The Lion and its roar…..
He was a civil engineer in 1899 . His capabilities gave him the post of Chief Minister of responsible government set-up in Jubbal, State of Himachal Pradesh in 1947.Everything about him was 
captivating. Bhagmal Sautha was the third of the four sons.He was born in an affluent family in the village Dhar of Jubbal (it is a town and a Nagar panchayat in the district Shimla)in Himachal Pradesh.
Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he was a well deserved and a daring intellectual.Bhagmal Sauhta achieved many milestones in the way of getting statehood for Himachal Pradesh.For him, freedom was not only from the British but also from the internal princely authoritarians and prevalent social evils.He was a staunch believer of individual democratic rights for the masses, therefore he stood tall in the way of Himalayan princes and their dictatorship.
Sauhta was effective and a practical leader.He held the post of the leader of Shimla Hill States Himalayan Riyasati Praja Mandal(A dedicated article will follow on the Praja Mandals).In 1939 July 13, he presided over a meeting as the Chairman where it was decided to form the Praja Mandal in Sirmour, Chamba, Mandi, Bashar, Sundernagar etc.
Sauhta asked the Rana of Dhami to revoke the order banning the Prem Pracharni Sabha.Rana’s refusal led to a protest under the leadership of Bhagmal Sauhta.Though he was arrested as he entered Dhami, the protesters walked further.They took the bullets fired at them on the orders of Rana of Dhami in their chest.
He was a charismatic leader.His efforts never fell short of words.During the Praja Mandal struggle, he started the famous “Bhai Do, Na Pai Do “ movement.This slogan was given by him standing in the gang bazar of the Simla, now called Shimla(Capital of Himachal Pradesh).This specific movement was started for the boycott of British goods and the civil disobedience movement.In this movement, he advocated discontinuing of any sought of help for world war -2 and also requested people not to pay the land revenue anymore. 
Bhagmal Sauhta with the then president Rajinder Prasad.Bhagmal sauhta was third in line of four brothers.His eldest brother was a barrister, studied in England, the second was the treasury officer and the youngest chose to take care of the land.Sauhta was active in leading the stressful and sensitive freedom movement from the very beginning.He was a prominent member of the Committee which proposed the name Himachal Pradesh for the state.Bhagat Sabha presided in his presence.
Sauhta knew that to strengthen the geography and democracy of the state, it is a must to convince the princely hill states to become one.He played a pivot role in their integration.Later on in March on the 1st in 1948, he submitted a memorandum presenting a strong case for statehood for Himachal Pradesh to Sardar Patel.This memorandum was accepted in the favor of the objective by the central government in 1948.
He kept the momentum of his efforts on till the time Himachal was sworn in as the 18th state of the Indian dominion.He reached his destination, it was statehood for the then union territory Himachal Pradesh.
Politics as believed as the most unpredictable thing ever changed for him.The Praja Mandal that he had lead split over a difference of opinion.The group under Sauhta supported the idea of pro-confederation and the group under the leadership of Y S Parmar supported the idea of complete elimination of princess’s administration.Therefore there was a clash of opinions.
Sauhta lived a life of content and peace till years after Himachal achieved its statehood in 1971.Neither did he ask for a position for himself nor did anyone from his family claimed any favor given to the decorated freedom fighter.He once again came to the forefront and became vocal about illegal deforestation in Upper Shimla area.This was around 1980-1982. He had foreseen the long-term effect of it.Therefore, Sauhta waved a red flag by writing many letters asking for an immediate action plan to stop the illegal activity.He also explained the side effects of deforestation in detail in his letters.
Bhagmal Sauhta left for the heavenly abode at the ripe age of 89.
Sauhta’s contribution has a noteworthy referral in the history chapters mentioning Dhami firing and Praja Mandals.
When Virbhadra Singh came to power, he even changed the name of a government school to Bhagmal Sauhta government school in Sauhta’s home village, Dhar.
That’s such a detailed analysis of a person who gave life to the present day Himachal. I wish we could have such leaders today as well to serve the nation.
Thanks for sharing this piece, never heard of him, lost in history.
Salute.
I am Aastha Sauhta He was my great grandfather I am her granddaughter .I am proud of my great grandfather . I am lucky that I am having a great grandfather like him.I am lucky that I am born in such a family. I am sad that there are many citizens in India who does not know about such a great personality.
Hi Astha!
It is a pleasure to connect with you.It was my absolute honour to start my blog with Shri Bhagmal Sautha ‘s article.I have heard about him since my childhood.My naniji was his eldest daughter.She was Damyanti Devi Thakur.I am her youngest daughter’s daughter.Therfore ,both of us are from the same linage.I was working with Statesman and was also doing freelancing for a few national dailies when I thought of starting something of my own for my own state.I could not think of a name better and a more powerful than his.
In our family I have not seen anyone boasting about him.The intention was not to boast here but make his presence felt.
Hope I did justice.The blog is going through a revamp.I will be start rolling the articles from the first Navratri.Let me know anything interesting that the world should know.
Love
Shalini
Hii Shalini,
You are doing a great job, really great.
Actually today i met a girl named Jagiriti. When she told about her family background, I heard this name Sh. Bhagmal Sautha. Its her maternal grandapa name.I read this name before only in history of himachal pradesh. But when i heard it from her, it makes me curious to know about him more. And your artical heldped me a lot to know him more closely.
Thank you !
Thank you for appreciating.
Myself Rakesh Sauhta .I am very proud of my grandfather. He was really a great personality of Himachal Pradesh.
Yes! he was and he will always be remembered for his contributions.
Please share your Email ID
Shalinisharmawork@gmail.com
It was a treat reading about Bhagmal nanaji, as a child had the good luck to have got his love and blessings. I happen to be his youngest brother’s grand daughter. Nanaji use to share a lot of anecdotes about his freedom struggle with us while we were growing up. My mother was a favourite niece with him. Your piece took me down memory lane. Every thing you wrote about him seemed as if it had just gone by yesterday. It is so nice to connect with you although we may be complete strangers to each other yet we do share a bond of lineage.
The bond is indeed strong.I am his eldest daughter’s grand daughter.Pleasure knowing you.
Hi I m Dr Narendra singh ,Mr baghmal sauhta was grand father of my mother,this family is very raputated family in jubbal,he was great thinker
Hi
I am his eldest daughter’s grand daughter.
Pleasure knowing you.
My name is Vanshika sauhta and Bhagmal Sauhta was my great grandfather. I feel very proud that I was born in a family in which people like Bhagmal sauhta had lived. He had done a lot for our Himachal. And I hope that like my grandfather, I also illuminate the name of the sauhta family.