Gadar hero from Sarabha remained source of inspiration for freedom fighters

Kartar Singh Sarabha, a prominent Gadar Party revolutionary, is remembered on Saturday on his martyrdom day for the supreme sacrifice he made for India’s independence at the age of just 19.

Despite being the only son of his parents, Sarabha joined the Gadar Movement at the age of 15, becoming a close confidante of Baba Sohan Singh Bhakna, the founder and president of the Gadar Party. Bhakna affectionately called him "Baba General."

Born on May 24, 1896, in Sarabha village in Ludhiana district, Sarabha came from a peasant family led by his father Mangal Singh and mother Sahib Kaur. However, he was raised by his grandfather Badan Singh Grewal after losing both of his parents at an early age. After completing his early education at the village school, Sarabha moved to Orissa to continue his studies at Ravenshaw College, where he was taught by a lecturer who had also taught Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

In 1912, Sarabha moved to the United States to study electrical engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. There, he witnessed the harsh treatment of Indians, who were often regarded as second-class citizens and labelled "Hindu Slaves." This fuelled his resolve to return to India and intensify efforts to free the country from British rule.

While the University of California has no records of his admission, a historical note by Baba Jawala Singh mentions encountering Sarabha working in a mill in Astoria, Oregon, in December 1912. Despite this, it is known that during his time in the US, Sarabha became involved with the Nalanda Club of Indian Students at Berkeley. His time there, marked by mistreatment of Indian immigrants, helped ignite his revolutionary spirit. He is said to have learnt about weapons, explosives and aviation from Americans during his stay.

Back in India, particularly in his native village of Sarabha and nearby areas, Sarabha inspired many young people to join the fight for independence. Gurbhajan Singh Gill, the chairman of the Maharaja Dalip Singh Memorial Trust, noted Sarabha persuaded Bassian Bhai Parmanand Jhansi to abandon his plans for higher studies in America and join the Gadar Movement. Similarly, he convinced Bhai Randhir Singh of Narangwal to shift his focus from religious activities to the revolutionary cause.

Sarabha also briefly attended Malwa Khalsa School and Arya School in Ludhiana. In 1915, as Sarabha and his associates were preparing to launch a mutiny in Ferozepur, they were betrayed by a Jaildar from Mohi village, leading to their arrest.

On November 16, 1915, at the age of 19, Sarabha was executed in Lahore Central Jail, alongside fellow revolutionary Vishnu Ganesh Pingle. His courage and sacrifice inspired later freedom fighters, including Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

Sarabha village, located on the Ludhiana-Raikot road, has since become a symbol of the Gadar Movement and the struggle for independence. The village was adopted as a model village by the Punjab Government in recognition of Sarabha’s sacrifice.

Today, the Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha Memorial Park, the 38 km road passing through the village renamed in his honour and various other landmarks, such as an Ayurvedic College, a Dental College, and a stadium, stand as tokens of respect to the martyr.

However, the martyr’s ancestral home in the village urgently requires government attention for proper maintenance and renovation, ensuring its preservation and honouring the legacy of this great revolutionary.