Lohatbaddi village, where lies buried underground arms factory of Ghadarites

Lohatbaddi village near Ludhiana has a rare connection with the Ghadar movement, connecting it with the country’s past.

Shadowed by a canopy of trees, lies buried the remains of an underground ammunition factory of the Ghadar party, that operated from the basement of a girls’ school opened by Ghadarites as an eyewash for common people.

A point of intersection once for the erstwhile Patiala, Nabha, Jind and Malerkotla states, Bakhua has failed to draw the attention of organisations claiming to be fighting for the commemoration of martyrs and freedom fighters by recognising landmarks associated with them.

Today, nobody remembers Achhra Singh who donated a small chunk of land on the pretext of establishing Gurmat Mand School and brought Teja Singh from Bhasaur village in Sangrur district to start revolutionary activities underneath it (school). Funds for the construction of two rooms, a shed and a basement were provided by Karam Singh of Ajnaur and Sunder Singh of Assa Majra.

Kaliyan Kaur, a close relative of Achhra, taught and managed to bring girls from neighbouring villages. A Dewan (Sikh religious congregation) was held here on June 15, 1914, following which Teja Singh was declared a ‘tankhaiya’ for some of his remarks. Later, Achhra was also arrested, sparking anguish among Gadharites. Residents regretted that all pleas to draw the attention of governments towards the revolutionary heritage of the site had proven to be futile.

“Though a team of officials from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) visited the site in 2008, no action was taken,” said Atma Singh Lohatbaddi. Villagers said empty shells of some bombs, including those resembling ink pots, were spotted before the arrival of the ASI team. They also narrate incidents related to Bakhuha Ghadarite centre.

Rash Behari Bose, who had orchestrated a bomb attack on Lord Hardinge in Delhi in 1912, had been prominent among the revolutionaries who stayed at Bakhua frequently after 1914. Kartar Singh Sarabha was also at the centre when British forces had raided in 1915 and Sarabha had escaped.

A report issued by the Special Commission headed by CO Narain had on May 28, 1915, said 11 Ghadarites were involved in a dacoity at Jhuner village. They Rs 1,000 cash and jewellery from financiers targeted by them.

Baldev Singh Latala, a leftist leader, stressed upon the need for recognition of the site. “As revolutionaries from other outfits had also been participating in meetings held here, Bakhua should also be dedicated to the memory of all martyrs and freedom fighters as a token of their supreme sacrifice,” argued Latala.

Families of Mand Gotra settled in various parts of the state visit the place every year to pay tributes to their forefathers and celebrate the festival of Diwali by lighting lamps.