The Sikh Reform Movements, including the Singh Sabha (established in 1873) and the Akali Movement, aimed to modernize Sikh education, counter missionary influences, and reform Sikh gurudwaras. The Singh Sabha promoted Western education and Sikh doctrine, while the Akali Movement led a non-violent struggle to reform gurudwara management and enhance Sikh autonomy, culminating in the Sikh Gurudwaras Act of 1922.
Founded in Amritsar (1873): The Singh Sabha Movement was established with two primary objectives: (i) to provide modern Western education to Sikhs and (ii) to counter the proselytizing activities of Christian missionaries, Brahmo Samajists, Arya Samajists, and Muslim maulvis.
Khalsa Schools: To achieve its educational goals, a network of Khalsa schools was established throughout Punjab by the Sabha.
Reforming Rites and Customs: The movement rejected practices that contradicted the teachings of the Sikh Gurus and sought to establish rites and customs consistent with Sikh doctrine.
Offshoot of Singh Sabha Movement: Also known as the Gurudwara Reform Movement, the Akali Movement aimed to liberate Sikh gurudwaras from the control of corrupt Udasi mahants, who had become loyalists enjoying government patronage.
Gurudwara Reform: The Akalis launched a non-violent non-cooperation satyagraha in 1921 against the mahants, leading to the passage of the Sikh Gurudwaras Act in 1922 (amended in 1925), which transferred control of the gurudwaras to the Sikh masses, administered by the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC).
Regional but not Communal: Although the Akali Movement was regional, it was not communal. Akali leaders played a notable role in the national liberation struggle, despite occasional dissenting voices.
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