Chapter 7a - Mahiya Na Baharvatiya ( Historical Information)

[Full title: Mahiya Na Baharvatiya (Samvant 1909-1939: A.D. 1853-1883)— Historical Information]

[Kinkaid or Biman do not write anything about Mahiyao. Captain Bail in his History of Kathiyawad (pg. 238) gives one sided view.

“The agency named Mahiya started to trouble in the region named Junagadh. They had 12 villages under their authority in the region of Junagadh but in 1872, they attacked the city once again to give power of more villages to Chudasama Ra‘Vansh; Due to this reason, their weapons were confiscated and with great difficulty, they were coaxed and finally they returned. Later on boundary lines of power on the land property were drawn. Their rights were decided. As they were not carrying soldiery responsibility, in exchange of that very light revenue was laid on them. The government rejected their appeal; and as a result of that in 1882 in December, they left small villages and went on the small mountain of nonaligned region. They snootily disregarded all petitions for negotiation.

“Many other discontented and illicit community of this peninsula might follow this example, with that fear the order was given to Mahiyas that their weapons would be usurped even if they disperse peacefully. Because of this, there happened the violent fight in which many lost lives from the side of Mahiya as well as from Police’s side. To verify the complaints of Mahiya under the president ship of M.S. Hemik one commission was appointed. The main grievance was against the Junagadh state and its Police. The controversy prolonged for six years. Satisfactory decision was taken and treaty compromise came out. Instead of cash revenue; the land revenue settlement was done.”

It is certain that the book written by Kathiawadi brother titled as ‘The Brutal Massacres of Mahiyas of Junagadh’ contains profound details exposing the half-truth of Captain Bel. As the book was not available, its usage was impossible here. Captain Bel could not show courage of quoting anything from the minutes of verdict of commission.By remaining on top position as a political agent he preferred to remain puppet of the Royal Authority. This man who was parital to Royal Authority never took people’s side.]