HP GK

What led to the Battle of Mahal Morian, and what were its outcomes?

The Battle of Mahal Morian occurred in 1806 at Mahal Morian in Hamirpur, where Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra clashed with Gurkha forces led by Amar Singh Thapa.

Causes of Battle:

• Expansionary Policy of Raja Sansar Chand
  After gaining control over Kangra Fort, Raja Sansar Chand emerged as the supreme power in the Hills.
  • He annexed neighbouring Hill States, causing resentment among them.
  • For example, Raja Jeet Singh of Chamba sought revenge for his father’s death.
• Unable to Attack Plain
  Raja Sansar Chand’s attempt to expand into the plains was halted by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, compelling him to shift focus back to Hill States.
• Ambitions of Gurkhas
  In the latter half of the 18th century, Gurkhas of Nepal shared similar territorial ambitions.
  • They were actively looking for opportunities to expand into the hills.
• Invitation by Raja Mahan Chand of Kehlur
  When Sansar Chand attacked Kehlur, Raja Mahan Chand, along with other Hill rulers, invited the Gurkhas to invade Kangra.

Consequences of the Battle:

• Plunder of State by Gurkhas
  Gurkhas advanced into the heart of Kangra and plundered the region for four years.
  • Farmers couldn’t cultivate their land.
  • People were harassed and many migrated to other states.
• Treaty of Jawalamukhi (1809)
  Raja Sansar Chand signed this treaty with Maharaja Ranjit Singh to expel the Gurkhas from the region.
• Loss of Kangra Fort
  As part of the Treaty of Jawalamukhi, Raja Sansar Chand had to surrender Kangra Fort and 60 villages in Kangra Valley to Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
• End of Sansar Chand’s Ambitions
  The battle and the treaty reduced Sansar Chand to a subordinate status and ended his ambition to become the supreme ruler of the Hills.
• Foundation for Anglo-Gurkha War
  The Gurkhas, despite being defeated by Ranjit Singh, established a stronghold in the region, laying the foundation for future conflict with the British, especially the Anglo-Gurkha War.

Conclusion:

The Battle of Mahal Morian and its aftermath revealed the complex interplay of ambition, alliances, and rivalries among regional powers. It ended the expansionist quest of Raja Sansar Chand and altered the political dynamics of the Hill States, proving how localized conflicts can significantly influence the broader course of history.

Q. Give a detailed overview of the Begar system in the state. What efforts were made to abolish the Begar system?

Ans.
Begar system was the mandatory force labour under which a person is compelled to do the work against his wishes. All who cultivated the soil were bound to give as a condition to tenure a portion of their labour at the time of need of the state or government.

• But with the advent of the British in the hill state the nature of the beggar changes over time.

Nature of Begar before the advent of Britishers:

• Associated with the land – Before the advent of British power in the hill states, Begar was associated with the possession of the land. The obligation of Begar was part and parcel of the revenue system.
• Alternative to revenue – People who were not capable of paying revenue and other miscellaneous views in cash so they prefer to pay in the form of Labour or Begar.
• Assist sound working of administration – Human labour stood as the sole option for upholding administrative tasks, thus gaining prominence.
  • Devoid of it, the state would find it impracticable to conduct essential ceremonies such as marriages and funerals.

Begar under the British govt:

• Not remained associated with only land revenue anymore – Though the land was the basis of the begar system, it became mandatory for other subjects of the states as well.
  • Landless labours, artisans, ironsmiths, etc were also compelled to provide the service of begar to officials of the British govt.
  • Further provided service no more remained the part of revenue system of the state.
• Increase in intensity of begar – During the British colonial rule, the begar system became more pronounced in the Shimla Hill states.
  • This was particularly evident during the construction of the Shimla-Tribbet Road and the development of Shimla as a hill station, which also served as the summer capital for the British government.
• System of transportation – According to E S Stokes, Begar has become a transportation system where state materials and officials’ luggage were transported from one village to another until they arrive at their destination.

The Various Initiatives in the Hill States Against the Begar System were:

• Efforts of Samuel Evan Stokes – He was an American missionary who came to Shimla Hills in 1904.
  • On his initiative, a vigilance committee was formed by educated people of the state to double the wages of Begar Coolies.
  • Further, he started a movement at Kotgarh to abolish the Begar system in Shimla.
  • As a result, the beggar was abolished in Shimla in 1921.
• Dodra Kawr Dum or Movement (1906) – It was started in 1906 by the Rana Bahadur, wazir of Dodra Kwar.
  • He declared himself free and refused to pay the Beggar to the Britishers.
• Keonthal Movement (1893) – A similar agrarian revolt took place in the Keonthal state in 1906 when eight Parganas out of 18 Parganas of the state refused to pay revenue and rendered the Beggar for six years against the arrogance of the state officials.
• Agitation in Baghal (1905) – A rebellion broke out in Baghal State against the Beggar System.
  • The British had to intervene to stop the rebellion.

Efforts by Praja Mandal:

• Representation by Kumarsain State – In 1939, the Kolies of Kumarsain state, represented by the Praja Mandal under the leadership of Pt. Padam Dev raised concerns about discriminatory compensation practices regarding Athwara Begar.
• Dhami Revolt (1939) – Dhami Praja Mandal put forward a few demands in front of Rana Dalip Singh, one of which was the abolition of the Beggar system in Dhami State.
  • Raja rejected the demand, in response Dhami Praja Mandal started a movement in the state.
  • It led to the incident of Dhami Goli Kaand.
• Pajhota Movement (1942) – The people of Pajhota started a rebellion, organised by Sirmaur Praja Mandal and Kisan Sabha.
  • One of the major causes of disaffection – forceful Beggar system.
  • Vaid Surat Singh was the main leader of the movement.
  • Under the pressure of the revolt, Raja accepted the demand for democratisation of the administration.

The begar system in the hill states illustrates a fight against unfair labor practices and a pursuit of social justice. Movements and reforms show how local communities resisted colonial exploitation, aiming for their rights and paving the path for broader social changes in the region.

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