Gadar (Ghadar) Movement
The Revolutionary Poetry of The Ghadar Movement
Pandit Sohan Lal Pathak, one of the outstanding leaders of the Ghadar Party was hanged on February 10,1916 in mandalay jail for inciting rebellion against the British rule. At his martyrdom another Ghadarite Amar Singh wrote:
Chadha Mansoor Phansi Par Pukara Ishk Bazon Ko From the Gallows Mansoor called those who
dared to love
Yeh Beeda Hai Tabahi Ka Uthaye Jiska Ji Chaahey This path of self-sacrifice, those who
march on it, should do so with complete
free will
Poetry from the pages of Ghadar Di Goonj
(Ghadar Di Goonj was published in Shahmukhi and Gurmukhi.)
Kuli Kuli Pukarda Jag Saanun We are called coolies in countries abroad
Saada Jhulda Kitey Nishan Kiyon Nahin We do not have a flag of our own
Kikoon Bachangey Sada Ghulam Rahkey Will we always live the life of slaves?
Saanun Rajniti Wala Giyan Kiyon Nahin Why do we not know the science of politics?
Dhayi Totru Kha Gaye Khet Sada A handful people have taken control of our land
Hindustan da Koi Kisan Kiyon Nahin Why is not there a caretaker of Hindustan?
Marna Bhala Ghulami di Zindagi Ton It is better to die than live a life of servitude
Nahin Sukhan eh Man Bhulaavney Da We should never forget this saying
Mulk Jaagyaya Cheen Jo Ghook Suta China has awakened from its sleep
Dhol Vajyaya Hind Jagaawanney Da Battle drums of Hindustan's awakening are raging
Saanun Lord Na Panditan Kazian Di We do not need Pandits or Kazis
Nahin Shok Hai Berda Dubavaney Da As we do not want our ship to sink
Jap Jaap Da Waqt Bateet Hoya The time for prayers and Puja is past
Vella Aa Giya Teg Uthavney Da This is the time to pick up the sword
Pardhkey Ghadr Akhbar Nun Khabar Lagi The Ghadar paper is proclaiming
Vela Aa Giya Ghadr Machavaney Da That the time for revolt is here
Poetry encouraging people to take specific organisational steps
Khufiya Raj Societiyan Karo Kaayam Establish secret political organizations
Rall Marhatey Bengali De Yaar Ho Jayo Bengalis and Marathis all should get together
Hindu Sikh Te Momno Karo Jaldi Hindu, Sikh and Muslims all should unite
Ik Dusrey De Madadgar Ho Jayo And stand together with each other
Ghar Ghar Gupti Sabha Banayo Form secret societies in every household
Logan Ko Mantar Sikhlayo Arouse the people with the Mantra of freedom
Har Aik Dil Main Jot Jagayo Start the spark in every heart
Binan Joot Yeh Bhoot Na Jaayi Without force the scourge of British colonialism
will not leave
Jaldi Ghadar Macha Diyo Bhai Hurry to the call of revolution
Poetry describing the conditions of Hindustan
Bhukhey Marnn Bacchey Kaall Vich Sadey Our children are dying in famines
Khatti Khann Saadi Englistan Walley The English are enjoying the fruit or our toil
Kannak Beejkey Khann Nun Jaun Mildey We sow wheat but we get barley to eat
Paisa Chhadadey Nahin Laggan Valley We are not left with a penny, all is taken by the
tax collectors
Laayiya Tax Firangiyan Bahut Yaaro The English have levied heavy taxes
Bhukhey Marann Gharib Dukaan Valley Poor shopkeepers are dying of hunger
Karo Paltan Nun Khabardar Jaakey Go and arouse the army
Sutey Payey Kiyon Teg Chalaan Valley Why those who wield the sword are asleep?
Musalmaan Pathan Balwan Dogar Brave Muslims, Pathans and Dogras
Singh Soormey Yudh Machaann Valley Valiant Sikhs in the battlefield
Hindustaniyan Morchey Fatey Keetey Hindustanis have brought victory on fronts in
Burma, Misar Te Cheen Sudan Valley Burma, China, Egypt and Sudan
Exposing the so-called leaders of the Hindustanis, the collaborators of the British
Jattan Sidhiyan Nun Koi Dosh Nahin The common folk are not to be blamed
Sadey Leaderan Da Manda Haal Singho Our 'leaders' are traitors
Rai Bandran Mulk Veeran Kita Rai Bhadurs, copy cats of the British,
Piyar Rakhdey Bandran Nal Singho have ruined our land
Sanun Paas Angrez De Bechaya Hai They have sold us to the British
Aap Mulk De Banney Dalal Singho And have become pimps of the British
They called upon the people to see through the illusions spread by conservative and moderate leaders of Indian National Congress
Ghairat Annakh Wala Je Khoon Hunda If our leaders had fought for our self respect
Dehli Takht Zaalam Saathon Khasade Naan We would not have lost our country and rule
Banner, Bipin, Gandhi, Madanmohan Varge The kind of Bannerji, Bipin Chander Pal, Gandhi
And Madanmohan Malviya would not
Eh Firangiyaan De Boot Jhasde Naan Have Licked the Boots of the British
Deputationaan Te Resolutionaan Te Deputations and resolutions are waste of money
Muft Dhan Kharab Karaaya Kiyon These leaders of Congress who have soft corner
Naram Dil Congressi Leadraan Nun for the British have become leaders
Tusin Sutiyo Leader Banyaya Kiyon Because you are asleep and not conscious
"Freedom is not obtained by begging"
Kade Mangyian Milann Azadiyan Na Freedom is not obtained by begging
Hunde Tarliyan Naal Na Raj Loko By appeals political power is not won
Karo Na Minnat Ainwe Bano Na Kaiyar Do not petition like cowards
Fardo Talwar Ehnan Nahin Rahnna Take the sword and they will run
Agge Veero Arjiyan Ne Ki Banna Liya What have all the petitions done?
Zalam Firangyian Ne Desh Kha Liya Brutal British have plundered our land
Poetry calling upon the Hindustani soldiers to revolt
Tusin Lardo Jaa Key Khaatar Goriyan De You go and fight for the British
Singho Bholiyo Karde Khyal Kiyon Nahin You brave lions just think about it
Desan Dujiyan Te Nit Karo Dhaavey You fight in far and distant lands
Mulk Apna Laindey Sambhaal Kiyon Nahin Why not take charge of your own land?
Tibet, Cheen, Africa Nun Fateh Kardey You have subdued Tibet, China, Africa for the
British
Dita Dushmanan Hath Dakhal Kiyon Nahin Why not show your valor to our enemy the British?
Utho Azadi Da Lavo Jhaaka Arise and breathe the fresh air of Freedom
Ralke Kheddey Kiyon Gulal Nahin Why do you not play Holi with the blood of
British?
Faujan Waliyo Tusaan Di Matt Maari Soldiers awaken and come to your senses
Lokaan Waste Karo Lardayian Why are you fighting for the others, the British
Vairi Tusan Da Gheriya Vich Europe Our enemy is caught in Europe
Vaila Saanbh Layo Dheriyan Dhayian Kiyon Take advantage of this situation and revolt
Poetry cautoning against collaborating 'religious leaders'
Kazi, Pandatan , Ate Giyaniyan Ne Kazis, Pandits and Giyanis of Gurudwara
Yudh Karan Da Vachan Sunawnna Na Will not speak of fighting the British
Bhaunkan Raat Diney Bhukhye Tukrdiaan De They bark like dogs day and night
Khali Rahannge Dhidh Bharavanna Na Looking for the crumbs from the British
Haddi Pun Pai Ju Thode Khalsa Ji If you listen to them your bellies will remain
empty
Marda Dhan Puja Wala Khawna Na Your bones will be eaten by cancer
Vaja Mominan Di Kam Luchyian De If you eat the crumbs that they give
Deel Dol Nun Vaikh Bhul Jawana Na They wear garb of holy men but
Saanun Lord Na Amayan Afayan Di Their deeds are those of the devil
Ilam Ragard Forde Uttey Lawnna Na Do not be fooled by their garb
Poetry written after firing deaths in Lahore
Shahid ki jo maut hai wo kaum ki hayat hai The death of the martyrs is life of the nation
Shahid ka jo hai lahu wo kaum ki zakat hai The blood of the martyrs is the offering of the
nation
Katain jo chand daaliyan to chaman ho hara Few branches fall so that the garden can
bhara bloom
Katain jo chand gardanain to kaum ki hayat Few heads fall so that the nation can have life
hai
