Understanding the Struggle for India's Independence in Bihar During 1912-22: Significance of Archival Material in the Bihar State Archives
Author(s): Shaukat A Khan and Syed Bashir Hasan
Abstract: This paper explores the role of Bihar in the struggle for India's independence during the first decade following its emergence as a separate province in 1912, emphasizing the significance of archival material preserved in the Bihar State Archives. Drawing on primary sources, especially the confidential government files containing administrative reports, police records, proscribed "seditious" literature, and intelligence reports, the paper highlights the regional dynamics of anti-colonial resistance and the contribution of the local leaders, movements, and events often marginalized in national narratives. The study reveals innovative strategies, such as revolutionaries' use of rumour mongering during World War I and non-cooperation activists' establishment of parallel administrations, diverging from Mahatma Gandhi's programme. It underscores the critical role of regional archives in reconstructing a more nuanced and inclusive history of anti-colonial resistance, offering fresh insights into the interplay between local and national efforts toward independence.
Shaukat A Khan, Syed Bashir Hasan. Understanding the Struggle for India's Independence in Bihar During 1912-22: Significance of Archival Material in the Bihar State Archives. Int J Hist 2025;7(6):85-89. DOI: 10.22271/27069109.2025.v7.i6b.441
