Ghadar

Ghadar, also known as the Ghadar Party, was a radical Indian revolutionary movement active in the 1910s that sought to overthrow British rule in India. The term “ghadar” means revolt or rebellion in Punjabi and Hindi. The movement is often described as a transnational effort organized by Indian expatriates, especially Punjabis, based in North America and the Pacific region.

Origin and organization: The party was formed in 1913, with key figures including Lala Har Dayal and Sohan Singh Bhakna. It drew support from Indians living abroad who hoped to catalyze an armed uprising in India. The organization established branches and networks across the United States, Canada, and allied regions, coordinating plans for resistance against the British administration.

Publications and reach: The Ghadar movement produced newspapers and pamphlets to spread anti-colonial ideas, most notably the weekly Ghadar newspaper, published in Punjabi and English. These publications aimed to mobilize support among Indian workers, students, and soldiers, and to rally sympathizers internationally to the cause of Indian independence.

Ghadar Conspiracy and suppression: From 1915 to 1916, the movement organized what is known as the Ghadar Conspiracy, an attempt to coordinate uprisings in British India, including shipboard mutinies and plans for armed action in Punjab. The British authorities responded with arrests and trials, such as the Lahore Conspiracy Case, and several leaders and participants were executed or deported. While the conspiracies did not succeed in achieving immediate independence, they significantly impacted the Indian freedom movement by highlighting transnational anti-colonial networks and inspiring future generations of activists.

Legacy: The Ghadar movement is regarded as one of the early modern, diasporic attempts to challenge British rule. It contributed to the broader, global dimensions of Indian nationalism and influenced subsequent revolutionary and nationalist activities, even as it was ultimately suppressed.