Jawala Singh: A Pioneer Immigrant to the U.S.A.
Jawala Singh was born in, Jagat Pur, in 1881 and his father’s name was Jaimal Singh.
Jawala Singh was the resident of PATTI DHUMA, in village Jagat Pur(Nawan Shehar), who played a key role in the Panchayat Support Committee for Village Development and Dispute Resolutions.
He was one of the 3 well known pioneers of Jagat Pur, who immigrated to the U.S.A., for a better future, around 1908. Jawala Singh and Rala Singh ended up in California, U.S.A., whereas Kehar Singh ‘Canadian’ landed in Canada. Rala Singh(Sikhaan Di Patti) was the father of Niranjan Singh Deol(Panchayat Officer) and grandfather of Mukhtiar Singh Deol(Deputy Director, Sports, Punjab). Kehar Singh ‘Canadian’(Patti DHUMA) was survived by his only daughter Pritam Kaur and her family.
Three of them travelled by a Steam SHIP to North America. In those days, it used to be a long journey of 4-6 months, depending on the routes of the ships and stoppages on the way.
Jawala Singh with his grandson Ravinder Ravi- Sialkot, Pakistan – 1943 – Studio photo by Nanak Chand photographers. |
Jawala Singh in RASAM MILNI at his grandson Ravinder Ravi’s Wedding Chhokran, India – December 4, 1960 |
Ravinder Ravi’s grand father Jawala Singh – Jagat Pur, India – December 5, 1960 |
Sons of Jawala Singh – Prof. Piara Singh Gill & Karam Singh Gill – Jagat Pur, India – 1976 |
Jawala Singh’s daughter Pritam Kaur with her grand son |
Three of them travelled by a Steam SHIP to North America. In those days, it used to be a long journey of 4-6 months, depending on the routes of the ships and stoppages on the way.
Jawala Singh’s name is listed twice, in the Pacific Coast Khalsa Diwan Society(1911-1915) on the following website:
http//:www.sikhpioneers.org/CKDvi.htm
The entry of his name was made as follows that shows that he was in Stockton, California, U.S.A., in 1912 and 1913:
Jagat Pur Jawala Singh Jalandhar 7 July, 1912
Jagat Pur Jawala Singh Jalandhar 15 Jan., 1913
He was one of the founder members/donors of the Gurdwara, in Stockton, California, USA. This Gurdwara became a centre of activities for the leadership of the Ghadar Movement. “Ghadar” and “Ghadar Di Goonj” papers were published in this Gurdwara. I visited this Gurdwara on May 30, 2016 and saw the exhibition of the information regarding the Ghadar Movement alongwith the pictures of its leaders. The hand-driven Printing Press, on which the aforementioned papers were printed, was also on display in this Library/Museum.
Jawala Singh worked for 12 years, as a Foreman, in the farm of a Japanese, who was known as a Potato King of California, before returning to Jagat Pur, India, around 1920.
In the “Fourteenth Census of the United States: 1920 – Population”, the following entries have been made about Jawala Singh, that show that he lived and worked in Jersey(Island) California, in 1920:
- Name: Singh, Jawala 2. Sex: Male 3. Colour or Race: Hindu 4. Age: 39
- Single/Married: Single 6. Year of Immigration: 1908 7. Place of Birth: India
- Mother Tongue: Hindu
This Census was conducted by James A. Murphy on February 23-24, 1920 in this area, as listed below:
- State: California County: Contra Costa 3. Township: 17. 4. Ward of City: 7101
- Name of the Place: Jersey(Island), California Supervisor’s District No.: 3
- Enumeration District No.: 42 Sheet No.: 2 A
Jawala Singh was the eldest son of Jaimal Singh. He had 2 younger brothers Kartar Singh and Hazara Singh. His sister RAO was married to Sadda Singh, in village Khan Khana(Nawan Shehar).
Jawala Singh was married to Mrs. RALI, in TALWANDI(near Behram Railway Station). His brother-in-law Naurang Singh was his best friend, who often visited him in Jagat Pur.
Jawala Singh had 3 children. Prof. Piara Singh Gill, the well known linguist, writer and educator, was his eldest son. Karam Singh Gill was his younger son whereas his daughter Pritam Kaur was married to Shiv Singh Bassi, in village Dhesian Kahna(Jalandhar). Karam Singh Gill immigrated to U.K. in the late 1950s and worked in a factory, in Bradford, for a number of years, before returning to India in the late 1970s. Pritam Kaur’s husband Shiv Singh also immigrated to the UK, in the late 1950s and rest of his family followed him.
Jawala Singh also happens to be the grandfather of a prominent Punjabi writer Ravinder Ravi. There was a bondage of real friendship between the 2 of them. Whenever Jawala Singh visited Sialkot, he always took Ravinder Ravi, with him to Jammu(J & K), where he met with his friend DULLA(a Muslim from Jagat Pur) and others.
Jawala Singh always cooled the mangoes, melons and watermelons in the ice-cold waters of the River Tavi(Jammu) before serving them to Ravinder Ravi and feasting on them.
He loved travelling and living a good quality life. He passed away, in his ancestral village, Jagat Pur, in 1961, at the age of 80.
Wriiten by: Ravinder Ravi