Hari Bhau Upadhyaya Ji established Gandhi Ashram in Hatundi (a village, 12 Km. from Ajmer, Rajasthan) in 1927 to start a place like Gandhi Ashram in Sabarmati, near Ahmadabad, with similar aims for starting social reforms in Rajasthan. Additionally, during India’s freedom movement, it served as a center for freedom struggle in Rajasthan and after the independence was achieved, it was transformed into an institution for women’s education. It continues in its mission of women’s education today as 'HARI BHAU UPADHYAYA SHIKSHAK MAHAVIDAYALAY' 'S.T.C.' AND KAMLA NEHRU VIDYALAYA'. Following links give an account of the important events that originated from Hatundi related to the reform efforts, the freedom struggle and the evolution of this place from 1927 to today.

Gandhi Ashram, at HATUNDI, was a centre of political and creative activities in pre-independence era.During the independence struggle in the midst of princely states of Rajasthan the only area which was directly being governed by British was AJMER MERWADA.Thus this place became the centre of political activities of Rajasthan.The provincial congress committee of Ajmer was made in real hair wigs charge of Rajputana and Madhya Bharat and the political activities of these states were carried from Ajmer.In 1919 Rajasthan seva sangh office was also shifted from Wardha to Ajmer and the programme of public agitation in princely states was also controlled from Ajmer. After non –cooperation movement Gandhi ji gave emphasis to khadi ,rural handicrafts,removal of untouchability and similar other constructive activities. Seth Jamnalal ji Bajaj expressed a desire to Bapu that to organise these activities in Rajasthan an Ashram may be established there.Shri Hari Bhau Upadhyaya was editing Hindi Navjeevan those days. Around 1923 Smt. Kasturba Gandhi toured Rajasthan accompanied by Shri Hari Bhau Upadhyaya.Subsequently Seth Jamnalal Bajaj accompanied by Shri Hari Bhau Ji visited Chomu,Amarsar Fathepur and other places and he was impressed by the progress achieved in the field of Khadi development.He felt the urgent need of establishing a GANDHI ASHRAM in Rajasthan.After his return to Sabarmati he placed his desire before Bapu to send Shri Hari Bhau JI to Rajasthan to organise the constructive activities there. Bapu discussed this issue with Magan Bhai Gandhi,Mahadev Bhai, and Kaka Sahab Kalelkar and they also suggested the the name of Shri Hari Bahu Ji.But at that time since shri Hari Bhau Ji was editing Hindi Navjeevan therefore it was thought that he cannot be relieved.After sometime the proposal of sending HariBahu ji was again put up to Bapu and this time he agreed to send Hari Bahu Ji to Rajasthan. Ultimately in 1926 Shri Hari Bhau ji was sent to hair wigs Rajasthan.The idea of setting up of Gandhi Ashram was to be given a concrete shape.Baba Narsingh Das was entrusted the job of selecting an appropriate site for ashram.He selected a site at Hatundi.The place was found suitable because of its location.It was near to Ajmer and was linked by rail.In the beginning land was purchased from local farmers and a few temporary hutments were put up.In the mean while Sasta sahitya mandal was also established and ‘karya kartas’[workers] of sasta sahitya mandal started living in these hutments. In this way on 1st August 1927 under the direction of Shri Hari Bhau Upadhyaya GANDHI ASHRAM was established. The number of Karykartas started increasing and it became a centre of creative activities.The branch of Gandhi seva sangh for Rajasthan was established in Ashram and Shri Hari Bhau Ji was appointed Director. The second Bijolia movement,the labour movement of Indore and of Beawar were also guided from Hatundi.The labour union of Indore was established by the efforts of Da Sahab. For eradication of untouchability ACHHOT SAHAYAK MANDAL was organized and Da Sahab was the chairman. By 1928 Ajmer had become major centre of congress and it resulted in Ashram becoming a centre of political activities of congress.In 1930 the independence day was celebrated which resulted in oppression by the British administration.The preparations were on for satyagrah and for this purpose a camp of congress Seva Dal was organized. The participants for this camp started arriving in Ajmer from far off places of Madhya Bharat and Rajasthan. Since the princely states had refused permission to congress for organizing satyagrah therefore Ajmer and Beawar became the principal centres of the movekent.Shri Hari Bhau ji was appointed the first Dictator. The satyagrah was gaining momentum when the British govt. declared the congress party as illegal and consequently the Ashram and Sasta Sahitya mandal were taken possession of.All the belongings of Ashram were taken away by the police.In 1934 when Gandhi ji suspended the satyagrah the possession of Ashram was human hair extensions given back.But during the intervening period in the absence of maintenance all the hutments had collapsed.Therefore the resettlement and rehabilitation of the Ashram was undertaken. The political and constructive activities were resumed. In 1935 bodies like gram seva mandal and ‘RAJASTHAN SANGH’ were established in Ashram.Shri Hari Bhau ji was appointed President of both these organizations.Shri Heera Lal Shastri was appointed Secy of the sangh and shri Bal Krishan Ji as secy of the cheap wigs uk mandal. The constructive activities continued till 1942 when the ‘Quit India Movement’started.The repressive measures adopted by the administration resulted in the seizure of the Ashram and the arrest of the ‘Karykartas’.The Ashram remained in the possession of police till1945. When the Gandhi Ashram was given back in 1945 by the administration at that time Shri Hari Bhau Ji was mulling over the idea of doing something concrete.His wife Smt. Bhagirathi Devi after return from mahila ashram Wardha had moved to Indore in 1941and had managed “adult womwn centre” with the assistance of her eldest daughter Smt.Shakuntala for about a year.During these days one Mr. Bagri from Bombay came to Ajmer to meet shri Hari Bhau Ji.He mentioned to him that some friends of Rajasthan who are public spirited and are with means have formed an organization for the spread of women education in Rajasthan.He asked Shri Upadhyaya ji that he has been deputed to discuss to begin the work.He further said that Mr. Jajoo ji has asked ‘me to meet you’.Sh. Jajjo Ji further told him that in ‘case you have to work in Rajsthan then you must meet Sh. Hari Bhau ji.’ The Ashram in 1945 was in a very bad situation.Mr. Bagri saw the ashram site.He decided that a girls school be opened here. In the words of Da sahab “ It was decided to open a girls school here.The moral responsibility of running the school was mine,while the financial responsibility was of shri Bagri Ji and of Bombay based ‘Rajasthan Shiksha pracharak mandal.’ .Smt.Bhagirathi Devi had to assume the responsibility of running the school.This was the foundation of ‘Mahila Shiksha Sadan’.” For two years the school progressed under the patronage of ‘Rajasthan Shiksha Pracharak Mandal’. A difficult situation arose when Bagri ji and Bombay based organization could not bear the expenses and it was thought that the school be closed .But it was decided that Jajjo Ji may be consulted.In the words of Da Sahab ‘‘He said that although the responsibility of running this school is primarily of Bagri Ji and Bombay based Mandal and today you and Bhagirathi Ji have been put in an awkward situation.But the work being done is good and is service to society and your and Bhagirathi ji name is associated with this school therefore this school must run and the financial burden should also be taken care of by you.” Therafter the “Mahila Shiksha Sadan” was regd. and the work of the girls school was started afresh under the control and direction of this society. A search was launched for an auspicious date to start the school.A person with right credentials was also to be looked for ,for blessings the school.3rd October happened to be the Bapu’s birthday as per Indian calendar.There could not have been a better day to start the school.For blessings chachi ji[smt.Gulab Devi] was chosen.She had started the women education programme in Ajmer.Hari Bhau Ji writes “I and Bhagirathi ji had taken a vow that we shall run the school even if no financial help comes from any quarter and no teacher is available.Bhagirathi ji would manage the hostel and I shall manage the school.Even if we get only 5 girls the school shall function.With this resolve we started the journey.” This institution has progressed on the funds collected by contributions received from well wishers and karyakartas.To overcome the financial hardship some people had suggested creation of a reserve fund but Da Sahab was against this concept.He was basically against the concept of reserve fund.He has written that Bapu Ji was against this concept because in his view any institution which has a reserve fund is always crowded by crafty people who are always scheming to siphone off the money.Whereas an institution which is starving for finances functions well because such institution is served by dedicated and sefless persons. The school bagan with 15 girls and in 12 years the strength rose to nearly 300girls. In 1954 the first Prime Minster Pt.Jawahar Lal Nehru visited the school and laid the foundation stone of Kamla Nehru Vidaylaya. The Sadan was on march. Da Sahab believed that there has been some divine intervention which made this possible.He gives two instances to bring this point home. He mentions that in 1911 when he went to Kashi to take admission in Hindu collegiate high school the first thought which came to his mind on seeing the school building was how would it be if ‘I can also have such a school.’ The second instance he mentions is about the visit of Dr. Sayyad Mehmood to HATUNDI Ashram in1934/35 . He unfurled national flag.He suggested that the place is very ideal for a school.To this suggestion Da Sahab replied that they have no plan to establish a school.But in case the God wishes so then it would be done. Later on when Bagri ji came with the proposal then he felt that it is the wish of the GOD and thereby the establishment of the school.One more instance quoted by Da Sahab reveals the importence he attached to education.‘once the chief commissioner of Ajmer Mr.Nagarkar came to pay a visit to sadan.While addressing the students he narrated an experience which he had while visiting a school in Germany.In the school he saw a teacher who when coming to school would greet the students while the normal tradition is that the students greet the teacher on arrival.He was intrigued by this and when asked about it his reply was revealing. The teacher replied that he is not greeting the students but he is greeting the future German nation.’ Slowly and steadly the institution grew from strength to strength.It kept on expanding.It would not be out of place to quote what Pt. Nehru had to say .This is what he said while addressing the students at the time of laying the foundation stone of Kamla Nehru Vidayalay: ‘I had heard a lot about Hatundi for the last so many years.Perhaps Jamna lal Ji had mentioned about it to me.He had spoken to me about it many times.But it so happened that I visited place nearby but I could not make to this place.I came to Ajmer, Beawar but could not visit this place.Today I got the opportunity to come to this place and I am happy to see a thing about which I had only a mental picture.I have seen the work being done and saw the way it has grown and is growing.Today I have been invited to lay the foundation of a building and this is a forward step.It is obvious that the work being done is good and my blessings are with you.But I think that when we light the lamp of education in the day then some light is thrown around.But the darkness in our country is very dense and we need many lamps to eradicate this darkness. We have moved forward a little and some light has spread.But we want this light in every corner of our country so that the nation shines.We have to move forward so that every child of this nation learns ,he moves forward and grows as per his potential. I came here and you made me perform a noble task and for this I thank you all.After meeting the children here I am confident that the work here would progress well.I would now henceforth keep a watch and ask the progress.In particular I would like to thank and congratulate Haribhau ji and Bhagirathidevi who have undertaken this task for making a success of the job.I hope the mission is accompalished and the children would benefit. I am confident that the job undertaken would progress well.’[Translated from the speech delivered in Hindi] Under the benevolent and sanguine leadership of Pt.Haribhau Ji and Smt. Bhagirathidevi Ji the benevolent institution marched ahead.But with the passing away of Da Sahab in August 1972 the trustees of the Sadan decided that for smooth running of the sadan it would be prudent to hand over the management of the institution to Rajasthan Vidya Peeth of which Da sahab had been the Chancellor.Since then in addition to the girls school,S.T.C a mahila teachers training college[B.Ed] named after Da Sahab is running. This is in short the history of trial and tribulation of a freedom struggle couple who began their journey from Malwa and came to this place after spending the probation period at the feet of Gandhi ji. BLESSINGS and COMMENDATIONS We would like to share with the viewers the estimation,the sentiments and the judgments about the ashram and sadan of some leading nationalist leaders and people of eminence.[The quotes are in hindi and have been translated for the benefit of viewers] ‘I am very happy after seeing the work.There is great need of such institutions in the country.’ Dr. Rajendra Prasad [the first President of the Republic] 2.Gandhi Ji has given the responsibility of development of AHINSA to women.This is a colossal task and women have to be prepared for it. The meaning of Mahila in Sanskrit means ‘one who performs a gigantic task’.[Acharya Vinoba Bhave] 3.I am happy to know about Bhagirathi Devi.My conviction is that she will continue her work like this and she would get success.’[Late Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel] 4. ‘My prayer is that your institution may become a principal centre of social service,education and culture for the women of Ajmer.’[Late Sarojni Naidu] 5.Gandhi Ji had asked me that whenever you go to Ajmer you must visit Hatundi.In backward area like Rajasthan there is great need of education.Mahila Shiksha Sadan is pride of Rajasthan. My desire is that such institutions should come up at many places. We shall have to follow the path shown by Gandhi Ji for the progress of the nation.Mahila shiksha sadan should be taken as his creation.Such works are dear to Jawahar Lal Ji also. Only physical cleanness is not enough ,a person needs mental and spiritual cleanness also.I am delighted that in Hatundi this sort of education is being imparted.I am happy that the basic education concept dominates here.The girls students over here are fortunate.The real beauty is in character.Keeping this thing in view the work being done by Bhagirathidevi is superb.My blessings are with this institution and every person of Rajasthan should help this institution financially.’[Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur] 6. ‘when I passed by the station [hatundi] the other day Smt.Bhagirathidevi and some karyakarta of Ashrem met me but I declined their request I felt bad.On my way I read the magazines and other litt. about Ashram.But now when I am present here I feel delighted after seeing the natural surroundings and the aesthetic ways of this place.Although there are no huge buildings here the classes are held under the trees.But the spirit with which the work is done here has impressed me.I had read in the magazines that the education here is integration of knowledge ,duty and art but the practical application of this which I have seen has inspired me. The present education policy of the govt. is not good for the country.There is need of a basic change in the system and the lamp of education is to be lighted in every home.After having observed the integration of the new and old and the family atmosphere that the girls have , that, they are fortunate.In their future life they will feel blessed after having received education here.I bless the institution and pray for its magnification’. [Shri Jai Prakash Narain] 7. ‘The education is spreading fast but I am not satisfied with it.The educated ladies of present age are neither good citizen nor are humane.I am a humanist and my love for humanism has brought me here.Although the institution is small and has only125 girls but my love for this institution is because it is running on the right path.Although the education department has given recognition to it yet it has not strayed from its path.I have seen all these things myself.I am happy to see that in Sadan all the creative activities conceived by Gandhi Ji have been adopted.My good wishes are with the Sadan and I want that to get the sense of the things over here people should see it from close quarter.’[Smt.Rameshwari Nheru] 8. ‘ This institution is making all round advancement.The credit for all this goes to Shrimati Bhagirathidevi.I pray for its magnification.’[Shrimant Maharaj Jeevaji Rao Shinde , Gwaliar] 9. What blessings can I give to sadan.This institution has the blessing ofMahatma ji and of Jamna Lal ji.My blessings are always with it.I am satisfied with the work being done here.People must send their daughters to study here and try to help this institution in all possible ways.[Smt.Janki devi bajaj] 10. I do not feel very happy when I see universities and colleges with big buildings but I feel very happy when I see such institutions.[Dr.Zakir Hussain 4th president of the republic] 11. I am very happy with the work bein done here.This country needs msny institutions like this.Girls are mothers of tomorrow.[Shriman Narain] 12. There is great importance of institutions like sadan.The teachers and the girls of this institution have to share a great responsibility.we have to help such institutions and make them move forward .The philosophy behind such places has to spread.[Dr.Sushila Nayyar] 13. This institution is progressing because of massive efforts of bahan Bhagirathi and guidance of respected Hari Bhau ji.[Shri Jai Narain] 14. ‘Mahila shiksha sadan’Hatundi is experimenting with the education by adopting the ancient system and it needs the attention.For the last two years in addition to the academics music ,art and home science is being imparted to the girls.The emphasis is on community living and discipline in addition to the knowledge from books so that the girls become educated citizens and good home makers.widows and divorcees are also admitted.This is distressing that the parents of provinces around Rajputana are not sending in good number girls students to an institution of this type which has earned words of praise from people like Dr.Rajendra Prasad and Balasahib Kher.[Hidustan Times 18th Jan.1948] 15. When I see you{girls} here I am reminded of my childhood.I also used to play around in fields over hear.This is a sacred place.It has been a sanctuary of many sages.[Kamal Nayan Bajaj]