THE SOCIETY'S GUARDIANS
Hong Kong Sikhs 1841-2000. A century of commitment, sacrifice, achievement,
contributions and service to Hong Kong.by the Sikhs. Sikh soldiers were
present
on the very first day when Hong Kong became British territory. On 20th
January 1841, Captain Charles Elliot
proclaimed
British possession
of Hong Kong. Sir Edward Belcher
landed on 25-1-1841
and on 26th January 1841, Commodore Sir John James Gordon Bremer formally
took
possession of Hong Kong and raised the British flag at Possession Point
in the presence British officers and Sikh soldiers.
A century of Sikh service and contributions to Hong Kong commenced.
THE HISTORY OF SIKHS IN HONG KONG
The first Sikhs arrived in Hong Kong in 1841
and formed part of the British forces present at the ceremony proclaiming
Hong Kong a British colony at Possession Point. There were 2,700 Indian
troops were present at the flag raising ceremony according to a book by
K.N.
Vaid (HK University) and note No.41 of the article by Caroline
Pluss, therefore the Indians was once a majority in Hong Kong
in 1841. The Police Force was established in 1844 with 35 British and Sikhs
policemen. In 1867, 100 more Sikhs
was recruited from Punjab on the request of the Governor of Hong Kong to
serve in the Police force. A few thousand Sikhs moved to Hong Kong during
the years 1867 to 1930 as members of the British Indian Army or came to
serve as policemen, civil servants, security personnel and other posts.
By 1930 there were over 7,000 Indians,
most of them Sikhs, in Hong Kong. In 1960 the estimated number had increased
to around 20,000 Indians. In 2000
the estimated number of Indians was 30,000 and about 10,000 of them were
Sikhs.
THE FIRST SIKH PUNJABI IN HONG KONG
The first Sikh in Hong Kong is likely to have landed
on 26th January 1841 together with the Sikh unit of the British Indian
Army when Britain acquired the colony of Hong Kong. This fact is evidenced
by a picture dated 1841 showing
Sikh
soldiers on ceremonial parade when Commodore Sir John James Gordon Bremer
formally
took
possession of Hong Kong for the crown and raised the British flag at Possession
Point.
Records of this event could not be found at present.
SIKHS IN THE HONG KONG POLICE FORCE
On April 30, 1841, orders
were given by the Administrator Charles
Elliot to establish a police force. The Hong
Kong Police Force was officially established by the colonial government
on May 1, 1844. The first Chief of Police was Captain
William Caine and the force was formed with total strength of
35 members. The first members of the force in 1844 were British officers
and Sikh
Constables. There were no Chinese nationals in the force initially.
In 1856 there were 238 members, all non-Chinese. By 1867 the overall strength
had risen to 690 with 90 Europeans, 370 Indians
and 130 Chinese.
It was around the late 1890s that the Chinese outnumbered the Indians.
The Chinese has a saying, "in all matters, the starting phase is always
difficult", so that was how the force started and evolved into a world
famous police force. Sikh policemen were to be found throughout Hong Kong
before World War II. The Sikhs continued to play an active and important
role in the Hong Kong Police Force for the next several decades up to 1950.
In 2006 the police strength was 27,000
99% Chinese with 275 Europeans and a handful of Indians and non-Chinese.
The Sikhs have indeed made valuable contributions towards the security
of Hong Kong enabling it to develop and prosper.
SIKHS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HONG KONG POLICE FORCE
Law enforcement in the turbulent early days Hong Kong was dangerous
and not an easy task. Numerous Sikhs have sacrificed
their lives for the police force and in those days there were only very
few policemen servicing an ever increasing migratory population. Sikhs
were the first Hong Kong policemen in 1844. Charles May headed he force
from 1845 to1862 which was a workable
police force of mostly British and Indian policemen that had faced
hardened
criminals
pirates, triads and gangsters and the force brought reasonable safety the
crowded streets of the bustling city. The first major recruitment of Sikh
policemen directly from Punjab, India was in 1867.
Crime rates dropped and the criminal activities were under control. By
the 1870s, the force with a majority of Indian constables had been working
effectively. The success of the Hong Kong Sikh police prompted the
Governor of Singapore to recruit Sikhs from Punjab for their Police force.
In 1881 the first batch of 165 men arrived in Singapore under Superintendent
Steven adding to the Sikh presence in British territories in South East
Asia. The Sikhs also did a great job policing Shanghai during turbulent
times for almost a century. The Sikhs also proved to be capable policemen
in Hong Kong for from 1841 to 1941 laying the foundations for the world's
finest. The Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in 1941
was a turning point for Sikhs in the force. Many Sikh policemen, civil
servants and civilians were interned as prisoners of war tortured and died.
Others Sikhs died defending Hong Kong especially during the famous Wongneichung
offensive. Numerous graves stones of Sikh soldiers at the British Military
Cemetery in Stanley, Hong Kong, serves as permanent testimony of this heroic
chapter in Hong Kong's history. Some Sikh policemen and their families
have heard of the atrocities of the Japanese, so they merged into the civilian
population and times were particularly hard for the Sikhs. Many of these
loyal Sikh men who steadfastly remained at their posts performing police
duties were killed
by the Japanese. Others were forced to continue these duties under
the Japanese. Some had no option but to seek employment with the Japanese
at subsistence level in guard duties. The rest joined the British
Army Aid Group in China or returned to India and a number took part in
the re-conquest of Burma. In 1946 after the Japanese occupation, the incidents
of Sikhs collaborating with the Japanese were amplified and the heroic
Sikhs who defended Hong Kong was overlooked. Police Commissioner John Pennefather-Evans
drew plans to scale down on the number of Sikhs in police service
and those plans took effect under Commissioner Duncan MacIntosh in 1946.
The force was overhauled, pay increased and facilities improved. Events
that followed were undesirable. The force was well organised, but unfortunately,
political upheaval in China rocked the force. Corruption started to creep
in and deteriorated further over the years. The result was rampant
corruption throughout the force in the 1960s and 1970s.
The offering of "Heung Yau" (money) to bribe the police was well known
and as a result police turned a blind eye to the gambling houses, vice
dens and other illicit activities. Hong Kong residents were furious. The
British parliament was incensed and demanded remedy. Finally, the Independent
Commission
Against Corruption was set up and successfully wiped out corruption within
the force. Hong Kong once again has a respectable and professional police
force.
SIKHS IN THE BRITISH ARMY STATIONED IN HONG KONG
Sikhs from the British Indian Army have been stationed in Hong Kong
since the colony was founded in 1841 and continued for over a century.
2,700
Indians troops were stationed in Hong Kong in 1841. There were various
Sikh
regiments in Hong Kong and treaty ports in China.
Many Sikhs stayed on and settled permanently in Hong Kong after leaving
the Army particularly at the end of the world wars. The pay in 1914 was
18 Rupees per month. They were housed in army barracks at different locations
including Whitfield Barracks (Kowloon Part) in Tsimshatsui. The Hong Kong
and Singapore Regiment Artillery (HKSRGA) was housed at the Gun Club Hill
Barracks at Chatham Road in 1914. A number of Sikhs were employed as Military
Police to guard the Ammunition Depot at Stonecutters Island. Many of the
Sikhs settled permanently in Hong Kong are descended from Sikh soldiers
who were stationed in Hong Kong.
STONECUTTERS BRITISH FORCES SIKH MILITARY POLICE - HONG KONG
The British Forces in Hong Kong maintained its main ammunition depot
was at Stonecutters Island along with sensitive military installations
and army personnel. Sikhs were entrusted as Military police to safeguards
the base for many years. Their history, loyalty and undoubtedly their religious
prohibition on smoking justified their employment
as guardians of the ammunition deposit on Stonecutters Hong Kong. The Sikhs
at Stonecutters were honourably disbanded in 1997 and most of them found
employment in the private sector, returned to India or emigrated to the
UK or Canada..
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE SIKHS IN THE HONG KONG COLONIAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE
The British were great administrators and the Sikhs great soldiers
and servicemen. The success and achievements of this unique combination
had been proved time and again. Maintenance of law and order is the foremost
responsibility of a government. The Sikhs are pioneer members of the Hong
Kong Police Force and have been part of the effective force for over a
century. They have helped mould and shape the force into Asia's finest.
It is hard to imagine police duties without electronic communications,
accessories and reliable vehicles. The other disciplined force was the
Prisons Department which employed large numbers if Sikhs in the early years
and up to to the 1960s. The Prisons Department was also a professionally
run service with a long, colourful and respectable history. The Water Works,
Public Works and other departments also employed Sikhs in clerical and
other posts. In 2000 there were still a handful of Sikhs still in government
service, for example the Correctional Services Department, and when these
Sikhs retire, that would be the end of a long and impressive history of
Sikhs in Hong Kong government service. The Chinese people of Hong Kong
are intelligent in many ways, and as great craftsmen they contributed to
the industrialisation of Hong Kong. The Indians were good traders and lead
the exporting trade of Hong Kong products for many years. All these factors
combined with the excellent administration of Hong Kong raised Hong Kong's
status to the level of a world class multicultural city . The Sikhs are
proud of their contributions during the most difficult times when the Hong
Kong society formed, struggled and developed.
WHY THE BRITISH PREFERRED THE SIKHS IN THE DISCIPLINED AND CIVIL
SERVICE?
India was part of the British Empire and Sikhs were British
subjects. Most Sikhs spoke English which was essential for communications.
The British experienced the loyalty of Sikhs discovered
during
the Anglo-Sikh wars and the mutiny of 1857 and were impressed by the bravery,
and the martial skills of the Sikhs.
Discipline was a factor
and Sikhs were prepared to follow
reasonable orders, had the power of self-discipline and devotion
to duty. Bribery was a problem in police service and the British
found the Sikhs
less corruptible. Past experience showed that the Sikhs were capable
and suitable for public service and more Sikhs were added the services.
The
culture of the Sikhs is more compatible to the British than
the Chinese for example, Sikhs gets drunk and jolly like the Brits and
the sense of humor are not much different. In any ethnic group there are
bound to be problems and the Sikhs were often involved in brawls, drinking
related and other nuisances. Sikh were satisfied and happy in the
employment of the British. Tthe pay was fine, jobs were respectable with
housing and benefits, especially when they were allowed to bring their
families in the later years. Social conditions were fine. There
was a large, colorful and vibrant community of Sikhs residing permanently
in Hong Kong. Sikhs mingled with the British socially at a general level
and competed in sports. Those Sikhs in senior levels joined the British
in social functions and parties. The social life was attractive with hockey
matches, The Indian
Recreation Club, India
Club, Cricket Club
had regular sports and social events. Security was not a problem
as the Sikhs are not likely to band with the Chinese to go against British
interests. Smoking and gambling is prohibited in Sikhism which makes them
safe around arms and ammunition stores. Sikhs are also generally law abiding
and should a Sikh commit serious crimes, they would become outcasted within
their community and the shame is worse than imprisonment. The Sikhs were
self regulated. The temperate climate was also suitable. The
British were dying like flies in the early days of Hong Kong due to plagues
and sickness. The Governor of Hong Kong in the 1860s requested for more
Sikh policemen, with the comments: "I see the greatest possible
advantage to the Empire in employing in other colonies, men who are aliens
like ourselves to the population, and whose fidelity may therefore be relied
on. The service of Europeans in subordinate positions might thereby be
greatly dispensed with". Those comments became policy with far reaching
effects on the Hong Kong Sikhs. It was under these
circumstances that the British decided to recruit
large numbers of Sikhs into the British Indian Army, colonial police force
and civil service.
COLONIAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN HONG KONG WITH SIKHS IN SERVICE:
In 1960 there were about 20,000 Indians, quite a number employed as
Police Constables and other senior ranks.
(It is believed that Police Serial No.1 was assigned to a Sikh, therefore,
Sikhs were affectionately called "Number One").
Correctional Services Department (formerly Prisons Department) employed
Sikhs as Warders and other ranks.
Water Supplies Department (Formerly Water Works) employed Sikhs in
Clerical and other posts.
Judiciary and Courts of Law employed as Translators.
Government Secretariat - The Secretary of Civil Service in the 1990.
Other Government Department like Public Works, Medical & Health
Department etc..
The British Forces Hong Kong up to 1997 Military and Military Police
stationed at Stonecutters Island
Sikhs were also employed by other Hong Kong Government Departments.
OCCUPATIONS OF OTHER SIKHS NOT IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE
In the past and up to the 1970's, those Sikhs who did not make it into
government service found employment as guards for the prestigious establishments
and houses of the rich. Having a tall burly Sikh guard was the equivalent
of having a private policemen since most of the Sikhs were policemen at
that time and having a Sikh guard raised the status of the establishment,
therefore they were much in demand. Many Sikhs guards were given neat uniforms
similar to the police. There was virtually no unemployment among
Sikhs. However, their jobs required them to be discerning, tough with intruders
and criminals and as a result they were often unreasonably subjected to
verbal abuse. They were helpless as they were ethnic minorities. A number
of Sikhs worked as private drivers or at the dockyards as guards. Most
of these Sikhs would have retired by now and the better-educated younger
generation seldom work as guards. In 2000 Sikhs were working in diverse
occupations like managers in trading companies, clerks, transportation,
driving, restaurant workers and a handful were still in government service
like the Correctional Services Department.
THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE SIKH PUNJABI COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG
India was part of the British Empire and Britain
needed effective manpower for its military and disciplined services in
their colonies around the world. The British found the Sikhs most suitable
for the army. The Sikhs made enormous sacrifices in favour of Britain during
the world wars. The emigration of Sikhs from Punjab to Hong Kong can be
traced to the favourable impression the British had of Sikh Khalsa Army
during the Anglo-Sikh wars and the mutiny of 1857. The Indian Army revolted
but the Sikhs remained supportive and fought on the side of the British
Army. The British were deeply impressed by the loyalty, bravery, military
and martial skills of the Sikhs. It was then decided to recruit
large numbers of Sikhs into the British Indian Army. Sikhs were sent
to fight in Europe without adequate equipment causing many casualties in
1914 while some were posted to other colonies including Hong Kong. The
Sikhs were entrusted to safeguard the interests of the British Empire both
in India and abroad. These factors and the military deployment of Sikhs
overseas altered the destiny of many Sikhs who subsequently settled
in British territories in Asia,
Canada,
USA
and other British colonies. Many of the Sikhs now settled permanently
in Hong Kong and other countries are descended from Sikhs who settled there
after discharge from the British Indian Army. The Sikh settlement in Hong
Kong was formed by the British military postings, government service, relatives
and family members of the Sikhs in Hong Kong.
THE SIKH POPULATION IN HONG KONG:
1841 2,700 Indian troops were present at the flag raising ceremony
- Ref Books: K.N.
Vaid and Caroline Pluss
1844: Thousands of Sikhs were estimated to be in Hong Kong most of
them in the Police, Army & Prisons Department.
1860: There were 370 Indians in the Police Force alone.
1930s:.There were over 7,000 Indians in Hong Kong many of them former
British Indian soldiers.(Caroline Pluss)
1950: Few thousand Sikhs arrived from Shanghai and other cities in
1949 after the founding of P.R.China.
1960: The estimated number had increased to around 20,000
2000: The number of Indians is 30,000, which includes about 10,000
Punjabi Sikhs.
POPULATION HONG KONG (Estimate): 1841: 3,000 Est, 1845:
23.817(80%
Men), 1860:
94,000, 1870: 124,000, 1880: 160,000, 1890: 198,000,
1900: 263,000, 1910: 436,000, 1920: 600,000, 1931:
849,800,
1945: 750,000, 1950: 2.1 Mil, 1960: 3Mil, 1970:
4 Mil, 1980: 5 Mil, 2003: 6,900,000.
WHY DID THE SIKHS EMIGRATE TO HONG KONG?
The Sikhs were initially sent as soldiers Hong Kong by the British
Forces and settled in Hong Kong after leaving the army. They numbered a
few hundreds in the Mid-1800's. Most people including the Chinese considered
Hong Kong to be a temporary place of abode in the 1800's. Sikhs had their
minds set on saving money to improve their homes in Punjab or to buy more
farm land there. Living standards improved and many settled in Hong Kong
permanently. The employment prospects for the Sikhs were good in Hong Kong.
The government employed many Sikhs and the relatives of those already settled
here brought the number to few thousand in the early 1900's. Passports
were not required before the 1930's and as British Subjects, they were
able to travel at ease. By the 1930's there were a total of 7,000 Indians
most of them Sikhs. Some arrived in Hong Kong after the communists took
over Shanghai and expelled all expatriates in 1949. The number reached
20,000 in 1960 and in 2000 there were 30,000 Indians including 10,000 Sikhs.
Like most migrants, some of them wrote home to Punjab, showed off their
savings and encouraged their relatives to come to Hong Kong. Sikh
were not poor immigrants and, as a matter of fact, most had fertile farming
land in Punjab, had enough to eat and live, but it was just easier to make
and save money in Hong Kong. The main reason why Sikhs settled in
Hong Kong was because the government provided employment as Sikhs policemen
and civil servants. The pay was reasonable with benefits. Those who could
not join the government became guards for the prestigious establishments
and houses of the rich. Having a Sikh guard was the equivalent of having
a policemen since most of the Sikhs were policemen at that time. In addition,
they were watchful, tall, burly, dutiful and nice, therefore they were
very much in demand. There was virtually no unemployment among Sikhs up
to the 1960s. In addition to this, there was a large, colourful and vibrant
Sikh community with one of the largest Sikh temples in Asia. There was
good social interaction and mutual support among Sikhs at different levels.
The Sikhs also got along well with the Chinese residents. The British did
give considerable preference to the Sikhs in employment during the colonial
times and the Sikhs performed well.
HOW DID SIKHS TRAVEL TO HONG KONG
Most of the Sikhs lived in their towns or villages in Punjab before
moving to Hong Kong. They was transferred by the Army and others had government
job offers. Some came to Hong Kong to seek employment. It takes about 20
days to a month to reach Hong Kong. The journey to Hong Kong was by train
from the home village to Howrah in Calcutta, and then by steamer from
Calcutta to Hong Kong, usually via Singapore. The fare was about US$30
which was equivalent to about a months pay. The trip left deep impressions
on the minds of the Sikhs, especially for those who travelled for the first
time. Many lived inland at villages and never saw city life, oceans, boats
and the endless new sights.
ONWARD EMIGRATION OF HONG KONG SIKHS
Most of the Sikhs in Hong Kong have been here for considerable time
or were born here. Some Sikhs emigrated further after living in Hong Kong.
Most of them emigrated to Canada around 1997. Some moved to England. Elderly
Sikhs who held land in India usually retired to Punjab with their savings
Some have gone to USA directly or via Canada. The reasons for further emigration
are usually for long term security or stability. In 1903-04 a group of
Sikhs emigrated to Canada to work at the Lumber
yards and invited other Hong Kong Sikhs to join them and a Sikh community
formed. Some Sikhs moved further down to USA and built the first US Gurdwara
in Stockton, USA. In 1914 an affluent Hong Kong Sikh Gurdit
Singh chartered the Komagata Maru for 376 Sikhs and Indians, mostly
Hong Kong retired service personnel, to travel to Vancouver where
they exercised their legitimate immigration rights to settle in Canada,
but they were met with unlawful resistance. Quite a number of Canadian
Sikhs have links to Hong Kong before settling in Canada.
THE PUNJABI SIKH COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG:
Social conditions were fine especially before the 1960's. There
was a large, significant, colorful and vibrant community of Sikhs residing
permanently in Hong Kong. The Khalsa
Diwan Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) built in 1901 was one of the largest and
best Gurdwaras in Asia. The Gurdwara met the religious needs of the Sikhs
and was the centre of Sikh social contacts and activities continuously.
It was lively and well attended every Sunday. Most of the Sikhs had satisfactory
long term employment. The Sikhs were earning reasonable income with housing
and free medical. Some even had housemaids and modern amenities. The situation
of many Sikhs were better than the local Chinese before the 1960's. Most
of the Sikhs were well dressed and fed. They also had influence among the
locals because many were policemen and civil servants. Sikhs were most
happy with mutual care and support among Sikhs, the enjoyable home visits,
hearty talks, drinks and exchanges of information. They were able to return
to Punjab regularly to visit relatives and friends. The Ellis
Kadoorie Government School was a good school
attended by many Sikhs. The Sikhs mingled with the British socially at
a general level and competed in sports. Those Sikhs in senior levels occasionally
joined the British in social functions and parties. The social life was
attractive with hockey matches. The Indian
Recreation Club, India
Club, Cricket Club
had regular sports and social events. Most Sikhs had a side business like
money lending, second jobs or some kind of business. These money lenders
are not the same as those unscrupulous moneylenders. The Sikhs are licenced
and usually lend to shopkeepers or small businesses which were struggling
to survive. They do charge high interest because of the risks and many
Sikhs lost their hard earned savings. Most of the old timers reside in
self owned private properties or flats or have good savings. They were
living at various districts all over Hong Kong. The older Sikh residents
were on the Island in Wanchai and Causeway Bay. Civil servants had their
own quarters. The Police used to live at Central Police Station for
years and at the Fanling quarters. The prison officers were quartered at
Stanley. In 2000 working class Sikhs are living at Tokwawan and Tinshuiwai.
Quite a number lived in public housing like Tung Yat Lau in Abderdeen.
Like the local Chinese, some Sikhs were homesick and not all of them regarded
Hong Kong as their home for life. Quite a few intended to save sufficient
money and return to India to improve homes or buy more land. The quality
of life for Sikhs declined gradually after the war in 1946 when the police
force reduced recruitment of Sikhs, but those who were already in the force
continued.to serve up to the 1970's or 1980's. There situation worsened
further with the localisation and by 1997 there were only a handful of
Sikhs in Hong Kong government service. Private employment of Sikhs were
also reduced. The changes in modern social culture and family relationships
hit the Sikhs hard. Sikhs social interaction were reduced and family relationships
were unsatisfactory. The generation of old Hong Kong Sikhs have gradually
passed or emigrated. The younger generation of Sikhs as minorities
under new leadership in Hong Kong would have to find a new path to the
future. With globalisation and new opportunities, the Sikhs are expected
be successful. The contributions of those Sikhs who helped build Hong Kong
from its infancy to the present world city status is recorded in history
and would not be forgotten.
RELATIONS OF THE SIKHS WITH LOCAL CHINESE RESIDENTS
The Punjabi Sikhs have co-exited peacefully and harmoniously with the
local Chinese community for over a century.
There were no significant conflicts despite cultural differences. Sikhs
interacted and co-operated successfully with the local Chinese and in the
1950's and 1960's, there were close social relationships with the Chinese
people. However, the interaction with the local Chinese slowed down from
1970's due to tense competition for jobs and the outdated and unrealistic
nationalism of the Chinese. The Sikh Chinese social relationships worsened
after 1997.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SIKH, PUNJABI AND INDIAN
A Sikh is a follower
of the Sikh religion and usually comes from Punjab
in North India. A Punjabi is one who originates from Punjab. An Indian
is from India and since Punjab is within India, so some countries refer
Punjabis as Indians. Sikhism
is the sixth
largest religion, next to Christianity. Punjab is the richest state
in India and is known as the breadbasket of India.
WHAT DOES THE NAMES SINGH AND KAUR MEANS?
The surname or middle name Singh
(meaning Lion) is given to males at birth. Similarly, Kaur (meaning princess)
is given to women. Of course, not all people named Singh or Kaur are necessarily
Sikhs. The name Singh is closely linked to the martial antiquities of North
India dating back to at least the Eighth Century CE. Sikh forenames are
unisexual; the "Singh" and "Kaur" monikers are hence useful in clarifying
the person's sex. Additionally, giving the last name Kaur to a woman is
meant to empower her: no longer does she take her husband's last name when
married. Changing of the last name to Singh (for males) or Kaur (for females)
was also decreed by the Gurus so as to eliminate discrimination based on
one's family name. By casting off one's family name, every Sikh acknowledges
that all humans are equal; that no one shall be treated differently just
because of the family name.
WHY SIKHS KEEP THEIR HAIR LONG AND DO NOT SHAVE?
God gave us our hair and determined its length and man should not interfere
with god's design, therefore Sikhs do not cut their hair or shave. The
turban and uncut hair are symbols of the Sikh religion. However, for reasons
of survival and employment in foreign countries, Sikh sometimes are forced
to, or find it hard to maintain the traditional turban, therefore some
of the younger generation are clean cut but retain their Sikh faith. Women
are expected to dress decently and cover up in public. The red dot on a
Indian woman's forehead (Sikhs do not have this custom) shows that she
is married.
A TYPICAL DAY OF A SIKH AND LIFESTYLE
The lifestyle of a Sikh is no different from ordinary residents. Sikhs
are required to start a day clean and tidy and hygienic and most of them
follow the custom of taking a bath early in the morning followed by prayers.
Breakfast could be anything from Punjabi style of pan-bread and milk tea
to salad or the younger ones may have a sandwich with tea. Next they would
dress up for work. The traditional Sikhs prefer to tie their turbans neatly
which takes about 5-10 minutes. Then off to work and the rest of the day
is just like ordinary folks. When they return home after work, they would
talk a bit with the family, catch up with the television news, then dinner
which may be rotis (Pan Bread) with curry or western food. The younger
generation takes western food or rice with Cantonese food. Entertainment
are Indian movies or music or westernised audio video. The household chores
follow and then off to bed. Sikhs usually like to chat a bit on the when
they meet socially or over the phone. Sikhs have a preference for alcoholic
drinks and they do get drunk. Every Sunday morning they would go to the
Sikh Temple (Gurdwara) for religious services and mingle a bit with folks
at the temple after prayers. Sikhs are prohibited to smoke and gamble or
take part in immoral activities. What it like to have a Sikh friend? Sikhs
are humorous, funny, sporty, lively, likes music, helpful, dependable and
loyal. Once you get to know a Sikh well, your life will brighten up.
SIR ELLIS KADOORIE SCHOOL - SOKUNPOO, HONG KONG
The school has historic significance and is one of the oldest schools
in Hong Kong. It was originally known as the Ellis Kadoorie School for
Indians. It was founded by an Indian Parsee Sir Ellis Kadoorie and was
donated to the government.
The government administered the school from 1st January 1915 onwards.,
The school is well managed and has produced many successful students. The
school adequately met the educational needs of the minorities and was attended
mainly by Indians, Pakistanis and other South Asians including Chinese.
AN UHAPPY CHAPTER IN BRITISH AND SIKHS RELATIONSHIP
1981. The British Government removed the supposedly inalienable British
citizenship of Sikhs replacing it by an untenable British Dependent
Territories Citizenship (BDTC) causing Sikhs to uproot themselves and scramble
for alternative citizenship ahead of 1997. Many were born with British
citizenship. The Sikhs are bitter about this after having sacrificed so
much for Britain. Nevertheless, Britain restored full citizenship
to British Indians who were still in Hong Kong in 1997.
THE SIKHS AFTER THE 1997 REVERSION OF HONG KONG TO CHINA
Not only did the Sikhs manage to survive 1997. As a matter of
fact, many Sikhs are not only making a living for themselves but actually
are employers owning restaurants, import export companies, manufacturing,
Others are employed by foreign owned companies like security, airlines,
trading companies, insurance, banks etc. It is amazing that Sikhs being
a minority, managed to contribute so much to Hong Kong's past and
up the present with their small numbers. They managed to survive
the changes and upheavals, make living for themselves and also provide
employment. They have managed to steer through the high and lows of Hong
Kong .(Gulbir
Singh Batra - Sikhnet).
TIMELINE
- SIKHS IN THE BRITISH EMPIRE ARMY: |
1600: 31 Dec 1600, the
East
India Company was established to trade but ended up intervening
in the governing of India.
1608: The first ships of the East India Company arrived in India,
at the port of Surat, in 1608.
1615: Sir Thomas Roe reached the court of the Mughal Emperor,
Jahangir, as the emissary of King James I in 1615, and gained for the British
the right to establish a factory at Surat.
1615-1717: Trading actives increased and English communities
developed around Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras.
1717-1857: British state involvement in India. Lord
North's India Bill and the Regulating Act of 1773, provided for greater
parliamentary control over the affairs of the Company, besides placing
India under the rule of a Governor-General. The first Governor-General
of India was Warren Hastings who remained in India until 1784 and was succeeded
by Cornwallis.
1857: The annexation of native states, harsh revenue policies,
and the plight of the Indian peasantry all contributed to the Rebellion
of 1857-57 referred to previously as the Sepoy Mutiny and the East India
Company ceased to operate.
1858: The British East India Company was dissolved.
1858: India officially became a British dominion and part of
the British Empire until independence in 1947.
1902-09: The Indian Army was reorganized
by Commander-in-chief Lord Kitchener.
1910-1918: During the first world war, Indian troops were sent
to the Western Front in September 1914. Of the 70,000 sent to France, 5,500
were killed and well over 16,000 wounded. By November 1918 the Indian
Army consisted of 573,000 men. he Indian Army was also sent to Mesopotamia,
Gallipoli, Palestine, East Africa and Egypt and China.
1947: August 14, 1947. India gains independence.
2000 TimeLine
1840 to 2000 (No Sikh info) Hong Kong, China & British Empire.
Timeline -
Hong Kong Sikhs 1841-2000: |
1841: Sikh soldiers were present on the
very first day when Hong Kong became British territory. On 20th January
1841, Captain
Charles Elliot
proclaimed
British possession
of Hong Kong and on 26th January 1841, Commodore Sir John James Gordon
Bremer formally
took
possession of Hong Kong and raised the British flag at Possession Point
in the presence British officers and Sikh soldiers.
A century of Sikh service and contributions to Hong Kong commenced.
1842: August 29. Hong Kong was ceded to Britain
in perpetuity under the terms of the Treaty of Nanking.
1844: The Hong
Kong Police Force was established with a formation of 35 British and
Sikh
constables.
1856: The Police Force had 238 members, all non-Chinese with
many Sikhs.
1860: Chinese officers were recruited to the Hong Kong Police
Force.
1845: The Rating Ordinance was enacted to collect rates
and pay for maintenance of police & other services.
1853: The
Prisons Department was staffed by Europeans and Sikhs Staffing
costs were £1,206. The Sheriff got £600 annually. A European
turnkey was paid £58, Indian constables got £19 a year. There
was only 1 Chinese member.
1860: 26 March. Kowloon was ceded to Britain. Sikh
Cavalry at Cowloong (Kowloon) were stationed in Tsimshatsui.
1862: The force was stringently reorganized, veterans from the
Bombay Native Infantry were injected and there was a universal pay
rise to boost morale and performance.
1862: The Hong Kong Police force turned into a workable
police force of mostly British and Indian policemen that had faced
hardened
criminals
pirates, triads and gangsters and the force brought reasonable safety the
crowded streets of the bustling city.
1867: The Governor requested the Indian authorities to send
100 Sikhs for the Hong Kong Police force. They were booked on first class
steamers with hurricane decks which demonstrated the importance the government
attached to this recruitment.(TI?).
1867: The overall strength had risen 690 with 90 Europeans,
370 Indians and 130 Chinese.
1880: Most of the staff at the Prisons were Sikhs and Europeans
and there were only a few Chinese officers.(Prison
Photo)
1898: Chinese
policemen exceeded Indians in numbers for the first time.
1898: 1 July The New Territories was leased for 99 years until
1997.
1900: (Estimate) Ellis Kadoorie School For Indians started by
Parsee Ellis Kadoorie. Many Sikhs attended this school.
1900: Sikhs were serving in various HK government departments
and continued until the 1980s.
1901: The
Sikh Temple in Happy Valley was built.
1902: The first Sikhs who visited Canada were the soldiers
of the British Army (the Sikh Lancers and Infantry) and they passed words
to Hong Kong Sikhs of the favourable employment remuneration in Canada.
Sikhs acted on this advise and established the first Sikh settlement
in B.C Canada.
1912: A Sikh policeman prevented the assassination
of Governor Sir Henry May by Li Hon-hung aged 25.
1914: An affluent Hong Kong Sikh Gurdit
Singh chartered the Komagata Maru for 376 Sikhs and Indians to proceed
to Vancouver to exercise their legitimate immigration rights in Canada,
but they were met with unlawful resistance.
1914: Ellis Kadoorie School taken over by the government and
announced in the government gazette: "Gazette Article No.530
of 1914. Ellis Kadoorie School. "It is hereby notified that the school,
through the generosity of Mr. Ellis Kadoorie, will be taken over by the
government from 1-1-1915. The fees will be $30 per annum. 24-12-1914".
1915: March 8. Constable Rutton
Singh was killed
by a tiger in Fanling when a police party searched for the animal.
The stuffed head of the same tiger is on display at the Police Museum at
27 Coombe Road, The Peak, Hong Kong. Photo.
1930s: There were over 7,000 Indians in Hong Kong (Caroline
Pluss)
1938: October. Canton was occupied by the Japanese. Some Sikh
soldiers were on Shameen Island, Shamian.
1930s: The Indian population in Hong Kong was over 7,000. (Caroline
Pluss)
1941: Dec 25. Japanese occupation of Hong Kong. Sikhs were made
prisoners
of war along with the expatriate population
All Expatriates were rounded up to spend dreary years in internment,
to face a sudden or slow death.
1941-1945: Many Sikhs died in POW camps. Others Sikhs died defending
Hong Kong.Graves stones of Sikh soldiers at the British Military Cemetery
in Stanley serves as testimony. Many of these loyal Sikh men remained at
their posts performing police duties and were killed
by the Japanese. Others were forced to continue these duties under
the Japanese. Some had no option but to seek employment with the Japanese
at subsistence level in guard duties. Some Sikh policemen and their
families have heard of the atrocities of the Japanese, so they merged into
the civilian population and times were particularly hard for the Sikhs.
The rest joined the British Army Aid Group in China or returned to India
and a number took part in the re-conquest
of Burma which stopped
the Japanese advance into India.
1945: 6-August-1945 Atomic bombs were dropped on Japan. Peace
was on the horizon.
1945: August 30. Liberation of HK from the Japanese. Sikhs and
other nationals were freed from the Japanese. Many Sikhs returned to HK
and resumed duties with the Police and government services. See List
of Sikh Police in 1941.*
1945: Military Police Sikhs were entrusted by the British Army
in Hong Kong to guard ammunition on Stonecutters Island.
1945-46: The Sikhs in Police were reduced after the war.
1946: 1946
was a turning point for the Sikhs. After the Japanese occupation, the
incidents of Sikhs collaborating with the Japanese were amplified by the
Chinese and the heroic
Sikhs who defended Hong Kong was overlooked. Police Commissioner John
Pennefather-Evans drew plans to scale down on the number of Sikhs
in police service and those plans took effect under Commissioner Duncan
MacIntosh in 1946. Events that followed were undesirable. Rampant
corruption started to creep in and deteriorated over the years extending
into the 1950's,1960's and 1970s.
The offering of "Heung Yau" (graft money) to bribe the police was well
known. Hong Kong residents were furious. The British parliament was incensed
and demanded remedy. Finally, the Independent
Commission Against Corruption was set up and successfully wiped out
corruption within the force. Hong Kong once again has a respectable and
professional police force.
1946 - 1948: Instability in China and the advance of
the communists cause Sikhs to relocate to Hong Kong.
1949: People's Republic of China founded.
1949 Sikhs and other foreigners forced to leave Shanghai arrives
in Hong Kong for permanent settlement.
1949: Shanghai industrialists and others also arrives in Hong
Kong to establish factories and businesses. Many of those factories employed
Sikhs as guards. Hong Kong is on the road to prosperity.
1950: The Sikh component of the Police forces was disbanded
in 1950.*
1950: The recruitment of Punjabis continued at a minimal level
until 1961.*
1961: The recruitment of Punjabis and Pakistani as policemen
ends.*
1970: Pritam Singh appointed as Head of the Government Broadcasting
Authority in the 1970s. Retired to Canada 1980.
1971: Sikhs lose the right to live in UK under the Immigration
Act 1971 despite being Citizens of UK & Colonies.
1972: March 1972. China stated
in a letter to the UN Committee on Decolonization that Hong Kong's
is part of China occupied by Britain, the status quo to remain, and its
future would be settled when the time is ripe.
1974: Widespread corruption in the HK Police causes Governor
Maclehose to call for the setup of the ICAC.
1979: March 29. Governor Maclehose visited
Beijing. China intends to reclaim Hong Kong sovereignty in 1997.
1981: The British Government removed the supposedly inalienable
British citizenship of Sikhs replacing it by a untenable category citizenship
of BDTC causing Sikhs to uproot themselves and scramble for alternative
citizenship ahead of 1997.
1982: 15 June. Deng Ziaoping officially announced the position
of the Chinese government in the context of the Hong Kong 97 issue, marking
the first public statement on part of the PRC with regards to Hong Kong's
future.
1984 April 20. British foreign Secretary Sir Geoffrey Howe made
a historical
statement in Hong Kong saying that it would be unrealistic to think
of continued British administration of Hong Kong after 1997. Talks in Peking
from July 27 to 31 1984 between British and Chinese officials were entirely
devoted to Hong Kong 's future.
1984: December 19th. The joint
declaration on the future of Hong Kong was signed between the Chinese
and British governments for the resumption of sovereignty by China over
Hong Kong in 1997 and ending 150
years of British rule.
1984: Harnam
Singh Grewal CBE ED (1984-1986) was appointed Commissioner of Customs
& Excise.
1986: Harnam Singh Grewal appointed as Secretary
to Civil Service (No.5 in HK Government seniority ranking) after serving
as Commissioner of Customs in the 1980's. He retired to Vancouver in 1990s.
1989: The Tiananmen Square incidents of 1989 caused an emigration
tide in Hong Kong.
1990: Localisation of Hong Kong civil service begins. Expatriates
including Indians and Sikhs retired early and leave.
1990 -1997: HK Indian civil servants at the Correctional
services and police opted for early retirement.
1990: The Basic Law was passed allowing Hong Kong to continue
its capitalist system and its way of life for a period of 50 years after
1997. The Basic Law does provide reasonable assurance, but Sikhs born in
Hong Kong would lost their permanent residency and downgraded to non-permanent
residents if they remain absent form Hong Kong for over 3 years. Senior
government posts are reserved for people holding Chinese nationality.
1992: Large number of Sikh have emigrated to Canada due to citizenship
concerns and uncertainties about 1997
1996: Uncertainties causes a wave of local Chinese and Asians
emigration to Canada, USA and other countries.
1997: British grants citizenship to the ethnic minorities after
most of them unwillingly secured alternative citizenship in 1982.
1997: June 30. British
sovereignty over
Hong Kong ends
after 150 years and Hong Kong is reverted
to China.
1998: First year of Hong Kong under Chinese sovereignty mixed
with optimism and uneasiness.
1999: Economic depression and lack of opportunities cause some
Europeans and Asians to leave Hong Kong.
2001 December Bank security guard Zafar Iqbal Khan, 31 was shot
dead by Policeman Tsui Po-Ko who continued to serve in the force until
he murdered three more Chinese policemen in 2001 and March 2006.
2000 Marked increase in racial inequality against the ethnic
minorities.HK losing it's international flavour.
2005 Donald Tsang Yam Kuen becomes Chief Executive of Hong Kong.
2006 Police strength 27,000
99% Chinese. There were 275 Europeans and a handful of Indians and non-Chinese.
Sikhs,
Indians and Asians killed while on Hong Kong Police duty (incomplete list):
1894 Nov Amer
SINGH Police Constable 575 Shot dead by a gang of robbers in Wing Lok
Street, Sheung Wan.
1909 Karm
DEEN Lance Sergeant 627 and Nawab KHAN killed. 28.8.1909 Ambushed at
Tai Po Gap whilst escorting money (Crown Rent) from Au Tau Station to Tai
Po. Attacked with choppers and killed.
1912 Baggat
SINGH Lance Sergeant 703 14.8.1912 Killed by pirates during raid on
Cheung Chau Island. Jhanda Singh Police Constable 769 Inder Singh Police
Constable 713.
1915 March 8. Constable Rutton
Singh was killed
by a tiger in Fanling when a police party searched for the animal.
The stuffed head of the same tiger is on display at the Police Museum at
27 Coombe Road, The Peak, Hong Kong. Photo.
1918 Feb 22.
M. SINGH Police Constable 402. Shot during an incident at No. 6 Gresson
Street, Wanchai.
1924 Unknown Indian Guard Special Guard 2.1.1924 Shot during
a pirate attack on S.S. "Tai Lee", at Kong Mun.
1924 Batchan SINGH Police Constable 20.4.1924. Shot near Kowloon
Reservoir whilst on patrol. Revolver stolen.
1925 Abdul KHALIK Police Constable B41 19.5.1925. Shot whilst
on duty at No.3 Railway Bridge, Hung Hom.
1925 Kushal KHAN Special Guard 23.6.1925 Stabbed in Bonham Strand
West.
1925 Niaz MOHAMMED Pc 8.7.1925. Revolver snatched by prisoner
being escorted to Kowloon City Police Station.
1926 Unknown Indian Guard 12.9.1926. Killed during pirate attack
vessel "Sai Kung",
1932 Jawala SINGH Police Constable B120 1.5.1932 Revolver snatched
Shamshuipo on 5.4.1932. Shot by culprit.
1934 Mohammed DIN Special Guard 23 22.5.1934 Shot whilst on
duty on Bowen Road near Stubbs Road.
1936 Sahib SINGH Police Constable B695 26.7.1936 Shot by another
officer in Central Police Station.
1936 Mahmud KHAN Special Guard 456 9.9.1936 Strangled with rope
on duty in Pokfulam Rd, near QM Hospital
1937 Kaka SINGH Police Constable B449 13.8.1937 Shot by another
officer near Tai Mei Tuk Village.
1939 Surta SINGH Police Constable B750 21.2.1939 Killed during
Japanese bombing raid near Lo Wu railhead
1940 to 2000 Records
not found.
2001 December 2001 Zafar
Iqbal Khan, 31 was shot dead by Policeman Tsui
Po-Ko who eluded suspicion
and continued in the force for five years. Tsui also shot other Chinese
policemen in 2001 and March 2006.
List
of police deaths in the course of duty 1841-1941
.
.
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Smartly uniformed Sikhs and Chinese Policemen - circa 1880's
The Hong Kong Police Force was established on May 1, 1844 with 35 British
officers and Sikh constables. In 2006 there were 27,000 members, 99% Chinese.
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150th anniversary of the
Royal Hong Kong Police Force.
250,000 souvenir
tickets issued
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.
150th
Anniversary of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force
Commemorative Stamp Date of Issue: 4 May 1994
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Crest of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force
used up to the handover in 1997.
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.
.
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Sikh Policeman on patrol in Hong Kong. Circa 1900.
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South Asian Policeman in Hong Kong 1970's.
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1860 Tsimshatsui - British and Sikh military camps.
Kowloon Park was built on the site.
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.
Stanley
Military Cemetery and Roll of Honour
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"Finally, we
that live on can never forget those comrades who in giving their lives
gave so much that is good to the story of the Sikh Regiment.No living glory
can transcend that of their supreme sacrifice, may they rest in peace."
In the last two world wars 83,005 turban wearing Sikh soldiers were killed
and 109,045 were wounded. They all died or were wounded for the freedom
of Britain and the world and during shell fire.British General Sir Frank
Walter Messervy, KCSI, KBE, CB, DSO, (1893-1974)
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In the Kohima cemetery, among 1,378 grave markers of British empire troops
is the famous Kohima Memorial with the renowned inscription:
"When
you go home Tell them of us, and say, For your tomorrow We gave our today" |