Sikhs in China: A Hidden Chapter of Sikh Heritage

Hello, readers! Welcome to another intriguing exploration of Sikh heritage on GlobalSikhiWiki.com.
Imagine a turbaned Sikh policeman patrolling the bustling streets of old Shanghai, his sturdy frame a symbol of British authority, only to later whisper revolutionary secrets in the shadows of a gurdwara. This isn’t a scene from a historical novel—it’s the real, riveting story of Sikhs in China, a lesser-known chapter of the diaspora that blends duty, defiance, and devotion. Drawing primarily from scholarly books like Yin Cao’s From Policemen to Revolutionaries: A Sikh Diaspora in Global Shanghai, 1885–1945 and Swarn Singh Kahlon’s Sikhs in Asia Pacific: Travels among the Sikh Diaspora from Yangon to Kobe, we’ll uncover how a small community from Punjab left an indelible mark on China’s treaty ports. Through personal tales and pivotal events, you’ll see how these Sikhs navigated colonial webs, embraced nationalism, and preserved their faith amid foreign shores. Let’s journey back to a time when the Huangpu River echoed with Punjabi hymns and whispers of freedom.

Group portrait of Sikh policemen in Shanghai Municipal Police uniforms, early 1920s.
Sikh officers of the Shanghai Municipal Police, serving with discipline and dignity in a foreign land.
A Sikh Diaspora in Global Shanghai, 1885–1945-PDF

Arrival of Sikhs in China Under the British Empire

It all began in the mid-1800s—around 1854, to be precise—when the British Empire was expanding its trade networks across Asia. As treaty ports like Shanghai and Hong Kong opened up, the British needed a reliable and disciplined police force. They turned to Sikhs from Punjab, whose martial reputation, loyalty, and physical bearing made them ideal for maintaining colonial law and order. In 1867, a contingent of Sikh policemen even arrived in Hong Kong, soon followed by the formation of a Sikh branch in the Shanghai Municipal Police around 1884 building a visible presence of Sikhs in China’s port cities Wikipedia. By 1936, the Shanghai force alone counted 558 Sikh officers—a testament to their vital role Wikipedia. 
But how many Sikhs were there in China then, and now? Precise figures from the early twentieth century are hard to locate. However, by 2012–13, United Sikhs estimated the Sikh population in mainland China was around 7,500, with approximately 10,000 Sikhs in Hong Kong, totaling 17,500 across all of China  CPS India Blog. In modern Shanghai, the community has dwindled to around 50 individuals, while Yiwu hosts about 120 Sikhs and Shaoxing has roughly 10 Sikh families.

Stockton gurdwara 1916. The Ghadar Movement
Stockton gurdwara, 1916. The Ghadar Movement was an effort by India expatriates to liberate India from colonial rule.

The Ghadar Movement was a bold, transnational effort born in the early 1900s. Centered in North America, especially California, it was founded by Indian expatriates — many of them Punjabis, including a large number of Sikhs — determined to overthrow British colonial rule in India. Its mission was simple but dangerous: unite Indians abroad, spread revolutionary ideas, and bring the fight for independence back home.

Revolution and the Ghadar Movement

From 1913 onward, the Ghadar Party printed fiery newspapers like Ghadar in San Francisco, distributed them globally, and called upon Indians — especially soldiers — to revolt. When World War I erupted, the party saw it as the perfect moment to spark rebellion. Many Ghadarites secretly traveled from America, Canada, Southeast Asia, and even China, carrying literature, weapons, and a fierce sense of duty.

From China, Sikh policemen and dock workers were quietly involved. Shanghai and Canton (Guangzhou) were key transit hubs. These cities became discreet meeting points for passing revolutionary literature, funding shipments, and arranging safe passage for Ghadar activists. Though many names were kept hidden due to risk of execution or imprisonment, archival references mention:

The movement ultimately failed to trigger a mass uprising, but it ignited a nationalist consciousness that inspired future freedom struggles, including the Indian National Army led by Subhas Chandra Bose decades later.

The Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, stands as the city's sole Sikh temple,
Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple commenced its reconstruction work in October 2018 and was successfully completed on November 8, 2022. With 76,000 sq. ft. of usable space, the temple's architecture is exceptionally fresh and bright with a bright white color palette throughout. The spacious interior features modern decor, highlighted by elegant chandeliers and a richly patterned blue carpet. The temple's architecture combines traditional elements with a sleek, modern aesthetic, creating a serene and majestic atmosphere for worship and reflection. The sophisticated lighting and intricate details exemplify a harmonious blend of cultural heritage and contemporary style.
Hong Kong Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple

Building Faith Far from Home: The Gurdwaras

Community was vital for these early migrants. Wherever they settled, they carried their faith with them. Soon, small gatherings led to the establishment of Gurdwaras — places of worship that became not only spiritual centers but also hubs for cultural continuity. For instance:

1. In Shanghai, the Dong Baoxing Road Gurdwara (opened in July 1908) stood as a proud beacon for Sikh policemen and traders Wikipediaasiasamachar.com. Though it once hosted vibrant celebrations, today it serves a different purpose — it has been converted into a residential complex and clinic, and no longer functions as a Sikh temple Wikipedia.


2. Another significant site was the Gordon Road Gurdwara (opened July 21, 1916) exclusively for Sikh policemen. Once equipped with a library, kitchen, granthi quarters, and space for 500 parishioners, its current state is dire — hidden behind market debris, with waste accumulation, foul smells, and disrepair WikipediaProfilbaru.


3. In Hong Kong, however, the Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple in Wan Chai (established 1901) continues to thrive. It remains fully functional today, offering services, langar, and community support. Recently reopened in 2022 after a major five-year renovation, it now includes a medical centre, classrooms, and a vast kitchen that serves thousands weekly WikipediaSouth China Morning PostSikh Places.
Beyond the major cities, there are smaller Gurdwaras across mainland China — a modest shrine in Yiwu, Gurdwara Sach Dham in Keqiao (serving a mainly Sindhi congregation), and even a secret Gurdwara maintained privately in a villa in Shanghai’s Hongqiao area

Why the Sikh Community in China Dwindled Over Time

The Sikh population in China did not naturally grow the way it did in places like Canada, the UK, or the US. Instead, it went through several waves of rise and decline that eventually left only a very small community today. Here’s why:

1. Migration was never permanent

Most Sikhs in China originally arrived as British-employed policemen, soldiers, or guards in the 1800s and early 1900s. Their service was usually contract-based, and many eventually returned to Punjab or moved to British colonies like Hong Kong, Singapore, or Malaya — where better opportunities awaited. Few intended to settle permanently in mainland China.

2. Wars and political turmoil

China went through multiple upheavals in the 20th century:

The fall of the Qing dynasty (1911)
Japanese invasion (1937–1945)
Civil War and the rise of the Communist regime (1949)
China in the 20th century was a land in constant upheaval — from the fall of the Qing dynasty to Japanese occupation and the civil war between nationalists and communists. Each conflict brought insecurity for foreign communities like the Sikhs, who often became targets of suspicion or collateral victims of chaos. For many, leaving China was not a choice but a matter of survival, leading to a steady outflow of Sikh families during these turbulent decades.

3. Communist-era restrictions on religion

After 1949, religious practice was tightly controlled under the People’s Republic of China. Many gurdwaras were closed, repurposed, or fell into disrepair. The lack of religious infrastructure made it hard for Sikhs to maintain cultural identity, and many simply moved to places with more religious freedom.

4. Better opportunities elsewhere

During and after British colonial times, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and later Canada, the UK, and the US offered more promising futures. Many Sikhs who had once been in Shanghai, Tianjin, or Canton migrated there, leaving China with almost no second or third generation to sustain the community.

5. Natural decline without replenishment

Because Sikh migration to China virtually stopped after the 1950s, and no new influx occurred even as India–China relations grew economically, the population simply dwindled over time — mostly through aging, relocation, or intermarriage — leaving only a handful of Sikhs in modern-day China.

Present day Sikhs in China

Today, the Sikh presence in China is tiny — mostly Indian expatriates, businessmen, and professionals temporarily based in cities like Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Beijing. The old historic gurdwaras are cultural relics, not active community hubs like in other countries.

Closing Thoughts

Through wars, revolutions, and the reshaping of China itself, the Sikh spirit endured. Though the community today is much smaller and less visible, the legacy remains — in old photographs of Sikh policemen in Shanghai, in the fading walls of gurdwaras tucked into busy districts, and in the stories passed down to descendants scattered across the globe. This journey of Sikhs in China is a testament to adaptability without losing essence — a reminder that wherever the Khalsa roams, seva (selfless service), faith, and courage follow.

What other hidden chapters of Sikh migration would you like us to explore next? Stay tuned, because every corner of the world holds a piece of the Sikh story waiting to be rediscovered.

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