Master Tara Singh (1885-1967)
Technical Data
| Stamp Set | India's Struggle for Freedom |
|---|---|
| Date of Issue | December 23, 1985 |
| Denomination | 50 p |
| Quantity | 1,500,000 |
| Perforation | comb 13 |
| Printer | Security Printing Press, Nashik |
| Watermark | No Watermark |
| Colors | Multicolor |
| Catalog Codes |
Michel IN 1041 Stamp Number IN 1107 Yvert et Tellier IN 856 Stanley Gibbons IN 1148 |
| Themes | Famous people | Headgear | Men | Politicians |
Master Tara Singh, a significant figure in Sikh politics and the Indian freedom movement, led a life dedicated to service and activism. Here are the key points about his life and contributions:
- Early Life and Education: Born on June 24, 1885, in village Haryal, Teh. Gujarkhan, now in Pakistan, as Nanak Chand. He took Amrit (initiation) from Sant Attar Singh at sixteen, adopting the name Tara Singh. His education began in a village school and continued in a mission school in Rawalpindi. He later graduated from Khalsa College, Amritsar.
- Career and Activism: Initially a teacher, he served as Headmaster of Khalsa High School in Layalpur, donating most of his salary to the school funds. His dedication to the Khalsa Panth and Sikh community led him to abandon teaching after the Nankana Sahib tragedy in 1921, where over 200 Sikhs were killed, and he became a full-time public worker.
- Role in Gurdwara Reforms Movement: Master Tara Singh played a pivotal role in the Sikh Gurdwara Reforms Movement, serving as the first General Secretary of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and later its President. His leadership helped bring about reforms in the management of Sikh gurdwaras.
- Political Activism: He actively participated in the Indian freedom movement, including the Non-cooperation movement in 1930. He protested against police firing on Pathans in Peshawar during this movement, leading a group of Sikh Satyagrahis. He was arrested but later released after the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
- Opposition to Pakistan: Master Tara Singh vehemently opposed the formation of Pakistan and was vocal against the Muslim League’s vision. He famously raised the slogan ‘Pakistan Murdabad’ (Down with Pakistan) outside the Punjab Assembly in Lahore.
- Advocacy for Punjab and Linguistic Reforms: Post-Independence, he advocated for the re-demarcation of Punjab’s boundaries on linguistic lines. He was arrested multiple times between 1949 and 1960 during these struggles.
- Legacy and Passing: Master Tara Singh passed away on November 22, 1967, in Amritsar. His legacy includes his unwavering commitment to Sikh principles, his role in Sikh political and social reform, and his contribution to India’s struggle for independence.
Master Tara Singh remains a revered figure in Sikh history, remembered for his integrity, dedication to service, and leadership in shaping Sikh political consciousness during a crucial period in India’s history.