The story of the emigration of Sikhs from the Punjab to Malaya, Burma, Hong Kong, China and Australia began in 19th and the early 20th century.

For instance, the first Sikh to go to Australia did so in 1837, when Mr. John Mackay, a planter from India, took some Labourers to Australia. (Gurbachan Singh "Sikhs in Australia"—an article, no. VIII "Our brothers across the seas" March 1962 Sikh Review published in Calcutta).

It is likely that the Sikhs in small numbers must have been in Malaysia earlier than that. Sardar Kushwant Singh writes "It is not unlikely that from the time Sir Stamford Raffles took Singapore in 1819, Sikh from Malwa started coming to this region to seek their fortunes".

Although the Sikh Kingdom of Punjab was annexed by British in 1843, parts of Malwa territories came under British protection in 1809 as a result of Treaty of Amritsar. ("Sikhs in the Federated Malay States and Singapore" - The fist of a series of articles on Sikh Communities overseas – Kushwant Singh April 1961 Sikh Review)

Lord Dalhousie, the Governor- General of British India, annexed Punjab, the last Indian Kingdom to come under the British Raj, in 1848 after a series of Anglo-Sikh Wars. Political opposition to the British rule did not end and for years to come many leaders were arrested and exiled abroad.

In course of research there are documentary evidence which indicates some of the Sikh political leaders exiled abroad were sent to Malaysia. Lady Isabella Bird and Mr. Charles Burton Buckley are authors and have recorded an incident involving early Sikh detainees in Malaysia and Singapore. Isabella Bird when writing about the Singapore jail mentioned the various races in the jail.

She writes "The men from India are Sheikhs, Dogras….. (Etc.) (Isabella Bird "The Golden Cherosonese." Published in 1883 by John Murray, London).

The "Sheikh" referred to are perhaps Sikhs. Incidentally, the Dogras, too, had a strong political links with the history of the Sikh Kingdom.

In September 1863 there was a report in the Singapore Free Press regarding a small outbreak in the Singapore jail.

About 100 "generally powerful, daring" Sikhs made an attempt to escape. These Sikhs had been brought to Singapore from Allipore jail in India. The attempt was initially successful but failed because other Indian prisoners in the jail helped the Jail authorities to capture run aways. The Sikhs did not surrender quietly. As a result they were given "severe punishment" (Charles Burton Bukley: "An Anecdotal History of Singapore- 1902 Fraser & Neave Singapore)

Another interesting incident involving Sikhs detainees in Singapore jail has been recorded by the Jail Superintendent, Major Mac Nair.

There was a dispute between a 'Rawdasee' Sikh and a 'Majabee' Sikh. The dispute led to blows. As a result they were placed in the confinement and was produced to the Superintendent. After full investigation the Superintendent was convinced that the Majabee Sikh has been the instigator of the incident. The Majabee sect resented and wanted to take revenge by inflicting pain or injury upon the Superintendent.

They were helped by fellow tribesman living outside the prison to smuggle a pistol into the jail. ……………. In the end the would be assassin was caught. The ring leaders were transferred to Penang. (Major J.F.A. Mc Nair "Prisoners their own Wardess" 1899 by Archibald Constable & Co).

The most famous political prisoner who was sent to Singapore was Bhai Maharaj Singh who died in exile in 1856. They were not criminals and were allowed to reside outside the jail. The other prisoner who was allowed to stay outside the jail was Kurrock Singh. He was prominently featured in the preventive measures taken by the British authorities in Singapore during the Indian Mutiny of 1857. Kurrock Singh, who was residing outside the Singapore jail, was seized on the orders of Lord Elgin who was then in Singapore. The prisoner was taken on board the gunboat H.M.S.Racehorse) in the harbor and later to Penang.

By 1873, all remaining Indian prisoners were transferred to Andaman Islands. Those who had been released from their confinement in the jail had been settled in any one of the Straits Settlements, namely Penang, Singapore and Malacca.

The first Sikhs to reach East Malaysia were the political prisoners. After the Indian Mutiny 1857 the British Government in London asked Rajah Sir James Brooke if Sarawak would absorb Sikhs exiled from India. Their descendants are still in Sarawak and are respected members of the Community there.

It can can be said that these political prisoners from India were among the first Sikhs seen in the Malaysia.

Sikh started coming in large numbers when the Government of Straits Settlement began to recruit them as military police men from 1890 onwards. In the period between the arrival of first policemen in 1870's and disbandment of the Malay States Guides in 1919, most of the Sikhs who came to Malaysia did so to join the Para-military police force.

Again, most of the tradition books made a mistake by stating that it was Captain Speedy who first brought 110 Sikhs from India in 1872 to form Police force at the request of the Mantri of Larut in Perak.

However in research, it has provided with documentary evidence that Sikhs were already in the employment of the Government of the Straits Settlements as well as various local Malay Chiefs before 1872. That is in July 1871, when H.M.S. Rinaldo shelled the fort at Kuala Selangor, Sikhs took part in it. This incident took place after some Chinese pirates had plundered a Junk.

Selangor at that time was ruled by Sultan Abdul Samad. The Sultan had appointed Tengku Kudin (Zai'u'd-in), a prince from Kedah who had married the Sultan's daughter, as a Viceroy of Selangor. When the H.M.S. Rinaldo had shelled his enemies out of Kuala Selangor, the Viceroy Tengku Kudin garrisoned the place with 100 Sikhs and some 30 to 40 of his Kedah followers. The officer of the Sikhs was a European named Pennefather. Many of these were later killed when Raja Mahdi besieged Kuala Selangor during the Selangor Civil war.

This account shows that the Sikhs were already employed by the British before Captain Speedy's recruitment. (R.O. Winstedt, G.M.S., M.A., D.Litt "History of Selangor"- J.M.B.R.A.S Volume XII, October 1934).

The Sikhs brought in by Captain Speedy arrived in 1873 and NOT 1872 as mentioned with references to Sikhs in Perak. Captain Speedy was the Commissioner of Police in Penang, when he resigned his post to join the services of the Mentri of Larut. After receiving the money from the Mentri, Captain Speedy left for India in July 1873 to recruit sepoys. When he returned in late September, he brought 110 Punjabis and Pathans and some guns manufactured by famous firm Krupp. At that time there was also rumour that 250 more men were to follow from India. The Sikhs brought by Captain Speedy were from Calcutta in Bengal. (J.M.Gullick M.A- "Captain Speedy of Larut" in J.M.B.R.A.S. Volume XXVI, Part3, November 1953)

Henceforward, the Sikhs were to play their role in maintaining law and order in Malaysia. As a need for policemen and soldiers in Straits Settlement and the Malay states increased so did the numbers of Sikhs emigration to this country.

Sir William Jervois, the Governor of the Straits Settlements, planned for a mixed Sikh and Malay police force of about 700 men in Perak.

Sir Frank Swettenham recommended a large reliance on the Penghulus (local chief). He suggested a police force of 450 men only; to be supplemented by the Penghulus. The Colonial Office in London was sympathetic to the suggestions of Sir Frank Swettenham and proposed the Sikh Guard in Perak should be extended. This meant the recruitment of more Sikh Policemen. (Sir Hugh Low:"Journal of Sir Hugh Low, Perak 1877." Edited by Emily Sadka. J.M.B.R.A.S Volume XXVII Part 4, Nov 1954)

The History of Police in Negri Sembilan dates from 1874 forces were manned largely by Sikhs. The Pahang Police was constituted in 1884 ………. Arranged that the Superintendent of Selangor Police should engage 25 Sikhs for Pahang ……………… (The Federation of Malay and its Police 1786-1952)

In 1896, the Malay States Guides was formed under the Command of Colonel R.S.F. Walker, C.M.G. The vast majority of the members of this Military force were Sikhs. (Sir Frank Swettenham: "British Malaya-1909 by John Lane, London)

The Police force in North Borneo (East Malaysia) was established in 1882. The North Borneo Chartered Company recruited some "majestic Sikhs" from Perak with the help of British Resident of Perak, Sir Hugh Low. Inspector De Fontain who become the commandant in 1883 was also secured from Perak. (Professor Tregonning writes: "by the turn of the century ……….. the police numbered just 300 men, mainly Sikhs. This was the entire strength of the territory." (Under The North Borneo Chartered Company Rule- 1881-1946- published in 1958 University Malaya Press)

The earliest evidence of Sikh Policemen in Malaysia refers to the State of Selangor. A point that must be remembered that these earlier Police forces were not confine to the role of our modern day police but were actually PARA- MILITARY FORCE.

"The Sikhs contribute more soldiers of the army in proportion to their numbers than any other class in India. They have fine physique, are intelligent and have good concept of themselves and have forgotten that they once ruled all North Western India, including Kashmir. – first class soldiers in every way. ------ Field Marshal Lord Wavell

"Sentries walk up and down the corridor near which is the Sultan's jewel room…….. These soldiers are Sikhs with White turban and fierce, rolling eyeballs" 1880 - To Siam and Malaya. Mrs. Florence Caddy

Contributed by Balvinder Singh [balvinder@salcon.com.my]