August - 2015 Odisha Review

People¶s Movement in Nayagarh (1938-39)

Prasanta Kumar Narendra

The State of Nayagarh is situated between 190531 was confirmed for the post.6 Land Records and 200 201 northern latitude and 840481 and 850 Tahasildar was Babu Akshaya Kumar Ghose.7 151 eastern longitude with area of 588 square Tahasildar was Babu Udayanath Patnaik, B.A., miles. On the north the state is bounded by the Inspector of Police Abantinath Santara, forest states of Daspalla and Khandapara, on east by officer babu Fakir Charan Panda, Deputy Ranpur state. On the south it is linked with British Inspector of schools babu Mahadev Das, Chief Indian Subdivision of Khurda under Puri district medical officer Dr. Brindaban Chandra Biswal whereas on west it is bounded by Ghumusar Taluq MBBS, Veterinary Assistant Munshi Mahmad of Ganjam District under Madras Presidency. Baig, Overseer babu Binod Bihari Mohanti, According to 1901 census the population of the Debottor Manager babu Krishna Chandra Lalla, state was 1,40,779 out of which only 9 were Headmaster, Brajendra Secondary school- babu Christians and 585 Muslims.1 Out of the total Lingaraj Mishra, B.Ed.8 Most of these officials area, about 217 square miles were cultivated or of the state were outsiders. Even if the ruler otherwise occupied and remaining portion of the wanted to employ the local people in those posts, state comprised of forests, hills, shrubs, jungles the Dewan and others wanted to employ persons and other wastelands.2 Total Revenue of the state from outside.9 It proved the high-handedness of was Rs.4,36,842.3 The state paid Rs.5525-4-1 the Dewan who could easily cajole the ruler that as Jumma to the British government.4 fittest persons were not available in locality. That Raja Krushna Chandra Singh Mandhata was partially true in some cases but in other cases who was invested with ruling powers in 1933 at like the post of a teacher could have been filled the age of 22 completed his 28th year in 1939. up by an educated man from the state. So that The younger brother of the ruler Kumar the problem of underemployment would have Brindaban Chandra Singh a diploma holder in been solved to a certain extent. Discrimination in Agriculture was put in charge of agricultural farm employment was a factor for people¶s discontent. at Mahipur.5 Dewan of the state was Babu Hare The miserable economic condition of the Krishna Samanta who was on a long leave on people of Nayagarh was a strong factor for health ground and finally retired and then the people¶s discontent. Like other states Nayagarh Assistant Dewan Babu Janardan Nanda, B.A. was basically an agricultural state. There was no remained in change of Dewan from the beginning industry in the state. The chief source of revenue of the year upto 3rd December 1939 when he was land and forest. The cultivators had no

70 Odisha Review August - 2015 proprietary right over their land. Occupancy right petty forest officers and peons often took could not be alienated without the permission of advantage of those laws to exact illegal the ruler which could be obtained at a very heavy gratifications from the people.13 fees.The rate of transfer fees fixed by the state The education and health systems of the varied from Rs.90/- to Rs.5/- per acre according 10 state was not in good condition.There were 2 to the quality of the land. The Dewan of the dispensaries one at headquarters and another at state continued to remain in charge of the Odagaon. There were one High School,one M.E administration of land till the end of December school, 3 U.P. and 71 L.P.Schools in the state.14 1942. The land revenue of the state was realized 11 Still the state collected cess of 6 pies in rupee for on 2 equal Kist viz; each service of education and health from the 1st kist- 1st January people. Moreover the artisans such as black- 2nd kist- 15th February smith, goldsmith, carpenters etc. had to pay a professional tax of one rupee per year. It seems, The burden of taxation on the people in therefore, the only important work of the people different forms was heavy. The rate of rent on of Nayagarh was to pay and pay to the state. agricultural land was much higher in comparison with the neighbouring district of Ganjam and Puri. Besides, there were a number of forced For same class of land for which the people of exactions from the people. µmagana¶ or Ganjam had to pay only Re.1/- while those of compulsory contributions was being levied from Nayagarh had to pay Rs.3/14/-. People of the people on certain occasions like the marriage Ganjam did not pay any rent for homestead land, ceremony of the ruler or the silver jubilee of the people of Puri paid rent of Rs.4-6-3 per acre Raja. It was compulsory and failure to pay led to whereas the people of Nayagarh paid Rs.12 to heavy fines. The system of µrasad¶ or compulsory 15 per acre of homestead land. Besides they had supply of provisions to Raja or his officers or guests while on tour was in practice in the to pay 3 annas as local cess, one anna as school 15 and hospital cess and one anna as forest cess on state.µSunia¶ or New year¶s Day Bheti was not every rupee of rent.12 The Sarbarakaras were realized from the people but from the Sarvarakaras collecting land rent from the people,for which they and Jagirdars. µBethi¶ or upaid forced labour was were enjoying rent-free Jagirs. in vogue in the state till 1932 when it was replaced by a Bethi cess of anna three each rupee of rent. Forest rules were very strict and Since then that bethi cess had been renamed oppressive. People were forbidden to cut 32 ³Road Cess´ and bethi in several forms had again varieties of trees.Even,as per the forest rule they been demanded from the people for which a could not cut trees from their holdings. People nominal wage was sometimes paid. The could not kill wild animals who often destroyed Sarvarakaras and police officers used to snatch the crops. People had to pay grazing fees whether away a portion of what was paid to the people or not the cattle graze in their villages. The cess by state. They were doing a lot of hard work like was levied on each cow and buffalo. Besides that carrying stones and metals from distant places for there was a fee of Re.0-8-0 per cow, Re.0-4-0 construction of roads and bridges. They were for calf and one rupee per buffalo for grazing in forced without payment to extinguish forest fires. reserved forests. Fines for breach of grazing and Even during the time of harvesting people were forest laws were very heavy. The unscrupulous, forced to do bethi.

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Moreover the ruler exacted heavy frequently visited Puri and Calcutta and stayed salamis for appointing castes headman, for for good number of days.19 The expenditure for granting permission for social feastings and unnecessary tour of the chief had been borne by processions on the occasion of marriage or his innocent subjects. The state, on the other hand, funeral. For using palanquins, sabaries and masals did nothing for the welfare of the common people. (country torch) in procession, pre-permission was People did not get drinking water in summer necessary and salamis were paid by the people. season and had to go miles together for that The money collected was not going to the state purpose. In the rainy season the rivers overflowed treasury but to the privy purse of the Raja. because of the torrential rain and the flood The Durbar also levied succession fee on destroyed the paddy and houses of the people. the heirs on the death of the owner of the land. People did not even get a single straw to thatch their house and feed their cattle.They had to live Fees were collected for granting permission to 20 adopt a son.16 That was the worst part of the in open air under the sky. To the appeals of relief state¶s policy of taxation. People¶s condition got for flood and drought, the administration always deteriorated day by day. After paying several paid a deaf ear. Sometimes due to shortage of kinds of taxes to the state the people were left a rainfall, crops failed and people had no food to survive. Persons having acres of land had to go meagre amount to sustain their families for a year. 21 Aggrieved people were in the lookout of an for cooli work on streets. Even many of them occasion for long to do away with the exploitation left for Calcutta or Rangoon to earn their and oppression meted out on them. livelihood. Police atrocities on the people had crossed all the limits. It seemed that people had Civil liberty of the people in Nayagarh no freedom of speech or expression.One Lingaraj was non-existent. The system of law and justice Behera of Saranakula was beaten mercilessly for was not well organised. Appeals filed in the court reading a newspaper called ³Krushak´.22 of Raja against the judgment of Dewan remained pending for long as the ruler was not holding his If anybody wanted to express his view court regularly. Corruption was rampant in the on any issue, the police tried to suppress him by state. All the officials from top to bottom were using slang language and third grade method. Even engaged in corruption.By that time one constable the religious persons who lived on begging in the of police or a mere forest guard was enjoying state were not spared from police atrocities. more power in the Garjat state than the present Another example of police atrocity was evident police commissioner or a chief conservator of from the fact that a village Choukidar named Bhika forest in modern Odisha. Those officials were Mallik was severely beaten by the Police S.I. Benudhar Babu for not informing him about the habituated in taking bribe forcibly from the people 23 to fill up their own pocket.17 political meeting held at Bolgarh. Absence of a transfer policy in police department in the state Raja Krushna Chandra Singh most of the had made police oppressive by nature.In 1920 in time lived outside the state.18 The administration another incident police atrocities had crossed all of the state therefore was run by Dewan. Since the limits. On the suicide of a beggar, the police the state had no codified law, he ruled the state started to exact bribes from the innocent people as per his will.Corruption was order of the day of the locality. The police threatened them to and maladministration reigned supreme in the implicate in false cases if they did not pay the state. After returning from foreign country the ruler bribe. One Gati Mangaraj and others had sent a

72 Odisha Review August - 2015 telegram to the Political Agent about the incident. not to chew betel so long as it had not been On the inquiry as the allegations could not be cancelled. So the boycott movement had spread substantiated owing to the maneuvering of the state all over the state.The prominent leaders of the officials, Gati Mangaraj had to undergo rigorous movement travelled from village to village to imprisonment for a long period.24 The absence of support the boycott movement. Nobody except civil liberty in Nayagarh could be marked in the few government officials used betel.30 The state dismissal of Padmanav Mishra, a U.P.school had suffered a loss due to the movement. The teacher who was allegedly reported that he had Dewan ordered the police to arrest and assault gone to Delanga to attend a meeting at Gandhi those who persuaded the people not to purchase Seva Sangha. The state was fearful lest, he might the betel leaf. In the meantime cases were influence others for agitation in the state.Thus he registered against Narayan Nanda and Bharat was dismissed from his post.25 Sahoo from Odagaon, Biswanath Mishra from Betel Leaf Agitation: Under such socio- Itamati. Moreover some other leaders like economic hardship, when the people were in Ganapati Ram, Banchhanidhi Panda and Akrura misery, another act of the ruler had made the Moharana were called to the police station at people bold enough to raise voice against the Itamati and were severely beaten by the police state.That was an agitation of the people known S.I. Benudhar babu.31 To curb that movement the as Betel Leaf Agitation which was directed against authorities had taken recourse to false and the state monopoly on betel. The state had not concocted cases against the leaders of the only imposed taxes on betel but on other tobacco movement. So they were convicted and items such as bidi, gundi, Gudakhu and imprisoned.32 Narayan Nanda of Odagaon had kerosene. Those were the essential commodities also been fined Rs.30/- by the Dewan.Reports of the people. So people became very much on the popular discontent had been published in aggrieved.26 Particulary pan or betel was widely different Odia weekly, but the Chief who had been used by the people in the state both for come from foreign countries, did not glance at digestive reason and for religious reason as well. those newspapers. So he remained silent and As the demand for betel leaf was more in unmoved knowingly. Therefore the Dewan the state, the small shopkeepers benefited most enjoyed all powers to handle the situation in his from its sale. But the ruler without caring for the own way. In spite of severe oppression and large number of shopkeepers had introduced atrocities on them, the people continued the Betel monopoly licence of selling beteleaf in the state leaf Agitation. In the process, as the licence holders since 1934. The state derived an income of about suffered heavy loss for a longer period of time, Rs.1000/- from that source.27 As a result the small the ruler had no other option but to lift the shopkeepers lost their business and livelihood. monopoly licence on betel.33 Success of the The price of betel increased enormously.28 That people in their first phase of the movement made system had worked as a great hardship on the them confident to struggle with determination people. As a result of that system betel-leaf sold against the oppression and maladministration in 4 or 5 times dearer than in the neighbouring British the state. area. Even the supply was not regular and 29 Formation of Prajamandal in the state: On satisfactory. the call of the Odisha State People¶s Conference Now the people started agitation against and with the advice of Sarangadhar Das the the monopoly licence of betel leaf and took a vow people of Nayagarh wanted to form Prajamandal

73 August - 2015 Odisha Review in the state. In order to continue the movement President, Bharat Nayak and Narasingha Nanda systematically to get their demands fulfilled Joint secretary, Laxman Moharana, Narayan Narayan Nanda had given a call to the fellow Nanda, Kasinath Panda, Ramakrishna Adhikari, people to assemble at Dangibandha village under Janardan Subudhi, Sudarsan Prusty, Haribandhu Ganjam district.The meeting was held under the Acharya, Laxman Sahoo and Iswar Patsani- presidentship of Suryanarayan Patnaik,the Members.37 A lot of things were discussed in the Congress worker of Ganjam.In that meeting the meeting including people¶s civil liberty and other aims and programmes of AISPC were discussed demands. Moreover, it was resolved in the and decision was taken to form the Prajamandal meeting that in every village one village branch of in the state.As per the decision people from all the Prajamandal would be formed.38 So that parts of the state started to assemble at Odagaon people would be activated for the movement on 28th June 1938 and a Prajamandal was formed against the state to get their demands fulfilled. temporarily on that day under the presidentship Then after a lot of deliberations, a memorandum of Narayan Nanda at the sacred shrine of Sri containing various demands of the people, had Raghunath Jew of Odagaon.34 Sri Narayan been prepared which was to be submitted to the Nanda was elected as temporary President along ruler for redressal. It was the first historic with Kuber Sahoo as Vice President,Bharat document of the Nayagarh Prajamandal Nayak as Secretary, and Laxman Moharana, movement which contained 17 demands of the Banchanidhi Senapati, Sudarson Prusty,Janardan people as follows:39 Subudhi, Haribandhu Achary, Iswar Patsani, and 1. Right to hold meetings and to read Laxman Sahoo as members.The Durbar wanted newspapers should be guaranted. to destroy the Prajamandal at its bud. So it arrested Narayan Nanda, the President, 2. Bethi or labour without wage should be Prajamandal and other workers in connection with abolished. betel leaf agitation and thrown to the Jail. They 3. The public collection known as magan for were not given bail nor allowed to have an the purpose of marriage, Upanayan and advocate to fight their case. But people became funeral functions of the ruler was to be more courageous with such type of activities of abolished. the Durbar.On 3rd September 1938 the executive committee of the Prajamandal decided to form 4. Lawful rights of the tenants over the land the Prajamandal of the people of Nayagarh at had to be ensured. Land transfer fee and Odagaon on the sacred day of Bhadrav Purnima Dakhal-Kharaj fee be abolished. (full moon night) falling on 9th September Attachement of cultivation appliances and 1938.Accordingly the first regular Prajamandal crockeries for the recovery of the land (People¶s Association) was organized at revenue be banned. The collection of land Odagaon on 9th September 1938 on the full moon revenue on uncultivable sand deposited, day of Bhadrav.35 At least 10 thousand people flood-damaged land should be kept in had assembled there to form the Prajamandala. abeyance till the land was made cultivable. Banchhanidhi Senapati presided over the 5. The utilization of forest products fuel, meeting.36 In the meeting following names of the bamboo, twigs etc. be allowed without any members of executive committee of the royalty and boundary restrictions. The Prajamandal were declared. Banchhanidhi grazing tax must be abolished. The Senapati- President, Kuber Sahoo-Vice protection of the crops against the damage

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caused by the wild animals be allowed The President of the Prajamandal without payment of fees. forwarded the memorandum containing the 6. Import and Export control should be damands of the people for favour of abolished in order to facilitate the sale of consideration of the ruler. When the ruler saw that agricultural products in and outside state. memorandum, he immediately rejected the demands he left no stone unturned to crush any 7. The licence fees on the business of betel leaf, sort of movement of the people. The state police tola, Karanja, Kusum etc be abolished. was asked to arrest the leaders and crush the Taxation on sugarcane cultivation be movement. Simultaneously Gundas (ruffians) abolished. were hired to create disturbances in the meetings 8. Those who had only the homestead land of the Prajamandal. The persons who helped the should be exempted from all taxes. Those Prajamandal workers in providing food and who exclusively depended on selling shelter were punished. In protest against such fuelwood for their livelihood should be repressive policy of the ruler mammoth public exempted from the payment of fees. meetings were organized on 10th September 1938 at Bahadajhola and on 13th September 1938 at 9. The backward class people such as Hadi, Godipada.40 The actions of the Durbar had been Pana, Doma, who earned their livelihood by condemned and resolutions were passed to making baskets out of bamboo should be continue the movement. exempted from the tax levied on bamboo. The people all over Nayagarh became 10. Necessary steps should be taken to make very much enthusiastic in participating bridge on the rivers Dahuka and Sulia. Prajamandal Movement. Guided by the Congress, 11. All the rules and regulations of the state the Nayagarh Prajamandal organized Swadeshi should be published in Odia and notified for Movement in the state. People were encouraged the information of the general public. to use Charkha and wear handspun Khadar.41 This movement continued for months together. The 12. Paddy granary should be kept in each Raja tried his best to suppress the movement but pargana as was done previously. failed. 13. There should be facilities for irrigation in the Agitation against Grazing Tax: Like the betel areas likely to be affected by drought. leaf agitation, the people of Nayagarh started 14. Restrictions on intoxicating articles like another vigorous agitation against the Grazing opium,wine,ganja should continue as it was Tax. The grazing tax used to be collected in the before. month of December every year. But all of sudden 15. Those govertment officials found engaged the ruler ordered his officers to collect that tax in in collecting bribes from the people must be the month of September instead of December. arrested. The Prajamandal appealed the ruler not to collect that tax in September. But the ruler was adamant 16. Professional Taxes must be abolished. in his decision.In protest the Prajamandal 17. Full responsible government of the people launched agitation against the Durbar. People were be established in the state.It should run as asked not to pay the grazing tax.The state could per laws for the protection of the interests not get a single anna from that tax. Then the forest of the people. officers, at the instance of the chief, captured the

75 August - 2015 Odisha Review cattle from the grazing land of Odagaon, unripe paddy in order to store it in Bolgarh, prior Bahadajhola, Godipada and other places and put to the launching of a no-rent campaign. 42 them into the Kine houses. It was declared that On the other hand in order to deal with unless the grazing tax was paid, these animals agitators, the officials of state had visited several would be sold off in auction.When the date of Muslim villages like Keranga and Mukundaprasad auction was announced nobody came forward etc. of Khurda police station to enlist Muslim to participate in it as a protest against that unlawful youths for service as constables in Nayagarh.47 action. The officers in charge of auction work At the same time in order to counteract the faced a lot of difficulty in auctioning the cattle. At Prajamandal Movement the Raja encouraged the Nuagaon hundreds of satyagrahis were lathi- formation of another association known as charged while protesting against the move of the ³Prajabandhu Samiti.´ It was constituted in ruler to auction the cattle seized by his officer. November 1938.48 It consisted of 21 members Sudam Charan Barik, Narayan Behera and who were rich bunisnessmen, Sarbarkaras and Krupasindhu Patnaik were seriously wounded.43 landlords known for their loyalty to the ruler. The But the people continued the movement. On 17th Samiti was propagating the attitude and interest October1938 the Durbar threatened the people of the ruler for the welfare of the common people with dire consequence if the movement was not and distributing pamphlets in this regard. The stopped. It had a positive impact on the people. people were very well known about such Thus they started to organise village panchayats propaganda and did not pay any heed to this.49 in every village to counter any repressive Rather in order to fight against the reactionary measures of the Durbar.The panchayats created measures of the ruler, the Prajamandal started awareness among the people to have solidarity reorganizing panchayats in villages.50 The ruler¶s and unity to fight against injustice44. activities were condemned by every village Panchayat. Through distribution of pamphlets and In order to protest against the brutality of meetings, it tried to expose the defects of Raja¶s the ruler, the µGadjat Day¶ was observed all over administration.The Prajamandal also directed the the state on 29th October 1938. On that day people not to keep relation with the members of processions and hartals were held throughout the Prajabandhu Samiti and employees of the ruler.51 state and a largely attended public meeting was held at Godipada. The prominent leaders like In the meantime the Nayagarh Krupasindhu Patnaik, Biswanath Patnaik, Ananda Prajamandal had published a pamphlet under the Charan Dora and Chakradhar Moharana etc. heading ³The second appeal of the Nayagarh were harassed and tortured by gundas for Prajamandal´. The hand bill critisised the alleged addressing the meeting.45 Simultaneously on 29th mal- administration in Nayagarh state and the and 30th October 1938 about 10,000 tenants system of demanding µBethi¶ and µveti¶ by the including several thousand Khonds and aborigines ruling chief. It was circulated among the people moved towards the royal palace and surrounded in the villages in order to make them very much it for getting their demands fulfilled. The Raja tried active in carrying out the Prajamandal Movement in vigorous way. The pamphlet runs as follows : his best to persuade the people not to join hands 52 with agitators and promised 7 concessions.46 The CSP leaders like Gangadhar Mishra and others Many plans are being adopted to were said to have incited the tenants to cut down supperss our agitation. The school teachers have trees from forest. Even the tenants harvested been ordered to dissuade villagers from attending

76 Odisha Review August - 2015 meetings. They have been asked to hold meetings in an appeal of the Prajamandal have left the ruling to preach loyality. The Sarvarakaras and chief unmoved. The Durbar has lied in asserting Chaukidars have been instructed to coerce people that we are instigated. The Durbar has lied in into offering their signature on blank paper in order asserting that we are instigated by the people of to superscribe later the words ³I belong to the British Odisha who are described as looting us. Ruling Chief.´ Many proclamations are being Finally the threat of removing some of our so circulated on behalf of the Nayagarh Durbar. called rights has been levelled against us. It further Although we are made to put down forest fires, threatens us with assaults and imprisonement if to serve for shikar, to make roads and to clear we do not give up the agitation. the forest all without payment, the Durbar has now Threats and propaganda like the ones published that there is no µBethi¶ in the state. You carried on by the Durbar will continue, but we all know how we enjoy. The alleged right to the should not be alarmed and should push on with trees in Kabuliyat lands, as proclaimed by the our agitation. God will help us. Durbar, we now pay Rs.6/- for a cartload of fuel. In addition we pay Rs.1/6 or Rs.2/- per cart to People¶s anguish had been clearly seen bring it from a coupe. It may be true that the against the ruler not only for the mal- Durbar has opened English high schools, but who administration but also for the attempt to suppress studies there ? We have no food and rags to cover the movement by hook or by crook. Definitely our bodies. How can we get English education that pamphlet had aroused the people to fight for paying Rs.10/- or Rs.20/- a month ? The teaching their demands. On the other hand the ruler, instead of weaving is confined to schools. We don¶t reap of granting their demands, tried to suppress the any benefit from these schools. We all know that agitation ruthlessly. In his arrogance, he could not the poor do not get any relief in hospitals which see the writings on the wall, and rather unwittingly are meant for babas only. The hopes raised by precipitated a crisis. In order to suppress the the Durbar by saying that it would open mines movement the chief requisitioned police forces and provide labour for thousands are still from Nepal as he was the son-in-law of Nepal. unfulfilled and in God¶s hand. The Durbar alone On 4th of December a batch of about 12 police knows about its declaration to the people that it constables in civil dress from Nepal passed would convene a Legistative Assembly to frame through Khurda to Nayagarh. More policemen laws for the people. This news has not reached were expected to come very soon to help the the masses. ruler. Simultaneously the ruler had also deputed a What happened to our demands? There special officer to Calcutta to report to the Resident is no sign of any consideration of our demands, for Easteren States on the present situation in the but we now see that the Durbar declares that our state and requested him to send a detachment of demands are unauthorized. The worthlessness of British force to the Nayagarh state for 53 the declaration of the Durbar has, it is regrettable assistance. When the people came to know to note, been exposed by its criticism of agitators about such designs of the chief to suppress their who are called thieves and dacoits. The Durbar¶s movement, they became more aggressive.The th first mistake was the classifying of the demands ruler, then promulgated a special regulation on 10 of Prajamandal as the writings of few cheats. It is December 1938 known as ³Regulation of disturbing and un-reasonable to find that the Nayagarh State.´ It was an Ordinance, which was disturbances at Odagaon which were pointed out enforced with immediate effect. It had prohibited

77 August - 2015 Odisha Review the general meetings, associations and processions Prusty, Lingaraj Pradhan, and Mahadev Dakua etc.in the state.The circulation and reading of of Damasahi were arrested. President of the newspaper was banned in the state.54 The police Prajamandal, Banchhanidhi Senapati, Vice was empowered to arrest the people and search President, Kuber Sahu, Secretary, Bharat Nayak, their houses without warrant.The ordinance was and Narasingh Nanda and member Godavarish meant for seizing civil liberty and suppressing the Mishra were arrested and sent to jail.57 They were movement of the people. The Prajamandal named severely tortured there. On 29th December 1938 it as ³Black Act.´ the Prajamandal met at Odagaon to discuss future But the ordinance had no impact on the course of action arising out of the arrest of their people¶s movement in the state. In defiance to top leaders. It was unanimously decided to that ordinance, the Nayagarh Prajamandal held a continue the movement.At that time it was special session on 19th December 1938 at propagated by the durbar that the arrested leaders Kuanpara in Ganjam district.55 After a careful would be sent out of the state. The Prajamandal discussion many resolutions were passed in the immediately ordered its workers to propagate the message and request the people assemble at meeting. These were, to defy the state Regulation, st to violate the Forest Act, to organize meetings, Nayagarh on 31 December 1938. Accordingly processions, to read the newspapers, to continue people in thousands assembled in front of the grazing tax agitation and to release the arrested palace. People blocked all the roads to the workers etc. The session was followed by a Nayagarh.Excitement prevailed in the state. training programmee for the satyagrahis. In protest People not only surrounded the Palace and to it the Prajamandal offered Satyagraha. Large Kacheri and blocked the roads but also closed number of educated youth and students of the the entrance gate of the Jail. Movement was at its state came forward to join the satyagraha.They heights. had formed an association known as united youth Apprehending trouble the ruler wired to union and published a bulletin named ³Ahimsa the Political Agent, who by that time was camping Veri´. It preached against the acts of the ruler.56 at Dhenkanal for help.The Raja and the officials The union created awareness among the people were frightened to see such a sea of crowd.He for Satyagraha.The proposals of the Kuanpara immediately came to the people and discussed session of the Prajamandal, like establishment of with Prajamandal workers like Laxman representative government in the state, withdrawal Maharana, Sridhar Dash, Sukra Behera, Laxman of the state regulation and other damands of the Sahu and Udayanath Prusty. After a long people had been submitted to the Durbar by the deliberation, an agreement was made between President of the Prajamandal for fulfillment. The the Raja and the Prajamandal leaders.58 According ruler rejected the proposals. Soon the people to the agreement it was decided that all the started procession, hartal, meetings and agitations arrested Prajamandal workers would be released throughout the state in large scale. Ahimsa Veri by 3rd January 1939, all the cases registered was distributed among the people for arousing against the workers would be dropped, their sentiment. Many Satyagrahis like Maguni establishment of a representative government Panda, Brajabandhu Satapathy, Bhubaneswar soon, granting of civil liberty, and fulfilment of Adhikary and other 19 were arrested.Satyagrahis other demands of the people. It was also like Gadadhar Maharana and others were beaten demanded by the Prajamandal that the Raja at Nandighor. Prajamandal workers like Harihar would announce all these concessions on 9th

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January 1939. Some leaders were allowed to Raja on 30th April 1939.63 On that occasion the meet the political prisoners inside the jail. On the Durbar announced some concessions like advice of the Prajamandal the people left relaxation of grazing tax, reduction of road cess Nayagarh for their homes. A copy of the of one anna and restrictions on the use of forest agreement concluded with the raja had been sent was relaxed.64 The Raja scolded and warned the to the Secretary, OSPC, Sarangadhar Das. He Prajamandal of dire consequence if it continued advised the workers of the state to remain alert, the movement in future. At the same time with the because the Raja might detract from the outbreak of Second World War in September agreement.59 He also told them to collect fees from 1939 the movement became inactive. the people for a fighting fund to meet any exigency Although the Prajamandal movement in in future for the movement. The Political Agent Nayagarh remainded quite for some time, still the Major Bazelgatte arrived at Nayagarh on 4th 60 fire of discontent of the people was burning. January1939 . He advised the Raja not to agree Outside the state at a place called Bhimpada to the demand of the people like the establishment under Begunia Police Station in Khurda of the representative government in the state. subdivision, a meeting of about 100 members of Next day Major Bazelgatte rushed to Nayagarh Prajamandal was held under the Ranpur to settle some problems and was killed Presidentship of Sridhar Dash.Some people from by the people on 5th of January 1939. It was a Khandapara and Ranpur states had also attended truning point in the Prajamandal Movement in it. The local Congress workers had made all the almost all states. Being panic the ruler of Nayagarh arrangement for that meeting. The 3 resolutions had accepted most of the demands of the people. passed by the AISPC at Poona on 30th July 1940 Instantly all the Prajamandal workers were were read out and unanimously passed. Another released from jail and cases against them were resolution requesting the Raja of Nayagarh to withdrawn.61 Moreover the people, like the ruler establish a ³true responsible democratic also became unnerved and panic after the murder government´ in the state was passed. The of Major Bazelgette and voluntarily suspended president through his speech criticised Mr. J. Satyagraha without waiting for the direction from Bowstead, the chief secretary to Government for the Odisha state people¶s conference.62 As per not recognizing their association.65 the agreement the ruler announced many th However powerful the ruler might be, he concessions on 9 January 1939 like free trade had to succumb to the power of the common of agricultural commodity would be encouraged people. The people of Nayagarh had proved it and betel leaf monopoly was abolished. But the through their movement.They did not sit quietly Durbar announced to set up an Advisory for good until they achived success.Although the Committee in place of the representative movement became calm for few years, it became government of the people. The Prajamandal th vigorous in subsequent years in 1942 and 1946. rejected that proposal outrightly.On 5 March The final struggle sealed the fate of the ruler in 1939 the durbar announced the date of election th 1948 and the state of Nayagarh became part of to the Advisory Committee. On 15 April 1939 Province of Odisha. election was held. Prajamandal did not participate in the election.The Raja got his men elected References : uncontested in the election. The first meeting of 1. Cobden Ramsay, Feudatory States Of Orissa, the Advisory Committee was inaugurated by the Calcutta, 1982,p.262.

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2. Administrative Report of Nayagarh State, Eastern 36. The Deshakatha, 20th September 1938. States Agency, 1939-40 P.1. 37. Nayagarh Prajamadal Itihas, op.cit. PP.32-33. 3. Ibid P.1. 38. The Deshakatha, 20th September 1938. 4. Eastern States Agency list No.-6, Delhi 1938, 39. Nayagarh Prajamadal Itihas,op.cit.PP.29-32 Government of India Press, P.16. 40. Nayagarh Prajamandal,op.cit.p.33. 5. General Review of Administration of Feudatary 41. S.C.De,(ed) Diary of Political Events in Odisha, States of Orissa and Chhotnagpur for year 1922- Calcutta, 1964, P.18. 23. 42. Nayagarh Prajamandal,op.cit.p.35. 6. Adminstrative Report of Nayagarh, Op.cit. P.1. 43. Ibid. 7. Ibid .P.1. 44. Nayagarh Prajamandal Itihas-op-cit, p-36. 8. Eastern State Agenecy, op.cit. List No-06 45. K.M. Patra, Orissa State Legislature and Freedom 9. The Deshakatha, 21st March 1938. Struggle,1921-47, ICHR, New Delhi,1979, p.277. 10. Report of the State Enquiry Committee, Orissa 46. Home Confidential Report, file No-289 of 1938, States, Cuttack, 1939, P.116. (hearafter known as (OSA) ROSEC) 47. Ibid. 11. Administrative Report of Nayagarh State, 1942- 43, P.4. 48. WWCC, Orissa Records, Acc No.-35,P.53. 12. ROSEC, P.117. 49. Nayagarh Prajamandal Itihas-op-cit,p-35. 13. Ibid. P.117. 50. H.K. Mahatab, Beginning of the End, Cuttack, 1972, P.90. 14. Ramsay,op.cit.pp.265-269. 51. Nayagarh Prajamandal Itihas-op-cit,p-36. 15. ROSEC.P.118. 52. Home Confidential Reports, File No.-289 of 1938. 16. ROSEC,p.119. (OSA) 17. Nayagarh Prajamandal Itihas, compiled by 53. Home Confidential Reports, File No-289 of 1938. Prajamandal Itihas Committee, Nayagarh, 1992, (OSA) p.12. 54. Nayagarh Prajamandal,op.cit.p.43. 18. The Deshakatha- 22nd Feb. 1938. 55. Nayagarh Prajamandal,op.cit.pp.43-52. 19. The Deshakatha- 29th March 1938. 56. Ibid. 20. The Deshakatha- 21st August, March 1938. 57. Ibid. 21. The Deshakatha,21st August 1938 58. Interview with Sridhar Dash, Ex-President 22. The Deshakatha- 1st August 1938. Nayagarh Prajamandal at his residence, Godipada 23. The Deshakatha,7th August 1938. on 5th June 2012. 24. ROSEC, P.121. 59. Ibid. 25. The Asha(Weekly)15th August 1938. 60. Nayagarh Prajamandal, op.cit.p.48. 26. The Deshakatha, 24th August 1938. 61. Orissa Records WWCC, AccNo-38, P.35. (OSA) 27. ROSEC, P.120. 62. AISPC, File No-127,P.93.(JNML) 28. S.N. Patnaik, Odisare Swadhinata Andolon, (Odia) 63. Nayagarh Prajamandal,op.cit.p.52. Cuttack, 1972, P.148. 64. Ibid. 29. ROSEC, P. 120. 65. Home Confidential Reports, Acc No- 1285 (con), 30. Patnaik,op.cit.p.148. (OSA). 31. The Deshakatha, 1st August 1938. 32. Asha (weekly),15th August 1938. 33. S.N. Patanik, op.cit. P.148. 34. Nayagarh Prajamandal Itihas,op.cit. pp.26-27. Prasanta Kumar Narendra, Lecturer in History, Govt. 35. Ibid.p.33. Women¶s College, Puri.

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