Sikh History This Week

May11-17) Post 2620

ਸਿੱਖ ਇਤਿਹਾਸ ਇਸ ਹਫ਼ਤੇ

ਬਾਬਾਣੀਆ ਕਹਾਣੀਆ ਪੁਤ ਸਪੁਤ ਕਰੇਨਿ” (ਰਾਮਕਲੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੩, ੯੫੧)
(Stories of our Forefathers Make Children Great)

Events in Brief:

1. May 11, 1762, Despite the massive Holocaust of Sikhs by Afghan Sultan Abdali a year prior, Sikhs recaptured Sirhind State from the Mughals. The second Holocaust, known as Vadda Ghallughara, occurred in Kup near Malerkotla when Afghan forces led by Sultan Abdali launched a surprise attack. At a grand assembly in Khidranae-di-Dhab near Muktasar, Sikhs passed a Gurmatta (resolution) to reclaim Sirhind. The Governor-designate of Sultan Jahan Khan was defeated and forced to pay tribute to Sikh Chiefs.

2. May 11, 1981: ‘Sikhs Are a Nation’-was a bold resolution initiated by SGPC and finally endorsed by Akal Takhat. It gave a pathway to move on initiated by the SGPC on March 25, 1981, and later unanimously supported by the Akali Dal party. With the Jathedar of the Akal Takht ratifying the resolution on April 21, 1981, the issue was firmly decided. Despite this resolution and ratification, none of the States or the Federal Indian government recognized it. Consequently, the tussle continues to this day leading to turbulence and lack of peace in Punjab..

3. May 11,1987: Shahidi/ death of Bhai Jarnail Halwara, a militant Sikh born in 1961 attached to Babbar Khalsa group. A Sikh youth deeply affected by the Indian Army’s brutal assault on Gurdwaras and atrocities on Sikh youth and families, joined Sant Bhinderanwalla’s struggle for Punjab’s rights. He joined the Babbar Khalsa and fought against the criminalized police force. He called the Rajiv-Longowal Accord a “betrayal” and vowed to punish Harchand Singh Longowal. He died in a police encounter in Haripur, Punjab.Hundreds of people joined his ‘Antim Ardas’.

4. May 12, 1984: Lala Ramesh Chandra of Hind Samachar Group of newspapers is shot dead in Jalandhar. He was the son of Lala Jagat Narain, who also lost his life to militants near Phillaur in 1978-79 for mocking Punjab’s rights. Lala Ramesh Chandra also continued his Anti-Punjab campaign, did not work hard to understand the struggle and to stop criminalization of youth by police force atrocities. Ramesh Chandra was born in Lyallpur (now Faisalabad in Pakistan) in 1926, and had at times joined the Non-cooperation movement of Mahatma Gandhi.

5. May 12, 1994: Human Rights Attorney Sukhwinder Singh Bhatti Disappeared from courts by Punjab Police. He was Sangrur district’s leading defense lawyer for individuals accused of crimes under the draconian Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (TADA) Act, 1987, was litigating 131 TADA cases when he disappeared. The CBI’s inquiry implicated SSP Jasminder Singh and DSP Surjit Singh in his detention, torture, and disappearance, but the case dragged on with impunity. SSP was later promoted and got retired.

6. May 13, 1665: Nineth Guru Tegh Bahadur ji Buys land from Rani Champa Devi of Kehlur, now Anandpur Sahib (in Himachal state). An ardent devotee of Guru Sahib, she offered the land as a ‘state grant’. However, Guru insisted on buying it as ownership and named it ‘Chak Nanaki’ (later renamed Anandpur Sahib). This city nurtured the Nineth and tenth Gurus’ family, who revolted against the tyranny of the Mughals and jealous Hill Rajas of neighboring states. It was lost by 10th Guru but came under Sikh Empire of Maharaja Ranjit Singh 1799-1848.

7. May 13, 1677: Gobind Rai ji (later Guru Gobind Singh ji) married Mata Jito ji, later renamed Mata Ajit Kaur ji after the formation of the Khalsa. Mata Jito, the daughter of Harjas Subhikhi, a Khatri from Lahore, lived in a time when early marriage was customary, but girls usually stayed with their parents till adulthood. Later would join their husbands. However, due to the turbulent times, the bride’s family moved to Ananadpur, and a separate village was made for their wedding, called ‘Guru-ka-Lahore’. Mata was the mother of three children: Jujhar, Zorawar, and Fateh, and passed away in 1700 AD. The eldest Sahibzada Ajit was born to another Guru’s wife, Mata Sundari ji, in 1687.

8. May 13, 1710: Baba Banda Singh Bahadur destroys Mughal State of Sirhind. It’s a Fateh Diwas or Victory Day. Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, on orders and blessings of the Tenth Guru, reached the battlefield of Chapper-Chirri and killed the tyrant Governor Wazir Khan and his courtiers by dragging them on the streets. Wazir Khan was notorious for bricking alive two young Sahibzadas of the Guru. Other ministers and mullas responsible for pronouncing death sentences on children were similarly dragged and killed.

9. May 13,1991: A Sikh Housewife was abducted, killed and cremated as part of Human Right abuses in Punjab. Balwinder Kaur, a 23-25-year-old Sikh housewife, was picked up by Punjab Police in Ramdas village from a friend or relative’s residence. She was cremated at a municipal cremation ground to cover up evidence of unlawful killings by police. Over 41,000 cash bounties were paid to police for killings in Punjab, between 1991 and 1993, as reported by the US State Department.

10. May 15, 1848: Rani Jindan is arrested and deported to Chunar fort near Banaras (Now Varanasi) in UP by the British. She was suspected of conspiring to revolt against British annexation of Punjab Kingdom and thought to have attempted to eliminate the British Resident. She was separated from her child son, prince and successor to the throne- Maharaja Duleep. He was deported to England a little later and converted to Christianity. This completed annexation of Punjab by the British.

11. May 16, 2014, Punjab AAP (Aam Admi party) achieved a historic victory by winning four Parliament seats in the Punjab elections. The ruling Shromani Akali Dal (SAD) party of Parkash Singh Badal faced a significant setback, while the Delhi-based AAP of Arvind Kejriwal achieved huge success . In the 2014 Indian General Elections, the AAP fielded 434 candidates across India and secured four of the 13 MP seats in Punjab, becoming a recognized state party. In the 2022 Punjab elections, the AAP contested all 117 seats and achieved a resounding supermajority of 92 MLA seats. Consequently, AAP MP Bhagwant Mann was elected as the Chief Minister of Punjab.

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Source ref: History of the Sikhs by HR Gupta, Dates & chronological order from Book by S. Ajaib Singh Dhillon and Sikh Chronicles)
ਸਰੋਤ/ ਹਵਾਲੇ: ਐਚ.ਆਰ ਗੁਪਤਾ: ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਦਾ ਇਤਿਹਾਸ, ਸ. ਅਜਾਇਬ ਸਿੰਘ ਢਿੱਲੋਂ ਦੀ ਕਿਤਾਬ ਤੋਂ ਤਾਰੀਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਲਕ੍ਰਮਿਕ ਕ੍ਰਮ)

5Q Quiz for self assessment:

1. Baba Banda Singh Bahadur is considered pioneer in establishing First Independent Sikh State from 1710-1716CE. How did he do it.?
2. Which Mughal Governor ordered the two younger princes (Sahibzadas) of Tenth Guru to be bricked alive. Name the Mughal state? Name the Sahibzadas?
3. Sardar Sukhwinder Singh Bhatti, was a defense lawyer/Attorney who was litigating 131, TADA cases on framed up youth. Which City he was picked up & disappeared?
4. Which fort Did Rani Jindan was imprisoned by the British in 1848 before she escaped to Nepal ? (Hint: near Varanasi)
5. What happened after Sultan Abdali committed massive massacre of Sikhs called ‘Wadda Ghallughara’ in 1762CE. Did the Sikhs loose heart? What happened?

Sikh History This Week

(May 04-10) Post 2619

ਸਿੱਖ ਇਤਿਹਾਸ ਇਸ ਹਫ਼ਤੇ

ਬਾਬਾਣੀਆ ਕਹਾਣੀਆ ਪੁਤ ਸਪੁਤ ਕਰੇਨਿ” (ਰਾਮਕਲੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੩, ੯੫੧)

(Stories of our Forefathers Make Children Great)

Events in Brief.

1. May 4, 1705. Shahidi Day of 40 Muktas, the Sikhs who earlier abandoned the Guru, now rejoined him to die at Muktsar Battle. Now Muktsar, is the capital city of same name district in Punjab. During the siege of Anandpur fort in December 1704, 40 Sikhs, led by Maha Singh, wrote a “Bedava” (desertion) and left the 10th Guru. On their journey home, at the village of Jhabal, a brave Sikh woman named Mata Bhag Kaur admonished them and urged them to return. They agreed. Meanwhile, Guru Gobind Singh Ji had left Anandpur and was confronting the Mughals at Khidrane-de-Dhab, near Muktsar. Undeterred, the 40 Sikhs rejoined the Khalsa force and fought valiantly to death. At the battlefield, Guru found Maha Singh still breathing, who pleaded forgiveness. Guru tore up his ‘Bedava’. Mata Bhag Kaur (Mai Bhago), the sole survivor, remained devoted to Guru Gobind Singh Ji until the end. Every year, the Mela Maghi is held at Sri Muktsar Sahib in remembrance of these 40 Muktas.

2. May 5,1739: Sikhs plunder Iranian Sultan Nadir Shah’s Caravan at Akhnoor near Jammu and liberated Mughal women of Royal Harem.. The Shah, took away women of Mughal families and hundreds of cartloads of expensive materials, including jewelry, looted from Delhi. Among the stolen items were the expensive Peacock Throne and world’s most priceless Kohinoor Diamond. Under the leadership of young Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, Dal Khalsa in-part plundered Shah’s caravan and relocated the women and slaves to their homes in India.

3. May 5,1723: Birth of Great Sikh Chief S. Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, built forts & Bungas (watchtowers) in Amritsar.

In order to protect Amritsar from fanatical Afghans and Mughals he built fort called Ram Rauni and Ramgarhia Bungas (watchtowers) to oversee enemy movements from Durbar Sahib Amritsar. He captured Delhi via Hissar in 1783. He was born in village Ichhogal Lahore and Amritsar in the house of Giani Bhagwan Singh. A great Sikh leader of Dal Khalsa and chief of Ramgarhia Misl.He died in 1803 and was succeeded by his son, Valiant Jodh Singh Ramgarhia, who ceded his territories to Ranjit Singh’s Khalsa Raj.

4. May 6,1834: Sikhs Re-Capture Peshawar to complete their control of Muslim East Khyber pass after 836 years. Earlier Afghans had accepted Khalsa Suzerainty in 1819, but tributes to Lahore started waning. Maharaja Ranjit deputed Prince Naunihal and S.Hari Singh Nalwa to enforce Khalsa rule and killed Nawab Khan & Haji Khan, Chiefs who resisted. Last Hindu Ruler Jaipal ruled and lost to Invading Arabs/Afghans in 998AD.

5. May 6, 2023: Shahidi of Bhai Paramjit Singh Panjwar in Lahore neighborhood. He was shot dead clandestinely by hired agents while on a morning walk in his neighborhood in Lahore. His security guard succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. He was a dedicated activist in the Sikh struggle for their homeland. In 1990, he became chief of Militant group KCF following the martyrdom of his cousin, Bhai Sukhdev Singh, also known as Sukha Sipahi or ‘General Labh Singh’. Bhai Panjwar subsequently had relocated to Pakistan in 1992.

6. May 8, 1839: Khalsa forces captured Kandahar and installed Shah Shuja as the new Sultan of Afghanistan. Khalsa forces extend support to dissident Sultan the ruling Shah, who along with his Begum, fled from Kabul and sought help from Maharaja Ranjit. This is the first time Sikhs became King makers of an inimical Muslim state.They could never meddle in Punjab affairs.

7. May 09,1710: Sikhs defeat Nawab Sher Khan of Malerkotla at Balolpur. Sikhs from the Majha region (Lahore-Amritsar) defeated Nawab Sher Khan of Malerkotla in a battle fought near Balolpur. They intercepted him from joining Banda Bahadur’s Khalsa forces at Sirhind. The Malerkotla Nawab, who was believed to be friendly, was mistaken. He had objected to Guru’s two children, Sahibzadas Jujhar Singh and Fateh Singh, being punished. Despite this, he continued to follow Mughal Governor Wazir Khan of Sarhind.

8. May 09, 1841: Dogra Conspirators Cannon fire Bhai Bir Singh’s Dera, Prince Kashmira Singh is killed while Prince Pishora Singh escapes. Conspiracies to dismantle the Sikh Kingdom persist. Bhai Bir Singh’s Dera, a revered Sikh seminary, was attacked, leading to the tragic deaths of Bhai Bir Singh and Prince Kashmira Singh. They had the opportunity to claim the Royal throne of Lahore. Prince Pishora Singh managed to escape from the Dera but later succumbed to a fatal attack at Attock. Both princes had sought refuge in the Dera to evade the conspiracies surrounding the Lahore Durbar.

9. May 10, 1887: Maharaja Duleep Singh seeks help of Russian Czar to drive out English from Punjab-Plan fails. Russian plan to reach through Afghanistan remained uncharted. Russian Emperor Alexander III first accepts and later withdraws to fight against the British to free Punjab. He was a weak Czar. Christy Campbell's book ‘Maharaja’s Box’ deals with tragic tale of deposed Maharaja of Punjab and his great efforts to win freedom from the British.

10. May, 10, 1930: Sikhs Jathas support India’s nationalist Pakhtoon movement get arrested on way to Peshawar. This was a Sikh movement to Protest Pathan Killings by the British. It created goodwill amongst two warring communities for India’s freedom. Pashtoon leader Abdul Gaffar Khan, called a ‘Frontier Gandhi’ became friend of Master Tara Singh & supported him wholeheartedly. Pakhtunwa was opposed to Muslim league party’s demand for a separate Pakistan State.

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Source ref: History of the Sikhs by HR Gupta, Dates & chronological order from Book by S. Ajaib Singh Dhillon and Sikh Chronicles)

ਸਰੋਤ/ ਹਵਾਲੇ: ਐਚ.ਆਰ ਗੁਪਤਾ: ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਦਾ ਇਤਿਹਾਸ, ਸ. ਅਜਾਇਬ ਸਿੰਘ ਢਿੱਲੋਂ ਦੀ ਕਿਤਾਬ ਤੋਂ ਤਾਰੀਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਲਕ੍ਰਮਿਕ ਕ੍ਰਮ)

5Q Quiz for self assessment:

1. Guess After how many centuries did Sikhs liberate Peshawar, Multan, Kashmir & Indian territories from Afghans & Muslim Rulers?

2. Sikhs invaded Afghanistan to install Shah Shuja as Sultan of Afghanistan, Name the famous Diamond given to Maharaja Ranjit as reward?

3 Dogras instigated strife between successors of Sikh Kingdom. How many sons did Maharaja Ranjit had?

4. Name Ramgarhia Misl Chief who captured Delhi in 1783, via Hissar and reached Red Fort to claim Mughal Throne as co-contestant?

5. Which Sikh Chief is considered mainly responsible for building Six Heritage Gurdwaras from Mughal treasury (Hint: Sikh Raja of Karnal) ?

Sikh History This Week, post 2618.

(April 27-May 3) Post 2618

ਸਿੱਖ ਇਤਿਹਾਸ ਇਸ ਹਫ਼ਤੇ

ਬਾਬਾਣੀਆ ਕਹਾਣੀਆ ਪੁਤ ਸਪੁਤ ਕਰੇਨਿ” (ਰਾਮਕਲੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੩, ੯੫੧)

(Stories of our Forefathers Make Children Great)

Events in Brief:

1. April 27, 1635: Guru Hargobind ji (6th Guru) kills Painde Khan, chief of Mughal army near Kartarpur (near Jalandhar, Punjab). Painde Khan, a valiant Pathan raised by Guruji, was finally killed in this battle. Initially, he fought for the Guru at the Battle of Amritsar, where Mughal Faujdar Mukhlis Khan was killed. The Guru honored him with a horse, a Khanda, and a Gown. As Times change, Painde Khan joined the Mughal Army, and was assigned to arrest the Guru. At the battle he challenged Guruji to a duel. In hesitation, he gave Painde Khan two attempts to wage a war, but failed. Then, the Guru took his turn and killed Khan to his chest. In benevolence, Guruji asked him to say his last prayers while being given shade.

2. April 28, 1837: Brave Bibi Harsharan Kaur helps to win Fort of Jamrud, East Khaibar pass near Peshawar. She broke through the besieging Afghans at Fort Jamrud, deceptively dressed and reached General Hari Singh Nalwa in Peshawar fort, and requested reinforcements. Sardar Maha Singh’s was defending the fort. Hari Singh Nalwa, though not well, marched from Peshawar, broke the siege and chased Afghan Sultan Dost Mohammad Khan beyond east Khyber. As Afghans were fleeing one fatal shot from a cliff, hit Hari Singh Nalwa. The great general passed away like a lion, leaving behind complete control of Peshawar with Sikhs.

3. April 29,1797: Sikhs under Sahib Singh Bhangi kill Ahmad Khan commander of Rohtas Fort and restored Hindu girl to her parents. Sultan Zaman Shah (Grandson of Ahmad Shah Abdali) had appointed Ahmad Khan, as governor of Sind Doab stationed at Rohtas fort in Jhelum, who had abducted a Brahmin girl, He was challenged and killed in a battle with Sikhs.His head was severed and displayed at village gate of Bartonkal, by Sardar Sahib Singh Bhangi commander of Ranjit Singh.

4. April 29, 1986: Sikh Homeland Khalistan declared by Sarbat Khalsa conclave at Akal Takhat Amritsar. The Panthic Committee inside Darbar Sahib Amritsar declared ‘Khalistan’ at a gathering of Sarbat Khalsa. Next day April 30, under ‘Operation Black Thunder’ Police forces under KPS Gill laid siege and entered the complex. Akali Dal Barnala government invades Durbar Sahib, militant families & pilgrims were rounded up and Police Committed atrocities. Later CM Barnala was awarded religious punishment by Akal Takhat Jathedar Prof. Darshan Singh.

5. April 30,1479.(SGPC): Today marks the 547th Parkash Purab of Guru Amar Das Ji, the third Nanak of Sikhism. Guru Amar Das Ji, the epitome of selfless service, was born in 1479 in the village of Basarke Gillan in Amritsar district, Guru Amar Das Ji was the third of ten Gurus of the Sikh faith. His parents, Tej Bhan Bhalla Ji and mother Bakht Ji, were Hindus who often visited Haridwar. He became a devout Sikh at 73 and succeeding Guru Angad Dev Ji. Guru Amar Das Ji strengthened the Langar system, established the Manji system(centers of preaching), In total, twenty Manjis and two Pirris(for Women devotees) were set up. The system continued and evolved under the seventh Sikh Guru, Har Rai Sahib, who added 360 Manjis. Guru supported social reforms like remarriage for widows and the abolition of Sati. To eliminate social barriers, Guru Amar Das Ji constructed a Baoli (bathing place for all) at Goindwal Sahib. On 1st September, 1574, Guru Amar Das Ji departed for his heavenly abode, His son-in-law, a devout Sikh Gur Ram Das ji became the Fourth Guru of the Sikh. (Read more)

6. April 30, 1837: Death of Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa while Sardar Mangal Singh is Injured (nephew of S.Jassa Singh Ramgarhia), was injured. While breaking the siege of Jamrud Fort near Peshawar held by Afghans, Hari Singh Nalwa, though not well, marched from Peshawar, broke the siege and chased Afghan Sultan Dost Mohammad Khan beyond east Khyber. As reported, Afghans while fleeing a fatal shot from a cliff, hit Hari Singh Nalwa. The great general passed away like a lion, leaving behind complete control of Peshawar with Sikhs. Sardar Mangal Singh’s Samadh (memorial) is at Amritsar, while S. Nalwa’s is in Jamrud.(read more)

7. May 1,1746: First mass massacre of Sikhs/ Holocaust/Chhota Ghaluga takes place in Punjab. A large Sikh population is massacred by Mughals. In lead was Hindu Diwan of Lahore Lakhpat Rai. Sikhs of present-day districts of Lahore, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, and others, were displaced from their homes by the Mughals. They were led to the forest and swamps of Kahnuwan, leaving them with no escape. Several thousand died, while three thousand were executed at Shahid Ganj, Lahore. This event is commonly known as Chhota Ghallughara (Smaller-Holocaust).

8. May 2, 1564 : Guru Arjan Dev ji’s Prakash Dihara/Birth Anniversary. Guru Arjan Dev , was born in 1564 CE in Goindwal, Punjab. He was the youngest of Guru Ram Das’s three sons and Bibi Bhani ji being the mother. Guru Ram Das, his father, founded the town of Guru-ka-Chak, which later became Amritsar. Guru Arjun undertook lot of reforms, built Harimandar Sahib (Golden Temple) and wrote Gurbani & compiled Ad Granth (now Guru Granth Sahib). Growth of Sikh faith attracted the hostility of some Islamic clergy, leading to complaints and Guru’s arrest. Jahangir, Mughal Emperor wrongfully ordered his execution in 1606AD. Shahidi Dihara/Martyr’s Day is celebrated annually with cool milk-water and sugary drink is served to all in all Gurdwaras world over.

9. May 3, 1698: Bhai Mani Singh takes charge of Harimandar Sahib on orders of Tenth Guru to restore Maryada. The complex came under Sodhis & Masands after Sixth Guru Hargobind ji moved to Kiratpur Sahib. Sikh religious code was not being followed by Masands. On taking over Bhai Mani Singh defeated and ousted the Sodhis and Masands and restored Maryada till his Shahidi at the hands of the Mughals on june1738. He was 94. Bhai Sahib served Tenth Guru at DamDama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo) & housing Mata Sundri & Mata Sahib Kaur in Delhi.

10. May 3, 1705: Mughals & Hill Rajas combined to start the Siege of Anandpur Sahib lasting 7months. Tenth Guru Sahib had to abandon Anandpur under an agreement for safe passage. The siege lasted from May 1704 to December 19, 1704. The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb sent governors from Sirhind, Lahore, and Kashmir, along with the Hill Rajas of Dadwa, Darauliof Kahlur, Kangra, Jaswan, Mandi, Kulu, Nalagarh, Kaithal, Nurpur, Chamba, Jammu, Dadwa, Bijarwal, and Garhwal. Aurangzeb demanded that everyone bring their entire armies to Anandpur.

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Source ref: History of the Sikhs by HR Gupta, Dates & chronological order from Book by S. Ajaib Singh Dhillon and Sikh Chronicles) ਸਰੋਤ/ ਹਵਾਲੇ: ਐਚ.ਆਰ ਗੁਪਤਾ: ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਦਾ ਇਤਿਹਾਸ, ਸ. ਅਜਾਇਬ ਸਿੰਘ ਢਿੱਲੋਂ ਦੀ ਕਿਤਾਬ ਤੋਂ ਤਾਰੀਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਲਕ੍ਰਮਿਕ ਕ੍ਰਮ)

5Q Quiz for Self Assessment:

1. While Hari Singh Nalwa is often remembered as a great general, there was another Valiant Sikh Mangal Singh who died at battle of Jamrud. Who was his great father?
2. Guru Arjan Dev ji was son of which Guru?
3. Why is Bibi Bhani is called Gur-Putri, Gur-Patni, and Gur Mata ?