Hiralal Shastri (1899-1974) Commemoration

Pandit Hiralal Shastri, born on November 24, 1899, in Jobner, Jaipur District, hailed from a humble peasant family. Despite his modest beginnings, he excelled in academics, earning a Sahitya Shastri degree in 1920 and securing the first rank in his B.A. degree from Maharaja’s College, Jaipur, in 1921. However, from an early age, Hiralal harbored a deep-seated desire to serve the underprivileged in rural areas.

Though he initially joined the Jaipur State Service and rapidly ascended to the position of Secretary in the Home and Foreign Departments, Hiralal chose to resign in 1927 to pursue his lifelong aspiration. In 1929, he established ‘Jeevan Kutir’ in the remote village of Banasthali, Jaipur, where he trained a dedicated group of social workers and implemented rural development initiatives.

Hiralal’s commitment to social welfare and political reform led him to become actively involved in the political arena. He played a pivotal role in reorganizing the Jaipur Rajya Praja Mandal in 1937 and led the Satyagraha movement for civil liberties in 1939, enduring a six-month imprisonment for his convictions. His leadership qualities were further recognized when he was appointed General Secretary of the All India States Peoples Conference in 1947 and elected to the Constituent Assembly the same year.

With the formation of Rajasthan State on March 30, 1949, Hiralal Shastri assumed the monumental responsibility of its first Chief Minister. Tasked with integrating the diverse princely units into a cohesive and efficient administration, he accomplished this feat admirably within a short span. Under his leadership, Banasthali Vidyapith, the educational institution he founded, flourished into a premier national institution for women’s education.

A man of unwavering principles, staunch patriotism, and selfless dedication to social causes, Pandit Hiralal Shastri left an indelible mark as a visionary and popular leader. His contributions to laying the foundation of a strong, unified, and progressive Rajasthan are widely acknowledged. In recognition of his remarkable legacy, the Posts and Telegraphs Department is honored to issue a commemorative postage stamp in his memory.