The Ghadar Movement: A Treatise On A Lost And Forgotten Chapter

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 5 July 2025 "A colonised country's history after its freedom must be complete in all respects. Ignoring a few links may present a truncated story which cannot be called history. " Muhammad Mujeeb, Indian writer of English and Urdu literature, educationist, scholar and the vice chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi, translated from Urdu by the reviewer "Chand Log, Chand Waaqyaat Aise Bhi Hain / Hue Jo Gum Toh Phir Kabhi Mile Hi Nahin" (There have been a few individuals and incidents that once lost, remained forever lost and forgotten). This Urdu couplet of an anonymous Urdu poet from Pakistan aptly sums up 'The Ghadar Movement'. It's often said in Urdu that, "Tahreek-E-Ghadar Par Waqt Ki Gard Bichh Gayee" (The dust of time settled on the Ghadar Movement). Fortunately, no longer, for Dr Rana Preet Gill's latest book, 'The Ghadar Movement': A Forgotten Struggle' (published by Penguin) provides an insightful and incisive study of this hither-to least known chapter of India's freedom struggle. A veterinary doctor by profession, this young and dynamic woman is a very successful and well-known writer who has been writing for many years. Her innumerable write-ups have appeared in all the leading national dailies and she has penned a few books as well. This book on Ghadar Movement reveals the analytical bent of Rana Preet Gill's mind. In other words, it's her maiden foray into a research work of significant importance. Collecting scattered facts and data, poring over them, analysing those details and compiling them into a researched screed requires burning the midnight oil. Yet, she did it admirably and also discharged her professional duties and responsibilities simultaneously. It can be said that Rana Preet Gill has resuscitated an entombed, if not completely dead, subject of monumental importance and value. For the unversed, The Ghadar Movement was a revolutionary organization founded by Indian expatriates in the United States in 1913, initially known as the Pacific Coast Hindustan Association. The word "Ghadar" itself means "revolution" in Urdu, which reflects the movement's core objective. All types of movements begin with a sense of euphoria and they often peter out sans a trace. Many factors work in a confluence that contribute to fading out a social, political, religious or freedom movement. The same dismal fate befell the Ghadar Movement as well. Poor planning, overzealous approach, coupled with lack of coordination, turned out to be the undoing of an intrepid, albeit over-enthusiastic and abortive movement. Ghadarites didn't envisage the dangers and challenges they could face while taking on the might of the seemingly invincible British empire. The presence of Mukhbir (informers) expedited its disintegration. The British government got a hint and it ruthlessly finished it off. Racism in Canada and the USA was yet another factor that contributed to the formation of this movement. Those who participated in the Ghadar movement were forgotten. But kudos to the author for not just mentioning the names of Ajit Singh, Sohan Singh Bhakha, Taraknath Das, Raja Manendra Pratap, among others, she also underlined their roles. But for her indefatigable endeavours, many participants in the movement would have remained in the dungeon of oblivion. There's a couplet in Urdu, "Main Woh Moti Hoon Jo Bik Jaaonga Haathon-Haath / Aankh Wala Koi Mitti Se Utha Le Mujh Ko" (I'm a priceless pearl/ All I need is a connoisseur who can find me in the dust). Gill dusted off and brought out those names for her readers. The contributions of Punjab and Punjabis in India's freedom struggle are well-known but perhaps not equally well-documented. In these times of ultra-nationalism when certain individuals are being projected as 'great' revolutionaries and freedom fighters, it's time to re-evaluate the role of Punjab and its (forgotten) revolutionaries because it's a matter of justifiable, nay pardonable, ethnic pride for the community. It's incumbent upon every Indian to know the history and struggle of Ghadarites and what happened to them. En passant, The Ghadar Movement, finds more than a fleeting mention in the history books of Pakistan! There have been seminars and discussions on it. But the Indians have chosen to look askance. This reviewer's interactions with the Pakistani scholars of modern history underscore the deep and genuine interest Pakistanis have evinced in this forgotten chapter of India's freedom struggle. The author must be complimented on this brilliant book and the publishing house (Penguin) also deserves paeans, plaudits and panegyrics for bringing out a superlative book on this subject. The book is reasonably priced (799/-) and looks attractively sombre. To encapsulate, it's a must-read for all. ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/books-documents/ghadar-movement-treatise/d/136087 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism