in Singapore and was a supporter of the Ghadar Party, an organization dedicated to ending British rule over India.

He chartered the Japanese freighter Komagata Maru and filled it with Punjabi immigrants, including 340 Sikhs, 24 Muslims and 12 Hindus, all of whom were British subjects. The ship departed from Hong Kong and stopped over in Shanghai and Yokohama before steaming into Burrard Inlet off Vancouver on May 23, 1914.

The Komagata Maru anchored off Vancouver.

Image: Image: Stuart Thomson/Vancouver Public Library

Image: Canadian Photo Company/Vancouver Public Library

The Canadian military assembles on a Vancouver pier.

Image: Canadian Photo Company/Vancouver Public Library

The Sea Lion tug approaches the Komogata Maru.

Image: Canadian Photo Company/Vancouver Public Library

The ship was intercepted at the docks and the passengers were not permitted to disembark, except for 20 who were returningCanadian residents. A lengthy standoff ensued, as the government ordered the ship to turn around and leave.

The people on the Komagata Maru were stuck floating in the harbor, denied resupplies of food and water from shore. Indian immigrants in Canada and the United States protested on their behalf, raised funds for a legal battle and delivered them supplies.

Sikh men meet with a Canadian immigration official during the standoff.

Passengers reach out as immigration officials board the Komagata Maru.

Image: Vancouver Public Library

Passengers crowd the deck as officials and journalists board.

Image: Leonard Frank/Vancouver Public Library

Japanese and Sikh men aboard the Komagata Maru.

Image: Vancouver Public Library

A case was filed and quickly heard. The court ruled in favor of the government’s denial of entry.

Troops were deployed aboard the H.M.C.S. Rainbow to enforce the