The Babbar Akali movement was a splinter group of "militant" Sikhs who split from the mainstream Akali movement in 1921 due to the latter's insistence on nonviolence over gurdwara reforms. In September 1920, the militant unit Shahadat Dal (Association of Martyrs) was formed, which later evolved into the Babbar Akali movement. By 1922, they had formed a military organization and were killing informers, government officials, and ex-officials. They also circulated an illegal newspaper that detailed British exploitation of India. The British declared it an illegal association in April 1923. They used religious imagery and discussed the loss of Sikh sovereignty during the First and Second Anglo-Sikh Wars to gain popular support. This article will explain to you about the Babbar Akali Movement which will be helpful in Modern Indian History preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Who were the Babbar Akalis?

• The Babbar Akalis were Gursikhs who opposed the British government's imperialist policies.
• Babbar Akalis opposed the Congress leadership and the Gandhi formula of nonviolence and noncooperation.
• They were upset because of the Nankana Sahib tragedy, which resulted in the slaughter of hundreds of innocent Sikhs.
• They rejected the peaceful reformation struggle in the Sikh shrines and decided to lead their movement independently, without the company or cooperation of the dominant Akali leadership.

Babbar Akali Movement - Background

• The Babbar Akali Movement originated from Bist Jalandhar Doab.
• On March 19, 1921, a Sikh Educational Conference was held in Hoshiarpur. The idea for launching the Babbar Akali Movement emerged from the deliberations of this conference.
• On March 25, 1921, the main leaders convened in a separate meeting to exact vengeance for the Nankana Sahib Tragedy.
• The Babbar Akalis had already resolved to avenge the Nankana Sahib Tragedy.
• The Nankana Sahib Morcha was crushed by two British officers, Deputy Commissioner King and Police Captain Baring, Bedi Kartar Singh, Mahant Basant Das Manak, Mahant Deva Das, and Sardar Sunder Singh Majithia.
• Both British officers were later transferred from Nankana Sahib to Lahore.
• Ganda Singh and Bela Singh went to Lahore to assassinate the British officers, but Sadhu (an Akali Newspaper employee) informed the government of this plan.
• Sadhu Singh's treachery resulted in the arrests of Ganda Singh and Bela Singh.
• The First Akali Conspiracy Case Trial No.1 began in 1922 as a result of this. During the trial, Ganda Singh admitted to his plan.
• Following the investigation, the police filed a challan against Tota Singh Pisohri, Tara Singh, Bhai Chanchal Singh, Amar Singh, Narian Singh, Bela Singh, and Granthi Prem Singh of Gurdwara Chumhla Sahib Lahore.
• In this case, Master Mota Singh, Bhai Kishan Singh, Bijla Singh, Amar Singh, Gurbachan Singh of Ambala, District Hoshiarpur, and Watan Singh of Kahri sahri, District Hoshiarpur were declared fugitives.

Babbar Akali Movement - Features

• During the early 1920s, the Babbar Akali Movement was a radical outgrowth of the Akali movement for the reform of Sikh places of worship.
• The incidents at Tarn Taran (January 1921) and Nankana Sahib (February 1921) in which many Sikhs were killed gave rise to a group that rejected nonviolence and adopted violence as a creed.
• The members of this secret society were known as the Babbar Akalis, with Babbar meaning "Lion."
• The British officers and their Indian informers were their targets. They were deeply committed to their Sikh faith and were filled with patriotic zeal.
• From March 19 to 21, 1921, Hoshiarpur hosted the Sikh Educational Conference.
• Some radicals, led by Master Mota Singh and Kishan singh Gargajj, a retired havildar major of the Indian army, met in secret and devised a plan to exact vengeance on those responsible for the Nankana Sahib killings.
• Kishan Singh formed a secret organization called Chakarvarti Jatha in November 1921 and began inciting the peasantry and soldiers against the foreign rulers.
• The two Chakravarti Jathas decided to merge at the end of August 1922 and rename their organization Babbar Akali Jatha.
  • Kishan Singh was elected as jathedar or president, and Dalip Singh Daulatpur, Karam Singh Jhingran, and Ude Singh Ramgarh Jhuggian were elected as members.
• The Jatha's outer circle was made up of sympathizers who provided food and shelter to the active members.
• From mid-1922 to the end of 1923, the movement was very active. Several government officials and supporters were targeted and murdered.
• Under the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908, the Babbar Akali Jatha was declared an unlawful association in April 1923. The arrests and deaths of its members in police encounters depleted the Jatha's ranks.
  • Varyam Singh Dhugga was killed by police in Lyallpur district in June 1924, effectively ending the movement.
• On 15 August 1923, the trial of the arrested Babbar Akalis had already begun inside Lahore Central Jail.
  • Ninety-one Babbar Akalis were charged, two died in custody during the trial, 34 were acquitted, six were sentenced to death, including Jathedar Kishan Singh Gargajj, and the remaining 49 were sentenced to varying terms of imprisonment.
• On February 27, 1926, the Babbars were hanged. Kishan Singh Gargajj, Babu Santa Singh, Dalip Singh Dhamian, Karam Singh Manko, Nand Singh Ghurial, and Dharam Singh Hayatpur were among those involved.
• The Babbar Akali Jatha ceased to exist, but it left an indelible mark on the history of the Sikhs and the Indian nationalist movement.

Babbar Akali Movement - Impact

• The British were alarmed by Babbar Akali's growing power. Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, and Kuprthala became strongholds of the Babbar Akalis.
• In order to deal with the Babbar Akalis, the police had to enlist the assistance of the army.
• Because of the Babbar Akalis, the government did not earn a single penny from the sale of Jamun and Mango trees between 1921 and 1923.
• The British announced a reward for the capture of Babbar Akalis, and raids and arrests began in the villages. As a result, the Babbar Akali Conspiracy case Trial No-2 began on June 4, 1924.

Babbar Akali Movement - Criticism

• The main cause was the British Government's and the Babbars' unequal match of strength and resources.
• They were forced to suffer due to a lack of funds, weapons, and ammunition.
• They attempted to keep the contract with the army and procure arms, as well as purchase arms with the robbed money. However, it was insufficient for them to complete their mission.
• Another reason was that the Babbars were no better than the Gadrities at keeping their organization hidden. The British C.I.D. had little trouble infiltrating Babbar's inner circle.
• Another reason for Babbars' failure was the role of Jholichuks, who gave the government their full cooperation in its fight against the Babbars. After their arrest, some Babbars became police informants.
• Furthermore, other anti-imperialist parties such as the S.G.P.C. and Indian National Congress, while anti-imperialist in their own ways, disapproved of the Babbars' revolutionary methods.
• The Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) strongly opposed the movement's activities and urged people not to support the Babbars.

Babbar Akali Women

Patriotic women such as Mata Dharam Kaur, Bibi Sant Kaur, Bibi Aas kaur, Bibi Pritam Kaur, Mata Sant Kaur, and Bibi Karam Kaur took part and made great sacrifices for freedom.

Conclusion

Though the Akali leadership disavowed both the Babbars and their methods, even going so far as to pass formal resolutions against them, the Babbars' contribution to the Akali Movement cannot be overlooked. They increased the Akali leadership's bargaining power by terrorizing the bureaucratic machinery and its supporters in Punjab, compelling the government to negotiate with them. The Babbars also contributed to the weakening of the Akali Movement's opposition from vested interests in the villages by announcing their plan to eliminate all those responsible for the Nankana tragedy and actually assassinating some of the loyalists who had helped the authorities in the province.

FAQs

Question: What characterized the Babbar Akali Movement?

Question: Who inspired the Babbar Akali Movement?

Question: What did the Babbar Akalis oppose?

Question: How did the British respond to the Babbar Akali Movement?

Question: How did the Babbar Akali Movement contribute to India’s independence struggle?

MCQs 

1. The Babbar Akalis drew inspiration from:

A) The British colonial system

B) The Ghadar Party’s revolutionary ideology

C) Mughal traditions

D) Hindu reform movements

2. The movement primarily opposed:

A) Local village leaders

B) British-supported mahants

C) Indian nationalist leaders

D) Traditional artisans

3. The British response to the Babbar Akali Movement included:

A) Providing economic concessions

B) Repression, arrests, and executions

C) Forming political alliances

D) Ignoring the movement

4. The Babbar Akali Movement was a part of:

A) The Mughal era reforms

B) The broader Indian freedom struggle

C) Colonial administrative policies

D) Regional trade agreements

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the significance of the Babbar Akali Movement in the context of India's struggle for independence.

Answer: The Babbar Akali Movement played a significant role in the Indian independence struggle by mobilizing Sikh resistance against British rule and highlighting socio-religious grievances. Inspired by the revolutionary ideals of the Ghadar Party, the movement sought to end British exploitation and revive Sikh traditions. Although it faced severe repression, it symbolized the growing discontent and radicalization within India’s freedom struggle. The movement showcased the willingness of regional groups to take up arms, contributing to broader nationalist sentiments and challenging colonial authority.

Q2: Analyze the role of revolutionary ideology in shaping the Babbar Akali Movement.

Answer: Revolutionary ideology significantly shaped the Babbar Akali Movement, drawing inspiration from the Ghadar Party’s call for armed struggle against colonial rule. The movement’s focus on direct action and armed resistance reflected a departure from non-violent approaches, signaling a more radical phase in the fight for independence. The Babbars aimed to revive Sikh traditions and oppose British-backed exploitation, embodying the broader anti-colonial sentiment prevalent at the time. Their revolutionary ideology inspired future generations of freedom fighters, emphasizing self-sacrifice and resistance.

Q3: Examine the challenges faced by the Babbar Akali Movement and its impact on the Indian freedom struggle.

Answer: The Babbar Akali Movement faced severe challenges, including brutal repression by the British government, arrests, and executions of key leaders. Despite these setbacks, it succeeded in mobilizing Sikh sentiment against colonial exploitation and inspired subsequent movements for independence. The movement highlighted the need for socio-religious reforms and resistance to British-backed collaborators, contributing to the larger narrative of India’s struggle for freedom. Its legacy underscores the role of regional and religious movements in shaping India’s anti-colonial efforts.

Previous Year Questions on Babbar Akali Movement

1. UPSC CSE 2018

Question: Evaluate the contribution of socio-religious reform movements like the Babbar Akali Movement to India’s independence struggle.

Answer: Socio-religious reform movements like the Babbar Akali Movement contributed to India’s independence struggle by addressing both religious and colonial exploitation. The movement’s focus on opposing British-backed mahants and reviving Sikh traditions galvanized support against colonial rule. Though met with harsh suppression, its radical approach inspired subsequent resistance, demonstrating the intertwined nature of religious reform and political independence. Such movements highlighted regional grievances, enriching the broader narrative of India’s fight for freedom.

2. UPSC CSE 2020

Question: Discuss the impact of regional movements on the larger Indian freedom struggle, with reference to the Babbar Akali Movement.

Answer: Regional movements like the Babbar Akali Movement played a crucial role in the Indian freedom struggle by addressing localized grievances and mobilizing community-based resistance. The movement’s opposition to British-supported mahants and its radical call for armed struggle reflected the growing dissatisfaction among Sikhs. Despite facing suppression, it demonstrated the resolve of regional groups to challenge colonial authority, contributing to the broader anti-colonial sentiment. The Babbar Akali Movement exemplifies how regional struggles complemented and enriched India’s national independence efforts.