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 bhara Few branches fall so that the garden can bloom

 Katain jo chand gardanain to kaum ki hayat hai       Few heads fall so that the nation can have life