Krantikari Of Kumaon: Mohan Singh Mehta

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The Krantikari of Kumaon Mohan Singh Mehta meaning 'The Revolutionary of Kumaon: Mohan Singh Mehta' is a biographical work that attempts to shed light on the life of an unsung freedom fighter and political leader of Kumaon With an amalgamation of historical facts and personal knowledge, the author weaves together Mohan Singh Mehta's journey against the backdrop of the freedom movement and highlights his endeavours for his beloved land and people. The book details his involvement in organising the Coolie Begar Movement, a turning point in Kumaon's modern history that led to its first historic political arrest. After independence, his focus shifted completely to the rural development of Katyur Valley.

An unsung hero who led a life full of struggles, sacrifices, victories and honour, Mohan Singh Mehta - lovingly called 'Mohan Gandhi' by his people - was considered the reincarnation of Mahatma Gandhi in the Katyur Valley.

Aishwarya Mehta (b.1993) is a young and prolific writer, currently working at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts in the Kalakosa Division, Ministry of Culture, New Delhi. She obtained her Masters in Ancient Indian History from Jawaharlal Nehru University. She has a keen interest in studying Himalayan Art and South-East Asian cultural connections with India

As we approach the 75th anniversary of our independence, in addition to the movements launched at the national level, we should not forget to remember the leaders who operated at the regional levels, thereby giving impetus to the independence movement at the grassroots level. This work is a humble endeavour to bring forth such unsung glimpses from the life and times of a heroic freedom fighter, Mohan Singh Mehta, from the Kumaon Division of the erstwhile United Provinces (now situated within the present day state of Uttarakhand). Kumaon Division, under the leadership of Mohan Singh Mehta, witnessed many revolutionary events which greatly contributed to India's liberation. Mehta dedicated his life to political and social endeavours since 1916, starting with the establishment of the Home Rule League in Almora and continuing to do so throughout his lifetime until 1980.

The contents of the book are laid out according to the major political and social events during Mohan Singh Mehta's lifetime, with a brief background on the history of Kumaon and the formation of the Kumaon Commissionary. The book also attempts to acquaint the reader with the background and upbringing of Mohan Singh Mehta in a scenario which not only awakened people's consciousness but also necessitated them to take matters of their freedom into their own hands. The book unveils the prevailing political situation in Kumaon in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, highlighting various political activities that took place in Kumaon as an extension of the national movement, where Mehta played a decisive role. There is also a mention of Coolie Begar, which can be credited with the most turbulent agitation in the Katyur Valley and may be called as the first mass uprising at the regional level. The result of this agitation led to the historic first political arrest (of Mohan Singh Mehta) from the Kumaon Division, and its memoirs are presented here. Lastly, the book describes the contributions of Mehta to the development of the Katyur Valley after India gained independence as well as his life as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Uttar Pradesh. His commitment to his land and people made the masses often recall him as a reincarnation of Gandhi in the Katyur Valley.