The Political awakening in the Hill state :

The political movements are very effective for the improvement of any system. Various political movements had been started by the hill people for freedom from colonial, oppressive and undemocratic administration of British and feudal rulers. The whole area which form the present Himachal was divided and subdivided into small and scattered administrative units.

 The movements in hills were started for various purposes like improving the standard of life, getting rid of autocratic administrations,uprooting the alien administration, democratisation of administration and formation of a compact administrative unit from 1948 to 1966. The people's struggles and movements in hills were influenced by the nationalist movements in British areas. Its objectives were not the total elimination of princely rulers. The main aim of the Praja Mandal Movement was democratisation of administration. The people of the other areas which were under the direct administrative control of the Britishers had started freedom movement to uproot the alien administration which was governed by undemocratic and autocratic methods. The people of state strove to integrate the princely states after Independence i.e. 1948 and there after in 1965-66 for the integration of Punjab hills with Himachal to create Himachal as a larger hill state. There were some political and social organisations in hills like Rajput and Brahman Sabhas, Snathan Dharm and Arya Smaj Sabha, Sewak Sanghs and Sudhar Sammelans, Prem Sabha and Sewa Samities working against the social evils.

The social evils like reet, child marriage, 'Begar', untouchability etc. were also protected and implemented by the rulers of the hills strictly. There were some revolts during First Freedom Struggle in 1857 in Princely States of Himalayan region as were in other parts of the country. But in hills these struggles were unorganised and unplanned. However it can be considered as starting steps for the eradication of autocratic administration of Britishers. The Army Revolt of Jatog and Kasauli, Rampur struggle and such form of movement in Nurpur can be considered as important development in the history of freedom movement in India and particularly in Himachal. There were also some revolts in Suket, Nalagarh and Bilaspur against the corrupt practices of Government official in 1859, 1883 and 1930 respectively. In 1909 Sobha Ram of Mandi State protested against the high handedness of the ruler of that time. The other development occurred in Mandi in 1914-15, is known as Mandi Conspiracy, A Conference was also held in Sujanpur in 1927 against the British Government which was attended by large number of people not only from Himachal but also from India.

However, with these local movements, the people of the hills pressurised the British authority and local rulers to take initiative for bringing some democratic reforms in their administration. So,under the ruler of Baghat an Executive Committee was constituted. This committee recommended a number of reform in political, police, education and general administration of that state. Similar Legislative Council was also established in Mandi State, Thus it was a major landmark in democratisation of administration. The administrative reforms in this state become as model for other hills states. Panchayati Raj system was also introduced  in 1930 in this state. Similar Acts were also enacted in Bilaspur and Sirmour princely states. Although a number of other reforms were introduced in the princely states, yet princes had failed to assure fully the strength and aspirations of the people and could carry out their people with them to any workable solutions in respect of their future political set up of the country. Mahatma Gandhi strengthened the movement against the British administration all over the country. The people of the hills also get effected by the ideals and wishes of Mahatma Gandhi. For Administrative Reforms in Bushahr Pt. Padam Dev launched struggle against the hereditary administration and their rules in that hill state. In his resolution of September, 1920, he asked the prince to grant their people a full responsible government. That was the first resolution of that type in the history of North Himalayan region. So due to the influence of Indian National Congress in Himalayan States the old rulers started democratisation process in their administration. The Quit India Movement was also made more popular in the hills. The resolution of the congress for more participation of people also get momentum in the hills. The greater participation of the hills people in the programmes of Indian National Congress voluntarily expanded the way of the Praja Mandal in the hills to join in this national level political organisation and later on for the integration of princely state in Indian Union, Thus, the struggle of the people in hills and other adjacent parts has been termed as Praja Mandal Movement, which may be defined as collective ideas and practical work of general masses for the democratisation of administration.

The awakening of the people of the hills against the British resulted into struggles in Kangra and its adjacent places which were under the direct control of British administration. In these areas there were movements for the total elimination of the British administration and authority.

Praja Mandal Movements in Hills States  :

Before 1927 the activities of the Praja Mandal workers were absent in Himalayan princely States. There were some local organisations which were influenced by the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi. With the establishment of Indian States Committee under the chairmanship of Sir Harcourt Butler on 16th December 1927, The first meeting of all Indian States people's Conference were held in 1927 but there was no participant from Himalayan states in it. However, the basic objective of this conference was to influence the states as a whole to initiate the necessary reforms in the administration by the force of collective efforts of the people. The attitudes, belief and feudal nature of princes and lack of modern means of transport and communication facilities created many hurdles in the functioning of the all India State People's Conference. The other problems were like lack of education, social, political awareness and geographical situation etc. The idea of forming Praja Mandals in the hills of Himalayas was conceived in a session of All India States People's Conference held at Ludhiana in 1939. So after this Conference, Praja Mandals were created in many hill states. Bhagmal Sautha was main spirit behind the creation of Praja Mandals in hills. He with the help of Dr. Y.S. Parmar organised Himalayan States Regional Council in Shimla. All Praja Mandals which were working in hills becomes members of this big organisation and it worked on the principles and guidelines of All India States People's Conference. After 1939 the Himalayan Riyasti Praja Mandal was organised and made responsible for directing the activities of the political and social workers to awakened the people by organising public meeting at different places. It also collected information about injustice and cruelties caused by the princes of hills The Praja Mandals also presented a report to the Political Agent and Rulers Simultaneously Praja Mandal also suggested the people not to extend any type oj help to those who are working against the wishes of general masses. Similar Praja Mandals at local levels were also established in Sirmour, Mandi, Suket, Dhami, Kunihar, Chamba, Bilaspur and other hill states.