ROLE OF LYALLPUR IN GURDAWARA REFORMS MOVEMENT

Abstract

This paper explores the historical view of Gurdawara reforms movement as well as role of newly settled district Lyallpur in the struggle for having Sikh worship places in the hands of Shrimony Gurdawara Purbandhak Committee (SGPC). It also discusses the efforts of personalities belongs to Lyallpur (Faisalabad nowadays) for initiating the move and struggle for its success. It is concluded as that the movement was started in 1920 with the demands for removing the Mahants (government appointed administrators of Sikh worship places) from their responsibilities and transferring the powers of administrating Gurdawaras and adjoining lands to SGPC. The Sikhs started their struggle with peaceful demonstrations but later the violent activities from both sides due to harsh handling of Akalis agitation by Mahants. The personalities from Lyallpur like Sunder Singh Lyallpuri, Teja Singh Samnudri, Noranjan Singh, Daleep Singh and Harchand Singh and young Sikhs belongs to the Khalsa Bhojangi Saba played significant role to initiate the movement and struggled till the passing of Gurdawara Act in 1925. The study is done by using the historical method as well as qualitative content analysis of the data.