi ran away from the scene. Policemen also ran away from the field.
Movement Activists captured Surendra Datt as captive. Activists took the so called accused ones to Rajtar.
Chakradhar Juyal decided to teach lesson to the activists and wanted to create fear in the region too. The King was on Europe Tour. Diwan Chakra Dhar Juyal took permission to repress the movement by weapons from the United Province Governor. (4). The Chief Army staff of Tehri state did not agree for firing on citizens. Chakradhar Juyal replaced Surendra Singh by Nathu Singh Sajwan and sent him to Ravain for suppressing the rebellions.
Dabral states that probably there were efforts for accord but talks failed. (1). On 17th Jeth (May) , the army reached to Rajgarhi via Dharasu . The villagers had planning for stopping the army. However, second time, the villagers were unsuccessful. Thokdar /landlord Ranjit Singh welcomed armed force by wine and meat. That night, forces enjoyed the welcome by Ranjit Singh and Thokdar Lakhiram. Second day, soldiers caught the villagers .Both the Thokdars helped force for catching the innocent people.
Second day, there was meeting of Aazad panchayt and people gathered at Chandadkhori. People started discussing on arrival of the force. Army surrounded people from three sides . There was a soliderAgam singh in army t from Ravain , he cautioned the people. Diwan blew the whistle and soldiers started firing .Few people climbed on trees , afew lied down on ground and a few jumped into Yamuna. Many were killed and injured . (Sundar Lal Bahuguna). In night, Diwan was sleeping and the injured young men cried by pain. Diwan ordered for killing them. The shop of Ramprasad at Rajtar was demolished. Next day, soldiers went to village to village and caught the people.
As per government report, only four people were killed and two were injured. As per that report , 194 people were caught by soldiers. (1)
As per Garhwali newspaper (12/7/1930), more than 100 people were killed and much more were caught.
As per Sundar Lal Bahuguna, 17 people were killed and soldiers fired 600 bullets.
The king appreciated Chakradhar Juyal for his action after returning from Europe Tour. State government initiated court cases against the accused. The Tehri government did not allow the accused for taking help of outside lawyers. The accused did lobbying for them. Tehri Government initiated cases against 68 persons (innocent) and court decided from 1 to 20 years prisonment. 15 accused died in prison. Police threw their dead bodies into Ganga.
The king and other pro- Government personalities had opinions that Chakradhar Juyal took right decision for ordering gun firing and killing the activists. (6) .
However, the people were angry against the incidents and the people created folk song about incidents and criticizing the Killer Chakradhar Juyal. Those folk songs named Juyal as Khuni (the Killer).
News in Media about Ravain Incident
Outside of Tehri Garhwal, Garhwali, Hindu Sansar, Abhaya, Indian States Affairs Reformer etc., published the news about Ravain incidents.
Hindu Sansar published articles (perhaps anonymous names) and criticized the acts of Tehri Government. Chakradhar Juyal had opinion that the writer was the editor Chandola of Garhwali. (1).
Garhwali newspaper published news about Ravain incident on 28th June 1930 declaring that 100 persosn died in the incidents and more than that numbers were injured. The secretary of Tihri darbar sent reaction and that was published in Garhwali on 30th June 1930.The reaction stated that on 4 people were killed and 2 were injured. Ex Diwan Bhavani Datt Uniyal also criticized the acts of Juyal to his men.
Juyal pleaded case in the court against Chandola, Bhavani Datt Uniyal , Sadanand Naithani etc.. (1)
Vishwambar Datt Chandola was sent by Court to prison in Dehradun from 31st March 1933 to 3rd February 1934.
Chakradhar Juyal also took Tara Datt Gairola a intellectual and lawyer. Gairola criticized the Tehri kingdom in one conference. However, Gairola won the case and Tehri Government had to pay penalty to Gairola.
References-
1--Dabral S., Tehri Garhwal Rajya ka Itihas Bhag 2 (new edition), Veer Gatha Press, Dogadda, (1999) page 41 to 48
2-Settlement report Uttarkashi p 1
3- Sundar Lal Bahuguna ,Himkirit
4- Karmabhumi , 26 January 1956
5- Anarticle in Sarswati by Mukandi lal December 1970
6-Daurgidata , Narendravanshakavya 249-50
Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti, 2020
