Kartar Singh Sarabha Wiki, Age, Death, Family, Biography & More

Kartar Singh Sarabha, an Indian revolutionary, was among the 27 individuals implicated in the Lahore Controversy and subjected to punishment. It is my wish that this event becomes an annual commemoration, shedding light on the remarkable contributions of numerous ‘non-western’ figures often overlooked in mainstream historical narratives. Joining the Ghadar Party at the age of 15, Kartar Singh Sarabha swiftly rose to prominence, actively participating in the Indian independence movement. Executed at the age of 19 in November 1915 at Central Jail, Lahore, he played a pivotal role in the Ghadar Party and the broader struggle for independence. In this article, you’ll find a comprehensive Kartar Singh Sarabha biography.

Kartar Singh Sarabha Biography

Hailing from the Jat Sikh Punjabi family of Amritsar in Punjab, Kartar Singh Sarabha, an Indian revolutionary, was not only a pivotal figure in the freedom struggle but also a skilled aviator. His influence extended to notable revolutionaries, including Bhagat Singh, who regarded him as his “Guru.” During his trial, Kartar Singh, unwavering in his commitment, declined any legal counsel. The seeds of his political awakening were sown during his time in America, where he arrived on January 1, 1912. His mentor, Shri Beni Madhav Das, the headmaster, left a lasting impact, with Subhas Chander Bose considering him as his Guru. Sarabha’s profound patriotism and political consciousness developed within five or six months. The credit for bringing attention to this significant historical figure goes to Pavandeep Singh Joshan, who initially approached me about the event, demonstrating confidence in my ability to do justice to Kartar Singh Sarabha’s story.

Kartar Singh-Sarabha-Picture

Kartar Singh Sarabha Young Age Picture

Family

Kartar Singh Sarabha hailed from a Jat Sikh family in Punjab, specifically from the Grewal Jat Sikh community. Born in the Punjabi village of Sarabha, near Ludhiana, Kartar Singh faced the early loss of his father and was subsequently raised by his grandfather. His mother, Sahib Kaur, and his father, Mangal Singh Grewal, played integral roles in shaping his early life and upbringing.

Age

Kartar Singh Sarabha took his first breath on May 24, 1896, in the village of Sarabha, located in the Ludhiana district of Punjab, India.

Death

On November 17, 1915, Kartar Singh Sarabha, along with other members of the Ghadar Party, met their end through execution at Lahore Central Jail in Lahore, Punjab Province, British India (now part of Punjab, Pakistan). Kartar Singh Sarabha was only 19 years old at the time of his demise.

Education

Kartar Singh Sarabha concluded his middle standard education at Malwa Khalsa High School in Ludhiana, Punjab. Subsequently, he pursued his matriculation at Ravenshaw College in Cuttack, Odisha. Having completed high school in 1911, he embarked on his journey to the University of California, Berkeley, where he continued his studies in engineering.

Height and Weight

Kartar Singh Sarabha stood at a height of 5 feet 10 inches and maintained a weight of 60 kg.

Early life

Kartar Singh was born into a Grewal Jat Sikh family in Sarabha, a village near Ludhiana in Punjab. His mother, Sahib Kaur, and his father, Mangal Singh Grewal, played pivotal roles in his early life. Losing his father at a young age, Kartar was raised by his grandfather. After completing his primary education in Sarabha, he continued his studies at the Malwa Khalsa Secondary School in Ludhiana, reaching the eighth grade.

Following his local education, Kartar Singh pursued further studies, and in July 1912, he departed for San Francisco with plans to enroll at the University of Berkeley. However, there are conflicting reports about his academic activities. While some sources suggest he studied at Berkeley, no official records confirm his enrollment. Historical notations by Baba Jwala Singh indicate that during a visit to Astoria, Oregon, in December 1912, Kartar Singh was found working in a mill factory.

His association with the Berkeley Nalanda Club of Indian students stirred his patriotism, leading him to become deeply concerned about the mistreatment of Indian immigrants, especially manual laborers, in the United States. Influenced by Sohan Singh Bhakna, the founder of the Ghadar Party, Kartar Singh, often referred to as “Baba Gernal,” became passionate about campaigning against British colonial rule to achieve an independent India. Learning firearm skills and explosive device manufacturing techniques from Americans, he also received flying instruction.

Engaging in discussions with fellow Indians, including those who supported colonial rule, Kartar Singh emphasized the urgency of India gaining independence from British rule.

Career

In July 1912, Kartar Singh Sarabha made his way to San Francisco and gained acceptance to Berkeley University. Considering this an opportune moment, the leaders of the Ghadar Party published the “Decision of Declaration of War” against the British in the August 5, 1914 issue of ‘The Ghadar.’ Joining the Ghadar Party and the Nalanda Association of Indian Students, Kartar Singh aimed to overthrow British rule in India. Thousands of copies of the publication were distributed in army cantonments, villages, and cities. Learning essential skills from Native Americans, including constructing explosive devices, firearms handling, and flying an airplane, Kartar Singh, along with Gadhar leaders Satyen Sen and Vishnu Ganesh Pingle, reached Calcutta via Colombo in November 1914.

Actively participating in the independence movements organized by the Ghadar Party, Kartar Singh played a significant role in spreading the revolt against British authority in India. Despite numerous arrests of Ghadar Party leaders at the ports, Kartar Singh Sarabha, along with Sohan Singh and Lala Har Dayal, engaged in the printing and distribution efforts of the party. Even after these setbacks, a meeting at Ladhouwal near Ludhiana decided to commit robberies in the houses of the affluent to secure funds for armed action.

Sarabha contributed articles and patriotic poetry to the newspaper, motivating Indians in the United States and Canada to join the revolutionary movement. Tragically, in one such raid, two Ghadris, Waryam Singh and Bhai Ram Rakha, lost their lives in a bomb blast. On August 5, 1914, the revolutionary article titled “Decision of Declaration of War” was published to incite Indians against the British.

With the arrival of Rash Behari Bose in Amritsar on January 25, 1915, a decision was made during a meeting on February 12 to initiate the uprising on February 21. The Ghadar Party strategically disseminated revolutionary articles to provoke Indians against the British. The plan included capturing the cantonments of Mian Mir and Ferozepur, followed by fomenting mutiny near Ambala and Delhi. Kartar Singh Sarabha, Satyen Sen, and Vishnu Ganesh migrated to India in October 1914, where they collaborated with Rash Behari Bose and Jatin Mukherjee in furthering their revolutionary cause.

Legacy

He served as a source of inspiration for Bhagat Singh. When Bhagat Singh was arrested, a picture of Sarabha was found in his possession, a photo he consistently kept in his pocket. Bhagat Singh would frequently share that photograph with me, expressing, “Dear mother, this is my hero, friend, and companion.” The film “Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha,” a Punjabi biographical movie on the revolutionary, was unveiled in 1977.

Net Worth

The approximate net worth of Kartar Singh Sarabha is valued at $3 million, with his primary income attributed to his revolutionary activities.