Who Was Sohan Singh Bhakna?

Sohan Singh Bhakna: The Revolutionary Pillar of the Ghadar Movement

Sohan Singh Bhakna, a key figure in India’s revolutionary struggle for independence, was instrumental in laying the foundation for the Ghadar Movement, which sought to overthrow British rule through armed rebellion. Often overshadowed by more prominent names in Indian history, Bhakna’s contributions remain crucial to understanding the early 20th-century freedom struggle, particularly the role of Indian immigrants in North America. A staunch believer in armed revolution, he inspired countless individuals to fight for India’s liberation.

Early Life and Background

Sohan Singh Bhakna was born on January 22, 1870, in Bhakna village in Amritsar district, Punjab. His father, Taba Singh, was a small-time farmer, and Bhakna grew up in a humble environment. His early life was shaped by the hardships of rural life in colonial India, where the exploitation of peasants by British landowners and their local agents was rampant. These early experiences fostered in Bhakna a strong sense of injustice, which would later drive his revolutionary activities.

As a young man, Bhakna took part in local community affairs and was known for his interest in social justice. He was married at a young age, as was common in those times, and initially led a relatively traditional life. However, like many others from Punjab, Bhakna eventually sought better economic opportunities abroad, and in 1909, he emigrated to the United States. This decision would prove pivotal, as it exposed him to new political ideas and the Indian diaspora’s growing sense of discontent with British colonial rule.

The Road to Revolution

Upon arriving in the United States, Bhakna worked as a laborer, mainly on farms and railways in the western states. Like many Indian immigrants, primarily Sikhs from Punjab, he faced racism, economic exploitation, and harsh living conditions. These injustices fueled his growing anger toward British colonialism, which he saw as the root cause of the hardships faced by Indians both in India and abroad.

In the United States, Bhakna also encountered a burgeoning community of politically conscious Indian immigrants who were beginning to mobilize against British rule. He was deeply influenced by Har Dayal, an intellectual and political activist who preached revolutionary ideas and was the key architect of the Ghadar Movement. Bhakna quickly became involved in the cause and emerged as one of the leading figures in the movement. His background as a farmer and his close connection to the Punjabi immigrant community made him an ideal leader to galvanize working-class Indians toward the revolutionary cause.

Founding of the Ghadar Party

In 1913, Sohan Singh Bhakna, alongside Har Dayal and other Indian revolutionaries, founded the Ghadar Party in San Francisco, California. The party aimed to incite a mass rebellion in India to overthrow British rule through armed resistance. The word “Ghadar” means rebellion, and the party’s founding reflected a clear break from the moderate methods of the Indian National Congress, which at that time focused on petitioning the British government for reforms.

The Ghadar Party attracted Indian immigrants, mainly Sikhs, who were frustrated with the oppressive conditions they faced both in the United States and in India. The party’s goal was to instigate a revolt by mobilizing Indians both in India and abroad. The Ghadar leaders envisioned a global movement, with revolutionaries working across continents to undermine British imperialism.

Bhakna was appointed the first president of the Ghadar Party, and he played a central role in organizing and coordinating the movement’s activities. Under his leadership, the party began publishing a newspaper titled Ghadar, which served as a propaganda tool to inspire Indians to rise against British rule. The newspaper, which was printed in multiple languages, including Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu, circulated widely among Indian communities in the United States, Canada, and India. It openly called for armed rebellion and urged Indian soldiers serving in the British Indian Army to mutiny.

The Ghadar Uprising

With the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the Ghadar Party saw an opportunity to strike against the British Empire. The British were heavily involved in the war effort in Europe, and the Ghadar leaders believed that a well-timed rebellion could take advantage of British vulnerabilities. The party began sending Ghadarites back to India with the aim of inciting uprisings and mutinies, particularly within the British Indian Army.

However, British intelligence had infiltrated the Ghadar Movement, and the uprising was largely thwarted. Many of the revolutionaries, including Bhakna, were arrested upon their return to India. Bhakna himself was imprisoned by the British in 1915 and sentenced to death. However, due to international pressure and appeals by prominent Indian leaders, his death sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment, and he was sent to the notorious Andaman Cellular Jail, also known as “Kala Pani.”

Despite the failure of the Ghadar Uprising, Bhakna’s efforts left an indelible mark on the revolutionary struggle in India. The Ghadarites’ willingness to sacrifice their lives for India’s freedom and their call for armed rebellion continued to inspire future generations of revolutionaries.

Imprisonment and Struggles

Sohan Singh Bhakna spent many years in the Andaman Cellular Jail, where he endured severe torture and brutal conditions. The jail was infamous for its harsh treatment of political prisoners, and many Ghadarites, as well as other freedom fighters, were incarcerated there. However, Bhakna’s spirit remained unbroken, and even within the jail, he continued to advocate for the rights of prisoners and the cause of India’s independence.

While in prison, Bhakna became more deeply involved in the leftist and socialist movements that were gaining momentum in India. His time in jail allowed him to reflect on the social and economic conditions in India, and he became convinced that India’s struggle for independence had to be linked with the fight for social justice and the upliftment of the working class and peasants. His ideas began to evolve beyond just overthrowing British rule to include a broader vision of social equality and economic justice.

In 1920, following a general amnesty for political prisoners after World War I, Bhakna was released from prison. Upon his release, he returned to Punjab, where he became an advocate for peasants’ rights and played a significant role in the emerging Kisan (Farmer) Movement. He believed that true independence could only be achieved if the oppressive systems that exploited India’s peasants were dismantled.

Later Years and Continued Activism

Despite his advancing age, Sohan Singh Bhakna continued his political activism until the very end of his life. He was a prominent member of the Kisan Sabha, a leftist organization that fought for the rights of farmers. He remained committed to the ideals of socialism and believed that India’s independence would be incomplete without addressing the issues of poverty, inequality, and social injustice.

In the 1940s, Bhakna was an active participant in the Indian Communist Movement, which advocated for the rights of workers and peasants. Though the Communist movement was viewed with suspicion by many in the Indian National Congress, Bhakna remained committed to his belief that social justice and economic equality were integral to India’s freedom.

In 1947, when India finally gained independence, Bhakna was hailed as one of the country’s great revolutionary leaders. However, he remained critical of the new government, particularly regarding its treatment of peasants and workers. Bhakna believed that while India had achieved political independence, it had yet to realize the social and economic changes necessary to uplift its poorest citizens.

Legacy and Influence

Sohan Singh Bhakna’s legacy as a revolutionary and champion of social justice remains a vital part of India’s freedom struggle. As the founder and first president of the Ghadar Party, he played a pivotal role in mobilizing the Indian diaspora and spreading the message of armed resistance against British rule. Though the Ghadar Uprising itself was suppressed, the courage and sacrifice of the Ghadarites inspired future revolutionaries, including Bhagat Singh and his comrades.

Bhakna’s lifelong commitment to the rights of workers and peasants also laid the groundwork for the Kisan Movement and India’s later struggles for social and economic justice. His vision of independence was not limited to political freedom but encompassed a broader fight for equality, justice, and the dignity of all people.

In his later years, Sohan Singh Bhakna remained a vocal advocate for the marginalized, and his ideas continue to resonate with those fighting for the rights of farmers, workers, and the oppressed. He passed away on December 21, 1968, but his contributions to India’s revolutionary struggle and his unwavering commitment to social justice ensure that his legacy endures.

Conclusion

Sohan Singh Bhakna was more than just a revolutionary leader; he was a visionary who believed that India’s freedom must be rooted in justice and equality for all. His leadership in the Ghadar Movement, his activism for peasants’ rights, and his commitment to social justice make him a towering figure in the history of India’s freedom struggle. Bhakna’s life is a testament to the power of revolutionary ideals and the enduring fight for a better, more just world.