Most of us have come across these photographs where several men wearing lungis (a cloth Indians tie to cover lower bodies) and kurta (long shirts worn by North Indians) are standing against the wall and being shot by a firing squad. It is common knowledge that these were the Indian soldiers who revolted against the British Government on 15 February 1915 in Singapore.
The British army after suppressing the revolt ordered public executions of more than 40 of them while hundreds others were sentenced for transportation for life and other jail sentences. Almost 900 soldiers charged for war against the empire were Muslims with 55 Sikhs also facing these convictions.
The soldiers, 41 in total, were shot dead by a firing squad across several public ceremonies to instill fear amongst the local population as well as soldiers. The first execution was held on 7 March 1915 where Rasulah, Imtiaz Ali and Rakhmudin were shot dead.
On 22 March 1915, the British squad of 25 men from the Royal Garrison Artillery commanded by Second Lieutenant Frank Vyner shot 5 more Indian soldiers dead. A report published in The Strait Times on 23 March 1915 reads;
“A huge crowd, estimated to number six thousand people, assembled on Outram Road and on the heights of the Sepoy Lines golf course yesterday afternoon to hear the promulgation of sentences on twenty-one men found guilty of participating in one or another in the recent mutiny of the 5th Light Infantry, and to witness the public execution of five by shooting. It was an exceedingly well behaved crowd, mainly Asiatic in composition, and its very silence and absorption was indicative of the profound impression created by the proceedings.
“The Volunteers paraded at nearly their full available strength and, with two companies of the Shropshire Light Infantry and detachments of regulars from the forts, composed a square enclosing the scene of the promulgations and executions. Major Hawkins of the Shropshires was in command of the whole parade and Major A. M. Thompson, Provost-Marshal, represented the military authority. At 5.10 p.m. the four Malay States Guides and twelve 5th Light Infantry-men were brought into the square under an escort of Sikh police. Major Hawkins promulgated the following in English and translations were read in Malay, Chinese and Hindustani:
“These five men, Subedar Dunde Khan, Jemadar Chiste Khan, 1890 Havildar Rahmat Ali, 2311 Sepoy Hakim Ali and 2184 Havildar Abdul Ghani have been found guilty of stirring up and joining a mutiny and are sentenced to death by being shot to death… All these men of the Indian Army have broken their oath as soldiers of His Majesty the King. Thus justice is done.”
22 more soldiers were executed on 25 March 1915. They were : Naik Munshi Khan, Naik Zafar Ali, Mohammed Baksh, Rahim Dad, Suliman Khan, Nawab Khan, Suliman, Jamal, Bahar Ali, Faiz Mohammed, Umrad Ali, Shafi Mahomed, Suleiman, Lal Khan, Shamsuddin, Said Mohammed, Abdul Ghani, Basharat, Rafi Mohammed, Inayat, Moman, Nur Mohammed.
The Government reported the execution in its reports as:
“The condemned men, 22 in number, were placed against the stakes, at intervals of about 4 feet apart at 5:25. The order to fire was given at 5:30, after the reading of the sentence, and the man fell. Captain Fraser, R.A.M.C, examined the bodies and it was found necessary in several cases to give the final despatch with revolver shots. The stretcher party was composed of Mohammedan prisoners from the jail. The bodies having been removed, the parade was March off and the large crowd dispersed in good order.”
6 more Indian soldiers were shot dead on 1 April 1915. This was witnessed by a Japanese Doctor, Nishimura, living in Singapore. He described the scene as;
“In the afternoon that day a music band, which started from the Volunteers’ Post on Beach Road, played a fanfare and went through the city. When I asked what had happened, the answer was, ‘the Mutineers were shot dead.’ Those who witnessed the scene of public execution told me, ‘the last moments of the lives of the Indian mutineers were really praise-worthy. They were brave and firm in their belief. There was none who died a shameful death.’ I also wanted to see the scene for myself, and walked to the execution ground.
“It was 5 o’clock in the evening. Piles were driven at intervals of ten shakus (3 metres) into the lawn outside the wall of the Outram Road Prison. There were crowds of people along the road or on the incline inside the Hospital. More than twenty thousand spectators were there. The execution ground could be seen clearly by all people as they occupied their seats on the layered slope. Crowds were waiting for the scene of execution, holding their breaths. At 5.30 p.m. six Indian mutineers were brought there, accompanied by six stretchers and guarded by thirty soldiers. They obeyed the command of the soldiers and stood in front of the stakes. A British Major read the promulgation of the sentences. One mutineer said something with anger. As it was spoken in an Indian language, I could not understand it.
“Five gunners aimed at each mutineer, and delivered a volley of fire on the order of a commander. Simultaneously with the sound of gunfire five mutineers fell miserably, but the last person remained standing, and breathed his last. A medical officer confirmed their deaths formally, and the dead bodies on the stretchers covered by white cloths were taken back to the Prison. They were alive when they came here, and left in death. This is the fourth execution since it started.
“Those mutineers, who believed in the never ending cycle of reincarnation, died admirably. Their reputation in the city was not false.”
The doctor seems a bit confused in claiming that ‘mutineers’ believed in a never ending cycle of reincarnation. Because that is a Hindu belief and all of them being Muslims might not be believing in reincarnation. But still they must have believed that Jannah (paradise) would be waiting for them.
The incident was one of the highest achievements of the Ghadar Party formed in the USA to incite a revolt in India against British rule.
(The views expressed are personal to author and does not represent The Heritage Times)
