Contents: Preface. 1. Historical background. 2. Struggle for reform in the Sikh shrines. 3. Struggle against the British Government in Panjab. 4. Akali struggle in the Sikh states. 5. Organisation, base and leadership of the movement. 6. The Gurdwara legislation and the finale. 7. Impact of the movement. Glossary.

"The Akali movement was the first successful demonstration of passive resistance organised by the Sikhs to dislodge the Mahants, priests and other vested interests from the Sikh shrines. It was in the wake of the Akali movement that the sturdy Sikh peasantry of Panjab came out in the open against the British rule by initiating a frontal attack on the bureaucracy in the province which was working hand-in-glove with the vested interests. An interesting feature is that the Sikhs, who joined national movement in the course of the Akali struggle and the non-cooperation, then launched by Mahatma Gandhi, courted arrests in a strength equal to that of the Congress and the Khilafat volunteers put together. Then again, the Akalis continued their non-violent struggle even after suspension in 1922 of the non-cooperation movement until they finally achieved their goal. The triumphant march of the Akali Jathas and their victory in the keys' affair was hailed by Mahatma Gandhi as the "First decisive victory of the forces of nationalism".

The present work is a comprehensive account of the five-year (1920-25) Sikh struggle. Based on fresh evidence gathered from the private papers of the contemporary British officials and the national leaders and hitherto untapped sources in India and the United Kingdom, this book throws new light on many significant issues."