Role of H.K. Mahatab in the Integration of Princely States

Home , Eastern States Union, Harekrushna Mahatab

Orissa Review * January - 2007

Pabitra Mohan Barik

Hare Krushna Mahatab is a great freedom fighter way of police force. At that time, there were 26 and an eminent statesman. He is remembered Gadjat states in Orissa. The people of these states forever for his tremendous contribution towards were exploited by native rulers in many ways. The the freedom struggle. He occupies a high position, people of the states were bound to pay the illegal not only in the history of Orissa, but also in the tax like Rasad, Magan, Bethi, and Beggars etc. history of India. As a great patriot, he sacrificed The common people had no fundamental right to his life for the sake of motherland. He fought speak any thing about the misrule of native kings. bravely against the might of British When Harekrushna Mahatab imperialism. His role in the time became the new congress of great uprising was significant. premier in the Orissa Province As the founder of modern Orissa, took some steps to solve the Hare Krushna Mahatab occupied problems of the native states. He a permanent place in the annals seriously thought about the of History. As a true freedom complete merger and integration fighter, and the lover of of the princely states with the motherland Hare Krushna province of Orissa. Firstly, Mahatab played a significant role Harekrushna Mahatab met the during the national struggle. He members of the Cabinet Mission strongly voiced against the on 6th April 1946. He presented misrule, corruption, tyranny and a memorandum before the exploitation of Britishers. cabinet mission and strongly Hare Krushna Mahatab actively demanded for integration of native states with the participated in All National Movement of the province. The cabinet mission did not give any feudatory states of Orissa. He heartly supported interest to the demands of Mahatab. Mahatab the exploited people and also encouraged them wrote letters to all feudatory chiefs on 10th May to continue their rebel against the feudatory chiefs 1946 and again on 29th June 1946 in order to unitedly and achieve the goal. The Praja Mandal know their opinion regarding integration of states movement started in the Gadjats of Orissa. The and to convince them about benefits of mutual kings suppressed the popular movement by the co-operation. Mahatab also requested all the

30 Orissa Review * January - 2007 ruling chiefs for integration of states with Orissa under the chairmanship of Sarangadhar Das to Province for the interest of the both. The rulers of direct the Praja Mandal Movement in different Garjat states did not show any respect to the states. Meanwhile the rulers of Chhatisgarh and request of Mahatab. They did not want to join Orissa met at Puri. The rulers prepared their with the province. Mahatab also gave a proposal course of action at Puri to create problems for for discussion with the rulers on the question of the merger of princely states in Orissa Province. co-operation between the province and states. After some days, 39 States of Orissa and Mahatab's proposal was turned down by the Chhatisgarh formed Eastern State Union on 1st British authorities as well as feudatory chiefs. August 1947. They also adopted a constitution and maintained a police force for suppressing the In July 1946, the rulers of all native states agitation of the Praja Mandal. The tenants of met in a conference held at Alipore. They decided Orissa and Chhatisgarh Regional Council met at to form a federal union of Chhatisgarh and Orissa Cuttack on 10th August 1947. A resolution States. The British Resident of the Eastern State passed in this council for integration of native states Agency who was present in the conference and with the Orissa Province. Meanwhile, after long encouraged the rulers for the formation of federal struggle India achieved the independence. Before union. A special committee was formed for the leaving India, Britishers gave full freedom to all purpose. These political activities discouraged native states throughout India either to join Mahatab for some time but he never lost his faith. Government of India or remain independent. All On 16th October 1946 Mahatab met the rulers the rulers of princely states of Orissa in this critical at Sambalpur in a conference. In this conference political situation met at Bhawanipatna to consider Mahatab emphasised the necessity of one the question of introducing responsible administration for both states and province. But Government in State. Some feudatory chiefs the rulers did not agree to Mahatab's proposal. supported the idea of introduction of responsible Mahatab did not give up the hope. He Government. In this meeting, the rulers decided approached the Nawab of Bhopal, the chairman to strengthen their joint police force. With the of the chamber of princes to solve the problem of dawn of independence the situation so rapidly the feudal chiefs. This attempt of Mahatab also changed. failed without result. After India got independence, Mahatab In the mean time the Praja Mandal leaders played a notable role for unification of princely of Orissa and Chhatisgarh states prepared a Plan states with the province of Orissa. After to fight against the rulers more effectively. The independence, political unrest started in the rulers of Orissa and Chhatisgarh planned to form princely states. In Bolangir-patna, princely state a union to counteract the activities of Praja people's organisation named "Krushak Party" held Mandal agitators. The first session of the Orissa a conference. More than 10,000 people who and C.P. Regional Council of All India State's participated in this conference did not accept the people's conference was held at Cuttack on 1st proposal of a responsible government by March 1947. The conference passed the Maharaja and also refused to recognise the resolution that the rulers of Eastern State Agency Eastern States Union. H.K. Mahatab took a not to go ahead with their plan of union. The courageous step by taking charge of the Nilgiri Regional Council constituted a working committee state on 14th November 1947 with the permission

31 Orissa Review * January - 2007 of the Home Minister of the Government of India. rulers to accede to the merger of their states in The ruler of Nilagiri created violence and lawless Orissa Province. After some pressure and situation by encouraging tribals against Praja persuasion, the rulers agreed to accept the plan Mandal workers. After taking over the charge of of merger and signed in the documents on 15th administration of Nilagiri, a meeting of the State December 1947. The merger of princely states Ministry was held on 20th November 1947. In became effective from 1st January 1948. Due to this high level meeting, it was decided not to some problem the State Mayurbhanja merged on recognise the Eastern States Union of Orissa and 1st January 1949. It was a dramatic climax to the Chhatisgarh State. It was finally decided to meet history of the Garjats who enjoyed separate the rulers in a conference in Orissa as soon as indenties throughout the British rule. Unfortunately, possible. Accordingly, Sardar Patel, V. K. the state of Seraikala and Kharsuan were handed Menon and the Ministry reached at Cuttack on over to Bihar on 18th May 1948. The emergence 13th December 1947. In this period, H.K. of a greater Orissa was possible for the lifelong Mahatab played a very crucial role. The historic struggle of H.K. Mahatab. conference started in Rajbhawan at Cuttack in the morning of 14th December 1947. Sardar Patel first met the rulers of 'B' and 'C' class states. Twelves rulers of that category were present. Same day in the afternoon Sardar Patel met "A' Pabitra Mohan Barik is a Lecturer in History in the S.H. category states. Patel advised the princely states' Mahavidyalaya, Madanpur, Khurda.