Struggles of people of Gujarat against the British before and during 1857 revolt

It would be interesting to read the following excerpts from the book Rashtrano Swatantrata Sangram ane Gujarat (National Struggle for Independence and Gujarat) by Dr Shantilal M Desai, published by University Granth Nirman Board, Gujarat State regarding the early struggles within Gujarat against the British.  

“...The English rule was established fully in India with the end of the Peshwa rule in the year 1818…In Surat, the English had established its office and had started trade in the year 1612…In 1844 the Government of Mumbai increased the tax on salt from half a rupee to one rupee. The people of Surat disapproved of such a big raise at a time. The people opposed the increase in tax in a very strong but peaceful manner. Through public meetings and rallies there were demonstrations against the raise. For three days continuously, markets were shut from 29 to 31^st August. Approximately 30,000 people participated in this [protests]. The protests were totally peaceful…This whole matter reached the Governor. Looking at the mood of the people and as per the opinion of those in power, the salt tax was reduced to half and this is how the English first came across the mood and the strength of the people of Hind to protest peacefully. This very strength of the people to protest peacefully became a huge and unparalleled means of Satyagraha in the coming forty years.

“The second incident that conveyed the strength of peaceful protest came within the next four years itself. In 1848, the Government introduced Bengali weights in Gujarat and with that once again the people of Surat opposed it with rallies, public meetings and closures. Once again the Government gave in and the peaceful protests of the people proved victorious.”

The 1857 revolt and Gujarat

“Gujarat felt the echo and sparks of the huge revolt in North India. Its impact was felt mainly in the North and East Gujarat. Nandod, Dahod, Godhra, Reva bank (Narmada bank), Mahi bank and Lunavada joined the revolt. Few attempts for the success of the revolt were also undertaken in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat and Bharuch and prayers were undertaken for its success also. Sepoys [soldiers] in Ahmedabad also made an attempt at revolt. Experiments in guerrilla warfare were undertaken in North Gujarat, Panchmahal and Charotar.  On 6^th of July the Thanedar (head of a police station) of Dahod, Captain Buckle was attacked. In this the Mamlatdar, Muslims, Zamindars and about five hundred people joined hands. The revolt lasted for six days. Godhra too burnt… But in some time, those revolting stepped back. Fifteen revolutionaries were arrested, of which four were killed through canons, nine were imprisoned and one was sentenced to Kalapani.

“It was the sepoys [Soldiers] of Ahmedabad who raised their head first. On ninth July, seven soldiers of the mounted regiment attempted to take over the ammunition store. But as the other soldiers did not cooperate, they did not succeed and had to flee. The English chased them, fired at them and all seven were hanged. A similar attempt was made by the gunners of the ammunition depot. Those who went to take the custody of the canons became nervous and as a result that team was also caught. Out of them five were blown away by canons, three were shot dead by guns and thirteen were hanged. In this way in Gujarat too the soldiers also contributed in whatever small way they could. 

“Rajpipla kept up the pride. Saiyad Muradali, the Mamlatdar [revenue officer] of Nandod, Sindhi Jamadar [Head constable], about four hundred soldiers, and sepoys of Bharuch assembled there. They roared ‘Chalo Delhi’ [March to Delhi] and there was a feeling that the English rule has come to an end…

“In the matter of the royal throne of Lunavada, the heirs had an animosity with the English. The words of the heir Surajmal carried weight in the area. On receiving the false news that he was in hiding in the village of Pala belonging to charans [a community], the English burnt down the whole village! In North Gujarat, Disa, Samdi, Palanpur and Sirohi too did not stay behind during the revolt…In central Gujarat, Charotar showed its strength. The chief of village Anand, Garbaddas was incensed at the news of the destruction of the Charan village Pala by the English. With the cooperation of the heads of villages nearby and other people, he started the village security army. The reason for doing this was because the English were destroying the standing crop of the farmers, robbing villages and terrorizing everyone. The soldiers of the village security army of Garbaddas attacked the white soldiers when they were asleep. They released the cows kept for the food of the whites, cut the tails of their horses, and the whites had to flee. This caused widespread alarm in Kheda district…

“…while the 1957 revolt across the country had nearly ended, its echo continued in Gujarat till 1958. Bhils [tribal people/indigenous tribe], continued to revolt. Rupa Nayak and Keval Nayak of Panchmahal attacked Narukot…Tatya Tope had also come to Gujarat at that time…due to treachery Tatya Tope was captured and with this in 1859, Rupa and Keval Nayak had to surrender to the English.”

[Translated from Gujarati by Me]

Note: The second part that would dwell further on 1857 revolt and Gujarat will be put up next week on the blog.