The Ghadar Party was one of the earliest revolutionary organizations of Indians abroad that aimed at overthrowing British rule in India through armed revolt. It played a significant role in inspiring militant nationalism and attempted a mutiny during the First World War.
Background
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Many Indians, especially Punjabis, migrated to the USA and Canada in the early 20th century as workers.
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They faced racial discrimination abroad, which deepened their resentment against British imperialism.
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The revolutionary spirit among expatriates was influenced by nationalism in India and global struggles against colonialism.
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In 1913, Indian immigrants in the USA formed the Ghadar Party at San Francisco with the motto of liberating India by force.
Formation of the Ghadar Party (1913)
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Founded by leaders like Lala Har Dayal, Sohan Singh Bhakna (first president), and Kartar Singh Sarabha.
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The party published a newspaper called “Ghadar”, printed in several languages to spread revolutionary ideas.
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Its headquarters, the Yugantar Ashram, was set up in San Francisco.
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The Party openly advocated armed revolt and complete independence from British rule.
Ghadar Mutiny (1915)
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When the First World War broke out in 1914, Ghadar leaders saw it as an opportunity to overthrow the British.
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Thousands of Indians from abroad returned to India to organize revolts in the army and among civilians.
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Plans were made to spark mutinies in the Punjab region and in British Indian Army units.
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The uprising, planned for February 1915, came to be known as the Ghadar Mutiny.
Failure of the Mutiny
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The British intelligence, through spies, uncovered the conspiracy before it began.
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The mutiny failed as many leaders were arrested or executed before the plan could materialize.
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Kartar Singh Sarabha, a young revolutionary, was executed at the age of 19 and became a martyr.
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Lala Har Dayal fled abroad due to British pressure, weakening leadership.
Impact of the Ghadar Movement
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Although the mutiny failed, it greatly inspired future revolutionaries in India.
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It showed that Indians abroad were deeply committed to the cause of independence.
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The sacrifices of leaders like Kartar Singh Sarabha, Rash Behari Bose, and others inspired militant groups in later years.
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The British grew more cautious and tightened surveillance on Indian revolutionaries.
Key Takeaway
The Ghadar Party was the first organized revolutionary movement of Indians overseas, aiming at armed overthrow of British rule. Though the Ghadar Mutiny of 1915 failed, it sowed the seeds of militant nationalism and inspired generations of revolutionaries to continue the struggle for India’s independence.