Formation In the period after annexation in 1849 until 1859, the Golden Temple complex was managed by a series of
mahants under British-control. The Extra-Assistant Commissioner, under the Chief Commissioner of Punjab, held the power to fine persons for misconduct and also the ability to bar their entry into the complex. The meeting was to resolve any disputes over the management of shrine and set-out the framework for managing them, with the meeting being attended also by Deputy Commissioner Cooper. Thus through the
dastur of 1859, the pujaris became servants of the Golden Temple and any parties that had rights over the shrine and its institutions, but the pujaris could still enjoy the temple's property and income. Furthermore, in 1860 there was rivalry between Jodh Singh and Pardaman Singh over who should be appointed as the sarbarah.) and well-known. An example is Man Singh, who had served the British in the Indian Mutiny of 1857–58 as part of Hodson's Horse, later having the sarbarah role which he held until an old-age. The system was criticized in the local press for its inefficiency and malpractices. Arur Singh stroked controversy when he arranged a Sikh
diwan in-front of the
Akal Takht for
General Dyer after the
Jallianwala Bagh massacre to display loyalty to the British. Arur Singh also awarded a
saropa (robe-of-honour) upon General Dyer, which led to further opposition to the institution.
Dissolution The British attempted to appoint a new sarbarah in 1920 but the Sikhs demanded that they be given full control over the management of the complex. The new sarbarah, Captain Bahadur Singh, would leave the position shortly after his appointment due to Sikh opposition. Sundar Singh Ramgarhia would become the caretaker of the complex as the new sarbarah, leading toward the start of management of the complex by the SGPC. On 29 October 1921, the SGPC demanded that the sarbarah Sundar Singh Ramgarhia hand-over the keys to them to guarantee their total control over the management affairs of the complex. However, the colonial government opposed this move under the guise of claiming that the Sikh reformers would appropriate funds for radical, political agendas. == List of sarbarahs ==