In the context of the Indian freedom struggle, what was the most important immediate cause that led to the outbreak of the Ghadar Revolution?

Introduction / Context:
The Ghadar Revolution was an important chapter in the Indian freedom struggle, led mainly by Indian migrants based in North America who aimed to overthrow British rule through armed revolt. To answer this question correctly, learners must identify the most important immediate trigger that transformed discontent and revolutionary planning into a concrete call for uprising. Understanding this helps clarify how specific international events influenced the course of Indian nationalism.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question is about the Ghadar Revolution associated with Indian revolutionaries abroad.
• Several possible historical events are listed as options, all linked to nationalist activities.
• We must identify the single most important immediate cause, not a general background factor.

Concept / Approach:
To solve this, we recall that the Ghadar Party was formed by Indian migrants abroad and that it became especially active around the time of the First World War. However, among various events, the Komagata Maru incident stands out as a powerful emotional and political catalyst. This incident involved a ship carrying Indian passengers being denied entry and forced back, leading to violence and casualties. The humiliation and injustice experienced by these passengers created intense anger, which the Ghadar leaders used to call for a widespread revolt in India. Thus, we look for the option that directly reflects this incident.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Ghadar Revolution was planned mainly by Indian revolutionaries in North America. Step 2: Note that the First World War created a favourable global situation, but it was a broad background factor rather than a specific trigger. Step 3: Remember the Komagata Maru incident of 1914, where Indian passengers faced racial discrimination and were forced to return, resulting in violence at Budge Budge in India. Step 4: Understand that this incident deeply angered Indian nationalists and was widely used by the Ghadar leaders to mobilise support for an armed uprising. Step 5: Compare this with other options such as the hanging of Kartar Singh Sarabha and the arrest of Lala Hardayal, which were important but came in a different context or later phase. Step 6: Conclude that the Komagata Maru incident is widely regarded as the most important immediate cause.

Verification / Alternative check:
A good way to verify is to consult standard modern Indian history references, which usually describe the Komagata Maru episode as the key incident that transformed Ghadar propaganda into a planned uprising around 1915. Other events were either background conditions or consequences, not the primary spark.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Commencement of the First World War created a favourable environment for revolution but was a broad context rather than the specific trigger. The hanging of Kartar Singh Sarabha was a tragic result of the failed Ghadar conspiracy, not the cause of its outbreak. The arrest of Lala Hardayal weakened leadership but did not directly launch the mass call for revolt. Therefore these options are less precise than the Komagata Maru incident as the immediate cause.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to confuse background causes with immediate triggers and select the First World War simply because it is globally significant. Another error is to assume that martyrdom events such as hangings always precede and cause revolutions. Learners should instead focus on which event most directly converted discontent into organised action by the Ghadar Party.

Final Answer:
The most important immediate cause for the outbreak of the Ghadar Revolution was the Komagata Maru incident involving Indian migrants in 1914.