Akali movement, variously known as Gurdwara Reform Movement or Gurdwara Agitation is how the Sikhs' long drawn out campaign in the early twenties of the twentieth century, in which they struggled for the liberation of their gurdwaras or holy shrines is described. The campaign which elicited enthusiastic support, especially, from the rural masses, took the form of a peaceful agitation marches, divans or religious gatherings, and demonstrations for Sikhs to assert their right to manage their places of worship. This led to a series of critical episodes in which their resolve to use peaceful resistance as opposed to turning to violence were severely tested by government suppression.