Sikh Movements in the Modern Era 

"Sikh Movements in the Modern Era", focusing on key reformist, revolutionary, and political movements from the 19th century to the present. This course is adapted for university-level programs in Sikh Studies, History, or Religious Studies.


Course Title: Sikh Movements in the Modern Era 

(Ghadar, Singh Sabha, etc.)


Course Description:

This course explores the key Sikh movements from the late 19th century onward, examining how the Sikh community responded to colonialism, modernity, religious reform, and political challenges. It focuses on movements such as the Singh Sabha, the Ghadar Movement, Akali Dal mobilizations, and contemporary transnational Sikh activism.


Course Units / Modules:

Unit 1: Introduction to Modern Sikh History

  • Overview of Sikhism up to the 19th century
  • Impact of the fall of the Sikh Empire (1849)
  • Early colonial encounters and their effects on Sikh identity

Unit 2: The Singh Sabha Movement (1873–1925)

  • Origins: Sanatan vs. Tat Khalsa
  • Role of print culture and education
  • Religious reform and codification of Sikh identity
  • Key figures: Bhai Gurmukh Singh, Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha, Max Arthur Macauliffe

Unit 3: The Gurdwara Reform Movement / Akali Movement (1919–1925)

  • Context: British control over Sikh religious institutions
  • Formation and actions of the Shiromani Akali Dal and SGPC
  • Role in Indian nationalism and religious autonomy

Unit 4: The Ghadar Movement (1913–1919)

  • Diaspora roots: Punjabi migration to North America
  • Anti-colonial revolutionary goals
  • Key leaders: Kartar Singh Sarabha, Baba Sohan Singh Bhakna
  • Impact and British repression

Unit 5: Sikh Role in Indian Independence & Post-1947 Politics

  • Sikh involvement in broader Indian independence
  • Partition and its effects on the Sikh community
  • Early post-independence Sikh political movements

Unit 6: Punjabi Suba Movement and Anandpur Sahib Resolution

  • Demand for a Punjabi-speaking state
  • Cultural, linguistic, and religious motivations
  • Rise of Bhindranwale and evolving Sikh political consciousness

Unit 7: The Khalistan Movement (1980s–1990s)

  • Operation Blue Star and its aftermath
  • Sikh diaspora’s involvement
  • Debates around identity, statehood, and violence

Unit 8: Contemporary Sikh Movements and Global Sikhism

  • Sikh activism in human rights, farmers’ protests, and diaspora issues
  • Role of social media, transnational networks, and youth
  • Modern reinterpretations of Sikh ideals


Assessment Ideas:

  • Essays analyzing specific movements
  • Document analysis of primary sources (e.g., Ghadar newspaper, Singh Sabha tracts)
  • Presentations on key figures or case studies
  • Final exam or research project


Suggested Readings:

  • Harjot Oberoi, The Construction of Religious Boundaries
  • Khushwant Singh, A History of the Sikhs (Vol. 2)
  • Gurharpal Singh, Sikh Nationalism
  • Seema Sohi, Echoes of Mutiny: Race, Surveillance, and Indian Anticolonialism in North America
  • Gurdarshan Dhillon, History of the Sikh Struggles