Sikh Socio-Religious Reform Movements – Modern History Notes

The Sikh Socio-Religious Reform Movements (SSRM) began to take shape towards the end of the 19th century, and one significant development was the establishment of the Khalsa College in Amritsar. The Khalsa College was founded in 1892 and played a crucial role in promoting Sikh education, language, and literature.
The Singh Sabhas, which were formed in 1870, played a significant role in the Sikh SSRM. These organizations aimed to address various issues within the Sikh community, such as the decline in Sikh education, the erosion of Sikh identity, and the need for social reforms. The Singh Sabhas worked towards revitalizing Sikhism by promoting the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib, encouraging the learning of Punjabi and Gurumukhi script, and establishing educational institutions.
The establishment of the Khalsa College was a significant achievement of the Singh Sabhas. It provided a platform for Sikh students to receive modern education while also promoting Sikh values, history, and literature. The college played a pivotal role in nurturing Sikh intellectual and cultural growth and contributed to the resurgence of Sikh identity and pride.
Furthermore, the efforts to promote Gurumukhi, Sikh learning, and Punjabi literature were not limited to the Khalsa College alone. Similar initiatives were undertaken by various Sikh organizations and individuals to propagate Sikh teachings and preserve the rich Sikh heritage. These efforts aimed to revive and strengthen Sikhism while also ensuring that Sikh youth remained connected to their religious and cultural roots.
Overall, the Sikh Socio-Religious Reform Movements, spearheaded by organizations like the Singh Sabhas and institutions like the Khalsa College, played a crucial role in promoting Sikh education, language, and literature. These movements aimed to revitalize Sikhism, reinforce Sikh identity, and equip Sikhs with modern knowledge and skills, all while preserving the core values and teachings of Sikhism.

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Sikh Socio-Religious Reform Movements – Background

When the Akali Movement arose in Punjab after 1920, the Sikh momentum gained traction.
The Akalis’ main goal was to improve the management of Gurudwaras or Sikh Shrines that were under the control of priests or Mahants who treated them as private property.
A law was passed in 1925 that gave the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee the authority to manage Gurudwaras.
Baba Dayal Das spread the nirankar (formless) concept of God.
By the end of the nineteenth century, a new reform movement known as the Akali Movement had emerged to address the corrupt management of Gurdwaras.

Gurudwara Movement

Before 1920, the Sikh Gurudwaras were governed by Udasi Sikh mahants, who treated Gurudwara offerings and other income as their 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 Prablandhalk 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.

Nirankari Movement

Baba Dayal Das (1783-1855) founded this movement of purification and return.
In the 1840s, he advocated for the restoration of Sikhism to its roots, emphasizing the worship of one God and nirankar (formless).
Such an approach entailed the rejection of idolatry as well as the prohibition of eating meat, drinking liquor, lying, cheating, and other vices.
It emphasized Guru Nanak and Sikhism before the establishment of Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh at Anandpur, which distinguished them from the Namdaris.

Namdhari Movement

Baba Ram Singh (1816-1885) founded it in 1857 after becoming a disciple of Balak Singh of the Kuka movement in 1841.
The movement was founded on a set of rituals modeled after Guru Gobind Singh founds the Khalsa, with the requirement of wearing the five symbols but carrying a stick instead of a sword.
The followers of the movement were required to abandon their worship of gods, idols, tombs, trees, snakes, and so on, as well as to refrain from drinking, stealing, falsehood, slandering, backbiting, and so on.
Furthermore, because cattle protection was important, beef consumption was strictly prohibited.

Akali Movement

The 1920s Akali movement, which began as a strictly religious movement to reform Gurdwaras, or Sikh holy temples, quickly took on a political dimension and became an integral component of India’s liberation struggle.
Apart from being anti-imperialist, the Akali movement, also known as the Gurdwara Reform Movement or Gurdwara agitations, describes the Sikhs’ long-running struggle in the early twentieth century for the freedom of their Gurudwara, or holy temple.
Nonviolent agitation marches, divans or religious meetings, and protests for Sikhs to express their freedom to control their place of worship drew fervent support, especially from rural people.
Finally, the government had to give in to public pressure and allow the Sikhs to administer their shrines.
The Gurdwara Act of 1925 established the SGPC, a Sikh representation organization that serves as the custodian of all significant Sikh places of worship.

Babbar Akali Movement

The Babbar Akali Movement took place between 1921 and 1925.
The majority of the Babbar Akalis were returned, Canadian immigrants.
Some of them were Gadharites because they had actively participated in the Gadhar Movement (Gadhari Babbeys).
The Babbar Akalis were Guru Sikhs who opposed the British government’s imperialist policies.
The Babbar Akalis were opposed to Gandhi’s nonviolence and non-cooperation formula.
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.

Singh Sabha

On October 1, 1873, a small group of prominent Sikhs led by Thakur Singh Sandhawalia and Giani Gian Singh founded the Singh Sabha of Amritsar to strengthen Sikhism.
The Sabha’s goals were to restore Sikhism to its original purity, to publish historical religious books and periodicals, to spread knowledge, to sing Punjabi, to return Sikh apostles to their faith, and to involve Englishmen in the Sikh educational program.
Later, the Amritsar Singh Sabha was imitated by a newer, more democratic organization, the Lahore Singh Sabha.
After a while, the Singh Sabhas were overwhelmed by other organizations like Khalsa Diwani and, in 1920, by a struggle for control over Sikh places of worship.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What were the key objectives of the Singh Sabha Movement in Sikh history?

Answer: The Singh Sabha Movement, initiated in the late 19th century, aimed to revive and reform Sikhism in response to perceived distortions and external influences. Its key objectives included promoting education among Sikhs, restoring the pristine form of Sikh worship, and countering the impact of Westernization and Brahmanical practices. The movement played a crucial role in reinforcing Sikh identity and fostering a sense of community among Sikhs.

2. How did the Akali Movement contribute to Sikh socio-religious reform?

Answer: The Akali Movement emerged in the early 20th century and sought to address issues related to the management and control of Sikh shrines, particularly the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The movement aimed to eliminate corruption, malpractices, and external interference in the administration of gurdwaras. The Akali Dal, a political party formed during this movement, played a pivotal role in advocating for Sikh rights and autonomy. Overall, the Akali Movement significantly contributed to the institutional and religious reform within Sikhism.

3. What was the significance of the Nirankari Movement in Sikh history?

Answer: The Nirankari Movement, led by Baba Dayal Das in the early 20th century, sought to challenge what its followers perceived as ritualistic and orthodox practices within Sikhism. The movement emphasized the importance of a personal relationship with God and rejected certain traditional Sikh ceremonies. The Nirankaris faced opposition from orthodox Sikhs, leading to conflicts and violence. Despite its relatively small size, the movement highlighted the diversity of thought within Sikhism and stimulated discussions about the interpretation of Sikh teachings.

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