“Seva desh di jindriae badi aokhi,
Galan karnia dher sukhalian ne,
Jina desh seva vich pair paya,
Ona lakh musibtan jhalian ne”
These lines were truly said by Shaheed Shromani Kartar Singh Sarabha.
By becoming inspiration for the people of the country he devoted all
his life for the service of the mother land. Bearing all the
difficulties, he sacrified himself for the nation. After his death he
still remained alive in the hearts of all the people of his motherland
and inspired them to fight for freedom of the country. Among these
people Shaheed Bhagat Singh was also the one, who made Sarabha his ideal
and took the inspiration from him. Bhagat Singh used to have Sarabha’s
photo in his pocket.
Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha was born on 24th of May 1896
at village Sarabha. This village is situated on Pakhowal road about 23
KM form Ludhiana. His father’s name was Sardar Mangal Singh and mother’s
Sardarni Sahib Kaur. His parents died in his childhood. His Grandfather
Sardar Badan Singh and Grandmother Sardarni Rudhi Kaur brought him up.
He had one sister Dhan Kaur and three uncles S. Bhishan Singh, Dr. Vir
Singh and S. Bakshish Singh who were well educated.
Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha had his primary education from his
village school and did his metric from Orrisa while living with his
uncle S. Bakshish Singh who was an officer in British Company. Kartar
Singh was sent to America by his uncle and Grandfather for higher
education. He was admitted in Bruckley University situated in San
Francisco. While living in America he had varied experiences of
democratic life and for the first time he felt the air of freedom. He
also saw the miserable condition of his country people in America. After
looking at these circumstances he resolved to free his motherland form
the rule of Britishers.
In the mean time Indian people living in America formed Gadar Party under
the leadership of Baba Sohan Singh Bhakana and Lala Haridayal. The main
aim of this party was to free India. Many people living in America
joined the party. Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha also joined this party by
leaving his studies. He became the leading person of Gadar Party in a
very short time because he was very brave, courageous and intelligent.
The party first started publishing a newspaper under the name of “GADAR”.
All the work of this newspaper was entrusted to Shaheed Kartar Singh.
Gadar newspaper became very popular among Indian people by the work of
Sarabha. Once Baba Sohan Singh Bhakana noticed that Sarabha was running
here and there for the works of party all the day. At about 1 o’clock
when Sarabha got free from work, he began to write an article for the
newspaper. All the night he was busy in publishing the newspaper. In the
morning when Baba ji wake up he saw that Kartar Singh was still
working Baba ji questioned him, ”Kartar what time do you sleep?” in the
reply Kartar Singh said, “ Baba ji, I will sleep truly in Independent
motherland. Baba ji was stunned by this great thinking of a 16 to 17
year old young man.
At the time when First World War broke in 1914 Gadar party decided to
go to India. This was the right time for Gadar Party to start a war for
freedom because the British were engaged in the war. Shaheed Kartar
Singh Sarabha also came to India by learning many tactics of war from
Germany. He was the first pilot of India. He learnt to fly fighter plane
in Germany. Sarabha also started doing actions against Britishers in
India. He began to collect money form every where for the weapons. He
went to the Indian soldiers in British Company and inspired them to
revolt against Britishers. Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha also made
contacts with the Bengali revolutionaries. He met them with the help of
Ganesh Pingley. He also called Ras Behari Bose to Punjab. Bengali
revolutionaries were very much impressed from him and his work for
freedom. That’s why whenever Ram Behari Bose came to Punjab he used to
stay only with him.
Sarabha accelerated the activities of Gadar Party for Independence.
By the lack of money for the revolution, he was forced to plunder money
from land lords. Once when he went for a dacoity in one house. There was
a beautiful girl in that house. On seeing her one of the persons of
Sarabha’s group began to tease her. The girl shouted for help. On
hearing this Sarabha took out the revolver and put it towards that
person and made him to beg pardon by touching the feet of both the
mother and the daughter for his sin. On the request of the mother, that
she needed money for the marriage of her daughter, Sarabha gave more
money from his own side to her for her daughter’s marriage from this
incident we can see how kind and serious he was in such acts also. Many
time he befooled the police by his courage and cleverness. Once Baba
Sohan Singh Bhakna was arrested and was taken to Ludhiana in tight
security, from there took him to Multan in a Victoria. Kartar Singh
chased the Victoria and in this tight security he took all the important
information from him.
Party decided on 21st of Feb, 1915 for Gadar, the
day to start revolt all over India. . All the works and activities were
completed but only one traitor Kirpal Singh let out the information
about gadar to the Britishers. He was the tout of British Empire. This
was the reason that Kartar Singh and his comrades changed the date of
Gadar to 19, but this date was also known by the Britishers. The
britishers took away all the weapons from the Indian military and police
persons who were under them. Many members of Gadar party were arrested,
it was the bad luck of the Indians, otherwise we could have get
independence at that time.
Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha and his comrades changed their place. He
went to Sargoda in Chack Number 5 to Rajinder Singh for some weapons
and horses. Rajinder Singh give the information about him to britishers
and Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha was arrested by them. At the time of
arrest he was still smiling and gave arrest bravely.
He often used to say that, “you should give me the reward of rebel of
British Empire for dying with courage and bravery for the motherland.
Many cases were registered against him. The judge wrote about him that,
“He is one of very much dangerous victims in these persons for British
Empire. There is no single conspiracy from America to India in which he
does not took an active part.” When ever Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha
gave his statement. He always spoke patriotically and revolutionary.
Once in the court he said,” I will get the punishment of life
imprisonment or death sentence. I will prefer you to sentence me to
death because I will take birth and die for my country again and again
until my country gets freedom. This is my last wish also.”
Case kept prolonging, Cruel British Empire sentenced him to death by hanging. On the unlucky day of 16th
of Nov 1915, the Great son of the motherland, “Shaheed Shiromani Kartar
Singh Sarabha” with his smiling and brave attitude died for the
motherland. On that day in happiness his weight increased by 10 pounds.
Vande Matram……
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