Gadar History Project: Documenting the Revolutionary Diaspora

Gadar History Project: Documenting the Revolutionary Movement

A new archival initiative traces the global history of the Gadar movement, recovering letters, newspapers and trial records that revealed how South Asian migrants fought imperial power from the Pacific coast.

The Gadar History Project draws inspiration from two pioneering Punjabi Sikh community historians: Jane Singh of UC Berkeley and Tejinder (Ted) Singh Sibia of UC Davis. Both devoted their lives to documenting the stories of the Gadar Party and the early South Asian migrants who shaped the Pacific Coast.

In November 1982, Jane Singh launched the original “Gadar Project” as a joint effort between the Oakland Public Library and UC Berkeley’s Center for South and Southeast Asia Studies (CSSEAS). She issued a public call for old newspapers, photographs, family memorabilia, and written or oral recollections from South Asians who lived in the United States during the early 20th century.

Tejinder (Ted) Singh Sibia — Tejinder Sibia

Similarly, in 1996, Ted Sibia began building what became the “Sikh Pioneers” archive, preserving rare documents, photographs, and community histories that would otherwise have been lost.

"Our work continues the legacy of these two trailblazers. But we also take on an additional responsibility: correcting the public history of the Gadar movement, which has too often been distorted, simplified, or—in some cases—reshaped to glorify individuals who actively betrayed the movement."

A core part of our mission is to study historical records directly from primary sources, public archives, and verifiable secondary evidence to build a clear, accurate understanding of how South Asian migrants—90% of them Sikhs—formed the backbone of the Gadar movement along the Pacific Coast. This includes examining both the rise and the collapse of Gadar, giving proper credit where it is due, and critically reassessing the actions of figures whose narratives have gone unchallenged for decades.

We are equally committed to producing accessible digital content that communicates these findings to diverse audiences. Our goal is to present a complete, evidence‑based, and honest account of Gadar Party history—grounded in archival research and free from mythmaking.