Manikya Lal Verma was a freedom fighter and one of the eminent leaders of the Bijoliyan Kisan Andolan. He was born in 1897 in Bijoliyan. He was greatly inspired by Vijay Singh Pathik, a revolutionary from the same state. Following in his footsteps, he left his job to participate in the peasant movement. Through his speeches and poems, he evoked awareness among peasants for their rights. In 1918, he rallied peasants to launch a Satyagraha against forced labour and taxes. He motivated peasants and businessmen to make the government responsive to the needs of the people. He led the Bijoliyan peasant movement for some time.
In 1934, Manikya Lal Verma opened a sevashram in a small village named Nareli, near Ajmer, with the aim of preparing workers for creative work. He also started a school in Dungarpur for the emancipation of Bhils. Later, he became the President of Rajasthan Bhil Seva Mandal Vimukta Jati Sevak Sangh in 1954-55. In August 1934, he started constructive work among Meenas and Bhils of Rajasthan in the Khadlai village of Dungarpur State. In 1938, he participated in the Haripura Congress session, where the Congress announced its policy toward the princely states. In 1938, Mewar Praja Mandal was established with his active cooperation. He started the struggle for human rights in Mewar state. He was arrested and tortured for his publication against the ruling government. He was also expelled from Udaipur State for forming 'Praja Mandal' and due to his engagements in Satyagraha against the government.
Manikya Lal Verma participated in the historic session of the All India Congress Committee on 8 August 1942, which was the beginning of the Quit India movement. He was the representative of the Mewar Praja Mandal. After attaining independence, he became the Prime Minister of Greater Rajasthan, and served the people till his death, on 14 January 1969. He was a great social activist also. In 1940, he founded the Akaal Peedit Seva Sangh, Mewar. He started Harijan Sevak Sangh and also in Udaipur, he founded Bhil Seva Sangh. He set up a Mahila Ashram in Bhilwara in 1944 and a Rajasthan Kalbeliya Seva Sangh also. He wanted to improve agriculture on modern lines. He was interested in establishing a society on cooperative lines. The government of India honored him with Padma Bhushan.
Source: Nidhi Chouhan and Divyanshu Choudhary, Officer Trainees, 96th Foundation Course, LBSNAA, Mussoorie