Question

Select all the correct statements about the Akali Movement (Gurdwara Reform Movement)

1. The Akali Movement was a part of the Singh Sabha Movement
2. Its primary goal was to free Sikh gurudwaras from the control of corrupt Udasi mahants.
3. The Sikh Gurdwaras Act of 1922, amended in 1925, transferred control of gurudwaras to the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) as the apex body.

• A. All of these
• B. i only
• C. ii only
• D. iii only

Answer 1

Answer:

A. All of these

The Akali Movement

• It was also known as the Gurdwara Reform Movement
• It emerged as a part of the broader Singh Sabha Movement.
• The Singh Sabha Movement was a religious and social reform movement among Sikhs in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• It aimed to promote Sikh identity, religious practices, and institutions in response to perceived threats to Sikhism.
• One of the central objectives of the Akali Movement was to free Sikh gurudwaras from the control of Udasi mahants who were often seen as corrupt and self-serving.
• The mahants had taken over the management of gurudwaras and often misappropriated the offerings and resources.
• Over time, the mahant positions in gurudwaras had become hereditary, with these positions being passed down within families.
• This practice led to concerns about corruption and mismanagement within the gurudwaras.
• In response to the Akali Movement and the demand for gurdwara reform, the Sikh Gurdwaras Act of 1922 was enacted in British India.
• This legislation aimed to regulate and bring transparency to the management of Sikh gurudwaras. It established the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) as the apex body responsible for administering gurudwaras and ensuring their proper management.
• The Act was further amended in 1925 to address some of the issues and concerns that had arisen since its initial enactment.