** Mangarh Massacre (1913)**
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Mangarh Hill, Banswara (Rajasthan) |
| Tribal Group | Bhil community under leadership of Guru Govindgiri (also called Govind Guru) |
| Cause | Peaceful assembly demanding higher wages and land rights from feudal rulers |
| British Action | Fired upon gathering based on rumors of revolt; used bombs and machine guns |
| Casualties | 1,000-1,500 killed (one of India’s worst colonial-era massacres) |
| Historical Title | "Jallianwala Bagh of Rajasthan" (pre-dates 1919 Amritsar massacre) |
Bhil Pradesh Demand
-
Demand: Creation of a separate tribal state for Bhil communities across:
- Rajasthan (Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh)
- Madhya Pradesh (Ratlam, Alirajpur, Jhabua)
- Gujarat (Dahod, Panchmahal)
- Maharashtra (Dhule, Nandurbar)
-
Rationale:
- Address historical marginalization of Bhils (India’s largest tribal group).
- Ensure focused development, resource access, and cultural preservation.
- Inspired by Article 3 of Constitution (allows state reorganization).
- Trigger for Gathering:
- 111th anniversary of Mangarh Massacre (Nov 2024).
- Symbolic use of Mangarh Dham as a tribal unity site.
** Significance of Mangarh Dham**
- Geopolitical: Located in Banswara (tri-junction of Rajasthan-Gujarat-MP).
- Cultural Memory: Serves as the "Tribal Liberty Memorial" (declared in 2022).
- Recent Development: ₹150-cr package announced for memorial complex by Centre.
**Key Figures **
- Guru Govindgiri:
- Founded "Samp Sabha" (1903) to reform Bhil society (ban liquor, child marriage).
- Advocated land rights and fair wages; imprisoned after massacre (died 1931).
- Bhil Identity:
- Language: Bhilodi (Indo-Aryan); Religion: Animism + Hinduism.
- Livelihood: Shifting agriculture, forest produce collection.
Current Affairs Link (2023-24)
- Mangarh Memorial Development:
- Central govt.’s ₹150-cr project (museum, lighting, amenities).
- Statehood Movements:
- Parallel demands: Bundelkhand, Vidarbha, Gorkhaland.
- Tribal Welfare Schemes:
- PM-JANMAN (focus PVTGs), Eklavya Model Schools, Forest Rights Act (FRA) implementation.