In the southern area of Rajasthan, there resided the Bhil community. These areas are mainly Dungarpur, Mewar, Banswara, Pratapgarh and Kushalgarh. The Bhils are a very traditional tribe that remain active about their societal and economic status. When their traditional rights were affected, they broke out in a revolt, both against Britishers as well as against the native administration.

Govind Guru movement and social and moral Bhagat movement: Govind Guru was a great social reformer who took upon himself the responsibility of the social and moral progress of Bhils. Apart from the social perspective, he collectively helped them to bring them into the mainstream of political existence.

The establishment of Samp Sabha : Govind Guru served Bhils and in 1883, he established Samp Sabha. In the Rajasthani language, the meaning of Samp is ‘the people’. Through the medium of this assembly, the Bhils of Mewar, Dungarpur, Edar, Gujarat, Vijaynagar and Malwa had societal awareness and this worried the native rulers as also the Britishers, and Bhils were forced to leave the path of Bhagats.

When they were forced to do forced labour, and their basic rights to forest produce and access to it were snatched away were they felt helpless and were forced to revolt. By the efforts of Guru Narayan alongwith spread of education, progress also took place, example, when the habit of drinking liquor decreased in Kushalgarh and Banswara states, the revenue department had to bear losses, Britishers considered the possibility of establishment of Bhil state for their improvement and organisation.

The progress of movement and suppressive action : In April 1913, Dungarpur, state first arrested and then released Govind Guru who left with his associates to the mountains of Maangarh in Edar state that is situated at the border of Banswada and Sath state. In October 1913, in his messages he urged Bhils to assemble at the mountain of Maangarh. Bhils gathered in large numbers along with weapons. They beat up two soldiers of the Banswada state.

The fort of Sath was attacked. This action angered Banswada, Dungarpur states and with the permission of Ag. G. between 6th to 10th Novemeber 1913, two companies of Mewar, one company of 104 Welleselly even their one company of Rajput regiment and one company of Jaat regiment reached the mountain of Maangarh and attaked Bhils by artillery.

According to government statistics, 1500 Bhils were killed in this action. This massacre was deemed by the historians as more cruel than the merciless killings in Jallianwala Bagh. This way Bhagat Movement as directed was suppressed, Govind Guru was sentenced to 10 years, imprisonment.

It is clear that the Bhils had no important political expectations but their societal unity became a challenge for Britishers and native rulers. Govind Guru was in favour of non – violence and their white flag was the symbol of peace. He proved to be farsighted by the results of movement. Alongwith Bhils the political awareness arose in other sections.

Motilal Tejawat and Akki movement: After the Bhagat movement was suppressed, slackened, dampened or torn apart by Britishers, the movement of Bhils. Still the influence of Bhagat movement worked in political consciousness of the Bhils. The government policy against Bhils was revealed. In 1917, Bhils and Garasiyas jointly wrote a letter to Maharana about their revolt against oppressive policy and forced labour.

With no result in sight and influenced by Bijolia farmer movement against Maharana’s maximum taxes and oppressive behaviour, a complaint was lodged. When all these non-violent efforts had no results, the Bhils in the Khalsa areas so of majority refused to pay or clear the manufacturing cost, and to do forced labour. In 1921, the Bhils received the leadership of Motilal Tejavat.

Tejavat motivated the Bhils not to pay the manufacturing costs and not to do forced labour. This became famous by the name of Akki movement. This movement was accepted as symbol of tribal political awakening. The Maharawal of Dungarpur worried at the spread of movement, ended all types of Forced labour from his state. In the Jagiri areas, the Bhils not receiving the amenities was a reason.

The Akki movement in the collective form under the leadership of Tejawat spread to other than majority areas of Sirohi and Gujrat. British government adopted oppressive policy. On 3 June, 1922 Tejawat was imprisoned and handed over to Mewar government.

The highest court of Mewar sought an assurance in .writing from Tejawat not to work against the state. With the interference of a close confidant of Gandhiji, Manilal Kothari, an agreement was finalised. On 16th April 1936 a Tejawat in written form gave desired assurance and on 23 April, he was released.