news details |
|
|
| Kind Dogra rulers abolished beggar system, not introduced it | | ASSEMBLY SESSION | | STARK REALITY -- II
RUSTAM
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Mar 14: While the period of Gulab Singh would be remembered as an era of consolidation of the state he had founded, the period of Ranbir Singh would always be remembered in the history of the country for the promotion of art, literature and architecture, apart from some radical changes in the administration of justice.
It was Pratap Singh (1885-1925 who introduced significant changes in the Begar system. However, his task was not that easy. He wanted to introduce radical reforms to make his state a model state, but the British-Indian Government didn’t allow him to effect changes in the manner he wanted. Rather, he was pushed into the background. This was the period when the British were interested in the frontier regions of the state. They wanted to establish their foothold in the strategic Gilgit region. So much so, they deposed Pratap Singh in 1889 on the false charge that he had been hobnobbing with the Czar of Russia and former ruler of Punjab Dalip Singh and other important persons in the country order to overthrow the British rule. The imperialists also accused Pratap Singh of oppressing the Muslims of Kashmir. The objective to get rid of Pratap Singh and create a situation that would help them check the Russian advance in the northern areas and advance its imperial interests.
It is important to note that the British took over the state administration after the deposition of Pratap Singh. It administered the affairs of the state through a council. The immediate fall-out was the ruthless application of the Begar system, with the British Resident in the state forcing the state administration to provide a large number of Begaris to carry loads and construct military roads so that the British could establish their stranglehold over the Gilgit region and other strategic areas. The British officers, including Walter Lawrence and the British Residents like Plowden and Col Nisbet were of the view that the time was not opportune for the abolition of the Begar system. In fact, they advocated its retention in order to promote the British interests in the region. They made it clear that the system could be abolished only after the completion of the Jhelum Cart Road and the Gilgit Road, which were of paramount importance for the British.
Still the fact remains that Pratap Singh did introduce two major changes in the Begar system. One, he formed the coolie-corps. Two, he changed the name from Begar to the “forced-paid labour.” He infused a sense of individual integrity and usefulness in the minds of the Begaris who were now registered and fully paid. The changes brought about by Pratap Singh improved to an extent the social status of the people inhabiting villages. But more than that, the changes permitted people to attend to their normal works without any hindrance from the state.
It was Maharaja Hari Singh (1925-1947) who exercised his will to the extent possible and refused to obey the dictates of the British, who wished the Begar system to continue as before. He surmounted all the difficulties being created by the canny Britons and abolished completely in 1933 the iniquitous and tyrannical Begar system, with the people, irrespective of their religious denomination becoming completely free in his lifetime to lead a dignified life under the reformed social system.
The periods of Pratap Singh and Hari Singh would always be remembered in the modern history of Jammu and Kashmir as an era of all round development. It would be remembered as an era that witnessed revolutionary changes in matters relating to agriculture, revenue administration, constitutional development, growth of democracy and rule of law.
One can only hope that the likes of Mustafa Kamal and Gurezi would find time to visit the State Archives repository, Jammu, and go through the literature dealing with the institution of Begar and the efforts made by the Dogra rulers to abolish it and establish dignity of labour. At the same time, this scribe would like to make it loud and clear that he is a no votary of the rajas and maharajas. This scribe is a votary of people’s democracy and a critic of politics of communalism and separatism, based on religion. (Concluded)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
STOCK UPDATE |
|
|
 |
| BSE
Sensex |
 |
| NSE
Nifty |
|
|
| |
CRICKET UPDATE |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
