Freedom in Himachal Pradesh

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Himachal Pradesh Freedom

Freedom Struggle Himachal Pradesh

Freedom Struggle 1914 to 1947

The people of the hill also participated in the freedom struggle.

Himachal Pradesh Freedom Struggle Movements :

The highlights of the freedom movement in this tract are listed below :

Praja Mandal launched agitations against the British yoke in areas under direct British Rule.

In other princely states agitations were launched for social and political reforms. However these were directed more against the princes than against the British and as such were mere extensions of freedom movement.

The Mandi conspiracy was carried out in 1914-15 under the influence of the Gadhr party.

Meetings were held in Mandi and Suket states in December 1914 and January 1915 and it was decided to murder the Superintendent and Wazir of Mandi and Suket, to loot the treasury, blow to up the bridge over Beas river. However conspirators were caught and sentenced to long terms in prison. 

The Pajhota agitation in which the people of a part of Sirmour state revolted is regarded as an extension of the Quit India Movement of 1942.

Important Freedom Fighters Himachal Pradesh :

• Dr. Y.S. Parmar, Padam Dev, Shivanand Ramaul, Purnanand, Satya Dev, Sada Ram Chandel, Daulat Ram, Thakur Hazara Singh and Pahari Gandhi Baba Kanshi Ram.

The Congress party was also active in the freedom movement in the hill state particularly in Kangra.

Post-Independence Period in India

The history of present day Himachal Pradesh in the post-independence era has been outlined below :

The Chief Commissioner’s province of H.P. came into being on 15th April, 1948.

H.P. became a part C state on 26th January, 1950 with the implementation of the Constitution of India.

Bilaspur was merged with Himachal Pradesh on 1st July, 1954.

Himachal Pradesh became Union Territory on 1st November, 1956.

Kangra and most of the other hill areas of Punjab were merged with H.P. on 1st November, 1966 though its status remained that of a Union Territory.

On 18th December, 1970 the State of Himachal Pradesh Act was passed by Parliament and the new state came into being on 25th January, 1971. Thus H.P. emerged as the eighteenth state of Indian Union.

Himachal Pradesh has come a long way since then. It has seen a number of full-fledged governments which have led the state towards economic self-reliance.