Giani Pritam Singh Dhillon

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

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Giani Pritam Singh Dhillon, a civilian from Bangkok, was an Indian freedom fighter and Jat Sikh missionary who, as a member of the Ghadar Party, was instrumental in the planning of the failed 1915 Ghadar conspiracy in the British Indian Army.

Variants

• Gyani Pritam Singh

Close friend of Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon

Giani Pritam Singh Dhillon was a close friend of Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon, famous Jat Sikh Indian independence movement leader and prominent member of the Indian National Army. He was also close associate of Netaji. Pritam Singh is also remembered for reviving the same idea during the World War II by seeking Japanese support in the establishment of what came to be the Indian National Army.

Role in Formation of Indian National Army

General Mohan Singh

Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon writes.... At the stage on Farrer Park Capt. Mohan Singh addressed the POWs and decided to form an organized and disciplined power in the form of Indian National Army. The erstwhile POWs were to become now the soldiers of India’s Army of Liberation, the army that was to fight under its own leadership, with a real and just cause to wage war. (p.95)

Giani Pritam Singh, a civilian from Bangkok, spoke at Farrer Park. He acquainted us with his activities outside India particularly in Siaam and especially since the time hostilities broke out in the far east. He said that he had accompanied the Japanese from Bangkok with only object of saving Indian lives, property and all that was dear to them. He was happy to have achieved success in his object thus far. He showed pleasure at our having survived the campaign and the interest shown by us in the proposed Indian National Army, for which he placed all his services at our disposal. His speech was followed by an informal introduction of some officers to Major Fujiwara. Later a musical program presented by Jamadar Ram Singh of the Gurkha regiment (later major in the Indian National Army) and his party entertained the troops. Uncertainty and gloom had Vanished. The erstwhile POWs were to become now the soldiers of India’s Army of Liberation, the army that was to fight under its own leadership, with a real and just cause to wage war. A new era had dawned. All were happy. That night was spent at Farrer Park. (p.95)

Capt. Mohan Singh was from the same unit from which was Dhillon. He was a close friend of Dhillon. (p.96)

On February 17, 1942, Dhillon decided to join the Indian National Army and took the vow not to drink till India became free. (p.96)

Next morning Capt. Mohan Singh issued orders to march off all the units of various camps on the island where the units were to occupy their allotted accommodation. Dhillon’s unit was to proceed to Neesoon Camp. (p.96)

Death

Pritam Singh died in a plane crash in 1942.

External links

• Indian National Army in East Asia. Hindustan Times

Further reading

• From My Bones - Memoirs of Col. Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon of the Indian National Army, 1998, Aryan Books International, New Delhi. pp.91,93,95,153,175-76,194,542

References

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