Words of Nectar

This Shabad is written by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in Dhanaasari Raag in Ang 681 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. It is clear that whatever we ask from our Beloved Lord we will get it. So, have faith in Lord and you will definitely get it.

ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ||

ਚਤੁਰ ਦਿਸਾ ਕੀਨੋ ਬਲੁ ਅਪਨਾ ਸਿਰ ਊਪਰਿ ਕਰੁ ਧਾਰਿਓ ||

ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਟਾਖ੍ਯ ਅਵਲੋਕਨੁ ਕੀਨੋ ਦਾਸ ਕਾ ਦੂਖੁ ਬਿਦਾਰਿਓ ||੧||

ਹਰਿ ਜਨ ਰਾਖੇ ਗੁਰ ਗੋਵਿੰਦ ||

ਕੰਠਿ ਲਾਇ ਅਵਗੁਣ ਸਭਿ ਮੇਟੇ ਦਇਆਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਬਖਸੰਦ || ਰਹਾਉ ||

ਜੋ ਮਾਗਹਿ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਅਪੁਨੇ ਤੇ ਸੋਈ ਸੋਈ ਦੇਵੈ ||

ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਸੁ ਮੁਖ ਤੇ ਜੋ ਬੋਲੈ ਈਹਾ ਊਹਾ ਸਚੁ ਹੋਵੈ ||੨||੧੪||੪੫||

(ਅੰਗ ੬੮੧, ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੁ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ)

Dhanaasaree, Fifth Mehl:

He has extended His Power in all four directions, and placed His hand upon my head. Gazing upon me with his Eye of Mercy, He has dispelled the pains of His slave. ||1|| The Guru, the Lord of the Universe, has saved the Lord's humble servant. Hugging me close in His embrace, the merciful, forgiving Lord has erased all my sins. ||Pause|| Whatever I ask for from my Lord and Master, he gives that to me. Whatever the Lord's slave Nanak utters with his mouth, proves to be true, here and hereafter. ||2||14||45||

(Ang 681, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)

A sketch of life of Bhai Sahib Bhai Sant Singh Ji

Bhai Sahib Bhai Sant Singh Ji was the Head Granthi of Sri Darbar Shaib, Amritsar during the times of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. He was also the fifth Jathedar of Damdami Taksal. He was a great Kathavachak, a renowned scholar, a famous teacher and one of the noted personalities of that time.

His father’s name was Bhai Sahib Bhai Surat Singh Ji and his elder brother was Bhai Sahib Bhai Gurdass Singh Ji. He was blessed with three sons- Bhai Deva Singh, Bhai Gurmukh Singh and Bhai Sadhu Singh. His father and his elder brother were also once the Jathedars of Damdami Taksal. His father Bhai Sahib Bhai Surat Singh Ji was the third Jathedar and his elder brother Bhai Sahib Bhai Gurdass Singh Ji was fourth Jathedar of Damdami Taksal. So, he was from a spiritually and a scholarly rich background.

Bhai Sahib studied Sri Guru Granth Sahib Paath, Santhia, Katha and meanings from his father and his elder brother. He studied numerous Sanskrit Granths from Pandit Nihal Singh Ji.

In 1790, the Khalsa Panth asked Bhai Sahib to do Katha of Hukamanama from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar. Bhai Sahib obeyed this duty faithfully and honestly in his entire life. Throughout his life he never missed a day. Even once when one of his grandsons died, he did not miss to do daily Katha and Seva of Sri Darbar Sahib.

One day Maharaja Ranjeet Singh sent his two servants to Bhai Sahib to call him to do Katha at Rambagh. At that time, Bhai Sahib was doing Katha at Sri Darbar Sahib. He asked the two servants to sit in Sangat and kept on doing Katha. Later two more servants came for the same. Bhai Sahib made them too in the Sangat and kept on doing Katha. Then Maharaja Ranjeet Singh came. After getti ng about Bhai Sahib’s honesty and sincerity for Guru, he was highly pleased and impressed.

In the battle of Jhang, Maharaja Ranjeet Singh was seriously injured and fell into a deep dig. Bhai Sahib picked him up and carried him over his back and saved his life. Maharaja Ranjeet Singh remembered Bhai Sahib throughout his life for this. As the honour of Head Granthi of Sri Darbar Sahib, he used to wipe the feet of Bhai Sahib with his beard.

The golden coating over Sri Darbar Sahib was done under his supervision. He also inspired Bhai Desa Singh Ji to coat golden over the Nishan Sahib of Gurudwara Baba Atal Rai Ji.

Bhai Sahib was a great scholar. He also did literary work. He wrote Teeka (meaning book of a Scripture) of Tulsi Ramayan (ਤੁਲਸੀ ਰਮਾਇਣ). He also did translation of Tulsi Dass Ram Charitra Maanas (ਤੁਲਸੀ ਦਾਸ ਰਾਮ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰ ਮਾਨਸ). He also wrote a poem Sri Ram Aswamedh Sehaskrit Bhakha (ਸ੍ਰੀ ਰਾਮ ਅਸਵਮੇਧ ਸਹਸਕ੍ਰਿਤ ਭਾਖਾ).

He was great teacher as well and he taught a lot of students. Out of which the noted ones were:

• Bhai Santokh Singh Ji, writer of Suraj Prakash Granth. He was a renowned scholar of his time and did a great seva for Panth by writing Suraj Prakash Granth. He can be called as ‘Father of Sikh History’. He studied from Bhai Sahib for 15 years.
• Kavi Megh Singh Ji, writer of Bhai Sahib Chandraka in which history and important information about Damdami Taksal and Saints of those days has been accounted.
• Shaizada Nau Nihal Singh, grandson of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. He was a great personality but was betrayed and murdered by Dogras.
• Sant Daya Singh Ji, also perhaps studied from Bhai Sahib. He became Jathedar of Damdami Taksal after Bhai Sahib.

Bhai Sahib had also done a lot of Naam Kamai. One day a Singh named Gomerkhan Singh came with a dead body of his son and asked Bhai Sahib to make him alive. Bhai Sahib said,” If you want then, I can give my life to him and he will be alive. But who have been invincible in this world. Keep patience. After 10 months, you will be blessed by a new son”. The same thing happened.

Bhai Sahib used to pick up the bird droppings over the Prakarma of Sri Darbar Sahib with his own hands. This has been accounted by Sant Baba Sham Singh Ji Amritsar wale (1803-1926) in Har Bhagat Prem Prakash (ਹਰਿ ਭਗਤ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼) who did Kirtan Seva at Sri Darbar Sahib for about 80 years and saw Bhai Sahib doing this great seva with his own eyes. Bhai Sahib also used to pick up the Kesh from Prakarma and Sanskar them.

Bhai Sahib left for abode of Lord in 1832. After him, his son Bhai Gurmukh Singh became Head Granthi of Sri Darbar Sahib and Sant Daya Singh Ji became the Jathedar of Damdamit Taksal. Bhai Sahib Bhai Sant Singh Ji is truly a role model for today’s Granthis and Paatthis.

Conquest of Multan by Shere-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjeet Singh

Multan is one of the oldest and largest cities of old Punjab. It was one of the most powerful cities of the world. It was said that it may be easy to capture Lahore and Delhi as well but not Multan. The Fort of Multan was one of the strongest forts of the world. Now, we will see about the conquest of Multan by Shere-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjeet Singh.

Sikh Army had invaded Multan thrice but did not capture it. Maharaja Ranjeet Singh sent his 25000 brave warriors under the command of his eldest son Prince Kharak Singh. He was accompanied with various commanders like Misar Diwan Chand, Sardar Fateh Singh Ahluwalia, Sardar Sham Singh Attariwala, Jafer Jang, Sardar Dal Singh Naherna, Sardar Amir Singh Sandhawalia, Sardar Dhanna Singh Malwaee and Sardar Desa Singh Majithia. The greatest Hero of Sikh Army Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa also joined. The most powerful and heaviest cannons Zamzama and Jang-i-Bijli were also deployed. This time the army aimed at capturing fort at any cost. The Sikh Army began marching on January, 1818.

Nawab Muzzafar Khan of Multan also made preparations for the war. He raised the Jihad flag and countless Ghazis joined him. His own army consisted of 20,000 soldiers. His army solidified the fort and dug their trenches intelligently. Multan was having a large quantity of artillery which had made it seem like an invincible city.

In the beginning, he did not check the Khalsa Army according to his planning. But as a result of advancement of Khalsa Army he was pushed back into the city. He closed all the entrance gates of the city. The Khalsa army encircled the city and launched an attack of heavy artillery. The war continued for 6 days without any result. Then they planned to mine blast the walls. They dig up the trenches and were ready to blast walls with mines. But rain began at that time. So they had to renew this job after rain and then mine blasted the walls. Finally, they succeeded in cracking one of the walls. So continued shelling by heavy artillery was done at that wall. The cavalry took the advantage when the wall exploded and advanced into the city. A fierce battle was fought. Both sides fought valiantly but the Multan Army was again pushed back into the Multan fort.

This fort was one of the most powerful forts of the world. The fort walls were made by filling up the space between two walls with sand. So, it was not possible to explode this fort wall easily. The Khalsa Army seized the fort for three months in hot summer. Many animals died. Both sides had suffered heavy losses. There was no hope left for Sikh Army.

After suffering so many casualties, Maharaja Ranjeet Singh left for Amritsar to get help from Akali Phula Singh Ji, the leader of Buddha Dal Nihangs and the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. On learning about losses suffered by Khalsa Army, Akali Ji said,” O sustainer of Dogras, why you didn’t tell me earlier. Why have you put Khalsa in such precarious situation? All the same, the army is ready to go to battlefield. Guru willing, we will return after unfurling the Akali Flag on the fort of Multan“. So, Akali Baba Phula Singh Ji arrived at Multan with his 500 warriors.

Maharaja Ranjeet Singh also went Brahmgiani Baba Bir Singh Ji Naurangabad to seek for his blessings. He payed his respect to Baba Ji and asked him to do Ardaas for success of Khalsa.

Maharaja Ranjeet Singh too left for Multan with a pledge that he will return only after unfurling the Khalsa Flag over the Multan Fort.

Shaizada Kharak Singh explained everything to Akali Baba Phula Singh Ji. The Zamzama gun was deployed in front of Hizri Gate. This gun was capable of firing a ball weighing about 40 kg. The Zamzama gun commenced its firing over the fort.

During the firing, one of the wheels of Zamzama broke out. This was the most powerful and the only cannon that could break the wall. So, in order to support the cannon, Sikhs decided to support it by their shoulders. This was a sure death. Astonishingly, this lead to quarrel between them, as all of them wanted to support the cannon. Finally, a Sikh Officer arrived and said that first he will support, then the soldier standing to his right side will support, then soldier in his left side and so on. He supported and cannon fired but due to heavy backward force of cannon he attained martyrdom. This continued for sometime and finaly the wall broke out.This interesting event has been accounted by Munshi Ghulam Jillani in his ‘Jangnama Multan’.

So, after the wall was broken, Akali Phula Singh Ji raising the slogans of 'Akal! Akal!' marched into the fort. There is a bit controversy over it that Akali Sadhu Singh Ji led the attack instead. But Akali Phula SIngh Ji seems to be more accurate. The Nawab had also made further security arrangements with sandbags. But this could not resist the Nihang warriors for long. Soon, Shaizada Kharak Singh also attacked with his army. A fierce battle was fought. The Khalsas as well as Ghazis both fought valiantly. The Nawab himself came into the battlefield with his sons and nephews. He was involved in face to face fight with Akali PhulaSingh Ji. Akali Ji killed him. His elder son Shah Nawaz Khan attacked Akali Ji but in the meantime Sardar Sham Singh Attariwala and Sardar Dhanna Singh Malwaee reached and he was also killed. The Ghazis were overpowered and lost their stability. And the Khalsa Flag was unfurled over the Multan Fort on June,1818.

After the conquest of Multan, this victory turned into a celebration.Deepmala was done in Amritsar and Lahore for 8 days. The soldiers and officers who contributed in this battle were rewarded with gold luxuries worth 400-500 rupees. All the valiant Sardars were given high prizes and Jagirs. Maharaja Ranjeet Singh did not forget to do the most important work. And that was paying respect and gratitude to Waheguru for his glorious victory.

Battle of Chapad Chidi

About 3 centuries ago, a fierce battle was fought at the battlefield of Chapud-Chidhi. This battle has been recognized as one of the most important battles fought in our Sikh History. This battle was fought between powerful Mughals under the command of Nawab Wazir Khan and valiant Sikhs under the leadership of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur on 22 May, 1710 on the battlefield of Chapud-Chidhi near Sirhind.

Nawab Wazir Khan was a tyrant and merciless ruler. He had killed thousands of innocent lives. He was the main pillar of the Aurangzeb’s policy against in Punjab. He was involved in almost all the battles against Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He was also responsible for the Shaheedi of young Sahibzadas- Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji of Guru Sahib. He was also responsible for the attack of two Pathans over Guru Sahib at Sri Hazoor Sahib in Nanded while he was in his deep meditation. The martyrdom of young Princes was the concrete reason behind this war. The whole army was well equipped with armors, shields, weapons, guns, gunpowder etc.

Nawab Wazir Khan had started preparations for the war. He gathered all of his forces and called out all his Jagirdars to accompany him with their forces. He also raised the flag of Jihad and thousands of Muslims joined him. A large number of Hindus also joined the Jihad and thus, he made a large army. He placed his large cannons, heavy guns with unlimited gun powder in one side, a wall of fierce full war elephants covered with hard iron shields on second side, his Jagirdari forces on third side and his own army on the fourth side. He himself sat over an elephant protected by a number of Gazis surrounding him.

On the other hand, a handful of Sikhs were there without any equipment of guns, cannons, gunpowder, musketeers, war elephants, shields, armor etc. They were not even having sufficient cavalry. Baba Ji also divided his army into four parts: Sikhs from Malwa region under Dharam Singh, Karam Singh, Aali Singh, Maali Singh, Takht Singh, Nagahia Singh etc; Sikhs from Majha region under Baba Binod Singh, Bhai Baaz Singh, Bhai Ram Singh; some force under Baba Kahan Singh, Miri Singh with some other accompanied forces and the last division was under his own command. Baba Ji sat at some height so that he could see what is happening over the battlefield.

Even being outnumbered Mughal Army was afraid of Baba Ji. This was a new war against Sikhs after some peace period. They had already caused a lot casualty in early wars. Now they were reunited again. Baba Ji was also very famous as he was set as a commander by Guru Gobind Singh Ji himself. They had seen that no one had been able to defeat Baba Ji even with large well-equipped and well-trained forces. They were also affected by a rumor that Baba Ji was a black magician, he can kill anyone, he can make his army invincible, no weapon could touch him, he can call ghosts, bring storms, he can get all the plans made by enemy, he can turn into any animal, bird or ghost etc.

Wazir Khan sent nephew of Diwan Sucha Nand with 1000 troops to join Sikh army and flee away in the battle. Though Baba Ji did not believed him but still he permitted him to join his army.

The battle began with the firing of cannons of Mughal army. Their fires did not cause much loss over the Sikh army rather most of their fires shot into the woods. The Sikhs were having 4-5 small canons which were made to shot accurately into the Mughal canons. This caused plundering of Mughal artillery. Due to lighter weight and higher mobility of the cannons, the Sikh battalions were able march towards the Mughal artillery. It seemed to be a kind of magic by Baba Ji to the Mughal army. Bhai Baaz Singh Ji and other Singh warriors captured the Mughal artillery. With this artillery, they attacked the war elephants of Mughals. Due to this bombarding caused by the cannons, the war elephants ran backwards and created a big trouble for Mughal army itself. At this, Nawab Wazir Khan ordered his whole army to attack and a fierce battle was fought. This caused heavy casualties over the both sides. At this time, nephew of Diwan Sucha Nand fled with his troops but he was killed on the way. The battle continued for 2 days but no decision could be made. In the morning of 24 May, Mughal army being outnumbered started getting their side heavier. At this time Baba Ji himself jumped into the battlefield. Sikhs were boosted up incredibly and began marching towards their victory. Nawab Wazir Khan was killed in the battle. There is controversy over how he was killed. Some say he was killed in fight with Bhai Baaz Singh, some say he was killed by Baba Ji, some say an arrow stroke over his head while some say he was captured and tortured to death. After his death, the Mughal army fled away and the Sikhs were victorious in this battle. And very soon, the fort of Sirhind was also captured.

Later he established his capital at Mukhlispur which he named as Lohgarh. This was the first capital of Sikh Rule.

This battle has got an important place in history. It was the outstanding victory of Sikhs over Mughals, destruction of the principle pillar of the Mughal Government, victory of truth and courage over darkness of tyranny, the beginning of the first Sikh rule, the establishment of the very first Sikh capital, the introduction of the Sikh Coins for the first time in History.

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.