Dynamited Hindus Home
- Date:
- 1914
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- After the Komagata Maru's departure, local Indians tried to uncover presumed Imperial spies.
- Document:
-
Newsclipping - Dynamited Hindus' home
Sikhs to Receive Aid in Toronto
- Date:
- 1912
- Region:
- Ottawa
- Description:
- An article that highlights the problems with the newly passed Continuous Journey regulation
- Document:
-
Newsclippings - Sikhs to receive aid from Toronto; Toronto ministers discuss Hindu question
Sikh Lancers and Infantry Regiment
- Date:
- 1897
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- Sikh Lancers and Infantry Regiment visit Vancouver after celebrating Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubillee.
Census Data of Sikhs
- Date:
- 1904
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- The arrival of the first wave of Sikh immigrants. The census lists a population of 258.
Changing Population Patterns
- Date:
- 1905
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- Over the next 3 years, more than 5000 Indians come to Canada
The Beginnings of Vancouver's Gurdwara
- Date:
- 1906
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- A resolution is adopted on July 22 to establish the Khalsa Diwan Society
Losing the Right to Vote
- Date:
- 1907
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- The Province of British Columbia disenfranchises all Indian immigrants not born of Anglo-Saxon parents.
The First Sikh Temple in Vancouver
- Date:
- 1907
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- The foundation stone is laid for Vancouver's Sikh Temple at 1866 West 2nd Avenue Vancouver
Chinatown and Japantown Race Riots
- Date:
- 1907
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- Race Riots take place across Vancouver targeting all Asian immigrants and their neighbourhoods.
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubillee
- Date:
- 1897
- Region:
- London
- Description:
- Queen Victoria celebrates her 60th anniversary with a celebration bringing people across the colonies to London.
Nagar Kirtan
- Date:
- 1908
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- The first Sikh Nagar Kirtan takes place to celebrate the opening of the 2nd Avenue Gurdwara on January 19
The Continuous Passage Regulation
- Date:
- 1908
- Region:
- Ottawa
- Description:
- An Order-in-Council enacts the "continuous journey" clause on January 8 and requires the possession of $200.
British Columbia or British Honduras?
- Date:
- 1908
- Region:
- Ottawa
- Description:
- A plan is formulated to relocate Vancouver's Indians to British Honduras (present day Belize).
British Honduras Proposal
- Date:
- 1909
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- The 2nd Avenue Gurdwara congregation rejects the British Honduras relocation plan on February 13
Guru Nanak Mining and Trust Company
- Date:
- 1909
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- Establishment of one of the first Indian businesses in Canada, the Guru Nanak Mining & Trust Company
- Document:
-
Guru Nanak Mining & Trust Company certificate
Census: A Population in Flux
- Date:
- 1911
- Region:
- Ottawa
- Description:
- The census lists 2342 Indians in Canada, less than half of 1908. Only three women are listed.
Gurdwaras Grow in British Columbia
- Date:
- 1912
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- Gurdwaras are built in Victoria, Fraser Mills & Abbotsford. Only Abbotsford's still exists.
- Document:
-
[Group photo in front of Old Gurdwara, Victoria, with names inscribed]
The First Born Sikh
- Date:
- 1912-08
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- On August 28th, Hardial Singh Atwal becomes the first Sikh born in Canada.
The Komagata Maru Arrives
- Date:
- 1914-05
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- The Komagata Maru arrives in Burrard Inlet
The Komagata Maru Leaves
- Date:
- 1914-07
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- The Komagata Maru is escorted out of Vancouver Harbour on July 23
Bhai Mewa Singh Kills William Hopkinson
- Date:
- 1914-10
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- Bhai Mewa Singh shoots William Hopkinson at the Court House (present day Vancouver Art Gallery) October 21
Bhai Mewa Singh is Hanged
- Date:
- 1915-01
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- Bhai Mewa Singh is hanged in New Westminster on January 11. His picture still adorns many Vancouver Gurdwaras.
Indian Population Declines
- Date:
- 1918
- Region:
- Ottawa
- Description:
- Census reports show the Indian population declines to 700 people.
World War One Begins
- Date:
- 1914-09
- Region:
- London
- Description:
- World War One begins with many Indians from India and Canada fighting for the British.
Jawaharlal Nehru Visits Vancouver
- Date:
- 1949-11
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- India's First Prime Minister visits Vancouver and speaks at the 2nd Avenue Gurdwara.
- Document:
-
[Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, speaks at Khalsa Diwan Society, Vancouver]
A Sikh Labourer (2119 West 42nd Avenue)
- Date:
- 1913
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- Pictures like these help illustrate the working life of early pioneer Sikhs
- Document:
-
[Jack Davidson and a labourer in the backyard of 2119 West 42nd Avenue]
ENTRANCE TO THE KHALSA DIWAN SOCIETY SIKH TEMPLE
- Date:
- 1945
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- The 2nd Avenue Sikh Gurdwara was the centre of the early community's political, cultural and religious life.
- Document:
-
[Entrance to the Khalsa Diwan Society] Sikh Temple
Sikh Gurdwara at Night
- Date:
- 1943-12
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- This rare picture shows the 2nd Avenue Gurdwara decorated with ornamental lights
- Document:
-
[Exterior of Sikh Temple at night - 1866 West 2nd Avenue]
INTERIOR OF SIKH TEMPLE AT 1866 WEST 2ND AVENUE
- Date:
- 1946
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- A rare look inside the Second Avenue Gurdwara
- Document:
-
[Interior of Sikh Temple at 1866 West 2nd Avenue]
KOMAGATA MARU PASSENGER MANIFEST
- Date:
- 1914
- Region:
- Hong Kong
- Description:
- A copy of the original Komagata Maru Manifest. See our "Passenger List" for more information.
- Document:
-
[Komagata Maru Passenger] Manifest
NAGINDER SINGH GILL SPEAKS AT MEETING IN SIKH TEMPLE OFFICE - 1866 WEST 2ND AVENUE
- Date:
- 1946
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- Re-gaining the right to vote (taken away in 1907) was an important goal for the community.
- Document:
-
[Naginder Singh Gill speaks at meeting in Sikh Temple office - 1866 West 2nd Avenue]
NORTHERN VIEW OF THE CLEARING OF THE SECOND SHAUGHNESSY HEIGHTS FOR SUBDIVISION
- Date:
- 1912
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- An archival photograph that demonstrates the working conditions for early pioneers in Vancouver.
- Document:
-
[Northern view of the clearing of the Second Shaughnessy Heights for subdivision]
SIDE VIEW OF KOMAGATA MARU
- Date:
- 1914
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- For more archival pictures of the Komagata Maru, please see our "Images" Section
- Document:
-
[Side view of 'Komagata Maru']
SIKH FAMILY STANDING AROUND A STOVE
- Date:
- 1943
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- A look at the everyday activity of the Sikh Gurdwara on 2nd Avenue.
- Document:
-
[Sikh family standing around a stove]
Early Indian Workers
- Date:
- 1905
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- A Group of Indian Workers on Hastings Street in Vancouver
- Document:
-
[The first group of Hindus in Vancouver camped in front of Stark's Glasgow House on Hastings Street]
Inside the Second Avenue Gurdwara
- Date:
- 1946
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- A rare picture inside the 2nd Avenue Gurdwara built in 1908.
- Document:
-
[The shrine in the Sikh Temple at 1866 West 2nd Avenue]
Pioneers Immigrants on Granville Street
- Date:
- 1908
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- An iconic image of early Sikh Pioneers in Vancouver
- Document:
-
[View of the 400 block Granville Street from West Hastings Street]
Women in the Community
- Date:
- 1945
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- Although restrictions against women were gradually lifted, their numbers remain low.
- Document:
-
[Women and children inside the Khalsa Diwan Society] Sikh Temple
The Aryan Newspaper
- Date:
- 1911
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- A newspaper advocating for Indian Independance from Britain published in North America.
- Document:
-
The Aryan
The Komagata Maru Leaves Hong Kong
- Date:
- 1914-04
- Region:
- Hong Kong
- Description:
- The Komagata Maru departs from Hong Kong on April 4 with 329 passengers under charterer Bhai Gurdit Singh.
- Document:
-
Letter from Wilkinson & Grist to Gurdit Singh re travel restrictions for Indians in Hong Kong
R. L. REID OF BOWSER, REID & WALLBRIDGE TO J. EDWARD BIRD RE KOMAGATA MARU
- Date:
- 1914
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- A letter between the Immigration Department lawyer Reid and Bird, lawyer for the passengers.
- Document:
-
R. L. Reid of Bowser, Reid & Wallbridge to J. Edward Bird re Komagata Maru
Precursor to the Komagata Maru
- Date:
- 1913
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- Intergovernmental letter in the aftermath of the Panama Maru.
- Document:
-
[Letter from H. H. Stevens to Malcolm Reid]
The Prime Minister's Response
- Date:
- 1914
- Region:
- Ottawa
- Description:
- Canada's Prime Minister gives his opinion on the Komagata Maru situation.
- Document:
-
[Telegram from Borden to Stevens] See p. 572
The Canadian Navy's First Engagement
- Date:
- 1914
- Region:
- Ottawa
- Description:
- The Canadian Government authorizes the Navy's Rainbow to escort the Komagata Maru out of Burrard Inlet.
- Document:
-
[W. D. Scott to Malcolm R. J. Reid re Rainbow securing landing on Komagata Maru] See p. 536
Popular Opinions on Immigration
- Date:
- 1922
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- An unsigned letter that represents the sentiments of some Canadians towards Indian immigration.
- Document:
-
Arguments re immigration, unsigned. Page 1
The Panama Maru
- Date:
- 1913
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- The Panama Maru's passengers are allowed to land leading to tightening Continuous Passage restrictions.
- Document:
-
Copy of letter from Malcolm Reid to W. D. Scott re arrival of the 'Panama Maru' at Victoria, and necessity for appointment of an Assistant Hindu Interpreter. Page 1
Market Life
- Date:
- 1911
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- A picture showing two Sikh immigrants out on a Friday afternoon in Vancouver
- Document:
-
Market Life, Friday
75th Anniversary of the Komagata Maru incident
- Date:
- 1989
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- The film Voyage of Shattered Dreams is produced for the 75th Anniversary of the Komagata Maru incident.
- Document:
-
The Komagata Maru: Voyage of Shattered Dreams
Federal Voting Rights Secured
- Date:
- 1947
- Region:
- Ottawa
- Description:
- The South Asian population in Canada is granted the federal franchise.
Provincial Voting Rights Re-instated
- Date:
- 1947
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- Provincial franchise re-instated for the South Asian population.
Apology Delivered by Prime Minister Stephen Harper
- Date:
- 2008-08
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- On August 3 Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivers an apology for the Komagata Maru Incident in Surrey, B.C.
- Document:
-
Transcript of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Official Apology for the 1914 Komagata Maru Incident
Wives and Children Allowed
- Date:
- 1919
- Region:
- Ottawa
- Description:
- Restrictions preventing the immigration of wives and children of Indian immigrants are lifted.
Canada Adopts Multiculturalism Policy
- Date:
- 1971
- Region:
- Ottawa
- Description:
- Canada adopts an official multiculturalism policy under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.
Changes in Immigration Policy
- Date:
- 1967
- Region:
- Ottawa
- Description:
- Immigration policy shifts towards a points-based system.
Memorial Plaque to Komagata Maru Unveiled
- Date:
- 1989
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- A memorial plaque to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the incident is unveiled in Portal Park.
Canada Post Recognizes Sikhs in Canada
- Date:
- 1999
- Region:
- Ottawa
- Description:
- Canadian Sikhs are honoured with a stamp commemorating the 300th anniversary of Baisakhi.
Provincial Government Apologizes
- Date:
- 2008-05-23
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- The provincial government delivers an apology for the Komagata Maru incident in the B.C. Legislature on May 23.
India Appoints First High Commissioner to Canada
- Date:
- 1947
- Region:
- Dehli
- Description:
- Hardit Singh Malik is appointed India's first High Commissioner to Canada.
100th Anniversary of Indo-Canadians in British Columbia
- Date:
- 1997-10
- Region:
- Vancouver
- Description:
- B.C. government recognizes 100th anniversary of the arrival of Indo-Canadians and 50 years of enfranchisement.
- Document:
-
Canadian Sikhs Committee for Centennial Celebrations. Page 6
Independent India
- Date:
- 1947-08-15
- Region:
- Dehli
- Description:
- India attains independence on August 15th.
- Document:
-
[Group in front of New Westminster Temple celebrating Indian independence]