From the archive record
In this rare and powerful interview, Mohar Singh Gurjar, former dacoit and current Nagar Palika Adhyaksh of Mehgaon in Bhind district, Madhya Pradesh, speaks openly about his past life in the Chambal region. He explains that during his time, most conflicts were related to land disputes, and people often failed to receive justice through the legal system. As a result, many individuals absconded and turned into “baagis” (rebels), eventually becoming dacoits. Mohar Singh Gurjar reveals that he became a rebel in 1960 and remained in that life until 1972. His story reflects a turbulent period in the Chambal valley, once known for dacoit activity shaped by social, economic, and legal challenges. This interview provides historical insight into the realities of rural Madhya Pradesh, the causes beh