Acchar Singh (Jathedar)
Achhar Singh | |
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| Jathedar of the Akal Takht | |
| In office 9 February 1924 – 10 January 1926 | |
| Preceded by | Udham Singh Nagoke |
| Succeeded by | Udham Singh Nagoke |
| In office 23 May 1955 – 8 November 1962 | |
| Preceded by | Partap Singh |
| Succeeded by | Mohan Singh Tur |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Achhar Singh 18 January 1892 Ghanienke, Lahore, Panjab (now in Pakistan) |
| Died | 6 August 1976 (aged 84) Amritsar, Panjab (now in India) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Spouse | Mahinder Kaur |
| Parents |
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| Sikhism |
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Achhar Singh (1892–1976) was a Sikh activist who served as Jathedar of Akal Takht twice and an active member of Akali Movement.[1]
Early and Military Life
[edit]Achhar Singh was born in a modest farming family in the Lahore district, and he was the youngest son of Hukum Singh and Gangi. He learned Gurmukhi and got a basic education at Gurdwara in his village. At the age of 15 he migrated to Burma. This was the turning point in his life when he joined Burma Military Police.[2]
His battalion was stationed at Mesopatamia during World War I and served there for almost 3 years before he was stationed at Tonk, North West Frontier Province at the end of the war. In 1920, after the war, he returned to Burma. When he heard the news of Nankana Sahib nmassacre, he resigned from the military and returned to Punjab.[3]
Sikh activism
[edit]Before Independence
[edit]After returning to Punjab, he joined Majha Kahlsa Diwan (later known as Chief Khalsa Diwan) and started participating in Jathas to liberate Sikh Gurdwaras from Mahants and British-appointed priests who were not following the Sikh codes. On 10 October 1923, when Shiromani Akali Dal and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee declared outlawed, then the Jathedar of Akal Takth, Udham Singh Nagoke and other Sikh personalities were arrested, Achhar Singh given the responsibility of Jathedar of Akal Takht, however, he was also arrested on 7 May, next year. However, he was released after serving one and a half years of imprisonment and remained in this post till Udham Singh Nagoke was also released from jail. Upon the request of Amar Singh, who was the president of the Lahore Gurdwara committee, he accepted the post of Head Granthi of Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore and served on this post for 14 years. In 1940, he moved to Amritsar, where he appointed Granthi at Darbar Sahib.[4]
After Independence
[edit]He served as Head Granthi of Darbar Sahib till 1962. From 1955 to 1962, he also served as Jathedar of Akal Takht. On July 4, 1955, he was arrested for participating in Punjabi Suba movement. however, he was released after two days. He headed Panj Pyare to decide if Master Tara Singh violated the vows he undertook at Akal Takht and before starting his fast unto death. On 29 November 1961, he pronounced Master Tara Singh guilty of having perjured his pledge and blemished thereby the Sikh tradition of religious steadfastness and sacrifice.[5]
In 1962, when Akali Dal divided into two factions, Akali Dal – Sant Fateh Singh Group and Akali Dal – Master Tara Singh Group, Achhar Singh resigned from the post of Jathedar. In November 1962, he was elected the president of Tara Singh Group.
Death
[edit]After a protracted illness, he died on 6 August 1976.
References
[edit]- ^ Bharti, Mahinder Singh (3 August 1997). Sankep Jeevani Singh Sahib Jathedar Aachar Singh Ji. Bhai Chatar Singh Jiwan Singh. p. 6.
- ^ Jathedar Achhar Singh
- ^ Achhar Singh Jathedar
- ^ [1]
- ^ Sukhdial Singh, Sri Akal Takht Sahib. Patiala, 1984
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