As INDIA celebrates 75 years of Independence, here’s an insight into how the Baroda State silently but surely made its contribution in the Indian struggle for Independence.
While Baroda State always stayed an ally of the Britishers on the surface, it silently provided a crucial support to revolutionaries and their activities. This fact can be understood by reflecting on the many efforts made by the citizens of Baroda and the Maharaja himself.
It is said that the Maharaja played an active role in forming strategies along with Lokmanya Tilak to tackle the British rule before the beginning of WW I. Although, their plan was not successful as some traitors had leaked the information to the Britishers, the fact that the Maharaja was a part of planning the revolt shows how much he wanted to see an Independent India. The Maharaja also provided a space to Lokmanya Tilak to use it as a centre for his activities. This was the Gaekwad Wada of Pune which later came to be known as the Kesari Wada as it housed the offices of the Kesari and Maratha newspapers initiated by Lokmanya Tilak. It is also believed that the Maharaja went so far as to make a pact with the Furer Adolf Hitler, known as the Berlin Baroda Pact. The pact outlined an arrangement between the heads of the Indian Princely States and Hitler where in Hitler would support the Indian movement for Independence and would procure the support of Indian Princes in return, had there been a war in Europe against the British. Another subtle act of defying British supremacy was noticed when the Maharaja turned his back too quickly at King George V at the Delhi Durbar in 1911 during his turn to pay respect to him.
The Maharaja also sponsored Akhadas and their heads (chiefs) who were providing refuge to revolutionaries during the turmoil for Independence. Most notable heads of the akhadas were Professor Manik Rao, the head of Jummadada Vyayam Mandir and Ananpriyaji of the Arya Samaj. Both of them famously gave refuge to Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru along with Surendra Pandya.
Apart from all this, there were many freedom fighters belonging to Baroda State who contributed towards the Indian freedom struggle. It included Abbas Tyabji, Hansa Mehta, Dadabhai Naoroji etc.
Just as the freedom of India was celebrated by hoisting the Tricolour high all over the country, Baroda too celebrated it in the same way. The first hoisting of tricolour in Baroda after the Independence took place at the Jubilee Grounds and is said to have been carried out by Prof. Manikrao and Venibhai Modi. Followed by this, Maharaja Fatehsinhrao the then prince, hoisted both the State and the National flag at the Coronation Gymkhana Club on August 16th 1947.
Later, when the Bombay state was divided to form the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra, the tricolour was hoisted at the Khanderao Market on the 1st of May 1960.
We thank Shivani, Jay, Sabbir & Nisarg for contributing this article. Jai Hind 🇮🇳
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