shahedi bohar - ludhiana
Kuka Memorial Center - Shaheedi-bohr - Ludhiana - Punjab - India
The tree on which two Namdharis attained martyrdom: The sight of an over 150-year-old banyan tree, better known as the ‘Shaheedi-bohr (banyan) ‘in Kuka Memorial Center near the Field Gunj area of the old city sends a chill down one’s spine. For, this tree was a mute witness to the hanging of two Namdhari freedom fighters, from one of its branches way back in 1871. The two had dared speak against the British Raj
shahedi bohar - ludhiana
 On
26 November 1871, Giani Rattan Singh and Sant Rattan Singh,
two Namdhari sikhs (Kookas), were hanged from one of the branches of
this banyan tree in full public view for having forcibly closed down
a number of slaughterhouses opened by the British in the state. While
the branch is no more, the tree still stands as a living remnant of
the cruelty of the British to curb the then fast-spreading Kuka Movement
of the country’s freedom struggle. A befitting memorial plaque
referring to the martyrdom of the two namdhari Sikh freedom fighters
and the glorification of their sacrifice has been erected under the
tree. Another board at back of the tree shows a painting of the hanging
scenes along with the brief commentary of the hanging scene.
|
| site map |
|
| 1 - Office | |
| 2 - Toilets | |
| 3 - Open air gardens | |
| 4 - The old jail house | |
| 5 - Gardens and function hall | |
| 6 - Open air gardens | |
| 7 - The Shaheedi Bohr & Memorial Stone | |
| 8 - Entrance | |
The
British opened slaughterhouses in various parts of state where meat of cow and
pig (holy to Hindus and Muslims) was made available. The British rulers of the
time did this with an aim of terrorizing the Indians and telling them in no
compromising terms that they are slaves of the English who can enact any law
and undergo any activity even if it hurts the psyche or sentiments of the Hindustanis.
This
sparked off a series of protests in various parts of the country and the namdhari
sikhs became the torch-bearers of the campaign. Giani Rattan Singh and Sant
Rattan Singh were among the enthusiastic activists of the movement who together
organized an attack on one of the slaughterhouses in the city.
The
infuriated British responded to this oppression by hanging the revolutionaries
in full public view without even covering their faces so that the pain one suffers
because of asphyxia is seen and the other anti-British moves by the Indians
are discouraged. The Namdhari Sabha, after the country’s freedom, continued
their fight with Indian governments for possession of the tree and the adjoining
land to erect a memorial of the martyrs. It was only during the government of
the late Beant Singh that the Namdharis were given this land.
Though India has just celebrated 50 years of its
independence, the Namdharis still have a fight on their hands — The Indian
Government has not enlisted them as freedom fighters and these revered martyrs
have not been given due recognition by the historians.
memorial stone laid by His Holiness Sri Satguru
Jagjit Singh ji
|
|
|
| The old jail house |
Office of kuka martyrs memorial trust |
|
|
|
|
|
inside the function hall
the plaque posted in Ludhiana
railway junction station, Ludhiana
honoring Sri Satguru Ram Singh Ji and his fight for independance
