Singh Sabha Movement

4. Movements within other communities (History, Teachings, Activities and Impact)

b) Sikhism

I. Singh Sabha Movement

The Singh Sabha Movement (Punjabi: “Society of the Singhs”) was a 19th-century movement within Sikhism that began as a defense against the proselytizing activities of Christians and Hindus. Its chief aims were the revival of the teachings of the Sikh Gurus (spiritual leaders), the production of religious literature in Punjabi, and a campaign against illiteracy.

After the annexation of the Khalsa Raj (the independent Sikh kingdom in the Punjab founded by Ranjit Singh in 1799) by the British in 1849, Christian missionaries increased their activities in central Punjab. Dalip Singh, the last Sikh ruler, converted to Christianity in 1853, and Harnam Singh, a Sikh aristocrat from Kapurthala, followed soon thereafter. Christian missionary activity was thus quickly perceived as a threat to local religious traditions, but it was not the only challenge facing the Sikhs. The lower rung of the British administration in the Punjab included English-speaking Bengalis, who were largely Brahmo Samajis (members of a Hindu reform movement). They actively established their branches in several Punjab cities in the 1860s. Punjabi Muslims concerned with saving their heritage formed the first Anjuman-i-Islamia (an association created to improve religious, educational, and social conditions in the Muslim community) in Lahore in 1869.

In response to these developments, Sikhs initiated the Singh Sabha movement, which sought to revive Sikh doctrine in its pristine purity. The first unit, formed in Amritsar in 1873, was followed by a more radical branch in Lahore that, among other things, stressed that Sikhs were not Hindus. By the end of the 19th century, the number of Singh Sabhas exceeded 100.

Factors that prompted the Singh Sabha Movement: Within a few years after the death of the last Guru, Guru Gobind Singh in 1708, Hindu ceremonies and rituals came back into Sikh Gurudwaras – for e.g. wearing of caste marks, Hindu customs at birth, weddings and funerals. Even the practice of Sati came back. The Mughal emperors continued to persecute the Sikhs, and the latter sought refuge in the remote hills and deserts, and their Gurudwaras were under the control of Brahmin priests who lived a luxurious life and neglected their religious duties. Extravagant ceremonies replaced the simple form of the Sikh service. These priests had also converted properties attached to the Gurudwaras into their private properties. The Sikhs were going through an identity crisis. Many Sikhs had already gone back to Hinduism. The initiatory ceremony for adults was rarely performed.

            The Singh Sabha Movement was also a reaction against Christian missionary work. Christian missionaries were active in Ludhiana, Lahore and Amritsar. Educational institutions were opened by Christian missionaries in various places. The challenge of Western science, Christian ethics and humanitarian values resulted in self-examination and some Sikhs were converted to Christianity. In 1853, Maharaja Duleep Singh (the last Sikh ruler of the Punjab) accepted the Christian faith and made liberal donations for Christian charity and for the maintenance of Christian schools. The Sikh ruler of Kapurthala invited Ludhiana Christian mission to set up a station in his capital and released funds for its maintenance.

            A few years later, a nephew of the Kapurthala ruler, Kanwar Harnam Singh became a Christian. The Gospel was preached in the neighbourhood of the Golden Temple at Amritsar. In 1873, four Sikh students of the Amritsar Christian Mission School (Aya Singh, Attar Singh, Sadhu Singh and Sashtokh Singh) proclaimed their intention of following the Christian faith. This shocked the whole Sikh community. After this a series of lectures was given in Amritsar by Sharde Ram Phillauri on the life of Guru Nanak. The British Govt. engaged Phillauri to write a history of the Sikhs. Without delay a meeting was convened in Amritsar by some prominent Sikhs and an association called the Sri Guru Singh Sabha was born on 1^st Oct, 1873.

Aims and Objectives of the Singh Sabha Movement: The Singh Sabha undertook to:

1. Restore Sikhism to its original purity.

2. Edit and publish historical and religious books for the Sikhs.

3. Propagate current knowledge through Punjabi medium by starting magazines and newspapers in Punjabi language.

4. Reform and bring back into the Sikh-fold the apostates.

5. Evoke interest of highly placed English men in the educational programme of the Sikhs.

The Impacts of the Singh Sabha Movement: The Singh Sabha brought about a regeneration of Sikh society. It gained quick support of various sections of the community and was joined by many Sikh scholars and leaders. The Sabha rejected un-Sikh customs and social evils, but also encouraged Western education. Thus, both the revivalist impulse and progressive concern were the chief characteristics of the movement. Singh Sabhas began to spring up in many places in Punjab. In order to co-ordinate these various Sabhas, a joint board called the General Sabha was formed. This was later replaced by the Khalsa Diwan set up in Amritsar in 1883 and it became the officiating centre for all the Singh Sabhas. Due to differences between the Amritsar and Lahore Sanghs, a separate Khalsa Diwan was established at Lahore in 1886. There was a need for a central organization to unite the different sections. A large gathering of the Sikhs at Amritsar on April 12^th, 1900, unanimously voted for the establishment of a Khalsa Diwan Supreme.

            Along with the revivalist impulse, the Sikhs were looking to the future as well. They had a desire for western style education. They wanted to have their share of government employments. They wanted to make intellectual progress permanently; hence schools and colleges were opened for their children’s education. Until the coming of the British, the educational system in the Punjab had been essentially religion based.

            Inspired by the preaching of the Singh Sabha, Sikh youth began to assemble for religious discussion. In 1891 they formed the Khalsa Vidyarthi Sabha (Sikh Students Club) which however was not appreciated by the Golden Temple Management. In 1908, Sikh Eductation Conference was founded. The chief objectives were:

1.      Spread Western education among the Sikhs

2.      Promote the study of Sikh literature.

3.      Improve Sikh educational institutions

4.      Open new educational institutions

5.      Further the cause of female education among the Sikhs and

6.      Promote technical and agricultural education.

Evaluation: The Singh Sabha Movement was an attempt to get rid of the adulterations and additions that had spoilt Sikhism in the previous period. It was an attempt to go back to the original purity of the faith. It was a movement among the masses. Through the Singh Sabha Movement, the Sikhs gained their identity. What was against the teachings of the gurus was rejected, and Sikh precept and practice was restored. Legal sanction was secured from the British Govt legislation for rites and customs that were consistent with Sikh doctrines and tradition. Reformations of Sikh shrines took place.

            Singh Sabha Movement had a very deep impact upon the Sikh community which, as a result, re-oriented its outlook and spirit. It was a turning point in Sikh history. It made Sikhism a living religion once again. It has shaped the attitude and aspirations of the Sikhs ever since. It was a great regenerating force that rescued the Sikhs from the degenerating practices of Hinduism and brought them to an awareness of the excellence of their religion. It opened for them the doors to progress.

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