Chapter 12: Tribal Movements in Rajasthan
(History of Bhil, Meena, Garasia and Environmental Uprisings in Rajputana)
Exam Relevance: RPSC (RAS Pre & Mains, School Lecturer, 2nd Grade, College Assistant Professor) / RSSB (CET Graduate & 12th Level, Patwar, VDO, Police Constable) / REET Mains
1. Chapter Overview and Exam Significance#
- Strategic Importance: The tribal and environmental movements of Rajasthan represent one of the most heroic and tragic chapters in the history of anti-feudal and anti-colonial resistance in India. These uprisings demonstrated that indigenous forest communities were the first to raise arms against administrative interference, economic despoliation, and social humiliation.
- Weightage in RPSC/RSSB Exams: Consistently accounts for 3 to 5 questions across all major competitive examinations in Rajasthan.
- Core Syllabus Focus:
- The 19th-century Bhil uprisings in Mewar and Vagad against the erosion of traditional toll rights (Bolai and Rakhwali) and the establishment of the Mewar Bhil Corps (MBC) in 1841 at Kherwara.
- The Bhagat Movement led by Govind Guru: Foundation of the Samp Sabha (1883 at Sirohi), socio-religious reforms, and the Mangarh Massacre (17 November 1913) where over 1,500 Bhils were martyred.
- The Eki Movement (Bhomat Bhil Movement) led by Motilal Tejawat: Origin at Matrikundiya (1921), the 21 demands of "Mewar Pukar", and the Neemra (Pal Chhitariya) massacre (7 March 1922).
- The Meena Movement against the Criminal Tribes Act (1924) and Jaipur State's Jairam Pesha Act (1930), the 1944 Neem Ka Thana conference under Jain Muni Magan Sagar, Muktidivas at Bagawas (1946), and the final repeal in 1952.
- Environmental consciousness and the Bishnoi movement: Teachings of Guru Jambhoji (29 rules) and the immortal sacrifice of Amrita Devi Bishnoi and 363 martyrs at Khejarli (1730).
- Key organizations: Samp Sabha, Vanvasi Seva Sangh, Meena Kshatriya Mahasabha, and leaders like Thakkar Bapa and Bhogilal Pandya.
2. Core Themes and Historical Foundations#
2.1 The Nature of Tribal Resistance in Rajasthan#
- Unlike peasant agitations led by caste farmers who primarily contested excessive revenue assessments, tribal uprisings were fundamentally struggles for cultural autonomy, territorial independence, and survival rights over forest resources.
- For centuries, the Bhils, Meenas, and Garasias had exercised sovereign rights over the Aravalli hills and Vindhyan forests. They collected traditional road-transit dues (Bolai) and security watch charges (Rakhwali) from commercial caravans.
- The British East India Company's treaties with Rajputana states (1818) ended this centuries-old balance by introducing centralized colonial policing, survey settlements, excise monopolies over forest liquor (Mahua flowers), and commercial timber felling.
2.2 Socio-Religious Regeneration#
- Tribal movements in Rajasthan were characterized by a powerful synthesis of religious revivalism and social reform:
- **Govind Guru** transformed the Bhil community into "Bhagats" through strict moral codes, vegetarianism, and abstinence from alcohol, uniting disparate clans into a cohesive political force.
- **Motilal Tejawat** welded the Bhil and Garasia tribes across Mewar, Sirohi, and Idar into a collective oath of non-cooperation against feudal forced labor (Begar) through the Eki (unity) movement.
- **Jain Muni Magan Sagar** composed the *Meena Puran* to awaken historical dignity and genealogical pride among the Meenas, inspiring organized civil resistance against police oppression.
3. Tribal Communities of Rajasthan and Causes of Discontent#
3.1 Major Tribal Communities of Rajasthan#
- **1. Bhils:** The oldest and numerically largest tribal group in Rajasthan, densely concentrated in the southern highlands of Udaipur, Dungarpur, Banswara, and Pratapgarh. Renowned for their archery, martial traditions, and historical alliance with Maharana Pratap.
- **2. Meenas:** The second largest tribal community, predominantly residing in eastern Rajasthan (Jaipur, Dausa, Alwar, Sawai Madhopur, and Karoli). Historically divided into two functional classes:
- *Zamindari Meenas:* Engaged in settled agriculture and animal husbandry.
- *Chaukidari Meenas:* Entrusted with night patrols, fort protection, and treasury security.
- **3. Garasias:** Concentrated in the southern Aravalli valleys of Sirohi (Pindwara and Abu Road) and Udaipur (Kotra and Gogunda). Possess unique clan structures and participate in colorful fairs like the Ghaur fair.
- **4. Sahariyas:** The most disadvantaged and socially marginalized tribe, residing almost exclusively in Kishanganj and Shahbad tehsils of Baran district. Designated by the Government of India as the only Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Rajasthan.
- **5. Damors:** Concentrated in Simalwara tehsil of Dungarpur district.
- **6. Kathodis:** Skilled forest tribe originally brought from Maharashtra for commercial catechu (Kattha) extraction, living in Kotra and Jhadol in Udaipur.
3.2 Fundamental Causes of Tribal Discontent#
- **1. Abolition of Traditional Customary Rights:**
- British administrators and native rulers abolished the traditional **Bolai** (safe-passage toll collected from traders passing through tribal passes) and **Rakhwali** (protection fee collected from neighboring agricultural villages).
- **2. Monopoly on Mahua Liquor:**
- Brewing indigenous liquor from wild Mahua flowers was an integral part of tribal social and religious ceremonies. The British established state distillery monopolies and banned home brewing, imposing exorbitant excise taxes.
- **3. Loss of Forest Access:**
- Tribal communities were declared trespassers in their ancestral forests as colonial forestry laws restricted the grazing of cattle, timber harvesting, and shifting cultivation (Walra).
- **4. Feudal Extortions and Forced Labor (Begar):**
- Jagirdars demanded dozens of customary cesses (Lags) along with unpaid labor (Begar) for transporting royal goods, constructing forts, and hunting expeditions.
- **5. Intrusion of Money-Lenders (Mahajans):**
- Non-tribal merchants and money-lenders exploited tribal indebtedness, charging usurious interest rates and usurping mortgage-held fertile tribal valley lands.
- **6. Misconceptions regarding British Modernization:**
- The introduction of the 1881 imperial census, land demarcations, and boundary pillars generated deep apprehensions that the British intended to brand tribal youth, conscript them for foreign wars, and forcibly convert them to Christianity.
4. The Bhagat Movement, Govind Guru and Mangarh Massacre#
4.1 Govind Guru (1858–1931 CE)#
- **Birth and Background:** Born on **20 December 1858** in a Banjara family at **Bansiya (Bediya) village** in Dungarpur state.
- **Spiritual Influence:** In 1880–1881, Govind Guru met **Swami Dayanand Saraswati** at Udaipur. Inspired by the Arya Samaj founder's ideals of monotheism, indigenous pride (Swadharma), and social purity, Govind Guru dedicated his life to reforming and mobilizing the oppressed Bhil community.
- **Foundation of the Samp Sabha (1883 CE):**
- In **1883**, Govind Guru established the **Samp Sabha** at **Sirohi**.
- The word *"Samp"* is a Rajasthani/Gujarati term signifying mutual love, fraternity, and concord.
- The organization was anchored on **ten moral commandments**: absolute monotheism, strict vegetarianism, total abstention from alcohol, personal cleanliness, boycotting foreign manufactured goods, rejection of forced labor (Begar), and resolving inter-tribal disputes through indigenous panchayats rather than approaching British courts.
- **The Bhagat Sect:** Initiates took holy vows, maintained sacred fire pits (**Dhunis**), unfurled sacred white and saffron flags (**Nishan**), and wore prayer rosaries. The movement spread like wildfire across Vagad (Dungarpur, Banswara), Mewar, Idar, and Panchmahal.
4.2 The First Annual Assembly at Mangarh (1903 CE)#
- In 1903, Govind Guru convened the first mass annual assembly of the Samp Sabha atop the sacred **Mangarh Hill** (situated on the present-day border of Banswara in Rajasthan and Santrampur/Panchmahal in Gujarat).
- Every year on **Margashirsha Purnima**, tens of thousands of Bhils from neighboring princely states gathered at Mangarh to offer oblations at the sacred fire, celebrate communal brotherhood, and discuss their grievances.
4.3 The Mangarh Massacre (17 November 1913)#
- **Escalation of Conflict:** Alarmed by the growing political unity and refusal of Bhil disciples to pay illegal taxes or perform Begar, the rulers of Banswara, Dungarpur, and Sunth-Rampur petitioned the British Political Agent to suppress the gathering.
- **The Assembly:** In November 1913, thousands of unarmed Bhils gathered at Mangarh Hill for the annual Margashirsha Purnima fair.
- **The Bloodbath:** On **17 November 1913**, combined British and princely military units—including the **Mewar Bhil Corps (MBC)**, the **104th Wellesley's Rifles**, the **7th Rajputana Rifles**, and state forces from Baroda—surrounded Mangarh Hill under the command of **Major S. Hamilton**.
- Without warning or provocation, British machine guns and mountain artillery opened fire upon the dense assembly of men, women, and children.
- Over **1,500 Bhil devotees were massacred** on the hilltop.
- Because of its scale and sheer brutality, the tragedy is revered in Indian history as the **"Jallianwala Bagh of Rajasthan"** (which occurred six years before the 1919 massacre at Amritsar).
4.4 Trial, Exile and Final Days of Govind Guru#
- Govind Guru was wounded and taken prisoner alongside his trusted lieutenant, **Punja Dhirji (Punja Parcha)**.
- Initially sentenced to death by a special British tribunal, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment, and subsequently reduced to ten years on appeal.
- Released in 1919 under strict conditions prohibiting him from re-entering Dungarpur, Banswara, or Sunth states, Govind Guru spent his remaining years in constructive social work at **Kamboi village** (near Zalod, Panchmahal district, Gujarat).
- He passed away on **30 October 1931** at Kamboi, where a sacred Samadhi shrine commemorates his historic life. Today, Mangarh is recognized nationally as **Mangarh Dham**, a national monument of tribal martyrdom.
- Another prominent associate who carried forward the Bhagat mission was **Surji Bhagat**.
5. The Eki Movement, Motilal Tejawat and Neemra Firing#
5.1 Motilal Tejawat (1886–1963 CE)#
- **Birth and Background:** Born in **1886** at **Kolyari village** (Jhadol tehsil, Udaipur) into an affluent **Oswal Jain family**.
- **Awakening:** While serving as the estate manager (Kamdar) of the Thikana of Jhadol, Tejawat witnessed the inhuman atrocities, arbitrary cesses, and physical beatings inflicted upon Bhil and Garasia cultivators by Rajput Jagirdars.
- Shocked by this systematic exploitation, he resigned his post, dedicated himself to tribal emancipation, and was affectionately venerated by tribal people as **"Bavji"** (Respected Father / Elder).
5.2 Launch of the Eki Movement (1921 CE)#
- In **1921**, Tejawat launched the **Eki Movement** (also known as the **Bhomat Bhil Movement**) from **Matrikundiya** (near Rashmi, Chittorgarh district), a sacred pilgrimage site on the Banas River acclaimed as the **"Haridwar of Rajasthan"**.
- The movement took its name from *"Eki"* (unity), as thousands of Bhil and Garasia cultivators took a solemn collective oath to stand united, refuse unpaid forced labor (Begar), and cease paying unjust agricultural taxes to Jagirdars.
5.3 The Historic "Mewar Pukar" (21 Demands)#
- Motilal Tejawat drafted a monumental 21-point charter of grievances titled **"Mewar Pukar"** (The Cry of Mewar) and presented it directly to **Maharana Fateh Singh** of Mewar at Pichola Lake in Udaipur.
- The charter demanded immediate relief from 84 oppressive feudal taxes, termination of forced labor, recognition of customary forest rights, and restrictions on predatory wild boars damaging standing crops.
- Maharana Fateh Singh accepted 18 of the demands, but stubbornly rejected 3 critical demands:
- Complete abolition of Begar.
- Restoration of unrestricted forest wood rights.
- Freedom to cull royal wild pigs damaging tribal crops.
5.4 The Neemra / Pal Chhitariya Massacre (7 March 1922)#
- With negotiations failing, the Eki movement spread across the Bhomat region into the neighboring princely states of Sirohi, Idar, and Danta.
- On **7 March 1922**, a massive gathering of thousands of Bhils assembled at **Neemra (Neemda / Dadhvav)** near **Pal Chhitariya** in the Vijaynagar state (Idar Agency, Gujarat border).
- The Mewar Bhil Corps under the command of **Major H. G. Sutton** encircled the congregation and opened unprovoked fire with automatic rifles.
- Over **1,200 tribal men, women, and children were slain** in the massacre.
- Motilal Tejawat was shot in the thigh, but his devoted Bhil followers spirited him away into the rugged sanctuary of the Sirohi hills.
- A subsequent assembly at **Siawa (Sirohi)** in April/May 1922 was similarly attacked by British and Sirohi state troops, killing dozens of Garasias.
5.5 Later Life and Vanvasi Seva Sangh#
- Tejawat remained underground for seven years, coordinating resistance from the hills.
- In **1929**, following the earnest counsel of **Mahatma Gandhi** and **Manilal Kothari**, Tejawat peacefully surrendered to British authorities at **Khedbrahma** (Idar).
- Handed over to Mewar state, he was detained in Udaipur Central Jail until his release in 1936 on condition of refraining from political agitation.
- In his post-release years, Tejawat established the **Vanvasi Seva Sangh** to promote tribal education, khadi production, and health, remaining an indefatigable champion of the oppressed until his demise in **1963**.
6. 19th Century Bhil Uprisings and Mewar Bhil Corps#
6.1 Early Bhil Revolts in Mewar (1818–1826 CE)#
- Following the 1818 treaty between Maharana Bhim Singh and the British East India Company, British officers attempted to pacify and disarm the Bhils in the Bhomat highland region.
- In 1818, Bhils under **Daulat Singh** and **Govind Ram** revolted in Mewar, resisting the British survey parties and refusing to relinquish their Bolai dues.
- Another intense uprising occurred in 1826–1828 in Merpur, forcing the British to negotiate temporary settlements.
6.2 Foundation of the Mewar Bhil Corps (1841 CE)#
- Recognizing that regular British and Rajput cavalry could not effectively traverse the impenetrable Aravalli hill tracts, British political officer **James Outram** proposed raising a specialized counter-insurgency paramilitary force composed of local Bhils themselves.
- Consequently, the **Mewar Bhil Corps (MBC)** was officially constituted in **1841** under British commanding officers.
- **Headquarters:** Established at **Kherwara** (Udaipur district), with an auxiliary cantonment post at **Kotra**.
- Funding was shared between the Mewar state treasury and the British government.
- The MBC succeeded in maintaining imperial order in the Bhomat hills and paradoxically served as the primary instrument used by the British to suppress later tribal uprisings at Mangarh (1913) and Neemra (1922).
6.3 The 1881–1882 Bhil Revolt in Barpal and Paduna#
- In March 1881, a major Bhil uprising erupted in the villages of **Barpal** and **Paduna** in Mewar.
- **Immediate Triggers:**
- Rumors that the British census operations (1881) were designed to identify tribal families for heavy taxation, forced military labor, and deportation.
- Killing of a Bhil Gameti (village headman) by state officials.
- Ban on indigenous Mahua liquor production and tree felling.
- Bhils ambushed state officials, plundered police outposts, and blockaded major highways.
- **Negotiated Settlement at Rishabhdev:**
- Finding military force ineffective, the Mewar administration dispatched court historian **Kaviraja Shyamaldas** (author of *Vir Vinod*) and **Mama Aman Singh** to negotiate with tribal leaders.
- An amicable settlement was reached on 25 April 1881 at the sacred shrine of **Rishabhdev (Dhulev)**, where the administration conceded **21 major demands**, reducing land revenue by half, waiving Bolai disputes, and restoring traditional Mahua liquor rights.
7. Meena Movement and Criminal Tribes Act Agitation#
7.1 Historical Roots and Status of Meenas#
- Prior to the rise of Kachhwaha Rajput power in the 12th century, Meena chieftains ruled Amber and extensive tracts of the Dhundhar region.
- Under Kachhwaha rule, Meenas retained the prestigious prerogative of applying the ceremonial royal coronation mark (Rajtilak) on the forehead of each new Jaipur Maharaja using their own thumb-blood.
- By the 19th century, the community was bifurcated into:
- **Zamindari Meenas:** Prosperous, settled peasant proprietors.
- **Chaukidari Meenas:** Entrusted with rural watch and ward duties. However, if any theft occurred within their surveillance jurisdiction, the Chaukidari Meenas were held collectively liable to compensate the victim through an arbitrary fine known as **Gau-Chauth** or **Chaukidari compensation**.
7.2 The Criminal Tribes Act (1924) and Jairam Pesha Act (1930)#
- In **1924**, the imperial Government of India enacted the draconian **Criminal Tribes Act**, classifying entire nomadic and martial communities as hereditary criminals.
- Implementing this imperial mandate, the Jaipur State government promulgated the **Jairam Pesha Act (Criminal Tribes Regulation)** in **1930**.
- **Draconian Provisions:**
- Every single Meena individual—including women, adolescents, and children **aged 12 years and above**—was legally compelled to present themselves daily at the local police station (Thana) to register their thumb impression and mark daily attendance (Haziri).
- Failure to attend was treated as a cognizable criminal offense punishable by rigorous imprisonment.
7.3 Organized Resistance and the Neem Ka Thana Conference (1944)#
- Deep resentment against this humiliating badge of criminality galvanized the community into political action:
- **1933:** Formation of the **Meena Kshatriya Mahasabha** to fight for civil dignity and educational upliftment.
- **The Great Conference of Neem Ka Thana (April 1944):**
- A historic convention of thousands of Meenas assembled at **Neem Ka Thana** (then Sikar Thikana) under the inspiring presidency of respected Jain Muni **Magan Sagar Ji**.
- Muni Magan Sagar Ji authored the renowned scripture **"Meena Puran"**, tracing the Vedic lineage of the Meenas to the Matsya incarnation of Lord Vishnu, thereby instilling intense pride in their heritage.
- At this session, the **Jaipur Rajya Meena Sudhar Samiti** was formed, with **Banshidhar Sharma** as president and **Laxminarayan Jharwal** as secretary.
7.4 "Muktidivas" at Bagawas (28 October 1946) and Final Repeal#
- Progressive leaders like **Laxminarayan Jharwal**, **Rawat Jairam Meena**, and political activist **Tikaram Paliwal** organized widespread defiance of the police registry.
- On **28 October 1946**, at a colossal gathering at **Bagawas** (near Jaipur), over **26,000 Chaukidari Meenas tendered their collective resignations** from state watchman duties in protest. This historic day is celebrated in Rajasthan as **"Muktidivas" (Liberation Day)**.
- Following intense public pressure, the Jaipur state government exempted women and minor children from the daily police roll call in 1946.
- The oppressive Jairam Pesha Act was completely and unconditionally repealed in **1952** after India's independence through sustained legislative advocacy.
8. Environmental and Protection Movements: Bishnoi and Khejarli#
8.1 Guru Jambhoji and the 29 Principles (1451–1536 CE)#
- **Birth and Lineage:** Born in **1451 CE** on Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami (Janmashtami) at **Pipasar village** in Nagaur district to Lohat Ji Panwar and Hansa Devi.
- **Spiritual Mission:** At **Samrathal Dhora** (Bikaner), he attained spiritual enlightenment in 1485 CE and established the **Bishnoi sect**.
- **Origin of Name:** Derived from **"Bees" (20) + "Nau" (9) = 29**, denoting the **29 sacred rules** of moral, spiritual, and environmental conduct.
- **Core Tenets:** Compassion for all living beings (Jeev Daya), absolute ban on felling green trees (particularly the native Khejri tree, *Prosopis cineraria*), protection of wild animals (particularly blackbucks and chinkaras), truthfulness, and hygiene.
- **Sacred Sites:** Samrathal Dhora (enlightenment site), Mukam (Talwa, Nokha tehsil, Bikaner—his final resting place where annual fairs are held on Phalguna Amavasya), and Lalasar.
8.2 The Immortal Khejarli Sacrifice (12 September 1730 CE)#
- **Historical Background:** In **1730 CE** (Vikram Samvat 1787, Bhadrapada Shukla Dashami), **Maharaja Abhai Singh** of Marwar required timber to burn limestone kilns for constructing a new palace inside Mehrangarh Fort.
- Royal minister (Diwan) **Giridhar Bhandari** dispatched imperial woodcutters and soldiers to the village of **Khejarli** (Jodhpur district), where dense groves of sacred Khejri trees were preserved by the Bishnoi community.
- **The Defiance:** As soldiers axed the trees, a courageous Bishnoi woman named **Amrita Devi Bishnoi** rushed forward and clung firmly to the trunk of a Khejri tree, uttering the immortal words:
> *"Seer saanthe rookh rahe, to bhi sasto jaan"*
> (Even if a person gives their head to save a single tree, it is still a small price to pay!)
- Imperial soldiers ruthlessly decapitated Amrita Devi. Undaunted, her three daughters—**Asu, Ratni, and Bhagu**—followed her example and embraced the trees, sacrificing their lives. Her husband, **Ramu Khod**, and Bishnoi villagers from 84 neighboring villages joined the passive resistance.
- A total of **363 Bishnoi martyrs (294 men and 69 women)** sacrificed their lives protecting the trees.
- **Royal Repentance:** When Maharaja Abhai Singh was informed of the catastrophic massacre, he immediately ordered the felling to cease, visited the village to apologize, and issued an inscribed copper plate edict banning the felling of green trees and the hunting of animals across all Bishnoi-inhabited territories in perpetuity.
8.3 Global Legacy and Commemoration#
- The Khejarli sacrifice is recognized as the world's first historic precursor and inspiration for modern eco-defense movements, including the celebrated **Chipko Movement** of the 1970s.
- **World's Only Tree Fair (Vriksha Mela):** Held annually at Khejarli on **Bhadrapada Shukla Dashami**.
- **Amrita Devi Bishnoi Smriti Award:** Instituted by the Government of Rajasthan in **1994** to recognize exceptional bravery and service in forest conservation and wildlife protection.
| Organization |
Year |
Founder / Key Leaders |
Primary Mission |
| Samp Sabha |
1883 |
Govind Guru |
Moral reform, unity, temperance, anti-Begar movement among Bhils |
| Mewar Bhil Corps (MBC) |
1841 |
James Outram / British Administration |
British paramilitary force raised to police tribal hill tracts |
| Meena Kshatriya Mahasabha |
1933 |
Meena Community Leaders |
Educational and social upliftment, legal opposition to Jairam Pesha Act |
| Jaipur Rajya Meena Sudhar Samiti |
1944 |
Muni Magan Sagar, Banshidhar Sharma |
Organized agitation for repeal of Criminal Tribes provisions |
| Vanvasi Seva Sangh |
1936 |
Motilal Tejawat |
Constructive tribal welfare, primary schools, khadi spinning, medical aid |
| Rajasthan Seva Sangh |
1919 |
Vijay Singh Pathik, Ramnarayan Choudhary |
Supported peasant and tribal agitations against feudal autocracy |
- **Bhogilal Pandya (1904–1981):** Revered as the **"Gandhi of Vagad"** for establishing the Vagad Seva Mandir and Dungarpur Prajamandal, championing primary education and anti-untouchability campaigns among Bhil children.
- **Thakkar Bapa (Amritlal Vithaldas Thakkar):** Dedicated national servant who established the Bhil Seva Mandal in 1922 and actively toured southern Rajasthan, organizing relief and residential schools for tribal youth.
- **Balwant Singh Mehta & Manikyalal Verma:** Senior Prajamandal leaders who established tribal ashrams and welfare trusts in Mewar's tribal hinterlands.
10. Chronology, Summary Tables and Mnemonics#
10.1 Chronology of Key Events (1730–1952 CE)#
| Year / Date |
Historical Milestone |
Core Significance |
| 1451 CE |
Birth of Guru Jambhoji at Pipasar |
Founder of the Bishnoi sect and its 29 principles |
| 12 Sep 1730 CE |
The Khejarli Sacrifice in Marwar |
Amrita Devi and 363 Bishnois martyred for Khejri trees |
| 1841 CE |
Formation of Mewar Bhil Corps (MBC) |
British paramilitary corps based at Kherwara |
| 1858 CE |
Birth of Govind Guru at Bansiya |
Architect of the Bhagat Movement |
| 1881–1882 CE |
Bhil Revolt at Barpal and Paduna |
Concluded by Rishabhdev agreement with Kaviraja Shyamaldas |
| 1883 CE |
Foundation of Samp Sabha at Sirohi |
Govind Guru established ten reform rules |
| 1886 CE |
Birth of Motilal Tejawat at Kolyari |
Leader of the Eki (Bhomat Bhil) Movement |
| 1903 CE |
First Samp Sabha session on Mangarh Hill |
Established annual Margashirsha Purnima pilgrimage |
| 17 Nov 1913 CE |
Mangarh Massacre |
British forces killed over 1,500 Bhils; "Jallianwala Bagh of Rajasthan" |
| 1921 CE |
Launch of Eki Movement at Matrikundiya |
Motilal Tejawat presented "Mewar Pukar" 21 demands |
| 7 March 1922 CE |
Neemra / Pal Chhitariya Massacre |
MBC troops under Major Sutton killed 1,200 Bhils |
| 1924 CE |
Criminal Tribes Act enacted |
Imperial legislation branding Meenas as criminal tribes |
| 1930 CE |
Jairam Pesha Act in Jaipur State |
Mandatory daily police roll call for Meenas aged 12+ |
| April 1944 CE |
Neem Ka Thana Meena Sammelan |
Chaired by Jain Muni Magan Sagar; author of Meena Puran |
| 28 Oct 1946 CE |
Muktidivas at Bagawas |
26,000 Chaukidari Meenas resigned their hereditary posts |
| 1952 CE |
Complete Abolition of Jairam Pesha Act |
Liberation of Meena community from mandatory attendance |
10.2 Comparative Matrix of Major Movements#
| Movement |
Primary Leader(s) |
Region |
Primary Objective |
Pivotal Event |
| Bhagat Movement |
Govind Guru, Surji Bhagat |
Dungarpur, Banswara, Idar |
Social purification, temperance, anti-Begar |
Mangarh Massacre (17 Nov 1913) |
| Eki Movement |
Motilal Tejawat ("Bavji") |
Mewar (Bhomat), Sirohi, Idar |
United resistance against 84 lags and Begar |
Neemra Massacre (7 March 1922) |
| Meena Agitation |
Muni Magan Sagar, Laxminarayan Jharwal |
Jaipur, Sikar, Alwar |
Abolition of Jairam Pesha Act attendance |
Muktidivas at Bagawas (28 Oct 1946) |
| Khejarli Movement |
Amrita Devi Bishnoi |
Khejarli (Jodhpur) |
Preservation of green Khejri trees |
Sacrifice of 363 martyrs (12 Sep 1730) |
10.3 High-Yield Exam Mnemonics#
- Mnemonic 1: Major Tribal Movements of Rajasthan (Bhi-Eki-Mee-Bish)
- Formula: "Bhi-Eki-Mee-Bish"
- Sequence: Bhi (Bhagat Movement / Govind Guru) -> Eki (Eki Movement / Motilal Tejawat) -> Mee (Meena Movement / Magan Sagar) -> Bish (Bishnoi Movement / Amrita Devi).
- Mnemonic 2: Great Massacres of Rajasthan (Man-Neem-Khej)
- Formula: "Khej-Man-Neem"
- Sequence: Khejarli (1730, 363 martyrs) -> Mangarh (1913, 1500 martyrs) -> Neemra (1922, 1200 martyrs).
- Mnemonic 3: Key Reformers and Leaders (Jam-Am-Gov-Moti-Magan)
- Formula: "Jam-Am-Gov-Moti-Magan"
- Sequence: Jambhoji (29 rules) -> Amrita Devi (Khejarli) -> Govind Guru (Samp Sabha) -> Motilal Tejawat (Mewar Pukar) -> Muni Magan Sagar (Meena Puran).
11. Exam Practice and Chapter Structure#
11.1 Topic Structure and Practice Exam Sets#
- To ensure mastery for RPSC and RSSB examinations, this chapter provides **60 high-yield bilingual MCQs** structured across six dedicated practice exam sets:
- **Set 1: Bhagat Movement and Govind Guru (5 Questions)**
- **Set 2: Eki Movement and Motilal Tejawat (15 Questions)**
- **Set 3: Meena Movement and Jairam Pesha Act (10 Questions)**
- **Set 4: 19th Century Bhil Revolts and MBC (5 Questions)**
- **Set 5: Khejarli Sacrifice and Bishnoi Movement (5 Questions)**
- **Set 6: Comprehensive Tribal Movements Mastery (20 Questions)**
| Practice Exam Set |
Primary Focus Areas |
Question Count |
| Set 1 - Bhagat Movement and Govind Guru |
Govind Guru, Samp Sabha 1883, 10 rules, Mangarh Massacre 1913, Kamboi |
5 |
| Set 2 - Eki Movement and Motilal Tejawat |
Tejawat, Matrikundiya 1921, Mewar Pukar 21 demands, Neemra firing 1922, surrender |
15 |
| Set 3 - Meena Movement and Jairam Pesha Act |
Criminal Tribes Act 1924, Jairam Pesha 1930, Magan Sagar, Muktidivas 1946 |
10 |
| Set 4 - 19th Century Bhil Revolts and MBC |
1818 revolts, Mewar Bhil Corps 1841 at Kherwara, 1881 Barpal-Paduna revolt |
5 |
| Set 5 - Khejarli Sacrifice and Bishnoi Movement |
Guru Jambhoji, 29 rules, Khejarli 1730, Amrita Devi, 363 martyrs, Tree Fair |
5 |
| Set 6 - Comprehensive Tribal Movements Mastery |
Multi-statement questions, chronological sequencing, matching lists, and assertions |
20 |
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