Nankana Sahib Massacre 1921

How Akali Movement of Gurdwara reforms became part of Anti-

colonial Struggle

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Nankana Sahib Massacre ,known as Saka Nankana Sahib(21 February, 1921) was a tragic episode in
the Gurdwara reform movement. Gurdwara reform movement was a non-violent movement against
British colonial control of Sikh sacred shrines This episode produced strong anti-colonial sentiment
among Sikhs, which brought them closer to non-cooperation movement led by Mahatma Gandhi.

Nankana Sahib, earlier known as Talwandi Rai Bhoi in Distt. Sheikhupura( Pakistan) was birth place
of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Under Maharaja Ranjit Singh rule in Lahore kingdom(1799-1839), the place
emerged as the highest spiritual seat among Sikhs. A vast land estate of 17000 acres was attached
for expenses of Gurdwara.

During Maharaj Ranjit Singh rule, majority of Sikh shrines were run by a priestly class called Udhasi
Mahants, who belonged to Sikh heterodoxy. They had control over properties and religious
procedure of Gurdwaras. British colonialism looked upon them as the natural allies of empire and
natural leaders of society. Majority of Mahants had supported British during 1857 revolt. The fatal
combination of religious power, hereditary control over shrine properties and support of colonial
masters resulted into all kind of corrupt practices at these sacred historical sites. This led to general
feeling of resentment among common members of community. This feeling gave birth to the idea of
reform and liberation of Gurdwaras from the clutches of corrupt Mahants.

Gurdwara Janam Asthan ,Nankana Sahib was under the control of Mahant Narain Das. He was a
power-drunk man in the garb of religious priest. When on February 21,1921, 150 Sikhs went inside
the Gurdwara to pay obeisance. One of the Sikhs, Bhai Lachhman Singh Dharowali began reciting
Guru Granth Sahib .Suddenly they found themselves trapped inside sanctum sanctorum and
surrounded by armed mercenaries. They were hacked to death in cold blooded manner. According
to Ruchi Ram Sahni, author of Gurdwara Reform Movement (1922), 130 severed heads were
counted for cremation. The sacred bir of Guru Granth Sahib was also mutilated with sharp edged
weapons. Currently, this historic relic is conserved at Golden Temple Complex in Amritsar. Bhai
Lachhman Singh was tied to Jand tree and burnt alive . Unarmed Sikhs were chased and murdered
outside the Gurdwara also. It was evident that Mahant was acting with support of colonial police
along with mercenaries. Mahant Narain Das was arrested along with 26 mercenaries and safely
removed from scene. Government tried its best to stop Sikhs from arriving at the scene, but it failed
miserably. It handed over the control of Gurdwara to newly constituted SGPC. Mahatma Gandhi
and Shaukat Ali visited the place on March 3rd, and lauded the non-violent sacrifice of Bhai
Lachhman Singh and Bhai Dalip Singh. Mahatma Gandhi invited Akalis to join Non-cooperation
movement to broaden the fight against colonialism. In May 1921, Akali Dal formally joined Non-
cooperation movement.

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Dr.Amanpreet Singh Gill, SGTB Khalsa College,North Campus,Delhi University,Delhi