"Do You Know Where Himachal Pradesh Got Its Name? The Role of Darbar Hall in the Formation of the State".
Introduction:
Darbar Hall, located in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, played a vital role in the formation of the state. It was in this historic hall that the decision to merge 30 princely states of the Himalayan province into one state was taken. In this article, we will explore the role of Darbar Hall in the formation of Himachal Pradesh.
The Integration of Princely States:
After India gained independence in 1947, the task of integrating 562 princely states into the Union of India was a challenging one. More or less, the situation was the same in Himachal Pradesh, also known as the Himalayan province.The kings of the princely states did not want to give up their kingdom. Himachal Pradesh had 30 princely states. The kings of these states were reluctant to give up their kingdoms, and the Prajamandal movements lacked strong leadership.
Raja Durga Singh Takes Charge:
Durga Singh, the last king of Baghat Risayat, took a decisive step towards the unification of all princely states into one state, despite being a king himself. He did not favor the kings of other states and instead made a bold move to bring them all together.
Raja Durga Singh played a significant role in the formation of the new state. He was appointed as the chairman of the constitution assembly and president of Prajamandals of Himachal Pradesh. With his intelligence and wit, he convinced the other kings to sign the agreement of merging their states into a single state and to become a part of the Indian union. Many dignitaries including Bhagmal Sautha Shivanand Ramol were present in the meeting chaired by Raja Durga Singh. With the help of praja mandals and the kings, he finally succeeded in uniting the Himalayan Province.
The Himalayan province was united by bringing together the Praja Mandals and the kings. They worked together towards a common goal, and a new state was formed with a name that was unanimously decided upon.
The Meeting at Darbar Hall:
The kings of all the states were brought together on one platform in the Raj Darbar Hall of Solan.
Darbar Hall is located in district Solan of Himachal Pradesh. It is approximately 2 km from the new bus-stand, Solan, and 1 km from the old bus-stand. It is located near Shoolini mata temple and opposite to the parking located on a small chowk from where the road diverges to Shoolini mata temple.
The decision to name the present Himachal Pradesh as Historical Himachal Pradesh was also taken in the Raj Darbar Hall under the chairmanship of Raja Durga. On 8 February 1948, the Exist Mandal under the leadership of Raja Durga Singh met Dr. Pattabhi Sita Ramaiya, and after due discussions, the Government of India approved the merger and the formation of Himachal Pradesh.
The Naming of Himachal Pradesh:
The name of the state was decided unanimously by all the kings and leaders of the Praja Mandal. In this way, a newly formed state of 30 famous hill states merged with India. The formal announcement of the new formation of Himachal was made on 15 April 1948, in the Darbar Hall of Solan.Himachal Pradesh was created on April 15, which is why Himachal Day is celebrated on this day every year. It was officially recognized as a state on January 25, 1971, becoming the eighteenth state of India.
From Royalty to Public Works:
As the princely states were merging with Himachal, Raja Durga Singh's officers suggested that he should keep the grand Darbar Hall with him. They believed it would be useful to the king. However, fate had other plans for the king. After the death of his wife, Rani Sahiba, he did not have any children to inherit the throne. The only daughter he had died at the tender age of one and a half years. Despite the officers' suggestion, the king decided he did not need the Darbar Hall and gave it to the government.
Today, the Darbar Hall of Solan serves as the office of the Superintending Engineer of the Public Works Department. Who would have thought that this grand hall, once the center of political and royal affairs, would become the hub of government operations? Such is the way of things, and the Darbar Hall stands as a testament to the ever-changing tides of time.
The Significance of Darbar Hall:
Darbar Hall has played a vital role in the history of Himachal Pradesh. It is a heritage of the state and the largest building built during the reign of King Durga Singh. All the big public functions of Solan used to happen in Darbar Hall, including Dussehra, weapons worship, and Holi Milan Samaroh.
The Legacy of Darbar Hall:
The importance of Darbar Hall is not only limited to the formation of Himachal Pradesh but also to the cultural and historical heritage of the state. It is a reminder of the contributions of Raja Durga Singh and the other leaders who worked tirelessly to unite the Himalayan province.
According to the book Mahara Bhagat, Solan Darbar Hall holds significant heritage value for the state. Late Kunwar Satyendra Singh, a senior member of the Solan royal family, mentioned in an interview three years ago that the magnificent building, constructed during the reign of King Durga Singh, was the largest in the region and truly a sight to behold. The grandeur of Solan Darbar Hall is not just limited to Solan but extends to the entire state.
Conclusion:
Darbar Hall continues to hold significant cultural and historical importance in Himachal Pradesh. It serves as a reminder of the efforts of Raja Durga Singh and the other leaders who worked towards the integration of princely states into one state. The hall is a testament to the rich heritage of Himachal Pradesh and its people. Similarly, this Darbar Hall has a history within itself and is a heritage for the people of the state which needs to be preserved.
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