The Sikh Gurdwaras Act, which placed the management of historic gurdwaras under an elected body, was passed in:

The Sikh Gurdwaras Act was passed by the Punjab Legislative Council in 1925, placing the management of historic Sikh gurdwaras under an elected body, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).

Background - the Akali (Gurdwara Reform) movement:

• In the 19th and early 20th centuries, many important gurdwaras were controlled by hereditary custodians called "mahants" (often of the Udasi sect).
• Some mahants treated the gurdwaras as personal property, misused their income, and allowed practices contrary to Sikh teachings.
• They were often supported by the British government.
• In 1920, Sikh reformers formed the SGPC to manage the gurdwaras, and the Shiromani Akali Dal to organise volunteers (Akalis).
• The movement used peaceful methods (satyagraha) to take control of gurdwaras from the mahants.

Important events:

The Nankana Sahib massacre (February 1921): more than 100 Akali volunteers were killed by the men of the mahant Narain Das at Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak.

The "Keys affair" (1921-22): the British government took the keys of the Golden Temple's treasury; after Sikh protests, the keys were returned; Mahatma Gandhi called this the "first decisive battle for India's freedom won".

The Guru ka Bagh morcha (1922): peaceful Akali volunteers were beaten by the police, which attracted national attention.

The Jaito morcha (1923-25).

The Act of 1925:

• It was passed in July 1925 and came into force in November 1925.
• It recognised the SGPC as the elected body to manage the historic gurdwaras in Punjab.

The movement and the Act:

The Akali movement was one of the important mass movements of the 1920s, and was linked to the national movement.

The SGPC:

• It is often described as the "parliament of the Sikhs".
• Its members are elected by Sikh voters.
• It manages gurdwaras in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh.

Why not the other options?

• ✗1909, 1920 and 1935 are other important years, but not of this Act.