During the Indian freedom struggle, which parallel movement in the princely states (states ruled by Indian princes such as Kashmir, Hyderabad, Travancore and others) mobilised people against feudal rulers and for democratic rights?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Both State Peoples Movement and Praja Mandal Movement

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question addresses an often overlooked aspect of the freedom struggle: the movements inside princely states. While British ruled provinces saw direct anti colonial agitations, the princely states were nominally autonomous under Indian rulers who often maintained feudal structures. In these regions, parallel movements known by terms like State Peoples Movement and Praja Mandal Movement demanded responsible government and democratic rights, linking the struggle against princely autocracy with the wider struggle against British imperialism.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The setting is the princely states such as Kashmir, Hyderabad, Travancore and other Indian ruled territories.
  • The period is during the Indian freedom struggle.
  • The question mentions that a parallel movement or movements were launched there.
  • The options include State Peoples Movement, Praja Mandal Movement, Swaraj Movement, both of the first two together and another unrelated option.


Concept / Approach:
The central idea is that the struggle in princely states was organised under various names, often including the terms Praja Mandal (peoples organisation) and State Peoples Conference or State Peoples Movement. These organisations demanded civil liberties, representative institutions and end of arbitrary rule by princes. They were inspired by the national movement in British India but had to focus on local feudal issues. Because the terms State Peoples Movement and Praja Mandal Movement refer essentially to the same broad stream of agitation, the best answer is that both are part of the parallel movement in princely states.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that princely states needed their own form of agitation because the British government often claimed not to interfere with internal matters of Indian rulers.Step 2: Recall that organisations formed there were often called Praja Mandals or State Peoples Conferences, highlighting that they represented the people of the state.Step 3: Understand that these groups campaigned for responsible government, civil rights and in many cases union with a democratic India after independence.Step 4: Compare the options and see that both State Peoples Movement and Praja Mandal Movement describe these parallel struggles.Step 5: Select the combined option Both State Peoples Movement and Praja Mandal Movement as the correct answer.


Verification / Alternative check:


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • State Peoples Movement alone: This term is correct but incomplete when the question clearly implies the wider known label that includes Praja Mandals as well.
  • Praja Mandal Movement alone: Also correct in spirit but incomplete, because many organisations used the broader State Peoples title.
  • Swaraj Movement: A general term for the demand for self rule, not the specific parallel movement inside princely states.
  • Only Congress Socialist Movement: This was a distinct ideological current within the Congress, not the name of the broad peoples struggle in princely states.


Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes think of the national movement only in terms of British ruled provinces and forget the princely states. Others see just one of the terms Praja Mandal or State Peoples and select it without noticing that the combined option reflects the historical reality better. The safest strategy is to remember that multiple state level organisations operating under these labels together formed the parallel movement against princely autocracy.


Final Answer:
The parallel movement in princely states during the freedom struggle is best described as the combined State Peoples Movement and Praja Mandal Movement.

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