The Freedom Fighter: Gulab Kaur (1890–1941)
Coming from a poor family, Gulab Kaur and her husband, Man Singh, sought a better future. So, from Punjab, India, they went to Manila, Philippines, with the ultimate aim of migrating to America. In Manila, Gulab Kaur heard lectures by the Ghadar Party, an organization founded by Punjabi Indians abroad with the aim to liberate India from British Rule. She was inspired to join the movement and, with a press pass in hand and disguised as a journalist, she distributed arms to Ghadar Party members. Gulab Kaur also encouraged others to join the Ghadar Party by distributing independence literature and delivering inspiring speeches to Indian passengers of ships. She was ultimately sentenced to two years in prison in Lahore (present-day Pakistan) for seditious acts.
Gulab Kaur stands as one of the most remarkable—and often unsung—figures of the Ghadar Movement, embodying both fierce patriotism and trailblazing courage during India’s struggle for independence.
Early Life and Choice of the Revolutionary Path
Born around 1890 in Bakshiwala village in the Sangrur district of Punjab, Gulab Kaur was initially married to Mann Singh. The couple had traveled to Manila in hopes of migrating to America, but it was in the vibrant revolutionary milieu of the Philippines that Gulab Kaur encountered the spirit of resistance against British colonial rule. When Mann Singh ambivalently stepped away from the struggle by opting for a safer life abroad, Gulab Kaur made the bold decision to forge her own path as a freedom fighter. Her choice to leave behind a conventional life marked the beginning of her courageous journey into the heart of the Ghadar Movement .
Role in the Ghadar Movement
In Manila, Gulab Kaur immersed herself in the revolutionary fervor of the Ghadar Party, an organization formed by Indian expatriates intent on liberating the subcontinent from British domination. Adopting a disguise as a journalist—complete with a press pass—she not only distributed independence literature and arms but also ensured that the message of freedom reached Indian passengers aboard ships bound for India. After joining forces with a group of Ghadarites, she sailed from the Philippines and, upon arriving on Indian shores, became actively involved in mobilizing the masses. Her work spanned various parts of the Punjab, including the districts of Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, and Jalandhar, where she played a crucial role in arming and inspiring local communities for an armed revolutionary struggle .
Struggles, Arrest, and Aliases
Gulab Kaur’s fearless commitment to the cause came at a high personal cost. She operated under multiple aliases—such as Gulab Devi, Basant Kaur, and Kirpo—to evade the watchful eyes of British intelligence. Her relentless activities eventually caught the attention of British authorities, leading to her arrest in Lahore on charges of sedition. Though historical records differ regarding the date of her death—some sources suggest she died in 1941 while others record her passing on July 28, 1925, at Kotla Naudh Singh—the undeniable impact of her actions resonates through the annals of freedom struggle history .
Legacy of a Fearless Revolutionary
Gulab Kaur’s legacy as the heroine of the Ghadar Movement is a powerful reminder of the critical role women played in India’s fight against colonial oppression. Her decision to forsake a secure personal life for the sake of revolutionary ideals broke the conventional norms of her time and paved the way for future generations of female freedom fighters. Today, her story serves not only to inspire pride and remembrance among Sikhs and Indians alike but also to illuminate the broader narrative of women whose courage helped shape the destiny of a nation.
