The Ghadar Party was founded by Sohan Singh Bhakna in 1913 in San Francisco, USA. The party was primarily composed of Punjabi Indians, including Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims, who had migrated to North America for better economic opportunities but soon became politically active against British rule.

While Sohan Singh Bhakna was the first president of the party, Lala Hardayal, an Indian intellectual and nationalist, played a crucial role in shaping its ideology and organizational structure. Other key figures included:

• Bhai Parmanand
• Kartar Singh Sarabha
• Baba Jawala Singh
• Baba Harnam Singh
• Ras Behari Bose

These revolutionaries were influenced by nationalist ideas, socialist principles, and anti-colonial movements across the world.

The word “Ghadar” means revolt or rebellion, symbolizing the party’s commitment to overthrowing British rule through revolutionary means. The name was inspired by the 1857 Revolt (India’s First War of Independence) and was meant to rekindle the spirit of resistance among Indians.

Objectives of the Ghadar Party

The Ghadar Party was not a moderate political organization. Unlike the Indian National Congress, which demanded gradual reforms, the Ghadar Party sought an immediate and armed uprising against British rule.

Its primary objectives were:

1. Complete Independence of India
• The party aimed for Purna Swaraj (complete self-rule) through armed revolution.
  
  
2. End of British Imperialism
• It rejected negotiations and believed that only direct military action could free India.
  
  
3. Mobilization of Indians Abroad
• The party encouraged Indians living in North America, Southeast Asia, and Europe to join the armed struggle.
  
  
4. Promotion of Anti-Colonial Nationalism
• It aimed to spread revolutionary nationalist ideas among Indian soldiers in the British army, peasants, and workers.
  
  
5. Unity Beyond Religious and Caste Divisions
• The party welcomed all Indians—Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs—under a common cause.
  
  
6. Encouraging Mutiny in the British Indian Army
• Since the British army relied heavily on Indian soldiers, the Ghadar Party sought to incite mutinies to weaken British rule.

Activities and Revolutionary Efforts

1. Publication of “Ghadar” Newspaper

• The party launched a weekly newspaper called “Ghadar”, published in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, and English.
  
  
• It was circulated worldwide, particularly in India, the USA, Canada, and Southeast Asia.
  
  
• The newspaper exposed British atrocities and encouraged Indians to take up arms against colonial rule.

2. Return to India for Armed Revolt (1914-1915)

• At the outbreak of World War I (1914), the Ghadar Party saw an opportunity to strike against the British, who were engaged in a global war.
  
  
• Thousands of Ghadarites returned to India, mainly in Punjab, to incite a mass rebellion.
  
  
• Their goal was to infiltrate the British Indian Army and organize large-scale mutinies.

3. The 1915 Ghadar Conspiracy

• The Ghadar Party planned a nationwide armed uprising on February 21, 1915.
  
  
• Ras Behari Bose and Kartar Singh Sarabha were key figures in organizing the rebellion.
  
  
• The uprising was supposed to begin in Punjab and spread across India, with Indian soldiers revolting against their British officers.

Failure of the Plan:

• Unfortunately, the British government had spies within the movement, and the plan was leaked to the authorities.
  
  
• Hundreds of revolutionaries were arrested, and leaders like Kartar Singh Sarabha were executed.
  
  
• The failure of this rebellion weakened the Ghadar movement temporarily, but its impact on the freedom struggle was profound.

4. Connection with Germany and the Hindu-German Conspiracy (1914-1917)

• The Ghadar Party sought German support to help finance the rebellion.
  
  
• The Hindu-German Conspiracy involved a plan to send arms from Germany to India to aid the revolution.
  
  
• However, the British intercepted the weapons, and many Ghadar leaders were arrested in the Hindu-German Conspiracy Trial (1917) in the USA.

5. Impact on Later Movements

Although the Ghadar Party failed to overthrow British rule directly, it inspired future revolutionary movements.

• It influenced the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), founded by Bhagat Singh and Chandrasekhar Azad.
  
  
• It played a role in shaping the militant phase of India’s freedom struggle, proving that non-violence was not the only path to independence.

Suppression by the British Government

• After the failed 1915 rebellion, the British launched a brutal crackdown on the Ghadar Party.
  
  
• Hundreds of Ghadarites were hanged, deported, or given life imprisonment.
  
  
• The Komagata Maru incident (1914) further fueled anger, as Indians traveling to Canada were denied entry and fired upon by British troops upon their return.
  
  
• Despite repression, the Ghadar Party continued its struggle, but its influence declined after the 1920s.

Legacy and Impact of the Ghadar Party

1. Rise of Revolutionary Nationalism

• The Ghadar Party was among the first organizations to advocate complete independence rather than just reforms.

2. Inspiration for Future Revolutionaries

• Leaders like Bhagat Singh, Chandrasekhar Azad, and Subhas Chandra Bose were deeply inspired by the Ghadar ideology.

3. First Global Anti-Colonial Movement

• It was one of the earliest transnational freedom movements, with branches in North America, Europe, and Asia.

4. Influence on Indian Nationalist Movements

• The Ghadar Party’s emphasis on direct action and armed struggle shaped the future of militant nationalism in India.

5. Recognition by the Indian Government

• In independent India, Ghadar Party members were honored for their contributions to the freedom struggle.

The Ghadar Party was a pioneering force in India’s fight for independence. Unlike the non-violent movements of the Indian National Congress, it chose armed rebellion as its path. Although its 1915 uprising failed, it ignited a revolutionary spirit that inspired future freedom fighters. The party’s bold approach, global influence, and dedication to complete independence played a crucial role in shaping the nationalist movement. Today, the Ghadar Party remains a symbol of courage, patriotism, and the relentless pursuit of freedom.