CHAPTER VI

145
BIO-DATA OF THE EMINENT FREEDOM FIGHTERS OF HARYANA
AND IMPACT OF THEIR ACTIVITIES

The history of the freedom movement of Haryana is

incomplete without mentioning the lives and works of the

nationalists of Haryana region. The eminent freedom fighters

of Haryana were Laia Murlidhar, Laia Duni Chand, Laia Sham Lai

of Hissar, Lala Sham Lai of Rohtak, Neki Ram Sharma, Dr, Gopi

Chand Bhargava, Sri Ram Sharma, Lala Deshbandhu Gupta, Chaudhary

Ranvir Singh and Banarsi Das Gupta.

They were unbending soldiers in the cause of Swaraj Q-n-d-

undying Symbols of communal harmony and unity. They were the

man who never compromised on principles and never backslided

from the path of their moral struggle. It was their relentless

struggle during the several movements, understudy, that awakened

the Haryanamen and tried to bring them into the mainstream of

national life.
 i 2 : 146
Lala Murli Dhar (1850-1924)

One of the founder members of the Indian National Congress,

Lala Murli Dhar, was born in 1850 in an Aggarwal family.1 2 He
3

settled himself permanently at Ambala in 1872 as a lawyer. He

won the respect not only of his countrymen but the government,

too. The government honoured him by awarding the titles of Kaiser

Hind and Rai sahib.2 But, the bestowing of the titles could not

deviate him from the path of serving his country.

In the inaugural session of the Congress, held at Bombay

in December 1885, Lala Murli Dhar attended as a representative

of the native newspaper - The Tribune** and actively participated

in its proceedings. Murli Dhar proposed the following resolu­

tion in which he urged his Congress brethren to secure maximum

involvement of the people :

That the resolutions passed by this Congress be communicated

to the Political Associations in each province. The Congress

must take same steps to give effect to the Resolutions passed.

It is necessary that the opinion of the intelligent classes

among their countrymen should be brought upon all the subjects

4
discussed by the Congress.

1. The Tribune,-. 30.4.1924

2. Ibid., 19.8.1920.

3. Proceedings of the First Congress, 28-30 December,

Appendix, p.vil.
4 Ibid., pp. 4 and 147
 3 147

Despite Ms old age and weak health, Murli Char never

missed any chance to attend and address the forthcoming sessions

of the Indian National Congress. In September 1920 when Lala

Lajpat Rai was on Ms way to Calcutta as the President-elect

of the Special Congress, he happened to meet Murli Dhar at

Ambala railway station. It was with great difficulty and cons­

iderable pursuation that Lajpat Rai succeded in disuading ailing

Murli Char from Ms resolve to go to Calcutta to attend the Special

Congress. To finance the activities of the Congress, Murli Dhar

also offered his services. In 1889, he collected Rs. 555/- and

deposited the amount with the Congress.^ Recognising the services

of Murli Char rendered to the cause of the congress, F. Sitaramayya

remarked in the following words:

"We may not forget to record the name of Lala Murli Dhar

who went to the second session of the Congress in 1886

straight from prison released on bail."®

Murli char, in his capacity as President of the Ambala

District Congress Committee, denounced the Montaque Chelmsford

Declaration by sending the following cable of protest to Edwin

Montaque, the Secretary of State for India, on 31 May 1920:

"Council strength inadequate, residential qualification misch­

ievous, urban constituencies unnatural, unwielded, Punjab Rules

7
calculated to defeat reforms."

5. Report of the Bombay Congress,26-28 December 1889,p.79.

6. Sitramayya, Pattabhi, History of the Indian National

Congress Vo;. 1, P .144

7. The Tribune 4.6.1920.

 4 s 148

Murli Dhar's services rendered to the cause of the Non­

cooperation movement, despite his old age and weak health, were

significant. The surrender of titles was one of the constituents

of the movement and he promptly responded to the call by doff ling

the title of Rai Sahib and became plain Lala Murli Dhar. He also

returned his Sanad and Kaiser Hind,

Swadeshi constituted another item on the Non-cooperation

programme, Murli Char had in fact, supported the cause of

swadeshi much earlier. Speaking from the platform of the Nagpur

Congress in 1891, he made the following address in favour of

Swadeshi s

Every rupee you have spent on Europe-made articles is a

rupee of which you have robbed your poorer brethern,

8
lowest handicraftsman who can now no longer earn a living.

Three decades later Mahatma Gandhi joined Murli Char's voice

in a similar vein. Thus, Murli Dhar was the first Congress site
who considered swadeshi as a great weapon to get rid of the

foreign yoke.
The first Ambala Division Congerence was held at Bhiwani on

22-24 October 1920. It was presided over by Murli dhar; addressed

by Mahatma Gandhi, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, and Ali Brothers; and

attended by thousands of people from neighbouring districts of

Haryana and Rajasthan.8
10 9 A grand reception was accorded to Murli

8. Anni Besant, How India Wrought Freedom, p.126.

9. Malhotra, S.L. Gandhi and the Punjab, Vol.l.p.146.
10. Jagdish Chandra, Freedom Movement in Haryana, 1919-47.
 s 5 143

Dhar. During his presidential speech, Murli Dhar paid tributes

to late Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, appreciated the services of

Mahatma Gandhi, discussed the features of the Non-cooperation

movement hoping their successful implementation, criticised the

government policy regarding the Punjab and Khilafat questions,

and appealed to the people to unite and work out the destinies
11
of the country to attain swaraj*

By the end of 1921, more than 25,000 people were arrested,

Murli Dhar was not arrested but he worked hard to support the

cause of the Non-cooperation movement by cultivating Hindu-Muslim

unity, encouraging the use of Swadeshi, and collecting money for

the Swaraj Fund. He urged the government to release Ali Brothers

unconditionally, in a public meeting held at Ambala in October

1921, Murli Dhar recited on Urdu poem packed with emotional

fervour and patriotic tinge in a public meeting when Lala Lajpat

12
Rai was arrested on 6 December 1921,

On account of strenuous labour, Murli Dhar{s health started

deteriorating and the Grand Old Man of Punjab died on 25 April 1924

at Ambala7 His funeral procession was the largest within the

living memory of Ambala,

11. Horae Political File No.76 (D), December 1920.

12. The Tribune, 19.12.1924.

13. Ibid., 28.4.1924.

 6 150

Murli Char's public life, extending over to half a century,

had always been a,great source of inspiration in the history of

the freedom movement. Throughout his life, Murli Char trod the

path of a warrior and like a true warrior he died in harness.

 7
151
Lala Duni Chand
Ambalvi (1873-1965)

Lala Duni Chand Ambalvi, one of the associates of Mahatma

Gandhi, was born in 1873 at Manakpura, a village of Patiala stated

His father, Lala Telu Ram met with an untimely end and the whole

family was scattered.

After receiving his early education from his native village,

Duni Chand went to Patiala from where he passed his Matriculation

examination. After having acquired the professional training by

passing Licentiate-in-Law examination, he started his legal practice

at Patiala and later shifted to Ambala.

The imposition of the Colonisation Bill, in 1907, aggravated

the poverty of the Plan jab farmers. Sardar A jit Singh, Lala Lajpat

Rai, and Syed Hyder Riza came forward to register the resentment
15
of the Kisans. The kisan leaders organised the anti-Colonisation

Bill agitations and the government deported Ajit Singh and Lajpat

Rai to Mondlay on 9 May 1907. Duni Chand, who took keen interest

in the movement, was influenced by its leaders, and determined

to fight against the foreign yoke.

Duni Chand suspended his lucrative practice at Bar and

jumped into the Non-cooperation movement. As a non-cooperator

he withdrew his candidature from the forthcoming elections to

the Punjab Legislative Council in September 1920. ^ Duni Chand

14. Sen, S.P., Dictionary of National Biography, Vol.I,

p.475-6.
15. Majumdar, R.C., Struggle for Freedom p.79.

16. The Bombay Chronicle, 25.9.1920.

 s 8 152

undertook: extensive tour of Ambala district and addressed public

meetings at several villages. In his speeches, he compared the

sad plight of India with that of the development of free countries

and urged the people to cultivate their age old spiritual and

cultural inheritance. He further exhorted the masses to boycott

the use of intoxicants, donate liberally to the Swaraj Fund,

maintain Hindu-Muslim unity, and be fearless as well as firm in

the hour of trial posed by the Non-cooperation movement.^ He

was arrested in January 1922 while pickeing and auction sale of

18
liquor contracts on the premises of Ambala Court. He was sente­

nced to six months rigorous imprisonment and was kept in the Dera

Gazhi Khan Jail.

On 23 July 1923, Duni Chand along with Dhan Abdul Rashid,

another freedom fighter of Ambala, was released.

Duni Chand resumed his legal practice in 1923 and was

served with a notice to show-cause why he should not be suspended

from practising because of his conviction and imprisonment under

the Act XIV of 1908.19 This was the first show-cause notice

served upon a legal practitioner in British India for his

participation in the freedom movement. It was taken as a

challenge for all. The notice was a challenge not only to Lala

Duni Chand but to all legal practitioners who wanted to serve

20
their country.

17. The Tribune, 15.6.1921.

18. Malhotra, S.L., Gandhi and the Punjab Vol.I, p.150.

19. The Native Newspapers Report, Punjab, 1923.

23. The Pratap 21 Dec. 1923.
 9
153

When Mahatma Gandhi started the Civil Disobedience

movement in April 1930, Duni Chand once again suspended his

legal practice and led the people to achieve the aims of the

movement. He toured several places asking the people to violate

the government laws, to boycott foreign goods, to promote the

picketing of liquor shops, and to adopt swadeshi. He was

arrested at Delhi along with other members of the Congress

Working Committee, in August 1930 and was sentenced to six
months imprisonment.2* Dune Chand's sincerity towards the

movement was commended by no less a man than Gandhi himself:

"I do hope that you and Mrs. Duni Chand will not fail to
22
sacrifice your all in this final battle for freedom.

The Quit India movement was launched in August 1942.

Thousands of Indians were arrested throughout the country.

Duni Chand was also arrested inspite of his old age and failing
health.23

Duni Chand was not only freedom fighter but an author, too.

His articles were published in India and abroad. He toured Europe

in 1927 to attend the Conference at Cologue (Germany), held under

the auspicies of the league of Nations, against imperialism. During

his stay in England, his article, 'the pitiable plight of the

2
political prisoners in Indian jails' was published in December 1927.

21. AICC File No.G-146/1930

22. Sen, S.P., Op. Cit.

23. Sen, s.p. Op.cit.

24. The Young India, 29.12.
 10
154

He authored a bock on Punjab politics, the Ulster of ^ndia,

and it was published in 1936. He contributed a number of

articles to The Tribune, The Punjabee, and the Bande Matram.

He also issued several pamphlets on contemporary political

situation.
Dune Chand was a seasoned parliamentarian. He was

elected to the Indian Legislative Assembly in 1923, and the

25
Punjab Legislative Assembly in 1937. As a parliamentarian,

he proved himself vocal and a powerful speaker. He contested

the elections through the Indian National Congress.

Duni Chand*s services as a social worker were significant.

In 1924, he collected rupees 1032 and annas 12 for the Jamuna

Flood Relief Work.26 In 1934, he remitted more than Rs. 1,000/-

for the Bihar Earthquake Relief Fund.^ Being the first graduate

of Punjab, he tried his best to promote the cause of education.

He served the Anglo-Sanskrit High School, Ambala as Manager from

1906-21. He worked as a member of the D.A.V. College Management,

Lahore for a number of years. He founded the Krishan Prasad Kanya

Mahavidalya Ambala. He donated funds to finance several educational

institutions in Punjab. Speaking from the floor of the Punjab

25. Haryana ke Swatantrata Senani (published by the Haryana

Ke Swantantrata Senani Samiti, p.13.
26. The Tribune, 11.11.1924.

27 Ibid., 4.2.1934.
 11 155

Legislative Assembly he urged the government to promote the

cause of the primary education in the province. Moreover,

Duni Chand had progressive views on society. He criticised

social evils like, untouchability, and rigidity of the caste

system. He supported the widaw~remarriage and demanded equality

for women.
 * 12 * 156
Lala Sham Lai, Hissar (1878-1957)

Lala Sham Lai, popularly known as Sham Lai Satyagrahi, was

9Q
born in 1878 at Sirsa. His father, Lala Rati Ram, was a petition-

writer in the local court of Sirsai Sham Lai received his early

education at Sirsa, He passed his Matriculation examination from

the Government High School, Hissar, He had to suspend his studies

to earn and collect money for his higher education. He went to

Lahore and it was there that he resumed his studies and took his

degree in Laws, He started his career as a lawyer first at Sirsa

and then at Hissar in 1910. At Hissar, he earned a lot and started

living luxuriously.

The Ambala Division Conference, held at Bh^wani in 1920

gave a turning point to Sham Lai's life. He was influenced by

Mahatma Gandhi (who addressed the conference), so profoundly that

Sham Lai immediately converted himself from an aristocrat to

29
a Gandhite.

Sham Lai jumped into the Non-cooperation movement in October

1920. He suspended his lucrative legal practice. He also persuaded

other fellow-lawyers to respond to the nationwide call of the Non­

cooperation movement.

In 1920-21 Sham Lai took a leading part in organising the

movements of boycott of foreign cloth. He collected all the

garments made of foreign cloth iron his own family and burnt

them to ashes. And then he along with his wife, Chand Bai and

28. Eminent Freedom Fighters of Haryana, M.M. Juneja

29 Ibid
 13
157

his son, Madan Gopal went to the houses of affluent people of

Hissar, collected several hundreds foreign clothes, and consigned

them to fire on 1 August 1921.30 A large number of men, women,

and children witnessed and enjoyed the bonfire. It was followed

by many other towns. Since then, several hundreds of people of

his region did away with the ginning cloth and adopted khaddar.

Swadeshi was also one of the items of the Non-cooperation

movement. Sham Lai worked hard to popularise the swadeshi,

especially khaddar. A band of national volunteers led by Sham

Lai made a whirlwind tour asking the people to play charkha and

wear khaddar. Consequently, the Hissar district became one of

the few districts of India where every hone, rich or poor, could

boast of having at least a charkha.

Because of his active part in the Non-cooperation movement,

Sham Lai was arrested on 15 January 1922 at Hissar under Section

31
117 of the Indian Penal Code and the Criminal Law Amendment Act.
He was sentenced to six month’s imprisonment and was sent to the

Central Jail, Ambala.

As a result of Sham Lai's efforts, thirty Congress Committees

were established in Hissar district; Rs, 6,000/- were collected

for the Tilak Swaraj Fund; 1,000 members were enrolled for the

Congress; several panchayats of chamars and mochis, who used to

30. The Tribune, 5.8.1921

31. The Tribune, 18.1.1922

 14 158

make the largest consumption of liquor, resolved to abstain from

drinking in future; and the licence holders of liquor shops

32
requested the government to cancel their contracts. Several

students, including his son, Madan Gopal, suspended their studies?

and a number of lawyers suspended their legal practice.

During his imprisonment Sham Lai studied Aurbindo's writings

and was influenced greatly. After his release, he rushed to

Pondichery (headquarters of Sri Aurobindo) to have the darshan of

Aurobindo, a great nationalist and spiritualist.

During the World War II, Mahatma Gandhi came forward and

took an active part in it. Accompanied by Dada Ganeshi Lai, he

made a whirlwind tour of Ambala Division. He addressed public

meetings at Ambala, Jagadhari, Ladwa, Thaneswar, Shahbad, Kaithal

Panipat, Rohtak and Gurgaon appealing the people to follow the

Constructive Programme of the Congress, and have implicit faith in

Gandhi's leadership. Sham Lai offered satyagraha on 8 January

1941 at Hissar. He made anti-War slogans, and was arrested on the

same day. He was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment. Sham

Lai was sent to the Gujrat Special Jail (Punjab).

Not only Sham Lai but his wife and son were also arrested as

they had actively participated in the Individual Satyagraha. Chand

Bai was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and was sent to the
33
Lahore Female Jail. Madan Gopal was sentenced to nine months
imprisonment and was sent to the Gujrat Special Jail.34 Sham Lai's

31. The Tribune, 18.1.1922

32. Ibid., 12.6.1921
33. Haryana Ke Swantantrata Senani p.7
34. Ibid
 15
159

daughter-in-law (Madan-Gopal*s wife) was not arrested but

she organised the women-folk to support the satyagraha.

After his release, Sham Lai resumed his legal practice.

Sham Lai served his country through the Indian National. He

was the founder President of the Hissar District Congress

Committee. He presided over the Lyallpur session of the

Punjab Provincial Congress Committee. He, along with his wife

and son, attended several sessions of the Congress.

Sham Lai had been a member of provincial and central

legislatures for a number of years. In 1923, he contested

election to the Punjab Legislative Council successfully. In

35
1940, he was elected to the Central Legislative Assembly. Being

a legislator, he was quite conscious about the duties of legis­

lators, especially representing the Congress.

Sham Lai had a passion for writing, too. He contributed

a number of articles to the Gram Sewak, a weekly, propagating

the doctrine of Khadi and non-violence.

Sham Lai, his wife and son had been ashraravasis at

Sabarmati Ashram and they learnt spinning and carting under the

spell of Mahatma Gandhi.

Sham Lai, opposed the existing social evils such as purdah

system, untouchability and dowry system. He led a very simple

and austere life. He advocated Hindu-Muslim unity. He attacked

begar praths which was in existence inspite of the Punjab Govern­

ment ’s orders.

35 Sharma, Shri Ram, Haryana Ka Itihas, p.112

 160
s 16 t

Lala Sham Lai, Rohtak (1883-1940)

Lala Sham Lai, a self sacrificing person, was born in a

36
village of Rohtak district on 12 August 1883. His father was

an arji navis at Sampla Court (Rohtak district). Sham Lai

passed his Matriculation examination from the Government High

School, Rohtak, It was purely by dint of his ability and

industry that he was able to take his B.A. degree from the

D.A.V* College, Lahore, and to pass final Law examination in

1905. During his student days he got married to Nagini Devi

and the couple was blessed with two daughters. In 1905, he

started his career as a lawyer at Rohtak and soon made a mark

in his profession. In course of time he was drawn towards the

national movement.

Sham Lai was the founder Secretary of the Rohtak District

37
Congress Committee in 1916. He actively participated in the
38
anti-Rowlatt Bills agitation in 1919. He suspended his

lucrative practice in October 1920 to play an active part in

the Non-cooperation movement. He withdrew his candidature frcm

39
the general elections of 1920.

In November 1920, Sham Lai organised a political conference

at Rohtak to secure maximum involvement of the people for the

Non-cooperation movement. In December 1920, he got the Jat High

36. Fauja Singh, Qninent Freedan Fighters p.211

37. Haryana Ka Swantantrata Senani p.4
38. Fauja Singh, op, cit.
39. The Tribune 16.10.1920
 17
161

School, Rohtak converted into a national school. He also

started paying Rs. 300/- per month to the institution.4^ From

February-October 1921, he toured several villages of Rohtak

district to popularies the movement. As a result, a number

of people enlisted themselves as members of the Congress

several Congress Committees were formed, the Tilak Swaraj Frond

was collected, the bonfires of foreign cloth were celebrated.

Sham Lai was arrested for his loyalty to the Non-cooperation

and was convicted.

Once again, Sham Lai suspended his legal practice and

went to the Sabarmati Ashram in the beginning of 1930 where

he remained in close contact with Mahatma Gandhi. As an

ashramvasi he learned the value of non-violence better than

before and vowed never to give it up. When Gandhi started his

March to Dandi on 12 March 1930, Sham Lai expressed his

eagerness to join it. But, Gandhi did not agree to it and a

said, ’why should I exchange this gold mohur for a mere pice?4'*'

Gandhi sent Sham Lai back to Rohtak giving him the responsibility

of bringing about political consciousness among the people of his

area to make the Salt Satyagraha, a success. Accordingly, Sham

Lai reached Rohtak and started taking leading in the Satyagraha.

There were certain salt-wells in Rohtak itself but Sham

Lai wanted to choose a rural area where the people of Rohtak

district could assemble and start the Salt Satyagraha. He was

41 The Navjivan, 13.4.1930

 18 162

of the opinion that the decision would bring about political

as well as economic consciousness among the rural and weaker

sections of the society. With this end in view, Zahidpur

village 30 miles from Rohtak (where nature has also provided

many salt-wells) was chosen as the place for the Civil

Disobedience.
Thus, a salt- well was taken on lease in Zahidpur village
42
on 20 March 1930, but the district authorities tried to foil

the move. Sham Lai, being the President of the Rohtak District

Congress Committee, protested against the Official attitude.

A charge of spreading disaffection among the people,

levelled against Sham Lai and he was arrested at Rohtak on 5

43
April 1930 under Section 124-A of the Indian Penal Code. He

was produced in the court where the speech which formed the

basis of the prosecution (the speech was made on 5 March 1930)

was shown to him. Thereupon, immediately he replied: *I

consider it my religion to spread disaffection against this

Government.44 On 8 April 1930, there was a huge crowd outside

the court-room to welcome Sham Lai who was to be produced in

the court for trial. When Sham Lai reached, the people raised

national slogans? profusely garlanded him? and showered flowers

45
on him. There was a great show of police force to control

42. Eminent Freedom Fighters in Haryana, M.M. Juneja

Sabarmati Nidhi, 16762)

43. Gandhi Collected Works, Vol. 43, p.201

44. The Tribune, 9,4.1930

45. Ibid, 10.4.1940
 163
: 19

the mob. On 12 April 1930, Sham Lai was sentenced to two

years* rigorous imprisonment.46 He received^ the sentence

cheerfully and gave the following message to the people of

his districts

I am very happy that I am going to jail. I desire that

the fight for freedom should be carried on under the

leadership of Pandit Shri Ram Sharma, my nominee, Mahatmaji

expects much from this district. This is the first place

where he sespecially sent one of his chosen volunteers.

47
Boycott foreign cloth completely and wear khaddar.

Sham Lai wqs released before the expiry of his sentence

because of the Gandhi-Irwin Truce. But even after the truce,

the Congress activities continued in Rohtak district under the

leadership of Sham Lai. By June 1931, there was at least one

Congress worker in each police station, about 2,500 members

48
were enrolled, and 125 Congress Committees were established.

The district authorities were upset and started repression.

During his imprisonment in the Gujrat Jail, Sham Lai came

into close contact with the revolutionaries who were rotting

in the dark and dreary cells His heart was melted and he decided

to save the precious lives of the revolutionaries. After his

release, Sham Lai offered himself to the task of defending the

accused in the second Lahore Conspiracy Case and the Delhi

Conspiracy Case.

46.. Haryana Ke Swantantrata Senani, op.cit.

47. The Tribune, 16.4.1930.
48. Jagdish Chandra, Gandhiji and Haryana p.95-96.
 20 164
Being the counsel of the revolutionaries, Sham Lai moved

a xtfrit of Babeas Corpus in the Punjab High court, Lahore,

challenging the legality of Bhagat Singh and his comrades

detention and their proposed execution sometime in October

1930, But, that writ was turned down fen 20 February 1931.

Sham Lai was shocked to learn the execution of these spirited

sons of the soil and pledged himself to plead for the remaining

revolutionaries who were sacrificing every bit of their belongings

for the cause of their country.

Now sham Lal became the Senior Counsel in the Second

Lahore Conspiracy Case and conducted the trials with conspicious

ability and won the confidence of the accused and the countrymen.

Acting as the Defence Counsel, many sleepless nights fell to

Sham Lai's lot scanning papers preparing for the defence of the

young revolutionaries. With his unflinching Sourage, he thundered

in the law courts and hundreds of people used to swarm the courts

to witness and hear the arguing elocutionist, Sham Lai. Further­

more, he approached Gandhi several times in connection with the

revolutionary accused cases and sought his intervention to secure

their release. Sham Lai got the civil liberties of reading

49
newspapers, magzines, journals, and books to the accused granted;
and secured the acquittal of ten accused and the commutation of

sentence of the remaining seventeen.For more than three years,

he suspended his all other activities and kept himself available

solely for the cause of the revolutionaries.

49. Gulab Singh, under the Shadow of Gallows p.122.

50. Yash Pal, Singhavalokan, Vol.III,p.56. Haryana Ke
Swantantrata Senani
 * 21
165
While arguing a revision petition in the Punjab High Court
in connection with the Second Lahore Conspiracy Case, Sham Lai

was held up for contempt of court in July 1932 for having questioned
51
the impartiality of the judges, and was asked to withdraw his words.

He informed the court that he had come ready for any

punishment. The court only expressed its disapproval of his

52
conduct and inflicted on other punishment.

Recognising the selfless services of Sham Lai, rendered

to the cause of the accused revolutionaries, Yash Pal and Gulab

Singh - two prominent revolutionaries, respectively paid the

following tributes*

"Sham Lalji suspended his princely practice during the

days of Won-cooperation movement but had to resume the

same to earn money but to save the precious lives of

53
the revolutionaries.“

In 1936, Italy conquered Ethiopia by bombs and poison gas.

Sham Lai condemned the aggressive action of Italy and sympathised

with the people of Ethiopia. He called the Italian victory as

another proof of the curse of Imperialism and Fascism. He blamed

the League of Nations, because, it failed in its fluty towards an

54
oppressed nation by adopting the power to subjugate a poor nation.
He asked his countrymen to learn a lesson from it and remember

that no body helps the weak.

51. Fauja Singh, op. cit., p.212

52. Yash Pal, op. cit., p.57
53. Ibid.
54. The Tribune, 10.5.1936
 22
166

Sham Lai was a parliamentarian, too. He was returned

to the Central legislative Assembly in 1934 and remained its

member till his death. He was the only Congress member elected

from Punjab. His speeches, generally full of anecdotes, were

heard with great interest. The Congress High Command always

respected his opinion. He had been the President of the Rohtak

District Congress Committee, the Member of the All-India Congress

Committee, and the Senior Vice-President of the Punjab Provincial

Congress Committee.

Sham Lai was also a social worker. In 1930, Hissar district

suffered from a devastating famine. The harvests for three years

had failed successively in the district and the Harijans became

the worst sufferers. He was one of the founder members of the

non-official agency which started relief operations. He made

an appeal to the people, the All India Spinners' Association,

and the All-India Anti-untouchability League, to support the

victims. w His appeal was responded favourably Further more,

an Anti untouchability League was established under his leadership

that created social awakening among the untouchables^

Sham Lai died on 8 January 1940. By his death, the Congress

lost a great pillar of strength and the nation was deprived of

a brilliant lawyer, a seasoned parliamentarian, and above all,

a public-spirited citizen.

55. Ibid*, 9,1.1940.

56. Sabarmati Nidhi 19155, pp. 1120-21, Eminent Freedom
Fighters in Haryana, M.M, Juneja
57. Ibid.
 23 IS?
Neki Ram Sharma (1887-1956)

Neki Ram Sharma, a karma yogi, was born on 7 September

c q
1887 at Kelanga village of Rohtak district.

After receiving his early education from his grand father,

Prithvi Raj, a Sanskrit scholar, Neki Ram joined the Victoria

Pathshala, Sitapur and then the queen's College, Kanshi for

higher education. Apart from the early influences of his

grandfather, his passion for ancient Hindu Literature, his

association with Swami Ram Tirth, Madan Mohan Malviya, Lok

Manya Tilak, and Lala Lajpat Rai, were some other factors that

left an indeliable impression on his mind and proved instruments

in shaping his future course of life.

Deportation of Lala Lajpat Rai and Sardar Ajit Singh to

Mandlay, prosecution of Lok Manya Tilak, increase in land taxation,

and miserable plight of the poor farmers, these were the incidents

that touched the inner-most chords of Neki Ram's being and fired

him with patriotic zeal. He embraced the revolutionary ideas of

Sardar Ajit Singh and Sufi Amba Prashad and tried to meet them,

but, in vain. In 1908, he went to Calcutta with a view to

learning the technique of bombmaking where he happened to meet

Surendernath Banerjea, a great Moderate who tempered his

revolutionary thinking with his moderate ideas. Consequently,
Neki Ram abandoned the path of violence and was converted to the

gospel of non-Violence. Now, he joined the Indian National

Congress and started serving the cause of independence throuth it.

58. Haryana Ke Swantantrata Senani (Rohtak, 1973) p.3

59. Joshi, Shadi Ram, Insanyiat ke Pahredar, p. 99.
 : 24 168

For the first time, Neki Ram was shot into limelight on

9 February 1917 when he addressed a public meeting at Bombay.

It was organised by mahatma Gandhi in support of the Indians

living in South Africa and was also attended by Lokmanya Tilak.6®

Comparing the sad plight of his country with that of Draupdi

(when Kaurvas mortified her by disrobing her) Neki Ram made such

a passionate speech that even moved Tilak to tears, let alone

the audience.61

Neki Ram always regarded Tilak as model before him. Neki

Ram was closely associated with the Home Rule Movement started

by Tilak, Neki Ram played a vital role in making the movement,

a success, especially in Hindi-speaking provinces. In 1918,

Neki Ram along with Afaf Ali was arrested when he dified Section

144 of the Indian Penal Code by holding a public meeting at Delhi

62 , ,
to educate the people about the Heme Rule movement. Tnxs was
the first time in his life when he was arrested. By 1918, Neki

Ram was regarded an enemy of the British and they tried to win

him over. The Deputy Commissioner, Rohtak called him and made the

following offer: 'You shall get 25 murbbas of land if you give up

your activities.' Thereupon in a patriot's fashion, Neki Ram

replied: 'You are talking only of 25 murabbas of land. The whole

S3
of India is my own land and one day you will be thrown out of it.
Subsequently, his activities were constantly watched and no chance

was spared by the government to arrest him.

60. Goswami, K.P. (Compiled), Mahatma Gandhi-a chronology, p.66.

61. Ibid.
62. Selected Works of Jawaharlal Nehru, Vol.I, p.lll
63. Sugla, Haraattroy, Pandit Neki Ram Sharma Abhinandan
Granth, p.90
 25 163

To intensify his activities, Neka Ram shifted his family

from Kelanga to Bhiwani in March 1920. In the course on his

action, his family had to undergo many hardships. Though, the

people of Bhiwani wanted to accommodate his family, they could

not do so owing to the government's repression. So, his family

had to take shelter in the local clock-tower for some time. Lala

Nankaran Das was kind enough to rent out an apartment of his house

to Neki Ram* s family but was soon constrained to get the same

vacated because of the fear of harasement by the officials. At

that time one of Neki Ram's daughters was barely of five days.

Even such hardships could not prove a stymie in his mission but

boosted his morale.

When the Non-cooperation movement was started, Neki Ram came

forward and supported it wholeheartedly. He ^elt that no extort

the maximum support from the people it was necessary that they

must be touched by the magical presence of Mahatma Gandhi and

other national leaders. So, he approached Gandhi and requested

him to ’iisit Haryana. Gandhi, who had already been much impressed

with the sacrifices of Neki Ram, readily consented. Accordingly

Gandhi accompanied by Maulana Mohamad Ali, Maulana Shaukat Ali,

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Swami Satyadev, and Mrs Kasturba Gandhi

reached Bhiwani on 22 October 1920 to address the Ambala Division

64
Conferences. More than 60,000 people from neighbouring districts

of Haryana and Rajasthan could be ssen swarming at Bhiwani to

receive them. It was verily the proudest day in the history of

Haryana in general and Bhiwani in particular. Because of Neki

64 Home Political File No. 76-d, December 1920

 26 ; 170
Ram's zealous participation in the Non-cooperation movement,

Bhiwani was once again visited by Gandhi along with Lala Lajpat

Rai, Maulana Azad, Lala Pyare Lai, and others on 15 February 1921
65
to address the Haryana Rural Conference. Bhiwani conferences

proved fruitful and gave a turning point to the movement in this

region.

Gandhi was highly appreciative of the arrangements and

organisation of the Bhiwani Conference held in October 1920.

Despite a large crowd there was perfect order at the pandal.

But, what impressed him most was the conspicious absence of any

chair. He considered this an exemplary arrangement and expressed

66
desire that in future also this example be followed. Henceforth,

it became a practice in all the forthcoming sessions of the Congress.

Apart from organising the Bhixvani conferences, Neki Ram made

several whirl-wind tours exhorting different sections of society

to come forward and serve the cause of the Non-cooperation

movement. In November 1920, he addressed the students of Rohtak,

Bhiwani, and Hissar, Referring to the old Shastras and the

Puranas he pointed out that how even in ancient time the young
stood for the cause of righteousness and truth. T^e students

were so much impressed by his speech that they firmly resolved

to boycott their schools, foreign goods, and to use khaddar. He

also urged the schools managing committees to servere all

government connections.

65. Gandhi Collected Works, Vol.XIX, p.360

66. The Young India, 27.10.1920.
67. The Tribune, 27.11.1920.
 171
27

On 30 November 1920, Neki Ram addressed a public meeting

at Hissar in which he asked the electorate and contestants to

boycott the ensuring elections to the Assembly and Provincial

Councils. He also showed the hollowness of the arguments

of all candidates. The whole audience agreed to boycott the

Councils Resolutions, requiring voters to refrain from voting

and forming a deputation requesting candidates to withdraw,

were unamimously passed* In accordance with the resolution,

68
Lala Hari Kishan Datt, withdrew from the rural constituency.

A similar meeting was addressed by Neki Ram at Bhiwani on 9

February 1921 wherein he pointed out that swaraj could not be

attained by the C0uncils which were rather road-stones in the

sacred path of cherished goal. The only way to attain swaraj,

he emphatically held, lay in the non-violent Non-cooperation

movement. Some candidates voluntarily withdrew their candidature

and several voters did not go to polls.

On the eve of the Prince of Wales visit to India in November

1921, Neki Ram was prominently associated with the programme of

hartal launched by the Congress to foil the preparations for the

reception of the royal guest. To make the programme effective,

69
Gandhi invited Neki Ram to Bombay, Neki Ram readily agreed

and instantly proceeded to Bombay from Bhiwani. A week before the

arrival of the fcrince, Neki Ram and Sarojini Naidu, addressed

68. Ibid., 2-12-1920

69. Sugla, op., cit., p. 48

 28 172

several gatherings daily in the city, aimed at training the

people for the impending boycott. The Prince of Wales landed

at Bombay on 17 November 1921 and the royal procession was

cheered by a crowd of Europeans, Eurasians, Parsis, and the

affluent section of Bombay, Unfortunately, the swelling mob

turned violent and burnt tram-cars, motors, several liquor shops,

a Parsi Temple, etc. Neki Ram worked hard in helping the victims
70
of the fray. He escaped twice the police gun point. At Bombay

he came to know about his warrants of arrest and left for Bhiwani

after getting the permission of Gandhi, Gandhi appreciated

Neki Ram's services rendered during the riots in Bombay, saying

:"Pandit Neki Ram Sharma was instrumental in saving precious

lives when on the 17th instant a liquor shop was reduced to

71
ashes in Bhindi Bazar, Bombay".

The warrants were issued against Neki Ram in connection

with a speech he had delivered in Lahore. As soon as he reached

Bhiwani, he was arrested and brought to Lahore, A public meeting

was held at Bhiwani on 24 November 1921, attended by thousands

72
of people in which the services of Neki Ram were eulogised.
Neki Ram was prosecuted under Section 153 (A), the Indian Penal

Code, in the court of Justice Muir Hussain and was sentenced

73
to eight months' regorous imprisonment on 28 November 1921.
When the judgement was announced, several prominent nationalists

like, Lala Lajpat Ral, Chaudhary Rambhaj Datt, Lala Duni Chand,

and Pandit K. Santanam were present in the court.

70. Ibid., p.49

71. The Young India, 1.12.1921.
72. The Tribune, 8.12.1921.
73. Ibid., 29.11.1921.
 173
: 29

Neki Ram was kept in a cell fear some days in the Central

Jail, Lahore, Lala Lajpat Rai criticised the government's attitude

regarding Neki Ram's conviction and treatment in the following

words :
This trial and conviction of Neki Ram afford another instance

of the farcical nature of the political trial in the country.

There was nothing in his speech which could be construced

as having fomenting hatred between any two sections of His
74
Ma jesty's subjects.
Neki Ram was released on 15 July 1922 and was accorded hearty

reception all along the route from Mianwali to Bhiwani. A mammoth

meeting was arranged in his honour at Bhiwani on 17 July 1922 in

which he thanked the public and said that the time for further

trials was yet to come and the people must prepare themselves
75
for all sacrifices for the attainment of swaraj.
Neki Ram did his best to intensify Gandhi's Salt satyagraha.

In 1930 he addressed several public meetings exhorting the people

to support the satyagraha. Under his leadership the people of

Bhiwanit manufactured contraband salt and it was followed by other

places, too. Moreover, the people of his region boycotted foreign

cloth, the cloth dealers agreed not to import foreign cloth, and

the commission agents vowed not to sail foreign cloth to their

customers. The people adopted swadeshi, thousands of spinning

wheels started working for the production of Khaddar, and several

liquor shops were picketed. Because of his leading participation

in the Salt Satyagraha, Neki Ram was convicted, sentenced to six

74. Ibid., 30.11.1921

75. The Tribune, 19.7.1922.
 30 174

months imprisonment, and fined Rs. 200/- for breach of the Salt

Act. The people continued the satyagraha even after his grrest.

After the Gandhi *rwin Pact, Neki Ram was released on

12 March 1931, After his release, Neki Ram resumed his national

activities. He addressed numerous rural meetings. Under his

supervision the Congress volunteers continued picketing inspite

of certain selfish merchants opposition. Under the Picketing

77
Ordinance, Neki Ram was arrested on 19 January 1932. He waa
sentenced to three years impris onemfent and was sent to the Multan

Jail. But, he was released on 30 April 1932 and re-arrested on

29 May 1932. Now he was sentenced to a year's imprisonment and

78
was again sent to the Multan Jail.
When Gandhi started the Individual Satyagraha in October 1940,

Neki Ram, appeared on the forefront in this satyagraha and was

79
arrested. He was sentenced to eighteen months imprisonment.

Being a Member of the All-India Congress Committee, Neki Ram

reqched Bombay on 7 August 1942 to attend its meeting where the

historic decision of the QWit India movement was taken. Serious

distrubances broke out all over India and by the end of 1942,

over 60,000 men and women had been arrested. Neki Ram was also

arrested at Bhiwani under the Defence of India Rules and was

80
gentenced to two years rigourous imprisonment on 15 August 1042.
He was sent to the shahpur Jail hand-cuffed.

76. Ibid., 28.5.1930

77. The Tribune, 21.1.1932.
78. Ibid., May 11 and 29, 1932
79. Sugle, op. cit., p.92.
80. The Tribune, 16,8.1942.
 175
31

After his release, Neki Ram devoted himself to the cause

of supporting the Indian National Army. In 1945, he toured

several places along with Jawaharlal Nehru and collected money for

the welfare of the INA, which was crippled after the disappearance

of Subhas Chandra Bose.

Neki Ram was not only a freedom fighter but a social reformer,

too. He achieved success in abolishing begar praths in Punjab. He

was of the opinion that the begar was one of the causes of

indifference of the people to speedy progress of the freedom

movement. With the object of eradicating this curse and of

ameliorating the lot of the poor and down-trodden labourers, he

enlisted their support to launch an anti-begar campaign.

His efforts did not prove infructuous as the poor people

refused to give begar and the government had at last to bow before

the demand. The Government servants who were adversely affected

by the aboilition of begar became so jealous of Neki Ram that

81
they started dubbing him as Badi Ram instead of Neki Ram.

The extermination of of begar gave a heavy blow to the

government which could not have been possible but for the untiring

efforts of Neki Ram. Even Sir Edward Maclagon, the Government

of Punjab visited Hissar on 30 July 1921, met Neki Ram and

felicitated him on his remarkable success in eradicating beggar

pratha,

Neki Ram braved the cause of ppoor farmers of Haryana

who were the grave victims of feudal set-up. He organised the

oppressed peasantry of Skinner Estate. He spared no risk to get

81. Sugla, op. cit. p., 42

 176
32

the genuine grievances of the peasants redressed and ultimately

Skinner had to bow down and an agreement was reached between him

and the farmers. In connection with the Kisan Movement he was

arrested on 29 April 1930 under Sections 107 and 114 of the Indian
02
Penal Code. The cause of peasantry was so dear to Neki Ram

that he persuaded the Pm jab Government to concede the demand of

a canal for irrigation purposes in Haryana. He toured the province

in the summer of 1940 asking the farmers to unite and fight for

the cause Ultimately, a Bhakra Canal was dug which is still watering
83
the thirsty land of Haryana.
Besides, being ann eloquent speaker, Neki Ram had a flair
84
for teaching and writing. He taught Hindi to Lokmanya Tilak.
85
He wrote a book entitled Shasan Sudhar Pravashikha in 1920.

He published a Hindi weekly, the Sandesh from Bhiwani which made

86
its first appearance on 16 July 1924,

The life of Neki Ram Sharma is a suga of services, sufferings,

and sacrifices. He was instrumental in bringing about social

economic, and political consciousness among his countrymen,

especially the rural and weaker sections of the society. He shines

like a brilliant star amidst the galaxy of freedom fighters.

82. The Tribune, 1.5.1930.

83. Juneja, M.N., Neki Ram Sharma and the Freedom Movement,p,95
84. Sugla, op. cit., p,34.
85. Sharma, Neki Ram, Shasan Sudhar Praveshika
86. The Tribune, 19,6.1924.
 33 177
Dr. Gopi Chand Bharqava (1889-1966)

Dr. Gopi Chand Bhargava, a valued associate of Mahatma

87
Gandhi, was born on 8 March 1889 at Siraa. His father, Munshi
88
Badri Prashad, was a government servant in the Punjab. Tiae
ancestors of Gopi Chand belonged to Rewari orginally and they had

shed their blood in the great revolt of 1857 in supporting Rao

Tula Ram.89 After the failure of the revolt, Pandit Kanyia Lai,

the grand father of GOpi Chand migrated to Sirsa. Gopi Chand

passed his Matriculation examination from the C.A.V. High School,

Hissar in 1905. After completing his schooling he went to Lahore

for higher education. He passed his Intermediate examination

from the D.AvV. College, After completing his M. B. B. S. from the

King Edward's College in 1912, Gopi Chand started his career as

a medical practitioner at Lahore.

Apart from the early influences of his forefathers, Gopi

Chand derived inspiration from Ear? Nihal Chand Sikri and Lala
90
Lajpat Rai. It was nr. Nihal Chand Sikri, a prominent Congressman

of Lahore, who brought Gopi Chand in touch with the Congress

movement. Lala Lajpat Rai’s return to India in 1920 also gave

a great turn to Gopi Chand's public life. As soon as Lajpat

Rai reached Lahore, Gopi Chand came into his close contact and

became his staunch follower.

87. Joshi, Shadi Ram, Insanyiat Ke Pahredar, p.103.

88. Haryana Ke Swantantrata Senani, p.52.
89. Joshi, op. cit.
90. Sen, op. cit.
ijoshi, qp. cit.
 34 j 178

Gopi Chand came into limelight first during the 1919 distur­

bances when he took an active part in them. By 1921, he had become

an enthusiastic worker of the Indian National Congress. To support

the cause of the Non-cooperaticn movement, he gave up his private

practice. On 4 December 1921, Gqpi chand along with Lajpat Rai,

Lalkhan, and Santanam was arrested at Lahore. He was tried under

the Seditious Meeting Act in the court of Justice J.E. Keough.

Gopi Chand was sentenced to four months imprisonment and fined

91
Rs. 300/- on 7 January 1922. Mahatma Gandhi condemned the arrest;

After the Non-cooperaticn movement, Gopi Chand participated

in the national activities with more enthusiasm. In the beginning

of 1923, he and Lala Duni Chand (of Lahore) led the satyagraha in

connection with the removal of Lord Lawrence's statue which made

them An immediate target of official x^rath and both were arrested

QQ
in January 1923. The accused were tried in the court jail room

and were always brought there hand-cuffed. On 3 March 1923, they

94
were sentenced to eight months* imprisonment.

The Simon Commission reached Lahore in October 1928. A

peaceful procession led by Lajpat Rai was organised there. Gopi

Chand took leading part in organising the anti-Simon agitation.

A British police official aimed lathi blows at the chest of Lajpat

Rai. Gqpi Chand also sustained injuries while protecting Lajpat

Rai. Gopi Chand received two injuries on the top of his head, three

on the left shoulder, one on the left upper arm, one on the lower
95
arm, one on the right elbow, and one on the right side of nose.

91. The Tribune, 8.1.1992.

92. The Young India, 8.1.1922.
93. The Tribune, 1.2. 1923.
94. Punjab Native Newspapers Report, 1923.
95. The Tribute, 3,11.1928.
 179
35

Gqpi Chand played an active part In the civil disobedience*

96
He was arrested twice, first in 1930 and then in 1933. In another

movement known as the Individual Satyagraha started by Gandhi in

October 1940, Gopi Chand made anti-War slogans and was arrested.

He was kept in idle Lahore Central Jail. He was ill-treated during

his trial.

In the last mass movement, .the Quit India movement,

Gopi Chand, a great Gandhite was also arrested and was sentenced
97
to two and a half year* s imprisonment.

Though, Gopi Chand firmly believed in non-violence, he

had all sympathies with the terrorist freedom-fighters. He paid

several visits to the revolutionary prisoners in Lahore and shared

their feelings.

Gqpi Chand put the problems of the revolutionary prisoners

in proper perspective and approached the great leaders of the day

to understand their problems. As a result of his efforts, Jawaharla]

Nehru, the President of the Indian National Congress accompanied

by Gqpi chand, visited the Central and Borstal jails of Lahore

98
on 8 August 1929. Nehru had a patient talk with Bhagat Singh,

Batukeshwar, Jatin Das, Ajoy Ghosh, and Shiv Verma. He enquired

about the health of Jatin Das. The principles involved in the

hunger strike and terms on which that could be terminated were

99
also discussed.

96. Sen, op. cit.

97. Joshi, op. cit.
98. The Tribune, 10.8.1929
99. Ibid.
 : 36 : 180

The revolutionary prisoners always regarded Gqpi Chand

their saviour and shared their sentiments with him« Jatin Das

told him before his death that unless four or five youngmen laid

down their lives, their mission would not be fulfilled.

After sixty three days of fasting, Jatin Das died in the

Lahore Jail on 13 September 1929.101 Gopi Chand was shocked to

know the sad demise and immediately resigned from the membership
102
of the Punjab Legislative Council. as a protest.

In October 1930, after a farcical trial the judgement

regarding the Lahore Conspiracy Case was pronounced. Bhagafc Singh,

Rajguru, and Sukhdev were sentenced to death, seven to transporta­

tion, and the remaining to long terms of imprisonment. A defence

council, comprising prominent publicmen including Gqpi Chand, was

formed which decided that a petition for leave to appeal be sent

to the ^rivy Council. When Bhagat Singh realised that appeal

to the Privy Council had rich potentialities as a media for

propaganda abroad Gqpi Chand along with others applied to the

Privy Council but the petition was rejected in February 1931.

Gqpi Chand served his country mainly through the Indian

National Congress. He joined it after the Jallianwalah Bagh tragedy

and held many positions of responsibility. He was the Secretary

of the Lahore Distinct Congress Committee in 1921, President

of the Lahore City Congress Committee in 1922, and a Member of

the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee from 1921-26. He was the

General Secretary of the Reception Committee of the Lahore

Congress, 1929. He continued his affiliation with the Congress

100. Ibid., 27.9.1929.

101. Sharma, J.N., The National Biographical Dictionary of
India, P.70.
10 2. Joshi, op. cit.
 181
37

till 1951.

Gopi Chand had been a seasoned parliamentarian, too.

He was the Member of the Lahore Municipal Committee from 1920-24.

He was elected to the Punjab legislative Council in 1927 and

resigned after the death of Jatin Das. In 1937, he was elected

to the Punjab Legilative Assembly and became the leader of the

opposition when the Unionist Ministry was formed under the

Premiership of Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan. As a Leader of the

opposition, Gopi Chand acquitted himself with distinction and

credit. In response to Gandhi's call, he resigned the membership

of Legislative Assembly in 1940.

 38
182
Shri Ram Sharma (b. 1899)

Shri Ram Sharma, popularly known as the grand old man

of Haryana, was born on 1 October 1899 at Jhajjar town in Rohtak

district. He belongs to a family of Haharastrian Brahmins

who had settled down at Bahadurgarh after the Thrid Battle of

Fanipat, 1761. His forefathers later migrated to Jhajjar, then

a princely state. His father, Pandit Bishambar Dayal was a

journalist at Lahore.

Shri Ram started taking active part in the national

activities during his student days. In 1917, Lokmanya Tilak

visited Delhi. Shri Ram a student of Hindu College, Delhi

organised the reception of Tilak. To honour Tilak, Shri Ram

arranged and addressed a public meeting, too.

At the call of Gandhi Shri Ram in 1920 goodbye to his

educational career when he was studying in the 4th year.

On I January 1921, Shri Ram reached his hone district Rohtak

104
to lead the Non-cooperation movement. In February 1921 he,

alongwith three other students of his college, toured several

places of the district urging the people to support the movement.

This tour was completed in ten days visiting twnety villages

a day.^5 In June 1921, he was prohibited from addressing any

public meeting in the district of Rohtak till the end of the year.

103. Haryana Ke Swantantrata Senani, p.3

104. Oral History Transcript, Accession No. 191.
105. The Tribune, 27.2.1921.
 183
s 39 :

Now he switched over to Gurgaon district where he founded the

Congress Committee. Immediately after the end of 1921. Shri

Ram reached Rohtak and was arrested on 15 January 1922. He

was convicted under Section 107 of the Criminal Procedure Code

1n
and was sentenced to a year's rigorous imprisonment. The
people of Rohtak observed hartal on the day of his arrest. After

his release, Shri Ram devoted himself to the task of re-awakening

the masses who had stiffered a blow after the withdrawal of the

Non-cooperation movement. He made several tours in Haryana

exhorting the people to deprecate communal feelings, premote

107
swadeshi, and eradicate untouchability and begar,

Shri Ram attended the historic session of the Indian

National Congress held at Lahore in 1929 and took active part

in its proceedings. During the session, Gandhi put up the

108
official resolution condemning a bomb attack on Lord Irwin.
Shri Ram, along with Subhas Chandra Bose, voted against the

Resolution and walked out.

Whri Ram worked hard to make the Salt Satyagraha, a success.

In March 1930, he visited numerous placed of Rohtak district

109
explaining the significance of the Dandi March to the people.
Again in April 1930, he visited the rural areas of his district
11C
and asked the people to enlist themselves as Congress volunteers.

The people of Rohtak led by Shri Ram manufactured contraband salt

106. The Tribune, 19.1.1922.

107. Ibid. 19.12.1924.
108. The revolutionaries expoloded bombs under the Viceroy
Lord Irwin's special train in New Delhi 24 December 1929.
109. The Tribune, 15.3.1930.
110. Ibid., 27.3.1930,
 j 40
184

in
in Kalalan Muhalla after talcing water out of a salt-well. He

was arrested twice during the Civil Disobedience movement. His

first arrest was made on 11 April 1930 and he was sentenced to

one year's imprisonment.112 Again, he was arrested on 19 December

1931, charged with five cases and heavy security of Rs. 10,000/-
113
was demanded in each case. He was sentenced to one and a half
. imprisonment.
. 114
year's

To make the individual Satyagraha effective, Shri Ram

115
visited several places of his district in December 1940. He
collected Rs, 1,000/- for the Satyagraha Fund and got a number
116
of satyagraha pledges signed. After getting the permission

of Gandhi, he offered satyagraha at Rohtak on 7 January 1941

117
by making anti-War slogans. He was arrested and sentenced
118
to one and a half year's imprisonment. Once again in 1942

Movement Shri Ram was arrested ans sentenced to three years

119
imprisonment.

111. Oral History Transcript, op . cit.

112. The Tribune, 13,4,1930
113. Ibid. 21.12,1931
114. Ibid.
115. The Tribune, 4.1.1941
116. Ibid.
117. Ibid.
118. Haryana Ke Swantantrata Senani, 0p» cit. p.56
119. Ibid.
 1S5
: 41

Shri Ram is not only a freedom fighter but has a passion

for journalism, too. As a pioneer of journalism in Haryana,

he started publishing an Urdu Weekly Haryana Tilak at Rohtak

on 18 March 1923 to support the cause of the Congress,The

journal saw many ups and downs. Its publication was stopped

during the political upheaval under the orders of the Punjab

121
Government in 1930, 1932, and 1942, The Unionist Government
disallowed its publication in 1939 and consiscated it in 1941.122

Shri Ram Managed to carry on publishing the paper from the U.P.

under different titles.

Shri Ram's life style is simple and spartan. He has been

a rebel throughout his public life. He spent more than seven

years in British and Congress jails.

120. Rohtak District Gazetteer, p.314.

121. Ibid.

122 Ibid.
 186
s 42 t

Lala Dbshbandhu Gupta (1900-1951)

Laia Deshbandhu Gupta, a freedom fighter and champion of

free press, was born on 14 July 1900 in a lower middle class

123
family at Panipat. His father, Lala Shadi Lai, was a petition-

writer in the law-court of Panipat. At the young age of nineteen

Deshbandhu was married to Sana Devi who became his partner in

political activities as well. Sona Devi always wore Khadi, took

part in demonstrations organised by the Congress, and courted

arrest a number of time.

While he was studying in the final year of Intermediate

class, Deshbandhu bade farewell to his college and devoted himself

to the cause of the Non-cooperation movement.

In April—May 1921, Deshbandhu addressed several public

meetings at Sungola. Kamalpur,- Mangla, Shahpur, Biana, Indri,

Somash, and Rambha in Karnal district. He explained the meaning

of swaraj, the importance of becoming members of the Indian

National Congress, and the outcome of donating for the Tilak

124
Swaraj Fund. Deshbandhu arranged a political conference at
125
Panipat on 2 July 1921. It was addressed by leaders like,
Lala Lajpat Rai, Hakim Ajmal Khan, and Pandit Neki Ram Sharma

and attended by thousands of people. Lala Lajpat Rai was presented

with a purse of Rs. 21,000/- by Deshbandhu who had collected the

money from the people of his district for the Tilak Swaraj Fund.

Furthermore, thirty five Congress Committees were farmed in the

l26
district by the end of May 1921.

123. Sen, S.p, (ed>, Dictionary of National Biography.

124. The Tribune, 17.4.1921 and 20.5.1921.
125. Ibid., 10.7.1921.
126. Ibid.
 : 43 : 187

Deshbandhu was on a visit to Delhi to invite seme Congress

leaders for his hone district. The metropolitan city was in a

ferment on the question of boycotting the visit of the Prince of

Wales. The authorities wanted to put up a show by holding a

conference of the Depressed Classes. The Congress volunteers

led by Deshbandhu captured the conference and wrecked it. The

elderly Congressites were impressed and made him the Propganda

127
Secretary of the Delhi Provincial Congress Committee.

Deshbandhu's active participation in the non-cooperation

movement resulted in his arrest. He was sentenced to a year's

123
imprisonment and was detained in the Mianwali Jail. During
this imprisonment he had the opportunity to have the company of

Swami Shradhananand who influenced the young Deshbandhu greatly.

On being release, Deshbandhu came into contact with Lala Lajpat

Rai who at once recognised the sterling qualities of this yoflng

enthusiast and took him into his political camp.

Deshbandhu and his wife, Sona Devi, took active part in the

Civil disobedience movement. Deshbandhu was arrested twice in 1930

and was sentenced to three months and seven and a half month's
129
imprisonment. His wife, Sona Devi, was also arrested with a
130
baby (Vishnu Bhagwan) in her arms and convicted. In 1932,
Deshbandhu organised the 47th session of the Indian National Congress

at Delhi. The session was held at Chandni Chowk, which was otherwise

declared as unlawful. The police showered lathi blows on one

hundred and fifty unarmed delegates and arrested many of them

127. Sen, op. cit.

128. Who's who of Delhi Freedom Fighters Vol.I, p. 146.
129. Ibid.
130. Ibid.
 44 188

including Deshbandhu. He was detained for two months and v/as

131
removed from the membership of the Delhi Municipality. Gandhi

started the Individual Satyagraha in October 1940. Deshbandhu,

a chosen satyagrahi for Delhi, v/as arrested and sentenced to one

year's imprisonment.^32 During the Quit India movement, Deshbandhu

was also arrested under the Defence of India Rules in 1942.

Deshbandhu was a journalist of international repute. He

entered journalism in his early twenties receiving his first lessons

in this profession from Lala Lajpat Rai and Swami Shardhanand.

ill
Deshbandhu used to take dictations from Lala Lajpat Rai of articles

for the Bande Matram paper. Swami Shardhanand started the daily

Taj of which De.shbandhu first became the dditor and then the

director. On 8 October 1923, E^shbandhu was arrested because

of his forceful articles and was sentenced to one year's improso*

nment.133

131. Ibid.

132. Fortnightly Reports File No. 18/18.11./I940

133. Who's who op. cit.p.149.

 : 45 lo9

Chaudhary Ranbir Singh (b. 1914)

Chaudhary Ranbir Singh, the son of an agriculturist was

134
bom on 26 November 1914 at Sandhi viallage in Rohtak district.

He hails from a patriotic Jat family. After completing his

educational career, he joined the Indian National Congress in 1938

and missed no occasion to appear on the scene. In all, he was

arrested ./eight times and was placed behing prison bars for four

years.
In. October 1940 when Mahatma Gandhi launched the Individual

Satyagraha, Ranbir Singh was chosen a satyagrahi for Rohtak. Before

courting arrest, he visited several places of Karnal and Rohtak

districts in March and June 1941.135 While addressing the meetings,

he exhorted the people to join the Congress ranks in large numbers

and those who could not offer satyagrahis who had been arrested

hitherto. He explained the general political situation in the

world vis-a-vis India. Becuase of his efforts several persons,

especially the ruralites enlisted themselves as the members of

the Congress, contributed to the Satyagraha Fund, and signed the

■Satyagraha Pledges.

Rnabir Singh was arrested twice during the Individual

Satyagraha. His first arrest was made on 4 April 1941 at Rohtak

and was sentenced to one year's imprisonment. He was kept in the

Ferozepur Jail and was released on 24 June 1941. In July 1941,

he gave a notice to the Rohtak district authorities of his intension

134. Eminent Freedom Fighters in Haryana, M.M. Juneja, Rjaya

Sabha Who*s Who (Delhi, 1974), p.244.
135. The Tribune, 19.3.1941.
136. Rajya Sabha, op. cit.
 t 46 j 190

and made anti-War slogans. Consequently, he was arrested on

23 July 1941 at Rohtak, sentenced to one year's rigorous

imprisonment, and sent to the hostal Jail, Lahore* But, he

was released on 21 December 1941*138 After his release, Ranbir

Singh was accorded a gr^nd reception by the people of Rohtak,

Ranbir Singh, alongwith other freedom fighters-Diwan Dilawar

Singh, Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma, Chaudhary Nanhoo Ram,

Mohammad Abdul Ghani Uerashi, and Swami Shiv Nath, was garlanded

on his arrival at Rohtak and was taken in a procession which

passed through the main bazars of the city amidst shouts of

139
na tional siogans.

In February 1942, Ranbir Singh was agains arrested after

making an anti-War speech at a public meeting held at Sargor

village near Barnala and was released in March 1942. anmr
Singh Jumped into the Quit India movement and was arrested on

24 September 1942 under the Defence of India Rules.

137. Ibid.

138. Ibid.

139. The Tribune, 31.12.1941

140. Rajya Sabha, op. cit.
 s 47
iei
Banarsi Das Gupta (b. 1919)

Banarsi Das Gupta, the son of Lala Ram Swaroop Gupta,

was born on 13 September 1919 at Manharu village, 10 kilometre

from Bhiwani.141 Apart from his teachers, the literature of

Swami Dayanand Saraswati and personalities like, Mahatma Gandhi,

Jawaharlal Nehru, P. Sitaramayya, and Neki Ram Sharma impressed

Banarsi Das greatly.

During the pre-Independence days, the rajas of princely

states used to inflict torture on their subjects. These rajas

were backed by the gritish Government. To improve the condition

of the people of the states, the Praja Mandal movement was

142
started in 1929 . This movement reached its height of popularity

in 1938. Banarsi Das made his entry into the movement in the

same year. The first session of the Punjab States Praja Mandal

was held at Ludhiana in 1938. It was presided over by Jawaharlal

Nehru. Banarsi Das and five other students reached Ludhiana from

Pialni to attend the session. There, he happened to meet a Jind

delegate named Hans Raj Rahbar, a budding leftist leader. These

two young leaders decided to found the Jind Praja Mandal and

arranged its first session at Sangrur. With that, Eanarsi Das

said good-bye to the college.

141. Haryana Review (Chandigarh), December 1975.

142. Ramesh Walia, Praja Mandal Movement in East Punjab State.
p« 74.
 s 48
132

Banarsi gas was the founder Member of the Jind State

Praja Mandal and with this his life became a long story of

incessant struggle against the exploitation of the people of

pricely states by the rajas.143 He organised this institution

and remained its Secretary and President for a number of years.

The move to bring down the princely order and to restore to

people a democratic government had since gathered momentum.

He propagated educational, social economic masses. The Jind

Government poaced several restrictions on Banarsi Das's activities

in 1941. He defied the restrictions and earned his first jail

term. He was chained and detained in the Faridkot Jail. The

police made him slog long distances with fetters on. This

caused deep wounds near his ankles and the blood oozed out# The

jail authorities thereupon took pity on the young lad and exempted

his from hard labonr. He was set free six months later. He

succeeded in getting the princely grip loosened and secured

political rights for the subjects of the Jind State.

Banarsi Das, being a Gandhite, jumped into the mass

movement of 1942. His leading part in the movement led to his

arrest and he was interned for three years. 1^4 Thus^ his

second imprisonment came during the Quit India movement and

lasted from 1942 to 1944.

14 3. Fauja Singh, Eminent Freedom Fighters of Plan jab, p.77.

144. Fauza Singh, op. cit, p.78

 : 49
133

Thus during the period from 1919 to 1942 the people of

Haryana awakened and started participating in the struggle for

Swaraj in full swing. Their leaders contributed a lot for

social uplift, spread of education, elimination of poverty and

above all freedom of the country. The political condition after

the first world war, impact of western education and Socio­

cultural movements and the sacrifices of Haryana's freedom

fighters inspired the ccmmonmen to fight for the freedom of

the country. Their relentless struggle had a great impact

on the British government which lost its complacence.