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Namdhari Sikhs and the Kuka Rebellion
Context:
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann paid tribute at the Namdhari Shaheed Smarak in Malerkotla on January 17, marking the Kuka Martyrs’ Day.
- A Sikh sect founded by Satguru Ram Singh in 1857, known for their distinctive high-pitch recitation of Gurbani.
Founder of Namdhari Sect – Satguru Ram Singh
- Born on February 3, 1816, in Bhaini village near Ludhiana, Satguru Ram Singh founded the Namdhari Sect on April 12, 1857, at Bhaini Sahib.
- He advocated for a boycott of British products and institutions, making the Namdhari movement a direct challenge to British authority.
- Ram Singh also became a secular leader, organising the Kukas with appointed Governors and military training for young men.
Events of January 1872
- Cow Slaughter Agitation: On January 13, 1872, about 200 Namdharis, led by Hira Singh and Lehna Singh, clashed with government officials in Malerkotla over cow slaughter.
- Conflicts: The Namdharis also attacked the Malaudh Fort in Ludhiana on January 15, 1872.
- Brutal Retribution: In retaliation, British authorities executed 66 Kukas on January 17 and 18, 1872, by placing them in front of cannons and blowing them up.
- Notable Kuka Martyrs:
- Bishan Singh: A 12-year-old martyr who was executed after refusing to renounce his sect and even tugged at the beard of the British official. He was dismembered before being killed.
- Waryam Singh: A short but courageous man who stood on stones to face the cannon fire and sacrificed his life rather than bow to the British.
Who Are the Namdharis?
- Sect Origin: Namdharis, also called Kukas due to their high-pitched recitation of Gurbani (“kook” means cry or scream in Punjabi), are a Sikh sect founded by Satguru Ram Singh in Ludhiana on April 12, 1857.
- Social Reforms: Ram Singh advocated for social reforms, including:
- Boycotting alcohol and meat.
- Challenging the status quo in Punjab.
- Predecessor to the Swadeshi Movement: Promoted the boycott of foreign goods, British services, and educational institutions. These ideas prefigured the Swadeshi and Non-Cooperation Movements of the 20th century.
The Kuka Rebellion
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- Despite the failure of the 1857 Rebellion, Namdharis resisted British rule through local uprisings.
- Sporadic violence between Namdharis and British officials culminated in the events of January 1872.
- Aftermath:
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- Exile of Leaders: Satguru Ram Singh and other leaders were exiled to Rangoon (present-day Yangon, Myanmar), where they remained until their deaths.
- Namdhari Beliefs: Namdharis believe Ram Singh is still alive and will return one day. They wear white in mourning for his absence.
- Legacy: The Kuka Movement not only challenged British authority but also inspired future nationalist movements through its principles of self-reliance, civil disobedience, and unwavering sacrifice.
Namdharis Today
- Population: Approximately two lakh Namdharis reside in Punjab today.
- Leadership Schism: After the death of Satguru Jagjit Singh in 2012, the sect split into two factions:
- Followers of Thakur Dilip Singh (based in Sirsa, Haryana).
- Followers of Sangrur Uday Singh (based in Bhaini Sahib, Ludhiana, the original Namdhari seat).
This rebellion and its martyrs remain a symbol of the Namdharis’ unwavering resistance and dedication to their faith and principles.
