Baba Bhan Singh Memorial Hall: Sunet’s tribute to forgotten hero of freedom struggle

In the heart of Ludhiana’s Sunet village lies a modest memorial, ‘Baba Bhan Singh Memorial Hall’, that few outside the area know about. It commemorates Baba Bhan Singh, a Ghadar revolutionary, whose defiance against the British earned him the brutal punishment of Kala Pani and a place in India’s freedom struggle. Yet, despite his sacrifice, his story remains largely unknown—even to many in Ludhiana.

On September 13, 1915, Baba Bhan Singh arrived in Calcutta with fellow Ghadar revolutionaries to ignite rebellion against colonial rule. Arrested and later sentenced to three years in the Cellular Jail of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Kaala Paani), he endured unimaginable torture.

For responding to a British soldier’s abuse, he was confined to a 2.5-f

oot-high and 2.5-foot-wide iron cage, too small to sit or lie down in. He remained unbowed until his martyrdom on March 2, 1918.

“This small memorial in Sunet attempts to preserve his legacy. It features a replica of the Cellular Jail, the infamous cage and photographs of fellow revolutionaries, along with a library. The Shaheed Baba Bhan Singh Memorial Trust manages the site, organising occasional events to honour his memory,” said Jaswant Singh, who has been looking after the memorial for years.

Despite its historical significance, the memorial sees few visitors. Locals say the site deserves more attention and recognition.

“We walk past this park every day, but most people don’t know the full story of Baba Bhan Singh,” said Harpreet Singh, a resident of Sunet. “He was one of our own and his story should be taught in schools,” he added.

Gurdev Kaur, another villager, added, “This memorial is a symbol of sacrifice, but it’s fading into silence. We need to keep his memory alive—not just through bricks and photos, but through stories passed down to our children.”

The memorial recently received a visitor from BRS Nagar, Ludhiana, who brought her young son to learn about the freedom fighter.

“I read about Baba Bhan Singh online and felt compelled to bring my son here,” said Meenakshi Sharma, a schoolteacher. “He was stunned to see the cage. It’s one thing to read about history, but another to stand in front of it. I wish more families would come—it’s a powerful lesson in courage.”

The Shaheed Baba Bhan Singh Memorial Trust continues to maintain the site and organise annual commemorations.

“The story of Baba Bhan Singh serves as a reminder that freedom was won not just on battlefields, but in solitary cages that were too small to lie down in,” said Jagmohan Singh.

Today his memorial in Sunet stands quietly, waiting for more footsteps, more questions and more voices to carry his story forward.