Prajamandal Movement in Odisha Dhenkanal and Talcher (1938-1947)

States people of Odisha launched a massive offensive in 1938-39 against the princely order demanding civil liberties and responsible government and that continued till their (States) integration into the adjoining province. Swerving from the position of complete subordination, the British pursued a laissez-faire policy towards the States to set them as a counter weight to the growing force of Indian nationalism. As the rulers of the tiny States were allowed to wield power over their subjects with little restraint, it inevitably led to irresponsible autocracy. The growth of national movement in British India had a definite impact on these small principalities. The installation of Congress ministries in most of the provinces generated a new sense of expectation and confidence in the people of the States. These new developments brought about a change in the Congress policy and there was increasing identification of the Congress with the States' people.

The underlying causes of the unrest lay in a peculiar pattern of agrarian relations, the deplorable economic situation and the general resentment over repression and misrule in the States. It was the first major attempt on the part of the States' people to secure redress of their socio-economic-political grievances. Resistance to authorities was offered in a number of States, prominent among them being Dhenkanal and Talcher where it assumed a menacing proportion.

Finally, by the time India achieved independence, the existence of these small States had become highly anachronistic and there was no alternative to merger of the States with the adjacent province. Odisha States emerged as the pioneer in India to sign the -merger agreement.

Dr. B.C. Rath obtained his Master's Degree in History from Utkal University, Bhubaneswar and joined Odisha Education Service in 1976. He was awarded Ph.D by the University of Calcutta. After serving in different premier colleges of Odisha and holding responsible administrative posts, he retired from the Government service. He was not only an excellent teacher and a capable administrator but also a sedulous researcher.

The mass upsurge in the Indian States, popularly known as the Prajamandal Movement, constituted an integral part of the national freedom struggle. In conformity with the principle of trusteeship espoused by Gandhiji, the Congress preferred not to meddle with the affairs of the states and the mobilisation there (the states) was carried on under the aegis of the All India States' People's Conference (AISPC) at the centre and the Prajamandals at the local level. During this period a mass movement erupted in some tiny and backward princely States of Orissa in 1938 and continued till their integration with the former British Province. It was the first major attempt on the part of the States' peoples to secure redress of their socio-economic-political grievances. The underlying causes of the unrest lay in a peculiar pattern of agrarian relations, the deplorable economic situation and the general resentment over repression and misrule in the States. The state of affairs deteriorated further because of a change in the imperialist policy with a view to keeping the Indian Princes in good humour. Their loyalty to the British connection was necessary to circumvent the effulgent nationalism in British India. The permissive policy towards the States, specially the smaller ones, who were the least viable, made the rulers autocratic and irresponsible. The masses seethed with discontent. In fact, a few isolated local jacqueries, which broke out earlier in some States, failed to succeed in the face of stringent punitive measures.

But the year 1938 proved to be a turning point. With the installation of Congress ministries in the Provinces, the elites in the States strove to secure civil liberties and responsible government like their counterparts in British India. The Haripura resolution of the Congress (1938), providing moral support and sympathy to movements for responsible governments in the States, went a long way in encouraging the States' peoples of Orissa to resort to agitation. These were carried on with increasing pace alongside the national movement. Finally, by the time India achieved independence, the existence of these small States had become highly anachronistic and there was no alternative to the merger of the States with the Province of Orissa.

The present work is an humble attempt to analyse the fundamental causes, the process of mobilisation and the different aspects of the mass-involvement during the course of the movement in the States from 1938-47. In my knowledge, no serious investigation has yet been conducted on it. I have selected two States of Orissa, Dhenkanal and Talcher, for my special study where the agitation was intense and it drew the serious attention of Congress, the AISPC (All India States' People's Conference) and other national leaders in the process.

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