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Seth Kalidas Shamalsha Sonara

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Seth Kalidas Shamalsha Sonara (1840–1925) also called Rajasaheb Kalidas Sonara ( Sisodiya ) was a prince who ascended the throne of the State of Songadh in Saurashtra, Sadra in Gandhinagar, Rampura in Mehsana and Dholka Zamindari in Ahmedabadand a noted Gandhian political and social activist. He is remembered as the first prince in India who gave up his luxury to become a freedom fighter against the British Raj.

Prince and Ruler of Songadh, Sadra Bazar and Rampura and Zamindar of Dholka[edit]

Kalidas (Kalubha) as born at Dholka in the present day Dholka district of Gujarat. He was a Rajasaheb or feudatory to the Cutch State, the ruler of the Songadh, Sadra Bazar and Rampura States and a Zamindar of the Dholka villages. He was a Vaishnavite and a Rajput by caste and a Sisodia and Social Reformer kalidas had been a supporter of Mohandas Gandhi and the Indian National Congress and often gave them financial support. He was a progressive ruler and provided free education to his subjects. Impressed by the ideas of Madam Montessori,he started first Montessori school in Dholka in 1895 with he help of his mentor, Somchand Rathod. It was the first Montessory School in the Bombay Presidency, and perhaps in entire British India.

By 1901, Kalidas had become active in the Indian National Congress. That year he became president of the Ahmedabad District Congress Committee. The following year, his states were became centre of Indian freedom movement :as ruler he disobeyed the British Resident’s warnings against his involvement in the national movement and extending financial support to Gandhi. Kalidas became active freedom fighters from 1902. After this, the British proposed Kalidas' son Mulji to hep them. He however rejected the offer arguing that he held the same political views as his father. The British later approached Kalidas with lucrative offers. They all rejected the offer, following the footsteps of their freedom fighter

Social activist[edit]

Kalildas worked tirelessly for the Gandhian causes of eradication of untouchability and for women's education. He was the pioneer in advancing female literacy in Gujarat and Saurashtra, especially the residential schools for girls. He founded Kanya Vidyalayas in Gujarat in 1905 and later Kumar Vidyalayas in 1906; it was Seth Kalidas who was given the honour in 1947 to lay the foundation of social reforms in Gujarat.

References[edit]


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