History of the Babar Akalis [1 ed.] 8170720109, 9788170720102

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This pioneering work presents the role played

by the

Babar Akalis

in

India’s Freedom Struggle. The work is

a humble contribution on this topic which entailed a good deal of efforts. Considering that the original records were left at Lahore after the partition of the country and hardly any relevant material was extant.

The

own

British

Government

stocges

to

exert

had

its

influence,

inspire awe, and enkindle

love in the

remote rural areas, these stooges were none else but the

Zaildars,

Jagirdars,

Inamdars, Kursi Nashins, Safaidposhes and

Lambardars.

These

Loyalists

(Jholichuks) were a great force in the rural areas to

keep

the

fully informed about the the Babar Akalis.

Government

activities

Babar Akalis

of

were

the pioneer body to realise the urgency to reform (Murder) these stooges who were handsomely paid for working against their brethren. However the rise

of

this

the

Sikhs

militant

of

Jaito

was_

body

among

the

culmination

Morcha,

Nankana

Sahib Holocaust, Gur-ka-Bagh Morcha and Jalianwala Bagh Tragedy in which

many

Punjabis

were

mercilessly

persecuted.

The book is based on the original

sources

and

statements

of surviving

and contemporary Babars. It covers the Causes and Course. of the Babar Akali movement. It describes the terror of

the Babars in the Doaba, military and mounted police operations, deployment of cavalry, proclamation of handsome rewards for the arrest of Babars. The book contains the

biographies of the (Continued on back flap)

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Nef

HISTORY OF THE BABAR AKALIS

BAKHSHISH

SINGH

NIJJAR

P.E.S. (I) Director Punjab State Archives, Patiala (Retd.) M.A., Ph. D. History, M.A., M.O.L. Persian, M.A. Punjabi, Hons : Urdu, Persian & Punjabi D.P.E. (Walton) Lahore

Member-Indian

Historical Records Commission

(IRS ABS

PUBLICATIONS

Publishers 1 ABS Publications, 27, First Floor, Modern Market, N.G. Road, Jalandhar-144 001.

First Edition 1987

Copyright Dr. Bakhshish Singh Nijjar rae ET

{SBN

ISBN 81 7072

Sere

1

0109

gce

>|

EDire

ee are \ASM Printed in ndpa

45 OU

ee ; ALC oy

INVOICE RS 23-288 deseart 23Se

All may

rights

reserved.

be reproduced

without

the

prior

No part of this mabicaten: in any

form or by any means

permission

of the

publishers.

Printers :

Cosmic Printers, Modern Jalandhar-144 001.

Market, N.G. Road,

FOREVWORD It is a matter of immense pleasure for me to write a forword to this book. The author of the book, Dr. Bakhshish Singh Nijjar, is an eminent historian and widely acknowledged authority on Punjab History. He has already covered the period of Panjab History from 1000 to 1966, which abundantly demonstrates not only his grip over material but also the authenticity of information. His latest venture is all the more appreciable, when the original records were left at Lahore after the partition of the country, and hardly any relevant material is The scholars were greatly handicapped while working extent. It is a period in which the militant Panjab on this period. Dr. played a vital role towards the freedom struggle of India. with authority the point Nijjar has convincingly established supported that this struggle for freedom was unequivocally by people from all walks of life. The Birtish Government had its own stooges to exert influence, inspire awe, and enkindle Jove for interier rural areas. These stooges were none else but Za//dars, Jagirdars, /namdars, Kursi Nashins, Safaidposhes and Lambardars. These loyalists (Jholi chucks) were a great force, in the rural india, to keep the Government fully informed about the activities of Babar Akalis. Babar Akalis were the pioneer body to realize the urgency to reform (murder) these stooges who were handsomely paid for working against their bretheren. However the creation of this Militant body among the Sikhs was in reaction to the Sikh Movements like Jaito Morcha, Nankana Sahib Holocaust, Guru-ka-Bagh Morcha, Jalianwala Bagh in which the Sikhs were mercilessly persecuted and martyred. It is a chronicle, well-documented study of 22 years, written in details by the author, who managed to get the original records from Lahore as well as from this part of country. It is a laborious research work for which the author deserves full appreciation. The account based on the statements of surviving

Babar Akalis and also of contemporaries interesting.

is both

authentic

and

tn the first chapter, the author has described in detail the etymology of the Babar Akalis, the sycophants, aims, objectives

and impact of the Movement, and also their code of conduct. The whole chapter runs smoothly and fascinatingly. The second chapter deals with the First Babar Akali Conspiracy case which adds a new dimension to the knowledge of readers because this case has not so far been written in such an authentic detail. In this struggle for freedom, the people took part from the whole of the united Punjab, Delhi and Afghanistan. This strong Militant Movement remained confined to the boundaries of the Jalandhar Doab only. The third chapter deals with the Second Babar Akali Conspiracy Case, in which out of 91, six Babar Akalis were hanged and eight Babars were killed in encounters. Rise and background of the Babar Akali Movement, terror of the

the Babars in the Doaba, Military and Mounted Police operation, Deployment of cavalry, proclamation

of

handsome

rewards

for

the arrest of Babars are lucidly described. The fourth chapter covers all the occurrences, which form the quintessence of the book. The whole account is given authentically and precisely, supported by the records and the statements of the surviving Babars, and other contemporaries. The chapter, whereas besides being informative and interesting, speaks volumes for the author’s hard work. The fifth chapter deals with the Biographies and achievements of 143 Babars, who were tried in the Trials No. 1 of 1920, No. 2 of 1924 and No. 3 of 1925 and also of these who subsequently suffered till the last renegade, Karam Singh a ale was murdered by the last two Babars on May The last chapter gives comprehensive information about the approvers. The author has named these renegades black-sheep. They always stood by the Foreign Rules and created great hindrances for the freedom fighters who were engaged in the freedom struggle of their country.

| recommend the study of this work to all those who are interested in the History of the Punjab and India’s struggle for freedom. It recalls to memory the sacrifices made by them for their motherland. It isthey whose efforts drove nail into the coffin of British Government in India. In the end | must congratulate Dr. Nijjar for the pains taken by him in writing a detailed account of the Babar Aka/i Movement, not hitherto available, collected at one place. Principal

Lyallpur Khalsa College Jalandhar (Pb.)

HARNARINDAR

SINGH

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS | wish to express my deepest sense of gratitude to my “friend Principal Harnarindar Singh of Lyallpur Khalsa College, Jalandhar, who inspired me to write

“Singh,

President

Committee

had

of the expressed

Lyallpur

this

book.

Khalsa

his desire

College

that

Sardar

Balbir

Managing

some _ publication

project on Panjab History should be initiated in the college. This book is an attempt towards the fulfilment of his desire.

Owing to the non-availability of contemporary records because of the partition, | felt strongly implled to under take the task of providing the readers with better, authentic more credible information on this subject. On account of this, no justice had been done by the scholars to the subject under reference.

indebted to my old Councillor

102,

| am greatly

classmate Rana Bashir Ahmad Khan, District

Khanaura

House, Civil Lines Lyallpur, who arranged to supply me with the photostat copies of Trial No. 2 ~of 1924 and Trial No. 3 of 1925, alongwith their original Copies of judgements of the two main Babar Akal/i Conspiracy cases.

It would have been well-nigh difficult to move beyond the 1924, if the learned District Sessions Judges Sardar S.S. Grewal, Jalandhar and Sardar Amarbir Singh Gill, Hoshiarpur had not given their valuable co-operation. Sh. Dinesh Chander IAS, the Commissioner of Jalandhar, gave me every possible help to dive into the Government Revenue and other relevant records of Jalandhar Division, Sardar S.S. Bhullar and year

Sh. P.C. Dogra,

DIG’s of Jalandhar

‘to consult the First

information

reports from the Police Stations

all the Police Stations

Range,

Report under

and their

freely allowed the Range.

village

me wise

S.H.O.‘s

ungrudgingly co-operated with me.

of

My special and hearty acknowledgement is due to Sardar Surjit Singh, Superintendent, Central Jail, Jalandhar, who. himself laboriously dug out some important references from the

Century

old

Records

of

his

Jail,

which

proved

most

useful to further trace out the relevant details and facts from Jalandhar District Judicial records. Sardar S.S. Sandhu, Chief Engineer, PSEB, Jalandhar, greatly helped mein preparing the maps. Dr. Barkat Rai Chopra, M.A., Ph. D, State Editor, Gazetteers, Punjab Govt., (Rtd.), my old colleague and friend, helped me in collecting the data from Malwa region. Prof. Iqbal Singh, Head: of the Department of English, Lyallpur Khalsa College, Jalandhar, has been the real force to push through this research project successfully. Iam no less grateful to ‘Dr Satish Kapoor, Post Graduate Department of History, of the same college, for his

sound suggestions. Sardar Channan Singh Nijjar has been kind enough to give the autobiography of his late father, Babar Milkha Singh (Accused No. 12). The author got very useful information

from the source. Last but not the least, | am greatly thankful to my cousin, Sardar Asa Singh of Sundh, who accompanied me to every

place of occurrence

in order to make on-the-spot elicit information related to the project.

enquiries and

| earnestly thank all those who have helped me in preparing. . this book. |, particularly,.owe a considerable amount of debt to my friend, Principal Harnarindar Singh, Lyallpur Khalsa College, Jalandhar and the living Babar Akalis who discussed: with me the major and conflicting chapters of the book. Any error or confusion that remains is entirely my own.

23-P, Defence Jalandhar.

Colony,

Bakhshish Singh Nijjar M. A., PH. D.

CONTENTS Introduction

Babar Akalis (Etymology)

First Babar Akali Conspiracy Case March to May 21, 1921 Origin of The Babar Akali Movemet

23,

1921

32

Second Babar Akali Conspiracy Case The Trial In the Court of J.K.M. Tapp Esq, Additional Sessions Judge, Punjab, at Lahore Trial No. 2 of

1924

52

Account Of Occurrences

97

Babar Akali Third Conspiracy Case Trial No. 3 of 1925, In the Court of Mr. S.S Harison, Additional Sessions Judge Punjab at Lohore

225

Account of Occurrences (1931 to 1942)

241

Biographies of The Babar Akalis (1920 to 1942)

284

Approvers (Su/tani-gawah)

51)

O@NAppendix

561

Bibliography

618

dndex

623

Chapter

7

Introduction

BABAR AKALIS Etymology

Baber is an Arabic word which means a tiger and Akal means an immortal. A person who has all the qualities of a tiger, i.e. ferocity and blood-thirstiness, should be called the Babar Akal/.

The qualifications or the true traits of universally admitted as described in this couplet.

an

Aka/i

are

Kamal jion maya jal vich hai alop sada, Sabh da sanehi chal sabh ton narali hai Karke kamaee Khabe-mangna haram jane, Bhane vich vipda nun manne khushali hai Sawarath ton bina gurdawarian da chaukidar Dharam de jang /aee-charhe mukh /alee hai Puje na Akal bina hor koi devi dev, Sikh Dasmesh da so kahiea Akali hai, “An Akal/i is a true Sikh of Dashmesh.2, He worships none, except God. He is a selfless sentinel of Gurdawaras and is everready to fight fervently for his raligion. Begging is a disgrace for him, so he earns by the sweat of his brow. In the face of predicament,

he

accepts

it asthe

1

Gurshabad Ratnakar-Mahan Kosh,

2

The Tenth Lord of the Sikhs.

will of God.

He is unique,

Bhai Kahan Singh P. 36.

2

History of the Babar Akalis

yet

affable

to

all.

Like

a lotus

in a pond,

he

is above the

material involvements.’ The Code of Conduct

According to the Code of Conduct, formulated for the members of Babar Akali party, everybody was bound to observe : 1.

To

recite

Gurbani

(hymns

from the Adi-Granth)

daily

and punctually. 2.

Not to indulge in personal vendetta against any one.

3.

Not to molest any woman,

during the operetion.

4. Not to lift any cash or kind other than those expressly permitted by the organisation. 5.

To abey the commands

of the organisation, at all coats.

6.

Not to discriminate any religion, caste or creed.

7. The criterion for inclusion of a member inthe Babar Akali Jatha was his skill in marksmanship, his success in satisfying the Jatha that he was nota traitor and would not betray the secrets. The retrenched Military soldiers and the retired army men or the politically awakened emmigrants, who had the feelings of hatred against the Foreign Rule, were generally and warmly accepted.? in the Babar Akali Doaba, Leaflet dated 17 May, 1923, ali those who wanted to be enlisted as the members of the Babar Akali Jatha, would be informed of the rules and regulations at the time of their enrolment, because it was essential to preserve the secrecy.

Only those members who

possessed courage and spirit of sacrifice would be able to Reform (murder) the Jho/i-Chuks and put up relentless fight, though single handed, at times, as Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) had murdered Za//dar Bishan Singh of Rani Thua, for apostasy or desertion, as in the case of Anup Singh of Manko (P.W. 17) and Karam Singh of Mananhana, who had to pay with their lives ‘All those, whose names had been struck off the rolls of the British army, deserters or absconders would be welcome into the fold 3

Home Department, Political, File No. 134/11, 1923, P. 7.

“Introduction

3

~of the Babar Akali Jatha, and those who had brought arms, will “be rewarded” was clearly given in the “Babar Akali Doaba “Leaflet”, dated 21 September, 1922, issued from Jassowal, the ‘High Court of the Babar Akalis.4 The Sycophants -Zaildars

Zaildar. is an Arabic word, It means the bearer of a groom, ~a sweeper, Za// (V.N.) sweeping (the ground), dar—the bearer, a person employed for some menial work.® Here, it symbolically ‘means, native employees of the British Government to collect

and supply prompt information with regard to people’s political activities, particularly in the most interior part of the country. The British Civil Servants, Military Officers could not approech ~the people in those far off places. This institution, founded by the British Government, in 1870, grew into a most vicious form of “society. Za//dars had achieved a social, economic and administrative status by which they became the strong citadels of imperi_alistic forces. They were opposed to the patriotic activities.

they enjoyed

vast

authorities,

especially

in

rural

Since

areas,

they

~came to be identified with evil and corruption. The poor villagers “were ever ready for their begar (honourary service), bad characters ~did all sorts illegal and immoral work on their behest. The Babar _Akalis were bent upon to do away with their sinister designs and nefarious activities. The Babar Akalis were inimical to this class. They did fore-warn them about their anti-national and “oppressive,

activities. The Za//dars, Ramnarain Singh Bains of Mahalpur, Beant Singh Bains of Nangal Kalan, Sham Singh Bains -of Talhan, Bishan Singh of Rani Thua, Gajja Singh Deoi of 'Haripur, and Sampuran Singh of Mahal Gella were on their hit list. Zaildar Bishan Singh, a Dhanju Kamboj of village RaniThua was probably the worst type, He was reformed (murdered)

in the broad day eee

light near Chaheru, ee

on

February 10, 1923,

SS

4

The Tribune, Lahore, 6 October, 1923, p. 10.

5

A Comprehensive Persian-English

Dictionaty-F. Steingass, p. 560.

by

4

History of the Babar Akalis>

Babu.

Santa

Singh of village

Chhoti.

Hariyon,

in’ Ludhiana.

Distriect.

According to the standing order No. 21 of the Punjab. Government Manual, the appointments and selection of Za//dars and /namdars were made as under :— “When the post of zai/dar is temporarily vacant thezaildar’s remuneration should be placed in revenue deposit, whence the Tahsildar should on his own authority, either pay it out to the za//dars when appointed, or credit it to Fines and | Forfeitures under |—-Land Revenue, as the case may be. In no case are personal ledger accounts

ding transections zaildars.””

connected

with

the

required

for

recor-

remunerations

of

“The remuneration of an /namdar (the holder of a prize) shall be paid to him in the form of an /nam assigned to him out of land revenue of any especially appointed by the Collector in this behalf in the za//dar, ilaga in which the /namdar holds office. When land revenue is suspended the same producer for the payment of the /namdar’s inam should be followed as has been laid down in the case of Zai/dars. “When

za/is

have been

arranged,

should be prepared for each tahsil.

a

At the

separate

beginning

zai// book

of each

book, a small map of the tahsil should be given showing village . boundaries, limits of patwar/ circles, main tribes (by colours) and

proposed zai/s. The book should be divided into as many sections as there are za//s. Each section should begin with the necessary title followed.by a map of the zail, showing the same features as . the map last described, but on a larger scale. To this, should be added a statistical table in the form shown below. Thereafter, sufficient blank space should be left for the memoranda required in the following paragraph. Separate blank pages must also be included for the entry of notes as to the zai/dar’s conduct or any other matter connected with the zai! which,

Introduction

“the Deputy “record.”

:

5

Commissioner

thinks

fit from

time to time

to

“When the first za//dars is appointed in a Za// there shall be “recorded, by the officer making the appointment, in the approépriate section of the za// book, a memorandum stating— 1.

the persons whose claims to the post

2.

the reasons for rejecting unsuccessful candidates ;

3.

the name of the successful

candidate

were considered ;

and

the

reasons

for preferring him.” “lf zaildars exist in any tract for which no zai/ book has“been prepared. the Collector should prepare a Za// book in accor«dance with the instructions given above.”

‘When ‘incumbent, “the officer

a zai/dar

is appointed

in succession

to a previous

a memorandum must be made in the za// book by making the appointment similar to that prescribed

“in the case of first appointments.” Zaildars were originally appointed in 1870-71 “Saunders, when Deputy

Commissioner,

by

Mr. Lestie

but before the

Revised The

“Settelment they received no remuneration for their services. .zolidari arrangments came under

review

during

~operations ; and considering that, though “equality in the size of the different za//s, “been experienced, it was proposed to

“unchanged.

In order

to obviate

the

the

there

was

Settlement

much

in-

no inconvenience had leave them practically

objection

that

the great

difference in the size of the za//s would cause great inequality in “the pay of the za//dars. if, as usual, they were remunerated by -an allowance of one per cent on the revenue of their za//s, and also with a view to encourage men willing to exert themselves, ~and give the lazy and indifferent an inducement to be up and-

«doing, it was proposed to place all the za//dars

in three

grades

History of the Babar Akalis=

6

with different rates of pay. The Financial Commissioner’ was: of opinion that the za//s ought to be re-demarcated, as they weretoo unequal, and villages of the same Patwari’s Circle were often. included in more than one za// ; and that the Za//dars should not be graded, as their ‘‘functions cannot be usefully and honourably discharged unless the zai/dar possesses a certain amount of © independence of Government, palable to all eyes.” He agreed. that the za//dar might be paid by a consolidated cash allowance, equal to one percent of ‘the revenue of his za//, and said he would propose to Government the grant of chairs to za//dars. The zails were accordingly re-arranged,® and the amended proposals . sanctioned. Under them there were 19 za//dars in Nawashahr, 19 in Phillaur, 18 in Nakodar and 20 in Jalandhar, an increase of 3,1, 2 and 2, respectively, in the four Tahsils. A za//dar's~ book, with coloured maps and full statistical tables of the za//s,_ Was prepared and made over to the Deputy Commissioners.’

JALANDHAR

DISTRICT ZAILS

(Number of villages are given against each Zail)

Jalandhar Tahsil Chitti...24, Tajpur...23, Duruli...21, Duriyal...19, Jalandhar...39, Talhan...21, Kartarpur.. 34, Lidhran...20, Alawalpur...33, Haripur...18, Karyana...17, Jamsher...18, Kukarpind...12, Khamra, ...18, Laroya...50, Bahram...19, Nussi...29, Chakrala...30. Nawashahr Tahsil

Rahon...25, Malakpur...28, Majhaur...20, Shekhupur...22, Padhyana...22, Jula Majra...12, Mukandpur...17, Raipur...10, . Jandiali...17, Pharala...18, Hiyun...24, Bangah...20, Musapur... 6

The more important letters concerning

the re-arrangment of the zails are :

Settlement Officer’s No. 385, dated 18th December 1884, and No. 266, dated 6th August 1885, Senior Secretary to Financial Commissioner’s No._ 1285, dated 20th Fabruary 1885,

and

No.

2865,

dated

23rd

September~

1885, —all to the Commissioners of the Division.

7

At

this

time Lt.

Colonel

Jalandhar Division.

T.W.

Mercer

was

the

Commissioner

Erstwhile Kapurthala State was under him.

of the»

Introduction

7

14, Naura...14, Karyam...27, Jadla...16, Nangal Parjiyan Kalan...17, Sarih...20, Dherian...14, Do Madho...37.

Ambiya...34, Bakhsha...8,

Nakodar Tahsil

Malsian...30, Dumana...16, Kang Kalan...22, Kang Khurd.. 41, Shahkot...19, Kili...20, Mahatpur...23, Madahpur...28, Nakodar Bhagat Ram...17, Nakodar Ghulam Ghaus...15. Phillaur Tahsil

Kuleta...12, Chhokran...12, Birik...10, Guraya...17, Moron... 14, Kala...9, Phillaur...22, Mau...11, Nagar...11, Rurkah...4, Sang Dhesian...15, Sarhali...7, Jandialah...5, Bundala...17, Nurmahal...23, Kot Badal Khan...11, Talwan...23, Bilga...18,

HOSHIARPUR

DISTRICT ZAILS

(Number of villages are given against each Zail) Hoshiarpur Tahsi/ Argowal...32, Janauri...38,

Govindpur...23,

Machhian...24,

Chaur...22, Bulhowal...31, Nanda Hariana...29, Arniala...54, Sherpur Khun...19, Khun Gobind Pathralian...39, Khanpur...37, Gobind...20, Baroti...25, Johan Khelan...44, Ahrana...18, Badla ...18, Khanaura...13, Saido Patti...17. Dasuya Tahsil

Badla...40, Budhabar...61, Sandhwal...42, Kurari...73, Mukerian...43, Bhangala...36, Taqqar Kalan...29, Bhagran...30, Fattu Barkat...40, Kaithan...32, Dhaddar...43, Dasuya...34, Urmar.:.21, Tahli...21, Miani...30, Safdarpur Mahessa...23, Ghorewaha...17, Jhanwan...12, Manik...22. Garshankar

Tahsil

Nangli...16, Laksihan...30, Nangli Kalan...20, Mahalpur... Singn...14, Sura Paddi Mugowal...28, 42, Bachhohi...34, Bagwain...19, Garhshankar...38, Moela...18, Padrana...19,

8

History of the Babar Akalis

Balachur...25, Kathgarh

Saroa...23, Chankoi...20, Rattewal...45, ...53, Bana...32, Binewal...22. Una Tahsil

Dangah...36, Sighnai...14, Sahora...83, Tatehra...21, Khad... Taharla...40, Una...21,

18,

Kangrat...8, Bathu...

Pandoga...11,

Bhalan...31,

Palasi...4,

Bhabaur...11, 12, Santokhgarh...42, Bhanopali...32, .Agampur...64, Jhandian...40,

Lalpur...21,

Nangal...22.

Please

sée

Appendix

(A) for details of and Jagirdars.

Contemporary

Zaildars, Safaidposhes, inamdars

Lambardars

Lambardar, is an Arabic word, which, infact, is a/am-+-bardar. Alam means a flag and bardar means the holder-meaning, by the flag or

the

standard bearer ? They

were

there-

primerily

the

standard bearers or the flag horders of revenue collectors, of their respective Patis

shares in the village,

they became the immediateinfor and the touts of the Police.

mers

Imperialism

and

staunch

Independence,

a view to extorting money were called the pillars of

enemies

The

of the British Government

They got framed false cases against

innocent people, simply with from them. Thus Lambardars After

but with the lapse of time

of Indian

Indian

freedom-fighters.

Democratic

Government

abolished this cursed class of Za//dars and confined dars,

strictly to their

established

the

new

own

spheres.

institution

purely based on elective system. Zaildars and Lambardars.

Instead,

the Lambar-

the Government

of Sarpanches

and

Panches,

It is not hereditary like those of

Now there is also no hereditary right of

Lambardars, as it used to be in the past. the bitter experience of their traitorous

7he Babar Akalis, had activities.

red and looted some of the notorious Lambardars

They murde-

i.e. Ralla

and

Antroduction

—

9

Dittu of Kaulgarh, Kaka Lambardar of Bachhauri

-bardar of village Nangal Shaman

and

Buta Lam-

etc.8

Patwaris

During -Lambardar

the and

British Rule, a Patwari

Patwari was a big force.

formed

a

trio

of these

Zaildar, loyalists,

-Although they worked in their respective fields, they were promp‘ted by the same motives. It was a strong class to support the Foreign Rule to curb the activities of democratic forces, parti~cularly, in the rural areas. They were sycomphants, who always “worked to cause fissures among the peace loving people of ‘villages. The Babar Akalis had also, some patwaris like, Atta Mohammad of Nanda Chaur, and Arjan Singh of Haripur, on their “hit list.

Major A.E. Barstow, has summed *minstrative set up as follows :—

up the British Rural Ad-

“Every division is sub-divided into Districts, which further are «divided into Tahsils (usually about four). A Tahsil consists of a few hundred villages. The village is the unit of land-revenue assessment -all landowners of a single village being in theory jointly responsi‘ble for the sum assessed on the village. Each village, according “to size, has one or more ‘‘Headmen” called “Lumardars”’ and in “most districts the headmen of several villages are represented by ~one of their number, called a ‘‘Za//dar’’ in their dealings with the Official administration.’’®

Please read Appendix A for ‘vities of these sycophants.

details of the subversive acti-

Impact on the Movement

The impact of the Babar Akali Movement on the political horizon of this part of our country was so great that British Government was shaken to its roots. The alarming terror of the 8

Home Department, Political, File No. 134/11, 1923, pp. 33-34.

9

The Sikhs—an

Enthology—Major

A.E.

Barstow—(1928),

p. 2.

10

History of the Babar Akalis-

Babar Akalis struck the administration, miserably. The supporters of the British Government irrespective of caste and creed,. were practically stunned. This Movement was anti-imperialists.. and it cherished the dream of SWARAJ in India. As a reaction to the dismal failure of the peacefull Guru-Ka-Bagh Morcha and‘ other peaceful Sikh agitations, it emerged as a militant and: voilent protest against the multifaced exploitation of India by the. British Government. This Movement gave a new base of life tothe militant nationalism in the Punjab by proclaiming its abiding’ faith in the creed of armed revolution.?° The Babar Akalis came forward, with drawn swords in theirhands, which spread an awe, all over the Punjab, among: especially the stooges of the British Government. So terrorStricken were the people that none of them dared name the: killers, particularly the ones involved in the murder of Subedar Gainda Singh of Ghurial village, on 17th April, 1923. All the: people of the village were forced to sit for twenty two days, to get the clue, but no body came forward, despite the fact that one of the murderers belonged to that very village. It was on the 21st day of April 1923, that Sardar Nand Singh Bharaj Ramgarhia, offered. himself for arrest to give the clue to the Commandant of the camp. lt was the harvest season but none was allowed to attend to their

work, until and unless the culprits were traced. Keeping in view’ the hardship of the people of his own village, Babar Nand Singh: courted arrest.

Many instances of this nature of law lessness can be quoted, but no better account can be than that of Mr.C.A.H. Townsend, the then Commissioner of Jalandhar Division, who took over the: charge of his office on the 15th May, 1923. He delineated ' the true picture of law and order of the Doaba, which is as follows :—P.W. 464—Mr. C.A.H. Townsend, Commissioner, Jalandhar Division, stated on oath before the Additional Sessions . es oe ee 10

Present

situation

with

Nundy-Dehradun-1919,

special p. 124.

referenee

to

Punjab

Disturbances-Alfre-

fntroduction

cf

Judge, Lahore :— nie “| took over Division on 15th Akali Conspiracy continued during

charge of the Office of Commissioner, Jalandhar May, 1923. The investigation into the Babar-

Case had commenced before

| took charge.

It-

my tenure of office. | paid one surprise visit. to the District Jail of Jalandhar in order to see those arreste d in. connection with this case. | also paid iwo visits to Santa Singh, accused," who was in Police custody and confined ina lock-up . _ I received no complaint as to ill-treatment at the hands of the Police from any of these accused persons whom! saw. Myreason for visting Santa Singh was because | was told that he.

was making a statement to the Police and | wished to find out whether he had any complaint to make and whether any such Statement was a voluntary one. Santa Singh on enquiry by me Stated that he had no ccmplaint to meke.!2. | was keeping in. close touch with the investigation and was satisfied that everything connected with the investigation was above board. | had’ been in Jalandhar before in 1901 and had some friends there

amongst the old Sikh Za//dars and other gentleman of position. Many of them came to see me when | went back to Jalandhar~ | was very much struck by the last year as a Commissioner. extreme terror exhibited and induced by the outrages committed ‘ by the Babar Akelis. Many of them only spoke to me in a whisper and this too in my own house. Nearly all of them carried: arms. Many of them told me that they had arranged for private guards who guarded their lives when they slept. Many of them. had sent for their relations such as sons from the Canal Colonies Many of these to come and prctect them. to live in the Canal Colonies as being safer.

men had gone away On account of this

terrosism we could get hardly any evidence to show who was responsible for these outrages. It was a most critical state of | was always consulting the Deputy Commissioners of affairs. 11.

12

Please read Biography No. 51 of Babu

This is entirely a misleading.

Babu

inhuman treatment and tortures.

Santa

Santa

Singh

Singh

for details.

had to undergo ‘a most

my 2

History of the Babar Akalis

“the two Districts of Jalandhar and

Hoshiarpur

-and thé’ Superin-

~tendants of Police of these Districts and Khan Bahadur Shaikh _ Abdul Aziz (Superintendent of C.I.D., Punjab, Lahore) who was “conducting the investigation.

So

serious did we find the situa-

tion that we asked Government for the use of troops. This was - sanctioned as soon as | asked for it in the beginning of June

1923 and 200 Cavalry and 250 Infantary men were placed at my ‘disposal. We asked for additional Police later on when we “thought that the troops were being withdrawn. The Military ‘were uSed for a two fold object—(l) for the purpose of restoring “confidence in the countryside and (2) to help the District authorities in arresting any person suspected of committing “offences. We put the Military out in parties of about 50 at ‘carefully selected places in the affected areas. With each party a Magistrate was placed

whose

Military and Civil authorities.

duty

it was

He was

to

specially

co-ordinate

the

enjoined to see

“that the presence of these soldiers caused no undue harassment “or inconvenience to the countryside. | made a tour through the worst effected parts of the Hoshiarpur District at the end of July ~ 1923 and had with me for my protection an escort of Cavalry. ‘1 was particularly warned by Government to take such precautions to protect myself. The position of subordinate officers - and official was very much worse and the administration of the affected partsof the two Districts was carried on with extreme ‘difficulty. Inconsequence of these operations, confidence was ‘solowly and steadily restored and matters have gradually ‘improved. The position has not yet however become quite normal. | should like to remark that | was considerably struck ‘by the admirable manner in which the Military played their part in these operations. They entered whole heartedly into the restoration of confidence and | never received any complaints as to : their having in any way troubled the people.”

Disorder and lawlessness which prevailed in the Doaba, were “discussed on priority in the British Parliament. There were urgent “querries regarding the character, Programme and growth of the “Movement, as well as the cfficial measures taken to restore con-

Intro duction

eet

oe

fidence among the people of the Doaba. Mr. Earl Secretary .of State for India, in accordance policy had to answer the querries made Members of the British Parliament, which had

the statement of Mr.

C.A.H.

Townsend,

Winterton, Under with the officia!. by the Honrable. further confirmed

the Commissioner

of:

Jalandhar?® Division. from

“We get more facts of the impact of Babar Akali Movement the findings of three Assessors, who were appointed by»

the Government to assess the nature of this Movement. Though it was entirely the British Government's view point, yet every body could read between the lines, about the political situation of that time, resulting from the activities of the Babar Akalis. The unanimous opinion given by the three Assessors, who. followed the proceedings with remarkable diligence and unabated interest through out was as follows” :

“In our opinion it had been proved that a Conspiracy was. entered into between, 1. Kishan Singh Gargajj, 2. Dalip Singh of Gosal, 3. Atma Singh of Beeka, 4. Karam Singh of Jhingar, 5. Sunder Singh of Makhsuspur, 6. Babu Santa Singh of ChhotiHaryon,

7. Buta Singh of Pindori-Nijjaran,

Gondpur,

9. Sant Kartar Singh (P.W. 9).”

“Towards

the end

various places these persons

of

1921

or

8. Kartar Singh of

in the beginning of 1922, at-

in the eastern parts of the Jalandhar District, went about making seditious speeches and)

reciting fiery poems with the object of creating the disaffections. against, the Government, raising a rebellion, turning the British out of India and establishing a | Sikh Raj'* in the Punjab, and.

Swaraj in India.’ Sikh Raj “The evidence summerised at some

shadow

of doubt, Department,

the existence Politicai

length proves

of a dangerous

beyond a

revolutionary

13

Home

14

Vide written Statement of Babar Kishan Singh Gargaj, p. 873; No. 2 of 1924, p. 848 ; Judgement, p. 132.

File No. 134/11, 1923, p. 90.

Trial-Case j

History of the Babar Akalis

“14

“conspiracy, aiming at the ultimate subversion of British

Rule and

-the establishment of a Sikh Raj, inthe Punjab and Saweraj in India. Steady propaganda of this nature would have soon influenced the Sikhs into a belief that their loyalty had been misplaced and - that the time had come to the sword against the enemies of the

“Khalsa and re-establish Sikh Raj in the Punjab.’° “When | took up the investigation, the idea prevailing -amongst the Sikh population in the Doaba was that but a few days remained for the British Rule and establishment of a Sikh Raj. Zaildars, Lambardars and other loyalist through fear for

their own

lives and being disgraced by the Aka/is would not

forward

“come

to give

evidence or any information

against the

- Akalis’’.1® “That the Sikhs had won Gallipali, ‘made

over

to aChristian Country

~also being arrested, -own Raj.?”

so

which

Government

had

that

now women

were

and

the time had now

come to establish our

“He (Kishan Singh Gargajj) also said that he had started a paper called ‘Babar Akal/ Doaba’ and this was distributed in the “villages so as to convert the people of these villages of our “views that the paper was being circulated among troops and “cause

them

Mutiny.

Hesaid

that

the Jatha

was

known

as

Babar Akali Jatha and the members are known as Chakarvarties. He explained that terms Chakarvarti meant moving from place to ‘place so as not to fall into the hands of the authorities’’.1® In the Kandi tract lying in the middle of the Hoshiarpur District, Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Asa Singh (P.W. 25) -of Bhakrudi and Karam Singh (Accused No. 8) of Jhinger also” ‘undertook to do this work on the same lines. In March 1922, Kishan Singh, Asa Singh (P.W. 25) of Bhakrudi met at Anandpur and 15

Trial No, 2 of 1924, Judgement, p. 132.

16

Evidence of Khan Bahadur Fazl Imam

17

“48

Trial Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 286.

D.S. Police C.1,D., pp. 842-843.

Evidence of (P.W. 37).

Trial Case No. 2 of 1924. p. 4. Evidence of Amar Singh (P.W. 8).

Antroduction

15

“conspired to murder Jholi-Chuks or those persons who were ‘Aoyal to and helped the British Government. Karam Singh of Jhinger (Accused No. 8) worked with both parties. Consequently they -admitted that the Conspiracy to murder, was formed in the ‘beginning of 1922. Twenty-one accused, in the opinion ~of the Assessors were not members of the above Conspiracy. ‘The assessors were further of the opinion that all the offences «mentioned in the charge were Committed in persuance of the “Conspiracy and the various accused proved to be guilty of “complicity in the different offences.

Aims and Objectives of Babar Akali Movement

The Additional Sessions Judge had explicitly concluded that the evidence summoned, at some length, proved beyond a shadow of doubt thatthe existence of a dangerous revolutionary “Conspiracy, was aiming at the ultimate subversion of British Rule -and the establishment of a S/kh Raj, in the Panjab and Swaraj din India, The propaganda of the conspirators aimed at inciting ‘religious feelings of the Sikhs and paintings the British Government as tyrannical and oppressive both in speeches and in deaflets issued, the memories of past historical events and

“military powers were recalled and endevaours were made to «develop a strong antipathy among Sikhs against the British Rule

alongwith reminding the Sikhs of their former sovereignty, efforts “were made to tamper with their loyality of which they had given decided proof for more than fifty years. Steady propaganda of “the nature soon influenced the Sikhs into believing that their ‘loyalty had been misplaced and that the time had come to draw ‘the sword against the enemies of the Khalsa and re-establish Sikh Rule in the Panjab. The consequences of any measure of “success in such a task are so obvious, which need not to be ‘pointed out. Pragpur, Palahi, Domeli, Kot Fatuhi, Jassowal, Pindori-Nijjaran and some other piaces in the Jalandhar Doab -were centres of the activities of the Babar Akalis.

The Sessions Judge declared “The Conspiracy which came into existence towards the end of 1921 or in the beginning of “1922 was formed for the purpose of creating a revolution”.

16

History of the Babar Akalis: The leading Babar Akalis, Kishan Singh Gargajj, Babu Santa:

Singh, Dalip Singh, Ude Singh, Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Karam: Singh of Jhingar, Dhanna Singh of Baihalpur, Buta Singh of Pindori-Nijjaran, Asa Singh of Bhakrudi, had unanimously passed’ in a meeting that dacoities be committed for the purpose of raising funds, required for the maintenances of the families of the Babar Akalis, purchase of arms and ammunition to be used for the reformation of the Jho/li-Chuks and for publishing their paper “Babar Akali Doaba". \t was decided here to loot Rs. 22° thousand from Seth Munshi Ram of Jadla, which he had deposited in the Mandi Bank, a day before. Had that amount fallen: into the hands of the Babar Akalis, the Movement would havebeen much stronger, and a success. Activities of Babar Akalis

This movement was the culmination of Sikh-Movements, starting from the demolition of boundary wall of Gurdawara: Rakabganj, in Delhi, by the Government in 1914, thoughtless. killings of the Sikhs at Budge Budge, near Calcutta, in connection with the passengers of Komagata Maru Ship, in September, 1914, on 13th April, 1919, the Massacre at Nankana Sahib, om February 20,1921, the ‘Ja/lianwala Bagh’ holocaust, and the Guru-Ka-Bagh Morcha in November, 1921. The Sikhs were: brutally beaten, butchered and also transported for life to the: Black-Sea Islands. Their properties were confiscated and thepensions of pensioners were withdrawn. So the Sikhs were: harassed, shocked and illtreated, in every sphere, by the British: Government. It was this anger, the fire of revenge, which gave: birth to the Babar Akali movement. They were peasants, well disciplined, retired soldiers of the British Indian Army, hardly literate, but formidable ruralites.

The Babar Akali Movement Mota Singh, pushed

forward

was

the

brain work of Master:

by Sardar Kishan Singh Gargajj of

village Binang, near Jalandhar Cantt, a Havildar-Major-pensionerfrom the Combatant Forces.

Introduction

17

The Ellam’s

Duplicator

An immediate need was felt to purchase a Duplicator for the propaganda of the aims and objectives of the Babar Akali Movement. So the Ellam’s Duplicator, was bought from Lahore, for

Rs. 200/-*° by Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51). From the evidences of the approvers, it appeared that there were two Duplicators but only one (Exh. P. 26) was recovered by the Police, during the investigation.°° Milkhi Ram (P.W. 315) son of Nihal Chand, the Assistant Manager of the Panjab Religious Book Society,

Lahore,

the

sole

Agent

of

the

sale

Duplicator had stated that it was sold by them. such as ink, stencil-paper and stencil-pen

from anywhere else,

except

from

them.

of this

Ellam’s

The accessories

could not be

obtained

Two quires

of stencil

papers, one slate, one stencil pen and two tubes of ink were also Given, at the time of the sale of this Duplicator.”

Sardar

Sahib Sant Singh Ahluwalia,

D.S.P.,

C.I.D.

Punjab

(P.W.306) deposed to having received various copies of the Babar Akal: leaflets exhibited in this case from informers and police officers. It will be remembered that when Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) was arrested, a letter addressed to Jawala Singh and Bhagwan Singh of Fattehpur Kothi was found on his person with other papers and Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) stated in his evidence that the Duplicator was made over to Jawala Singh of Fattehpur Kothi. This letter was made over to Safdar Ali Shah, SubInspector, (P.W. 316) with instructions to go with the letter to Fattehpur Kothi, to arrest the two addressees and recover the machine. Jawala Singh was not there, but Bhagwan Singh was arrested and when asked about the machine, he stated that he had made it over to Parshotam Singh (P.W. 317) and had told Parshotam Singh that it was a Baja, left with him by some guests and he did not wish to keep it with him in case his children damage it. The Sub-Inspector accompanied Bhagwan 19

Evidence of (P.W. 315) Milkhi

20

Judgement,

Ram, p. 619.

21

Trial-case No. 2 of 1924, p. 619.

p. 3.

18

History of the Babar Akalis

Singh to Parshotam Singh (P.W. 317) and when asked, Bhagwan When opened, was found to contain Singh produced a bundle. the Duplicator. Parshotam Singh (P.W. 317) stated that in May Bhagwan Singh made over a bundle to him, or June 1923, saying that it was a harmonim left with him by their guests and asked to keep it for him as he feared his (Bhagwan Singh’s) children might damage

it.

Babar Akali

The Babar Akali Doaba Movement,

which

was

had pledged

Doaba

an to

organ

of the

expose the

Babar Akali

inequities of the

British Government in India and organise the masses for an armed struggle for freedom, which depended for its success upon a systematic plan of mobilising the support of the martial races,

soldiers and villagers. Their discontent and resentment against the tyrannous foreign rule was to be heightened to such an extent so as to lead them to choose death or liberty.”

It was on 30th November, 1923, after the proclamations of offering rewards for the arrest of Kishan Singh Gargajj (Accused No. 1), Jathedar

Karam Singh

of

Daulatpur,

Karam

Singh

of

Jhingar (Accused No. 8), Master Dalip Singh (Accused No. 5) and Asa Singh (P.W. 25) of Bhakrudi, were issued. Rewards offered were

Jathedar

Karam

Singh

Rs.

500/-,

Karam

Rs.

250/-.

These

villages,

including

the situation,

presented

for Kishan Singh Gargajj

Rs.

Singh

1000/-,

Jhingar

proclamations Kote

Fatuhi.

Master Rs.

were

the

birth

day

posted

Dalip

Singh

Asa

Singh

in

all

the

Keeping in view the gravity of

Bhai Kishan Singh Gargajj or

that

500/-,

Rs. 2000/-,

of

Guru

some of the others

Gobind

Singh

was

approaching.

It was proposed to bring out an issue of the Babar

Akali Doaba.

One of the Babar Aka/i then present proposed that

Arjan Singh Patwar/, who had been responsible for the arrest of Master Mota Singh of Patara should be the first to be struck down. All agreed to this proposal, 22

The Tribune, Lahore. August 31, 1923,

f}ntroauction

19 Kalgidhar Number28

.

It was decided to print an issue of the Babar Akali Doaba. That day, Master Dalip Singh (Accused No. 5) and Asa Singh (P.W. 25) both wrote that issue, which was named as Kalgidh ar

- Number. The term Kalgidhar referred to Guru Gobind Singh, wha was known by that title. This issue bore date 25th Decemb er, ~1922. It was written on waxed Paper-with a steel pen.

Only the following issues of the Babar Akali Doaba =secured by the Government :

were

20, 1922 21, 1922 22,1922 issues were printed on one side only. September 21, 1922 September 23, 1922 October 6, 1922 October 20, 1922

1. August 2. August 3. August These three

October 25, 1922 November 19, 1922 December 2, 1922 SOMNOTAA December 8, 1922 December 25, 1922 — The Kalgidhar Number. 11. January 12, 1923 ee

Viahehe22 allO2s

It contained an open letter to the Governor of the Punjab. 13... April 14, 1923 14. May 21, 192374 He (Babar Kishan Singh Gargajj (Accused No. 1) said that he “had started a paper called ‘Babar Akali Doaba’ and this was distributed in the villages so as to convert the people of those villages to their views. He also said that the paper was _ being circulated among the troops and was doing very well. The idea was to 23

Judgement-case No. 2 of 1924,

24

Sardar Sahib Sant Singh P.W. 306 D.S.P. C.l.D. Punjab, Lahore p. 606.

p. 7.

History of the Babar Akalis=

20 spread disaffection Mutiny.”°

among

On September, 1922,

the

troops

and

cause

Babar Kishan Singh Gargajj

them

to.

(Accused |

No. 1) had dictated to Babar Udham Singh (Accused No. 15) the matter for the Babar Akali Doaba, who was writting with a steel: pencil on a waxed paper. About five hundred copies were printed. on the Duplicator. Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, the Editor was there. It was here at Pindori-Nijjaran, when the leaflets were being printed, when Kishan Singh Gargajj wrote a letter to the. S.G.P.C., telling them that if they dropped non-violence, he: would bring hundreds of Jathas to Amritsar, to oppose

it.

Another issue of the Babar Akali Doaba was written by Babar ~ Udham Singh (Accused No. 15) of Pindori-Nijjaran, in a copse outside the Gurdawara Kishanpur, when all the leading Babar ~ Akalis such as Kishan Singh Gargajj, Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Karam Singh of Jhingar, Master Dalip Singh of Gosal, Babu Santa Singh of Chhoti-Hariyon, and Babar Ude Singh of Ramgarh-Jhungian were present. Kishan Singh was giving the. dictation. This issue was printed in two different coloured ink. It was published on October 20, 1922.76 There were 15 separate issues of the Babar Akali Doaba which were printed between the 20th August 1922 and 21st May, 1923. There were several copies of some issues and each . issue had been translated by Mr. S.K. Banerjee, translator, Press Branch, Civil Secretariat (P.W. 477). These translations had been printed. These leaflets were printed on an Ellam’s Duplicator which was at first styled the ‘‘Safari’’ travelling press . and later the ‘‘Odaru’’ or “Flying’’ press. These titles would be found at the end of nearly all the issues. Further each issue. except one had at the beginnirg a couplet in Gurmukhi

‘Sura so pahchanea, Jo Lare Deen Ke Heth’

Which means “that only he who fights and dies for his faith25

Trial-case No. 2 of 1924 p. 40.

26

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, p, 225.

éIntroduction

21

“will be considered a hero”. According to the evidence, the first “two issues were brought out by Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur and Babar Ude Singh of Ramgarh-Jhungian and these “when shown to Kishan Singh, Gargajj, were not approved of by ‘him. The responsibility of bringing out further issues was then laid on Kishan Singh and the duplicator which had been bought with some of the money robbed from Kaka, Lambardar of “Bachauri, was made over to Kishan Singh. The name of Karam “Singh of Daulatpur as Editor which appeared at the commencement of each issue was however retained. So far as we ~gathered from the evidence of the approvers, Kishan Singh was “the also Editor of the leaflets subsequently issued upto the “time of his arrest on the 26th February, 1923 and the remaining 3 issues in March, April and May were brought out by some of the other Babar Akalis. |n his confession Santa Singh (Accused “No. 51) stated that the contents of these leaflets were the »product of the ‘Powerful pen’ of Kishan Singh and that other ~contributions were made by Dalip Singh (Accused No. 5) Jathedar -Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Amar Singh (P.W. 8) and others. “He further admitted that the last issue dated 21st May, 1923 Swas entirely his. The language of those leaflets issued after August and upto the time of Kishan Singh's arrest, indicated that they were being ‘brought out and edited by some one of the little more educated than the person or persons concerned with the previous and ~subsequent issues. The language used was course and such as ~would appeal to the masses ; each leaflet was highly seditious -and inflammatory, in tone tending to bring both Government and ~the Europeans into contempt by referring to them in terms of foulabuse and vituperation. Many Government officials were referred “to in most abusive and contemptuous terms. Hindus, Muslims -and Sikhs were advised to unite and organise insurrection, wield the sword, seize the daggar, behead the tyrants, burn and “plunder Police Stations and treasuries and blow up the Railway

“Lines. Regiments were also invited to join and plunder the emagazines. Loyalists were referred to contemptuously as Jho/i-

History of the Babar Akalis=

22

Chuks or toadies who were running about seeking rewards and. Non“the Babar was invited to throw these in their faces. violence was referred to as having ruined the country and as. being quite unsuited to the Sikh temperament. Its abandonment was urged and resort to arms advocated.

The Babar Akalis were called on to concoct a hot drink which » would counteract. the cooling mixture of non-violence. JholiChuks were threatened with reformation (murder) and those who had been dealt with, murdered or robbed for their loyalty were held” up as examples to others. From the evidences of the prosecution, it would be apparent that the duplicator which had been purchased with part of the money robbed from Kaka Lambardar of Bachhauri, had got out of order and accordingly Babu Santa Singh | (Accused No. 51) obtained Rs. 150/- from Ram Singh Dharowalia,

Editor of the “Ajit’’, Amritsar for the purchase of another dupli- cator. The evidence of the Bank Manager (P.W. 365). Said: Ahmad Shah, Inspector (P.W. 458), the Bank Pass Book (Exh. PA/462) and the Cheque (Exh. PA/463) showed that a sum of © Rs. 150/- was paid by means of the above cheque to Babu Santa Singh on 8th November 1922. He further stated that with this money be purchased an Ellam’s Duplicator for Rs. 105/from the Lahore RB.S. and gauze and stencil paper, etc. forRs. 6/- (p. 117-118).?” (See Appendix—B) Ina meeting held at the village Basiala, Jathedar Karam Singh» of Daulatpur suggested in May, 1922, that the Reformation (Sudhar) of the Jho/i-Chuks should be initiated. Kishan Singh approved the proposal but observed that the time was not yetripe for carrying out the suggestion. He was of the opinion, that for the present, they should move about the country, delivering lectures and working upto the people and then start~ the Reformation of Jholi-Chuks. “After collecting weapons, induce the people to rebel.” A definite decision was taken on. 8th December, 1922, when declaration of prizes on the head of 27

Trial-case No, 2 of 1924, p. 801.

Introduction

2S

some of them issued in the Babar Akali Doaba: “Promptly reform (murder) the toadies, who give help to tyrannical enemies.’’ Then again it was printed in the issue of Babar Akali Doaba, dated 20th-24th August, 1922. “The toadies who are running about for rewards, the Babars enjoined to throw those into their faces.’ Regular groups were formed for murdering Government officials and Europeans and inciting the Army to

mutiny. A resolution was unanimously passed, in March, 1923, that the names of Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur and Udey Singh of Ramgarh Jhungian should be shown as the murderers in each case, regardless of the fact, whether they had taken

see Appendix—B

part in a particular murder or not.

Please

for detailed account. Spade

Work

Babar Akalis were not blindly after the Jhoji-Chuks. In fact, they did not like to take an extreme step for their reformation, rather they tried to pursuade them, in a nobleway to cooperate with their brothern to achieve freedom for India. There was no intention of murdering Jholi-Chuks. It is clear from the evidence that there was an intention to reform these people, if they interferred with the movements and plans of the conspirators, threatened and also warned.

At the beginning the Babar Akalis had warned Subedar Gainda Singh of Ghurial, through Sardar Nand Singh, the martyr, Ralla and Dittu, of Kaulgarh by Sardar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur and Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Buta Lamberdar of Nangal

Shaman and others also, only be cause Chakarvarty (absconders) like Kishan Singh and Karam Singh of Daulatpur and others wanted to secure not only immunity from arrest, but also to obtain for the cause of Sawraj propoganda. Sant Kartar Singh (P.W. 9)

who was associated with Kishan Singh for almost all the time, had stated in his evidence that “in the Diwan held at Bhabiana, in or about December, 1921, Kishan Singh told in his speech

History of the Babar Akalis

24

that they wanted to reform the loyalists of the Government, and not to kill them and then againa few days later at an other Diwan held in Pindori-Nijjaran, Kishan Singh addressed the audience saying that the Jholi-Chuks should be urged not to get Sewaks (servants) and court arrest like him, otherwise they would be reformed with the sword. He further said that it was the Command of Guru-Gobind Singh that : Choo Kar az hama heel/te dar gazasht, Halal ast burdan beh shamshir dast.*® After fhe Diwan of Bhabiana and Pindori-Nijjarana, Diwan was arranged at Hyatpur.2® But one Diwan, son of Gopi Kandola, had informed the police (Infact, Sardha Ram, son of Kangan Rajput of village Samundran (P.W. 135) had informed the police who was a police tout) much before the scheduled time. Singh of Jhingar, Atma Singh of Karam Kishan Singh of Binang, Beeka, alongwith a few more active

workers

of the party had to

flee away, before the arrival of the police in the village. This greatly accounted for the Babar Akalis, giving expression to more violent threats against the Jholi-Chuks. In the following Diwan

arranged at Haripur,?° fn Feb, 1922, where Kishan Singh, again spoke with a naked sword in his hand and urged that these Jholi-Chuks,

who in their desire to earn rewards, gave information against persons like him should be burnt alive with kerosene oil. The attitude of all leading Babar Akalis towards the JholiChuks persisted till another interruption of a Diwan at Sangwal,*? in March-April, 1922, after which Kishan Singh and other active members, decided that some thing should be done to

curtail the activities of Jho/i-Chuks.

The purchase of razors was

suggested. Babu Santa Singh undertook to accomplish this task, to be purchased. 28

When

29

Hyatpur-Rurki, two villages, in one, to the North on Garhshankar-Balachaur

other means

Road, District

have failed, It is righteous to take the sword.

Hoshiarpur,

Diwan, on 14th February,

where

the

Babar

Akalis

1923.

30

One mile to the south from Adampur Doaba.

31

Had-bast No. 115, Area 265 Hactares, P.S. Adampur.

had

murdered

one

25

{frilroduction

Jathedar Karam Siugh of Daulatpur and Asa Singh of Bhakrudi {P.W. 25),°* both neighbours, decided to become underground, sevade arrest and make seditious speeches. It was towards the “end of 1921, when they accompanied by Udey Singh of RamgarhJhungian, delivered most inflammatory speeches. A new zeal of ‘patriotism and spiritof sacrifice was stirred among the people of

Jalandhar Doab. Diwans were held at Mahal Gehla, near Banga *Langroa,?* and at Nawan Shahar, in which threats and warnings, ~to the Joh/i-Chuks were publicly given.

It was ‘Karam Singh

in March, 1922 that Asa Singh (P.W. 25) Jathedar of Daulatpur,

Bhai Kishan Singh Gargajj

delivered

‘inflammatory speeches before the huge gathering at Anandpur “Sahib on the occasion of Hola Mahala festival.

Their speeches yielded desired results. A large number of “Sikhs were greatly influenced by them and took their message to the remote rural areas. They openly instigated the murder of _Johli-Chuks and Government supporters and also commended the sentiments, with which the audience supported the Babar

_Akali movement. There were two parties,

working

separately,

in their

Singh, Karam When Kishan -areas till August, 1922. _JShinger, Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, and Udey ‘Remgarh Jhungian, met on the well at Raisiwal.°* They out a policy of which one of the objects, undoubtedly,

own

Singh of Singh of chalked was the

warning and terrorising of JoA/i-Chuks. If that failed, they should

be reformed (murdered). Such persons and others iike them were in order that funds to be raised, to purchase propaganda of the Babar Akali- Movement. the .arms and carry on iFirst, when the movement came into existence, in the end of e Ee ee Ee also to be robbed,

32

was most confident associate of Jathedar Karam Singh of also a staunch Babar Akali, \jater he turned an approver, who and Daulatpur gave a set back to the movement. Earlier he

484 Hactare P.S. Rahon.

now Nawanshahar.

-33

Had-bast No. 137—Area.

34

Had-bast Ne. 209 Area. 28, Hactares P.S. Sadr, Hoshiarpur.

26

History of the Babar Akalis-

1921, its most

prominent feature was to create or bring about a:

revolution and incite the troop to mutiny. Jholi-Chuks

Hampered

the Movement

Shortly after this, the Babar Akalis found that it was not soeasy job. Their activities were hampered by the loyalists. To augment funds, they turned their attention to the Jho/i-Chuks~ and very soon let loose .a state of terror by openly threatening the loyaiists. But when by threats they did not achieve the desired object, they began to take drastic steps which shook theloyalists. As strict watch began to be kept on the activities of the Babar Akalis, ately

to

the

the Jholi-Chuks also began to report immedi-

Government.

They

promote the Jholi-Chuks, got united began

had

meeting the higher officers through

to get the

activities

of

possible, for their own

the

Babar

safety.

They

common

against the

interest

Babars.

deputations, in a bid,

Akalis started

curbed

as early as

winning

them to their sides, promising them rewards and other on behalf of the British Government. False

to

They

some

of

faciiities,

Prosecutions

According to the prevailing practice of the prosecution, the evidence was exaggerated, and also fabricated to make cases successful. In revolutionary cases there is no dearth of such istances. Judiciary is made subordinate to the Executive, special courts are established and black laws are passed. Witnesses are hired. This, what happened, throughout the Babar Akali~ Movement. Strict Measures

Taken

Strict and deterrent measures were taken by the British Government against the Babar Aka/i Movement. The local strength of the loyalists was patronised by giving awards and titles to. those, who assisted the Government to extend full co-operation: to curb their activities. Those who opposed the movement were given scholarships and also good posts in the Government: services.

7°

Introduction

To create awe and fear, among the subjects, British Government established police posts, particuarly in those pockets, where. the Babar Akalis had earned a good will and were successful in their mission of arousing spirit of freedom. Sixteen such police -

posts were

established at Daulatpur,

Ghurial and Kandola, in Jalandhar

Pindori-Nijjaran,

District, Bullowal,

Haripur,

Chahalpur,

Moranwali, Jassowal, Chandsou Jattan, Kot Fatuhi, Moela, Mananhana. Sarhala Khurd and Rurki khas in Hoshiarpur District.

TheThe village people were subjected to great hordships. Police treated them like beasts. The people suffered heavily. The Police establishments were free to take anything for their rations and the fodder for their cavalry horses. These were the hey days of the toadies, who found favour with the Government, but the people who were suffering from unprecedented hardships, in the economic, political, social and religious sphers, abhorred They began to be known by the public as Pithoos, robethem. bearers. i.e. British

stooges and informers. Modes

of Punishments

Babar Akalis, who were arrested, were subjected to atro-cious and inhuman punishments by investigating agency :— . 1. They were made to remain awakened, for many days and nights.

2.

They were forced to remain heat, constantly.

3.

Forced

to

sit on

the

holes

standing in the of the

termites

scorching » and the.

wasps-nests. 4.

5.

and while Their, hands were put under the legs of cots them. on many persons were asked to sit were being: Their long hairs (Keshas) and moustaches pulled out.

6. 7.

being pricked: Their sensitive parts of the body were with sharp edged iron needles. ms. Chilie’s prowder was put into their rectu

-28

History of the Babar Akalis 8.

They were beat with sticks, shoes and of their feet.

9.

Sharp needles were pieread into their nails.

10.

The skins of the soles of feet

were

hit of the soles

removed

by severe

beating.

11.

They were hung up side down for days and nights.

12.

They were merecilessly caned.

13.

The night soil was put into their nostrils.

14.

They were tortured with Manjis (cot) punishments. Prisoner’s

Procession

There were many harrowing tales of tortures to which Babar -Akalis were subjected. They were treated most inhumanly. Sixty -Babar Akali convicts were sent from the District Jail, Jalandhar, to the Central Jail Lahore. They, in fetters and on foot, passed ~ through Adda Kapurthala, Anglo-Vernacular School, Mai Heeran ~Gate to the Railway Station. The author was told how under the British Military guard, this procession of the freedom fighters

marched in discipline, through the streets, shouting s/ogans

like

- Bole-so-nihal, Sat-sri-Akal. Angrez Sarkar-Murdabad and singing

in a melodious tune :— Lari maut nun Karan Parnam dekho Sehare latakde Babar Akalian de

People of all communities thronged to see the Babars. “Right from the early hours of 13th August, 1923, we sixty convicts began to be putin fettets. By the time it was evening ~all were in shackles. The armed forces took us to the Jalandhar Railway Station and put us behind the iron-bars of strongly-built “compartments. When our cavalcade marched towards the Railway Station, we were flanked by the police and armymen_ with pointed bayonets. Trudging through the Mai Heeran Gate to “the old Adda Hoshrarpur, our chain-mates so rent the sky with the echoes of ‘Sat-siri-Akal,"" that the people came rushing to “wiew us, and this gave the police a really tough-time. Time

{ntroduction

29

seemed to have come to a voluntary halt

for a while

with

the.

unison produced by cianking chains and resouding s/ogans. To all intents and purposes, it was a Babar-procession, the lingering memories of which have still not faded from the mind. When the train, bound for Lahore, arrived, our bogeys were linked.

with it. The train started from Jalandhar and halted finally at. Amritsar. Our s/ogans again enveloped the ambience around us, at the Railway-Station, Lahore.

The police, here did not again commit the mistake, which it had committed at Jalandhar. We were taken to the Central Jail, in buses with closed windows. We'were made to dismount buses, cross a porch and sit in a sort of lane. After we had given our, names and addresses, we were taken to barrack-2 and locked there- in. As a precautionary measure, an iron-railing about 10-12 feet high, was raised around the barrack. A mini-jail of half-baked. bricks had already been reared for us. A strong window was. firmly fixed three feet above the earth to serve as entrance to it. To get in and out

of

it with

shackles—on,

However, soon we became reconciled Singh Nijjar (Accused No. 12). Findings

was difficult for us.

to it’.

(Babar Milkha.

The Defence Counsel : The additional Sessions Judge, Punjab at Lahore Mr. J.K.M. Tapp had tried all the Babar Akalis, by establishing them conspirators against the King Emperor of India. Lala Raghunath Sahai, argued that the investigation in this case was started on the false information forwarded by the accused persons. It, however, seems that in a

case

of Conspiracy,

investigation

is

only possible on information given by or obtained from some of the conspirators. Conspirators do not conspire in the public, and the objects and aims of a conspiracy and offences. committed in pursurance, theraof, can only be investigated with the aid of disclosures made by the conspirators to the police in writing, not only the existence of such conspiracy but also the persons involved

have to be pin pointed.

In the present case, the leaflets issued the conspiracy, only showed the connection

in connection with of Karam Singh of

History of the Babar Akalis

30

Daulatpur, Udey Singh of Ramgarh Jhungian, Dhanna Singh of Bishan Baibalpur, Babu Santa Singh, Anup Singh of Manko, It was argued that the “Singh Mangat and Dalipa of Dhamian. persons responsible for this conspiracy were Jathedar Karam “Singh of Daulatpur,?> Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur and Udey Singh of Ramgarh-Jhungian, an argument which he advanced safely, because it centred round that dead man.** But the Judge indiscriminately punished all accused. Judgement The

was

Judgement

pronounced

that

Kishan

Singh

(Accused No. 1)*’, Karam Singh son of Bhagwan Dass (Accused “No. 20)38, Santa Singh Nand Singh (Accused No. 22)%%, (Accused No. 51)*°, and Dalipa Alias Dalip Singh (Accused No. 76)*1, and Dharam Singh (Accused No. 82)*, each has “been sentenced to death and been informed that a copy -of the judgement will be supplied to them and each has 7 days in which to appeal.

All

accused

acquitted

have

been released

from custoday in my presence. | also direct that all the approver

“except Hazara Singh, son of Inder Singh (P.W. 28) be discharThe Public Prosecutor will take such steps as he considers ~ged. necessary as regards Hazara Singh who should “the special Magistrate for orders.

be placed before

ne TT at J.K. Tapp,

‘Lahore,

Additional Sessions Judge,

28th February, 1925. 35 36 37

Punjab, Lahore.

Had-bast No. 268. Area 101 Hactares P.S. Balachaur. Karam Singh, Daulatpur was the editor of the Babar Akali Doaba. Benang, Near Jalandhar Cantonment.

38 39 40 ~41

Village Haripur near Adampur Doaba. A Bharaj, Ramgnrhia, of Ghurial-District Jalandhar. A Bhatti Sikh Jat of Chhoti-Hariyon. District Ludhiana. A Dhami Sikh Jat of Dhamian near Sham Chauras i.

“42

A Kandola Sikh Jat of Hyatpur, near Balachaur.

31

-4ntroduction

Martyrdom of the six Babar Akalis, who were hanged on -27 Ferbuary, 1926, invited scathing criticism of the Government -action and inspired reverence

their families.

It caused

for the

martyrs and sympathy for

considerable

excitment

‘glorification of their exploits in the Doab.

Chabblia -Babar

Party

Munsha

organised Singh

which

was attended

‘Body

like

-asking

the

for Rs.

-Sahayak fund,

a Diwan

at

Accused No. 59) by 4,000

Central

1,50,000

Sikh

persons. League,

for the

Desh

and led to the

In March,

Bolina‘’,

1926,

(village

the

of

in Jalandhar District Even

a Conservative

published

Bhagat

in order to provide assistance to

an

appeal

Qaidi

Parwar

the

families

of

«executed or imprisoned Babar Akalis.“

cr 6 ie np. 1. Home Department, Political File No. 11Z/IWato2Z6 43 44

r. Had-bast No. 200 Area 241 Hactares P.S. Sadar Jalandha

el

Chapter 2

First Babar Akali March

Conspiracy

23, 1921

to May

Origin of The Babar

Case

21, 1921

Akali Movement

The genesis of the Aka/i Movement could

be

traced to the

Sikh Educational Conference which was held at Hoshiarpur in March, 1921. It was the first round in the anti-imperialistic struggle started by Sardar Kishan Singh Garagajj and his associates. This struggle for India’s freedom manifested itself in the First Akali Conspiracy, 1921 which was tried by Mr. P.J. Rust, the Special Magistrate of Lahore. Prominent Sikh Leaders from: all over India attended this Conference. Some Sikh youngmen, however, held a separate meeting and advocated aggressive ways and means for the achievements of a separate political status for the Sikhs. Among those who were in favour of this were :— 1.

Master Mota Singh, of Patara.

2. Kishan Singh Gargajj,

son

of Sardar

Fateh

Singh,

of

Binanq. 3. Amar Singh of Delhi.

4. Bijla Singh, village Gharooan of Patiala. 5. Gurbachan Singh alias Surjan Singh pura, Ambala.

6. Amar Singh son of Ganda Singh Khan, Gujranwala District.

of village

Goldsmith

7. Chattar Singh of District Sheikhupura.

Kishan-

of Kot Bare

First Babar Akali Conspiracy Case

=o)

. Shankar Singh of. Pindori- Bibi. Battan Singh of Kahari.? Bhai Chanchal Singh of Jandiala.?

Narain Singh, of Chatiwind.¢

son

of Sardar

Dasoncha Singh Mahal

Bela Singh, Gholia, District Ferozepur. Ganda Singe of District Ludhiana.

. Tota Singh, son of Sardar Ram Singh of Peshawar. Unanimous

Resolution

In this meeting of young Sikhs, it was unanimously resolved that the following, who were directly responsible for the masacre of Nankana Sahib, should be murdered :—

ee Sir Sunder Singh Majithia. Kartar Singh Bedi.

Mahant Dev Dass of Nankana Sahib. Mahant Basant Dass of Manak. C.M. Bowring, Superintendent of Police. and

De ae eh Mr. C.M. King Commissioner, Amritsar who were Massacre.®

The signatories to the

held

resolution

murder of ‘these people’, would .

Deputy Commissioner of responsible for Nankana Sahib

were

have

convinced

a direct

that the

impact

on the

Had-bast No. 277 Area 338 Hactares P.S. Sadr Hoshiarpur.

. Had-bast No. 242 Area 579 Hactares P.S. Sadr Hoshiarpur. . P.S. Nurmahal KN W.

Had-bast

No.

District Jalandhar. 278

Area

599

Hactares

P.S.

Jandiala

Guru,

District

Case

of

Amritsar.

.

Home

Department,

Evidence of

Ganda

Political File No. 268. 1922, Singh (P.W. 17)

Bull, Special Magistrate,

Lahore.

in the

pp. 12-13.

Babar

Akalis

L.A.

34

History of the Babar Akalis

future of Sikh polity and become an eye opener for loyalists and

apologists, of the British Empire. The Sikhs were further enraged, because, was a staunch upholder of Sanatanist

views

and

was

Bedi

opposed

He held a conference at Lahore on the eve of the

to the Akalis. Nankana

Kartar Singh

Mahant

point.

Sahib tragedy to oppose the Akali stand

Dewa Dass of Nankana Sahib attended the Conference

much

the annoyance.of the Sikhs, who

was

by some

Akalis, and the Government

to

Central Jail for ten or

had

eleven days

Sunder Singh Majithia,

actually keep

seized

him

to appease

a Sikh Member

In the

to

Lahore

the Aka/is.

Sir

of the Government,

had

also incurred the displeasure of the Aka/is. The Mahant of Manak was forcibly taken out

tables

against

his

from

his

ejectors

Gurdwara

with

the

but

aid

he

of

turned

the

the

Deputy

Commissioner of Amritsar.

For the

immediate

Committee requested

procure arms

and

fulfilment

the well

amunition.

of the said Resolution, the

wishers

Sardar

of the

Tota

Movements

to

Singh

Peshawari, accordingly arranged the supply, as much as he could do. Seven revolvers were

stolen

from

the

Air

Force

Arsenal

Depot

of

Ambala Cantt.

Sardar Bela Singh of Gholia,

Ferozepur District and

Ganda

Singh of Saral was deputed tokill Mr. Bowring, When they went to Lahore, they found that Mr. Bowring was notat his bungolow. While

Police

loitering

about,

apprehended

in the

them.

mysterious

Being

Police torture, they revealed the whole

circumstances,

unable

to

plot, before

with

the

the

stand

investi-

“First Babar Akali Conspiracy Case

33

“gation staff.® Proclamation Among

others,

who

of Royal Awards

were

arrested,

included

Amar Singh

| (P.W. 8) of Kot Bare Khan, District Gujranwala, Narain Singh, Tota Singh son of Sardar Ram Singh of Peshawar, Chatter Singh, Thakar ~ Singh of Bhojowal

and

Shankar

Singh,

warrants

were

issued

~ against Kishan Singh Gargajj, Master Mota Singh, Amar Singh ~of Delhi, Battan Singh of Kahari, Bijla Singh of village Gharooan Patiala and Gurbachan Singh. But they dodged the authorities. The

offenders of justice and

as

them

proclaimed

Government

6. However evidence of Amar Singh (P. W. 8) son of Ganda Singh of Kote

Bare

Khan,

District

Gujaranwala,

who

was

once

associate of Sardar Kishan Singh Gargajj (Accused No. 1)

goldsmith very trusted

is also

interes-

ting, which corroborates the whole story under reference. Kishan Singh Gargajj suggested that

owing

by the officers against the Aka/i Movement,

When Kishan Singh made this suggestion, Ganda Singh and Amar

proposal

of

Singh were

Kishan

present.

All

Gargajj.

Singh

to the

they of

be

assassinated.

Singh, Bela Singh, Narain them

had

agreed

finally

it was

Then

opposition shown

should

to

the

passed

by

Kishan Singh Gargajj, Narain Singh Naik, later accused No. 81, Ganda Singh, Tota Singh of Peshawar, Bishan Singh Dhoriwala, Amar Singh (P.W. 8) Bijla Singh of Gharooan, Gurcharn Singh, Amar Singh Delthiwala, that following officers should be murdered Mr. C.M. King, Commissioner,

;—

a. Europian

' Police Amritsar, the Mahant of Manak,

and

Deputy

Superintendent

of

Mr. C.M. Bowring, Suprinten-

. dent of Police as they had put ‘a spoke’ in the wheel’ of the Gurdawara Bela further decided to depute thus Committee The Movement, Manak, of Mahant murder to Khan, Bare Singh and Amar Singh of Kot Amar Singh was armed with chhavi who both proceeded for the purpose. _ and Bele Singh had a revolver.

They failed in the attempt

a police gaurd on the Gurdawara of

Manak.

Amar

Singh

there

was

Delhiwala

and

as

at Sardar Ganda Singh were selected for the purpose of throwing a Bomb, say that owing te Bahadur Sunder Singh Majithia, but they returned to Sardar

Bahadur being away

from

his

house

they

could

not

succeed.

assassinate Mr. Bowring at Ganda Singh and Bela Singh then set out to son of Sardar Bahadur Singh Chattar alias Singh Lahore (P.W. 475 Sant Gujranwala—Trial-case District Tung of resident Jat 32, age Lchna Singh “No. 2 of 1924 P. 858).

History of the Babar Akalis=

36

announced ‘Royal Awards”, for the arrest of the following. 4. Master Mota Singh of Patara.

Amar Singh of Delhi. Battan Singh of Kahari.

Bijla Singh of village Gharooan, Patiala. Gurbachan Singh. Be che =) SIS

Sardar Tota Singh oT A case was filed against them. Peshawar was convicted and sentenced to five years rigorous. imprisonment : Bela Singh and Ganda Singh were sentenced tothree years rigorous imprisonment each, while others were: acquitted.

Trial By Mr. P.J. Rust The following is a brief summary of a lengthy Judgementdelivered by Mr. P.J. Rust, Special Magistrate with powers

under Section 30 and resulted on the 18th May, 1922, in theFirst Aka/i Conspiracy case, which had taken over six months. for hearings.’ In this case there were eleven accused,

absconding.

The

following

six accused

five of whom

were

sent

were:

for trial

before the court.

Tota Singh

Singh

son

son

of Prem

of Sardar

Singh

Ram

Singh

of Thethar,

of Peshawar, Tara

District

Lahore.

Tara

Singh son of Wasawa Singh of Chhota Gholia, District Ferozepur, Amar Singh son of Ganda Singh of Kot Baren Khan, District

Gujranwala.’ Prem Singh son of Ram Singh Granthi of Chomala Gurdwara, Lahore. Naik Narain Singh son of Dasondha Singh 7. First Aka/i Conspiracy Case (1921) vide The Tribune 8.

June, 23, 1922.

Later Amar Singh turned a professional approver (P.W. 8) in the 7ria/of Babar Akalis, Kishan Singh and others Vs King in the Court of Mr. J.K.M.

Tapp,

1924.

Additional

Seasions

Judge,

Punjab

at Lahore.

Trai/

No.2.

of;

/First Babar Akali Conspiracy Case

3F

“of Chatiwind, District Amcitsar.®

The absconders were -Jalandhar. Bijla Singh earstwhile Patiala State. “of Ambala District. Amar

Master Mota Singh of Patara, District (alias Jagat Singh) of Gharooan in the Gurcharn Singh (alias Surjan Singh) Singh of Rikabaganjwala. Kishan Singh

of Binang Jalandhar District Jalandhar. To distinguish between the two Amar Singh, the accused “before the court of Mr. P.J. Rust, were called Amar Singh Sipahi ~and Amar Singh Delhiwala.

Charge Against the Accused Prem Singh was discharged by the Court, and the remaining ~five accused were charged as under :—

That the Conspirators, between March ~23, 1921, at Hoshiarpur,

Amritsar

and

25,1921,

Peshawar,

and

May

agreed

with

~one another and with all and with the following persons. 1. Master Mota Singh of Patara, 2. Bijla Singh of Patiala, 3. ‘Gurbachan Singh, 4. Amar Singh, 5. Kishan Singh, 6. Chattar “Singh of Kandola, 7. Ganda Singh, 8. BurSingh, 9. Sham “Singh, 10. Sarmukh Singh, 11. Gurbakhsh Singh, and 12. Battan

* Singh.

Charge

Framed

“'To do or cause to be done an illegal act, namely to murder, «or cause to be murdered, Bedi Kartar Singh, Sir Sunder Singh ‘Majithia, Mahant Basant Dass of Manak, Mahant Dewa Das of !'Nankana Sahib, Mr. King and Mr. Bowring, as, offence punish_able under section 302, I.P.C., and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 120-B, read with Sections 302 and ~115 of the Indian Penal Code.” “That they, between the above mentioned

Amritsar, Peshawar, and other 9.

Had-bast

places

dates, at Ambala

in British India, did agree

No. 278 Area 599 Hactares P.S. Jandiala

Guru.

38

History of the Babar Akalis=

with one another and with some or all of the persons above mentioned to do or caused to be done an illegal act, namely to

keep, import or possess

arms

provisions of Sections

5, 6,13

and

amunition,

and

contrary

to the

14 of the Arms Act (XI of”

1878), in such a manner as to indicate an intentention

that such

acts may not be known to any body, and in each was found ‘with a fully loaded revolver.”

They were taken to the Railway Police Station, Lahore, and’ searched.?° Among other articles, from one of them, was found an Afridi knife and eleven cartridges ;and on the other 30 cartridges foose in the Jhola (haversack) and five cartridges and one empty case and two 3'3 rifles cartridges tied up in a pieceof rag. From

the

Singh, it was

police

interogation

ascertained

that

of

Bela

they

were

Singh

and

Ganda

involved in atheft

of revolvers from the Ajir Force Armoury at Ambala Cantonment, on the night of December, 4, 1921. The two. revolvers found In their possession, which bore the marks of the Air Force Armoury. Search

Lists

The two search lists were prepared by Mr, F.C. lsemonger!” and were witnessed by Damodar Singh, Suprintendent and Khair Din, ticket collector. The two arrested Babar Akalis gave their names as Sher Singh and Sucha Singh, Later on it became: known that their actual names were Bela Singh and Ganda, Singh. The latter was an approver and the former an accused. A charge was registered under the Arms Act by Kamal Muhammad * Khan, Inspector, Railway Police, Lahore.

10.

Belonging to Afridi Tribe of Afganistan, which

was also an offence under:-

the Law of the day.

11. Mr. F.C. Ilsemonger,

C.1.D. (P.W. 762).

C.B.E. Deputy

Inspector-General

of

Police,

Punjab,

First Babar Akali Conspiracy Case

39

The Investigation

The case arose, as already stated, out of the arrest of two persons, Bela Singh and Ganda Singh, at the Lahore Railway Station on May 23,1921. On that day, four Sikhs came to the bungalow where Sir, F.C. Isemonger!? and Mr. C.M. Bowring!® were residing together and enquired

for

Mr. C.M. Bowring,

At

the gate of the compound they met Nizam Din., the batman of Mr. Bowring had already warned him to be on the vigil. Nizam Din’s suspicions were confirmed when the intruders

‘‘He then acted with ‘“‘most Stated that they were electricians. commendable confidence’ by following them that Mr. C.M. Bowring would not return that day, as he was away to Amritsar. As they left the bungalow, an orderly came to see Mr. Isemonger

On a bicycle, Nizam Din told him to follow mean while he telephoned to Mr. Bowring the happening.

Mr. Bowring

to enquire about the physical dress, heights and age, etc.

In the the suspects. and appraised him of

in turn telephoned

description

Arrests at Lahore

Mr. Isemonger :

of those

Sikhs-their

Railway Station

was scheduled to leave at 3.30 P.M. Isemonger called the Inspector of the Mr. About an hour before Railway Police and asked him to take at least ten persons to the He added that each one must carry Lahore Railway Station. The

Hardwar

Train

Mr. Isesome bedding as they were going on escort duty. InspecPolice the sent and Station Railway the to went monger Train Hardwar the which from tor with his men on the platform pointed Sikhs the The person who had followed would start. out from the overbridge that the suspects were sitting ona bench. Mr. Isemonger put on his

carriage. 12.

hat

and went

He waited till two of the three

Deputy Inspector-General, of Police, Lahore.

13. Suprintendent of Police (C.I.D.).

14. The Tribune, 10 June,

1922.

Sikhs

into a first

class

had entered the

40

History of the Babar Akalis

comparrment.

He

then

called

his

men

to

get

compartment and told the occupants to move

into the same

out, if a few of the

passengers entered

the compartment.

out of the carriage,

they were immediately arrested. Recovery

The

two

Sikhs stepped

of Arms

By June 23, 1921, six out of the seven revolvers stolen from

Ambala Cantonment had

been

recovered.

Other revolvers were

recovered after the information given by Naik Narain Singh ; one, it was said,

had been

brought

by

him from Landi

Kotal, when

his Regiment, 2/35th Sikh, was transferred to Ambala. that this revolver which actually

belonged to

been given to him by Sahib Singh 1921.

towards

He stated

Mr. Derrick,1° the end

had

of 7 June

The other was said to have belonged to Bijla Singh.

After

passing through several hands it was given by Naik Narain Singh

to the Regimental armoury Mistry. Tota Singh’s Case

The cases of the individual

Tota

Singh’s

case

was

accused

first examined,

implicated by the approvers.

The

were

as

Magistrate

then considered.

he

was

deeply

observed

in this

context : ‘There is direct and material corroboration

of the approver's

story that he took the main part of the purchase

one revolver, One pistol and independent Territory of the

some

North-West

there is corroboration

of certain

story as

Singh

far as

Tota

cartridges

other

of two

from

Frontir

party

bombs,

Landi-Kotal Province

and

of the approver’s

is directly corroborated on many naterial points, as indicated in the history of the investigation ind the story of the case as narrated at the commencement of the judgement.” 15. Assistant Superintendent

of Police.

First Babar Akali Conspiracy Case

41

Bela Singh!¢ It was fully established that Bela Singh of village Gholia, “was never a member of ‘‘that inner circle’. He was active member of the outer circle and ready at all times to commit “murders according to instructions.

Narain

Singh

The case of Narain Singh, Naik of village

Chatiwind

District

.Amritsar was not so clear. It was not alleged that he was privy to the plot to Steal arms from the armoury at Ambala Cantonment. ‘It was rather proved that he was informed of the theft afterwards,

and to the where abouts of the three revolvers, which were left behind by Ganda Singh and Bela Singh. After reviewing the -evidence, the Magistrate felt that although Narain Singh could have been found guilty of being in iliegal possession of revolvers which had been stolen from the armoury at Ambala Cantonment ‘but he could not be convinced in this case. Amar

Singh

Amar Singh could not be connected in any way with Ambala ~revolver’s case. He might possibly have been involved in the theft ~case, but he died not handle any of the revolvers. Case

Defended

Raghunath Sahai, who appeared for the accused, Tota -Singh, commenced his arguments by referring to Sections, 10,

133 and 114 (illustration B) of argued that the charge

was

the

definite

Indian as

Evidence

Act.

He

the dates of commenc-

ment and termination of the Conspiracy were specifically mentioned and that the actions of the accused before March 25, 16.

Bela

Singh

and

Naik

Narain

Singh

of

village

Chatiwind,

No. 278 Area 599 Hactares, District Amritsar, were serving Sikh

Regiment

They both

were

the

associates

of

Kishan

were under the influence of Kishan Singh

of the Jho/li-Chucks.

They both were very brave and

¢Babar-Akalis-Guibachan

Singh. p. 5.)

Had-bast

in the 2/35th Singh

Gargaijj,

for the Reformation daring Babar

Akalis

History of the Babar Akalis=

42

Hence, in his opinion, there was reaso1921 were irrelevant. nable evidence to believe that a Conspiracy existed, before He emphatically stated that the Section 10 could be applied. evidence of the approvers required corroboration on material’ points, in this case.

Accused

Not Guilty

The accused pleaded that they were ‘‘not guilty’. Tota Singh made an oral statement. The other accused professed to non-co-operate, though they cross-examined some of the pro-

secution witnesses.

They did not produce any defence evidence

but gave written statements. As far as the Magistrate could

ascertain,

Amar Singh could

not be found guilty on the second charge and as far as the Conspiracy was concerned he found that there was not sufficient evidence to corroborate the statement of Ganda Singh that he actually joined in the Conspiracy. It was not even corroborated by the evidence of approvers except Chattar Singh. His conclusion, therefore, was, that both Narain and Amar Singh must be acquitted. In concluding the whole case, Mr. P.J. Rust said :— It is now necessary to consider the case generally as against the three accused whom | have told to be guilty.” The

Sentences

“This concludes all that it is necassary to say on the general. aspect of the case.” “For reasons that | have given, | find Tota Singh, Bela Singh and Tara Singh guilty under both charges.”

“Under the provisions of section 115, the

maximum

sentence

under

120-B the

first

read

with Section.

charge

is seven

years, and under the provisions of Section 109, read with Section ;

20 of the Arms Act, the

maximum

sentence

under the second:

charge is also seven years.”

“| do not consider that

there

should be

any

differentiation:

First Babar Akali Conspiracy Case

43:

between the sentences. Bela Singh had not been to the inner circle, but he was the ready instrument of the leading conspiraters. Tota Singh and Tara Singh were members of the inner-circle, the former was more active in the purchase of arms, but not open. Tota Singh, son of Ram Singh of Peshawer was sentenced to five years’ rigorous imprisonment, Bela Singh and Ganda Singh were sentenced to three years, rigorous imprisonment each.‘’!?

Thus, the first attempt of the Babar Akalis, miserably failed for lack of efficient planning and requisite training, However,

this abortive attempt had a great impact on Movements. An

Eye-witness

the

future

of Sikh

Account

The First Conspiracy Case of the Babar Akalis was tried by Mr. J.P. Rust, the First Class Magistrate. The trial commenced from November 8, 1920. Unfortunately, the papers, relating to-. this case were left with the Sessions and the High Courts, at

Lahore. At the time of Partition and even till today, the Punjab Government did not get our due share from these records. It is a great draw back to the Research-scholars to do full justice for the subjects of their research. The author tried his best to find” out, whatever material could be available from the records of © this part of our country, but not to his entire satisfaction. For the general interest of the readers, an evidence of Ganga Singh, who was directly concerned with this case, is given as@ whole :—

P.W. 476—Ganda Singh, son of Hira Singh, caste Jat, age. 35, resident of Sarhali Khurd, District Amritsar, cultivator, on S.A. :—

“l was an approver in the previous Aka/i Conspiracy Case » tried by Mr. P.J. Rust in the Jail.181 made a statement. | spent the. .

early part of my life in Singapur, Delhi and Burmah. | was enlisted in», 17.

Babar Akali Case Judgment, Trail No. 2. of 1924 p. 860.

18. Centra!

Jail, Lahore.

~A4

History of the Babar Akalis

the 43rd Battery at Amritsar. About two months later Bela Singh was enlisted in my Battery and he was convicted in the first Akali Conspiracy case. He said tome to desert: My Battery was then in Dehra Dun. We purchased three swords from Kala Singh, Mistri, Bela Singh, Mall Singh, Puran Singh andl deserted. We roamed aboutin different places and then came to Bahni Sahib where we buried one sword under a plum tree. | can identity it.

| pointed out tne place to the police

but it was

not found there but from another man in another village. Bela Singh and | then came to our village, the two remaining swords wer buried in a chari field in our village. We thencame to Lahore Cantt. About fitteen days later Bela Singh, Bur Singh and | enlisted in the 2/35 Sikhs. Bur Singh was an approver in the other case, My Regiment stayed in Lahore Cantt, for five to six months and then went to Ambala Cantt. A detachment of our Regiment went to Landi Kotal before the Regiment moved to Ambala. A portion of the detachment returned from Landi Kotal to Ambala before the Regiment moved there. Naik Narain Singh accused in the First Conspiracy case. Amar Singh sepoy approver in this case came with the detachment and became friendly with me as we went together to the Kaula Gurdawara. I\t is about 1/4 of a mile from Ambala Cantt. Bela Singh and | took four days’ leave to go to Amritsar. We both were absent and went to our village and brought our two swords to the Kaula Gurdawara where we kept them in a ‘‘chari™* “kotha”. From there we went to the Regiment. The Subedar took us to the Sahib and we were confined to barracks for seven days. We still continued to goto the Gurdawara. Once Bur Singh, a /Jangri (cook) and | got delayed and _ the police havildar arrested us and we were confined to barracks for seven days. We got scabbards made for the swords by Bhola Mistri of Kotli village. We were then placed on duty over the Aeroplanes at Ambala. One day an European soldier came out from the Magazine and fired a revolver. The door was opened and | saw a number of revolvers and rifles inside. That very evening “1 was taken off duty. Bela Singh, Bur Singh and | conspired to Steal the revolvers and rifles. About five or seven days later we

First Babar Akali Conspiracy Case decided

ASS.

to

steal that night. Bela Singh and Bur liquor and | drank “Bhung” so that we may not feel were fired at. |! become intoxicated and Bur Singh on duty. Bur Singh and | did not go that night as cated and | proposted postponement. At midnight

Singh drank afraid if we.. was detailed’. | was intoxiBela Singh roused me up and said that he had stolen seven revolvers from He said that he the Magazine and had thrown three rifles out. opened the screws of the back window with a screw driver having broken the glass and then took off the bolts and entered the Magazine and stole the revolvers and rifles. He said he. threw the three rifles out as they were weighty and had placed He took me to the. the seven revolvers outside in the grass.

place vers.

|! saw the seven revolwhere the revolvers were hidden. We hid the seven revolvers in two heaps of stone ;sor/

(stone ballot) three in one heap and four in another. The ror/ heaps were near the Kaula Gurdawara towards the Cantt side. The revolvers were tied in a portion of my black turban which | tore up into two pieces, tying three revolvers into one piece and These are those revolvers (P/48 to P/53) but four into another. the seventh revolver is not among them.”

Note :—Witness

picked

out

these

revolvers

from among

nine produced in Court.

5-10-1923

(Sd.) Louis A Bull, Special Magistrate.

“The theft was discovered but we were not suspected. | told) Naik Narain Singh (accused in the first case) and Amar Singh Naik Narain Singh said, | (approver in this case) of the theft. had done well as he had brought a revolver from Landi Kotal and if | had not told him and search had been made, it would have been discovered. Amar Singh said, he too had brought a revolver

from Landi Kotal.

| showed Naik Narain Singh the place where .

Fifteen or fourteen days later, Bela the revolvers were buried. | brought four revolvers with me and got Singh and | deserted. Naik Narain Singh to take charge of the remaining three revoland Of the two swords we brought, one we kept with us, vers.

46

History of the Babar Akalis

Bur left the other with Bhola Singh Mistri to make ascabbard. Singh Naik Narain “Singh was to take it from Bhola Singh Mistri. They were a bit small for gave us cartridges for the revolver. He said he the revolvers we had, but could be fired from them. cartridges and revolvers these With “got them from Landi Kotal. From there we went to Burj Rai’? near we came to Amritsar. Patti. We went to Bela Singh’s brother-in-law, Phuman Singh who lived there, Bela Singh gave one revolver and five cartridges to Phuman

Singh.

From there we went to Anandpur and stayed

at the Shahid Bagh Gurdawara. The Granthi’s name was Atma Singh of Rawalpindi. He was previously acquainted with me. | gave him a revolver and a sword. We roamed about along time towards Ropar and from there came to Anandpur. When we returned we found that Atma Singh, Granthi, was not there. At Nalagarh, we learnt of the Nankana tragedy and Bela Singh and | decided to go there. Before leaving, | borrowed this dagger (P. 54) from the Patwari of Nalagarh and Bela Singh and | left something with him. We ‘came to Amritsar and learning that troops were going to Anandpur we went to Anandpur and from there to Ambala and went to the Kaula Gurdawara. We sent for Naik Narain Singh, Amar Singh (approver) and Bur Singh. We asked Narain Singh to let -us have the revolvers as we were going to Nankana Sahib. He said he had left them at Chatiwind, his village and would get them when he would go there. Naik Narain Singh gave me a sword, two rifle cartridges could be fired from one revolver separately. These are the empty revolver cartridges (P. 55) in question and these (P. 56) are the rifles cartridges. Bela Singh and | reached Nankana Sahib. There we met Amar Singh sepoy

(approver).

He said he was on

leave

but would not

the Regiment and was prepared to join us.

and stayed

at Burj Phula Singh.

| concealed

the

to

cartridges in

the roof. | pointed out that place to the police and found there. At Amritsar we met Sarmukh Singh 19. District Amristar.

return

We went to Amritsar they were who was

«First Babar Akali Conspiracy Case

47

working

at the Akali office at Guru-ka-bagh. \We said we were and to employ us inthe Aka/i Da/. We said we had revolvers and as we had revolvers we would do what they

deserters

wanted. The object of our enlisting ourselves was with a view to reforming the Jholi-Chuks. By reforming we mean killing. Sarmukh Singh took us to Tota Singh (accused in the first Case) “who was Secretary of the Aka/i Da/. He said he would enlist us after two or three days. He again said to us to work without being enlised. We used to go frequently to the office. Two or

“three days later we went to the Aka/ Takht.

There we met Bijla in the Ist case) who

“Singh, Shingara Singh (accused-absconder was Secretary of the Aka/i Dal. He said, he would enlist us after two or three days. He again said to us to work without

to the office. used to go frequently We being enlisted, ‘Bishan Singh (also an absconder), Chattar Singh, and Tota

“Singh (accused in the Ist case). We came and sat in the lawn There we decided that we should murder at Guru-ka-bagh. those who

were

giving

trouble

to

the

Panth.

There

it was

Dewa Das, Majithia, decided to murder Sir, Sunder Singh, Nankana, Mahant of Manak and Kartat Singh Bedi, and all It was decided that if anyone divulged this ‘present agreed. Bijla Singh and | “secret he and his family would be murdered. enext day came to Lahore to meet Kartar Singh Jabbal, in the

_Jail.

| applied describing myself as Sher Singh. We then went to

Amritsar and then to Jalandhar as Bijla Singh wanted to get the

-cartridges

of a revolver

which

were

kept there.

Amar Singh

(approver) and Joginder Singh of Khurdpur met us there. Amar Bijla revolver from Joginder Singh. “Singh and | went to Pattara to Thakar Singh to get the cartridges. "We came back to Jalandhar. There we met Amar Singh “Singh said he wanted his

(approver) and his companion, whose name

| don’t know

and

Amar Singh showed us Jogindir Singh’s mare, “the revolver he got from Joginder Singh. | oiled it. Bijla Singh chad Amar Singh’s revolver and he asked Amar Singh for it and

-who brought

“told him to take his own, and Bijla Singh said the revolver was mot working properly and would exchange it when it was

48

History of the Babar Akalis”

Bijla Singh sent Amar Singh to Binang,*® to Udham: repared. Singh to fetch the revolver he Bijla Singh had given him. Amar He brought Singh went to Binang and returned the same day. | can identify it. Amar two revolvers, the first one and another. Singh that Udham Singh stated that he was afraid of the police: and did not wish to keep the revolver sent to him. This is their revolver (P/35) which he brought from Joginder Singh. From: revolver | gave an empty Jalandhar we went to Amritsar. | met Peshawar. from it like more get to Singh cartridge to Tota was. 35) (P. revolver The him in the Bagh of the Aka/i office. and the other was given to: given to me to get repaired Bijla Singh who passed it on Shanghara Singh. Bijla Singh said and had been that arms had been received from Peshwar brought by Tota Singh. I went to the Aka/i office and the following were present, Tota Singh, Bela Singh, Amar Singh: in the Ist case). Kishan Singh Delhiwala (absconder (absconder in first case), Sadhu Singh (absconder) and Bijla» Singh (absconder). There we learnt that S. Sunder Singh Majithia, had come to his house at Amritsar. It was decided | offered to that he should be killed with a bomb that day. throw the bomb as | had learnt in the army to throw bomb. (They are those shown I] received two bombs.from Tota Singh. to me (P. 57 and P. 58). | had a revolver with me. Amar Singh went with me to Sardar Delhiwala Sunder Singh’s house. Sardar Sunder Singh’s son met us. We said that we wanted to» interview the Sardar and asked where he was. He said he was not there and he did not know where he had gone. We: then came back. If we had met him we would have quickly disposed of him. I gave the repairable revolver to Naik Narain: Singh at Amritsar to get it repaired through Bhola Khan Regimental Mistri at Ambala. ! went to Ambala after him to get back the teree revolvers with him and to bring back this one. | met Bur Singh there. He said that Naik Narain Singh was on leave. | met him at the Kaula Gurdawara. He said that he too would’ SL ee ee OR ENR 20. The village of Kishan Singh Gargajj, who Akali Conspiracy Case.

was hanged in the Second Babar

First Babar Akali Conspiracy Case

49

come and

join us in this campaign.

back

revolvers.

the

We

stayed

We left Sher Singh to bring

at

Amritsar.

Amar

Singh

(approver) and Bela Singh (accused in the first case) met us. They said that they went to kill the Mahant of Manak. Bela Singh had a pistol and Amar Singh a chhavi but as there was a Police guard there hence they were not able to kill the Mahant. Bela

Amar

Singh

seid

Singh’s brother Phuman

returned

from

Ambala

that Singh

but did

not

he

got

of Buraj bring

the Rai.

chhavi from Sher Singh

the revolvers,

but

brought Bhan Singh's box containing his things. We left the box at Baba Bhola Singh Ka Buraj. That box was found by the Police on information given by me. A few days later, Bijla Singh, Bela Singh, Shanghara Singh, Tota Singh, Bishan Singh, Sadhu Singh, Chhatar Singh and other Chattar Singh and | came to the Akali office. There we decided to ki!l all who were giving the Akalis trouble. There all the revolvers were handed in and redistributed. | got back my previous revolver and some cartridges but, | don’t remember the number. Bela Singh got back his revolver and cartridges. Some cartridges were given to him for Amar Singh. Bela Singh was to get back the revolver given by him to Phuman Singh his brother and given it to Amar Singh. Names were mentioned of persons who were to be killed. They were Sir, Sunder Singh, Majhthia, Kartar Singh Bedi, Dewa Das of Nankana, Mahant of Manak, Mr. Bowring, of the C.I.D., the Wazir to Government who would not let the Gurdawara Bill be passed, Mr. King, the Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar who

pulled the beards of Sikhs and beat them. All present agreed Sadhu Singh and that these persons should be murdered. Chattar Singh, Jaithowal, who used to live in Lahore were Bela Singh and |! deputed to help me. We came to Lahore. revolver anda six-chambered up loaded a had | came to Lahore. Bela Singh hada loaded sixdagger (P. 54) and cartridges. Bijla Singh gave us a letter chambered revolver and cartridges.

for Chattar Singh and said that he and Sadhu

Singh would help

At Lahore, we went to the us and show us the bungalows. Chomala Sahib Gurdawara and we met Chattar Singh of Jaitho-

History of the Babar Akalis

50

He wal at the Aka/i newspaper office. We gave him the letter. to ws bungalo the out said that he and Sadhu Singh would point we but us. Hecame with us to find Sir, Sunder Singh’s house could not find it. Next day Sadhu Singh went with us to find We went back to the the house but we did not find it. Next day Sadhu Singh took us first to the Chomala Gurdawara. District Courts, then to the Borstal Jail. There Kartar Singh, Prem Singh was with us and joined us Jabbal, was being tried. There was a large Police force with handcuffs outside and here. as we suspected foul play and supected that we were to be We left the caught, so we got into a tonga and departed. Bowring’s Mr. to went then We House. ent Governm tonga near Sadhu Singh, Bela house. the us house and Sadu Singh showed left was Singh and | went into the compound and Prem Singh We said we wanted to We met Mr. Bowring’s bearer. outside. we were. We said we who to as us asked He Bowring. see Mr.

were Electricians and we wanted urgently to meet Mr. Bowring He said the Sahib was not there and was to goto Amritsar by We went to the 3.00 P.M. train by the Hardwar Passenger. We reached the station Landa Bazar Gurdawara and sat there. We intended to get into the same train and at train time. murder Mr. Bowring on the way. Bela Singh and | were to have They were red Sadhu Singh purchased the tickets. gone. coloured but | don’t know of what class. We went and sat on a bench on the platform. We had our revolvers ready loaded with

six-cartrides each.

While

came with a body of Police.

we were

seated there Mr. lsemonger

We thought they were after us at the

Jail and now too had come to arrest us. We jumped up from with the intention of firing at them if we were arres-

the bench

ted but just as we jumped up, the Police turned about.

We then

got into the train. Sadhu Singh said that the Police had not come to arrest us and had seated themselves in the train. Sadhu The Sahib and two or three men came Singh then disappeared. and said to empty the carriage as it was to be reserved for the Police. As we were getting out of the carriage we were arrested.

We were searched.

When arrested,

| said my

name

was

Sher

“First Babar Akali Conspiracy Case

of

“Singh and Bela Singh

revolver

said his name was Sucha Singh. One containing six loaded cartridges was found on each of

~us and adagger

(P. 54)

was

found

on

me

as

well as loose

~ cartridges in our haversacks. | was taken to Nau/akha police - Station but don’t know where Bela Singh was taken. ! made a true statement to the Police.

| madeastatement

“Court. The statement (PA/185) now read to me - in the Court of Mr. Rust.

in

Mr. Rust’s

is what | stated

It is correct.’’

No cross-examination.

5-10-23 Read over, admitted in evidence and

(Sd.) Louis A. Bull Special Magistrate transferred to record of

“Session Court.

t, WAC, Sl

ae

J.K. Tapp, Addl. Session Judge, Punjab, at Lahore.

Chapter 3

Conspiracy

Babar Akali

Second

Case»

The Trial of J.K.M.

In the Court

Additional

Sessions

Tapp, Esa.,

Judge,

Punjab, at Lahore

TrialNowz

Of LOZ.

King Emperor Versus

Kishan Singh and Other Accused Charge-Under Sections 120-B and 302, 307, 396, 397, read with Sections 109, 114, 115, 116, the Indian Penal Code, and under Sections 6, 13, Indian Arms Act, read with Sections 109, 114, 120-B of the Indian Penal Code.

326, 394, 395, and 120-B of and 14 of the 115, 116, and

This case generally known and referred to as the ‘Babar Aka!i Conspiracy Case”, relates to the trial of 91 persons whose names, parentage and residence, on charges of Criminal Conspiracy importation and possession of arms, ammunition and

Military stores ; going armed without licenses,

murder ; attempt

to murder ; grievous hurt, robbery with hurt; murder in docoity :

1. Kishan 1

Singh,

Please read Appendix

son

of Fateh

Singh,

Binang Sikh-Jat,

=

100 party

members

giving

his

name

as

Karam

Singh

Jhingar -

(Accused No. 8) then said that they had come there to be martyrs | said that we would and would not sheathe their swords. arrest Arjan Singh at the risk of our lives. Then Ganda Singh (P.W. 68) constable and | went forward to do this. | caught

.

. , . and Arjan Singh by the hand in which he was holding his sword Ganda Singh hand cuffed him...... As soon as we arrested Arjan Singh, his companions ran off and my party pursued them for distance of 157 Karams and here my party surrounded the 7 Aka/is, Ganda Singh and | remained behind with. who fired 5 shots. My party returned after a short while, bringing , Aajan Singh. with them an Aka/i Sunder Singh? who had ahaversack on him. which we removed and in the haversack we found the following articles :—A razor, a pair of pliers’, 8 revolver cartridges, a. book,and a whistle. Both the Babars, Arjan Singh (Accused No.7) |

and

Sunder

Singh

(Accused

No. 30) were taken to the Banga,

Police Station and produced before the Station House Officer.’’® The author has learnt, locally, that the Babar Akalis had later

decided to blow up the whole village, and to liquidate any body coming out for the safety, be done to death, because this . was an unprovoked attack on them. They had not come to.Sundh with any evil motive. Even other political parties . condemned the action on the part of the people of the village. They called this attack on the Babar Akalis as un-warranted and ° atrocious. But when the proposal of blowing up the whole

village reached Master Mota Singh of Patara, it was rejected for fear of the bad name which would come to be attached with. the Babar Akalis as a result of mass killing involved in it. Arjan Singh of Sundh and Sunder Singh (Accused No: 30) of Makhsuspur, according to the First Information Report registered at the Banga Police Station, Jalandhar District were not 7

Sunder

Singh

(Accused

No.

30)

of

Makhsuspur

was arrested here and.,

challaned alongwith Arjan Singh, who was bitterly beaten. 8 A pair of wire cutters.

9

Evidence of Lambardar Sher Singh (P.W. 64), pp. 317-319.

WA

«Account of Occurrences

101:

«challaned under Section 307 of the Indian Panel Code, but for “the offence under Arms act of which they were convicted.!°

Royal Rewards However, the British Government handsomely rewarded, “who resisted the Babar Akalis. \n this struggle, Sher Singh Lambardar son of Narain Singh, Jiwan Singh Lambardar son of “Nihal Singh, Pritam Singh son of Dhanna Singh, Chanan Singh ‘son of Ishar Singh and Chinta Singh son of Prem Singh, all “belonging to village Sundh were awarded one square of land ‘in the Bar, now in Pakistan, also ‘“Jagir of Rupees 100/—each “annually. Rupees 100/—were paid each to other 14 persons, ~who had participated in driving away the Babar Akalis. --2.

Murder of Harnam 21st May,

Singh Hundal of Mehdipur 20th

1922.

Mehdipur™, a small village, better known as Mehdipur -Jattan, is situated hardly half a mile from Sham-Chaurasi to the South-West. The Khera (village) originally belongs to *Hundal!? Jats who had come from village Badala near Guru-Ka-Jandiala in the Amritsar District, about 220 years ago. There : are five villages of the Hundal Jats, round about Mehdipur. Safaidposh, Harnam Singh son of Mangal Singh Hundal, ‘ Sikh-Jat, aged 70 years (1923) a self styled Za//dar, was a noto’ rious Jholi-Chuk of the British Government and a first rate today. ' He was the President of the Aman Sabha (Peace-Council) of the ‘village.

He

used

to send regular

diaries about

the Babar Akalis andother political workers. 10

F.I.R. Banga Police Station

11

Had-bast No. 42, Area 119, Hactares, P.S. Adampur,

542

Hundal is a Jat tribe,

the activities of

Whenever, a Diwan

No. 6, 1922.

found In Sialkot,

where

District Jalandhar.

they are Muslims

and they

They say that their ancestor Sarb claim Suraj Bansi Rajput origin. * migrated from Ajudhiya to Amritsar, whence his descendants came to They are governed by the chunda-wand rule of : Sialkot, now in Pakistan.

\inheritance.

(Glossary Vol. Il, p. 334)

702

History of the Babar Akalis=

of the Babar Akalis was held, he used to

be

present and openly~

noted down speeches and other matters being discussed there. Under the circumstances his name was entered on the hit-list of Reformation (Sudhar) by the Babar Aka/is, at serial No, 10. About his sycophancy and of his loyalty to the British= Government can better be deposed in his own statements .

“Harnam Singh son of Mangal Singh, ege 70, caste Jat, resident of Mehdipur, District Jalandhar, occupation. Safaidposh Lambar- dar Jagirdar, Kursi Nashin™, states on solemn affirmation :—

“lam against the Aka/i movement and a royal subject of the Government. An Aman Sabha was constituted for my //aga. It was Organised by me and! was the President. | used to givereport, about he Aka/is.”’

“Some Adampur.’*

two and half years ago, a Diwan was held atIt was organised by Neginder Singh of Kandola.

Speeches, against Government were made at this Diwan and |! was present. | made a report about the speeches to the-

Thanedar.” “After this, Diwan was held at Ghurial'®. I was present atthis Diwan also, Bishan Das, Thana Moharur and the Jamadar of -

Chaukidars of Alwalpur!*. Three persons got on to the platform. with drawn swords and one of them who _| subsequently learnt was Kishan Singh of Barring, made a speech. One Hazara Singh of Mundher, not Hazara Singh (P.W. 24), kept guard over the. camels with drawn sword in his hand. Other Aka/is were also there. Kishan Singh, to put it briefly, said that the king was not 13

Literally, holder of a chair, a title awarded

by

the

British Government for.

one’s sycophancy. 14 15

46

A police station in Jalandhar District 4 miles from his village. Avillage of Rajputs, where Subedar Gainda Singh was murdered.

This village was founded by one Alawal Khan, the

north

Adampur,

from

Jalandhar.

Had-bast

No.

in 11th Century.

139,

6 miles tos

Area 273 Hactares,

P.So_

Account of Occurrences

103

their King!” and the Prince of Wales, who was at Jalandhar, was only a Bhut?8, and that if he had been our true King, he (Kishan Singh), would have put a garland around his neck. In a few days, the British would he turned out of India. After the speech Kishan Singh and his companions mounting the camels left.”

“Before this Diwan had been held at Arjanpur!®, of which Kartar Singh of Haripur was Secretary. The Sub Inspector of police was present at this Diwan and so was |.” “Kartar

Singh

and

Naginder

Singh

were

subsequently

challaned and | gave evidence against them. Before | gave evidence, Basant Singh, Inder Singh, Ichhar Singh, sons of Khema, Khem Singh and Banta Singh, all of village Kandola, came to me as a deputation and asked me not to give evidence against Naginder Singh. | refused and told them that | would appear and give evidence even if they offer me Rupees 5,000 not to do so. | had given a bond of Rupees 20/- and they proposed to give me this money, in case | failed to appear and bond was forfeited. | gave evidence against Naginder Singh and Kartar Singh?°.”’

Basant Singh, Achhar Singh and Inder Singh, were challaned at his instance and were sentenced to 6 years’ rigorous imprison-

ment by a Lower Court, but later Sessions Court. Harnam Singh was a quarrelsome man. The people of his account of his unbecoming behaviour against the people. An

Official

they were acquitted by the toady, mean, shallow and area were tired of Limon and destructive activities

Account

According to the evidence of Hazara Singh (P.W. 24) son of Ichhru Singh of village Mundher”!, the approver and Hzara 17.

Emperor of the British Government.

18

Literally, a ghost.

19

Arjanpur, a village near Adampur

20

Trial-case No. 2 of 1924 (p. 327).

21.

Hactares. One mile to the east from Kathar, Had-bast No. 47, Area 134,

Doaba.

104

History of the Babar Akalis

Singh (P.W. 28) son of Inder Singh of the same village, they met each other outside the village of Mehdipur. On the night of the 20th May, 1922, Hazara Singh son of Inder Singh told that there was a Diwan that night at the Kut/a of Sant Thakur Singh (Accused No. 39) at Rajowal.?? Both of them went there and shortly after, Amar Singh (Accused No. 56)

of village Rajowal

arrived

there.

On Hazara Singh’s remarking that no Diwan was being held, Hazara Singh son of Inder Singh informed him that there was Diwan at Masanian and they both went there. Hazara Singh son of Inder Singh leaving behind his two companions, ata

pond, outside,

went

into the village to make

enquiries,

and

returned after a short while, accompanied by Chhaja Singh (Accused No. 57). On Hazara Singh’s (P.W. 24) enquiring about the Diwan and what the real object was, the later replied that there was nothing wrong. But Kishan Singh Gargajj had directed that limbs of Harnam Singh of Mehdipur should be amputated

ashe

was

a Jholi-Chuk,

who

supplied

information

to the

Government. The other four agreed that this should be done. They, all the four then left for Mehdipur. Their shoes were left in a copse and the party covered their faces so that only their eyes could be seen.” Harnam

When

Singh Attacked

they arrived close to the village,

Hazara

Singh son of

Inder Singh went to see, if Harnam Singh was at his house.

On

his return, after finding out that Harnam Singh was _ asleep in his courtyard, the four entered the village. On reaching, the bed of Harnam Singh, Hazara Singh son of Ichhru Singh, pulled off ,the

sheet with which he was covered and Chhaja Singh with one handheld him down by the hair, and the other had placed a cloth on the mouth to prevent him from shrieking. Hazara Singh (P.W.

24) struck

Harnam Singh with his dang,

Hazara Singh son of Inder Singh

struck

while Amar Singh and him

on

the

ae

22 23

Had-bast No. 206, Area 91 Hactares, P.S. Sadr Hoshiarpur. Trial-case No. 2 of 1924. pp. 327-338,

legs

with

-Account of Occurrences

105

their swords. Harnam Singh managed to release his mouth “from the hand of Chhaja Singh and raised an alarm, where upon the assailants managed to escape.24

The following day, Hazara Singh (P.W. 28) on meeting Hazara Singh (P.W. 24) at a well, told him that Harnam Singh had been satisfactorily dealt with.

In his statement Hazara Singh

(P.W. 28) son of Inder Singh supported the evidence “Singh (P.W. 24). The evidence of Harnam Singh

of Hazara (P.W. 69),

Dalip Singh (P.W. 76) son of Harnam Singh, Basant Singh (P.W. 77) son of Hira Singh and Ganga Singh (P.W. 78) son of “Chanda Singh, all the three of Mehdipur had corroborated the account produced by the prosecution.

According sustained

to the

Sub-Assistant

Surgeon,

Harnam

Singh

11 injuries of which eight were incised wounds, caused

by a heavy sharp edged weapon such as chhavi, Gandasa or a sword. Seven of these wounds were on the legs and 8th below the left elbow joint, the ulna bone below this injury being fractured. There was also a compound fracture of the left radius and the Ulna bone above the wrist, a blue mark on the left arm and a contused wound on the left palm. First Information Report of this attack on Harnam

Report Singh was made by his son

Dalip Singh (P.W. 76) at Thana Adampur on the morning of the 21st May, 1922. No names of the attackers were mentioned in that report, but stated merely that the assailants appeared to be Akalis. & charge under Section 307 was registered and Sadiq

Hussain (P.W. 81) proceeded to the spot of occurrence for investigation. In his evidence, Sant Kartar Singh (P.W. 9) stated that when Kishan Singh gave a razor to Hazara Singh (P.W. 28) for

the purpose of cutting the ears and nose of Harnam Singh, he (Kishan Singh) instructed him to obtain the assistance of Amar Singh (Accused No. 56) son of Basant Singh of Rajowal. 24

Covering Sheet Trial Case No. 2 of 1924. pp. 327-338.

106

History of the Babar Akalis>-

Chhaja Singh (Accused No.57) son of Meehan Masanian and one Diwan Singh?® of Masanian. The this Diwan Singh was

mentioned

in the

statement

Singh of — name of — of Hazara .

Singh (P.W. 28). Statement In his

evidence,

of Inspector Buta Ram

Lala

Buta

Ram,

Inspector

(P.W. 438)*®

-

Stated that during his investigation, he discovered that the three persons Basant Singh, Ichhar Singh, Inder Singh sent up for the attempt*to murder Harnam Singh, were innocent and that this offence was said to have been

committed

by some

of the -

Babar Akalis, namely, Amar Singh of village Rajowal, Chhaja Singh of village Masanian, Hazara Singh of village Mundher and

Diwan Singh of Masanian Further investigation, however, showed that Diwan Singh of Masanian was not concerned in this incident and that the 4th culprit was Hazara ae of village Mundher.

It was

contented

on

behalf

of the

attack on Harnam Singh was instigated

prosecution

that

this

by Kishan Singh Gargaijj

and that it was acquiesed_ in by Sunder Singh (Accused No. 30) of village Makhsuspur, Sant Thakar Singh of Mundial (Accused

No. 39).

Babu

Santa Singh

(Accused

51)

of Haryon

Khurd~

and Kartar Singh (Accused No. 58) of Gondpur, as these persons. were

present

when

razor by Kishan Singh.

Hazara

Singh

and

Singh

(P.W. 28)

instructed

to use

was

given

it on

the

Harnam.,

Immediately after the murderous attack on Harnam Singh Safaidposh, it became known in the village and in the area that the Safaidposh had been beaten by his own son, due to some domestic trouble but whed Harnam Singh came to his senses

in the morning he told that he was attacked by three-four Babar Akalis. 25

Evidence of Hazara Singh

26

Trial Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 774.

(P.W. 28), pp. 247-50.

-

Account of Occurrences

107”

The Prosecution

Witnesses

Sant Kartar Singh (P.W. 9) approver, Hazara Singh (P.W. 24) approver, Hazara Singh (P.W. 28) son of Inder Singh of Mundher approver, Harnam Singh (P.W. 69) the Safaidposh, Dalip Singh (P.W. 76) son of Harnam Singh of Mehdipur, Basant Singh (P.W. 77) Hira Singh of Mehdipur, Ganga Singh (P.W.. 78) son of Chanda Sigh of Mehdipur, Inder Singh (P.W. 79) son of Gurmukh Singh of Mehdipur, Basant Singh (P.W. 82) son of Dasondha

Singh of

Kandola,

Ichhar Singh

(P.W. 83) son

of Khem Singh of Kandola and Indar Singh (P.W. 84) son of Attar Singh of Kandola, appeared against the Babar Akalis, as . prosecution witness. 3.

Ram Ditta Alias July 3rd, 1922.

Kaka

Lambardar

of

_Bachauri,.

Bachauri*’ is a small village, in the Balachaur Sub-Tehsil | of Hoshiarpur District. Originally, the village was founded by one Bash, a Sahota Jat, who had come to this village, from Bara Pind, near Goraya, in Jalandhar District. After the name of Bash. . the village began to be known as Bachauri, It is about 7 miles . from Balachaur to the north. Kaka

Lambardar

Ram Ditta, son of Ruldu, Sahota Hindu Jat, aged 60 Lambardar was popularly known by the name of Kaka, who a regular informer against the Babar Akalis. The people who annoyed with him on this and some other accounts also. He

years . was were. was . the tout of the police. The villagers andthe other people of this . area, were often harassed by the police at his instance. They were tired of his cheap methods of earning and his connections with the Government officers, under whose influence he used to extract money from the people. The Babar Akalis warned him, many a. time to mend his ways, but he did not desist, rather he became. . more prompt to supply information about their movements and 27

-Had-bast No. 221, Atea 221

Hactares,

P.S. Balachaur.

“4108

History of the Babar Akalis

“other activities. Payment

of Government

Ram Ditta Lambardar

was

Revenue

proceeding,

on

the morning

of

3rd July, 1922, to the Tahsil office at Garhshankar, for the purpose --of depositing into the sub-treasury a sum of Rs. 570-2-0, realized by him from the peasants of his village on account of land » revenue.

While on his way

to

the

Tahsil,

' Gopal Singh (P.W. 87) son of Uttam

' Baksh (P.W. 88) son

he

was

joined

Singh of Bachauri,

of Sada of Kharor?®

and

- (P.W. 89) son of Fateh Khan of village Kharor.

Rahmat

by Nabi

Khan

He was attacked

~ by 4 persons, described as Aka/is. They assaulted and robbed ' him of the above money. Lambardar Ram Ditta, had described ~ this occurrence in his own evidence as under

“In the «collected cesses.

month

of Har

Rs. 600-0-0 on

(May-June)

account

of

:—

2 years

land

ago,

revenue

| had

and other

Dharam Singh Jagirdar son of Dewa Singh of my village,

helped me to collect this money.

Out of this, sum Rs. 600-0-0, I

paid Rs. 30-0-0 on account of his six months’ pay to Jiwan ' Chaukidar. | took a receipt from him. | had to take this money - and deposit it in the Tahsil treasury at Garhshankar. The money realised had been entered in my Bah/ by Dharam Singh. | left

“my

house

in

the

morning

on

horse back,

taking

with

me

Rs. 570-0-0, in cash, the receipt for Rs, 30/-, my Bahi and the . Patwari’s Arsal, all tied up in my chaddar for the Tahsil. | had the chaddar tied round my person. My nephew, Polu, accom‘ panied me as far as Muza Dhamai”®,

- and | went on alone.

some4 Kos

Beyond Dhamai,

from Bachauri

| overtook Gopal Singh

(P.W. 87) son of Uttam Singh of Bachauri, who was also going ~ to the Tahsil. We rode together as far as the kiln near Panam*® village. Here we met Nabi Bakhsh, Lambardar of Kharor, and 28

P.W. 91, Trial-case No. 2 of 1924, p. 352.

. 29

Had-bast No. 163, Area 189 Hactares, P.S. Garhshankar.

30

Had-bast No. 149, Area 702 Hactares, P.S. Garhshankar.

Account of Occurrences

is 109»

Rahmat Khan of Kharor, the uncle

Both these persons

were

on

of Ghulam Qadir,

foot and

going

Lambardar.

to the Tahsil to

deposit land revenue. We went on together, the other three being a little ahead of me. When we had gone some 50 or 60 Karams the kiln, we saw to Akalis sitting by the road side. They wore black turbans and one of them had a long and ashort Kirpan and , the other a Safejang and a small Kirpan. These two Akalis joined. Gopal Singh and the other two men and | went along with them. When | had gone on about some 20 or 30 Karams, two Akalis suddenly appeared from amongst the trees by the roadside. Each had a long Kirpan and they seized the reins of my pony and : enquired

my

name.

with

Gopal

Singh

had

rushed

out

Ram Ditta, and | was Government They struck

The

came at

two

back me.

had

Aka/is

who

and

joined

the

them

my

I told

ahead

gone

two,

who.

was whereupon they said that my name was Kaka . gave_ information to . that wretched sinner who name

gave about Akalis and evidence against them. me a blow with the reverse side of the Safajang

on my back and other blow with a Kirpan on the left side of” my face and! was thrown off my pony, they took away my chaddar containing the money. When | was attacked, Gopal Singh little ahead of me and |. and his two companions were justa instead of coming to my They, however, could see them. assistance made off as fast as they could’’.*.... None of the accused in the court was directly concerned in . this attempt. According to the evidence of the 3 approvers, Ram . Singh (P.W.13) son Bhagwana of Muzara Kalan, Asa Singh (P.W. 25) of Phakrudi and Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) of Kotli Bawa Das, Jathedar Karam Singh of Daultpur, Babar Udey Singh of Ram and Ram Singh of Garh-Jhugian, Harnam Singh of Rurka

Manjo, Patiala State, had robbed way to Garhshankar.

Ram

The First Information Concurrence 31

was

made

by Ram

Trial Case No. 2 of 1924, pp. 344-350.

Ditta alias Kaka,

on

his.

Report Ditta

at the Garhshankar

History of the Babar Akalis

10

A First Information “Thana, at 12 P.M. on the 2nd July, 1922. tor (P.W. 59), Sub-Inspec Singh, Report, was registered by Kabul then who Thana, Sub-!nspector of police at Garhshankar was Ditta proceeded to investigate the case on the spot. Ram - found to have certain injuries on his person and was sent to the dispensary at Garhshankar for medical examination.

Medical

Report

Rahmat Ullah Shah, Sub-Assistant Surgeon stated that ‘he found 7 simple injuries on various parts of the person of Ram, Ditta,

namely

- contusion

and

incised

contused

2 bruises,

abrasions,

2

wound

which

- caused by a sharp edged weapon.

Ram

an outdoor patient and remained under

appeared

to

treatment

a

have been admitted

was

Ditta

wound,

from

the

as

3rd

afte) OARS SAIN ee Culprits

Challaned

Kabul Singh, Sub-Inspector (P.W. 59) after investigating the case, challaned 3 persons, namely Labh Singh atias Harnam - Singh, Jathedar Karam Singh alias Narain Singh of Daulatpur and

Ude Singh alias Bawa Singh of Ramgarh Jhugian. The last two were absconders,*?= A fourth person named Prem Singh, had been previously discharged on the application of the Police. Harnam Singh was tried under section 394 of the Indian Penal « Code, by Bawa Ujagar Singh, E.A.C. and Magistrate, Ist class

(P.W. 461) but was acquitted.**

In the opinion

rate, the prosecution had failed to show been robbed as there was no proof that he that he was in possession of the taken from him.

Ram

Ditta,

Lambardar,

was

money

a shart

of the

Magist-

that Ram Ditta had had been hurt or

alleged

to

statured

32

Evidence of Rahmatullah

33

They both died fighting against the British Cavalry,

Shah, S.A.S. Garhshankar

have

been

man

with

(P.W. 1), p. 24. on September 1, 1923

at village Babeli.

34

Bawa

Ujagar Singh was then posted at Hoshiarpur.

1924, p. 805.

Trial

Case No. 2 of

«Account of Occurrences

Asta

Jean body and a mischievous person. Nobody, even amongst the ‘members of his family and relatives, was happy with him. He was ‘married, but died issueless. The author gathered thet the Lambardar ‘was to be murdered but due to his good luck, a marriage party arrived on the spot suddenly and thus Babar Akalis had to escape.

The following appeared as prosecution witnesses :— Ram Singh (P.W. 13) of Muzara Kalan, approver, Asa Singh (P.W. 25) of Phakrudi, now known as Kishanpura, Kabul Singh (P.W. 85) Sub-Inspector Ram Ditta Alias Kaka Lambardar

(P.W. 85), Gopal Singh (P.W. 87) son of Uttam Singh of Bachauri,

‘Nabi Bakhsh (P.W. 88) son of Sada of Kharor, Rahmat Khan (P.W. 89) son of Fateh Khan of Kharor, Jiwan Singn (P.W. 90) son of Tirlok Singh of Bachauri, Dharam Singh (P.W. 91) son of Dewa Singh of Bachauri, Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) approver Kirpa Ram Patwari (P.W. 399) son of Prabh Dyal.

4.

Pasting of Notices-Threatening-Lambardars and Chaukidars of Pindori Nijaran September, 1922.

The village of Pindori Nijaran®? belongs to Nijjar about 3 miles to the north from Adampur Doaba, District. Nijjars claim their origin from one of the settled here little before the invasions They Kuls. Popularly the village is known as Nijjaran-di-Pindori. There actively participated in the freedom struggle.

Jats. It is Jalandhar 36 Rajput of Babar. They all is a chunk, Masanian, Fothepur,

ie. Kathar, of villages of Nijjar Jats, Diantpur, Domeli, half Kajurla, Nijjaran, Kurali, and half Jamsher. There are more than a dozen of Nijjar villages in the District of Two villages of Nijjar Amritsar, including Ajnala or Nijjarwala.

Jats are just across the Ravi,

in the Sialkot Rajput,

District,

Bika was a Nijjar Islam. from Bika-Nijjar. State, Bikaner erstwhile The following Babar Akalis of this village took

embraced

jin the freedom struggle, against the British Rule :— a ee 35

a)

Had-bast No. 38 Area 511 Hactares P.S. Adampur.

b). ‘Trial Case No. 2 of 1924, pp. 344-357.

who

had

who founded the

active

part

History of the Babar Akalis~

NG ee

Buta Singh Nijjar (Accused No. 55), Kartar Singh Nijjar (Accused No. 18), Amar Singh Nijjar (Accused No. 10), KartarSingh Nijjar (Accused No. 9), Udham Singh Nijjar (Accused No. 15), Mehnga Singh Nijjar (Accused No. 69), Bakhshish Singh. Nijjar (Accused No. 86), Nirbair Singh Nijjar (Accused No. 14) Hukam Singh Nijjar (Accused No. 11), Thakar Singh Nijjar

(Accused No. 16), and

Milkha Singh

Nijjar

(Accused No. 85),

the youncest.

Harnam Singh (P.W. 93) Lambardar son of Wadhawa Singh Nijjar, Sohan Singh (P.W. 98) son of Khushal Singh carpenter of Pindori Nijran stated in the Sessions court that notices of threat were written out by Udham Singh (Accused No. 15) son of Ralla: Singh of Pindori Nijran. The notices were addressed to Bhagwan Singh, Lambardar son of Achhar Singh, Harnam Singh Lambardarson of Wadhawa Singh both of Pindori Nijran, and the third was pasted against the door of Harnam Singh Safaidposh of

Mehdipur, a notorious sycophant and diarist against the Babar Akalis, and the 3rd was addressed to the two Chaukidars, Maulu and Jeen, by Tafail Muhammad, son of Imam-ud-Din Mochi, who !ater turned an approver. These notices, threatened

the addressees with the cutting of their they mended their ways.

noses and

ears

unless

The notices were removed and handed over to Sadiq Hussain S.H.O. (P.W. 81) of Adampur, Police Station by Harnam Singh Safaidposh of Mehdipur, for enquiry and report. His enquiry showed that these notices were the work of some Babar Akalis: and suspicion fell on Udham Singh and others. Sadiq Hussain: submitted the report. The two Chaukidars, Maulu son of Buta, caste Barwala and Jiwan, son of Mehtab, caste Barwala also stated that the Aka/i panchayat of the village imposed a penalty on them, because they were supplying information to Government. The penalty imposed was that both of them (Maulu and’ Jeen) should go daily bare-footed to Kariana village Mosque, about two miles from Pindori Nijran to the south-west and Sweep the mosque daily. Their daily visits had to be attested by

Account of Occurrences

113

the Lambardars of the village and Jiwa nn had produced a paper,

showing these attestations in Support of his evidence.®¢ The account of these notices is given better Singh Nijjar, Lambardar of this village, who was who were directly involved in this affair. “Bhagwan

Singh, son of Achhar Sikh of Pindori-Nijran, Lambardar..."’

“After this, in the month

Singh,

of Bhadon

notices were put up at my house

and at the

age

by Bhagwan one of those

58,

caste Jat

(August-September) houses

of Harnam

Singh Lambardar (P.W. 93), Jiwan and Maulu, Chauki dars, telling

us that we should refrain from our mischievous ways, Otherwise our noses and ears would be cut off. There were three notices. We took these down and Harnam Singh took them to Abdul Haq, D.S.P. Police, Jalandhar, Sadiq Hussain, (P.W. 81) SubInspector, subsequently came to my village and held an inquiry in regard to these notices.’

“During these days, Babu Santa Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur.

Singh (Accused No. 515 Udey Singh of Ramgarh-

Jhugian and Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur, were inthe habit of coming to my village and used to visit Sadha Singh (Accused No. 13) Milkha Singh (Accused No. 12) and Mehnga Sirgh (Accused No. 69) and Battan Singh (P.W. 11).”’ “‘One day | was going outside the village for a necessary purpose, when | met Sadha Singh (Accused No. 13), returning

from outside the village. He had two or three Khesas (cloth sheets) with him and | asked him where he was coming from, he told me, “your friends, the Babars were accommodated outside the village last night, why did you not secure them ?’” Some 10 or 20 days after Sadha Singh and some of the other accused mentioned above imposed a penalty on Jiwan and Maulu, Chaukidars, which compelled them to go bare-footed daily and 36

Trial Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 339.

History of the Babar Akalis

114 sweep out mosque from my village.”

which is about 2 miles

Kariana village

at

“A few days after this, Harnam Singh, son of Nand Singh, and Labh Singh, son of Mihan Singh, both of my village, came and

told m2 that

met

had

they

accused taking food

Singh and

Sadha

Mehnga

Singh

for the Babars who had come there for the

purpose of “Reforming

Lambardars

Harnam

Chaukidars’’.

and

Singh and Labh Singh warned me to be careful...on my report a police post at our of this matter...The authorities posted village for our protection.’°? The following gave evidences

the Babar Akalis :—

against

Maulu Chaukidar (P.W. 94), Jiwan (P.W. 95) son of Mehtab, son of Achhar Singh, Bhagwan Singh Lambardar (P.W.92) Nabu Shah Fagqir (P.W. 97) son of Murad Ali Shah, Sohan Singh (P.W. 98) son of Khushal Singh Tarkhan of Pindori Nijran, Basheshar Dass, Head Constable (P.W. 96) he was then posted at Adampur and Harnam Singh (P.W. 100) son of Nand Singh Pindori-Nijran.°°

Meetings atJassowal in December-January 1922.

5.

History of Jassowal The village of Jassowal®® is named after one Mrs. Jaso. The story of the foundation of this village is narrated to the author by Babar Hardit

Singh

(Accused No. 45),

Singh Purewal of Jasowal. Adaughter

of village Jalandhar.

Dadial*?

was

married

One day her father

son of Babar Mansa

named, Jaso, of the owner

in village wanted

Shankar,*!

District

to meet her, and sent a

Mirasi (messenger) to bring her. When the messenger conveyed the 37

Trial Case No.

2 of 1924,

pp. 353-356.

Evidence of Lambardar

Bhagwan

Singh P.W. 92.

38

Both the Lambardars of Pindori-Nijran were each, in the Bar, with Rs. 100/chaukidars were given cash awards,

each

awarded as

one

square of land

annual jagir,

while both the

39

Had-bast No. 171, Area 138 Hactares, P.S. Garhshankar.

40

Had-bast No, 174, Area 430 Hactares, Tahsil Garhshankar.

41

Had-bast No. 21, Area 946 Hactares, Nakodar Tahsil.

«Account of Occurrences

115

“message of Jasso’s father, her mother-in-law, tauntingly asked “the messenger, if Jasso’s father was going to bestow a tract of “land to his daughter. Jaso resented the remark of her mother‘in-law bitterly. Feeling insulted, she went to her father and ~ told the whole story. Her father told her to sit on the horse back -and cover the area as much as she needed. She took her mare, ~and covered the area, where the village now stands. Jaso, thus “became the founder of Jassowal. Her two sons, Chand and *Mehnga, settled there, instead, of settling at Shankar. The whole village is of the Purewal Jats.

There had always

‘been a perfect unity among the villagers. Jassowal was made ~the High Court for taking the party decisions in the Haveli of - Babar Hari Singh (Accused No. 43). The author has seen the »place, which was a spacious Kacha Kotha (mud-built), but onty “the remains of a spacious building can be seen now. It goes to “the credit of this village that not asingle person turned an

“approver. There were six Babar Akalis of this village :—

Babar Labh Singh (Accused No. 41) son of Suba Singh “who suffered 4 years R.I., Babar Karam Singh (Accused No. 42) -son of Bhola Singh, Babar Hari Singh (Accused No. 43) son “of Surjan Singh, who died in the Central Jail, Lahore, Babar

«Harbakhash Singh son of Arjan Singh, Babar -(Accused No. 45) son of Mansa Singh suffered “Faquir Singh (Accused -suffered 4 years R.I.

No.

44)

son

Hardit Singh 7 years R.L.,

of Khushal Singh,

wha

First Meeting

The first general meeting of the Babar Akalis, took place on

“December, 25, 1922, in the garden, outside Jassowal. The follow“ing members attended it :— Babar Kishan Singh Gargajj (Accused No.1) Babar Dalip d “Singh (Accused No. 5) of Gosal, Babar Karam Singh (Accuse of 41) No. d (Accuse “No. 8) of Jhingar, Babar Labh Singh son of Surjan _Jassowal, Babar Hari Singh (Accused No. 43)

“Singh of Jassowal, Babar Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51}

116

History of the Babar Akalis:

of Haryon Khurd,

Babar Buta Singh (Accused No. 55) of Pindori-

Nijran, Jathadar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur, Babar Ude Singh of Ramgarh Jhugian, Amar Singh (P.W. 8) and Asa Singh (P.W. 25) of Phakrudi*? the . last were the two approvess.

Second

Meeting

The second general meeting of the working Committee of the Babar Akalis was held in the Haveli of Babar Hari Singh (Accused No. 43) of the Babar Akalis, on 30-31 December, | 122.

The following Babar Akalis actively participated :— Babar Kishan Singh

Gargajj

(Accused

No.1)

Babar

Dalip.

Singh (Accused No. 5) of Gosal, Babar Karam Singh (Accused No. 8) of Jhingar, Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) of Haryon Khurd, District Ludhiana, Babar Buta Singh (Accused No. 55) of Pindori-Nijjaran Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Babar

Ude Singh of Ramgarh-Jhugian,

Babar

Dhanna Singh of

Baibalpur, Ram Sihgh (P.W. 13) of Muzara Kalan and Asa Singh. (P.W. 25) of Phakrudi.*® The evidences of the 6 approver, relating to the meeting, it will be observed that Amar Singh" (P.W. 8) of Kote Bare Khan was present at the first meeting, Ram Singh (P.W. 13) of Muzara , Kalan at the second, Asa Singh (P.W. 25) does not mention Karam Singh (Accused No. 42) of Jassowal, Hari Singh (Accused No. 43) of Jassowal, and Babu Santa Singh*® (Accused No. 51) as being present at the first meeting, while Amar Singh (P.W. 8) omitted the names of Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur, Babar Labh Singh (Accused No. 41) of Jassowal was not mentioned by either two approvers. 42 43

44

45

Now this village is known

as Kishanpura,

Judgement Babar Akali Conspiracy Case Trial No. 2 of 1924. pp. 66-67. He was, a goldsmith of vijlage Kote Bare Khan of District Gujranwala, Paid tout of the police.

Trial

Case No. 2 of 1924, pp. 40-51, 102-1 15, 215-236

a er

~Account of Occurrences

117

Decisions

It was

unanimously decided in the General Meeting

“Working Committee of the leading

be.

Taken

Who

to

whom

and

of the

Babar Akalis that :—

when

to

be

murdered,

will

be

decided by the Working Committee.

lf any Jholi-Chuk is met by chance, the Babar will have the right to finish him, then and there.

Nothing wiil be taken out, during the operation of the Reformation (Sudhar) from any body’s house or person without the permission of the leader.

Whatever will be taken from the Jho/li-Chuks, will be spent for the purchase of arms, ammunition and to print the Babar Akeli Doaba Akhbar. During the operation of Reformation, women and children should not be touched and harmed, in any Way. Decision

of chopping

off

the

noses

and

ears of the

Jholi-Chuks was withdrawn, because, it took much time, and also to identify them for action by the Government. In future, declaration of the murder will be made after the names

of

of the Jholi-Chuks

two

or three

Babars

only Looting and killing of the professional money lenders, Jholi-Chuks and the Government property will be the

right of Babar Akalis. Cash or pyoperty such acquired will be the trignt of the party and not of any individual.*° 46

Evidence of Amar Singh (P.W

(P.W. 25) and

8) of Kote

Bare

Khan, Asa Singh Phakrudi

Ram Singh (P.W, 13) of Muzara Kalan.

1924 pp, 42-43.

Trial Case No. 2 of

4118 6.

History of the Babar Akalis= Singh Patwari and3 on 16th and 23rd,

Plot Against the Life of Arjan Steps Taken to Carry These

January,

1923

Arjan Singh Patwari, son of Charat Singh,

village Haripur,47 hardly two police station, in the Jalandhar Sikh, but a first rate Jho/i-Chuk

belonged

to

the-

miles from Adampur Doaba, . District. He was a Deol Jatof the British Government. He-

had close contacts with police and the district officers, a regular supplier of information, about the activities of the Babar Akalis,

and other political workers.

He was a regular employee of theC.1.D. on Rs. 50=00 per month. He had acquired huge wealth. being the tout of the Police. He could harass any body by way» of fabricated cases brought against anybody, whom he did notlike. . The people of his area were terribly sick of him. He was a terror for the peasants, the traders and other peace loving people. Hewas so shrewd

and

opportunist

that

he did not

fall

into

the-

hands of Babar Akalis for Reformation (murder) in spite of their best efforts. A few attempts were made to murder him, but he escaped unhurt all the time. The following Babar Akalis were challaned Babar

Kishan

Singh

Gargajj

(Accused

in this case :—-~

No.1)

of Barring, .

Babar Banta Singh (Accused No. 2) of Pragpur, Babar Prem Singh:

(Accused No. 3) of Pragpur,

Babar Sadha Singh (Accused No. 13).,

of Pindori-Nijran, Babar Jagjit Singh (Accused No. 21) of Kathar, . Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) of Haryon Khurd,. District Ludhiana, Babar Buta Singh (Accused No. 55) of PindoriNijran, Babar Munsha Singh (Accused No. 59) of Jauhal, Babar~

Babar

Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur, Sadhu

Singh (P.W. 15), son of Bela.

Singh, the Kana (one eyed man), approver of Pragpur. First Attempt Certain

Patwari 47

was

attempts

were

suspected

made

that

on

Babar

the life of Arjan

Kishan

Wad-bast No. 63 area 784, Hactare, P.S. Adampur.

Singh

Singh,

Gargajj

Account of Occurrences

119

(Accused No.1) was got arrested by him. Babar Prem Singh (Accused No. 3) of Pregpur who suffered 5 years, imprisonment and Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) of Haryon Khurd, District Ludhiana were to go to Jalandhar and try and deal with Babar Sadha Singh (Accused No. 13), Babar Munsha Singh (Accused No. 59) of Jauhal were to go to Jandu Singha Railway Station and attack Arjan Singh, if he escaped the Jalandhar party ; Kishan Singh Gargajj, Babar Jagjit Singh Arjan Singh there.

(Accused No. 21) of Kathar, and Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur would wait at the Adampur Railway Station, in case Arjan Singh evaded both the parties.

Second

Attempt

In regard to the second attempt, there was

of Ram Singh (P.W. 13) that he, Babar No. 13), Babu Santa Singh

(Accused

Sadha No. 51)

a direct evidence

Singh and

(Accused Babar

Buta

Singh (Accused No. 55) went to Jalandhar on 23rd January, 1923. Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) gave each of them a Chhavi head, which he had obtained from Sadhu Singh (P.W.

15) which they had concealed in their Dabbs (waist cloth) intending tofit them on the Lathis (sticks) at the proper them. At Jalandhar, they were met by Babar Prem Singh (Accused No. 3), when Arjan Singh rode off on his bicycle in the direction of Company Bagh,‘° this party of 5 followed him and awaited his return near the Government High School for Girls. It had been

arranged that Babar Buta Singh (Accused No. 55) was to put a spoke with his stick into the wheel of his bicycle and thus bring

Arjan Singh down. Babar Sadha Singh (Accused No. 13) and Ram Singh (P.W.13) were then to fall on him with their Chhavis. If they failed to kill him, Babar Prem Singh (Accused No. 3) was to use his pistol. Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) stood a little ahead of this party, in order to acquaint them of the return of Arjan Singh. When they saw Arjan Singh approaching, Sadha Singh and Ram Singh commenced to put their Chhavi blades on to their

OE 48

EE

Now

itis known

Garden,.

Sa

as

Nehru

ee

a

Garden, at that time it was

eee

knows

as Empress

120

History of the Babar Akalis

sticks. Sadha Singh succeeded in doing so, could not get his Chhav/ out of his waist cloth.

but Ram Singh On seeing these

men, Arjan Singh paddled his bicycle faster and Buta Singh was not abie to thrust his stick into the wheel. Consequently Arjan Singh managed to escape. Statement

of Arjan

Singh

Patwari

Arjan Singh Patwari stated that he was a Patwar/ from 1908 to 1922.

He further stated

that

as

his

loya!ty was suspected,

when he became an Aka/i and commenced wearing a black turban. He was present at a Diwan held at Khurdpur?® in February 1922, where some of the national leaders made speeches.

After they left, Kishan Sing Gargajj, commenced to deliver a speech, while holding a naked sword in his hand. Kishan Singh Gargajj started by saying that it was necessary to collect arms and ammunition for the purpose of taking violent measures. He was, however, stopped from speaking further by Lachman Singh,** who was presiding over the Diwa7. The opinion of the audience as to Lachhman Singh's action, which Arjan Singh supported, was Pro-British Government and the Diwan came to an end in some

confusion. After 3 or 4 days later, Kishan Singh Gargajj (Accused No. 1) sent for Arjan Singh Patwari to a well outside his village, Haripur. Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) and two other Akalis were with him at the time. Kishan Singh, on this occasion told Arjan Singh that he had not done well in opposing him and supporting Lachhman Singh Canadian at the Diwan. Kishan Singh also suspected Arjan Singh of working against him and, therefore, the latter’s “‘Reformation’’®! was proposed.

Arjan 49

Singh

then

stated

how

he

came

to

be

wrongly

This village, owned by Atwal Jats is situated one mile to the east from on Jalandhar-Hoshiarpur Road. Had-bast No. 54, Area, 178 Hectares. P.S. Adampur.

Adampur,

50

He was popularly known phant and a traitor.

51

Murder.

as Lachhman

Singh Canadian,

a pro-British

syco-

-Mccount of Occurrences

121

suspected of being concerned in the arrest of Master Mota Singh and referred to the latter, in which he is referred to as being in the “pay roll of the C.1.D. on a salary Rs. 50=00 a month and being

in the habit of sending diaries and as to his having caused the arrest of Master Mota Singh. Arjan Singh then goes on to mention that he was interested in 4 criminal cases, perding in the “Court of Mian Abdul Fatteh, Magistrate at Jalandhar and that he was present in the court on the 1€th and 23rd January, 1923. ‘He then described how after the conclusion

of

the

hearing

on

and did not return to On the 23rd 17th.

“the 16th, he remained behind at Jalandhar his village, Haripur, till the evening of the

- January, after the hearing, he left the court compound at about 4 P.M. on a bicycle and went to the District Board Agricultu“tal Farm. After spending a few minutes there, he returned to the “city and on approaching the Government Girls High Schoo! he saw 5 men standing by the roadside, one of whom he recognised was Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51). This man was standing a little ahead at the cross-roads and some others were “10 to 15 yards behind.

Arjan Singh Patwari saw Sadha Singh (Accused No. 13) and “two other Aka/is. He stated that on seeing Babu Santa Singh to be a member of Kisnan Singh’s party, he suspected that an -attempt against his life was in contemplation.*? Consequently “he increased the speed of his bicycle and quickly rode past those persons.°*?

Statement

of Diwan

Singh

Diwan Singh (P.W. 103), son of Jawahar

SIngh

of

Haripur

“supported the evidence of Arjan Singh as to certain events, which led to Arjan Singh being suspected of causing the arrest of

Master Mota Singh of Patara, that Arjan Singh Patwari had been 52

The author

is told by Babar

Kartar

Singh

Nijran and some other Babar Aka/is, that

ned with the arrest of Master Mota

_ +53

Singh.

Trial-Case No, 2 of 1924, pp. 868-870.

(Accused Arjan

Singh

No.9)

of

Pindori-

was partly concer-

422

History of the Babar Akalis=

marked down for assassination at the hand of the Babar Akalis,. appears to be evident also from the evidence of Ranjit Singh. alias Ajit Singh Hakim (P.W.107) son of Bhagwan Singh ofDhada Kalan.*4 Arjan Singh’s name was entered at No. 1 in the black list.55 The following Babar Akalis were implicated’ in this case :— Kishan Singh Gargajj (Accused No, 1) son of Fatteh Singh of Barring, Banta Singh (Accused No. 2) son of Khem Singh of

Pragpur, Prem Singh (Accused No. 3) son of Pal Singh of Pragpur, Sadha Singh (Accused No. 13) son of Narain Singh of Pindori Nijran, Jagjit Singh (Accueed No. 21), son of DaiipSingh of Kathar, Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) son of Suba Singh of Haryon Khurd, Buta Singh (Accused No. 55) son of Thakar Singh of Pindori-Nijran, Munsha Singh (Accused: No. 59) son of Bela Singh of Jauhal, Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur, Sadhu Singh (P.W. 15),5%son of Bela Singh the Kana of Pragpur(PAN 20): 7. Dacoity at Jadla onthe night of 2nd-3rd February, . No2o: History of Village Jadla : Jadla®’ is a big and ancient village, 7 miles to the eastof Nawanshahar, in Jalandhar District. Though, now, it is: inhabited by many castes of people, yet originally the whole. village belonged to the Ghorewaha Rajputs. It is one of thosetowns, the proper name of which ought not to be mentioned, before eating something in the morning. Till then, it should be called Qasba. |t was founded by one Bhojo, ‘‘“Ghorewaha Rajput, about 54

Exhibit P.A.

78

Translation

of

Babar

Akalis

Doaba

dated December

2,

o22: 55

P.S. Mahalpur.

56

Evidences of Patwari Arjan Singh (P.W. 101). pp. 368-369, Singh P.W. 102, pp, 371-372, the author also contacted Singh who

is quite

hale and

hearty,

Singh son of Jawahar Singh (P.W. 103),

Singh

Hakim

(P.W.

107)

pp.

371-380

corroborated

p. 373;

(Tria!

Zaildar Gajja~ Zaildar Gajja

this account.

Ranjit

Case

Singh

Diwan.

alias Ajit=

No. 2 of 1924). pp...

371-72. 57

Had-bast

Station.

No. 146. Area,

896

Hactares,

situated

in

the

Rahon

Police:

Account of Occurrences €00 years

ago

and

123%

to

have

derived

its name

from the dense-.

growth. (Jhar of the Jhar plant), then abundantly growing. here. One of Bhoj’s descendants became Muslim, thus thevillage was partly held by the Hindus and the Muslim Ghorewaha , Rajputs, before the partition of the Punjab.

Jadla

was

formerly -

Part of a large Jagir, held by an influential Sikh Family. In thelater days, it fell to the Jagir of Sirdarni Dharam Kaur, but was. resumed on her death by the British Government. Seth

In the early twenties,

Munshi

Ram

Seth Munshi Ram,

son of Lala Ram:

Chand Handa Khatri, was a notorious sycophant and moneylender of this area. He had two brothers, Lala Mast Ram and Lala Mulkh Raj. Seth Munshi Ram was not married. He died

leaving no issue. Seth Munshi Ram Handa had mortgaged the land for petty amounts of the Zamindars of this area, {against advancing, insignificant amounts. The people used to get some moneyagainst mortgaging costly golden and silver ornaments. Even.

though,

the poor debtors

returned

the

interest, stil! all the ornaments were not

He

was

also

informer

money

with exorbitant -

returned to the owners. .

of the Government.

He was doing all

sorts of illegal traffics in various fields of transactions, a parasite, . a blood

sucker

warned by the his evil-ways.

of poor

people of all communities. He was. but the Seth did not desist from

Babar Akalis,

The author personally visited the village to assess the. financial position of Seth Munshi Ram’s successors. The house. burnt bricks, in the Mughal architectural style,. betrays its old glory and also the very sound economic position of = the Seth. Now the royalist type house is lying in ruins. Only thebuilt

of small

walls, with outer roofs and original structures tell ‘that the ruins. ef the house are the remains of the magnificent house.*® 58

‘Khandraat

Bata

raha

hain

imaaret

azim

the,

History of the Babar Akalis

™ 24 Attack

Planned rose to the occasion to redress the grievances traders and other such affected people, Jatheof Daulatpur, suggested the “Reformation” of So Ram Singh (PW-13) son of Bhagwana of

Babar Akalis, -of poor peasants, dar Karam Singh this blood-sucker. Muzara Kalan, who later become an approver, Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51), of HaryonKhurd Thakar Singh (Accused No.

24), Hari Singh

(Accused No. 25) Waryam Singn

(Accused No.

26), all of Daulatpuy, Waryam Singh (Accused No. 27), Kartar “Singh (Accused Ne. 28), Ram Singh (Accused No. 29) all from Muzara Kalan, Gurcharan Singh (Accused No. 40) of Sandhara, -Hari Singh (Accused No. 43), Hardit Singh (Accused No. 45) of Jassowal, Surjan Singh (Accused No. 47) Dharam Singh ‘(Accused No. 48) of Hayatpur, and some others assembled at the

-Jadia Parao,°®® in the morning, The Attack Ram Singh (P.W. 13) knocked at the door of the Ba/thak (a parlor) of the house of Seth

Munshi

Ram, where he was sitting

with three, four men, with the door bolted from inside, gossiping with them. The Seth was asked to open the door. On enquiry from Munshi

Ram, a voice from outside said, ‘‘Lal Mal and Babu

-Bhagtan da" ; have come

to pay their debts.

Munshi

Ram

was

thus induced to open the door. Six of the Babar Akalis, imme‘diately jumped in. Others kept guard around the house. After having secured all the inmates Munshi Ram was asked to “open an iron chest. On opening, they found only some account books, which they burnt.

In another wooden

“golden 7andiri and Silver Trag/ (belt).

box, they

Munshi

Ram

found a

told, to the

disappointment of the Babars, that they might have secured a “sum of Rs. twenty to twenty two thousand, had they come a day earlier, the amount which he had deposited in the Mandi Bank.

The Alarm The Babar Akalis were arranging to take him to the inner portion of the house, while one or two persons who had slipped 59

Encamping ground, reserved for the use of troops functions.

and

other

Government

Account of Occurrences

(Pas

away, during this operation, raised the alarm, after getting on the roofs of distant houses. So the Babars had to abandon the job. They went towards the Parao again. Shots of guns were fired to frighten the people. By selling a 7andiri and a Taragi for Rs. 180=00 one gun and 25 cartridges® were purchased.

For the general interest of the readers a relevant portion Munshi Ram’s own statement is produced hereunder :—

of

“Munshi Ram, son of Ram Chand, age 50, caste Khatri, resident of Jadla, District Jalandhar, occupation Shahukar, (money- lender) states on solemn affirmation :—" “lam now paying Rs. 224/- as income-tax. of the 2nd and 3rd February, 1923, a dacoity was

On the night committed in

my Baithak (parlor) which is also known as Khanchi.*! At that time Teja, son of Gonda and Pola, the uncle of Teja Singh, were with me. Teja and Pola were lying asleep-the former on a Charpai and the latter on the 7hara (platform). Nabia, Chowkidar and | were sitting. It was about 9.00 or 10.00 P.M. that

the door of the Ba/thak, which was shut

from inside had rattled.

| asked, who

reply

was there ? and received a

that

it was

Lal

Mal of Muzara, | knew him. Hearing some sounds, | enquired, who else there was and was told that it was Babu of Bhagtan da. | also knew him. | had dealing with both of them and they were tenants. |, thereupon, unchained my door, and some men entered, who seized me and two or three others seized Nabia, Chowkidar, and took him outside into the countryard. Some 10 or 12 other men also came in and some of them stood by Teja and Pola, who were still lying down and some other broke open

the lock of my Kothri

(inner-room) where there

were

two iron

chests. The dacoits then demanded the keys of the chests from me

and threatened to shoot me with a pistol, me.

I handed them over the keys to.

60

The Tribune Sunday

61

Khanchi was an idigenour process of refining sugar. flourishing business till 1930, but with the instalation

this business failed.

February 4, 1923

which they pointed at

They took me inside

the

(Lahore), This

was a very of the Sugar Mills

126

History of the Babar Akalis

. Kothari and failling to open the chest themselves, “complled me to open them.

I did

so.

In the

beat chest,

me

and

which

“first opened, there was a silver gulab bashi, 2 silver kauls,

I

two

silver tumblers, Rs. 102—00 in cash, aring, a sovereign and some _bahis. The dacoits took possession of the money and valuables and threw the bahi/s on the floor.

| then

opened

the 2nd chest

“which contcined gold and silver ornaments, including a gold tandiri -and a silver taragi. The dacoits took possession of all the “ornaments”. “The dacoits then beat me and told me to produce my other ‘property, but | said, | had no more and that it was their bad luck “that only other property | had sent away a large sum of money ‘i.e. some Rs. 25,000 or Rs. 20,000 to the Mandi at Nawan~shahar. One of the dacoits then suggested that, | should be taken to my house which, is about 100 karms distance from my khanchi. | was taken outside and all the dacoits followed. Nabia, Chowkidar, seizing his opportunity got on the roof of my baithak and raised an alarm, of hearing which, the dacoits let me “go and fled. When leaving, the dacoits fired 3 or 4 shots and “we pelted them with bricks, from the roof of the ba/thak. received many injuries some of which, were bleeding’’®

ft

According to evidence of the approvers, this dacoity was “prompted by Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur. Gurbachen Singh, Mistry of Daulatpur, (who remained absconder till 1947), ‘had was “Niaz ao

62

broken open the locks of iron safes of Munshi Ram. The F.L.R. made by Nihala Chowkidar and recorded at Thana Rahon by Ahmad (P.N. 112) on the early morning of 3rd February, oe People told the author that the Babar Akalis did not commit Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924 p. 381. According to evidence of the approvers this dacoity was prompted by Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur Gurbachan Singh Mistry of Daulatpur, who remained absonder till 1947, had broken open the locks of iron safes of munshi Ram. The F.I.R. was made by Nihala Chaukidar and recorded at Thana

Rahon

by

Niaz Ahmad

(P.W. 112)

February, 1923. “63

Judgement Trail-Case

No. 2 of 1924 p. 60.

on

the

early

morning of 3rd

Account of Occurrences

127

“any unworthy activity. They unanimously held that by curbing illegal and atrocious activities of this the self-styled lord of this area, for the informers or the Jholi-chucks, this dacoity was an eye

*8.

opener and people had a great relier.®4

Account of Murder of Zaildar Rani Thua 10th February, 1923.

Bishan

Singh of

History of Village Rani Thua Rani Thua, infact Ranipur-Kambonan® is a big village, “situated about two and half miles to the east from the Chaheru Railway Station and 5 miles to the north from Phagwara. It is inhabited by Kambojas, Ahluwalias and the Jats. Originally, it was “founded by Chauhan and Muj Muslim Rajputs, but latter Kam-

bojas of the Mahrok -area, had settled here.

sub-caste,

after coming from the Ghaggar

Since then,

the

village was divided into

two parts /arf-/-Raj/putan and Tarf-i-Kamboan. The second sub“caste of the Kambojas was Dhanju, who had come from the “Balachaur area. The third Kamboj, sub-caste was Ya/ya, who had come from village Semi not for from here. The Jats of this village are in minority, belonging to the Gill, Bhath and “Mander sub-castes, respectively. Zaildar Bishan Singh Zai/ldar Bishan Singh son of RAisa/dar Jodh Singh, was a ‘Kamboj Sikh of Dhanju sub-caste. His father A/sa/dar Jodh Singh Dhanju who be'onging to Balachaur area, was awarded asa -Janginam,® an area of land consisting of 150 ghamaons, in this village, as a mark of his meritorious services, in the army of one -of the Maharajas of the erstwhile Kapurthala State. After his father’s death, Bishan Singh, was made the Za//dar, Bishan Singh had three sons, Gurbakshsh Singh, Narain Singh and Sarup Singh. Zaildar Bishan Singh was over ambitious man, to get the Royal He was vary anti-Babar Akalis, but also had pressed favours. 64

Rana Gandharb Singh Lambadar, 97 years, and

Rana Jora Singh, Lambar-

Lambardar of village DaultNone of the members of Lala Munshi Ram’s

dar, 87 years. of village Jadla and Labh Singh

5

pur half a mile from Jadla. family, now reside at Jadla. Had-bast No. 20, Tahsil Phagwara, District Kapurthala.

$6

A reward for his Military service.

128

History of the Babar Akalis:

the people by way of bringing fabricated cases against them.. Rai Bahadur Diwan Durga Dass, the then Inspector-General or Police of the erstwhile Kapurthala State, who himself was Pro-British, had joined hands with the Zai/dar. The author is reliably told that the Za//dar used to insult the Sikhs publicly and that not asingle black turban-borne person will be left in the State. He had locked the Gurdawara of his village, so that no Sikh could say his prayers there. At the instance of the Zaé/dar the Policemen were looting and behaviour with the public was most

insulted even well to do Sikh

snubbing the Sikhs. His un-becoming, who at times

Sardars.

Bishan Singh Zai/dar, was openly warned in the Diwans, held by the Babar Akalis to mend his ways, otherwise, he will be “reformed’’. Hearing this warning, he became all the more active for the anti-Babar activities. When the matter had taken a

serious turn, Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur,

throughout the erstwhile Kapurthala State

sent messages,

to the freedom loving

people that the Babar Akalis would be at their back.

So, Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, deputed Babu Santa: Singh

(Accused No. 51),

Babar Sardul Singh

(Accused No.

33)

of Buro-Barian and Kartar Singh (P.W. 10) of Buro-Barian for the

Reformation (murder) of the Za//dar. Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51),

had

surveyed

the area throughly before he took a vow

to Reform this renegade, single-handed. Diwan Durga Dass (P.W. 333) and Zai/dar Bishan Singh were apprehending danger to their lives. Diwan Durga Dass stated :—

“In February 1922, | was posted at Phagwara as the Chief Executive Officer, | occupied the State-House outside the town. One day, in March, 1922, Bishan Singh, informed that certain persons of British territory ted to murder him and me. He told me that the was prowling about my house. Subsequently, that the name of that individual was Babu 67

Evidence of R.B. Diwan

came to me and. had been depuman at that time. | came

to know

Santa

Singh.®

Durga Dass (P.W. 333) pp. 641-644,

Account of Occurrences

129

Zaildar Bishan Singh, was also warned by Babar Kishan Singh Gargajj, openly in Diwan, held at village Bohani .*8 The author contacted following gentlemen of this village to know the details and exact position of the murder of Zai/da r Bishan Singh by the Babar Akalis :— Zaildar Bishan Singh had begun to ill-treat Aka/is and pour id water from hukkas (smoking pipes) on to their Keshas. He had also caused guards to be placed on the roads leading into the State

So as to prevent Aka/is from entering the erstwhile Kapurth ala State. A guard had also been placed at the Khajurla Chauki, where Bishan Singh Za//dar alongwith some Policemen had beaten, one Bakhshish Singh Aka/i, while Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51 y had escaped. Account

of The Murder

Kartar Singh of village Buro-Barian (P.W. 10) stated before the Additional Sessions Judge that how, he himself, Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur, Babar Sardul Singh (Accused No. 33) of Buro-Barian and Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51). 40f Haryon Khurd set out from Barna, a small village, nearby,

Rani Thua, for the purpose of murdering Bishan Singh Zaj//dar. Leaving Dhanna Singh and Sardul Singh, on the road. Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 61) and Kartar Singh (P.W.10), the approver went to Kothi of Bishan Singh, only to find out if the Za//dar had returned from Kapurthala, where he had gone to attend the These two marriage of the Maharaja Kaputhala’s daughter. pretended to be looking for strayed mare, Lachhman Singh (P.W. 117) the grand son of the Za//dar was the eye-witness of this affair. We get the account of murder from him, as under :—

“Lachhu” son of Gurbakhsh Singh, resident 68 69

of Rani-Thua,

age 12, caste

state,

Babar Akali-Jathedar Labh Singh of Jassowal

occupation

Kamboj, student

pp. 49-52.

Six miles to east on G.T. Road from Jalandhar. Evidence of Sadhu Singh

70

Kapurthala

P.W. 15, p. 122.

The author met the witness for more details and

corroboration of facts.

History of the Babar Akalis

130

of an the meaning is intelligent and understands witness oath, and is, therefore, affirmed states on solemn affirmation :— “| am studying inthe 3rd standard in the Lower-Primary School, at Rani Thua...| had been to Kapurthala on the occasion of the marriage of the daughter of his Highness the Maharaja. We spent 4 or 5 days and were returning home on the 10th We took the train at Kapurthala and alighted at February, 1923. Wazir Singh,’? Sain Chaheru”! Railway Station in the evening.

Das,’? Arjun Singh,’* and Ganesha Singh,’° of came by the same train and got down at Station, withus. We had with us a bundle of aplant in a pot. My grandfather expected

Rani Thua also Chaheru Railway bedding, a sword his pony to be

waiting for us at the Railway Station, but the man had not turned up with it. My grandfather and | waited at the station for a little while and told Wazir Singh, who was going home, hurry on the man with the pony if met him. Wazir Singh and the three others left the station. My grandfather then decided to walk until we m3t the pony. We left the bundle of bedding with the Station Master and my grandfather carried the flower

pot, while | carried the sword. Wehad gone a mile from the station, when we met Gandu, Chamar,’® with a pony. My grandfather told Gandu to go on the station and get the bundle of bedding and follow us. My grandfather mounted the pony and placed the flower pot, infront of him and | walked ahead carrying the sword. When we had gone some distance, perhaps a Kos, we saw aman

tucked up

wearing

and when he had 71 72

a black

turban,

his Pay/ams above gone

benind

coming towards

his knees. us,

This

| heard

us.

He

man passed us

call

out

‘Zai/dar

Had-bast No. 83 Area. 368 Hactares P.S. Phagwara. Son of Dulla, a Sikh-Jat of village Namanna

(Now Jagpalpur),

half a mile

to the east from Rani Thua. P.W. 390. 73

Son of Bura Ram of village Rani Thua, P.W. 118.

74

Son of Ganesh Singh Ahluwalia of Rani Thua P.W. 389.

75

Son of Saudagar P.W. 119 of Rani Thua.

76

Son of Saudagar. aged then 50 of village Rani Thua (P.W, 119) p. 398.

131

«#iccount of Occurrences

This individual had a pistof “it is now the turn of the Singhs”. in hand and aimed at my grandfather. He pulled off, but the shot I heard a slight noise like the sound of Pathakha. “misfired. This man was a few paces away from my grandfather and when the shot misfired, my grandfather threw the

“but it missed my grandfather.

and going up

flower

at

pot

Akali fired

The

~The flower pot hit him on the shoulder.

My grandfather

him.

again,

then dismounted

to the Akali dealt him some blows with his stick.

my grandfather “On this the Akal/i fired again then bullet struck the spot’’.”” from fled then Aka//s ~and he fell to the ground. The

First Information

Report

n at 9.30 Report was made at the Phagwara Police Statio Ram, Sub-Inspector, P.M. on the 10th February, 1923 Dilla “proceeded to the spot and from there

sent

a RUQOA,

on which

and despatched the dead ~the first information report was sent for post-mortem. “body of Zai/dar Bishan Singh to Kapurthala Post-mortem

the way to KapurPost-mortem Party was met on and Officer, Medical Chief Dr. Adamson, when ~thala rthala Officer of the erstwhile Kapu “Dr. Bhim Sen, Medical ion inat exam tem -mor d the post “State, both of them performe . Indta left later had Adamson Dr. road-side. the -on . State in the Kapurthala ent. -on relinquishing his appointm @ was Sen showed that there The evidence of Dr. Bhim , and below the right shoulder -gun shot wound, on the back The

lung and and lower lobes of the right joint the pleura and upper 160 hing perforated. A bullet weig the left lung were found was d muscles covering the kille “grains was found in the large ly through ng passed almost complete - 9th rib on the left side, havi Session’s identified in Additional the body. This bullet was t must bulle the cal Officer, In the opinion of the Medi Court. of the have entered the body 77

deceased

at the back

1924 117 dated 24th August, ~«=Evidance of Lachhu P.W. 393. Panjab, Lahore p. mai Sessions Judge,

below

the

before the Additie-

History of the Babar Akalis~

132 right shoulder and passing

through

all the

pleura, right and left lungs lodged in the large the left 9th rib.7® In the

Khaki

which

over-coat,

was

on

skin

muscles,

the

muscles covering:

the

body

of the

deceased, a small hole was found on the back of the right sleeve. There was no sign of scratching or burning on the coat, and in the opinion of the Medical Officer, the deceased must have been The coat and fired at from some distance and from behind.

waist-coat

were found on the body of the deceased.

A broken

flower pot was also found lying near the spot. Identification

Lachhu

described

the

of The Assailant

assailant

of his grandfather

as an

Akali wearing a black turban as short statured Aka/i with a long: flowing beard. Wazir Singh described him asa Sikh wearing a black turban of medium stature and fair complexion. Sain Dass and Arjan Singh deposed to having met a Sikh or an Aka/i © wearing a black turban. Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) had told the court that the Za//dar was killed by him single handed. Za/i/dar Bishan Singh’s name was shown No. 141, in Black list of the persons, who were to be reformed (murdered). This was found written also Babu Santa Singh's diary which was found during the search of his house by the Police. Local Views

Sardar Hari Singh Kamboj, son of Narain

Singh

Sardar Banta Singh Lambardar son of Bhagwan Singh

Shri Karam Chand son of Jiwa Ram 80 years,

100

years,

80 years,

Swaran Singh son.

of Sardar Kartar Singh 48 years, unanimously corroborated and. confirmed that Za//dar was more loyal than the King himself, and who was leaving no stone unturned to get the Babar Akalis arrested. In the Gurdawaras of his village, as well as in other villages of his area, he had engaged his own people, who used #8

Judgement-Case No. of 1924 p. 73.

“Account of Occurrences

133

to supply uptodate information, about the activities of the Babar Akalis. He was openly discouraging people not to wear black ~or blue turbans and not to say prayers in the Gurdawaras. He threatened the people that if they attended the Diwans, organised by the Babar Akalis, their names would be sent to the Police. He was in the good books of the Maharaja of Kapurthala as well as of the Commissioner of Jalandhar. He was a regular informer “of the State and the British Government, about the political and

“even religious functions, being ever held there. The children of Za//dar Bishan Singh were awarded two “squares of land (50 acres) in the village of Gati Tulani in the District of Lyallpur, now in Pakistan.

The following were implicated in this case :— Sardul Singh (Accused No. 33) of Buro-Barian, Babu Santa “Singh (Accused No. 51) of Haryon Khurd, Babar Dhanna Singh

~of Baibalpur. The following appzared from the Government for evidence : Lachhu, Grandson of Kartar Singh (P.W. 10) Approver, of Rani-Thua, Mehar Brahmin .Zaildar, Sain Das (P.W. 118) a “Chand (P.W. 122), Arjan Singh (P.W. 389), Wazir Singh (P.W. 390) of Jagpalpur. °9,

Murder

of Diwan

14th February,

on or

at Hayatpur

About

13th-

1923.

Hyatpur-Rurki is one village, combined

in two.

The whole

’ village is owned by the Kandola Sikh Jats.

Statement

The

only

of Asa

direct

Singh of Phakrudi

evidence

in this

* Singh of village Phakrudi’® (P.W. 25)

murder

who

P.W. 25.

was that of Asa

disposed

- Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur and Ram Singh

that

after

(P.W. 13) of

village Muzara Kalan left for Nahan to purchase arms with Rs. of village Ramgarh 180/- advanced by Partaba, Ude Singh 79-

Had-bast No. 141. Area 82 Hactares P.S. Banga.

History of the Babar Akalisz

134

of Surjan Jhugian went to Hayatpur to the Have/i Ude While i.8° Hayatpur-Rurk village (Accused No. 47) of asked Sunder Singh of Hyatpur, whether a been seen. Sunder Singh replied in the upon Ude Singh told to be more certain. On Ude Singh, asked ‘What they were talking replied that there was a certain Jho/i-Chuck was

to

be

“Reformed”

i.e.

murdered.

Singhs Singh.

certain person had... affirmative. WhereAsa Singh’s asking, . about’ ?

On

The latter

in the village who» this, Asa Singh

remarked that there was no Jho/i- Chuck in Hayatpur, but Surjan.

(Accused No. 48)

Singh (Accused No. 47) and Dharam Singh said that one Diwan in the village

supplied

information

against.

the Babar Akali Jatha, through one of Sardha Ram*! of Samundras

{P.W. 135).

Murder

Sunder Singh returned

arrive in the village

that

and

Planned

said

that wedding party would:

night from

Muzara

and

he

(Sunder

Singh) had arranged to entice Diwan to come out of the village, . on the pretext that he and Diwan should rob a member of the-

marriage party of his gold

Kantha.

Diwan

had

agreed to this,

Ude Singh then said that, he and Surjan Singh (Accused No. 47).

Dharam

Singh

(Accused No.

48)

and

Singh (P.W. 25): from Hayatpur the village. Sunder Singh,

would be at a certain point on the road,

to Mahalpur about half a mile from

Asa

leading

who was inquired on being brought Diwan towards them and on, seeing them was to ask, who they were ? Ude Singh was to.

reply that they were way farers on which Sunder Singh was to» ask where they were going and Ude Singh was to reply thatthey were going to Saroa.*” Diwan

Murdered

On receiving this reply, Sunder Singh was to get to one side-and Ude Singh was then to shoot Diwan. Sunder Singh, Surjan 80

Had-bast No. 280, area 77 Hactares in Garhshankar

81

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924

82

WHad-bast No. 243 Area 529 Hactares

Tahsil.

pp. 215-237. P.S. Garhshankar.

Account of Occurrences

135

Singh (Accused No. 47) and Dharam Singh (Accused No. 48) told Ude Singh that they would arrange to dispose of the body of Diwan. When all this had been settled, it was midnight and Sunder Singh left to get Diwan out of village. After saying an ‘ardasa’, Ude Singh and Asa Singh, Surjan Singh (Accused No. 47) and Dharam Singh (Accused No. 48) went place. Asa Singh was armed with a revolver and Ude Singh had the gun and 2 swords. stood at intervals of 20 paces from each other

to the appointed and two swords This party of 4 and as soon as they saw Sunder Singh and Diwan approaching then moved The programme arranged between Sunder Singh and forward. Ude Singh was carried out and on inquiring, Ude Singh replied Sunder Singh stood aside and that they were going to Saroha. Ude Singh fired at Diwan, who was then some 2 or 3 paces Diwan fell and Asa Singh stated that he dealt him 2 or away. 3 blows with his sword on his face and head. After murdering Diwan, Asa Singh and Ude Singh, left for Ramgarh-Jhugian*® and thence for Jassowal.*4 Announcement

in the Babar

Akali Doaba

In the Babar Akali leaflet, page 5 of the rence was made to one, who was

pamphlet,**

refe-

suffering imprisonment for life

in Babar Akali’s Jail. From the evidence of Mir Fazl Imam*® (P.W. 474) certain disclosures related to the murder of Diwan were made Ram Singh (P.W. 16) and it appeared that the reference in the Babar Akali \eaflet, referred to this murder. Ram Singh, also corroborated the information given by Ram Singh, Surjan Singh (Accused No. 47) and Dharam Singh (Accused No. 48) who were already under arrest, in connection with Babar Akali 83

Had-bast No. 190 and 208, Areas. 208

Hactares

and

190

Hactares, P.S.

Balachaur.

No. 284 Area 138

Hactares P.S, Garhshankar.

84

Had-bast

85

Babar Akali Doaba March, 1923 Exibit P.A. 113.

86

Khan Sahib Mir Faz! Imam was the Deputy Superintendent of Police C.I.D.

~ Punjab.

History of the Babar Akalis

136

Conspiracy, but Sunder Singh was absconding.

On or about the

Jalandhar from {st August, 1923, Asa Singh, when brought to relating to the the Multan Central Jail, disclosed the facts by Sunder body his murder of Diwan and as to the disposal of Singh m Dhara Singh, Surjan Singh, (Accused No. 47) and

(Accused No. 48). Search

for the Dead

Body

Sunder Singh who had been arrested on the Ist August, qo2c) undertook to point out the place where the body of On the 3rd of August, 1923, he took Diwan had been buried. and the investigating party to Hayat474) Mir Fazl Imam (P.W.

pur.

Mian

Abdul

Fatteh’?

(P.W.

and

467)

Dr. Muhammad

Sharif® (P.W. 4) Civil Surgeon were directed by the District On the day Magistrate to accompany the investigating party. and these party ing investigat the took Singh in question, Sunder (Accused Singh Surjan of witnesses to the Bara (cattle-shed) No. 47). In the cattle-shed he drew a circle on the ground and stated that the body of Diwan was buried there and that there had been a fire pit (Chubbha) here previously. Dead

Body Being Located

Dead body was to

be found at the spot which was to be instance of Mian Abdul Fatteh, who sent for Mrs. the mother of Diwan and his other relatives. He ascertained from them the particulars as to Diwan’s appearance and a description of the clothes-worn by him at the time of his disappearance. These relatives stated that Diwan had long hair, wore a Kara (wrist-ring) and that he had two gold pins in two of his upper front teeth. They also furnished a description of the clothes, which Diwan was wearing.

dug at the Bhagwani,

The Spot Dug Out The

spot

pointed

out

by Sunder

87

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924. pp. 815-821.

88

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924. pp. 28-30.

Singh

was then dug to

-Siccount of Occurrences

ase

“depth of some five feet. Then a bundle was discovered. This “was removed from the hole, which according to M. Abdul Fateh, ‘Magistrate, Ist Class,

bore

the appearance of having been used

-as a fire pit. The Khes containing the bundle ‘the one, Diwan was covering. Remains

Were

identified as

was

Identified

The bundle was opened and some remains, which the Civil “Surgeon declared to be those of male human being, were discovered. Twoof the front teeth of these remains bore gold

‘pins in them and on the remains

a shirt,

(Jarnghia) and a pair of shoes were

a Romali, a loin cloth

found.

These

the description given by the relatives of Diwan

“fied by them at that time.

The

relatives

confirmed to

and

present

were identi-

also identified

“the remains as being those of Diwan. On the right side of the shirt, near the middle of the chest, the Civil Surgeon (P.W. 4) found a small hole.

On cutting the shirt the central

-chest was found broken, found on the right side.

at the middie point a splinter was All the soft parts had disappeared and

“no part could, therefore, “found in the throat. The

bone of the

be seen

Post-mortem

but

a small lead bullet was

Examination

The Civil Surgeon further stated that all other parts had ‘been decomposed except the body frame, which appeared to be that of a male person between 18 and 22 years of age. Death appeared to have been the result of a bullet wound in the throat. Immediately, after the recovery of these remains, Mir Faz! Imam "prepared the Inquest

report

and

sent

the

Auqga

to Thana on

which the First Information Report, was recorded and a charge was registered undery section 302/120, |.P. Code by Hargurchet

“Singh®® (P.W. 395) Sub-Inspector

of Police,

Mian Abdul Fateh,

-also recorded a note of the proceedings at the spot. “89

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924 p, 723.

138

History of the Babar Akalis= Statement

of Diwan’s

Mrs. Bhagwani® (P.W. 125)

stated

Mother

that

Diwan,

deceased,.

was her only son. The daughter of Dittu, was married, on. the 13th February, 1923, and the marriage procession came from Muzari. The deceased Diwan went to the house of Dittu, in connection with this marriage. After having his food at night, his mother did not see him in the morning and never saw him alive again. She stated that on the night, he went to the house: wearing a black turban, Kurta, a Janghia of the was he of Dittu, same cloth, aKhaddar loin cloth (Langoti) and was covering, with a white Khes ; he was wearing the shoes of his uncle, Gopi and wore an iron ring (Kara) on his wrist. Diwan kept his. hair long, but he was not a true Sikh, as he used to smoke. She further stated that in two of his upper front teeth he had goid.

pins. A Postcard Enquiry and search were made for Diwan

but no trace could:

be found of him. When some 8 days after his disappearance a: postcard was received by Mrs. Bhagwani, Diwan’s mother and: this postcard read by one Hansraj who told that postcard purpor-

ted to come from Diwan and in it he wrote that he owned Rs. 5/- to one Dalel Singh®! (P.W. 134) and if Dalel Singh asked’ for this money, it was to be paid to him, if he did not ask forthis money, then Diwan would repay the amount

on his

return..

This postcard was produced before the Magistrate at the spot. Mrs. Bhagwani further stated that she asked Dalel Singh,. whether Diwan owed him Rs. 5/- and the reply was in thenegative. Dalel Singh corroborated this. She further stated that some 3 or 4 months after the disappearance of Diwan,

Hukam Singh” (P.W. 396) came 90

91

and

informed

her that he had

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924 pp. 403-404.

Dalel Singh son of Ram

Ditta, a Sikh-Jat

was

the

resident of Hayatpur--

Rurki Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 415. 92

Son of Hamira, age 40, Jat-Sikh, Sepoy of

of Khanpur Trial No. 2 of 1924. p. 724,

51st Sikhs Regiment, resident-

Account of Occurrences

139%

seen and met Diwan in Amritsar and that she should over his disappearance. Search

not

grieve-

of Diwan

On receipt of this news, Gopi and Diwan went to Amritsar to try and find

Teja, the two uncles of him, but failed to obtain

any trace. Hukam Singh was a sepoy in the resident of Khanpur in the Hoshiarpur District.

51st Sikhs anda. He stated that in

April, 1923. while at home on 2 month’s leave, he went to seea friend named Amar Singh®* (P.W. 397) at Hayatpur, to condole with him on death of his sister. With Amar Singh he found Surjan Singh (Accused No. 47) and Dharam Singh (Accused No. 48) and while Amar Singh was away for a short time, those two accused held a whispered conversation after which, they asked:

him to go and inform Mrs. Bhagwani, who grieved over the absence of her son, Diwan that he had seen him at Amritsar Hukam Singh was asked to do this as Mrs. with some Aka/is. Bhagwani (P.W. 125) belonged to his village, and she was likely to believe him. Both of them asked Hukam Singh not to. mention their names and the house of Mrs. Bhagwani, being Hukam Singh went there and informed her pointed out to him. that on his way home, while on leave from Kohat, he had been. to Amritsar, where he had seen Diwan in the Golden Temple. Amar The Further Singh corroborated the evidence of Hukam Singh. evidence of Mrs. Bhagwani related to the arrival of the Magistrate, Civil Surgeon and Police and the disintegrating of the remains, which she and his other relatives identified as those of © her son Diwan.

Mehdi Khan* (P.W. 128), Zai/dar and Kapura (P.W. 129}Lambardar were present when the remains of Diwan were recovered by the investigating party and supported the evidence 93

Son of Dittu, Sikh-Jat,

1924 94

resident of Hayatpur-Rurki,

Trial Case

No.2

of

p. 725.

Mehdi Khan son of Chaudhri Muhammad

-of Simbli.

Bakhsh

Trial CaseZNo. 2 of 1924, p. 408.

a Rajput was the Za//dar-

History of the Babar Akalis

“41 40

Mehdi

«relating to this. intimate

“quite

with

Khan

of

Ram

Sardha

stated

further

that

Diwan

Police

a

Samundra,

was

Informer.

Sardha (P.W. 135),°° whose name appeared at Serial No. 109, -in the “Black List’’ of the Babar Akalis, deposed that he used to supply information, relating to the Babar Aka/lis and Diwan -used to help him, on obtaining such information Mrs. Maya stated ~that the daughter.of his brother Dittu was married on the 2nd -of Phagan and that Diwan helped, in serving the members of the

“marriage party with food.

The following were implicated in the murder of Diwan. Asa Singh (P.W.25), approver, Ude Singh of Ramgarh Jhugian, “Sunder Singh, accused, deceased, Surjan Singh (Accused No. 47)

-and Dharam Singh (Accused No. 48). “10.

Robberies

3rd-4th

at Jamsher

March,

Railway

Station

on

the

1923.

Jamsher’®® is a big village, about two miles to the south of _ Jalandhar Cantonment. It is inhabited by Nijjar and Shergitt -Jats. It is situated on the Jalandhar to Nakodar Railway line,

~Chanan Ram (P.W. 143) the Station Master and

Sapuran Singh

(P.W. 146), the Gang Jemadar were very thick with each other. “Both of them were sending

information

the activities of the Babar Akalis.

They

to

Government

about

both were warned with

~ dire consequences but they did not desist. Chanan Ram was also misbehaving with the passengers. He was very harsh, while treating the public. His character was also not above board. The people had been reporting against them both and the reports were being filed by the Government. It was this reason that the

Babar 95

Akalis wanted to Reform (sudhar) them. Sardha

Ram son of Kangan

Ram,

a

Rajput,

village

was the real lago of this drama, who brought about Diwan's dynasty. Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 416. 96

The author has Samundra,

the

age 52,

annihilation

Had-bast No. 245, area 1130 Hactares, Sardar Police Station, Jalandhar.

of

Account of Occurrences

1412

learnt from the contemporary men that from onward Chanan Ram» behaved well with the public and, also no information was supplied by him to the Government. He also began to behave well with the passengers. An Account

of Robbery

Sadhu Singh (P.W. 15), son village Pragpur

described

of Bela

in detail

the

Singh

(P.W. 20) of

affair of robbery at the-

Jamsher Railway Station. Sadhu Singh gets Banta Singh. (Accused No. 2) of village Pragpur to accompany him on the pretence of taking him to a 7amasha, at Khusropur.®’ As pre-arranged, . he and Banta Singh (Accused No. 2) met Babu Santa Singh {Accused No. 51) and Banta Singh of Dhamian, at the kiln of -

Khusropur, when Banta Singh remarked that he had come

out to-

see atamasha. Babu Santa Singh told him that there wasa. better one at Jamsher. The four then went on to the Railway

Station and there Babu Santa Singh Dhamian of the proposed enterprise. Chanan

Ram,

Sapuran

informed

Singh

Banta Singh

of-

Robbed

The four then proceeded to the quarter of the Station Master, . compelled him to open his safe and robbed him of some ornaments andclothes. Then taking the Station Master with them, they proceeded to the quarters of Sapuran Singh, the Gang Jamadar

and compelled them to open the doors of their houses. Having» robbed them of their ornaments and some cash, the party~ including the Station Master returned to the Booking Office. Booking

Office Searched

The safe was in the floor of the office. Taking hold of a little. amount, they compelled the Station Master to issue 5 tickets forAmritsar. Sadhu Singh explained that they asked for these, so. that the Station Master might think as they had come from Amritsar and the party numbered 5. When going to the meeting 97

Had-bast No. 246 Area. 61 Hactares.

It is a small village

owned by the

Rai Sikh-Jats, situated, half a mile to the east from Jalandhar Cantt.

“142

History of the Babar Akalis

iplace, Sadhu Singh removed a plough share from a plough,

in a field, which the

booking

was

office.

thrown into a well

used for breaking When

wherein

returning,

lying

open the cupboards of this

it was found

plough

share

by the owner,

was while

removing silt, and handed over to the Police in consequence of “the information given by Sadhu Singh. Statement

of Rullia

Rullia (P.W. 144) a sweeper employed at the Railway Station, ‘stated

that

he was

sleeping

inside the booking office, on the

night in question. He was aroused at midnight by some one, -calling out to him to open the door and on enquiry he was told that tickets were wanted. On opening the ticket window he “saw four men standing outside one of whom pointed a pistol at him. He promptly shut the window, but the man outside, who -appeared to have scaled the wall of the courtyard behind, then -compelled him with threats to open the door of the booking -office. They broke open the two cupboards and took some cash from the smaller of the two. They then locked him inside the “booking office and went away returning shortly after, with ‘Chanan Ram, the Station Master. Two men came in with the “Station Master and the safe on the floor of the booking office was opened and the cash,

therein,

was removed.

Chanan Ram

“was compelled to issue 5 third class tickets for Amritsar. Ala “Singh eventually released Rulia and informed him that the Station Master and Sapuran Singh had also been robbed.°? Statement

of Station

Master

Chanan Ram, the Station Master stated that he was sleeping “in his quarters with his wife and three children on the night in “question.

He was aroused by some one calling out ‘Baby, Baby”

open the door. 98

He opened a window

Evidence of Rullia Station, p. 428.

P.W.144

son

in the

of Ghasia,

room

and called

sweeper, Jamsher Railway

Account

of Occurrences

“out to Ala Singh

143

(P.W. 145)99

who

was

sleeping

kothri

in a small

in the courtyard, but received no reply. He then called ‘Out to Rulia and while doing so, two Sikhs came up to the window at which he was Standing. One of these had a chhavi -and the other a revolver and they threatened to kill him unless he opened the door without delay. He did so and four men

“entered carrying a Station signal lamp. Three of these men had -chhavis and the fourth was armed with a pistol. One of them struck him on the left shoulder with the back of the chhavi and -ordered him to part with all tisk of instant death.

his

valuables

and

property

on the

He, thereupon, opened a wooden box in which there was a “small trunk. This trunk contained Rs. 15/- and some ornaments “which he handed over to them. They then demanded the cash in the booking office leaving one man in the house to see that his wife did not raise an alarm. They took him to the ‘booking office. He found that the cup-boards had been broken “open and some petty cash taken. They compelled him to open the “safe in the floor of the booking office containing nearly Rs. 30/-, They then brought Chanan Ram which were also taken away.

outside, after locking Rullia (P.W. 144) inside the office and went ‘to the quarters occupied by Sapuran Singh, the Gang Jamadar. ‘They burst into the courtyard and then entered the quarters of

the Jamadar, who being threatened with death, made over his They removed some jewellery from the persons of ‘valuables. ‘his wife and one of the children of Sapuran Singh.

Master ‘travelling

was

then

without

told

that

ticket,

in future

he should not

The

Station

if he found any person over

charge them.

He

~was further advised to relinquish Government service, otherwise -he would be murdered some day. After locking him up in his Chanan Ram stated that about a quarter, they went away. “month, back a person got down at the station and he found that he was travelling without a ticket. He charged from him Rs. 99

Son of Rala Singh, age 40,

water-man,

p. 429, Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924,

Jamsher

Railway Station N.W.R.

History of the Babar Akalis:

144 0-2-0 on account Jamsher.°°

of

the

the Jalandhar

fare from

City

to-

of late Sunder The author enquired from Beant Singh, son the Babar Akalis Singh Shergill of village Jamsher, whether with a few moremisbehaved with ladies or children ? He, along asked ladies to had Akalis elderly people told that the Babar their sisters and were go out of the houses and that they relief from themothers. The people of Jamsher area had a great to behave well Station Master, after this incident, who began with the Public.

The following were implicated in the case :— Banta Sadhu Singh (P.W. 15) an approver.

Singh of Babu Pragpur, a 2) No. d Dhamian Kalan Banta Singh (Accuse Santa Singh?®! (Accused No. 51). Those who appeared against the Babar Akalis.

1, Sadhu Singh (P.W. 15) son of Bela Singh Kana of Pragpur approver, Chanan Ram Station Master (P.W. 143), Rullia (P.W. 144) the sweeper and Sapuran Singh (P.W. 146), Gang Jamadar, Ala Singh (P.W. 145), Dharam Chand (P.W. 153), Zain-ul-Abedin

(P.W. 160). 11.

Murder of Buta Lambardar and his Grandson: Surjan Singh of Nangal Shaman, Causing: Grievious Hurt to Ram Chand and Dacoity on, or about 11th-12th March, 1923. Nangal

Shaman

Buta Lambardar belonged to Nangal Shaman?°”, a small village of La//i Jats, situated on mile to the north from the Jalandhar 100

Evidence of Chanan

Ram (P.W. 143)

son

of

Rura

Ram.

Station

Master,

pp. 425-426. 101

Punjab Government

Communique

dated April

24,1923.

Trial-Case No. 2

of 1924 pp. 425-431. 102

Had-bast No. 219, area District.

118 Hctaares.

in Sardar

Police Station, Jalandhar

Account of Occurrences

145

Cantonment Railway Station. La//i, a tribe of Jats are mainly found in Montgomery District, now in Pakistan, where they are Muslims and classed as agriculturists, and in Gurdaspur, where they are one of the main Jat gots of the Shakargarh Tahsil and held a Prewa at Garola in October. This is a special festivel of the Lallis, who collect considerable sums, which are distributed in prizes to the wrestlers, etc., is held in honour of deceased ancester of the tribe. But a Patew/ fair is also held at Gorala in Sialkot. This tradition is continued by the Muslim La//i Jats,

also

even

now’.

There

are several

villages

of La//i Jats, in

Jalandhar Doab. A Notorious

Sycophant

From the Government records as well as from the statements of the contemporaries, it has been well established that Buta Lambardar was a notorious sycophant '°4. He was a staunch opposer of the Babar Akali Movement

and he actively took part

to nip it in the bud. He was handsomely paid by the C.1.D. His harsh and unbecoming behaviour with the freedom loving people had made him most unpopular. So his Reformation (Sudhar) was planned by the Babar Akalis, who unlike Maha-

tama

Gandhi,

methods

preferred

to

liberate

their

like those of Subhash Chandera

country

Bose

and

by

his

violent

other

associates.

The author was told by some participents of his murder that the Lambardar had hardly lived from hand to mouth, before he adopted the means of a sycophaney and to become He was very fond of getting certificates the tout of the Police. from the Government officers, which he carefully preserved to show that he was more loyal than the King himself.’1°° eS 103

Glossary of Tribes and

of

Castes

Province Vol. Ill. H.A. Rose, pp-

the

Punjab

and

North-West

Frontier

25-26.

him (D.C. Jalandhar) 104 “Who, on one occasion personally gave information to 2 of 1924, information about the Babar Akalis,.’’ (Judgement Trial Case No,

p- 128). 105

Babar Piara Singh of Dhamian

Kalan (Accused No. 50) Babar Hazara Singh

-son of Inder Singh of Mundher.

History of the Babar Akalis

146

Innocent Killings Condemned In this particular case, killing of innocent and infant Surjan Singh and injuring Ram Chand alias Ram Singh was condemned They \t was unanimously disapproved. by the Babar Akalis. agreed that the person/persons responsible for such brutal acts, will in future, not b2 allowed to enter into the house, but their duty will be in the outer places, to remain on guard for watch

:

and ward 1°%,

The Official Account

According to the evidences of Battan Singh (P.W.II) an approver of village Pindori Nijran and Sadhu Singh (P.W.15) an approver, son of Bela Singh ‘Kana’ of village Pragpur, the Babar Akalis had assembled at the distant signal

Singha Railway Station’®’. Shaman. Some 200 yards

surplus

clothing

and

near the Jandu From there they proceeded to Nangal from the village, they removed their

got their weapons ready.

(P.W.29)'°8 of Kotli Bawa

Dhanna

Singh

Dass, burried his shoes, which were

loose, in a mound. Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51), Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur, Battan Singh (P.W.11) were armed with pistols, and had a bomb also. The rest of the party were armed with Chhavis, Takwas and swords. Attack

On reaching the house, of Buta LamJardar, Dhanna Singh of Baibalour and Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan, scaled the wall of the court-yard, which had no door. The Lambardar wasin the court-yard. He challenged them and the two Babars then 106

Babar Santa

Singh (Accused No. 51) had

Murder of Kaka Surjan

condemned

Singh by Babar Munsha

village Jauhal, was due to his personal enimity, as the him involved

it then

Singh (Accused

and

there.

No. 59) of

Lambardar had got

in many false cases.

107

This Railway Station had lately been shifted to some other place.

108

All the three approvers were Buta Lambardar,

active

participants

for

tha

Reformation of

~Aecount of Occurrences

147

jumped down from the wall. The Lamabar, went on to the roof »of the house. The door of the Da/an (Hall) was then forced “Open and some of the Babars entered. Dhanna Singh, Banta ~ Singh and Sadhu Singh followed. The Lambardar, while on the “roof was struck with a Chhav/ by Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan “while Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur fired two shots athim. The - Lambardar fell down

“ing courtyard. the

and rolling off the roof, fell into the adjoin-

Some

of the

others, in the

meanwhile, entered

house

and in the Kothri below, the Chobara (upper storey), - Surjan Singh and Ram Singh his two grand-sons were sleeping.

Surjan

Singh

Singh

(P.W.29)

entreated struck

that

“such a force

the Babars

to spare him,

him on the neck with

the head was

but Dhanna

his Chhavi, with

nearly severed from

“Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan struck Ram Singh “with his Chhav/ and the boy fell back on his bed. House

Searched

Boxes

and

“ornaments

the body.

on the arm,

trunks

were

then

broken

and some clothes removed.

open

by them

and

They also removed some

ornaments from the persons of Mrs. Premi (P.W. 448) wife of “Buta Lambardar and Mrs. Chanan Kaur (P.W. 450) his grand -daughter!®*. One of the articles stolen on this occasion was “tumbler. While they were engaged in breaking open the boxes and removing the ornaments, etc., Battan Singh (P.W.11) heard a bugle being blown in the neighbouring Cantonment of Jalandhar. He told Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) about

“this, who

went

inside

the house

and brought

out the other

members of the party. Immediately, they all returned to the original rendezous. Babu Santa Singh and Banta Singh of Dhamian ‘Kalan, took over all the stolen property for the purpose of dispos-

ing of them. Party Dispersed From 109

Wife

the of

meeting late

Garhdiwala.

Lt.

Col.

place Bhag

the party of 12 went Singh

Sahota

of

Village

to a garden Sahota,

neag

History of the Babar Akalis=

148

Piara Singh (Accused No. near the Adampur Railway Station. 50) of village Dhamian Kalan left others there, saying that he. would join them after leaving his wheat cart, which was onits Wie

to carry to Jalandhar Cantonment. Battan Singh (P.W.11) Silt Singh (Accused No. 13) both of Pindori Nijran left for their villages and the remaining 9 stayed in the Adampur garden, till. morning. First Information

Report

The first information report was made at the Saddar Police . Station, Jalandhar by Bhola, Chowkidar, at 1.00 A.M., on the 41th March, 1923. Zain-ul-Abedin (P.W. 160), Sub-Inspector, . accompained by Badar Din (P.W. 451) proceeded to the spot, where he reached at 2.00 A.M. Badar Din was deputed to try and trace out the tracks of the Babars and in doing so Badar Din found the tracks of11 or 12 men coming from and going inthe direction

of the Jandu Singha Railway Station.

Some 400 yards, from the

village, Badar Din, observed that the ground near a sand-mound. {Tibba) had been freshly dug up. On examining, he found a pair

of shoes, which were subsequently identified by Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) as his. Zain-ul-Abedin, found the body of Surjan Singh on a Charpoy in the Kothri. He prepared the Inquest Report and the statement of injuries inflicted upon the deceased» and despatched the body to Jalandhar, for the post-mortem. examination!”.

Investigation

The Sub-inspector,

found

Ram

Singh,

lying wounded

on prepared the statement of injuries relating to him, Buta Lambardar, was found lying wounded, in the house of arelative named Chetu. The Sub-inspector prepared the Statement of injuries, relating to Buta Lambardar and sent him and his grandson, Ram Singh to Jalandhar for treatment. The Sub-inspector found that the door leading into the D/an and the another Charpoy

110

and

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924. pp. 445-446 and p. 794.

“Account of Occurrences

149

~door of the Kothri had both been broken open. Boxes inside “the Kothri had also been broken Open and the contents were strewn about the place. He then went on to the roof of the “house and found drops of blood as far as the edge of the adjoin“ing

Dina T7e/i,

of

roofs

from

where

it appeared

that Buta had

“fallen down, into the courtyard of Dina. The Sub-inspector “then followed the trail of blood strains from there, throughout "the courtyard of Dina and along the galli (lane) to the house of

“Chetu.

A water

spout (Parna/a) on

Dina’s roof was

found

The Sub“broken, apparently by the fall of the Lambardar. “inspector was informed that property worth some of Rs. 1,000/“had been stolen.14 Lambardar's

Buta

Death

Lambardar

died

in the

Hospital at Jalandhar on the

“11th March, 1923. Gajja Singh (P.W.163) Zai/dar of village ~Haripur, gave evidence as to his having identified the bodies ~of Buta Lambardar and Surjan Singh at the time of the post“mortem examination.

Ram Singh, who was examined by the same doctor was “found to have sustained 3 incised wounds, one on the middle of “the left hip, another on the left side of the small side of the back “and the 3rd on the inside of the left arm, the bone of which “was cut. All three injuries were in the opinion of the Medical * Officers, caused by a weapon

like a Chhavi or a hatehet

and the

- 3rd injury was grievous.! The Post Mortem Major

N.S.

Sodhi

(P.W.

“performed the post-mortem

5) the Civil Surgeon of Jalandhar,

examination of Buta Singh and Surjan

“Singh. In the case of Buta, Singh he found a scalp wound on the “head, a stitched wound on the shoulder bone, which was cut, a “411

Judgement

¥412

Evidence,

33-34.

Trial Case No. 2 of 1924 p. 82. Major

N.S.

Sodhi,

M.C.

!.M.S.

Civil

Surgeon, Jalandhar pp.

150

History of the Babar Akalis=

stitched wound across the chest; 4 punctured wounds in the stomach ; a contusion on the left shoulder and a long cut onthe left side of the chest. On examining the body, in the left lung was found.

a wound 5” long,

Death was due to shock and haemorrhage from rapture of © the spleen, lung and the stomach. The four punture wounds were the result of a bullet, fired either from a rifle or a revolver. In the opinion of the Civil Surgeon, 2 bullets had

entered Buta’s

body and hehad received at least 3 blows from a heavy sharpedged weapon. He described the stitched wounds across the chest as a “huge wound right down to the lung, cutting the anterior border of the body and by in itself sufficient the cause of death. Either of the 2 bullet wounds, was also sufficient to

-

» © .

cause death.12% The post-mortem examination of Surjan Singh disclosed (a) a large incised wound on the right shoulder (b) a large incised * wound on the head, cutting the scalp and ing the

skull,

aclot

of

blood

the bone.

On open-

over the lower part of the brain

was found, and on removing the brain, a fracture of the temporal! bone, extending backwards and forwards was disclosed. In the opinion of the Civil Surgeon, the fracture of the skull, under the second injury showed, that the blow was dealt with great force and with a heavy Sharpedged weapon.1!4 An Eye Witness

Mrs. Premi, widow of Buta Lambardar stated : ‘“‘her daughter- in-law Mrs. Chetan Kaur!!®, and grand daughter, Miss Chanan. Kaur, were sleeping in the Da/an of their house. Her two grandsons, Surjan Singh and Ram Singh, were sleeping ina Kothri ° below the Chobara, the door of which Kothri opens into the 113

Evidence of Major N.S. Sodhi, Civil Surgeon,

114

Trial-Case No, 2 of 1924

115

Jalandhar pp. 32-35.

p. 449.

Wife of late Major Mehar Singh.

She

who corroborated the whole account.

is alive

and

enjoys a good

healths,_

Account of Occurrences

151

Dalan. Her late husband, was sleeping in the Deohri. She was aroused about mid-night by hearing the cries of her husband and he

was

through

an

running

open

to the

window,

roof

of the

house.

On looking men in the street,

she saw several

The door of the Da/an was then burst open and 5 men One of those who kept going in and out was armed with a pistol. She went into the Kothri where her 2 grandsons sleeping, but her grand hearing on were daughter’s One of the cry, she came back into the Da/an. Chanan Kaur outside. entered.

Babars removed a pairs of silver bands from her wrist. and two Four of the Babars then ear-rings, from her ears.

pair of gold

went into the

she She

Kothri,

where

sleeping, but

grandsons were

her

did not see either of them, being injured by the Babars. heard her grandson, Surjan Singh saying ‘‘you drank tea

with

us

and

at the same time have come to

kill us’’"®%

grand daughter ; forced an entrance into the two broken

open

the

boxes,

They

tawiz from the neck of her

removed a silver Hans/i and a gold

other Kothris ;

therein, and stole various

ornaments,

They then left and a little later Chetu, her including a tumbler. husband's uncle came and informed her that her husband was

.

lying wounded in his house”’, Following

Battan

Babar Akalis were

Singh

(P.W.11)

implicated

of Pindori

in this case

Nijran

an

approver,

Sadhu Singh (P.W. 15) of Pragpur an approver, Dhanna Singh (P.W. 22) of Kotli Bawa Dass an approver, Babar Sadha Singh (Accused No. 13) of Pindori Nijran, Babar Rattan Singh (Accused No. 36) of Singhriwal, Babar Dalip Singh (Accused No. 49) 116

The author is told by Babar

Piara

Singh

Kalan and Babar Hazara Singh son of Raghunath

Sahai,

the

counsel

(Accused

Inder

Singh

of the Babar Aka/is,

cross-examination, why her husband

and

No. 50) of

of

asked Mrs.

the grandson,

Dhamian

Mundher, that Lala were

Premi

in

murdered

by

the Babar Akalis ? ‘‘Oh change kam nahi si karda-darian dinda si'’, Mennu

mere pote da dukh hai’’, At this, Kishan Singh Gargajj (Accused No. 1) said mother, we also felt sorry for that.”

117

Evidence of Mrs, Premi P.W. 448.

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924 pp. 790-791.

History of the Babar Akalis

152

of Dhamian Kalan. Babar Piara Singh (Accused No. 50) of Dhamian Kalan, Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) of Haryon

(Accused No. 76) of Khurd District Ludhiana, Babar Dalipa Dhamian Kalan, Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur, Babar Banta Singh of Dhamian

Kalan.

Those who appeared for the Crown Battan Singh (P.W. 11) of Pindori Nijran, an approver. Sadhu Singh (P.W. 15) of .Pragpur, an approver. Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) of Kotli Bawa Dass, an approver. Zai/dar Gajja Singh (P.W. 163) of Haripur, who is quite hale and hearty at the age of 87 years on November 20, 1983.

12.

Attempts to Reform (Sudhar) Labh Singh of Dhadda Fatteh Singh, onthe 14th, 17th and 23rd of March, 1923.

Labh Singh son of Albail Singh, Reha// Sikh Jat, belonged to village Dhadda Fatteh Singh,1!® Police Station Hariana, District Hoshiarpur. He was a Police tout and was paid by the C.I.D. Hoshiarpur. He used to send exaggerated reports to the Government, against the political workers. Babar Akalis, warned him, many a time that he should not run after the Government awards. When the Babar Akalis were active to punish such

Government stooges, his name was also entered in the black list, at No. 26, in the Babar Akalis Doaba. Labh Singh, approached the Deputy Commissioner, Khan Bahadur Ch. Sultan Ahmed of Hoshiarpur for protection. Deputy Commissioner, already knew that Labh Singh’s daughter was married to Kabul Singh, a cousin of Babar Kishan Singh Gargajj of village Barring. He asked him for the arrest of Kishan Singh Gargajj. Kabul Singh son-in-law of Labh Singh was quite friendly with the Babar who planned his arrest. Taking him into confidence, Kabul Singh, took Kishan Singh Gargajj (Accused No.1) to Dhadda Fatteh Singh. They both spent a night there. 118

Had-bast No. 147 Area 247 Hactares, P.S. Hariana.

“Account of Occurrences

153

Meanwhile Labh Singh, had arranged his arrest. The Police ‘was informed and alerted. When Kishan Singh Gargajj was in a -sound

sleep,

all his arms and

ammunition

were

removed.

The

-S.H.O. of Hariana, with sufficient armed Police force, picketed the village and the house of Labh Singh, was surrounded. The -doors of the rooms were locked from outside, and also shut from

«inside

by Kishan

Singh

Gargajj.

The door was

broken

by the

“Police and Kishan Singh was arrested, without any resistance. ‘However, the people of the village were sore about the action of “Labh Singh and his son-in-law, Kabul Singh, the renegade. They were cursing the Police and the sycophants, while the women of the village, performed a ‘’S/apah" of Jholi-Chuks, at the time -of arrest of Babar Kishan Singh Gargajj. The author was

informed by Niranjan Singh, son of Sardar Bhagwan Singh, 94 years, an eye-witness of Dhadda Fatteh Singh that the people -of this village as well as from the neighbouring villages of all

-communities, had unanimously condemned the perfidy of Labh Singh and his son-in-law Kabul Singh.'?® From

the

day

of Babar Kishan Singh’s arrest, Labh Singh He boycotted by the people of the whole area.

“was socially was aware of

his black future also. He shifted from Dhadda Fatteh Singh to village Barring, a suburb of Jalandhar CantonHe occasionally used -ment, where his daughter was married. to go to his village.

Babar Akalis were shocked by this heinous act on the part Resolution was passed by the Babars to murder -of Labh Singh. They tried their best to nab Labh Singh and his son-in-law. He died him, but he was so alerted that he escaped every time. and Singh Kishan sons, two his a miserable death, leaving behind He was not granted any square of land or any ‘Chanan Singh.

title or Jagir from the British Government. 419

Evidence of Battan Singh (P.W. 11) Trail Case No. 2 of 1924. pp 76-96.

Evidence of Sadhu Singh (P.W. 15) Trail Case No. 2 of 1924 pp. 122-140.

154

History of the Babar Akatts> An Official Accounts

According to the Prosecution, Labh Singh son of Albail Singh Rehall of Dhadda Fatteh Singh?*® and his son-in-law, Kabul Singh of Barring, were suspected of having brought about thearrest of Kishan Singh Gargajj and consequentiy both of them were to be “Reformed” by the Babar Aka/is. Kabul Singh, was

entered

at

No. 26

in the

black list.

Labh Singh,

that his son-in-law was suspected of having arranged

of Kishan Singh Gargajj and, his safety.t24

therefore,

1.

March,

First Attempt—14th

In regard to the first attempt was suggested by Babu Santa Singh Singh (P.W. 11) that he and Sadha others should meet him at the brick

stated

the arrest

he took precautions

for

1923

on the life of Labh Singh, it (Accused No. 51) to Battan Singh (Accused No. 13) and’ kiln outside Shamchurasi!??

village for the purpose of making an attack on Labh Singh. Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) also suggested that Shiv~ Singh of Haripur (Accused

No. 19)

should

be

induced

to join.

Accordingly Sadha Singh (Accused No. 13) arranged with Shiv Singh, Battan and Kartar Singh (Accused No. 18) of Pindori-Nijran tojoin. Battan Singh (P.W. 11) Sadha Singh (Accused No. 13) and Kartar Singh (Accused No. 18) had gone to Pindori Nijran together and being joined by Shiv Singh at the Bunga of Sant 120

Dhadda Fatteh Singhis a small Chaurasi

Road,

District.

It is owned

five

miles

to

village, the

situated on

south

by Rehall Jats.

The

from

the

Hariana-Sham-

Hariana,

in

Hoshiarpur

land is sufficiently fertile (Had-

best No. 147, area 247 Hactares).

121

122

Evidence of (P.W. 172) A Labha Singh son of Albail Case No. 2 of 1924 p. 458.

According to Ain-i-Akbari the village was known 96330

bighas of land, 5463913

Il. p. 320). population.

At present.

as Chaurasi.

dinars of Revenue,

and 1000 soldiers of Infantry, used

to gaurd

Singh age

50

this area

Had-bast No. 199 Area

horses

50,

Trial»

It possessed of

°

Cavalry ~

(Ain-i-Akbari Vol.

581 Hactares, with 2472-:

Account of Occurrences Ram

Singh,!**

155:.

proceeded

to the

Singh (Accused No. 51), Dalipa

kiln where

of Dhamian

they found Santa.

(Accused No. 7-).

and Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur. Babu Santa Singh, informed: the party that aman had been sent to ascertain whether Labh. Singh was inthe village. This messenger apparently failed to. return and owing to the others not arriving, the project was.. abandoned and the party disappeared. 2.

Second

Attempt—23rd

In connection with

the

March,

1923

second attempt,

Babu Santa Singh:

(Accused No. 51) directed Battan Singh (P.W.11) to arrange with Sadhu Singh (P.W. 15) Ujagar Singh (Accused No. 4). and Shiv Singh (Accused No. 19) to be atthe kiln, three days: later

and

bring with them,

other trust worthy persons to assist...

Battan Singh arranged the matter with Sadhu Singh and Ujagar Singh and told them to bring Shiv Singh with them from Haripur. He also induced Amar Singh (Accused No. 10) of his village, a member of the Jatha, to join and to be at the rendezvous with Sadha Singh (Accused No. 13). Battan Singh, set out alone forthe meeting place and in the village of Shamchurasi

met

Sadhu

Singh (P.W. 15). Ujagar Singh of Basrampur (Accused No. 4) Shiv Singh (Accused No. 19) and Surain Singh**4 (P.W. 173) atthe shop of Hal/vai. On their meeting,

Battan

Singh

learnt,

that Ujagar

Singh

had brought Surain Singh with them. This party of five then. proceeded to the kiln where they found Amar Singh (Accused No. 10), Sadha Singh (Accused No. 13), Duman Singh (Accused * No. 37). Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51), Dalipa (Accused

123

Sant Ram Singh was a very

Popular

saint, in his area.

food and lodging to Babar Akalis in his

He used to serve

Bunga,

where important meetings

son

Bishan

were also held. “424

Surain Singh (P.W. 173) aged 25 years Basrampur, appeared

of

against the Babars aS prosecution

No. 2 of 1924 pp. 459-460.

Singh

of village

witness, Trial-Case=.

“156

History of the Babar Akalis

“No. 76), Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur, Waryam Singh of Dhugga, “Banta Singh (P.W. 26) and Bela Singh (P.W. 27). After a while, the party “Singh of the three ~them the

was joined by Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) and Banta Dhamian deceased. From this point, the evidence of approvers!*> more or less corroborated and according to party was armed as follows.

Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur, a pistol and 2 bombs ; Waryam ~Singh of Dhugga, a pistol. Babu Santa Singh, a pistol, Battan

Singh (P.W. 11), a pistol anda bomb, Banta Singh (P.W. 26) a ~gun ; and the others had either chhavis, or swords. Babu

Santa

Singh

announced

that

it was

proposed

to

murder Labh Singh and his son-in-law, Kabul Singh, who was “then said to be with Labh Singh and they had brought about the

~arrest of Babar Kishan Singh Gargajj.

All seemed to be agreeable

and they proceeded in the direction of Dhadda Fatteh Singh. ‘The party then halted at a spot, about 350 or 550 yards from the village, where they left their surplus clothing and sheaths of the “swords. When passing through a thorn hedge it was discovered “that one member of the party was missing, namely Surain Singh {P.W.173). Ujagar Singh and Battan Singh went back in “search of him and found him on a Shisham

“left their clothes. Surain Singh, take part in the affair and was “Ujagar Singh and Battan Singh party, but owing to this defection

tree where they had

stated that he was afraid to told to return to his village. then rejoined the rest of the on the part of Surain

Singh,

the enterprise was abandoned!”°, -3.

Third attempt

on Dated

23rd

May,

1923.

As regards the 3rd attempt, the evidence of Battan Singh {P.W. 11) showed that a message was brought to him by Dalipa 125

Battan Singh Jhiwar (P.W. 11) Sadhu Singh (P.W. 15) Banta Singh (P.W.

26) and Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) “126

Evidence of Battan Singh (P.W. 11) Trail Case No. 2 of 1924 pp. 75-95. Evidence of Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) Trail Case No. 2 of 1924 pp. 252-277.

Account of Occurrences

(Accused

No.

76) from

15

Babu

Santa

Singh to the effect that

Babu Santa Singh required Sadha Singh (Accused No. 13), and Sadhu Singh (P.W. 15) at the kiln at Sham Churasi, further that Babu Santa Singh had sent a messenger to Dhadda Fatteh Singh to enquire and report at the kiln, whether Labh Singh was. in the village, and that one of these 3 or some other persons

should go to the kiln and keep the messenger there till the arrival, of others. used No.

Battan 15)

Singh,

accordingly

sent Udham Singh (Acc-

to the kiln and taking Kartar Singh

(Accused No.

9), Milkha Singh (Accused No. 12), Thakur Singh (Accused No. 16) and Harnam Singh (Accused No. 17) sent outfor the meeting place.

Sadhu Singh (P.W. Battan Singh to take his Chhavi

15) and

stated that he was told bywait for him at Sarobad!2? -

and here the approvers!*® and those with Battan Singh mentioned above, met and all went on to the kiln together. Here theyfound Udham

Singh

(Accused

No.

15)

of Pindori

Nijran

and

Shortly learnt from him that the messenger had not yet arrived. after Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51), Dalipa (Accused No. 76), Bakhshish Singh (Accused No. 86) Jathedar Karam Singh of Daultpur, Ude Singh of Ramgarh-Jhugian and Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur arrived at the spot. According to Sadhu Singh,. Santa Singh had a pistol, Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpurand Ude Singh of Ram Garh Jhugian a gun anda bomb each ; Dalipa (Accused No. 76) a pistol,

and Dhanna Singh of Baibal-

pur a gun. Objection was raised by Babu Santa Singh and’ Karam Singh of Daulatpur to Kartar Singh Nijjar (Accused No. 9)

Milkha Singh (Accused No. 12) Udham Singh (Accused No. 15) and Harnam Singh (Accused No. 17) taking part in the affair, on account of their youth and for this reason and as the

messenger

had not returned from Dhadda Fatteh Singh, the enterprise was again abandoned and the party broke up. The following Babar 427 128

Had-bast No. 46, arsa 104 Hactares, Police Station, Adampur. Sadhu

Singh (P,W. 15) of Pragpur and Dhanna

_ Bawa Dass.

Singh

(P.W. 29)

of

Kotli,

“aA 58

History of the Babar Akalis

_Akalis attempted thrice to murder Labh Singh of Dhadda Fatteh Singh?”9, The Babar Akalis who actively participated :— Battan Singh (P.W.11) Sadha Singh (Accused No. 13) Kartar Singh (Accused No. 18) Shiv Singh (Accused No. 19) Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) Dalipa (Accused No. 76) Dhanna “Singh of Baibalpur, Sadhu Singh (P.W. 15) Banta Singh (P.W. 26) Bela Singh (P.W.27) Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) Ujaggar Singh (Accused No. 4) Amar Singh (Accused No. 10) Duman Singh ‘(Accused No. 37) Waryam Singh of Dhugga, Banta Singh of Dhamian Sadhu Singh (P.W. 15) Kartar Singh (Accused No. 9) Milkha

Singh (Accused No. 12) Udham Singh (Accused No. 15) Thakar Singh (Accused No. 16) Harnam Singh (Accused No. 17) ’Bakhshish Singh (Accused No. 86) Jathedar Karam Singh of .Daulatpur, Ude Singh of Ramgarh-Jhungian.

The following gave evidence against Babar Akalis :—

Battan Singh (P.W. 11) an approver, Sadhu Singh (P.W. 15) an approver, Banta Singh (P.W. 26) an approver, Bela Singh (P.W. 27) an approver, Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) an approver.

°13.

Murder (GSES Labh

of

Mistry

Labh

Singh, known as Mistry

Singh

on

19th March,

was the son of Ralla Singh, a

“Sian Tarkhan (Ramgarhia) a resident of Mohalla Jaurian, Garhshankar. His mother’s name was Mrs. Partapi. He was married at Kukran. After getting discharge from the army, he got himself enlisted in Punjab Police C.1.D. and he came very active informer of the Police against the political!®° activists.

Battan Singh'*+, an approver, of village Pindori District Jalandhar, during his statements in the Sessions 129

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, pp. 76-97, 98-101, 558-561.

130

Authors’s personal

“131

Nijran Court,

inquiry.

Evidence of Battan Singh (P.W. 11) Trail Case No. 2 of 1924 pp. 76-96.

Account of Occurrences

“had

given

159

a brief account of the murderof Mistry

He stated

that

41) of village

Labh Singh.

on

the suggestion of Labh Singh (Accused No. Jassowal, Distt. Hoshiarpur, they went to the fair

at Dhansiwal’*? in the hope of finding Jathedar Karam Singh of ‘Daulatpur and Babar Ude Singh of Ramgarh-Jhugian, Accordingly, Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) Dalipa (Accused No. 76) of Dhamian Kalan and Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur proceeded to the fair, having with them the duplicator. At the fair, Dhanna Singh pointed out, Labh Singh Mistry to Battan Singh ; who described him as a Jfro/i-Chuck and suggested his murder.

Battan

Singh,

however,

recognised

Labh

Singh,

as

After the Me/a, Labh Singh Mistry walked in the direction

of

‘having been in his Regiment.

Pursuit

of Labh Singh

“Bera’*? Kukran,134 accompained by a lad Chuhar Singh, the nephew of Mistry’s wife (P.W. 178) holding his hand.13° Another man was walking ahead of them. When he reacheda low lying place, near a grove of mango trees and where some cactus was growing, Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur going up behind Labh Singh moved the boy to one side and fired at Labh Singh, who fell and Dhanna Singh again fired at him. Dhanna Singh then went in pursuit of the man, walking ahead of the -deceased. This man prayed to be spared saying that he was not a Jholi-Chuck and so Dhanna Singh left him.®® Labh ‘Singh was not quite dead and accordingly Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) fired a shot at his head, but the shot miss-

“fired. with

Battan Singh (P.W. 11) then struck a blow on his stomach his sword.

On

his return

from

the

pursuit

132

Had-bast No. 276, area 88 Hactares, Tahsil Garshankar.

133

Had-bast

No. 274, area 208 Hactares, Tahsil Garshankar.

134

Had-bast

No. 279. area 393 Hactares, Tahsil Garhshankar.

°135

He was not affirmed as the boy was too young Trial Case

of the man

No.

2 of

1924

p. 465. 436

He was Havildar, Diwan Singh son

of

179) Trail Case No. 2 of 1924 p. 466.

Dasondhi

of

village

Kukran

(P.W.

160

History of the Babar Akalis=

walking ahead, Dhanna Singh, fired another shot at the head of Labh Singh who then expired. They then took fight in easterly: direction and eventually reached Jassowal?®’. Constable Asa

Ram’s statement

Asa Ram (P.W. 60), a constable, occurrence,

some

he

was

conversation

on

with

duty

stated that on the

at the fair at Dhansiwal

Labh

Singh,

about

the

day of and had:

return

of a

tumbler and a Gadv/ by one Hari Singh of Iran. When returning: to the Thana on the conclusion of the fair, he was met byDhanna Singh, Lambardar of Dhudhial, who informed him that a.

man had been wounded within the boundry of was lying on the foot-path in a dying condition. after calling the Lambardars and Chaukidars of taking a light with him, went to the spot, where Singh, lying. He was bleeding profusely from

this village and The constable, Dhansiwal and’ he found Labh wounds on the: left side of the chest. The constable tried to revive Labh Singh and sent information to the Thana. Labh Singh cied at about

11 o'clock that night and Sher

Muhammad?*®

(P.W. 182), Head’

Constable, reached the spot in the morning, after Labh Singh had’ expired. Asa Ram also stated that he saw Diwan Singh (P.W. 179) at the fair and went in charge of the body of the deceased’ to Hoshiarpur, where it was taken for the post-mortem examination?®9, First Information

Report

Uttam

181)

Singh

(P.W.

Lambardar

of Dhudhial?#°,

on:

learning of the murder went to the spot and subsequently to the 137

Once, High Court of the Babars, where important decisions were taken. A village of Purewal Jats, in the Mahalpur Police Station, District Hoshiarpur.

Had-bast

No. 284, area 138 Hactares.

138

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924

139

Evidence of (P.W. 60) Asa Ram Constable No. 153 District Police Hoshiar--

p. 470.

pur Trail Case No. 2 of 1924 p. 311.

140

Had-bast No. 278, area 216 Hactares, Tahsil Garshankar. of 1924, p. 460.

Trial Case No. 2=

Account of Occurrences

Thana,

where

he

161

made

the

report.

Sher

Muhammad.

Head

constable, recorded the report, and in consequence of absence of the Sub-inspector, proceeded to the spot, which reached at 3:00 A.M. He prepared the Inquest Report and Statement of injuries and sent the body to Hoshiarpur for

the he the

the post-mortem examination in the charge of Asa Ram, constable. Statement

Mrs.

of Partapi

Partapi (P.W. 183)!“1 the widow of Labh

Singh, stated

that her husband left home intending to see the fair at Dhansiwal but did not return at night and next morning, she was _ informed that he had been murdered. She went to the spot and found his body lying on the path, between Dhansiwal and Dhudial, villages.

Investigation Muhammad Abdulla!” (P.W. 184) Sub-inspector, reached the spot on the 21st March, 1923 and took over the investigation. At

the spot, where the body of Labh Singh had been discovered, he found the bullet and prepared the usual fard. During the investigation, this witness learnt that the motive for the murder, was due to Labh Singh, being suspected of supplying information against the Babar Akalis.

The name of Labh Singh appeared at entry Serial No. 94, in the black list, in the last column of Babar Akali Doaba, dated 19th March, 1923, was shown as the date of his reformation. Labh Singh, was referred to as the carpenter of Garhshankar, who used to write diaries, against the Babar Akalis. The following were implicated in this case :—

Battan Singh (P.W. 11) Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) Dalipa (Accused No. 76) of Dhamian Kalan. 141 142

Evidence of Mrs. Partapi, Trial Case No. of 1924, p. 471. Evidence of Muhammad

De 4/2-

Abdulla, Sub-inspector,

Trial Case No. 2 of 1924,

History of the Babar Akalis

162

The following gave evidence against the Babar Akalis :— Battan Singh (P.W. 11), Asa Ram constable No. 153 (P.W. 60) Chuhar Singh (P.W. 178), son of Basant Singh village, Kukaran, brother's son of Mistry Lab Singh’s wife Diwan Singh (P.W. 179), Partap Singh (P.W.180), Uttam Singh'** (P.W. 181) Mrs. Partapi (P.W. 183). Fatteh Singh'*4 (P.W. 185), Harbans Singh##® (P.W. 186), Labh Singh (P.W. 187).

14.

Reformation of Hazara Singh Baibalour, on 27th March, 1923.

Lambardar

of

Baibalpur is an important village, inhabited by the Nagra Jats46. It is situated, one mileto the east from Kot Fatui, once, the Chief Court of the Babar Akalis, in the Tahsil of Garhshanka’,

Hoshiarpur

District.

Babar Dhanna Singh of this village, was a

valiant, fearless and undaunted patriot, who, laid his life at the altar of Indian freedom, at the village of Mananhana, killing eight Indian Police Officers and three others on 25th December, 1923. This Hazara Singh, son of Nihal Singh of his village was a toady, selfish and a greedy man, who was, after earning some rewards from the then Government. Hazara Singh was an uncle of Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur, and was giving day to day information about the activities of the Babar Akalis, who had warned him many a time, but he did not desist, which ultimately caused his death. Mala Singh and Ladha Singh of Baibalpur had played an important role, in bringing about the arrestof Babar Dhanna 143

Son of Dasondhi Jat-Sikh

of resident of village

Kukaran.

He was a Havil-

dar in 2/30th Punjabis. 144

Son of Ishar Singh Tarkhan

(Carpenter)

resident

of

Garhshankar, Mistry

Labh_Singhwas his cousin. 145

Son of Fateh Singh Ahluwalia, Patwari

of village

Dhudial, situated, one

mile from Dhansiwal.

146

One of the Principal clans of the Chima

Jats,

found chiefly

Tahsil of Sialkot (Where they are Muslim Jats) Delhi, via Jalandhar.

Nagara was their eponym

said to be Madders (Glossary Vol. Ill. P. 159)

in the Pasrur

wither they migrated and

their

Brahmans

from are

Account of Occurrences

163

“Singh, with the connivance of Jawala Singh of Jian ~ Singh of Mananhana, on 28th October, 1923.

and Karam

An Official Account

In this case, there ~of

the Babar

(P.W.

~Singh

was no direct evidence of the complicity

Akalis,

9),

who had Battan Singh

been implicated. Sant Kartar (P.W. 11) of village Pindori-

Nijran and Mahant Mit Singh**? (P.W.21) stated that Babu Santa ~Singh (Accused No. 51) told them that he, Dalipa (Accused No. 76) of Dhamian Kalan, Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatour, Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur and Babar Ude Singh of Ramgarh Jhugian had committed this murder, Babu Santa Singh and Dalipa, taking a less active part. Ram Singh (P.W. 13) stated, ~ that he was told by Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, who did “not mention the names of Babu Santa Singh and Dalipa, that Hazara Singh was on the “Black List’’ of the Babar Akalis. After this murder, notice for his reformation was issued in the “Babar

Akali

Doaba,

a newspaper,

published

by the

Babar

_Akalis. “Reward

:— The (Today) Hazara Singh of Baibalpur was given a Reward of Three Squares of Land (Three Bullets) on the 27th March, 1923”.

Statement of Nephews

of Hazara Singh

According to them this murder was committed in the Chanan Singh (P.W. 193) and Dhanna Singh?48 “morning. 195), the nephews of the deceased stated that their “roused them up in the morning and told them to go and “$odder from the fields. These three had been sleeping 447

Babar Akalis used to take food The Kishanpur near Kala Bakra.

and

took

Mahant

refuge in the Gurdawara of used to accommodate them, but

the Mahant had to give way to become an approver, and inhuman torture given to him, by the Police.

“448 .Their evidences,

early (P.W. uncle, bring in the

Trial Case No. 2 of 1924, pp. 484-485.

due to

the extreme

History of the Babar Akalis:

164

Hazara Singh». open spéece in front of their cattle-shed Have//. ding towards. procee having given some fodder to the cattle, was On, his house, when three Baber Akalis came towards him. theinto and Haveli the into seeing them, Hazara Singh ran back adjoining Have/i of Narain Singh, pursued by the three men. ‘ One of these men, was carrying a gun and that they then heard the sound of a shot and their uncle, calling out Dhanna Singh, “Because you kept me out of my = ‘why are you killing me‘’.’

village for more

They then

than a year said, Dhanna Singh.”

on which they ran

heard two or three more shots fired,

the fields and hid themselves.

On returning

out into

later at about~

sunrise and accompained by their father, Darbara Singht®® (P.W. 198), they went to the spot and found the body of Hazara Singh, Singh,.. lying in front of the Have/i of Narain Singh and Hukam under a pipal tree.

Darbara Singh, Lambardar, brother of Hazara Singh was told: by his wife that she had heard some shots being fired. Witness. then went to the cattle enclosure, but did not find either Hazara. Singh or his two sons there. While looking for them, he came. across the dead body of Hazara Singh, lying under the pipa/’ tree. Near the corpse, a bundle was lying, which was opened by the Sub-inspector?® on his arrival which contained a kachhera, a turban, a loaded cartridge, anda country made bomb. He further stated that Dhanna Singh was an absconder and had

joined the Babar Akali Jatha.

He and other were making efforts

to arrest Dhanna Singh, who used to threaten them. ness also stated that a day before the murder, when 149

The author was told that the murder. because Babar Dhanna

people

of

This witreturning

the village, were happy over this

Singh was considered to be the saviour of

the poor and a patriot.

150

151

Darbara Singh (P.W. 198) son of Nihal Singh of Village Baibalpur was the elder brother of Hazara Singh the deceased. Hazara Singh was made the Sarbarah (acting Lambardar), due to his old age His evidence, Tria} Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 489. | Dasoncha

Singh, Sub-inspector (P.W. 204) His evidence,

of 1924, p. 495.

Trial Case No.

2>

+

«Account of Occurrences

165

“home from the fields, he met an Aka/i Sikh of a short statured 12, ~going in the direction of Dhanna Singh’s house.

Investigation

Waryam Singh’? (P.W. 202), accompained the corpse to “Hoshiarpur and identified it before the Civil Surgeon. Ram Lal “(P.W. 203) of Baibalpur, a teacher at Mahalpur, prepared the When the First Information Report was recor“plan of the spot. “ded, Dasondha Singh (P.W. 204) Sub-inspector, was absend “from the Thana and on receiving information of the murder, he “went to the spot, which he reached at about 3:00 or 4:00 P.M., on “the 27th March, 1923. He found the dead body of Hazara Singh ‘lying, under the ‘p/pa/ tree’ in front of the Bara of Hukam Singh “and prepared the Inquest Report. He then sent the dead body ‘to Hoshiarpur in the charge of Basant Singh Constable. The following Babar Akalis were implicated in this case :— Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51), Babar Dalipa (Accused “No. 76) of Dhamian Kalan. Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, “Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur. Babar Ude Singh of Ramgarh -Jhugian. The following gave evidence against the Babar Akalis :—

Chanan Singh (P.W. 193) son of Darbara Singh, Dhanna “Singh (P.W. 194) son of Darbara Singh, cousins of Hazara Singh Sahib Singh (P.W. 195) son of Sohana of Baibalpur, Hukam “Singh (P.W. 196) son of Sunder of Baibalpur, Harnam Singh .(P.W. 197) son of Kanahaya Singh of Baibalpur, Darbara Singh (P.W. 198) elder brother of Hazara Singh, Ganga Singh (P.W. 199) son of Dhera Singh of Baibalpur.

152

He meant Babu Sania Singh

(Accused No. 51) of villaga

Haryon

Khurd,

Kalan,

District

Distt. Ludhiana. @153

Waryam

Singh

son

of

Ram

Singh

Sahota

of

Barrian

Hoshiarpur was the brother of Mrs, Raj Kaur, wife of Darbara Singh.

166

15.

History of the Babar Akalis=

Murder of Subedar 1923 Subedar

Gainda Singh,

Gainda

17th

Singh on

son of Ram Ditta,

April, .

a Pawar Rajput, .

belonged to village Ghurial,1°* two miles to the south east from. Ghurial is Kathar, known as Shamchaurasi Railway Station. ial. Maharaja ables=Ghur Horses--st from Ghor--shall, meaning, Sohansar

Bahoo

of Ajram,}°®

about

one and a half miles from

here, had his stables of horses at this place, where the Bhati : Rajputs of this village had, settled, coming from some distant place. The Pawar Rajputs, came from Rahon?!®® area, who were invited by the Bhati Rajputs, to settle here. The author was. told that one Bir Singh Pawar was the head of the Pawar Rajputs, .

who had shifted from Rahon, about 230 years ago. Gainda Singh Pawar, was a retired Subedar pensioner. Hewas the President of the village Aman Sabha, the peace council, but infact he was the regular diarist to report against the Congress and Babar Akali workers. He had a licenced gun which he used to keep with him every time. He was very~

arrogant, selfish, quarrelsome and abusive. On his instance, a. Police-post!*’ was established in the village. The villagers were -

forced to attend to the Begar (a forced labour to the Policemen). All the expenses of the Police establishment, posted here, were borne by the villagers. Thus the whole of the village was in the clutches of Subedar’s tyranny. He was publicly boasting “Babar Akalis were murdering the armless people, let them face me”. The people had nicknamed

him, the ‘Ravana’.

154

Had-bast

155

Had-bast No. 240, area 1118 Hactares, population, 2813 (1980). This is. a very ancient town. The coins of Indo-Seythian Kings, Greek and Bactrian The author has a rare collection, which. Kings are abundantly found here.

156

No. 60, area 247 Hactares, Tahsil and Distt. Jalandhar.

he collected from the cite of this ancicent mound. The author is told by some people of the village, that once the area of this... ancient city was spread up to Bajwara on one side, the other to Rahon, while the other to Nanda Chaur.

Ajram was

the

capital

of

Kings. 157

The police post was mainly for the protection of the toadies.

the

ancienty-

Account of Occurrences

167

Pandit Ram Rattan of the same village, was very near to him. It was he, infact, who brought the Subedar in conflict with the Babar Akalis. He was playing double role firstly to back up the Subedar and secondly to show sympathies with the Babar Akalis against the Subedar. He was a sycophant and was on the hit list of the Babar Akalis. Under the circumstances, it became imperative for the Babar Akalis to Reform (murder) the Subedar. Nand Singh, son of Sardar Ganga Singh Bharaj, a young Akali, of the Ramgarhia_ family, could not tolerate the unbecoming behaviour of the Subedar who was daily humiliating the villagers. Nand Singh tried to bring him round, but to no purpose. So seeing no way to get rid of the most wretched and miserable life, he thought it better to risk his life for an honourable living. Choo Kar Az Hama helte dar gazasht Halal ast burden beh shamsher dast.*8

Under

Singh

the

leadership

of Babar

Nand Singh

Bharaj

Anup

of Manko (P.W. 17), Battan Singh (P.W. 11) of Pindori

Nijran, Karam Singh of Haripur and Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51), Subedar Gainda Singh was Reformed (murdered) on 17th April, 1923. From 18th April to 7th May, it was the harassing period for the one

British Cavalry and the

command

of

the

Ghurial Platoon

people, as one contingent of of the Mounted Police, under

Superintendent

of Police,

Jalandhar had

cordoned the village. All the villagers were made to sit for the whole day and night for interrogation, but the people were so terrified by the Babar Akalis that none of them gave any clue of the killers. It was the harvesting season. The wheat crops were almost spoiled due to not to be reaped intime. The unfortunate villegers were beaten and put to all sorts of hard-

ships. 158

Pandit Ram Rattan (P.W. 409) had left the village, under

When

ell other means have failed.

(Guru Gobind Singh).

It is but righteous

to take

the

sword,

168

History of the Babar Akalis

mysterious circumstances. Babar Nand Singh Bharaj, was pained to watch the untold sufferings of his own people.,He went to the village Gurdawara, prayed and after Ardasa, appeared before the Commander of the interrogation camp, saying, ‘| have murdered this Jho/i-Chuck, leave all these innocent people. 1 will face the consequences”. “What is the proof’ ? asked the Commander. “There is one fired cartridge, with full loaded revolver, lying, hidden, in one of the corners of the roof of my house”, replied the brave Babar, most confidently. His house was searched and the revolver was found, with one empty cartridge, kept near it. A man from Ghurial, who narrated this account, remorsefully. He further stated that Nand Singh was then handcuffed, taken away, under avery heavy armed guard but never to visit his sweet village agains’’.1°° Nand

Singh

Bharaj

kissed

the gallows,

alongwith his five

more comrade Bebars, on 27th February, 1926, He is survived by

his three sons, Sohan Singh, Harbans Singh and Gurbakssh Singh. He had no daughter. His wife Sardarni Ishwar Kaur felt pronnd to see her husband dying a mortyr’s death. All people of this village feel proud for his supreme sacrifice for a noble cause. Account

of the Murder

From the summary of the evidence of Battan Singh (P.W. 11) of Pindori Nijran, an approver, the murder of Subedar Gainda Singh was planned at the Kutia of Sant Thakur Singh, at Rajowal Nand Singh Bharaj Ramgarhia (Accused No. 22) arrived at the Kutia during the night, bringing with him his pistol. Nand Singh suggested the murder of Subedar Gainda Singh and asked Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) and Battan Singh for some cartridges. They got his pistol from Nand Singh, who was told to inform them in the morning, where

Gainda Singh was likely to be found.1°° 159

The author visited the village on May 6,

1985

Kashmira Singh Bhatti, Subedar Karam Singh contemporary persons,

160

about some facts.

Trial Case No. 2 of 1924 pp. 93-94.

and

Pawar

inquired

from

Major

and from some

more

«#ccount of Occurrences

169

Search for the Subedar It the morning, Nand Singh returned to say that the Subedar engaged in having his wheat cut near his village. He pressed for the immediate murder but Battan Singh (P.W. 11) -and Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) were not prepared to

“was

Carry this out, in the day, on account of the risk. Babar Nand ‘ Singh was, therefore, directed to inform them in the evening as ~ to the likely whereabouts of the Subedar.

In the evening, Babar Nand Singh informed them that the - Subedar had taken his cattle for grazing towards Daroli village2®

They then went to Manko!®? - about the proposed murder. Singh, Anup Singh induced _ join the affair. Karam Singh Nand Singh and others at ’ villages.

and met Anup Singh and told him On the suggestion of Babu Santa Karam Singh (Accused No. 20)!* to was sent to Ghurial to bring Babar a spot midway between the two

Gun goes off Accidentally Anup Singh, Battan Singh and Babar Santa Singh, taking with them the guns, left with Anup Singh, set out for the spot and there met Babar Nand Singh and Karam Singh. The former “informed them that the Subedar was seated outside his house. - The four proceeded there, but found

that

the Subedar had gone

inside and that the opportunity was not a favourable one. When returning, the gun of Babar Nand Singh, accidentally went off -and they feared, that in consequence, the following night may not be favourable for carrying out their plan, as the sound of the gun might have put the villagers on the alert. Babar Nand Singh 161

This is historic village of Minhas village to the south.

Rajputs,

hardly half a mile from Ghurial

Had-bast No. 65(1) area 1170

Hactares,

Population

3756 (1980). 162

A village of Dhillon Jats, about half a mile to the West, from Ghurial. Anup Singh

four 1923.

(P.W. 17), the traitor, belonged to this village

Babars

died

fighting

an

on whose

treachery

encounter at Babeli, on Ist September,

Ina revenge, he was killed alongwith

1936 by the Babar Aka//.

~463

in

his

only infant son in July,

Had-bast no. 61, area 364 Hactares,

Karam Singh belonged to village Haripur.

He was married at Manko.

170

History of the Babar Akalis~

however, explained that Sh/karis shooting, in the neighbourhood, and would not create any alarm. Murder

(hunters) were constantly~ that the sound of the shot

Planned

arranged

It was then

that Babar Nand Singh

should inform .

them next day at the Kutia of Sant Thakar Singh (Accused No. 39), whether any alarm had been caused in the village and if not then Subedar Gainda Singh should be murdered the following

night.

Babar

Nand

then

Singh,

returned to his village, Karam

Singh and Anup Singh to Manko. Anup Singh told Karam Singh to be present at the same spot, the following evening, with two. guns. All the four met that night, at the same spot and armed with the weapons, proceeded towards the Subedar’s house. Their weapons were loaded and Babar Nand Singh was told that as the others did now know the Subedar, he should fire at him first. Victim

Found They found the Subedar,

sitting in front of his house,

with

5 or 6 other persons, Babar Nand Singh went up to him, levelled his gun and tried to fire, but failed to ds so. The Subedar seized | the barrel with both hands and pushing it up, a struggle ensued between him and Babar Nand Singh. Anup Singh used his gun like a stick, because he wanted to save Babar Nand Singh, who .

was falling in the way. While the Singh were still grappling with each Subedar and placing his pistol against Singh fired. The Subedar then fell. the Subedar with his Kirpan. Then times at him from his revolver.?%4 Confidence

of the Babars

After the murder, 164

Subedar and Babar Nand other, he went upto the his stomach. Babar Nand Karam Singh had struck Battan Singh fired 4 or 5

the

party

retreated

down

the

lane and

Evidence of Anup Singh (P.W. 17) Trial Case No. 2 of 1924, p.p. 145-147. Evidence of Battan (P.W. 11) Trial Case No. 2 of 1924, p.p. 76-97. Evidence of Pandit Ram Rattan (P.W. 409) {Trial-Case No.2 of 1924. _ fale Wkehs}c

Account of Occurrences

171"

announced that they were Jathedar

Karam Singh of

Daulatpur,..

Singh of Baibalpur and Babar Ude Singh of Babar Dhanna Ramgarh Jhugian and that they had killed the Subedar. When

leaving the village they fired 2 or 3 shots to freighten the people

and Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) threatened, Pandit Ram he would also be

that

Rattan of the village shortly.

Reformed (Sudhar) .

Devil of the Drama

Ram

Rattan

(P.W.

409) 50 years, son of Pandit Radha» infact, was an lago of this drama.'®

Kishan of village Ghurial, On

account

suffered.

of

his

dubious

He stated before

role,

the

whole village,

the Sessions

Judge

greatly

‘‘Gainda Singh

was the President and he was treasurer of the Aman Sabha*® of Ghurial. This Sabha had been formed for the purpose of counteracting the influence of the Babar Aka/is and supplying information to Government

about

them.

On

that

evening,

the

1/th

April, 1923, while at his Baithak, talking with Babar Nand Singh, who was in his Bara (cattle-shed), opposite the witness, he saw aman coming along the lane from the direction of the Subedar's house and going out of the village’. “Il got onthe roof of my

house, being afraid and saw 4 or 5 men going out of the village and heard them saying that on the next occasion, they would “reform’’ (murder) Ram Rattan Brahmin’. He also heard these men call out, that the murder had been committed by BabarDhanna Singh of Baibalpur, Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur

and Babar Ude Singh of Ramgarh Jhugian. A little later, witness . heard the sound of three more shots. 165

The author was told that Ram British Government,

166

Rattan

was

handsomely

Inthe name under ‘‘Aman Sabha"’ a committee was the Police, who were paid by the C.!.D. Punjab. Ram

Rattan, that a

rewarded

by way of cash and offering Government

Police

Chauki

great inconvenience of the villagers. Trial Case No. 2 of 1924,

p. 738.

Evidence

the -

formed by the touts of It was

was established

by

Service.

in

at the instance of the

viflage

to

the

of Ram Rattan (P.W. 409)»

=

2

History of the Babar Akalis The Post-mortem

performed by K.S. was examination The post-mortem ‘Muhammed Sharif, Civil Surgeon of Jalandhar (P.W. 4), on the He found three incised wounds on the head, “19th April, 1923. “One on the back, a contusion on the top of the skull and 4 The left pleura was perforated under one of ‘puncture wounds. these. A bullet was found in this wound. The Peritoneum had - an opening, four inches to the right of the middle line and in the fat, under it, another bullet was found. Two of the punctured

"wounds were the result of one “gun ora revolver.

The

third

shot and

from a firearm, fourth,

such as a

in which

the bullets

“were found, were caused bya sharp weapon such as a sword. Death was the result of the bullet wound piercing the internal “organs and causing excessive loss of blood.?*

The following were implicated in this case :— Battan

Singh

(P.W.11)

of

Pindori

Nijran,

Anup

Singh

“(P.W. 17) of Manko, Karam Singh (Accused No. 20) of Haripur, Nand Singh (Accused No. 22) of Ghurial and Baba Santa Singh «(Accused No. 51) of Haryon Khurd. The following gave evidence against the Babar Akalis :— Battan Singh (P.W. 11) son of Harnam Singh of Pindori Nijran, Anup Singh (P.W. 17) son of Inder Singh Dhillon, Dulla

(P.W. 403) son of Sobana Chamar of Ghurial, Hari Dass (P.W. ~ 404), Chela of Jawahir Dass Udasi of Ghurial, Tara Singh (P.W. 405) son of Jai Dyal Rajput of Ghurial, Radha (P.W. 407) son of Kirpa Rajput of Ghurial, Sunder Singh (P.W. 408)

son of Haru

‘Rajput of Ghurial, Kartar Singh Pawar was awarded 2 squares of ‘fand, Ram Rattan Brahmin (P.W. 409) son of Radha Kishan of

Ghurial, Nand Singh (P.W. 410) son of Ram Singh Rajput of “Ghurial, Lachhman Singh (P.W. 411) son of Hazara Singh Rajput “of Ghurial, Battan Singh (P.W. 412) son of Kahna Rajput of ™Ghurial, Jagat Singh (P.W. 413) son of Banna

“167

Trial Case No. 2 of 1924 pp. 30-31.

Singh

Rajput

of

Account of Occurrences

iW

Ghurial, Attar Singh (P.W.414) son of Hari Singh Rajput of Ghurial,..

Nazam Din (P.W 415) Munsha Singh (P.W. 417)

son

of Ram

(P.W. 418)

son

of Hira

Chand

Singh

(P.W. 416),

Jat of Ghurial,

Gainda Singh . Chhaja Singh

of Ghurial, Bhola Singh .

Rajput

(P.W. 419) Sadhu Singh (P.W. 420) son of Harnam Singh Rajput of Ghurial, Mrs. Dharam Kaur (P.W. 421) widow of ° Arjan Singh Jat of Rajowal, Kundan Singh (P.W. 422) son of Gurmukh Singh Chhimba of Manko, Bhagat Singh (P.W. 424) son of Kundan Singh Chhimba (Tendered), Harcharan Singh.

(P.W. 425)

Sub-inspector

of Adampur

Thana,

Mangal

Singh

of Ghurial, was awarded one square of Iand.1®

16.

Reformation Pindori Nijran

of Lambardars inApril, 1923

and

Chaukidars

of

Pindori-Nijran,®° is a big village, at about two miles to the. from Adampur, District Jalandhar. The village is. owned by the Nijjar Jats. Here was a big base of the Babar North-east

Akalis, with a perfect unity among

the people.

the members of the Babar Akali Jatha They

were

very

hospitable.

All of them were

except a few renegades.

The village

was frequented by all

the Chakarvarty (absconders) Babars wanted by the Government. Fourteen men from this village, alone were, involved in thevarious

cases.

Buta

Singh

(Accused

No.

55)

son

of Thakar

Singh and Kartar Singh (Accused No. 9) son of Deva Singh. were sentenced to. transportation for life. Sadha Singh (Accused No. 13) son of Narain Singh and Thakur Singh expired during the (Accused No. 16) son of Mian Singh trial in the Central Jail, Lahore. Mehnga Singh (Accused No. 69) son of Dharam Singh and Bakhshish Singh (Accused No. 86) son of Prem Singh each, were sentenced to 5 years rigorous

imprisonment each. Two Lambardars,

Harnam Singh (P.W. 93) son of Wadhawa

Singh Nijjar and Bhagwan Singh (P.W. 92) son of Achhar Singh ee

ee Case No. 2 of 1924 pp. 99-101.

168

Judgement, Trial

169

Had-bast No. 38, area-214 Hactares. P.S. Adampur.

History of the Babar Akalis

N74

Nijjar and Barwala

two

and

Chaukidars Jiwan

Maulu

(P.W. 94)

son

(P.W. 95), son

of Mahtab

of Buta Barwala were the

touts of Police. They regularly reported the Police, about the activities and movements of the Babar Aka/is and other political On 13th September, 1922, Udham Singh (Accused activities. No. 15) son of Ralla Singh Nijjar wrote four notices, which were pasted by him on the doors of the houses of four of them. Therein, they were warned that if they did not desist from sending

diaries

against

the

Babar Akalis,

their noses

and ears

will be chopped off. Early next morning, all the four met the Deputy Superintendent of Police of Jalandhar, with those posters, who immediately got issued licences of revolvers for their self protection. A regular Police Chauki was sent in the village for the protection of the Lambardar and Chaukidars at the cost of the villager, only for the safety of these sycophants. On the night of April 3, 1923, the following Babars assembled in the copse, near the village, to plan out the Reformation. Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur, Babar Ude Singh of Ramgarh Jhugian, Babu Santa Singh, Sadha Singh, Bakhshish Singh, ‘Kartar Singh and Udham Singh of Pindori Nijran had assembled for the purpose, but in the meantime, Nabu Shah, Fagirof Pindori Nijran passed by that way, coughing. The Babars apprehending

some foul play abandoned the attempt.!”° After 17 days, the Babars again assembled outside the village to punish the toadies. Among them were: Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Babar Ude Zingh of Ramgarh170 Trial Case No. 2 of 1924. pp. 358-367. Evidence of Lambardar Achhar Singh of

Pindori-Nijran vide pp. 353-355.

was quite

cleverest

who

described

the activities in detail, thus envolved all the Babar Akalis, whose names have been mentioned above. The author ascertained some facts from Babar Kartar Singh (Accused No. 9) Babar Hukam Singh and Battan Singh (P.W.11). They told that the village Pindori Nijran remained under the strict vigilence of the British Government for more than 25 years or till

the achievement of Independence.

~Aeccount of Occurrences

T#5

Jhugian.

Babar Bishan Singh of Mangat, Babar Bhan Singh of Mangat, Babar Amar Singh and Anup Singh (P.W. 17) of Manko,

Babar Chanchal Singh of Sangatpur, Babar Dharam Singh and ~Babar Mula Singh of Palahi, Babar Dalip Singh of Mangat, Surjan Singh and Chanda Singh of Domeli, Kartar Singh, Sadha Singh, Udham Singh, Mehnga Singh and Bakhshish Singh of Pindori Nijran. They were just on the March, when the Police arrived and thus they had to disperse.17!

Both the Lambardars and Chaukidars were very much terrified by the Babars. They could not have a sound sleep during nights and thus under these trying circumstances, they surren‘dered before them and promised to mend their ways. Thus they were forgiven. But for their services, both the Lambardars were rewarded each one square of land in the Bar and a Jagir of Rs. 500/- each annually, Chaukidars received cash awards. The following were implicated in this case :—

Anup Singh (P.W. 17) of Manko‘’ Chanda Singh (P.W.23) of Domeli, Kartar Singh (Accused No. 9) Sadha Singh (Accused No. 13), Udham Singh (Accused No. 15), Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51). Mehnga Singh (Accused No. 69) Surjan Singh (Accused No. 70) of Domeli, Mula Singh (Accused No. 71) Dalip Singh (Accused No. 72) Dharm Singh (Accused No. 73) of Palahi. Chanchal Singh (Accused No. 74) of Sangatpur, Bhan Singh (Accused No. 75) of Mangat, Bakhshish Singh (Accused No. 86), Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Babar Dhanna

Singh of Baibalpur, Babar Ude Singh of Ramgarh Bishan Singh of Mangat and Amar Singh of Manko.

Jhugian,

Those who gave evidence against the Babar Akalis—Tufail (P.W. 14), Anup Singh (P.W. 17), Chanda Singh

Muhammad

(P.W. 23), Bhagwan Singh (P.W. 92), Harnam Singh (P,W. 93), LLabh Singh (P.W. 99), Harnam Singh (P.W. 100). A471

Judgement, Trial Case No. 2 of 1924

pp. 99-102.

History of the Babar Akalis-

176

17.

Kaulgarh on 20th-

Murders of Ralla and Dittu of 1923

21st May,

Ralla and Dittu sons of Bani Lambardar, were the real brothers, of village Kaulgarh,17? about 7 miles to the north of Balacnaur, in the Hoshiarpur District. They were the Jats of Ghangas!”? sub-caste. These two brothers had turned bitterly hostile against the Babars. Theirsons, Devi Chand (P.W. 224) and Narain Chand (P.W. 225)

had

admitted

this

fact in their evidences

before the Sessions

Court. These two brothers were very thick with each other and’ they were ‘the informers of the C.1.D. and the Police.174_ Theyhad acquired cheap popularity, with the District-administration by supplying all up-to-date information about the political

activities of their area. Sometimes, with the help of Police, theyhad involved the innocent people in false cases. The Babar Akalis warned them,

but

they publicly boasted

that they

could

not be harmed by any body in any way. Hence their Reformation was must, according to the code of the Babar Akalis. Account

In the

of Murders

summary of the evidence

of Anup Singh (P.W. 17):

and Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29)175, Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulat-

pur, was the Dohatra (sister son) of this village. He had personally: requested both the brothers to desist from the toutship of thePolice, against Babars, but instead they reported to the Police that he threatened them. Then he proposed, the murder of Ralla and Dittu of Kaulgarh and that their property be looted. He-

drew 172

173

a plan of the house of Ralla and

Dittu on

the ground and

Had-bast No. 218, Area 165 Hactares, Tahsil Balachaur.

Ghangas is a Jat clan agricultural, found in Amritsar and Karnal. also found

in Jind Tahsil:

that its eponym

once

(sladge-hammer) (ghisana)

it.

Folk-etymoloty

asked

which

he

a

smith

was

told

its name

for

an

but got instead a ghan

to

shape

axe,

into

an

from the tale

axe by rubbling

(Glessary Vol. IL, P, 283).

174

Judgement,

175

Evidences of Anup

They are

derivers

Trial Case Ne. 2 of 1924, pp. 103-105.

Singh (P.W. 17) and Dhana Singh (P.W. 29)

Account of Occurrences

U7

explained their situation to the other Babars.

This part of 9 :—Anup Singh (P.W.17) of Manko, Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) of Kotli Bawa Das, Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51), Dalipa (Accused No. 76) of Dhamian Kalan, Jethedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur, Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan, Bishan Singh of Mangat and Ude Singh of Ramgarh-Jhugian, led by Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur proceeded towards their house and joined each other,

little away from

the village.

They

were

armed

as

follows :— Jathedar Karam Singh

with a gun,

Singh

of Daulatour with a gun, Ude Singh Singh of Baibalpur with a gun, Babu Santa

Dhanna

with a 6 chambered revolver, Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) 5 chambered revolver and a Chhavi, Dalipa (Accused

the

with

No. 76),

6 chambered

revolver,

7 chambered revolver,

of Dhamian

Kalan,

Bishan Singh of Mangat, a Chhavi,

Anup

Banta

Singh

Singh (P.W. 17), a gun. Victims

before the Babars

In the verandah they found some men smoking hukka together, including, Rallaand Dittu Lambardars, and the remaining

persons were in the inner room of the

house.

Ralla

was

taken

towards his house and told that he had to pay a fine of Rs. 200/-. The

boxes

in his

house

were

then

broken open

and clothes,

ornaments and cash removed. Dittu then, was taken out of the inner room and treated in the same way. Meanwhile Anup Singh

and

Babu

Santa

Singh

(Accused

relating to Jhol/i-Chucks. Babar Akalis

Akali

\eaflet.

brought

verandah,

them

Jathedar

These

After out

lines

51) recited were those

ran-sacking into the

Karam Singh

shot Ralla and Dittu and them with his Chhavi.

No.

space

of Daulatpur,

Banta Singh

contained in

their house,

open

some lines the Babar

in front of the and Ude Singh,

of Dhamian Kalan, struck

178

History of the Babar Akalis Announcement

A notice was then fixed up in the house, giving the names of 7 men, who had committed these murders. The Babar Akalis then left taking with them the property they had lootted. Babar Dhanna Singh, also

stated

that

as they were passing

alone the

lane, Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur and Babar Dhanna Singh

of Baibalpur had some sitting in a Basthak.

First Information

conversation with three or four persons,

Report

Report of these two murders and the dacoity was made by Narain Chand!7® (P.W. 225) son of Ralla, at 8.00 A.M. on the 21st May, 1923, at

Thana Balachaur

in the Hoshiarpur District.

The reporter stated

that after

his

go out, when in his Deohri, across the roof of his house.

having

food,

he was about to

he heard a disturbance. He

jumped down

He went

and hid himself

in the garden. He returned in the morning and found that his father and uncle had been murdered and saw their bodies lying in the courtyard.

In his evidence affair : “|

heard

Narain Chand

the

gives a vivid picture of this

noise of persons, coming towards the house kill the Jholi-Chucks and let them not escape ? | came into the Deorh’ of our house and suspecting that Babar Akalis had come there. Some 20 days previously, a poster had been put up in Kaulgarh, threatening the Jholi-Chucks, with death. | told my mother, younger brother, to try and escape and | myself went out of the house by a backdoor, climbing down over the roof of another house and eventually got into a garden. This garden is some 250 yards in a direct line from our house. While concealed in the garden, | heard shots and commotion, lasted for about one and ahalf hour. | spent the night in the garden and came back to the Aave/i in the morning and found

and

176

shouting

Trial Case No. 2 of 1924, P, 517.

«Account of Occurrences

179

“the bodies of my father Ralla and uncle Dittu, lying in the “verandah. I learnt that my father and uncle had been killed in ~ the courtyard, in front of the verandah. There were blood-stains ~on the spot, where they had been murdered.

All the proparty in “my father’s house, had been plundered, consisting of clothes, “Ornaments and cash, total value of which, was about Rs. 5000/-’’. “My

father

and

uncle

were

against

the

Babar Akalis and

“were trying to get them arrested. The Police came to our village, about a year previous to these murders to arrest Dalip Singh “(Accused No. €8) of Sandhara. He was said to have taken

“shelter

with

Fateh Singh

alias Udham Singh (Accused No. 66)

-and Bawa Singh alias Niranjan Singh, both of Kaulgarh. My “father and uncle were helping the Police in this matter, while

they both, later abused my father and uncle’’.177 Statement

of Devi Chand

Devi Chand?’® (P.W. 224)

son

of Dittu, stated that he was

“sitting with his father and uncle in the verandah.

Some

8 or9

-BSabar Akalis, armed with guns, pistols and /athis entered the “verandah and surrounded them all. His uncle Ralla, was taken towards his house, while the others were shut up ina Kothri. A “little later, his father Dittu, was taken out and after a while, both “his father and his uncle, Ralla were brought to the open space, ‘in front of the varandah and killed them. He was able to see this through the slits of the door and by the light of the lantern,

‘ burning in the open space.

When the Babars had left, Duni Chand, came out of the .Kothri, by lifting up the half of the door. He found his mother «Mrs. Haro and one Dhanpat, locked up in their house. Statement

of the Widow

of Dittu Lambardar

Mrs. Haro (P.W. 227), the widow of Dittu, stated that on “the night in question, they brought her husband and his brother 477

178

Evidence of (P.W. 225) Narain Chand, Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 517.

‘Trial Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 516.

History of the Babar Akalis=

180

Ralla, to the house and robbed them of ali their property, consisting of cash, clothes and ornaments. Both, her husband and‘ Ralla begged the Aka/is to spare their lives, and offered them ali: they had. She heard her husband call out ‘‘Narain Singh,1”® for God’s sake, spare us” and then heard cries and shouts. She, and others, in the house, had been locked up and were released later, by Devi Chand, her son.1®° Inquest Reports In the absence of the Sub-inspector, Daulat Ram, Head Constable, proceeded to the spot, which he reached in the afternoon. He found the bodies of Ralla and Dittu, lying in the verandah. He prepared the Inquest Report and statements of injuries and despatched the dead bodies to Hoshiarpur. He found blood-strains at the spot and under the deadbody of Ralla, the buck-shot, in respect of which, he prepared the fard. Affixed to the wall, inside Ralla’s house, he found the notice, which was identified by both the approvers, Anup Singh (P.W. 17) and Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29), who stated that it was written out by Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51), just before the party went to Kaulgarh.*% Post-mortem

of Ralla

The post-mortem examinations of Ralla and Dittu were performed by La/a Chaman Lal, Civil Surgeon, on the 23rd May,

1923.

Charanji

Lal,*®?

Sub-Assistant

Surgeon

(P.W.

191)

deposed to the results of their examinations from the postmortem reports. Ralla, sustained 6 injuries namely (1) an incised weund on right forearm; (2) four shot marks in the same ;

(S and

4) 2 incised

lacerated

wounds,

on

a 179

Jathedar Karam Singh's

first name, before he

a took

left Sa

forearm-’ a

red se

Khande-da-Amrit, was

Narain Singh.

180

Evidence of Mrs. Haro, Trial

181

Babar Akali Doaba

Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 519.

\eaflet cated 21st May, 1923,

cf which the copies were=

found with Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) when he was arrested.

182

Evidence of Charanji Lal, Trial Case No. 2 of 1924, pp. 480-482.

«Account of Occurrences

(5) back

and

upper parts

181

of head, had been blown into shreds

~and scalp charred ; (6) a wound on left side of chest, surrounded by several smal! punctures, showing the discharge of a firearm, ~at close quarters. Under the last wound, the 6th, 7th and 8th

of the ribs were found broken and the stomach, diaphragm and “liver were found injured at several places. Three pieces of lead, Death in the case of Ralla was were found in the brain of Ralla. ~due to gunshot, wounds in head, chest and abdominal viscera.18 Post-Mortem

of Dittu

There were also 6 wounds on the body of Dittu, a bullet “wound, out of which the omentum was protruding on the left ~side of the belly (2) a bullet wound on left temple, the skin being

‘charred ; (3, 4 & 5) incised wounds on left side of neck and left “ear; (6) an incised wound, on top of the right side of the head, the bone being shattered. Wound No. 1 on dissection, was ~ found leading to the right side, after

injuring

~ the liver and 5 pieces of large sized shots, “under the ribs. On dissection from wound

the intestines and

were found lodged No. 2, after breaking

~ the bone and soft part on their, was 13 pieces of shot were found

~embedded under and around the right ear. Death, in the case of *Dittu, was due to gunshot wounds described above and must

‘have been instantaneous. The following Babar Akalis were implicated in this case :—

Babu Santa Singh (Accused No.51) Dalipa (Accused No. 76) ~of Dhamian

Kalan, Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur, Babar Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan,

“Bishan Singh of Mangat, Ude Singh of Ramgarh-Jhugian, Anup

> Singh (P.W. 17) of Manko. The following appeared against the Babar Akalis :—

Anup

Singh

(P.W.17),

Dhanna

Singh

(P.W.

29),

Devi

*Chand (P.W. 224) son of Dittu, Narain Chand (P.W. 225) son of 'Ralla, Mehar Chand 227) wife of Dittu. 2483

P.W.191

(P.W. 226) son

Charanji Lal Sub-Assistan

of 1924, p. 480.

of Ralla, Mrs.

Haro

(P.W.

Surgeon, Hoshiarpur, Trial Case No. 2

1652

18.

History of the Babar Akalis=

Plan

Randhawa

Barota,

Singh

Sunder

Subedar

Murder

to

of~

in May, 1923.

Subedar Sunder Singh, son of Jawahar Singh Randawa, belonged to village Randhawa Barota,1*! situated, a few miles to. the north on the Jalandhar-Hoshiarpur Road. He took his .

pension, from the 36th Sikhs, in 1902 and joined again in 1917, and had retired in 1920. He was 68 years, at the time of this. occurrence. His own evidence is interesting to quote here :— “My pension is Rs. 60/- per mensem and | am a loyalist. In connection with the Babar Aka/i Movement, | had my son and: four others enrolled as special constables. | was also assisting, in the suppression of this conspiracy. A poster was put up in my village, by the Babar Akalis, threatening me with death fortrying to get them arrested. | did not see the poster. |reported the-. matter in writing to Inspector, Nek Muhammad Khan and he told me that he had also got similar information as to my life being in danger and warned

me to be careful.

The Inspector, is now dead.

On this, | acquired two guns and Chhavi and took out licenses -: for them. One licence was in the name of my son and the other in my name. | used to sleep in my Chobara (upper storey room) » and used to pull the ladder up, after me. | also used to havemen sleeping in my house. | made a morcha (trench) in my chobara.

Some nights after this, the dogs barked in my village, and | thought it likely that some men had come to attack me. |

told my son to fire two shots, which he did and the noise then , subsided’’.18° The author enquired from Babar Kartar Singh (Accused No. 77) » son of Bagga Singh Nijjar of his own village Domeli, Babar Shiv Singh (Accused No. 19) of Haripur, Babar Piara Singh (Accused 184

Had-bast No. 192. Area 329 Hectares. The Randhawa spread

Sikh

Jat

tribe,

whose

and Gurdaspur Districts, but who are in Lahore, Jalandhar,

Hoshiarpur and

also

is a large and widely-

appears to

head-quarter

be the

Amritsar,

found in considerable numbers

Patiala

(Glossary

Vol. III, pp. 318-

319). 485

Trial Case No. 2 of 1924,

AMV Ae

p. 504. Evidence of Subedar Sunder Singh, P.We_

:

Account of Occurrences

183

No. 50) of Dhamian Kalan, who were the participents to Reform

this renegade, as how and some more of the bours were unénimous man, who used to stay

they failed in their attempt. These three Subedar's contemporaries and his neighto sey that the Subedar was a coward in his village very rarely. When, almost

all the Babars were arrested, he then dared made his hyprobolical statement. Sardar Kartar Singh Dhillon Sarpanch of village Kadiana, 85 years, told the author that the Sabedar was invariably in the company of C.I.D. staff, who used to sleep inthe Police

Lines at Hoshiarpur. Statements In the

of the Approvers.

summary

of the

evidence

of the

three, approvers,

Anup Singh (P.W. 17) of village Manko, Chanda Singh (P.W. 23) of village Domeli and Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) of village Kotli Bawa Das gave an account, how the murder of

Subedar Sunder

Singh

of Randhawa

Barota

(P.W.

212)

was

piotted at the Koth/of Surjan Singh (Accused No. 70) at Domeli,*®* and how the Babar Akal/s, were later implicated, had set out for the rendezvous, but unfortunately he was not in his village.1®’ Meeting

at the Nasrala

Railway

Station

Previous to their attempt, Anup Singh (P.W. 17), Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29), Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) and Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan had met in a copse, near the Nasrala Railway Station, for the purpose of making an attempt to murder Subedar Sunder Singh. This had to be abandoned, on account

of the non-arrival of Dalipa (Accused No. 76) of village Dhamian Kalan, with other men.

On the first occasion, outside the Nasrala Railway Station, the party had with them the 2 guns anda revolver, brought by Bhola Singh, brother of Banta Singh of Dhemian Kalan, left with 186

The author’s village, 10 miles to the North of Phagwara.

Had-bast No. 82,

Area 672 Hectares, Population 672 (1981).

187

Evidence of (P.W.29) Dhana Singh, Trial Case No. 2 of 1924. pp. 252-727.

184

History of the Babar Akalis

Dhanna Singh of Kotli Bawa Das (P.W. 29) and Banta Singh of Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) and all Dhamian Kalan. armed with revolvers. On the second occasion, were according to Anup Singh (P.W. 17), the only arms they had, were the gun and revolver with Babu Santa Singh (Accused No.

others

ot)F The following were implicated in this case :— Anup Singh (P.W. 17)

of Manko, Chanda Singh

(P.W. 23)

of Domlei, Hazara Singh (P.W 28) of Mundher, Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) of Kotli Bawa Das, Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51).

Dalipa

(Accused No. 76) of Dhamian

Kalan,

Kartar

Singh

(Accused No. 77) of Domeli, Kartar Singh (Accused No. Domeli, Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan.

78) of

The following gave evidences against the Babar Akalis :—

Anup Singh (P.W. 17)

of Manko, Chanda Singh

(P.W. 23)

of Domeli, Hazara Singh?®8 (P.W. 28) of Mundher, Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) of Kotli Bawa Das. 19.

Murder 1923. Nanda

of Atta Muhammad,

Patwari, on 6th June,

Chaur

Atta Muhammad was the Patwari of Dhamian Kalan anda resident of Nanda Chaur.18® Nanda Chaur is an ancient and historic town, in Hoshiarpur Distt. This place was the capital of many Hindu Rajas. Rajas of the Nanda Dynasty, ruled this area, for a pretty long time, hence known as Nanda Chaur means the Canopy of the Nanda’s ; once an important Hindu monarchy, in the Jalandhar Doab. At this time there were four Hindu Dynasties 188

Hazara Singh

Babar

among the greatest

became

approver

son

of Sardar

Babar Aka/is, who

to save,

at least

Please read his biography (P.W. 189

Inder Singh

was

of Mundher, was a great

awarded

28).

Had-bast No. 121, Area 458 Hectares,

20

years

60 of his colleagues to be

P.S. Hariana.

R.I.

He

hanged.

Account of Occurrences

185

of equal status i. e. Nanda Chaur, Bala Chaur!® Ala-Chaur!®! ‘Guna Chaur!®?, Atta

Muhammad

Patwari

The Patwari was a notorious Jho/i-Chuck. -diarist, against all the political workers of his special

interest

to

and

keep

the Government

He was regular area. He tooka

informed,

about

the

activities of the Babar Akalis, who had the full faith in violence, in their policy to win freedom. He was also a tout of the Police, was gaining much pride, from the Government as well as from the sycophants, by way of appreciation. He was warned by the Congress workers and the Babar Akalis, but all in vain. So his “Reformation

(Sudhar) was a necessity.

An account

of Murder

According

Dhanna

to

Singh

(P.W.

29), he, (Babu

Banta

Singh Accused No. 51) and Dalipa (Accused No. 76) of Dhamian Kalan, after their meeting with Nand Singh and others and being advised by Nand Singh, not to remain in that locality, he went towards Nanda Chaur, on their way to the pond, near Massanian?*?, where they had to assemble for the purpose of carrying out the murder of the Brahmins of Chukhiara!**. After

having some sweets and milk at the shop of Milkhi Ram?*> (P.W. 217) son of Ram

Lal, Brahmin of Nanda Chaur, they

--on their way and met Atta Muhammad

Patwari

proceeded

of Nanda

Chaur

in the dry bed of a cho.

190

Had-bast

No. 193. Area 1273

Hectares,

P.S. Balachaur.

191

Had-bast No. 131, Area 106 Hectares, P.S, Balachaur.

192

Had-bast No. 91, Area 794

Hectares.

It was

Khan-i-Khana, the Ata/ique and the Prime defeated

193 ~194

by Akbar’s

that

Bairam

Khan,

forces.

Had-bast No. 67 Area. 147, Hectares, P.S. Adampur. Asmall village, owned

by Rajputs. is situated, one

from Kathar (Sham-chaurasi "495

here

Minister of Akbar, the great was

Trial Case No. 2 of

Railway Station).

124, p 509.

mile

to the south-east

186

History of the Babar Akalis-Patwari Murdered

Banta Singh proposed the murder of the patwar/ as he supplied

information

to

Government,

against the Babars,

and had°

also prepared a plan in a case, in which Banta Singh Dhamian Kalan was involved. Dalipa (Accused No. 76)

of of

Dhamian Kalan and Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) agreed to the proposal and Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) then seized Atta Muhammad, who was taken to a mound, of sand, a little distance away. The victim, begged them to spare his life, to which the Babar Akalis paid no heed. They removed his coat and turban and searching his person, found some opium and Re 1/- Dhanna Singh (P.W. 2 ), then dealt, Atta Muhammad a Chhavi blow, onthe neck from behind and he fell. Then Dhanna Singh dealt some 5 or 6 more blows and leaving the coat, a rupee and the opium with the body, they left. Statement

of Dhanna

Singh the approver

According to Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) an approver of Kotli Bawa Das, Atta Muhammad was at the time, sitting down with his back to the approver, and the first Chhav/ blow fel! on the left side of his neck, by which the head was nearly severed. Atta Muhammad fell backward and the other blows dealt by Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan, fell on his face. The trio, had proceeded some 20 yards, when it struck them that he had forgotton to leave one, of the Babar Aka/i leaflets, which they had : been distributing with the body of Atta Muhammad. So he sent

Dalipa (Accused No. 76) of Dhamian Kalan, back with one, and Dalipa, returning informed them that he had left a leaflet alongside the body. Ganesha Singh Lambardar (P.W. 218) son of Thakar Singh, resident of Dhamian Kalan had given the cause of murder of Atta Muhammad Patwari as under :—

“Atta Muhammad Patwari had previously given evidence against one Ganda Singh?** of Pindori, Atwalan, an Aka//, and a 196

Ganda SinghAtwal Jat of Pindori was a great Ghadrite, Had-bast No. 524 P.S. Hariana.

Area, 62 Hectares

Account of Occurrences

18?"

Ghadrite, who was charged with sedition. A case of causing, hurt to a Brahmin and a Tarkhan had been brought against Banta. Singh’®? of Dhamian Kalan and Ata Muhammad Patwari, who. prepared a plan in connection with this case?%,"” First Information

Report

Labhu (P.W. 215), found the cead body of Atta Muhammad’ on the 8th July, 1923, while he was on his way, from his villagePhambian?®® to Nanda Chaur. He did not know, whose corpse : it was, but on returning, he was informed by Gurditta Lambardar-

of Phembian (P.W. 219), had recognised the corpse to be that. of Atta Muhammad, Patwari. Labhu, was sent to 7hana of Hariana‘®°, where he made thereport. The Sub-inspector incharge, was Wazir Muhammad, who died on the 23rd of January, and Fateh Muhammad, Head: Constable of that Thana (P.W. 216) wrote the First Information: Report.

The

Inquest Report

and the statement of

injuries was.

prepared by the said Sub-inspector, which showed that one of the pockets of the waist-coat, contained a cloth purse (Batua), with Re. 1/- and a small tin, within 3 mashas of opium. The Post-mortem The post-mortem examination was performed by Assistant™ Surgeon Abcul Aziz on the 9th June, 1923. This witness stated” that decomposition was well advanced, maggots were running; over the head and

There front the and 197

face,

skin

was

peeling

off at some places.

were, 8 incised wounds on the body, namely, 2 on the: of the head, 2 on the forehead, under one of which, bone was cut, the 5th on the face, cutting nose the left cheek, 2 smaller wounds below the lower lip

Babar Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan, who was burnt alive, fighting against the British forces. in an encounter at village Mundher on December-

12th, 1923. 198 199

Trial Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 510. Had-bast No. 129, Area 250 Hectares,

200

Hariana, was founded

situated on the

_ Hoshiarpur.

P.S. Hariana.

by one Haria Jat.

Hoshiarpur-Dasuya

It is a very

road,

10

old and historic town,.

miles

to the

north,

from,

“188

History of the Babar Akalis

and 8th on the left side of the neck deep down to vertebrae, “which were cut. Death, in the opinion of the Assistant Surgeon, was due to fracture of the skull, caused by a heavy sharp edged “weapon, such as a Chhavi or hatchet?®! :— In this case, following were implicated :—

Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29), Dalipa (Accused “Dhamian Kalan, Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan ‘Muncdher. Those who appeared for the Crown

No. 76) of the martyr of

:—

Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) of Kotli Bawa Das, Labhu 215) Ganesha Singh (P.W. 218) Lambardar son of Thakar

~of Dhamian Kalan, Munsha Singh (P.W. 223),

(P.W. Singh

Hari Singh (P.W.

-436), son of Bir Singh District, Hoshiarpur.

“20.

Attack on Bishan Singh and, 16th. duly, 1923:

of

Sandhara,

on

15th

Bishan Singh (P.W. 234) son of Dalip Singh of village ~Sandhara*®? was a notorious sycophant or the Jho/i-Chuck. He was regular diarist against freedom fighters. In his own state»ment, before the Sessions Judge, he produly stated that ‘‘he used to keep the police acauainted with the political movements, therefore, they (Babar Akalis), became inimical to him’. He “publicly felt-proud that he was the Government stooge and if the people call him a today, his prestige raised in the eyes of the District Officers. He was particularly against the Babar Akalis and

“inspite of their warnings, he did not care. Hence his Reformation «(Sudhar) by the Babar Akalis was unanimously proposed.?°3 Account

of Attack

According 201

A village Nasrala

-202

to

owned

Road,

the by

evidence Sandhara

in the Hariana

of

Jats,

Dhanna is situated

Police Station,

P.W. 6, Abdul Aziz Assistant Sourgeon,

of village,

on

Nanda

the

Chaur-

District Hoshiarpur.

Hoshiarpur,

1924, pp. 36-37. ~203

Singh

Babar Akali Doaba-leaflet Exhibit, P.A. 103 B.

Trial

Case

No. 2 of

Account of Occurrences

189s

Kotli Bawa Das*°* (P.W. 29), an approver, stated that one Bhola Singh-°° Sorehra, was also associated with them in this . case. Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan, Bhola Singh Sorehra and another man, named

Diwan Singh,

Dalipa (Accused No. 76) of Dhamian Kalan, and

Waryam

met

Singh

of Dhugga, near the school of Sandhara, where they discussed and decided of the murder of Bishan Singh. Diwan Singh, being on Police Register No. 10, was advised to keep out and the other 5, from the school, went to the threshing floor on the Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan and Waryam east of the village. Singh of Dhugga, each had a pistol

anda

7akwa.

Bhola Singh

Sorehra, a sword, Dalipa (Accused No. 76), a Chhavi, Dhanna Singh, a gun and a Chavi had in his haversack.*°° Attack

Planned

At night, leaving their surplus clothes at a certain spot, they reached the house of Bishan Singh, whom they found asleep, in his courtyard. The courtyard wall was about 4 to 5 feet high, with an opening. Bhola Singh son of Sardar Kirpa Singh was left at the opening and Waryam Singh of Dhugga, Banta Singh the . later martyres and Dalipa (Accused No. 76) dealt Bishan Singh some Chhavi/ blows. Bishan Singh, jumping off his bed, tried to scramble over the wall and escape into the adjoining courtyard of his brother, Inder Singh. Waryam Singh then struck him with his 7akwa and knocked him down. Waryam Singh Dhugga also fell and lost his Turban and Parna. Bishan Singh in the courtyard, into openinig, the managed to escape through fired he Haveli of his brother, Indar Singh (P.W. 237) stated that at Bishan Singh as he was running through the opening, but They pursued Bishan cartridge was a bad one and mis-fired. Singh tumbled Bishan when and Have// brother’s his into Singh, more Chhav/ some him dealt they and fell near a cattle manger, 204

Trial Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 271.

205

Son of Sardar Kirpa Singh of village, Adhkare Hectares, P.S. Hariana.

206

Trial Case No. 2 of 1924, pp. 271-272.

Had-bast No. 156 Area

247

“190

History of the Babar Akalis

and Takwa blows, On the approvers suggesting, firing a shot at *Bishan Singh, Waryam Singh remarked that it was un-necessary, -as Bishan Singh had been accounted for.*°’ Murder of Bishan Singh of Sandhara had been comtemp‘lated, even earlier but could not be materialized. Dhanna Singh +(P.W. 29) stated that :—

“We asked Diwan Singh?°S, whether he could entice Bishan “Singh, outside the villages as if he managed to do so, the two of

us? would kill him. Diwan Singh said, he could not do at present. Diwan Singh then said that if we gave him a pistol and -cartridges, he and Bhola Singh Sorera, would carry out the »murder of Bishan Singh. Later Banta Singh gave Diwan Singh to try and obtain some more cartridges from the orderly of Tikka - Sahib of Kapurthala’’??°. Statement

of Bishan Singh Sandhara

Bishan Singh (P.W. 234), ‘stated that in consequence of information communicated by him to the Police, they

“certain

~searched

the houses of Waryam Singh of Dhugga,

-of Dhamian

Kalan

and

Dalipa

(Accused

Banta Singh

No. 76) of Dhamian

‘Kalan in connection with a certain dacoity*!. Bishan Singh ‘used to keep the Police informed with the movements of the "various members of the Babar Aka/i gang and these miscreants, therefore, became inimical to him’’???. On the night, in question, he was sleeping in the 207

Evidence of Dhanna

Singh

(P.W. 29)

Trial-case

No. 2 of

courtyard 1924 pp. 252-

WH 208

He belonged to village Sandhara,

who

was

bad-character

Registered No.

10. 209

Dhanna

Singh

(P.W.29)

and

Babar

Bhola

Singh

of

Adhkare,

P.S.

Hariana.

210

Trial Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 271.

- 211

This dacoity was committed at village Meghowal, naar Nasrala. No. 210. Area, 240 Hectares, P.S. Sadar Hoshiarpur.

~212

Trial Case No. 2 of 1924. pp. 527-538.

Had-bast

-Account of Occurrences

191

“of his house. “sleeping there.

His mother Mrs. Sewan (P.W. 236) was also He was aroused when he got the first Chhavi ‘blow, on the upper part of his chest followed by another on his head. Jumping off his bed, he tried to get out of the courtyard, but found the enterance blocked by three men. He _ there upon, tried to scale the wall of his courtyard and get into that of his ‘brother's, Inder Singh. While he was trying todo so, 2 men dealt him Chhav/s blows on the legs and he, therefore, jumped down. The three men at the opening, meanwhile, ran round into Inder Singh's courtyard and seizing the opportunity,

Singh again

made

the courtyard however,

-also

he received

fired

“courtyard

for the

opening

of Inder Singh.

at him.

and

managed

(manger),

courtyard, of the men

His 5 assailants, then pursued him

of Inder Singh, and he received about 4

blows on his back.

to get into

At the opening of his

2 more Chhavi blows and one

Bishan

into the

more Chhavi

While endeavouring to jump over the KAurii

he, stumbled and fell and he received a Chhavi

blow

“on his head*?3, Mrs. Sewan’‘s

call for help

The alarm raised by his mother Mrs. Sewan

(P.W. 236) was

taken up by a Chaukidar and others and the assailants, thereupon, wan away. She stated that she recognised 4 out of his 5 assail-ants, namely, Waryam Singh of Dhugga and Banta Singh of Dhamian was

Kalan, both of whom

trying

to scale the wall.

struck him on the legs,

while he

Ofthe 3, guarding the

entrance,

-she recognised two namely, Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) and Dalipa ‘(Accused No. 76). His injuries were stated by Basant Ram *(P.W. 239) a retired Sub-Assistant Surgeon and Gulazara Singh

(P.W. 235), his consin went to the Thana at Hariana and made a report.

Bishan Singh was taken to the hospital

at

Hoshiarpur,

where he remained as an indoor patient for two months’’7?4, 213 -214

Evidence of Bishan Singh (P.W. 234.) Trial Case No. 2 of 1924, p, 527. Evidence

of Mrs.

1924, p. 530.

Sewan,

mother

of

Bishan

Singh,

Trial Case No. 2 of

192

History of the Babar Akalis=

An orange coloured turban and a bluish parna*!>, were: found by the Police at the scene of occurrence and Bishan Singh identified those in the Sessions Court. Gulzara Singh was.. enrojlled as a Special Constable for the arrest of Babar Akalis and

his name could be found entered as such at No. 168, with date of his reformation, as 15th July, 1923, in the last column. Next day, it was published in the paper Babar Akali Doaba, that Bishan Singh of the C.I.D., had received promotion on the night of 15th July, 1923 at 8 o'clock at Mauza Sandhara.

Statement of Gulzara

Singh

Gulzara Singh (P.W. 235) son of Hukam Singh of Sandhara, deposed to having made the first information report and stated that Bishan Singh, when asked whether he recognised any of his assailants, he mentioned the names of Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29)

and

Dalipa

(Accused

No. 76)

Banta Singh

and Waryam Singh of Dhugga. The Akalis were given in the report, which, exaggerated account of the affair as the have been some 10 or 12 in number. nature, at that time were not unusual, Reports??®.

Statement

Basant retired Singh,

Ram

of Dhamian

Kalan

names of these 4 Babar however, was. rather an assailants were said to Exaggerations of this in the First Information

of Basant Ram

(P.W. 239) son of Kanshi Ram of

Sandhara a:

Sub-Assistant Surgeon, attended to injuries of Bishan who found that he had severe incised wounds on the

head, chest, back and legs. The most severe one was on the chest as this would have cut through the interspaces of the ribs and sternum and air bubbles were visible. Witness stopped the bleeding and after washing the wound stitched them. He also» dressed the other wounds and removed 2 small pieces of bone from the head, where there was another severe wound, cutting 216

These both belonged to Dhugga,

Had-bast

No. 235 Area,

401

P.S. Hariana.

216

Evidence of Gulzara Singh, Trial Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 531.

Hectares,

Account of Occurrences

193

through the skull bone. Witness added that if the wounds of Bishan Singh had not been attended to, as soon as they were, the result might have been fatal*2’. The following were implicated in the case :— Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29), Dalipa (Accused No. 76) of Dhamian Kalan, Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan, Waryam Singh

of Dhugga. Those who appeared for the Crown.

Dhanna Singh (P.W.29), Bishan Singh (P.W. 234), Gulzara Singh (P.W.235), Mrs. Sewan (P.W.236), Inder Singh (?.W. 237) son of Hukam Singh of Sandhra, Jawala Singh (P.W. 238) son of Sabib Singh of Sandhara tendered, Basant Ram (P.W.239)

son of Kanshi Ram of Sandhara, Arjan, Singh (P.W.243) Manohar Singh of Sandhara. 21.

Encounter

at Babeli—1st

Babeli*!® is a small situated

about 9 miles

Kapurthala Distt.

September,

village, owned to

the

Sikh-Jats,

Phagwara,

The ownersof this village had

of

1923

by Chahal

North from

son

migrated

in the from

Bhatinda area in the sixteenth century. Chahal, is one of the largest Jat tribes in the Punjab. They are found in greater numbers in Patiala, but are very numerous in Ambala, Ludhiana, Amritsar and Gurdaspur Districts and extend all along under the hills as far as West Gujranwala and Sialkot Districts, now in pakistan. It is said that Raja Agarsen Surajbansi had four sons. Chehel, Chhina, Chima and Sahi, and that the four Jat tribes, who bear these names are sprung from them. They also claim to be Tunwar Rajput??®. It was here at Babeli, that leading that Babar Akalis died fighting within the Precincts of Gurdawara Chaunta Sahib. 217

Evidence of Basant Ram, p. 533. Trial Case No. 2 of 1924,

218

Had-bast

219

Glossary Vol. Il, p. 146:

No. 69, Area 396 Hectares, P.S. Phagwara.

History of the Babar Akalis

194 History of Gurdawara

Chaunta

Sahib

The Gurdawara is situated hardly 5 hundred yards the north west from the vilage founded in 1651, A.D. in the sweet commemoration of the seventh Guru, Hari Rai Sahib by devotees, belonging to the neighbouring villages like Domeli, Babeli, Duggan, Bhaluana and Rampur Sunra. Conspicuously, Ucha, Musapur, Karam Singh of Jathedar Akalis, Babar the martyrs, four prominent Daulatpur, Ude Singh of Ramgarh Jhugian. Bishan Singh of Mangat and Mahinder Singh of Pindori Ganga Singh, valliantly fought near the Gurdwara. At Chaunta Sahib Guru Har Rai, had encamped for three months, with his 2000 armed followers. This place was full of

jungle, encircled by Cho (Stream) from three sides. It was safe from the miltary point of view, and also sufficient fodder for the horses

and packed animals as well as the water were available. If and when attecked by the Mughal forces, the Guru had a better strategic position to face the Mughal forces. Sanctity of the Gurdawara

Gurdawara

is

known

for

its

prayer

granting

and

fulfilment of vows of the devotees.

spread not only at home,

Its glory and sanctity had but also abroad. The devotees of all

communities, after their-desired having been granted, come here with their promised offerings. The unseen presence of these four

Zindashahids (formless but alive martyrs) has invariably been felt, in the princincts of the Gurdawara. by the people. All the four martyrs have been seen in Babar Akali robes, reciting Gurbani and challenging the redoubtable enemies of the Govern-

ment. Quite often, their immortal souls, have been felt, doing Parkarma of the Gurdawara. The devotees, after hearing the Gurbani at the shrine, go round the Chabutras

martyrs to pay their due homage,

and with slogans.

(Platforms)

singing the hymns

of

these

Gurbani

‘Surra so Panchanie jo lara deen ke heth?2°

“Purza purza kat mare-kabu na shade khait."’ 220

‘’A hero he who for his faith a fight doth make, And, till to cut to pieces, the field not forsake” (Babar Akali Doaba, December 25, WEA),

“Account of Occurrences

195

Inthe memory of these martyr Babars, the villagers of Babeli “have built one main gate after their respective names. A nice building, where some of the preserves have beenkept. Mrs. Paul “Kaur, 103 years, tells heart-rendering tales of the betrayal of Anup “Singh of Manko (P.W.17), who betrayed for the killings of “these vailiant and freedom lovers of their mother-land. This “Gurudawara is only one mile from author's village, Domeli,

C.W. Jacob, !.C.S. the Deputy Commissioner of Jalandhar was * pulled up by His Excellency, Sir E.D. Mac Lagan, the Governor222 ~-of the Punjab, Lahore, to arrange the arrest of all the Babar Akalis, ~as early as possible. Mr. Jacob had learnt that Anup Singh

(P.W.17) was the

nephew

of Bogh

Singh

(P.W.462)

son

of

~Gurmukh Singh Dhillon of Manko could affect the arrest through “his nehew, Anup Singh (P.W.17). So he called him, first he scolded

him with dire consequences and then, lurred him into huge Royal “rewards. A conspiracy was thus hatched among Mr. Jacob, Bogh Bogh Singh, took Mrs. “Singh and Anup Singh (P.W.17). Surjit Kaur wife of Anup Singh into his confidence, who also - compelled to save her husband himself, at least for the sake of ‘his dear ‘Surjit’. So Anup Singh submitted before the sinister Bogh Singh admitted :- “ I ~designs of Bogh Singh, his uncle. “knew that Anup Singh and the other four Babars were at Babeli, son who Kewal Singh, my “before, | loged the information.

dives in Domeli, which is a mile panis2:

from

Anup Singh, at the connivance

Babeli, informed

of Bogh Singh

me

of

Dhillon his

-sons Kabal Singh, Jaswant Singh, began to plan to arrest them, “took into confidence all the Babar Akalis.

It was in the

-aveek of September 1923 that Anup Singh, succeeded

second

to affect

“the arrest of the four leading Babar Akalis. 221

Panjab under

2222

£vidence of Bogh Singh Dhillon of Manko, the stroges P.W. 462,

the British Rule Vol. Ill. Dr. Bakhshish Singh Nijjar, p. 82.

History of the Babar Akalis=

196 Frame-work

for their Arrest

Dalipa (Accused No. 76) of Dhamian Kalan and Anup Singh (P.W.17) went to Kapurthala and from there, Dalipa (Accused 76) went to his village Dhamian

Kalan, while Anup Singh went to his

inlaw’s village Kandhala**%, where he learnt of the arrest of Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51). He then village, and heard that the warrant

returned to

Manko,

his

had been issued for his arrest

also. It was suggested to him by his father that he should not go about unarmed and so he dedided to go to Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur to get some money. After a stay of 4 or 6 days, in the vicinity of Manko, he went to Bhabiana2*4, there he met

Dalipa (Accused No. 76) and from there he went to Mangat?”® to. the

house

of Gurbaksh

Singh,

brother

of

Bishan

Singh

of

Mangat. Gurbaksh Singh took them out into the jungle, where they meet Ude Singh, Bishan Singh and Jatheder Karam Singh of Daulatpur. Jathedar Karam Singh suggested hiding in the Kandi tract (Shivaliak Hills) and left after arranging with the rest at a certain village, to meet Dalipa (Accused No. 76), Bishan Singh, Mangat and Ude Singh of Ramgarh Jhugian. Anup Singh, then left for the Kandi tract and was joined, by Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur and Mohinder Singh of Pindori Ganga Singh. Ude Singh of Ramgarh-Jhugian there

Dalipa (Accused No. 76) of Dhamian Kalan, Anup Singh of Manko, were then told to gotoManko. They did so and were joined there, the following day by, Jathedar Karam Singh, Bishan Singh and Mohinder Singh. From there the party of 6 went to Sahni226 and, 223

Had-bast No. 31. Area, 354: Hectares, P.S. Tanda-Urmur.

224

Had-bast No. 67, Area 453 Hectares in Phagwara Tahsil. The village is owned by Sangha-Jats. The village is known as Mangat-Deengarian. Had-bast No. 16, Area 185 Hectares, in Nawanshahr Tahsil. This village is owned by Mangat Jats and is situated on the boundaries of Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar and Kapurthala Districts,

225

226

Had-bast No. 43, area 568 Hectares. The whole village is owned by» Kahlon Sikh-Jats and is situated 6 miles from Phagwara to the north,

«Account of Occurrences “then to Bhabiana, Baibalpur also, |

197

where they were

joined by Dhanna

Singh

Accompained by Mchinder Singh, Anup Singh went

of

to his

brother, who was ill???._ The following evening all, the rest also ~joined them at Manko. Anup Singh stated that on this occasion, “he had a bomb with him, which had been given to him by ~Jathedar Karam Singh, purchased some Khaddar and had a pair of Khachheras, a Kurta, cross belt and yellow black trubans, made for each member of the party by a tailor named Jagir - Singh?*®, who was called by Dalip Singh of Manko. Arrangement “for a photograph to be taken of this party fell through and after arranging to meet at the Kothi of Khem Singh222 Ramgarhia at Domeli, Ude Singh, Mohinder Singh and Anup Singh went to Panshta**°, where they met Dalipa (Accused No. 76) and the ~ four of them then went to Domeli?*!. Jatheder Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Ude Singh of Ramgarh Jhungian, Anup Singh and “Bishan Singh Mangat also arrived there, at the Kothi of Khem Singh Bhogal of Domeli. Bad Omen While at the Kothi of Khem Singh Ramgarhia of Domeli,

227

Ude

Kartar Singh, the brother of Anup Singh was not ailing. It was an excuse of the the part of the traitor, to keep informed to his uncle Bogh Singh Dhillon for the arrest of all the was

allotted

of Adampur

land

at

Doaba.

Tailor-master of Manko.

~229

Thekadar

Khem

Babar Aka/is. Kebal Singh Dhillon two

miles

to the North-west

Now all the family members are Gursikh

“228

sufficrently

leading

village Dheerowal,

Singh

Bhogal

of

village

Domeli.

Aka/is.

This

away from the surrounding villages and suitable

Kothi was

place

for the

refuge of Babar Akalis.

“230

Had-bast Parmar

No. 25, Area

Rajputs.

situated in Phagwara

=931

1107

Its name

Hectares.

is derived

from

The

village

Panch

is

Hatta

owned

by the

of six shops and

Tahsil.

Had-bast No. 82, Area 672 Hectares, Nijjar Sikh-Jats, in Phagwara

Tahsil.

village of the

author, is owned

by

History of the Bahar Akalis =

198

Singh’s gun accidently went off. Fearing that the sound of the shot might alarm people and lead to some enquiry, the party~ splited up. Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Ude Singh Ot Ramgarh Jhugian Bishan Singh of Mangat and Mohinder Singh . of Pindori, Ganga Singh forming one party and Dhanna Singh of : Baibalpur,

The latter went to Bhabiana,

where

of-

well

at the

stayed

he

another.

Singh

and Anup

(Accused No. 76)

Dalipa

Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur and» Lambardar Punna Singh???. Dalipa (Accused No. 76) and the party of 7 went to Naroor??3. Anup Singh left the party and went again to his village to enquire : about the health of his younger brother Kartar Singh®**. Dhanna Singh & Dalipa

had a Providential Escape

Anup Singh returned to Naroor

from there

Dhanna

No. 76) separated,

Singh while

and

Karam

of some Singh

Jholi-Chucks

of the approvers, remarked

than

the

of Baibalpur and the remaining

they got copy of the Akal/i-te-Pardesi

names

joined

that

the others

and

Dalipa

and °

(Accused:

5 went to Sahni.

newspaper

were

these

others

Here -

in which

mentioned,

approvers

-

the~

Jathedar~

were

worse -

that they should be killed.

He read out their names which Mohinder Singh wrote down ina

.

note-book. Jathedar Karam Singh of Daultpur kept the note-book in hishaversack. future exhibit.

This The

note-book

entries

were

was made

and owing to its immersion in the water

rather

an

important -

with a copying

pencil!

of the Cho at Babeli,

a

232

Punna

Singh was the Lambardar of

village

Bhabiana

who was

supplying

»

by Jaswal

»

food and refuge to the Babar Akalis,

233

Had-bast No. 113, Area 593 Hectares.

This village

is Owned

Rajputs, who are well-known for their bravery and freedom fighters.

It is. .

situated 10 miles to the North-east trom Phagwara.

234

Bogh Singh was in close touch Police and Deputy Commissioner leading Babar Akalis.

with

Mr.

Smith,

of Jalandhar,

the for

Superintendent the

arrest

of&

of these.

Account of Occurrences

199

the writing had become very clear and indelible2*®, nearer

Time drawing

From village Sahni, the party went to Manko2*6 and then again came to Naroor, where they were again joined by Dhanna

Singh Baibalpur and Dalipa (Accused No. 76), who

left, leaving

others behind, the same evening. Anup Singh and his four companions then went to Domeli and after spending a day there with Surjan Singh (Accused No. 70) of Domeli, went to Babeli to Stay for the night. On reaching Babeli, just before dawn, Anup Singh left his companions for a necessary purpose’®’, after being told to join them at the house of Mehar Singh Chahal of village Babeli. Restlessness

of Anup

Singh

On arriving at the house of Mehar Singh the Anup Singh did not find his four companions?*® there and not having slept all the night, he went to sleep. He was aroused by Sardarni Pal Kaur, wife of Mehar Singh.

Mrs.

Pal Kaur

told Anup Singh

that

the

village had been surrounded by a Squadron of Cavalry and one Regiment of Mounted Police under the command of Mr. Smith 235

On several pages, there was a list showing 179, names of different persons with their rank or office, village columns.

The

who had been

last

column

Reformed

(Police

Station)

was for ‘dates

(murdered).

The

were clearly Jho/i-chucks in the eyes of the

marked 236

and

persons

Babar

District

entered

Akalis

in

against those

and

in this list

had

been

down for Reformation.

Had-bast

Sikh-Jats. 237

Tahsil

of Reformation’

No. 61 Area 364 Hectares. The whole village is owned

Anup

by Dhillon

Singh (P.W. 17) belonged to this village.

It was here, when through Kebal Singh son of Bogh Singh of Manko, Anup Singh sent a message

that he will keep the

till noon of Ist September,

1923.

At

this

Babar Akalis busy,

message,

Bogh

at

Babeli

Singh

had

informed the D.C. of Jalandhar for the arrest of these Babars. 238

;

Jathedar Karam Singh of

Daulatpur,

Ude

Singh,

Bishan Singh of Mangat and Mohinder Singh

of

Ramgarh

Jhugian,

of Pindori Ganga Singh.

200 the

History of the Babar Akalis Superintendent

of Police

was told by Mehar Singh of Batan Babars.

Singh Chahal,

of Jalandhar?®®.

to go to the where

house

he would

A little later he

of Shiv Singh son

find the

other

four,

The village surrounded On going up on the roof of the house, Anup Singh (P.W.17) found cavalry and mounted Police all around the village. Since it was his own show, he came down from the roof, threw away his Chhavi, went out of the village and surrendered himself before the Superintendent of Police. He was handcuffed and was taken to the house of Shiv Singh, where he identified a mare, belonging to Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, later he identified the bodies of four killed Babars. Anup Singh stated that at Babeli, Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur carried 6 chambered revolver inside his haversack. Ude Singh was armed with a gun and the bandolier of cartridges and also a bomb, similar to that kept in his haversack. Mohinder Singh carried the Kirpan. Bishan Singh of Mangat had the gun and a bandolier of cartridges, which had been given to him by Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur.

He stated that

the revolver,

being out of order was in the haversack of either Jathedar Karam Singh or Ude Singh and had identified the three haversacks in court (P/67) as similar to those with Jathedar Karam Singh and Ude Singh. He further stated that the detonators for the two bombs were contained in a glass bottle, wrapped in cotton wool, which were with Ude Singh that day. He identified the detonators in the glass bottle as similar to those. This approver was placed before the committing Magistrate on the 8th October, 1923, and was granted a pardon by him, on the ee 239

During the night, all the arms, guns revolvers and bombs were made out Only one revolver, with one cartridge was left with Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur.

of gear.

Account

of Occurrences

201

“usual conditions22”. An official account

Fateh Khan

of The Encounter

(P.W. 334)

An account of barbaric treatment of this encounter, with four “unarmed Babar Akalis, at Babeli was given

by Fateh Khan (P.W.

334) before Mr. J.K.M. Tapp, Additional Sessions Judge,

- Sessions Court. He stated that ‘on Ist September,

~ Superintendent of Police, received -of some Babars at Babeli in the the place with

mounted

information of the presence

Kapurthala State

of 1200

“force were directed to surround

and at about

1923, Mr. Smith and set out for

a squadron of British Cavalary and

Police, consisting

10.30 A.M.

direction of Babeli?*?.

Lahore

men,

Cavalary

the adjoining

he heard the

| assembled my

an additiona!

and other

village, Duggan*™**

sound of firing from

3 troops

together

the

and

|

saw 4 men pursued by Mr. Smith and 2 troops of the Additional

Police. These 4 Babars were turning round

every now and again

and firing on Mr. Smith and his men. A bomb743 was also thrown, It was

observed that

Sahib Gurdawara, avery 240

thick copse

of trees

Anup Singh was granted the Babar Akalis

Royal

high

Pardon for

jungle

grass

“There is round

the

his high rate treachery. Anup

his only infant son on 21 June,

1936, by

Had-bast No. 5, Area 337 Hectares, The village is owned by the Gill Sikh-Jats. It is situated near the village of Babeli and Gurdawara Chaunta Tahsil.

Mrs. Pal Kaur wife of Mehar Singh of Babeli advised the Babars through the thick grown crops rejected the idea, unanimously.

“2243

making for the Chaunta

is a stream or cho’.

and

alongwith

were

in a revenge.

Sahib, in Phagwara

“2242

4 men

around which

Singh was murdered,

-.241

the

to escape

towards

Todarpur. But all the Babars had Had-bast No. 60, Area 396 Hectares.

Anup Singh (P.W. 17) had already rendered all the arms and ammunition of the Babars useless.

History of the Babar Akalis: -

202

Gurdawara. On seeing the object of the four Babars, | galloped : with my three troops to the edge of the cho and dismounted: my men atadistance of 50 yards from the four Babars. The four Babars at this juncture entering the water with a view to cross the cho. | ordered fire to be opened and two of the Babars (Ude Singh & Mohinder Singh) were hit and fell into the water. A third (Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur) who had managed to cross the cho and was standing on the other side, was knee deep in water. He faced us having a gun in one hand and a sword in the other. | advanced to the edge of the cho opposite to him and called on him to surrender. He said, he would not surrender himself alive, being a Sikh and he fired on me with the gun (EX., in court, P. 43). He missed me and | then fired at him

with a 3.3 Rifle and hit him in the fore-head. The fourth Babar (Bishan Singh of Mangat) had concealed himself in some reeds . on the other side of the cho. Mr. Smith concluded that all the four Babars had been accounted for and told me to post sentries. | sent a troop round the other side of the cho. This troop search-

There was . ed among the reeds, but could not see any one. of the men two told | and some movement, among the reeds troop to go and see, who had caused this. As they advanced and approached the spot, the 4th Babar got up and shouting Sat Sri Akal, made an attack on the two men, holding a sword in one hand anda _ kirpan inthe other. One of my men slipped and fell and this 4th Babar dealt him a blow which inflicted a very slight wound, more or less a seratch. The Babar then attempted to get ~ across the cho and escape, but my second trooper fired at him and hit him and the Babar fell into the water’. “The Babar, who fired at me and,

whom

| shot in the fore-

head was Karam Singh (Jathedar of Daulatpur) whose photo . PA/181, | indentify. The man, who struck my troop etc. with a sword and shot by the other trooper was Bishan Singh, whose photo PA/186, I, identify*4*"’. ES SS

244

Evidence of (P.W. 334)

SR

Fateh Khan-Ex-Rasa/dar, son of

Sub-Inspector, Additional Police Hoshiarpur Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 648.

Khan

A,

Muhammad

and Jalandhar District.

Trial. :

Account of Occurrences

Statement

20:

of Mr. Jacob

Mr. C. W. Jacob (P.W. 434) Deputy Secretary, Government of India‘*°, Home Department, Jacob I.C.S. stated that :— “| was 1923, by

informed

early

in the

Mr. Smith of the C.1.D.

as to

received about the whereabouts of of the Babar Akalis. Arrangements acontingent of British Cavalary village Babeli, where the Babars about 4.30, the same afternoon,

Smith to the effect that they

morning

of

Ist September,

information having been:

some of the principal leaders . were immediately made for to go out and surround the were said to be located. At-

he received

a message from Mr.

had been firing at Babeli, resulting»

in some casualties and asked him to come out with the Supperin-

tendent of Police and the Kapurthala State authorities’’. “Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police, Jalandhar left in a motor and a few miles from Phagwara, met Rai Bahadur Diwan Durga Dass (P.W. 333) and other officers of the State of Kapurthala and joined by them, proceeded on to. Babeli.

On arrival

at Babeli,

the

Deputy

Commissioner

saw 4

dead bodies, which he was told, were those of Jathedar Karam. Singh of Daulatpur, Bishan Singh of Mangat, Mohinder Singh of Pindori Ganga Singh and Ude Singh of Ramgarh Jhugian. He duly identified the photographs. Mr. Smith also informed Mr. C. W. Jacob, the then Deputy Commissioner that a bomb. had been

which had

thrown

at

his party

been found

ina

and

showed

him

bottle floating on

a detonator,

the water

of the-

an

cho”.

Rai Bahadur Diwan Durga Dass (P.W.333) Inspector Gene-ral of Police Kapurthala State, stated as under :— “| went to Phagwara on the morning of the Ist September,

1923 on tour and when returning to Kapurthala, in the evening,. i met Mr. C.W. Jacob, Deputy Commissioner, Jalandhar, Shaikh: 245

Evidence of C.W. Jalandhar,

pp. 766-69.

at

Jacob the

time

(P.W. 434). of this

was

the

occurrence.

Deputy Trial

Case

Commisioner No.

of=

2 of 1924._

History of the Babar Akalis

204

Abdul Aziz Superintendent of Police C.I.D. and an Inspector of Police. 1! was told that day, the Police had come _ into conflict with four Babars at Babeli and these Babars had_ been killed in ~an encounter.

| accompained this party to Babeli. | found the bodies of the aforesaid four Babars, lying under a_ tree, close to the village. They were identified as those of Jathedar Karam “Singh of Daulatpur, Bishan Singh of Mangat, Ude Singh of “Ramgath Jhugian and Mohinder Singh of Pindori Ganga Singh. The four men had been shot‘‘24°,

“On and near the bodies, | found the following articles :—~1.

Karam

Singh of Daulatpur

A small Kirpan, a bomb, a small glass bottle «detonators, A whistle and a haversack.

-2.

containing

2

Ude Singh of Ramgarh-Jhugian

The S.B gun, with bolt action and without a stock, a small ‘Kirpan, a book styled Sunder Gutka, inside the cover the name -of Ude Singh is written,

an

‘driver,

through,

a file,

“cleaning

rag,

“khaddar

cloth,

a

pull

a

bundle

two

instrument of

leather

a

some

for cutting,

small

phial

cotton

purses.

of

thread,

Some

a a

blank

screw

Ink,

a

pice of

pieces

of

Paper, ahaversack, three loaded cartridges and a bandolier, “containing 30 loaded cartridges and four empty cartridges. -3.

Bishan A

Singh

Kirpan,

of Mangat

a sword,

without

a sheath,

a

leather

purse,

“containing a half pice and three pieces of paper. -4,.

Mohider

Singh of Pindori

A pocket-lamp, ‘Parna

~246

on

which

the

Ganga

Singh

a pair of binoculars in case, name

He indentified the photographs

of Mohinder

in the Court,

Singh

Exh.

a Kirpan,

a

is written

in

PA/181,

-PA/182,‘8de Singh, PA/183, Mohinder Singh, PA/186,

Karam Singh.

Bishan Singh.

Account of Occurrences

Gurmukhi

and Urdu.

Ve 2052

A \eather box, containing, a 10-rupee note

and some change*?’. 22.

Explosion

of

arrest

Dhanna

of

October,

a bomb

at

Mananhana,

Singh of Baibalpur,

on 25th

1923.

Mananhana,?*8 is a small village, owned situated

during the

on the Phagwara-Mahalpur

from Kot Fatui village, which of the Babar Akalis.

by Lehal Sikh-Jats,

road, little off to

was once the seat

the west,

of Chief

Court

Jawala Singh, son of Sunder Singh of village Jian®*®, 6 milesto the south ot Hoshiarpur, situated on the Hoshiarpur-Mahalpur Road, was a great sycophant of the British Government. He was the real brother of one Bela Singh, a notorious

traitor or

a staunch enemy of the Indian freedom loving people. Bela Singh was tout of the Police at whose instanca many Ghadrites

were apprehended and ultimately, were hanged, while many of them were, transported for life to the Black Seas. He had earned five squares of land in Multan Bar and many more favours of the

British Government. His younger brothar, Jawala Singh was equally enthusiastic awards. First he had arranged the arrest of 76) of Dhamian Kalan, the youngest Babar He became very thick with Babar Dhanna and Dalipa (Accused No. 76) of Dhamian the both into his confidence, Jawala Singh told Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur that he intended to go to his brother’s land in Multan District, taking his cart and bullocks. Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur agreed and told him that Dalipa er Se EE E A to earn the Royal Dalipa (Accused No. Akali, to be hunged. Singh of Baibalpur Kalan. While taking

247

Evidence of R.B. Diwan

Durga

Dass.

Only

relevant portion.

Trial

Case

No. 2 of 1924, pp. 641-647. 248

Had-bast No. 90. Area 88 Hectares, P.S. Mahalpur.

249

195 Hectares, owned from Hoshiarpur. south situated 6 miles to the Had-bast

No.

310,

Area

by Jhuti

Sikh-Jats

is

“206

History of the Babar Akalis

(Accused No. 76) may go with him. Sothey both, Jawala Singh of

Jian and Dalipa (Accused No. 76) set out in cart forthe Bar, and reached Chak No. 96 in the Khanewal?* Tahsilof Multan District, after a journey of 14 days.

his brother, had told him

Bela Singh,

~ that he should send him intimation about the correct position the after which he would arrange for the arrest of Dalipa

After 15 days of their arrival at Chak No.

(Accused No. 76).

“96. Basant Singh, (Jawala Singh’s cousin), went to the Chak, with a message from Bela Singh that he should get Dalipa

No. 76) be arrested.

(Accused

Singh with

a message

Jawala Singh sent back Basant

to Bela Singh that he should

~Subinspector Gulzara Singh?! Dalipa to Main Chanun?°.

to arrest Dalipa, while

send

he

took

Hamir Singh constable, came to his Chak, after a week and informed Jawala Singh that Gulzara Singh had arrived and was at Mian Chanun. He should arrange Dalipa (Accused No. 76) to bring him to Mian Chanun. As already, planned, they, were having “their meals at the hotel (Daba) of one Relu Jhiwar, where they “both were arrested by Gulzara Singh Sub-Inspector of Police, but later Jawala Singh was released. Jawala Singh, the renegade, returned to his village Jian and none knew then about the arrest of Dalipa (Accused No. 76) of Dhamian Kalan. He enquired for Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur, but could find no trace of him. However, Dhanna Singh, on his own came to the haveli (cattleshed) of Jawala Singh, some 10 days after his return from Multan to enquire about Dalipa (Accused No. 76). He told him that Dalipa (Accused No. 76) was all right and was anxious to

see him, what an irony of fate ? Babar Dhanna Leaving

Singh of Baibalpur,

Dhanna

Singh

betrayed

of Baibalpur

in field,

outside his

or eee eS ee a Oe | 250

In District

251

Jian falls

into the Jurirdiction of Sadr Police Station, Hoshiarpur.

21

from

~252

miles

District.

Multan, 36 miles from Multan, 75 miles from Montgomery.

Chichawatini

and

28

miles

from Khanewal

in Multan

-@Account of Occurrences

207

“village Jian, Jawala Singh went to Gulzara Singh, Sub-inspector of Police, at Mahalpur*®*. Then he went to Mr. Horton, the Superintendent of Police and Mr. Jenkyns, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Hoshiarpur, to tell them that Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur, was measures for his arrest.

with

him

at

his village,

to concert

Jawala Singh suggested that he will entice the Babar to the _Bar and get him arrested there, like Dalipa (Accused No. 76), but Mr. Horton wanted to arrest the Babar, a proclaimed offender, in his own district, to earn the credit for himself. So it was finally decided that, he should arrange to come Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur to the house of Karam Singh, at Mananhana?*!, the following day, where he would be arrested. Next morning, he took

Dhanna Singh to the Bara

(cattle-shed) of Karam Singh, son of

Bararo at Mananhana ; Dhanna Singh and Jawala Singh went to sleep”®°, in the cattle-shed on the charpays?*®® (cots). Karam “Singh was also sleeping there. The Police arrived at midnight and on hearing them, Jawala Singh got up and ran away”®”. As already planned, operation for his arrest, started on 24th October, 1923. Mr. Horton, Superintendent of Police, and Mr. -Jenkyns, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Hoshiarpur, arrived at Mahalpur Police Station, at about 10.00 P.M. Gulzara Singh S.H.O., Ghulam Rasul Dafadar, Shafiq ‘Ullah Dafadar, Sultan Ali, -253

Had-bast

No.

308,

Area

659

Hectares

Owned

by

Bains

Sikh-Jats,

is

situated 14 miles to the south from Hoshiarpur. -254

Had-bast No. 90. Area 86 Hectares, P.S. Mahalpur.

-255

The author was told by Jathedar Hazara an eyewitness of village Mananhana

Singh son of Sardar Deva Singh,

that Babar Dhanna

Singh

was

given

hard drink, with Dhetura and also the Babar was taken from place to place by which he was fully fategued.

-256

This place was selected due to its free access of the Cavalary and mounted police, Dhanna Singh’s arms and ammunition were taken away which

Dhanna

Singh always kept with

in a sound sleep.

£257

except one

him while he was drunk

Judgement-Trial Case No. 2 of 1924, pp. 112-113.

and was

History of the Babar Akalis=

208

Head, Hamir Singh Head Constable. Basant Singh Waryam:. Singh, Siri Ram, Mudari Khan and Kanshi Ram constables, Messers Horton and Jenkyns, some more constables and Chamel Singh Sub-Inspector of Thana Mahalpur proceeded, that night to Mananhana. The total strength of the force was 4G. The constables were of the Civil Police reinforced by additiona! Mounted Police. They reached Mananhana about midnight?*®. Information with the Police was that Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur was in the Bara of Karam Singh. The mounted Police was posted to the north of the village as that was the only exit in their direction and to the North. The rest of the force, advanced in the direction of the Bara, from. the north-west. As they approached the Bara, whicn had a thorn fencing, on three sides and cattle-shed (Bara) on the fourth, a man who was ona Charpay, in one of the sheds, got up and ran away towards the south, making for asmall lane (ga//i) leading into the street.

He was the informer?®? of the Police.

Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur, in the meanwhile, woke up

and ran towards the east (towards the village) but fell down, as his foot

had struck against a peg (khund). The Police force surrounded him. Dhanna Singh endeavoured to take out his revolver from the holster*®. In the struggle, the Mounted Police

managed to hand-cuff the Babar. After he had been hand-cuffed, the Babar was making desperate efforts to get his hand to his side. Dhanna Singh was then made to sit up while two of the Police constables, held the chain of the hand-cuffs in such a way as to keep the arms of Dhanna Singh raised.

258

The author is told by the

elderly

author personally surveyed the

people that it was a moonlit night. spot of

occurrence

with the eye-witness of the village. 259

260

on October

The

13, 1986,

Jawala Singh of Jian.

His arms and ammunition had already been taken M ananhana.

away by Karam Singh of:

Account of Occurrences

209

Behind Dhanna Singh, Chamel Singh, the Sub-inspector was holding the wrists of the Babar from over his shoulders. Some Policemen were holding his legs, while some were searching his person for any concealed bombs and weapons. While in that position, Babar Dhanna Singh gave a deperate jerk, which snapped the chain of his hand-cuffs. His arms came down to his sides and one of his elbows apparently struck a concealed bomb which had immediately exploded?*. Dhanna Singh’s right side was blown to pieces and the following Police personnel, were killed on the spot as a result of the explosion :— Sultan Ali, Head constable, Ghulam Rasul Khan Dafadar, Basant Singh, Waryam Singh and Shri Ram constables, Messers Horton, Superintendent of Police, Jenkyns, Assistant Superintencent of Police, Hoshiarpur, and Mudari Khan constable were seriously wounded. Mr. Horton and Mudari Khan constable subsequently died from the effect of those injuries. Mr. Jenkyns remained ill for some considerable time but eventually recovered Gulzara Singh Sub-inspector also died within a month?®. All the dead and the injured persons were arranged to send to the Mahalpur Dispensary, by two carts. The author was told by the contemporaries, when he visited the place that the villagers of Mananhana were forced to carry the dead bodies and injured persons on the Charpoys. There was a grand procession on the way. Thousand onlookers, ladies, children and men had

gathered to see the face of Babar Dhanna Singh, the

martyr of

Baibalpur.

The following

articles

were

found

from

catridges Dhanng.oinGuleces..as2-> Four loaded A few sheets of white paper, catridges case.

is 261

Bo Babar,

ae Dhanna

ee

A

Singh used to

keep

the person

one

bomb

tied

of

and one fired containing some

a eee

against his waist for

an emergency.

262

Gulzara Singh S.1, had arrested Babar Dalipa (Accused No, 76) of Dhamian Kalan at Main Chanu.

History of the Babar Akalis

210

Portion of pocket Diary, of writings in Urdu and Gurmukhi. which several pages were loose lost, with writing on a faw pages in Urdu, with lead pencil?®*. Statement of Dr. Sheldon Dr. Sheldon (P.W. 310) the Chief Inspector of Explosives*™, in India, posted in Calcutta, stated in his evidence before the Session Judge, that there was no doubt that the pieces of iron and aluminium were the remains of the Mills Hand Grenade. He stated that such a bomb, will not explode by impact, unless thrown from.a great height or unless the pin has been drawn and a piece of twine is tied round the bomb, to keep the lever down, in such circumstances the bomb will explode on impact. If this had not been in the case of DhannaSingh, the only suggestion witness could make as to the reasons for the bombs explosion, is

that along with this bomb there was most likely a percussion bomb made of a mixture of arsenic sulphide and chlorate of potash

and

broken

glass

pieces

put

into acloth

ball.

This

would account for the presence of the pieces of glass. Sucha bomb would explode on a very slight impact and on explosion would explode the other bomb i.e. the Mills Hand Grenade. Dr. Sheldon, further stated that the pieces of the bomb were. similar to those and in both cases the fragments were those of a bomb like one, which was exploded here. As regards the opinion of Dr. Sheldon, in respect of country made percussion bomb, it was interesting to note that a similar percussion bomb was tound in the bundle lying near the body of Hazara Singh?® of Baibalpur. Dhanna

Singh

Babar Dhanna Sikh-Jat was born

Nagra

of Baibalpur

village is situated, one mile from in Hoshiarpur 263

Evidence

District. of

Ch.

(1891-1923)

Singh son of Sardar Inder Singh, a Nagra in the village of Baibalpur, in 1891. This

Chamel

He

Kot Fatui, Tahsil

was

Singh

active, (P.W.

honest,

376)

Garhshankar, fearless

Sub-Inspector

of

and Police,

Mahalpur.

264

Dr.

N.L.

Sheldon,

Ph. D. F.I,C. his

evidence

Trial Casa No. 2 of 1924.

pacOr 265

Hazara Singh of village Baibalpur

was

murdered

on March 27, 1923.

«Account of Occurrences

“devoted

member

211

of the

Babar

Akali

Movement.

He always

“took a leading part in every reformative (Sudhar) activity against ~the Jholi-Chucks. He was the most dynamic figure, after Bhai ~Kishan Singh Gargajj (Accused No. 1). When Babar Dhanna ~ Singh of Baibalpur was arrested at Mananhana®* on October 25, 1923, by the heavy cavalry and munted Police forces, he did not “prefer to surrender, but to show a supreme sacrifice by blowing himself up with a bomb, which he had concealed below his “elbow. He took nine lives, including six Indian Police Officers/ ~Officials, alongwith him. His name will ever shine in the annals ~ of Indian History of Independence, like other martyrs.

For this reason “Singh

of

one

Mananhana

square of land was and

two

squares

awarded to Karam

of land were given to

Jawala Singh?®’. Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur was arrested due to “the treachery of Karam Singh of Mananhana

and Jawal!a Singh ~of Jian. Jawala Singh was helped by Mul Singh, Lakha Singh ~and Ishar Singh of Baibalpur. Jawala Singh

was

the greatest Jho/i-Chuck, of those days.

“He first took Dalipa (Accused No. 76) of Dhamian Kalan into his “confidence and got him arrested in the Bara at Main-Chanun.

~ Then he masterly planned out the arrest of Dhanna Singh by “taking him into his confidence. Karam Singh of Mananhana was “ quite in the confidence of Dhanna Singh and his integrity could never be doubted, but the devil master-mind, Jawala Singh, the - traitor made him fall into his snare. But the vengefully rapaci-ousness of the Babar Akalis, is well known for their shuter-/-

Keena (the rancour of a camel)

or the spirit of their taking the

266

was

This

Karam

Singh

of

Mananhan

murdered

by

Babar Ajaib Singh,

village Talwandi-Khurd, Ludhiana District and Babar Chinta Singn Kang of village Dhandoli, 6n 15th March,

2267

1940.

He was the brother of an international sycophant, Bela Singh of Jian, 6 miles from Hoshiarpur to the South, who was murdered by Babar Hart and Bakshish Singh of Chabewal, Singh of Sundh, Ishar Singh of Jandoli on

December

9,

1933

(Kitab

yad-dasht Jaraim

_ 22.59 part Il. Sadr Police Station, Hoshiarpur).

Mauza

Jian,

Form Ne.

212

History of the Babar Akalis=

revenge. It was 25th March 1940, when two young Babar~ Akalis Ajaib Singh of village Talwandi-Khurd District Ludhiana and Chinta Singh of village Dhandoli, who murdered the holderof the reward of a square of land, Karam Singh of Mananhana. They brought him out of his village and cut him into pieces.

23.

Murder of Jawala

Singh of

13th, 14th November,

Kotli

Bawa

Das

on

1923.

Jawala Singh?® son of Sher Singh Bains, ofvillage Kotli Bawa Das*®® was avery cunning and shrewd stooge of the British Government. He was a paid tout of the Police, who was reporting, day to day activities of the Babar Akalis as well as of other Political workers. He was involving people in false cases, at the behest of the Jholi-Chucks.

The people were tired of his abusive

language also. The Babar Ahalis tried in vain to reconcile him but he did not care. So the Babars entered his name on their hit

list, at serial No. 113.

Jawala Singh had two wives, but only Mrs. Basant Kaur, belonging to village Daffar*7°, near Dasuya, bore children. He was deserted by his second

wife,

his imcomproming behaviour.

who was

from Malwa, due to

So Dhanna Singh

(P.W.29) of his

own village Kotli Bawa Das. Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan, Waryam Singh of Dhuga. Gyan Singh of Allowal, Nikka Singh and Teja Singh his real brothers, the Aujla Sikh Jats all the three of

268

A Jat Tribe,

whose

Head-quarters are

in the

Districts, though have spread westwards, they are Muslims, Punjab States, ancestors

and eastwards

They say they are

Hoshiarpur

and

Jalandhar

even as far as Rawalpindi, where

into Ambala

and the adjoining erstwhile

by origin, Janjua Rajputs and that their

Bains is one of the 36 Royal

Families

of

Rajputs

(A

Glossary

Vol. Il. p. 35). 269

This village is situated in Hariana

Police

Station,

two

miles

to

the

southwest cf Bulhowal, in Hoshiarpur District. The village was named after one Bawa, who came

125 Hectares. 270

from Pindori Bawa Das.

Had-bast

P.S. Hariana.

Had-bast No. 99 Area, 148

Hectares,

P.S. Dasuya.

No.

108,

Area.

«Account of Occurrences

2i3

village Alowal?”!, District Amritsar, Arjan Singh of village Munda, near Khadoor Sahib, Rattan Singh of Singriwal, and Bachint “Singh of Dumunda, came forward to ‘Reform’ (murder) him. The Babars, therefore “November, 1923. Murder

fixed, the

date

of

his murder

as 14th

Planned

Dhanna Singh (P.W.29) son of Ram Singh Bains, age 26, Sikh Jat of village Pindori Bawa Das, was the real brain behind the murder of Jawala Singh. The author is locally told that Jawala Singh, was a notorious sycophant and also he was a very greedy person. As a money-lender, he was the blood-sucker ~ of the poor people. The object of the Babar Akalis, was to stop him to supply information against the Babars and other political workers and also to get money for the purchase of arms and “ammunition.

Dhanna Singh (P. W. 29) planned with his Babar Akalis =comrades to murder and loot the property of Jawala Singh. Dhanna Singh, informed Nikka Singh Aujla Sikh Jat of Allowal, -and his other three companions that a dacoity was planned to be committed at Kotli Bawa Das. They all agreed to join. At “this time, Waryam Singh of Dhugga had a gun, Banta Singh of Dhamiana Kalan, a pistol and atakwa and a Sandhewa. Teja “Singh Aujla of Allowal, and the man of Mundapind had /athis and Rattan Singh Dhami of Singriwal a danda, while “Nikka Singh of Allowal and Dhanna Singh of Kotli Bawa Das “were equipped with Chhavis. From the meeting place, the party “proceeded to spot a few hundred yards, from Kotli Bawa Das, in acho, where they took off their spare clothes and after offering their usual prayers (Ardas), went to the house of Jawala Singh, but they heard the house mates talking. From there, they all went to Gurdas Singh of the same village, who ‘told them that Gurbakhsh Singh Barrister, a brother-in-law of

£271

_Had-bast

No. 137 Area, 368 Hectares,

P.S. Verowal.

History of the Babar Akaliss

214

Jawala Singh Bains, with some more persons were to

Kalan*™.

for the night. So they came back to Dhamian On the next occasion,

both

Allowal2?

Gian

and

brothers

and

Nikka Singn Aujla,

Singh

Dhanna Singh

Aujla

Teja Singh Aujla, .

all the

(P. W. 29)

stay there =

three

of village~

to the well of ©

went

Narinjan Singh, where this party met, Waryam Singh of Dhugga, Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan, Bachint Singh of Dummunda, while in the meanwhile aman from Mundapind, District Amritsar also joined them. At 11.00 P.M., on 14 November, 1923, they set out from-the well of Bhan Jawala Singh Bains. Waryam

of

Singh

Singh

Bains,

to the house

Gian

Singh

of

Dhugga,

Allowal

of © and*

Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) got on the roof of Mrs. Jawali a> neighbour of Jawala Singh, from where they reached the chobara » (upper storey) of Jawala Singh. Babar Waryam Singh of Dhugga, told Jawala Singh that they were the Police Party, who would. Singh, the Dhanna search his house, as he had concealed absconder. Banta Singh had, in the meanwhile, scaled the wall of the court-yard and opened the outerdoor to let in Nikka,

Singh Aujla. Teja Singh Aujla and Bachint Singh of Dummund. Narain Singh, the brother of Jawala Singh, lived in the same house, in the lower storey. Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan, called on him, in the same way, to open the door on the ground }

that they were the Police officers and he had concealed Dhanna ; Singh Babar (P. W, 29). Jawala Singh opened the door, the Babars seized him and brought him and got women folk, down -» to the Narain Singh, have//, in the lower storey, where the other four of their party members had gathered. They made Jawala Singh and Narain Singh, open out their iron boxes and broke open. their all boxes. They robbed them of their jewellery and clothes. They also set fire to their account books. They locked up the : women and children in a kotha and after the robbery, locked up 272

This

happened

on

9th

November,

1923.

Statement

of

Narain

(P.W. 245). 273

Had-bast No. 137 Area 358 Hectares, P.S. Verowal, District Amritsar,

Singh»

Account of Occurrences

215

Narain Singh also. They took Jawala Singh away with them to a cho, about a mile from the village. Jawala Singh did not raise any alarm as he was too frightened. Nikka Singh Aujla of Allowal, asked him, whether he had recognised them and reaslized that they were Babar Akalis and that he should then think of the time, when he used to give information to Government.

Jawala Singh Bains, the money lender and a stooge of the British Government, begged them to spare his life, against any bargain. His hands and feet were tied with his own turban. Babar Waryam Singh of Dhugga, dealt him a chhavi blow first, on the shoulder and

second on

the neck,

which

nearly severed

his head from the body, and then several other blows on different parts of his body. The sycophant, ofter duly murdered, was buried. From there they went to a sugarcane field of village Badowa/?"*4, where they separated many gold and silver ornaments, Nikka Singh Aujla and Dhanna Singh, took possession of the ornaments, intending to sell them and to arrange the purchase of arms and ammunition. The clothes, looted from there, were duly divided among themselves?’®. Nagina Singh son of Sher

Singh

Bains

(P.W.245),

brother

of Jawala Singh Bains, both the brothers were entirely against the Babar Akai/s. Three men, who had entered the house of

Narain Singh Bains, in which he and his family were sleeping, one of them had a chhav/s, the other a_ sabba/?’®, and the third carried a /athi. The man, who carrieda sabba/, was Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan. He struck him on the right shoulder, with Sabba/ to get the keys of the iron-chest, threatening him

with death.

‘My wife unlocked the chest. The decoits spread

a

sheet and removed the contents of the chest, which consisted of securities, jewellery, worth some

The dacoits also broke open 274 275

Had-bast No. 201 Area, 250 Hectares, P.S. Sadr Hoshiarpur. Vide Statement

of

Dhanna

Singh,

pp. 272-274.

276

Rs. 900/- and Rs. 20/- in-cash.

the trunks and boxes and removed

House breaking iron impliment.

(P.W. 29) Trial

Case No. 2 of 1924,

History of the Babar Akalis

216

My securities were some clothes worth Rs. 80/- or Rs. 90/-. of valuables and value the give worth some Rs. 28,000/- | cannot property of Jawala Singh. Jawala Singh Bains was also brought all jewellery, down stairs again, and after they had collected

clothes and cash together, the dacoits said to Jawala Singh “Come, we will now give you some squares*”’. The five dacoits, then took Babars Jawala Singh Bains, outside and confined myself, my family and the wife and daughter of Jawala Singh in my room chaining the door on us from outside®*’®,

The deeds and documents of both the brothers, were taken by the Babars to the courtyard and set on fire, after oil had been poured on them. Narian Singh, raised no alarm, on account of fear, until they took Jawala Singh away. Some persons then came and released him and others. By pouring water over the buring securities, they managed to save a few. Early next morning the dead body of Jawala Singh was found buried in some sand in the Cho, about one anda half miles from the village. Narain Singh sent the ‘Ruqqa’ to the Hariana Police Station and Singh, sent his cousin on recovey of the body of Jawala Ram Singh to report the matter at the Police Station at Hariana, District Hoshiarpur?”’. Postmortem

Dr. Bansi Lal, Sub-Assistant Surgeon

(P.W.271) found one

injury conisting of a bluish mark with a bruise on the

right

sho-

ulder of Narain Singh. The Assistant Surgeon Abdul Aziz, who performed the postmortem examination of Jawala Singh’s body, on the 15th Novermber, 1923, found three incised wounds, the first of which was on the right side, cutting most of the neck and lower jaw. Only about 5 inches of skin and under-lying 277

Squares

of land,

generally

awarded

by

the

British Government

to the

loyalists.

278

Evidence of Narain Singh (P.W.245) Singh,

279

son of Sher Singh, brother of Jawala

Trial Case No. 2 of 1924, pp. 241-42.

Ibid., p. 568.

.~Account of Occurrences

217

‘tissues on the left side of the neck were uniting the neck on the “front side. The second incised wound was on the chest, cutting the right vollar bone. The third was onthe right shoulder, cutting the skin and muscles and larynx. Death was due "to excessive bleeding from wounds and in the opinion of the Assistant Surgeon, the 3 injuries were the result of 3 separate ‘blows bya sharp-edged weapon, like a Chhavi or hatchet. Either of the first 2 injuries was fatal*®°.

The following appeared for the Crown.

Dhanna Singh (P. W. 29) of Khotli Bawa Das, Narain Singh (P. W. 245) brother of Jawala Singh (P.W. 246) Mrs. Basant Kaur (P. W. 247) wife of Jawala Singh, Munshi (P.W. 248) son ~-Of Labh Singh Jat, cousin of Jawala Singh, Nagina Singh (P. W. 249) son of Jaimal Singh of Mundian Jattan, Labh Singh

(P.W. 250) son of Narain Singh, Hukam Singh

(P. W. 251) son

--of Attar Singh of Kotli Bawa Das snd Ishwar Singh

(P. W. 252)

son of Attar Singh.?81 24. Encounter

Mundher,

at Mundher

Had-bast

No.

on December

47,

covering

12,1923.

the

area

of

103

Hectares, under the Adampur Police Station, Tahsil and District Jalandhar is owned by the Mundher Sikh-Jats. This small village

is situated

on Adampur-Hoshiarpur

Road,

hardly half a mile to

the east, from Kathar Railway Station‘®. Jaggu, alias Jogat Singh (P. W. 444) Hakim Singh, age 40 years, caste Jat-Sikh

son of Hako, alias of village Mundher.

was a decoit, entered in Register 10, of the Police Records. He was wanted by the Police in several cases of moral turpitude, thefts and decoities, when the Babar Aka/i Movement was in a 280

Evidence of Dr. Bansi Lal (P.W. 271)

Trial Case No. 2 of 1924, 281 2282

Judgement,

Sub-Assistt

Civil

Surgeon, Hariana

‘’Sham-Chaurasi’

Railway Station.

P. 568.

Trial Case No. 2 of 1924. p. 113.

Kathar Railway Station Sham-Chaurasi

town

is known

as

is situated two miles to the north from Kathar,

218

History of the Babar Akaliz~

full swing, he was called by the Superintendent

Police of C. 1. D.

Jalandhar. He was arrested as he had got possession of the. revolver given to Hazara Singh (P.W. 28) son of Sardar Inder Singh -of Mundher, by Kishan Singh Gargajj (Accused No. 1) of Barring. The Superintendent of Police charged him that if he did not assist in the capture of the Babar Akalis, he will be put into trouble. He

instantaneously submitted to do his best. “After that |, Jagat Singh (P. W. 444) had become friendly with Babar Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan, Dhanna Singh (P. W. 29) of Kotli Bawa

Das,

Babar Waryam

Singh of Dhugga

and Babar Jawala Singh of Fattehpur Kothi. They commenced to: visit my house. Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan, Waryam Singh of Dhugga and Jawala Singh of Fattehpur Kothi, one day, were with me. In their full confidence | told them that | was their real friend. It had been arranged that | should convey information about their presence to one Udham Singh constable, who was stationed for the purpose at Sham-Chaursai Railway Station,2®* which is lass than half a mile from my village. Udham Singh was to pass on the information to Hakam Singh, Sub-Inspector of Police at Adampur, who would convey it to the Superintendent Police, Jalandhar. On the above occasion, the three Babars referred to above had come to my house.

| duly informed,

Udham

Singh, one morning. The

Police and the Military came the same afternoon and surrounded the village and from my house, Waryam Singh, Banta Singh and. Jawala Singh made their way into the Chobara of a Tarkhan*®4.

The author visited the place on September 17, 1985. He was told by the contempories*®® of the village that Jaggu (Jagat Singh), the traitor, had left his house, much earlier, of the arrival of the Police and Military in the village. All the three Babar Akalis, when learnt, about the treachery of Jaggu, they tried their 283

Here

it means,

Kathar,

which

is two

miles

to the east from Adampurt

Police Station,

284

Evidence

285

Particularly Sardar Puran Singh aged 82 years and his cousin Sardar Rulde Singh age 73 years both Harijan Sikhs.

of Jagat Singh (P.W. 444) Trial Case No. 2 of 1924. p. 785. .

Account of Occurrences

219

best to locate him and to finish him. Seeing no way of their escape,.. they moved out of Jaggu’s house, loudly calling “Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal,"" towards the Chobara of Mistry Beant Singh, son. When they entered the: of Sardar Waryam Singh Ramgarhia. house, Mrs. Jeeni, wife of Beant Singh was busy in her domestic-

routin work. Seeing the Babars, she said, “I will conceal you in the Kothari, in the (innermost room of the house). But they went up» the Chobara (upper storey room), and took up the positions”®°. A full account of this affair, is given by Ch. Abdul Hag,. Deputy Superintendent of Police, Jalandhar, an eye witness, as under :—

“On the 12th December, 1923, in company with Mr. Jacob, Deputy Commissioner

and Mr. Fitzgerald,

Police, Jalandhar, reached, Adampur,

C. W.

Superintendent

Information had been

reci-

ved of the presence of certain absconding members of the Babar ~ Akali Jatha at Mundher. The Deputy Commissioner had arranged for a saquadron of the cavalry from Jalandhar Cantt. The Policeforce consisted of one Sub-inspector, two Head Constable and 35

mounted Policemen. There were also some C. I. D. men. We left. with this force for Mundher, were the cavalry arrived afterus. We reached Mundher at about 4.00 P.M. Theinformation

we got, was

that there where three Babars in that village, namely Banta Singh of © Dhamian Kalan, Waryam Singh of Dhugga and Jawala Singh ofFattehpur Kothi.

The Police force was divided into three parties

one under me, another under Mr. Fitzgerald and the

third

under-

Khan Bahadur Shaikh Abdul Aziz, Superintendent Police, C. I. D. who was also with us. We surrounded Mundher, with this force. .

After a short while, | heard the sound of firing in the 286

Now that house has been turned those martyrs.

into a Gurdawara

Sardar Beant Singh

was

village.

in the sweet memory

compensated

with

some

1: of -

land in.

lieu thereof by the village Panchayat. The aurhor was told that the souls of © the martyrs often visit the place. the martyrs by

blessed with.

the

way

of their

The village people pay their homages to... Sukhanas

The place of the martyrdom

venerated by the people

of this area.

(wishes) which

they say are-

of these three Zinda Shahids is.

(Author)

220

History of the Babar Akaus

and my Police force were on the western

side

of the

village*®’

~and shortly after, | heard the firing. | saw three Aka/is, one of “whom was wearing a black turban andthe other two yellow ones, coming towards me over the roofs of the houses in the village. land my party were 50 yards from the actual Abadi. These men were taking cover and it appeared to me that they were going to fire on us and were approaching closer with a view to get the range. These men had weapons in their hands, ‘but had not yet fired onus. Before, however, they could open fire, | ordered the four men with me to open fire on these three Aka/is. These men took over positions, behind some parapets and crept into Pacca chobara (built of burnt bricks) and from here opened fire on me and my men. Fire was kept by bothsides for about half an hour, when the cavalry arrived on thescene. The cavalry had to Hotchkis Guns?88 with them. The cavalry trained one - of the Hotchkis Gun on to the chobara and opened fire. The firing ~continued for about an hour on both sides but without any result. The officer Commanding of the cavalry then said that night was - approaching and it was no use going on in this fashion, without achieving any result and it was necessary that the doors and windows in the Chobara should be set on fire or should be “removed. Sub-Inspector, Khan Bahadur®®®, was then directed to try and set fire to the doors. There were two doors and after some little while, the Sub-inspector set one on fire, dried maize stalks “which were collected from the village of Kathar, Mundher and Masanian. The villagers were forced to carry them in crawling position and to stack around the Chobara. The Babars did not shoot the villagers, that they were their brothers. Huge maize stalks were thrown around the chobaras, when given fire the flames rose -above the chobara and engulfed the whole building.

The author was told that the people were pressed into -287

Between villages, Kathar and Mundher.

~288

A

-289

The line officer of Jalandhar (P.W, 338), Police-Lines.

Gun of heavier caliber like a musket which fire

a catridge.

bring

Account of Occurrences

22

firewood stored by them in their houses2®°. To supplement, the demand, firing during this period was kept up by the Hotchkis Guns. The whole building caught fire, eventually the three Babars attempted to escape from the Chobara. Two were hit and fell, but the third managed to escape by jumping down from the chobara to a lower roof. This man was the one, Wearing a black turban, and while escaping, he fired at and wounded constable Wazir Khan. This Babar was Waryam Singh of Dhugga. It was night time, but | could see quite distinctly by

the glaze of the fire’.

‘The roof and the front wall of the chobara collapsed, owing to the fire. When we went to the building we found the completely burnt bodies of two men. One body was near the window

inside the chobara. These were said to be of Banta Singh

of Dhamian Kalan and Jawala Singh of Koth/ Fateh Singh. A cordon

was kept round the village for the whole night, in case Waryam Singh, Dhugga was concealed”! there and search was made in

the morning, but he was not found. following :—

290

In chobara,

we

Gun, of which the stock had been

found the.

1.

A. D.B.

2.

Arevolver, of which the butt had been burnt, all the six chambers of revolver contained discharged catridges.

3.

Brass portion of 11 shot gun catridges.

4.

Knife, handle burnt.

5.

Two pieces of lead and

The author was further told that the people of

the

burnt.

neighbouring

villages

were forced to bring dried maze stalks to throw around the Chobara, They But the Babars did not shoot their own did it in a crawling position. enqulfed the building. flames fire, given When brotheren.

291

Babar Waryam Singh Dhugga, partly burnt had reached Daulatpur, near Kishanpur. on Jalandhar Boghpur Road where he was treated by Babar Surain Singh, his old Babars colleague.

noo?

History of the Babar Akalis 6,

—RSs.65-14-0' in Cashe?:

Mr. C.W. Jacob I.C.S. the Deputy Commissionerof Jalandhar, “had conducted the operation of the encounter at Munnder under his all over control. Zai/dar Gajja Singh®®? (P. W. 163) son of Hira Singh of village Haripur, whose 93rd Happy Birthday was being celebrated on 24th November, 1985, told the author, who was present, that Mr. Jacob was much perturbed - over the Babar Akali activities that he convened a secret meeting of all the Loyalists of Jalandhar District for the cooperation, to crush down this movement at the earliest. He had promised for the highest rewards for those, who will extend - cO-Operation for the eradication of this menace.

their

full

The evidence of Mr. Jacobis reproduced in which information

is more elaborative, concise but illustrative to depict the interpidity, gallantry, tenacity and firmness of the Babar Akalis of their fervour to achieve independence for their motherland from ~ foreign.

Among

the approvers

or

the

prosecuting

witneses

none was clear an eye-witness, therefore Mr. Jacob’s statement will prove to be descritive and more informative?%.

“On the 12th December, 1923, Khan Bahadur Sheikh Abdul Aziz came to me, while | was presiding at a District Board » Meeting, at about 11.30 A.M. and told me that he had information ~ that three or four Babar abconders were in village Mundher. Mr. Fitzgerald,

Superintendent of Police and | went down with Khan

» Bahadur Sheikh Abdul Aziz to make arrangements for a force of Cavalry to meet us at Adampur. We also arranged for a force of Police to come out in lorries, while we went on to Adampur ~ to wait for them. We waited for the Cavalry at Adampur for weep ee eee 292

Evidence of Ch. Abdul Haq. Trial Case No. 2 of 1924, pp. 651-652.

- 293

Zaildar Gajja Singh, himself, was one of the loyslists,

~294

They spread an awe among the people, the author was told, that on this occasion, the village people including all women and children were made to assemble at one place. They were compelled to assist the Police.

-Account of Occurrences

223

‘sometime but when they did not arrive we decided to ga to Mundher, with the Police force at our disposal. Mundher is about 5, 6 miles*®® from the thana, and we moved out to it and arrived there at about 4.30 P. M. and sorrounded the village. | was on

«the south side of the village and Mr. Fit zgerald on the north. He got to him, he ~called out to me to come to him and when! “pointed out a house, in which he stated he had seen some Babars moving. Just then there was firing and several shots passed | was then informed that the Cavalry which had come near us. This across country, were in a village some 2 miles away. information was given by one of the Cavalry sowars (horsemen) come upto find out who hearing the noise of the firing had the cause of it. He went back to the Cavalry detachment and “brought them up to Mundher in about quarter of an hour. Then

va Tarkhan*®®> came out of the village and -Babars had taken possession of his house

reported that the and he was very

much concerned about the safety of his family. Having located the Babars in the Chobara of this house, we thought the best village vacated, then heard .plan would be to have the wnole sshouts of “Sat Sri Akal’’*®’ and the voices of the Babars that ‘they were not going to surrender. The village having been “eyacuated, a machine gun, with the Cavalry was trained on the

Chobara and some rounds were fired at it. The Babars were returning this firing. Another machine gun was placed on the roof of a house and this also opened fire on the Chobara, but was found impossible to break the defence owing to the strong position taken up by the Babars. This operation continued for

some time and

was finally decided to set fire to the Chobara. the result that two of the Babars were hit as with done was This they tried to escape from the burning Chobara but the third? one of our constables** jumped down and after wounding a aa 295

The distance between Adampur and village Mundher is only 3 miles.

296

Mistry Beant Singh son of Sardar

.297 .293

True, supreme, death less. Babar Waryam Singh of Dhugga.

2299

Wazir Khan constable (P.W, 339).

Waryam

Singh Ramgarhia.

ay

224

History of the Babar Akali*

effected his escape. | saw the wounded constable. this man, who

escaped,

was Waryam

Singh

| learnt that

of Dhugga, Sub-

Inspector Khan Bahadur (P. W. 338) ascertained the names of the three Babars and noted them on a slip of paper which he brought to me at the time. He told me that the Babars had given their names and now | remember that these names were : Banta Singh, Jawala Singh and Waryam Singh”. The following appeared

for the Crown

Dhanna Singh (P. W. 29) of Kotli Bawa Das. Jagat Singh (P. W. 44) son of Hako of Mundher.

Hazara Singh (P.W. 28) son of Inder Singh of Mundher.

Mr. C. W. Jacob, I. C. S. (P. W. 434)

D.C.

Jalandhar.

Wazir Khan constable No. 389, Police Lines Jalandhar.

Ch. Abdul Haq, D.S.P. (P.W. 337), Jalandhar. Re. ie Nee. Ie Khan Bahadur,

S.I.

(P.W. 338)

Police Lines Officer.

Jalandhar.

ss SSFSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSeeFeFeEeEeeEeSeeFeFSSFSSSFeFeFSFeFeeee

300

Evidence of Mr. C.W. Jacob I.C.S. Deputy. Secretary, Government of India Home Department stated on November 6, 1924. He was the Deputy Commissioner of Jalandhar at the time of encounter at Mander.

Chapter 5

Babar

Akali

Third

Conspiracy

TiraijNo: sor

Case

A925

In the Court of Mr. S.S Harrison, Additional

Sessions

Judge

Punjab, at Lahore

King Emperor

Versus Nikka Singh and others-Accused.

Charge :—Under Sections 120-B, 302, 307, 325, 326, 394, 395, 396, 397, read with Sections 109, 114, 115, 116, 120-B of the Indian Penal Code and under Sections 6, 13 and 14 of the Indian Arms Act XI of 1878, read with Sections 109, 114, 115,

116 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code. Committed by Lala Sant Ram, Special Magistrate, exercising the Power's of Magistrate Ist Class, through the Province of the Punjab, hereby charge :—

1. Nikka Singh son of Buta Singh Allowal, District Amritsar.

2. Nikka

Singh

son

of

Dhaunkal

Aujla Sikh-Jat,

Singh

village

Gill Sikh-Jat,

History of the Babar Akalis

226

of village Gill, District Ludhiana, at present village Gill, District Lyallpur. _ Mukand Singh son of Sarmukh

village Jawaddi, District Jawaddi, District Lyallpur.

Singh Sekhon Sikh-Jat,

Ludhiana, at present village

._ Banta Singh son of Hazara Singh Gill Sikh-Jat, village Gurusar District Ludhiana, at present village Gurusar, District-Lyallpur. . Sunder Singh son of Basawa Singh Pannu Sikh-Jat, village Lohke, District Amritsar, at present village Lohke,

District Lyallpur.

. Gujjar Singh son of Kabul Singh, Grewal Sikh-Jat, villege Dhapaee, District Ludhiana, at present District Lyallpur. . Ishar Singh son of Mewa Singh Dhillon Sikh-Jat, village Manko, at present village Chak No. 263 Dijkot District Lyallpur.

. Teja

Singh

son

of Buta

Singh Aujla Sikh-Jat, village

Allowal, District Amritsar.

. Gyan

Singh

son“of Heera Singh Aujla Sikh-Jat, village

Allowal, District Amritsar.

10. Diwan Singh son of Heera Singh Aujla Sikh-Jat, village Allowal, District Amritsar. . Banta Singh son of Ishar Singh Allowal, District Amritsar.

Aujla Sikh-Jat,

. Rattan Singh son of Chajja Singh village Vain Poeen, District Amritsar. . Kashmira

Singh

son

of

Harnam

Khaihra

Singh

Gill

village

Sikh-Jat,

Sikh-Jat,

village Sabhranwan, District Lahore (now Amritsar). 14. Pala Singh son of Hari Singh Gill Sikh-Jat, village Jaur Singhwala, District Lahore, now District Amritsar.

15: Gurdit Singh son of Puran Singh Pannu Sikh-Jat, village Alipur, District Lahore, now District Amritsar.

é Babar Akali Third Conspiracy Case

227

16: Bhan

Singh son of Hukam Singh Randhawa _ Sikh-Jat, village Randhawa Masandan, District Jalandhar.

ad: Labh

Singh son village Randhawa

of Gujjar Singh Randhawa Sikh-Jat, Masandan, District Jalandhar.

18. Surain es

Singh son of Thakar Singh, village Daulatpur, District Jalandhar.

Bassi

Lal

Sikh-Jat, village

Singh

son of Gulab Singh Hothi

Raipur-Rasulpur,

Sikh-Jat,

District Jalandhar.

20. Udham Singh son of Pandit Labhu Ram

Brahaman-Sikh

village Nusi, District Jalandhar.

21; Munsha Singh son of Jhanda Singh Sikh-Jat, village Sarawan (Sarai Khas), District Jalandhar.

22. Bachint Singh son of Udham Singh Sikh-Rajput, District

Jalandhar. 23: Dhanna

Singh son of Harnam Singh Khaira village Khaira Majja, District Jalandhar.

Sikh-Jat,

24. Surain Singh alias Pheru son of Bachint Singh LambardarKang Sikh-Jat, village Kang-Mai, District Hoshiarpur.

=2d. Bhola

Singh

son

of

Waryam Singh Dhammi Sikh-Jat,

village Dhamian Kalan, District Hoshiarpur.

26. Bhola

Singh son of Kirpa Singh Kathe, District Hoshiarpur.

wwe ie)

Sarehra-Sikh,

Diwan Singh son of Hakim Singh village Kathe, District Hoshiarpur.

Dhami

village

Sikh-Jat,

SF Kishan Singh son of Partap Singh alias Taba Sandhar Sikh-Jat, village Sandhara, District Hoshiarpur. YALE Sadhu Singh Sikh-Jat,

son of Partap Singh

alias

Taba Sandiar

village Sandhara, District Hoshiarpur.

- 30. Nand Singh son of Karam Singh Sikh-Rajput, Mundian, District Jalandhar.

village

History of the Babar Akalis=

228 31. Gurdas Singh son of village Kotli Bawa-Das,

Banta Singh Bains District Hoshiarpur.

32. Harbakhsh Singh son of Dial Singh village Jassowal, District Hoshiarpur.

Sikh-Jat, .

Purewal Sikh-Jat,

33. Naurang Singh son of Tara Singh Gill Sikh-Jat, Gurusar, District Ludhiana.

village-

34. Banta Singh son of Rattan Singh

village

Gill, District

Ludhiana

at present

Gill

Sikh-Jat,

village Gill,

District -

Lyallpur.

35. Ghulam Rasul son of Suna Ullah Khan, Pathan village Basti Guzzan, District Jalandhar.

36. Hazara Singh son of Inder Singh Sikh-Jat, District Jalandhar. 37. Chanan Singh son of Pandit Radha Ram, village Nusi, District Jalandhar.

Muslim,

village and?

Brahman Sikh, -

Trial held at Lahore in the District of Lahore and inthe. Central Jail, Lahore, from March 25, 1925 to February 27, 1926. This case

generally

Akali Conspiracy persons, whose

above,

on

Case’,

known

and

No. 3 of 1925,

names and parentage

charges

referred to

of Criminal

as the

related to trial of 37

and residences

Conspiracy

“Babar-

are given

; importation

and

possession of arms, ammunition and Military Stores, going armed without a license ; murder, attempt to murder; grievous hurt ; robbery with hurt ; dacoity and murder in dacoity. In consequence of the disclosures made by Asa Singh alias. Mehtab Singh (P. W. 25) son of Ram Singh of Phakrudi, an approver and Dhanna Singh (P. W. 29) son of Ram Singh of © Pindori Bawa-Das, an approver and other information received | through the Investigating Agency, it was decided by the. Government to make simultaneous arrests of these persons, alleged to be concerned with the Third Babar Akali Conspiracy Case of which, Trial No. 3 of 1925 had Started. In this case the-

“Babar Akali Third Conspiracy Case

223

“Conspiracy Occurred a Dacoity at Village “took place in Chak

No.

96,

Ball and

the murders

Branch, P. S. Gojra

Jhang

in the

-Lyallpur District, were the main targets. Formation

In those

days,

of

Babar

Babar

Waryam

Akali

Singh

Jatha

Dhugga,

was

an

“absconder, who after escaping from an encounter of village ~“Mundher, he managed to form the Babar Akali Jatha, in Lyallpur “District, which was a chunk of the Colonist, from the Jalandhar “Doab. The following members tooka pledge, to Reform (murder) «the Jholi-Chuks (stooges of the Government) :—

1. Babar

\shar Singh

of

Chak No.

263. Dijkot (Manko),

District Lyallpur. 2. Babar Rala Singh Kalkatiof Chak No. 263. Dijkot (Manko), District Lyallpur.

. Babar Banta Singh of Gurusar District Lyallpur. . Babar Naurang Singh of Gurusar, District Lyallpur. . Babar Sunder Singh of Lohke, District Lyallpur, . Babar Gujjar Singh of Dhapaee, District Lyallpur.

. Babar Mukand Singh of Jawaddi, District Lyallpur. . Babar Nikka Singn of Gill, District Lyallpur.

O51 © Vokes. © Babar Waryam Singh of Dhugga, Hoshiarpur. DAGOITY

Al. BALL

-Fabruary

4,°1925.

History

The village of Ball! was originally owned by Ball Sikh-Jats. ~The author is told by the eldarly people that the Ball Sikh-Jats “had to shift from here tosome other convenient place, due 1

Had-bast No. 150 Area

243

Hectares.

miles to the North from Jalandhar, on

P.S.

Kartarpur.

It is situated 7

the Jalandhar-Pathankot

Road.

History of the Babar Akalis =

230

to the enmity of the Pathans of Dhogri?. of Akbar

(1556-1605)

It was during the reign from the village of

Hothi-Jats,

that the

Hothian District Sialkot had occupied the villages of Ball & They had inflicted a crushing defeat on the Raipur Rasulpur?. Pathans of Dhogri. The author holds the opinion that Hothi Jats are an off shoot of the Gakhars. Hothis seem to be the descentants who was a very powerful ruler of Raja Hothi or Raja Hodi, of the Ghakhar Clan in the 4th century A.D. He was the ruler of

Districts of Jhelam, Peshawar, Rawalpindi the Co-eval with Raja Rasalu, whose Ranee love with Raja Hodi‘. However, even today villages are playing equally an important

and Sialkot. He was Koklan had fallen in Hothis of these two role in political and

social fields. They are very enterprising people. Babar Akalis needed The Babar Akalis

had

Arms

and Ammunition

tried several

times to

get money for

the purchase of arms and ammunition. On February 23, 1923, they tried their hand at Seth Munshi Ram, Handa Khatri, of Jadla, P.S. Rahon. Shrewed as the Seth was, he had deposited the amount of Rs. twenty two thousand in the Bank, only on the previous evening. Therefore, they could not get anything from

him. The next, in list was Jawala Singh and his brother Naranin Singh of village Pindori Bawa Das®. On November 14, 1923, where they got handsome jewellery but meagre cash. Dacoity

Messers Prabh Dayal and Chanan Ram, sons of Seth Kanshi Ram, Dhunne Goldsmith of village Ball, were notorious 2

Had-bast No. 164 Area 1133 Hectares. of India,

in

1947,

village

Khan had come to India with given by the Sultan,

village was then Gazetted P-102. 3

Dhogri

Mehmud

up-rooting

P.S. Adampur.

was

owned

of

the Dhug

named, Dhogri-the

by

Ghazna, whom Jats,

fortress

Legends of the Punjab Vol. Ill. p. 227.

5

Had-bast No. 108. Area 125.

Hectares

P.S. Hariana.

One Tatar

this village was -

after whose

of the

Had-bast No. 163 Area 655 Hectares, P.S, Adampur.

4

Before the partition -Pathans.

name

the.

Dhugs-Jalandhar +

Babar Akali Third Conspiracy Case

231

moneylanders. They were very rich people. They used to advance loans to farmers at an exorbitant rate of interest. To get money, from them, the people had to mortgage their ornaments, which were not returned with one excuse or the other. Reports of the atrocities of these Goldsmith brothers had also reached the Babar Akalis, who were already in need of money. One Ganddoo, son of Hakim Singh Hothi, Sikh-Jat, who was their neighbour,

approached

Babar Surain

Singh (Accused No. 18)

of village

Daulatpur® and gave full information about their cash and kind. He also tutored them how to commit dacoity. So the Babars devised ways and means to loot the property of those bloodsuckers. Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) an approver of the Second Conspiracy

case and Babar Nikka Singh Aujla (Accused

No. 1) of the 3rd

Conspiracy case, were the chosen persons to carry through their plans. The following Babar Akalis were invitedto lcot and reform

the goldsmith brothers.

1. Babar

Udham Singh (Accused No. 20)

son

of

Pandit

Labhoo Ram Sikh-Brahman of Nussi, District Jalandhar. 2. Babar Munsha Singh (Accused No. 21) son of Jhanda Singh Sikh-Jat of Sarai Khas, District Jalandhar. 3. Babar Surain Singh (Accused No. 18) son of Thakar Singh, Bassi Sikh-Jat of Daulatpur, District Jalandhar.

4. Babar

Dhanna

Singh

Khaira

Singh

(Accused No. 23) son of Harnam

Sikh-Jat

of

Khaira-Maijja,

District

Jalandhar. 5. Babar

Surain

Singh

(Accused No. 24) son of

Singh Kang Sikh-Jat, District

Bachint

Hoshiarpur.

6. Babar Gurdit Singh (Accused No. 15) son of Puran Singh Sikh-Jat of Alipur District Lahore, now Amritsar, in

Patti Tahsil. 7. Babar Nikka Singh

(Accused No. 1) son of Buta Singh Aujla Sikh-Jat of Allowal, District Amritsar.

5

Two miles to the North-east from

272 Hectares.

village

Ball.

Had-bast

No.

148 Area

History of the Babar Akalis

232

Narain Singh Dhugga, 8. Babar Waryam Singh son of who later had pur Hoshiar District Dhugga, Sikh-Jat of District. Lyallpur 54 No. Chak died in an encounter at Bains Singh of Ram 9, Dhanna Singh (P. W. 29) son Sikh-Jat of Pindori Bawa Das, District Hoshiarpur.

10. Babar Chanan Singh son of Pandit Radha Ram Brahman-Sikh of Nussi, District Jalandhar, an absconder for life. On the fateful night of February 4, 1924’, the party assembled near the copse, in the west of the village. When the clock struck

1, Nikka Singh (Accused No. 1) and Dhanna Singh (P. W. 29) through thé house of Udho son of Dewa_ Singh Hotti Sikh-Jat, climbed on the roof of Prabh Dyal and Chanan Ram Dhunne Goldsmith’s house. Prabh Dyal had smelt the foul play, so he jumped out of the house, before the Babars could get hold of him. Chanan Ram, with all the members of his family, consisting of his son Amarnath, astudent of 9th class, Mrs. Dhan Devi® wife of Prabh Dyal, Mrs. Mansa Devi? wife of Chanan Ram & mother of Amar Nath, and other minor children. Babar Nikka Singh, Babar Udham Singh, and

Babar

Dhanna

Singh

Munsha

Singh,

(P. W.

29)

began

to

Babar beat

Gurdit Singh the _ inmates,

Mrs. Dhan Devi was a wise lady. She handed over all the keys of the iron safes, boxes and almirahs. Babars stopped beating, then she told them to take away anything but for God’s sake do not beat any body. They hurriedly collected cash, jewellery and costly clothes!®. The following ornaments and cash were looted away by the Babar Akalis, according to the Police Reports :—

7

1. Heavy neclaces

3 each

27 tolas=81

Tolas

2. Gulu-Bands

5 each

7 tolas=35

Tolas

Kitab Yad-dashat Juraem

Part \l.

Kartarpur Police-Station

Records.

8

From the village

9

Sandhwan, near Kapurthala.

10

59(1)

B. Dated

4.2.1924

Ucha-Pind, P.S. Sadr Police-Station, Jalandhar.

The author was told hearty.

Form No. 22,

this by Amar

Nath

aneye-witness

who

is hale

and

“Babar Akali Third Conspiracy Case

233

3. Buggatis

9 each

1

4. Rings

22 each

} tola—11

Pairs

5. Bands

tola=

9 Tolas

Tolas

6 each 8 tolas=96 Tolas

6. Pauhnchis

—do—

4 each 4 tolas=32

7. Phuls

—do—

4 each1

tolas=8

Tolas

8. Thootis

4 each1

tolas=4

Tolas

9. Pattaries

4 each 2

tolas=8

Tolas

Tolas

60 Tolas

10. Gold Silver

Box

12 seers

1

11. Cash

6,000-00

approximately.™

Prabh Dyal aroused the whole village. The people gathered “promptly roundthe house. Dhanna Singh (P. W. 29) warned the villagers that if they attempted to harm the Babars, the whole village would be blown up. Therefore, they desisted from doing so. --Since they had come to reform the money-landers only, they did no harm any common people. So none among them dared attack the Babar Akalis. When they left the house with the plunder, one of the Babars asked Chanan Ram to show them out of the village. Apprehending ‘danger to his life, Mrs. Dhan Devi implored them that ~ they had already taken away everything from them, they should spare the life of Chanan Ram so that he might look after his infant children. Thereupon, against the wishes of other comrades, Dhanna Singh (P. W. 29) pushed Chanan Ram towards the house and the Babars went away. 11

Amar

Nath

author

that

son

of Chanan

this

gold

Ram Dhunne and his Mrs. Sarasati

belonged to the customers,

told

to prepare their

the

orna-

ments. Corroborated by Babar Surain Singh (Accused No.24) son of Thakar Singh of Daulatpur, was

one of the participants.

sold at the rate of Rs. 18.00.

At that time one tola of gold

History of the Babar Akalis>

234 A Great

Set Back to the Government

It was a great jolt to the British Government. The Jhol/-chuks were all the more shocked. The reaction of ! this dacoity was two-fold. Those who suffered gravely at the hands of those blood-suckers, rejoiced, while the others, had grieved. thinking that the Babars may mend their ways of accumulation of wealth by illegal means. Consequently the Government took a very

atrocity or the

serious

view

deterioration of law and order in the Doaba. Harnam the Head Constable was the first to have reached the

of

Chand, spot of

dacoity, at Ball. Then Agha Khan, the Thanedar followed him. The task investigating this case was allotted to Babu Khan, who made a thorough probe into the case. The culprits were detected and taken and traced out. Ultimately all Babars Aka/is, mentioned above were challaned. Investigation into the dacoity of Ball was conducted by Agha Khan, Sub-Inspector of Police and Babu

Khan, Inspector of Police. The trial of these Babars Akalis was held in the Central Jail, Lahore. Dhanna Singh (P. W. 29) of Pindori Bawa Das and Asa Singh

alias

Mehtab

Singh

(P. W. 25)

of

Phakrudi,

both

the

approvers of the Second Conspiracy Case, and Prabh Dayal, Chanan Ram, Mrs. Dhan Devi, Mrs. Mansa Devi and Amar Nath son of Chanan Ram Dhunne appeared against the Babar Akalis as prosecution witnesses before Mr. S. S. Harrison, the Additional

Sossions Judge, at Lahore.

The Additional

Judge,

announced

the judgement as under :— 1. Nikka Singh son of Buta Singh Sikh-Jat village Allowal, District Amritsar, to be hanged by neck, till he

is dead. 2. Teja Singh son of Buta Singh Sikh-Jat District Amritsar, 20 years. R. I.

village Allowal, .

3. Gian Singh son of Heera Singh Sikh-Jat, village Allowal... District Amritsar, 20 years. R. I.

Babar Akali Third Conspiracy Case

4.

235%

Dewan Singh son of Heera Singh Allowal, District Amritsar, Acquitted.

Sikh-Jat village

. Banta Singh son of Ishar Singh Sikh-Jat, village Allowal

District Amritsar, 20 years R. |.

- Gurdit Singh son of Puran Singh Sikh-Jat, village Alipur, District Lahore, now District Amritsar, 20 years. R.I.

. Bhan Singh son of Hukam village Randhawa Masanda, R. |. Acquitted in appeal. . Labh

Singh

son of Gujjar

village Randhawa

Masandan,

Singh Randhawa Sikh-Jat, District Jalandhar, 20 years,

Singh

Randhawa Sikh-Jat,

District Jalandhar, 20 years,

R. |. Acquitted in appeal. . Surain Singh son of Thakar Singh, Bassi Sikh-Jat, viilage Daulatpur, District Jalandhar, 20 years. R. I. La! Singh son of Gulab

Singh

Hothi

Sikh-Jat,

village

Raipur-Rasulpur, District Jalandhar, Acquitted in appeal. . Udham Singh son of Pandit Labhu Ram Brahaman-Sikh, village Nussi, District Jalandhar,

- Munsha

Singh

Sarawan

20 years. R. I.

son of Jhanda

(Sarai Khas)

Died in Andaman

Singh

Sikh-Jat, village-

District Jalandhar,

20 years R. I.

Jail.

13. Bachint Singh son of Udham Singh Sikh-Rajput, village Domunda,

District Jalandhar, 20 years R. I.

14. Dhanna Singh Khaira

son of Harnam Singh Sikh-Jat, villageDistrict Jalandhar, 20 years R. |. Died*

Majja,

during the trial.

15. Surain Singh alias Pheru Lambardar son of Bachint Singh. Kang Sikh-Jat, village Kang-Mai, 20 years R.I.

16. Bhola

Singh

son

of Waryam

District Hoshiarpur, 20 years R.1.

District

Singh

Hoshiar-pur,

Dhami

Sikh-Jat,,

~236

History of the Babar Akatis 17. Bhola Singh son of Kirpa Singh Sarehra-Sikh, village Kathe, District Hoshiarpur, 20 years R.1. 18. Dewan

Singh

son

of

Dewa

Singh

Sikh-Jat,

village

Kathe, District Hoshiarpur. Acquitted. 19. Kishan Singh son of Partap Singh alias Taba Sandhar Sikh-Jat, village Sandhara, District Hoshiarpur, 20 years Ral -20. Sadhu Singh son of Partap Singh alias Taba Sandhar Sikh-Jat, District Hoshiarpur, 20 years R.I. Acquitted in appeal.

-21. Nand Singh son of Karam Singh Rajput Sikh-Jat, village Mundian, District Jalandhar. Acquitted. -22. Gurdas Singh

son

of Banta

Singh

Bains

Sikh-Jat,

village Kotli Bawa Das.. District Hoshiarpur. Acquitted. -23. Harbakhsh Singh village

son of

Jassowal,

District

Dial Singh, Purewal Hoshiarpur,

20

Sikh-Jat, years

R.I.

Acquitted in appeal. -24. Ghulam Rasul son of Suna Ullah Khan Pathan Muslim, village Basti Guzzan, District Jalandhar. Acquitted.

-25. Hazara Singh son of Inder Singh Sikh-Jat, District Jalandhar. 20 years. R.1.

village and

All the Babar Akalis who “Babar Akali Movement, during

had taken active parts in the the period 1920 to 1924 were ‘produced inthe court of law for this trial. This included all those who were involved in the murder case of Jawala Singh of “Pindori Bawa Das. Murderous assault on Bishan Singh of “Sandhara, murder of Atta) Muhammad Patwari, attempt on the ‘life of Subedar Sunder Singh of Randhawa Barota, Dacoity at “the Dhogri Railway Station and Dacoity at Ball.

~T.

Murder of Mohan Singh Gill Lambardar, Chak No. 96, on 12-13 April, 1924.

Mohan Singh Lambardar son of Mastan Singh Gill Sikh-Jat, “Originally belonged to village Gill, which is situated 3 miles

Babar Akali Third Conspiracy Case

235.

to the South of Ludhiana on the Ludhiana-Malerkotla Road. Hisfather Mastan Singh Gill had three sons, Kakar Singh Gill, . Mohan Singh Gill and Kirpa Singh Gill. Mastan Singh and his. two sons, Kakar Singh [Gill and Kirpa Singh Gill lived in his. village, while Mohan Singh got a square of land in Chak No. 96, . Jhang Branch, Police-Station Gojra!”, Tahsil Toba, Tek Singh, District Lyallpur. On the basis of his sycophancy, he was made. Lambardar by the British Government, Chak No. 96 was known.-

as Gillan,

after the name

of its original

village Gillan,

District-

Ludhiana. Mohan Singn Lambardar had

5 sons, Amrik Singh Gill, who.

was shot-dead by the Babar Akalis, alongwith his father, Ujaggar Singh Gill, died in 1978, Pritam Singh Gill died long:; ago, Thakar Singh Gill, died Gill, Sarpanch and E.T.O.

a few years back and Kartar Singh retired died on 31.8.1982. After the. partition of India in 1947, sons of Mohan Singh Lambardar were. allotted land in lieu of Chak No. 96, District Lyallpur at :—

Village Khasi Kalan1®,

Tahsil and

District Ludhiana,

7 miles.

to the west of Ludhiana. Attack

An attack on the Lambardar was committed by the Babar Akalis on the night of 12th & 13th April, on Baisakhi, 1924. All the 12 Babar Akalis whose names are given below, hired a tonga of Waryama Chamar, son of Gola, who originally belonged to

village Manko, District Jalandhar but had settled at Chak No. 263, in Lyallpur Tahsil, District Lyallpur. The author is told by the Dijkotias*4 that Waryama Chamar had a very strong and sturdy 12

Toba Tek

Singh

16

miles,

Jhang 42 miles, Lahore-via 13 14

Had-bast

Tandlianwala

28

No. 183 Area 957 Hectares.

P.S. Sadr

The residents of Dijkot or Dichkot,

Samundri,

miles ; and Lyallpur 20 miles.

authoris

Waryama

Chamar

became a Muslim.

was

an

miles.

Lyallpur,31 miles,

Lyallpur 141 miles.

The earner

Ludhiana.

8 miles;

told

of evil means.

bythe

Tandlianwala

Dijkotias

After the partition,

15

that he.

238

History of the Babar Akalis

horse and used to keep the tonga fully equipped and decorated. They reached the house of Lambardar Mohan Singh Gill, who

was quite well off. The Babar Akalis needed money to purchase arms and ammunition. Lambardar Mohan Singh was a great Jho//-Chuk (Loyalist) of the British Government. Like Zai/dar Bishan Singh of Rani-Thua, Kapurthala State; he was so against the Aka//s that he did not allow the Sikhs to tie black or blue turbans and discouraged them to say their prayers in the Gurdawaras. Sardar Dilbagh Singh, seion of the Shahid-i-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh, was the King of such Jholi-Chuks of this area. Such people were handsomely paid by the British Government. So the Badar Akails had planned, the day of Baisakhi

to reform them also. On April 13th, i.e. on the following Babar Akalis assembled in

chak No. 96 of the Lambardar. . Babar Nikka Singh Gill Sikh-Jat of Gill. . Babar Mukend Singh Sekhon Sikh-Jat of Jawaddi. . Babar Banta Singh Gill Sikh-Jat of Gurusar. . Babar Sunder Singh Pannu Sikh-Jat of Lohke.

. Babar Gujjar Singh Grewal Sikh-Jat of Dhapaee.

. Babar \shar Singh Dhillon Sikh-Jat of Dijkot (Manko). . Ralla Singh Kalkat Sikh-Jat of Dijkot. Babar Watyam Singh Dhugga Sikh-Jat of Dhugga. . Babar Kashmira Singh Gill Sikh-Jat of Sabhranwan.

. Babar Pala Singh Gill Sikh-Jat of Jaur Singhwala.

—_mN)— Ol Om COR! Oe Oe so

The main-gate of Lambardar's house was bolted from inside. The house was also protected by 8 feet high outer wall, made of sun-burnt bricks. It was midnight, when the party advanced towards his house. Babar Waryam Singh of Dhugga was armed with a gun and a revolver. He gave his gun to Babar

Ishar Singh Dhillon of Manko and

kept the revolver with

him.

“Babar Akali Third Conspiracy Case

259)

Babar Nikka Singh of Gill and Babar Gujjar Singh of Dhapaee were also armed with guns, while the others had Chhavis. Babar

Waryam Singh of Dhugga,

by climbing over the wall,

jumped into the compound of the house of Lambardar Mohaii Singh and his wife Mrs. Har Kaur were asleep. Meanwhile, Babar Nikka Singh of

house.

Gill also

had jumped into the

Waryam Singh had not yet fully stood

the Lambardar threw him down and

Mrs.

compound

Har

Kaur,

fell

wife of the Lambardar

of the

on his legs when

upon him.

Meanwhile,

began shrieking

ioudly.

Waryam Singh, while lying under, fired from his revoiver and shut the Lambardar to death.

Nikka

The

the

others also

entered

Singh

house.

opened

They

the

other

door.

began to search

fo;

ornaments and cash in the house. Hearing the cry of Mrs. Har Kaur and sound of the pistol fire, the villagers began to surround the House. Amarik Singh son of the Lamaardar and Natha Singn Balmikee, and the servant were shot dead by the Babars.

Buta

Ram,

Inspector

of

Police,

who had investigated

the

cases of the Babar Akalis, in the Doaba, was deputed to help Mr. De

Gale I.P.S.,

the

Superintendent of Police,

Buta Ram, was more loyal than the King himself.

District Lyalipur.

With

the help

of local Jholi-Chuks and the professional Police-touts, he spread anet of intelligiciers, with the promise of high Royal awards. Babar Waryam Singh of Dhugga, a great terror to the Government,

was later shot-dead, in an encounter with the help of Lyallpur, Ralia Bazar, Jhang of Arhrati an Arora,t®> Sahib Ditta Gill’ of Singh Dalel and Singh Kalkat!® of Dijkot, Chak No. 263 Surhala Kalan, Chak No. 274 the maternal uncle (mama) of

15

Sahib Ditta was awarded two squares of land, which after Partition the village of Jaffalan, P.S. Bhogpur.

146

Ralla Singh was awarded one square of land which village of Behram,

47

He was

awarded

he

got

allotted

he got allotted in tna

P.S. Bhogpur. one

square

of land, which

Khardehar of P.S. Hariana Hadbast

he got alloted in the villag

No. 93, Area

104 Hectares.

240

History of the Babar Aksiis>

Waryam Singh Dugga. Buta Ram, with the help of Ralla Singh Kalkat Dijkotia, Chak No.263, P.S. Dijkot, Tahsil Lyallpur traced out the killers of Mohan Singh Lambardar and got them all arrested. They were committed by Mr. Sant Ram, First Class Magistrate to the Session Court. On the evidences of Mrs. Har Kaur, wife of Mohan Singh Lambardar, the deceased, Ralla Singh Kalkat!® of Dijkot (Manko) the main approver, being both eye-witnesses, the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Mr. S.S. Harrison, under the Trial No. 3 of 1925, announced his Judgementon February 27, 1926 as under :— 1.

“Nikka Singh son of Dhaunkal Singh village Gill, District Lyallpur.

2.

Mukand Singh son of Sarmukh Singh Sekhon Sikh-Jat of village Jawaddi, District Lyallpur.

3.

Banta Singh son of Hazara Singh Gill Sikh-Jat of lage Gurusar Sultani, District Lyallpur.

4.

Sunder Singh son of Basawa Singh village Lohke, District Lyallpur.

Panuu,

Sikh-Jat of

5.

Gujjar Singh son of Kabul Singh village Dhapaee, District Lyallpur.

Grewal

Sikh-Jat of

6.

Ishar Singh son of Mewa Singh village Dijkot, District Lyallpur :—

Dhillon

Sikh-Jat of

will

Gill Sikh-Jat of

be hanged by the neck, till they are dead.”’

Ishar Singh

of

Dijkot,

years R.|. Ralla Singh granted Royal Pardon.

of

in the appeal was sentenced to 20° Dijkot (Manko) the approvers was.

ceee e ee ee 18

Originally

he

belonged

Hectares, P.S. Haraina,

to village

Kalkat

Had-bast

No.

167. Area 9@

Chapter

Account

of Occurrences

(1931 1.

Murder 1:93.60.

of

Jagat

6

to 1942) Singh

of

Kadiana-January

16,

Kadiana?, is a small village, situated about 2 miles to the North from Sham-Chaurasi, in the Hariana Police Station, District Hoshiarpur. The Khera? belongs to the Dhillon Sikh, Jats but now, mainly, the original settlement of the village is owned by the Kalkat Sikh Jats. During the later Sikh Misl’s period, one Sardar Bhag Singh Dhillon of village Thethikhara, two miles from Tarantaran, District Amritsar had shifted to this part of the country. He had possessed three villages, Kadiana, Goni-di-Talwandi end Bhoondian. Now the descendent of his family, Kartar Singh Sarpanch son of Sardar Thakar Singh Dhillon ownes some tand at the village of Kadiana, who is a politically awakened and had been actively fighting for the independence of India. The land is very productive and fit for the garden colonies. All the crops are grown here. ee

ee

a

na

1

Had-bast No. 188, Area. 220 Hectares P.S. Hariana.

2

Original settlement.

a

ES

242

History of the Babar Akalis

Jagat Singh son of Meehan Singh, Kalkat Sikh-Jat, the resident of this village was a debauch, who was entered in Register B.C. No. 10 of the Hariana Police Station. He was also a tout of the Police and a notorious Police informer, psycophant and a dacoit. He had committed dacoity at the Liquer Licensed shop at Kaheri®? Sahari* village and had the habit of looting the

travellers also.

At the behest of the loyalists

the Jho/i-chucks,

of the British Government, who were anti Babar Akalis, Jagat Singh began to tantalize and trouble the family members of the Babar Akalis either who had died in encounters with the Police, or were hanged or were imprisoned. At this time, almost all the active Babar Akalis were behind the Bars and the loyalist had vengefully turned against the families Babar Akalis.

Sadhu Taba,

Singh

son

of Sardar

a Sikh-Jat of village

Partap

Sandhara®,

Singh Sandhar, was released

alisas

from the

Central Jail, Lahore, in 1929, where at that time, all the Babars were confined. Woeful tales of the atrocious treatment towards the family members of the Babar Akalis by Jagat Singh and other Jholi-Chuks were reaching them. So Babar Sadhu Singh, a youngman of 28 years had determined to teach a lesson to Jagat Singh and his other companions. Babar Labh Singh son of Sardar Gujjar Singh Randhawa, 30 years and Babar Bhan Singh son of Sardar Hukam Singh Randhawa, 36 years, both of village Randhawa Masandan®, fully enthused with the SBSabar 3 is

5

Had-bast No. 242, Area, 519 Hectares, P.S. Sadr, Hoshiarpur. Had-bast No. 241, Area 550 Hectares P.S. Sadr Hoshiarpur. Had-bast

No. 130.

Area

130

Hectares,

whole village is owned

by

in Multan

in Pakistan

District, now

Sandhar

in Hariana

Sikh Jats.

this part of the Ravi, they are Sikh-Jats

Police Station.

Jat

and are Muslims

Sandelah, Sandhal and Sandhar are of the same 6

A

The

clan, mainly found

there.

Sanda, Sandh,

sub-caste of the Jats.

On

(Glossary Vol. Ill, p. 351).

Had-bast No. 38, Area 296 Hectares. The whole village is owned by Randhawa Sikh Jats, is situated 3 miles to the North from Jalahdhar. The

Randhawa

is a large and widely spread Sikh-Jat tribe whose

appear to be the Amritsar and Gurdaspur

in considerable

numbers

in Lahore,

District (Glossary Vol. l/l, p. 310).

Headquarters

Districts, but who are also found

Jalandhar,

Hoshiarpur

and

Patiala.

«Account of Occurrences (1931 to 1 942) -Akali zeal, “Sandhara.

had

joined

hands

with

243 Babar

Sadhu

Singh

of

At the very outset they murdered Jagat Singh, in a broad day light, bringing him out of his own house. They murdered

~Jawala Singh son of Inder

Singh

of village Kathe’, Sucha Singh

son of Sunder Singh of village Sandharan Sodhian, Mrs. Mahan ' Kaur, wife of Surain Singh, Mrs. Shekari wife of Banta Singh Dhamian Kalan, Jiwan Singh Lambardar son of Bughel Singh of village Kadiana and Bhag Singh son of Basant Singh, the nepew ~ of Jagat Singh of Kadiana.

All these people had played a great part to co-operate with ~ the British Government against the Babar Akalis. By this all the ~JSholi-chucks were again demoralised and the freedom Jtoving people were encouraged to take active part in the political - activities. The author -Sarpanch anda -Sandhara had Karam Singh of “movement, and

is told by Sardar Kartar Singh Dhillon, 83 years freedom fighter, that Babar Sadhu Singh of conveyed the message inthe words of Jathedar Daulatpur, the founder member of the Babar Akali were dully warned many a time that :—

“Jholi-chuko harambro sach dassan, Babar badhuga wang ganderiean ~ Singh and other touts of the Police, ~ the Babar Akal.

Sohan

District Sialkot,

7

So he killed

who were

Jagat

working against

Singh, The Traitor

Gyani Sohan Rendhawa

de®’.

Singh, son

of Jawahar

a Namdhari was a Granthi

Massandan®.

Had-bast No. 168.

Singh

a TJarkhan

of

in tne Gurdawara

of

He had a melodious voice and used to

Area, 96 Hectares Hariana, Police Station.

8 “Oh bastard sycophants, | tel! you the truth, if you do not desist from your anti-Babar Aka/i activities, the Babar will cut you into pieces.’’ Q

Kadiana

Serial

Records,

District

No.

167 Part|l

Hoshiarpur.

Police

Station Hariana,

Police-Station

History of the Babar Akalis=

244

He was a debauch » sing Shaabads with tarranam and Dharana’. of Randhawa: and was beaten by the people of the village Massandan and was turned out of the Gurdawera. he had shifted to From Gurdawara Randhawa Massandan,

The village of Master Mota Sivgh where village Patara. He was again turned out and being he again became a Granthi. moral of ies beaten, on account of his undesirable activit of turpitude.!?. Sohan Singh, the Namdhari, was the close friend Singh Sohan Babars Labh Singh and Bhan Singh Randhawas. ent. had shown his keen interest towards the Babar Akali Movem They . Babars these of ence confid He had won the full Sohan to y activit had disclosed every secret of their day to-day

Singh. Since both Randhawa Babars were close to Schan Singh, He had shifted from. he began to move with these Babars. the Granth/ of the again was he a, where Kadian village Patara to Gurdawra. Sadhu Singh Sandhara,

Bhan Singh and Labh Singh both of

Randhawa Massandan and Gyan Sohan Singh were challaned by

the S.H.O. Hariana Police Station on June, 26, 1930 under challan No. 24.Gyani Sohan Singh turned an approver and disclosed” every detail of the activities of these three Babar Akalis. On the qruesome seven political murders, in pursuance of of the Babar Akalis Movement, had once more created no confindence in the Government. The Jho/i-Chucks, once again were demoralised and began to think to move out the Doaba, till some ueasures, for their immediate protection could be taken. by the Government.

Urgent Meeting An urgent

meeting

was

convened

10

Ina

11.

The whole village is owned by Khun Khun

His Excellency,

Sir

rythem.

from Jalandhar Cantt. Jalandhar,

12

by

Had-bast

Vide statement of Sardar Gurkachan

Patara,

Sikh-Jats. 3 miles to the North

No. 196 Area.

‘achan

Si Sirgh

195

Hectares.

P.S. pias

Sadr-

Sarsad years Advocate, village. (€9(€9 years)

“Account of Occurrences (1931 to 1942)

245

Geoffrey Fitzberry De Montomorency, the Governor of the *Punjab!*, in January, 1930, in which Mr. Langley I.C.S. the “Commissioner of Jalandhar and Mr. E.M. Denkings, I.C.S., the Deputy Commissioner of Hoshiarpur, Inspector General of Police, Punjab, Lahore and other top functionaries of the Punjab The ways and means for the early Government had attended. ‘ eradication of the Babar Akali influence were worked out.

There was a rule of terror in the vicinity of the *Kadiana, Sandhara and other adjacent villages. The the cavalry contingents had been deployed in Tahsil. People were interrogated, who had to unprecedented tortures, but no body was coming name the killers.

villages of Police and Hoshiarpur under go forward to

Learing about the highest rewards, being offered, from the to those, who would help the Government, for the arrest Or the capture of the culprits, Sohan Singh turned an

“Government,

- approver and disclosed the whole plan of these murders.

At his

“instance, Babar Sadhu Singh of Sandhara, Babar Labh Singh -and Babar Bhan Singh Randhawas were arrested. On January © 6, 1930, they were challaned under Section 302/120-B., Indian ’ Penal Code and Committed to Sections on 21st. November 1930". The Sessions Judge at Hoshiarpur, ‘‘agreeing with the . Assessors the Court found all the three accused guilty under “Sections 302/120-B, Indian Penal Code and sentenced them to - death, by the neck, till they were dead, subject o the confirmation - of the High Court, dated 19.1.1931.1° “Intimation received from the High Court, 192B/ 31 dated 11.4.1931, that the appeal dismissed was on 25.3.1931.

13.

Panjab

under

the

British

letter No. 103, of the accused

“Confirmed the sentence’. All the

Rule,

Vol.

Il.

Dr.

Case

fo.

Bakhshish

Singh

p. 145.

14 *15

Sessions

Register

Hoshiarpur

Trial

2 of 1930.

-Sessions Register Hoshiarpur from 4-1-1925 to 18-1-1935,

p. 34.

Nijjar

246

History of the Babar Akalis

three brave Babar Akalis were hanged in the then District Jalandhar on the early morning of 16th May, 19317°.

Jail, .

According to the Sadhu Singh’s height

Central Jail, Jalandhar Records, Babar~ was 5’-6”, age 32, weight 151 Lbs., health good. His private clothings were handed over by the Jail authorities to Bir Singh. Babar Labh Singh's height was 5-63", age 32 years, weight 132 Lbs. and health indifferent. His clothings were given to his father Sardar Gajjar Singh by the Jail authorities. Babar Bhan Singh's height was 5’-7"", weight 144/142 Lbs.

health good.

His private clothings

were

handed

over

to

Raja Singh, by the Jail authoritities. 2.

Martyrdom of Babar Akali Bet, loth July, 1932.

Rattan

Singh

Rakkaran

.

Rurki Khas

Rurki Khas*’, popularly known as ARurki Sajnian, is a big village, owned-by Agriculturist Sa/nis, in the Balachaur Sub. Tahsil, District Hoshiarpur, situated about two miles to the east of

the Canal, which runs from Balachaur to Garhshankar. The author visited the village on 12th October, 1985, where he met Sardar

Hazara

S. Hazara

Singh

Singh,

93

years,

who

had

seen

the

political

during the British Rule. The author years,

enjoys

a good

health.

upheavels of his area,

also met Mrs. Pritam Kaur, 95 »

herself a freedom fighter, the wife of late Sardar

Gonda

:

Singh. This family viz. Sardar Gonda Singh, his brother Sardar Ishar Singh Lamardar and Mrs. Pritam Kaur were subjected to.

inhuman tortures by the British Government provided full refuge and helped the freedom had a perfect unity, and had been openly Rule. It would need a separate chapter to

because this family fighters. The village defying the Foreign tell the woeful tale

~—

16

Central Jail, Jalandhar

Register

No.

4029/A-5152/A-515/A and 4030/A-

5153/A. By the courtesy of Sardar Surjit

Singh, Superintendent

of Central

©

Jail, Jalandhar (25-11-1985). 17

Had-bast No. 155. Area-108 Kept neat and clean cleared.

Hectares The author

P,S.

Garhshankar.

found

a

The

village is ~

perfect harmony

the residents, who are enterprising, thrify and hard-working

among.

agricuIturists.

_

Account of Occurrences (1931 to 1942)

247

of the sufferings of the people of this village, how daringly they fought against the tyranny of the British Rule. Rattan

Singh

Rakkar

Babar Akali Rattan Singh son of Sardar Jawahar Singh Lambardar Rakkar of village Rakkaran Bet!® was a youngman, of a vengefully rapatious temprament from his childhood. His father was a Lambardar who blonged to a well-to-do Jat Sikh family. Rattan Singh, passed his Matriculation from Government High School, Rahon!®, in 1906. The life and achievements of the Babar are given in the chapter of “Biographies of the Babar Akalis. Here, we are only concerned, how Babar Akali Rattan Singh Rakkar valiantly fought against the foreign foes and how the

people of Aurki-Khas, resisted the onslaught Jholi-Chucks and stood by the freedom fighter.

of

the

The British Government had declared Rattan Singh, a proclaimed offender. An award of Rs. 3000/- and five squares of land, in the Canal Colony, now in Pakistan, was annouced in every News-paper. The posters were pasted in every nook and corner of the Punjab. The matter was also discussed in the British Darliament. Being attracted by the big awards, many traitors joined the race for his arrest. The mounted Police and the British Pavalry men were cordoning the whole Doaba to hunt out Babar Rattan Singh. Though he was hotly pursued, yet he was sheltered everywhere by the Balachaur people, because they were happy and proud of his bravery, his saintly character 18

Asmall

village,

owned

of Rupar-Garshankar Hoshiarpur. 19

Government

by

Canal,

Rakkar,

Had-bast No. 467. High School

Sikh Jats is situated on the left Bank

4 miles to the East from Area

Rahon was

Balachaur. District

171 Hectares. P.S. Balachaur. one

of the

oldest

High Schools in

The Inspector of Schools of Jalandhar Division, Mr. Perkinson the Punjab. he got the message that his was inspecting this school in 1857, when wife was murdered

by the mutineers in

the School Log Book.

Delhi.

This

fact he had noted in

248

History of the Babar Akalis

and patriotism. Gonda Singh, son of Sardar Uttam Singh Saini and Sardar Lachhman Singh Jat, and a Jagirdar of village Simbli*° gave him shelter for a pretty long time, when the Babar was declared a proclaimed offender. Thus Babar Rattan Singh had to shift from place to place. However, from April, 1932, he began to live in Rurki Khas permanently. It was here in the house of Sardar Gonda Singh and his elder brother, Sardar Ishar Singh Lambardar and Mrs. Pritam Kaur, wife of Gonda Singh, the Babar was treated as their real brother. All the people of Rurki Khas, had made ita prestegious point to protect the Babar and to stand by him. The house of Gonda Singh wasa bulwork and the people of the village were the devoted sentinals for the safety of the Babar. Time rolled on Babar Rattan Singh lived there peacefully for sometime?!. Traitors

became

active

Traitors had jumped into the arena to get the Royal rewards. Many people were trying to arrange the arrest of Babar Rattan Singh, in their own way. But one Meehan Singh Kang of village Garhi Qanungoan”’, who was distantly related of the Babar, was most

active among

of any influence in the area, Government Officers was not help of Zaildar Sikander Khan

and trusted friend

all. As he was not

aman

his intellegence given to the acceptable. So he sought the Pathan of village Mehatpur.??

They both met the Deputy Commissioner Mr. N.C. Bakhle 1.C.S.*4 20

21

Had-bast No. 159, Area 315 Hectares, in Garhshankar Tehsil. the village was owned by Muslim Naru Rajputs. Who's who of Indian Martyrs Vol.

302

Shaheed S.

Rattan Singh ji Babar Akali da Singupon, Vaid Garcharan Singh

pp. 50-80.

Hafta-War Punjabi Janta-2 Nov.,

| Dr. P.N. Chopra,

1956, pp. 3-4.

22

Had-bast No. 118. Area 316 Hectares-Tahsil

23

Had-bast No. 183. Area 510 Hectares.

24

Mr. N.C. Bakhla, I.C.S. was the Deputy

5-9-1931

to 6-10-1933.

p.

Originally

Balachaur.

P.S. Nawanshahar. Commissioner of Hoshiarpur from

Account of Occurrences (1931 to 1942)

249

-of Hoshiarpur. Full information of the whereabouts and the “exact position of the house of Sardar Gonda Singh, where the Babar was staying was given, Meehan Singh’s visits to Rurki Khas became more frequent. Rattan Singh was cautioned about Meehan Singh’s evil designs by Jathedar Hazara Singh and others, but Rattan Singh could never imagine that so close and trusted friend and a relative of his, would, ever deceive him. One day Meehan Singh was told by Rattan Singh that he will be in that very house till he comes back from Hoshiarpur Jail, after enquiring the well-being of the members of his family, who were confined there. It was a golden opportunity for the traitor, who instead of meeting Rattan Singh’s family members, went straight to the “Superintendent of Police, Hoshiarpur and arranged the arrest of Babar Rattan Singh Rakkar.

Encounter

~Once

at Rurki

Khas,

15th July, 1932.

Mr. N. C. Bakhla, Deputy Commissioner contacted the Deputy Commissioner

of Hoshiarpur, at of Jalandhar, the

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Jalandhar Range, Jalandhar ~ to co-operate for the prompt action. Two hundred Cavalry men

and more than 200 soldiers of the mounted Police moved to “reach the Aalachaur Railway Station, situated about a mile to the west from Rurki Khas. The operation was so urgently and deligently conducted that the forces, fully equipped, reached, in ‘Buses, Jeeps and on horses. The whole village was surrounded by them from all sides at 1.00 P.M. The Cavalry-men had taken “their positions arround and barricated the village, while the Police and the army-men occupied the streets. The soldiers had ~ taken their positions on the top of the roofs of the houses. All

“the

inhabitants

were

driven

out

of

the

village.

They

were

beaten and abused as they were not co-operating with the ~Government. Even the ladies and children were not spared. “There was a great hue

and

cry among

«created a great awe among the residents.

the people.

The Police

250

History of the Babar Akalis=

The raiding party consisted of several Police officials and’: a large number of Police force as well as some non-officials*® presumably the informers and the loyalists. On reaching the house of Gonda Singh and Mrs. Pritam Kaur, his wife, they

came out of their house and on being questioned by Abdul Ahad, the

Superintendent

Singh, they house”®,

of

Police about the whereabouts of Rattan

denied and added that no body was present in their

Roared the Lion

Babar Rattan Singh was fully alive to face the situation and also the inmates of the house. Rattan Singh girded up the loins. With the loud voice of Bo/e So Nihal the Babar fired from his 3.3 rifle, the sound of which roared

Khan,

Head

Constable,

capture, the Babar

who

alone

was

into the air, killing

advancing

towards

and alive, and was known

Jumme-

him

to

as Bahadur

(brave) in the Police records, Jumme Khan?’ was followed constable Bhagat Singh, they both were killed.

by

The Police were so terrified that none of them dared to attack the house. The Police had already arranged many tins of kerosene oil and the fuel, anticipating any evantuallity. They set the house of Gonda Singh on fire. The inmates were offered safely if they would surrender. The Police wanted to capture the Babar, alive. Supreme

Sacrifice

When the house caught fire, Rattan Singh broke open the wall and entered the next house. The Police continued burning down the houses, wherever the Babar shifted. In this way Rattan Singh continued to shift from one house tothe other

25

Zaildar Sikander Khan

of Mehatpur, Meehan

Singh of

Garhi Qanung

andi

many more Jho/i-chucks,

26 27

Evidence of Sikander Khan Zaj/dar of Mehatpur. Jumme

Khan was known for his

rewards for his dauntlessness.

gallantiy

to face dacoits and had earned:

Account of Occurrences (1931 to 1942)

25%

till he reached the 7th or the 8th. The sun had set in. The~ encounter had started at 1.00 P.M. which continued till 8.30 P.M., when it became dark. Rattan Singh had almost spent his. ammunition, while the Police had already waisted one cart load of ammunition. Babar Rattan Singh came out of the houses and wanted to escape but he could not the find opportunity army and the Cavalry men had fortified the whole village. The situation as under

narrated

by an eye-witness

as

is given,

:—

“She (Mrs. Pritam Kaur)

then left the house with

her child

and a Police party entered the house. Gun shots were fired by some body from inside the house, in consequence of which one Head-constable and two foot-constables

were shot dead.

Ishar

Singh Lambardar also happened to come to the house of -Gonda

Singh at that time, although his house was situated at a considerable distance from that place. On being questioned by the Superintendent of Police, he denied the presence of Rattan Singh in the house of GondaSngh. Shortly after, from inside the house, Ishar Singh further stated that Rattan Singh was not inside the

house.

One Hazara Singh

son of a Lambardar

was

also shot dead by the firing, opened by the person who was present in the house of Gonda Singh. The Police were then

forced to set on fire the above mentioned house and also the adjoining houses as the man had gone into the adjoining houses by making holes through the intervening walls. The Police had an encounter with the brave man for three or four hours”.

“He, after all managed to ascape from inside the house of Gonda Singh andran out into the srreet. A huge fire was lighted by the Police in the lane, just close tothe house of Gonda Singh towards which direction, the Babar ran away. He was chased by the Police party, posted at different places, out side in the lane and on the roofs of the adjoining houses. After

having covering over a distance of about 400 28

At 7.30

P.M.,

when the

full

ammunition

was

Karmas*®

through

spent up by the Babar, he»

himself shot-dead by the last catridge left with him.

History of the Babar Akalis

—Zd2

the zig-zag lanes, he was after all fell dead”, in a pit, situated in a field, close to the village

“the

abad/.

His body having been sent for postmartem examination to mortuary at Hoshiarpur, a photograph of Ex: P. D.on The body was also identified

the file was taken at the mortuary.

Bansi,

a

“mortuary,

as

that

to surrender

-asked

Singh’.

of Rattan

commandant

by the

operation for

the

of

times

several

was

He

at the

Singh

of Rattan

collateral

distant

by one

But the Babar, keeping which he was promised Royal pardon. in view the true tradition of a true soldier of the Kha/sa Panth

saying

did not surrender. used

Akal, he

Sri

the

Nihal, Sat

So

loudly:—Bole

again

catridge of his 3.3 Rifle to shoot

last

himself dead.*° Last Ceremony

at Hoshiarpur

Babar Rattan Singh had killed 3 Policemen

“tout.

and

one

Police

The Police were so terrified that none of them deared even

to go near his dead

body.

Before going near

the Police had fired at him for several

the

dead

times, to become

he had actually been died. In the postmortem,

Babar,

sure, if

examination there

~were 17 bullet wounds on his body. The government

had

apprehended a great

political

stir, so

the dead body of the Babar was not handed over to his relatives. Thousand people were

body.

standing

outside,

to

It was secretly taken away to some

Finding no alternative of escape, the Babar had

the

dead

far off placeinthe

jungle, near Hoshiarpur, where the Babar was 29

claim

cremated

himself

by the

shot-dead

using

the last catridge left with him.

-30

File

started

22-4-1933,

15-7-1932 (216)

‘‘Harbeuring

Rattan

Singh’’

Decision

Account of Occurrences (1931 to 1942)

253

Government, under a heavy guard.*! According to an eye witness

:—

“To dispose of the dead body of shaheed Babar Rattan Singh -

Rakkar the District Administration Hoshiarpur needed conveyance. We had the

information

that Babar

Rattan

Singh

Rakkar died

fighting against the heavy odds of the British Government. In an. encounter at Rurki Khas. A Policemen came to our Transport Company,

in search of some conveyance, to carry his dead body to the creamation ground. | and my cousin Babar Udham Singh

(Accused

No. 15)

of Pindori

Nijran

at

once

went

with

a.

Lorry to the postmortem, room where his dead body was lying bare, pierced with thousands of bullets, with two armed

constables on duty,

apprehending

Rattan

Singh,

ressurrection.

Near by two other dead bodies, clad in white-sheets, of the were. killed by Babar Rattan Singh were constables who also lying there.

We

put

off our long chadras

(sheets) which

we were wearing and provided the coffin to the brave son of the soli: with the help of some of sweepers, we put him on our lorry and took the corpse to an open place, to the east of the present D.A.V. College, where sufficient wood had already been kept ready by the Police. We laid the dead body of Rattan Singh, said the Ardas and lit the pyre. Before we lit the pyre, two

constables who were on duty again fired several bullets on the dead body of the Babar, in an anger, because he had killed their the height of zulm was Such constables. brother two British Government, against the freedom (brutality) of the lovers. As the firewood was available in plenty, we made its full use to dispose of the dead body”. 31

The author

is told

by Jathedar

Hazara

Singh,

an eye-witness that the

others wanted leaders of all the political parties, like Indian Congress and nt was. governme the but n, to cremate the Babar, by taking out a processio

Sardar Dasonda afraid of a political stire. Sardar Harjab Singh of Mahalpur

and Durga Dass Advocate of Hoshiarpur accompained~ people wanted to take outa body were among thousand Babar, the procession with the dead body of

Singh

the

of Dhadda

dead

=2O4

History of the Babar Akalts

“Babar Rattan Singh

Rakkar was a stout and

short statured

»man, about 5 feet Aka//

Sikh. His legs were short, the arms He looked like normal bodies. the than larger long, body fat but Weagain went in the evening to check his ashes. ‘Napolean. We found the guard again. With a _ bucket, full of water, we

gathered the ashes in a bag and immersed it in the sacred waters of tne Satluj River at Kiratpur®?”’.

In the following house Sardar Gonda

up of this operation, the inmates of the Singh, his wife Mrs. Pritam Kaur and his

brother Ishar Singh Lambardar and many more had to face inhuman tortures. Their house and property were burnt. They were challaned and were awarded rigorous imprisonments as under :— Sardar Gonda Singh, 3 years, Mrs. Pritam

Ishar

Singh

Lambardar

2 years,

his

Kaur 2 years

Lambardari

was

and

also

confiscated.

Rurki Khas and British Government

For giving protection to Babar Rattan Singh, and for non-co-operation with the British Government, the people of this village were deprived of even ordinary rights of the subjects. They were harassed as under : — 1.

A Police post was established in the village, the expenditures of which were to be boine by the villagers.

2.

They were fined Rs. 6000/- to make the payment to the Police establishment posted there from 1932 to 1934.

3.

Pensions of all the pensioners of this village were paid for 5 years, which amounted to Rs. 7000/-

4.

The

See eee 32

villagers

were deprived Government services. a eet

Oe ee

ee ee

of the

PY ee

Babar Milkha Singh (Accused No, 12) of village Jalandhar,

Sy

right of ee

Pindori Nijran.

not

getting ny, District

«Account of Occurrences (1937 to 1942) 5.

255;

Those who had actively supported this political struggle they could not move out of the village, without the prior sanction of the Government.

6.

The whole village was British Government.??

The Royal

entered in the black list of the

Awards

For the servies, Meehan Singh of Garhi-Qanungoan and -Zaildar Sikander Khan of Mehatpur were awarded two and half squared of land each in Bar Colony. Both of them were further given Rs. 2500/- as /nam. They were also given one pistol and

one rifle each. Babar Akalis. 3.

However, later they both were

murdered

by the

Murder of Bela Singh of Jian—1933

Bela Singh son of Sunder Singh Jhuti Sikh-Jat, was born at village Jian, situated on the Mahalpur-Hoshiarpur Road, six miles to the South of Hoshiarpur. He was a great tout of the British Government. He was favourite son of the British and Canadian Government. His actions which were always progovernment were highly appreciated by the then India, British “Government. Bela Singh of Jain and Dr. Raghunath, were in Vancouver, when the Kamagata Maru, a Japanese Ship, which was chartered by Baba Gurdit Singh (1860-1954), acontractor from village not Sarhali, District Amritsar, then working in Malaya, was 1914. 23 May, on allowed*# to land in the Harbour of Vancouver, The ship carrying 376 passengers on board of Kamagata-Maru, 33

Shaheed

Rattan

Singh

Ji

Akali

Babar

Singhupan.

da

\aid

Gurcharan

Singh Gyani (1938) pp. 80-104. File

started

2-4-1933,

on

the

15-7-1932,

case

216

of Gonda

“Harbouring

Singh

verses

Singh,

decision

(Hoshiarpur

District

Rattan

State

Judiciary Records Repository). “34

Had-bast No. 310. Area 195 Hectares. Juhti Sikh-Jats.

The

whole village is owned

by the

History of the Babar Akalis™

256

The ship was forced to go back to India, 350 were Sikhs. which reached, after a few months at Budge, Budge 17 miles away from Calcutta, on the afternoon of September 29, 1914. part

of the

Governments was felt gravely settled in America, the Sikhs,

This

action,

on

the

by the Canada,

other foreign countries, many of whom

Candian and Indian Indians, most of them Singapore, Malaya and

hurriedly bounded up their

for desperate struggle and staking their all affairs in their eagerness

on the venture, departed for India to make mutiny in the country. A net work of secret associations was laid out and sympathies of Indian soldiers were also enlisted. February 21, 1915 was fixed for a general rising, but the plan was divulged prematurely by a Police secret agent, who had surreptiously gained entry into the Ghadar Party.

Bela Singh of Jain was a very active tout to furnish day to day intelegence to Mr. William Hopkinson, the Canadian Police Officer at Vancouver, to which he was anadie. Bela Singh with his two companions Bhagat Singh son of Dasondha Singh of Haripur®®> and Bawa Singh son of Puran Singh of Litteran**, both from Jalandhar District had involved many Hindu and Sikhs in the

false cases. While the ship was at Vancouver, William Hopkinson, at the instance of Bela Singh of Jain wanted to get bribe from Baba

Gurdip Singh, which the Baba declined. Hopkinson, therefore, became more bitter against Baba’s enterprise and had thawarted every effort of a compromise. Two of the companions of Bela

Singh were murdered and three months after the departure of the ship, Hopkinson was assasinated by one Mewa Singh a: Sikh Priest, in Vancouver. 35

One

mile

to

the

South

Mewa Singh was hanged on January” from

Adampur.

The

village is owned by Deol:

Sikh-Jats. 36

Had-bast No. 34, Area 453 Hectares, Tahsil Nakodar.

Account of Occurrences (1931 to 1942) 11,1915. His day of Martyrdom Sikhs all over Canada.

is celebrated

257 to this day by

When the Ghadar Movement was almost crushed in India, the Canadian Government had also become inimical against the Sikhs. Bela Singh of Jian with his other two companions. Bhagat Singh of Haripur and Bawa Singh of Littran, had planned to kill Bhai Bhag Singh, the President of the Gurdawara Committee of Vancouver. Hopkinson had purchased the two renegades, Bela Singh of Jian and Bawa Singh of Littran.

Bela Singh and Bawa Singh tried their hands at the life of Bhai Bhag Singh, but failed many atime. It was on September 4, 1914, on the occasion of a Bhog, on the death of Bhai Bishan Singh, while the Sikhs had gathered in the Gurdawara of Vancouver that Bela Singh shot Bhai Bhag Singh, when he was

bowing his head before, the Adi Granth, in the presence of a huge Sangat (congregation). Bela Singh was armed with two pistols, having one in each hand, and had fired all the bullets on the martyr. One Bhai Wattan Singh of village Kumbharwal, of the erstwhile Patiala State, who tried to save Bhai Bhag Singh

was wounded, in the scuffle, and died on the spot. All the people, present in the Gurdawara were armless, so Bela Singh, hurriedly escaped, displaying, both pistols into his hands.

Just to throw dust into the eyes of the Candian Sikhs, a case was filed in the court by the Canadian Government, in which Bela Singh was sentenced for one year only, with the plea that Bela Singh had fired upon Bhag Singh, in his own defence, as he was attacked by him. This had surprised and annoyed the Sikhs all the more. Mr. Hopkinson was personally pursuing the case in the Appellant Court. On the day of hearing, on October 21, 1914. Bhai Mewa Singh, village Lopoke®’, District Amritsar, killed Mr. Hopkinson. Before the Judge, after shooting him dead, Sardar Mewa Singh; placed the revolver on the table of the Judge and said. ‘The learned Judge may please not 37

Had-bast No. 167. Area1143

Hactares P.S, Lopoke, Tahsil Ajnala.

History of the Babar Akalis

258

be affriad of it. | had to kill this renegade of the Sikh Pai.th, who is rightly accounted for.” Bhai Mawa Singh did not run He remained standing calmly, patiently away from the Court. and with confidence. However, in the trial Bhai Mewa Singh He was hanged on January 11, 1915. was sentenced to death. During Ghadar Movement, the British Government had sent many Sikhs to gallows, many were sent to the Andaman Cellular to inhuman, subjected were Jail, where freedom fighters punishments, and many more Sikhs, were sent behind the bars, under the various terms of rigorous imprisonments. It was at this He was awarded four time, that Bela Singh had his hey days. squares of Canal-irrigated !and in the Bar Colony, at Khanewal and Chak No. 109, Mian Chanu District Multan, now in Pakistan, and ahandsome jnam (reward). Being advised Government, the Punjab Government provided

by the Canadian him full facilities

for his protection. He was always escorted by the security guard.

Bela Singh

did his best to help the Government in arresting many abscounding Chadrites. He served as the most trusted tout of the Government

for almost twenty years. Deputy Commisioners of Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar Districts and the Maharaja of the erstwhile Kapurthala a state, were always under the express intructions from the Punjab Governor to act promptly on the information, supplied by Bela Singh. Being so closely protected, Bela Singh wrath of the Babar Akalis for a long time. 1933, all the four Babars, Hari Singh

son

Sikh

alias

Jat

of Sundh**.

Ishar

Singh

escaped

On

from the December 9,

of Sher

Singh

Hazara

Singh,

Boyal alias

Bhagwan Singh son of Sarder Meehan Singh Kaloa Sikh Jat of Jandoli®®, P.S. Mahalpur, Bakhsish Singh son of Sardar Bhoop 38

Had-bast No. 28. Area 289 Hectares,

situated

Road, in the Banga Police Station, is ownnd 39

Had-bast

No.

324. Area

Tahsil Garhshankar.

755, Hectares

The whole village

the F.1.R. P.S. Sadar Hoshiarpur, Buta Singh, which

is incorrect.

on the Mahalpur-Phagwara by the Boyals Sikh Jats.

in the is owned

Mahalpur

Police Station,

by Kaloa Sikh-Jats.

Ishar Singh’s father’s name

is given

On

as

Account of Occurrences (1931 to 1942)

259 wv

“Singh Jhuti Sikh Jat of Chabbewal* and Hazara Singh son of - Sardar Pal Singh Ghamar of Maki*!, Tahsil Tarntaran, District . Amritsar decided to deal with this international stooge o° British Government and the bitter enemy of the Indian Freedom Fighters. All the four, met In the fields of Jathedar Bakhshiah Singh ~ of Chabbewal, wherethe murder of Bela Singh Safaidposh of Jian was worked out. Bela Singh was over cautious of his own safety. He had never told even to his own wife, where he had to stay, during the next 24 hours.

Mainiy he used

time with the Deputy Commissioners ar the it was a problem to locate him for the

to spend his

Police Officers.

purpose.

For

So

it, and

to

«plan out Bakhshish Singh, become ‘’fiendly with the renegade.

Bela Singh and Jathedar Bakhshish Singh, had ~ from Hoshiarpur, on the evening of

Singh Safaidposh had to wait

9th

for one

December,

both

come

1935,

Bela

Achala, at the Chabbewal

Bus Stand, so he asked Jathedar Bakhshish

Singh

also

to stay

with him, till Achala comes, whom he had sent to the S.H.Q. of Banga Police Station with some message.*” It was about 8.30

P.M. Bela Singh took a heavy

bout

of whiskey.

It was

about

~ 9.00 P.M. when Jathedar Bakhshish Singh asked him that Achala would not come that day, so it is better to leave and he leit the Safaidposh Bela Singh there. Jathedar Bakhshish Singh met - the other three, who were waiting for him, being hidden in his

frields.

They were fully ocquainted with Bela Singh’s where Bela Singn left the he had to reach home shortly.

abouts, when

40

Had-bast

Hoshiarpur.

No.

308.

Area,

415

Hectares,

in the

The whole village is owned by the

Sadr

Jhuti

Police

Station,

Sikh Jats.6

miles

to the South from Hoshiarpur.

41 -42

Had-bast No. 219. Area 475 Hectares, Tahsil Tarntaran. The author was told by Kartar Singh (73 years) Sarpanch, son -of Sardar on 2tst, from Jian, Thakar Singh of village Chabewal, half a mile November, 1985, that Bela Singh was a debauch and he was arranging

cone lady from |Bajindowal P.S. Banga

$.H.O. P.S. Banga

to

be

kidnapped with

the

help

of

260

History of the Babar Akalis>

Chabbewal Bus Stand (Adda), while these four also walked along»: the read, till they reached Burji (P.W.D post on the road) No. 2/7. All the four met him saying ‘’Safaidposh je Sat was immediately

done to death.

The

all

at

Sri Akal’.

once

taking advantage of the full dark night. It was that this great traitor was done to death”.

after

19

Till next morning no body knew about Bela Singh’s

though his wife Mrs. night

to

locate

Dhan

her

Kaur

had

husband.

On

tried,

during

December

He.-

disappeared |

murder,

the

10,

years

whole -

1937, the:

superintendent of Police of Hoshiarpur, reached on the spot with heavy force. Investigation started on the top prioity basis. His murder was a great shock to the Government. All the four killers. Phagwara Railway Station on the next morning to reach their respectives places.

had reached

Jathedar Bakhshish Singh of Chabbewal, Babar Ishar Singh

of Jandoli, Babar Hari Singh of Sundh and Babar of Maki were challaned

in this case in the

Hazara

Hoshiarpur

Singh

Sessions

Court. The case remained untraced while all the four Babar Akalis were acquitted**. The author is told that all the four, so called accused were honoured by Baba Gurdit Singh and also the Canadian Sikhs. Babar Hari Singh of Sundh was awarded a gold medal by Master Mota Singh of Patara, on account of his supreme Sacrifice of not disclosing anything to the Investigating Agency, even though Babar Hari Singh of Sundh was destined to the extrame and inhuman tests of tortures. 43

Please see Register No, 22.59 Part

Il-Crime

Register

village

Police Sfation. Hoshiarpur. P. 13. 44

This case was

1.

looked after by a Committee,

consisting of :——

2.

Pandit Ram Singh Jauhar of Mahalpur-Chairman. Durga Dass-Advocate of Hoshiarpur.

3.

Master

4.

Master Kabul

5.

Dasondha

6.

Arjan Singh Sach of Kharaudi

7.

Harjap Singh of Mahalpur.

Hari Singh of Dhoot-M.L.A.

Singh, Gobindpuri.

Singh of Dhada.

and

Jian,

Sadp»

~Account of Occurrences (1931 to 1942) ~4.

Murder

Singh

of

261

Anup

alias

Singh and his infant son Ajit Malkit Singh of Manko—June 18-19,

LOSG:

Anup Singh son of Inder Singh Dhillon Sikh Jat, belonged to ~villege Manko?®, one mile to the east from Kathar (Sham-Chaurasi)

Railway Station in the Adampur Police Station, District Jalandhar. “He was atall, well built and a daring youngman, when

“he enlisted** in 1919, in the 2/19th Regiment at Campbellpur. ‘He took his discharge after serving the army for 7 or 8 months. In March, 1922, he attended

a Diwan at the village of Ghurial*’,

“one mile to the east from his village, which was arranged by the Babar Akalis, to murder Subedar Gainda Singh, “a well-known sycophant of the British Government of this area.

“it was addressed by leading Babar Aka/is,

under the leadership

~of Babar Kishan Singh, Gargajj (Accused No. 1) of village Barring “Hearing the lecture, Anup Singh became a Babar Akali and

“began to take active part for the furtherance of the Babar

Akali

“Movement.!% Anup Singh took active part in the murders of the loyalists, “viz Subedar Gainda Singh of Ghurial, on 17th April, 1923, to “murder the Lambardars and Chowkidars of Pindori-Nijran, the

murders of Ralla and Ditu Lambardars of Kaulgarh on 20th March, 1923, and in the attempt to ‘Randhawa-Barota.

He was

“the British Government,

murder

Subedar

declareda

proclaimed

offender

by

_Akalis, such as Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur. Kishan Singh Gargajj, Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur,

Babar Babar

- 46 - 47

The

more

of

Babar

Had-bast No. 61, Area 364 Hectares. Dhillon Sikh-Jats.

some

Singh

leading

45

alongwith,

Sunder

whole

District Headquarters of the same Districs now Had-bast No. 60. Area 247 Hectares.

village

is owned by

in Pakistan.

The village

is owned

by Bhatti and

Pawar Sikh Rajputs.

“48

Babar Akali Conspiracy case.

Trial No. 2 of 1924 pp. 145-167.

History of the Babar Akalis=

262

Dalipa, Junior (Accused No. 76) of Dhamian Ude Singh

and Babar~

Kalan

of Rargarh Jhugian.

At the connivance of his uncle, Bogh Singh (P.W. 462) of Manko and Mrs. Ajit Kaur, his wife, Anup Singh became a coward, who began to plan out the arrests of the leading Babar Akalis, who were absconders. His plan was most treacherous and unprecedented to arrange Akalis

the arrest of six Babar

Sahib) on September approver.

1,1923.

He was the

at

the village of Babeli (Chaunta

Anup

Singh

(P.W. 17), turned .

confident

most trusted and

associate of

Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Babar Ude Singh of Jathedar Babar Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur, Ramgarh-Jhugian. Dalipa (Accused 76) of Dhamian Kalan, Babar Bishan Singh of Mangat, Babar Mahinder Singh of Pindori Ganga Singh and other absconding Babars. He began to arrange the arrest of all of them at

the villege of Babeli. His uncle, Bogh Singh (P.W. 462) and Kebal Singh*®, son of Bogh

Singh were in close contact with Anup Singh to get intelligence. It was the black night of October, 31 and the morning of September 1, 1923, when Anup Singh succeeded to arrange the arrest of four Babar Akalts :- Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Babar Ude Singh of Ramgarh-Jhugian,

Babar Bishan Singh of Mangat of Pindori Ganga Singh.

and

Babar

Mahinder

-

Singh

Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur and Babar Dalipa Junior (Accused No. 76) of Dhamian Kalan had the providencial escape, only on

the

previous

evening,

when they both left this

group, without anticipating their martyrdom. On the next morning.

with the martyrdom of these four Babars and with the later martydom of Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur at Mananhana on 25th October, 1923 and burning alive of Babar Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan, and Babar Jawala Singh of Kothi Fateh Singh,

49

Kebal Singh Dhillon of Manko, was services.

awarded

one square

of

tand

for his=

Account of Occurrences (1931 to 7 942)

263

in an encounter with the British Cavalry at village Mundhe r on December 12, 1923, the Babar Akali Movement had a death

blow,

which

was

all due

to the

perfidy

of

Anup

(P.W. 17).

Singh

British Government gave him Roya! Pardon and Bogh Singh Dhillon of Manko was awarded four squares of land.°° Anup Singh was issued the licences of a gun and a revolver for his own

protection.

In this struggle, more than a dozen Babar Akalis

were hanged, while equal

number

of them

were

killed

in the

encounters.

More than three scores of them were transported to the Andeman Cellular Jails for life, and about one hundred of them were sent behind the bars under the various terms of rigorous imprisonments®.

The British Government and the sycophants had turned hostile towards the family members of these freedom frighters. Their children suffered a loton account of their not proper up- bringing while widows bewailed. The hard measures taken by the Government and over cautiousness of the loyalists, no speedy action aganist Anup Singh for revenge, was possible. Under these circumstances this renegade could not reap what he had sown, for at 13 years. Murder

of Anup Singh

It was after about 13 long years

Daler son

of

Lambardar

Mangal

that

Singh

Gyan/

Gurdit

Badesha

Singh

Sikh-Jat

of

village Mandhali,°° Babar Kartar Singh Kirti son of Sardar Harnam Singh Bagari Sikh-Jat of village Chak-Kalan®®, and Babar Ujaggar Singh son of Sardar Munsha Singh Mann Sihk-Jat of village 50

Two squares of land were

each to his two 51

52

awarded

to Bogh Singh and

one square of land

sons.

Babar Akali Conspiracy case-Trial

Had-bast No. 5. Area

368

No.

Hectares,

2 of 1924,

pp. 145-167.

5 miles to

the East from Phegwara,

Jalandhar District. 53

Had-bast Nakodar.

No.

11.

Area,

522

Hectares,

3 miles

to

the

North

from

History of the Babar Akalis

264

Panialian Kalan™, resolved to take the revenge of so many Bab:r Akalis, whom Anup Singh’s treachery had got them hanged, and imprisoned or killed in encounters. Gyani Gurdit Singh Daler Kartar Singh Kirti had gone to Anandpur Sahib on the occasion of the Ho/a®® fair and took into confidence, Ujaggar Singh of Panialian Kalan. In, order to successfully execute their plan, Gurdit Singh and Kartar Singh Kirti went to Anup Singh’s village Manko

and made full survey of his house.

on, they

Later

met

at the

‘haveli’ of Gurdit Singh Daler’s Uncle Paul Singh at Mandhali.

from there they started towards Anup Singh's village Manko. On the way they stopped for a short time at Gurdawara Chaunta Sahib®®. They got near Manko in the evening and waited outside at a distance of about a mile from the village till it had become quite dark. It was between 9-00 and 10.00 P.M., when they entered the village, but they found that the people were awake and singing was going on in one of the housee, where marriage was being celebrated. At about midnight, when everything had become quite, they proceeded towards Anup Singh's house. Gyan/ Gurdit Singh Da/er carried a gun, Kartar Singh Kirti had with him loaded pistols.

Ujaggar Singh of Panialian Kalan carried, merely a Kirpan. Kartar Singh Kirti had a takwa also, but this he left behind at a short distance from Anup Singh’s house. They had tied parnas (pieces of cloth) to their turbans in order to conceal themselves. The outer door of Anup Singh’s house was closed from inside. They got on the roof, by climbing over a wall, where two persons

54

55

Had-bast No. 411, Area 311, Hectares.

4 miles to the North of Baiachaur.

Annual fair of Hola is held at Anandpur

Sahib

of March, in the afternoon of the last day, a big the devotees of the various Sikh shrines from

The sight when all the standards have

been

(Makhowal)

in the month

procession

is brought by

each its particular standard.

collected,

is interesting

and

picturisque. 56

Of village Babeli. where four Babars had died Anup Singh;

They said their prayers at

sought their blessings for success.

the

fighting at the

instance of

tombs of these martyrs,

and

Account of Occurrences (1931 to 1942) “were

lying on two separate cots.

‘before and had, therefore, spite of this, when

They

no difficulty

265 had seen

Anup

Singh

in making him out.

In

Kartar Singh Kirti went up, Gurdit Singh asked

him to go up to Anup Accordingly, Kartar Singh Anup Singh, who opened ~ Singh fired a pistol shot on Sleeping on the other cot. - quiet or he would be shot again on his cot.

Singh and to call him out by name. went near him and asked him if he was his eyes and said, yes. On this Kartar him. This woke up the man®*’? who was Gurdit Singh Daler warned him to keep dead at once. On this, he laid himself

At the suggestion of Kartar Singh Kirti Ujaggar Singh attacked Anup Singh with a Kirpan. The blow partly hit the cot and partly Anup Singh. Upon this Kartar Singh Kirti took away the - Kirpan from Uijaggar Singh and hirnself gave 2 or 3 belows to the victim. He then, overturned the cot, dropped Anup Singh on the * ground and showered more blows on him. Finding that the noise had awakened Anup Singh’s wife, Gurdit Singh Daler went ‘down into the courtyard and asked Mrs. Ajit Kaurto make over to ‘him her jewellery. Mrs. Ajit Kaur, wife of Anup Singh, was the only eye-witness. - She had described the whole scene, which she pathetically - described in her own evidence, before the Sessions Judge, is as under ‘— “Anup Singh, deceased, was my husband. |! was married to ‘ him about 20°8 years ago. Malkiat Singh was our only son.” ‘The occurrence took place on the night

of the

more than two years ago. Towards evening, Anup Malkit Singh went with a cart for taking manure to when they returned they

were

accompanied

by,

5th

Har’?

Singh and their field,

Bhagat Singh

of Kandola. He is the brother of Bishan Singh to whose daughter

57

Bhagat

58

She was married

“59

Singh Bains of village Kandola. in 1916.

18-19th June, 1936.

History of the Babar Akalis>

266 Malkiat

Singh

was

taken

had

engagement

The

engaged.

place only a month or so earlier. Since Bhagat Singh had met Malkiat Singh for the first time, after the engagement, he offered

.

rupee.®° Kartar Singh, younger Before the mealtime brother of Anup Singh and one Inder Singh of our village came

him a_

up.

Inder Singh and Anup

Singh and

Kartar

Singh

Singh

did

took

some

not join them.

liquor.

The

Bhagat

latter

was

suffering from dysentery. Inder Singh and Kartar Singh then went away. Bhagat Singh and Anup Singh after taking their meals, went up the roof and slept there. Malkiat Singh and | slept in

the court-yard. It was about mid-night, when! got up on hearing the sound of a gun-shot. Just at that time, |saw a man standing calling him by his name. by the cot of my husband and Thinking

that

the Police

had arrived,

| took up

the bottle of

lipuor.4, which was lying in the compound and took it inside There were altogether three persons on the roof, the house. Malkiat Singh grasped me by my legs and asked me to conceal and | told him that the strangers were merely Policemen him. he had no reason to be afraid of them. Accordingly, | brought One of the men on the roof came down into the him out. courtyard. He was armed with a gun. Giving me a thrust with the butt end of his gun he asked me to bring out my jewellery. told

!

him

that

| had

nothing.

He

threatened

to

shoot

me and my son. | said to him again that | had no jewellery to On this he caught hold of me and my son. give to him. In the

meanwhile, | noticed the other two men on the roof stabbing my husband with kirpans. | asked the gun man, why they were killing my husband? He replied that they were killing their

enemy. | asked him who their enemy was ? He said that it was Bhagat Singh of Kandola. | remarked if Bhagat Singh had done any wrong what business had he to come to our house. The gun-man enquired from me if | had supplied Bhagat Singh with 60

This is a ceremony to be observed by the

61

This

was

the

country

made

liquor,

in-laws.

which was Government, hence to be concealed from the police.

prohibited

by

the

-

Account of Occurrences (1937 to 1942) meals.

262"

| replied in the affirmative and said that | had given him

halwa® to eat. In the meantime the other two men came down. the roof. The gun-man®*® who was holding the boy by the arm asked one of them to hurry up since the whole thing was ready. That man® came up to him and caught the boy by the other arm. The third® man cut the boy’s throat with his k/rpan, just as one would

kill a goat. I threw myself over the boy and tried to rescue him. | entreated the assassins to spare him. They said that ‘‘the snakes beget snakes.” Before, leaving they stroked their shoulders and said that nothing had pleased them more than killing the child. They told me that they were Babars and had widowed Then

they

me

just as

asked

me

my to

husband had widowed many women. raise as

much

outery

as

| could.

|

told them that both my husband and my son had been killed and: I saw no good of raising and outery.

At the same time | caught

hold of the gun-man and told him that he must kill me also. He was going to shoot me, when one of his companions prevented him from doing so, saying that | should be left alive to bemoan the death of my husband as was the lot of the women whose husbands had died at the hands of Anup Singh. Then they all

left my house and went away”.

“| picked up the

dead

body of Malkiat Singh and placed it | tried to put some water in his mouth, but without

on his cot. any use. Then | covered him with the sheet. After that | went to the havel/i of Sandha Singh known as Ama//. No one was there. at his and knocked Then | went to Kartar Singh’s house

Gurdit Singh Daler was the tallest of all the three.

62

Pudding, prepared with flour, sugar & ghee.

63

Gyani Gurdit Singh Daler of Mandhali.

64

Ujeggar Singh cf Panialian Kalan,

65

Kartar Singh Kirti of Chak-Kalan.

66

Evidence of Mrs. Ajit Kaur Murder Reference No. 152 of 1938, pp.

One of

77-78...

History of the Babar Akalis

“268

The other

“his companions was somewhat slim® and short. wquite fat®.

was

After committing both murders, they left the place on cycles. They reached the choe, between Sunra and Domeli, where they While “washed away blood drops and cleaned their clothes. tied had Singh Gurdit cycle. the with came “Kartar Singh Kirti Kartar Ujaggar Singh took the Kirpan. his gun with the cycle. “Singh Kirti with both his pistols parted from them and went to ~the direction of Ucha®®.

Gyani Gurdit Singh Daler and Ujaggar Singh, after having “crossed the choe” advanced to the direction of village Sunra’* “by passing by the outer side of village Domeli’*. At the choe they met two men who had Khurpas and chaddars with them. They appeared to be grass cutters. They passed quickly by “their side and before the rising of the sun they reached village ~Sunra’?. There was a well near Sunra where watermen were -drawing water. Oneof them was awaterman of Gyani Gurdit -Singh’s village. His name was Bishan, a son of Gobinda. He had gone to see his relations. He bade his Sat Siri Akal to ‘Gurdit Singh, who hastily replying to his Sat Siri Akal passed by ‘him. After passing village Sunra, there was a_ well towards the

-south of it, a zamindar™* was working the well there.

His wife”?

‘had brought morning meals for him. there for sometime in order to drink

Gyani Gurdit Singh stayea water and enquired of that female if she had taken meals, and she replied in the affirmative 67

He was Kartar Singh Kirti of Chak-Kalan.

°68

He was Ujaggar Singh of Panialian

‘69 -70

Had-bast No. 176. Area 373 Hectares. Adampur Police Station. After committing these murders, they reached Chaunta Sahib (Babeli)

Kalan.

again as if to thank the four Babars that they were

successful

of their blessings.

71

Had-bast No. 44, Area 663 Hectares P.S. Phagwara.

72

The author's village Domeli.

73

Situatad one mile the east from village Babeli. P.S. Phagwara.

~J4

Mangal

“75

Mrs. Udham Kaur wife of Mangal Singh alias Bhagat Singh.

Singh son of Samundu

Ghori-wa/a Dugga Sikh-Jat.

on

account

Account of Occurrences (1931 to 1942)

2693

He further inquired if she had any spare morsel of bread and to this question she too replied in the affirmative. Gurdit Singh entreated her to supply him bread, as he was hungry and a traveller. That

man asked him about his native place. He replied that it was to the direction of Nurmahal’®. A conference was to be held at village -

Chiman Kalan’ under the auspices of the ‘“‘Mazdur and

he had gone to distribute his leaflets.

The

Kisan Party’’

Zimindar asked |

him to sit and take his meals, but Gurdit Singh told him that there was another companion of his as well. Ujaggar Singh with the cycle, had gone ahead. He told him that with his companions . he would take meals. He took two glasses of /assi (whey) and: they gave four breads out of which Gurdit Singh gave two to Ujaggar Singh and two, he ate and, thereafter, they started their

journey.

After having passed through

village

Rawalpindi?® and village Dhadda’® and village Chak*°®, they came to the well which. was on the road leading from Phagwara to Banga. Here he stayed and gave Re. 0-8-0 to Ujaggar Singh, who with his Kirpan left for his village. His village Mandhali, was at a distance of one mile from that place. He went to his village. Judgement

“As regards

the

sentence,

the

learned

counsel

for Gyani

Gurdit Singh Da/er, had drawn my attention to three facts which in opinion extenuate the Accused’s guilt. One is that the proposal to murder Anup Singh did not generate with him, secondly, that he did not actually put to death either Anup Singh or his son, and thirdly that he has been in Jail ever since December, 1936. With regard to the first and the second, | do

76

Avvillage about 11 miles to the South-west

77

Near Nurmahal.

78

5 miles from Phagwara

of Baheli.

to the north, on Phagwara-Hoshiarpur

Had-bast No. 49, Area 121 Hectares, P.S. Phagwara. 79

Had-bast

80

Had-bast No. 53. Area 110 Hectares, P.S. Phagwara.

No, 52, area 155 Hectares. P.S. Phagwara.

Road.

10

History of the Babar Akalis

not think the accused is entitled to benefit by them, since he joined the plot deliberately and took active part inits furtherance. It was not his fault that he did not get the opportunity of striking a blow. It was due more to the zeal and the impatience of his “companions. About the third, if there has been any delay in bringing the accused to justice, he must think (sic) himself for it. A reference to the medical opinion would show that the murders

were brutal. Whatever might be said about was absolutely no justification for butchering | do not think |have any other alternative exterme penalty of law. |, therefore, direct confirmation by the High Court, Gurdit Singh, neck till he be is dead.

Anup

Singh, there his poor little son. but to award the that subject to the he hanged by the

Announced in open Court.

15th July, 1938. Teja Singh,

Sessions Judge, Jalandhar.®

Gyani Gurdit Singh Dal/er’s appeal to the Punjab High Court, Lahore was rejected by the Chief Justice Mr. J.D. Duglas Young, On November 8, 1938. Then from his behalf, an appeal for

mercy

was

submitted

to the

Privy Council,

which

was also

rejected as under :— At the Court of Buckingham

Palace.

The 5th Day of May, 1939.

The King’s Most Exellent Majesty. Marquess of Zeitland

“The

Lord’s

Sir John Colmour,

of the Committee

in obedience to His late “Majesty’s said Order in Council, | have taken the said humble petition into consideration and having heard consel in support thereof. Their Lordships do this day agree humbly to report to 81

Murder

Reference No. 152 of 1938. Criminal ‘Appeal No. 686 of 1938.

Account of Occurrences (1931 to 1942)

i271

‘Your Majesty as Their opinion that the said Petition ought to be dismissed and that the Council Office fees payable by the Petition ought to be dismissed”. His Majesty having taken the said Report into consideration was pleased by and with the advice of his Privy Council to approve, thereof, and to order as it is hereby ordered that the same be punctually observed and carried into execution. Where of the Judges of High Court of Judicature at Lahore for the time being all other persons whom it may concern are to take notice and Govern themselves accordingly. Gyani Gurdit Singh Da/er was hanged on May 19, 1939, in the Central Jail Multan, He left behind him four sons ;—Kabul Singh, Dhanna Singh, Banta Singh and Mahinder Singh. He named all his sons after the brave Babars, the first son was

named after Master Kabul Singh Gobindpuri, second after Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur the third of Babar Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan and the fourth after Babar Mahinder Singh of Pindori Ganga Singh. 5.

Dacoity at Jagjitpur Gyani Gurdit Singh

Daler af Mandhali,

Kartar

Singh

Kirti of

Chak Kalan, Nirmal Singh of Sarihn, Harbakhsh Singh and six «more Babdars planned to get money for the purchase of arms and ammunition to

make the

Babars

dynamic and strong to murder

the Jholi-Chucks. Being learnt that a large amount of cash money and ornament were availabie with Maluk Singh Sikhane, Lubana of village Jagjitpur8* committed a dacoity. It was midnight when thetoperation started. 82

This village is situated on North from Phagwara.

the

Phagwara-Hoshiarpur

It was

Jagjit Singh (1875-1948)

of the

village is owned

Lubana

by the

named

after

erstwhile Sikhs,

the

Road, 9 miles to the

name

Kapurthala consisting

of late Maharaja State.

of

Bartie,

The whole Sikhane.

Majhraut, Mansaut, Kalere, Badane, Parthie, Sikot and Bannared Sub-castes. The village was founded by one Bhooria, a Sikhane Lubana, who had come from the village of Bhabiana, hardly half a mile to the wast

from this village Had bast No. 54, Area 173 Hectares,

P.S. Phagwara.

History of the Babar Akalis:

P72

the village Jagjitpur on 25th October, (93 years) son of Sardar Ganga, Singh, Udham Singh (84 years) son of Sardar Chhajja Singh and Chanda Singh, all of Sardar son Kehar Singh (90 years) were the active who Jagjitpur, village of s Sikhane-Lubana The author

1985 and met

visited

Khushal Singh

participants in driving away the Babar Akalis who had caught hold:. of Gyani Gurdit Singh ‘Daler’. They told that, it was after 1.30 A.M. on 13th December 1936, when 6/7 Babar Akalis committed a

dacoity in the house of Sardar Maluk Singh Lubana,

an honest

person of the village, with whom the villagers had deposited sufficient amount for the purchase of cattle. The account, of the origins claimed

Ludhiana,

they claim

descent from

by the

Lubanas vary. Im

Chauhan Raiputs of Jaipur

and Jodhpur. In Gurjat (now in Pakistan) they say they areRaghubansi Rajputs and of the Sandlas gotra®®. Wherever, a Lubana settlement exits, a village named Janda is almost certain to be found. In Kangra the Lubanas hold four hamlets, each» called Tanda. Tanda in Lubanki is said to mean a travelling body Or gang. Lubanas

are almost

wholly

confined to the Sub-montaneLahore and also found in

District Kangra, but were numerous in Gujranwala,

Ferozepur.

Muzaffargarh

and

Bahawalpur,

contained Lubana colonies. Lubanas are very industrious people. This village is surrounded by the Jat villages, while the Lubanas enjoy equal social status. They are agriculturists but many of them trade in cattle. They still believe in many old ceremonies,. though they have almost abandoned them, being true Singhs. But Sati ceremoney was most popular with them, though nowthey have discarded it.

“The Sati ceremoney was generally observed.

Milk given by

cows and buffaloes dedicated to the Sati was held sacred. They did not allow people of other castes even to touch it. This milk 83

Glossary Vol. Ill, p, 2.

Account of Occurrences (1931 to 1942)

PAKS)

was co-agulated and made into whey (/ass/) in a separate vessel. No member of the family who was not deemed a true believer in the Sati was allowed to drink the milk of animals dedicated to a Sat/, After a week or at most a fortnight the milk

and whey

(/ass/) of such animals

or k4ir (rice and milk cooked

together) and Icaves of bread cooked in the ghee were

carried to

the Sathan (temple) of the Sat/ and there a number of young girls of the same house held of the caste were collected together and made to eat it. True believers in the Sat/ were also invited to partake of it. Before eating a portion, was given to the imagi-

nary Sat/. Afterwards all present prostrate themselves, rubbed their foreheads on the sacred spot and offered up hearty prayers of fortune, thereafter, smiled favourably on any family, they as circle it to the Sati’s kindness. But if anyone suffered from bedily infirmity, moral degradation, ‘agricultural or pecuniary desaster, the attributed it to her anger. The Sati’s sthan was a spot of ground, generally outside the village over which areal building was sometimes raised, but in most cases the bare earth served

the purpose®™. When the Babars entered the village, they bolted the doors of all the houses of the villege from outside, when the villagers were in their sound sleep in a wintry night. Gyani Gurdit Singh Daler got up to the roof of the house, while the rest entered the house. The Babars fired one shot of the gun to scare away the

people, but with this, all the villagers came

out with

whatever

the arm they could carry. The ammunition of the Babars was unserviceable, being kept burried in a field for a pretty long time.

Hand to hand fight continued between the inmates i.e. Sardar Maluk Singh, his wife Mrs. Aas Kaur, his mother Mrs. Ralli and the Babar’s. Sardar Maluk Singh’s left arm was wounded

with one of the swords of the Babars. During this scuffle, taking the advantage of darkeness, Mrs. Ralli, took Rs. forty thousand The Babar, Nirmal or above, while slipping out of the house. 84

Glossary Vol. \\l. p. 7s

History of the Babar Akalis

274

Singh of Sareenh who was on duty, out of the house for watch and ward, did not search the lady, because it was not allowed by the conduct Code of the Babars. Children and women were not to be harassed or harmed in any way®?.

Confession of Gyani Gurdit Singh

Daler

“| along with Kartar Singh, Kirti, Harbans Singh, Harbaksh Singh and Nirmal Singh went to village Jagjitpur in //aga Phagwara, to commit dacoity. At about midnight, we went to the house of a Lubana®®, but the occupants of the house raised an alarm and as a result, therefore, people woke up. First | continued Suddenly my gun firing and people did not step forward. Wecame outof the village. went astray®’’. Firing were stopped. Due to pitched darkness, | lost the company of my comrades and began to set right my gun by sitting in a sugarcane field. After having set it right. | fired two shots and came out. With the first shot people took to their heels from that direction. | ran to

another direction, but men were there also. | turned by direction but In darkness, a man succeeded in coming near me. | fired He caught me. at him but the shot was missed. Men poured in from all the four sides. They snatched my gun and the belt After giving sound thrashing, they took me to the of cartidges. The next day | was house where dacoity was committed. handed

over

to

the

Police.

Phagwara

The

possession the gun, the cartidges and the

85

Statements taken

by

the

author,

of

Sardar

87

Sardar Maluk Singh

Lubana.

The author

by

is told

Sardar

Harbans

that

the

ammunition

was

kept

buried

had irrigated his fields, thus all the catridges

into

That

gun

was

Khushal

Singh

Mandhali village, Gyani Gurdit Singh Da/er,

took

belt.

Ganga Singh (84 years) and Kehar Singh (93 years) 86

Police

the in

Singh

(93

years)

of the same village.

Sarpanch

(73

years)

a

field,

whose

owner

had gone unserviceable,

the Babars had to give way before the attackers.

of

leader of this campaign,

so

~

“Account of Occurrences (1931 to 1942) “the same, which | had with me at the “Singh®s",

275

time of murder

of Anup

Finding no other alternative, the Babars took flight to save “their lives. While all the others managed to escape, Gyani ~Gurdit Singh, being wounded in his pursuit was cought hold by the people. Next morning he was handed over to the police of Phagwara. ‘First Information

Report

At this, Gainda Singh, son of Bela Singh, Bahuna of Mauzza

- Jagjitpur, in company

with

Kehr

Singh, son

of Naudh

Singh,

*Gaindoo son of Maluk Singh, Dalip Singh, son of Ganga Singh, -Lambardar and Bara Singh, son of Bhola Singh, Lambardar, Lubanas of Mauzza Jagjitpur, came to the Police Station Phagwara and stated that on that night he®® had slept in his haveli

At about 1.00 A.M. there was

{cattle-shed) to watch the cattle.

some noise in the village. He woke up and came out and started towards his house. The dacoits had inflicted an injury on the left shoulder of Maluk Singh and the second one on his

wrist.

right

Mrs. Aas Kaur, wife of Maluk Singh, had received many gun shots on her hands and hadalso some injury marks on her waist. Mrs. Rali, his mother had an injury on her ankle. The necks of the From Maluk Singh and both the ~children had been throttled”. females, he came to know that the thieves had broken open the roof at about midnight. Maluk Singh woke up then, andcame out On this, the dacoits entered the house and beat of the doors. Maluk Singh etc. They were also firing gun shots. He had come to The person, who was arrested is present with lodge the report. his gun on the spot. The list of the articles taken away would be submitted on the spot. The dacoits were 10 to 12 in

number®?, 88

Murder

Reference

No.

152

of

i932

p.19.

Sessions

Court

Jalandhar

Records.

89

Gainda

“90

Singh son of Sardar Bela Singh Luhana.

The author has learnt from the village people that this was wrong.

-"91

~

Murder Reference Jalandhar,

No.

152

of

1938.

p. 7. Sessions

Court

Records.

History of the Babar Akalis=

276 The Police Action

From the statement

of the

that

it appeared

informant

an»

committed. been I.P.C. had Section 197, under offence Accordingly F.I.R. at No. 85 was drawn up. It was read over to the The offence was a informant, who admitted it to be correct. Mehar Munshi alongwith The Sub-Inspector, serious one. Chand, Head Constable,

Chireagh

Shah,

constable

No.

19

and

Amar Chand, constable No. 121 had started for the spot to make an investigation on 14.12.36°”.

6.

Murderof Karam

Singh

of

Mananhana

March

21.040 Chinta Singh son of Sardar Bagga Singh Kang

Sikh-Jat was

born in 1918 in the village of Dhandoli®’, hardly one mile to the east from village Rawalpindi, 5 miles to the North from Phagwara on the Hoshiarpur-Phagwara Road, in the -~ erstwhile Kapurthala State. He and Ajaib Singh of village Talwandi

Khurd®* Dakha Police Station in Ludhiana District, had deserted from Abbottabad Cantt®®. On 26th November, 1939, with two 3.3 rifles, two spare bolts and 800 catridges. They both were inspired by the life and patriotic spirit of Babar Rattan Singh of Rakkar Bet, who haddied in an encounter, with the Police at Rurki Khas®®, on 15th July, 1932. It took them 21 days toreach Dhandoli from Abbottabad Cantt. The author was told by Babar Chinta Singh’s yonnger brother Sardar Shiv Singh Kang, that itwas 17th of December, when they reached Dhandoli at about 3.30A.M. They had determind to kill 92

The occurrence

P.S., Sadr 93

took place on the night of 13th

December,

F.I.R.,

Had-bast No. 104, Area 43 Hectares P.S. Phagwara.

94

Had-bast No. 155, Area 108 Hectares.

95

Abbottabad, southen corner

in the of the

Frontier Force, during

Hazara

District,

now

in Pakistan,

Had-bast

situated at the

Orash valley, was the Headquarters of the Punjab.

the

British

Rule,

Land

of the Five Rivers-David»

Ross, p. 162. $6

1936.

Phagwara.

No. 155. Area 108 Hectares.

P.S, Balachaur,

«Account of Occurrences (1931 to 1942)

auf

the Jholi-Chuks, like the other Babars. About 17 years ago Karam “Singh son of Bararu Jat of vilage Mananhana, near Kot Fatui, had managed to bring Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur to his -Bara at Manahana. Karam Singh had informed the Police by betraying the confidence of his friend Babar Dhanna Singh. While over powered by the Cavalry and the Mounted Police men, under the direct Command of Mr. Horton, the Superintendent of “Police, Hoshiarpur, Babar Dhanna Singh blew himself up by a bomb, ~which he had kept concealed under his elbow. Eleven persons, “including Mr. Horton had died there, with the

of the

explosion

‘bomb.

Karam Singh and Jawala Singh of Jian had effected the martyrdom of Babar Dhanna Singh. They were awarded one Square of land each in the Bar, for the perfidy, which they had played with one of the most valliant freedom fighters. This was the height of treason on the part of Karam Singh of Mananhana.

This was the background of the propsed murder of this traitor. Lakha Singh (P.W. 8) son of Budhu of village Baibalpur®’, “while

giving

evidence,

in

the

Court

‘Magistrate 1st. Class, gives the cause

of

of the

Jagdish murder

Singh,

of

Karam

“Singh as under :—

“This happened about 2 or 4 days before his murder, there "was a musical entertainment (G/ddha) attended with dancers in our®® village. Karam Singh deceased, was presnt there. Karam - Singh presented Re. 1-00 to the performer. One of the dancers began to praise the donor®®. Relations of Babar Dhanna Singh ‘the martyr were also present. Dhanna Singh was a Babar Akali ~Of my village (Baibalpur). Karam Singh managed to inform police to his 97 98 “99

own

have/i

(cattle-shed),

The village of Babar Dhanna

Dhanna

Singh

was

a

Singh, the martyr of village Mananhana.

Lakha Singh belonged to village Baibalpur. The author learnt from Gyani Nirmal mile

from

Baibalphur

who

asked the dancer to announce,

.soormen ne"’,

was

Singh also

Sandhu of

present,

that

Kot Karam

Fatui, Singh

half a had

‘’Sabha vich beh ke bail Karat, Karam Singa

History of the Babar Akalis=

278

proclaimed offender, in connection with a crime of murder etc... Dhanna Singh, on the arrival of the police officers, fired a bomb, killng himself and some police officers and injuring others. This.

In lieu of his services happended about 17 or 18 years ago’ with a view to get Dhanna Singh arrested, Karam Singh was Dhanna Singh’s awarded a square of land in a canal Colony.!°!_ began to. dancer the when Singh, Karam hated naturally relations praise Karam Singh. | felt afraid that it would up set the relations . of Dhanna Singh and there might be a breach of the peace. 1, therefore!®2, suggested the dancer to quietly keep the rupee and not to sing the praise of Karam Singh and at my suggestion, he

had already said some thing in praise of Karam Singh?®. Karam Singh was abhored

by all people

of that

area,

on»

account of his treachery. Chinta Singh and Ajaib Singh were planning his murder, since the days of their desertion from the army, but Karam Singh was over cautions for his own safety. It was March

25,

Data?*-Chela!®®,

1940,

when

they

saw

Karam

They remained at the well

friend, Thakar Singh. 5.00 P.M., they started

They from

took their

meals

there, towards

Singh going to

of Karam there.

At

Phagwara.

Singh was with them, as they had

already sent for him

a person,

his quests

under

the pretext

that

Singh’s

were

about Karam.

through

waiting

for

him at the well of Thakar Singh, Karam Singh was very thick with Thakar Singh and his coming to this well was a routine. But on arriving at the Well and finding his quests, Karam Singh had almost

lost his senses.

He felt himself a victom before the

100

He means, October 25, 1923, when the bomb was exploded at Mananhana.

101

Inthe Lyallpur District, now in Pakistan.

102

Lakha Singh, tried in vain to involve the relations, enemity with that family.

The author

people of Baibalpur, that the British Government.

Lakha

had

on account of his own

personally

enquired

from the

Singh was a sycophant and a loyalist of =

103

Cover-Sheet of Sessions Trial No. 18 of 1941, p. 28.

104

Had-bast No. 82, Area 287 Hectares, Tahsil Garshankar,

105

Had-bast No. 83, Area 152 Hectares. Tahsil Garshankar.

Account of Occurrences (1931 to 1942)

219

wolves. They took him with them and had travelled about a mile, when Ajaib Singh enquired from Karam Singh as to what he had got in return of his getting Babar Dhanna Singh arrested and got him killed. Karam Singh replied that a square of land was given to him. He further implored that if his life would be spared, he would give his square of land to them. After this, they shot him dead. Ajaib Singh wrote in Gurmukhi, on a paper that they had murdered the traitor Karam Singh, who had got killed Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur and put that paper

in the pocket of the shirt of the deceased. Karam Singh a day after Hola!®*,”’

‘‘We have

murdered

According to report No. 7 of Roznamcha, dated 26 March, 1940, Police Station Mahalpur, regarding this murder, one Bhagat Singh son of Gurditta Jat of village Mananhana had got

registered, the First Information Report, that at afternoon, on 25th March, 1940, “Karam Singh son of Bararu Jat of village Mananhana, went from his village to the well of Thakar Singh Jat of village Data, which was situated in the jungle on the boundary iine of village Data, in order to see his wheat fields. Thakar Singh, after constructing a chhan (a hut of grass) was putting up there. This well was situated to the west of village of Mananhana and Data, at a distance of about one mile. Karam Singh had cultivated this field after taking it from Thakar Singh and Thakar Singh had also brotherly relations with the deceased. So for this reason, he had also gone there to see him. While going there, he had also taken with him his a dabbidar (spotted in different colours) blanket from his house, fearing lest there might be cold at the time of his return. He had also said that he would take his measils after coming back from

there.1°” ‘At about 7 or 8 P.M. Karam village of Manahana came and said

Singh, Lambardar that he alongwith

cf the Mehru,

Se SE EEE eS oo Covering-Sheet of Sessions Trial No. 18 of 1941 case No. 22. pp. 33-35, 406 Sessions Court, Jalandhar

107.

Covering

Sheet

_ _ Jalandhar Records.

of

Records.

Sessions

Trial

No.

18 of 1941.

Sessions

Court,

280

History of the Babar Akalis

Jaggu

and

a few other Jats of the

village

village Data was coming back to the village

fair;}°° that

and

Tara

after

two men armed with rifles, met them

of

Kheri

near

village

the other

Jalandhar, on

Kangraur,!°® Thana Banga, District

Jat

seeing

side

circle; that a women’? was also with

of the baeen (stream) ina

them; that they enquired as to who they (Karam Chand etc.) were and questioned if they had come to take the corpse of Karam Singh; that being afraid, they said that they belonged to village Chak; that there upon they both of them said that on reaching village Mananhana, they should say that Chinta Singh and Ajaib Singh had killed Karam Singh with a bullet and that a woman they had named as Mrs. Ajit Kaur, had also cut the throat of Karam Singh. They further added that they had put their letter in his (Karam Singh’s) pocket and advised that they all should not get a square of land after getting anybody arrested as Karam Singh had got one after getting arrested Dhanna Singh Babar. They also confessed that they had killed Karam Singh: that his corpse was lying near the Baeen'" and that if any body had to get it back he should then come.” Search

of The

Dead

Body

On receipt of this information, Bhagat Singh son of Gurditta Jat, cousin of deceased of village Mananhana, alongwith many other persons, set out in search of the corpse of his uncle, Karam

Singh, but it being night, could not trace it out. In the next morning they went outin the search of the corpse and also 108

Sessions Trial Case No. 22

of

1941,

p. 33.

Sessions

Court

Jalandhar

Records.

109

Had-bast

110

Mrs.

Ajit

Committed

No. 32, Area 412

Kaur

alias

suicide

author was

told

by

Committed

suicide.

Hectares,

Lajwanti at

of

village

the

people

No

body

!n Nawanshahar

village

Darveshpind

that claimed

Mrs.

Tahsil.

Bazeedpur,

Ajit

P.S.

Kaur

who

later

Phagwara.

had The

alias Lajwanti had

her

dead

body, so the case was

Sessions

Trial

Case No.

not challanged.

111

A stream known p. 41.

as

Safaid

Baeen.

22 of 1941.

Account of Occurrences (1932 to 1942)

281

“went to Thakar Singh’s well. On an enquiry, Thakar Singh told ‘them that the day before evening, twomen took Karam Singh with them from his well, while he saw them going to the direction ~of village Kangraur. Thakar Singh further told them that since night, he too remained active

in search

of

Karam

Singh,

for

Karam Chand Lambardar, while passing through, during night, had

also informed him of the occurrence.

Then

all the people went

in search of Karam Singh. When the search party reached the ‘Bank of KHALA (deep water) on the other side of the Baeen, in the Ka//ar (baran place) on the boundary line of village Kangraur, a place, at a distance of about two miles from Mananhana, the corpse of Karam Singh was !ying there.1”” Chinta Singh was arrested by Muhammad Matin, “Sub-Inspector of Police of Banga thana (P.W. 22) on21st April, ‘1940, from the house of his in-laws, village Pindori Ganga Singh in the Mahalpur Police Station. At the time of his arrest, the author is told by Kartar Singh (84 years) Sardar {Maluk Singh Saini of village Pindori Ganga Singh that Babar Chinta Singh “was arrested due to the treachery of Bir Singh Sahota, the uncle of Babar Chinta Singh’s wife. Bir Singh of Pindori Ganga Singh was also an ex-military man, in whom Babar Chinta Singh and Babar

Ajaib Singh had full faith. The author was further informed that a Dhatura (Alva) was served to Babar Chinta Singh mixed with milk at the connivance of Mrs. Rao, the brother's wife of his brother-in-law, one Samundu of Lakhpur'??. At the time of Chinta Singh's arrest, he was in possession -of service rifle, which was found loaded with cartieges, the haversack, which was found to contain no less than 225 catridges

112

Covering-Sheet

of Sessions Trail

Sessions Court, Jalandhar -413

After

the

arrest

of Babar

Case

No, 18

of

1941, case 12 pp. 6-7.

Records. Chinta

Singh,

Babar

Ajaib Singh killed Mrs.

Pritam Kaur, wife of Chinta Singh, Mrs. Rao, Chinta Singh’s mother-in-law

Beer Singh, uncle of Chinta Singh’s wife and Samundu

son of Dewan

Singh

of Lakhpur, because they had effected the arrest of Babar Chinta Singh.

History of the Babar Akalis-

282

and

The gun was unloaded by the Police

and a spare belt.

the-

230 live catridges were exhibited as P.12.

Babar Chinta Singh was challaned under the First Information by Muhammad 1940 Report No. 34, dated 26th March, ar. Jalandh District Station, Matin, A.S.1. of Banga Police

Babar Chinta Singh was committed to the Sessions by Jagdish Singh Magistrate First Class on 8th April, 1941, with the remarks :—”As already stated in my letter referred to above, Chinta Singh. is a military deserter and notorious dacoit who committed many murders and dacoities in the Doaba and caused Division.

panic, in Jalandhar

issued warning to

The C.1.D. staff

the Jail authorities at Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar to take special care and watch for his safety!!4in the jail ; it was feared, It was under this attempts might be made to rescue him. understanding, his trials both at Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar, were held inside the jails and special guard for his guarding were entertained as long as he remained in the jails’!>”’. Charge with

one head

“That you on the 25th day of March, 1940, at Kangraur, jointly with Ajaib Singh Mrs. Ajit Kaur, both of whom are said to have been since died, did commit murder by intentionally causing the death of Karam

Singh of Mananhana,

intention to kill Karam Singh and

thereby

in furtherance of your

committed an offence

punishable under section 302 read with section 34 of the Indian

Penal Code and within Sessions cognizance™®”, 114

Chinta Singh was a terror to the Punjab Police.

Because

Babar Ajaib Singh was still the absconder,

had

who

his companison

already

committed

6 or 7 murders. 115

Letter

No.

6383,

District Jail, Lahore.

116

Covering Sheet

dated

Jalandhar

15th

to

of Sessions

Sessions Court, Jalandhar

October,

the

Trial

Records.

1941,

Inspector

No.

18,

from

Genral

Case

the

Suprintendent

of Prisons,

No,

Punjab

22 of 1941,P.A._.

Account of Occurrences (1932 to 1942)

283%

Judgement

“For the fore said reasons, agreeing with the unanimous. finding of the assessors, | hereby convict Chinta Singh accused under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code of the murder of Karam Singh”. “The circumstances referred to before leave no doubt thatthis is a case for imposition of the extreme penalty, provided by law. Even if it be a fact that it was not the accused himself who.. fired the fatal shot, | do not regard the same to be such as extenuating circumstance in his favour as would justify the Courtin imposing the lesser penalty. I, therefore, hereby convict Chinta Singh accused to suffer death being hanged by the neck till dead, subject to the confirmation of this sentence by the High Court”.

“It has been explained to the condemned

prisoner that if he

would appeal, he should do so to the High Court, within a weekand that acopy of this judgement will be supplied to him free. of cost and without delay at his request”. Jagan Nath,

28th May, 1941.

Sessions Judge, Jalandhar.

Babar Chinta Singh was transferred from District Jail, Jalandhar to the Central Jail, Lahore on June 2, 1941, where he was hanged on June 5, 1941. His height was 5’—10". age 23. years, weight 140 Ibs and health good’.

117.

Register No, 8181 class C, year 1941, District Jail, Jalandhar: by the Courtesy of Sardar Surjit Singh, Superintendent, Central Jail, Jalandhar

(25.11.1985).

Chapter 7

‘Biographies of The

(1920 Master Mota

Babar Akalis

to 1942)

Singh 1881-1960

Master Mota Singh son of Sardar Gulab Singh Jhiwar “was bornin the village Patarat on February 5, 1881. “mother was Mrs. Ralli, popularly known as Maee Bhagtani.

Sikh His

Sardar Gopal Singh Bharani was a Puran Gur Sikh. He was most honest and a true patroit. Master Mota Singh joined the Madrasa of Maulivi Fateh Din of his own village, where he learnt Urdu and Persian in typical Medieval style. After passing primary classes, he passed the Junior and Senior (English) classes from Doaba Khalsa High School, Jalandhar. He passed his Intermediate Examination from the Punjab University, Lahore and

studied upto B. A. He could not appear in the final examination, On account of his political activites. As a private candidate, he passed Munshi Fazil (Honours in Persian) and Honours in Punjabi (Gyani) examinations with distinction. He died on January 9, 1960, 1

Had-bast

No. 196. Area, 195 Hectares,

P.S. Sadr Jalaudher.

3 miles to the North from Jalandhar Cantt. Khun-Khun

Sikh-Jats.

It is situated.

The Khera (Village) belongs to

Biographies of the Babar Akalis

2853: wat

Master Mota Singh was married to Mrs. Sampuran Kaur, who belonged to village Bahua,? District Jalandhar. He died | issueless. Master Mota Singh started his career, as teacher, at Middle School, Pindigheb®. This is avery important place, the headquarters of the Tahsil of that name, and is situated on the, south bank of the Sil. Itis the ancestral seat of the Jodhra Maliks of Pindigheb, who founded it. It is the only place of any size in the Tahsil, and situated as itis ina very wild tract, it presents a scenic beauty by contrast with its surroundings. It was this place, where Master Mota Singh created his contacts . with the freedom loving people of the North-west-Forntier Province. His stay at Pindigheb was the future main-base to collect arms and ammunition for the furtherance of the Babar Aka/i Movement. He worked as Headmaster of Khalsa Middle ~ School, Mahalpur District, Hoshiarpur and Khalsa Middle School, Kairon, District Amritsar. Master Mota Singh is the founder Member of the Babar Akali Movement. It was for the first time, in March 1921, that the struggle for India’s freedom was started by the Sikhs

at

Hoshiarpur.

Under his

Presidentship,

Babar

Akal

meeting of the

following active political workers was held :— 1.

Kishan Singh Garga// of Barring, District Jalandhar.

2.

Amar Singh of Delhi.

3.

BijlaSingh

of

Gharooan,

near

Muranda,

erstwhile,

Patiala State. 4.

Gurbachan

District 5,

Singh alias

Surjan

Singh

of

Kishanpura,

Ambala.

Amar Singh of Kot Bare Khan, District

an

Gujranwala,

approver (P. W. 8)

6.

Chattar Singh of Barian, District

Sheikhupura.

2

5 miles from Phagwara to the east, situated on Phagwara-Banga

3

District Attock,

Jand,

Cambellpur 53 miles.

21 miles,

Basal,

24

miles,

Talagang

Road, 28

miles:~.

History of the Babar Akalis

286 7.

Shankar Singh of Pindori-Bibi, District Hoshiarpur.

8.

Battan Singh of Kahari, District Hoshiarpur.

9.

Chanchal Singh of Jandiala, District Jalandhar.

10.

Narain Singh of Chatewind, District Amritsar.

11.

Bela Singh of Gholia,

12.

Ganda Singh of Gill, District Ludhiana.

13.

Tota Singh son of Sardar Ram Singh of Peshawar.

Resolutions passed in this

District Ferozepur.

meeting,

ultimately

ended with

vthe first Babar Akali Conspiracy Case, which was tried by Mr. P. J. Rust, Trial No. 1, of 1922, King Emperor versus Tota Singh Peshwari and others. Master Mota Singhhad

gone underground.

However, his arrest was effected on June 15, 1922 through Arjan Singh Patwari of village Haripur, who was the paid tout of the Police. Master Mota Singh was challaned by Santokh Singh S.I. ‘under Sections 124-A and 153-A 1. P.C. Master Mota Singh refused to give any statement before the Judge, who sentenced him to one year’s R. |.

A

Police Post was

established

in

his

village at Patara, which continued till 1947. Master Mota Government

Singh

as

viewed

by

the

British

“Master Mota Singh had a rebellious nature and self sacrificing spirit. He was the product of social, political and religious environments of the Punjab. He diagnosed the whole Indian political atmosphere and infused a revolutionary spirit in the minds of common men and created love for freedom. His great contribution to the country, in 1920, was that he stood for promoting the cause of genuine freedom among masses. In the eyes of the English, he was an implacable foe.” ‘Master’

Jalandhar

Mota

District

Singh

on

the

“Sections 124-A and 153-A

is an

17th

Aka/i

who was arrested in the

June, 1922, on charges under

1|.P.C. and was sentenced to various

“Biographies of the Babar Akalis

287

terms of imprisonment amounting to a total of seven years. “The Punjab Govt. stated that this man was found to be communicating with his former associates and other political prisoners and he was a source of danger in the Punjab‘.” On account of this, he was sent out of the Punjab to be confined in the jails of the other Provinces of India and in Burma. “Mota

Singh

has

been

classified

just as

he was

in the

B-Class prisoner and his diet

Nagpur Central Jail, as an ordinary

and clothing are regulated accordingly. He is confined at night ‘in a cell, which is being changed daily and he is employed in the work yard by day, under careful supervision. In repl¥* to an

enquiry, made by the Central Govt. the Home Secretary to the Government of Punjab stated ‘that Sikh prisoners in Punjab are allowed to retain their Safa. Kachh, Kara and to wear a Kirpan One inch long. Where upon, instructions were issued to the Superindendent of Jail, Bassein® to the effect that the prisoner should be allowed to wear a Kirpan,

length and that Khaki

and

safa

place of the black one, worn allowed to retain his Kara’.

notexceeding one inch Kachh would be supplied

by him

that

and

he should

in in

be

‘The local Govt. has now received a report, that Mota Singh has been on hunger strike since 11.2.1925, the reason being the deprival of his black Safa and the necessity of wearing the habitual, class clothing. On the 20th February, the prisoner’s condition was such that the Superintendent of the Jail, restorted to forcibly feeding. He is now being fed with milk twice daily in the presence of Superintendent. The local Govt. has requested the Superintendent of the Jail to telegraph daily the condition of the prisoner as well as any other details of interest. The Superintendent reports that the prisoner’s

is fair but that he has lost weight 4

5

Letter from

In Burma.

as

was

general

condition

to be expected.

His

the Govt. of Punjab No. 8790-14 S.B. 13th June, 1924.

Burma was one of the

during the British Rule.

Provinces,

under

the Viceroy of India,

Hcome—Deptt. Political File No. 9 7/11/921.

History of the Babar Akalis~

288

weight on admission to the Jail was 140 Ibs. on the 15.2.1925: it was 120 Ibs. and on the 24.2.1925 it was 116 lbs. The

average weight for his height is said to be 117 Ibs®.”’ “A Phase of Sikh propoganda, which must not be omitted in this account of the Aka/i movement, is its connection with trans-frontier revolutionaries. The fighting nature of the Sikhs, the experience of the Ghadar- Campaign of 1915 and the fanaticism, which the cause of Gurdawara reform had avoke had already warned the authorities of the possibilities of outrage. Towards the end of May 1922 two Sikhs arrived in Lahore, in suspicious circumstances. They were arrested and found to be in possession of loaded Webley revolvers and considerable quantity of ammunition. The revolvers proved to have been stolen with five others from a magazines, in the Ambala Cantonment, in the preceding December. The two prisoners made statements admitting the theft of these revolvers and their subsequent disposal among other disaffected

Sikhs.

Both

men

were deserters

from

the 2/35th

Sikhs and members of Aka/i Dal’.” “Further investigation brought to light, a revolutionary Conspiracy in which the moving spirit was alleged to be Master Mota Singh, the most malingnantly Anti-British, of all the Sikhs Extremists. This man had been convicted in 1919, during the Martial Law Regime and subsequently released. He was a fugitive from Justice, haveing committed offences under Section 124-A and 153-A, of the Indian Penal Code and has hither to successfully evaded arrest. He had collected around him, a band of dangerous Akalis and returned emigrants, with the ultimate object of creating a revolution, inthe Punjab. He hoped to secure a supply of arms from the Frontier, through the agency of Indian Revolutionaries and Bolsheviks, in Afganistan and 6

Letter from the Burma

Govt. No. 360-V-24

dated 12-3-15925 to the Govt.

of India, Simla.

7

\V.W.Smirh, Superintendent of Police Deptt. Lahore dated February 22, 1922.

(Political) Criminal

Investigation

Biographies of the Babar Akalis

289

had himself crossed the Border, in order to ascertain the possibilities of foreign assistance. His planes involved a rising in the Patiala State, as a preliminary to a general Sikh outbreak”’.

“Individual outrages on Indian and Britash Officers whose conduct had displeased extermist Sikhs, were also completed. The final result of the investigation, during the course of which, ten revolvers and two bombs were recovered, was the institution of the Aka/i Conspiracy Case, which is now sub-judice. This conspiracy, conceived and putinto execution by confessed Aka/is, indicates how faint is the dividing line between the revolutionary Propoganda, Sikh of extreme aspects certain and cult the greatest danger from the Aka/i Movement lies in its appeal outwardly quiescent to the returned emigrants, who though during the years, which have followed the Ghadar Camaign, remain in dubitably a source of danger, peaceful development of self-government, their warm espousal of the Aka/i cause and

the

influence,

which

they

weiled

within

the Aka/i Dal/, are

As long as arch-schemer, discussed elsewhere in thispeport. Mota Singh remains at large, further preparations for outrage may be confidently anticipated, but no definite information has been received, indicating, whether the party of the revolutionaries There issome reason to believe the has gained fresh adherents. negotiation for the importation of arms from the Frontier, continue and that arms are actually being received for distribution to

certain members large

or

of Aka/i Da/, but it is likely that the supply

that its sources are

is

numerous®”.

Master Mota Singh came into prominence, due to the Babar

Akali Movement. He was one of the founder-members of the Babar Akali and Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee also. He was an effective speaker and knew the art of moving masses

freedom

emotionally

and

carrying

them

with

him.

a

ane

en 8

As

fighter, he did not believe in Mahatma Gandhi's doctrine

V.W. Smith Superintendent of Police (Political) Deptt. Lahore dated February DON OZ 2.

Criminal

Investigation

History of the Babar Akalis

290

He propogated the use of all sorts of means of non-violence. At the time of the Nankana and above all for armed struggle. He had was notin India. he 1921, massacre, on February 21, contacts with those secretly gone away to Kabul to make had set up a revolutionary Party leaders, who Ghaddar government there. At Kabul, he also came into contact with some Bolshevik leaders of Russia. He is reported in Government records to have brought from there, Rs. 10,000/- for his anti

British Government activities.

He

returned

to the

Punjab and

worked remaining underground. He appeared in public at Nankana Sahib in, February 1922, at the time of the first celebration of the Martyrdom Day of Nankana heroes. Lakhs of people had gathered there on that occasion. He

suddenly

revolutionary

appeared

at

the

Diwan

speech, exhorting the

and

made

thundering

Sikh congregation

to make

a revolution and overthrow the British Government by means of armed struggle. Having delivered the speech, he disappeared from the site, as he had done at the Kote Fatui scene and also

on other several occasions, and despite all efforts of the Police officers to arrest him, he could not be arrested. He had invariably, successfully, had evaded arrest. Government declared him a “‘Proclaimed Offender’ and put a big reward on his head. This fact further endeared him to the freedom fighters. One day, Master Mota Singh went to his village Patara, where as a result of information given by Arjan Singh Patwari of

Haripur. He was arrested by the Police, in June, 1922. After a farcical trial, he was sentenced to 5 year’s rigorous imprisonment. But before his arrest he had ‘‘succeeded in gathering round him, a revolutionary band composed of some of the most desperate Sikh militants of the Jalandhar Daoba, including many ex-soldiers and several returned emigrants’. This was the nucleus of the Babar Akali Movement.

After he was

sentenced,

Master Mota Singh was

harrassed

291

“Biographies of the Babar Akalis

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‘Sentencing Oourt fF Appeal through

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, announced the Sessions Judge.

6.

Babar Atma

Singh

Beeka

Atma Singh, age 27 years, son of Sardar Maya Singh Sandhu, belonged to village Beeka®®, Tahsil Nawanshahar, District

Jalandhar. He was charged with the conspiracy, in connection with the distribution of leaflets of Babar Akali Doaba, and on account of his association with the leading members of the Babar Akali movement, such as Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Babar Karam Singh of Jhingar and Master Dalip Singh of Gosal. He was present at the Haripur Diwan and was sent back to recover the shoes of Kishan Singh Gargajj and others, after their hurried

departure.

leaflets to Sant in his village®’. Babar Atma

He brought

some

of the

Babar

Akali

Kartar Singh's Kutia at Pragpur, for distribution

Singh,

stated

in the

Sessions Court

that

he

served for some 6 months in the 45th Sikhs and was discharged, on account of some injury to his eye. He went to Nankana Sahib, after the affair, and became an Aka/i and joined the

Akali Dal.

On his return home, he told the

65

Judgement

66

Had-bast No. 72, Area 128,

owned 67

people of his village

Case No. 20 of 1924, pp. 168-70. Hectares.

P.S.

Banga,

The

whole village

is

by the Sandhu Sikh-Jats.

Evidence

pp. 48-67.

of Sant

Kartar

Singh

(P.W.

8)

Trial

Case

No.

2 of 1924

312

History of the Babar Akalis

of what he had seen at Nankana Sahib and, in 1931, he took part in a Diwan at which Dalip Singh Gosal®® (Accused No. 5) was present and Babar Karam Singh®® (Accused No. 8) of village Jhingar, delivered a speech and Sunder Singh of Makhsuspur’ (Accused No. 30) recited a peom. He, Dalip Singh Gosal (Accused No. 5) and Karam Singh (Accused No. 8) occupied themselves in the

enlistment

of Aka/is and some Five

months later, he attended a Diwan at Kot Fatui’!,

with what was said at the Diwan by Master

in accordance

Mota Singh”.

had collected Rs. 38/- for the fair at Anandpur.

He

He

paid this

money to one Hari Singh’? of Jalandhar. Atma Singh was present at Anandpur and served in the /angar (Common kitchen)

and saw Kishan Singh (Accused No. 1), Dalip Singh (Accused No. 5), Karam Singh (Accused No. 8), Asa Singh (P.W. 25) and Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, sitting in a house. Babar Atma Singh of Beeka, was put to heavy tortures. “‘l was kept for three months in the 7hana Banga, Gian Singh, Chanda Singh, Natha Singh, constables beat me. And Mir Sahib’* struck me two fists making my nose bleed. | was brought to Jalandhar and Mir Sahib got me to put my thumb mark on a paper and he said that | would be released on bail, but | was not released”,

68

Trial Case No. 2 of 1924. p. 382.

69

Trial Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 886.

70

Trial Case No. 2 of 1924, pp. 931-932.

71

Had-bast No. 89, Area 233 Hectares, Once

this

village was known as the

High Court of the Babar Akalis.

72

Master Mota Singh, son of Sardar Gopal of the founder Member

of

terror to the

British

life

15, 1919, vide

on

May

Gurdawara

Government.

Singh

of village Patara was one

Parbandhak

Committee.

He wasa

He was sentenced for Transporation for

Central

Jail, Jalandhar, Register

No.

4916

First

Babar

(oo Valeo 73

Sardar Hari Singh of Jalandhar was an Akali Conspiracy case,

but

was

accused

acquitted.

He

No.8

Master Mota Singh of Patara. 74

Khan Bahadur Mir Fazl Imam D.S. of Police

inthe

was a close associate of

Punjab.

Biographies of the Babar Akalis

Sic

‘Stated the Babar, before the special Magistrate, February 12, 192475,

Louis A. Bull, on

Babar Atma Singh was a very active, willing worker and a devoted patriot. He moved like a whirlwind to distribute the Babar Akali Doaba \eaflets, in every corner of the province. He was fearless, who used to be present in every Diwan held by the Babar and swiftest messenger to convey the secret messages to and from the Babars. He was the close associate of leading _ Babar Akalis, such Babar Kishan Singh Gargajj, Jathed ar Karam Singh of Daulatpur.. Babar Karam Singh of Jhingar, Babar Dalip

Singh of Gosal, Babar Santa Singh Ude Singh of Ramgarh Jhugian.

(Accused No. 51) and Babar

Judgement “The above evidence leaves, in my opinion, no room for ‘doubt that this accused was a member of this conspiracy, and members associated and deliberated with the leading ‘distributed the literatue of the conspiracy. The Assessors, were of the opinion that this accused was one of the organisors of the ‘conspiracy, jointly, with Bhai Kishan Singh Gargajj (Accused No. 1), Master Dalip Singh Gosal (Accused No. 5), Babar Karam Singh Jhingar (Accused No. 8), Babar Sunder Singh Makhsuspur (Accused No. 30) Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) and Sant

Kartar Singh (P.W. 9). 1 think this view is only partly correct. Atma Singh, was directly connected with the conspiracy from the very outset, but he could not be classed as one of the originators. He occupied a lesser position and was used only - for the distribution of leaflets. He had played, a fairly an important part in the conspiracy. | find the accused Atma Singh ‘guilty of criminal conspiracy to commit murder and other - offences and convict him of an

-of the Indian Penal Code.

75 Trial Case

offence unde Section

120-B/109

He is liable for the murders and other

No. 2 of 1924 p. 979.

314

History of the Babar Akalis~

offences following on this conspiracy

and,

| sentence

him

to

transportation for life’®’. 7.

Babar Arjan Singh

Arjan Singh, age 51 years, son of Sardar Sher Singh {Boyal Sikh Jat, belonged to village Sundh’’, District Jalandhar, was the real brother of Babar Hari Singh Boyal, who had murdered Bela Singh of Jian, the leading traitor of the Doaba. Jawala Singh was

the main instrument, on whose instance, many Ghadrites were hanged and tortured to death. It was Jawala Singh’s’® treachery that Babar Dhana Singh and Babar Dalipa (Accused No. 76) were arranged to be arrested. Babar Arjan Singh was the main factor to invite Kishan Singh Gargajj (Accused No. 1) and Sunder

Singh Makhsuspur (Accused No. 30) to attempt Lambardars of Sundh. Arjan

Singh

was

connected

with

the

on

thelife

conspiracy

of

in

consequence of the Sundh Affair. He did not appear to have had, any other connection with the Babar conspiracy case of Trial No. 2 of 1924. One of the objects of the Babar Akalis had in view, was the reformation of Jholi-Chucks and that as a preliminary to their complete reformation, they were to be mutilated. His conduct and behaviour, on this occasion, was strong evidence, in support of

the

contention

of

the

prosecution,

a member of the conspiracy. According to age 50, son of Sardar Narain Sing, an eye stated that :- On the night of May, 1922, back of our Have/i7®, outside the house, in had been concealed. While we were 76

Judgement

77

WHad-bast No. 28, Area 289 Hectares,

78

The youger

that

Arjan

Singh

Lambardar Sher Singh witness and (P.W. 64) we assembled at the which the constables’ standing,

there

Cattle shed.

80

Jiwan

and

Case No. 2 of 1924 p. 173.

brother

of

Bela

P.S. Banga.

Singh the

Safaid

Posh,

of Jian,

Hoshiarpur.

79

was

Singh (P.W. 67) and Ganda

Singh (P.W. 68) constables.

P.S.

Sdar-

Biographies of the Babar Akalis discussing the situation, we

315%

heard a commotion

anda

body

of

men referred to, haltedin front of Milkhis2 shop and commenced:

to make speeches. Arjun Singh (accused No. 7) shouted : out that they had come with a marriage procession to marry the daughters of the Lambardars of the village. Any one who.

cared to oppose them, could come forward. | recognised Arjan : Singh. Another man who announced himself as Kishan Singh also said that the earsand noses of Jholi-Chuck Lambardars-

would

be cut®? off.’

Arjun Singh was an absconder from justice and was being shielded by the Babars. It was very significant that Babar: Kishan Singh, in consequence of Sundh incident, suggested the “Wiping out’ of Sundh. This suggestion was not entirely’ the result of wounded pride arising out of Kishan Singh: It was. Gargajj and his companions having to take to flight. only on the advice of Master Mota Singh of Patara, that idea. was given up.

In his statement, before the Committing Magistrate, Arjun» Singh denied any connection with the conspiracy and alleged’ that he did not know why he had been implicated. !n theSessions Court, his implication was put down to his_ being any

Akali.°* Judgement “‘The Assessors considered, Arjun Singh was amember of the conspiracy and after careful consideration of the case, }t agreed with this opinion. There was notning to show that he: was liable for any of the murders committed in pursuance of the-

81

Son of Sh. Hari Ram Marwha

Khatri,

82

Trial Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 317.

83

Trial Case No, 2 of 1924. p, 885.

a Congress-leader

of villege Sundh..

“316

History of the Babar Akalis

“conspiracy. | find the accused Arjun Singh guility of “conspiracy and convicting him of an offence under 120-B/115 of the Indian Penal Code, sentence him, years’ rigorous imprisonment, including three months’ ‘confinement and a fine of Rs. 100/- or one years’ ‘rigorous imprisonment, in default.**”’ ‘8.

Babar Karam Karam

Singh,

criminal Section to five solitary further

Singh age 40

years,

son

of Duni Chand Shergill,

“Sikh-Jat, belonged to village Jhingar,®* in the Banga Police Station, District Jalandhar. He was areturned Canadian emigrant and the “evidence against him as

‘Dalip

Singh

of Ghosal®*

regards

was

to his association with Master

practically

the same

as that

‘of Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Babar Dalip Singh of Gosal “were generally living together. Inaddition, Babar Karam Singh

(Accused

No. 8) maintained a liaison, between Hoshiarpur and

- Jalandhar Babar Parties. As regards to the speeches delivered by

him at Jhingar,

Harian’? an Jagatpur®® villages, the evidences of

‘Sain (P. W. 31)

son of Ishar, Jagirdar Harnam Singh (P.W. 32), son of Dula Singh Havi/dar Sikh-Jat, Bhagwan Singh (P. W. 33)

‘son of Uttam Singh Jat-Sikh. Gurdit Singh

(P.W.

‘Ram (P. W. 138), the Patwari, supported it. “son

of Ishar,

age

40, Caste,

Jat-Sikh

34), and Shiv

According to Sain

resident

of

Jhingar,

‘District Jalandhar, occupation Jagirdar :—"' \In February-March 1922, | was Lambardar of Jhingar. | know Karam Singh

~Jhingar (accused No. 8) It was in the beginning of March 1922, ‘that Karam Singh delivered a lecture at Jhingar. Bhagwan ‘Singh Safed-posh of Harian made a report about this lecture at

~84 paternal aunt. (Bhua), 3 years ago Harnam. Singh borrowed my cart to bring some seeds. As he was going; to yoke the bullocks in the cart, he was arrested by the Police and two swords were found in his possession. He was conivcted and sentenced for carrying arms and, | was accused to bringing about his arrest. Kartar Singh holds me responsible for this and

hence has given-evidence against me.18°”" Judgement

“In agreement with the Assessors | do not think that his connection with it has been established beyond doubt. |, therefore, give him the benefit of the doubt, find him not guilty

and acquit him.1%? 35.

Babar Bnagwan Babar

Bhagwan

Singh Sahota

Singh

Singh,

Sikh-Jat

age 50 years

son

of

Sardar

belonged to Fatthehpur!’*

Kothi,

Dulla

Tahsit

Garhshankar, District Hoshiarpur. According to the evidence of Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) an approver of Kotli Bawa Das, he and Jawala Singh, who was burnt alive at Mundher village on 12th December, 1923, met the party concerned, in Kaulgarh at the time of murder, of Ralla and Dittu, when he reached Fatthehpur Kothi, both of them were also given some of the leaflets printed at Bhagaur!®® for distribution. Bhagwan Singh, also used to provide the party with food, during their stay in the vicinity of Fathehpur Kothi. It was also stated by Dhanna Singh

ee

SS

a

a

(P.W.

10) the approver of village Buro-Barian.

at a

185

Kartar Singh

186

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924. PP. 940-941,

187

Judgement-Case

188

Had-bast No. 337. Area, 245

189

A small village, one mile to the

en

No. 2 of 1924. P. 190.

Hectares, P.S, Mahalpur.

Area 77 Hectares, P.S. Mahalpur,.

west from

Mahailpur.

Had-bast No. 66 on

Biographies of the Babar Akalis

3523

that he and

Jawala Singh suggested the murder of Subeqar of Moron, Police Station, Banga, on the ground of his being a Jholi-Chuck. \t was also in evidence that the duplicator was kept It will be remembered that the by him with Parshotam Singh.

letter found on the person of Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) addressed

regarding this duplicator, was Bhagwan Singh.

to

Jawala Singh

and

While stating, on February 14, 1924, before Speical Magistrate Louis A. Bull, he had to undergo heavy torture of the Police: “I was then arrested and they took meto the well, where my Ka/sh were tied with a Charpai (Cot) and they made me sit there. They tied me up by feet and hung me with my head downwards. Shahjit®® said to shoot me, but some one said

that | would die, but he said murder from higher authorities. whole night and

was

that they had got sanction to | was not allowed to sleen the kicked in the side, next oay ] was kicked

on the head and | became uncanniness?”!......... The Judge was not prepared to agree that the accused was merely a tool in the hands of others. His connection with the conspiracy had been established by the evidence that Bhagwan Singh tried to minimise his guilt but this, of course, was not unusual. The Judge could not understand why Jawala Singh should have selected him among the other members of the village

Jatha,

if he

had

not

been

in

sympathy with

and not

known of the object which the Babar Aka/is had in view. Judgement “In agreement with the Assessors, | find this accused guilty of criminal conspiracy and convicting him to an offence under Section 120-B/115, sentence him to four years, rigorous imprisonment, including three month’s solitary confinement and a

190

Saeed Ahmad

Shah-Inspector

C.I.D. P.S. Mahalpur.

491

Trial Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 942.

History of the Babar Akalis

354 fine

100/-

of Rs.

imprisonment

or one year’s further rigorous

default!*?”’. 36.

Babar Rattan

Singh

Babar Rattan Singh, son of Sardar Hazara Singh Dhami Sikh-Jat of Singhriwala!®’, Babar Dalip Singh son of Sardar !shar Singh Dhami Sikh-Jat of Dhamian Kalan and Babar Piara Singh son of Sardar Puran Singh Dhami Sikh-Jat of Dhamian Kalan’®, Buta of murders the with connected directly, were Nangal village of Singh, Surjan grandson, his and Lambardar Shaman,

near

Jalandhar

night of the 11th-12th

Cantonment

March,

1923.

and

dacoity on the

the

Three

of them

were

implicated in this affair by the three approvers Singh (P.W. 11) of Pindori Nijran, Sadhu Singh

viz. Battan (P.W. 15) of

Pragpur and Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) of Kotli Bawa

Das.

When

they reached the rendezvous, near the distant Signal of Jandu Singha Railway Station, they found Rattan Singh of Singriwal with Babu Singh Santa Singh (Accused No. 51), Battan (P.W.11)

further

stated that when

Babu Santa

Singh arranged

this affair with him and Sadha Singh (Accused No. 13) Pindori Nijran, he informed them that he was going Singhriwala, to see, if he could find Rattan Singh there.

of to

In his statement before the Committing Magistrate Babar Rattan Singh (Accused No. 36), age 24 years, son of Sardar Hazara Singh Dhami Sikh-Jat, denied all connections with the “conspiracy or any complicity in the Nangal Shaman affair. In

the Sessions Court,

he repeated

his denial,

admitted knowing

Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) and alleged that he once had a quarrel with him. He further stated that when Buta Singh Lambardar was murdered, he was attending the marriage of his nephew

192

Judgement

Case 2 of 1924, p. 191.

193

Had-bast No. 245, Area 325 Hectares, P.S. Sdar Hoshiarpur.

194

Had-bast No. 165, Area 286 Hectares, P.S. Hariana.

“Biographies of the Babar Akalis

355

~ Lakha Singh at Kandola and that the

the village

barat

(marriage party)

on the

7th and returned on the “Rattan Singh had his one son Amrik Singh.

10th March,

left

1923.

According to Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29), Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) arranged this Nangal Shaman affair with him, Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan, Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur and Harbakhsh Singh of Jassowal, at the house of Sham Singh of village

~ Raisiwal?®, and when Babu Santa Singh left, he said he would bring men from Singhriwala and Dhamian Kalan. Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) went to the rendezvous with Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan. Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur and Harbakhsh Singh of Jassowal. On arrival there, they found the other eight persons including

Rattan

Singh of Singhriwela, Dalip Singh of Dhamian Kalan and Piara Singh of Dhamian Kalan.

Babar Dalip Singh, age 22 years son of Sardar Ishar Singh Dhami Sikh-Jat of village Dhamian Kalan, was educated up to the Middle Standard and served for three years in the 51st Sikhs.

He was friendly with Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan and Battan Singh (P.W.11) of Pindori Nijran. He met Battan Singh (P.W. 11) one day at the havel/ of Banta Singh, when Battan Singh informed him that there was a Diwan that night at Nangal Shaman, where his services were required and that he should be at Jandu Singha Railway Station that night. Outside the Railway

Baibalpur

Station

Signal,

and

Harbakhsh

met

Battan

Singh,

Singh of Jassowal.

Dhanna

Singh

of

Near the signal,

they found Dalip Singh Chhota (Accused No. 76) and Piara Singh (Accused No. 50) and after a short while Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) and Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan arrived. Meanwhile Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) Sadhu Singh (P.W. 15) Rattan Singh (Accused No. 36) and another man arrived. The party of 12 being complete they set out for Nangal Shaman. 95

Had-bast No, 209, Area

28 Hectares, P.S.

SadrHoshiarpur.

History of the Babar Akalisx

356

Babar Dalip Singh (Accused No. 49) stated on« February 14, 1924, before Mr. Louis A. Bull, Special Magistrate ~ as under :—“I was arrested in place of another Dalip Singh. When the Police found that | was not the Dalip Singh theywanted, they said that | should get Banta Singh or Dalipa (Accused No. 76) arrested. | said that if the Government could not arrest them, how could there be possible for me. Then | was. asked to give evidence against the Aka/is, as desired by the Police. They said they would release me on bail and would send forme when necessary. | said that as give false evidence or bail. Shahji,

| was an Aka/i. | would not Hakim Singh and Amarnath

got annoyed with me on account of this and began to treat mebadly, | was kept standing for 24 hours and fisted in the sides. I was given nothing to eat. After that my hands were put under the legs of a cot and stones were put into the bends of my legs.

and | was made to sit down. My neck was placed on the side of the cot and my hair pulled by two constables. After the chilli

water was put into my mouth and ears. Huqqa water was put into a /ota and kept in front of me, but | do not know what was. done with it as | fainted‘2*°. Babar

Piara Singh

(Accused No. 50)

age 24 years,

son

of

Sardar Puran Singh Dhami Sikh-Jat was implicated in the murders

of Buta Lambardar and his grand son Surjan Singh of Nangal Shaman. He is alive and enjoys a sound health. When enquired” by the author about the murder of the infant grandson of the Lambardar he frankly condemned it and said that it happened only because that the boy had recongnised two persons and thus apprehending the consequences Babar Munsha Singh of Jauhal, murdered the boy.

Babar Piara Singh has givena vivid account of the. various methods of torture of the Police, which almost all the Babar Akalis hadto face. About his own tortures, 196

Trial Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 972.

“Biographies of the Babar Akalis

357

“he stated before the Special Magistrate on February 15, 1924, as under: ‘‘A stick was passed under my legs and my hands and legs “were tied and! was made to sitin the burning sun by Mir Sahib.19 “Whenever, | was over tortured, | said that | was prepared to “make any statement, he desired but when be brought me inside, -I said, | knew nothing. Every day | was beaten in the same way. When the Police Inspector saw | would not make a statement in “his way, he said to puta plank on my chest with one man on each

~ end of the plank. When | was very much troubled, | was brought “into the Kotha’ and there my thumb mark was teken ona | did not know anything then and | gave no statement. paper. Then

inthe

evening,

| was

again

taken

back

to the

‘Mir Sahib, threatened me and said that if I did not “he wanted me to say, he would get me hanged.

say

Kothi!® what

Babar Piara Singh has one daughter, B/b/ Amar Kaur, who ‘is married to Sardar Harnam Singh Dhugga of village Sunra, -Tahsil Phagwara. He had one son Amar Singh, who died at the -age of seven, when Babar Piara Singh was in the Central Jail “Multan. In connection with these three Babar Akalis, Lala 'Raghunath Sahai, brought to the notice, certain discrepancies in the evidence of the three approvers, but hearing these, the

“Sessions Judge observed | really do not consider them of any ‘importance. The evidence in my opinion is fully established the - connection of these three accused with the conspiracy, and their “complicity in the murder of Buta Lambardar, and the dacoity of ‘'Nangal Shaman”. - Judgement

“In agreement with the Assessors, | find these accused “guilty of criminal conspiracy, dacoity with murder and convict

Yl. os ieee eee se 197

Mir Fazl Imam D.S.P.

C.i.D. Punjab.

“498

Solitary confinement.

“4199

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924. P. 974.

358

History of the Babar Akalis.-

them of offences under Section 120-B/109, 396 and 302 read with » Sections 34, 109, 114 and 120-B of the |.P. Code. | consequently

~ sentence the accused Rattan Singh (Accused No. 36) Dalip Singh (Accused No. 49) and Piara Singh (Accused No. 50) each to transportation for life. In view of the minor part taken by these accused, in this affair, capital sentences in my opinion are not required nor can they be convicted, ! think for complicity in

the murder of Surjan Singh and of causing grievous hurt of Ram Chand, the other grandson of Buta Lambardar as these acts do. not appear to have been done by Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) in. furtherence of the common intention’’.*°° 37.

Babar

Duman

Babar Duman Singh,

of village

Singh

Singh, Pindori

age 35 years

son

Mahtaman,

7hana_

of Sardar Hariana,

MunshaDistrict

Hoshiarpur, was implicated in the conspiracy in connection with the second attempt onthe life of Labh Singh of Dhada Fatteh . Singh, Battan Singh (P.W.11) referred to him, and Dhana Singh (P.W.15). Duman Singh was concerned with the second attempt onthe life of Labh Singh of Dhada Fatteh Singh. In. his statement, before Mr. Louis. A. Bull, Special Magistrate. Duman Singh denied all complicity in the conspiracy. He added ° that he took his pension owing to a broken leg and in. consequence of this leg being shorter than the other, he was . unable to walk more than 2 or 3 miles. Duman Singh was astaunch and brave Babar Akali, who took active part in the-~ execution of the reformation of the Jho/i-Chuks. He was tried” to be cowed down by the Police and some other agencies, but he did not budge an inch, before the Sessions Court. Battan. Singh (P.W.11), a Jhewar of Pindori Nijran, Sadhu Singh.

(P.W.15) Ghanya

200

a Tut-Jat of Pragpur, Banta Singh of village

Singh

Boparai, in the

Judgement Case No. 2 of 1924. pp. 191-195.

(P.W. 26) son of =

earstwhile Kapurthala.

Biographies of the Babar Akalis

359

State and Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) of village Kotli Bawa Das, were bought by the British Government, who gave false, concocted and baseless accounts to entangle the brave son of the soil. Babar Duman Singh had _ stated about his implication in the case, before Additional Sessions Judge J.K. Tapp, on November 26, 1924, as under :—"Some or the two years ago. | hada fight with Dhana Singh of KotliBawa Das. (P.W. 29) and others in connection with the abduction of some women of Talwandi. Hence Dhanna Singh testifies against me. In Baisakh (March two anda half years ago, | gave Battan Singh (P.W. 11) Rs. 7/- to have two pairs of shoes made for me in his village (Pindori Nijran). He had never these made. Some two and a half months later, | met Battan Singh at Shamchaurasi2" and

April)

to return

asked him

off.

He

would not

Rs. 7/- otherwise,

return

them

to

| would

me

take his turban

and so | took off his

turban, also the turban of his companion, whose name | do not know. He never paid and | kept the turbans. | was arrested on

the 4th of April. 1923°’.+° Judgement “In agreement

with

Assessors,

connection of this accused Singh has

been

clearly

| am

of opinion

with the conspiracy

established and

that the

to murder

Labh

| find him guilty of the

offence of criminal conspiracy and convict him of an offence under Section 120-B/115. I.P. Code. His case is no different to thet of

Ujaggar

Singh (Accused No. 4) of Basrampur

and

Shiv

Singh (Accused No. 19) of Haripur and | sentence him to seven years rigorous imprisonment, including three month’s solitary confinement and a fine of Rs. 100/- or one year’s further

rigorous imprisonment in default’’.?°° 201

Had-bast

‘202

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 948.

No. 199. Area. 581, Hectares, P.S. Hariana.

203

Judgement-Case

No. 2 of 1924, pp. 195-195.

360

History of the Babar Akalis

38.

Babar Sham Babar

Sham

Singh

Singh,

son

of

Sardar

Mehar

Singh

Sangha

Sikh Jat belonged to village Raisiwal, near village Mandialan, situated on the Jalandhar-Hoshiarpur Road, hardly six miles to west from Hoshiarpur. The author, when visited this vilage, on 24.10.1985, he was told by the village elders that the village was founded by one Rehsi Heer Jat, who had migrated from village Meghowal, near to this village in the early eighteenth century. Sham Singh left behind him, three sons and one daughter, Paritam Singh, Gurdial Singh, Gyan Singh and Mrs. Lachhman Kaur, she is ._married at village Massanian. Though Raisiwal village was founded by a Heer Jat, but the forefathers of the Sangha Jat, had settled here on the Nanak Dheri, inherited from mother’s side. Sangha Jats came from their ancestral village Kesarpur-Tund, near Garhdiwala*". Babar

Sham

accommodated

Singh

and

given

was

implicated,

food

to the

that

he

Babar Akalis

had

and had

kept the duplicator at his house. He was the Jathedar of Akali According to the evidence of Battan Singh (P.W.11) Sadhu Singh (P.W.15) they were sent for from

Jatha of Raisiwal village. the

Kutia

request of

of

Sant

Thankar

Sant Thakur

Singh

Singh,

to

go

Sham

Singh

to

Rajowal.

took

At the

Babu

Santa

Singh (Accused No. 51), Kishan Singh Gargajj, and Karam Singh (Accused No. 8) Jhingar to his house, where they stayed for 3 or 4 days and were provided with food. Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) Stated that on one occasion Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) took him to the house of Sham Singh, where he found Banta

Singh

of Dhamian

Kalan,

Dhanna

Singh

of

Baibalpur

and

Harbakhsh Singh of Jassowal. In his

cross

examination

by

the

Committing

Magistrate,

Sham Singh denied any connection with the conspiracy. He further stated that Amar Nath 7hanedar, wanted him to give evidence against the Aka/is and said that if he refused to do so fix 204

Had-bast No. 209, Area, 28 Hectares,

P.S. Gardiwala.

«Biographies of the Babar Akalis

361

“he would be kept in Jail. In the Sessions Court, he stated that he had been implicated on account of being an Aka/i, and that he was pointed out to Battan Singh (P.W.11) and Asa Singh (P.W. 25) in the Jail at Jalandhar, Sham Singh served for some ~4years in the 57th Rifles, took his discharge and joined the army again in 1915 or 1916 and served with the 25th and 27th Punjabis, in the First World War, 1914-1918. - Judgement

“The contentions of the learned Vaki/ do not, in my opinion “Carry any conviction and fail to explain away evidence against this accused. In my opinion his connection with the conspiracy has been proved and in agreement with the Assessors, | find him “guilty of criminal conspiracy and convict him of an offence under section 120 B/115 of the I.P. Code. | do not think hecan be held liable for the murders, committed in pursuance of the “conspiracy and would bring his case under Section 115. | sentence him to four years, rigorous imprisonment, including

three months’ solitary confinement and a fine of Rs. 100/- or “One year’s further rigorous imprisonment in default’’.°% 39.

Babar Sant Thakur

Babar Sant Gurmukh Singh

Singh

Thakur Singh, age 45 years, son of Za//dar Sikh Jat, belonged to village Mundial,?°¢

District Hoshiarpur, is situated between Hoshiarpur and ‘Kathar. In the army service, he remained a pious Sikh, always ‘devoted to God. He was the disciple of Sant Aya Singh of Hoti-Mardan, now in Pakistan. He belongedto a very respectable -and well todo Sikh-Jat family, but instead of cultivating his land, he became a saint, having his Kutia built in the lonely place. In addition to saying his daily prayers, he use to entertain the needy at his kitchen. In their wandering life, the Babar Akalis were also provided with food and lodging in his free kitchen. 205 206

Judgement-Case

No. 2 of 1924, p. 197.

Had-bast No. 205, Area. 105 Hectares,

P.S. Sadr Yoshiarpur.

History of the Babar Akalis-

S62

The Kutia of Sant Thakur Singh, outside the village of Rajowal, was a favourite resort of the Babar Akalis. The Babar Akali Doaba \eaflets were printed at his Kutia and in connection with the murder of Subedar Gainda Singh of Ghurial, his Kutsa-. was used for planning out the murder. After the deed had been done, the murderers went to his Kutia. He provided Karam Singh

of Manko, with the

Kurta

(shirt).

In referring to the printing at

the Kutia, the approver Battan Singh (P.W. 11) stated that when Babar Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) told that the murder was committed by these Babar Akalis, Sant Thakur Singh approved

of the murder of the Subedar. Sant Thakur Singh has served in the same Regiment as that Gargajj for some 15 years, and was in receipt

of Kishan Singh

of a pension of Rs. 10/- per mensem. He became a Sadhu and commenced tolive in a Kutia, about a mile from village Rajowal.2°? In visiting Sham Singh of Raisiwal, Kishan Singh Gargajf, Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Karam Singh of Manko,°°S Babar Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) Babar Ude Singh of Ramgarh-Jhugian, Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur, Dalip Singh of Dhamian Kalan used to visit him at his Kutia. The Sant was told of the printing and distribution of the Babar Akali Doaba, which was meant to induce the people to rebel and when this

propaganda would succeed, the flag of rebellion would be flying, Englishmen, murdered and a Svkh Raj to be established. Sant Thakur Singh, was subjected to inhuman treatment and heavy tortures. On February 14, 1924, he stated, in the Court of Louis A. Bull, Special Magistrate :—'The C.1.D. Police beat me very badly. They arrested me at my Gurdawara, on the 4th May,

1923 and took me away. Mir Sahib said that my kaish~ should be tied to the roof and | should be well beaten and that | should be made to stand with handcuffs on, the whole night.

207

Had-bast No. 206, Area 91 Hectares. P.S. Sadr, Hoshiarpur.

204

Mir Fazl Iman (P.W. 474) D.S.P., C.1.D, Punjab.

Biographies of the Babar Akalis

363:

| was baeten like this for 10 or 12 days. Mir Sahib used to beat me, as well as Hukam Singh, Kahan Singh 7hanedars and oneHaji.*°? | was brought to the office, during 10 or 12 days and. beaten there. Mir Sahib put Huqga water in my kaish. He said. that he would get me hanged and that he had got sanction from Simla??° to do so. They used to subject me to chilli-smoke. He said that if | gave evidence against the Aka/is he would let me go, but | refused’’.21 Judgement “The connection of this

accused, with

the

conspiracy

has:

been proved to the hilt and it is also clear that he abetted to the murder of Subedar Gainda Singh as contended by the prosecution. Apparently, his fear of the Babars and his want of sympathy disappeared when Nand Singh proposed _themurder of the

Subedar.

!n

agreement

with

the

Assessors,

I

find this accused guility of criminal conpiracy and _ directabetment of the murder of Subedar Gainda Singh and convict him of offences under Sections 120-B/109, and 302 read with Sections 120-B and 109, I.P. Code, and sentence him to-~ transportation for life. He did not take any actual part in themurder and hence a capital sentence is not called for*!?’’.

40.

Babar Gurbachan

Singh,

Babar Gurbachan Singh son of Jathedar Dalip Singh: Sandhara Sikh-Jat, of village Sandhara age 23 year. Hari Singh age 28 year, son of Sardar Surjan Singh Purewal Sikh-Jat of

209

Inspector

210

The

British 211

. 12

of Police C.1.D. Punjab.

Punjab

Government,

Simla

was

also

the

Summer

Capital

of the-

Indian Government

+ Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 949.

Judgement-Case Jail-mates that the award

No.

2 1924, P. 198-199.

prosecution

death punishment,

of his Ardasa.

for the murder.

because

The author

was prevailing Subedar

The Sant had said Ardasa

was

is told by Sant’s.

upon the learned Judge to. murdered

(Prayer) when

with the Shekt &

the killers decided

“364

History of the Babar Akalis Hardit

“village Jassowal, ~Sardar

Mansa the

“were

‘Movement.

Singh and

active

These

‘the conspiracy,

age 30 years, Aka/i Sikh son of

Singh

Purewal

Sikh-Jat

of village

leading

members

of

three

Babar

Akalis

the

were

on account of their implication

Babar

with

in the dacoity at so their cases

together.

Babar Gurbachan Singh,

age 23 years had good eduction in

‘urdu, Gurmukhi and English. .people.

Aakli

connected

-Jadla on the night of 2nd and 3rd February, 1923, \were taken

Jassowal,

His parents were much enlightened

His father had already suffered one year’s impresonment

“on account

of his

political

activities.

When

Gurbachan

‘was arrested, on 22.8.1923, in connection

with the

»Movement,

her hand on the

his mother Atam Kaur, putting

Singh

Babar Akali right

shoulder of her son said, ‘‘my son be not affraid of death, ‘implicate not others with you, turn not an approver.” Before the “Committing Magistrate Gurbachan Singh of Sandhara*!*, denied

-any participation in the Jadla

dacoity.

In the Sessions Court,

-he stated that he had been implicated, because he was

an Akali. He further stated that Surjan Singh (Accoused No. 47) of Hyatpur “was his maternal uncle, and Dharam Singh (Accused No. 48) ‘Ram Singh (P.W. 16) and Sunder Singh his cousins. He also

Claimed, acquaintance with Dhanna Singh (Accused No. 82) ‘but did not know any of the other accused or approvers. He -also stated that on the 28th January 1923, he and Dhanna

~Singh (Accused 82) went to Rampur State in the Uttar Pardesh to apply for a grant of land and were absent for some 6 or 7 days. ‘He stated that different approvers were confined with him from ‘time to time and he and Sunder Singh of Hyatpur were pointed

-213

Had-bast

No.

Prosecution,

171.

Area.

418 Hectares, Balachaur Police

has wrongly shown

a village situated close by.

him

as

‘the

(Trial-Case No,

resident

of

Station.

The

Sangharan”,

of 1924. P. 954).

Biographies of the Babar Akalis

365:

out to Munshi Ram, Nabia, Teja and Pola.214 Babar Hari Singh, age 28 years, was the son of Sardar Surjan,, Singh, Purewal Sikh Jat of village Jassowal®!>. He was very active. Babar Akali. He was implicated in the Jadla dacoity case, Harbakhsh Singh, who has been referred to in evidence, has.

been adopted by my uncle Hoshanak Singh, who is childless. It is therefore, impossible for Harbakhsh Singh and me to be. Afterfriendly?!®, Hari Singh had joined No. 12 Sikh Regiment. serving there for some time, he got his discharge, at

the

end

of

1920, and he became an active member of the Babar AkaliJatha. Hari Singh (Accused No. 43) denied any participation, in dacoity -

at Jadla. He told that he had been implicated in the case, because he was an Akal//, and that he had been ill-treated bythe Police.

In the Sessions Court, he also rspeated the

for his implication and Babar Hari Singh had tortures under the

Police custody.

stated before Louis A.

Bull,

On

Special

reasons.

heavy

to undergo

February

14,

1924,

Magistrate :—’’Buta

he. Ram

Inspector, Atma Ram Hava/dar, Hans Raj and Dalipa constables, made me go round a bed for 8 days. Whenever, | stopped, I Ilwas beaten. Onthe 8th day 1 became unconscious. beaten badly for one month. My handcuffs were tied to and my hair were pulled.?27

| was. a bed»

Babar Hardit Singh, age 30 years, Akali Sikh, son of Sardar Mansa Singh, Purewal Sikh-Jat of Jassowal Purewal, is tall, well build and a strong Babar Aka/li. During the author's interview with him at his village he

214 215

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924. Had-bast

No.

village is owned

284.

Area,

P. 954. 138

Hectares, Tahsil Garhshankar,

by the Purewal Jat-Sikh.

of the Babar Akalis, 216

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924. P..96.

217

ibid., PR. 960;

the whole-

This village was the High-Court-_

“366

History of the Babar Akalis

«got him acquainted with

the conspicious places of the resorts of the Babar Akalis, where their meetings were held in the High

“Court of his village.

Even

-eventuality for the

cause

Panth-Khalsa.

today,

he is fully alive

of maintaining

He narrated

the

to

face

prestige

saddest, but-brave

any

of the

descriptions of

the misries and hardships, the Babars had to undergo. arrested, on 22.4.1923.

He

was

Judgement

“In my opinion the evidence, undoubtedly shows that these three accused had knowlegde of ihe conspiracy and took part in the dacoity at Jadla. The Assessors are a!so of the same opinion. In agreement with the Assessors, | find Gurbechan Singh (Accused No. 40), Hari Singh (Accused No. 43) and Hardit Singh (Accused No. 45), guilty of criminal conspiracy and dacoity and convict them of offence under Sections 120-B/109

and 395/398 read with Sections

the I.P. Code, sentence

each of them

imprisonment, including three and a fine of Rs. 100/- each

120-B

to seven

months or one

and

years’

114

of

rigorous

solitary confinement year’s further rigorous

imprisonment, in default?!8’-. 41.

BabarLabh

Singh

Babar Labh Singh, age 38 years,

son of Sardar

Suba

Singh

Purewal Sikh-Jat of village Jassowal was a returned immigrant from Canada and was the Jathedar of his village Akali Jahta. He was a great poet, who wrote history of the Babar Akalis in poetry known as :-"’Babar Akali” This book is very descriptive and an authentic, because he was an active participant himself in the

Movement. Being an eye witness of all the occurrences, So we get first hand knowledge from this book. Though not complete and free from some draw backs, yet it is living picture of the holocaust of the Sikhs, how they were treated by the British —_—_

-218

eee

Judgement-Case No. 2 of 1924.

P.P. 199-203.

(Biographies of the Babar Akalis ‘Government.

This

books

367

describes

the

events

from

1921

to

1923 only.

Battan Singh (P.W.11) of Pindori Nijarn,

referred to him, as

the person to whose house he had to bring the reply to the letter, sent by Babar Kishan Singh Gargajj to the Secretary, S.G.P. Committee at Amritsar. When Battan Singh, brought back the letter of Babar Kishan Singh, went to Labh Singh, he took him

to the Kut/a of Faqir Singh (Accused No. 44), where the approver found Babar Kishan Singh, Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51), Asa Singh (P.W.25) of Phakrudi, Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Master Dalip Singh (Accused No. 5) of Jassowal and Karam Singh (Accused No. 8) of Jhingar. Battan Singh also referred to, having sent for the duplicater and told the approver and his companions that they might learn of the wherabouts of Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur

and Ude Singh of Ramgarh. Jhugian at the Chhinj of Dhansiwal*!®. He stated that this letter was written there on the 21st September, 1923, and for that reason, he remembered the date.

Babar Labh Singh, had

to suffer,

great tortures from the Police.

in the

Court

of Special

like other his comrades,

On February 14, 1924, he stated

Magistrate,

Louis.

A.

Bull

:—‘’My

handcuffs used to be tied to a cot, Lala Buta Ram used to catch my beard and

turn

my

head

upwards.

| was

asked

upwards and when | did so, then | was struck on the

a new pairof nailed shoes. badly?20"”,

After

thet | used

to

look

face

with

to be kicked very

After appearing before Mian Abdul Fatteh??", on 27th May 1923, he stated that after a stay of some 7 years in Burma, he returned, in 1921. He also spent 3 months in Canada and in 1914, went

219

Had-bast No. 276. Area.

88 Hectares.

Annually

wrestling

bouts

held there. 220

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924. P. 955.

221

Mian Mohd,

Abdul

Fateh P.W. 467,

E.A.C. and Magistrate jst Class.

were

History of the Babar Akalisy

368 to Hongkong

with a view to proceed

to Canada,

but could not

get permission. A few months after his return from Burma, he bacame an Aka/i. On the occasion of the Ho/a festival, in:

1922, he and others were at Jassowal,

when

Makhsuspur,

whom

accompanied

by 2 women

the Police arrived absconder.?”?

reciting

Sunder

he

knew

and

in the

(Accused

5

or

6.

arrived there to hold

suddenly

Judgement ‘| have given my

Shabbads

Singh

careful

and

Gurdwara

No.

30)

of

other

Sikhs,

a Diwan,

when

Babar Labh Singh became

consideration

and my

opinion

an

in

conection -with this accused with the conspiracy has been established. In agreement with the Assessors. | find this accused guilty of criminal conspiracy and convict him of an offence under Section 120-B/155 of the |.P. Code. He has not played a very important part in conspiracy

I sentence

him

to four

and hence,

year’s rigorou imprisonment, including» fine of Rs. 50/- or six default22*.”

three month's solitary confinement and a month's further rigorous imprisonment in 42. Babar Karam Singh Babar Karam Singh, age 26 years, Singh Purewal of Jassowal alleged to have with Babar Hari Singh (Accused No.

son

of Sardar

Bhulla

brought the duplicator, 13) and Amar Singh (P.W. 8) to present at the Jassowal meeting. ‘The Assessors do not think that this accused was a member of the conspiracy and after giving his case, my careful consideration, | agree that the connection of this accused with the conspiracy is open to doubt. His connection with the conspirators comes under the head of harbouring, perhaps. 1, therefore, give him the benefit

of the doubt, find him not guilty and acquit him224’’, 43.

Babar Hari Singh Accused No. 43. The case of this accused with along with that of accused No. 40 above. 222

Trial-Case No, 2 of 1924, p. 955,

223

Judgement Case No. 2 of 1924.

224

ibid., p. 203.

p. 203,

has been

dealt

Biographies of the Babar Akalis 44.

Babar Sant

369

Faqir Singh

“Sant Faqir Singh alias Charan Singh, age 40 years, son of Sardar Khushal Singh, Purewal Sikh-Jat, occupied a Kut/a outside Jassowal village, which was one of the resorts of the Chakarvarty (absconding) Babar Akalis, The leading Babar Akalis always gathered at his Kuta and the leaflets were printed here. Sardha Ram (P.W.135) of village Samundran, was very cunning Police informer.

He

stated

that

Singh and another Aka// at the Kutia asked

Faqir Singh, to introduce

he

had

of Sant

him to the Babars.

to do so on a suitable opportunity.

seen

Faqir

Kishan

Singh.

He

He promised

Babar Akalis, discussed

the

question of murdering the Jholi-Chucks, who were getting troublesome. The writing and printing and issue of leaflests by Kishan Singh, Asa

Singh

Singh Gargajj, Singh

(Accused

Jathedar,

of Phakrudi

No.

15)

and

of

Karam a

Singh,

youth

Babu

apparently

Pindori-Nijran

were

Santa Udham

also

there.

Babar Kishan Singh told him that it was the Babar Akali's newspaper and that they meant to break the Principle of non-violence and effect reformation at the point of the sword.

Babar Kishan Singh, Asa Singh, Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Ude Singh of Ramgarh Jhugian, Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur, Labh Singh (Accused No. 41) and Dalip Singh (Accused No. 76) used to visit the Kuta, where plans of the working of the Movement were worked out??°”. Finding against him ““Faqir Singh, no doubt played a very minor part. It seems to me hardly likely that the leading members of the conspiracy would have resorted so often to his Kutia, made it a meeting place, printed leaflets, discussed their policies, and objects in his presence. It is men like the accused, Mit Singh (P.W.21) Mahant of Kishanpur and Sant Thakur Singh (Accused No. 39) of 225

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924. P. 416. 52 years, caste Hindu

No. 160.

Area

299

an opportunist.

He

Sardha Ram, son

Rajput, a resident

of

village

Hectares. P.S. Garhshankar) was

an

informer

and

bring about the arrests of the Babar Aka/is.

had

of Kangan

Ram, age

Samundran,

(Had-bast

was avery actively

Read the

son of Ramu (P.W. 399) p. 686, of village Jewanpur.

cunning and participated to

evidence

of

Uttam

370

History of the Babar Aka is

Kutia Rajowal, who have been responsible for this conspiracy, growing as it did and terrorising the whole countryside. They threw in their lot with the other conspirators and showed, if not by their words, by their conduct and behaviour that the conspiracy had their full support and sympathy. They tacitly, if not openly, acquicised or agreed in the discussions of the conspirators and in the deeds perpetrated or proposed to be done and, consequently. | think that the conduct of this accused. Faqir Singh, went further than mere harbouring. He assisted in a small way in promoting the objects of the conspiracy and furthering the common design’’. Judgement ‘In my opinion the guilt of this accused has been proved and in agreement with the Assessors, | find him guilty of cirminal conspiracy and convict him of an offence under Section 120-B/115 |. P. Code. He will suffer four years’ rigorous imprisonment, including three month’‘s solitary confinement and pay afine of Rs. 50/- or suffer six month’s further rigorous imprisonment??°.”” 45. Babar Hardit Singh (Accused No. 45) The case of this accused has been dealt with along witn that of accused Nos. 40 and 43. 46. Babar Hari Singh Babar Hari Singh, age 24 years, son of Sardar Basant Singh Gill was popularly known as Hari Singh Khanda. He belonged to villaged Chela”’?, Thana Mahalpur, District Hoshiarpur. The whole village is owned by Gill Sikh-Jat. He was born in 1899.

He

had

good

knowledge

of

Urdu,

Gurmukhi

and _ English

languages. his village

He was the Secretary of the Congress Committee of and a vrey active lecturer. He was arrested on 21.2.1922, for his anti-Government activities. Judgement “The evidence against Hari Singh of village Chela is insufficent, in my opinion, to connect him with the conspiracy. 226 227

Judgement

Case No. 2 of 1924.

Had-bast No. 83. Area 83

owed by Gill Sikh-Jats.

p.p. 203-205.

Hectares. P.S. Mahalpur.

The

whole village is

4 Biographies of the Babar Akalis

371

“He appeared to have been present to the

house

of Hari

Singh

{Accused No. 43), when Amar Singh (P.W. 8) went there on “being called by Babar Kishan Singh. Hari Singh, also “accompanied the party to the fair at Achalpur. | agree with “the Assessors that the guilt of this accused has not been “established and | accordingly acquit him’’.2°8

~47,.

Babar Surjan

~48.

Babar Dharam

Babar

“of Sardar

Singh Singh

Surjan Singh (Accused

Singh

Hamir

No. 47),

Kandola,

age

Sikh-Jat,

50

years

son

Singh

Dharam

~(Accused No 48) age 50 years son of Sardar Sobha Singh Kandola ~Sikh-Jat, both belonged to village Hyatpur?*®, near Balachaur, District Hoshiarpur. Dharam Singh’s grandfather was an Aka/i and since then all the members of his family became Aka/is. He served for 14 years in the 31st Lancers and took his discharge ona pension of Rs. 5.00 per mensem, in 1920. Surjan Singh accused

“No. 47 was his uncle.

They

were

implicated

in

the

Jadla

dacoity

and

the

«murder of Diwan of their own village. Their Havel (cattle-shed) and house at Hayatpur were also the meeting place

of the Babar Akalis. According Muzara village, (P.W. 13) of

to the evidence of Ram Singh Ude _ Singh Kalan he and

~of Ramgarh Jhugian went to their have/i and there found Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur and Asa Singh (P.W. 25) of Phakrudi.

~The dacoity af Jadla was then decided upon and Ram Singh “(P.W. 16) in his evidence told the Court that Surjan Singh (Accused No. 47) who was his uncle, told him about this. ‘gnduced him to join and that he, Surjan Singh (Accused No. 47), “Sunder Singh (Accused No. 30) of Makhsuspur, Dharam Singh 228

"229

Judgement

Case No. 2 of 1924. P. 205.

Had-bast No.

280.

village is owned

Area, 77

by Kandola

Hectares Sikh-Jats.

Tahsil

Garhshankar.

The

whole

History of the Babar Akalis=

312

(Accused No. 48), Hari Singh (Accused No. 43), Hardit Singh, (Accused No. 45), and Harbaksh Singh, absconder, proceeded io. the Jadla Parao together. All three approvers implicated them in. the Jadla dacoity. As regards the complicity of these two Babar Akalis in the murder of Diwan, the evidence of Ram Singh (P.W. 13) clarified as to his having been told of this by Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur and having been given the details of the affair by Ude Singh of Ramgarh-Jhugian, Ram Singh (P.W. 16) mentioned a discussion between them and Sunder Singh as to the murder of Diwan and that later Dharam Singh (Accused No. 48) admitted to him that he had brought about this murder through Ude Singh and

others.

actually

Asa

concerned

Singh

in this

(P.W.

25)

was

murder.

His

the

only

approver,

account shows

as to

how that murder was carried out”®°. Surjan Singh (Accused No. 47) gives the cause of his implication in his stetements, before the Special Magistrate :—’'The wife of Gainda Singh of Durgapur died, she was my niece. Amar Singh**! (P.W. 397) of Hyatpur arranged a Karewa marriage between his widow sister and Gainda Singh. Gainda Singh paid Rs. 400/- for this. Amar Singh failed to fulfil his promise and Gainda Singh used him for

recovery of the money and obtained adecrees, hence Amar Singh inimical to me22?", In his statement before the Committing Magistrate, Surjan Singh (Accused No. 47) who gave his age 60 to 65, but by appearance

about 50, stated that he

had nothing to do with the

conspiracy, the Jadla dacoity and the murder of Diwan, and that he had been implicated on account of his beirg an Aka/i. | the Sessions Court, he repeated these denials and stated that Dalip Singh®*? (Accused No. 68) of Sandhara*%* was his 230

Trial-Case

231

Amar Singh (P.W. 397) son of Dittu,

No. 2 of 1924, P.P. 141-144,

and

age

215-237.

40

years.

Jat-Sikh

Hyatpur-Rurki, P.S. Garhshankar.

232

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924. P. 969.

233

Son of Sardar Dit Singh of village Sandhara.

234

Had-bast No. 130. Area 130 Hectares. P.S. Hariana,

P.S. Hariana,

of village

‘Biographies of the Babar Akalis

373

“brother-in-law,

Dharam Singh (Accused No. 48) his nephew Sunder Singh, his brother and Ram Singh (P.W.16) his

and

“nephew.

He

also

(Accused No. 82).

claimed

relationship

He also claimed

with

Dhanna

Singh

that the Aave/i from which

the remains of Diwan were said to have been recovered, belonged

to his

deceased

nephew

Sunder

Singh,

and that

his place for

extracting sugarcane lies between the two villages of Hyatpur Rurki and near that of Ram Singh (P.W. 16). He alleged enmity

with Amar Singh (P.W. 397).2%° Judgement “There is, however, in my opinion quite sufficient corroboration, “in the evidence, already discussed of the account given ’ by Asa Singh?** (P.W. 25) and having given the case of these two accused, to my best consideration. | agree with the Assossors ~ that their

the

connection with the conspiracy by their complicity in dacoity at Jadla and the murder of Diwan has been

established beyond any doubt. | find each of these two accused “guilty of criminal conspiracy, dacoity and murder. | convict them of offence under Sections 120-B/109, 395/398 and 302 read “with

Sections 34,

120-B/109 and

114

of the

I.P. Code.

They

took no active or important part in the murder of Diwan and hence, | do not think that a capital sentence is called for and so for all the three offences.

| sentence each of them to transportation

for life.’’?>7 -49.

Babar Dalip

Singh

-50.

Babar Piara Singh (Accused No, 49 and Accused No. 50). The cases of these two accused have been dealt with along with that of Rattan Singh accused No. 36.

‘51.

Babar Babu Babar

Babu

Santa

Singh

Santa Singh,

age 30 years,

son

of SardarSuba

' Singh Bhatti Sikh-Jat, was aclerk appointed on and an allowance 235 236

“237

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 725. Asa

Singh alias Mehtab

Judgement

Singh (P.W. 25) an approver of village Phakrudi.

Case No. 2 of 1924. PP. 205-206.

374

History of the Babar Akalis=:

of Rs. 10.00 per mensem in February. 1920, in the 54th Sikhs. His: Regiment was at Jalandhar Cantonment. Before he joined the.-

Army, he was working as aclerk in the Khalsa Ludhiana, on Rs. 18.00 per mensem.

High

School,

Babar Bau Santa Singh was a man of revengeful rampagious ; nature. He was born to Sardar Suba Singh Bhatti of village Haryon Khurad.238 in Tahsil Samrala of Ludhiana District. His. grandfather's name was Sardar Dunna Singh Bhatti, a sturdy, honest and hard working farmer. His mother’s name was Jassan.

of the Jhaj, Jat sub-caste who belonged to village Landa. near Buani in the same District. He was unmarried and was the.eldest brother of his younger brothers. Pala Singh, Sunder Singh, Deva Singh, Phuman Singh and Ram Singh. Ram Singh had’

died on active service in the Ist World War, Santa Singh took his discharge on 26th January 1922, to join the Babar Akaly. Movement. He was well educated. His patriotic poems were published in the Babar Akali Doaba, and also he used to sing. them in Taranam?®® on the stage. He murdered Zaildar Bishan Singh of Rani Thua, single handed. The people of Haryon Khurad, have built a Samadh, in commemoration of his supreme. sacrifice for his country. The Samrala1.T.l. is named after him. as Baba Santa Singh I.T.!l. Babu Santa Singh Bhatti was. implicated under the following offences :—

1.

Attempt to murder Labh Singh of Dhada Fatteh Singh on , 14th, 17th and 23rd March,

1923.

2.

Murder of Subedar Gainda Singh on 17th April, 1923.

3.

Murder of Bishan Singh

Za//dar

of Rani Thua

on 10th .

February, 1923, 238

Regarding the

founding

had two sons.

She

of

divided

this village, her

property

tradition goes

that a lady Haryon.

between

with names

them.

of

Bari Hariyon and Choot/ Haryon. Then she became a Sat/, Both the villages, . till today, celebrate

a festival. annually on the site,

a ‘Sati’, 239

In a melodious and rythemical tune.

where she had become».

Biographies of the Babar Akalis

375

4.

Dacoity and murder of Buta, Lambardar and his grandson Surjan Singh of Nangal Shaman, on 11th-12th March, 1923.

5.

Dacoity in the house of Ralla murder of Ralla and his brother 21st March, 1923.

6.

Murder of Labh Singh Mistry of Garhshankar, on March 1OM1923.,

7.

Murder of Hazara 27th March, 1923.

8.

Robbery at Jamsher Railway Station, on 3rd-4th NO2S

Sant

Kartar

Singh

Singh

(P.W. 9)

Safaidposh and the Dittu of Kaulgarh, on

Lambardar

an

of Baibalpur

approver

was

on

March,

the

main

instrument to effect the arrest of Babu Santa Singh. Being the most confident of the leading Babar Akalis, his Kutia was the centre for planning and discussing of the vital programmes of the Movement. Not only Babu Santa Singh. but all other Babar Akatlis could not dream of the perfidy of this self styled and pseud

Saint that

grass.

He

movement

gave to

he

the

could

be

minutest

(P.W.474)

a

so

details

Khan

dangerous

of

Sahib

snake

in the

Babu

Santa

Singh's

Fazl

Imam,

Deputy

Superintendent of Police C1I.D. Punjab, who was _ specially deputed to arrest the Babar Akalis. About the well planned

arrest of Babu

Santa Singh

(Accused No. 51)

the life and soul

of the Babar Aka/li Movement has been described in his statement, before the Additional Sessions Judge, J.K. Tapp, on November 18, 1924, as under :— “Between the 15th and 28th June 1923, | received information that Santa Singh accused and some others had gone away in the direction of Barnala in the Patiala State. | went there with some plain clothe constables on the 20th. While at Barnala,

240

~=Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924. p. 976

History of the Babar Akalis

376

| received information that Santa

a few days,

where | stayed for

Singh intended to leave by train that day for Bhatinda. Santa Singh arrived alone at the Railway Station and gotinto a 3rd Class compartment at the rear of the train. | put my plain clothes men into the adjoining compartment with instructions to watch him and if he alighted at any intermediate station, to follow him. | did not consider it proper to arrest him there for fear of his

associates coming to leave of it. 1, therefore, proposed to arrest him at Bhatinda, when he gave up his ticket. | myself got into a 2nd Class compartment. When the train reached and halted at Tappa**! Railway Station | was told that Santa Singh had gone to sleep in his compartment and my men proposed to arrest him. | went to that compartment and found my men struggling with

Santa Singh and they succeeded eventually in putting the hand cuffs on him. Santa Singh hada bundle under his head and | possession

took

| took

it. Two

of

persons,

had witnessed the

285)*42

to

me

with

along

them

where we all alighted.

On

next

reaching

the bundle which had been under his other things and

bundle, | found the haversack 241

Tappa

Railway Station

the distance

of

Sardar

Ali

243

(P.W.

was

Rampura

Phul,

a loaded

P/25

Khan,

son

Onhis_

head.

cartridge

and

inthe

Ambala

City

Phul,*4%

| called the

of

Muhammad

Railway Station.

Ali,

person, and

in the Malwa age

25

in

Railway

| the

haversack

and 27 Miles to the

is an important trading centre

pointsman, at Tapp2 tendered

station

Rampura

is situated on the Ambala-Bhatinda

85 Miles from

Bhatinda. Tappa 242

whom

Kirpa Ram (P.W. 284) and in his presence and | searched the person of Santa Singh and opened

Station Master, those of others, found among

one of

arrest of Santa Singh at Tappa and

the Line at

East from

Rigion.

years,Caste

Pathan

His evidence being superflous,

was

for cross examination.

Rampuraphul

Railway Station is situated on the Ambala-Bhatinda Railway 14 Miles to the east from Bhatinda. Phul was the head-quarter of Phul Mizamat, in the erstwhile Patiala State. It was regularly built and divided into 8 awaars. Its wall is octagonal, studded with pekka gateways, Line,

and encloses a masonary fort. (Phulkian States Gazetteer p. 385)

Biographies of the Babar Akalis

377

revolver in Court P/23 with six chambers loaded, the four ‘loaded cartridges and the two bullets. | unloaded the revolver and the six cartridges removed by me, the four found loose in the haversack and one in the waist coat pocket, and the two “bullets are all contained in P/24. | also found in the haversack P/25, another small bag containing 11 copies of a Babar Akali Doaba leaflet dated 21st May, 1923, Exh. PA/97 to PA/107. This is the last issue of the Babar Akal/i leaflet, so far as | am aware. | also found in this bag the draft (PA/110)

of the

leaflet.

PA/97

to PA/107, Babar Akali leafiet, deated 22nd

March

111) a Gurmukhi letter of 4 pages, PA/112,

complaining

1923,

(PA/ about

“the Police and the C. |, D.,a letter in Gurmukhi, PA/115, a letter in Gurmukhi from Santa Singh addressed to Jawala Singh

and Bhawan Singh of Fattehpur Kothi, PA/118, a note book containing of writings in Gurmukhi PA/120, a pocket-diary BAINO2.748 Before the Committing

reply to

Magistrate

Santa

Singh refused

any of the numerous questions put to

that the procedure of the Court was no better the sight of the spectators and he did not

him.

to

He stated,

than a drama in expect justice at

the hands of the Court. He denied having made and fisted by the Police in different occasions. He saw Mian Abdul Fatteh for the first time, when he gave evidence before the ‘Committing Magistrate. In the Sessions Court, he refused to answer any question put to him and gavea written statement “that he had no confidence and was not prepared to listen to it and whether the Court put him one question or a thousand, he was not prepared to reply.”

A summary of the written statement of 47 pages, showed that pages 1 to 20 related to his education and service in the Army, his joining the Babar Aka/i Jatha, meeting with Babar Kishan Singh Gargajj, Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur and Ude Singh of Ramgarh Jhugian and various matters not connected with the case. On page 21 and 38, he mentioned 244

his meeting

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924.

with p. 849.

Dalip

Singh

(Accused

No. 76)

History of the Babar Akalisz-

oro

Babar Bishan Singh of Mangat, Anup Singh (P. W. 17) of” Manko, and the death of Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur at Mananhana, which was brought about by Bela Singh”*® of village-. Jain, Kartar Singh (P.W. 10) approvers and_ others and his own arrest. He further referred to his ill-treatment and to the C.!.D.asmost cruel Indian dogs. He described the special Magistrate as being a puppet in the hands of the Police and made certain remarks regarding the identification parades. . held by Lala Sant Ram (P. W. 435), Judgement. “The connection of this accused, with the conspirary and its complicity in the commission of the various offence reffered to above, has been established beyond the least possible doubt and’ ' inagreement with the Assessors, | have not the slightest

hesitation in finding him guilty of criminal conspiracy, murder, robbery and decoity. He has also been proved guility of criminal conspiracy, murder, having in his secret possesion or control fire-arms ammunition and Military stores. | convict this accused Santa Singh af offences under Sections 19 and 20°: of the Arms Act and Section 120-B/109, 302, 394 and 396 read with Sections 34, 120-B, 109 and 114 of the I.P.

Code. For his offence under the Arms Act, | sentence the. . accused Santa Singh under Section 19 to two years rigorous imprisonment, including three month’‘s solitary confinement and’ a fine of Rs. 100 or six month’s further rigorous imprisonment in default, and under Section 20 to four year’s rigorous imprisonment including three month’s solitary confinement and a fine of Rs. 100 or one year further rigorous imprisonment

'

in default. For the offence under the Indian Penal Code, there . is only one sentence that can be passed on this accussed and | accordingly sentence the accused Santa Singh subject to confirmation by the High Court, to be hanged by the neck till he is dead.?4® 245

In fact, it was brought by Jawala Singh, younger of Jian, vide Trail Case No, 2 of 1924, p. 702,

246

Judgement Case No. 2 of 1924 PP. 206-208.

brother of

Bela Singh,

Biograpeies of the Babar Akalis 52.

Babar Amar

372%

Singh.

Subedar Amar Singh, age 55 years son of Sardar Natha:: Singh Dhariwal Sikh-Jat, belonged to village Dhariwal in the: erstwhile Kapurthala State. He joined the first regiment of theerstwhile Kapurthala State Army, in 1889. He worked: diligently and all his officers were pleased with his hard work. He was promoted to the rank of a Subedar, due to his. meritorous services. He retired in August 1922, getting.

handsome pension. He took active part in the Guru-Ka-Bagh: Morcha, where he was mercilessly beaten. He was awarded two and a half years imprisonment. He became an active Babar Akali, after his release from the Jail. Subedar Amar Singh was connected with the Babar Akal Movement on the ground that he gave 49 service rifle cartridges. for the purpose of carrying out the objectives of the Babar-

Akali Movement. The following traitors, involved him. Bela Singh Chhimba (P. W. 12) of village Nadala, Anup Singh (P.W. 17) ofManko, Maluk Singh (P.W. 18) of village Pallahi, Dhanna Singh (?.W.29) of village Kotli Bawa Das. On December 2,1924, SubedarAmar Singh Dhariwal stated before Louis A Bull, Special Magistrate

Punjab Lahore. | and two of my brothers served in the Kapurthala Imperial

Services

Infantry.

land

these

two

brothers

served

during the War, in East Africa. My two brothers. ware killed! there. A fourth brother was in 47 Sikhs, and lost a leg in France during the First World War, 1914-1918. I only served four: months of my two and half years imprisonment and was. relesed in Maghi, (14th) January 1923. | remained in Amritsar: till Jeth (May-June) and then returned to my village for the: purpose of collecting subscriptions for cleaning out the tank in. the Golden Temple at Amritsar (Kar Sarowar). | again returned to. to Amritsar in Har (June, July), went back to my village for the: | was then arrested purpose of assembling a Jatha for Jaito. | have nothing further to say.°*” in my village. 247

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924 p. 984.

380

History of the Babar Akalis

~Judgement. “| have no doubt that

‘recovered

49

service

rifles

cartridges

from the Kotha in which Mrs. Mahan | am prepared to believe Dhanna Singh

~confined and

were

Devi, was (P.W. 29)

that he left these cartridges there, and that they were those made “over to him

by

Santa

Singh.

All

that we

have

against

the

-accused, Amar Singh, is his alleged agreement with the aims and

“objects of the conspiracy and his promise

to

supply money and

ammunition. There is no clear and convincing evidence that che agreed to join the conspiracy and promised to supply “ammunition and money and did in pursuance of this promise to - supply cartridges and, | would, therefore, give him the benefft of the doubt. 53.

| accordingly find him not guilty and acqit him.’’®48

Babar Darbara

Singh

Babar Darbara Singh, age 30 years,

son

of Sardar

Mangal

-Singh a Saleh Sikh-Jat, was resident of village Pallahi, two miles to the north from Phagwara, in the erstwhile Kapurthala State. “He was connected with the Babar Akali

“Out side the village, was resorted to, «Babar Akalis. Alt the approvers, like

Movement.

His

well,

once or twice by the Anup Singh (P.W. 17)

~ot Manko, Maluk Singh (P.W. 18) of Pallahi and

(P.W. 28) of Kotli “Singh, could

not

Bawa be

Das,

who

unanimous

on

wanted account

Dhanna Singh to invole Chanda of their

heresay

account. Judgement

“lt

this

am

accused

in doubt,

with

disagreeying with

the the

therefore,

conspiracy Assessors,

whether

has | find

the connection of been established and him

acquit him 249", a 248 -249

ee

Judgement Case Ne. 2 of 1924, pp. 208-209. Judgement Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 209

not

guilty

and

Biographies of the Babar Akalis 54.

Babar Chanda

381)

Singh

Babar Chanda Singh, age 50 years, son of Sardar Hira Singh, Saleh Sikh-Jat, a resident

of village

Pallahi, iwo

miles

to

the.

North from Phagwara, was connected with the conspiracy by the

evidence of the same approvers given above, in the case of Babar Darbara Singh (Accused No. 63). He was the President | of Khalsa Middle School of his village, and the firstman, who. established

a

village

which used to

decide

Panchayat the

cases

going to the Court of law. Guru-ka-Bagh Morcha, where half years on 10.10.1922. Movement. His well outside Babar Akalis, to whom he cartridges

were

given

and of

a

Congress

disputes

Committee,

here,

instead

of

He took Aka/i Jatha to the he was sentenced to two and a Later he joined the Babar Akalj the village was resorted twice bydrinks and_ the. gave food and

by Amar

Singh

(Accused

No. 52)

of

Dhariwal to Bela Singh, which were kept with him and given by Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51). The evidence about these.

cartridges and 49 cartridges recovered, when (P.W. 282) a Mahantni

of Village

Laroi,

Mis.

near

Mahan

Bhogpur

Devi District

Jalandhar2*°, was found rather contradictory. The evidence of Bela Singh (P.W. 27) of Boparai, Kapurthala State, Anup Singh (P.W.17) of Manko, Maluk Singh (P.W.18) of Pallahi

of Kotli Bawa Das, were not and Dhanna Singh (P.W. 29) stated before the Special Singh Chanda Babar unanimous. have enmity with Master :—‘l Magistrate on February 15, 1924 Bela Singh (P.W. 27) approver of Boparai, had turned him of the School (Khalsa Middle School Pallahi) as | was President of the Managing

his place.

Master

his students

and

250

251.

Bela

Committee

Singh

used

also used to drink

and got

to

with

another

take

man

bribes

them®”.

out the in

from

Babar

age 22 years of the village Mrs. Mahan Devi, was the wife of Sri Balbh, Singh and Jagat Singh of. Phuman by d abducte She was forcibly Laroi. Road. diala ra-Jan Phagwa the on d situate Village Dhanipind, +Trial-Case No. 2 of Ope

(Ps Cae

mood

History of the Babar Akalis

=Chanda Singh died on 26 October, 1975. He left behind four -sons, Kharak Singh, Tara Singh, Pritam Singh and Ajit Singh. He had only one daughter, Ajit Kaur, who married Lashkar Singh “Of village Sundh in Jalandhar District. -Judgement

“In the case of this accused

too,

his connection

with

the

“conspiracy is doubtful and |, therefore, disagreeting with the Assessers, given him the benfit of the doubt, find him not guilty -and acquit him. The case of this accused and of Darbara Singh (Accused No. 53) falls in my opinion more within the purview of harbouring than conspiracy?*?"’.

.55.

Babar Buta Singh

Babar Buta Singh, age 25 years, son of Sardar Thakar Singh Nijjar of village Pindori Nijran was connected with the Babar Akalf Movement from the very outset. He was with Kishan Singh Gargajj when Amar Singh (P.W. 8) of Kot bara Khan, District Gujranwala, emet him and Babar Kishan Singh informed him as to the formation of the Babar Akali Jatha. He had very good knowledge “of Gurumukhi and Urdu languages. He had participated in the »Guru-ka-Bagh Morcha and later took active part in Vankana Sahib “agitation. He was elected, the Secretary of the Babar Akali Jatha on September 6th, 1922. He became the active and a trusted member of the Babar Akali Jatha, under Jathedar Karam Singh -of Daultpur. Babar Buta Singh was the Secretary of the Akali Dal of Pindori Nijarn. He was arrestedon 14th August, 1923, by Lala Jawahar Lal (P.W. 376) Inspector of Police, “from the house of Sardar Kartar Singh of Dijkot District, Lyallour. On the 16th August, 1923, he was produced before the Committing Magistrate?®*. Statement of Approvers.

According to the evidence of Amar Singh (P.W. 8) of Kot Bara Khan in Gujranwala District and Asa Singh (P.W. 25) of village Phakrudi he was present at the Jassowal meetings Both Ram Singh

(P.W. 13) of Muzara Kalan and Assa Singh (P.W. 25), an approver, stated that in the beginning of January, 1923, there was another 252

Judgement

253

Trial-Case No.

Case No. 2 of 1924 P. 210-212.

2 of 1924. p. 989.

“Biographies of the Babar Akalis

383

“meeting in the have/i, at Jassowal and that on the “morning, Kishan Singh, Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. ‘Singh (Accused No. 5) of Jassowal, Ude Singh, Karam Daultapur, Karam Singh (Accused No. 8) of Jhingar ~Singh (Accused No. 55) of Pindori Nijran, Dhanna Baibalpur and the two approvers went to -Jassowal and there Kishan Singh, Babu Singh, Ude Singh, Jathedar Karam Singh

Karam apart

Singh

(Accused

from the others

No.

following 51) Dalip Singh of and Buta Singh of

a garden, outside Santa Singh, Dalip of Daulatpur and

8) of Jhingar

held

and later called these four and

a

meeting told them

that it had been decided that dacoities should be committed for the purpose of raising funds required for the maintenance of the families of the Babar Akalis, purchase of arms and ammunition for the reformation of Jholi-Chuks and for the publication of Babar Akali Doaba

\eaflets.

Babar Buta Singh (Accused No.

55) was

further implicated

“by the approvers like Sant Kartar Singh (P.W. 9) Ram Singh (P. W. 13) of Muzara Kalan. Sadhu Singh (P. W. 15) of Pragpur,

Bela Singh (P. W. 20) of

Pragpur

and

Mit Singh (P. W.

21)

Mahant of Kishanpur. There was also evidence showing association of Buta Singh with some of the principal members “of the Jatha. Sant Kartar Singh (P. W. 9) also stated that Babar Kishan Singh sent Buta Singh to arrange matters in connection with the first attempt on the life of Arjan Singh, Patwari. Buta -Singh admitted his connection with Babar Kishan Singh, Babu

-Santa Singh and Asa Singh (P.W. 25), whom he described as Chakarvarties. He also admitted, having gone to Jassowal with Babu Santa Singh and meeting Babar Kishan Singh there. He mentioned visting certain villages with Kishan Singh Gargajj -and Babu Santa Singh for sewe (Social service and preaching).

Statement

of Buta Singh.

“In his cross examination before the Committing Magistrate,

“Babar Buta Singh denied

any connection

with

the

conspiracy

384

History of the Babar Akalis:

or having participated in the attempt on the life of Arjan Singh, Patwari. He denied having made the statement and was unable to say why he had been implicated in this case. He

further alleged ill-treatment on the part of the Police and stated that he was the Secretary of the Aka// Da/_ of Pindori-Nijran In the Sessions Court, he stated that the Lambardars and Chowkidars of Pindori-Nijran had implicated him in the case and thathe was away at Chak No.9 in the Montgomery District from April, 1922 till his arrest.”

Judgement “l agree with the Assessors that the connection of this accused with the conspiracy from the outset has been fully established, but at the same time, | do not think that he. occupied such a prominent position as the Assessors as sign to him, though he was one of the leaders of the conspiracy and toop part in discussions and deliberations. In accordance with the evidence and the law,

bearing on the matter, he is liable for

all the murders and other offences, proved to have been committed in pursuance of the conspiracy. |, therefore, find him guilty of criminal conspiracy to committ murders and other offences and’,

convict him of an offence under Section 120-B/109 of the I. P. Code, and sentence him to transportation for life’’.2°4 56.

Babar

Amar

57.

Babar Bhhaja

Singh.

Singh.

Amar Singh, age 25 years son of Sardar Basant Singh Sikh-Jat of village Rajowal,2°> two miles from Kathar, District Jalandhar and Babar Bhhajan Singh, age 31 years son of Sardar

Mian

Singh

WNijjar

Sikh-Jat of

Jalandhar were connected with the

village Baber

Masanian,2°° Aka/i

254

JudgementCase

255

Had-bast No. 206. Area 91, Hectares. P. S. Sdar Hoshiarpu r. Had-bast No. 51. Area, 147 Hectares. P. S. Adampur,

256

District

Movement,

No. 2 of 1924. PP. 210-212.

in

Biographies of the Babar Akalis

385

consequence of their participation in the

murderous

attack

on

Safaidposh, Harnam Singh Hundal of Mehdipur. In this evidence Sant Kartar Singh (P. W. 9) stated that then Babar Kishan Singh gave a razor to Hazara Singh (P. W.

24) of Mundher for use on

Harnam Singh, he told this approver to associate Amar Singh (Accused No. 56) Chhaja Singh (Accused No. 57) and one Diwan Singh with him.

Amar Singh son No. 56) served in the from 1917 to 1921. with Karam Singh (P.W. 28) and Sant

of Sardar Basant Singh of Rajowal (Accused same Regiment of Babar Kishan Singh Gargajj He stated that he attended certain Diwans (Accused No. 20) of Manko. Hazara Singh Thakar Singh (Accused No. 39) of Mundiaj

who spoke to him about wearing Khaddar and persuading students to leave Government Schools and joining private ones. Qn one he, went to the Kut/a of Sant Thakur Singh and met there, Hazara Singh?®” (P. W. 28). He got his discharge to participate

occasion

in the Babar Akali Jatha to Reform the sycophants. He had been bitterly beaten in the Guru-ka-Bagh Morcha, was released from the Jail, in April, 1923, alongwith other Aka// agitators, He was arrested on 6th May, 1923. He stated that

one

night, Hazara

Singh (P.

W.

28)

of

Mundher called him and took him to the Kutia of Sant Thakur Singh?®8. There, he found Thakur Singh and_ Hazara Singh (P. W. 24)?59 of Mundher and Thakur Singh asked him to go with the two Hazara

Singhs, to

Khurdpur.

They,

however,

went to Masanian from where Hazara Singh (P. W. .28)

son of

Sardar

Singh

\nder

Singh of

Mundher called

Babar

Chhaja

(Accused No. 57) of Masanian and when he came, he told them all that the object was

257

Trial-Case

258

ibid., P. P. 48-67.

259

ibid.,

to murdur Harnam Singh of Mehdipur or

No. 2 of 1924. P. P. 244-251.

P. P. 211-214.

386

History of the Babar Akalis

cut off his limbs so that the

other

Jho/i-Chucks

might

desist

from giving evidence against the Babar Aka/is. Hazara Singh stated that Harnam Singh had given evidence against Naginder Singh of Kandola and was still appearing against him asa witness and furnishing information. They then set out for Mehdipur. Next morning, he went to see Sant Thakar Singh and gave him an account of the whole

affair and enquired why Sant Thakur Singh had not told him before hand of what was intended. On this, Sant Thakur Singh replied, ‘‘that is how such things are done. Now do not talk about this to any body you have acquitted yourself well.’’ Amar

Singh, further stated that the next day it was rumoured that Harnam Singh had been wounded by hisson as he (Harnam Singh) had an illicit connection with his son‘s wife. A few days later the Police arrested 4 innocent persons of village Karidola and Amar Singh and the others were they had escaped.

glad to

hear that

“Babar Amar Singh (Accused No. 56) was arrested on 6th September, 1923 at Hoshiarpur and was then taken to Jalandhar, where for a number of days, he was ill-treated by the Police,

specially

(Thanedar). They Babar Akalis but evidence.’’?°° Statement

by

Buta

wanted hesaid

of Chhaja

Ram

Inspector

and

me to give evidence that he would not

Hakim

Singh

against the give false

Singh

Babar Chhaja Singh (Accused No. 57) son of Sardar Meehan Singh Nijjar of Village Masanian served in the 29th Punjabis from 1911 till 1920, when be became a reservist. He then worked as an apprentice in a weaving factory at Jalandhar City. He attended certain Diwans inluding one at Anandpur at which Babar Kishan Singh gave a speech, advocating the

a 260

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, P, 992.

“Biographies of the Babar Akalis

=

~abandonment of non-violence. He became the Jathedar of «Babar Akalis of his village. He had actively took part in the ~Guru-ka-Bagh Morcha, where he was awarded two and a half ~years’ rigorous imprisonment on 28th April, 1922.

He stated “Inder Singh of Mehdipur was ‘(Murdured). “where Harnam

that Hazara Singh (P. W. 28) son of Sardar Mundher used to tell him that Harnam Singh of a Jholi-Chuck and that he should be reformed Chhaja Singh, told Hazara Singh to ascertain Singh slept and they would then murder him.

Babar Chhajja Singh (Accused

No. 57)

of

“subjected to inhuman and atrocious treatment

Masanian

from

the

was

Police.

“He stated on Apiil, 2, 1924, in the Court of Louis A. Bull, “Special Magistrate :—when my hands used to be put under the legs of the bed on stones,

Buta Ram _ used to sit on the top of

‘bed and catch hold of my Kesh and Shah Inspector, Hakim Singh Thenadar used to fist and kick me.’’?*

Judgement “In agreement with the Assessors, | find each of these two accused guilty of having conspired to cause and causing grievous “hurt with dangerous weapons, to Harnam Singh. | convict each of them under Sections 120-B/109 and 326 read with Section 34, “409, 114 and 120-B of the I.P. Code, and sentence each of them to six year’s rigorous imprisoment, including three month’s solitary confinement and a fine of Rs. 100/- each or one year’s further rigorous imprisonment in default?°?”.

58.

Babar Kartar Singh

Babar Kartar Singh, age 35 years, son of Sardar Surjan Singh Rai Sikh-Jat, belonged to village Gondpur*®, 3 miles to 261

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 993.

262

Judgement Case No. 2 of 1923, pp. 212-214.

“963

Had-bast

No. 61, Area 293 Hectares, P.S. Mahalpur.

owned by Bains Sikh-Jats.

The whole village is

History of the Babar Akalis=

388

the West from Mahalpar, who was very active member of theHe had joined the 41 Sikh Regiment, Babar Akali Movement. He was much moved by the. diligently. very served he where ill treatment done towards the Sikhs by the British Government. . After earning pension from the Army, he got his discharge, in He was present at the Jal/lianwala Bagh Khooni-sake, 1916. He _ suffered one years’s. narrowly escaped. where he was

and after his release, he became an active member of the Babar Akali Jatha. He was referred to by Sant Kartar imprisonment

Singh2*4 (P. W. 9) having been present at the Bohani Kishan

which Babar

Singh

Zai/dar

Makhsuspur

of

Singh,

in his

Rani-Thua.*®

(Accused

No.

30)

speech,

Sunder Babu

Diwan

threatened

Singh

Santa

Singh

at-

Bishan

village-

of

(Accused

No. 51) and Harbans (Accused No. 84) of Sarhala Khurd and: Kartar Singh (Accused No. 58) of Gondpur came to his Kutia He was also present at the Sangwal Diwan at theat Pragpur. subsequent discussion, in which Babar Kishan Singh Gargaij, suggested the purchase of razors for cutting off the ears and noses of Jholi-Chucks. He was also present later at the Kutia of Thakur Singh (Accused No. 39) at Rajowal, when Babar Kishan

Singh Gargajj sent for Hazara Singh (P. W. 28)*°° of Mundher and gave a razor to him. Lala Buta Ram, (P. W. 438)*°7 Ishwar Singh (P. W. 273)" son of Narain Singh of Ganeshpur, and Sunder Singh (P. W. 274)*8 son of Attar Singh of Bharta all: stated that Babar Kartar Singh produced the pistol from Mauza

Daduwal?’° or midway between Ganeshpur and Gondpur

264

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, pp. 68-75.

265

Had-bast No, 3, Area, 654 Hectares, P.S. Phagwara.

266

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, pp. 244-251.

267

ibid.. pp. 774-776.

268

ibid., p. 570.

269

sIDICs sp mou lie

270

further

Daduwal

is a small village, owned by Bains Jats,

from Mahaipur.

two

miles

to

the

west:

“Biographies of the Babar Akalis

389

“the evidence of Sadhu Singh (P.W. 1 5) of Pragpur and Bela Singh (P. W. 20)?71 of Pragpur connects this accused with the incident

to Khujurla Chauki?”? Chanda Singh?73 (P.W. 23) of Domeli referred to a visit of this accused with Babar Kishan Singh and Karam Singh - Accused No. 8) to Domeli, Kartar Singh (Accused No, 18)°* however also mentioned Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) ~as having been with the others on this occasion. One day, a Sikh, with blue turban was being beaten, when -all of a sudden Babar Kishan Singh with some more viewers went ‘inside the Chauki (Police-Post) with naked swords. All the Policemen, including an A.S.I. were stunned with fear. They “implored the Babars and

let off the Sikh.

They entreated and ‘promised that it would not be done in future. Infact it was ~done at the instance of Za//dar Bishan Singh of Rani-Thua.

~Statement

of Babar Kartar Singh

In his statement before the Committing Magistrate, Babar ‘Kartar Singh (Accused No. 58) denied any connection with the

‘conspiracy or having the revolver

of Kishan Singh Gargajj and to having subsequently provided it. He alleged ill-treatment on the part of the Police and that he had enimity with three men

in his village, who were working for the C.I.D. He put in a “written statement, in which he alleged that a false case had ‘been made up against him on account of his being an Aka/i and Jathedar of Akali-Jatha of his village. He further stated in September 1922, that he was sentenced to one year’s

rigorous imprisonment for an offence under 17-B

of the Criminal

271 + Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, pp. 180-192. 272

The Khujurla Police Chauki was Singh, a State.

notorious

sycophant

establish at the of

village

Rani

instance of Za//dar Bishan Thua,

by the Kapurthala

Had-bast No. 82, area 478 Hectares P.S, Phagwara.

“273

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924 pp. 205-210.

=274

Son of Basant Singh Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 1039.

290

History of the Babar Akalis >

Law Amendment Act. 1923 and on the 29th

He was released on the 15th August,. December, 1923, be presented himself before the District Magistrate, Hoshiarpur and was sent to theC.1.D. office on the 31st and thence Sadr Thana Jalandhar. He was shown to Sant Kartar Singh (P.W. 9)?7> and Chanda Singh (P. W. 23)?7§ of Domeli. He was then sent to 7hana Mahalpur and asked to give evidence against Babar Kishan Singh (Accused No. 1) and Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51). On 27th January 1942, he was challaned under the alleged that all this had.been done at the

Arms

Act and he. instance of Kartar

Singh (P. W, 10)??’ a traitor of village Buro Barian?’’.

Judgement In agreement with the Asserrous. | find this accused guilty conspiracy and convict him of an offence under Section 120-B/115 of the |.P. Code. of criminal

“I sentence

him

to

seven year rigorous imprisonment, including three month’s solitary confinement and a fine of Rs. 100/- or one years’ further rigorous imprisonment, in default. 1 also find this accused guilty of a secret breach of the provision

of Section 14 of the Arms Act and under Section 20 of the said Act. | sentence him to four years rigorous imprisonment, including three month’s solitary confinement and a fine of Rs, 100/- or one year’s further rigorous imprisonment in default. The sentence will be concurrent.272

59.

Babar Munsha

Singh

Babar Munsha Singh, age 28 years, son of Sardar Bela. Singh Jauhal of village Jauhal, Jalandhar District was connected’ with the conspiracy by the evidence of his own brother Jawand» 275

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924 pp. 48-67.

276

ibid.. pp. 205-210.

277

ibid,. pp.

68-75.

278

ibid., pp.

995-996.

279

Judgement Case No. 2 of 1924, pp. 214-216.

Biographies of the Babar Akalis

Singh (P.W.19).28°

He had

391

joined

28 Sikh Regiment,

where he

learnt Gurmukhi fluently. He was Puran-Gursikh. His army officers were highly pleased with him as he was a diligent and a devoted soldier. He could not tolerate an ill-treatment from the British Government towards the Sikhs. So he took discharge from the army and began to take active part in the Babar Akali Movement. He was very close to Master Mota Singh and Babar Kishan Singh Gargajj. He brought the bombs and cartridges, which Jawand Singh had

with him at Bannu to Jauhal and subsequently gave the cartridges to Babar

Kishan

Singh

and

two bombs and four detonators

to

Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51). Heis also mentioned by Sant Kartar Singh (P.W. 9)?8! as having been told by Babar Kishan Singh to go with Santa Singh and Sadha Singh=82 (Accused No. 13) to the Jandu Singha Railway Station and there attack Arjun Singh Patwari of Haripur. Babar Munsha Singh was also connected with the notice which was put up at Jauhal. prohibiting the Aman Sabha, from holding a meeting. Narinjan

Singh (P.W. 348)?8*

also told

Munsha Singh

to bring the wife

of Babar Kishan Singh to the house of the witness on that occasion, so that the two might meet. Jamial Singh (P.W.349)84 deposed to having taken some bricks in his cart to Patara*®> for

the use of

Master

Mota Singh’s

house was

being

built there. Hethen referred toa visit paidto him by Babar Kishan Singh. Babar Karam _ Singh of Jhingar and Babar Sunder Singh of Makhsuspur. They asked him about

280

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, pp. 174-179.

281

ibid., pp. 68-75.

282

Accused

283

No. 13 Babar Sadha Singh, who died

Son of Dewa

Singh age 22, a resident

in the Jail on 29.12.1924.

of Bulina.

He

Hewett Engg. College, Lucknow. 284

Village of Master Mota Singh, P.S. Sadr Jalandhar.

285

Had-bast No. 115, Area 265 Hectares, P.S. Kartarpur.

was the student of

392

History of the Babar Akalis

supplying Arms, bombs or cartridges, Babar Munsha Singh said that his brother was in the Army and he would try to procure some. Seven or eight days (Accused No. 30), youngman, went delivered a speech.

later, Kishan Singh Gargajj, Babar Sunder Singh a youth named Balwant Singh and another to Sanghwal,*8° where Babar Kishan Singh In Baisakh or Jeth, 1923, Munsha Singh was

Called to the Have/i of one Hazara Singh, where he found Babar Kishan Singh, Babar Karam Singh?*’ (Accused No. 8) and Babar Sunder Singh (Accused No. 30). He was again asked whether he had managed to get Arms and ammunition. On Munsha Singh’s saying that he had been able to do so, he was told to arrange as soon as possible so that the reformation of Jho/i-chucks might be started. Kishan Singh also, on this occasion asked him to which were arrange for bricks to be conveyed to Patara, required for the construction of the house of Master Mota Singh. He did so and about a month later in response to a letter from his

brother, he went to Bannu and brought some 20 cartridges and five bombs He then mentions the return home of his brother and a visit by Kishan Singh, Karam Singh (Accused No. 8), Santa Singh and the youth, Balwant Singh. He was

again asked about

the arms andammunition. Babar Munsha Singh produced the cartridges and the bombs and handed them over to Kishan Singh Gargajj,""*= who took the cartridges and said he would send for the bombs when necessary. Some 2 or 24 month's later Santa Singh, accompained

by

two

strangers

accused and asked for the bombs. Singh 2 out of the five bombs.

Sikhes,

Accused

to

cames

then

this

Santa

give

A month or two later Santa Singh again came to this accused

and asked him for the remaning three bombs, but accused stated that his brother

had

concealed

them

somewhere.

In

or chat 1923, Santa Singh and Sadha Singh (Accused 286

Had-bast No, 115, Area, 265 Hectares P.S. Kartarpur.

287

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 998.

288

ibid., p. 998.

Phagan

No.

13),

‘Biographies of the Babar Akalis “deceased,

came to Babar Munsha

393 Singh and took him with them

in connection with the first attempt on Arjan Singh Patwar/. At Jandu Singha they met Buta Singh (Accused No. 55) and the four other sikhs sitting out in the fields. Buta Singh informed them that Arjan Singh had not left Jalandhar by that train Santa Singh and this accused,

Munsha

Singh, returnedto Jauhal where

the former spent the night. Accused states that a few days later Kishan Singh was arrested. Judgement In agreement with the Assessors, | accordingly find him ~guilty of criminal conspiracy and convict him of an offence under Section 120-B/115. He is not in my opinion responsible for the murders and other offiences committed in pursuance of the conspiracy. | consequently sentence him to five year’s tigorous imprisonment including three month's _ solitary confinement and a fine of Rs. 100 or one year’s further rigorous imprisonment, for the offence of criminal conspiracy. | also find him - guilty of having in his secret possession or control ammunition and

Military stores and convict him of a breach of Section 14 of the Arms Act and sentence him under Section 20 of the Arms Act, to

five

year’s

rigorous

imprisonment

including

three month's

solitary confinement and a fine of Rs. 100, or one year’s further rigorous imprisonment in default. The sentences will be “concurrent.

In an appeal,

Babar Munsha

Singh

was sentenced

to transportation for life. He died in Gujrat Jail, (now in Pakistan). His dead body was conveyed to his village Jauhal,

“-where his last ceremonies were performed by the people with all honour of a martyr. GO. Babar Battan Singh Babar Battan Singh, age 25 years, son of Sardar Diwan

Singh Mune

Sikh-Jat,

belonged to village Ganeshpur,*®?

Tahsil

Garhshankar, District Hoshiarpur. He was arrested on the 9th September, 1923, and was taken to Mahalpur Police Station. On 289

Had-bast

No. 68, Area 114 Hectares.

Jats, is situated 3 Phagwara

Road.

The

village is owned by Bains-Sikh,

miles to the south west from Mahalpur an the Mahalpur

394 the

History of the Babar Akalis:~ next

ill-treated

day,

he was

me and

brought

to

wanted me to pay

Jalandhar’. them some

‘The Police. money.

Then

they sent for my father and wanted him to pay Rs. 400 or 500, but he also said he could not do so. Consequently, | have been

challaned in this case and when | was brought to Lahore, | came to know what the case was against me and that Jawand Singh,2°° was a witness. Jawand Singh and | are on bad terms,

as we quarrelled two or three times in the Regiment.’’**? Babar Battan Singh was serving with the Lewisgun in the Regiment. He remained on active service, during the first World War and was present at Kut.*°? He had a pistol which was. only kept by him, while on duty with the Lewisgun.

He served for six months at Bannu?** in the field. There too he hada pistol while he was on duty with the Lewisgun. He had the enmity with Jawand Singh (P.W.19) an approver of village Jauhal.***

61.

Babar Thakar Singh

Babar Thakar Singh, age 29 years, son Singh Bains Jat-Sikh, belonged to village Garhshankar, District Hoshiarpur. He was

of Sardar Maya Bharta,?°° Tahsil arrested on the

9th September, 1923 and his house was searched at the same time. He was first taken to Mahalpur Police Station and then to Jalandhar, where he was ill-treated by the Police, who wanted his evidence against the Babar Akalis, but he refused. Jawand Singh (P.W.19) and Anup Singh (P.W.17) of Manko, were confined with him in the Jail. They both asked him to give. evidence against the Babar Akalis, With the promise of pardon, on behalf of the Police, but he refused. They both were connected with the bombs and cartridges. which Munsha Singh of 290

Jawand

291

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, p 1003.

Singh (P.W. 19) an approver of village Jauhal.

292

One of the Battle fields in the First World

293

A big Cantonment of the British Government

War.

situated

between the hills of

Waziristan and river Indus, 119 miles from Peshawar.

294 295

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924 pp, 1002-1003. Had-bast No. 70, 153 Hectares P.S. Mahalpur. by the Bains Sikh-Jats,

Mahalpur

Phagwara

3

Road.

miles

from

The whole village is owned:

Mahalpur

to

the south

west

om

.

Biographies of the Babar Akalis

395;

Jauhal had from Bannu, Jawand Singh (P.W.19) of village Jauhal,. in his evidence stated, that he proposed to oppose and fight theBritish Government. Thakar Singh (Accused No. 61) stole 5 bombs and 12 detonators from the ordinance supply Depot and gave. them to Jawand Singh, who sent these and the Cartridges bythe hand of his brother Munsha Singh. Battan Singh was no. Party to the theft of these bombs as he was on leave. Jawand Singh told him about them and there was an evidence to show that Battan Singh and Thakur Singh, in March-April, 1923, took the remaining three bombs,2°* and 6 detonators. There was no other evidence against these two as to the association or any other connection with the conspiracy.

Judgement “| agree with La/a Raghunath Sahai that the conspiracy, if any, between Jawand Singh and these two accused, in 1921,. was a separate one and entirely unconnected with the present

one. The Assessors found Battan Singh not guilty and Thakur Singh guilty of conspiracy apparently because Thakhur Singh Stole the bombs, two of which subsequantly found their way

into.

the hand of conspirators, while Battan Singh had nothing to do. with the theft being away on leaves, at the time. | am afraid | can not egree in this distinction between the cases of the two. accused for reasons given above. In my opinion the connection of these two accused, with the conspiracy has not at all been. established and | accordinglyfind both not guilty and acquit?’ them, Babar Thakar Singh of Bharta was sentenced to. transportation for life by the High Court, in the Appeal.

62.

Babar Ganga Singh Babar Ganga Singh, age 30 years, son of Sardar Heera: Singh Riar Sikh-Jat, belonged to village Leel Kalan District Gurdaspur. then

He was a Naik in the 52nd Sikh Regiment,

at Jalandhar

Cantonment.

in the armys 12 years 256

Two bombs

ago,

Babar

stationed

Singh

enlisted

when he was arrested in Jalandhar-

had already been taken away by

No. 51).

297

Ganga

Judgement Case No. 2 of 1924 pp. 218-219.

Babu Santa

Singh

(Accusecy

History of the Babar Akalis

“396

He was with his Regiment in France and Mesopotamia. ‘Cantt. After his arrest, he was kept for nearly a fortnight inthe Kotwa/f -at Jalandhar and then sent to the Jail, where he was kept under He was not told what the charge -a close watch for five months. He only knew, when he appeared _ before the “was against him. He wes pointed out to Sant “Committing Magistrate at Lahore. From ‘Kartar Singh (P.W.9) atthe C.I.D. Office in Jalandhar. “the 15th July to the 20th October, 1922, he was on leave at Kirpal Singh 288 (P.W. 22) bore enmity with him because ‘home. ‘his nephew Tara Singh gave evidence against him, who was Babar Ganga Singh was produced ‘punished in the Regiment?*®.

‘before the Special Magistrate Louis A. Bull on April, 2, 1924.

"63. Babar Partap Singh Babar Partap Singh, age 25 Years, son of Sardar Lal Singh ‘Toor Sikh-Jat belonged to village Chabilpur District Sailkot, was -a Sepoy in the 52nd Sikhs. His Regiment was then at Jalandhar “Cantonment.

‘64.

Babar Man Singh Babar Man Singh, ane 32 years, son of Sardar ‘Sikh-Jat belonged to village Gobindpur, District

Heera Singh Gujranwala.

"He was serving in 52nd Sikhs, on December 3,1924, Babar Man ‘Singh stated in the Court of Additional Sessions Judge that “From Ist January, 1922 till 19th

April, | was on

leave

at my

‘home. Sawan Singh (P. W. 439) a Jemadar-2-12th Sikhs ‘Regiment and Kirpal Singh (P.W. 22) the approvers are speaking ‘falsely about this. 1 took my discharge from Regiment on 31st ‘October, 1923.9°° All the three Babar Akalis, Ganga Singh, Partap Singh and ‘Man Singh, were in the same Regiment. Three of them had close association with Sardar Kishan Singh Gargajj (Accused No. 1)

“Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51). Sant Kartar Singh (P.W. 9) vand Bela Singh (P.W. 20) of Pragpur. While posted at -298

Son of Natha Singh, age, 27,

~299

Rawéelpindi. Judgement Case No. 2 of 1924, pp. 219-221.

caste

Khatri

~300

‘TFrial-Case No. 2 of 1922, p. 1009.

Sikh, resident Malakpur Distt.

Biographies of the Babar Akalis

397”

Jalandhar Cantt. they used to meet the Babar Akalis at theKutia of Sant Kartar Singh (P.W. 9) which was the rendezvous of Babar Akalis. Babar Ganga Singh, Babar Partap Singh and Babar Man Singh were intimate friends. They had the political, awakening and they willingly co-operatad to contribute for the. furtherance of the cause of the conspiracy. They jointly supplied, cartridges, oil and rifle cleaning rags to the Babars. All the three.

were

implicated by the evidence of Sant Kartar

Singh

(P.W. 9)

and Bela Singh® (P.W. 20). Man Singh had never met BabarKishan Singh or Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) at the. Kutia of (P.W. 9). He admittedly supplied 23 cartridges, through,

Kirpal Singh (P.W. 22)°°? to Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) in consequence

of the latter, having asked him ona prvcious. cccasion to supply these. Sant Kartar Singh (P.W. 9)°°? refers to meeting between Kirpal Singh (P.W. 22), Partap Singh, BabarKishan Singh and Babu Santa Singh at his kut/a, discussions. between them as to the formation of the Jatha for the. reformation of the Jholi-Chucks and as to the two sepoys

being:

asked to supply cartridges, oil and cleaning rags for the purpose. of carrying out the object of the Jatha. They also, held a meeting with Babar Ganga Singh, at the Railway Station. Sant. Kartar Singh (P.W. 9) refers to some leaflets, having been taken

away by (P.W. 22) and Babar Ganga Singh, Babar Partap Singh and these two having been told by Babar Kishan Singh, aboutthe interview between the Deputy Commissioner and the.

Subedar Waryam Singh®"*. Judgement “The Assessors are of opinion that member proved

of this conspiracy. satisfactorily

or

In my

convincingly

301

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924 pp. 180-192.

302 303

ibid., pp. 199-204. ibid., pp. 68-75.

304

P.W. 441. Subedar Waryam Distt. Sheikhupara.

Singh

Ganga

Singh was

opinion,

it has not

been.

of these

three.

that

any

12th Sikhs, belonged

nota.

to Chuharkana,,.

History of the Babar Akalis

398

accused were members of the conspiracy and that they jointly or “severally supplied cartridges in order to promote the object of Singh are Partap Singh and Man for as this conspiracy has been all of concerned, it would seem to me that if anything of sphere proved against their offence would fall more within the the and _ in view of reasons above for the harbouring to find these prepared not am | me. circumstances set out by the benefit them giving accused guilty of criminal conspiracy and -of the doubt, accordingly.acquit them®””’. But

Babar

-sentenced

to

Partap

Singh

transportation

and

for

Babar

life

Singh

were

by the High Court,

Man

in the

Appeals.

65.

Singh

Babar Bawa Babar

Bawa

Singh,

age

30

years,

son

Singh Ghangas Sikh-Jat, belonged to village Balachaur,

Kaulgarh®°®, Tahsil (P.W.

Ghaus

Ghulam

Hoshiarpur.

District

of Sardar Bhulla 62)

a

resident of village Chankoi®°’, gave evidence against Bawa Singh because, his father’s cousin, Attar Singh had given evidence against Ghulam Ghaus. After the murders of Ralla and Dittu, Lambardars of Kaulgarh, on May 21, 1923, Police arrested him, alongwith his two nephews, Udham Singh and Ujjagar Singh, “on May 22, 1923, on suspicion.

Babar

Bawa

Singh

had

for 7 years

served

in the 30th

Punjabis and took his discharge in 1913. He remained active service for one year, in the First World War?®°8,

66.

Babar Udham

Singh.

Babar Udham Singh, age 30 years,

son

of

305

Judgement

306

Had-bast No. 218, Area 165. Hectares P.S. Balachaur. is owned

307 308

on

Sardar Basakha

Case No. 2 of 1924, pp. 219-221.

by Ghangas

Sikh-Jats.

Had-bast No. 174, Area 242 Hectares, Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924 p. 1011.

P.S. Balachaur.

The whole village

“Biographies of the Babar Akalis ~Singh

Ghangas

399

Sikh-Jat,

belonged to village Balachaur District Hoshiarpur®°?,

67.

Babar Harnam

Kaulgarh

Tahsil,

Singh.

Babar Harnam Singh, age Singh belonged to village Garhi ‘District Hoshiarpur. He served ‘He took his discharge, in 1921, ‘mensem, on December 6, 1924,

35

years

son

of Sardar Ralla

Qanungoan®”, Tahsil Balachaur in the 54th Sikhs for 12 years. with a pension of Rs. 6-00 per he stated before the Additional

‘Sessions Judge :—

“Some 3 or 4 years ago, Asa Singh alias Mehtab Singh {P.W. 25), an approver became intoxicated at a chhinj {wrestling

fair)

in my village and my brother and | abused him

He has therefore given evidence against me,

and beat him.

out

of spite®”?.

68.

Babar

Dalip Singh

Babar Dalip Singh, age 70 years, son of Sardar Dit -Sandhara Sikh Jat, belonged to village Sandhara®*,

Singh Tahsil

Hoshiarpur. He stated before Louis, A. Bull, Special Magistrate on February 25, 1924, when asked, that the Police have made up the false case against him and that the witnesses were also false. In the Session Courts the Judge noted his statement as under :—

“The accused declines to make any statement*??.” “The evidence

connecting with all these

309

Trial Case No, 2 of 1924, p. 1013.

310

Had-bast No. 118, Area, 316 Hectares, P,S. Rahon.

311.

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, p, 106.

312

Had-bast No. 130 Area

313

Trial Case No. 2 of 1994. p. 195.

~314

four*!*, conspiracy

130 Hectares.

(Accused No. 66) Jathedar Karam Singh, and Bawa Singh (Accused No. 65). 67) (Accused No.

Udham

Singh

Harnam

Singh

400

History of the Babar Akalis~

seems to be rather vague and doubtful and has resulted in the Assessor's findings that these four accused were not guilty. According to Asa Singh (P. W. 25) the approver, after his.. Kandhi!> he went to Kaulgarh and there he met return from Jathedar Karam Singh of Daualtpur and Ude Singh of Ramgarh, Jhugian at the have/iofUdham Singh (Accused No. 66) and. on that night Jathedar Karam Singh sent for Harnam Singh (Accused No. 67) and Dalip Singh (Accused No. 68) and being :

joined by Bawa Singh (Accused No. side the field and there dicussed reformation of Jholi-Chucks.

65), the whole the

question

Dhanna Singh (P. W. 29) stated that after the

as

went

out

to

the

murders,

of

Ralla and Dittu Lambardars of village Kaulgarh, Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur and Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur had someconversantion with 3 or 4 persons, sitting ina Ba/thak, belonging, to Bawa Singh and Dharam Singh, both of Kulgarh**®. The Prosecution

View

Ghulam Ghaus (P. W. 62)%!” and Kishan Chand (P. W. 63) deposed as to Dalip Singh (Accused No. 68) having concealed’ himself from the and Dharam Singh.

Police, in the Ghulam Ghaus

house of Bawa _ Singh (P. W. 62) furthur stated)

that

in Jeth he saw Jathedar, Karam Singh and Asa Singh (P. W. 25) of Phakrudi, Ude Singh of Ramgarh-Jhugian, with accused nos. 65, 66,67 and 4 or 5 others in a garden, some:

100 or 120 yards from the village. One day when he was returning;

from

Balachaur,

he asked Bawa Singh

(Accused No. 65) as to

what these persons were doing there, he was told that they were. his guests. He went and informed Ralla and Dittu Lambardars of Kaulgarh as they feared that these persons had some designs

315

Area lying at the foot of the Shivalik Hills, in the

316

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924. pp. 217-237.

Simei

DId wepreolces

Hoshiarpur District.

Biographies of the Babar Akalis

401

against them. Both these witnesses also stated that Bawa Singh (Accused No. 65) and Udham Singh (Accused No. 66) abused Ralla Lambardar, for bringing the Police to their house, in search of Dalip Singh (Accused No. 68) of Sandhara. Kishan Chand (P. W. 63)*8 also corroborated Ghulam Ghaus (P. W. 62) as to this witness told Ralla, about the meeting in the garden and warning him to be on a his guard.”

This witness, however, mentions the name of Dalip Singh (Accused No. 68), which Ghulam Ghaus does not. All those present inthe garden out side Kaulgar, including these four accused, agreed on the necessity of reform and left undecided as to when and how this should be carried out. It also appear that accused Nos. 65 and 66 were arrested in May and released in July 1923 in cnnnection with the murders of Ralla and Dittu. They were again arrested on the 1st September 1923.

Judgement “Now there is no doubt at all that the

murders of Ralla and Dittu were in Pursuance of the conspiracy and committed by the

Babar Akalis. \f, therefore, there was not sufficient evidence to connect these two accused with the conspiracy, then! do not think that the information subsequently given by Asa Singh is sufficient to connect them with it Ram Ditta (P.W. 85) deposes that he gave evidence against Dalip Singh (Accused No. 68) and that in consequence he end certain other persons were inimical towards him. For the above reasons | accept the opinion of the Assessors and agreeing with them consider that the guilt of these 4 accused has not been proved beyond rasonable doubt. I, therefore, find them not guilty and acquit them.”

69.

Babar Mehnga

70. 71.

Babar Surjan Singh Babar Mula Singh

72.

Babar

73.

Babar Dnaram

318

Singh

Dalip Singh

Singh

Son of Uttam Chand, of village Kaulgarh. Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, p, 315.

402

History of the Babar Akalis

74. 75.

Babar Chanchal Singh Babar Bhan Singh

Babar Mehnga Singh son of Bisakha Singh Nijjar Sikh-Jat of Pindori Nijran. As regards Mehnga Singh (Accused No. 69). “My

brother

was

forcing

me

to bring about the arrest

Anup Singh (P.W. 17). He told me that he was

of

unable to do this.

Proceedings were taken against me under Section 107 Cr. P. Code. Bakhshish Singh, my cousin (Accused No. 86) was an absconder.

| knew Thuana,

that he was in the Nahan

living with his wife’s parents in Haripur State, and | told his father, to bring him

from there. He arranged to do so and took him to Jalandhar

on the

4th October. | also went to Jalandhar on that day and the Police arrested both Bakhshish Singh and me. Subsequently, | was pointed out to Anup Singh (P.W.17) and Chanda Singh

(P. W. 23) of Domeli by the

Police.

The

several

to

evidence

times,

wanting

me

give

Police threatened me against

Kishan

Singh (Accused No.1) and the other Babar Akalis and said that if | did so they would release me*!®.”’ Both Anup Singh (P. W. 17) and Chanda Singh (P. W. 23) specifically mentioned him and Labh Singh (P.W. 99) son of Meehan Singh, Harnam Singh (Po VV. 110)) Stated. thar they met him with Sadha Singh going in the direction of the copse and that Menga Singh told them as to the Babars being concealed in the

copse and having been invited there for the purpose of murdering the two Lambardars and two Chaukidars. There was also evidence of association against himin the statement of Bhagwan Singh (P. W. $2) Harnam Singh (P.W. 93) Maulu (P. W. 94) and Labh Singh (P. W. 323). This evidence of association by itself was perhaps on no higher scale than that of the same nature against the other accused of Pindori Nijran, who were acquitted, but when taken in connection with the eveidence as regards his complicity in the plot.

Babar Surjan Singh Babar Surjan Singh,

age

40 years,

ee Ee Eee 319 Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 1020,

son

of Sardar Suchet ee

eee

“Biogarphies of the Babar Akalis

403.

“Singh Nijjar Sikh-Jat belonged to village Domeli®2°, Tahsil Phagwara, the erstwhile Kapurthala State. He had served in the 41 Sikh Regiment for same time, when he retired, after getting pension, in 1916. He was a devoted Babar Akali. He served them with food and lodging. He was the occupant of a Kothi ~of Thekedar Sardar Khem Singh Bhogal of Domeli, which was “very lonely, situated outside the village. All the Chakrabarty Babar Akalis, used to stay with him. He was arrested in August,

1923, and was kept first at Banga Police Station and then at “the Sadr Thana, Jalandhar and in the Jail at Jalandhar. The “Police wanted him to state certain things, which they would ~tell him and against Chanda: Singh (P. W. 23) an approver of “the same village, but Surjan Singh said that he knew nothing -about him. When he was taken to Lahore and placed before the “Committing Magistrate, then only he learnt of the charges, framed against him. One Kartar Singh son of Harnam Singh, ~who was not connected with the conspiracy case was, arrested

for the name’s sake of Babar Kartar

Singh

(Accused No. 78) of

Domeli, but was released, after two months.

“Kartar Singh (Accused No. 78) ~ of his (enmity) against him*??.

was

then

Instead, his nephew

arrested, on

account

Chanda Singh of Domeli (P. W. 23) referred to him as “having accommodated and supplied food to Babar Kishan Singh, Babar Karam Singh (Accssed No. 8) of Jhingar and

Kartar Singh (Accused No. 58) of Gondpur.

On

this occasion,

at the instance of Kishan Singh, Surjan Singh (Accused No. 70) and Kartar Singh (Accused No. 78) agreed to join Babar Akalis Jatha and take part in the reformation of the Jho/li-Chucks. Some 2 or 3 months later, Chanda Singh (P.W. 23) approver again met Babar Kishan Singh, Karam Singh (Accused No. 8)

320

Had-bast owned

321

No. 8, Area.

672

Hectares.

by Nijjar Sikh-Jats.

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 1022.

The

author’s

village,

which

is

History of the Babar Akalis;

404

(Accused» No. 5) and Atma Singh (Accused No. 6) at the Koth/ of Khem. Singh Ramgarhia, at Domeli, which Surjan Singh had occupied. On_ this. there. printed \eaflets were Babar Akali Doaba occasion, Chanda Singh (P. W. 23) there went on stating how-~ he and Surjan Singh (Accused No. 70) Amar Singh of Manko, referred to by Anup Singh (P. W. 17) being joined by six others. Babu

Singh

Santa

No.

(Accused

51)

Dalip

Singh

and went to the 7a/i copse, out-side Pindori Nijran. Babar Mula

Singh

Babar Mula Singh, age 30 years, son of Sardar Ram Singh. Saleh Sikh-Jat, belonged to village Pallahi,?2? two miles to the.

north

from

Phagwara.

He

was

arrested

by

the

erstwhile.

Kapurthala Police in September, 1923. For two days he was keptin the Kotwal/i of Phagwara and then taken to Kapurthala, where he was kept in the Artillery Lines for two months. Anup Singh,

(P.W.17) was

also confined there,

to whom

Babar

Mula Singh

was shown to him. Later, he alongwith many Babar Akalis,

were.

removed to Phagwara, where several people were released on payment to the State Police, as bribe, but Mula Singh refused to.. pay any amount and so he was taken back again to the Artillery Lines at Kapurthala. Those people who had been released at Phagwara, were later brought again to the Artillery Lines at Kapurthala. Then they all were taken to the office of C.I.D. Jalandhar. Here the Babar was badly beaten and was forced ta. make statement®® against the Babar Akal/is, but he did not betrayed his comrades.*"4

Babar Dalip Singh Babar

Dalip Singh,

age 40 years,

son of Sardar Dasondha-

322

Had-bast No. 60, Area 172 Hectares, P.S, Phagwara.

323

To turn an approver,

324

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 1024.

{Biographies of the Babar Akalis

405

“Singh Manak Sikh-Jat, belonged to village Manak,?2° “erstwhile Kapurthala State. On April 2, 1924, he stated “the Special Magistate, Louis A. Bull :—

in the before

“lam an Aka/i and because the Police are trying to supress ‘the Akalis, therefore, a false case has been made against me. ~The Gurdawara Movement is going on so | was caught, so that k “may not go to that side. | was beaten for 3 months in Kapurthala “State. Lala Buta Ram (Inspector C.1.D. Punjab) and Hakim Singh Thanedar beat me for 3 days. | made no statement. | was kept “locked up for one month in a cell. Three remands were given to

“me at the “said :—

jail’’.°°® While stating,

“l was

Jathedar

of my

before the

village

and

Sessions Court, he

sent

two Jathas,

to

“Guru-Ka-Bagh-Morcha, in accordance with the orders of the “S G.P.C. The State Police told me not to send Jathas and because I refused they involved mein the case. Diwan Durga Dass??? also told “me,not to senda Jatha to Jaito and because, | said, | would. | was “arrested and kept in custody. Dalip Singh son of Sardar Dasondha

“Singh, referred to a visit of Babar Kishan Singh

(Accused No. 1),

“Sunder Singh (Accused No. 30), Kartar Singh (Accused No. 58) ‘and Bishan Singh of Mangat. He then stated that Bishan Singh ‘called him one day and took himto the Kher/ stream where he “found Amar Singh of Manko, Mula Singh of Pallahi, Dharam “Singh and Chanchal Singh of Sangatpur. He then corroborated “the account given by Mula Singh (Accused No. 71) of their ijourney to the 7a/i Copse and as to what happened there. He

\further

stated

that

in Sawan 1923,

Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur and

Jhugian, Mohinder

Singh

Bishan

Singh

of Pindori Ganga Singh

-325

Had-bast No. 34, Area 121 Hectares, P.S. Phagwara..

- 326

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, pp. 1025-1026.

“327

Diwan

Durga Dass (P.W. 333) was

erstwhile Kapurthala State.

of Mangat

Ude Singh of Ram Garh

and

Anup

the Inspector-General of Police of tha

406

History of the Babar Akalis=

Singh (P.W.17) came to his house.

He accommodated

them and"

called Jagat Singh a tailor who prepared Kachheros, turbans and’. Kurtas for them, out of the Khaddar cloth with Anup Singh:

Babar Dharam

Singh

Babar Dharam Singh, age 35 years, sonof Sardar Bela Singh Kumhar Sikh, belonged to village Pallahi, two miles to the north from Phagwara. Dharam Singh was an active Babar Akali. On April, that :—l Kesh and low caste liked they badly

1923, he stated before Louis A. Bull, Special Magistrate was beaten for 8 days in the Kapurthala State and my beard were pulled. The Police beat me and _ said that Kumhars have become Aka/is. Whatever the Police got written. | do not know what-happened, as ! was

beaten.

Due

to

excessive

beating,

|

had

become

unconscious. This case has been made up against me so that the non-violent Aka/is may be suppressed. The Police arrested all these decent-people who came before them’’.**S Babar Dharam Singh refused all the charges, brought forth by the Government against him. He admitted the visits of leading Babar Akalis to his house and that he had the active association with the Babar Akali Movement. He has two sons. Joginder Singh and Nirvair Singh. They both are well settled in life. He is in good health. He was enjoying his 83rd happy birth day, with his grand children, when the author visited him on August 19, 1985,

Babar Chanchal

Singh

Babar Chanchal Singh, age 25 years,

son of Sardar Waryam..

Sirgh Ahluwalia Kala! Sikh, belonged to village Sangatpur,322 the erstwhile

in

Kapurthala State. On April 3, 1923, Before the. Committing Magistrate, Louis A. Bull he said :—“The Police have made a false case against me. | was tied up and beaten for & 328

Trial-Case No; 2 of 1924. p. 1027.

329

Had-bast No. 41, Area,

280

Hectares, P.S. Phagwara.

Biographies of the Babar Akalis

407

days.

| have been beaten by Lala Buta Ram for two days. Mud was thrown into my mouth. My testicles pulled and rubbed. My Kesh

were

pulled and 1! was kicked and | told to make a statement,°° |

but | said how am | to know that statements are to be made? have an enmity with Chanda Singh (P.W.23) of Domeli’’.324

Babar Bhan Babar

Singh Bhan

Singh,

son

of

Sardar

Jawahar

Singh

Mangat Sikh-Jat, belonged to village Mangat,**? District Jalandhar, situated on the Phagwara-Mahilpur Road. He was very active Babar Aka/i worker. On April 3, 1924, he stated before, Louis A. Bull, Special Magistrate that :—I was beaten badly. My Kesh were pulled. | was threatened that Huqqga water would be put into my Kesh. My hands were placed under the legs of a cot (Charpaee) and | was told that some one would sit on it. Aman was seated on the Cot. My shoulder is still paining’’.2%8 Bhan Singh, son of Sardar Jawahar Singh stated that Bishan Singh of Mangat and another Sikh of Manko and he went to village Kalra*®* where they found 4 men, one of whom he named as Dalip Singh (Accused No. 72). Two men then came from

Domeli and

the

whole party

went to

the ta// copse.

He

further stated that he wanted to return home but Bishan Singh of Mangat, threatened him and told him that he shall have to goto Pindori Nijran to murder the Lambardars and Chowkidars. Babar Bhan Singh was arrested on 15th December, 1922. He had joined 51, Sikh Regiment in 1914 and got discharged in

1916. All

these

seven

Babar

Akalis

were

connected

ee en = a 330

For turning an approver.

331

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924. p. 1029.

332

Had-bast No, 16. Area 185 Hectares,

333

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 1031.

334

The whole village is owned by Sikh-Rajputs, P, S. Adampur.

P.S. Banga.

with

the

History of the Babar Akalis

408

conspiracy, in consequence of their having taken part in the second plot to murder the Lambardars and Chowkidars of Pindori and the ground of having an on Nijran in April, 1923,

association with the Babar Akalis.**° They had gathered in the for the purpose of proving

7a/i copse outside Pindori Nijran the murder of the Lambardars,

Bhagwan Singh (P.W.92) and Harnam Singh (P.W.93) and Chowkidars Jiwan and Maulu of Pindori Nijran. There is the evidence

of Anup Singh

(P,W.17)

an approver of

Manko

and

Chanda Singh (P.W. 23) of Domeli, who both supported the fact. There is no doubt that there was gathering alleged in pursuance of the conspiracy and the only matter which should be discussed, with the plot.

was

the

individual connection of these accused Babars continued their attempts by, the

The

time of their final attempt, Then they went to Domeli Amar Singh asked them to rejoined them accompanied

the party consisted of 7 persons. and near a well known as Kalra**®, wait for him and went away. He by Chanda Singh (P.W. 23) and

Surjan Singh (Accused No. 70).

The nine of them then reached

the Tali grove outside Pindori Nijran, where they found Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) Anup Singh (P.W. 17). Mehnga

Singh (Accused No. 69) and Sadha Singh (Accused No.13). Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) then sent Sadha Singh and Mehnga Singh to ascertain, whether the Lambardars and Chowkidars, who had to be reformed were in the village. They left and returned after a while and informed the party that the Police were in the village and that it was not an opportunate moment for attacking the Lambardars and Chowkidars. Babu

Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) then dismissed the idea and they all returned to their respective villages. Judgement | agree with the Assesors that the guilt of these seven 335 336

A full account is given in occurrence No. 4. This

well

was

of

Natha Singh

Domeli and Kalra villages.

Parhar, situated

on the old way between

It had a big Peep/e tree which

shadow a fine resort for the tired travellers.

had a very thick

“Biographies of the Babar Akalis saccused

has

been

established

409 beyond

any

doubt.

|

find

‘them guilty of having conspired against the lives of the Lambardars and Chowkidars of Pindori Nijran with a view to murdering them. ‘1 do not think that these seven accused are liable for any of the “murders or other offences, shown to have been committed in ‘pursuance of the conspiracy and their case,

| think is covered by

“Section 115. 1.P. Code. |, therefore, convict each of them of criminal “conspiracy under Section 120-B/115 and sentence each of them to five years ‘rigorous imprisonment including three months’ “solitary confinement and fine of Rs. 100/- or one year’s further sigorous imprisonment in default?*?”’. 76.

Babar Dalip Singh, alias Dalipa

Babar Dalipa or Dalip Singh, age 18 years, son of Sardar “Labh Singh Dhami Sikh-Jat, belonged to Village Dhamian Kalan**®, Police Station Hariana, District Hoshiarpur. Being the ‘youngest Babar Akali, he was popularly known as Bhajang:**° Dalip Singh While visited his village, the author was told ~ that Dalipa was a very daring young lad from his childhood. He was a Puran Gursikh boy. Dalip Singh (Accused No. 76)

actively participated in the murder of Buta Lambardar and his grandson Surjan Singh of Nangal Shaman, on 11th-12th March, 1923, the Designs against the life of Labh Singh “17th and 23rd of March 1923, Murder of Labh Singh ‘Garhshankar,

on

19th

March,

1923,

Murder

Safaidposh of Baibalpur, on 27th March, 1923,

and

Dittu

of

Kaulgarh

- Subedar Sunder Murder of Atta

21st

of Hazara

Singh

Murders of Ralla

May 1923, Conspiracy,

Singh of Randhawa Muhammed Patwari/,

on 14th, Mistry of

to murder

Barota, in May, 1923. on 6th June, 1923 and

Murderous attack on Bishan Singh of Sandhara on 16th July, 1923. He was the close associate

of all the

leading Babar Akalis

such as, Babar Kishan Singh Gargajj (Accused No. 337 338

Jathedar

Trial-Case No. 3 of 1924, pp. 1019-1034. Had-bast No. 165, Area, 286 Hectares. is owned

by Dhami

Sikh-Jats,

Sapolia,

a young

P.S.

Hariana.

The whole

village

It is situated, two miles to the north, from

Sham-charausi.

“339

1)

and blooming cobra.

History of the Babar Akalis:

410

Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur, Karam Singh or Daulatpur. Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) Babar Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan and Babar Ude Singh of Ramgarh-Jhugian. Luckily, on the evening of August, 1923, he and Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur, left the party of Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Babar Ude Singh of Ramgarh-Jhugian.

Babar

Bishan

Singh

of Mangat and

Babar Mahinder Singh of

Pindori Ganga Singh, who died in an encounter, the next morning at village Babeli. Babar Dalip Singh was declared as a proclaimed offender and a handsome reward was announced So over his head, who ever would cause his arrest or capture. many traitors were trying their best, to get him arrested. Jawala Singh, age 36 years, son of Sunder Singh of Village Jian, District Hoshiarpur, began to arrange the arrest of Dalip Singh. Jawala Singh extended full affection to the youngest He assured him to be safe if he accompanied him to Babar. Bar, in the District of Multan. On October 31, 1924, Jawala Singh,

himself stated before the Additional Sessions Judge, the manner he effected the arrest of Dalip Singh (Accused No. 76) :— “Dalipa junior and | reached my village**°, about a midnight. Next morning, Dalipa and | set out in my cart for the Bar and reached Chak No. 96 in the Khanewal*#! Tahsil of Multan District, after a journey of 14 days. Bela Singh,?** my brother had told me that he would send me intimation of the arrest, if affected of Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur, after which | should arrange for the arrest of Dalipa junior. Some 15 days after our arrival at the Chak, Basant Singh, my cousin, came to the Chak with a massage from Bela Singh that | should get Dalipa junior arrested.

|! sent

back

Basant

Singh

with

brother that he should send Sub-Inspector, 340

His own village Jian, owned

341

Tahsil

Headquarter,

in

a

message

Gulzara

to

his

Singh*** to.

by the Jhuti Sikh-Jats.

Multan

District

(Pakistan),

172

miles

from...

Lahore.

342

The traitor, who had

effected

the

arrests

of

killed by the Babar Akalis on December 9, 1933. 343

He was S.H.O. of Mahalpur.

many

Ghadrites

and

was:.

Biographies of the Babar Akalis

4118

arrest Dalipa, and | should take Dalipa to Mian Chanun*4.”" “Some 5 or 6 days later Hamir Singh, Head Constable, came to my Chak and informed me that Sub-Inspector Gulzara, Singh had arrived and was at Mian Chanun. | took Datipa to

Mian Chanun and while we were having our meals at the shop of one Relu-Jhiwarl, Dalipa and | were both arrested by Gulzara Singh, Sub-Inspector. | had suggested my arrest so as_ to avert suspicion

from

myself.

We

were both brought to Multan

and

while Dalipa was confined in the lock-up, | was released’. ‘| returned to my village (Jian). No one knew then about | enquired for Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur,

the arrest of Dalipa.

but | could find no trace of him. He, himself, however, came tomy haveli,some 10 days after my return to enquire about

Dalipa. | told him that Dalipa was all right and was see him.34° Dalip

Singh

Dhami

wasa very brave

boy.

anxious to.

When all the.

appeals from the High Court were rejected and Dalip

Singh was.

to be hanged after eight days, his weight

had

increased

pounds.

out

of sympathy and:

The Superintendent of the Jail,

seven.

affection, enquired the cause of the happiness of increasing: his weight. He laughed and said, ‘The purpose for which. Weheguru

(God)

had

sent

me

here,

has

honourably

been,

fulfilled. So, when he was takentothe gallows on 27th. February, 1926, he was singing, patriotic poems, melodiously,. like :—

“Bhul Chuk veero Sadi maff Karni

-Assee jag ton vidya ho chale,

Matha dhe Doabe da Khalsa fi

-naalapne Khoon de dho chale»

Jis shan is des di fook Shaddi -goridaen di jaan nun ro-chaleJaandi vaar di fateh manzoor Karni -Assan sada de vaste son -chale, *46 £44

28, miles from Khanewal

(Pakistan).

345

= Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 703.

345

Babar Akali—\Labh Singh p. 67.

History of the Babar Akalis-

4412 Forgive us our sins if any :

‘We take leave ot this corporeal existence,

‘We have washed the forehead of Doaba land. ‘With the drops of our blood, venereble

Khalse ji.

‘We have cried hoarse against the atrcities of the white demon Which played havac

with the glory of our nation.

Accept our last felicitations; We are going to have an unending sleep.” His counsel was not in a position to urge anything on Dalip “Singh, who refused to make any statement inthe Court. He “handed, a written slip to the effect that he was not cprepared to reply any question. He gave a written statement in ~which he detailed an account of his birth, education and meeting with the Babar Jatha. He mentioned his going to the Kandhi

tract with Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51), taking part ‘the issue of leaflets and his own arrest. He then referred

in to

“the treatment he received in the Multan Jail lock up and wrote ‘that he was shown to witnesses in Jalandhar. In conclusion

‘he stated that he was enlisted in the

Babar

‘or 12th April, 1923 and that his name was

Jatha on

the 11th

published with those

‘of three others in the leaflet dated 21.5. 1923,'’347 Judgement “In agreement with the Assessors

I find the accused Dalip

‘Singh son of Labh Singh guilty of criminal

conspiracy,

attempt

‘at murder and dacoity with murder and convict him of offences ‘under Section 120-B, 302, 307 and 396 read with Section 34,103 and 114 of the I.P. Code. For these offences only one ‘sentence is possible and subject to confirmation by the High ‘Court, | sentence Dalipa or Dalip Singh accused to be hanged “by the neck till he is dead”. “lL also find him guilty of a Secret branch of Section 14 and

Biographies of the Babar Akalis

413:

convict him of an offence under Section 20 of the Arms Act: and formally sentence him to four year’s rigorous imprisonment, . including three month's solitary confinement and a fine of Rs. 1 00/-or one year’s further rigorous imprisonment in default®48’’,

77.

Babar Kartar Singh

Babar Kartar Singh, Singh Nijjar Sikh-Jat,

age 20 years, son of Sardar Bagga: belonges to village Domeli, Tahsil, Phagwara, erstwhile Kapurthala State. He was born in Domeli,.

in 1888 and enjoys a very good health. He has two sons. Gian, Singh and Paramjit Singh and one daughter Mrs. Kundan Kaur. He had joined the army. After serving afew years, he got his

discharge, presumably to take Independence for his motherland®”’. 78.

Babar Kartar

Nijjar Sikh-Jat,

Phagwara,

part

in

achiving;

Singh

Babar Kartar Singh, age

Singh

active

Kapurthala

25

years,

belonged State.

He

son

of

to

village

was

the

Sardar

Basant-

Domali,

Tehsil

nephew

of Babar-

Surjan Singh (Accused No. 70). On April, 3, 1923, he stated: before the Special Magistrate, Louis A. Bull :—“No one arrested. me. | surrendered myself at Kapurthala. Akali. The State people gave me

I am quite aninnocent great trouble. They

threatened me to throw Hugqga water on my Kesh, My two hands.

were tied to a peg.

1! was then brought to Jalandhar and | was asked to make a statement there. | said that! did not know: anything. Then they took me back to Kapurthala. 1! was beaten. the whole night. Next day, | was again brought to Jalandhar and again beaten®°°’. Babar Kartar Singh did not marry, and thus died issuless.

According to the evidence of Anup Singh 348

Judgement-Case

349

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, pp. 1036-1037.

No. 2 of 1924.

pp. 225-226.

350

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, pp. 1038-1039.

(P. W. 17) these

~414

History of the Babar Akalis

two accused and Chanda ‘in

Singh

(P.W. 23)

the Babar Akalis Jatha and were

(P.W.

28)

of

Mundher.

On

the

enrolled

introduced other

themselves

by Hazara Singh

hand

Chanda

Singh

Kartar

Singh

-(P. W. 23) of Domeli, while admitting that he and

(Accused No. 78) enrolled themselve in the Babar

Akali Jatha

did not mention the name of Kartar Singh son of Sardar Bagga Singh Nijjar (Accused No. 77) and placed the incident earlier before the second meeting outside Pondori Nijran. According to ~Chanda Singh (P. W. 23) these two accused had agreed to take partin the contemplated attack on Subedar Sunder Singh of Randhawa Barota®*!, when it was proposed by Bnbu Santa “Singh (Accused No. 51) with whom accompanied Hazara Singh (P. W. 28) Banta Singh of Dhamian Kalan, Dhanna Singh

~{P. W. 29) Anup Singh (P. W. 17) and Dalipa (Accused No. 76). Statement

of Surjan

Singh

In the evidence of Surjan Singh (P.W. 371)? it also appeared that Kartar Singh son of Basant Singh Nijjar (Accused “No. 78) of Domeli accompanied

by Jathedars

Karam

Singh

of

Daulatpur, had tea at the house of the witness in Babeli. Three weeks later this witness received a visit from Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Ude Singh of Ramgarh Jhugian, Bishan Singh of Mangat and Mahinder Singh of Pindori Ganga Singh providee them with food. On this occasion these men lefta pair of ‘pinoculors

to the

behind,

Police.

which

Witness,

witness

however,

subsequently

through

“Identified

some

p/120, which were recovered at Babeli, affair, as the binoculars in question, the correct pair

made

over

oversight, after

the

were

not

shown to him.

In their statements before the Committing Magistrate and the Sessions Court, they both Kartar Singhs, denied any connection with the conspiracy or their complicity in the acts, alleged against 351

Had-bast No. 192, Area

352

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 688.

146 Hectares.

P.S. Hariana.

Surjan Singh (P.W. 371) son of Mangal

Singh Chahal Sikh-Jat of village Babeli.

‘Biographies of the Babar Akalis

415

them.

Both retracted their complicity in the acts alleges against them. Both retracted their confessions and alleged enmity on the part of Chanda Singh (P.W. 23) son of Chhajja Singh of Domeli.

Both admitted acquaintance with Anup Singh (P. W. 17). Judgement “In agreement with the Assessors, | consider, it has been proved that these two accused conspired against the life of Subedar Sunder Singh and took certain steps in furtherance of this agreement falling short ot an actual attempt in law to under | convict each of them of an offence ‘murder him.

of the I. P. Code and sentence, Kartar Singh Section 120-B/115 {Accused No. 77) and Kartar Singh (Accused No. 78) to tive years’

rigorous

imprisonment,

each

including

solitary confinement and a fine of Rs. 100/-

three

each

month’s

or one year’s

rigorous imprisonment in default?*?”’. Both the Babars Kartar Singh (Accused No. 77) and Kartar Singh (Accused No. 78), were awarded seven years rigorous imprisonment in the appeal by the High Court. 79.

Babar Banta

Singh

Babar Banta Singh, Singh Nagara Sikh-Jat,

age 35 years, son of Sardar Jaimal belonged to Baibalpur, the village of

Dhanna Singh, who was killed in the explosion of a bomb at Mananhana. Babar Banta Singh had joined 22 Sikh Regiment, where he served with full devotion, for some years. He took his discharge as he did not like the discriminating treatment of the British Government with the Sikhs. He joined the Jatha ot Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur for the _ liberation of Gurdawara, Hothian, in Gurdaspur District. He took active part

in the

Guru-ka-Bagh-Morcha,

whre

beating and an imprisonment for four months. -353

Judgement-Case

No, 2 of 1924, pp. 226-228.

he

suffered

harsh

416

History of the Babar Akalisz

On April 3, 1924 Babar Banta Singh stated before

Louis

Bull, Special Magistrate®®4 :—“I came from Amritsar grandfathers’s house at Sherpur. The following day

arrested by the Revenue Assistant and he asked

me,

A.

to my: | was.

why | did.

not make a Sa/aam to him.

| said that | did not make Salaam to him, because my back was towards him. But the Revenue. Assistant arrested me, because he said that | did not do Sa/aamknowingly.

The

Police

brought

me

to Jalandhar

and

then.

beat me for 15 days. I have marks of injuries on my person. At that time, La/a Buta Ram said that he was authorised to kilh us. Hesaidto me to make a statement in accordance with what he wished and become a witness for the prosecution. k said that | cannot become a witness because | knew nothing... When | became unconscious, | then said that they should not torture me, | would put my thumb mark. My thumb mark was put.

on four or five places at the C.I.D. Kothi3>*’’. In this evidence on page 155, Anup Singh (P.W.17) refers. to this accused as having brought the duplicator from. Bogh Singh (P.W.462) of Manko, then in the Shivalik hills, after the Kaulgarh Affair. Banta Singh, informed Anup Singh (P.W.17) that Babu Santa Singh (Accused No. 51) had given him a, closed envelope for Bogh Singh of Manko. When Bogh Singh had opened it, there was a blank sheet of paper inside. It will be remembered that the duplicator had been left with Bachint Singh: of Dumunda from whom Bogh Singh gotit at the request of Anup. Singh and Babu Santa Singh.

Babar Banta Singh and another person had taken the. duplicator to the party, then in the Shivalik hills. Anup Singh also stated that Banta Singh was left with Dhanna Singh and’ Jathedat Karam Singh of Daulatpur, when they went away with the ornaments robbed at Kaulgarh, for the purpose of selling: them. 354

Had-bast No. 30, Area 200 Hectares P.S. Lopoke.

355

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924,

p. 1040,

Biographies of the Babar Akalis

417

Defence

Lala

Raghunath Sahai contended that this accused had been implicated on account of his being the next door neighbour and friend of Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur and that if he had been so much in the confidence of these persons, he would have been employed

in some other cases also.

Judgement “These arguments are not very convincing and it seems tome that if this accused had not been one of the members of the 8abar Akali Jatha, he would hardly have been employed to bring the duplicator and admitted into the confidence of the Babars. In my opinion his connection with the conspiracy has been satisfactorily established, but I do not think he can be held liable for any of the murders and for other offences committed in pursuance of the conspiracy. He played a very humble part and in agreement with the

Assessors,

| find

this

accused guilty of criminal conspiracy

and convict him of an offence under Section 120-B/115. I sentence him to four years rigorous imprisonment, including three months’ solitary confinement, and a fine of Rs. 100/- or one year’s further rigorous imprisonment in default’’.°°°

80.

Babar Basant

Singh

Babar Basant Singh, age 55 years, son of Sardar Buta Singh Randhawa, belonged to village Randhawa Masandan, two miles to the north from Jalandhar City. Babar Basant Singh, popularly He known as Bhai Basant Singh, was an immigrant from U.S.A. was a great social worker.

He

opened

a

Primary

Girls

beginning of the 20th century,

School

in his village,

which had benefitted

the

in the

girls

of his village as well as of the neighbouring villages. The School

356

Judgement Case No. 2 of 1924, pp. 228-229.

418

History of the Babar Akalis

was run with

the foreign aid

and he

used to collect

donations

from the local people also. He was son of a Lambardar four brothers, Jawala Singh. Jawand Singh fond of singing

and had

Diwan Singh, Bishan Singh, Bhagwan Singh and Bhai Basant Singh had three sons, Bawa Singh, and Daya Singh. He died in 1940. He was very Gurbani in rythem. The people use to call him

Shahadia (Hymn singer).

He met Babar Kishan Singh the party

left Jalandhar

for the

Garajj

at his well on

second

the

day

attempt on the life of

Arjan Singh Patwari.. Assa Singh (P.W. 25) also referred to him on page 225, as having provided Babar Kishan Singh Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur and Karam Singh (Accused No. 8) of Jhingar Babu Santa Singh, Dalip Singh (Accused No. 5) with

food, when they left the Gurdawara at Kishanpur after printing the leaflet of Babar Akali Doaba. Asa Singh further stated that

before they left for Amritsar. Babar Kishan Singh Gargajj made over the two guns to Basant Singh to keep safely. Basant Singh

forned a great

friendship

with

Babar

Kishan

Singh

(Accused

No. 1) and referred to his violent speeches delivered at Anandpur. Then he made the aquaintance with Karam Singh (Accused No. 8) of Jhingar who came with Babar Kishan Singh, one day to his well, in August 1922. They both told him that they were absconders and were organising the Babar Jatha which when it grew strong enough would fight against the English, turn them out of India, take Possession of their womenfolk make them their wives and employ them in carrying rubbish. When accused asked Kishan Singh how they proposed to fight against the British Government with two or three guns and two or three Pistols Kishan Singh told him that these were intended for the murder of Jho/i-Chuks and their own protection, that the Jatha was increasing in strength and when it rebelled the King of Kabual with whom Master Mota Singh had entered into a

secret agreement would invade India. Judgement “l am

not

satisfied

from

the

above evidence

as

to

the

“Biographies of the Babar Akalis

419

“connection of this accused with the conspiracy. The most that can ‘be urged against this accused, on the basis of the above evidences, ‘is that he was harbouring these absconders and members of the «Babar Jatha.

His conduct is not very much

worse than some of

“the witnesses, who appeared in the case and In the circumstances, “1 disagree with the Assessors as to the guilt of this accused. 1 accordingly find him not guilty and acquit him.’357 Narain

Babar

~81.

Singh

Babar Narain Singh, age 33 years, son of Sardar

“Singh

Sikh-Jat

to

belonged

Dasunda

District

Chatiwind,?*8

village

- Amritsar.

where he served with full by the idiology of Babar

He had joined 35 Sikh Regiment, devotion to his duties. He was moved “Kishan Singh Gargajj

He was

inthe

then

and got discharge from the army,

rank of a Naik.

He was

in 1921.

elected Jathedar

of Akali Jatha of his village and was the member of the inquiry “Committee of Tahsil Amritsar. On April 13, 1924, Babar Narain Singh stated before the Special! Magistrate, Louis A. Bull, “Il was

arrested in this case after Ganda Singh “his evidence “and

before to

taken

the Committing

Jalandhar

on

about

had given

(P,W. 476)°°° | was

Magistrate. the

9th

arrested

November, 1923.

Asa Singh alias Mehtab Singh (P.W. 25) was brought to the fock-up in which, | was confined and he also was kept there

with me. | did not know him before. After Ram Singh (P.W. 13), “Ram Singh (P.W. 16)

“with

me

and

Jalandhar,

and Anup Singh (P.W. 17) were confined

Asa Singh

Anup

Singh

(P.W. was

25)

taken

in the away

to

same the

Hava/at Police

at Line

after one night’. ‘The other three remained with me. On the 28th December, 1923. Sadhu Singh (P.W. 15) failed to identify me at the jail ‘in Jalandhar, although | was at the time among several of the 357

Judgement

358

Had-bast, No. 278.

Case No. 2 of 1924, p. 229-231.

Area

599

Hectares.

Amritsar.

359

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1925. p. 859.

P.S.

Jandiala

Guruka,

District

420

History of the Babar Akalis--

approvers. After Sadhu Singh (P.W. 15) failed to identify me. in this Court (vide page 125 of printed record) | was pointed, out to him by Amar Singh (P.W. 8) and Sant Kartar Singh (P.W. 9). Consequently he identified me in this Court two days , later’’.36° He was implicated in the First Aka// conspiracy case and was . acquitted as shown in the early part of this Judgement. So for as the present case was concerned, he was connected conspiracy by the evidence of Sadhu Singh (P.W. 15)

125 of his evidence Sad.u Singh stated Singh (Accused No. 51) and he went to Amritsar District.

On meeting

with the. On Page

that Babu Santa. Chatiwind in the.

Narain Singh,

Babu Santa Singh

(Accused No. 51) asked him for some Chhavis heads ready Narain

Singh

was

aware

of the

objects for which

the

and» Babar -

Akali Jatha had been formed and had jointed them in the. conspiracy. Babar Narain Singh, was aware that Babar Kishan Singh was an absconder, and on his enquiry as to what he was doing, Kishan Singh told him of having organised the Chakarvarti Jatha, which was moving from place to place, delivering speeches against the Government

and preparing the

people

for rebellion.

Narian Singh, then obtained employment, as a watch man, ina factory at Amritsar and one night, he was informed that some. visitors were waiting Outside to see him. On going out he found Babar Kishan Singh,

Babu Santa Singh,

Karam

Singh

(Accused |

No 8) of Jhinger and another person. They informed him, that the . name

of the

Jatha

had

been

changed

to

that

the

Babar

Akali Jatha that the people had been won over to their views, and were ripe for rebellion. Kishan Singh also mentioned :

that arms were being provided and they had started a news paper, which they print on a machine, purchased with some money, given by the editor of the ‘Ajit’. A few days later Babar Narain Singh met one Partap Singh of the Gujranwala District

(Now in Pakistan) and asked him to arranger for the chhavis. 360

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924, p, 1045.

“Biographies of the Babar Akalis

421

~Judgement “The Assessors found this “the evidence against him, my doubt which, | entertain, as “conspiracy still remains. There

accused guilty, but after giving most careful consideration, the to his being a member of this is no evidence of association

but only one single instance of this accused, having

“Chhavi

heads to Babu Santa

Singh

(Accused

No.

given

three

51)

From

this act, | do not find it possible to draw, an_ interence, » amounting to proof that he supplied these Chhavi heads, with the cbject of promoting the aims and objects of the conspiracy “or with the knowledge that he was In_ the so. doing circumstances, | am not prepared to convict this accused of ‘criminal conspiracy as in his case, his act has not in my opinion “been shown to be something more than mere harbouring. [

accordingly find him not guilty and acquit him?*!”, -82. Babar Dnanna Singh Babar Dhanna Singh, age 40 years son of Sardar Nihal Singh ~Sandhar Sikh-Jat, belonged to village Sandhara.**? Babar Dhanna “Singh was the Secretary of the Aka// Da/ of Garhshankar Tahsil. ‘He used to report, -Amritsar and also “news-papers.

the arrests of Aka/is to the S. G. P. C. at intimated of these arrests to different

He was arrested for the offences

under

Sections

302/120-B: 1.P.C., on the 29th .April, 1923. ‘l. appeared * before Mir Fazllmam**. He told me that | should give evidence - against Gurbachan Singh (Accused No. 40), Surjan Singh and Dharam Singh (Accused No. 47 and 48). He told him that he

“will not do that®®. His connection with the conspiracy was very shadowy and «doubtful. According to the evidence of Asa Singh®® (P. W. 25) “of Phakrudi, he went with this approver to Khadli, and helped "him to buy pistol, which Asa Singh, subsequently exchanged with

“Babar Kishan Singh for the pistol and which 361 “362 - 363

was

found

Judgement Case No. 2 of 1924 P.P. 230-231. Had bast No. 171. Area 418 Hectares. P.S. Balachaur. Khan Bahadur Mir Fazl Immam (P.W. 474) D.S.P. C.I.D.

“364

His own statement, before Sessions Court on December

“365

Trial-Case

No. 2 of 1924.

P.P. 215-237.

5, 1924.

buried

History of the Babar Akalis=:

422

under the floor of Asa Singh’s Kothri. Asa Singh stated, that heinformed Dhanna Singh accused that he wanted the pistol for use in case, anyone tried to arrest him, and also for use should», occasion arise in the reformation (i.e. murder) of Jholi-Chucks. with the conspiracy, be connected how would this accused simply because he helped the spprover to acquire one. The only other alleged connection of this accused with the conspiracy is . that according to the evidence of Bhagwana (P. W. 340) father

of Ram Singh?6 (P. W. 13) Munshi

Ram

of Toti of village

son

of Jaimal of village

Phirni, District Jalandhar and Mula son

Sil:

Muzara (P. W. 342). Ram Ram Singh was ill in his house. house the in ill fell he that hand stated

Singh on the other of Gurbachan Singh be the fact that one of

However this may (Accused No. 40). the conspirators, happened to fall ill at the house of one

of the

accused, but it does not necessarily connect him with conspiracy. Judgement “lam unable to agree with the Assessors as to the of the accused

and

acquit him’’.°°” 83. Babar Sunder

|, accordingly,

find

him

not

quilty

the -

guilt-

and:

Singh

Babar Sunder Singh, age 70 years, son of Sardar Deva Singh. Kandola Sikh-Jat, belonged to village Khanpur-Kullewal®®, District Hoshiarpur. He had joined 32 Rasa/a and_ served, actively. All his officers were happy with him, but he resigned the British army service, under the influence of Non-Cooperation

Movement.

He

became

an

active

member-

of the Babar Akali Jatha. Unfortunately, he died with. Pheomonia, while he was under trial prisoner. He was a braveBabar Akali and close associate of Babar Ude Singh of Ramgarh. Jhugian and Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur. 356 357

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924. ibed., P.P. 657-658.

368

Khanpur Had bast Had bast No. 356.

P.P. 102-115.

No. 358 Area. 515 Hectares, Area. 197 Hectares. P.S.

P.S. Garshankar,

Garshankar.

Kuluwal/s

Biographies of the Babar Akalis

423

Judgement “The Assessors are of opinion that the connection of this accused with the conspiracy has not been established and in this view, | agree, all that we have against him is that the ornaments stolen in the Jadla dacoity, were weighed at his house, with his scale and that Ude Singh, when ill was taken to his house. There is also other evidence to show that Karam Singh of Daulatpur was in the habit of frequenting the house of this accused.

This accused is also referred to in the confession of Santa Singh, but all this evidence is quite insufficient to implicate nim in the conspiracy and I, accordingly find him not guity and acquit Bin 2.

84.

Babar Harbans Babar

Singh

Harbans Singh,

age 22

years,

son of Sardar.

Khem

Singh Bains Sikh-Jat belonged to village Sarhala Khurd,?"° about 5 miles to the West from Mahalpur, District Hoshiarpur. His mother’s name was Inder Kaur. He was well educated, a learned and exeprienced Preacher of Sikh scriptures. He had led a Jatha and participated in the Guru-Ka-Bagh Morcha, where he was bitterly beaten and suffered one year’s rigorous imprisonment. His father, Sardar Khem Singh Bains was the Pardhan of the Singh Sabha, Manager of a National Schoo! anda Jathedar of the Aka/i Dal of his village. Babar Harbans Singh, with the help of his father, also published a paper, giving the excesses, committed by the Police, in connection with the arrest of the Akalis. During the time, when the beating was going on, in the Guru-Ka-Bagh-Morcha, Harbans Singh, collected the Sikhs and took them to the Guru-Ka-Bagh-Morcha, at Amritsar. He had the enimity with the Lambardars the great friends of the C.I.D.37! Judgement “The Assessors are of opinion that the evidence against this accused, is insufficient to connect him with the conspiracy and with this view | agree. According to Sant Kartar Singh 369

Judgement

370

Had-bast No. 59.

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924,

371

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924,

Area.

140. P.P.

P. 232.

Hectares, P.S. Mahalpur. 1050-1051.

424

History of the Babar Akalis

(P.W. 9)872 this accused

was present at the

Bohani Diwan and

was introducted to the approver by Kishan Singh as a member of his Jatha. Some 15 or 16 days after this D/wan this accused

with Kishan Singh and other arrived at the Kut/a of Sant Kartar Singh. And the whole party went about, in the neighbouring villages, including their doctrine among the people. According to the evidence of Thakur Singh (P.W. 320) and Milkha Singh, (P.W. 321) this accused was also present at the Diwan held at Piddi Khalsa, where Babar Kishan Singh (Accused No. 1) delivered a violent speech. Accused is also referred to in the confession of Santa Singh (Exh. PA/474). In agreement with the Assessors, | find this accused not guilty and acquit him’’.°73 85.

Babar Milkha

Singh

Babar Milkha Singh, age 25 years, son of Sardar Uttam Singh Rai Sikh-Jat, belonged to village Moranwali,°"4 District Hoshiarpur On the 31st July, 1922, sentenced to 4 months imprisonment

he was convicted and for his anti-Government

activities. He was further arrested in September, 1923.37> Babar Milkha Singh was a fearless Babar Akali, whose main duty was to distribute the Babar Akali leaflets, among the people and to entertain the Chakarbarty Babar Akali Jatha. The approver, Asa Singh of Phakrudi (P.W. 25) Kishan Singh Gargajj (Accused No. i) and Karam Singh of Jhinger (Accused No. 8) stayed

at his house

and

he provided

them

with

food.

Kishan Singh

introduced the approver and Milkha Singh to one another. As regards the distribution of the Babar Akali Doaba

\eaflets,

by Milkha Singh, Mangal Singh (P.W. 309)’ stated that he saw Milkha Singh giving a paper to Dhanna Singh (P.W. 291)87?

and on enquiry Milkha Singh told him that it was a Babar Akali 372

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924. P.P. 68-75.

373

Judgement

374

Case No. 2 of 1924. P. 232. Had-bast No. 118. Area. 1089, Hectares. P:S. Garhshankar.

375

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924. P.P. 1052-1053.

376

Son

377

Son of Labhu

of Gopal Singh, age 40 years, of village Mahalgehla—near Ram, age

20 years, of village

Baibalpur.

Banga.

P.s. Mahalpur.

“Biographies of the Babar Akalis

425

‘leaflet to Dhanna Singh, however did not mention this in his evidence. Fateh Singh (P.W. 313)°8 of village Naura®”® stated, that he saw Milkha Singh, giving a Babar Aka// leaflet to Vir Singh - of his village Chhaju Ram (P.W. 314) Jhika Labhana_ similarly depose that he saw Milkha Singh giving a leaflet to Jawala Singh and Didar Singh of his village. On enquiry, these three persons told the witnesses that the leaflet related to the reformation of - Jholi-Chucks. Further it becomes more than doubtful, when it is found

that

Babar

Milkha Singh

was convicted of an offence

under the Criminal Law Amendment

Act on the 31st July,

1922,

and

rigorous imprisonment,

from

sentenced

to four

months,

“which, he was released on the 30th November,

1922.

Judgement “| have no reason to doubt that Asa Singh, did give some leaflets to this accused as he also mentions it in his confession, but he could not possibly have done so at the time he did. This accused was arrested on the Ist September, 1923, in “consequence, no doubt of, the disclosure made by Asa Singh in

his confession which was recorded on the 10th August. | agree therefore, with the Assessors that the connection of this accused with the conspiracy is more than doubtful and, | accordingly find him not guilty and acquit him’’.°°° 86.

Babar Bakhshish Babar Bakhshish

Singh

Singh,

age 35 years,

son of Sardar

Prem

Singh Nijjar, Sikh-Jat, belonged to Pindori Nljran, who had active associption with the Babar Aka/lis and he was also implicated in the third attempt on the life of Labh Singh of Dhadda Fatteh Singh. He was mentioned in the evidence of “Bhagwan Singh (P,W. 92) Maulu (P.W. 94) and Labh Singh P.W. 323) all of Pindori Nijran. This evidence of his association was more or less on a par with that 378

produced

Son of Mota Singh, age, 30 years of village Naura.

379

Had-bast No. 105, Area 17 Hectares. P.S. Banga.

380

Judgement Case No. 2 of 1924. p.p. 232-233.

against the

other

History of the Babar Akalis--

426

some of whom were acquitted. It Is, therefore, necessary to see whether there was anything stronger than this to connect him with the conspiracy. According to. of this

accused

village,

Battan Singh (P.W. 11) Bakhshish Singh, accompanied him to @ outside

copse,

Police

(Accused No. 13).

searched

23rd March,

provided the

houses

several

1923,

being This was

he were

and

No. 51)

(Accused

Sadha Singh

Santa

Babu

where

Pindori-Nijran,

in

food by

with

night

before the

Pindori-Nijran,

and found posters,

pasted on

Singh

on

the

the entrance

to the village. The 3rd attempt on the life of Labh Singh was made on the 23rd March, 1923, Battan Singh®*? (P.W. 11) a Jhiwar of his own village, stated that shortly after he, Kartar

Singh, Milkha Singh, Thakur Singh village Pindori-Nijran

and

and Harnam Singh,

Sadhu Singh®®?

all from.

(P.W. 15) of Pragpur

reached the kiln at Shamchurasi. In connection with this attempt, Babar Santa Singh, Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Dhanna

of

Singh

Dalipa (Accused No. 76), Ude Singh,

Baibalpur,

Ramgarh Jhugian Sadha Singh (Accused No.13)

and Bakhshish

Singh (Accused No. 86) also arrived there.**° Judgement ‘l have

given

the

case

of

this

accused,

my _ earnest

Consideration and in agreement with the Assessors, consider that his guilt and connection with the ‘conspiracy has been established. He undoubtedly conspired against the lives of Labh Singh of Dhada Fatteh Singh, and the Lambardars and Chowkidars of Pindori-Nijran. He is not, however, in my opinion, liable for the

murders

and other offences

committed

in

furtherance

of the.

conspiracy as he was only one of the rank and file. |, accordingly, find him guilty of criminal conspiracy and convict him of an offence under section 120-B/115 of the I.P. Code. I, therefore sentence the accused Bakhshish Singh to five years, rigorous. 381

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924. pp. 76-96.

382

ibid., pp. 122-140.

383

ibid., pp. 1054-1055.

Biographies of the Babar Akalis

427°

Imprisonment, including three month’s a fine of Rs. 100/in default’’.*84 87.

or one year’s

Babar Udham

solitary confinement

further

rigorous

Singh

Babar Udham Singh, popularly know as Bahu age

35

years,

son

and”

imprisonment

of

Sardar

Gurdit

Singh,

Udham Singh, .

Sangha

Sikh-Jat,

belonged to village Jandu-Singha®*®, District Jalandhar, situated’ 4 miles to the north from Jalandhar Cantonment. The original: Settlement of the village was of the Sangha Jat. Their ancestral: village is Kala Sanghian.*8° His four sons are well placed. 1. Lt. Colonel Harbant Singh Sangha. 2. Colonel _G.S. Sangha M.V.C. 3. Captain R.S. Sangha, 4. Lt. Colonel S.P.S. Sangha. He was. born in 1891. After passing his matriculation, he joined 22nd Punjabis, but being highly moved by the anti Sikh policy of the. British Government. he resigned from the army and took active part in Babar

Akali

Movement.

He was

strict

vegetarian

and’

punctual to Sikh rites. He was a strong willed person, and’ once he had made up his mind, nothing on earth could change: him of his views. Babu Udham Singh was was due to his having

which

connected with the conspiracy,. sent the revolver, found under-

the floor of Asa Singh’s kothri to Babar Kishan Singh Gargaij: (Accused No. 1). Sant Kartar Singh®®’ (P.W. 9) stated that Hazara Singh*** (P.W. 28) of village Mundher, brought a revolver-

for Kishan Singh, which had been sent by Babu Udham Singh,. who told to ask him for the thing belonging to Kishan Singh. Hazara

revolver.

Singh

did

There

so

and

Babu

Udham

Singh

gave

is evidence to support the statement

384

Judgement

385

Had-bast No. 165. Area. 644. Hectares.

Case No. 2 of 1924, pp. 233-234.

386

Had-bast No. 272 Area. 364 Hectares.

387

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924. pp. 68-75.

388

ibid., pp. 224-251.

P.S. Adampur.

P.S. Sadr Kapurthala.

him

as

of Hazara:

“428

History of the Babar Akalis

“Singh. As to the behaviour of Hazara Singh, when he was called on to identify him in the Jail, at Jalandhar and according to the Magistrate, he deliberately failed to do so. Mian Abdut Fatteh further stated that when on 13th February, 1924, at the request of the Police, he sent for Hazara Singh and enquired “the reasons for his failing to identify, 3 out of the 4 persons on “that occasion. Hazara Singh “Babu Udham Singh, one of in a threatening manner and “with horror and intentionally

that when he went towards the 3 accused was looking at him, he (Hazara Singh) was confounded stated

did not recognise.

~Judgement “According to the evidence of Rai Sahib Lala Sant Ram ‘(P.W. 435), late Magistrate first class, Lahore, Hazara Singh “had the connection of this accused with the conspiracy and, 4 agree with the Assessors that the guilty of this accused has ‘not been proved. | accordingly find him not guilty and acquit

in: °88.

Babar Beant

Babar

Zaildar

Singh

Beant

Singh, age

26

years,

son of Zai/dar

“Chanda Singh Bains Sikh-Jat, belonged to village 'Kalan®®, 4 miles to the south-west from Mahalpur, ‘Hoshiarpur.

On

April

3,

1924,

he

stated

“Special Magistrate, Louis A. Bull. —‘‘l and my

‘been loyal to the

Government.

In

1915,

Maru Jahaz incharge of Gurdit Singh

came

in

the

Nangal District

Court

of

family have always

when to

the

Komagata

Calcutta,

and

in

‘connection with Budge-Budge incident, several persons absconded for whom warrants were issued by the Government, my father, in April, 1915 got Piara Singh®®!, a well know absconder arrested. On this, the enemies of my _ family 389

Judgement

390

Had-bast

Case No. 2 of 1924. p. 234. No.

61.

Area.

293 Hectares.

The whole

village is owned

by

Bains Sikh-Jats.

“391

Bhai

Piara

Singh

Sangha

Sikh-Jat

of village

Langeri,

one

mile to the

South of Mahalpur, he was elected M.L.A. from Mahalpur Constituancy.

Biographies of the Babar Akalis

428

colluded with the companions of the absconders and committed a, murder in my house. | was made Zai/dar by the Government and» my family was given 5 squares of land as a reward of our loyalty. In 1921, when | became Zai/dar, | gave evidence against many Akalis and made report against many absconders, hence alli the absconders were against me. My enemies, who were not pleased in seeing me in this condition not being able to injure

me

in this

way

joined

the

absconders

in this

Conspiracy Case) and tried to get me removed

(Babar

Akali-

from the

Zajfdari not an Akai nor

|am and get my squares of land confiscated. have taken any part in this movement but am on the contrary against it. | have made a full statement as regards my enimity in my written statement, which is filed, but the portion of the. statement, which | have not give, | will given in the Court of» Session®*?”. Zaildar Beant Singh had supplied some 12 bore cartridges

to Babar Kishan Singh vide evidence Asa Singh®®? (P. W. and Dhanna Singh (P. W. 29)°%. Neither of these

25) two.

witnesses, however actually saw the cartidges, being Babar Kishan Singh Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur,

given. Karam, Singh (Accused No. 8) of Jhinger had gone to Za//dar Beant Singh, who gave them 20 or 25 cartridges. Kishan Singh told

him, that he had guns, but

no

cartridges

and

they

wished

to.

start the work of reforming Jho/i-chuks. Evidence had been led to show that the Za//dar had Licence for a double barrelled gun,

250 cartridges and revolver and 50 cartridges, evidence of P.W.S. 295 and 296 as having

and

made

loaded

purchase

cartridges.

of

The

powder’

evidence

showed that Beant Singh during,

loading machine

(P. W.

1922 and

from this witness for the

392

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924. pp. 215-237.

393 394

ibid., pp. 215-237. ibid., pp. 252-277.

395

Hushnak Singh-Retired Subedar of Nangal

There was also. to this accused caps, unloaded

Kalan.

297)%°°

1923,

purpose

also...

borrowed

a,

of loading,

History of the Babar Akalis

~430

“machine from this witness for the purpose of leading his Syad Ahmed Shah***, Inspector, opened one of the cartridges. -cartridge, foundin the bandolier of Ude Singh of Ramgarh - Jhugian, in the cartridges he found two piecesof paper, which had been used as wadding. One of these namely bears the words “8. Singh Zaild Nang,’ written in pencil and it was contended there by the prosecution that this was the writing of Zaildar Beant “Singh. It was also alleged that these two pieces of paper were “fragments of the Hoshiarpur Akhbar which used to be circulated *to him.

In his cross examination, Beant ~the writing was

his.

He

further

Singh

Zai/dar

denied

having

denied

that

borrowed

the

loading machine from (P. W. 297)%°?. He further stated that “he and his family had always been loyal to the British ‘Government and that in April, 1915, his father got arreated Piara “Singh of Langeri well know absconder and in consequence

“enemies

of

his

family

in collusion

with

some

the

associates

-~of the absconder Piara Singh, committed murder in his house. He was made a Za//dar and given 5 squares of land. He further alleged that when he become Za//dar and had given evidence against many Aka//s and against many absconders, his enemies

implicated him

in this case.

He denied being an Aka//

having

taken partin this conspiracy. This assertion of loyalty and giving of evidence against Aka/is and absconders ‘is supported

by P. Ws. 196°, 198°°° and 290% Ishar Singh, a_ retired Inspector of Police’ (P.W.53) also stated that his father supplied information, which led to the arrest of Piara Singh of

396

P.W. 458

397

Khan Bahadur

was the Inspector of Police C.I.D.

398

Hukam

Punjab p. 801,

Dost. Mohd. S.I. Police, Patiala.

Singh son of Sunder of Baibalpur. p. 487.

399

Darbara Singh son of Nihal Singh of Baibalpur. p. 489.

400

Zaildar Atma Singh, village Achharwal.

--401

Son of Hira Singh, age 59, village Bilga

p. 589.

p. 302.

“Biographies of the Babar Akalis

431

“Langeri. As a reward, Chanda Singh, was made a Zaildar by the ‘Deputy Commissioner but some seven days after the arrested ‘Piara Singh, the Zai/dar was shot dead in his house?2. ~Judgement “lam satisfied from the evidence accused did supply some cartridges

that Beant Singe Zai/dar to the Babar Akalis but

‘coes this necessarily prove his complicity in the conspiracy ? The Assessors are of opinion that this has not been proved and after

consideration

of

his

is nothing also against this

case,

~conspiracy and it has not been shown he

cartridges,

did

so

to

connect

that when

the object

with

view.

in this

| agree

accused

of

him he

gave

promoting

~of the conspiracy and in furtherance of the common

There

with the

the these aims

intentions;

nor is there any convincing evidence that this accused

had

any

‘knowledge of the intentions and designs of the conspirators. It seems to me that his actions was promoted more by a desire to keep in touch with the conspirators and one which arose out of fear for his own Sofety. In any case if any offence has been “committed by this accused, it falls more within the definition of harbouring than anything else. For the above reason | find Beant Singh accused not guilty and acquit him*®. 89.

“90.

Babar Jaswant

Singh

Babar Atma Singh Babar Jaswant Singh, age 27 years,

17 years, sons of Sham

Babar Atma Singh, age

Singh Za//dar Rai Sikh-Jats,

belonged to

village Khusropur, one of the suburbs*™* of Jalandhar Cantonment. Jaswant Singh, stated before Louis. A. Bull, Special Magistrate, on April 3, 1924 :—! have enmity with Sant Kartar Singh (P.W. 9) the approver, as he and his companions (Babar Akalis) Za//dar, and my wanted to murder my father, Sham Singh 402

The author is told by Sardar retired

that

the

arrest

was

Piara Singh’s nephew Sardar Mit Singh effected near the Kuta of Sant.

situated between the villages of Pindori-Ladha

403 ~404

Judgement Had-bast

Case No. 2 of 1924.

Singh and Binjon.

pp. 235-236.

No. 246. Area. 61 Hectares. P.S. Sadr-Jalandhar.

B.D.O

Tulsa Singh

History of the Babar Akalis:

432 father-in-law,

Sham

Singh

Za//dar

of Talhan

got

Sant Kartar-

Singh imprisoned in connection with delivering political lectures. So out of enmity, this case has been made against me*®®. He. further said that, “| am not an Aka//, nor have | taken any part in any Aka/i movement. | am a graduate of Khalsa College, Amritsar.

In

my college

statement of Jaswant

brother.

days, my character

Singh

was

was good”.

This

corroborated by his younger

Their father Za//dar Sham Singh, a retired store-keeperDepartment and the late Sham Singh

of the Military of Medical

Zaildar

of Talhan*®®

(P.W. 49)

was

the grand-father

of

the

wives of both, who married two sisters. Their father-in-law was. a retired Extra Assistant Commissioner. Judgernent “| have considered the cases of these two ascused and in. my opinion, their connection with the conspiracy, has not been. established beyond reasonable doubt. There is no reason to disbelieve the evidence as to cartridges, having been offered to. Kishan Singh (Accused No. 1) and givento Babu Santa Singh. (Accused No. 51) by these two accused but even so, their case is not very different to that of Beant Singh Zai/dar and some of the others. Both these accused belong to very respectable. and a local family and it seems to me that their action was dictated, more with view to secure the favour of the. conspirators and thus obtaining immunity from any contemplated attack on members of their family, Sham Singh Zai/dar(P. W. 49) admittedly gave evidence against Sant Kartar Singh (P. W. 9) in the proceedings against him under Section 107, Cirminal Procedure Code. It is also to be noted

that this Sham Singh

(P. W. 49) is entered

at No.

18 on

the.

Black list of the Babar Akalis. Agreeing with the Assessors as regards Jaswo nt Singh and disagreeing with them as regard Atma Singh, | find both these accused not guilty and acquit them. 405 406

Trial-Case

No. 2 of 1924. pp. 1063-1066. Had bast No. 185. Area. 369 Hectares. P.S. Sadr Jalandhar. two miles to the north from Jalandhar Cantt.

It is situatecs,

Biographies of the Babar Akalis

433

“Agreeing with the Assessors, as regards Jaswant Singh and disagreeing with them as regards Atma Singh, | find both these accused not quilty and acquit them?°*”’.

91.

Babar Chhaja

Singh

Babar Chhaja Singh, age 36 years, son of Sardar Ishar Singh Gili Sikh-Jat, belonged to village Chanso Jattan*°*, Tahsil Garhshankar, District Hoshiarpur. He was popularly known in his area, as Chhaja Singn Sherdi/, (the lion hearted). He had served in the 25th Sikh Regiment, where he proved himself to be a seasoned soldier. After some time, he resigned from the army and began to cultivate his lands. He was first arrested on 5th November, 1923. On April3, 1924 he stated before Louis A. Bull. Special Magistrate’’ In Ba/sakh (April), last | was coming from the threashing field. | met Sardar Gulzara Singh and two constables near my bara (cattleshed). He called me. When | went close to him, he asked, why | did not make Slamm (salute) to him. | said, that because, he did not have his uniform on and | didknow, who he was. | therefore, did

not make a Sa/aamto him. He said that he was Gulzara Singh, Thanedar. He asked me if there was any Aka/i in They the village, to which | replied that there were none. |! stood in the shade and asked me to bring water for him. had no milk and sugar so | took water in a gadwa. The Thanedar refused to drink the water. Two

or

three months

house or not ? | said no.

Singh of Baibalpur was Munshi

Himat

later,

Khan

About

killed, was

the

7hanedar,

if there was

He asked me

called me again.

10 or

Singh

in my

12 days, after

sent

| was

Gulzara

milk now for

the

The Lamerdar

present,

Dhanna

Thana. and

the

Chokidars were taken inside.. After that the Lambardars were He He then sent for me. asked to go back to the villages. 407

Judgement

408

Had-bast

Case No. 2 of 1924 pp. 236-237.

No.104.

Area

240.

Hectares.

P.S. Mahalpur.

434

History of the Babar Akalis

then accused

me of my being

a badmash

asked me, if | had given a bomb

of Baibalpur. put

on

my buttocks

charcter).

and a pistol

to Dhana

| said, that | did not give them

meina kothri (solitary

beaten

(bad

confinement

and was

told

to him.

room) that

He

Singh

He then

where

| should

I was

say

that

| did give them to Dhanna Singh. After that | was kept there for two

days and my challan came. | was then challaned.

Next day,

Gulzara Singh, Sub-inspector came, | was kept there for two days more and my challan was not prepared, but | was

Singh

then

men

had

said

been

that

Dhanna

killed,

and

Singh

beaten. Gulzara

and

that

he

seven

(Gulzara

other

Singh)

enjoyed a certain prestige in his ///aga (area)

and

that | should

keep up his name, and that he should

him

something

give

I said to him

try to get me imlicated

| was

then

put

up

in the

said

that

he

was

going

lock up.

in a case.

Hamir Singh, Hava/dar, then

to search my house. and

Munshi

then

came

Himat

Iwas taken Khan,

to Jalandhar,

| then ran away house and

found

they beat

where

from there.

the

with

Police

he was

Hamir

Singh

Hava/dar

the

whole

night.

me

| was

that

to

put away and | should recover that.

sent

|

to the Kotwa//.

On the third day, | reached my

guarding

my

house.

After that, |

surrendered myself before the Superintendent of Police, Hoshiarpur. Then Lala Buta Ram, brought me to Mahalpur Thana and | was harassed and beaten. Lala Buta Ram said that | should get the things recovered and that | should not suffer in any way.

Lala Buta Ram, threatened me that he would send for my women folk and disgrace them. | was then brought to Jalandhar and they beat me there. In the end, they gave me tea and! became unconscious and | was taken away in a car somewhere, | do not know where’’.40 See 409

ee

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924.

pp. 1067-1070.

“Biographies of the Babar Akalis

435

Lala Buta Ram, Inspector (P.W. 438)42°

stated

that

a few

‘days after the death of Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpu r at ‘Manahana, he was informed that the revolver, found on his person on that occasion, was given to him by Babar Chhaja

~ Singh (Accused No. 91). He was arrested on the 5th November, 1923, but escaped from custody, at the Railway Police Station, Jalandhar

while

being

taken

to

the

C.I.D.

Office

there.

He

surrendered himself to the Superintendent of Police, Hoshiarpur “onthe Ist December, 1923 and on 30th December he took the Inspector Khan Bahadur Abdul Ghafur Khan*!! and other Police Officers to a spot near Nangal Khurd, from where, under a Pipal ~tree he produced the revolver (Exh. P/187) and a bomb similar to Exh, P/42, This bomb was sent to the Arsenal at

Ferozepur and destroyed by Lieutenant Creast (P.W. 301). Babar ~ Chhaja Singh then took the party to another spot, some 10 or 12 miles distant, near the village of Lil Khurd and froma hole under a mango tree, produced the 30 revolver cartridges. The production of these articles by Chhaja Singh was also Ch. Sultan Ahmed*!2, District “deposed to by Khan Bahadur «Magistrate, Hoshiarpur who accompanied the investigating party and signed the two recovery lists.

Kartar Singh*#?

{P/187)

(P.W.10)

with Babar

stated that

Dhanna Singh.

he saw this revolver

Battan Singh**

(P.W. 11)

deposed that he saw it with Babu Santa Singh, on the occasion -of the Nangal Shaman affair and the second attempt on the life 410

dala

Buta

Sikh

Freedom

Ram

(P.W.438) Fighters.

Inspector

He

ill-treated

C.I.D. all

was

very

the Babar

accepting handsome bribes, he tortured, and insulted

hostile

to

the

Akalis,

Even after

the Babar

Akalis to

the maximum. $11

P.W.

386.

He

was

the

D.S.P. Hoshiarpur.

Trial

Case No.

2 of 1924,

Da/ 132

12

413

-=414

Khan Bahadur Chaudary Sultan Commissioner of Hoshiarpur.

Of Buro-Barian

Ahmed

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924,

(P.W.

472)

pp. 48 67.

A Jhiwar approver, Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924. pp. 77-97.

was

the

Deputy

436

History of the Babar Akalis-;

of Labh Singh of Dhadda Fatteh Singh and in the murder ofSubedar Gainda Singh, of Ghurial. Anup Singh*” (P.W. 17) also. deposed in regard to this revolver, being with Babu Santa Singh. on this occasion and with Dhanna Singh*!® (P.W. 29) of Pindori.. Bawa Das, in the Kaulgarh murders. Jawaia Singh*” (P.W.381) also stated that he saw the revolver P/187 and two bombs, similar to P/42, with Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur on one and on a subsequent occasion, Babar Dhanna Singh

occasion had with .

him the revolver P/169, which was found at Babeli. On this latter occasion, Babar Dhanna Singh informed him that he had left the. revolver (P/187) with Chhaja Singh. It is also alleged against

this accused that he used to harbour or afford asylum to BabarDhanna Singh of Baibalpur and on one occasion when Dhanna.

Singh fell ill, Chhaja Singh treated him. Findings of the Session

Court

“There is not the least doubt

that cartridges

were produced» does this.

and shown by Chhaja Singh, but the question arises, prove Chhaja Singh’s participation in the conspiracy ?”

“At the same time, | am not consequence, Chhaja Singh was liable murders committeed in pursuance of nothing to show, when he joined the killed on

the 5th

the

25th October

November, 1923.

and

prepared to hold that in for abetment of any of the. the conspiracy. These have . conspiracy. Dhanna Singh

Chhaja Singh

was arrested on

The last murder said to be connected °

with this conspiracy was that of Jawala Singh, on the 13th/14th

Nov. 1923, after the arrest of the accused. The last murder in which

415

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924. pp. 145-169.

416

Trial-Case No. 2 of 1924. pp. 252 277.

417

Jawala Singh son of Sunder Singh and brother of Bela Singh of village Jian, who got killed Babar Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur and_ effected the

arrest Of Dalip 702-707.

Singh

(Accused

No.

76) Trial Case

No. 2: 0f.1924, pp...

Biographies of the Babar Akalis

437

“Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur was concerned, was that of Ralla and

“Dittu, on the 20th/21st May, 1923’’. -Judgement “In view of all these circumstances, | would apply section to the case of this accused. In agreement with the Assessors, | find Chhaja Singh guilty of criminal conspiracy and “convict him of an offence under Section 120-B/115 of the I.P. Code and sentence him to 5 years ‘rigorous imprisonment 115

including

three

months’

solitary

confinement and a fine of imprisonment in default. ‘Lalso find him guilty of having in his secret control fire arms -and Military stores viz. Mill's Bombs and convicting him of ‘an offence under Section 14/20 of the Arms Act. | sentence him “to five year’s rigerous imprisonment including three months’ solitary “confinement and a fine of Rs. 100/- or one year’s further rigorous ‘imprisonment in default. The sentences will be concurrent’’.4'8

“Rs. 100/- or one year’s further rigorous

THE

MARTYRS

According to the Sikh traditions the following Babar Akalis “died, fighting the foe, even though, they were offered great “rewards, titles and other facilities for surrender. “heroic deeds are the light houses, for the

The tales of their

younger generations, to

“follow their foot prints.

“92

Jathedar Karam Jathedar

‘Sikh

Singh Thandi

Karam Singh,

alias

Jat of village Daulatpur,4!®

Narain

of Daulatpur Singh,

was

a Thandi

situated on the Nawanshahar-

‘Balachaur Road, in the District of Jalandhar. His father’s name was

“Natha Singh*2° Thandi, and his mother’s name was Mrs. Dulli from ‘village Kaulgarh. Jathedar Karam Singh was born in 1880. His “father, Natha Singh Thandi had another brother named Waryam “Singh Thandi. Jathedar Karam Singh had one brother, Hari Singh,

-419

Judgement Case No. 2 of 1924. pp. 237-238. Had-bast No, 234, Area 186 Hectares, P.S. Rahon.

“429

Sardar Natha Singh had two brothers :—Teja Singh and Waryam Singh.

418

History of the Babar Akalis~

438 children are

whose

now in Canada.

Jathedar

Karam

Singh

of~

Daulatpur served in the army for 8 years Then he became the disciple of Sant Karam Singh of Hoti Mardan, who had been a. great Saint. He meditated for several years, in his village when he

made an under-ground iron-house, where he used to pray, having only one meal on the alternative days.

His uncle Waryam Singh, when learnt about his nephew’s such activities, he sent for him to Canada. Reaching Canada, Karam Singh began to live a life of recluse. His reputation, as a pious man and as atrue Sikh had spread through Canada and United States, like a wild fire. Ghadar Movement had just started. Karam Singh was a man whocould not keep himself aloof. His political activities were being watched by the Canadian

Government. Ultimately he was sent back to India. Since he was much shocked to see the detested life of Indians, in Canada and. also

he

had

seen

the

atrocious

treatment

of

the

British

Government, with the Indian people. He preferred to live an honourable life, a life of an independent Indian. Jathedar Karam Singh was an untired man, a great organiser, most popular among the people and one of thefounders of the Babar Bkali Movement, Even Babar Kishan Singh

Gargajj had to accede to his advice. He commanded a great respect. Aman of strongest character, he was straight-forward *

and advanced person in every political campaign; to reform the. J/holi-Chucks. He was always in the fore front. He actively took . part in the following :— 1.

Looted from Ram Ditta Alias Kaka Lamberdar, of Bachauti, . on 3rd July, 1923, Rs. 570-2-0, the Government Revenue,._. which he was going to deposit in the Tahsil treasury at Balachaur, for the purchase of arms and ammunition, for the party.

2.

Hewas

the leader to commit dacoity at Jadla to

loot

away twenty two thousand rupees from Seth Munshi: Ram Handa, but by chance, the Seth had deposited the.

Biographies of the Babar Akalis sum with

amount

the

Bank

only

439 the

fallen into the hands

Had

this

of the Babar Akalis,

previous

the

party could be very strong with ammunition, out of that money. 3.

Labh

Singh of

arrest of Babar

Dhadda

day.

purchase of arms

Fatteh Singh had

Kishan Singh Gargajj,

Kabul Singh of Barring village,

and

arranged the

with the

the son-in-law

help of

of Labh

Singh, a cousin of Babar Kishan Singh. So the Babars had planned to kill both. Karam Singh, alongwith his companions tried on his life thrice but failed all the times, as the traitor began to stay with his daughter at Binang, a suburb of Jalandhar Cantonment. 4.

Hazara Singh, an uncle of Dhanna Singh of Baibalpur and a great toady, was reporting about the activities of

the Babars and also used

to tantalize

Dhanna Singh

of

Baibalpur, for his participation in the Babar Akal? Movement. This could not be tolerated by the Babars. Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur murdered Hazara Singh, alongwith his own other comrades, in a broad day light.

5.

Ralla and Dittu Lamberdars, both the brothers, were the They both were uncles of Karam Singh. maternal the the activities of Babar Akalis to reporting but desit, to them entreated Singh Government. Karam they had become more regular and active in their work than before.

So they both were murdered, which opened the ears of such minded people that the Babar Akalis do not spare even their own kith and kins.

6.

However, an encounter with the British Cavalry and Mounted Police at village Babeli, near Chaunta Sahib Gurdawara, on Ist September, was 1923, most unfortunate for four brave Babars. They had to face the

History of the Babar Akalis

440

heavy odds, without arms, as Anud Singh (P.W. 17) of Manko, the traitor, had made all their arms unserviceable and also supplied the most accurate information of their location at the village Babeli, through his uncle Bogh Singh of Manko. Bogh Singh (P.W. 462) later was awarded four alongwith his two sons, squares of land for his treachery. Karam Singh was asked by Bibi Pal Kaur, wife of Mehar Singh of Babeli that they should not face the enemy being all armsless, rather they should escape through the thick and high crops, between the village of Babeli to that of village Kangror, the distance of ten miles. The crops were grown like thick jungles. Karam

Singh

answered

we

Kaur,

Pal

“Sister

have

said

our

ardas, we know our arms have been taken away by traitor Anup Singh, we will face the enemy cheerfully”. towards the forces of this, they jumped Replying a the Superintendent of Police, dying Mr. Smith, martyr’s death and saying ‘‘Bo/e so Nihal, Sat Sri Akal".

A few excerpts about the Jathedar are given below :—

“Some

3 years

Daulatpur delivered

to wear

ago,

Narain

a speech in

Singh

my village,

(Karam advising

Khadar to distrust the Jho/i-Chucks and

without any spice.

He told us also not

to pay

Singh)

of

the people

to eat them up revenue

and that

Savraj would be attained by the 31st August**, 1923”

“Some two years ago, a diwan was held at Nawanshahar at which Narain Singh (Karam Singh) of Daulatpur delivered a

speech in which he said that the English had taken possession of Mecca and other religious places and that they should be

421

P.W. 42, Nagina

Jadla 19.8.23.

Singh son of Diwan Singh

age 60, Mazahb/

Sikh village

“Biographies of the Babar Akalis

441

“expelled PA/181,

from the country, | see the photographs in Court. the photograph of Narain Singh alias Karam Singh of * Daulatpur’’.422

“Karam Singh was previously known as Narain Singh and he ~and I took Amrit together at Nankana Sahib and his name was * changed to Karam Singh and mine to Mehtab Singh, | was very ‘pleased to hear of the holding of this d/wan and went to see him (Karam Singh, Dau!atpur). | met him and he told me that Ganda Singh, a Safaidposh of Daulatpur, had taken away his workers and supporters and so he was unable to hold the diwan. | said

that | would support him with my body, soul and money. He and 1 collected subscriptions and issued notices to the effect that e political diwan would be heldin Daulatpur on some dates in February, 1921. Nabi Bakhsh, Za//dar of Langroa*?? and the then Thanedar of

Rahon,

told us that a

Political

d/wan could

not be

“held in the District as this was prohibited by law. Karam Singh of Daulatpur, and I then decided to hold the diwan in Hashiarpur ‘ District, where there was no prohibition. We issued notices for the same dates and fixed the place for the holding of the Diwan -at Mehatpur,4?4 in Hoshiarpur District. The diwan was held and many people assembled, including Karam Singh of Jhingran.*?° A month later

a political

d/wan

was held

at the

village of

Karam Singh at Jhingar. Karam Singh of Daulatpur and | were present at this d/wan. Karam Singh of Daulatpur informed me on this occasion that a warrant had been issued for him, on account of his lecturing against Government and that he proposed to abscond and hide himself. After the d/wan, | returned to my village

422

and

that night

Karam Singh

of

Daulatpur,

to me

P.W. 48 Amar Singh son of Khushal Singh, age 29, Jat-Sikh village Jauhal.

423

Had-bast No. 137 Area 494 Hectares, P.S. Nawanshahar.

424

Had-bast

No. 183 Area 510 Hectares P.S. Balachaur.

P.W.

Asa

425

came

25.

Singh, the

case No, 2 of 1924, p. 215.

approver of village Phakrudi, P.S. Rahon;

Trial

History of the Babar Akalis::

442

issued: and told me about midnight that a warrant had also been | was. away. go for me and suggested that both of us should in the fields and

Both of us went and slept

of this.

not aware

decided that we would

and deliver

evade arrest

lectures against

the Government and spread disaffection. Next morning we went to Balachaur, where there is a thana and delivered a lerture there. | read a poem and Karam Singh of Daulatpur, lectured. We also lectured in the neighboring villages. Karam Singh of Daulatpur

amongst other things used to lecture to the effect that we would take over the Courts and Sikhs would be placed in the Place of Commissioner, and if the Sikhs were removed other Deputy their places. The poems which | used to read were take would composed by Karam Singh of Daulatpur, and others :—

“Akhan Kholo Hindi Bhaio Keum Gharkadi Jandi Hai”. “Pichhale same si kadar asadi kheti paida karde si”. **Pindan wich panch ap-adalat Karde si”. “Ghar-ghar sau-sau mhian gaian wag asade charde si". “Hun tan nasal asadi viro rukhi roti Khandi hai". | Know many poems like this which | used to recite at these diwans (P.W. 25 Asa Singh Phakrud!. P-217).

93

Babar Ude Singh Ramgarh-Jhugian

Babar Ude Singh was the son of Sardar Bir Singh Bhoot Sikh Jat.?*° Bir Singh Bhoot had three sons, Ishwar Singh, Ude Singh and Battan Singh. The founder of his village Ramgarh

Jhugian,?27,

was Ram Singh Bhoot,

who came from

the village

of Khan Khanna, about 240 years ago. Ramgarh was named after

its founder Ram Singh and some people were settled near the village, having 426

This

tribe

erstwhile Zamindars.

of

Jats, is found

Bhawalpur They

are

in majority,

State,

now

formed

in

from

other a Jat Spet; the former being Jats are a branch of Abraks, with

said to be the branch of Bhatti

for their sundry works, made their Jhugian*?®

in the Sadqabad

Pakistan,

where

two distinct groups,

few, whom

the later

Rajputs (A Glossary-Vol.

Had-bast No.

208 Area 101

Hectares, P.S. Balachaur.

428

Had-bast No.

190 Area 93 Hectares, P.S. Balachaur

are

of the -

Muslim,.

one a block, the

numerous.

they intermarry,

427

Kardari,

they

The

but they

Il, p. 109.)

Bhoot are alsa:

Biographies of the Babar Akalis (huts). His mother’s

443::

name was Kirpo,

son Preeto, hardly of one year old,

who brought up

when

Ude Singh

his only»

had earned’

the title of a martyr, in an encounter against the British Cavalry and Mounted forces under the command of Mr. Smith, the then ,

Superintendent of Police of Jalandhar, on Ist September, 1923. From his early age Ude Singh was a man of vengefully rapacious nature. He was hardly of 15 years of age, when hethrew down his elder brother Ishwar Singh ona triffle. It was with great difficulty that all the villagers,

who had assembled

at

the request of his elder brother, Ishwar Singh that Ude Singh had reconciled. Ude Singh was aman of great determination. In alk the meetings of the active Babar Akalis, he was invariably invited to participate. He always prevailed upon others by the virtue ofhis solid and farsighted suggestions. At the meeting of Kaulgarh, some important decisions, with» policy of the movement, were to be taken. So the leading members :— regard to the future

Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Ude Singh of Ramgarh: Jhugian, Harnam Singh of Garhi Qanumgoan, Dalip Singh of Sandhara, Bawa Singh of Kaulgarh, Udham Singh of Kaulgarh. and Asa Singh of Phakrudi were invited. Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur suggested that the work of mudering of Jho/i-Chucks should be immediately taken into hand. Some _ of themembers of this committee were of the opinion that the timewas not yet ripe. Ude Singh said

‘‘every moment is a ripe time. programme the endorse fully | Delay not the proposed action. agreed. everybody So Daulatpur’. of Singh of Jathedar Karam and the work of doing away with the Jho/i-Chucks was started.

Babar

Ude

Singh

was

an

absconder

from

the army.

His:

conscience was pricked by the atrocious treatment of the British: He had already seen in the recent Government with the Sikhs. Affair, Guru-ka-bagh-Morcha Budge Sikh movements like Budge were _ ill-treated’ Sikhs the how Jaito-Morcha and to get. foreign rulers Babar Ude Singh rose against the

-444

History of the Babar Akalis

‘independence for his mother land. ‘Movement,

in

which

‘countributed upto

he

his

He joined the

whole’

last

heartedly

breath.

He

Babar

Akali

and _ honestly

was the most dynamic

epersonality and devoted to perform his duties.

ie

it was the first enterprise of Babar Ude Singh, to participate in

the

robbery

of

robbing

Ram _ Ditta,

Alias

Kaka

Lamberdar of Bachauri, a sum of Rs. 570-2-0 the Government revenue, which was to be deposited in tha Government

treasury

at

Balachaur

Sub-tahsil on 3rd

July, 1923.

He ws

actively associated by the leading

in their meetings

held

Babar Akalis,

in the Babar Akalis High

Court,

at village Jassowal, in December, 1922, in which very important decisions were taken for the future working of the party. On February 3, 1923, Ude Singh took active part

decoity of Jadla Though the

amount

in the

of rupees twenty

thousand could not be found, yet the people of that area had received much relief from Seth Munshi Ram, who was the blood sucking money-Leader and an informer. Since that day Seth Munshi

Ram had desisted from his

anti-Babar Akali activities. He took part in the murder of Diwan of Hyatpur, who Was agreat sycophant and also a first class cheat and thief. He was a blood sucker of the poor people. Diwan was murdered on 14th Feberuary, 1923.

Babar Ude Singh attempted along with other Sabar Akalis thrice to murder Labh Singh of Dhadda Fatteh Singh, on the 14th-17th and 23rd March 1923, at whose instance Babar Kishan Singh was arrested. Labh Singh had become over cautious from “the Babar Akalis. He had left his village to stay with i his daughter, who was married at the village of Barring, tnear Jalandhar-Cantonment.

Biographies of the Babar Akalis 6.

445:

It was here at Baibalpur that Lembardar Hazara Singh,.. a sycophant had escaped from the Babars, but Ude-~ Singh caught hold of his hand and did not allow him to.. run away. The Lambardar was murdered in a broad day light.

7.

Babar

Ude

Singh

took

active

part to

refrain

the

Lambardar and the Chaukidars of village Pindori-Nijran... Being terrified from the Babar Akalis, they had reconciled

and thus saved their lives.

8.

Again Babar

Ude

Singh

accompained other Babars to.

murder Ralla and Dittu Lambardars of Kaulgarh

on 21stMay 1923, who were the informers and were reporting: against the activities of the Babars.

9.

But the most unfortnuate and tragic was against

the

British

Cavalry

aud

the encounter,

Mounted

Police

at

village of Babeli, on Ist December, 1923, when Anup. his four Singh (P.W. 17) of Manko had betrayed companions,

by

making

their arms

unserviceable and

Anup: at the.

removing away the bombs and the ammunition. Singh of Manko had planned this treachery connivance of his uncle Bogh

Singh

Dhillon of Manko.

Ude Singh, alongwith his other three comrades i. e. Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Babar Bishan Singh of Mangat and Babar Mahinder Singh of Pindori Ganga Singh were taken all of a sudden at the village Babeli. They were made armsless and no opportunity was given So all the four died the martyre’s to them to escape.

death, fighting against the foe**®. ’s.. Ude Singh’s wife died a few months’ later of her husband Kirpo. Mrs. martyrdom. His only son was brought up by his mother

She also

expired

after

four

years.

Thus Pritoo,

the

only of

Tilson nn ee 429

Trial-Case No, 2 of 1924p. 643.

The Statement

of

Rai

la State. Durga Dass, Inspector General of Police. Kapurtha

Bahadur

EEE Diwan»

AAG

History of the Babar Akalis

this brave patriot could not get proper training and education. He lives a life of almost a pauper. Babar Ude Singh has also “his grandson, but economically the family lives hardly from «hand to mouth. There is only one acre of land ot Pritoo, which -4s insufficient even for his own livelihood.

Childern --supported by “Government.

of

such honest

and

brave

patriots

should

be

the State especially, when there is democratic The author visited the village, of this brave son of

the sail, on October 13, 1985. The Babars only son 6’.2” feet long “was Wearing Jang/a (under wear), smoking a Huqgqa, was sitting

~in a very small Kacha Kotha (mud-made room). The people of the village were critical of the Government for the utter neglect of childern of the freedom fighters. 94.

Babar Mahinder

Singh

Babar Mahinder Singh, son of Sardar Labh Singh Budhwal ~Sikh Saini, was born in 1901. He was the only son of his father who lost his parents in his early age. He joined the 47 Sikh Regiment, while he was only a teenager. Babar Mahinder Singh “"was an active solider. His officers appreciated his devotion to duty, sense of regularity and

obedience

to his seniors.

All his

“colleagues, loved him for his amiable nature. During his four or ‘five years service, he was greatly moved by the ill-treatment meted out to the Sikhs, by the British Government, at Budge’ Budge, Nankana Sahib, Guru-ka-Bagh-Morcha andon other such occasions. Under the influence of the Sikh, Movements, he ‘became an Aka/i and started infusing a spirit of freedom among ‘his army comrades. As a consequence of the information supplied by his unit ~C.1.D. his activities began to be watched by his Commander. ' Ultimately his officers turned against him. His hatred against the Foreign rule graduaily increased. He was court martialled ~for his anti-British Government activities. Instead of giving him “punishment, the Military Court-Martial relieved him of his charge, “on April 1922.

“Biographies of the Babar Akalis

447

After reaching his village Pindori-Gaga Singh*®®, Mahalpur, District Hoshiarpur, he devoted himself to the Social

Welfare.

He

founded

a

Panchyat

and

a

Thana task of

Congress

“Committee. The people elected him the Secretary of the Congress Committee of his village and the Jathedar of the Akali ~Jatha. He knew Gurmukhi and was a “nit nemi (Regular

Hyrun reciter)’’ of live Gurbanis. He was a prompt distributor “of the Babar Akali Doaba \eaflets. Jathedar Karam Singh of ‘Oaulatpur, whose village was very near to his village, had heard about the sincerity and devotion of this politically awakened

young man. The Jathedar took him into the fold of the Babar Akalis. Mahinder Singh's spirit of freedom was enkindred asa eresult

of his contact with Jathedar

Karam

Singh

of

Daulatpur,

‘the real force behind the movement. His village Pindori-Ganga Singh is owned by Sahota Sikh Jats and Budhwal Sainis. Both the communities were full fully “united and fighters.

the This

people were enthused with the spirit of freedom was

one

of

those

villagers,

which

sufferred

“greatly, financially and economically. A Police-post was ‘established here, to keep a strict watch on the activities of the “villagers. They could not freely move about. Their relatives, who happened to visit them, were also searched and questioned. The people stoutly supported the Babar Aka/i Movement and mone co-operated with the British Government. They stood ‘united, till today. However, Bhulla Singh Lambardar, a Sahota -Jat was hostile to the Babar Akalis and loyal to the British ‘Government, but he could do no harm to these freedom fighters. Babar

Mahinder

Singh

wasa

‘hardly 19 years, when he became

great

marksman.

an active

Babar

author is told by Babar Shiv Singh with of meals, morning their taking

~4.31

was

The

whom the Babars were an Babeli.*** village

Se a

430

He

Akali.

Had-bast No. 81. Area, 298 Hectares.

Had-bast No. 6. Area, 396 Hectares, P.S. Phagwara.

eee

448

History of the Babar Akalis>

eyewitness forces,

on

of

the

encounter

with

the

Ist September, 1923, how

British

Government

this lad had jumped over

the foes with a sword. He told further that the soldiers did not like to attack him due to his very tender age. His gait was. very brisk and a smile on his face that Mr. Smith, the Commander of this operation asked one of his Sikh Officers that the little promising young boy should be protected and brought to a safer place. He was several times asked by the Officers to come to them but he. was ahead of all to attack the British force. When he died fighting, the people, who had seen him,

were bitterly weeping. All the soldiers and the Officers were. greatly moved on the untimely demise of Babar Mahinder Singh.

While lying dead, his face looked smiling.*??

95.

Babar Bishan

Singh Mangat

Babar Bishan Singh,

village Mangat,*?

son of Sardar

District

Jalandhar,

Ishar Singh Mangat, of

was

born in 1888.

Mrs.

Malan, his worthy mother, was God fearing and saintly, belonged:

to village two

Balialon, District Hoshiarpur. Babar Bishan Singh

brothers

named

Rakha

Singh

Mangat, and one sister Mrs. Punam

Mangat,

Kaur,

who

Gurbaksh

had:

Singh

was married at

the village of Manko,234 District Jalandhar. Of all his brothers. Babar Bishan Singh was the eldest. His brother Gurbaksh Singh Mangat, who had to undergo untold sufferings, remained) an active Babar Aka/i, throughout his life, Bishan Singh Mangat was not only the best ‘gatka’ sportsman. He was honest

Jathedar Karam Singh him into his fold.

of

player but also a very quick and hard working youngman.

Daulatpur

“The 4th Babar*®> had concealed 432

Babar

Shiv

Singh

Chahal, village

and

Mrs.

Pal

Kaur

on

26th Sept., 1922 took.

himself in some wife

reeds

of Late Sardar Mehar

Babeli

433

Had-bast No.

434

The village of Anup Singh (P,W. 17), a great traitor.

16, Area 185 Hectares, P.S. Banga.

435

Babar Bishan Singh of Mangat.

on Singh,

Biographies of the Babar Akalis

449

the other side of the choe. Mr. Smith, concluded that all the 4 Babbars had been accounted for and told me to post sentries. | sent a troop round the other side of the choe. This troop searched among

the reeds, but could not see any

one.

There

was

some

movement among the reeds and! told two men ofthe troops to go and see who had caused this. As they advanced and approached the spot, 4th Babar got up and shouting Set Sri Akal made an attack on the two men, holding a sword in one hand anda Kirpan in the other. One of my men slipped and fell and this 4th Babar dealt him a blow, which inflicted a very very slight wound more or less a scratch. The Sabar then

attempted to get access the choe to escape but my 2nd tropper fired at him and hithim and the Babar fell into the water’’.*°® He was the Jathadar of the Babar Aka/i Jatha of Mangat. Babar Bhan Singh (Accused No. 75) of his village, told the author that Babar Bishan Singh was ‘Puran Gursikh’ and a first class markman. He championed the cause of freedom from the Foreign Rulers. His brother Gurbakhsh Singh Mangat was equally enthusiastic. After the martyrdom of Babar Bishan Singh, on September I, 1923, at Babeli, Gurbakhsh Singh’s movements were restricted by the British Government, to his village. Babar Bishan Singh Mangat was declared a proclaimed offender by the British Government, on August 8, 1923, through this proclamation, anybody, who could provide any clue of his whereabouts

could be

entitled to get

of land, in the Bar Canal Colony, now Golden

Rs. 400/- and six squares

in Pakistan.

Opportunity for the Traitors

This opportunity for the traitors was a “great boon’’ Bogh Singh Dhillon of village Manko was greatly tempted by the Through Anup Singh (P. W. 17) his nephew, who was at offer. that time, a trusted member of Chakarvarty Jatha was induced to arrange the arrest of this group of leading Aka// Babars such 436

Fateh Khan Ex Rasldar. (P.W.

334) Trial case No, 2 of 1924 p. 648.

History of the Babar Akalis

450

Singh of as Jathedar Karam Singh of Daulatpur, Babar Ude Mahinder Singh of Pindori Ganga Ramgarh Jhugian, Babar Dhanna Singh and Babar Bishan Singh Mangat, Luckily Babar 76) left No. ed (Accus Singh of Baibalpur and Bhajangi Dalipa the the Jatha on the evening of 31st August, 1923, where as Singh Bogh of design sinister the to other four fella prey All the four Dhillon and his nephew Anup Singh of Manko. andon were at Babeli village on the night of 31st August, 1923, were bombs, and guns d include which September first, their arms, ed arrang Singh Bogh rendered useless by Anup Singh, while of Police their capture through Mr. Smith, the then Supdt. of Jalandhar. ~ Babar Bishan Singh

Mangat

was the

martyr to lay his

last

jife for the noble cause of winning freedom for his country. Babar Dnana

96.

Singh

Baibal!lpur 1891-1923.

Babar Dhanna Singh, son of Sardar Inder Singh Nagra, Sikh

Jat was born in the village

of Baibalpur,*’

near

Kot

Fatui**

once the Chief court Tahsil Garh Shankar, District Hoshiarpur, deeply pained at the was He of the Babar Akalis, in 1922-23. insulting and atrocious treatment meted out to the Sikhs by British He had seen with grave concern the happenings Government.

at Nankana

Sahib,

Jallianwala

Bagh,

Ghru-ka-Bagh-Morcha

and many more such incidents, where the Sikhs were mercilessly beaten, butchered and insulted. Babar Dnanna Singh, a well educated Sikh, became a staunch Babar Aka/i and He was preached the principles of Sikhism to the people.

elected a Jathedar of Akali Jatha of his village, in 1.22. He did not join army but he was a deft marks-man and could handle skilfully all the weapans of the day. Healthy, active and sweet natured as he was, he could easily draw public attention To curb’ his anti-Government preachings. towards his activities, his arrest warrants were issued, but as he did not 437

Had bast No. 94 Area 261 Hectares,

438

Had bast No. 89 Area 233 Hectares, P.S. Mahalpur.

P.S. Mahailpur.

“Biographies of the Babar Akalis

451

‘like to be arrested he joined the Babar Akali Chakarvarti*®® Jatha He, soon became a close associate of Jathedar Karam Singh Be Daulatpur, Babar Ude Singh of Ram Garh Jhugian, Babar Kishan Singh Gargaj and other Aka/i activities. He was

the most active crusader of the Reformation

--Jholi-Chuks.

of the

He took active part in plots of the life of Arjan

Singh Patwari of Haripur, on 16th, was paid C. |. D. employee,

23rd

January,

to send reports

1923,

against the

whe Babar

-Akalis and other political workers. He was with Babu Santa - Singh on February, 1923, when Zai/dar Bishan Singh of Rani _

Thua,

a

notorious

sycophant

- (murdered) by Babu Santa

and

toady,

was

Reformed

Singh single handed and he watched

the whole drama, patiently. On 12th March, 1923, he was the leading force behind the ‘ Reformation operation of Buta Lambardar of Nangal Shaman *4¢ Again he who had a collected huge wealth with sycophancy.

accompanied the

Fatteh

Singh**!,

Babars

who

to

murder

Labh

was instrumental in

Singh

of Dhadda

the arrest

“Kishan Singn Gargaj, on 17th March, 1923. Mistry

of Babar

Labh

Singh,

son of Ralla Singh of Garhshankar, who was in the regular service of the C. |. D. Police, and was supplying day to day ~ information against the Babar Akalis, and other political activities, Santa Singh, Babar Dalipa -~Dhanna Singh alongwith Babu (Accused No. 76) of Dhamian Kalan*** reformed (murdered) the toady on 23rd March, 1923. His own uncle, Hazara Singh _fambardar did not desist from anti Babar Akali activities, -in spite of several

.Jathadar

Karam

(murdered)

at

warnings,

Singh

his

he, alongwith Babu

of Daulatpur,

village,

Baibalpur.

was

publicly

440

Reformed

On March 27th,

i 439

Santa Singh,

Absconding.

Had bast No. 219 Area 118 Hectares, P.S. Sadr Jalandhar.

441

Had bast No. 147 Area 247 Hectares, P.S. Hariana.

$42

Had bast No. 165 Area 286 Hectares, P.S. Hariana.

1923

History of the Babar Akalis>

452

Dhanna Singh actively worked for the success to reform the-. Lambardar and Chaukidars of Pindori-Nijran**?, in April, 1923.

Two brother Lambardars’ Ralla and

village,

near

Balachaur,

were

cunning,

Dittu

of Kaulgarh***

opportunists

clever

toadies, and regular paid employees of the C.1.D. They, in connivance, of the Police, were creating troubles for the peace loving people of his village, by involving them, in false cases. Both the brothers were warned many a time, but they paid noheed, rather mocked at Babar Akali and actively worked as.

Police touts. Babar

Dhanna

Singh, Jathedar

Karam Singh of Daulatpur, .

Ude Singh, Babar Dalipa (Accused No. 76) and some more Babars reformed (murdered) them in a broad day light, on, May, 21,1923.

But the culmination of his supreme sacrifice for the cause of the Independence of his country came with his death, planned at Mananhana** village, on Oct., 25,1923 by Jawala.

Singh of Jian,44* Beant Singh, cousin of Kartar Singh of Burro Barrian,**’ Isher Singh son of Sunder Singh of Baibalpur, | Lakha Singh son of Budhu Bararoo of Mananhana.

of Baibalpur,

Karam Singh

son of

A full account of his sacrifice is given in chapter IV, under the. occurrence No. 22, entitled “‘Explosion of Bomb at Mananhana, 25th October, 1923.”

97.

Babar Banta Singh Dhami Babar

Banta Singh son of Sardar

Waryam

Singh

443

Had bast No. 38 Area 571

444

Had bast No. 218 Area 165 Hectares, P.S. Balachaur.

445

Had bast No. 90 Area 88 Hectares. P.S. Mahalpur.

446

Had bast No. 310 Area 195 Hectares. P.S. Sadar Hoshiarpur.

447

Had bast No. 87 Area 76 Hectares.

Hectares,

P.S. Adampur.

P.S. Mahalpur.

Dhami,

“Biographies of the Babar Akalis

453

“Sikh Jat belonged to village Dhamian Kalan, which is about two miles to the north of Sham-Churasi“® District Hoshiarpur, and ‘is situated about two hundred yards to the West on Sham Chaurasi-Hariana Road. The author, on his visit, was told by “the Patwari of this village that according to the Wa/ab-ul-Arz, the village was founded by a Dhami Jat, who came from village

Piplanwala,**®

which

is their

ancestral

place.

The land

is

fertile and the whole village is owned by the Dhami Sikh Jats. “One Bantoo, son of Sardar Hakim Singh Dhami, who is now 102

years,

told

the

author

that

the spirit

of

fearlessness,

inititative, prompt action and a spirit of liberation, Babar Banta -Singh had inherited from his mother Jas Kaur, who had all these ~qualities. She was highly respected and loved not noly by the people of her own village, but also by the people of the neighbouring villagers. Babar Banta Singh Dhami had joined ~the 515 Sikh Regiment, where he served for about five years. He was a first class marksman and an excelent athelete. One “of the cofleagues of his Regiment Sardar Rakha Singh Dhugga ~of Rampur-Sunra*®, Tahsil Phagwara, District Kapurthala told the author that

he

was the

fastest

runner

of his Regiment.

“Whenever there was the compitition of athletic meets, the people, from far and near, thronged to see the race of Babar The people could only see his toes on the Banta Singh. It ground, he was seen fastest, leaving behind all his rivals. thana faster runs Singh Banta that locality his in was a proverb

“mare. Banta Singh, a daring desperado, got his discharge from

“British Army, in 1922.

the

It was in January, 1923, that he came in

contact with the Chakaravarty Babar Akalis like Jathedar Karam Singh Singh of Daulatpur, Babar Dalip Singh Gosal, Babar Karam

a

A 448

~449

Had bast No. 199 Area 581

Hectares, P.S.

Two miles from Hoshiarpur to the

West.

Hariana.

The village is owned

Sikh Jats. by Pritam Singh M.A. Kala Sznghian Babar Akali Lehar-da-Hero-Rattan Singh Rakkar. Daily Ajit, 25 April, 1969 P.1.

Haftawar Punjabi Janta November 2, 1956. ~The

Daily Ajit Jalandhar-26 January, 1968 Babar Sardar Rattan Singh-Gurcharan Singh Vaid.

. Amar Shaheed Babar

Gyani

Gurdit

“File stated on

15.7.1932,

216

P-3. Akali

Singh Daliar-de-Jiwan

-te-ik-Jhat-Desh Bhagat Sports and Mandhali District Jalandhar 1985.

Harbouring

Decision 22.4.1923, Gonda Singh Session Court Records, Hoshiarpur.

Trial

Editorial

Cultural

Club

Rattan

Singh,

Versus

State.

No. 3, of 7925 the Crown versus Hazara by Mr. S.S. Harrison Additional Sessions

Singh Judge,

Punjab at Lahore, 28 February, 1926.

- District

Village Directory, District Government 1975-1976.

District

Village Directory, District Government 1975-1976.

«District Village

Directory,

Hoshiarpur,

Punjab

Ludhiana,

Punjab

District

Jalandhar,

Punjab

District

Hoshiarpur,

Punjab

Government 1975-76. District

Village

Government

Directory,

1975-1976.

Bibliography District

621. Village

Directory,. Government 1975-76.

District

Amritsar,

Punjab...

District Village Directory, District Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Lundhiana, and Amritsar Punjab. Government 1975-76. Central Jail,

Jalandhar

Register,

No.

8181. Class C, Year,

1941. Central

Jail Jalandhar. 1937-1938.

Central

Jail

Jalandhar.

4029/A, 1931.

5151/A

Register

No.

Register

5152/A,

2.3271/A.

No. 4916.

4028/A,

Year-

Year

1938, 4030/A, year-

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Public opinion on the Questien of the Re/ease of the AKALI PRISONERS Published by the National Publicity Bureau, Lahore 1923. Dr. Darshan Lal Chaudhary, Violence in the freedom of Punjab Messers B.R. Publishing Corporation. Delhi. 1986. Form

No.

22.59

Part

Mauza-Jat or

II

or

Popularly

Kitab known

Yad-dasht

the First Information Reports following Police Stations :— ie

Jalandhar District. Jalandhar, Nurmahal,

Jaraem-

as Note-books and

(F.I.R.’s)

of

the.

Adampur, Kartarpur, Sadr Nakodar, Banga, Rahon now at-

Nawan-shahar. Zz

Hoshiarpur District. Balachaur, Garhshankar, Mahalpur, Sadr Hoshiarpur, Hariana, Dasuya and: Tanda-Urmar.

3.

Kapurthala District.

Phagwara

and

Sadr Kapurthala..

History of the Babar Akalis 4.

Ludhiana District.

5.

Amritsar District.

Samrala and Dakha.

\Voltoha,

Records of the Sessions Courts

Taran

Taran and Varowal

of District

Sessions Judge,

Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Kapurthala.

_All Punjab District Gazetteers—Parts A with Maps. Revenue Records of Jalandhar, Districts.

Hoshiarpur

and

Kapurthala

‘Records of Commissioner, Jalandhar.

National Archives of India-Janpath Department-Political Records Material.

Jawahar Lal Nehru. University Murti-Bhavan-New Delhi.

New Delhi-Home and Printed

and

Museums

Tribune, Lahore 1920-1942, ‘Civil and Military Gazette, Lahore, 1920-1942.

Amrit Bazar Patrika, Calcutta, 1920-1942. «Desh

Bhagat-Yadgar Hall Records, Jalandhar.

Tin

INDEX A

Pindori Nijran

53,

155, 158, 320,

“Abbottabad Cantt : 506-507. “Acquited

: 471-472,

483 : Acquit him:

Accused

475, 322,

480-481. 326,

328,

60,71, 112.

325;

Amar

No. 52, of

Singh,

Dhariwal:

56,

62, 71, 379, 381, 385 ; Amar Singh Accused

No.

56,

of

Rajowal

: 56,

334, 348, 352, 368, 371. 380, 382, 418, 421—425, 428, 431; Acquit

64, 104—106,

them : 395, 398.

217135 9O9-90) 11692777 509) oOo, 371, 382, 419, 511, 514, 560: Amar

Adam ~Ahmad

-Ajaib

Pur : 111, 148, 222. Shah

Saraan

Khurd : 279, 508—510.

282,

of

Talwandi

503,

505-506,

Dal:

47, 288-289,

37,

40-41,

102;

311,

384,

-Akali Jatha : 219, 381. Akali Sikhs : 78-79. -An Akali: 1, 132, 186, 286, 311, 315, 370, 389, 446,

Ala Singh (P.W. 145) : 143-144. “Amar Singh and 35 other Accused: 64. Accused

No.

of

Hayatpur :

;:Ambala

44,

193

Cantt : 34,

;

Amritsar:

44,

Singh of

10,

Anand

48,

Kot

Pur:

ATS am ATO,

285,

Bare

America

560;

Khan:

Amar 32,

35,

: 73, 256.

14 ;: Andeman

Jail:

471,

a1 Anup Singh 2, 30, 95, of Manko:

(P.W. 17) 167, 170, 172, 175—177,

180-181,

183-184, 195—197, 200, 262—265, 324, 330, 378—381, 394, 401, 404,

545.

Singh,

Bara Khan:

Amar Singh of Delhi : 32, 37,

175, 285:

329, 340, 361, 365,

397)

139, 372-373

41-42,

560.

Amar

(P.W.

Kot

554; Amar

33-34, 37, 39, 44, 46, 49-50, 74-75, 111, 193, 512 ;:Aman Sabha : 101,

-Akal Takht : 47. ~Akali : 1, 131-132. Akalis : 14, 34, 106, 158, 180.

~Akali

(P.W. 8) of

Singh

(P.W. 485) : 22.

Singh

Singh

384—386,

of

406, 408, 413—416, 419, 436, 440, 449, 463, 508, 523, 532, 534,

624

History of the Babar Akalis-

Arjan Singh of Singriwal : 213 ; Arjan Singh (P.W. 243) : 193; Arjan Singh (P.W. 389): 133 : Arjan Singh, Accused No. 7, of Maqsudpur: 53, 60, 98—100, 314-315 ; Arjan Singh son of Ganesh Singh of Rani thua:

130.

Akali

Conspiracy

Case:

11,

52 >-

Babar Akali Conspuracy Case, Kishan. Singh and other 91 Accused: 52 ta.

58 ; Babar Akali Doaba:

2,

14, 16,

18—20,5 23, 135,8102 Ole lOos 192, 309—311, 317, 347, 374. 383,_

Asa

AS) 513-5145 516-517, 523a052 GR. Babar Akali Doaba Akhabar: 117;

Singh alias Mehtab Singh (P.W. 25) of Phakrudi: 14, 16, 18-19, 25, 87,

Babar Akali leaflets: 89, 91, 135, U7, VOR 30759314, 533. eBabal

Ste, SZs\,

Akali Doaba Leaflet: 3.17, 377. 447, 558, Babar Akali Jatha: 2-3,14.

Asa Ram

(P.W.

60)

: 160,162;

WO) al,

WG,

Wises.

TA0M 2286234292309 moive ol: 339—341, 361, 367, 369, 371-372, 382, 399-400, 418-419, 424, 429, 342, 443, 470-471, 473-474, 480, sy, 350).

PAO), Gs), GPAs,

13, 53, 60, Singh,

311,

Accused

58,

66,

No.

480—482,

513, 516. 523, 532, 538;

404, No.

90,

431;

Gurdit

Singh:

546;

211, 217. 236, 244-245) 261, 263, 290 — 292731 Slo es2ONs24essse

Atma

of

Khusro

Singh

255:

Baba

Sohan Singh of Bhakana:

73 ; Babar

Akalis : 1, 3, 8—11,

15-16, 21,

13,

9, 13, 15—

18,

Atma

73,

490,

543, 553 >

6, of Bika:

Granthi: 46 ; Atma Singh of Behka : 312-313 ; Attar Singh (P.W. 414) : 1732 B Baba

472, 474-475, 478,

Babar Akali Movement:

Atma Singh, Accused

pur:

eiloelech), Sys

86, 1134) 11645229 292 SS disso. 388, 413, 417. 420, 422, 462, 468—

23eZA" 26-277) 29) 31,538, 435, 70; 73-74, 85—92, 95, 100—102, 107, 111, 115—118, 122—124, 128-129, 132-133, 135, 140, 144—146, 152 to 154, 1587 161—167, 171, 175, 178-179, 181—183, 188, 190, 193 wo) “WS ZORy Aly. Zale 2AGS 218,230) 234759236 -237) 239, 242 to 244, 247, 258, 260-261, 294. SOV SOS, Hh, Sl See ey, ey) 340, 346-347, 353, 357, 361-362, 36523667 309.377 072) 075, 380—— 382, 386-387, 396, 403, 407, 431, 432, 439. 443, 445, 447, 450, 462, 473, 477, 482-483, 489, 497-498, 500,507, 511), 522-523) 527-528. 532-533, 539, 550, 553, 556; Babar

25-26, 32, 71, 76, 89—91,

347, 364, 374-375,

379—381,

145,

384,

381, 391, 406, 438-439, 447, 481— 483, 489, 496, 514, 517-518, 534, 550 ; Babar Akali Conspjracy Case, No, 2 of 1924: 472: Babar Akali. Third Conspiracy Case Trial No. 3,

Of 1925225228: Babu Santa Singh Accused No. 51, of Haryon Khurd: 2, 4, 11, 13-14,

16—24. 56,62, 70, 91-92, 106. 113, 115-116, 118—122, 124, 128, 1297 132-1337 aa 146-147, 15275 1.541.596 19m loss 165, 167—169, 171-172, 174-175, 177, 180-181, 183—186, 196, 298, 301, 3077309 Bilnsils,321pme27. 330, 331, 333-334, 346, 348—350, SOS, 354. 360, 362, 367, 369, 373—875, 377, 381, 383, 388, 390-391, 396,_ 397, 404, 408-409, 411, 414, 41 6, 418, 420, 426, 432, 436, 454, 471, 473,477, 479, 482, 506, 514, 522 ta. 524, 526,528, 532, 534, 536, 538, 640, 543, 546, 551, 557. Bachint Singh of Dumuda: 213-214 iS Bachint Singh Accused No. 22 of

625

Index District Jalandhar Bachint

Singh

: 227.

(P.W.

152, 154-155,

235, 476;

289)

of

167—169,

Kot

Bannu

: 394.

Baw

Singh, Accusee

Pindort

Nijran

158)

173,

=

176;

No.

58,

65, ~ 112,

4017)

425-426

Baksish Singh of Chabbewal:

Accused

57,

Singh,

Banta

Accused

57,

Singh

65,

No.

79,

alias

Banta,

No. 23, of Daulatpur

: 54,

of

No.

2,

Magistrate

Singh,

LOG,

Accused

Accused

41—45,

of Jain

358,

551-552:

of Dhamian

5S

Kalan:

lod

CA

144,

152,

Gol

oom

OZ,

226, 235. 471;

Banta

of Allowal

Singh

of

Distt. Ludhiana

village

Singh,

Randhawa

Accused

Gurusar

226, 229,

No.

80,

: 58, 65,

of

417;

Basant

Ram (P.W. 239) : 191-192 ;

Basant

Singh (P.W. 77) : 105; Singh (P.W. 82) of village

Basant

Accused

No.

: 113,

Singh

(P.W. 20)

of

301-302,

Pragpur:

321,

383,

529,

539-540,

543,

(P.W.

424)

;173,

(P.W. 340) : 422. Bhagwan

Singh

Accused

No.

35

of

Fattehpur Kothi: 17,55, 61, 91, 352:

Bhagwan

92)

Singh

ia,

ATS)

Singh

Lambardar

175,

of

17, 91 ; Bhagwan

(P.W.

4012

Fattehpur Singh

408: Kothi:

(P.W.

33)

son of Uttam Singh : 316. Bhai Chanchal Singh of Jandiala : 33: Bhai Harnam Singh Tundilat : 73; Bhai Ishar Singh : 73; Bhai Mewa

Bhai 60,

of

Ganeshpur : 56, 64, 393, 537, 539 : Battan Singh of Kahari : 33, 35, 37, 286: Battan Singh (P.W. 11) of Pindori Nijran

Bela

Bela

Singh of village Lopoke : 257-258

Kandole: 103, 107. Basheshar Dass (P,W. 96) : 114. Singh,

496-497: 122;

39,

Singh

Nijran (P.W. 311) : 324 ; Bhagwana :

Bhagwan

masandan

Bela

Bhagat Singh of Kandola : 265-266, Bhagat Singh of village Pindori

238, 240, 468. Basant

Singhmor

286;

: 255—257,

389, 396-397, 544, Bhagat Singh

Singh son of

(Lyalpur):

49—51,

88, 122, 141,

Rattan Singh Village Gill : 228, 482, Banta

bela

(P.W. 12) of Pallahi : 92, 379, 422:

1937 2 14e218-219) 221,262, 354, 355, 360, 409, 452—456, 462— 465, 470, 477, 479, 485, 523, 546, 553, 557 ; Banta Singh

of

Ferozepur : 33-34,

Bela Singh

Banta Singh

141,

88,

27) of Boparai: 156,

moo2.;

Singh of Jauhal:

:

53,59, 91, 115, 118, 122, 141, 144, 300-301, 541: Banta Singh (P.W. 26) of Boparai: 148, 156, 158, 306, 343,

Sol

No.

: 58, 65, 428.

Gholia, Dist

337,

of pragpur

of

443 ; Baw Ujagar Singh

Bela Singh (P.W.

338, 340 : Banta Singh alias Sunder Singh, Accused

65,

400, 401,

Beant

533;

60,

64,

(P.W. 461) : 110.

=

259,

415-416,

No.

398,

Nangal Kalan

Baiblpur:

Battan

Singh,

Kaulgarh:

86. of

260. Banta

161—163,

309, 321-322,

325, 328, 330-331, 354-355, 858— 362, 367, 426, 435, 520, 528, 552.

Fatui : 92. Badar Din (P.W. 451) : 148.

Bakhshish

158-159,

172, 306,

146-147,

151,

Bhan

Udham Singh,

Mangat:

407,

SIngh: Accused

57,

449;

Randhawan

65,

:

73.

175,

No.

75,

196,

of

402,

Bhan Singh of village Masandan:

227,

242, 244-245, 473, 484, 487.

235,

626

History of the Babar Akalis

Bhola

Singh

of

village

Kalan : 227, 235,

Dhamian

478, 479;

Singh son Of Kirpa Singh

Bhola

of

village

Kathe : 227, 236, 480 ; Bhola Singh son of Sunder

Singh of

Chack

345 District Montgomery

No.

: 485-486.

Bijjla

Singh village Gharooan of Patiala) 32, 35, 37.47, 49, 285.

Bikaner

State : 111.

Bishan

Singh

Bishan

of

elo

234)

:

Mangat:

lol?

193;

30,

OO

59,

2 O0G-204)

262, 378, 405, 409, 414, 445, 448— 450, 499, 502,

558;

Bishan

Zaildar of Rani

thua:

67,

127—129,

Singh

88,

93,

131, 133, 238, 295, 349,

350, 374, 388-389, 451, 536. Singh

Dillion

(P.W.

462)

of

Manko : 195, 262-263, 416, 440. British

Cavalary : 201,

Budge

Budge:

16,

203, 247, 445.

256,

294, (446 ;

Budge Budge Affair : 318, 428, 443, Bur Singh : 37, 45.

Buta Lambardar of Nangal Shaman: 67, 89, 93, 144, 146—150, 323, 357,

451,

454,

521;

Buta Singh,

Accused No. 55, of Pindori 13) 1:6, 567622)

Sone

Nijran :

12061116118,

1227 Mis), 8257 38A-865,00514,

524,

b41y 551

230.

; 73, 256. 549.

; Chanan

Ram

147,

150,

of village Ball:

Chanan

Ram _ Station

Master (P.W. 143):

67, 140—142:;

144;

233;

Chanan

163,165;

No, 74, of Sangat

Singh

Chanan

(P.W.

Singh

Nusi : 228, 232, 483.

Pur ; 57,

Chanda

Singh,

Accused

No.

54,

of

Pallahi : 56, 62, 71, 381-382, 523, 524, 536 ; Chanda Singh (P.W. 23) of Domeli: 71, 175,

183-184, 389, 406,

408,

414,

415, 544,

Chattar Singh Kandola of Sheikhupura District. 32, 37, 49, 96, 235, Chhajja

Singh,

Chansu to 437

Accused

No.

: 58, 65, 96, 385, ; Chhajja

Singh,

No. 57, of Massanian:

(BAW, 47:9) Chinta Singh 276,

91,

of

433, 435 Accused

56, 64, 104,

554 ; Chhaja Singh

Sede of village

280—283,

Dhandoli :

503—505,

507—

509 ; Chinta Singh of village Sundh:

101, 109, Chuhar Singh (P.W. 178) Kukaran ; 159, 162. Cavalary : 12, 90.

of

village

167. 211, 222-223,

249, 251, 277, 306. Central

Jail

Lahore:

173, 228, 234,-283,

34,

115,

319-320,

28,

323,

325, 345, 467—469, 476, 484, 491, 496. 14,513;

Chakarvarty :

23, 90, 298, 347. 369, 403; 449% 516, 540. Chief Court of the Babar Akalis: 162, 205. ‘Ch Abdul Haq (P.W. 337): 219, 224.

Chanan Kaur (P.W. 450):

151

Jandiala

65,175, 402. 406, 546.

Chakarvarti;

California : 73. Canada

Accused

of

: 286 ; Chanchal Singh,

106, 384—387,

Black List : 132, 140. 154, 163, 432.

Bogh

Singh

(Jalandhar)

390, 401, 403-404,

(P.W.

Singh

OS aD

Chanchal

193):

C.F. Andrews

: 78.

C.M, Bowring 516, 560.

;'33-34.

37, 39, 49-50,

D

of village

Dacoity in the House ‘of Munshi

Ram

“Index

627

at Jadla

on

the

Night

2nd-3rd

February 1923 ; 122, 341, 344, 366,

371-372, 375, 438, 550:

Dacoity

at

444, 524—526, Jagjitpur:

271;

Dacoity at the Dhogri: 236 ; Dacoity

at village Ball : 229, 234, 236, 473, “Dalel Singh (P.W. 134) ;138; Dalel Singh alias

Dalela

of Mananhana:

Accused

55,

61,

No. 34

92,

Dalel Singh Gill of Surhala

351: Kalan :

239. “Dalip

Singh,

Dhamian

Accused Kalan:.

Sieve,

No. 49,

56,

SS),

62,

of

15h,

Eley =

Dalip

Singh,

Accused

No.

Sandhara

: 57,

373, 399—401,

-443,551:

65,

Dalip

Singh,

‘No, 72 of Manak:

57,

-404, 407 ; Dalip Singh Accused

68,

of

Accused

175,

Dass:

of village

Singh of village Allowal:

226, 235, 471

; Diwan

of village

Kathe:

91,95;

113,

116)

296,

31/4 7-330,

197—199,

181,

208—211,

261-262;

333, 348—351,

(P.W. 198):

Darbara Singh,

Accused

No.

164; 53, of

Pallahi : 56, 62. 380-381. “Dasondha Singh (P.W. 204) : 165. Delhi : 43. of

Demolition

wall

of

Gurdwara

Rakabganj : 71. ‘Deva Singh Kalkat : 469. Devichand (P.W. 22A\e wi

181.

507, DIS) 5227 526

Dhanna

Singh

Optio

"District Jail Jalandhar: 335. 103-104, 31. 101, “Diwan: 23-24, 120, 128-129, 133, 296-297. 308, 311-312, 385, 440, 533,537, 541, 48,553;

Diwan

Bhadur

Diwan

be 0-53 mb s4

Singh

Accused

of

No.

Kotti

23

of

village Khaira Majja : 227, 231, 235. 476:

Dhanna

Singh,

82,of Sandhara:

Accused

30, 58,

65,

364, 373, 421; Dhanna_ (P,W. 29) of Pindori Bawa 96,

109,

146—148, 180-181.

212—214,

No. 330,

Singh Dass: 151, 183—

217-218,

DIA e228 Zl — 2 SS OZone oe 354-356, 358-359. 379—381, 400, 414,429, 436, 466-467, 470-471, 473—476, 478—480, 483, 522-523, 556-557; Dhanna Singh (P.W. 194): 163—165. Dharam Cnand Dharam

:

416-417,

426, 435—437, 439, 450, 452, 477,

186, 188—193,

Singh

205-206,

277, 279, 292,

354-355, 360, 362,

17, 917

105-106.

s1'62 e165.

369, 383, 400, 409—411,

156, 158, 176-177,

Darbara

i222

171,177,

554, 557:

Singh (P.W, 76) :

480:

16, 23, 30,

1S,

15 —159

426, 450—452, 479, 502, 536, 552, Dalip

236,

1133, 14.6152,

95.

348, 355, 369. 378, 409—412, 414,

227,

Dhana Singh of Baibalpur:

Dass:

205

Singh (P.W.

Diwan Singh (P.W. 179) : 160, 162;

Baw

183—186,

Samundran:

103) of Haripur : 121 ; Diwan Singh

alias Dalipa,

196—199,

554: Diwan

(P.W. 135)

Dhana

Kalan»:

63, 405;

24 ; Diwan

557;

159, 161,165, 177, 181. 1 1 £2625)

Subharwal,

Durga

-551,

No. 76, of: Dhaman

fo1207

Das

402,

=30) 57, 659705 95, 1/52, 155, 1by— 188-189, 191—193,

Pindi Diwan

Hayatpur;

56,

139-140.

364,

to

551:

532,

Accused

(P.W.

153):

Singh, Accused,

61,

144:

No. 48, of

115,

134-135,

371—373,

421, 530

Dharam_

Singh,

No. 73, of Pallahi : 57, 65,

175, 402, 518 ; Dharm Singh (P.W. 91) of Bachauri: 111; Dharam Singh Kandola ot Hayatpur Rurki =

History of the Babar Akalis-

628 296 : Dharam

Singh

of

218) of Dhamian

Kulgarh:

Gainda

400. Doaba : 13—15,

Singh

186, 188.

(326):

317;

Gaindas

Dulla (P.W. 403) : 172.

Singh (P.W. 417) : 173, 331. Gajja Singh Zaildar (P.W.102):

Dr. Bansi Lal (P.W. 271) : 216:

Ganda Singh (P.W. 68) : 100 ; Ganda.

111, 234.

Dr. Muhammad

Sharif

(P.W. 4)

297°

Singh of Ludhiana District : 33, 37, 286; Ganda Singh (P.W.

136,

39, 41.

aoe Duman

Singh,

Pindori

(Accused

Mahtaman:

No. 55,

37,

of

476) of Sarhali Khurd ; 43, 419.

Ganga Singh (P.W. 78) : 105;

61, 155,

Singh, Accused

159,7o5e7255S.

No.

Ganga,

62, of Lil: 56,

64, 395, 396, 397. 540, 543; Ganga. E

Singh (P.W. 199):

Ellam’s, Duplicator : 17, 22, 86, 92. Encounter at Bomeli

1923:

193.

on 1st September

439,

445;

Encounter

Gandu,

at Mundher on 12th December 1923:

at Mananhana

Chamar

of

son

Saudagar of

Saudagar-

:

Ghadar Ashram : 73 GhadarMovement : 257-258 ; Ghadar Party

21 April 1913 : 72. Ghadrite Leader and M.L.A. Ghadrites; 73, 205, 497.

Golden Temple Fagir

Singh

Accused

alias

No. 44,

Charan of

Singh,

Jassowal:

55,

61, 115, 267—370. Fateh Khan

201;

Fateh

(P.W. 216) : 187 : Fateh

Singh (P.W. 313) of village

Naura:

425.

Gopal Singh (P.W. 87) Ghaus

Ghulam

Akali

Guzzan

First Babar

Akali

case:

419;

Conspiracy Case ;

514 ; Fitst Conspiracy Case : 32, 43,

44.

of

Babar

1931

: 484.

Akali

Conspiracy

Case

: 74, 193.

Singh (P.W. 235): 193, 206-207, 209 ; Gulzara Sub-Inspector

Gurbachan

366,

Singh.

: 410-411.

Singh,

55,

421-422,

32,

191—

Accused

61,

No. 40, of=

124, 363-364,

532;

Gurbachan.

Kishan.

35, 37, 285 ; Gurbachan.-

Singh son of Mela Singh Ramgarhia: SW Gurdas

Lamabardar

: 226,

469.

Gujrat : 74 ; Gujrat Jail : 392.

Pura;

G

Singh

:

Basti.

; 228 235, 483.

Singh alias Surjan Singh of

Freedom Struggle : 111.

Ganesha

village

Gujjar Singh of village Dhapaee

Sandhara:

Fourth

: 108, 111.

Gulazara

Conspiracy

SHOR.

(P.W. 62) : 4C0-401

Rasul

Gujranwala

Case

1932 : 488. First

Amritser : Ia

229, 238—240,

Fatteh Singh (P.W. 185) : 162. Conspiracy Fifth Babar Akali

: 493;

379. Ghulam

(P.W. 334):

Muhammad

of

vtllage Rani thue : 130.

217, 352, 559)

Explosion of a bomb 205.

165.

Ganesh Singh son Rani thua: 130.

(P.W.

Das

Singh

228,

of village

236,

481.

Kotli Bawa;

Index

629

“Gurbakhsh Singh : 37. “Gurdaspur : 145, 193. *Gurdit Singh (P.W. 34) : 316 : Gurdit Singh Accused No, 15 of village Alipur : 226,

Gurdit

231,

235, 472—474:

of

Singh

village

Sarhali :

255. ~Gurditta

(P.W. 219)

Lambardar

Phambian

Gurdwara

of

: 187.

Act:

80—82:;

Gurdwara

Delhi : 294.

Rakabganj

16,

47,

U1 Gpee 94 SOSA S21, eSs4, 379, 381, 385, 387, 405, 415, 443, 450, 456,472, 478, 489, 513, 51/9, 523, 542, 553. “Gyan Singh Aujla of Allowal: 214, 226, 234, 470-471.

6S40; 423, 495,

10,

“Guru-ka-Bagh-Morcha:

*“Gyani

Gurdit

Singh

Mandhall:

Daler

263—265,

494—496,

499,

Sohan Singh son

of District 486-487.

46, of Chela: 55, 61, 370—372: 363, 365-366, 368, 532; Hari Singh (P.W, 436)

Sundh Harnam

Singh,

551

267—274,

502,

508;

Gyani

of

Jawahar

Singh

Sialkot : 243-244, 484,

Accused

; Harnam

Harnam

Singh Singh

228, 236, 355, 360, 482, 532. Khurd:

Accused

No.

Accused

No, 17

54.

60,

of Pindori Nijran : 157-158, 325 : Harnam

Singh Lambardar(P.W.93): (VS

“ee

SHS)

SIT

Singh

58, 65, 388, 423 :

(PW. 32)

Singh, Accused No. 45, of Jassowal: 55. 61, 114-115, 124,

G00

mou2, O1O no!

Dass

(PW.

404):

Hari Kishan Kaul : 94; Accused

No. 25, of

173,

Hari

son

of

Inder

236, 483 ; Hazara Singh

son

Singh of Mahi: 259-260; Singh (P.W. 24) of Mundher 105, 385, 547 : Hazara of

Mundher:

of Pal Hazara : 102—

Singh (P.W.

30,

104—107,

380, 385, 387, Bhagwan

Singh

of Jandoli : 258. : 43;

High

Court

of

the

Babar Akalis : 3.

Hoshiarpur : 59, 94, 160, 209. Singh,

Accused

Pindori Nijran:

53,

320, 323, 325.

527:

(P.W.

196)

(P.W.

251):

No. 60,

112,

Hukam

11,

of

319, Singh

: 165;

Hukam

Singh

217:

Hukam

Singh

331:

Daulatpur:

Accused No. 43, of Jassowa!: Hari

Singh of

Singh, 54,

60 124, 337, 339-340 ; Hari Singh, “15-116,

of

(P.W. 396) : 138

*Hargurchet Singh (P.W. 395) : 137. éHari

orss.€

son

village, and District Jalandhar: 238,

Hukam

Singh (P.W. 425): 173.

“Hardit

363,000

112-113,

of MOiee

Dula Singh : 316.

High Curts

84, of

Harbans Singh (P.W, 186) : 162. “Harcharan

of

388, 413, 414, 427, 548, 553—554;

“Harbakhsh Singh of village Jassowal :

Sarhala

67,

(P.W. 322): 327: Bawa Singh,

Hazara Singh alias

Singh,

No.

alias

184, 218, 224, 344,

“Harbans

of

Singh (P.W. 69): 107:

Harnam

28)

H

Singh

Harnam Singh (P.W. 100): 100, 114; Harnam Singh (P.W. 197): 165;

Hazara Singh

of village

Hari

Garhi Qanungoan : 57, 64, 399-400

Harnam

212,

: 188;

: 260.

55,61,

Singh, Accused

No.

Ichhar Singh of village Mundher : 103. Inder Singh (P.W. 79) of Mehdipur :

103, 107.

630

History of the Babar Akalis=

Inder Singh .(P.W.° 287): 189, 193; Indian Arm Act XI of 1878: 52, 58, 63, 66, 295, 336. Infautary : 12. Intention

against

the

life

of

Singh Patwari: 18, 66, di2dpe295n.902)G087 C2, 418, 451 542. Ishar Singh

(P.W. 83)

Singh of Kandola

of Jandoli 84)

of

Singh

of

Manko:

Singh

of

2S

Daulatpur :

OOo. 11330416;

198,

Perla),

200-201,

:

Mewa 226, 229,

261,

316-317, 326,

338-339), 362,

367,,369)

377,

400,

382-383,

165,

Wsitle “UE Key

203-204,

262, 306, 309—313,

238, 240, 469. Ishwar

Singh

lily ware.

: 107 ; Ishar Singh

son

Karam

TAM TO MiSs 20-297

124, 126, 128, 133, 157—159,

Knem

son of Attar Singh of Kandola

Ishar

Jathedar

to

son

: 443, 489.

Jatha for Jaito : 379, 405.

862-912 937,95, 109-110)

Arjan

118, 120, 6364, 391,

: 260 ; Ishar Singh (P.W.

Singh of village

Jaito Morcha

371-372:

405,

409,

414

to 416, 418, 422-423, 426, 429, 437 to 443. 445, 447-448, 450— 453, 477) 482, 499,

519,

5217 523

to 526, 530-—532, 551, 559.

(P.W.

273):

son

of

Narian Singh of Ganeshpur: 388; Ishwar Singh (P.W, 252) : 217.

Jawala

91,

Singh of Fattehpur Kothi:

218-219,

553:

221,

Jawala

Singh

193 ;Jawala 205—207,

262.

(P.W. 238):

Singh

410,

17,

455-456,

of

452:

Jain : 163,

Jawala Singh

son of Inder Singh of village Kathe : Jagan Nath Session Judge

Jalandhar :

283. Jagat

243

;

Jawala

Pindori Singh

(P.W. 44):

224;

Jagat

Stngh (P.W. 413) : 172.

Jawand

Bawa Singh

Jholi-chucks:

93-99)

in Pakistan):

410-411.

and

261-262,

68,

184—186,

236,

Singh, Accused

No.

12,

Milkha Milkha

of

Pindori

infant

Singh of

Murder of Atta Muhammad Murderous attack on

*Milkhi Ram (P.W. 315) :17; Singh (P.W. 321): 424;

his

500:

Patwari

:

409,

454:

Harnam

Singh

of Mehdipur on or

about

May 1922 : 68, 96,

101,

20th-21st

102,

104,

105, 112, 385, 554-555 ; Murder of

Nijran : 29, 53, 50, 112, 157-158, 320-321, 323, 325-326, 527, 541 : Milka Singh, Accused No. 85, of

Hazara Singh of Baibal Pur : 68, 94, 162, 375, 409, 439, 445; Murders

Moranwali

of

Milkhi

: 58, 65,

Ram

112,

(P,W.

424, 551;

217)

of

Nanda

Chaur : 185.

Attack on Bishan

Sandhara:

409,

454,

Diwan

Singh

68,

471,

at

(P.W. 234)

188,

190,

481:

Hayatpur

236,

Murder

on

or

of

about

*Mir Sahib (P.W. 474) : 326, 362-363, 421, 531.

133, 444 ; Murder of Jagat Singh of

“Mit Singh

Kadiana:

(P.W. 21) of Malkana

SOD ASUS Ns24,15050,) S09 529, 539, 541, 543. *Mohan

Singh Lambardar

: 163,

cos,

015,

Chah No. 468,

469, 482-483. Jail:

: 94,144

;

Montgomery

345-346 ; Mounted

COVA

e127

‘Muhammad

*“Mukand

Abdulla

Singh

of

village

Singh,

Accused

241,

243;

478,

Karam

458, of

: 422

Mananhana:

;

of

and Chaukidars

of

96,

Pindori

Nijran:

407-408,

Labh Singh:

231, 235, 475-476 Accused

; Munsha

No. 59, of Jauhal:

64, 118-119, 122,356,390, 537, 538; 223): 188; 416) ANT

: 173:

Munsha Munsha Munshi

Singh. 31, 56,

392-393,

Singh Singh

(P.W. (P.W.

(P.W, 248):

261,

68, 89, 93, 158,

and

Dittu

of

Kaulgarh:

482;

Murder

of

Singh of Ghurial

176,

261,

489,445)

452°

Subedar

Murder

Subedar

Gainda

: 68, 94, 166, 261,

Singh of Randhawa:

of

173,

445, 452 ; Murder of

Multan Jail : 345, 412, 550, 556. *Munsha Singh (Accused No. 21)

(Saraikhas) : 227,

of

276

Murder of Lambardar

330, 334, 362-363, 374,

Serawan

470,

Murder

Pallahi : 57, 65, 71, 175, 402, 404. “Multan : 205.

village

of

Das: 68,

462-463,

352) 375, 3907400) 71,

Murder

480-481;

Singh

67,

375, 451, 521, 550 ; Murder of Ralla

Jawaddi :

No.

1923:

Singh of Kotli Bawa

Mistri

7.7445, (P,W. 184) ; 161.

(P.W. 342) of Sil Muzara

Mula

472,

384,

Police:

226, 229, 238, 240, 467. “Mula

Jawala

February

212, 215, 454,

of

96, Dist. Lyallpur : 237—239, “Montgomery

13th—14th

436, 521:

(P.W. 212) 96,

Sundar 182-183,

236, 261, 409, 414, 454, 546; Muzzafargarh Jail (Now in Pakistan)

502. Mr. C.A.H.

Townsend:

10,13;

C.M. King: 33, 37;

lyyar : 83; Mr.

AS44786, 89,

C.W.

195,.

Mr.

Mr. C.S. Ranga

Jacob

2037

219,

(P.W.

(222,

224, 458, 553 ; Mr. Degale : 64, 96, 459—461

; Mr. Earl Winterton:

13;

;

History of the Babar Akalis.

634 Mr. Fitzgerald

F.C,

: 219 ,223, 458;

Isemonger:

Hopkinson

38-39,

Mr.

50;

Mr.

: 257 ; Mr. Horton

: 207.

209, 277; Mr, Jenkyns : 207, 209 ; Mr. J.K. M. Tapp ; 29-30, 51, 62-63,

69-70,

201,

359,

375;

Mr..

N.C.

303, Mr.

Bakhla

Robinson : 496;

Mr.

S.K.

352, 88; Mr.

Mr.

Banerjee:

Harrison:

234,

478—483,

-555.

Smith:

199,

448—450 ;

443,

440,

201—203,

342-343, Matthews: =: 249 ;

20:

462,

Mr.SS.

33-34, _ Nankana Sahib Massacre: 450. 446, 441, 290, 294. 310, Narain Chand (P.W. 225): 176, 181: Narain Singh, Accused No. 81, of Chatiwind : 33, 35, 40-41, 44—46, 48, 58, 65, 286, 418, 420, 513. (P.W. 348) : 391.

Narinjan Singh

Das : 230. Singh Naurang

467—476,

Nikka Singh

Aujla

Accused

of village Gill

229, 238—240, 467.

Kaur : 260 ; Mrs. Dharam

(P.W. 421):

173:

Mrs. Haro

(P.W. 277): 179, 181; Mrs. Lajwanti

380-381

Kaur:

509;

282)

Mrs.

Mrs.

Premi

Laroi:

(P.W. 183) : (P.W.

147, 150 ; Mrs. Sewan

448) :

N Bahsh

Singh,

Lyallpur:

Accused

Pindori Nijran : 53,

No.

60,

226, 14,

112,

of

323,

Notorious Sycophant : 320, 323. Non-violent

: 84-85.

North-West Frontir : 40.

(P.W. 236) :

191, 193.

Nabi

Nirbair

Dist

3257527 255e

Mahan

of village

; Mrs. Partapi

161-162:

of

213—215, 231-232, 234. 462—467, 474; Nikka Singh and 37 other Accused: 225 ; Nikka Singh: .

Mrs. Dhan

Devi (P.W.

No.1

Alowal:

vet (eM 2e7)s eile Nie Bhagwani (P.W. 125): 138-139:

alias Ajit

Gurusar:

of village

228, 229, 482.

Mrs. Ajit Kaur: 280, 282 : Mrs. Basant

Kaar

,

Bawa

Pindori

Naranin Singh of vilage

0 Odaru or Flying Press : 20.

(P.W. 88)

:

108,

111;

P

Nabu Shah Fagqir (P.W. 97) : 114. Nagina Singh (P.W. 245):

215,

217;

Nagina Singh (P.W. 249) : 217.

Malaviya

Nagpur Central Jail : 287. Singh,

Pandit

Accused

Ghurial:

30,

54,

172, 330,

334—337;

No. 60,

22,

of

168—170,

Nand

Singh

167,

Ram

Lal Nehru

70;

Partab

23,

167-168,

296;

Nand

: 227, 236,

481. Nankana

Rattan 409;

(P.W. Pandit

Nankana Sahib:

535,

560:

46, 311-312, 512 ;

Sham

of Phakrudi : 92.

Singh (P.W. 317) ; 17-18.

Singh,

Chabelpur:

Accused

56, 64,

No.

70,

Partap Singh : (P.W. 180) : 162. Patiala State : 37.

63

of

396—398&

540-541, 543-544. Holocaust ; 76,

409):

: 83.

Partapa (P.W. 143) Parshotam

Mohan

: 83 ;

171-172,

Bharaj (Accused No, 32) Ramgarhia;

Singh of village Mundian

Singh wala:

226, 238, 472; Pandit Madan

Naginder Singh of Kondala : 386. Nand

Pala Singh of vlilage Jaur

Index

635.

Patwari: 9:

Patwaris: 9 >; Patwari Arjan Singh of Hari Pur : 9 ; Patwar i Atta Mohammad of Nanda Chaur : 9. Peshawar : 37. Piara

Singh, Accused No. 50 of Dhamian Kalan: 56, 62, 148, 152,

182, 354358, 518, 557. PIP RUSti G2 STs 42-43, 51, Sis: Posting

of

Notices

Lambardars and Chaukidars Pindori Nijran : 111.

of

Singh,

Accused 53,

302, 541:

Sundh

60,

Pritam

No,

Singh

Rigorous

imprisonment

308, 316, 324-325,

:

302-303,

329,

341,

344,

351, 354, 359, 361, 366, 368, 378, 387, 389, 390,392, 402,

370, 415, -

Robberies at Jamsher On or about

Railway

Station

March

1923:

3rd-4th

6Git40ns74-

SO

Lis-119.

246—253, 488— Rattan Singh of village Vain Poeen : 226, 463.

417. 427, 437.

the

Pragpur:

: 463, 471: Rattan Singh.

Rakkar Bet: 493, 503, 506:

511,

threatening

Prem

Mundapind

122"

oi village

: 101 ; Prabh Dayal of village

Ball : 230, 232-233,

Robbery of (P.W. 85) Rama Ditta alise Kaka

Lambardar

Bachauri

111, 438, .

444, 550. Royal Awarbs:

255;

240, 521,527,

R

of

21-22, 66, 95, 107—109, Royal

534,

Pardon:

536,539,

541.

544, 546, 548, 550, 552. Rulia (P,W. 144) : 142—144.

Radha

(P.W. 407) : 172.

Rahmat Rala

Khan

(P.W. 89):

108, 111:

Kalkat

Chak

263

(Manko) : 229, 238;

Ram

Singh

Dig Kot

of

Lal Anand Vakils : 63, 70. Ramsay Macdonald

Ram

: 84.

Singh Accused

No.

29 of Muzara

Kalan : 54, 61, 341, 343, 532: Singh (P.W. 13) of

Muzara

Ram

Kalan :

7 OOA dir tO On 24091133, 163, 321, 338—342, 371-372, 383, 524, 530-531 of

; Ram Singh (P.W, 16)

Hayatpur:

92,

135, 343, 364,

371—373, 419, 530, 532. Rai Bahadur

Diwan

Durga

Singh

alias

107) of Dhanda Rattan

Singh,

Ajit

Singh

(P.W.

119, 121-1227

148

159,

157-158)

178°

175,

322-323,

426, 528,

534, 541), Dobie bbs

Sadhu

Singh

OTe

No.

36,

(P.W. 15)

iset tO,

dle,

1D1=-1525

155,

321-322,

328,

389, 419-420, Sadhu

Sandhara

of

Ad

Sadiq Hussian

Pragpur: 44

PAOr

~s01=802:

354, 358,

360, 383,

426,

529-530,

Singh

of

village

Sadhu Singh (P.W. 420): S.H.O.

(P.W. 81):

of

Safaidpeshes:

358,

Sahib

468,

557:

Rattan

Singh

Singh

105,

8, 101-102

Safdar Ali Shah (P.W. 316) : 17.

of

Singh (P.W, 195) : 165;

Singh Ahluwalla

_

539,

244, 481,

Singhriwala : 55, 61, 151, 213, 354, (P.W. 412) : 172; Rattan

-391,

157-158,

: 227, 236, 242,

484—486; Ua/S:

154-155.)

112-113.

Kalan : 122, 319.

Accused

Sadha Singh, Accused No. 13, of Pindori Nijran: 53, 60, 71, 113, 118,

540; Dass (P.W.

333) : 128, 203 ; Ralla Singh Kalkat Dijkotia : 467, 469, 482—483. Ranjit

s

Sahibs..

(P.W. 306) : 17.

.

“636

History of the Babar Akalis

Sain (P.W. 31) son of Ishar: 316; 316 ; Sain Das (P.W. 119) son of Buta Ram of Rani Thua : 130, 133. “San

Francisco:

540,

543:

Singh, Accused

44:

378;

Section

100:

318. 332, 336, 358, 363, 366,

73.

Sant Kartar Singh (P.W. 9): 13, 23, NOSmO7 MOS SOON Oo-3007mGdil > Silo o2 ROSS G4 OoTD SOSA SGD, 388, 390-391, 395—397, 419, 422, 427, 431-432, 515, 517-518, 521, 529, 532,

Section

340; Section 100B : 245; Section 109 : 42, 52, 62-63, 302, 311, 313,

Sant

Thakur

No. 39, of-Mundial

:

378, 384, 387; Section

373,

114 : 52, 62,

336, 341, 344, 258, 366, 373, 378, 387: Section 115: 37 PAZ, 52, 62, 303, 307) .oiloe, 318 3245329, 351, 353; 069, econ, 370) 392) 402) Alb, 41774267 Section

116 ; 52, 62: Section 120B

55,61, 104, 106, 170. 360—362, 369, 385, 386; Sant Singh (P.W. 475) of Tung Kalan Kalan District

377,42. 52, 62-63, 68, 67, 2907 s02. 303, 307, 311, 313, 315-316, 318, 324, 329, 332, 336, 340-341, 344,

Gujranwala: 559; Santa Singh (P.W. 254) of Dhadher : 466 ; Santa

351, 358-353, 359, 363, 366, 368, 370, 373, 378, 384, 387, 392, 402,

Santa

Singh

Bhatti

of

Chhoti-

(P.W. 146):

67,

140,

Amar

Sardar

Singh

Sardul

(1886—1963)

Jhabalia:

Ram

(P.W. 135)

134,

140,

369.

144 :

S68. sae Sectionmt

Gorm

302 : 37, 62,

68, 87,

Section

ze 245,

Kaveeshar

282,332) 396, c03nCrone ona len Section 303 : 52 ; Section 307 ; 52,

of Samundra:

62, 68, 105, 412 ;: Section 325 : 62;

Singh

: 72.

- Sardha

Singh

85;

133 : 41 ; Section

41; Section 153A : 87, 88 ; Section 15555

146. Sardar

Sardual

412, 415, 417. 426 ; Section 124A : 87 : Section

Hariyan : 296.

“Sapuran Singh

Section 326 : 52, 62 ; Section 394 :

Accused

No.

33,

of

52, 62, 302, 378 : Section 395 : 62,

Buro Barian: 55, 61, 128, 133. 348,

341, 344. 366, 373;

350:

52, 62, 358, 378, 412 ; Section 397:

“Sawan Second

Sarmukh

Singh:

37,

46;

52,

Singh (439) : 396. Babar Akali Conspiracy

Case:

52, 346, 514. “ Seventh

1936-37

Conspiracy

Case

Conspiracy

Case

: 503.

Babar

: 494, Section

6:

Section

66 ; Section 14: 52,

52, 66;

13:

52,

66. 308, 336,

390/543 75 section

14As.)

Ss

Section 19 : 295, 378 ; Section 20: 62, 308, 337, 437;

=Section 34:

Section

o/s);

Section

S982

section

him to be

396:

341) 490i:

hanged

344. mca.

by

the

nech, till he is dead : 332, 337, 412, 487,

Ram-of Jadlayy

505; 162

Seth Munshi

67,

S82.

123,

25s

Section 10: 41;

the Arms Act:

62;

467—469,

Akali

“Section5:66;

366,,

Sentence

Babar Akali

1940-41 * Sixth

:

42,

232,

Section 62,

236,

295,

20

of

390;

373, 387 :

Shakargarh Accused

Tahsil: No.

145;

38. of

Sham

Singh

Raisiwal;

37,

55, 61, 354, 360. Shankar Singh of Pindori

Bibi: 33,286.

S,G.P.C. : 20, 78, 336, 367, 405, 4217, % BS

Sher Muhammad

(P.W. 182) : 160.

Shive Ram (P.W. 138) : 316.

Index

637"

Shiv

Singh, Accused No. 19, of Haripur : 54, 60, 154-155, 158, 182, 328, 331, 518, 522.

(PAW Sap ie 414: Swaraj

: 10, 14.

y

Sialkot : 145, 193. ; 16,

Sikh movement

Sikh Raj : 13—15,

309, 362.

Tara Singh (P.W. 405) : 172, Teja Singh alias Santa Singh

Singapur : 43, 256.

Sir E.D.

Maclagan:

Cotton

: 84:

195;

Sir

Majithia : 33-34,

Henry

Sunder

37,

Sansarpur : 496-497

Singh

Singh

of Ghurial : 10,

Sunder

Singh

village Sandharan Sodhan Sund affairs: 97-98, 295,

: 243.

of

Singh,

Pindori

Accused

Nijran

: 53,

No. 60,

Singh

(Accused

Makhsuspur:

13,

314, 317,

No.

54,

61,

100, 106, 312, 314, 344,

30) 70,

Accused

No. 24. of

of 98,

346, 368,

Babar

Akali

Conspiracy

Transporation

Kot

Fatui:

55,

Accused

Khanpur Kullewal: 532 ; Sunder

61,

347;

No.

83,

of

58, 65, 70, 422.

Bharta

: 388;

Sunder

Case :

33—35,

40

to 43, 49, 286. for life : 311, 314, 318,

319, 346, 358, 363, 471, 473—482.

373, 384, 470,

Trial No. 2 of 1924 : 62, 323.

Singh of village Lohke;

216, 219. 238, 240, 468; Sunder Singh (P.W. 274) son of Attar Singh of

; 54,

462, 514.

32,

Singh.

Singh,

Singh (P.W. 320): 424, Third

Tota Singh of Peshawar:

of

of

157,

Daulatpur

371, 388, 391, 405, 521, 533, 541, 545-546, 551 ; Sunder Accused No. Sundar

16,

112,

60, 124, 337, 339, 340, 551: Thakur Singh Accused No. 61 of Bharta : 56, 64, 394, 537, 539+ Thakur

346Sunder

Judge

158, 173, 324-325 ; Thakar

Singh son of

234,

226,

Session

of-

Singh

Jalandhar i 270. Thakur

Subedar Gainda Zoe

Singh

Teja

470;

; Teja

: 214,

of village Allowal

47,

49,516, Singh (P.W. 98) : 112,

560 ; Sohan 114.

Sucha

Sir

Tufail Muhammad

(P.W. 14) oj Pindori

Nijrans” 91.) 175, 527, 528.

Singh

324,

333-3342

(P.W, 408) : 172, 331. Surain

Singh

(Accused

village Daulatpur:

No.

227,

473-474, 485 : Surain

Pheru

Accused

Kang-Mai,

No.

227,

Singh

24

231,

18)

231,

Ude Singh of Ramgarh Jugian : 20-21,

alias

of

village

235,

478;

2B

Surain Singh (P.W. 173): 155-156 ; Surjan Singh, Accused No, 47, of Hayatpur:

55,61,

134-135,

139,

140, 364, 371-372. 421, 530—532 Surjan Singh,

Domeli:

57,

Accssed

65,

No.

175,199,

404, 408, 413,546;

Surjan

U

of 235,

70,

; of

402— Singh

CDS

O

PDO, Ole

951097 110s

WSe116n13S3-134, 140) 1587 159> 1GSe Wile 174-175,8 107, tele 96 Tome 20s, 2047 e202 eoliseosoe 367, 369-370, 372, 378, 383, 400, 405, 409, 414, 422, 426, 430, 442, 443, 450—452, 482, 499, 523, 525, 526, 529—532, 551, 558, Udham

Singh,

Accused

No.

15, of

History of the Babar Akalis

"638 Pindori Nijran : 53,

158, 174, Udham

60,

Singh

(Accused

village Nusi:

227,

475:

Singh,

Udham

No-

157,

Accused

61,

Waryam

54,

Singh Dhugga:

158:190,

Accused

No. 398,

218-2197" 221, 8229 240, 357, 455—460,

179,

58;

Singh

65.

192-193,

466. 470, 557:

165

443.

(P.W. 37) : 309

Basrampur:

53,

60, 155,

of

4,

No.

Accused

Singh,

Ujagar

158, 305

;

Waryam

214-215,

eee, 462,

522,

(P.W. 202) :

Singh

Lambardar

; Wazir

of Dulla of Rani

oo 464—

482-483,

Singh

427, 428.

of

514:

95, 96, 156,

212,

472-473,

Waryam

No. 31

346-347,

474,

Singh, Accused

400-401, 443; Udam 87, of Jandu

20) of

(Mundranwala)

Kot Fatui:

235,

231,

; 57, 64,

66, of Kaulgarh

No.

112,

175, 323,369, 540, 551 ;

Thua

Singh

son

(P.W. 390) :

TSO Me:

307, 359, 522, 540 ; Ujaggar Singh of

village

Panialian

Kalan:

Z

263—

265, 268, 499, 501-502. UES Anes ’ Uttam Singh (P.W. 181)

Lambardar of

Dhudial : 160, 162.

of Rani

Ww “AWaryam

Singh.

Accused

Daulatpur: 54,

61,

Waryam

Accused

Muzara to

344,

Singh, Kalan: 527;

Zaildars 3—6’

No.

26,

of

124, 337, 340;

No. 27, of

54, 61, 92.124, 341 Waryam

Singh,

: 3—6, 8,14;

8, 9,128: Zaildars: Zaildar Bishan Singh

Thua: 2,3;

Zailda.

Singh Bains

of Nangal

Zaildar

Singh

Gajj

Beant

Kalan:

(P.W.

3;

163)

of

Kotli Bawa

Dass : 152, 222

Ramnarain

Singh Bains of Mahalpur:

3:

Zaildar

Sham

Singh

; Zaildar

Bains

of

Talhan ; 3. Zain-ul-Abedin

148.

(P.W.

160):

144,

aN

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a4 6

isd

oid i)

ee 2Ye

Map of Babar Akali Movement Hoshiarpur District

np

Anes

meee Net ty Hace

y

Ay Akg Rejpe’

,

nadynre SO KR Brarrowel

3

Map of of Babar Akali Movement Jalandhar District and Kapurthala State

a\P

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w

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:

:

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Back ce

wckhuper Ne

roe ‘i

~

Bhalane

Cu

Ng for. Pakhshish Singh

(Continued from front flap)

Babar

Akalis. background of

It

refers

to

the

the

approvers, and trials of the Babars.

conspiracies

Rs. 350.00

Ph.

Dr. Bakhshish Singh NijjarM A., D_ (History) M.A., M. O.L

(Persion)

M.A.,

Hons

P.E.S.(1), (Retd.),

(Punjabi)

was born on 30th

Sept. 1922, at village & P.O, Domeli, in the Panjab.

erstwhile He had

Kapurthala State, 20 years College

teaching experience,

before he joined

as Senior Researcher in the Archives, in 1959. He became the Director, of Punjab

State

Archives,

which

he

headed till 1980. He was a member of Indian Historical Records Commission. At present he is busy with further research in the Institute of Asian

Studies Sanfrancisco, California U.S.A. His already published books are: “Panjab under the Sultans.” “Panjab under the great Mughasl.”’ “Panjab under the later Mugais.

“Panjab under the British Rule in 3 volumes.” “The Anglo-Sikh-Wars.’’

“Maharani Jind Kaur.”’ “Jawahar

Lal

Nehru

and

Jaito

Morcha” and “Indian Panjab.” His latest book ‘‘History of the Babar Akalis’’ based on the original ’ sources.

ISBN 81 7072 010 9

Published by:

ABS

Publications,

Modern Market, N.G. Road, Jalandhar

(India)

“ees

EA.

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