Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is in the news for his recently published article. Whenever he speaks, he often says something that people cannot stop criticizing him. Whenever he writes something that makes him a topic of discussion among people in a negative sense. Now it may be the compulsion of this country that everyone has to listen to and read him because he is the leader of the opposition in the central democratic system. His party is the main opposition party in many states of the country and is in power in some. Rahul was born in such an environment and family amidst power that it may be the compulsion of every Indian to listen to him many times even if he does not want to. That is why he sometimes writes and says things that do not befit a person sitting on a very important post like him. Because if the hateful narrative he is creating causes any harm, the country will have to suffer it.
At this time, Rahul Gandhi is being discussed everywhere, and this discussion is not happening in a positive context. The way he has questioned the kings and maharajas of the country through an article written by him, it has become clear that he does not have much knowledge of Indian history, otherwise he would never have written what he has written in his article. Rahul Gandhi has put all the kings and maharajas in the same category, which is completely untrue. Many kings have played a significant role in India’s independence, in fact, after independence, when Jinnah was trying to woo all the princely states of India to join him, there were many royal families including the Scindia family of Gwalior who showed Jinnah his place and convinced many other royal families to join India -Bharat Varsh. But what Rahul Gandhi is writing in his article today, “India’s royal families were silenced by the East India Company. It was silenced not by its business power, but by its grip. The company strangled India by partnering with our more submissive Maharajas and Nawabs, bribing and threatening them. It controlled our banking, trade and information networks. We did not lose our independence to any other country; we lost it to a monopolistic corporation that ran an oppressive system.”
In fact, what Rahul Gandhi is writing today can be deeply pondered upon. How true is it? Were all the kingdoms of India were the same? Despite being subservient, these rulers have continuously fought the British in many places and this sequence is found to be the same till 1947, before independence. There are umpteen evidences of this, yet is it right for Rahul Gandhi to consider everyone the same by simplifying a serious topic? On what basis can Rahul Gandhi decide today whether the kings and maharajas of the pre-independence era were submissive or incapable during that time period and circumstances. In such a situation, it comes to mind that till yesterday Jyotiraditya Scindia was walking shoulder to shoulder with Rahul Gandhi in the Congress, today after reading his article, Jyotiraditya Scindia must have felt that it is good that he left the Congress and today not standing with Rahul Gandhi!
For the knowledge and learning of Mr Rahul Gandhi here are few cases where the Indian Royal families have contributed to what is BHARAT today-
This harsh comment of his also points towards this, Jyotiraditya Scindia has said after reading Rahul Gandhi’s article, “Those who sell hate have no right to lecture on Indian pride and history. Rahul Gandhi’s ignorance about India’s rich heritage and his colonial mindset have crossed all limits. If you claim to uplift the nation, then stop insulting Mother India and learn about true Indian heroes like Mahadji Scindia, Yuvraj Bir Tikendrajit, Kittur Chennamma and Rani Velu Nachiyar, who fought fiercely for our independence. Your selective dementia of your own privileges is an injustice to those who are actually struggling against adversity, your disagreement only further exposes the Congress agenda- Rahul Gandhi is not a champion of Aatmanirbhar Bharat,is merely a product of an outdated entitlement! India’s legacy doesn’t begin or end with the title ‘Gandhi’. Only under PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s leadership are the stories of our real warriors finally celebrated. Respect Bharat’s history, or don’t pretend to speak for her!”
In all fairness, Jyotiraditya Scindia is right, a little history should also be looked at in this context, ”Jinnah was opposed to the merger of states and tried his best to entice some border states to sign agreements with Pakistan. A typical case was that of the Maharaja of Jodhpur and Maharaj Kumar of Jaisalmer, who were invited by Jinnah. During the talks, Jinnah signed a blank paper and gave it to the Maharaja of Jodhpur, saying, ‘You can fill in all your conditions.” The Maharaja was tempted and turned to the Maharaj Kumar, who told Jinnah: ‘If there is any dispute between Hindus and Muslims in my States I will not take the side of the Muslims against the Hindus.’ The spell broken, Jinnah had no answer. The rulers returned to their States and found that their feudal lords and nobles were violently opposed to any settlement with Pakistan.’ (Ref.Magzine Congress Sandesh,06 October 2022, Article- Sardar Patel and Integration of States, Captain Praveen Dawar)
Here are some other examples – Jiwaji Rao Scindia was among the five kings who first merged their princely states with India. VP Menon writes in his book ‘Story of the Integration of Indian States’ that Maharaja Jiwaji Rao of Gwalior not only first announced the merger of Gwalior, but also helped in merging many other princely states with India. Menon further writes that Jiwaji Rao had announced in December 1946 that he would stand with a responsible government and in May 1947, 3 months before independence, he announced support to the internal government and the Constituent Assembly. In a way, this was a matter of relief for the government, especially Sardar Patel. Because the responsibility of integration of princely states was on Patel’s shoulders. When the country became independent on 15 August 1947, about 500 princely states donated Rs 74 crore to the government led by Pandit Nehru for the development of India. On the other hand, Maharaja Jiwaji Rao Scindia of Gwalior royal family alone donated Rs 54 crore. Not only this, he also donated many valuable buildings and land for building government offices. After independence, pictures of many freedom fighters were put up in the country’s Parliament, which also includes the picture of Sardar Patel. The life-size picture of Vallabhbhai Patel in the Parliament was gifted by Jiwaji Rao Scindia. Post independence, after the merger of native princely states in India, the status of Raja, Maharaja and Nizam etc. ended, but seeing the popularity of Gwalior royal family, the government gave the status of Rajpramukh to Jiwaji Rao Scindia. Pandit Nehru himself administered the oath to Jiwaji Rao Scindia in the swearing-in ceremony held at Jai Vilas Palace in Gwalior.
If a Maharaja had not come forward to help Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, whose name is taken with great respect as the architect of the Constitution, then perhaps no one would have taken his name in that form today and neither his talent could have ever come in front of everyone. Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III of Baroda helped Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar to study abroad. The Maharaja also arranged for Ambedkar to stay abroad. He gave Ambedkar the title of “Baba Saheb”. Maharaja Sayajirao gave financial help to many personalities including Jyotiba Phule, Dadabhai Naoroji, Lokmanya Tilak, Maharishi Arvind. Along with this, many schools were opened in the state focusing on the education of girls and primary education was made free and compulsory.
The contribution of the Darbhanga royal family of Mithila in the Indian freedom struggle cannot be forgotten. Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh contributed a lot to the nurturing of Congress during his lifetime. During the British rule, in 1892, when Congress wanted to hold its session in Allahabad, the British government refused to let them use any public place, then the Maharaja bought land and gave it to Congress to hold its annual session. So the annual session of Congress was held at the grounds of Lowther Castle in 1892. Thus the Maharaja tried to provide financial and moral support to the freedom struggle in every possible way. Lakshmeshwar Singh’s beneficiaries included stalwarts of the freedom movement like Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Abul Kalam Azad, Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi.
Swami Vivekananda gave a speech at the World Religion Conference in Chicago on September 11, 1893, his speech is still considered historic and hoists the flag of Indian Sanatan Dharma and culture. In fact, like Dr. Ambedkar, Swamiji’s intention to speak at this Parliament of Religions would have remained incomplete and the Swami who shone like the sun and spread the influence of Indian knowledge all over the world in a moment, this great work would not have been completed if Maharaja Ajit Singh of Khetri had not helped Swami Vivekananda to go to Chicago. It was Ajit Singh who gave financial assistance to Vivekananda. He encouraged Vivekananda to speak at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. It was Ajit Singh who suggested the name ‘Vivekananda’ to Narendra Nath, whiuch means, “the joy of prudent knowledge”.
BHU was established in the year 1916, Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, Maharaja Rameshwar Singh of Darbhanga Raj, and Prabhu Narayan Singh and Aditya Narayan Singh of Narayan dynasty of Benaras had contributed in its establishment. The land for Banaras Hindu University (BHU) was donated by Kashi Naresh Prabhu Narayan Singh. Similarly, Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh donated land for Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). The entire First War of Independence of 1857 was fought against the British with the support of the then kings, queens and Maharajas like Maharani Laxmi Bai and Nana Saheb Peshba et.al. Hence, not one but many names of such kings, queens, princes and princesses are known in Indian history, who never supported the dictatorship of the British. During British Raj, whatever agreements were done keeping in mind the interest of the people of their state, but it is not necessary that all the kings and Maharajas agreed with those agreements but their whole focus was always on the welfare of the people of their state .
Rahul Gandhi has got a very apt reply from Vikramaditya, who, like Jyotiraditya Scindia, belongs to one of the royal families of India. He says, “The article reflects Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s superficial understanding of history. The Maharajas contribution and role can hardly be reduced to simply “pliant” to the East India Company. Many of these Maharajas were not handed over ready-made kingdoms to rule, but rather started from humble origins, as farmers and soldiers, who toiled and fought many battles to create their territories and later states. For instance, Maharaja Gulab Singh started as a foot soldier and went on to lead his own army, who sacrificed their blood and lives to eventually gift India the state of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Maharaja Hari Singh of J&K in 1930 while standing in the British capital of London was the first to voice the demand for an independent India at the Round Table Conference.”
The irony that Mr. Rahul Gandhi, coming from such immense privilege himself, would repeatedly attempt to malign the Maharajas colossal contributions to the republic of India is appalling.
Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari has also reacted strongly to Rahul Gandhi, in which she says, ” I strongly condemn Mr RahulGandhi’s attempt to malign the erstwhile royal families of India in an editorial today. The dream of integrated India was only possible because of the utmost sacrifice of the erstwhile royal families of India.Baseless allegations made on the basis of half-baked interpretation of historical facts is completely unacceptable”.
Comments