History of Garhwal

Independence Struggle
The people of Garhwal were gradually sucked into the struggle for freedom that had gained considerable momentum in most parts of India, particularly at the beginning of the 20th century. 
Garhwal produced patriots like Sridev Suman, H.N. Bahuguna and Chander Singh Garhwali. 
The Congress party gained a strong foothold in the hills. As the climax of the freedom movement approached, more and more Garhwalis came forward to make sacrifices for throwing off the British yoke.
The struggle for independence was more marked in places like Dehradun, Rishikesh, Srinagar, Tehri, Uttarkashi and Pauri. Pandit Nehru and other national stalwarts used to visit Dehradun to provide leadership and guidance to the people of Garhwal in this movement.

Post-independence
The country gained independence in 1947. British Garhwal directly became a part of the Indian Union while Tehri Garhwal state acceded to it. 
At present, this tract consists of the districts of Dehradun, Pauri, Tehri, Uttarkashi and Chamoli which are a part of the to be constituted state of Uttaranchal. This region has embarked on the path of development. The people elect representatives to the state assembly and to the Lok Sabha.
Garhwal is also famous for its  peasant movements, both, against the oppressions of the monarchy, the high-handedness of the British, and also against the depredation of its forests carried out by forest contractors.
The last gave rise to the famous Chipko movement against the felling of trees, which became famous throughout the world for its non-violent character and people?s involvement.
A long standing demand since Independence had been for the formation of a separate hill state called Uttarakhand on the lines of Himachal Pradesh
This demand reached a climax in the nineties, and, once again, the people resorted to a successful non-violent campaign for their due rights. The demand was finally met by the Indian Parliament in the monsoon session of 2000. 
The act has received the assent of the President of India and by November, 2000, the new state of Uttaranchal will have been constituted. It will comprise of the former divisions of Garhwal and Kumaon, along with the holy city of Hardwar.