The Ghadr (Ghadar) was a

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2014 Prelims]

(a) revolutionary association of Indians with headquarters at San Francisco

(b) nationalist organization operating from Singapore

(c) militant organization with headquarters at Berlin

(d) communist movement for India’s freedom with headquarters at Tashkent

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

• The Gadar movement was a movement among Indians in North America during the early 20th century, aimed at ending British rule in India.
• It was initiated by the Hindustani workers of the Pacific coast, an organization of Indian immigrants in California, with Sohan Singh Bhakna as its president, after the outbreak of World War I.
• Several Gadarites returned to India to carry out terrorist activities in Central Punjab.
• Lala Hardayal played a prominent role in delivering lectures to American intellectuals and radicals and became the leader of Indian immigrants on the West Coast.
• The Gadar movement also started a weekly periodical called Gadar to spread awareness about British rule in India through propaganda campaigns.
• The Komagata Maru was a ship commissioned to transport Indian immigrants, but the authorities did not allow them to land, and they were forced to return.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.