Master Tara Singh in Indian History

Description

This is the first comprehensive study of the life and work of Master Tara Singh (1885–1967), Akali leader, freedom fighter, and arguably the foremost leader of the Sikhs. Master Tara Singh’s vision of the ‘Indian National State’ was fundamentally different from that of Jawaharlal Nehru and the Indian National Congress. The partition of British Punjab and the formation of Punjabi Suba are the lasting legacies of his determined efforts to protect Sikh interests.
Employing new and a broad variety of sources in English and Punjabi, J.S. Grewal weaves a comprehensive biography of Master Tara Singh. Divided into two parts, the first deals with Master Tara Singh’s anti-British activity in colonial India, while the second traces the political and religious trajectories of the movements led by him in pursuit of a unilingual Punjab state. Lending unity to the two parts is Master Tara Singh’s politics based on Sikh identity as a source of confrontation with the colonial state and the Congress government.
Revealing new facts, ideas, and perspectives on Master Tara Singh, this book throws fresh light on the freedom struggle, the Akali movement, the politics of partition, and the working of the Congress governments in the states and at the Centre during a tumultuous and transformative period of Indian history.

About the Author

J.S. Grewal was until recently Professor of Eminence at Punjabi University, Patiala, India, and is presently Life Fellow of the University. Earlier he was Professor and Vice Chancellor at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India, and Director and (later) Chairman, Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla.

Table of contents

List of Illustrations
Foreword by Jaspal Singh
Preface

Introduction: Historiographical Legacy and Our Approach

Part One COLONIAL RULE, STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM, AND SIKH POLITICS

1. The Colonial Context (1849–1919)
2. Colonial Rule and the Sikhs (1849–1919)
3. Early Life and Career of Master Tara Singh (1885–1919)
4. Master Tara Singh in the Akali Movement (1920–3)
5. From the Jaito Morchā to the Gurdwara Legislation (1923–5)
6. Master Tara Singh’s Rise into Pre-eminence (1926–9)
7. Master Tara Singh Emerges as the Foremost Sikh Leader (1930–6)
8. Facing New Challenges (1937–40)
9. In Search of Political Autonomy (1940–2)
10. New Political Orientations (1942–5)
11. At the Simla Conference and in the General Elections (1945–6)
12. ‘Betrayal of the Sikhs’ (1946–7)
13. ‘Divide and Quit’ (February–May 1947)
14. Seventy-Five Days to Partition (1 June–15 August 1947)

Part Two INDIAN NATIONALISM, LINGUISTIC STATES, AND AKALI POLITICS
15. The New Context (1947–50)
16. Making of the New Constitution (1946–50)
17. Emergence of the Demand for Territorial Reorganization of East Punjab (1947–50)
18. Crystallization of the Demand for ‘Punjabi Suba’ (1950–2)
19. The Akali–Congress Confrontation (1952–5)
20. The Akali–Congress Compromise (1955–6)
21. Failure of the Compromise (1957–8)
22. The Gulf Widens (1958–60)
23. The Second Battle (1960–2)
24. Master Tara Singh Loses Ground (1962–4)
25. At Last a Unilingual Punjab State (1964–6)
26. The Last Year
Conclusion: Sikh Identity and Pluralism

Appendix 1: Master Tara Singh’s Interest in Gurbāṇī
Appendix 2: Bābā Tegā Singh
Appendix 3: Prem Lagan
Appendix 4: Seventeen Demands of Central Sikh League
Appendix 5: Akali Party’s Election Manifesto
Appendix 6: The Sikh All-Parties Committee to Sir S. Cripps
Appendix 7: The All-India Akali Conference (14–15 October 1944)
Appendix 8: Memorandum Submitted by Master Tara Singh
Appendix 9: Sardar Hukam Singh’s Last Speech in the Constituent Assembly
Appendix 10: Regional Formula
Master Tara Singh in Photographs
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
About the Author