Gopaldas Ambaidas Desai and Regional Nationalism

Gopaldas Ambaidas Desai, popularly known as Darbar Gopaldas Desai, was a prominent freedom fighter, social reformer, and ruler of the princely state of Dhasa in Gujarat. He holds a unique distinction in the history of the Indian national movement as the first Indian ruler to renounce his principality and royal comforts to join Mahatma Gandhi’s anti-colonial struggle. His leadership bridged the gap between the peasants of rural Gujarat and the Indian National Congress, making him a central figure in the regional nationalism of Western India during the Civil Disobedience and Non-Cooperation eras.

Early Life and Accession to Princely Power

Gopaldas Desai was born on December 13, 1887, into a Vaishnava Patidar family in Vaso, located in the Kheda district of Gujarat. He inherited the rulership of the small princely states of Dhasa and Rai-Sankli, earning him the hereditary title of “Darbar.”

Administrative Reforms in Dhasa

• Education Initiatives: Upon ascending to power, he established free primary schools, introduced progressive educational reforms, and actively promoted women’s literacy in his state.
• Civic Infrastructure: He initiated public health measures, built roads, and reformed local revenue collection practices to lighten the tax burden on agrarian communities.
• Influence of Motibhai Amin: Influenced by the library movement pioneer Motibhai Amin, Darbar Gopaldas set up public libraries across villages under his administration to encourage rural literacy.

Entry into National Movement and Forfeiture of Statehood

Darbar Gopaldas came under the direct influence of Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Abbas Tyabji during the early 1920s. His active participation in Congress politics marked a radical departure from the pro-British stance maintained by most princely rulers.

The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22)

During the Non-Cooperation Movement, he publicly supported the Indian National Congress, collected funds for the Tilak Swaraj Fund, and established national schools in his domain. His open support for the anti-colonial struggle alarmed the British Political Agent and the Bombay Presidency administration.

Dethronement and Seizure of Property (1922)

• British Ultimatum: The British authorities issued an ultimatum to Darbar Gopaldas, demanding that he sever ties with the Congress and stop hosting nationalist gatherings in Dhasa.
• Renunciation: He refused to compromise and chose to relinquish his throne, state revenues, and ancestral properties.
• Deposition: In 1922, the British government officially deposed Darbar Gopaldas, confiscated his estate, and placed Dhasa under direct administrative control. He became the first prince in British India to lose his state for participating in the freedom movement.

Key Contributions to Regional Agrarian Movements

After losing his state, Darbar Gopaldas moved to the Kheda region and dedicated himself to organizing peasant movements under the leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Borsad Satyagraha (1923)

The British government imposed a punitive tax on the residents of Borsad taluka in Kheda district, alleging that locals were aiding armed dacoits.

• Mobilization: Darbar Gopaldas, along with his wife Bhaktiba Desai, established camps across villages to organize non-violent resistance against the tax.
• Success: The sustained agitation forced the administration to withdraw the punitive levy in early 1924.

Bardoli Satyagraha (1928)

When the Bombay government hiked land revenue in Bardoli by 22 percent, Darbar Gopaldas served as one of the primary camp commanders alongside Sardar Patel.

• Ashram Setup: He established an operational center at Sarbhon to coordinate peasant resistance, prevent cattle confiscation, and organize publicity campaigns.
• Role of Bhaktiba: Bhaktiba Desai led female cadres across villages to ensure women actively participated in the tax-boycott movement.

Salt Satyagraha and Dharasana Raid (1930)

During the Civil Disobedience Movement, he led protest marches in Kheda and Anand. He was arrested for violating the Salt Act and served multiple prison terms in Sabarmati and Yerwada jails.

Role of Bhaktiba Desai and Women’s Mobilization

The political career of Darbar Gopaldas was closely tied to his wife, Bhaktiba Desai, who emerged as a major female leader in Gujarat.

Breaking Purdah and Social Reform

• Abandonment of Royal Customs: Bhaktiba publicly gave up the royal purdah system, adopted Khadi, and worked directly among rural women.
• Vithal Kanya Vidyalaya: She helped establish educational institutes for young girls in Nadiad and Rajkot to promote female literacy.
• Leadership: She presided over women’s conferences during the Bardoli and Borsad Satyagrahas, encouraging mass participation in foreign cloth picketing and liquor store boycotts.

Post-Independence Role and Legacy

Following India’s independence in 1947, the British government’s past actions were reversed, and the estate of Dhasa was restored to Darbar Gopaldas.

Integration of Princely States

• Voluntary Merger: Upon receiving his state back in 1948, Darbar Gopaldas immediately signed the Instrument of Accession, merging Dhasa into the United State of Kathiawar (Saurashtra). He was the first ruler of Kathiawar to voluntarily integrate his state into the Indian Union.
• Constituent Assembly: He served as a member of the Constituent Assembly of India, representing the Saurashtra region.
• Public Service: He remained active in Sarvodaya work, basic education, and rural reconstruction until his death on November 9, 1951.

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