The Demand for Responsible Government

While the peasant and tribal movements fought against economic exploitation (taxes and begar), they lacked a broader political vision. The Prajamandal (People's Organization) movements brought the political awakening to Rajputana, shifting the demand from "tax relief" to "Responsible Government" under the aegis of the Maharajas.

1. The Catalyst: Haripura Session (1938)

Before 1938, the Indian National Congress (INC) maintained a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of the Princely States. However, at the Haripura Session (1938) presided over by Subhas Chandra Bose, the INC officially resolved to support the people's movements in the Princely States. This led to an explosion in the establishment of Prajamandals across Rajasthan.

2. The Pioneers: Jaipur Prajamandal

• The First Attempt (1931): Founded by Kapur Chand Patni, it was the very first Prajamandal in Rajasthan, but it remained largely inactive.
• The Reorganization (1936-39): Re-established by the great industrialist Jamnalal Bajaj (Gandhi's 5th son) and Hiralal Shastri.
• The Gentlemen's Agreement (1942): Signed between Mirza Ismail (Prime Minister of Jaipur) and Hiralal Shastri (President of Prajamandal). It stated that Jaipur would not help the British in WWII, and in return, the Prajamandal would not participate in the Quit India Movement.
• The Rebel Faction (Azad Morcha): Angered by the Gentlemen's Agreement, Baba Harish Chandra formed the Azad Morcha to actively disrupt British activities during the Quit India Movement.

3. The Desert Storm: Marwar (Jodhpur) Prajamandal

Jodhpur was a hotbed of political activity due to its severe restrictions on civil liberties.

• Established (1934): By Bhanwarlal Sarraf, Abhai Mal Jain, and the fierce leader Jai Narayan Vyas (known as Loknayak or the "Sher-e-Rajasthan").
• The Tragedy (1942): Balmukund Bissa (known as the Jatin Das of Rajasthan) died in Jodhpur jail after a long hunger strike protesting the inhumane conditions of political prisoners.

4. The Fortress: Mewar (Udaipur) Prajamandal

• Established (1938): Founded by Manikya Lal Verma (who wrote the book Mewar Ka Vartman Shasan exposing the state's atrocities). Balwant Singh Mehta was its first President.
• The Crackdown: The state immediately banned it and exiled Verma. The first formal session was held much later in 1941, inaugurated by J.B. Kripalani and attended by Vijay Lakshmi Pandit.

5. The Exiled Prajamandals

Due to the extreme suppression by their respective Maharajas, some Prajamandals had to be established outside their own state borders:

• Bikaner Prajamandal (1936): Founded by Magharam Vaidya not in Bikaner, but in Calcutta. Maharaja Ganga Singh was completely intolerant of political opposition.
• Bharatpur Prajamandal (1938): Founded by Kishan Lal Joshi and Gopi Lal Yadav in Rewari (Haryana).
• Jaisalmer Prajamandal (1945): Founded by Mitha Lal Vyas in Jodhpur, because Jaisalmer (called the "Andaman of Rajasthan" due to its backwardness) was too dangerous for political activity.