On evening of 1st February 2026, I was at iconic Minto Hall in Bhopal, for an India-post postage stamp release function. I already knew the building, commissioned in 1909 by Nawab Sultan Jahan Begum of Bhopal, in honor of the then Viceroy of British India, Lord Minto. While, Lord Minto left shores of India in 1910 and could never witness the building, as it got completed only in 1936. Its begetter as well as its celebrant were no longer alive at this time. This testament of gratitude from Princely Bhopal to British protectionism, was today going to witness a unique commemoration. We all were here to remember and honor a physician and a social activist, who constantly fought with the princely state for justice and freedom – Shri Uddhavdas Mehta.
Born on 9th August 1911, in a family of healers, his father Pandit Bulchand was an Ayurveda Physician. When his father passed away in 1918, he helped his mother Gendabai, who continued the family’s vocation as a healer. He was sent off to Kashi (Varanasi) in 1922, to complete his schooling, and to study Sanskrit and Ayurveda. He got married at age of 15, while his studies were still ongoing. In the same year -1926, Bhopal had a new Nawab Hamidullah Khan, youngest son of Sultan Jehan Begum. Hamidullah Khan was also an active member of the Muslim League.
Bhopal, British India, and Social awakening
By 1928, Mahatma Gandhi had re-emerged from his self-imposed political exile, to reignite India’s freedom struggle. This was the time of the Swadeshi and Swaraj as the key movements. Meanwhile, citizens in princely states were going through a dual struggle. Controlled by the British, Nawabs and Kings often employed additional oppressive means for subjugation. Despite his very young age, Uddhavdas could successfully petition Mahatma Gandhi in 1928, who could then influence Nawab Hamidullah Khan to revert his Blasphemy laws. This, and previous activism by young Uddhavdas, had not gone unnoticed by the Nawab. He had already subjected Uddhavdas to frequent detentions, questioning, and surveillance.
Formation of RSS in Bhopal
In 1931, Uddhavdas turned 20, and was back in Bhopal after completing his studies at Benares. He was well aware of freedom movement, as well as influenced by likes of Pandit Madanmohan Malviya. The same year, he founded Hindu Seva Sangh, and also launched a news-paper “Praja Pukar”. He continued his movement for social and religious freedom. In 1938-40, he also led like-minded individuals to establish Bhopal Branch of Rashtriya Swamsevak Sangh (RSS). His continued activism, and quest for freedom of expression, and participation in freedom struggle again led to multiple formal arrests by the Nawab. Beginning this time, he fondly became “Bhaiji” to all.
Bhopal becomes free
India before its independence meant British India (governed directly by the British), and subjugated 565 Princely states. After second world war, while it was clear that India was on its path to become independent, rulers of a few princely states including Bhopal felt that they could probably stick out and not merge with India. Nawab Hamidullah Khan made a vain attempt to remain autonomous.
While India became independent on 15th August 1947, Nawab refused to merge. Leaders from all affiliations (Praja Mandal formed by Shakir Ali Khan, Hindu Sabha and RSS led by Bhaiji, and Congress led by Shankar Dayal Sharma) started a struggle for merger. Shri Shankardayal Sharma, a lawyer who had just returned from his teaching assignment in Cambridge became face of the movement. All the leaders of the movement were promptly arrested in February 1948, about a week after assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Bhai Uddhavdas was only given a short parole to attend marriage if his own daughter, handcuffed. Bhopal finally joined Indian Union on 1st June 1949, and all political prisoners were released.
Post Independence Legacy
In independent India, former princely states and British territory merged to become Madhya Pradesh in 1952, and Minto hall became its legislative assembly. Shankardayal Sharma rose to become first Chief Minister of the state, and eventually in 1992 he became President of India. Nawab Hamidullah faded away from public life. While his eldest daughter moved to Pakistan, he lived on till 1960 and died in Bhopal. Bhai Uddhavdas, remained active with Hindu Mahasabha, and later Jansangh, and did not occupy any Public office. In his final years, he developed oral cancer, and passed away in 1986.
Today Bhopal has two prominent government ayurveda hospitals. One in old Bhopal is Pt. Uddhav Das Mehta Memorial Government Ayurvedic and Unani Hospital. It was initially established as a Unani hospital in 1904 and later grew as a center for an integrated Indian System of Medicine. Another is Pt. Khushilal Sharma Government Ayurvedic College, in new Bhopal. This is named after Pandit Khushilal, an ayurvedic physician and father of Shri Shankardayal Sharma. Pt. Bulchand, father of Bhai Uddhavdas and Pt. Khushilal were contemporary physicians in early 1900s.
As legends pass into pages of history, monuments remain and witness a change. Minto Hall (now known as Kushabhau Thakare convention center) has seen the changing times from its completion in 1936. Pages of history, healing and social change became alive as India remembered Bhai Uddhavdas in this very hall in 2026.
