The Story - Briefing
The Life of Sadar Sewa Singh
The journey that shaped Sewa Singh Gola’s life began during one of the most turbulent periods in modern history. In 1947, the Partition of India brought widespread violence and displacement across Punjab. Streets that were once familiar became overwhelmed with fear and unrest. Communities were torn apart almost overnight, and for many families, including his, there was no choice but to leave everything behind.
Amid this chaos, his family joined the countless others fleeing in search of safety. The journey was long, uncertain, and deeply distressing. Families were packed into overcrowded trains, often separated from loved ones, carrying only what they could hold. There was little food, little water, and no guarantee of survival. Fear was constant—fear of the unknown, fear of attack, and fear of never reaching their destination.
Passengers lived each moment in uncertainty. The sound of the train offered both hope and dread—hope that it was carrying them to safety, and dread of what might happen along the way. Many witnessed violence firsthand, and stories of attacks spread quickly through the crowded carriages. Yet even in such conditions, people clung to one another, drawing strength from family, faith, and the shared determination to survive.
For Sewa Singh, still a young child, this journey was not only a passage across borders but an experience that would shape his character for life. It instilled in him resilience, courage, and an understanding of hardship that would guide him through every challenge that followed.
Years later, in 1957, he undertook another significant journey—this time by choice, but no less daunting. Travelling from Bombay to Liverpool with his mother, Takka Dahey Kaur, and his younger brother, Mewa Singh Gola. Like many immigrants of that era, he came in search of opportunity and a better future, but the reality of life in a new country presented immediate challenges.
Settling in was not easy. Language barriers, unfamiliar customs, and limited employment opportunities made everyday life difficult. For Sewa Singh, these challenges were often heightened by the fact that he visibly stood out, proudly maintaining his Sikh identity by wearing a turban. Despite this, he remained determined to succeed and to build a stable life for his family.
Due to the difficulties in securing steady work in Liverpool, the family relocated to London in search of better prospects. There, he began to establish himself, gaining employment including work with a chemical supply company. This period marked an important step forward, providing him with valuable experience and a foundation for future opportunities.
While living in London, he met Roshan Kaur, and they were married on 5 June 1962. The couple settled in Stoke Newington, where Sewa Singh worked as a labourer. Life was modest and required significant sacrifice, but it was built on hard work, commitment, and a shared vision for the future.
In pursuit of improved opportunities, the family moved once again—this time to Doncaster in the early 1960s. At that time, the area had very little diversity, and opportunities for immigrants were limited. Nevertheless, Sewa Singh secured work in the steel industry in nearby Rotherham. His daily routine was demanding; without personal transport, he relied on unreliable public buses, often travelling long distances in difficult weather conditions. On occasions when he arrived late, even by a few minutes, his wages were reduced.
Despite these hardships, his dedication and work ethic did not go unnoticed. Over time, he earned the respect of his foreman and colleagues, leading to greater understanding and support, including assistance with transport. His perseverance demonstrated a quiet strength and integrity that defined his character.
After several years, he was made redundant, once again facing uncertainty. Rather than give up, he adapted. He took on a variety of temporary roles, including work at International Harvester in Doncaster. When factory work could no longer provide stability, he made a significant shift, becoming a travelling pedlar.
This new line of work required resilience and independence. Travelling from town to town, he sold goods directly to workers and communities, gradually building a livelihood through determination and effort. It was through this work that he first developed a connection with Hull, regularly visiting the docks and supplying goods to ship workers.
Recognising the potential for a more stable future, Sewa Singh Gola’s move to Hull in the early 1970s marked a defining chapter in his life and a significant moment in the development of the city’s Sikh community. At that time, Hull had very little cultural diversity, and the Sikh population was extremely small. For many residents, the sight of a Sikh wearing a turban was unfamiliar, and those who stood out often faced misunderstanding and prejudice.
Despite these challenges, Sewa Singh remained steadfast in his identity and beliefs. He continued to wear his turban with pride and upheld the principles of his faith, demonstrating quiet confidence and resilience. His presence, along with that of a small number of other Sikh families, helped to gradually introduce and establish Sikh identity within the city.
Through his work as a travelling pedlar, particularly around the docks, he built connections within the local community and established a stable livelihood. His determination to provide for his family remained central to everything he did, and Hull became the place where those efforts began to take root more securely.
One of his most important contributions during this time was his involvement in establishing the first Sikh Gurdwara in Hull. In around 1974–75, alongside a small group of Sikh families, he helped to create a place of worship at 35 St George’s Road. At its beginning, the congregation was modest, with only a small number of regular attendees, but it represented a crucial step in forming a recognised Sikh presence in the city.
When structural issues later made the building unsafe, the community worked together to secure a new location. In 1978, the Gurdwara was re-established on Summers Street, where the congregation began to grow steadily. These early efforts reflected not only religious devotion, but also a strong sense of unity and shared purpose among the small Sikh community.
Over time, this foundation led to further growth, culminating in the opening of the current Gurdwara on Parkfield Drive in 1992. What began as a small gathering of families developed into a thriving centre for worship, cultural identity, and community support.
Sewa Singh Gola’s role in these developments was significant. His commitment helped create a lasting space where future generations could practise their faith, maintain their cultural heritage, and find a sense of belonging. His influence extended beyond the physical establishment of the Gurdwara—he contributed to shaping a community built on values of equality, respect, and mutual support.
Today, Hull is recognised as a diverse and inclusive city, and the Sikh community continues to grow and flourish. This progress is rooted in the efforts of early pioneers like Sewa Singh Gola, whose resilience and vision helped lay the foundations for the community that exists today.
His life in Hull stands as a lasting testament to perseverance, faith, and the importance of community, leaving behind a legacy that continues to benefit generations to come.
His journey across the UK—from Liverpool to London, Doncaster, and ultimately Hull—reflects a life defined by persistence, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to building a better future despite repeated challenges.with his mother and younger brother, he set out for a new life in Britain. The journey marked the beginning of a different kind of struggle: adapting to an unfamiliar country, language, and culture.
Arriving in Britain, he faced the realities of immigrant life in the post-war years. Work was difficult to secure, and daily life came with challenges, from communication barriers to social isolation. For someone visibly distinct in appearance and identity, the experience could be even more demanding. Yet, like many of his generation, he approached these challenges with determination rather than defeat.
Each stage of his journey—from the forced migration of his childhood to his voluntary migration as a young man—was marked by uncertainty, sacrifice, and perseverance. Together, these experiences formed the foundation of the strength and resilience that would later define his life, his work, and his lasting contribution to the community in Hull.