Central Team of Rashtriya Manav Dharm Raksha Sangh Bharat and Banswara District Team Visit Historic Mangarh Dham
BANSWARA / MANGARH DHAM: In a major organizational movement, the Central Leadership of the Rashtriya Manav Dharm Raksha Sangh Bharat, along with its Banswara district team, paid a high-profile visit to the sacred pilgrimage site of Mangarh Dham. The delegation offered tributes to the martyrs and engaged in a detailed review of the historic site, examining both its rich revolutionary heritage and the developmental contributions made by various state and central governments over the years.
The Historic Significance: "The Jallianwala Bagh of Rajasthan"
Situated on the tripartite border of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh amidst the Aravalli range in Banswara district, Mangarh Dham holds a paramount place in India’s freedom struggle.
The Leadership of Govind Guru: At the turn of the 20th century, spiritual leader Saint Govind Guru organized the tribal community against feudal oppression, forced labor (begaar), and heavy taxation by establishing the 'Samp Sabha'. The movement aimed at socio-religious reform, education, and moral upliftment.
The Massacre of November 17, 1913: On Margashirsha Purnima, over 150,000 tribals gathered atop the Mangarh hills for a peaceful assembly. British forces, led by Colonel Sutton, surrounded the hill with machine guns and artillery, opening fire without warning.
The Sacrifice: Over 1,500 tribal freedom fighters laid down their lives in this brutal attack—a massacre that predated the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy by six years and claimed an even higher number of casualties.
Today, Mangarh Dham stands as an immortal symbol of tribal self-respect, dignity, and patriotism for the Bhil, Banjara, Palvi, and Gameti communities.
Government Initiatives and Chronological Development Timeline
During the visit, the delegation thoroughly evaluated the infrastructural progress and policy announcements made by political leaders and administrative bodies across different tenures:
1. Union Government Efforts
Prime Minister's Address (Nov 1, 2022): Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a massive gathering at Mangarh Dham, calling for a unified roadmap involving Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra under the leadership of the Ministry of Culture to develop the site.
Joint Regional Authority Plan: The Ministry of Culture initiated talks to formulate a combined development authority to oversee multi-state tourist and heritage infrastructure.
2. Rajasthan State Government Contributions
Vasundhara Raje Regime (2018): Initial groundwork was laid with proposals for basic amenities (drinking water and power infrastructure) alongside a ₹19-crore master plan concept covering entry gates, open-air theaters, and saint memorials.
Ashok Gehlot Regime (2023): Announced a major ₹100-crore development package and sanctioned ₹1 crore for the preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR).
Bhajan Lal Sharma Regime (2024–2025): Allocated ₹5 crore for the development of the sacred Dhuni (fire altar), announced a dedicated police outpost, and integrated Mangarh Dham into a broader ₹100-crore Tribal Tourist Circuit spanning southern Rajasthan.
3. Gujarat State Government Role
Cross-Border Collaboration: Represented by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel alongside other regional leaders, the Gujarat government has aligned its developmental posture with the central framework for multi-state heritage preservation, given the site's deep spiritual connection to Gujarat’s tribal population.
A Continuing Legacy
The visiting delegation emphasized that Mangarh Dham is not merely a geographic hill, but the beating heart of tribal identity and national pride. The delegation called for accelerated execution of promised development funds to ensure the site receives full national recognition and world-class infrastructure for the millions of pilgrims who visit every year on Margashirsha Purnima.
