The Gurudwara Movement also known as the Akali movement grew out of the Singh Sabha Movement. Its goal was to free Sikh gurudwaras from the control of corrupt Udasi mahants. The government attempted repressive policies against the Akalis' nonviolent non-cooperation satyagraha in 1921 but was forced to yield to popular demands. The government passed the Sikh Gurudwaras Act in 1922 (amended in 1925), giving the Sikh masses control of gurudwaras to be administered through the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) as the apex body. This article will explain to you about the Gurudwara Movement which will be helpful in Modern Indian History preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Gurudwara Movement – Background

• The British had taken control of several Gurdwaras, including Amritsar's Golden Temple, Akal Takhat, Baba Atai, as well as Tarn Taran Sahib.
• The administration had been using gurdwaras for political purposes because they had a strong religious appeal among the Sikh population. The remaining 260 gurdwaras were allowed to remain in the hands of the Mahants (Priests).
• Prior to 1920, the Sikh Gurudwaras were governed by Udasi Sikh mahants, who treated Gurudwara offerings and other income as their personal income.
• The British government backed these mahants to counter the rising tide of nationalism among Sikhs.
• The situation deteriorated to the point where the priest of the golden temple issued a hukamnama (injunction) against Ghadarites, declaring them renegades, and then bestowed a saropa on General Dyer, the butcher of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
• The Gurdwara Reform Movement launched an agitation to free the Gurudwaras from these corrupt mahants and hand them over to a representative body of Sikhs.
• In November 1920, under increasing pressure from nationalists and Gurudwara agitators, the Gurudwaras were placed under the control of an elected committee known as the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee.
• The movement for Gurudwara liberation quickly evolved into the Alkali movement, which later split into three streams: moderate nationalist reformers, pro-government loyalists, and a political organ of Sikh communalism.

Launch of Gurudwara Movement

• Sikhs began to demand that the gurdwaras be returned to the Panth in the early twentieth century.
• Through persuasion and nonviolent means, they took control of the Golden Temple, Akal Takhat, and a few other gurdwaras.
• They also agreed to form a centralized religious organization to oversee the operation of Gurdwaras.
• On November 15, 1920, the Akal Takhat issued a hukamnama summoning a general assembly of all Sikhs to Amritsar for this purpose.
• To begin, the government purposefully remained neutral toward the Gurdwara Reform Movement. The government hoped that by keeping Sikhs busy with this activity, they would not join the Non-Cooperation Movement.
• Furthermore, the government was hesitant to take any serious action against Sikh reformers, fearing that repression would push them to join Non-Cooperation.
• The administration was irritated, however, when the Central Sikh League, a political organization of the Sikh middle class, decided to adopt Non-Cooperation under the influence of Congress on October 19.
• The government was now concerned that the extreme Sikh leadership of the Central Sikh League would seize control of the organization.
• As a result, the government formed a provisional Committee for gurdwara management just two days before the meeting at Akal Takhat.
• To administer Gurdwaras, a conference was held at Akal Takhat, and an organization known as the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) was formed.
• During the organization's first meeting on December 12, 1920, Sunder Singh Majithia and Harbans Singh Atari were elected President and Vice-President, respectively.
• They were members of the Chief Khaba Diwan, a Sikh nobility-led loyalist organization.

Gurudwara Movement – Significance

• It instilled confidence in Indians that the British could be forced to meet their genuine demands through a nonviolent mass movement.
• It brought the Akali Dal and Congress leadership very close together, providing a significant impetus to the Punjab freedom movement.
• The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee and the Akali Dal provided the institutional and organizational structure to respond to the aspirations of the newly mobilized Sikh masses.
• The Mahants in charge of the smaller Gurdwaras either voluntarily submitted to the authority of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee or were forced to surrender their shrines and the jagirs attached to them under the provisions of the Sikh Gurdwaras and Shrines Bill.

Conclusion

During their five-year (1920-25) struggle of the Gurdwara Reform Movement, the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee and the Akali Dal were able not only to oust the Mahants, but also to gain control of all the important Sikh shrines through peaceful agitation and passive suffering, as well as to strengthen the forces of nationalism in Punjab by ejecting the Mahants, government-appointed managers, and other vested interests in the Sikh communities.

FAQs 

Question: What was the Gurudwara Movement?

Question: What triggered the Gurudwara Movement?

Question: When was the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) formed?

Question: What legislation formalized Sikh control over their gurudwaras?

Question: How did the Gurudwara Movement contribute to Indian nationalism?

MCQs 

1. The Gurudwara Movement was primarily aimed at:

A) Promoting Hindu-Muslim unity

B) Gaining control over Sikh gurudwaras from corrupt mahants

C) Increasing trade with British India

D) Establishing new gurudwaras abroad

2. Which organization was formed during the Gurudwara Movement to manage Sikh religious affairs?

A) Arya Samaj

B) Shiromani Akali Dal

C) Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC)

D) Hindu Mahasabha

3. The Sikh Gurdwaras Act of 1925 was enacted to:

A) Regulate Sikh religious texts

B) Allow British control of Sikh institutions

C) Establish democratic control over Sikh gurudwaras

D) Limit the role of Sikh community leaders

4. Who were the main opponents of the Gurudwara Movement?

A) Indian nationalists

B) Corrupt mahants and the British government

C) Rural Sikh farmers

D) Hindu priests

5. The Gurudwara Movement is associated with which broader historical context?

A) Reform within the Indian National Congress

B) The rise of regional political parties

C) Socio-religious reform and anti-colonial resistance

D) Expansion of Indian princely states

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Explain the significance of the Gurudwara Movement in the socio-religious reform history of the Sikh community.

Answer: The Gurudwara Movement played a pivotal role in the socio-religious reform of the Sikh community by eliminating the corrupt practices of mahants who mismanaged religious institutions. By establishing the SGPC, it democratized the management of gurudwaras and strengthened Sikh religious and cultural identity. The movement aligned with anti-colonial sentiments, contributing to India's broader nationalist struggle, and underscored the importance of community control over religious affairs.

Q2: Discuss the impact of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act of 1925 on the Gurudwara Movement.

Answer: The Sikh Gurdwaras Act of 1925 marked a significant victory for the Gurudwara Movement, formalizing Sikh control over their religious institutions through the SGPC. It provided a legal framework for democratic management and strengthened community unity. The Act curtailed British influence and corruption, reaffirming Sikh self-governance in religious matters and bolstering the movement's legacy as a landmark socio-religious reform.

Q3: Analyze how the Gurudwara Movement contributed to Indian nationalism.

Answer: The Gurudwara Movement strengthened Indian nationalism by challenging British support of corrupt mahants and aligning Sikh aspirations with the larger anti-colonial struggle. The movement fostered unity, self-reliance, and socio-religious reform, energizing the Sikh community's involvement in national politics. Its success demonstrated the power of collective action, furthering the broader quest for Indian self-rule and resisting colonial interference in religious and cultural matters.

Previous Year Questions on Gurudwara Movement

1. UPSC CSE 2019

Question: Assess the role of the Gurudwara Movement in transforming Sikh religious institutions and governance.

Answer: The Gurudwara Movement transformed Sikh religious institutions by transferring control from corrupt mahants to the democratic management of the SGPC. It restored sanctity to gurudwaras, empowered the Sikh community, and asserted religious self-determination. The movement’s success symbolized the broader struggle for self-governance and socio-religious reform, aligning with India’s anti-colonial efforts and demonstrating the power of collective community action.

2. UPSC CSE 2020

Question: Evaluate the challenges faced by the Gurudwara Movement and its impact on the Sikh identity.

Answer: The Gurudwara Movement faced resistance from corrupt mahants, often backed by British authorities. Despite these challenges, it succeeded in democratizing gurudwara management, enhancing Sikh religious and cultural identity, and promoting socio-religious reforms. The movement strengthened Sikh unity, underscored the importance of self-governance, and reinforced Sikh identity in colonial India, leaving a lasting legacy on the community's socio-religious landscape.