Advent of European Companies

Portugal

• First Europeans to come to Bihar.
• Set up the first factory in Hooghly in 1579 after receiving permission from Akbar.
• Used Hugli waterway to reach Patna
• Items they brought: spices, porcelain utensils.
• Items they bought: Cotton textiles, thin cloths, carpets.

British

• Trading centre in Alamganj, Patna in 1620, closed in 1621.
• British traveller Peter Mundy visited Bihar in 1632.
• Successfully established a centre in Gulzarbagh in 1651 (Now functioning as the Government Printing Press and Survey Office at Gulzarbagh, Patna).
• Farrukhsiyar gave the British permission in 1717 to trade in Bengal and Surat and use coins anywhere in India- Called "Magna Carta of the East India Company"
• Battle of Buxar (1764) gave legal right to collect revenue after Mughal Emperor Shah Alam 2 provided Diwani rights
• Bengal Tenancy Act (1885) to protect the rights of Tenants.
• Goods traded: Saltpetre (Bihar was a major producer; used in European gunpowder industry), opium, calico and silk.

Dutch (Holland/Netherlands)

• Established the first systematic trading house in Patna
• Interested in cotton textiles, saltpetre, opium, foodgrains
• Trading centre (1632) - Northern building of Patna College.
• Received official trading rights in Bihar, Bengal & Odisha from Aurangzeb in 1662
• The British captured their warehouses of Patna & Chapra in 1781.

French

• Established a trading centre & warehouse in Patna in 1734.
• Established a factory at Chandranagar but later captured by the British.
• Intense competition for trade especially Saltpetre from both British & Dutch.
• British expelled French from Patna after the Battle of Plassey (1757)
• Paris Treaty (1763) with British after 7 years war

Danes/Danish (Denmark)

• Factory established near Nepali Kothi, Patna City (1774) to trade in Saltpetre
• Sold its remaining colonial settlements in India in 1845

---

Bengal Nawabs

• Murshid Quli Khan (1717–1727) → Nawab of Bengal.
• Shujauddin (1727–1739) → appointed Alivardi Khan as Deputy Governor of Bihar
• Sarfaraz Khan (1739–1740) → Defeated by Alivardi Khan in Battle of Giria, 1740.
• Alivardi Khan (1740–1756) → Took control of Bengal in 1740, ran an independent government. Conflicts with the British began.
• Siraj-ud-Daulah (1756–1757) → Grandson of Alivardi Khan.
  • First conflict: 4 June 1756, in Kasimbazar.
  • Captured Calcutta on 16 June 1756, forcing officer Roger Drake to flee. Captured Fort William and renamed it Alinagar.
  • Incident of Black Hole of Calcutta (20 June 1756): 146 British imprisoned in a small room; 123 died. Reported by Holwell.

Battle of Plassey (1757)

• Between British (Robert Clive) and Siraj-ud-Daulah on 23 June 1757 on Bhagirathi river.
• Betrayal: Mir Jafar (commander), Rai Durlabh, Yar Lutuf Khan did not fight.
• Indian bankers like Jagat Seth and traders like Aminchand supported British.
• Siraj was killed.
• Mir Jafar was installed as Nawab (1757–1760, 1763–1765).

1760-63

• Mir Qasim became Nawab (1760–1763).
• Abolished taxes on local traders (against British misuse of Dastak).
• Appointed Armenian Gurgin Khan to train army.
• Dismissed Ram Narayan (Deputy Governor of Bihar).
• 24 June 1763 – Patna Massacre: Mir Qasim’s forces killed British agent Ellis.
• Shifted capital from Murshidabad to Munger

Battle of Buxar (22 October 1764)

• Combined army of Mir Qasim (Bengal), Shuja-ud-Daulah (Awadh), Shah Alam II (Mughal Emperor) vs. British (led by Hector Munro).
• The British emerged victorious.

Treaty of Allahabad (12 August 1765)

• Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II granted Diwani rights (revenue collection) of Bihar, Bengal, Odisha to East India Company.
• Mughals got Allahabad and Kara.
• The company paid 26 lakh rupees annually.

Post 1765

• Dual Government in Bengal (1765) by Clive → Nawab handled administration, British kept military & revenue.
• Severe famine in 1770 in Bengal & Bihar.
• Dual Government abolished (1772) by Warren Hastings.
• Robert Clive appointed Raja Shitab Rai (Bihar), Muhammad Raza Khan (Bengal), Rai Durlabh (Odisha) as Naib Diwans.
• Last Nawab of Bengal: Mubarak-ud-Daula.
• 1783 famine in Bihar → John Shore suggested building a granary.
• Golghar was constructed (1784) in Patna by British engineer John Garstin.

---

Rebellions / Movements before 1857

Nonia (1770–1800)

• By Nonia community (saltpetre producers in Muzaffarpur, Saran, Hajipur, Purnia).

• Middlemen cheated producers; revolt broke out when the British banned secret sales; suppressed.

• Paharia (1778, Rajmahal) – Raja Jagannath

• Tilka Manjhi (1778–85, Bhagalpur) – Tilka Manjhi

• Tamar(1789–1832, Chhotanagpur) – Bholanath Sahay

• Chero (1800–02, Palamu) – Bhushan Singh

• Ho (1820–21, Singhbhum)

• Kol (1831–32, Chhotanagpur) – Buddho Bhagat

Santhal (1855–56)

• Started: 30 June 1855
• Cause: Exploitation by Dikus, changes in Manjhi & Parha Panchayat system.
• Region: Bhagalpur to Rajmahal (Damin-i-Koh)- the first strong tribal rebellion.
• Leaders: Sidhu, Kanhu, Chand, Bhairav.
• Organization: 6,000 Santhals.
• Commander Major Baro (British side) killed.
• Martial Law: 10 November 1855 to 3 January 1856.
• Suppressed by Captain Alexander and Lieutenant Thomson.
• Result: Santhal Paragana as separate administrative area; Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act (1876); Recognized Parha Panchayat & Manjhi system.

Lota (1856)

• By Muzaffarpur jail prisoners.
• Issue: Govt replaced brass tumblers with clay tumblers.
• Revolt forced Govt to restore brass tumblers.

Mundas/Ulgulan

• Started: 1895
• Called Ulgulan - Most widespread & powerful tribal rebellion
• Causes- Dikus exploitation; British replaced Khuntkati system (Collective land ownership) with Zamindari system.
• Began as socio-religious reform movement but later transformed into a political reform movement.
• Birsa Munda- Leader; Called Dhartiaba (An incarnation of Singhabinga); Initiated in Vaishnavism by Anand Pandey; Preached of monotheism, purity of conduct & self-improvement; 1899 saw the most powerful rebellion; Arrested on 3 Feb 1900; Died of Cholera on 9 June 1900; Birth anniversary 15 November as Janjatiya Gauraw Divas.
• Changes: Chhonagpur Tenancy Act (1908) passed; Khuntkati system restored; Khunti & Gumla were made sub-divisions.

Wahabis

• Books :Sirat & Risalaa.
• Aims: Socio-religious reform; Reducing western impact on Muslims; End of Colonialism.
• Founder: Abdul-al-Wahhab (Arab).
• Indian leader: Syed Ahmed Barelvi (Rae Bareilly)- visited Patna in 1821.
• Bihar centre: Patna - Called Kafila.
• William Taylor - Commissioner of Patna
• Representatives: Hazi Shariatullah; Vilayat Ali (Most important); then Inayat Ali; Farhat Ali, Muhammad Hussain.
• Related: Faraizi movement (Bengal).
• Britishers defeated Wahabis in 1852, 1858 & 1863.
• Campaigns: Ambala (1863)- Plyden fought their case; Patna (1865).
• Ahmadullah - Last main ruler; Life imprisonment.
• 1868: End of Patna’s prominence as a centre.
• 1870: Fully suppressed.
• 1884: Ripon released rest Wahabi prisoners.

---

Revolt of 1857

• Considered the First War of Independence. (Savarkar)
• Immediate cause: Greased cartridges.
• Causes: political, administrative, social, religious, economic, military.
• Starting point: Mangal Pandey (34th Native Infantry, Barrackpore).
  • Attacked Sergeant Hugeson & Lieutenant Baugh (29 March 1857).
  • Executed: 8 April 1857.
• The revolt began at Meerut, 10 May 1857. Spread to Delhi → Bahadur Shah II declared leader.

Centres of Revolt

• Bihar – Babu Kunwar Singh vs. William Taylor
• Allahabad – Liyakat Ali vs. Neill
• Faizabad – Maulavi Ahmadullah vs. Reynard
• Lucknow – Begum Hazrat Mahal vs. Campbell
• Kanpur – Nana Saheb vs. Campbell
• Bareilly – Khan Bahadur vs. Vincent Eyre
• Jhansi – Rani Lakshmibai vs. Hugh Rose
• Delhi – Bahadur Shah Zafar, Bakht Khan vs. Nicholson, Hudson

Role of Bihar

• 12 June 1857 – Revolt by 32nd Infantry Regiment at Rohini, Deoghar (Lt. Norman Leslie, Sgt. Grant killed). Suppressed by Major MacDonald.
• 3 July 1857 – Patna Revolt led by Peer Ali (bookseller).
  • Slogan: “Deen Bolo Deen”.
  • Dr. R. Loyal killed.
  • Suppressed by Commissioner Taylor; Peer Ali & 17 hanged.
• 25 July 1857 – Muzaffarpur Revolt. British officers killed. Soldiers of Danapur revolted, joined by Babu Kunwar Singh (zamindar of Jagdishpur).
• 30 July 1857 - Martial law (Saran, Champaran, Tirhut, Patna)
• 3 August 1857 - Captured Gaya Jail.
• Sone river witnessed 1857 revolt
• The British doubted Darbhanga Maharaj working with rebels.
• Dumraon king promised to help the company.
• Zamindars of Hathua, Bettaiah & Pandaul helped the Company.
• Tirhut felt as if no govt existed.
• Samuel - “Like nationalist uprising” + Kunwar singh declared himself as ruler of Ara.
• Hasan Ali Khan - Tirhut (Hanged)
• Muhammad Hussain Khan - Chapra
• Shaikh Bhikhari related with 1857 revolt.
• Sarnam Singh - Rohtas
• Jivdhar Singh led Gaya, Nawada etc
• Order of Revolt — Patna-Muzaffarpur-Jagdishpur

Kunwar Singh

• Shahabad District: Jagdishpur was its part; HQ Ara
• 1845-46: First time British doubted him as conspiring.
• Main leader in Bihar.
• Supporters: Brothers Amar Singh, Ritanarayan Singh; nephews Nishan Singh, Jaikishan Singh; landlords Narhar Singh, Johan Singh, Thakur Dayal Singh, Visheshwar Singh.
• Commissioner Taylor tried to negotiate; Kunwar Singh refused (betrayal of Maulvi Ahmadullah, Muhammad Hussain, Vaijul Haq).
• With Danapur rebels, captured Arrah (27 July 1857). Captain Denver was killed; But Major Eyre destroyed the city.
• King of Rewa not welcomed him
• Later joined Shah of Awadh, fought for Nana Saheb (Kanpur), tried to meet Tatya Tope.
• Defeated British at Azamgarh (1857).
• Injured at Shivrajpur Ghat (by General Douglas); cut off left hand, offered it to Ganga.
• 23 April 1858 – Captured Jagdishpur (Captain Lee Grand defeated- last battle).
• Died 26 April 1858 (cholera, injury)

Amar Singh

• He continued struggle (Kaimur Hills, Guerilla Warfare).
• Formed Parallel Government.
• Destroyed communication between Gaya & Sasaram
• Jung Bahadur arrested Amar Singh (Died on 5 February 1860 in Gorakhpur)
• By Nov 1858, British regained control; Queen Victoria’s amnesty, but rebels were punished.

---

1883

• National Conference first session: By Surendranath Banerjee & Anand Mohan Bose.

1885

• National Conference Second session- Surendranath Banerjee & AM Bose
• INC: Established on 28 December 1885 at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit School, Bombay.
  • Founder: Allan Octavian Hume (Myth Vs Reality); Naming: Dadabhai Naoroji.
  • First President: W.C. Banerjee; First Secretary: Allan Octavian Hume.
  • Initial members: 72, with no representative from Bihar.
  • Viceroy - Lord Dufferin

1886

• INC second session - Calcutta, Dadabhai Naoroji (Grand old man of India) 31 delegates from Bihar participated. The National Conference merged with Congress due to similar objectives.

1892

• A Girls school established by Aghore Kamini Devi (Mother of BC Roy) in Bankipur, Patna.

1894

• For the separation of Bihar, Bihar Times / Bihari Newspaper started in Patna (1894).
• Mahesh Narayan was the Chief Editor.
• Other leaders: Sachchidanand Sinha, Shri Krishna Sahay, Nand Kishore Lal were associated with the movement for separate Bihar.

1905

• Partition of Bengal was announced on 20 July 1905 by Lord Curzon and implemented on 16 October 1905.
• Real reason: To weaken the nationalist spirit.
• Anti-Bengal Partition movement began all over India.
• In Darbhanga, Raksha Bandhan was celebrated by Satish Chandra Chakraborty in protest on 16 October 1905.

1906

• Bihar Students Conference (the first such conference in India) was founded by Rajendra Prasad with Shri Krishna Singh and Tejeshwar Prasad in Patna.
• Babaji Thakurdas established Ramkrishna Society of Patna.
• ‘Bihar Times’ (1894) changed to ‘Bihari’(1906). Cunningham replaced Babu Maheshwar Prasad.

1908

• Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee was formed; Ali Hasan Imam became the first president.
• First session of Bihar Pradeshik Sammelan held at Patna (1908); resolution for separate Bihar (by Fakhruddin) passed unanimously.
• Muzaffarpur Bomb Case (30 April 1908):
  • Revolutionaries: Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chandra Chaki.
  • Target: Judge Kingsford of Muzaffarpur.
  • The blast killed Pringle Kennedy’s wife and daughter instead.
  • Both fled towards Samastipur; Chaki committed suicide at Mokama Station on 02 May 1908; Khudiram was arrested at Pusa.
  • Khudiram Bose was hanged on 11 August 1908 at the age of 18. Kalidas was his lawyer.

1909

• Second session of Bihar Provincial Congress held at Bhagalpur (1909)- Presided by Sachchidananda Sinha with the help of Deepnarayan Singh; demand for separate Bihar reiterated.

1911

• In the Central Legislative Council (1911), Sachchidanand Sinha and Mohammad Ali presented the proposal for the division of Bengal and Bihar.
• At the Delhi Durbar (12 December 1911, Royal Court, Delhi), Bihar & Odisha were announced as a new province separate from Bengal.
• On the same day, Partition of Bengal was cancelled.

1912

• 27th Session of Indian National Congress (Bankipur, Patna, 1912):
  • Chairman: R.N. Mudholkar.
  • General Secretary: Sachchidanand Sinha.
  • Welcomer: Mazharul Haq.
  • JL Nehru participated first time in Congress Session.
  • A.O. Hume declared founding father of Congress.
  • Membership fee reduced from ₹5 to ₹1.

1913

• Sachindra Nath Sanyal established branch of Anushilan Samiti in Patna.
• Bankimchandra Mitra of B.N. College managed Anushilan Samiti, founded the Hindu Boys Association

1914

• A special Session in Bankipur to oppose the Patna University Bill in 1914. (Introduced by Shankaran Nair in 1916)
• A Congress delegation including 2 from Bihar (Mazharul Haq & Sachchidananda Sinha) reached England.

1915

• Bankimchandra, Akhilchandra & Raghubir Singh distributed “Liberty Leaflets”. (Banaras Conspiracy Case: Sachindranath Sanyal & Bankimchandra Mitra arrested)
• 7th Bihar Provincial Congress conference- Chapra, Nandkishore Lal headed.

1916

• Home Rule Movement founded in Bihar (16 December 1916, Patna):
  • Chairman: Mazharul Haq.
  • Vice Presidents: Khan Bahadur, Sarfaraz Husain Khan.
  • Secretaries: Chandravanshi Sahay, Purendra Narayan Sinha.
• Annie Besant visited Patna twice in 1918 (18 April & 25 July).
• Patna University Bill (1916): Presented in Central Legislative Council by Sir Shankaran Nair.
• Lucknow Session of INC (1916): Rajkumar Shukla raised the Champaran issue; Brajkishore Prasad supported by presenting the proposal.
• Home Rule in Muzaffarpur – Janakdhari Prasad.
• ‘Bihar Times’ no longer to be published.

1917

• Gandhi presided over Bihar Students conference in Bhagalpur on October 15, 1917.
• Champaran Satyagraha:
  • Gandhi reached Patna on 10 April 1917 (from Calcutta) then Muzaffarpur same night (welcomed by Acharya J. B. Kripalani) and Champaran (Motihari) on 15 April 1917. (stayed at the house of Sant Raut in Amolwa village).
  • 18 April 1917- First time Gandhi agreed to go to jail; Mazharul Haq & Brajkishore Prasad were to lead after that.
  • 27 April 1917- Gandhi reached Rajkumar Shukla’s village Murli Bharahwa.
  • Gandhi’s letter to Irwin dated 28 May 1917 talked of Hiraman Lohar exploitation.
  • Peer Muhammad Munnis highlighted the plight of Champaran peasants under pseudonyms like ‘Dukhi’, ‘Dukhi Atma’, ‘Dukhi Hriday’.
  • CF Andrews supported Gandhi.
  • Farmers were forced to cultivate indigo on 3 out of 20 kathas (Tinkathia system - 20, 25 & 30 Years).
  • ‘Hindu Patriot’ by Harish Chandra Mukherjee supported Indigo farmers.
  • The system was exploitative, and the indigo crop was barren. So, Indigo farmers revolted under Ghulam & Shital Roy in 1907-08.
  • District Magistrate W.J. Hardcock issued notification (16 April 1917) asking Gandhi to leave Champaran → Gandhi arrested under Section 144, but released on 21 April 1917.
  • Gandhi was charged in court but refused bail; the magistrate released him on bond → Gandhi’s popularity in Champaran rose overnight.
  • Cook Batak Miyan saved Gandhi from poisoned milk by indigo planter Erwin
  • Champaran Agrarian Committee (13 May 1917) formed by Government; Chairman: F.G. Salai (Madhya Pradesh Commissioner).
    • Members: Gandhi, L.C. Adami, Raja Harihar Prasad, Narayan Singh, D.J. Reed, G. Raini.
  • Recommendations: Abolition of Tinkathia system, 25% illegal collections refunded to farmers.
  • 4 Oct 1917- Report of committee presented
  • 19 Nov 1917 – Champaran Agrarian Bill introduced.
  • 1 May 1918- Champaran Agrarian Act passed
  • Result: First experiment of Satyagraha in India successful.
  • Associates of Gandhi: Rajendra Prasad, Brajkishore Prasad, Anugrah Narayan Singh, Dharanidhar, Mazharul Haq, Rajkumar Shukla, Ramnavami Prasad, Babu Gaya Prasad Singh, Mahadev Desai, J.B. Kriplani, Narhari Parekh, Shambhusharan Verma.
  • Gandhi nominated Janakdhari Prasad to lead peasants & Motihari Ashram before leaving.
  • Welfare initiatives: First school by Gandhi at Barharwa Lakhansen (donation from Shiv Ghulam Bakshi, a local villager) & 2nd at Bhitharwa (West Champaran); Sanitation, health, women upliftment, along with Kasturba Gandhi.
  • JB Kriplani was teacher at Bhumihar-Brahman College, Muzaffarpur.
  • Maheshwar Prasad Essay - Nilahe Saahab, Raiyat.
  • Edward Albert Gait - Deputy Governor.

1918

• Hasan Imam presided over the Bombay congress session (1918) to consider Montford reforms.
• Searchlight - Sachchidananda Sinha and Hasan Imam.

1919

• Hasan Imam was a key member of a Khilafat Delegation that traveled to England in 1919, where he engaged with Edwin Samuel Montagu, the then Secretary of State for India.
• 6 April 1919 was a nationwide day of 'humiliation and prayer' called by Mahatma Gandhi to protest against the repressive Rowlatt Acts passed- Hasan Imam led at Patna.
• “No reason to be happy” - Rajendra Prasad.
• Darbhanga Kisan Movement (June 1919): Farmers of Madhubani & Darbhanga protested against high rent.
  • Leader: Swami Vidyanand.
  • The movement ended by 1920–21 after Darbhanga Raj conceded rent reduction.
• Khilafat Movement (1919):
  • Context: After WWI, protest against humiliating conditions imposed on Turkish Caliph.
  • Leaders: Mohammad Ali, Shaukat Ali. (Shaukat Ali came to Patna)
  • Leaders in Bihar: Mazharul Haq & Bi Amma (Abadi Bano Begum)
  • Gandhi supported the movement to bring Muslim cooperation in the national struggle.
  • November 1919 (Patna): Meeting chaired by Hasan Imam; boycott of Peace Ceremony decided.
  • 30 Nov 1919: A mass meeting at Anjuman Islamia Hall, Patna, presided by Maulana Shah Rashidul Haque,in support of the movement.

1920

• SP Sinha (First Indian) became Governor of Bihar & Odisha.

• JP left college 20 days before final exams.

• 19 March 1920: Muslims of Bihar went on strike in support of Khilafat.

• April 1920: Shaukat Ali visited Patna.

• Khilafat ran jointly with Non-Cooperation (till 1924).

• Non-Cooperation Movement launched (Calcutta Special Session, September 1920): Chairman Lala Lajpat Rai.

• 1 Aug 1920 – Gandhi launched Non-Cooperation Movement → 28 Aug 1920 – Bihar Provincial Conference (presided by Dr Rajendra Prasad) passed a resolution to support NCM.

• Only Gujarat and Bihar supported the non-cooperation movement before the Calcutta resolution.

• Muthiya System - To raise fund for Tilak Swaraj Fund by keeping aside grain before meal especially by women

• Nagpur Session (1920): Proposal moved by C.R. Das, approved by C. Vijay Raghavacharya

  • Top leaders - Rajendra Prasad & Hasan Imam.
  • Deep Narayan Singh- Bhagalpur.
  • Muhammad Shafi - Muzaffarpur.
  • Most serious in Tirhut (Muzaffarpur).
  • Teachers & students left schools; lawyers abstained; strikes in government press (Patna); cultivators led by Jain monk Swami Vidyanand.(PYQ).

1921

• Governor SP Sinha resigned due to bad health.
• Women in Bihar donated their jewelry in 1921 when Gandhi visited the state to collect funds for the Deshbandhu Fund.
• Rajendra Prasad left advocacy → became Principal of National College (Patna).
• Mahendra Prasad returned the title “Rai Saheb,” resigned the magistrate post.
• Mazharul Haq became Chancellor of National College; established Sadakat Ashram (near Digha) on land donated by Khairu Miyan.
• Swaraj Sabha - Gaya (1921)
• Started newspaper Motherland (30 Sept 1921) from Sadakat Ashram to spread nationalism.
• Bihar Vidyapeeth (National College) inaugurated (6 Feb 1921, Patna): Gandhi inaugurated.
  • Rajendra Prasad – Principal; Mazharul Haq – Chancellor; Brajkishore Prasad – Vice Chancellor.
• Bihar was included in the All India Congress Committee working committee in July 1921.
• Oct 1921: 16th Bihar Students’ Conference, held at Hazaribagh (PYQ).
• Bihar National Volunteer Corps (कौमी सेवा दल) formed on 27 November 1921.
• Bihar Provincial Congress 1921 in Arrah under Muhammad Shafi.
• 22 Dec 1921: Crown Prince of Wales visited Patna → strike organized.

1922

• Flag conspiracy in Bhagalpur.
• Chauri Chaura Incident (5 Feb 1922): Gandhi suspended Non-Cooperation (12 Feb 1922).
• Imarat-e-Sharia formed at Phulwari by Maulana Sajjad to promote non-cooperation with Britishers.
• 37th Session of INC (1922, Gaya):
  • Chairman: Chittaranjan Das.
  • Debate on ending Non-Cooperation led to differences.
  • Chittaranjan Das and Motilal Nehru advocated entering elections.
  • Formation of Swaraj Party
  • Tana Bhagats attended
• Kisan Sabha in Munger- organised by Muhammad Zubair & Shri Krishna Singh.

1923

• 18 July 1923 celebrated as Jhanda Divas in Bihar.
• Rajendra Prasad became Mayor of Patna municipality.
• Swaraj Party in Bihar (Feb 1923):
  • Formed by Shri Krishna Singh.
  • First President (Bihar): Shri Narayan Prasad.
  • Secretary: Abdul Bari.
  • Won 8 seats in Assembly and 10 seats in Council.
  • Objective: Enter the legislature and oppose British policies from within.

1924

• Bihar Provincial Congress Committee and Khilafat Conference meeting at Purnia under Sri Krishna Singh.
• Communal riots - Bhagalpur most affected.
• The All India Spinners Association (AISA), often known as the Akhil Bharat Charkha Sangh founded in 1925 at Patna.
• Journal ‘Yuvak’ - 1924

1926

• First Khadi exhibition of Bihar at Bihar Vidyapeeth Patna under Dr Rajendra Prasad.

1927

• Patna Yuvak Sangh: established by Manindra Narayan, under the leadership of Krishna Vallarta Sahay.
• Leaders Manifesto - by Ismail, Ali Imam & Sachidananda.
• Sachin Bakshi arrested in Bhagalpur.

1928

• Simon Commission (1928): Arrived to review Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919); reached Patna- 12 Dec, 1928; Nationwide protest since no Indian member was included; In Bihar, Patna protest (12 Dec 1928) was led by Anugrah Narayan Singh.
• Bihar Yuvak Sangh: Gyan Saha, Motihari (1928)
• Farindranath participated at Hindustan Socialist Republican Army (1928) at Delhi.

1929

• Political Victims Day was observed in Patna district of Bihar on August 10, 1929 under Rajendra Prasad.
• All India women conference in Patna, presided by Lalit Kumari.
• Maulaniya Dacoity by Yogendra Shukla in West Champaran.
• Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha (Nov 1929, Sonpur Fair):
  • Chairman: Swami Sahajanand Saraswati.
  • Secretary: Shri Krishna Singh.
  • Other leaders: Karyanand Sharma, Rahul Sankrityayan, Panchanan Sharma, Yadunandan Sharma.
• Patliputra Yuvak Sangh: Ramkrishna Benipuri (started ‘Yuvak’ monthly magazine from Patna) & Ambika Kant Sinha.
• Bihar Naujawan Sammelan- Prajapati Mishra, Munger; First Youth day on 14 April 1929.

1930

• Civil Disobedience Movement declared (Lahore Congress, Dec 1929): Purna Swaraj resolution passed.
• 26 Jan 1930: Independence Day observed across India, including Bihar.
• 12 Mar 1930: Gandhi started Dandi March; Bihar’s only associate among Gandhi’s 78 was Girivardhari Chaudhary of Kusheshwar Sthan (Darbhanga) → known as Karo Babu / Maithil Gandhi.
• Dr. Rajendra Prasad drafted the Salt Satyagraha plan in Bihar, fixing 6 April 1930 as its start date.
• Mar 31 – Apr 3, 1930 – Jawaharlal Nehru visited Saran, Champaran, Muzaffarpur
• 15 Apr 1930: Salt Satyagraha in Bihar → making salt from salty soil in Champaran & Saran.
• 16 Apr 1930: Patna- Nakhaspind, near Mangle Tank
• 6 May 1930- Strikes at Patna.
• Bhagalpur- led by Mahadev Lal Shroff (PYQ); At Bihpur (Bhagalpur), volunteers set up a regular camp, practised Tathi play; govt seized the Salt Satyagraha camp, leading to agitation, resignation of 130 chowkidars, and 5 Legislative Council members resigned in protest.
• Sri Krishna Singh- Munger
• Jagat Narayan - Patna.
• Ram Dayalu - Muzaffarpur.
• Abdul Bari Siddiqui, Rajendra Prasad and Acharya Kriplani were assaulted by police.
• Rai Bahadur Dwarkanath resigned from the Bihar Legislative Council to protest the lathi charge on Rajendra Prasad and Professor Abdul Bari.
• Patna Swadeshi League by Ali Imam.
• Other activities: Boycott of foreign clothes & liquor shops; Chowkidari Tax stopped in Saran, Champaran, Shahabad, Purnia, Munger, Patna.
• Swadeshi League (May 1930): Established with Sir Ali Imam as President.
• Chhapra Jail prisoners boycotted foreign clothes → launched Nangi Hartal.
• 30 June 1930: Congress declared illegal.
• 5 July 1930: Rajendra Prasad arrested, sentenced to 6 months to Hazaribagh jail → nominated Deepnarayan Singh (Bhagalpur) as his successor.
• Magic Lantern Lecture - carried out in Muzaffarpur.
• Yogendra Shukla arrested in connection with Tirhut conspiracy.

1931

• Begusarai Firing (26 Jan 1931):
  • Leader: Raghunath Brahmachari.
  • DSP Bashir Ahmed ordered firing.
  • 6 killed, including martyrs: Chandrashekhar Singh, Ramchandra Singh, Chhattu Singh, Banarasi Singh (prominent).
• Bihar Socialist Party (1931): by Phulan Prada’s Verma, JP Narayan, Ganga Sharan Sinha, Rambriksh Benipuri and Ramanand Mishra (Precursor of the Bihar Congress Socialist Party)

1932

• Tarapur Massacre - 15 February 1932 in Munger.
• Chandrama Singh and Baikuntha Shukla murdered Phanindra Nath Ghosh at Bettaiah. Because he turned into an approver and gave evidence which led to the execution of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru.
• Nov 6 – Conference on prevention of untouchability at Anjuman Islamia Hall, Patna, presided by Raja Radhika Raman Prasad Singh.

1933

• Gandhiji proposed individual CDM→ Around 900 people jailed in Bihar

1934

• 15 January 1934 - Earthquake; Munger most affected; Rajendra Prasad headed relief committee.
• Bihar Congress Socialist Party: formally inaugurated at Anjuman Islamia Hall, Patna
  • President- Acharya Narendra Dev; Secretary- Jayaprakash Narayan.
  • Other members: Ramvriksh Benipuri, Gangasharan Sinha, Abdul Bari, Yogendra Shukla.
  • Contribution: Spread socialist ideas, mobilized farmers and labourers.

1935

• All-India Depressed class League formed under Babuji Jagjivan Ram.
• Third Session of Bihar Kisan Sabha (Hajipur): Chairman Swami Sahajanand Saraswati.

1936

• Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha (Munger, Barahiya Tal): Protested landlord oppression.
  • Leader: Karyanand Sharma.
• All India Kisan Sabha formed (11 Apr 1936, Lucknow):
  • Chairman: Swami Sahajanand Saraswati.
  • Secretary: N.G. Ranga.
• Objective: Solve farmers’ problems, fight landlord oppression.
• Prominent Writings of Swami Sahajanand Saraswati:
  • Hunkar, Kisan Kya Kare, Kisan Kaise Ladte Hain?, Jharkhand ke Kisan, Kisan Sabha ke Sansmaran, Khet Majdoor, Kranti aur Sanyukta Morcha, Geeta Hriday, Zamindari ka Khatma Kaise Ho?, Kisano ko Fasane ki Taiyariyan, Mera Jeevan Sangharsh, Karmkalap.

1937

• Bihar Assembly Elections (Jan 1937):
  • Congress contested 107/152 seats, won 98 → absolute majority.
  • Majority in Legislative Council too.
  • No muslim winner from Muslim League in Bihar.
  • Sachchidananda defeated Congress candidate
• Governor M.G. Hallett invited Shri Krishna Singh to form govt, but he refused without assurance of non-interference.
• Interim Cabinet formed by Muhammad Yunus (Independent Party) on 1 Apr 1937.
  • Muhammad Yunus became first Indian Chief Minister (Prime Minister) of Bihar.
• First Congress Cabinet (20 Jul 1937):
  • Chief Minister: Shri Krishna Singh.
  • Speaker: Ramdayalu Singh.
  • Deputy Speaker: Abdul Bari.
  • Advocate General: Baldev Sahay

1937–38

• Bakasht Kisan Movement: Against Zamindari system (landlords snatching land rights).
  • Leader: Swami Sahajanand Saraswati.
  • Contributors: Yadunandan Sharma (Gaya), Yamuna (Darbhanga & Saran), Rahul Sankrityayan (Annnwari/Ambari).
• Swami Sahajanand Saraswati: Leader of Bakasht Movement in Bihar against tenant eviction. (‘Bakasht’-self-cultivated land; movement opposed tenant evictions by zamindars):
  • Arrested during Quit India Movement → 28 April observed as All-India Swami Sahajanand Day by Subhash Bose & Forward Bloc.
  • Bose hailed him as the undisputed leader of India’s peasant movement and idol of the masses.

1938

• 30 January 1938: Congress, at its Haripura session, passed a resolution advocating for the release of political prisoners.
• Feb 1938: Shri Krishna Singh Cabinet announced resignation (demand: release of political prisoners in Andaman & Nicobar). Prisoners released, cabinet stayed.
• Momin Congress founded (1938): By Abdul Qayum Ansari to counter Muslim League influence in Bihar.
• Muslim League 1938 Session at Patna, headed by Jinnah.
• Adivasi Mahasabha (1938): Formed under Theodore Surin (President), later led by Ram Jaipal Singh.

1939

• 31 Oct 1939: Congress Cabinet in Bihar resigned in protest against India’s forced involvement in WWII without Congress consent.
• Ambari Satyagraha (1939): Rahul Sankrityayan.
  • Rahul Sankrityan- Active in Chhapra during the NCM(PYQ); Original name: Kedar Nath Pandey; Known as “Father of Hindi Travel Literature”. Works, Athato Ghumakkad Jigyasa, Asia ke Durgam Bhukhando Mein,Tibbat Mein Sava Varsh,Meri Europe Yatra,Volga Se Ganga
• Reora Satyagraha (Gaya): Yadunandan Sharma; against Zamindars

1940

• Individual Satyagraha launched by Gandhi (peaceful protest against August Offer & colonial rule):
  • First Satyagrahi (India): Acharya Vinoba Bhave.
  • Second: Jawaharlal Nehru.
  • Third: Brahmadatta.
  • First Satyagrahi (Bihar): Shri Krishna Singh.
  • Second from Bihar: Anugrah Narayan Singh.
  • Other leaders: Gauri Shankar Singh (Gaya), Shyam Narayan Singh (Silav, Nalanda).
• 54th Session of INC (Ramgarh, Jharkhand, 1940):
  • Chairman: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
  • Decision: Oppose British participation in WWII.
  • In the same year, Subhash Chandra Bose and Sahajanand Saraswati organized a separate meeting against Congress.
• Jaiprakash Narayan arrested for a speech delivered at Jamshedpur in Feb 1940.
• Apr 13–14, 1940 – Bihar Muslim League met at Chhapra, sopported Lahore Resolution (demand of separate Pakistan).
• Apr 19, 1940 – Pakistan Day in Bihar. (India- 23 March 1940)

1941

• Bihar Forward Bloc conference in Chapra.

1942

• Quit India Movement launched (8 Aug 1942): Gandhi’s slogan: Do or Die.
• 9 Aug 1942: Congress leaders arrested; Rajendra Prasad sent to Bankipur Jail.
• Baldev Sahay resigned as Advocate General in protest.
• 11 Aug 1942 (Patna Secretariat): Students’ procession attempted to hoist flag.
  • DM W.G. Archer ordered firing → 7 martyrs, many injured. Sri Krishna Singh scolded him.
  • Known as Seven Martyrs of Bihar:
    • Ramgovind Singh (Dashratha, Patna)
    • Ramanand Singh (Sahadat Nagar, Patna)
    • Jagpati Kumar (Kharathi, Gaya)
    • Satish Prasad Jha (Kharhara, Bhagalpur)
    • Rajendra Singh (Banvarchak, Saran)
    • Umakant Sinha (Narendrapur, Saran)
    • Devipad Chaudhary (Silhat, Jamalpur)
  • Ram Krishna Singh: 8th martyr, hoisted flag on Secretariat.
  • Martyrs’ Memorial built in front of Patna Secretariat. Foundation by Governor Jairamdas Daulatram; unveiled formally in 1956 by Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
• 12 Aug 1942: Complete strike in Patna against firing incident.
• Most affected - Patna
• Formed Parshuram Dal, Siyaram Dal & Mahendra Gop Dal.
• Saran came under Special Criminal Court.
• Azad Dasta formed in Nepal:
  • Founder: Jayaprakash Narayan (escaped Hazaribagh Jail on 9 Nov 1942, Diwali night with Ramanandan Mishra, Suraj Narayan Singh, Yogendra Shukla, Gulabi Sonar, Shaligram Singh).
  • JP became a national leader.
  • First Assembly at Samaili (Purnia) led by Kamal Nath Jha.
  • Training camp: Rajvilas forest (Nepal) – Director: Sardar Nityanand Singh.
  • Leaders: Ram Manohar Lohia, Aruna Asaf Ali, Suraj Narayan Singh, Yogendra Shukla, Ramanandan Mishra, Achyut Patwardhan, Jayaprakash Narayan.
  • Radio propaganda: Ram Manohar Lohia.
  • By mid-1943, most leaders were arrested, activities slackened.
• 10 August - Deep Narayan Singh of Bhagalpur arrested from Bidhauli Ashram by Lalganj Police
• 13 August - Dhruv Kumar killed while hoisting flag in Katihar (Dhruv Dal in Katihar)
• 13 August - “Police is our brother” by Saran women.
• Students captured a train, renamed it Swaraj Train.
• Siwan: Phulena Prasad Srivastava shot dead while hoisting flag.
• Sheelbhadra Yaji (Forward Bloc) prosecuted during WWII due to Netaji links.
• Main centre in Bihar: Gandhi Maidan (then Patna Lawn). Renamed after Gandhi’s death in 1948.
• Casualties in Quit India (Bihar): 15,000+ imprisoned, 8783 punished, 134 martyred, 362 injured.
• 11 Sept 1942: In House of Commons, British politician Amery stated: “disturbance in Bihar & an important area.”
• BN Mandal - Madhepura
• Shanti Devi- Chapra
• Local Thana panchayat as self-governing body in Tarapur (Munger)

1943

• Asha Sahay joined Subhash Chandra Bose’s Azad Hind Fauj.

1946

• Elections of 1945-46
  • Congress got 6 general seats out of 10 from Bihar in Central assembly.
  • Out of 152 seats in state legislature, Congress won 98, Muslim league won 34,
• March 30,1946: Congress formed government under Shri Krishna Sinha
• April 12,1946 Government lifted ban from Congress Socialist party and JP Narayan was released.
• December 9,1946: First meeting of Constituent Assembly under Sachchidanand Sinha
• After returning from Japan, Asha Sahay trained women in weapons.
• Direct Action Day - 16 August 1946.

1947

• India became independent on 15th Aug,1947 & Jairamdas Daulatram was appointed as Governor of Bihar; laid the foundation of the Martyr’s Memorial in Patna to honor students killed in the Secretariat firing.

1948

• Patna Lawn renamed Gandhi Maidan after Gandhi’s death.

1950

• First Land reform, first Zamindari abolition and first constitution amendment.

1956

• Martyrs’ Memorial unveiled at Patna Secretariat by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, first President of India.

1967

• First political enquiry commission in India in Bihar in 1967

1974

• 5 June- JP; 2nd Jung-e-Azadi, Total Revolution

1982

• Mahatma Gandhi Setu Bridge inaugurated by Indira Gandhi; connects Patna and Hajipur

2005

• Maoists looted Jehanabad jail.