How Gwalior’s Scindia dynasty fought caste discrimination before India’s Independence

Long before India adopted its Constitution, the princely state of Gwalior introduced measures against caste discrimination. A 1945 order issued by Maharaja Jiwajirao Scindia recognised the rights of Dalits to access public facilities, educational institutions and temples. The administration introduced provisions to punish those who obstructed these rights.

India’s struggle for social equality began long before Independence in 1947. Across the country, social reformers and some princely states introduced measures to challenge caste discrimination and improve access to education. Among them was the Scindia-ruled princely state of Gwalior, which issued an order recognising the rights of Dalits more than two years before India became independent.

According to historical information shared by the Scindia Research Centre, Maharaja Jiwajirao Madhavrao Scindia issued a declaration on May 4, 1945, granting Dalits access to temples, schools, public wells and other facilities. The order acknowledged that communities then described as “untouchables” or “Harijans” were entitled to the same basic civic rights as other residents of the state. A 1961 Census of India village study independently records the proclamation and its provisions.

What did the Scindia government’s 1945 order say?

During the 1940s, caste discrimination restricted many Dalit communities from using public facilities in several parts of India. In some places, people faced restrictions on drawing water from wells, entering temples, wearing certain clothes or riding horses during wedding processions.

The Gwalior administration’s May 4, 1945, order addressed several of these practices.

Under the declaration, Dalits were granted the right to wear clothes and jewellery of their choice, use different forms of transport and follow marriage customs without caste-based restrictions.

They could access public wells, canals, river ghats and educational institutions. Temples owned or managed by the state and open to the public were made accessible to Dalits on the same terms as other Hindus.

The order included provisions for punishment under existing state laws against those who prevented people from exercising these rights.

The 1961 Census study records that Maharaja Jiwajirao Scindia personally examined complaints concerning the implementation of the order during visits outside Gwalior.

Eleven schools and free hostels for tribal children

The Scindia Research Centre’s account states that the Gwalior administration introduced educational schemes for tribal communities before Independence.

By 1938, the princely state reportedly operated 11 schools and three free hostels for children belonging to the Bhil and Bhilala communities.

The account mentions separate educational arrangements for Sahariya children in the Sheopur region, including schools and three free hostels.

The state reportedly established hostels in Tanda and Bagh to improve access to education among tribal children.

A model school was established at Pandav Gufa hill in the Bagh area of Manawar under the supervision of the Forest Department, according to the research centre.

The initiatives covered vocational education, handicraft training and scholarships. The objective was to help children acquire practical skills that could support employment and livelihoods.

These details come from the research centre’s historical account and have not all been independently verified.

Gwalior state formed a commission to study disadvantaged communities

The historical account refers to the formation of a commission tasked with studying the living conditions and problems of disadvantaged communities.

The commission sought written suggestions from community representatives and people involved in social reform.

Those submitting proposals were asked to send them to the Additional Secretary of the Home Department.

The exercise was intended to identify social and economic problems and gather recommendations for administrative action.

How Baroda’s Maharaja helped BR Ambedkar study in America

The history of social reform in India’s princely states includes the contribution of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III of Baroda.

The Baroda ruler provided financial assistance and scholarships to students, including Dr BR Ambedkar.

In 1913, Ambedkar received a scholarship from Baroda state to pursue higher education at Columbia University in New York.

On June 4, 1913, Ambedkar signed an agreement with the Baroda administration concerning his studies abroad and subsequent service to the state.

The scholarship became an important part of Ambedkar’s academic career. Columbia University’s historical records confirm that he arrived in New York in July 1913.

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Ambedkar later experienced severe caste discrimination during his employment in Baroda, showing the gap between reform measures and social attitudes during that period.

Social reforms in princely states before the Indian Constitution

The Scindias of Gwalior, Gaekwads of Baroda and rulers of Kolhapur were among the royal administrations associated with social reform initiatives during the pre-Independence period.

Their approaches differed, covering education, access to public facilities, opportunities for disadvantaged communities and measures against caste discrimination.

The Gwalior proclamation of 1945 provides an example of an administration formally recognising the civic rights of Dalits before Independence.

India subsequently adopted its Constitution on November 26, 1949, and brought it into effect on January 26, 1950. Article 17 abolished untouchability, giving the prohibition constitutional force across the country.

The historical record of Gwalior’s 1945 declaration adds to the understanding of how efforts against caste discrimination were taking shape before India’s transition to a constitutional democracy.

Source credit: Scindia Research Centre. The May 4, 1945 proclamation is corroborated by a Census of India historical study. Other details concerning tribal welfare programmes and the commission are attributed to the research centre’s account.