[10] The original Akali movement was established to peacefully get control of gurdwaras from heredity mahants (priests) who were accused of enriching themselves.

[1] The Akalis took vows of non-violence and observed them; at Tarn Taran and Nankana Sahib in early 1921, however, the priests' hired security killed a number of Sikhs.

[11] The militant unit was established as Chakravarti Shaheedi Dal (Sovereign Martyrdom Brigade) in September 1920, later evolving into the Babbar Akali movement.

[12] They used religious imagery and discussed the loss of Sikh sovereignty in the First and Second Anglo-Sikh Wars, which helped them enjoy popular support.

The Babbar Akali movement recruited from World War I veterans dissatisfied with broken land grant promises and former members of the Ghadar Party.