Bhai Amar Singh Jhabal (1888 – 28.3.1962), son of Bhai Gopal Singh, was born at village Jhabal (district Amritsar). He started his career as a police officer. His love for freedom and self-prestige compelled him to resign his job. When, in 1920, the Gurdwara Reform Movement began, he was one of the major leaders of the movement. In October 1920, he was selected as one of the members of the Gurdwara Committee of Ber Sahib, Sialkot. He was also one of the first members of the S.G.P.C. and the Akali Dal. When, Sardul Singh Kaveeshar appealed for volunteers to join Shaheedi Jatha (martyrs band) to built the outer wall of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Delhi (demolished by the British regime, on January 14, 1914), he was the first to offer himself. He, along with his younger brother, Jaswant Singh Jhabal, toured the area to enlist members for the Shaheedi Jatha. His first arrest took place on March 15, 1921, at Nanakana Sahib. In 1921, he was elected the President of the Central Sikh League. He was arrested again at Ajnala, on November 29, 1921. In December 1921, Bhai Amar Singh Jhabal, his elder brother Sarmukh Singh Jhabal (Jathedar Akali Dal) and his younger brother Jaswant Singh Jhabal (all the three brothers) were in jail. Bhai Amar Singh Jhabal was selected the Vice President of the S.G.P.C. on July 16, 1922. In 1925, he was selected the president of Shiromani Akali Dal. Since 1920, Amar Singh Jhabal always remained in the forefront of all the agitations in the Sikh Homeland. In 1926, when Akali Dal split for the first time, Amar Singh Jhabal and his brother Jaswant Singh Jhabal sided with Master Tara Singh. Later, he joined the camp of Giani Sher Singh but his brother Sarmukh Singh Jhabal continued his support for Master Tara Singh. Giani Sher Singh group could not get much support from the Sikh masses. During this period, Amar Singh Jhabal cooperated Gandhi and his Congress party also. Amar Singh Jhabal remained also the president of the Punjab Congress for some time. After the death of Giani Sher Singh (October 7, 1944) Amar Singh Jhabal stopped very active participation in politics. When the police entered Darbar Sahib, on July 4, 1955, he strongly condemned it. In 1962, he died at village Dyal Bharang (Amritsar), after a prolonged illness.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)