Abstract
This paper examines the evolving identity of the Punjabi Sikh diaspora in California during the early twentieth century, focusing on the relatively neglected role of the Pacific Coast Khalsa Diwan Society and its interactions with the Ghadar Party. In doing so, the paper adds to previous global accounts of the Ghadar Party by examining the politics of identity construction at a micro-level. It also adds to previous work on the role of the Diwan Society, by arguing that, beyond just creating a safe space for the immigrant group, it actively campaigned to better the newcomers’ social status in the United States.References
Archival Collections:
South Asian Digital Archive, Philadelphia, PA. https://www.saadigitalarchive.org
Bellingham Riot Collection
Bhagwan Singh Gyanee Collection
Pacific Coast Khalsa Diwan Society Collection
Papers of Godha Ram Channon Collection
Freedom Movements Collection
Stockton Sikh Temple, Stockton, California
Ghadar Party Collection
Periodicals:
Astoria Daily Budget (Oregon)
Bellingham Herald (Washington)
Puget Sound American (Washington)
The International Wood-Worker (Illinois)
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