A Short Sketch of life of Jathedar Kapur Singh Ji Shaheed

In previous post, you read about the martyrdom of Jathedar Kapur Singh Ji. Now, I will give you a brief over view of his life.

He was popularly known as Jathedar Kapur Singh in Kashmir Province of British India. He was well known for his bravery, humbleness, determination and far-sightedness not only among Sikhs but also among Hindus and Muslims.

He was born in June, 1901 in village Amor (ਅਮੋਰ), Kashmir (now Pakistan). His father was Subedar Major S. Ram Singh Ji and his mother was Mata Kaur Ji.

He was religious right from his childhood. He completed his study as well as Gurbani Santhia at Baba Prem Singh ‘Basnarhe’ (ਬਸਨਾੜੇ) vale. He was the only child of his parents.

In 1922, he contributed to Akali Movement in Punjab. He also led a number of Jathas from Kashmir to Punjab for Akali Movement. He imprisoned for 2 years and fined with amount of 1000 rupees. He was also given punishment of crushing grains etc. After crushing his grains, he used to crush other prisoner's grains. By the time, he was set free, his hands were severely damaged.

In those days, Kashmir was a princely state of British India. The ruler was a Hindu Dogra, Raja Hari Singh. The majority of people in Kashmir were Muslims and they were also having a number of political organizations. But the condition of Sikhs was very poor in this changing and challenging situation. Neither had they any political stand. Shromani Akali Dal was established but that too was limited in Punjab. So, he formed a political Sikh organization “Shromani Khalsa Darbar” in 1934. He was chosen as its first president and he remained at this position until his martyrdom in 1947.

He started Akali Movement in Kashmir so as to free the Gurudwaras from the clutches of Mahants there. The first agitation took place at. Gurudwara Chhevin Patshahi Naluchhi (ਗੁਰੂਦੁਆਰਾ ਛੇਵੀਂ ਪਾਤਿਸ਼ਾਹੀ ਨਲੂਛੀ) In those days, the Dogra Government accompanied with Kashmiri Pandits shrewdly started Ramayana Paath in Gurudwara Sopur, Pehli Patshahi (ਗੁਰੂਦੁਆਰਾ ਸੋਪੁਰ, ਪਹਿਲੀ ਪਾਤਿਸ਼ਾਹੀ )many historical Gurudwaras so as to turn these Gurudwaras into Hindu temples. It was seen that no heed was paid by government officials despite of sending a number of appeals. Finally, he started sending Jathas of peaceful protestants who were arrested by police. He also asked for help from the Sikhs in Punjab. And finally, government gave up by giving the control to the Sikh Panth as well as setting out the arrested Singhs free. Similar agitations took place at Gurudwara Pehli Patshahi , Uri Mattan (ਗੁਰੂਦੁਆਰਾ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਪਾਤਿਸ਼ਾਹੀ, ਊੜੀ ਮਟਨ), Gurudwara Chhevin Patshahi Raina Vaarhi (ਗੁਰੂਦੁਆਰਾ ਛੇਵੀਂ ਪਾਤਿਸ਼ਾਹੀ ਰੈਣਾ ਵਾੜੀ), Gurudwara Satvin Patshahi (ਗੁਰੂਦੁਆਰਾ ਸਤਵੀਂ ਪਾਤਿਸ਼ਾਹੀ) etc. There were many similar events that took place in Kashmir due to treacherous Pandits and Dogra government.

The Sikhs in Kashmir were very poor and uneducated. He started a Sikh boarding school at Gurudwara Chhevin Patshahi Naluchhi (ਗੁਰੂਦੁਆਰਾ ਛੇਵੀਂ ਪਾਤਿਸ਼ਾਹੀ ਨਲੂਛੀ ) where both Gurmat and worldly education was delivered to sikh students. Till then hardly any Sikh would have been gone to school. It was no more than a dream for them. It was due to their less population, financial weakness as well as discrimination being done by government. They were considered as third class people and were having no respect in society.

In those days, Brahmini rituals and rites were still performed by the Sikhs. He inspired Sikhs to strictly follow only Khalsa rituals. Infact, he was the first one who married his daughter Bibi Vaas Kaur with Bhai Sangat Singh strictly according to Gurmat after Amrit vela Diwan.

He was a torch-bearer who used to enlighten everyone. There were many Rajputs and Muslims who became Khalsa. One of them used to be a Muslim who became Sujan Singh. He was excommunicated by his society. Jathedar Ji asked Sikhs in a Diwan to marry his daughter or sister with this poor Sikh. None of them stood up. Finally, Jathedar Ji married his own daughter Bibi Harbans Kaur with Sujan Singh. He also bought some land and a truck to Sujan Singh so that he is able to stand on his own.

It was astonishing that he held leadership of Shromini Khalsa Darbar, Gurudwara Chhevin Patshahi Naluchhi, Gurudwara Chhevin Patshahi Raina Vaarhi, Gurudwara Panja Sahib, Akali Dal wing, SGPC (Amritsar) in a very short span of time. He was always chosen as Sarpanch by Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs in Muzzafarabad in Kashmir (Pakistan). Still he was very humble. He also started a newspaper “Shamsheer” in Kashmir.

In Kashmir, Dera Nangali Sahib was established by Bhai Pheru Singh Ji for Gurmat Prachar. He was ordered by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. This Dera is responsible for so much Prachar in Kashmir. Even now, Gurmat Prachar in Kashmir is much better than Punjab. Government also respects Dera Nangali Sahib. In 1946, Dera Leader Bhai Mangal Singh Ji got ill and before leaving this world he wanted to appoint his successor. He asked Jathedar Ji for some suggestion. Jathedar Ji suggested,” In the changing environment, next leader must be educated one.” He was asked to get such Singh. He had already called out Bhai Bachitar Singh Ji in Diwan, who was well educated. Bhai Mangal Singh Ji found him capable of being a good leader. In the presence of whole Sangat, Bhai Bachitar Singh Ji was appointed as the next leader. On the other side, there were some Singhs who wanted Sant Hari Singh to be the next leader. Jathedar Ji went to Sant Hari Singh and his companions and he solved the whole dispute, thereby, preventing dissociation into two parties. He boosted up Bhai Bachitar Singh Ji’s morale to do leadership of Dera Nangali Sahib. He also supported him in his first Prachar Daura(ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰ ਦੌਰਾ). Bhai Bachitar Singh Ji remembered Jathedar Ji’s help in his whole life.

In the tense state it became necessary for Sikhs in Kashmir to join hands with either Hindus or Muslims. Jathedar Kapur Singh JI decided to join hands with Muslim Conference on the promise of security and welfare of Sikhs. The name of Muslim Conference was changed into National Conference under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed Abdul. Together they started a powerful movement against Dogra Government. After 1947, though this promise was not kept completely but it was much better than the promise kept by Congress.

In 1947, India was partitioned into two states- India and Pakistan. The result of this partition was suffered by thousands and thousands of innocents who lost their livelihood. Jathedar Ji helped a large number of them to get into safer areas. But he was not able to get out of the clutches of Pakistan. And he was martyred. I have already posted on how he was martyred. It can be read in detail in this link

http://amanpreet-singh.blogspot.com/2011/03/valiant-jathedar-kapur-singh-ji-kashmir.html

Jathedar Ji’s martyrdom was a big loss to the Sikhs in Kashmir. After him, there had been no such successful leader who has been able to lead Panth in a right direction. There are still a number of people who miss him and pray to God that He may bless them with one more such Kapur Singh.

Today we need one more Kapur Singh. But in vain, we are forgetting such leaders. He is truly a torch-bearer for our present leaders.

Valiant Jathedar Kapur Singh Ji Shaheed (Kashmir -1947)

The Kapur Singh about which you are going to read is not the Nawab Kapur Singh of 18^th century nor is Sirdar Kapur Singh, the National Professor of Sikhism. He was a great Sikh Leader and Martyr of Kashmir (now called as Jammu & Kashmir, India and Azad Kashmir in Pakistan). I would like to share glimpses of his life but it would make this post too much lengthy. So, here I will post only on his martyrdom.

He was popularly known as Jathedar Kapur Singh in Kashmir Province of British India. He was well known for his bravery, humbleness, determination and far-sightedness not only among Sikhs but also among Hindus and Muslims.

In the pre-1947 division period, India which was once a peaceful country now was burning in the fire of communalism and separatism between Hindus and Muslims. This communalism now took form of riots, murders, killings of innocent Kaafirs (Hindus) and Malechhs (Muslims). But the Sikhs had to suffer much and much more than any other community in India. This fire and wounds were much more severe in Punjab than any other part of the country. Kashmir, a princely state of British India, was also burning in the same fire. Perhaps, Kashmir was the most destructed state in 1947 after Punjab or it may be Bengal.

Jathedar Kapur Singh Ji’s far-sightedness already had a clear vision of the result of growing worse and tense state. He asked Sikhs in Kashmir to be Shastardhari. He asked them to buy weapons by selling their useless and needless belongings and goods. He also advised them to move to the safer areas of Kashmir before anything worse happens.

In this changing and challenging time, Master Tara Singh, a great Sikh Leader of that time went to Jammu. He had a meeting with Pandit Kaak (ਪੰਡਤ ਕਾਕ), the minister of Kashmir. He showed Pandit Kaak the threat of attack of Pakistan on Muzzafarabad from the side of Krsihna-Ganga Bridge. He advised that the nearby castle and some guns should be given to the Sikhs of Naulchhi (ਨੌਲਛੀ). In this way, Kashmir would be saved from the Pakistan attack. Then they both went to Naulchhi. The Sikhs at Naulchhi were very brave. They were well organized under the command of Jathedar Kapur Singh Ji. Pandit Kaak told Master Tara Singh that the person having keys is not present. But he will give the keys and weapons to the Sikhs later. But he betrayed. He gave Sikhs nothing.

Finally, Pakistan army attacked Kashmir through that same way killing thousands of Hindus and Sikhs. Even Muslims were also not spared. They were not killed but robbed. Those Muslims who used to help Sikhs and Hindus were severely tortured. Jathedar Kapur Singh Ji, along with his Shastardhari Singhs was helping a large number of Hindus and Sikhs to reach Punnchh (ਪੁਣਛ), near Jammu. He arranged a large number of Jathas and he himself used to accompany each one of them till border.

His family and his close friend Hakumat Singh were in last Jatha. They asked him to come along with them. But he said,” Why I should turn my back by looking bullets, swords and death? If someone died waiting for me, then what is the use of me living?” Hakumat Singh said,” There are only dead bodies. Living people need you. Everything is destroyed there.” He said,” But I am not satisfied till I have complete information of all the villages.” At that time a deadly rain and a fast wind were blowing. And he was wearing just a Kachhera, a vest, a loi (ਲੋਈ) and a small turban. He carried some clothes, some weapons and a gun. This was his last meeting with his family.

He went to his village Ambro (ਅੰਬਰੋ). Only dead bodies could be seen there. He was getting news of some Jathas going to Punnchh and Kashmir, various clashes between Jathas and army, martyrdom of a number of Sikhs, torture by army at Refugee Camps, forcing Non-Muslims to embrace Islam by army etc. He was trying to help those suffering people. He was being helped by a kind Muslim, Ismail Khan, with whom he was staying. One day Ismail Khan asked Jathedar Ji to leave with his sons (Ismail Khan’s sons). He got information that enemies have been able to locate Jathedar Ji’s position.

So, Jathedar Ji along with Ismail Khan’s sons left to Faqir Muhammed, who had been once Jathedar Ji’s faithful servant. He stayed there for a couple of days. Then he crossed Jehlum River to village Meran Motharian (ਮੈਰਾਂ ਮੋਥਰੀਆਂ) where he met Gurdit Singh. Together they were collecting information of Sikhs and Hindus who were still suffering in Refugee Camps and losses which the Sikhs suffered. In village Kakarh (ਕੱਕੜ), enemies surrounded them. He asked Gurdit Singh to leave who reached India through Kashmir. On the other side, Bhai Sahib Ji kept fighting with enemies. He was able to get out of their hands. He struggled a lot in that time. He went to many places trying to help the suffering people in Camps and looking for someone who is still wandering in mountains and forests seeking for some help.

In the end, he was in some home nearby Uri. He was staying with a Muslim Faqir. There too news leaked out. That Faqir took him out in the night. But army saw them and shouted. He fought valiantly with the army. But they were too many. And he was alone. He was severely injured. He jumped into the Jehlum River and tried to cross it. On the other side military also came. They may also have fired at him. But he was unable to cross that river. And he was martyred.

It is very sad that such honorable leaders and valiant saints are having no respect in our country as well as our Panth. We have completely forgotten these heroes. His martyrdom reminds me of a Hindi Movie Gadar, in which Sunny Deol goes to Pakistan to get his wife back with his friend and a son. That’s a fiction. But Jathedar Kapur Singh Ji’s struggle and martyrdom is a reality. Moreover, he went for suffering people not for getting his wife back.

It is my prayer to Waheguru that He may bless someone and give him Power to make some movie over Jathedar Ji’s life. Salutations to such a great Warrior Saint!!!

Akali Surjan Singh JI Shaheed

It has been a long time I have not posted anything yet. Now, I will tell you about the bravery of Akali Surjan Singh Ji. Akali Ji’s name is almost forgotten in our Sikh Panth. Very less is known about his life. Here I will show you an excerpt from his life.

He was in the Akali army during the period of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh Ji. He used to fight valiantly in the battles. He was well known for his bravery and strength in Afgans. A number of marks could be seen over his body and face depicting his bravery shown in the battles.

Once upon a time, he went to Attock river area, near the Afganistan, with Maharaja Ranjeet Singh Ji. In the very early morning he woke up. After taking bath at river, he went to a lonely place and then started doing his Nitnem.

On the other side, three Pathans were rushing towards him. They were about to kill him but suddenly stopped when they saw his glorious face. They saw his number of weapons and got afraid. Then these Pathans decided to kill him at once as a new lot of weapons will come into their hands. And they will also get rid of their forceful enemy as they now recognized Akali Ji. One of them attacked with a forceful blow of his spear. This spear hit Akali Ji’s forehead. Blood began flowing from his forehead. By that time Akali Ji had seen them. Akali Ji quickly got the spear out of that Pathan’s hands and threw it away. Then he drew his sword. Like a lightening, he quickly slaughtered two Pathans. The third one was behind him and was about to run for protection. Akali Ji was also about to target him but he fell to the feet of Akali Ji and begged,” Please leave me. I am not a man. I am a woman. I dressed up into a man and came with my husband and brother to kill you. Please, have some mercy over me.” Akali Ji stopped at the same time and sheathed his sword. He spared that woman and let her go.

Then he saw there were precious jewelry, money, gold, valuable clothes and other costly material in the surrounding places. He took all that stuff with him and paid it in the service of Maharaja Sahib. Maharaja Sahib first ordered his doctor to do something for Akali Ji’s injury. Then he went to that place. He saw two dead bodies lying there. He was highly pleased by the courage shown by Akali Ji. Later, it came to be known that those were actually robbers. They used to rob the people covert all their wealth at that area.

Akali Surjan Singh Ji was martyred after Maharaja Ranjeet Singh Ji’s death in Lahore.