Nidhan Singh Chugha

Nidhan Singh Chugha (June 1855 – 6 December 1936) was a Ghadarite leader. He was considered one of the most dangerous and prominent Ghadarites by the British authorities.

Move to China

In 1882, Nidhan departed India for Shanghai, where he was employed as a watchman and later became the treasurer of the local gurdwara. His Chinese bride was a native of Pootung (Pudong), had a well-known desire to convert to Sikhism that was known to the Indian community, and she was very happy to be married. Some of the funds that Nidhan collected in Shanghai had originally been donated for those aboard the Komagata Maru, however due to the ship not being given permission to land in Shanghai, the funds for its cause were allocated to Nidhan Singh instead for his own Ghadarite agenda.

Nidhan Singh left Shanghai aboard the Mashima Maru with this monetary sum and 600 rounds of ammunition, with the Tosa Maru carrying some of his Ghadarite affiliates.

Arrest Nidhan Singh, alongside Rur Singh of Chuhar Chak, was arrested by the British on 29 April 1915 whilst he was in incognito as a roaming mendicant. Nidhan Singh formed part of the Panj Piare quintet that laid the foundation stone of the Harimandar at Panja Sahib on 14 October 1932. Nidhan Singh served as the president of both Gurdwara Lohgarh (Dina) and the Gurdwara Singh Sabha (Moga). Nidhan Singh died on 6 December 1936 in Moga.