Ghadar Movement | Punjab State (PPSC) PSC: Preparation - PPSC PCS (Punjab) PDF Download

Introduction

At the time of first Independence Movement or Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 large numbers of sepoys at Lahore, Jalandhar, Philawar and Nawanshahr participated. In 1859, Punjab was placed under Lieutenant Governor, Sir John Lawrence together with the Delhi territory. Punjab always played a very significant role in the history of freedom movement of our country. The people of Punjab tried to abolish the colonial rule. The Ghadar Movement was regarded as the first important effort to their aim.

Formation and Leadership

• The Ghadar Party started in 1912 in the United States, led by Lala Hardayal and with Sohan Singh Bhakna as President.
• Most members were Indian immigrants from Punjab, including students from the University of California, Berkeley.

Early Activities

• The association gained support from Indians in other countries and set up its headquarters in San Francisco.
• In 1913, they bought a building with funds from Punjabi farmers and workers, naming it Yugantar Ashram.

Publication of 'The Ghadar'

• The Ghadar Party started a magazine called 'The Ghadar' in several Indian languages, with Lala Hardayal as the chief editor.
• The magazine openly declared itself an enemy of the British government.
• The first issue was published on November 1, 1913.

Return to India and Revolutionary Activities

• With the outbreak of World War I in July 1914, Ghadar leaders planned to return to India for an armed uprising.
• They aimed to incite rebellion in Punjab, working alongside the Babbar Akali Movement.
• In 1915, the Ghadar Party organized revolutionary activities and uprisings in Central Punjab.

Legacy and Influence

• The Ghadar Party inspired future revolutionary movements in India and had a strong following in Punjab.
• They also had active members in countries like Mexico, Japan, China, and parts of Africa.

Connection to Communist Movement

• The Ghadar revolutionaries played a role in laying the groundwork for the Communist Movement in Punjab.
• The Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 influenced revolutionary movements globally, including the Ghadar movement.

Repression and Impact

• The British Army suppressed the Ghadar movement, but the ideas planted by Lala Hardayal inspired many Indian freedom fighters.

Komagata Maru Incident

• Komagata Maru was a Japanese ship which sailed from Honkong on 4th April, 1914 and reached Vancouver on 23rd May, 1914 with 376 Indians consisting 340 Sikhs, 24 Muslims and 12 Hindus.
• A Sikh businessman, Gurdit Singh formed the Guru Nanak Navigation Company and chartered Komagata Maru to help the Indian emigrants.
• The ship was renamed Guru Nanak Jahaj by its predominantly Sikh passengers.
• When the ship landed at Vancouver, only 22 Indians who could prove their Canadian domicile were allowed to land.
• But the other passengers were not allowed to land in Canada and the ship was forced to return to India.
• Komagata Maru reached Budge Budge Ghat near Calcutta on 29th September, 1914.
• The passengers made a rally but the police opened fire, killing 19 Sikhs and wounding many others.
• The rest of the passengers were sent to Punjab.
• This was one of the several incidents in the history of early 20th Century involving exclusion laws in both Canada and the United States, designed to keep out immigrants of Asian origin.
• The Komagata Maru incident was widely cited at that time by the Indian groups to highlight the difference in Canadian immigration laws.