INDIAN DIASPORA : FUELING THE FLAME OF FREEDOM

The Indian diaspora has been a powerful force in preserving and promoting the spirit of freedom, both within India and abroad. Over the years, millions of Indians settled in different parts of the world, becoming ambassadors of Indian culture, values, and resilience. This global community has played a crucial role in supporting India’s fight for independence, and today, they continue to contribute to the nation’s growth in various sectors—economically, politically, and socially. The Indian diaspora remains deeply connected to their homeland, promoting democratic values, advocating for human rights, and fostering global partnerships that enhance India’s international standing. Their contributions to innovation, business, and diplomacy have made them key players in shaping the modern world. From Mahatma Gandhi’s activism in South Africa to today’s leading Indian entrepreneurs and professionals across the globe, the Indian diaspora continues to fuel the flame of freedom and progress, becoming a bridge between cultures and nations.

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CONTRIBUTION OF INDIAN DIASPORA FOR FREEDOM STRUGGLE

Mahatma Gandhi:

• In 1906, Gandhi started Satyagraha movement in South Africa against Black Act in which every Indian had to do registration. Gandhi successfully forced colonial government to give relaxation to the Indians from Black Act.
• Gandhi formulated certain principles and new methods in his political life such as, satyagraha, ahimsa and non-cooperation. Gandhi used these new principles and methods for the first time in South Africa.

Lala Har Dayal:

• He published a newspaper which was titled ‘Bande Mataram’.
• He motivated many students of California University to join Indian national movement. He had settled in the Western America and became the general secretary of the Ghadar party.
• Lala Har Dayal successfully led Indian nationalist movement from America but in March, 1914, he was arrested. Therefore, Ghadar movement became slow.

Subhas Chandra Bose:

• Subhas Chandra Bose was one of the most important leaders of Indian freedom struggle. He joined the Indian National Congress in 1921.
• Throughout his political career, Bose had only one goal that was India’s liberation from British rule. To fulfill his goal, Bose went to Singapore in July, 1943 and met with Rash Bihari Bose.
• Rash Bihari Bose handed over him the control of Indian Independence League. Subhas Chandra Bose for the first time, lead the Indian national army with the help of thirteen thousand army personal
• He met with many leaders from the different countries such as Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin and asked for their support for the freedom of India.

Swami Vivekananda:

• Swami Vivekananda is considered as the father of Indian spiritual nationalism.
• Vivekananda taught the lesson of peace and spirituality to India as well as the world. Vivekananda introduced the world with the Indian spirituality. He provided moral and spiritual base to the Indian national movement.

Mohan Singh:

• Mohan Singh was an officer of British Indian army.
• He fought against Japanese army in the Second World War but when he saw that British army was about to defeat, he supported Japanese army. More than 45 thousand Indian soldiers were arrested by the Japanese army in the Second World War.
• Mohan Singh organised these army personals and created Indian national army.

Shyam ji Krishna Varma:

• Shyam ji Krishna Varma was also one of the most important leaders among them who were contributing for the freedom of India from abroad.
• He founded the India House in London in 1904 which became the centre for Indian revolutionaries like Savarkar, Madam Cama, and Madan Lal Dhingra.
• An organisation named ‘Indian Home Rule Society’ was formed by Krishna Varma in London.

Madam Bhikaji Rustom Cama:

• Madam Bhikaji Rustom Cama was a revolutionary lady of the Indian national movement.
• Madam Cama participated in several social activities. She hoisted the Indian tricolour-flag in Germany in 1907.
• After Germany, she went to America and met with Indians. She introduced the Indian diaspora in America with the oppression of the voice of educated Indians in India.

Maharani Jinda Rani Kaur:

• Maharani Jinda Rani Kaur is considered to be the first revolutionary queen of Punjab and due to her valour she was called at that time as the ‘Lioness of Lahore’.
• Lord Dalhousie, seeing her valour, had said, “Rani Jinda is more powerful than all the military power of the state”.
• She was imprisoned but she escaped to Nepal in the form of a sanyasi and met Begum Hazrat Mahal and Nana saheb. Planned a detailed revolutionary action but the plan remained incomplete due to her death.

THE GHADAR PARTY: A TALE OF REVOLUTION AND RESILIENCE

The Ghadar Party was a political revolutionary organisation founded in the United States of America by migrated Indians. The formation of the Ghadar Party was primarily the work of Sikhs.

Sohan Singh, Kartar Singh, Abdul Mohamed Barakatullah, and Rashbehari Bose were among the prominent leaders who laid the groundwork for the establishment of an Indian political organisation in the United States and Canada.

Ghadar Party - Backstage

• At the turn of the twentieth century, the burgeoning Indian Independence Struggle sparked a surge in nationalist sentiments not only in the Indian subcontinent but also among students and emigrants from the same region all over the world.
• Revolutionary intellectuals such as Lala Har Dayal and Taraknath Das attempted to organise these students while instilling nationalist ideas in them.
• The Ghadar Party, originally known as the Pacific Coast Hindustan Association, was founded on July 15, 1913 in the United States by Lala Har Dayal, Sant Baba Wasakha Singh Dadehar, Baba Jawala Singh, Santokh Singh, and Sohan Singh Bhakna.
• The Ghadar party drew a sizable following among Indian expatriates in the United States, Canada, East Africa, and Asia.

VARIOUS DIMENSIONS OF GADHAR MOVEMENT

There were many dimensions to the Ghadar movement which made it significant and effective. Here are some key dimensions:

1. Ideological Dimensions:

• Nationalism: An ideology that reflected a desire for total independence from British rule. And what they were demanding was not incremental reform, but sovereignty.
• Revolutionary Ideologies: The movement was driven by socialist and anarchist ideals, demanding a society that remained just and free from exploitation as oppressive.
• Social Justice: They fought for the rights of all Indians irrespective of caste, religion or social status and also wanted to break down the colonial society’s discriminatory structures.
• Internationalism: Ghadar Movement was in favor of international solidarity and wanted to establish relations with other anti-colonial organizations across the globe because they believed that all struggling against similar oppressors.

2. Organizational Dimensions:

• Transnational Networks: The Ghadar Movement created a network of branches and members around the world particularly in North America but also in Europe, and Southeast Asia.
• Publications: Their newspaper, "Ghadar", was the main vehicle by which they disseminated propaganda and mobilized supporters.
• Recruitment and Mobilization: The movement was able to successfully recruit from the Indian expatriates especially Punjabis with a heady mixture of nationalism, religious preachments combined with social justice messages.
• Conspiracy and Revolt: The Ghadar Movement launched multiple conspiracies/revolt in several parts of India to subvert the British administration, and they were hoping that a big revolt can be incited with such acts.

3. Historical Dimensions:

• Antecedent of Indian Independence: The Ghadar Movemet opened the doors for larger independence movement from India, imbuing people with revolutionary zeal and questioning British authority.
• Impact on the Indian Independence Movement: The ideas, tactics and organisation of the movement along with experiences collected by its members would go forth to influence later leaders and organised group within India.
• Influence on the Punjabi Community: The Ghadar Movement greatly influenced the people of Punjab in upholding their national esteem and ready to word for Independence.
• Legacy of Resistance: The movement inspires struggles for freedom and social justice in India as well around the world.

4. Socio-Cultural Dimensions:

• Cultural Identity: Formation of a common and shared cultural identity among Indians which transcended regional,linguistic differences.
• Social Change: This movement stands for social justice. The movement's emphasis on and advocated for a more equitable society.
• Religious Tolerance: Originally the Ghadar Movement was to mobilize members through religious sentiments, but very soon it aimed for a Secular and integrated Society.
• Empowerment & Agency: The Ghadar movement allowed disenfranchised groups, especially those abroad to claim back its agency against European colonial power.

5. Political Dimensions:

• Confrontation with British Rule: The prime objective of the Ghadar Movement was to confront British rule in India by destroying or collapsing colonial institutions.
• Demands Inspired by a Different Political Vision: The movement sought to have India not only get rid itself of British imperialism and colonial rule, but see free & independet India. Take concrete shape as per democratic principles, social justice and self-determination.
• International Relations : The internationalist approach of the Ghadar Movement was an effort to establish relation and alliance with other anti-colonial movements.