SOUTH ASIAN HISTORY
Pages from the History of the Indian Sub-continent
The first manifesto or political platform of the Ghadar Party:
- To liberate India with the force of arms from British servitude and to establish a free and independent India with equal rights for all.
- To establish their headquarters in San Francisco, that would serve as a base to coordinate all the activities for achieving these aims and objectives.
- To publish a weekly paper, Ghadar, in Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi and in other languages of India.
- To hold organisational elections every year to elect a coordination committee from the different committees to carry out all the work.
- To organize cells amongst Indian railway, industrial, and farm workers, as well as students who would be directly linked to the centre.
- The coordination committee would elect a three-member commission to supervise the political and underground work.
- Revenue would be drawn from each member through a monthly contribution of one dollar.
- No discussion or debate was to take place on religion within the organization. Religion was considered a personal matter and that it had no place in the organization.
- Every member was duty bound to participate in the liberation struggle of that country in which they were resident.
Widely distributed poster entitled, "Jang Da Hoka" (Declaration of War)
|
Clarion Call for the Ghadar Army The British have occupied our dear land. Our commerce and industry has been ruined. They have plundered and looted the wealth of Hindustan and brought famine and plague. More than 90 million Hindustanis do not even have one square meal a day. Thirty million have died due to famine and plague. They are sending all our produce and grains to England. It is due to these conditions of misery that Hindustanis have started going to far off lands such as Australia, Canada, America, and Africa and when they have begun to fill their stomachs, it has poked needles and pins in the heart of the British. Because it has opened the eyes of the Hindustanis and they are understanding all the schemes of the British, these British strangle us in India. And when we come abroad here they also make our lives miserable. They have closed Australia and Canada for us. Our mothers, sisters and children are treated like animals in Africa by the British. Now the British are pressuring the American government to stop us from coming to the shores of America. The American government has said that if the British government is stopping the Hindus from coming to their own-ruled countries, Australia and Canada, why should we allow them to come here. This bill is in their parliament (Congress). If this bill is passed we will be ruined. Other countries will also make such laws. Now is the time to do something about this condition. Brave Hindis! Awaken from your sleep. The British are getting you thrown out from everywhere. Let us unite and fight so such laws are not passed here. We should also think about, whether or not these laws pass, what should we do? What is our duty at this time? Our duty at this time is to prepare an army to fight against British rule in India which is the root of all our problems. This is not the time for talk. This is the time for war. How long will you wait? How long will the world keep calling you slaves? On Sunday, February 15, a huge gathering will take place in Stockton. All Hindus and Muslims of America are called upon to join. No more petition to the oppressors. Now we have to take our rights with sword. AN ARMY WILL BE RECRUITED FOR THE GHADAR IN INDIA. Come brothers,
you have earned plenty of dollars! Take the ship back to our motherland!
Come let us go back to our motherland and raise the banner of
revolt! Come to the gathering in Stockton and take a vow to
go back to Hindustan and fight in the Ghadar! Just as this call is
written in blood in the same fashion the letter of freedom will be
written in ours and the blood of the British on the soil of Hindustan.
For this oath, this call is being sent out from the Yugantar Ashram.
This is not a paper, but a declaration of war! Stop everything
and come! Do not delay! ONLY HE IS A BRAVE FIGHTER
WHO FIGHTS FOR HIS COUNTRY. EVEN IF HE IS CUT INTO PIECES, HE DOES
NOT LEAVE THE BATTLEFIELD. |
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PEOPLE OF INDIA Dear Friends, We do not have to remind you; you all know how much we have suffered under the British rule. We all wish to get rid of this foreign tyrant who has been bleeding us white. The time is coming when our united efforts will be able to throw off the yoke of this aggressor. Another world war is approaching. We must take advantage of this opportunity. England is sure to get involved in the coming war. Political wisdom demands that we must utilize this rare opportunity for our good. We must put forward our demand for complete independence when our enemy, British imperialism, is engaged in a life and death struggle. To save her life, Britain will need India's friendship more than anything else. We must demand complete independence as the price of our friendship. We must let the British rulers know in clear terms right that if they care for the friendship of India, they must be prepared to give India full independence at once. Otherwise India will resist to limit their effort to get any help from India. It is beside the point how we will resist, but resist we will. Complete independence means India's control over treasury, foreign affairs, and military forces. Nothing short of that will do. We must remember that we can no longer trust any more promises from the British imperialists. To our sorrow, we have found out many times that we can not rely upon their words. We must stand pat on our demands; we must one way or another unite until our demands are met. The world situation is such that the British will think twice before refusing India's demand. We must not miss this golden opportunity. To get full advantage of the situation, we must put up a strong united front. All those Hindustanis who really work for independence must come together in a united front. Personal differences must be forgotten. Unity of purpose is essential for our cause. All of us who hold India's freedom dear to us, must work to establish a formidable united front. Our demands backed by our united front will have a telling effect. Our demands must be popularized among our countrymen. Our people must be made to act in case our demands are not met. Now is the time to educate our people: tomorrow may be too late. During the war, martial law will make things difficult. Unless the masses are made ready to act, our demands will not have much weight. The British imperialists care little for empty resolutions unless they are backed by united might of the masses. War may start any day. We have not a moment to lose. We must do our best to educate and organize the Indian masses while we have time. Our slogans must be such as: Complete Independence or Non-cooperation! Freedom or Nothing Else! No Freedom, No Soldiers from India! No Freedom, No Money from India! Freedom or Resistance! |
In their educational materials, the Ghadar Party often referred to themselves as Soldiers of Independence and issued numerous fact sheets on the horrors of British Rule:
- about $40,000,000
- on sanitation $6,000,000
- but on the army $330,000,000
Note: At that time, Hindus referred to all Indians, and not just to those who followed Hindu faith.
Excerpts from the Ghadar magazine: Naya Zamana
The Congress: All wise men know that the Congress is an official assembly. The founder of this assembly of ignorant persons was an Englishman named Mr. Hume. Almost every year an Englishman is appointed as its president. Mr. Gokhale, who takes a great part in it, is a titled man and member of the Imperial Legislative Council. Messrs. Mehta and Nauroji are also titled men...In short, all its members are flatterers and timid men. They do not think of measures for the prevention of famine and plague. They have learnt certain sentences which they repeat every year...They beg government to give them their rights merely by begging...These empty shows can not result in preventing famines, reducing taxes, spreading industry, introducing administration of real justice, filling the stomachs of cultivators and removing plague. The appointment of a few young men to Legislative councils can not result in any good to the country, even though they may be able to deliver very eloquent speeches. The acceptance of government service by able Indians only causes great harm to the nation...This is not the way to free country from the calamities which are devastating it...great courage and wisdom are required to awaken the country. The flattery of Englishmen can be of no avail...Congress is in the hands of Englishmen and conducted by them from London...Avoid it...
Religious Movements--Several new creeds and religious associations are coming into existence in India, everyone of which boasts of liberating India from Slavery...Religious disputes among different sections are considered by some as signs of the activity and energy of the Hindu nation...They think that when there is one religion throughout India no foreign nation can aspire to become her ruler. But this is not borne out by history and is opposed to common sense. Every person can have his/her own philosophical or religious principles. Nobody should be compelled to act upon a particular principle and thought...Social organisations should not be based upon religion...India has produced patriots like Ram Singh, Nana Sahib, Tantia, The Rani of Jhansi, Mr. Tilak, Amba Prasad Sufi, and Ajit Singh, but the religion of these men was not the same. So it is not necessary that there should be one religion throughout the country...It is foolish to think that a single religious association would be sufficient for all purposes. Education and social reform should not be based on religion...The prosperity and happiness of a people does not depend on a particular creed...To abandon efforts for liberty and equality and to devote one's entire zeal to religion is to degrade one's self below the status of man. Duty, knowledge and happiness depend on liberty and equality and upon these also depends the deliverance of a country, and in fact of the whole world.
Party Statement, 1917
The immediate object of the revolutionary party in the domain of politics is to establish a Federal Republic of the United States of India by an organized armed revolution. The final constitution of this Republic shall be framed and declared at a time when the representatives of India shall have the power to carry out their decisions. But the basic principles of this Republic shall be universal suffrage, and the abolition of all systems which make the exploitation of man by man possible;...In this Republic the electors shall have the right to recall their representatives if so desired, otherwise the democracy shall become a mockery. In this Republic, the legislature shall have the power to control the executives and replace them whenever necessity will arise.
The Revolutionary Party is not national but international in the sense that its ultimate object is to bring harmony in the world by respecting and guaranteeing the diverse interests of the different nations; it aims not at competition but at cooperation between the different nations and states, and in this respect it follows the footsteps of the great Indian Rishis and of Bolshevik Russia in the modern age. Good for humanity is no vain and empty word for Indian revolutionaries."
The Revolutionary Poetry of The Ghadar Movement
Pandit Sohan Lal Pathak, one of the outstanding leaders of the Ghadar Party was hanged on February 10,1916 in Mandalay jail for inciting rebellion against the British rule. At his martyrdom another Ghadarite Amar Singh wrote:
|
Chadha
Mansoor Phansi Par Pukara Ishk Bazon Ko |
(From the Gallows Mansoor called those who dared to love This path of self-sacrifice, those who march on it, should do so with complete free will) |
Poetry from the pages of Ghadar Di Goonj: (Ghadar Di Goonj was published in Shahmukhi and Gurmukhi.)
| Kuli Kuli Pukarda Jag Saanun Saada Jhulda Kitey Nishan Kiyon Nahin Kikoon Bachangey Sada Ghulam Rahkey Saanun Rajniti Wala Giyan Kiyon Nahin Dhayi Totru Kha Gaye Khet Sada Hindustan da Koi Kisan Kiyon Nahin Marna Bhala
Ghulami di Zindagi Ton |
We are called coolies in countries abroad We do not have a flag of our own Will we always live the life of slaves? Why do we not know the science of politics? A handful people have taken control of our land Why is not there a caretaker of Hindustan?) (It is better to
die than live a life of servitude |
Poetry encouraging people to take specific organisational steps:
| Khufiya Raj Societiyan Karo Kaayam Rall Marhatey Bengali De Yaar Ho Jayo Hindu Sikh Te Momno Karo Jaldi Ik Dusrey De Madadgar Ho Jayo Ghar Ghar Gupti
Sabha Banayo |
(Establish
secret political organizations Bengalis and Marathis all should get together Hindu, Sikh and Muslims all should unite And stand together with each other) (Form secret
societies in every household |
Poetry describing the conditions of Hindustan:
| Bhukhey Marnn Bacchey Kaall Vich Sadey Khatti Khann Saadi Englistan Walley Kannak Beejkey Khann Nun Jaun Mildey Paisa Chhadadey Nahin Laggan Valley Laayiya Tax Firangiyan Bahut Yaaro Bhukhey Marann Gharib Dukaan Valley Karo Paltan Nun Khabardar Jaakey Sutey Payey Kiyon Teg Chalaan Valley Musalmaan Pathan Balwan Dogar Singh Soormey Yudh Machaann Valley Hindustaniyan Morchey Fatey Keetey Burma, Misar Te Cheen Sudan Valley |
(Our children are dying in famines The English are enjoying the fruit or our toil We sow wheat but we get barley to eat We are not left with a penny, all is taken by the tax collectors The English have levied heavy taxes Poor shopkeepers are dying of hunger Go and arouse the army Why those who wield the sword are asleep? Brave Muslims, Pathans and Dogras Valiant Sikhs in the battlefield Hindustanis fighting on fronts in Burma, China, Egypt and Sudan) |
Exposing the so-called leaders of the Hindustanis, the collaborators of the British:
| Jattan Sidhiyan Nun Koi Dosh Nahin Sadey Leaderan Da Manda Haal Singho Rai Bandran Mulk Veeran Kita Piyar Rakhdey Bandran Nal Singho Sanun Paas Angrez De Bechaya Hai Aap Mulk De Banney Dalal Singho |
(The common folk are not to be blamed Our 'leaders' are traitors Rai Bhadurs, copy cats of the British, have ruined our land They have sold us to the British And have become pimps of the British) |
They called upon the people to see through the illusions spread by conservative and moderate leaders of Indian National Congress
| Ghairat Annakh Wala Je Khoon Hunda Dehli Takht Zaalam Saathon Khasade Naan Banner, Bipin, Gandhi, Madanmohan Varge Eh Firangiyaan De Boot Jhasde Naan Deputationaan
Te Resolutionaan Te |
(If our leaders had fought for our self respect We would not have lost our country and rule The kind of Bannerji, Bipin Chander Pal, Gandhi And Madanmohan Malviya would not Have Licked the Boots of the British) (Deputations and
resolutions are waste of money |
"Freedom is not obtained by begging"
| Kade
Mangyian Milann Azadiyan Na Hunde Tarliyan Naal Na Raj Loko Karo Na Minnat
Ainwe Bano Na Kaiyar |
(Freedom
is not obtained by begging By appeals political power is not won) (Do not petition
like cowards |
Poetry calling upon the Hindustani soldiers to revolt:
| Tusin
Lardo Jaa Key Khaatar Goriyan De Singho Bholiyo Karde Khyal Kiyon Nahin Desan Dujiyan Te Nit Karo Dhaavey Mulk Apna Laindey Sambhaal Kiyon Nahin Tibet, Cheen, Africa Nun Fateh Kardey Dita Dushmanan Hath Dakhal Kiyon Nahin Utho Azadi Da Lavo Jhaaka Ralke Kheddey Kiyon Gulal Nahin Faujan Waliyo Tusaan
Di Matt Maari |
(You go and fight for the British You brave lions just think about it You fight in far and distant lands Why not take charge of your own land? You have subdued Tibet, China, Africa for the British Why not show your valor to our enemy the British? Arise and breathe the fresh air of Freedom Why do you not play Holi with the blood of British?) (Soldiers awaken
and come to your senses |
Poetry cautoning against collaborating 'religious leaders'
| Kazi, Pandatan , Ate Giyaniyan Ne Yudh Karan Da Vachan Sunawnna Na Bhaunkan Raat Diney Bhukhye Tukrdiaan De Khali Rahannge Dhidh Bharavanna Na Haddi Pun Pai Ju Thode Khalsa Ji Marda Dhan Puja Wala Khawna Na Vaja Mominan Di Kam Luchyian De Deel Dol Nun Vaikh Bhul Jawana Na Saanun Lord Na Amayan Afayan Di Ilam Ragard Forde Uttey Lawnna Na |
(Kazis, Pandits and Giyanis of Gurudwara Will not speak of fighting the British They bark like dogs day and night Looking for the crumbs from the British If you listen to them your bellies will remain empty Your bones will be eaten by cancer If you eat the crumbs that they give They wear garb of holy men but Their deeds are those of the devil Do not be fooled by their garb |
Poetry written after firing deaths in Lahore
| Shahid
ki jo maut hai wo kaum ki hayat hai Shahid ka jo hai lahu wo kaum ki zakat hai Katain jo chand daaliyan to chaman ho hara bhara Katain jo chand gardanain to kaum ki hayat hai |
(The
death of the martyrs is life of the nation The blood of the martyrs is the offering of the nation Few branches fall so that the garden can bloom Few heads fall so that the nation can have life) |
Statement by one of the party's youngest martyrs:
|
"Our struggle will continue
as long as a handful of men, be they foreign or native, or both in
collaboration with each other, continue to exploit the labour and
resources of our people. Nothing shall deter us from this path." |
Translations of Ghadar documents from: Jaspal Singh: History of the Ghadar Movement; Courtesy: www.jatt.com
Also see writings of Shaheed Bhagat Singh
Back to Key Landmarks in the Indian Freedom Struggle
Related Articles:
"Moderates" versus "Extremists" in the battle for "Swaraj" and "Swadeshi"
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