🕰️ History

🕊️ Tribute to Kuka Martyrs – Honouring a Legacy of Resistance

On January 17, 2025, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann paid solemn tribute to the Kuka martyrs at the Namdhari Shaheed Smarak in Malerkotla.
This commemoration marked the anniversary of the 1872 execution of 66 Namdhari Sikhs, a deeply symbolic episode of resistance against British colonial rule.

🪔 Background of the Namdharis

• The Namdhari Sikhs, also known as Kukas, were founded by Satguru Ram Singh in 1857.
• They are known for their high-pitched recitations of Gurbani.
• The movement emerged to challenge societal evils, strongly opposing:
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Meat consumption
  • Cultural decline under colonial influence

🔥 The Kuka Movement and Rebellion

• Called for a boycott of British goods and services.
• Gained significant momentum in the 1870s, with demands such as:
  • Protection of cows
  • Ban on cow slaughter
• These efforts eventually led to violent clashes with colonial authorities.

⚔️ The Events of January 1872

• On January 13, 1872, around 200 Namdharis led by Hira Singh and Lehna Singh confronted officials in Malerkotla.
• Their protest turned into a failed assault on the Malaudh Fort.
• This marked a crucial turning point in their resistance efforts.

🎯 Brutal British Retaliation

• In response, Deputy Commissioner John Lambert Cowan issued execution orders.
• On January 17 and 18, 66 Kukas were executed by cannon fire before a crowd—meant to terrorize and suppress.
• It remains one of the most gruesome episodes in colonial repression.

🩸 Notable Martyrs of the Kuka Revolt

• Bishan Singh (just 12 years old):
  • Refused to renounce his faith.
  • Boldly pulled Cowan’s beard in defiance.
  • Was executed mercilessly, becoming a timeless symbol of youthful bravery.
• Waryam Singh:
  • Small in stature, yet immense in courage.
  • Faced his fate with unwavering valor.

🕊️ Aftermath of the Revolt

• Satguru Ram Singh and several leaders were exiled to Rangoon, never to return.
• The Namdhari community believes he will one day return.
• To this day, followers wear white garments as a mark of spiritual mourning.

🌱 The Namdhari Sect Today

• Roughly 200,000 Namdharis live in Punjab today.
• Since Satguru Jagjit Singh’s death in 2012, the sect has seen internal splits:
  • One faction follows Thakur Dilip Singh
  • Another aligns with Sangrur Uday Singh

🙏 A Continuing Legacy

The Kuka martyrs continue to inspire generations with their courage, spiritual depth, and resistance.
Their sacrifice laid a moral foundation for India’s eventual freedom.

🕯️ Let us remember not just their death—but the living fire they passed on.