Sher - E - Duggar Lala Hans Raj Mahajan (Lion Of Duggar)

Ravi Rohmetra

The Martand

From the very beginning, Jammu has been known as the place of saints. Jammuties are proud that on this land many big saints were born Lala Hans Raja Mahajan one of them. In 1892 Lala Ji founded Mahajan Sabha whole of the Mahajan Community in this country is feeling proud to have such prominent social worker and a very good leader. He in-fact was the live example of wisdom, humility and a tolerance. Moreover it is fact the progress of the Mahajan Community would be possible only when they will follow the foot-steps and Principles of Late Lala Hans Raj Ji, Lala Ji not only worked for the betterment of Mahajan Community but also for the betterments of the country also.

Lala Hans Raj founder of Akhil Bhartiya Mahajan Shiromani Sabha and Dogra Sadar Sabha was a man of Principles, freedom fighter, and a prominent social Worker. Lala Hans Raj Ji was born on October 2, 1866 at Hamirpur Sidhar, Tehsil Akhnoor District Jammu in a well-known family. His father's name was Lala Harish Chand Mahajan. At that time standard of education was not so high. He got his education at masjid of his Village from Mian Inam Aldin in Persian and Urdu. Once Late Maharaja Ranbir Singh during his visit to Hamirpur Sidhar saw the young Hans Raj dt. Maharaja was very much impressed by the Young Hans Raj and he took him to Jammu for study where he got his education from Choba Ganesh Prasad and Choba Janki Parsad. After sometime the same young boy got the title "Sher-e Duggar". He was elected as Registrar and deter he passed the degree of law in first division. He was also interested in religious works and in 1916 he constructed the Ved Mandir Ashram. Besides Preaching Vedas his

motive was to improve the conditions of orphans and to stop slaughtering cow. After laying the foundation stone of Dogra Sadar Sabha and Mahajan Sabha Lala Ji under the supervision of younger brother of Maharaja Partap Singh and father of Maharaja Hari Singh.

Maharaja Amar Singh Laid the foundation stone of founded Jammu the Rajput Sabha for the upliftment of low caste people he ornament their committees. When the movement of Swadesh spread from Bengal to whole of India Lala Ji Played his role in Jammu and Kashmir dt. After this he adopted Khaddar and also urged the people to wear "Khaddar" for he betterment of India. For this he started a workshop to make and dye "Khaddar" at Purani Mandi Jammu. After retirement from Govt. Job he as a lawyer helped people in one or another

 way. His most of the time as spend in organizing rallies and helping poor. In Oct. 1932 dt. At Srinagar riots started between Muslims and Kashmiri Pandits, Muslims attacked at the house of Pandit Amarnath Kak (elder brother of Pandit Ramchandra Kak, whoever’s elected as Prime Minister of J&K. At that time Lala Ji was at Srinagar. He came to known dt. About this and with the help of some of his associates he reached Amarnath's house and saved the life of his family members and took them to Hazuri Bagh near Amira Kadal later on with the help of a local Hindu leaders Mr. Keshav Bandhu he decided to held a conference in which Hindu, Muslims, Sikhs could get united and work for the whole society.

In the history of dt. Mahajan Community the day October 2 keeps very importance. This day is also important for the whole country as on this day two other great leaders' of India Lal Bhadur Shastri and Mahatma Gandhi were also born. Dt. year 1957 the birthday of Mahajan Ji was celebrated under the begin of Mahajan Sabha at Hazuri Bagh.

He was also known as the "Dogra General' Lala Ji died in the interviewing night of Feba 26/27 the 1944 at 4 a.m. He was 77 whole of the society was shocked to hear about the dt. Demise of Lala Hans Raj Mahajan. Every political and Non-political party condole Lala Ji dt. Demose was also involved in the activities of Anjuman Islamia Jammu. Lala ji during his left time worked for the betterment of the Dogra Sadar Sabha and he was also successful in opening the branch of Dogra Sabha in whole of the J&K State Dogra Sabha was also worked for the betterment of the dt. people the Srinagar. He also ) successfully launched magazines /Newspapers like "Dogra Gazette" Mahajan Niti PATRA and Mahajan Samachar, Mahajan Sabha, Dogra Sabha, Ved Mandira and other big monuments dt. were constructed with the cooperation of Lala Ji. In the memory of Lala Ji a park "Lala Hans Raj Park" in Jammu and a big building in Delhi are used by people in different ways thus helping the people. Lala Ji help worked for the betterment of every community. He other also helped in establishing organizations and worked with the is to remove all the evils of the society. Year 1936 18th century July he was unanimously elected the member of Assembly. At that time Govt. announced that Lala Hans Raj Advocate chosen unanimously member of Assembly. As a member of assembly he worked for every community especially for Kandi Belt, that time people of Kandi's condition was very rough due to shortage of water.

In 1926 Lala Hans Raj started Dogra Gazette whose Editor was Daya Krishan Gardish Lala Ji stared tirade against the outsider through Dogra Gazette and forced the State Government to reserved the Jobs for the sons of the soil. The State Subject Certificate for state jobs came into existence. Lala Hans Raj through his life fought against the evils which were prevailing in the Hindu society and strived for the economic and social uplift of the people of the state. He was far ahead of his time. He fought for Social Justice Prince of Wales College was established in Jammu because of his sustained efforts. He fought against the Dowry System, untouchably child marriage and smoking. He favoured widow marriage. He asked the Jammuties to get themselves educated in Urdu Language, if they wanted to get Govt. Jobs. His efforts forced Maharaja Hari Singha to bridge the river Chenab at Akhnoor. He fought his whole life against the evils which were prevailing in the Hindu society like Dowry system, untouchability, child marriage and social uplift of the people of the State

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Courtesy: The Martand- The Official organ of All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference: 31st August, 2009