On This Day

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

June 30th

1813 Raja Karam Singh became Maharaja of Patiala. Raja Karam succeded Maharaja Sahib Singh at the age of 15. He helped the British in the conflict with the Gorkhas and was rewarded with 16 parganas (district sub-divisions) in Simla Hills as gifts.

1984 Indian government presets its inquiry finding into the operation Bluestar in form of a White paper. Then Governor of Punjab, B.D. Panday resigns.

1989 Babbar Khalsa International Conference, Montreal. Babbar Khalsa organization in Canada held its first conference in Montreal to commemorate the Sikh martyrs who laid their lives for the cause of the Sikh nation. The devout Babbars urged Sikhs to observe memories of their courage annually. About 500 Sikhs attended the conference.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

July 1st

1745 Martyrdom day of Bhai Taru Singh Ji, in Lahore. Bhai Taru Singh left his mortal remains. On Harbhagat Naranjania's complaint, Bhai Taru Singh of his village was arrested and accused of providing rations to the Sikhs. Bhai Taru Singh admitted the facts. Nawab Zakaria Khan ordered the removal of his scalp. Bhai Taru Singh said that the Governor would suffer as much torture. And Bhai Taru would take Zakaria Khan along with him to the other world.

The Nawab's orders were carried out on June 27, 1745. The same day Zakaria Khan's urinary system stopped functioning, puttiung him in great pain. The Qazi addressed Bhai Taru Singh Oh Kafir, what have you done? The Nawab can't urinate. He is in great pain. Bhai Taru Singh told him to take his shoe and beat it on Zakaria's head to make him urinate. On the fifth day of shoe beating, Zakaria Khan died on July 1, 1745. On hearing of that the same day Bhai Taru Singh left his mortal remains.

==> TARU SINGH - was a religious, Panth Saewak and hard working resident of village Pulla (district Lahore). Niranjania Mahant complained to Bahadhur Subalhor and falsely implicated him as sheltering thieves, gangsters, etc. As a result he was imprisoned and asked to accept islam. His refusal to accept Islam earned him the punsihment where his scalp (intact with his hairs) was removed from his head, while he peacefully recited Jap Sahib. Bhai Taru Singh accepted shahadet on 23 Assu, Sunmat 1802. His place of Shahadat is markaed near railway station of Lahore.

-Ref. Mahan Kosh (pp.588)

1918 Maharaja Ranjit Singh conquered Kashmir and combined it with Sikh State.

1983 By now Indian Government had given gallantry awards to over 50 policemen for killing Sikhs. This was done to boost the morale of the policemen as well as create terror among Sikhs.

-Ref. THE SIKHS' STRUGGLE FOR SOVEREIGNTY, An Historical Perspective By Dr. Harjinder Singh Dilgeer and Dr. Awatar Singh Sekhon Edited By: A.T. Kerr Page 110-119.

1984 Regional Conference at Kamloops.

The attack on the Golden Temple by the Indian army struck the Sikh world like a thunderbolt. All shades of Canadian Sikhs came together at the desecration of the supreme emblem of their faith. Because of the shoratage of time, the Sikh institution's executives decided to take the Canadian Sikhs into immediate confidence on the kind of action required. This was done by holding regional conferences at Kamloops and Toronto. The Kamloops conference was attended by representatives of all Sikh Societies from Western. While the Toronto Conference was attended by the socities of the eastern region. The Calgary Sikh Society, which was not on good terms with the federation, provided unqualified support for any action the Federation recommended.

Nelson A. Riss, the Members of parliament from Kamloops, addressed the conference and it was here that general J.S. Bhullar from India made the first appearence on the Canadian scene.

The Conference recommended: that the Federation will work to establish a Sikh homeland; that the damaged Akal Takhat should be left unrepaired to remind Sikhs of the desecration by Government of India, and the decision to carry repairs should be left to the Panth; that Canadian Sikhs boycott all functions of the Indian diplomatic missions; that media, especially ethnic media which published anti-Sikh material, should be warned suitably to desist from harming the Sikh community; and that a trust-fund be established to provide pensions to the next of kin of the martyrs.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

July 2nd

1978 Reorganisation Of The Sikh Students Federation. Amrik Singh elected the President of All India Sikh Federation.

The Sikh Students Federation was reorganized in response to the Amritsar massacre in which Nirankaris kill 13 Gursikhs who protested their provacations against the Sikh faith. Since the elected official, while ruling Punjab, continually bowed before the Central (Hindu) Government and refused to ban the activities of this gang of bohemians. While simultaneously they addressed various Sikh congregations and spoke against the Nirankaris so that the Sikh masses should not become furious against them for their indifferent (or pro-Nirankari) attitude. Thus this became the starting point of the new phase of the struggle of the Sikh nation. The lead was given by the Sikh Youth under the guidance of the Sikh intelligentsia. They had to fight various platforms: the Hindus, the Communists and some of the pseudo-Akalis, who loved their office more than their nation.

The first step towards this struggle was the overhauling of the Sikh Students Federation. On this date, the Federation selected Amrik Singh as the President of the Federation. Amrik Singh was an associate of the famous Sikh missionary Jarnail Singh Bhindranwalae and was the son of the former Cheif of Jatha Bhidran-Mehta (Damdami Taksal). For the frist time since 1959, the Sikh Students Federation selected a President who would not bow before the Akali leadership on the issue of the interests of the Sikh nation.

-Ref. THE SIKHS' STRUGGLE FOR SOVEREIGNTY, An Historical Perspective By Dr. Harjinder Singh Dilgeer and Dr. Awatar Singh Sekhon. Edited By: A.T. Kerr Page 110-119.

1983 50 Hindu police officials awarded for killing Sikhs in fake encounters.

1983 Police killed 2 Sikhs and wounded several at Baba Bakala.

On this day, the Central Reserve Police (CRP) force attacked a camp of the GurSikh group, the Nihangs, at Baba Bakala and shot several Sikhs, killing two and wounding eight others. Besides this, the cruel force killed seven horses, two bullocks and wounded 12 horses. The property of the Nihangs was looted by the forces.

-Ref. THE SIKHS' STRUGGLE FOR SOVEREIGNTY, An Historical Perspective By Dr. Harjinder Singh Dilgeer and Dr. Awatar Singh Sekhon. Edited By: A.T. Kerr Page 110-119.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

July 3rd

1983 All India Sikh Federation organized Amrit Prachar in Ludhiana.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

July 4th

1955 Indian police entered Darbar Sahib complex and arrested several Akali leaders.

1965 Nalwa conference Ludhiana asserted Sikh's right to self-determination.

==> NALWA CONFERENCE RESOLUTION for self-determination status. The text of the resoltion follows:

SHIROMANI AKALI DAL

Resolution of Sikh political status

General Hari Singh Nalwa Conference

Ludhiana (Punjab)

July 4th, 1965

1. This Conference in commemoration of General Hari Singh Nalwa of historical fame reminds all concerned that the Sikh people are makers of history and are conscious of their political destiny in a free India.

2. This Conference recalls that the Sikh people agreed to merge in a common Indian nationality on the explicit understanding of being accorded a constitutional status of co-sharers in the Indian sovereignty along with the majority community, which solemn understanding now stands cynically repudiated by the present rulers of India.

Further, the Sikh people have been systematically reduced to a sub-political status in their homeland, the Punjab, and to an insignificant position, in their mother-land India. The Sikhs are in a position to establish before an impartial International Tribunal, uninfluenced by the present Indian rulers that the laws, the judicial processes and the executive actions of the union of India are consistently and heavily weighed against the Sikhs and are administered with bandaged eyes against Sikh citizens.

3. This Conference, therefore, resolves, after careful thought and consideration that there is no alternative for the Sikhs in the interests of their self preservation but to frame their political demand for securing a self-determined political status within the Republic of the Union of India.

Moved by: Sardar Gurnam Singh,

Bar-at-law, Judge, High Court (Retd.)

M.L.A. (Punjab), Leader of the Opposition

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

July 5th

1856 Nihal Singh, alias Bhai Maharaj Singh, died a hero's death in the Singapore prison. His death was to the cancer that had developed as a result of his fast while in prison.

==> Bhai MAHARAJ SINGH: Born in village Rabbon, near Malud, Ludhiana Dist. Parents named him Nihal Singh. As a young lad, he went to stay at Bhai Bir Singh's Dera at Naurangabad. Did sewa for many years, took Amrit at the hands of Bhai Bir Singh, was given the name Bhagwan Singh, and eventually became his chela. The Dera was practically a military camp with 1200 musketmen and 3000 horsemen. It had always been a sanctuary for political refugees. It became the centre of the Sikh revolt against Dogra dominance over the Punjab.

Hira Singh Dogra, the chief minister of the Punjab, attacked the Dera in 1844 with 20000 troops and 50 cannon. Several hundred Sikhs, including General Attar Singh Sandhanwalla, Prince Kashmira Singh and Bhai Bir Singh were killed. Bhagwan Singh became the head of the Dera.

The British, who had been waiting for the right moment to intervene and establish their authority, made their move in 1847. They deported Rani Jinda. The Sikh chiefs revolted, including Bhagwan Singh. He was welcomed by Sikhs saying "Ah Wo Maharaj", because of his sanctity, thus, soon he came to be referred to as Bhai Maharaj Singh.

During the second Anglo-Sikh war that followed, at the battles of Ram Nagar, Chillianwall and Gujrat, he was very active providing personal inspiration and organizing supplies for the Sikh Army. Soon after the defeat at Gujrat, all the other Sikh chiefs had been captured or had surrendered.

By the way, Bhai Maharaj Singh was one of the first people of Punjab to launch a freedom movement in Punjab after the British took over Punjab. He said in 1849:

"There will be another National War, let all the true Sikhs rise on the day fixed."

"Bhai Mahararaj Singh, a Sikh priest of reputed sanctity, and of great influence, the first man who raised the standards of rebellion beyound the confines of Multan in 1848, and the only leader of note who did not lay down his arms to Sir Walter Gilberts at Rawalpindi."

- Henry Lawrence, Resident of Lahore

Bhai Maharaj Singh's other name was Bhai Nihal Singh. His belonged to a line of Sikh revolutionaries who wanted to return to the creed of the Gurus. The pinions of this movement were Baba Bhag Singh of Pothohar, his worthy and more popular disciple Bhai Bir Singh of Naurangabad in Amritsar and the latter's successor Bhai Maharaj Singh.

Bhai Maharaj Singh plan of action against the vastly superior British was framed in the jungles of the Chumb Valley.

1. To rescue Maharajah Dalip Singh from Lahore Fort.

2. To organize a United Front of all anti-British forces.

3. Organized disruption by subversion and suprise attacks on British treasuries and cantonments.

He displayed superb military generalship and knowledge of tactical warfare. What sustained him was his rich spiritual heritage.

The British reacted by moving Dalip Singh to securer confinement, encouraged Muslim zealots to locate him for them and offered hugh rewards for information of his whereabouts. On the other hand, the British tried to portray him as a religious leader to lower his following as a Military or political leader. It was the British officers who coined the term "Karnivala" since it they did not want to admit the failures of their intelligence. Bhai Maharaj Singh, undoubtedly, was certainly a "Miracle Maker" since it became impossible for the British to arrest him. This was due to the support given to him by the public that he was able to hide among the people.

He was captured together with 21 unarmed followers on Dec, 28 1849, near Adampur. Vansttart, the Deputy Commissioner of Jallundar who arrested him, wrote.

"The Guru is no ordinary man. He is to the natives what Jesus was to the most zealous of Christians. His miracles were seen by tens of thousands, and are more implicitly believed than those worked by the ancient prophets."

Even more generous was Mcleod, Commissioner of the Doab,

" had he remained at large, but a little longer . more outrages of an alarming character would have been attempted . the result of which, would perhaps be impossible to foretell."

It was found too risky to put Bhai Maharaj Singh on trial in India and he was deported to Singapore. He arrived on the "Mahomed Shaw", on 9th July 1850, together with a disciple, Khurruck Singh, and moved to Outram Jail. He was kept in solitary confinement in a cell 14 by 15 feet, which, because of the walling up of the windows, had been "further rendered dark, dinghy and absolutely unhealthy" (Secret Consultation Papers, 28th Feb 1851, #52-57). He was practically blind within three years, developed cancer on his tongue, and had rheumatic swellings and pains in his feet and ankles. The Civil Surgeon, Singapore, recommended that Bhai Maharaj Singh be allowed an occasional walk in the open, but this was turned down by the Government of India. The result was that his health continued to deteriorate, and about two months before his death, his neck and tongue became so swollen that it became very difficult for him to swallow.

Bhai Maharaj Singh died on 5th July 1856. He was cremated on a plot of land outside the prison, presumebably by Khurruck Singh, who also died in prison later. Locals, mainly Hindu Tamils began to revere the spot, marking it with stones. Offerings of flowers found their way there, Sikhs and Muslims joined in. The Sikhs placed a structure on this spot, turning it into a small temple. In 1966, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib was moved to the Silat Road Temple. Only the stones were re-erected outside the temple. Large numbers of Sikhs and non-Sikhs come to the samadh to worship, with offerings of valuables, a practice against Sikh tenets.

Bhai Maharaj Singh was the head of the Order now known as the Hoti Mardan Valli Sant Khalsa Sampardai, recent illustrious heads were Sant Attar Singh and Sant Isher Singh. He was thus not only a revolutionary fighter but also a recognized religious personage of very high standing. Many believe him to be a "Karniwala".

-Source - extracted from 'Bhai Maharaj Singh Saint-Soldier' by Choor Singh, Singapore.

1973 Akali Dal initiates the Karnal Morcha.

1984 Nine Sikhs hijacked an Indian Airliner to Lahore (1984).

To protest against the invasion of the Indian army on the Darbar Sahib, nine Sikhs belonging to the Sikh Students Federation hijacked an Indian Airliner from Jammu to Lahore. The hijackers were:

Parminder Singh "Harfam Maula" (Leader) Dalip Singh,

Manjit Singh Babbar

Gurdip Singh Pardesi

Malaghar Singh Babbar

Harbhajan Singh

Harminder Singh

Gurvinder Singh

Ravinder Singh

On January 20, 1986, three of them were sentenced to death, two were sentenced to life-imprisonment and four were acquited. Later in 1989 the death sentence was commuted to life-imprisonment under the orders of a general amnesty. Two of the four acquited were killed by the Indian army while they were returning to India.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

July 6th

1946 Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru assured fruits of freedom for Sikhs.

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, first prime minister of India, assured the Sikhs in Calcutta session that all steps will be taken to create a region in which Sikhs could enjoy the fruits of freedom. Such promises remain unfulfilled todate.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

July 7th

1656 PRAKASH UTSAV, PATSHAHI EIGHTH, GURU HARKRISHAN JI.

Eighth Patshah, Guru Harkrishan Ji enlightened this planet. He was born in Shish Mahal (Palace of Mirrors) at Kiratpur, district Hoshiarpur in Guru Har Rai and Matta Krishen Kaur's home. Today is the actual date of Guru Sahib's birth, although Guru Khalsa Panth observes it on a different date.

==> Guru HAR KRISHAN Patshah (1656-1668), was born on monday, Sawan 8 sunmat 1713 (July 7, 1656) at Kiratpur, to father Sri Guru Har Rai Patshah and mother Matta Krishan Kaur. On Katak 8 sunmat 1718 (Oct. 7 1661), Guru Sahib ascended to Gur Gadhi. Based on the complaints of Baba Ram Rai, Guru Sahib were summoned to Aurangzeb's court in Delhi. While in Delhi, Guru Sahib suffered from small pox (Chaechak) and subsequently left for heavenly abode on Vaisak 3 sunmat 1721 (March 30, 1664). Two historical Gurudwaras marking Guru Sahib's visit to Delhi include Balla Sahib and Bangla Sahib.

Guru Har Krishan, served as the eighth Guru of GurSikhism for a total of 2 years, 5 months and 26 days. Guru Sahibs's entire journey through our planet totaled to 7 years, 8 months, and 26 days.

Sri Har Krishan Dayia Jit Ditha Sab Dukh Jae (Chandhi 3)

-Ref. Mahan Kosh (pp. 265)

1799 Maharaja Ranjit Singh wrested the control of Lahore from Bhangi confederacy and hosted the Kesri Flag.

Sher-i-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh captured Lahore with the aid of his mother-in-law Sada Kaur. He wrested the control from Bhangi confederacy and hosted the Kesri Flag. Shortly afterwards, he became the Maharaja of Punjab.

==> SADA KAUR - Maharaja Ranjit Singh's mother-in-law and Maharani Matab Kaur's mother, widow of Kanaiya Misl's Sardar GurBakash Singh. After her husband's death, she took charge of the misl and quickly became popular as a result of her bravery and intellect. She used all her powers and forces to help her son-in-law for a long period. However, in 1821 some misundertsandings developed her and her son-in-law and eventually lost her misl. Her daughter, Matab kaur was mother of Maharaja Sher Singh.

-Ref. Mahan Kosh (pp. 151)

1856 Bhai Maharaja Singh died in Singapore. He single-handedly carried the Sikh struggle after the annexation of Punjab by the British. The anarchy preceeding the annexation of Punjab by the British and the bloody wars stifled the will of the Sikhs and they failed to resist the annexation of their kingdom. However, it was Bhai Maharaja Singh who carried the struggle single handed. He planned to take away Maharaja Dalip Singh from Lahore Fort and start the freedom struggle in the Bist of Jullundur Doab in his name. But he was caught unaware in an enclosure near Adampur on the basis of information given by a Muslim informer to Mr. Vansittart, The then, Deputy Commissioner of Lullundar. This lead to his deportation to Singapore, where he dies on this day.

-Ref. Babbar Akali Movement - A Historical Survey, by Dr. Gurcharan Singh, Aman Publications, 1993.

1878 Birthday, Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh Ji.

1923 SGPC sends first Enquiry Committee to probe the excesses by the police in the Doaba.

1925 SGPC assumes control of Gurudwaras. Gurudwara Sudar movement, that attempted to release Gurudwaras from the clutches of evil pujaris, mahants, etc., was successfully concluded after continuous five years effort that accounted for numerous sacrifices and shaheedhis. Punjab Legislature finally passed the Gurudwara act and handed over the control of Gurudwaras to Panthic Jathaebandhi (SGPC).

1946 Jawaharlal Nehru issued false statements to Sikhs.

Pandit Jaeaharlal Nehru states in a press conference held in Calcutta:

The brave Sikhs of Punjab are entitled to special consideration. I see nothing wrong in an area and a set up in North, wherein the Sikhs can also experienece the glow of freedom.

(Statesman, Calcutta, 7th July 1946)

On yet another occasion Nehru states:

Redistribution of provincial boundaries was essential and inevitable. I stand for semi-autonomous units as well. If the Sikhs desire to function as such a unit, I should like them to have semi-autonomous unit within the province so that they may have a sense of freedom.

(A National Book Club Publication, pp. 147)

Subsequently, history has shown these statements to be false promised and delibrate deception for the Sikhs.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

July 8th

1923 Maharaja Ripduman Singh Nabha forced to abdicate his throne. As a result the jaito morcha was launched. He was well-known for his pro-Tat Khalsa proclivities. But he had a dispute with the Maharaja of Patiala, known for his pro-government role. Although Maharaja of Nabha had no dispute with the government, but as a result of mediation he was forced to abdicate. Col. Michin, with the help of troops and armored cars, took Maharaja by Surprise and taunted him withe the query, Where is that Akali? The anouncement of deposition by the government, helped raise a strom of protest against Government interference on Nabha and was described as a challenge to the Akali movement.

-Source The Sikhs in History, by Sangat Singh, 1995

==> Maharaja RIPUDAMAN SINGH was born on Mar. 4, 1883 in Nabha to father Maharaja Sir Hira Singh and mother Jasmaer Kaur (daughter of Sardar Anokh Singh Longowalia). On 29th Jaeth sunmat 1958, he married Bibi Jagdhish Kaur (daughter of sardar Gur Dayal Singh Mann) and a daughter was born on Oct. 8, 1907, named Bibi Amrit Kaur who later married Raja Sahib Kalsiya Ravisher Singh on Feb. 16, 1925.

Ripudaman Singh was an additional member to the Governor's legislative Council from 1906 to 1908. In 1910, he went on European travels. He was present at the Westminister Abbey during the throning ceremony of King H.M. George on June 22, 1911. Maharaja Hira Singh passed away while Ripudaman Singh was on these travels.

He assumed the Nabha rule on Jan. 24th, 1912. In 1914's world war, he offered his forces to fight with the British. Though this offer was not immediately accepted, his forces were later employed in Mesopotamia where they exhibited exemplary performance under the command of Col. Bachan Singh. Maharaja donated several lakh ruppees under several funds for the war efforts during 1917-8. His forces fought with the British in Balochistan and Iran.

On Oct. 10, 1918, he married SarojanDevi (daughter of Sardar Prem Singh Raipuria) and a son Pratap Singh was born on Sept. 21, 1919.

Due to several reasons, including internal dissension, bad influence, bad company, and numerous mistakes, Maharaja's had to relinquish his rule in June 9, 1923 to a British administrator. In return, he received Rs. 3 lakh annually for his maintenance.

On Feb. 6, 1927, Maharaja Ripudaman Singh partook Amrit at Abichal Nagar and was named Gurcharan Singh.

On Feb. 19, 1928, government announced that Maharaja Ripudaman had violated the agreement under which he had to relinquish his rule. As a result, his stipend was reduced from Rs. 3 lakhs to Rs. 120,000. Further his title of Maharaja was taken away and he was put under house arrest at Kadia-Kunal in Madras where he died on this day. On Feb. 23, 1928, the governor general appointed Pratap Singh as the Maharaja of Nabha.

-Ref. Mahan Kosh (pp. 696)

1951 Akali Dal passed a resolution for Punjabi Suba and independent organization.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

July 9th

1609 The foundation stone of 12 feet high Akal Bunga (Sri Akal Takhat Sahib) was laid by Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji himself in front of the harimandir Sahib. The five story building was completed in 1609. The Akal Takhat was carefully constructed by Baba Buddha Ji and Bhai Gurdas Ji. No mason was employed as per Guru's instructions that no labour would be acquired for its construction.

==> AKAL TAKHAT - an institution, initially named Akal Bunga, established by Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib in sunmat 1665 for Sikh Governance, located in front of Harmindar Sahib, Amritsar. Regular diwans were conducted daily, during early morning and evening by Guru Sahib. AkalBunga, represents the centre for all Panthic jathaebandia (groups). It is where Gurmat resolutions are announced and procalamations made that are binding to all Sikhs around the world. Akal Bunga is the first Takhat for Sikhs and hence popularly known as Akal Takhat. Some of the arms preserved at this location include:

1. Sri Sahibs (swords) of Guru Hargobind Sahib that represented Miri and Piri

2. Sri Sahib (sword) of Guru Gobind Singh Ji

3. Sri Sahib (sword) of Baba Buddha Ji

4. Sri Sahib (sword) of Bhai Jaetha Ji

5. Sri Sahib Baba Karam Singh Ji Shaheed

6. Sri Sahib Bhai Uday Singh Ji, who was with Guru Gobind Singh Ji

7. Sri Sahib Bhai Bidhi Chand Ji

8. Dudhara Khanda (double-edged sword) of Baba Gurbakash Singh Ji Shaheed

9. Dudhara Khanda (double-edged sword) of Baba Deep Singh Ji

10. Dudhara Khanda of Baba Nodh Singh Ji Shaheed

11. Khadag Bhai Vachitar Singh Ji which weighed 10 Saer

12. Guru Hargobinds Sahib's Guraj weighing 16 saer. It was given to Dharamvir Jassa Singh by Matta Sundari

13. A sword like weapon belonging to Guru Hargobind Sahib Guru Hargobind Sahib's Katar

14. Baba Ajit Singh's Katar

15. Baba Jujhar Singh's Katar

16. Guru Hargobind Sahib's kirpan

17. Guru Hargobind's Paeshkabaj

18. Baba Deep Singh's Paeshkabaj

19. A sword like weapon of Baba Deep Singh Ji Shaheed

20. Pistol of Baba Deep Singh Ji Shaheed

21. Two arrows of Guru Gobind Singh each cxontaining one Toala of gold

22. Medium sized Khanda of Baba Deep Singh Ji

23. Two kirpans of Baba Deep Singh Ji

24. Two small Khandas of Baba Deep Singh Ji

25. Chakar Of Baba Deep Singh Ji

26. Small Chakar of Baba Deep Singh Ji

27. Baba Deep Singh Ji's chakar for head decoration

-Ref. Mahan Kosh (pp. 36)

1850 Bhai Maharaj Singh arrived in Singapore aboard the Mahomed Shaw, accompanied by his disciple, Khurruck Singh, and moved to Outram Jail.

==> Bhai MAHARAJ SINGH: Born in village Rabbon, near Malud, Ludhiana Dist. Parents named him Nihal Singh. As a young lad, he went to stay at Bhai Bir Singh's Dera at Naurangabad. Did sewa for many years, took Amrit at the hands of Bhai Bir Singh, was given the name Bhagwan Singh, and eventually became his chela. The Dera was practically a military camp with 1200 musketmen and 3000 horsemen. It had always been a sanctuary for political refugees. It became the centre of the Sikh revolt against Dogra dominance over the Punjab.

Hira Singh Dogra, the chief minister of the Punjab, attacked the Dera in 1844 with 20000 troops and 50 cannon. Several hundred Sikhs, including General Attar Singh Sandhanwalla, Prince Kashmira Singh and Bhai Bir Singh were killed. Bhagwan Singh became the head of the Dera.

The British, who had been waiting for the right moment to intervene and establish their authority, made their move in 1847. They deported Rani Jinda. The Sikh chiefs revolted, including Bhagwan Singh. He was welcomed by Sikhs saying Ah Wo Maharaj, because of his sanctity, thus, soon he came to be referred to as Bhai Maharaj Singh.

During the second Anglo-Sikh war that followed, at the battles of Ram Nagar, Chillianwall and Gujrat, he was very active providing personal inspiration and organizing supplies for the Sikh Army. Soon after the defeat at Gujrat, all the other Sikh chiefs had been captured or had surrendered.

By the way, Bhai Maharaj Singh was one of the first people of Punjab to launch a freedom movement in Punjab after the British took over Punjab. He said in 1849:

There will be another National War, let all the true Sikhs rise on the day fixed.

Bhai Mahararaj Singh, a Sikh priest of reputed sanctity, and of great influence, the first man who raised the standards of rebellion beyound the confines of Multan in 1848, and the only leader of note who did not lay down his arms to Sir Walter Gilberts at Rawalpindi.

- Henry Lawrence, Resident of Lahore

Bhai Maharaj Singh's other name was Bhai Nihal Singh. His belonged to a line of Sikh revolutionaries who wanted to return to the creed of the Gurus. The pinions of this movement were Baba Bhag Singh of Pothohar, his worthy and more popular disciple Bhai Bir Singh of Naurangabad in Amritsar and the latter's successor Bhai Maharaj Singh.

Bhai Maharaj Singh plan of action against the vastly superior British was framed in the jungles of the Chumb Valley.

1. To rescue Maharajah Dalip Singh from Lahore Fort.

2. To organize a United Front of all anti-British forces.

3. Organized disruption by subversion and suprise attacks on British treasuries and cantonments.

He displayed superb military generalship and knowledge of tactical warfare. What sustained him was his rich spiritual heritage.

The British reacted by moving Dalip Singh to securer confinement, encouraged Muslim zealots to locate him for them and offered hugh rewards for information of his whereabouts. On the other hand, the British tried to portray him as a religious leader to lower his following as a Military or political leader. It was the British officers who coined the term Karnivala since it they did not want to admit the failures of their intelligence. Bhai Maharaj Singh, undoubtedly, was certainly a Miracle Maker since it became impossible for the British to arrest him. This was due to the support given to him by the public that he was able to hide among the people.

He was captured together with 21 unarmed followers on Dec, 28 1849, near Adampur. Vansttart, the Deputy Commissioner of Jallundar who arrested him, wrote.

The Guru is no ordinary man. He is to the natives what Jesus was to the most zealous of Christians. His miracles were seen by tens of thousands, and are more implicitly believed than those worked by the ancient prophets.

Even more generous was Mcleod, Commissioner of the Doab,

had he remained at large, but a little longer. more outrages of an alarming character would have been attempted . the result of which, would perhaps be impossible to foretell.

It was found too risky to put Bhai Maharaj Singh on trial in India and he was deported to Singapore. He arrived on the Mahomed Shaw, on 9th July 1850, together with a disciple, Khurruck Singh, and moved to Outram Jail. He was kept in solitary confinement in a cell 14 by 15 feet, which, because of the walling up of the windows, had been further rendered dark, dinghy and absolutely unhealthy (Secret Consultation Papers, 28th Feb 1851, #52-57). He was practically blind within three years, developed cancer on his tongue, and had rheumatic swellings and pains in his feet and ankles. The Civil Surgeon, Singapore, recommended that Bhai Maharaj Singh be allowed an occasional walk in the open, but this was turned down by the Government of India. The result was that his health continued to deteriorate, and about two months before his death, his neck and tongue became so swollen that it became very difficult for him to swallow.

Bhai Maharaj Singh died on 5th July 1856. He was cremated on a plot of land outside the prison, presumebably by Khurruck Singh, who also died in prison later. Locals, mainly Hindu Tamils began to revere the spot, marking it with stones. Offerings of flowers found their way there, Sikhs and Muslims joined in. The Sikhs placed a structure on this spot, turning it into a small temple. In 1966, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib was moved to the Silat Road Temple. Only the stones were re-erected outside the temple. Large numbers of Sikhs and non-Sikhs come to the samadh to worship, with offerings of valuables, a practice against Sikh tenets.,

Bhai Maharaj Singh was the head of the Order now known as the Hoti Mardan Valli Sant Khalsa Sampardai, recent illustrious heads were Sant Attar Singh and Sant Isher Singh. He was thus not only a revolutionary fighter but also a recognized religious personage of very high standing. Many believe him to be a Karniwala.

-Source - extracted from 'Bhai Maharaj Singh Saint-Soldier' by Choor Singh, Singapore.

1922 Kishan Singh Gargaj considers merger of both the Chakarvarti Jathas. He alongwith Assa Singh, reaches Hayatpur to meet Karam Singh.

1975 Akali Dal initiated their protest against the emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi and launched an agitation. It should be noted that Akali Dal was the only organization to raise such protests. This agitation was successfully concluded on Jan. 17, 1977. A total of 43,472 Sikhs had courted arrest during this agitation.