Ghadar Party: Revolution, Struggles & Legacy in India’s Fight for Independence

Ghadar Party: Igniting India’s Freedom Struggle

Its activities hold great significance in the revolutionary phase of the Indian national movement, as they provided much-needed momentum to the slow progress of the freedom struggle. The party’s efforts aimed to free the nation from oppressive British rule and played a crucial role in inspiring and mobilizing people in the fight for independence.

Ghadar Party: Pioneers of Indian Independence

The Ghadar Party was a revolutionary organization that emerged in the early 20th century with the aim of liberating India from British colonial rule. Here are some key points:

• Formation and Headquarters: It  was founded in 1913 in San Francisco, USA. It was centred around the weekly journal called “The Ghadar,” which served as a platform for disseminating anti-imperialist and revolutionary ideas.
• Composition of Members: The majority members were Punjabi immigrants who had migrated to the United States and Canada in search of better economic opportunities. Many of them were ex-soldiers and peasants from Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur districts in Punjab. They had experienced economic hardships and were driven by a desire for India’s independence.
• Objectives and Activities: The main aim was to overthrow British rule in India through various means. Their activities included planning official assassinations, distributing anti-imperialist literature, coordinating with Indian troops stationed abroad, procuring weapons, and sparking a synchronized uprising across British colonies.
• Key Figures: Lala Hardayal, Rash Behari Bose, Ramchandra, Bhagwan Singh, Kartar Singh Saraba, Barkatullah, and Bhai Parmanand were some of the influential leaders associated with the Ghadar Party. They provided leadership and played crucial roles in organizing and propagating the party’s revolutionary agenda.
• International Connections: It established connections with revolutionaries and like-minded individuals across the world. They sought support from Indian communities in other countries, particularly in the United States, Canada, and Southeast Asia. The party’s ideology and activities were influenced by the global revolutionary movements of the time.
• Rebellion Plans: The ultimate goal was to incite a rebellion in India. They aimed to coordinate and synchronize uprisings in different parts of the country to challenge British colonial rule. However, their plans for a coordinated uprising, such as the planned rebellion in Punjab in 1915, were thwarted due to treachery and effective surveillance by the British authorities.

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Background Of The Formation Of The Ghadar Party: Igniting Indian Freedom Worldwide

They emerged in the early 20th century as a revolutionary organization with the goal of liberating India from British colonial rule.

• Rise of Nationalist Feelings: The Indian Independence Movement, which aimed to secure India’s freedom from British rule, sparked nationalist sentiments not only among people on the Indian subcontinent but also among students and emigrants from India residing in various parts of the world.
• Influence of Revolutionary Thinkers: Revolutionary thinkers such as Taraknath Das and Lala Har Dayal played a crucial role in instilling nationalist ideologies and mobilizing Indian students and emigrants in different countries.
• Establishment of Centers: Activists associated with had already set up centres like the “Swadesh Sevak Home” in Vancouver, Canada, and the “United India House” in Seattle, United States. These centres served as hubs for revolutionary activities and the dissemination of nationalist ideas.
• Formal Establishment of the Ghadar Party: On July 15, 1913, the Ghadar Party was officially established by prominent leaders including Lala Har Dayal, Sant Baba Wasakha Singh Dadehar, Baba Jawala Singh, Santokh Singh, and Sohan. Initially known as the Pacific Coast Hindustan Association, it was renamed the Ghadar Party.
• Wide Following: The gained a significant following among the Indian diaspora in countries such as the United States, Canada, East Africa, and various parts of Asia. Its revolutionary agenda and call for India’s independence resonated with many Indians living outside their homeland.

Features Of The Ghadar Party: Unity, Revolution, and Indian Independence

The Ghadar Party, as a revolutionary organization, had several distinctive features. Here are some key features of the Ghadar Party:

• Multireligious and Multiethnic Composition: The Ghadar Party comprised members from various religious backgrounds, including Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims. While Sikh leaders held prominent positions within the party, it was not limited to any specific religious group. The party aimed to unite Indians across different religions in their common struggle for independence.
• Primarily Punjabi: The Ghadar Party had a strong presence and influence among Punjabi immigrants, particularly those residing in California. Many of the party’s leaders and members hailed from Punjab, which was the region that witnessed significant emigration to North America and played a central role in the Ghadar Party’s activities.
• Headquarters in San Francisco: The Ghadar Party had its main headquarters in San Francisco, USA. This location provided a strategic base for organizing and coordinating the party’s activities, including publishing its influential newspaper, “The Ghadar,” which served as a platform for disseminating revolutionary ideas.
• Revolutionary Approach: The Ghadar Party was committed to achieving India’s independence through revolutionary means. They believed in armed struggle and sought to instigate a mass uprising against British colonial rule in India. Their approach involved planning official assassinations, procuring weapons, and coordinating revolutionary activities both within India and among Indian diaspora communities.
• Diaspora Engagement: The Ghadar Party actively engaged with Indian diaspora communities in various countries, including the United States, Canada, East Africa, and Asia. They sought to mobilize and unite Indians living abroad, fostering a sense of national identity and purpose, and garnering support for the cause of independence.
• Commitment to Revolution: The Ghadar Party was dedicated to the idea that freedom for India could only be achieved through a revolution. They advocated for the overthrow of British rule and the establishment of an independent India based on principles of equality, justice, and self-governance.

Ghadar Party- The Revolution Strategies for Freedom

The Ghadar Party, with its revolutionary agenda, actively pursued strategies to incite rebellion and overthrow British colonial rule in India. Here are some key points regarding the party’s activities and their impact:

• Ghadar Programme: The Ghadar Party devised a comprehensive plan known as the Ghadar Programme. It aimed to coordinate various activities, including official assassinations, production of anti-imperialist literature, collaboration with Indian troops stationed abroad, acquisition of weapons, and the incitement of simultaneous uprisings in all British colonies.
• Propaganda Campaign: The militants of the Ghadar Party engaged in an active propaganda campaign, particularly among Punjabi immigrant labourers. They visited farms and mills where the majority of Punjabi immigrants worked, spreading the message of resistance against British rule.
• The Ghadar Newspaper: The Ghadar Party launched a free weekly newspaper called “The Ghadar” to disseminate revolutionary ideas. The newspaper exposed the atrocities of British rule, highlighted the eradication of Indian crafts and industries, famines and epidemics, and attempted to sow discord between Hindus and Muslims. It also serialized Savarkar’s book “The Indian War of Independence – 1857” to further the message of resistance.
• International Connections: The Ghadar Party sought to establish connections and collaboration with revolutionary groups and individuals worldwide. They featured contributions from renowned figures such as Lokamanya Tilak, Sri Aurobindo, V.D. Savarkar, Madame Cama, Shyamji Krishna Varma, Ajit Singh, and Sufi Amba Prasad. The party aimed to unite various revolutionary movements against British colonialism.
• Dissemination of Literature: The poems published in The Ghadar, known as Ghadar di Goonj, played a significant role in spreading the spirit of revolt and resistance among Punjabi immigrants. These poems were chanted during meetings and gatherings, swiftly spreading their message across different parts of the world.
• Support from Central Powers: During World War I, the Ghadar Party opposed colonialism and sought support from Central Powers, including Imperial Germany and the Ottoman Empire, which were opposed to the British. The party actively sought brave soldiers to ignite rebellion in India and used the geopolitical context of the war to further their cause.
• Influence of the Komagata Maru Incident: The Ghadar Party experienced a surge in numbers and support following the Komagata Maru Incident in 1914. The incident, which challenged anti-Indian immigration rules in Canada, prompted hundreds of Indians in US to sell their businesses and homes to strengthen the Ghadar party’s ranks and resistance against British rule.

Reasons For The Failure Of The Ghadar Party: Hurdles and Failures in Pursuit of Freedom

The Ghadar Party faced several challenges and shortcomings that contributed to its failure in achieving its political and military objectives. Here are some key reasons for the failure of the Ghadar Party:

• Detention and Imprisonment: Many Ghadar Party leaders were detained even before they reached India, and upon their arrival, they were imprisoned. This significantly hindered their ability to carry out their plans and disrupted their organizational structure.
• Lack of Public Support: The Ghadar Party faced opposition and distrust from both the native Punjabi population and the British authorities. Some Punjabi Sikhs considered the Ghadar leaders as apostates, as Sikhs were known for their loyalty to the British Army. The lack of support and hostility from the local population limited the party’s ability to gain traction and mobilize a significant uprising.
• Limited Organizational Leadership: The Ghadar Party lacked organized and sustained leadership. The imprisonment and detention of key leaders disrupted the chain of command and hindered effective decision-making and coordination of activities.
• Underestimation of Preparation: The Ghadar Party underestimated the level of preparation required in various aspects. They underestimated the organizational, ideological, financial, and tactical strategic preparations needed for a successful uprising. This lack of thorough preparation hampered their effectiveness in implementing their plans.
• Repressive Measures: The British authorities, led by Lieutenant-General Michael O’Dwyer in Punjab, implemented repressive measures against the Ghadar Party members. These measures included widespread detention of party members, regardless of their involvement in illegal activities. The crackdown by the authorities weakened the party’s capabilities and limited its ability to carry out its plans.
• Ideological Focus over Political and Military Strategy: While the Ghadar Party was successful in spreading its ideology of militant nationalism and secularism, it failed to translate this ideological influence into significant political and military achievements. The party’s emphasis on ideology may have come at the expense of developing robust political and military strategies necessary for achieving its goals.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, the Ghadar Party played a significant role in the revolutionary phase of the Indian national movement, inspiring and mobilizing people in the fight against British colonial rule. Despite their efforts to incite rebellion and achieve independence, the party faced challenges such as detention, lack of public support, limited leadership, underestimation of preparation, repressive measures, and a focus on ideology over political and military strategy. While the Ghadar Party’s activities left a lasting impact on India’s struggle for freedom, their ultimate objectives were not fully realized.

Previous Year Question (Prelims)

Q1. Consider the following freedom fighters: (2022)

1. Barindra Kumar Ghosh
2. Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee
3. Rash Behari Bose,

Who of the above was/were actively associated with the Ghadar Party?

1. 1 and 2
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 3
4. 3 only

Q2. The Ghadr (Ghadar) was a________________(2014)

1. Revolutionary association of Indians with headquarters at San Francisco.
2. A nationalist organization operating from Singapore.
3. A militant organization with headquarters at Berlin
4. C

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