Guru Ka Bagh Morcha is one of the major campaigns in the Sikhs` agitation for the reformation of their holy places (Gurudwaras) in the early 1920`s.

Sikhs being beaten with long batons at Guru ka Bagh

Guru ka Bagh is located in the village Ghukkevali (about 20 km from Amritsar). This location has two historic gurudwaras close to each other commemorating the visit of Guru Arjan Dev in 1585 and Guru Tegh Bahadur, who visited this place in 1664. The Gurudwara related to Guru Tegh Bahadur is located on the site of a bagh (garden).

Gurdwara Guru Ka Bagh Patshahi Panjvin ate Nauvin, Gkukkewali, Amritsar, Punjab

Reward being distributed to the people bringing heads of Sikhs

During 18th century, Mughal Government had decided to finish Sikhs by announcing price for their heads. Sikhs took shelter in jungles to continue their struggle against the ruthless Mughal rule. During this difficult period, Sikhs requested the Mahants, who looked like Hindu Sadhus (saints), to take care of some of the Gurdwaras. The grant of jagirs to Gurdwaras during Sikh rule and the attractive offerings donated by the devotees made the custodians of the Gurdwaras wealthy and corrupt. In the year 1921, Guru Ka Bagh Gurudwara was under the control of Mahant Sundar Dass. He had agreed to serve under a committee of eleven members appointed by the Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (an apex body for management of Sikh Gurdwaras) August 23, 1921, but the land of the Gurdwara remained under his possession. The Sikhs used to cut firewood from that land for community kitchen. The Mahant lodged a complaint against cutting of the firewood. On August 9, 1922, five Akali Sewadars (volunteers) were arrested by the police on the charge of cutting firewood from Guru Ka Bagh (garden) for Guru Ka Langar (community kitchen). The arrested Sikhs were hurriedly tried and sentenced to six months rigorous imprisonment on the next day.

Sikhs during Guru Ka Bagh Gurdwara Freedom Morcha

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee decided to launch a morcha (protest) to seek the release of the five arrested Sikhs. They decided to send a batch of five Sikhs to chop firewood from the grove of trees on the land of Gurdwara Guru Ka Bagh and court arrest if prevented from doing so. From August 22, 1922 onwards, the police started arresting jathas (group) on charges of theft, riot and criminal trespass.

Guru Ka Bagh Massacre

The arrests triggered the movement and more Sikhs came forward to join the peaceful protest. On August 25, Amavas (no moon), the gathering was so large that S.G.M. Beatty, Additional Superintendent of Police, ordered the police to disperse it by a lathi (cane) charge. Government violence led the SGPC to increase the size of the jathas.

Thereafter, the police started ruthless lathi charge (caned) the non violent Jathas (groups). The police used to beat the Akalis with iron-tipped rods and batons till they bled and fell unconscious. The violent use of force on the non-violent Akalis had a great impact inside and outside the Punjab. Political leaders, social workers and reporters stated visiting the place to witness what was described as an ideal nonviolent protest.

Sir Edward Maclagan, Lt-Governor of the Punjab visited Guru Ka Bagh on September 13, 1922. Due to his interventions, the beating of the volunteers was stopped. Mass arrests, imprisonments, heavy fines and attachment of properties were resorted to.

Sir Edward Maclagan,Lt .Governor of Punjab

In the first week of October, the Governor General Lord Reading held discussions with the Governor of the Punjab at Shimla to find a way out of the impasse

Lord Reading, Viceroy of India at Bombay in 1920

The good offices of a wealthy retired engineer, Sir Ganga Ram, were utilized to resolve the situation. Sir Ganga Ram acquired the garden land on lease from Mahant Sundar Das on November 17, 1922. He allowed the Akalis access to the garden. On April 27, 1923, Punjab Government issued orders for the release of the prisoners. Thus the morcha of Guru Ka Bagh was terminated peacefully. During this agitation, 5605 Sikhs were court arrested (including 35 members of the SGPC), about one dozen Sikhs achieved martyrdom (shahidi) and thousands were injured.

Sir Ganga Ram.

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