Latest news with #Ghadarites
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: A forgotten uprising reimagined: Rana Preet Gill chronicles 'The Ghadar Movement'
The Chandigarh Press Club witnessed the launch of 'The Ghadar Movement', the fifth book by acclaimed author and veterinary officer Rana Preet Gill. Her latest work sheds light on revolutionary movements against British colonialism. The book traces the rise of an international rebellion conceived in 1913 by Indian immigrants in the United States. Led by figures like Lala Har Dayal and Kartar Singh Sarabha, the Ghadarites aimed to incite a mutiny within the British-Indian Army by smuggling arms into India. Though ultimately unsuccessful, the movement left an indelible mark on India's freedom struggle. The book was launched by Rahul Bhandari, IAS, principal secretary to the department of animal husbandry, dairy development and fisheries. Present at the launch were Prof Harish Puri and Prof Chaman Lal, retired JNU professor and honorary adviser, Bhagat Singh Archives. Both lauded Gill's effort to document this important yet overlooked chapter in India's revolutionary past. Speaking at the event, Gill said, 'This book is a tribute to the forgotten heroes who dared to dream of a free India from foreign soil. Their courage and sacrifice deserve to be remembered.' 'The Ghadarites may have failed in their mission, but they lit a spark that inspired future revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh. Their story needs to be told and retold,' she added. Known for her previous novels and journalistic writing, Rana Preet Gill brings both passion and precision to her narrative, making 'The Ghadar Movement' a compelling read for history enthusiasts and patriots alike. About the author Rana Preet Gill is a veterinary officer with the animal husbandry department in Punjab. She has authored four books―three novels―Those College Years, The Misadventures of a Vet, Maya and a collection of middles titled Finding Julia. Her articles and short stories have been published in The Tribune, Hindustan Times, The Hindu, The Statesman, The New Indian Express, Deccan Herald, The Hitavada, Daily Post, Women's Era, Commonwealth Writers Journal, Himal and others.
Indian Express
26-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
‘There was only one religion in Ghadar Movement: religion of freedom'
Written by Serena Gujral In an age of global connectedness, local histories often fade into the margins. In The Ghadar Movement, Dr Rana Preet Gill, a veterinarian by profession, turns to one such forgotten chapter—an audacious, transnational fight for freedom led by Indian immigrants in North America in the early 20th century. What inspired you to write about the Ghadar Movement, and how is your book different from earlier accounts? It began during a 2019 family vacation to the Andaman Islands. While visiting the Cellular Jail, I posted a photo online and a senior colleague told me his grandfather's brother, Ram Rakha Baali, had a statue facing the jail. I was living in Hoshiarpur then—Baali's hometown—and had never heard of him or the Mandalay Conspiracy he was part of. That sparked a deeper interest and led me to the Desh Bhagat Yaadgar Hall in Jalandhar. What struck me was how inaccessible the material was—mostly in academic English or Punjabi. I haven't unearthed new facts; instead, I've tried to make the story more accessible. My book is written in a conversational voice for readers like me. Why do you think the Ghadar Movement remains so little known in mainstream accounts of the freedom struggle? Timing is one reason. The movement peaked between 1913 and 1918, long before the more recognised phases of the freedom struggle. It also didn't yield immediate, tangible outcomes. There were lapses in planning, British informants infiltrated the group, and many Ghadarites were executed or jailed. Those who survived were older by 1947, and their stories slipped through the cracks. Of all the revolutionaries, whose story stayed with you most? Kartar Singh Sarabha's courage at just 19 is unforgettable, but the story that hit closest to home was that of Pyara Singh Langheri, from my hometown Hoshiarpur. He was so fearless that even the police were afraid of him. After his arrest, people gathered just to see him. His story made the movement real for me. How did religion factor into the movement? It didn't—at least not in the way we usually think. The Ghadarites had only one religion: the religion of freedom. In a deeply divided India, they made a conscious choice to rise above religious, caste, and linguistic lines. Their unity and secular vision were revolutionary in themselves. Were there women in the Ghadar Movement whose contributions have been overlooked? Absolutely. Gulab Kaur's story stands out—her husband backed out, but she stayed. She returned to India, helped revolutionaries rent homes under false identities, and turned her own home into a safehouse. Agnes Smedley, though American, was a powerful ally who supported Lala Har Dayal and raised international awareness. Then there were countless unnamed women who held families together while the men were in jail. Bhai Parmanand's wife, for instance, showed remarkable resilience when their property was confiscated. What did the Ghadar flag symbolise? The flag, designed at Yugantar Ashram in San Francisco, had red, yellow, and green stripes. Red symbolised revolution and represented Hindus, yellow stood for courage and valour among Sikhs, and green symbolised progress and was linked to Muslims. It reflected a united, secular India long before independence. What were the biggest challenges in researching this forgotten history? I began seriously in early 2020, just as the pandemic hit. Access to archives like the Desh Bhagat Yaadgar Hall was cut off. When things reopened, the staff were incredibly supportive—they let me photocopy materials and even lent me books. But since no Ghadarites were alive by then, I had to rely solely on written sources—many in old Punjabi or formal Hindi. Understanding and translating terms like 'wiploo' required not just language skills but context. It was painstaking but rewarding work. Do you see any modern parallels between the Ghadar Movement and today's diaspora activism? Honestly, no. The Ghadarites were unique. They left India to earn a living but ended up sacrificing everything for a cause. They acted with what I call 'foolish bravery'—making impulsive yet profound decisions. Even in jail, they fought for fellow prisoners. Today's activism is more structured and cautious. That raw passion and selflessness are hard to replicate.
Indian Express
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
At 111th foundation day, Ghadar party recalls heroics of Indian revolutionaries in freedom struggle
April 21 was the 111th foundation day of the Ghadar party, which was formed in Astoria, the US, on April 21, 1913, by Indian immigrants, primarily Punjabis. As Punjab remembers the party and its contribution to the freedom struggle. Let's know more about the Ghadar party, the movement and the way it is remembered now. When was the Ghadar party formed? According to records available at the library of Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Hall in Jalandhar, the Ghadar party was formed in Astoria on April 21, 1913, and at that time it was named as the 'Hindustani Association of Pacific Coast Foundation'. On November 1, 1913, the foundation took out its first newspaper by the name of 'Ghadar' from San Francisco, which was made the headquarters of the party with Sohan Singh Bhakna as the founder president. The first newspaper was in Urdu, and gradually many languages were added, such as Punjabi, Marathi, Hindi, etc, in light of the freedom movement in India. The newspaper grew its popularity, and by word of mouth, people started calling the foundation the Ghadar party, and eventually, it was registered as the 'Hindustani Ghadar Party'. Though it is popular as the Ghadar party in today's world, all records of the party can be found under the name of the Hindustani Ghadar Party, said Amolak Singh of the Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Committee. Why was the party formed? The party was formed to fight for India's independence from British colonial rule. In the early 1900s, many Indians, especially Punjabis, migrated to North America (mostly Canada and the US), faced severe racial discrimination and exclusionary immigration laws in Canada and the US. Under British rule, political discontent was growing back home. The idea for an organised revolutionary movement was initiated by Lala Har Dayal, a popular scholar and nationalist, who was teaching in the US. Along with Sohan Singh Bhakna, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Pandit Kanshi Ram, and others, they formed a political organisation to free India through armed rebellion. Building in Astoria where first meeting of Ghadarites took place in 1913. It has been preserved in its original form as a historical monument to this day. (Photo credit: Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Committee) What does Ghadar mean? The word 'Ghadar' means 'revolt' or 'rebellion. 'The name signified their clear aim: an armed uprising against British rule. The party started publishing a newspaper called 'Ghadar' in multiple languages, including Punjabi, Urdu and Hindi, spreading revolutionary ideas among Indian expatriates worldwide. The Ghadarites began returning to India in 1914, mainly between August and December 1914, after the outbreak of World War I. Prominent Ghadarites Kartar Singh Sarabha became a symbol of revolutionary zeal. He was hanged on November 16, 1915, at the Lahore Central Jail at the age of 19. He greatly inspired Bhagat Singh. Gulab Kaur, Sohan Singh Bhakna, Lala Hardyal, Rasbehari Bose, Pandit Kanshi Ram, Vishnu Ganesh Pingle and many other prominent Ghadarites, who are still remembered. Remembrance The Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall in Jalandhar was established in 1959 to honour the legacy of the Ghadar Movement and its revolutionary leaders. The initiative to create the memorial began in the 1950s by Ghadarites. They aimed to preserve the history and sacrifices of those who fought against British colonial rule. Located at the heart of Jalandhar, the hall became a significant site for cultural and political discourse. It regularly hosts events and discussions, reflecting on India's revolutionary past and its relevance to the present-day social and political issues. The Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Committee organised a seminar on April 21 on the topic 'New Market and Farming Policies', and discussions highlighted widespread destructive impacts of these policies and the need for a mass public movement against them. Participants on the foundation day program. (Express Photo) Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Hall The main exhibition hall (90×60 feet) features 212 portraits of Ghadar heroes, arranged thematically. The museum also showcases over 300 rare photographs and paintings of freedom fighters, covering movements from the 1857 revolt. A dedicated library and archive section holds manuscripts, journals and oral records related to the history of the Ghadar party, aiming to preserve and educate the public about the revolutionary contributions of Ghadarites and other freedom fighters. The Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Committee regularly organises events commemorating the heroes of the Ghadar movement. The cultural wing of the committee organises cultural evenings dedicated to the Ghadar movement in the forms of plays, songs, poetry, etc, said Amolak Singh, cultural wing head of the Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Committee. Farmer unions organise their meetings and seminars in this hall off and on. Prominent SKM leaders were present at the foundation day seminar. The Yadgaar Hall is also a tourist spot. What next? Currently, leaders associated with the Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Committee focus on issues like farming and democratic rights. They also demand the immediate release of jailed intellectuals, writers, journalists and theatre artists. They demanded compensation for crop losses caused by fires, hailstorms, and heavy winds. 'The Punjab government must refrain from turning the state into a police regime and from using brutal force, especially against women, youth, and job seekers,' said committee members. Though the British tried to suppress the Ghadar movement, its ideological legacy continued to inspire Indian revolutionaries for decades.
