Matu Ram Hooda

Author: Dayanand Deswal

Ch. Matu Ram Hooda (1865 - 1942) was a great social reformer, educationist, politician and Arya Samajist. He was born in Sanghi village in Rohtak district in Haryana. His father's name was Ch. Bakhtawar Singh and his grandfather was Ch. Hardhan Singh.

The freedom fighter

Due to extensive involvement in Arya Samaj and Independence Movement, the British Government in India once decided to send Ch. Matu Ram to Kala Pani (in Andaman & Nicobar Islands) as a punishment. But due to public outcry, this action had to be taken back. When Sardar Ajit Singh (uncle of Bhagat Singh Sandhu) came to Rohtak, he stayed with Ch. Matu Ram.

After establishment of Indian National Congress in Mumbai in 1885, the first conference in Rohtak was held on 12 October 1888, in which there were five prominent leaders - Ch. Matu Ram, Ch. Piru Singh, Babu Ram, Torbaz Khan and Samar Chand - all these were the founders of Rohtak Congress. At that time, Ch. Matu Ram was only 23-year old.

Dalip Singh Ahlawat writes

राष्ट्रीय आन्दोलन में जाट जाति के कई अग्रणी नेता संघर्ष के लिए जनता को तैयार कर रहे थे। इनमें चौ० मातुराम, चौ० देवीसिंह और प्रसिद्ध शिक्षाशास्त्री मास्टर बलदेवसिंह की सेवाएं बहुत महत्त्वपूर्ण सिद्ध हुईं।

इन्हीं दिनों खडवाली निवासी चौ० टेकराम ने भी संघर्ष में कूद पड़ने का निर्णय किया और असहयोग आन्दोलन में महत्त्वपूर्ण काम किया। इसके फलस्वरूप उन्हें लाहौर के किले में नजरबन्द भी रखा गया। राव मंगलीराम झज्जर क्षेत्र में कार्यरत हुए। रोहतक जिला रोलेट ऐक्ट से लेकर असहयोग तक के समय में पंजाब के 29 जिलों में एक प्रमुख संघर्षस्थल के रूप में उभरकर सामने आया था। ब्रिटिश अधिकारियों की नजर हर समय अमृतसर के साथ रोहतक पर रहती थी। रोहतक से ही गुड़गांव तथा करनाल जिलों में स्वाधीनता आन्दोलन का विस्तार हुआ।^[1]

A great educationist

On 9 June 1914, Jat Heroes Memorial Anglo Sanskrit High School was established in Rohtak. Sir Chhotu Ram became its Vice-President and Dr. Ramjilal, the Secretary. Ch. Baldev Singh was appointed the Head Master and Ch. Matu Ram was given the responsibility to look after the institute.

Arya Samaj

After Swami Dayanand established Arya Samaj in 1875, Ch. Matu Ram became the first-generation Arya Samajist and struggled to spread it in and around villages of Rohtak district.

Due to this Arya Samaj factor, Ch. Matu Ram is popularly known as Matu Ram Arya.

Legacy

Late Chaudhary Ranbir Singh Hooda was the son of Ch. Matu Ram. Ch. Bhupinder Hooda, former CM of Haryana, is the grandson of Ch. Matu Ram.

A book on Hooda’s 4 generations

News in The Indian Express - 24 February 2008 - http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/a-book-on-hooda-s-4-generations/377265/

Haryana Governor Dr A R Kidwai released a book titled "Bhupinder Singh Hooda: Chaar Pidhiyan" written in Hindi by noted Sanskrit scholar and journalist Pratap Singh Shastri at Haryana Raj Bhavan here today.

He congratulated the writer for highlighting the four generations of Hooda's family and giving a vivid description of the historical facts of the Arya Samaj movement and the national freedom struggle by Matu Ram Arya and Dr Ramji Lal Hooda. The book gives details of their contribution towards the national freedom movement and the non-cooperation movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi. Kidwai praised the contribution made by all the four generations of Hooda family in the socio-economic development of the country. He said Haryana had become number one state in the fields of agricultural, industrial, educational, foreign investment and social development. The CM said that his grandfather, Matu Ram contributed towards setting up educational institutions in Rohtak, such as Jat Anglo Sanskrit High School, which played a significant role in spreading education in the backward areas.

External Links

References

↑ Jat History Dalip Singh Ahlawat/Chapter X (Page 825)

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[1] Jat History Dalip Singh Ahlawat/Chapter X (Page 825)

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