Revolution and Assimilation: Understanding the Evolving Identity of the Punjabi Sikh Diaspora in California during the Early Twentieth Century
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Keywords

Ghadar Party
Pacific Coast Khalsa Diwan
Punjabi
Sikh
Diaspora

How to Cite

Rajan Gill. (2019). Revolution and Assimilation: Understanding the Evolving Identity of the Punjabi Sikh Diaspora in California during the Early Twentieth Century. Sikh Research Journal, 4(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.62307/srj.v4i1.112

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.
https://doi.org/10.62307/srj.v4i1.112
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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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Copyright (c) 2025 Rajan Gill