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Contents
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Page No.
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Preface
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I. Historical Background
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11
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The process of disintegration of the Mughal Empire started with
the death of Aurangzeb in 1707 A.D. During the eighteenth century, the vast
territories of the Empire were parcelled out in a scuffle among the
rebellious governors or chiefs, leaders of the insurgent tribes or sects,
religious revivalists or the captains of mercenary bands.
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II. Formative Period
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29
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Neki Ram's ancestors, who were brahmins by caste and Mishras by
sub-caste, originally belonged to Hastinapur, the old capital of the Pandavas.
In the first quarter of forth century A.D. they migrated to Manglore, a
village near Saharanpur.
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III. As a Hindu Leader
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37
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Neki Ram had made his mark as a Hindu leader before he plunged
into national politics. He came prominently under the influence of Sanatan
Dharma. It was in 1887 that the Sanatan Dharma Sabha was founded by Pt. Din
Dayal Sharma at Jhajjar in Rohtak district.
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Illustrations
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47
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IV. A Social Reformer
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57
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Neki Ram consistently made efforts to bring about the social
reforms in Hindu society. In the first instance the earnestly took up the
cause of cow-protection. He had a great love for 'cow' which from time
immemorial had been held sacred by the Hindus.
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V. A Hero of Home Rule Movement
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68
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Although Neki Ram had joined the Indian national Congress in
1910, yet it was not till 1917 that he made his mark in the national
politics. During these years some significant developments had taken place.
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VI. Role in the First Mass Movement
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79
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The Home Rule campaign was followed in its wake by the
anti-Rowlatt Act agitation. As soon as the two Rowlatt Bills were introduced
in the Legislative Council in February 1919, Mahatma Gandhi made an appeal to
the Governor-General to withdraw them, and the following satyagraha pledge
was taken:
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VII. Between the two Movements
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98
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On 15 July 1922 Neki Ram was released from Mianwali Jail. He was
accorded a hearty welcome all along the route from Mianwali to Bhiwani.
Thousands of people assembled at the Bhiwani Railway Station on 17 July to
receive their beloved leader.
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VIII. As a Salt-Satyagrahi
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106
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In accordance with the Lahore Resolution, the Congress declared
that 26 January 1930 would be observed all over India as the Purna Swaraj
Day. On the day a pledge was to by publicly read to the people taking their
assent by the show of hands.
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IX. Last Phase of the Freedom Struggle
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113
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The decisions taken by His Majesty's Government in the light of
discussions at the Round Table Conferences were published in the form of a
White Paper in March 1933. The White Paper formed the basis of the Indian
Council Act of 1935.
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X. Crussade against Begaar
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121
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Apart from the commendable role played by Neki Ram as a freedom
fighter, he made no less significant contribution to the uplift of the poor
and the downtrodden.
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XI. As a Kisan Leader
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127
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The Indian peasants were the worst sufferers of the Bristish
rule or the Raj. They were the producers of food and cotton, but most of what
they produced was taken by the British and their allies i.e. the landlords
and the moneylenders.
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XII. A Friend of the Needy
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135
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Since the beginning of the Raj in India the country as a whole
had experienced several famines, but Haryana had probably been one of the
worst hit states. Of the famines affecting some parts of Haryana, the famine
of 1938-40 was the most horrible one.
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XIII. Conclusion
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145
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The dedication and devotion of Neki Ram to the national cause no
doubt evoked spontaneous appreciation from the Congress leaders like Tilak,
Gandhi, Lajpat Rai, Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Nehru.
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Bibliography
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153
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I. PRIMARY SOURCES
(a) Unpublished Records:
1. Confidential Files of the Commissioner of Ambala Division for the year
1920 (Haryana State Archives, Chandigarh).
2. Confidential Files of the Chief Commissioner of Delhi for the year 1917
(State Archives, New Delhi).
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