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GNDU Question Paper-2022
Bachelor of Business Administration
BBA 5
th
Semester
PUNJAB HISTORY & CULTURE
(From 1849-1947 AD)
Time Allowed: Three Hours Max. Marks: 50
Note: Attempt Five questions in all, selecting at least One question from each section. The
Fifth question may be attempted from any section. All questions carry equal marks.
SECTION-A
1. Briefly describe the events and results of the First Anglo-Sikh War.
2. "Annexation of the Punjab was no conquest but a violent breach of trust." Explain.
SECTION-B
3. Examine the policies of the British towards the development of Industry and Trade and
Commerce in the Punjab.
4. Describe the spread of modern education in the Punjab during 1904-1947 A.D.
SECTION-C
5. Discuss the rise of Arya Samaj Movement in the Punjab. Also discuss its achievement in
social and educational spheres.
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6. Examine the circumstances leading to Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy. What were its effects
on freedom struggle?
SECTION-D
7. Discuss the origin and growth of Gurudwara reform movement.
8. Examine the revolutionary activities in the Punjab under the leadership of Shaheed
Bhagat Singh and his associates.
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GNDU Answer Paper-2022
Bachelor of Business Administration
BBA 5
th
Semester
PUNJAB HISTORY & CULTURE
(From 1849-1947 AD)
Time Allowed: Three Hours Max. Marks: 50
Note: Attempt Five questions in all, selecting at least One question from each section. The
Fifth question may be attempted from any section. All questions carry equal marks.
SECTION-A
1. Briefly describe the events and results of the First Anglo-Sikh War.
Ans: Let’s not open a history book right away — instead, picture the scene along the Sutlej
River in the winter of 1845. The cold wind carries the smell of campfires, the neighing of
horses drifts through the fog, and thousands of tents dot both banks. On one side stands the
proud Khalsa Army of the Sikh Empire — disciplined, well-armed, heirs to the legacy of
Maharaja Ranjit Singh. On the other, the red-coated regiments of the British East India
Company, expanding steadily northwards after securing control over much of India.
Tension has been building for months. The mighty Sikh Empire, once unified under Ranjit
Singh, is now weakened by court intrigues and factional politics after his death in 1839. The
British, watching from across the Sutlej, see an opportunity. The Sutlej River itself has
become a symbolic line: on one side, Sikh Punjab; on the other, British-controlled territory.
Both sides are wary, armed, and ready.
Background to the War
After Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s death, Punjab entered a period of instability:
• Power struggles in the Lahore court.
• Weak regents and rival nobles competing for influence over the young Maharaja,
Duleep Singh.
• The once-formidable Khalsa Army growing restless and politically influential —
sometimes even pressuring or overthrowing ministers.
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The British East India Company, stationed in neighbouring territories, strengthened its
military presence along the border. The growing mistrust was like dry tinder waiting for a
spark.
That spark came in December 1845 when the Khalsa Army, suspicious of British intentions
and influenced by their own leaders, crossed the Sutlej River into British territory. The
British declared this an act of aggression. The First Anglo-Sikh War had begun.
Major Events and Battles
1. Crossing of the Sutlej (December 1845)
The Khalsa Army moved quickly, crossing the river at several points, aiming to secure
territory and confront the British before they could organise. British Governor-General Sir
Henry Hardinge and Commander-in-Chief Sir Hugh Gough mobilised their troops to meet
the challenge.
2. Battle of Mudki – 18 December 1845
The first major clash took place at Mudki.
• Sikh Strategy: The Khalsa had strong artillery and skilled infantry, but their
leadership was politically divided.
• British Tactics: Gough attacked aggressively despite the fatigue of his men from a
forced march.
• Outcome: British victory — but at a high cost in casualties, and a sobering reminder
that the Sikhs were no easy opponent.
3. Battle of Ferozeshah – 21–22 December 1845
This was one of the fiercest battles of the war.
• Day 1: The British assaulted the Sikh entrenched camp but faced devastating artillery
fire.
• Night: Both armies remained in dangerously close quarters. The British forces were
low on ammunition and morale, but the Sikhs did not exploit their position, partly
due to hesitant leadership.
• Day 2: Reinforced, the British renewed their attack and eventually forced the Sikhs
to retreat.
• Result: British victory, but again with heavy losses; both sides showed formidable
bravery.
4. Pause and Build-Up
After Ferozeshah, there was a brief pause in operations as both armies regrouped. Winter
conditions, supply issues, and the need to reorganise delayed further fighting until early
1846.
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5. Battle of Aliwal – 28 January 1846
Often described as a model battle for cavalry manoeuvres:
• British commander: Sir Harry Smith.
• Events: Smith attacked the Sikh position near the village of Aliwal, forcing them into
retreat toward the Sutlej.
• Result: Decisive British victory, lifting British morale and paving the way for the final
confrontation.
6. Battle of Sobraon – 10 February 1846
The climactic and decisive battle of the war.
• Sikh Position: A heavily fortified camp on the east bank of the Sutlej, linked by a
single pontoon bridge to the west bank.
• British Attack: Launched a full-scale assault after a heavy artillery bombardment.
• Turning Point: The British broke through, and chaos erupted as the pontoon bridge
collapsed during the Sikh retreat.
• Outcome: Massive Sikh casualties; the Khalsa Army suffered a crushing defeat.
End of the War and Treaty
After Sobraon, the road to Lahore lay open. The British advanced, and the Sikh court, seeing
no chance of continued resistance, sued for peace.
Treaty of Lahore – March 1846
The terms were severe:
• Territorial Losses: Punjab ceded large areas, including the valuable Jullundur Doab.
• Indemnity: Payment of a huge war indemnity; because the Lahore government could
not pay the full amount, they ceded Kashmir and Hazara to the British, who then
sold Kashmir to Gulab Singh, the Dogra ruler of Jammu.
• British Resident in Lahore: The treaty allowed the British to station a political agent
in Lahore, reducing the kingdom’s sovereignty.
• Army Reduction: The Khalsa Army was to be drastically reduced in size.
Results of the First Anglo-Sikh War
1. British Strategic Gains
• Extended British control into key territories.
• Established a political foothold in Lahore via the Resident and influence over the
regency for the young Maharaja Duleep Singh.
2. Weakened Sikh Sovereignty
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• Severe territorial and financial losses weakened the Sikh state.
• The reduced army and British political presence limited Punjab’s independence.
• Internal divisions deepened, setting the stage for the Second Anglo-Sikh War (1848–
49).
3. Rise of Gulab Singh as Maharaja of Kashmir
Through the Treaty of Amritsar (1846), Gulab Singh purchased Kashmir from the British,
becoming its Maharaja — a decision that shaped regional politics for decades.
4. Lessons for Both Sides
• For the British: The war showed that Sikh soldiers were among the most formidable
fighters they had faced in India; defeating them required careful coordination and
full use of military resources.
• For the Sikhs: The war revealed how fatal political disunity could be, even with
military strength and skill.
A Story of Pride and Tragedy
The First Anglo-Sikh War was not merely a clash for territory; it was the collision of two
disciplined armies and two worlds — a confident imperial power at its peak, and a proud
regional empire weakened by internal strife. On the battlefield, the Khalsa Army fought with
unmatched bravery; in the political chambers, their leaders’ divisions undercut that bravery.
By the end of early 1846, the Union Jack flew over lands that had been Sikh only months
before, and the once-mighty kingdom of Punjab stood diminished, its independence hanging
by a thread.
Exam-friendly Summary Table
Date
Battle
Result
18 Dec 1845
Mudki
British victory
21–22 Dec 1845
Ferozeshah
British victory (heavy losses)
28 Jan 1846
Aliwal
Decisive British victory
10 Feb 1846
Sobraon
Crushing British victory
Closing Thoughts
If you imagine the Sutlej’s waters flowing quietly again by the spring of 1846, you can almost
hear echoes of cannon fire fading into the distance. The war had been short — less than
three months — but its consequences would echo for years, eventually leading to the full
annexation of Punjab. It remains a story where courage on the battlefield was matched only
by the political drama off it, and where the fate of an empire was decided between
December frost and February fog along a single river’s banks.
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2. "Annexation of the Punjab was no conquest but a violent breach of trust." Explain.
Ans: Setting the Stage – The Once-Mighty Sikh Empire
The Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh was no minor princely state. It was a strong,
well-administered kingdom stretching from the Sutlej to the Khyber Pass, its army feared
and respected. Ranjit Singh was a shrewd diplomat: he kept the British East India Company
at bay through a policy of friendship and carefully balanced treaties like the Treaty of
Amritsar (1809), which fixed boundaries and promised peace between both powers.
But when Ranjit Singh died in 1839, the unity of Punjab died with him. In just a few years:
• Court intrigues became constant.
• One ruler after another was overthrown or assassinated.
• The once-formidable Khalsa Army grew politically restless, often deciding who would
rule next.
The British in Calcutta and Delhi watched, patient and calculating, as this internal instability
eroded Punjab’s strength. They did not need to launch a sudden, all-out invasion — they
could wait for the cracks to widen.
First Anglo-Sikh War – The First Breach in the Wall
In 1845, amid rising mistrust, the Khalsa Army crossed the Sutlej — a move the British
declared as aggression. The result was the First Anglo-Sikh War (1845–46).
The Sikh soldiers fought with immense bravery, but poor leadership and internal treachery
meant they lost decisive battles like Mudki, Ferozeshah, and finally Sobraon.
The war ended with the Treaty of Lahore (March 1846):
• Punjab ceded valuable territories like the Jullundur Doab.
• A large war indemnity was imposed; when the state couldn’t pay fully, Kashmir was
ceded and sold to Gulab Singh.
• Crucially, a British Resident was stationed in Lahore — a “political adviser” who was,
in practice, the authority behind the throne.
• The size of the Khalsa Army was sharply reduced, eroding Punjab’s self-defence
capacity.
Already, trust had been tested. The British now had a foot inside the political machinery of
Lahore.
The So-Called Protectorate – A Promise of Guardianship
Maharaja Duleep Singh, Ranjit Singh’s son, was only a child. The British presented
themselves not as conquerors but as protectors, promising to guide the young ruler until he
came of age.
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Henry Lawrence, the British Resident, became the real decision-maker. The Lahore Darbar
was still officially sovereign, but in reality:
• All major decisions passed through the Resident.
• British troops were stationed in Lahore at the Darbar’s “invitation,” supposedly for
protection.
On paper, this was not annexation — it was “supervision for stability.” In spirit, it was a slow
takeover.
Second Anglo-Sikh War – The Final Blow
By 1848, resentment against British interference was strong. The spark came in Multan,
where a rebellion against the British-appointed governor broke out. The uprising, led by
Diwan Mulraj, spread wider and drew in parts of the old Khalsa Army.
The British treated this not as an isolated revolt, but as an opportunity to finish what they
had started. Sir Hugh Gough led campaigns across Punjab:
• Battles at Ramnagar, Chillianwala (one of the hardest-fought battles the British ever
faced in India), and Gujrat broke the last organised resistance.
• Despite the fierce Sikh resistance, the leadership was fragmented and resources
limited.
In March 1849, the British captured the last strongholds. Then came the decisive political act
— annexation.
Why It Was No “Conquest” in the Classical Sense
When we say “conquest,” we imagine two equal powers meeting on the battlefield, the
victor taking control after open war. But Punjab’s annexation was:
• Not an unprovoked invasion — the British had been “invited in” earlier as advisers
and guardians.
• Built on treaty obligations — they had signed agreements to protect and respect the
sovereignty of the Lahore Darbar.
• Achieved through infiltration of governance — by placing the Resident, controlling
finances, and reducing the army, they weakened Punjab before the second war even
began.
Thus, when war did come in 1848–49, the British were already positioned inside Punjab’s
political system. The defeat of the Sikhs was not the start of British control — it was the final
stage of a long breach of trust.
The “Violent Breach of Trust”
The phrase captures the betrayal of earlier promises. Here’s why:
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1. Violation of the Treaty Spirit
The Treaty of Lahore (1846) and subsequent arrangements in 1847 were supposed to
guarantee Punjab’s independence under a regency, with the British simply “advising” in
good faith. Instead, these were used to erode autonomy.
2. Manipulation During Regency
While the Maharaja was still a minor, the British, as self-declared protectors, were
duty-bound to act for his interest. But their policies — such as army reduction and economic
restructuring — weakened the very state they were supposed to guard.
3. Use of Internal Disturbances as Pretext
The Multan revolt in 1848 was, at first, a local matter. It could have been resolved without a
full-scale war. But the British framed it as a sign that Punjab could not govern itself —
justifying direct control.
4. Military Force Against a Dependent Ally
By the time of the Second Anglo-Sikh War, Punjab was in a dependent position due to
previous treaties. Yet, the British used full military might to crush what remained of Sikh
independence.
Aftermath – Annexation Declared
On 29 March 1849, a proclamation was read in Lahore:
• The kingdom of Punjab was annexed to the British Empire.
• Maharaja Duleep Singh, barely ten years old, was dethroned and sent into exile.
• The famed Koh-i-Noor diamond was taken and presented to Queen Victoria.
• The Khalsa Army was disbanded; many soldiers later served the British in other
campaigns.
There was no restoration of independence when Duleep Singh came of age — the very
promise that had brought the British in had been discarded.
Why Historians See It as a Breach of Trust
Many historians argue that:
• The British took advantage of a temporary weakness in Punjab for permanent gain.
• Instead of stabilising and then withdrawing, as implied in their “protector” role, they
dismantled the state.
• Treaties were used as stepping stones toward annexation rather than binding
commitments.
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From a moral standpoint, this undermines any claim of a glorious “conquest.” It was not an
equal contest freely entered into; it was the conclusion of a process in which one side had
pledged friendship and guidance, then delivered subjugation.
A Story in Three Acts
1. Alliance and Mutual Respect – under Ranjit Singh, with formal treaties recognising
boundaries.
2. Guardianship with Strings Attached – after the First Anglo-Sikh War, with the British
resident in Lahore.
3. Final Takeover – after engineering political dominance and military advantage,
ending in annexation.
Seen this way, the annexation reads less like a victorious battle chronicle and more like a
cautionary tale about political infiltration and betrayal of trust.
Closing Thoughts
When Punjab became part of the British Empire, it was not because its people and army had
been easily overcome in a fair fight — the Khalsa soldiers had fought with unmatched
courage in two wars. It happened because the British had first entered as treaty-bound
protectors, gradually neutralised Punjab’s ability to act independently, then seized on unrest
to declare total control.
That is why calling it a “violent breach of trust” feels accurate. The violence was on the
battlefield, yes — but the deeper wound was in the breaking of solemn assurances, turning
guardianship into domination. It was a lesson in how empires can be built not just with
military victories, but with careful manipulation of trust until the final act no longer looks
like conquest — only the inevitable end of a relationship that had been undermined from
the very start.
SECTION-B
3. Examine the policies of the British towards the development of Industry and Trade and
Commerce in the Punjab.
Ans: 1. The Overall Approach – Punjab as a Supplier and a Market
The British did not come to Punjab with a blank slate. They already had a model from
Bengal, Bombay, and Madras:
• Use the province to supply raw materials for British industries.
• Treat it as a ready-made market for British-manufactured goods.
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Punjab’s own industrial growth was never the primary goal; instead, economic policy tied
Punjab’s fortunes to Britain’s industrial needs.
2. Policies Towards Industry
a) Neglect of Large-Scale Indigenous Industry
Before British rule, Punjab had thriving cottage industries — shawl weaving in Amritsar, silk
in Ludhiana, metalworks in Lahore, and pottery in Multan. But:
• The influx of cheaper, machine-made goods from Britain undercut local producers.
• No protection (like tariffs) was offered to shield indigenous industries from foreign
competition.
• Skilled artisans either shifted to low-paid agricultural labour or migrated.
b) Focus on Agro-Processing Units
The British did encourage certain industries — but mainly those that processed Punjab’s
agricultural output for export, such as:
• Cotton ginning and pressing factories for shipping raw cotton to Britain.
• Flour mills in larger towns for the army and export needs.
• Sugar mills for refining local cane for the domestic market.
Even here, British capital and management dominated; local entrepreneurs were minor
players.
c) Limited Investment in Modern Manufacturing
• Industries with potential to compete with British goods (like textile weaving) were
discouraged.
• No significant state support for heavy industry — steel, machinery, or chemicals —
was offered.
• Technical education or industrial training was minimal.
In short, the industrial policy created dependence, not self-sufficiency.
3. Policies Towards Trade and Commerce
a) Free Trade – But on British Terms
The British imposed a free trade regime that removed duties on British imports into India
while allowing them to tax Indian exports as they pleased.
• Lancashire cotton goods flooded Punjab’s markets.
• In return, Punjab exported raw materials (cotton, wheat, oilseeds) at low prices.
This arrangement suited Britain perfectly — raw materials in, manufactured goods out.
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b) Infrastructure for Extraction
Railways, telegraphs, and roads were expanded in Punjab — not primarily to link villages for
local commerce, but to:
• Move crops swiftly from producing areas to railway depots.
• Transport goods to ports like Karachi for shipment to Britain.
• Move British troops quickly in times of unrest.
Example: The Punjab Northern State Railway linked Lahore to Karachi and Peshawar,
facilitating export and troop movement more than local market integration.
c) Commercialisation of Agriculture
The British encouraged farmers to grow cash crops — cotton, wheat, sugarcane — with high
export value.
• Irrigation canals (like the Upper Bari Doab and Lower Chenab) boosted agricultural
output.
• But focus on export crops sometimes displaced subsistence farming, making villages
dependent on volatile market prices.
d) Changes in Traditional Trade Routes
Pre-colonial Punjab had strong overland trade with Central Asia via the Khyber Pass. British
political priorities and conflicts reduced this and redirected trade towards sea routes
controlled by them.
4. Impact on Urban Centres
Cities like Amritsar and Lahore changed character:
• Amritsar, once a shawl-weaving centre, shifted towards being a grain and cotton
market.
• Lahore developed as an administrative and railway hub rather than an industrial
powerhouse.
• Multan, with its crafts, now relied more on agricultural produce for trade.
The bazaar economy adapted to new goods — imported British cloth, machinery, and tools
became common.
5. Banking, Finance, and Trade Regulation
The British introduced modern banking institutions:
• Punjab National Bank (though Indian-owned, it worked within colonial trade
structures).
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• Branches of British banks helped finance export trade and European firms.
Trade was increasingly regulated through:
• Licences for certain goods.
• Standardisation of weights and measures to suit commercial crops.
• Legal frameworks for contract enforcement — benefiting large merchants, often
European or allied Indian traders.
6. Advantages Claimed by the British
To be fair, the British administration did highlight some “developmental” outcomes:
• Punjab’s agricultural productivity rose due to canal irrigation.
• Railways and telegraphs connected markets.
• Some agro-industries (cotton pressing, sugar refining) took root.
But these were by-products of their commercial goals, not altruistic plans for Punjab’s
industrial independence.
7. Consequences for Punjab’s Economy
a) De-industrialisation
Handicrafts and small industries declined sharply. Employment in skilled trades dropped,
and many artisans fell into rural poverty.
b) Export-Oriented Dependency
Punjab became a granary and raw material supplier for the British Empire. Local needs were
secondary to export demands.
c) Social Change
• Merchant classes linked to British trade flourished.
• Landowning classes benefitted from canal colonies but were vulnerable to debt
when market prices crashed.
d) Seeds of Discontent
The economic imbalance — prosperity for a few, stagnation for many — fed into later
political unrest and nationalist movements.
8. Storytelling Example – The Weaver of Amritsar
Imagine Harbans Singh, a skilled shawl-weaver in Amritsar in the 1850s. His family had
woven Pashmina for generations, selling to traders who carried them to Kabul, Delhi, or
even Europe.
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Under British rule:
• Machine-made shawls from Yorkshire arrive, cheaper and faster to make.
• Harbans cannot compete on price — his artistry is valued, but his income shrinks.
• Eventually, he gives up weaving and works as a labourer loading sacks of wheat at
the railway station — wheat destined not for his village, but for ships at Karachi
bound for England.
This personal journey reflects Punjab’s broader shift: from producer of fine goods to
supplier of raw materials.
9. Linking to Wider Colonial Strategy
Punjab’s experience mirrors Britain’s approach across India:
• Suppress potential industrial rivals.
• Promote export agriculture.
• Build infrastructure for imperial needs.
• Integrate the colony into a global trade network centred on Britain.
10. Final Analysis
The British policies towards industry, trade, and commerce in Punjab can be summed up as
exploitative integration:
• Integration because Punjab was linked tightly into global markets with modern
transport and administration.
• Exploitative because the structure favoured Britain’s industrial growth at the cost of
Punjab’s industrial independence.
While there was undeniable “development” in certain sectors, it was lopsided. Punjab’s
economy became dependent on a pattern set in London, not Lahore.
Exam-Friendly Summary Table
Area
British Policy
Impact on Punjab
Industry
Neglect of indigenous industries;
promotion of agro-processing
Decline of crafts; rise of cotton
ginning, sugar mills
Trade
Free trade favouring British imports;
export focus
Raw materials out, finished
goods in
Infrastructure
Railways, roads for export and troop
movement
Better connectivity, but
export-oriented
Agriculture
Promotion of cash crops, canal
irrigation
Higher yields; dependence on
markets
Finance
Modern banks, regulated trade
Facilitated large-scale
commerce, not small traders
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Closing Thoughts
If you walk through Punjab’s old city quarters today — the narrow lanes of Amritsar, the
markets of Lahore — you can still find remnants of the crafts and trade that once defined its
economy. But the British reshaped the region’s economic map in the 19th and early 20th
centuries. Their policies wove Punjab into the global fabric of the British Empire — not as a
partner with equal voice, but as a supplier and consumer in a system designed thousands of
miles away. The legacy of that era still echoes in the patterns of Punjab’s agriculture-heavy
economy and the long-remembered stories of artisans like Harbans Singh, whose looms fell
silent in the age of empire.
4. Describe the spread of modern education in the Punjab during 1904-1947 A.D.
Ans: Let’s set the scene: it’s the early years of the 20th century in Punjab. The air is alive
with change. Railways now cut through the golden wheat fields, bazaars bustle with new
goods from across the seas, and in the towns you can hear the mixed chatter of Punjabi,
Urdu, English, and Hindi. But there’s something else quietly beginning to stir — in small
classrooms lit by oil lamps, in lecture halls with wooden benches, in homes where parents
are hesitantly deciding whether to send their children — and especially their daughters — to
school.
This is the story of how modern education spread through Punjab between 1904 and 1947,
a period of transformation, reform, and awakening.
1. The Starting Point – Punjab Before 1904
Before diving into the period after 1904, remember that the British had annexed Punjab in
1849. Over the next decades they introduced a Western-style education system, but it grew
slowly. Missionary schools, government institutions, and community initiatives co-existed,
each with different aims:
• Government schools taught English, arithmetic, history, and science, producing
clerks, teachers, and lower-level officials.
• Missionary schools emphasised Christian values alongside modern subjects.
• Traditional pathshalas, maktabs, and madrasas continued to serve religious
education.
By 1904, Punjab had a network of primary, middle, and some secondary schools — but
literacy was still low, especially among women.
2. The 1904 Indian Universities Act – Laying a Foundation
In 1904, the Indian Universities Act was passed to improve the quality and supervision of
higher education across British India. For Punjab, this meant:
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• Greater oversight of colleges affiliated with Punjab University (established 1882 in
Lahore).
• Emphasis on better-qualified teachers and improved curricula.
• A push towards English as the medium for advanced studies.
Punjab University became the nerve centre for modern education in the province, affiliating
colleges from Amritsar to Rawalpindi.
3. Early 20th Century – The Growth of Schools and Colleges
a) Expansion of Primary and Secondary Education
Between 1904 and the First World War:
• The government expanded primary schooling, especially in urban areas.
• Vernacular education was promoted at the primary stage to encourage enrolment.
• High schools were set up in district headquarters, preparing students for
matriculation and college admission.
b) Colleges Flourish
Some iconic institutions shaped Punjab’s educated class:
• Government College, Lahore – known for its academic excellence.
• Forman Christian College – founded by missionaries, mixing Western liberal arts
education with a strong science programme.
• Khalsa College, Amritsar (1892) – championed Sikh community education.
• Islamia College, Lahore (1892) – a centre for Muslim higher learning.
These colleges trained the lawyers, teachers, doctors, and administrators who would later
become leaders of reform movements.
4. Role of Religious and Social Reform Movements
Much of Punjab’s educational expansion came from community initiatives:
• Arya Samaj: Through its Dayanand Anglo-Vedic (DAV) schools, the Arya Samaj
combined Vedic teachings with modern subjects, appealing to Hindu families.
• Singh Sabha Movement: Promoted education among Sikhs, leading to the expansion
of Khalsa schools and colleges.
• Anjuman-i-Himayat-i-Islam: Founded schools and colleges for Muslims, including for
girls, at a time when female education faced strong resistance.
These movements saw education not just as skill-building, but as a way to preserve and
uplift community identity in a colonial setting.
5. Education for Girls – Breaking Barriers
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The early 1900s saw painfully slow growth in female education, but by the 1920s it began to
gather pace:
• Missionary institutions like the Sacred Heart schools in Lahore and Dalhousie
admitted girls.
• Reformers like Begum Shah Nawaz and Harbilas Sarda campaigned for women’s
education.
• By the 1930s, girls’ high schools appeared in cities such as Amritsar, Lahore, and
Ludhiana.
• Teacher training schools for women were established to provide female teachers —
crucial for overcoming conservative objections.
6. Influence of Political Movements
Political awakenings also pushed education forward:
• The Swadeshi Movement (1905–1908) encouraged setting up of nationalist schools
free from government control.
• The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22) inspired leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai to
promote indigenous education.
• The Anjuman-i-Islamia and Jat Sabha focused on rural and agrarian communities.
• Students who passed through modern schools often became active in nationalist
politics, creating a cycle where education fuelled political awareness and vice versa.
7. Vocational and Professional Education
The British also established technical and professional institutions to meet economic and
administrative needs:
• Agricultural College, Lyallpur (1906) – taught modern farming methods for Punjab’s
canal colonies.
• Medical College, Lahore (1860s, expanded in early 1900s) – trained doctors and
nurses.
• Engineering classes in Punjab University prepared surveyors and junior engineers.
While these primarily served colonial economic interests, they also equipped Punjabis with
skills for diverse careers.
8. Inter-War Period (1919–1939) – Steady Growth Amid Turmoil
After World War I and the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy, Punjab’s politics became more intense,
but so did educational activity:
• Punjab University expanded its faculties and examination system.
• More district-level colleges opened — in Jullundur, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala.
• Libraries and reading rooms became popular in towns, fostering a culture of
self-study.
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Statistics: By 1931, literacy in Punjab had risen to around 9–10% — still low, but almost
double that of the late 19th century.
9. Education and Rural Punjab
The colonial government realised that rural discontent could be managed partly through
basic education:
• Village primary schools increased in number.
• Emphasis on agricultural instruction for boys in rural areas.
• Community panchayats sometimes contributed funds or land for schools.
However, rural education lagged behind urban centres in quality and access.
10. Towards Independence (1939–1947) – The Final Push
World War II disrupted but also indirectly energised education:
• Shortages of trained manpower led to accelerated courses in technical fields.
• Political negotiations over India’s future included debates on educational policy.
• Community bodies, sensing approaching independence, invested more in schools to
prepare the next generation.
By 1947:
• Punjab University was a leading centre of learning in northern India.
• Dozens of affiliated colleges served urban and semi-urban students.
• Secondary education had spread to most tehsil headquarters.
• Female education, though still limited, had made irreversible gains.
11. Challenges Throughout the Period
Despite progress, there were persistent issues:
• Low literacy rates compared to some other provinces.
• Gender gap in education remained wide.
• Rural-urban divide: cities surged ahead while villages lagged.
• Education often served elite sections more than the masses.
12. Why Modern Education Mattered in Punjab
Between 1904 and 1947, modern education in Punjab:
• Created a new professional middle class.
• Equipped leaders of nationalist, reformist, and community movements.
• Fostered political awareness, social reform, and cultural revival.
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• Served as a bridge between traditional Punjabi society and the modern, industrial,
and political world.
Exam-Friendly Summary Table
Aspect
Key Developments (1904–1947)
Higher Education
Punjab University expansion, new colleges (Khalsa, Islamia)
Community Role
Arya Samaj, Singh Sabha, Anjuman-i-Himayat-i-Islam schools
Female Education
Missionary schools, reformist campaigns, teacher training
Vocational/Professional
Agricultural, medical, engineering colleges
Rural Education
Primary schools, agricultural training, panchayat funding
Political Influence
Swadeshi and Non-Cooperation inspired nationalist schools
Closing Thoughts
If you could walk through Lahore, Amritsar, or Lyallpur in 1946, you’d see the fruits of four
decades of effort: young men and women in neatly pressed uniforms hurrying to class;
professors carrying stacks of books into lecture halls; libraries filled with the scratch of pens
and the turning of pages. From the hesitant beginnings of 1904 to the eve of independence
in 1947, modern education in Punjab had moved from a hesitant experiment to an
unstoppable force — one that would shape the province’s destiny well into the next
century.
SECTION-C
5. Discuss the rise of Arya Samaj Movement in the Punjab. Also discuss its achievement in
social and educational spheres.
Ans: 1. Origins of the Arya Samaj
The Arya Samaj was founded in 1875 in Bombay by Swami Dayanand Saraswati, but it
found particularly fertile ground in Punjab soon after. Dayanand was a bold thinker:
• He rejected idol worship, caste discrimination based on birth, and blind ritualism.
• He urged a return to the pure teachings of the Vedas.
• His guiding motto, “Krinvanto Vishwam Aryam” — “Make the world noble” —
inspired followers to apply religion to social betterment.
The Punjab of the late 1800s was a land in flux:
• The trauma of the Anglo-Sikh wars and British annexation was still fresh.
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• Western education and Christian missionary activity were spreading rapidly.
• Social evils like child marriage, untouchability, and the neglect of women’s education
were widespread.
This environment made reformist ideas both urgent and controversial — perfect conditions
for a movement like the Arya Samaj.
2. Arrival and Rise in Punjab
The Arya Samaj reached Punjab in 1877, with Lahore becoming its stronghold. Early leaders
like Lala Hansraj, Pandit Guru Datt Vidyarthi, and later Lala Lajpat Rai carried the message
across towns and villages.
Why it took root so strongly in Punjab:
• Religious Pride with Reform: It offered Hindus a way to preserve their faith against
missionary criticism, while shedding practices that reformers saw as weaknesses.
• Print Culture: The rise of vernacular presses in Punjab (especially in Urdu and Hindi)
allowed Arya Samajists to spread literature far and wide.
• Urban Middle Class Support: Merchants, teachers, and professionals, especially in
urban areas, found in Arya Samaj a call for cultural revival aligned with modern
education.
By the late 19th and early 20th century, Arya Samaj branches (sabhas) had sprung up in
many Punjab towns — Lahore, Amritsar, Jullundur, Ferozepur, and beyond.
3. Social Philosophy of the Arya Samaj
Arya Samaj teachings in Punjab emphasised:
• Return to the Vedas as the sole religious authority.
• Rejection of caste hierarchy — varna to be based on merit and deeds, not birth.
• Promotion of widow remarriage and opposition to child marriage.
• Equal status for women and encouragement of their education.
• Condemnation of superstitions, astrology, and extravagant rituals.
• Advocacy for physical strength and self-reliance to counter foreign domination.
It was this blend — spiritual revival plus practical reform — that set the stage for real social
change.
4. Achievements in the Social Sphere
a) Campaign Against Social Evils
In Punjab, Arya Samaj activists openly campaigned against:
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• Child marriage: Organising public debates and publishing pamphlets exposing its
harms.
• Polygamy: Promoting monogamy as consistent with Vedic ideals.
• Untouchability: Some Arya schools admitted students of all castes; shuddhi (re-
conversion) ceremonies aimed to integrate those who had converted to other faiths.
• Drinking and gambling: Considered moral vices, discouraged through sermons and
community pledges.
b) Women’s Upliftment
Punjab’s social fabric was conservative, but Arya Samaj:
• Encouraged widow remarriage through public ceremonies.
• Pushed for women’s education — opening girls’ schools where reading, writing, and
vocational skills were taught alongside Vedic scripture.
• Supported female participation in the shuddhi and marriage reform movements.
c) Shuddhi Movement
The shuddhi (purification) programme, initiated by Dayanand and carried forward vigorously
in Punjab, sought to:
• Bring back into Hinduism those who had converted under social or economic
pressure.
• Strengthen Hindu society numerically and morally against missionary and
proselytising activities. Leaders like Swami Shraddhanand made Punjab a key
theatre for these reconversion efforts.
d) Rise of Self-Respect and Nationalism
By reforming social practices and encouraging education, the Arya Samaj in Punjab created a
self-confident middle class that was ready to participate in nationalist politics. Many
prominent leaders of India’s freedom struggle from Punjab — like Lala Lajpat Rai — were
Arya Samajists.
5. Achievements in the Educational Sphere
Perhaps the Arya Samaj’s most lasting legacy in Punjab is in education.
a) The DAV Movement
In 1886, under Lala Hansraj, the Dayanand Anglo-Vedic (DAV) School was founded in
Lahore. Its guiding idea:
• Combine the best of modern Western curriculum (science, English, mathematics)
with Vedic moral instruction.
• Create disciplined, patriotic, and socially responsible citizens.
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From one school, it became a network:
• DAV Colleges and Schools spread through Punjab and beyond, producing thousands
of graduates who were confident in both modern knowledge and cultural roots.
• Institutions like DAV College, Lahore became intellectual hubs.
b) Gurukula System
Some Arya Samaj leaders felt Western-style schools were too influenced by colonial culture.
In response, they developed Gurukulas:
• Residential schools modelled on ancient Indian traditions.
• Taught Sanskrit, Vedic literature, along with selected modern subjects.
• Example: The Gurukul Kangri (though in present-day Uttarakhand) influenced Punjab
Arya Samajists, who set up similar institutions.
c) Education for All Castes and Genders
Unlike many traditional schools at the time:
• Arya institutions admitted children from non-elite and non-Brahmin backgrounds.
• Efforts were made to open separate or co-educational facilities for girls.
• Teacher training institutes were established to ensure a steady supply of quality
educators.
d) Promotion of Vernacular Languages
The Arya Samaj in Punjab championed Hindi in Devanagari script — sometimes bringing it
into conflict with Urdu-supporting groups — seeing it as a unifying language for North Indian
Hindus.
• They published textbooks and literature in Hindi.
• Used print media to reach rural and urban audiences alike.
6. Challenges and Controversies
The Arya Samaj’s rise was not without friction:
• Its strong criticism of other religions, especially during shuddhi campaigns,
sometimes led to communal tensions.
• Conservative Hindus opposed its rejection of idol worship and its reformist zeal.
• Linguistic politics over Hindi vs. Urdu created divides in Punjab’s multi-lingual
society.
Still, its energy and outreach ensured it remained a major force in Punjab’s public life.
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7. Long-Term Impact in Punjab
By the time India approached independence in 1947, Arya Samaj in Punjab had:
• Established a strong network of educational institutions (many of which survive
today).
• Shaped generations to think critically about social customs.
• Contributed leaders, activists, and reformers to both social reform and the freedom
struggle.
• Helped lay the foundation for the middle-class Hindu identity in Punjab.
Even after partition, DAV institutions and Arya Samaj branches played a vital role in
rehabilitating refugees and rebuilding communities.
Exam-Friendly Summary Table
Area
Achievements in Punjab
Social Reform
Anti-child marriage, widow remarriage, anti-untouchability, temperance
campaigns
Women’s
Upliftment
Girls’ schools, widow remarriage, female literacy
Religious Work
Shuddhi movement, Vedic revival, moral education
Education
DAV schools/colleges, gurukulas, vernacular promotion, teacher training
Nationalism
Produced leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai, Swami Shraddhanand
Closing Thoughts
If you imagine walking through Lahore in the 1930s, you might see a group of young men in
crisp khadi kurta-pyjamas leaving the DAV College library, clutching books on physics in one
hand and Vedic hymns in the other. You might hear, from an open classroom window, a
teacher explaining geometry in English before moving to a Hindi lesson on moral duty. You
might pass a girls’ school where a newly trained female teacher is reading aloud from a
science primer.
That blend of modernity and tradition — of reformist zeal and cultural pride — was the Arya
Samaj’s gift to Punjab. It was not a perfect movement, but in the intertwined stories of its
schools, campaigns, and debates, you find the portrait of a society learning to stand
straighter, think clearer, and prepare for a future it would soon have to shape on its own.
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6. Examine the circumstances leading to Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy. What were its effects
on freedom struggle?
Ans: 1. The Background – Brewing Tensions in Punjab
a) The End of the First World War (1914–1918)
India had sent over a million soldiers to fight for the British in World War I. Thousands of
Punjabi men served in the war, hoping that loyalty would earn India greater political rights
afterward. Instead, what returned with them were:
• Economic hardships: Inflation, food shortages, and unemployment.
• Spanish Flu Pandemic: In 1918, it killed millions in India, devastating families already
strained by war.
b) The Rowlatt Act, 1919
In March 1919, the British passed the Rowlatt Act — a law that allowed the government to:
• Arrest people without a warrant.
• Detain them without trial.
• Try political cases without jury.
Indians saw it as a betrayal — the wartime Defence of India Act was supposed to end, yet
here was a new law curtailing freedoms. Mahatma Gandhi called it a “black law,” and
leaders across the country organised hartals (strikes) and protests.
c) Punjab’s Political Climate
Punjab, with its large population of ex-soldiers and politically aware youth, became a focal
point for protests:
• Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr. Satya Pal, two prominent leaders in Amritsar, were
actively mobilising people against the Rowlatt Act.
• Crowds gathered for peaceful demonstrations, but the British administration feared
a repeat of the 1857 revolt.
The Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, Sir Michael O’Dwyer, believed in ruling with an iron
hand. His choice of officers reflected that belief — including Brigadier-General Reginald
Dyer, who would soon play a central role.
2. The Immediate Spark
On 9 April 1919, during Ram Navami, Hindus and Muslims participated together in
processions — a unity that worried the authorities. The British feared that political unrest
could escalate beyond control.
Then came the turning point:
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• On 10 April, Dr. Kitchlew and Dr. Satya Pal were arrested and secretly deported from
Amritsar.
• When people gathered peacefully to demand their release, the protest turned
violent in places — government buildings were attacked, and some Europeans were
killed.
• Martial law-like restrictions were imposed: public meetings were banned, and
gatherings of more than four people were prohibited.
But crucially — many citizens did not even know about these new restrictions.
3. The Gathering at Jallianwala Bagh
On 13 April 1919, the day of Baisakhi, thousands poured into Amritsar from surrounding
villages:
• For many, it was a festive day to visit the Golden Temple or attend the bustling fair.
• Word spread that a public meeting would be held at Jallianwala Bagh, an open
ground enclosed by high walls, to protest peacefully against the Rowlatt Act and the
arrest of local leaders.
By late afternoon, 15,000–20,000 men, women, and children were gathered there. The
bagh had only a few narrow exits.
4. The Massacre
Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer, hearing of the meeting, marched in with:
• 90 armed soldiers (Gurkhas, Pathans, Baluchis).
• Two armoured cars with mounted machine guns (which could not enter the narrow
gate).
Without issuing a clear warning or ordering the crowd to disperse, Dyer gave the command
to fire.
For about 10 minutes, the soldiers fired 1,650 rounds of ammunition — aiming wherever
the crowd was densest. People screamed, ran, and tripped over each other. Many jumped
into a deep well inside the bagh to escape — more than 100 bodies were later pulled out.
Official British figures claimed 379 dead and over 1,200 wounded, but Indian estimates put
the toll at over 1,000 deaths.
5. The Circumstances Summarised – Why Did It Happen?
1. Post-war unrest: Economic distress, influenza, and unmet political expectations.
2. Rowlatt Act: Seen as an insult to promised reforms and basic freedoms.
3. Local leadership arrests: Inflamed public anger.
4. Communication gap: Many unaware of the ban on gatherings.
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5. Authoritarian mindset: O’Dwyer and Dyer’s policy of “punishment to deter” rather
than dialogue.
6. Aftermath in Punjab
a) Shock and Mourning
News spread rapidly. Families across Punjab learned that their relatives — including children
— had been shot at a peaceful meeting. Public grief quickly turned into outrage.
b) Martial Law Measures
The government imposed humiliating controls:
• The infamous crawling order in Kucha Kaurianwala, where Indians had to crawl on
their bellies to pass the street where a British woman had been attacked.
• Public floggings.
• Arbitrary arrests.
These deepened resentment and humiliation among Punjabis.
c) Hunter Commission
The British appointed the Hunter Commission to inquire into the incident.
• It criticised Dyer for not giving a warning before firing.
• However, he was not tried for murder; instead, he was relieved of duty.
• In Britain, some hailed him as the “Saviour of the Punjab,” revealing the imperial
mindset.
7. Effects on the Freedom Struggle
The massacre was a turning point in India’s fight for independence.
a) End of Faith in British Justice
Until then, many Indian leaders still hoped that the British could be persuaded to grant
reforms. Jallianwala Bagh shattered that belief.
• Leaders like Rabindranath Tagore renounced British honours — Tagore returned his
knighthood in protest.
• Gandhi, deeply moved, began to believe that cooperation with the British was
morally impossible.
b) Rise of Non-Cooperation
The massacre and martial law excesses became a rallying cry.
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• Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920 — urging Indians to
boycott British goods, institutions, and titles.
• Punjab, in particular, became a strong centre for nationalist activity.
c) Fuel for Revolutionary Movements
Younger nationalists concluded that peaceful petitions were not enough.
• Udham Singh, who as a young man had witnessed the aftermath, vowed revenge. In
1940, in London, he assassinated Michael O’Dwyer, calling it justice for the massacre.
d) International Outrage
Reports of the massacre were carried in global newspapers. The moral legitimacy of British
rule was questioned even in Britain’s own Parliament.
8. Long-Term Legacy
• National Unity: Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims in Punjab jointly mourned and protested
— it briefly rekindled inter-communal solidarity.
• Symbol of Resistance: Jallianwala Bagh became a national memorial to the cost of
freedom.
• British Image Damaged: The empire’s claim of “civilising” India appeared hollow
after such brutality.
9. A Human Story – Voices from the Bagh
Eyewitnesses told of mothers covering their children with their own bodies, of friends
carrying the wounded on makeshift stretchers, of people trapped against walls with no
escape. The narrow exits became bottlenecks; the tall walls turned the bagh into a death
trap.
Those memories, passed down generations, kept the wound fresh — fuelling the conviction
that freedom was worth any sacrifice.
Exam-Friendly Summary Table
Circumstances Leading to Massacre
Effects on Freedom Struggle
Post-WWI hardship in Punjab
Shattered trust in British rule
Rowlatt Act protests
Tagore’s renunciation of knighthood
Arrest of Dr. Kitchlew & Dr. Satya Pal
Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement
Ban on public gatherings
Rise of revolutionary nationalism
Authoritarian British officers
International condemnation
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Closing Thoughts
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre was not just an event; it was a moral earthquake. It exposed
the cruelty that lay beneath colonial rule and marked the point where millions of Indians
shifted from asking for reforms to demanding complete independence.
Even today, when you walk into Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, the preserved bullet marks on
the walls and the silent well stand as witnesses. They speak not of defeat, but of a collective
awakening — the moment when India’s freedom struggle found its unshakable resolve.
SECTION-D
7. Discuss the origin and growth of Gurudwara reform movement.
Ans: Let’s step into Punjab in the early decades of the 20th century — a land of golden
fields, sacred rivers, and proud traditions. The gurdwaras, the spiritual and community
centres of Sikh life, stand tall with their white domes and fluttering Nishan Sahibs. Yet,
behind their walls, all is not well. Many of these holy places are not being run by humble
sevadars or elected community representatives, but by mahants (hereditary custodians)
who, over time, have grown corrupt, careless, and sometimes openly hostile to Sikh
religious values.
It is in this atmosphere — where faith and community pride are bruised — that the
Gurdwara Reform Movement is born. Its story is one of spiritual revival, political
awakening, and determined struggle, and it unfolds like a gripping chapter in Punjab’s
history.
1. The Background – How Did the Trouble Begin?
a) Role of Gurdwaras in Sikh Life
For Sikhs, a gurdwara is more than a place of worship — it is a space for:
• Reading and singing of the Guru Granth Sahib.
• Langar (community kitchen) for all, regardless of caste or status.
• Collective decision-making, rooted in the democratic sangat tradition.
In the 18th century, during turbulent times, gurdwaras came under the protection of
mahants or managers. Originally, many mahants were sincere guardians. But over
generations, these positions became hereditary, and the control of key shrines slipped into
the hands of individuals who:
• Lacked spiritual commitment.
• Mismanaged funds and land grants given for the gurdwara.
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• Sometimes conducted practices contrary to Sikh principles (idol worship, caste
discrimination, selling of offerings).
b) British Policy
When the British annexed Punjab in 1849, they confirmed the mahants’ property rights over
many gurdwaras, seeing them as useful intermediaries. As long as there was no political
trouble, the colonial administration avoided interfering in their affairs. This meant:
• Corruption often went unchecked.
• Sikh community leaders had little formal say in running their own shrines.
By the early 20th century, frustration was simmering among ordinary Sikhs, reformist
groups, and the emerging educated middle class.
2. Early Stirring – The Rise of Reformist Spirit
a) Singh Sabha Movement (Late 19th Century)
Before the Gurdwara Reform Movement, the Singh Sabha Movement had already begun
cleaning Sikh society of superstitions and reviving pride in Sikh identity. It encouraged:
• Studying Sikh scriptures in the original Gurmukhi.
• Eliminating Hindu-style idol worship from Sikh practice.
• Promoting modern education.
Many leaders of the later Gurdwara Reform Movement came out of the Singh Sabha
experience.
b) The Triggering Incidents
A few notorious episodes outraged the Sikh public:
• Nankana Sahib Incident (March 1921): Pilgrims seeking peaceful control of the
shrine were attacked under orders of Mahant Narain Das; many were killed. This
massacre deeply shocked the Sikh community.
• Reports of mahants collaborating with the British and resisting reform added to the
anger.
3. The Birth of the Gurdwara Reform Movement
By 1920, a clear demand emerged: gurdwaras should be managed by representative bodies
of the Sikh community, not hereditary mahants. The reformist energy converged under the
banner of the Shiromani Akali Dal (for mass mobilisation) and the Shiromani Gurdwara
Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) (for legal and administrative control).
a) Formation of SGPC and Akali Dal
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• SGPC: Established in 1920 in Amritsar to manage the Golden Temple and other
major shrines, and to represent Sikh interests before the British.
• Akali Dal: A political wing to organise peaceful but disciplined volunteers, called
Akali jathas, to liberate gurdwaras from corrupt mahants.
4. The Growth of the Movement – Key Phases
Phase 1: Peaceful Morchas (1920–1921)
Volunteers would march to a gurdwara, perform kirtan, and request the mahant to hand
over control. Many smaller shrines changed hands peacefully.
Phase 2: The Nankana Sahib Massacre (1921)
• Reformers marched to Nankana Sahib to reclaim it from Mahant Narain Das.
• The mahant’s hired men attacked the unarmed jatha, killing over 100.
• Far from crushing the movement, this act stirred outrage across Punjab and beyond.
• Under public pressure, the British arrested the mahant, and the shrine eventually
came under SGPC control.
Phase 3: Chauri Chaura and the Guru ka Bagh Morcha (1922)
• At Guru ka Bagh near Amritsar, reformers protested peacefully against the mahant’s
restrictions on collecting firewood for the langar.
• Police arrested volunteers in large numbers, subjecting them to severe beating, but
the protest remained non-violent.
• The sight of bruised, fasting Akalis walking steadily to arrest won public sympathy
and media attention.
Phase 4: Jaito Morcha (1923–1925)
• When Maharaja of Nabha was removed by the British, Akalis saw it as interference in
Sikh religious autonomy.
• A morcha was launched; hundreds courted arrest in disciplined waves.
• The movement was by now clearly both a religious reform and a political assertion of
rights under colonial rule.
5. British Response
Initially, the British tried to suppress the movement:
• Arresting leaders.
• Using police force to break up gatherings.
• Supporting mahants against reformers.
But the consistent non-violence of the protesters and the moral high ground they occupied
made repression politically costly for the colonial government.
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6. Culmination – The Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925
Realising they could not crush the movement without alienating Sikhs permanently, the
British passed the Sikh Gurdwaras Act in 1925. Its key provisions:
• Recognised the SGPC as the central body to manage historical gurdwaras in Punjab.
• Listed major shrines to be brought under SGPC control.
• Allowed for democratic election of SGPC members by registered Sikh voters.
This was the legal victory the movement had fought for — the end of corrupt mahant
control over Punjab’s most sacred gurdwaras.
7. Achievements of the Gurdwara Reform Movement
a) Religious
• Restored gurdwaras to proper Sikh practices in line with the Guru Granth Sahib.
• Ended hereditary mismanagement and misuse of gurdwara resources.
• Reasserted the ideal of sangat and panth in decision-making.
b) Social
• Mobilised large sections of Sikh society, cutting across rural-urban and class divides.
• Encouraged women’s participation in protest and religious activities.
• Revived pride in Sikh identity and history.
c) Political
• Gave rise to disciplined mass mobilisation techniques later used in the independence
movement.
• Strengthened institutions like the SGPC, which remain central to Sikh affairs even
today.
• Created leaders with experience in negotiation, protest, and community
organisation.
8. Why It Still Matters
The Gurdwara Reform Movement was not only about cleaning up shrines; it was about
reclaiming the right of a community to govern its own religious institutions. It combined
spiritual devotion with the principles of democratic control and non-violent protest —
making it a powerful chapter in both Sikh and Indian history.
Closing Thoughts
If you could walk through the streets of Amritsar in the mid-1920s, you might see jathas of
men and women, barefoot, carrying the Nishan Sahib, singing shabads as they marched to
court arrest. You would sense the mix of spirituality and resolve, of humility before the Guru
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and defiance before injustice. The Gurdwara Reform Movement was born of hurt pride and
love for faith, but it grew into something even greater — a lesson in how disciplined,
collective action can reclaim not just buildings, but the soul of a community.
8. Examine the revolutionary activities in the Punjab under the leadership of Shaheed
Bhagat Singh and his associates.
Ans: The story of revolutionary activities in Punjab under Bhagat Singh and his associates is
not just about spectacular acts like bombs and slogans; it is also about the growth of an
organised, modern revolutionary movement that combined fearless action with sharp
political thinking.
1. The Roots – Punjab’s Revolutionary Soil
Impact of Earlier Movements
Punjab had long been fertile ground for resistance:
• The memory of the Ghadar Movement of 1913–15 still inspired young minds.
• The Jallianwala Bagh massacre (1919) left deep scars and anger against colonial rule.
• The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22) had raised hopes of freedom, but
Gandhi’s sudden withdrawal after Chauri Chaura disillusioned many youths.
Into this environment was born a generation unwilling to wait endlessly or rely solely on
petitions and moral appeals.
2. Bhagat Singh’s Early Life and Influences
Born on 28 September 1907 in Banga village, Lyallpur district (now in Pakistan), Bhagat
Singh grew up in a family steeped in nationalist activity:
• His uncles, Ajit Singh and Swaran Singh, were political activists.
• Stories of the martyrs of 1857 and of Kartar Singh Sarabha of the Ghadar Party filled
his childhood.
As a teenager, he read widely — from Marx, Lenin, and revolutionary literature to
nationalist poetry. The combination shaped him into a rare blend: a man of action and
ideas.
3. Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA)
By the mid-1920s, Bhagat Singh had joined the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA),
founded by Ram Prasad Bismil and others in Uttar Pradesh. After the Kakori Conspiracy Case
(1925) led to many arrests and executions, a new generation took over:
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• In 1928, the HRA was reorganised as the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association
(HSRA).
• The revised aim was clear: overthrow British rule and establish a socialist republic
through revolution.
The HSRA under Bhagat Singh shifted from purely armed action to combining it with
propaganda, political education, and public mobilisation.
4. Major Revolutionary Activities in Punjab Under Bhagat Singh
a) The Naujawan Bharat Sabha (1926)
Recognising the need for a broader base beyond secret cells, Bhagat Singh founded the
Naujawan Bharat Sabha in Lahore in March 1926. Goals:
• Mobilise youth against communalism and colonialism.
• Spread ideas of socialism, equality, and secularism.
• Organise public meetings, distribute pamphlets, and encourage fearless debate.
The Sabha became a legal front for HSRA activities in Punjab, allowing open interaction with
masses while the underground network operated separately.
b) Protest Against the Simon Commission (1928)
The Simon Commission, sent to review constitutional reforms, had no Indian members —
an insult to nationalist sentiment. All political groups decided to boycott it.
• On 30 October 1928, in Lahore, a huge protest was led by Lala Lajpat Rai.
• The police, under Superintendent James A. Scott, brutally lathi-charged the crowd.
Lajpat Rai was severely injured and died a few weeks later.
Bhagat Singh vowed to avenge his death, declaring, "It is not Lala Lajpat Rai who is dead; it
is the British Government in India which is dead."
c) Killing of Saunders (December 1928)
The plan was to kill Scott, responsible for Lajpat Rai’s injuries.
• On 17 December 1928, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Chandrashekhar Azad mistakenly
shot J.P. Saunders, an Assistant Superintendent of Police.
• To escape detection, Bhagat Singh cut his hair and beard, adopting a Western style
and fleeing Lahore.
This act electrified Punjab — the young men had struck directly at the symbols of British
authority.
d) The Lahore Bomb Factory
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In early 1929, Bhagat Singh and his comrades set up a bomb-making unit in a rented house
in Lahore.
• Led by Jatindra Nath Das (Jatin Das), they experimented with chemicals and
manufactured explosives.
• This was preparation for acts aimed not at mass killing but at symbolic protest — to
"make the deaf hear".
e) Central Legislative Assembly Bombing (8 April 1929)
When the British introduced the Public Safety Bill and Trade Disputes Bill to curb political
and labour movements, HSRA decided to protest dramatically:
• Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw two bombs in the Assembly hall in Delhi.
• The bombs were deliberately harmless to avoid fatalities; leaflets were scattered
proclaiming revolution.
• The two surrendered voluntarily, using the trial as a platform to spread their
message.
The courtroom became their stage — Bhagat Singh’s writings and speeches reached far
beyond Punjab.
f) The Lahore Conspiracy Case (1929–1930)
The police linked Bhagat Singh to the Saunders killing, leading to a consolidated trial known
as the Lahore Conspiracy Case.
• Many HSRA members were arrested.
• In jail, Bhagat Singh and others launched a hunger strike demanding equal treatment
for Indian political prisoners.
• Jatin Das died after 63 days of fasting, shocking the nation.
The trial ended with death sentences for Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev.
5. Ideological Dimension
Bhagat Singh was not only a revolutionary fighter but also a thinker:
• Emphasised that political freedom must go hand in hand with social and economic
justice.
• Advocated secularism, warning against communal divisions.
• Saw revolution as a process of awakening the masses, not merely replacing rulers.
In his famous essay “Why I am an Atheist”, he defended rationalism and argued for selfless
service to humanity.
6. Public Support in Punjab
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Punjab responded passionately to Bhagat Singh’s activities:
• Students held strikes in colleges.
• The Naujawan Bharat Sabha’s meetings attracted thousands.
• His defiance in court and dignity in prison made him a hero even among moderates.
British intelligence reports from the time show deep concern about his growing influence,
especially among the youth.
7. Martyrdom (23 March 1931)
Despite massive public appeals, the British government executed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru,
and Sukhdev in Lahore Jail on the evening of 23 March 1931.
• Their bodies were cremated secretly at Hussainiwala on the Sutlej.
• News of their execution led to strikes, protests, and mourning across India.
In Punjab, their martyrdom created a legacy that no repression could erase.
8. Effects on the Freedom Struggle
• Inspiration to Youth: His courage convinced many that sacrificing for the nation was
a noble duty.
• Shift in Revolutionary Methods: From isolated terror to linking with mass political
goals.
• Socialist Thought in Nationalism: Popularised the idea that true freedom meant
economic equality.
• Cultural Legacy: Songs, plays, and poetry about Bhagat Singh kept the spirit of
resistance alive.
Closing Thoughts
If you could walk down the streets of Lahore in 1930, you might hear whispered updates
about “Singh’s trial,” see young men distributing hand-printed pamphlets, and feel the quiet
pride of a people who had found in Bhagat Singh and his associates the embodiment of
fearless defiance.
Their revolutionary activities in Punjab were not random sparks; they were part of a
deliberate effort to awaken a sleeping nation. Bhagat Singh left behind no palace, no wealth
— only the unshakeable belief that freedom demanded not just the end of foreign rule, but
the birth of a just, united, and enlightened India. That belief still beats in the heart of
Punjab’s history.
“This paper has been carefully prepared for educational purposes. If you notice any mistakes or
have suggestions, feel free to share your feedback.”
