What was the initial objective of the 'Kuka Movement' in Punjab?
- ATo Purify Sikhism
- BTo gain political power in Punjab
- COrganizing the peasant movement
- DMore than one of the above
- ENone of the above
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (a) To Purify Sikhism
Explanation
The Kuka Movement was largely similar to the Wahabi Movement. Both began as religious movements, but later turned into political movements, with the common objective of driving the British out of the country. In Western Punjab, the Kuka Movement was started in the 1840s by Bhagat Jawahar Mal, who was mainly known as Sian Sahib. His objective was to remove the evils and superstitions prevalent in Sikhism and purify this religion. However, later it turned into a political movement, led by Ram Singh. In 1872, the leader of this movement, Ram Singh, was exiled to Rangoon (Myanmar), and he died in Magui (Myanmar) in 1885.