Historical Quotes

Prominent People Prominent Quotes

‘Sikh philospher and reformer and the first Indian to use non-cooperation and boycott of British merchandise and services as a political weapon.’ – Encyclopedia Brittianca under the entry (Guru) ‘Ram Singh’.

Book: 1000 Years, 1,000 People:  “(GURU) RAM SINGH (1816-1885) Sikh advocate of ousting the British from India
The truth of Britain’s domination of India was much harsher than anything Hollywood dished up. (Guru Ram) Singh was moved to action. He served in the Sikh army, then organized a group called the Kukas. They wore white robes and turbans, chanted prayers in a special way, and followed secret rituals. Because these men were poor and from low castes, they had unquestionably accepted British domination until (Guru Ram) Singh came along. When an all out revolt appeared inevitable, the British tied Kukas to cannons and blew them to pieces. (Guru Ram) Singh advocated civil disobedience and boycott of British goods.”

‘If we set aside all good deeds of Sri Satguru Ram Singh Ji which he preached for goodness of whole mankind on one side, only his preaching for equal rights for men and women in the society take him to list of supreme reformers of the world’ – Kapur Singh (Indian Civil Service Officer)

Acknowledging Sat Guru Ram Singh Ji’s contribution and achievement in the freedom movement Dr Rajendera Prasad India’s first President, wrote: In fact it is a historical truth that the non-co-operation and Swadishi movement started by Sat Guru Ram Singh Ji shook the very foundations of the British rule in India. Guru Ram Singh considered political freedom a part of religion. The principles of boycott and non-co-operation which Mahatma Gandhi introduced so vigorously in our freedom movement were expounded by Guru Ram Singh Ji for the Namdharis.
Subash Chandra Bose – “The banner for freedom given to Indians by Guru Ram Singh and the sacrifices done by Namdhari Sikhs will be a matter if pride for the Indians. The Namdhari Sikhs, experienced for three quaters of century for their peaceful non-co-operation movement, are expected to carry forward the banner of freedom in the forefront and will encourage sacrifices. Guru Ram Singh is the first leader of the peaceful non-co-operation movement in India.”

Namdhari Sikhs have an honored place in the history of India’s freedom struggle. They were the first to evolve non-cooperation and the use of swadeshi as political weapons. As early as the 1980’s they boycotted British goods, government schools, law courts and postal services. They emphasized the wearing of hand spun khadi sixty years before it was taken up by Mahatma Gandhi. – Writer Khushwant Singh 

‘No Indian can deny the importance of efforts put in by Sat Guru Ram Singh Ji seventy five years back in achieving freedom for the motherland. Congress merely followed the path shown by him and attained independence.’- India’s first Prime Minister Pandit J Nehru, 1939.

The contribution of the Namdhari Sikhs to the freedom movement has been specially significant and unique in its own way. –Prime Minister Indira Gandhi– 16.3.1981

One of the most interesting efforts to expel the British was the Kuka Movement initiated on 12th April 1857 by Guru Ram Singh. He was a simple peasant, but had great personal qualities which attracted the loyalty and allegiance of large sections of people in the Punjab. It was said that his coming had been foretold in Sikh prophecies and his followers claimed that he was an incarnation of Guru Govind Singh.
Hurnayun Kabir 

The truth is that it is not possible for a kuka to be loyal subject of the British Government. (In “Ludhiana District Gazetteer-1904)

“Whom neither shape of danger can dismayNor thought of tender happiness betray;This is the happy warrior this he That every man in arms should wish to be” – Sri Satguru Ram Singh was in short the Happy Warrior sung by Wordsworth.

Sir Henry Cotton writes in his book “Indian and Home Memories”: “These reminiscences of 1872, would be incomplete without some reference to what can I only describe as the massacre of Malerkotla. For my part I can recall nothing during my service in India more revolting and shocking than these executions”.

Dr.Rajinder Parsad, the first President of India, wrote in 1935 in his article in “The Satyug”. “Guru Ram Singh believed in the political freedom as part of religion. The organisation of the Namdhari became considerably strong. The movement of Boycott and Non-Co-operation, which Mahatma Gandhi started so vigorously in our times was preached by Guru Ram Singh 50 years ago as cult for the Namdharis. Guru Ram Singh’s Non-Co-operation movement contained the following five essentials :-1. Boycott of Government service 2. Boycott of educational institution opened by British 3. Boycott of Law-courts started by the British 4. Boycott of foreign made Goods 5. Refused to obey and resist the Laws & orders which owns conscience abhors.

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