Question

How did the British control the Sikh community in Punjab?

• A. The British addressed the concerns of the Sikhs and returned control of the Gurudwaras to the Sikhs.
• B. The British handed control of the Gurudwaras to their clergymen called Mahantas.
• C. They controlled the treasury of the Darbar Sahib Gurudwara and denied the Sikhs access.
• D. They sent troops to quell any demonstrations held by the Akali Dal to reclaim the Gurudwaras from the Mahantas.

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (C), (D)

They sent troops to quell any demonstrations held by the Akali Dal to reclaim the Gurudwaras from the Mahantas.

Gurudwaras came under the control of the British through Mahantas. Mahantas were clergymen who were self-serving immoral. The Sikhs represented these problems to the British, but the British weren’t concerned. Shiromani Akali Dal Jathas tasked themselves with the task of vacating the Mahantas from the Gurudwaras peacefully. Security forces called by Mahant Narain Dass killed about 130 Akalis at Gurudwara Nankana Sahib. In Darbar Sahib Gurudwara, the Sikhs had full control of the gurdwara; however, the British had the keys to the treasury of the Gurudwara.