Desh Bhagat Yaadgar is a two-storey building incorporating a library, an exhibition hall, conferecne rooms and some residential rooms. This complex is situated on Grand Trunk Road, Jalandhar in the centre of the city. The site is spread on three acres of land which was purchased in 1955.
As Ghadr activists were released from Andaman Jail after serving life imprisonment, they decided to form ‘Desh Bhagat Parivar Sahayk Committee (Patriots’ Family Support Committee) aimed to look after the welfare of families of Ghadar men who were still in jail or had been incapacitated through prolonged confinement or their properties had been confiscated by the government. Baba Wasakha Singh became its chief organiser who raised much needed cash for many needy families. This Committee continued its activities till 1947 when India gained its independence.
Then, Bhagat Parivar Sahayk Committee was registered under a new name of ‘Desh Bhagat Yaadgar Committee’ transferring its entire fund to the new organisation. Sohan Singh Bhakna, founder president of the Ghadar Party was elected President of the Desh Bhagat Yaadgar Committee.
Desh Bhagat Yaadgar Committee was concerned to preserve the memory of the Ghadar Party. For this purpose, they decided to establish a memorial for their colleagues who had laid their lives for the liberation of the country. A prime site was chosen and bought in Jalandhar in 1955. On 14th December 1957 following the death of Sant Wasakha Singh at Dadher, an appeal was made for funds for construction of building on this site. Desh Bhagat Yaadgar Committee members contributed funds with Amar Singh Sandhwan and Bhag Singh of Jai Singh Wala, Ferozepur offered magnanimously. A more wider appeal was launched on 5th January 1958. During 1958, Gurmukh Singh Lalton, Karam Singh Cheema, Bhooja Singh and Bhola Singh Cheema were deputed to collect donations from Punjabis in Britain and Canada. As sufficient funds were raised, the foundation stone for the Memorial building was laid by Amar Singh Sandhwan on 17th November, 1959.
