AkalPurakhDiFauj

Does anyone know where daas can find the audio of the shabad in the link? thanks!

May 29th 1606 Martyrdom, Fifth Patshah, Guru Arjan Dev Ji. ==> GURU ARJAN DEV (1563-1606) Guru Arjan, the 'Prince of Martyrs' and the 'Prophet of Peace', proffered his precious life to nurture the glory that was to be the Sikh Panth. The Fifth Master's life was marked by divine bliss and sublime sacrifices, born of a sweet acceptance of God's Will. Gifted with a quintessential poetic afflatus, and immeasurable imaginative sympathies, the Guru gave the movement of Sikhism a definite direction, perspective and program. He made the new faith coeval or coextensive with the whole gamut of existence and raised its exquisite edifice on values for which there is neither death nor change. Guru Arjan Dev adorned the sacred throne of Guru Nanak from Sept. 1, 1581 to May 30, 1606. Born at Goindwal on April 15, 1563, he was the youngest and noblest son of Guru Ram Das and Mata Bibi Bhani. On 23 Hadh sunmat 1636, he married Ganga Devi, daughter of Krishan Chand of Mau village. He had an innate poetic sensibility which was exquisitely displayed in the epistles that he sent to his father from Lahore. They are deeply expressive of the pangs of separation and the exuberance of Love. The Fourth Master's decision to make Guru Arjan his spiritual heir was bitterly opposed by Prithvi Chand who contended that being the eldest son, he alone was entitled to the Guruship. Thus, he could never reconcile himself to his younger brother's installation as Guru. Under Guru Arjan Dev the Sikh movement registered great progress. In sunmat 1645, he cemented the Santokhsar sarovar. Further, the Guru not only completed the construction of the Sarovars started at 'Guru Ka Chak' by his predecessor but also constructed two more Sarovars. He had the Harmandar built in the middle of Amritsar Sarovar and invited a celebrated Muslim divine, Mian Mir, to lay its foundation stone in sunmat 1645. Remarkable for its architectural and aesthetic beauty and unique in its conception, the temple with its four doors symbolizes the inborn equality of all mankind. Indeed, it is open to all the four castes without any discrimination. Thus, the Guru sought a dissolution of all castes and creed distinctions. Unlike the Hindu shrines that are built on a high plinth, the Harmandar (the Temple of God) was built on a level lower than that of the surrounding areas, thereby making it imperative for the devotees to go down the steps in a spirit of true humility. In addition, the towns of Tarn Taran and Kartarpur flourished under the Guru's tutelage. He had a magnificent tank built at Tarn Taran (pool of salvation) in sunmat 1647 and a Bavalli constructed at Lahore. in sunmat 1651, he established the town of Kartarpur Nagar (Dist. Jullander) and Ramsar in sunmat 1659-60. Guru Arjan undertook a tour of the Punjab to preach Sikhism. He rationalized the institution of the masands and ordained that every Sikh should voluntarily donate a tenth of his income raised by the sweat of his brow for religious purposes. The masands collected the offerings thus made and deposited them in the Guru's treasury. Again, when the Punjab was in the grip of drought and famine, Guru Arjan persuaded the Emperor Akbar to remit the land revenue for that year. The most epochal achievement, however, of Guru Arjan was the compilation of the Adi Granth. The Guru devoted three years from 1601 to 1604 to the completion of the sublime project. He studied thoroughly the entire treasure of Gurbani, collected the hymns and psalms of the previous Gurus, and screened the utterances of the bhakts collected by the previous Gurus. He not only put the entire Bani together but also compiled it systematically under different ragas. Guru Arjan's genius for compilation is eminently projected by the vars included in the Adi Granth. He has added shlokas to the Bani of all the earlier Gurus in order to elucidate the deeper meanings. To compile the outpourings of his predecessors and the, Bhakts under various ragas (musical measures) obviously demanded an unflattering grasp of the musical measures. Besides being a notable compiler, Guru Arjan was also a gifted poet. More than half of the holy Granth consists of his own utterances. They comprise 2218 verses. Thus his work exceeds that of the other 35 inspired poets whose compositions are enshrined in the Guru Granth. The essential message of Guru Arjan's hymns is meditation on Nam. The Guru has lucidly expatiated on the concept of brahmgiani (the enlightened soul). According to him, this enlightenment can be attained only through meditation on the Lord and the Guru's grace. In depicting the attributes of the brahmgiani, he has compared him to a lotus flower which immersed in mud and water is yet pure and beautiful. Without ill-will or enmity he is forever courageous and calm. Guru Arjan set a fine personal example by living up to his own concept of a brahmgiani. All his holy compositions are characterized by humility and tenderness. He seeks the grace of God for the fulfillment of all kinds of human needs. With the compilation of the first volume of the Adi Granth, the Sikh religion registered greater unity and identity. The Sikhs now owned a unique Book or Granth of their own, and thus acquired a distinct and separate entity. Guru Arjan installed the holy Granth at the Harmandar and appointed Baba Budha Ji as the first Granthi of Harmandar Sahib. Thus, Amritsar became the most significant centre of the Sikh faith and the Sikhs emerged as a new and powerful community. During the period between Guru Nanak and Guru Arjan, there was no conflict between the Sikhs and the Mughal Kings. Emperor Akbar was in particular a man of liberal views and he respected the ideals of the Sikh movement. But, with his death and the following enthronement of Jehangir, there was a total reversal of policy and change of attitude. Jehangir's own writings reveal that he considered the spread of Sikhism as a positive threat to Islam. In a moment of fanatic frenzy, he characterized Sikhism as a 'shop of falsehood' and declared that he would extirpate it at the earliest opportunity. Thus he set about with a fanatical zeal to carry out his threat: and he trumped up the charge of treason against the Guru. With the complicity of the officials, Jehangir had the Guru soon imprisoned and tortured to death at Lahore in 1606. The martyrdom of Guru Arjan engendered a wave of shock and indignation among the Sikhs. No single event till then had so profoundly brought home to them the necessity of the sword. It is therefore not surprising that under the Sixth Master, Guru Hargobind they were militarized and prepared to face the Mugal might squarely. Thus emerged a new epoch in the history of Sikhism which led to a synthesis between Bhakti and Shakti (wordly power). Guru Arjan was the first Sikh Guru, who by his martyrdom lent to Sikhism a strength and solidarity that it had never known before. As desired by the Fifth Master, Guru Hargobind was ordained Guru in 1606, and, he guided and shaped the destiny of the Sikh community until 1645. -Ref. Mahan Kosh (pp. 80) Dr. D.S. Mani, Sardar Bakhshish Singh, and Dr. Gurdit Singh Guru Granth Ratnavali, page 90 1606 Shashter Dharan, Sixth Patshah, Guru Hargobind Ji. 1712 Badshah Jahandar Shah seeks reinforcements to deal with Sikhs. 1923 SGPC again declares the Babbar Akalis as anti-Panthic. 1960 The first batch courted arrest for Punjabi Suba agitation. 1981 The Hindus took out anti-Sikh procession at Amritsar. The Hindus took out anti-Sikh procession at Amritsar where filthy and provocative slogans were raised by them. This procession was in response to the planned procession by Sikhs on May 31, 1981. During this procession, 10,000 armed unruly Hindus raised abusive slogans against the Sikhs and Sikh symbols. One of the Hindu slogans asked the Sikhs to get out of India: as India belonged to the Hindus. Besides provoking, insulting and vulgar slogan raising, the Hindu processionists attacked some of the Sikh buildings and wounded a large number of Sikh passersby. -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.

May 28th 1922 A meeting is called at Kaulgarh by Karam Singh Gargaj group to reform the Jholichuks. 1948 SGPC came under the control of Congress Sikhs.

May 27th 1710 Baba Banda Singh Bahadhur announces the establishment of Sikh rule in a heavy Diwan organized in Sirhind city. 1921 The Governor of Punjab arrested Sardul Singh Caveesher for spearheading the non-cooperation resolution at SGPC meeting of May 11, 1921. This meeting was really a confrontation that once again demonstrated the majority of the radicals in the SGPC. -Ref. "Babbar Akali Movement - A Historical Perspective," by Dr. Gurcharan Singh, Aman Publications, 1993. 1985 Longowal Dal revived after 26 days. All this was done in league with the Delhi-regime.

http://www.rajkaregakhalsa.net/sound.htm ----> Kirtan -----> Bhai Harbans Singh ? not too sure if this is the same Harbans Singh Ghulla, but give it a look.

May 26th 1886 Maharaja Dalip Singh reentered Sikh faith. Maharaja Dalip Singh reentered the Sikh faith in 1886. He received Khande Di Pahul (Amrit) on May 26, 1886 at Aden. Earlier, on On March 8, 1853, Maharaja Dalip Singh was formally admitted into the Christian Church with water brought from Ganges nearby at his own private dwelling house. The service was conducted by the Rev. M.W. Jay, with Dr. John S. Login, Mrs. Login, Colonel Alexander and Mr. Guise signing the Baptism register as witnesses. The purpose for the Maharaja's conversion to Christianity was two fold: 1) Politically there was no better solution for the British as it showed that the Maharaja not only became a Christian, but also gave up his Punjabi life by becoming an English country-gentleman; 2) It removed him from his mother and subjects - the Punjabi people. 1960 Morcha initiated for seeking Punjabi Subha. 1984 The last meeting was held between Akalis and Indira Gandhi. The last meeting was held between Akalis and Indira Gandhi regime. Several such meetings preceded this meeting. However, by now it became abundantly clear that this was in fact a drama. The government had planned an attack on Darbar Sahib for several months. Russian KGB and even British Intelligence was guiding the invasion of Darbar Sahib. 1988 The President of India issued an ordinance banning the Sikh fundamentals of Miri-Piri (Cohesive oneness of Religion and Politics). An integral part of the Sikh religion Miri-Piri is the most fundamental to Sikh religion. This ordinance (which later became law) meant that the Sikhs shall have to adopt only that part of their religion which the Hindu majority will allow. This was the final blow to the Sikh nation which made the professing of their religion under the subjugation of the Hindu regime. -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 128. 1996 Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in his capacity as Prime Minister of India, visited Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar and apologized to the Sikhs for the following two abominations committed by the Government of India: 1. The June 1984 sttack on the Harmandir Sahib. He is supposed to have said that the attack was wrong, and unconditionally apologized for it. 2. The November 1984 riots in Northern India, when thousands of Sikhs were looted, raped, massacred as well as their properties ransacked/looted. He resigned his position the very next day. GuruGhar's prestige isn't expanded by anyone's visit. And neither does GuruGhar wait for anyone's visit. However, Sikhs have always pointed out that none of the Congress Prime Ministers ever visit Sri Darbar Sahib. This is considered essential step for Hindu-Sikh unity. Atal Bihari Vajpayee's visit was a result of Prakash Singh Badal's efforts. -Ref. Ajit, May, 31, 1996.

May 25th 1606 GUR GADHI, Patshahi Sixth, Guru Har Gobind Ji. Pattshahi sixth, Guru Har Gobind Sahib Ji, ascended to Guruship of GurSikhism. Just after the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev, Baba Budha anointed Hargobind as the sixth Guru of the Sikhs. Guru Arjan had sent to Hargobind, five paisas and a coconut through a messenger. baba Budha put those in front of Hargobind and applied a 'tilak' (saffron mark) on his forehead, bowed to him and declared him to be the next Guru of the Sikhs. The Guru then asked baba Budha to adorn him with a sword. Baba Budha who had not handled a sword before, tied it on the wrong side of the Guru. On realising his mistake he wanted to move it to the right side, but the Guru said not to remove that sword, but instead to put another one on the right side, which Baba Budha did. Thus the Guru wore two swords simultaneously. He declared that one sword represented 'Piri' (spirituality) or Bhakti) while the other represented 'Miri' (Temporality or Shakti). He told his followers that in the Guru's house spiritual and temporal powers would be combined. He declared that his rosary would be the sword-belt and he would wear the emblem of royality on his turban. Further he instructed the Sikhs to keep a sword and a horse and always recite the name of God from their lips. -Ref. "The Sikh Religion and The Sikh People," by Dr. S.S. Kapor, Hemkunt Press, New Delhi, 1992 1675 Kashmiri Panditsi, led by Kirpa Ram, arrive in Anandpur Sahib to ask Guru Tegh Bahadhur for help in preserving Hindu dharam. Kashmiri Pandits, led by Kirpa Das of Mattan (Martand), reached Chak Nanki, Kahlur (old name of Anandpur Sahib). He appealed to Guru Tegh Bahadhur for his help in against the prosecution of Kashmiri Pandits by Aurangzeb's forces and resulting extinction of hindu dharma. After appointing Gobind Rai as the next Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadhur left for Delhi on July 11, 1675. After Guruji's martyrdom, Pandit Kirpa Das stayed back and became Kirpa Singh after taking amort in 1699 and died fighting at Chamkaut along with the two elder sahibjadas of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. When Guru Tegh Bahadhur sacrificed himself to save the Kashmiri Pandits from extinction in 1675, Guru Gobind Singh put his stamp on this truth by proclaiming "The Lord (Guru Tegh Bahadhur) protected the sacred thread and the frontal mark of the Hindus: He performed a great deed in the age of Kalyug." However, it is strange that the Kashmiri Pandits did not build any memorial in honour of Guruji. On the other hand the present generation has started doubting the veracity of this event. 1739 Sikhs attack Nadir Shash and relieve him of much of his booty. Nadir Shah was on his way to Iran with billions of Rupees as well as a large amount of gold, pearls, and other valuables. When he reached Akhmur (near Jammu), Khalsa army attached him from the rear and releived him of much of his booty. Astonished at this, he questioned accompaning Zakaria Khan about the desperados. The anecdote runs: SHAH: Have you got any troublesome people in the country? ZAKARIA: None, except a sect of the Sikh faqirs, who assemble twive a year to bathe in a tank which they regard as a place of pilgrimage. SHAH: Where are their abodes? ZAKARIA: Their homes are the saddles of their horses. SHAH: It seems probable these rebels will raise their heads. Having taken a hint from Nadir Shah, Zakaria Khan started a fresh attack on the Sikhs. The Sikhs fled to the hills and to the forests but still continued visiting Amritsar. 1984 100,000 Indian Army troops are mobilized and deployed throughout Punjab surrounding all important Gurdwars including the Golden Temple complex. 1985 Sikh Symposium held in Toronto. Through May 26, a Sikh Symposium was held in Toronto. The symposium was organized to provide an opportunity to analyze the Punjab situation, explore basic issues, and develop strategies to bring some realism into our community, especially in the wake of tragic happenings in Punjab that affected Sikhs all over the world. The papers presented at the symposium covered a wide range of subjects, such as "Together-Reflections; Sikh Identities; Obstacles to Render Aid to Sikhs; Cultural restraints on Sikhs in India; Economic Restraints on Punjab; The Khalsa its Universality; Psychology of Violence; Role of Media; Unspeakable; and What Went Wrong". 1994 Continued censorship of all communication with Punjab. Continuation orders issued for censorship of all communication to and from Punjab. The copy of the document containing the top secret order pertaining to the Indian government's official discrimination, harrasment, subjugation and humiliation of the Sikhs is shown below. ==> TOP SECRET ORDER - May 25, 1994 Whereas the Administrator (UT) Chandigarh, is satisfied that this measure is necessary in the interest of public safety and tranquillity. Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Sub-Section (1) of Section 26 of the Indian Post Office Act 1898 for censorship of Postal articles and by Section 5 (2) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 for censorship of telegraphic messages, the Administrator (UT) Chandigarh is pleased to direct that all Postal articles and telegraphic messges of any description whatesoever addressed to or emanating from the: (1) Office bearers, important members and important workers of: i) Akali Dals, Dal Khalsa, Khalsa Raj Party, National Council of Khalistan and their front organisations; ii) Central Coordination Committee of Local Gurdwara & Sikh Institutions, Chandigarh; iii) A.I.S.S.F.; iv) Sikh Lawyers Forum; v) Panjab Bachao Morcha; (2) Office bearers, important members and important workers of Anand Marg and its branches; (3) Any organisation/person from whom danger to the' security ofthe State/VIP; (4) Persons residing in Pakistan; shall be detained and forwarded to the Deputy Superintendent Of Police (CID) UT/Chandigarh to return to the Postal/Telegraph Authorities direct for delivery such Postl articles/telegraphic messages as are intercepted in accordance with this Office Order which it is not necessary to detain permanently in the interest of public safety. This Order is to remain in force for a period of six months with effect from the date of issue. --(Signed) Sanjay Kothari-- Home Secretary, Chandigarh Administration Dated Chandigarh, the 25.5.1994

May 23rd 1606 Jahangir received false reports on Guru Arjan's blessing Khusrau. A report about Guru Arjan's blessing Khusrau and affixing a saffron mark on his forhead poured into Jahangir's eras. That made him to call for Guru arjan into his presence and set the stage for confrontation with the Sikhs. Khusrau's indiscreet revolt against his father on April 6, 1606 had helped to strengthen the position of Islamic revivalists. Khusrau was pursued by Shaikh Farid Bukhari who in turn was being followed by Jahangir. Anyone helping Khusrau directly or indirectly was immediately punished. Khusrau crossed river Bease and was followed by Shaikh Fard Bukhari who inflicted on him a crushing defeat near Bhairowal. Khusrau was captured on April 27, 1606, near Chenab and brought as prisoner to Lahore. Upto May 22 there was no mention at all of Khusrau's calling on Guru Arjan much less the latter's blessing on him. 1848 Maharani Jind Kaur exiled and sent to Banaras prison. ==> Maharani JIND KAUR: was daughter of Sardar Manna Singh Auhlakh, a resident of village Chandh, district Sialkot, Tehsil Jafarwall. She was wife of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and mother of Maharaja Dalip Singh. Once the British government gained control of the Khalsa Raj's affairs, she was initially kept under house arrest at Saekhupura and subsequently jailed at Chunar fort (U.P. district Mizapur). However, she escaped in a beggar's attire and reached Nepal, where she lived with dignity. In 1861, Maharani Jind Kaur reached England to visit her son Maharaja Dalip Singh, where she died on Aug. 1, 1863 at the age of 46. Her body was brought back and cremated in Nasik Nagar, on the outskirts of Bombay. On March 27, 1924, Maharaja Dalip Singh's daughter, Bamba Dalip Singh, brought the ashes of Maharani Jind Kaur from Nasik Nagar and buried it next to Maharaja Ranjit Singh's samadh. Sardar Harbans Singh Rais of Atari performed the last rights (antim Ardas) on this occasion. -Ref. Mahan Kosh (pp. 523) Here are a few glimpses of her life from "Maharani Jind Kaur" by Dr. B.S. Nijjar that also sheds light on the sad, unfortuante affairs of Sikh state after the death of Sher-i-Punjab, and offers a rare glimpse of the treachery of some Dogras and Brahmins. At one time the Dogras has become so influential that the Raja Hira Singh wanted to be the king by pushing aside Maharaja Dalip Singh. The Sikh army did not like him. They liked Maharaja Dalip Singh. There was a general discontent among the Sikh army and they were not happy with the way Rani was behaving. She had became louder in her demands. She asked for more jagirs for her brothers and more yearly allownaces for herself. She spoke of the designs against every survivor of the royal family and of intending flight to the southern side of Satluj where the English would at least secure for her son, his father's protected territory. This, of course, was a great miscalculation on her part. Rani an Accomplished Administrator However, Rani issued a proclamation praising the fidelity of the Khalsa troops. She had shown considerable energy and spirit in conducting the State business, with the courage and determination seldom shown by any woman in Sikh history. Lord Hardinge had un-willingly praised her for her regular life and devotion to the State affairs. She commanded the obedience of regimental committee as well as Sardars, who were also represented in the Supreme Council of Khalsa. However, she committed the impardonable sin of compromising with the Army. Several conferences with the military officers took place and at one of those, the Sardars said that the army would not let the Government go on. Weakness of Rani Harding wrote to Ellenborough about administration of Rani Jind Kaur, on October 23, 1845 A.D., "Rani now reviews the troops unveiled, and dressed as a dancing woman, which displeases the old but gratifies the yourng; but her irregularities are so monstrously indecent that the troops have held her horse and advised her to be more chaste or they would no longer style her the Mother of all the Sikhs." The officers adamantly told the Rani that that army could govern very well for itself. The demand of the increase in pay was, however, not conceded nor was it definitely refused. But the troops were declaring loudly that Rani and her brother were unfit to reign and must be imprisoned or put to death and Peshaura Singh [son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, but not of Jind Kaur] be seated on the throne. The general joy expressed at the death of Hira Singh [son of raja Gulab Singh dogra] and Pandit Jalla, was thus giving place to appreciation of the order and justice prevailing under their rule. The Khalsa army now became openly independent of the Civil authority and almost acted as Kingmakers. Jawahar Singh Comes to Power After the overthrow of of Raja Hira Singh and his favourite Pandit Jalla, the ministerial office was not immediately filled and for some time all power of the Sikh Kingdom remained in the hands of the "Army Panchayat." In May, 1845, A.D., however, Jawahar Singh brother of Rani came to power as he was appointed to the exhalted office of Prime Minister for five months from May 1845 to September 1845 A.D. The Prime Minister immediately did his best to win over the army. He raised the salary of the soldiers by half a ruppes and thus consolidate his position. [An average soldier made about Rs/. 11 a month at that time.] The Dogra Rajas could not tolerate the high position of Jawahar Singh and thus spared no effort to exploit the Khalsa soldiers against him. Raja Gulab Singh instigated Pishaura Singh, another son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh to revolt as he was to be fully supported by the former. At the instigation of the Dogra Rajas, Prince Pishaura Singh revolted and occupied Attok, but was defeated by Jawahar Singh's forces and murdered. It was a blunder on the part of Jawahar Singh as the Sikh army did not appreciate this hasty step of their Prime Minister and turned against him. Raja Lal Singh, the Commander-in-chief of the Khalsa Army, all the more, exploited this situation. A meeting of the Army Panchayat was called and the matter was put before them. Ultimately Jawahar SIngh was summoned to appear before the Army Panchayat. Jawahar Singh was not unaware of the fury of the Army Panchayat. He rather fully anticipated his fate. Therefore, he took his nephew Maharaja Dalip Singh with him in the hope that the presence of the Maharaja might influence the Khalsa troops in his favour in securing a pardon. But the fierce and infuriated soldiery sorrounded the elephant on all sides, and the boy Dalip Singh was rougly snathced from the arms of his uncle. Jawahar Singh bowed before the troops, and with folded hands, implored them to hear him for a moment. They, however, would not allow him to utter a word even. He was stabbed with a bayonet on the left, and as he bent over on the right, a man sent a bullet through his brain. Jawahar Singh fell from the 'howdah' a corpse, and his body was dragged from the elephant and mangled with swords of those who sorrounded it. Bawa Rattan Singh and Bhai Chaittu, the councillors of Jawahar Singh, were killed without any ceremony, on the same spot. The cash, in gold and silver coins, which Jawahar Singh and the Rani had brought with them and their fort, was now plundered by the soldiers, and the Rani and her slave girls were compelled to retire to the tents which had some days previously been pitched for their reception. The whole thing was, thus, well premeditatd and planned. The boy Dalip Singh was separated from his mother for a while and kept with the soldiery, fearing that the Rani in her rage and excitement might destroy herself and her child. When these fears had subsided, the prince was again made over to his mother. The soldiers. however, kept a strict watch over Rani's tents the whole night, to prevent any accident. She passed the night in fearful screams and shrieks, lamenting over the death of her beloved brother and cursing the Khalsa. As morning broke, she was permitted to to see the mangled body of her brother. Her lamentations and painful cries renewed with a violence which moved the bystanders to pity and melted even the iron hearts of those who had been instrumental in causing her brother's murder. Weeping bitterly, Jind Kaur threw herself and her child on the body of her brother. When partly by entreaties and partly by force, she was separatd from the corpse, she rolled upon the ground, tearing her hair and her clothes. This hearth rending spectacle touched the sympathies of the most valorous spectators. The scene was terminated at noon, when the Maharaja with great difficulty, was persuaded to return to the city. The corpse of the murdered prime minister was also carried to the city, where his funeral obseques were performed outside the Masti Gate, in the presence of several Sardars of the court. From: "Maharani Jind Kaur" by Dr. B.S. 1914 Guru Nanak Jahaz (Koma gata Maru) reached Vancouver port, Canada. However, it was forced to return to India. ==> KOMA GATA MARU: Punjabis traveling to foreign land in search of better jobs were being discriminated against at the begining of 20th century. The Canadian government had issued prohibition against their entry and the British ships had refused to accept any Punjabi travelers. The Canadian law stated, for the purpose of preventing immigration from india and other countries, that only those passengers could land in Canada who travelled on a through ticket without any break in journey from their land of birth. However, no company provided such a service between the Indian and Canadian ports. As a result, many Punjabis were stranded for months in Hong Kong, unable to get tickets for their final destination, Canada. Baba Gurdit Singh of Sarhali village, a well established businesses in Calcutta, Malaya, etc., heard of the stranded Punjabis in Hong Kong and decided to challenge this prevalent situation. He rented "Koma Gata Maru", a Japanese ship and named it "Guru Nanak Jahaj". Sri Guru Granth Sahib accompanied the passengers along with Kesri Nishan Sahib. On April 4, 1914, this ship sailed out of Hongkong and reached the Vancouver port on May 23, 1919, with 167 passengers. However, these passengers were not allowed to land at Vancouver and were forcibly returned to Calcutta in the same ship, after a long and painful struggle. Upon return, the ship was fired upon by the British at BajBaj Ghat in Calcutta. The returning passengers were either arrested or killed. Only a few managed to escape. Baba Gurdit Singh jee escaped the death and lived in disguise for almost 8-9 years. What started as a simple individual business venture turned into a major political event. The returning passengers were no longer considered as better job opportunity seekers but were prosecuted as freedom fighters. -Ref. Hindustan Gadar Party: A Short History by Sohan Singh Josh, People's Publishing House, New Delhi, 1977. KOMAGATA MARU INCIDENT - A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE Komagata Maru was a merchant ship leased by S. Gurdit Singh to move Indians to Vancouver, Canada. The Canadian govt. was anti-Indian and did not favor their entry to Canada. This adventure was neither directly connected to the Ghadar Party nor was it an outcome of any freedom figting organization. However, it gave a unique twist to the Indian history and freedom struggle in India. The Ghadar journal helped to give it a direction of prevalent discontent and moulded it into a radical movement. And there was a very good reason for it. The Canadian govt, in order to check further influx of Indians, adopted tought measures. Most notorious of them was "Canadians Privy Council Order No. 920," popularly known as "Continuous Journey Clause." This made the lives of Indo-Canadians very difficult. They could not visit their families and they could not visit them because there was no direct ship service from India to Canada. The Indians, specially Sikhs, used all means to persuade the Canadian govt to withdraw the order, but they won't listen. A deputation of Bhai Balwant Singh, Narain Singh, Bhai Jawala Singh, and Bhai Nand Singh even went to London in April 1913, and later visited India to present their case to the British and British-Indian govt, respectively. It all failed. Baba Gurdit Singh, a wealthy businessman from Singapore, in order to satisfy the continuous journey clause, chartered his own ship from a Japanese company that would take passengers directly to Canada. The ship sailed on April 4, 1914 from Hong Kong with 165 passengers on board. More passengers joined in Shanghai, Moje and Yokohama and the number rose to 376. 346 were Sikhs and remaining were Punjabi muslims and Hindus. (Some people put the total at 372.) Before leaving, he consulted a leading Britsh solicitors at Hong Kong who assured him that there was no bar to the Indian admission to Canada. He agreed to pay $60,000 as the charter fee. The ship arrived on the shores of Vancouver on May 23, 1914. The passengers were not allowed to land and the ship was cardoned off by the police. The "Times" (London) of that day carried a categorical statement of the Prime Minister of British Columbia that they would not admit these orientals. Leading Indians (mostly Sikhs) in Vancouver formed a 'Shore Committee.' It paid $22,000 as installment of the charter money for the ship, and filed a test case in the Supreme Court in the name of one passenger Munshi Singh in the hope that they would get more favourable verdict. On July 7, the full bench of Supreme Court gave its unanimous decision that they cannot overrule the Immigration Department's dicision. Food had run out in the ship. Some local Sikhs managed to deliver potatoes and other things on one occasion during the night on a hired boat. The passengers were very angry and they took control of the ship from the Japanese Captain. The Canadian govt retaliated by ordering a harbour tug "Sea Lion" (sort of tow truck for ships) to push the ship out of the shore. The angry passengers mounted an attack on the police by throwing lumps of coal and bricks. The army regiments had taken positions and it was like a war zone. The Sikhs of Vanocuver were so angry that and decided to burn the city of Vancouver if their countrymen were fired upon by the police, army and the militia who had sourrounded the ship. Somehow a decision was made and the ship sailed back into the sea towards India. Before the ship reached Yokohama, the war broke out. The British govt ordered that no passengers were allowed to land from where they had boarded the ship. At Yokohama, Bhai Sohan Singh Bhakna had delivered 200 pistols and a several hundred cartridges when the ship docked there for a short period. In addition, Ghadar Party literature was also loaded into the ship in flour bags. Many Ghadarites had also boarded the ship from Shanghai. The Komagata Maru (Guru Nanak Jahaj) reached Calcutta at Budge Budge harbour on July 23, 1914 after a two-month long struggle. Note: The Canadian govt had employed agents to commit murders of the Indian community leaders. One such agent was Bela Singh and his band who worked for the Canadian immigration and Mr. William Hopkinson (a high official on the govt) who was a great enemy of the Indian community. Their main job to strike terror in the heart of the Indian (Sikh) community. On September 5, 1914, Bela Singh fired at the Sikh congregation which had gathered to mourn the death of one Ram Singh by Ram Singh. Bela Singh went on firing with two pistols and killed two people and seriously wounded several others. A case was filed agaisnt him. Bhai Mewa Singh shot dead Mr. Hopkinson in the court who was there as a defense witness. Bela Singh was later acquitted. This infuriated the Indian immigrants in Canada. Bhai Mewa Singh was later sentenced to death. Mewa Singh, in his confessional statement said, "This is what led me to take Hopkinson's life and sacrifice my own life to in order to lay bare the opposition exercised upon my innocent people through his influence in the eyes of the whole world. And I, performing the duty of a true Sikh and remembering the name of God, will proceed towards the scaffold with the same amount of pleasure as the hungry baby does towards its mother. I shall gladly have the rope around my neck thinking it to be a rosary of God's name ." Bhai Mewa Singh's martyrdom day used to be celebrated in Vanvouver Gurdwara every year (maybe it still is). (I have added this note only to emphasise that govt agents are always active in our own community.) In the diwans held at Gurdwaras of Shanghai and Hong Kong, Komagata Maru formed a central issue and Indians were asked to return to India to avenge the insult. It was no coincidence that the first jatha of Ghadarites came from Shanghai and reached Calcutta alomost on the heels of Komagata Maru. All those who arrived on subsequent ships at Calcutta were rigorously inspected, and those suspected to be dangerous were either arrested or forbidden to reside elsewhere other than their native villages. Many Ghadarites reached Punjab using various routes and methods. Komagata Maru Reached Budge Budge Harbour (ghaat) Komagata Maru arrived at Calcutta on September 29, 1914. The passengers pretty much knew what was in store for them in India. Therefore, they threw all the objectionable things in the sea. When they arrived in Calcutta, they were searched thoroughly three times. No arms were found. At Calcutta, the police wanted the passengers to board the train bound for Punjab immediately, but the passengers insisted that they have to deposit the Holy Guru Grnath Sahib (which was on baord) in one of the local Gurdwaras. Some boarded the train while the other defied the police and started to march towards Calcutta in the form of a procession. The police informed the 2nd Battaion of Royal Fusileers. Thirty English policemen barred the processions' entry into the city. A brawl followed and police opened fire, killing 18 processionists and wounding at least 25. The police chief was shot dead by Bhai Munsha Singh who was one of the passengers. Two other officials were killed and and eleven got injured. Two Punjab policemen were also dead. The officials were cared for and got medical treatment, but no one cared for the wounded passengers. Many passengers were tortured. Sixty passengers escaped from the police seige and crossed river Houghley during night. Seventeen of them were later arrested. Komagata Maru incident created a sharp reaction against the injustice to the passengers all over the world, but the premier organization of India, Indian National Congress, which was supporting the British Imperialist Goverenment's war efforts in the World War I with money amd men, did not utter single word of condemnation against the foreign rulers. The saga of Komagata Maru is the story of callous attitude of the Imperial Government and the racist policy of the Canadian government at that time. While every action of the passengers cannot be justified, it was a reaction to the treatment that was meted out to them. Komagata Maru became a by-word for British oppression among the Punjabis. A passenger told an enquiring British officer, "This ship belongs to the whole of India. This is the symbol of the honour of India and if this was detained, there would be mutiny in the armies." Soon after this incident, Ailane-e-Jang (Proclamation of War) was prepared by the Ghadar Pary which was circulated to a very large number of people. An important meeting was held in Sacramento, (California) and Indian were asked to go back home and wage a war against the Britors who were fighting the World War I. A large number of Punjabis did go back to India and started their revolutionary activities. Shahid Kartar Singh Sarabha, Raghubor Dyal Gupta and many others did not even wait for the meeting and left for India. Little bit later 60-70 Indians left by S. S. Korea which included some prominent leaders on the West Coast of USA. Some of them were sent to other countries to persuade the Indians of other countries such as Burma, Phillipines, China, and Hong Kong to go back to India and start the revolution. Baba Gurdit Singh, who escaped the police bullets, remained underground until 1920. On the advice of Mahatma Gandhi, he made a volunatary surrender at Nankana Sahib and was imprisoned for five years. (Mahatma Gandhi did not help him in any other way!) He died on July 24, 1954. Such was the story of Komagatu Maru. Sources: 1. Sailani Desh Bhagat by Harnam Singh Tundilaat, a well-known "Ghadarite" (ghost written by Lal Singh Kamla Akali). 2. The Punjabi heroic Tradition by Dr. Satya M. Rai, Professor, Department of Political Science, Hindu College, Delhi Uni. 3. Ghadar Movement by Harish K. Puri, professor, Political Science, Guru Nanak Dev Uni. This book is published by Guru Nanak Dev University. 1921 Bela Singh and Ganda Singh are arrested and the militant Akali's conspiracy to murder J.W. Bowring, for his part in the Nankana Sahib massacre, ends in a fiasco. A government agent, Sadhu Singh, poised as a straunch Akali supporter working for "Akali" newspaper facilitated their arrest. They were tried under Babbar Akali Conspiracy Case Trail No. 1. May 24th 1664 Guru Har Krishan Ji visited Aurangzeb's court. This is the time Guru Sahib visited Aurangzeb's court, when Ram Rai emphatically declared that the decision of his father in selecting his younger brother as his sucessor to the pontificate of Guru Nanak was based on cogent reasons, and that he was now under the command of the new Guru. ==> 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) ==> RAM RAI: born to matta Kataklyani and father Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib in sunmat 1703 at Kitarpur. When Aurangzeb summoned seventh patshah to answer some charges against him, Ram Rai was sent instead. Ram Rai impressed Aurangzeb with his cleverness. One day when Aurangzeb question (under influence from others) why Sri Guru Nanak had criticized Islam in salok "Mitti Musalman Ki"? Ram Rai quiteneed the assembled muslims saying that the actual writing is "Mitti Baimaan Ki" and not "musalman ki". When Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib heard of heard of this explanation, he declared that since Ram Rai changed the writings of Guru Nanak for the pleasure and happiness of Aurangzeb, he should never return home to face him. As a consequence Ram Rai obtains some jagir from Aurangzeb and settled north of Harduwar in Duun. He died there in sunmat 1788. Because of Ram Rai's Dehra, Duun came to be popularly known as Dehradun. A historical katha suggests that when Ram Rai was engrossed in meditation, the neighboring masands mistook him for dead and cremated his body. For this reason, Matta Punjab Kaur sought punishment of masands from Kalgidhur patshah. 1847 The British being aware of the Sikh's emotional and sentimental attachment to Golden Temple and other shrines, issued special instructions to the British subjects to be careful in maintaining the sanctity of the shrines. An official notification issued by H.M. Lawrence, the British resident read as follows: The Prients of Amritsar having complained of annoyances, this is make known to all concerned that by order of the Governor General, British subjects are forbidden to enter the temple (called the Durbar) or its precincts at Amritsar or indeed any temple, with their shoes. Not are the Sikhs to be molested or any way to be interfered with. Shoes are to be taken off at the bunga at the corner of the tank and no person is to walk round the talk with his shoes on. -Source. History of Sikh Struggles, Vol. 1, By Gurmit Singh, Atlantic Publishers & Distributors, 1989. pp. 28 1922 Meeting at Rajowal by Kishan Singh Gargaj group to devise ways and means of reforming the toadies 1945 Master Tara Singh denounces the Acharyae Formula. ==> MASTER TARA SINGH: Master Tara Singh was born on 24 June, 1885, in Haryal in Rawalpindi district of North Western Province of undivided India. His mother, Moolan Devi, was a pious lady and his father, Bakshi Gopi Chand, was a patwari of the village and was a well known and respected person. Tara Singh's original name was Nanak Chand. In 1902 Nanak Chand embraced Sikhism and came to be called Tara Singh. Tara Singh had a bright educational career and was a scholarship holder almost at all stages of his education. In 1907 he passed his B. A. examination from Khalsa College, Amritsar. Later Tara Singh joined as headmaster of Khalsa High School, Lyallpur, at an honorarium of Rs. 15 per month. Since then he came to be known as Master Tara Singh. His career as a teacher ended in 1921, following the Nankana tragedy. He also edited two Akali newspapers, Akali (Udru) and Akali te Pardesi (Grumukhi) in which he forcefully put forward the aims and objectives of the Akali Dal. He took an active part in national politics till his death on 22 November 1967. -Ref. "Master Tara Singh, by Verinder Grover, Deep & Deep Publications Delhi, 1995.

May 22nd 1606 The Mughals apprehended Guru Arjan Dev Ji under the Royal decree announced on May 20, 1606. Guru Sahib asked his family to leave for Dalla (in Doaba), yet he made no plans to either flee, or hide in the hills or in the jungles. 1710 Baba Gurbakhash Singh (Banda Bahadur) killed Wajir Khan in Chapud-Chidhi and destroyed Sirhind. Then he established his capital at Mukhlas. Until 1720 everything was conducted from this capital. -Ref. Amritsar Ji Dae Darshan Eshnan Utay 500 <banned word filter activated> Di Ethasak Directory, Satnam Singh Khalsa Advocate, pp. 73. 1960 Punjabi Suba Convention was held at Amritsar. It was attended by Dr. Kitchlew, K.G. Jodh, Zaheer Qurashi and leaders of Socialist and Swatantra Parties. 1964 11 Sikhs were gunned down at Paonta Sahib (Himachal Pradesh) by the Mahant's henchmen. The sangat of Poanta Sahib had requested head of Tarna Dal (not Nihal Singh, but the one before him) to visit the Gurdwara. They complained that the residing masand was abusing the Gurdwara premises through drinking, raping women that came alone, and making prostitutes dance inside. After several such requests Babaji decided to visit Poanta Sahib accompanied by 13 GurSikhs. They left, from Gurdwara Haria Welan Hoshiarpur, riding horses and horse drawn carts. When they arrived near Gurdwara Poanta Sahib, two GurSikhs carried Babaji's message for the masand requesting initiation of a Akhand Path at the Gurdwara. The masand did not give a definitive answer, instead assured to respond before the next morning. Meanwhile the masand confided with the local police chief, one of his corrupt friends who endorsed and permitted his evil acts. Babaji started the Akhand Path next morning which proceeded uninterrupted for 2 days. On the 2nd day, the masand came with the police. They arrested Babaji who was outside at that time and fired at the GurSikhs inside, who were conducting the Akhand Path. The GurSikhs had no guns. For they had not come with the intent to fight, but rather to hear the sangat's concerns. As a result they were brutally massacred. Eleven died and two survived. As each Pathi was shot while reciting the Guru Granth Sahib, another simply pushed his body and continued the uninterrupted recitation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Nihal Singh, 21 at the time, continued with his choar sewa (even when he had been shot 3 times) until the last GurSikh was shot. As the Akhand Path was interrupted, Nihal Singh finally fell. The only survivor was the youngest GurSikh, a 11 year old, who was found hiding behind a nagara (drums). Besides him all others were presumed dead. It wasn't until the bodies were being loaded up in a cart that a small child saw Nihal Singh breath and informed the local sikhs. The local sikhs who had gathered by now, screamed to get him some medical attention. Fortunately they succeeded in their efforts. He received medical attention and survived with Vaaheguru's grace. He was subsequently honored by many gurdwaras as Jinda-Shaheed Jathedar. The masand was finally removed. Akhand paths are held each year in the commemoration of this event.

May21st 1920 The Akali, a Punjabi daily nespaper, started publication. The Akali, a daily newspaper in Punjabi was started by the Sikh leaders of Shironamni Committee and Shiromani Akali Dal. The newspaper was meant to protect the rights of Sikhs and provide a political voice for their interests. It was published from Lahore and brought out by Master Sunder Singh Lyallpuri and Giani Hira Singh Dard. Under the editorship of Mangal Singh Gill, it played the role of the precusor of the Akali Movement. In its veru first issue, it outlined its programme advocating Panthic control over the Gurudwaras, Khalsa College, Amritsar and repairing the demolished wall of Gurudwara Rakabganj, Delhi. 1921 The militant Akalis held a meeting and deputed Bela Singh and Ganda Singh to murder J.W. Bowring in Lahore. J.W. Bowring was was Police Captain during the Nankana Sahib massacre. Akalis were convinced that he had conspired and aided Mahant Narayan Dass in carrying of the Nanakana Sahib massacre. Since then, he had been moved to Lahore. Unfortunately the plan foiled by a government agent, Sadhu Singh, who has poised as a staunch Akali supported and worked with Akali newspaper. Both were arrested at the Lahore railway station on May 23, 1921 and tried under Babbar Akali Conspiracy Trial No. 1. 1923 Second declaration of the Babbar Akalis owning the Kaulgarh murders was issued in Babbar Akali Doaba newspaper. 1924 Viryam Singh Babbar hanged until death. 1924 5th Shahidi Jatha of 500 valiant Akali Satyagrahies courted arrest on reaching Jaito. ==> WHERE IS JAITO? A village under Nabha, which falls on the Bathinda-Ferozpur railway line. It is 96 miles from Lahore and 17 miles from Bathinda. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JAITO? On this place situated near a fort, is a historical Gurudwara of Guru Gobind Singh Patshah. Maharaja Hira Singh constructed the beautiful buildings of this Gurudwara. The sarowar is popularly known as Gangsar. About a mile and a half north of Jaito is Tibhi Sahib Gurudwara, where Guru Gobind Singh Patshah used to organize and participate in the evening recitation of Rehras. Both Gurudwaras have extensive land sanctioned to it by the Nabha rulers. Additionally, extensive financial resources are made available on an annual basis from the Nabha rulers and the surrounding villages. A maela celebration is held every 7th of Pooh month (Dec.-Jan.) and Katak (Oct.-Nov.) Puranmashi. Jaito's markets are well renowned. People come from far distances to buy and sell their herds. WHY AKALIS COURTED ARREST? The key issue involved was resoration of Maharaja Ripudaman Singh of Nabha. Maharaja of Nabha, well-known for his pro-Tat Khalsa Proclivities, had a dispute with Maharaja of Patiala, known for this pro-government role. Although Maharaja of Nabha had absolutely no dispute with the government, as a result of mediation, he was forced to abdicate in July 1923. Col. Michin, with the help of troops and armoured cars, took the Maharaja by surprise on July 8, 1923 and taunted him with the query, Where is that Akali? The news of deposition by the government raised a strom of protest against the Government's interefernce in Nabha and was decsribed as a challenge to the Akali movement. As a result tensions mounted. The Akalis, in defiance of state orders, continued to hold diwan indefinitely. The Nabha police in order to arrest all the Akalis, including the one reading the holy Granth Sahib, was said to have disrupted the Akhand Path on Sept. 14, 1923. This dispute took such a tragic shape and got so inflames by Feb. 21, 1924 that several people lost their lives. After sixteen shaheedi jathas apart from one from Bengal and another from Canada, the agitation process was completed two years later, on August 6, 1925, after the concurrent bhog of 101 Akand Paaths. -Ref. Mahan Kosh The Sikhs in History, by Sangat Singh, 1995.

May 19th 1919 The British regime acknowledged right of the Sikhs to wear their religious sword and removed all restrictions on Kirpan Sahib. A long agitation against restrictions on Kirpan Sahib was successfully concluded. This agitation saw hundreds of Sikhs in Jails. However, upon its conclusion all restrictions on Kirpan Sahib (specifically in armed forces) were removed all over British India and Burma. Kirpan Sahib is the second Kakaar, out of a total of five Kakaars, mandated for GurSikh's attire. Others include Kaes (unshorn hair), Kanga (comb), Kasha (underwear), and Kadha (bangel). ==> 5 K's: useful sources for information on 5 Ks include :- Kapur Singh (1989), "Parasaraprasna: An Enquiry into the Genesis and Unique Character of the Order of the Khalsa with an Exposition of the Sikh Tenets," Guru nanak dev University, Amritsar, 2nd ed. (first published in 1959) Kirpal Singh (1971), "Sikh Symbols," The Sikh Missionary Society, Gravesend, UK Santokh Singh (1991), "Sword of the Khalsa," Gujral Printers, Jammu. Teja Singh (1951), "Forms and Symbols in Sikhism: Its Ideals and Institutions," Orient Longmans, Calcutta, pp. 30-35 Trilochan Singh (1977), "The Turban and Sword of the Sikhs," The Sikh Missionary Society, 10 Featherstone rd, Southall, Middx, UK J.P.S. Uberoi (1975), "The Five Symbols of Sikhism," in Harbans Singh, ed., "Perspectives on Guru Nanak," Punjabi University, Patiala, pp. 502-513 also published in Fauja Singh, ed., "Sikhism," Punjabi University, Patiala, 1969, pp. 123-128 Bishan Singh (1975), "Gurmat Kakkar Philosophy (Punjabi)," Khalsa Brothers, Amritsar. 1940 A meeting of all Sikh parties was held in Amritsar, to explore the issue of Sikh sovereignty and a sub-commitee was set-up to explore the matter.

May 18th xxxx Shaheedi maela, Guru Ka Baag, Patna Sahib. 1711 Battle of Batala between Baba Banda Singh Bahadhur and followers of Saekhul Hind. 1922 Judgement of Babbar Akali Conspiracy Case Trail No. 1 is announced. Ganda Singh turned informer while the following were sentenced :- Tota Singh Peshori - 5 years imprisonment Tara Singh Thethar - 5 years imprisonment Bela Singh - 4 years imprisonment Chanchal Singh Jandiyala - 1 year imprisonment while Amar SIngh Kot Badhay Kha, Narayan Singh Chattiwind, and Prem Singh Granthi were acquited. Additionally, warrants were issued fro Master Mota Singh, Kishan Singhm Gurbachan Singh Ambala, Wattan Singh Kahri Sahri, Amar Singh Delhi and Bijla Singh.

May 17th 1823 Maharaja Ranjit Singh victoriously entered Peshawar for the first time, after winning numerous wars with Pathans. ==> Maharaja RANJIT SINGH, was born on Nov. 2, 1780, to Jathaedar Sardar Maha Singh of Sukarchakia misl and mother Raj Kaur (daughter of Raja Gajpate Singh Jindpate). At a very early age, he lost his left eye to smallpox which also left numerous marks on his face. Upon his fathers death, Ranjit Singh assumed throne at the tender age of 10. During his tender, his advisor Sardar Dal Singh and Diwan LakhpatRai managed the state affairs under the guidance of his mother Raj Kaur. Bhai Pheru Singh of Gujrawallae and his government Dharamsala was selected for Guru Granth education. However, Ranjit Singh showed increasing interest in weaponry and horse-riding and quickly acquired these skills. Ranjit Singh captured Lahore in 1799 and called a darbar, in sunmat 1858, to assumed the title of "Maharaja". He preferred to addressed as Maharaja Ranjit Singh "SinghSahib". He quickly expanded his rule from Satluj to Peshawar and from the boundaries of Tibet to Sindh. He established four subha; namely, Lahore, Peshawar, Kashmir, and Sultan. He continually expressed desire to reassert the strength of Sikh Panth and bring it under a united fold. According to British history, Maharaja's title is "Sher-e- Punjab", the Lion of Punjab. His court was always filled with able generals. He built an extremely loyal and powerful force. He was a humble person. When the Granthis of Delhi Gurudwara visited his court in Lahore, he used his beard to wipe their feet. Further when he was declared Tankhaia by Akali Phulla Singh, he prompted presented his bare back for the declared punishment. More than his own popularity, Maharaja Ranjit Singh worked for the propagation of Vaaheguru's name. He constructed the fort GobindGadh in Amritsar, named after Guru Gobind Singh Patshah. He established a beautiful garden named after Satguru Ram Dass Ji Patshah. Ranjit Singh never forgot to humor the democratic feeling, or rather, the theocratic feeling of the Sikhs. He professed to rule "by the grace of God". He issued coins in the name of Guru Nanak with the encryptions "Akal Purakh Ji Sahayae Daego Taego Fateh Nusrat Baedrang Yahaftaj Nanak Guru Gobind". On April 25, 1809, a friendship treaty was signed with the British. This treaty set Satluj as the boundary between the British and Sikh empires. Maharaja Ranjit Singh maintained his friendship with the British throughout his reign. Maharaja Ranjit Singh was gifted with the ability of immediate assessment of strengths and weakness of a person on first sight. He personally knew all people working for him and received their daily reports. He did not waste even a minute of his and continually kept himself busy. He was well versed with the feelings of his subjects. Maharaja Ranjit was also popular for his charity. From the information gathered by Col. Lawrence from his counsellors, Maharaja Ranjit Singh spent 12,00,000 rupees annually on charity apart from his generous distribution of gifts and jagirs. Maharaja Ranjit Singh died on June 27, 1839 as a result of illness. At the time of his death, Maharaja's forces were made of 92,000 foot soldiers, 31,800 horseback soldiers and 784 big guns. In addition to brave generals like Sardar Sham Singh Attari, Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa, Sardar GossKhan, Phulla Singh Akali, and Diwan MohakamChand, there were several American, British, European, French, Italian, and Russian officers. The total annual revenue of the kingdom was 32475000 rupees. Maharaja Ranjit's other sons, Tara Singh, Sultan Singh, Kashmir Singh and Peshaura Singh were never popular. -Ref. Mahan Kosh (pp. 1019-1020) For conventional biographies refer to :- Lepel H. Griffin, Ranjit Singh (1892); N.K. Sinha, Ranjit Singh (1933); and Khushwant Singh, Ranjit Singh, Maharajah of the Punjab (1962). For an eyewitness account of the personality and court of Ranjit Singh, see :- Emily Eden, Up the Country: Letters Written to Her Sister from the Upper Provinces of India, 2 vol. (1866, reissued 1978); W.G. Osborne, The Court and Camp of Runjeet Sing (1840, reprinted 1973). For further details interested readers are refered to :- Anil C. Banerjee (1985), "Khalsa Raj," AbhinaV Publications, Delhi, 277p Bhagat Singh (1990), "Maharaja Ranjit Singh And His Times," ISBN 81-85477-01-9, Sehgal Publishers, Delhi, 491p. Bikram Jit Hasrat (1977), "Life and Times Of Maharaja Ranjit Singh: A Saga Of Benevolent Ruler," V.V. Research Inst. India, 466p Dolly Sahiar (1981), "Maharaja Ranjit Singh as Patron Of The Arts," Marg Publications, Delhi, 138 pages Fakir S. Wahee-du-din (1984), "Ranjit Singh Asali Roop," Punjabi University Patiala, 159 pages (Punjabi) Fakir S. Wahee-du-din (1981), "Real Ranjit Singh." Punjabi University Patiala, 212 pages Fauja Singh (1984), "Maharaja Ranjit Singh: Politics Society and Economy," Punjabi University Patiala, 384 pages G. Khurana (1985), "British Historiography on the Sikh Power in Punjab," Allied Publishers, New Delhi, 174 pages Hari Ram Gupta (1991), "History of the Sikhs Vol. 5: The Sikh Lion of Lahore," 81-215-0515-X, Munshiram Manoharlal, Delhi, 630 pages Hari Ram Gupta (1975), "Panjab on Eve of First Sikh War," Panjab University, Chandigrh, 555 pages Jagmohan Mahajan (1990), "Annexation of Punjab," ISBN 81-85215-06-5, Spantech Publisher, Delhi, 133 pages Kartar S. Duggal (1989), "Ranjit Singh a Secular Sovereign," ISBN 81-7017-244-6, Abhinav Publications, Delhi, 143 pages Khushwant Singh (1971), "Fall of the Kingdom of the Punjab," Orient Longman Press, Delhi, 165 pages Prem S. Hoti, "Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh," Lahore Book Shop, Ludhiana, 208 pages S.R. Bakshi (1991), "History of the Punjab: Maharaja Ranjit Singh," ISBN 81-7041-540-6, Anmol Publications, Delhi, 315p Sohan S. Seetal (1982), "Sikh Empire and Maharaja Ranjit Singh," Lahore Book Shop, Ludhiana, 187p Sohan S. Seetal (1986), "Sikh Raj Te Sher-e-Punjab," Seetal Pustak Bhandaar, 203p 1923 Second attempt to kill Labh Singh Dhadda also fails. 1972 Gurcharan Singh Tohra asked Fateh Singh to retire from active politics. 1973 The Federal Government of the United States of America officially recognizes the Sikh Dharma Brotherhood.

May 16th 1765 Sikhs assembled at Amritsar and passed a Gurmatta to regain more territorits, occupy Lahore and strike coins in the name of their gurus as a symbol of the sovereignty of the Khalsa. Lahna Singh, Gujjar Singh, and Sobha Singh occupied Lahore and divided the city into three administrative zones under each Sardar. Silver rupee was struck from Lahore mint. 1748 Misl Bhangian was organised. Misl Bhangian, one of the twelve Sikh Misls, was organized by Sardar Chhaju Singh of Panjwar Dist. Amritsar. Sardar Hari Singh and Bhuma Singh, etc., the leaders of this Misl captured Lahore in 1765. This Misl also ruled over Ambala, Ferozpur and Amritsar (See description below for details on Sikh Misls). ==> HOW DID THE MISLS COME INTO BEING? For ten years after Banda Bahadhur's shahadat, Sikhs were quite. In 1726, Bhai Tara Singh of village "Vaa" accepted shahadat after fighting the ruling forces. This incident re-awakened the Sikhs and unrest erupted all over Punjab. The Subaedhar of Lahore and Delhi ruler, Mohammad Shah, agreed to an annual payment 1 lakh rupee compensation and viceroyalty (Nawabi) in return for peace in the region. On the Vaisakhi day of 1733, the Panth bestowed this resposbibility upon Sardar Kapur Singh. Henceforth, he came to be popularly known as "Nawab Kapoor Singh". After Banda Bahadhur's Shaheedi, Diwan Darbara Singh was recognized as the Jathaedhar for the whole Sikh Panth. Upon his death in 1734, Nawab Kapoor Singh became Panth's Jathaedhar. By now the Sikh population has grown significantly. To ease the management of Panthic affairs, Khalsa forces were divided into two groups; namely, "Budha Dal" and "Taruna Dal". Budha Dal, under the leadership of Nawab Kapoor Singh, resided at Akal Bugha. The Taruna Dal was further split into five groups as follows: 1. Jatha Shaheedi, under the leadership of Baba Deep Singh Ji. Additionally, Natha Singh and Gurbakash Singh were popular leaders of this Jatha. 2. Jatha Amritsaria, under the leadership of Sardar Karam Singh and Sardar Dharam Singh. 3. Baba Kahan Singh's Jatha, under the leadership of Kahan Singh Taehan. Other leaders include Sardar Miri Singh Taehan, Sardar Hari Singh Dhillo, and Sardar Bagh Singh Hallowalia. 4. Jatha Dhalaewaliya, under the leadership of Jathaedhar Dasodha Singh Gill. 5. Jatha of RangRaetae Sikhs, under the leadership of Bir Singh, Jiun Singh, Madan Singh, and Amar Singh. During Taruna Dal's absence, when their jathas were touring various region of Punjab, the rulers repossessed Panth's jagir. As a result, the unrest erupted once again. When Nadir attacked Delhi in 1739 and shook the very roots of mughal empire, there was virtaully no government in Punjab, in any real sense. Sensing an opportunity, the Sikhs seized control of entire Punjab and built a fort, DalaeWal, on the banks of river Ravi. This fort was later destroyed by Khan Bahadhur. The war between the Sikhs and the ruling forces persisted over time. More the government suppressed the Sikhs, more the Sikhs faought back and realised increasing gains. On Oct. 14, 1745, Dal Khalsa was broken into 30 small groups. These groups fought independent wars. However, they collectively defended the Panth's interest whenever it was threatened. In Jan. 1748, Ahmad Shah Abdali started his attacks. This made the attainment of Panth's objective of establishing its rule, rather difficult. However, by now the number of small jathas had swelled to more than double, 66. On March 29, 1748, Vaisakhi day, all these jathas gathered in Amritsar. On this occasion, Nawab Kapoor Singh, put forth a proposal for establishing a strong common leadership for the Panth. This proposal was accepted by everyone and the common leadership was called "Dal Khalsa". Jassa Singh Ahluwalia was anonymously elected as the leader of Dal Khalsa. Under his leadership, 11 misls were established; namely, 1. Misl Ahluwalia, under the leadership of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia. 2. Misl Faejullapuria or Singpuria, under the leadership of Nawab Kapoor Singh. 3. Misl Sukarchakiya, under the leadership of Jathaedhar Nodh Singh, the great grandfather of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. 4. Misl NashanaWali, under the leadership of Jathaedhar Dasodha Singh. 5. Misl Bhangia, under the leadership of Jathaedhar Hari Singh Bhangi. 6. Misl Kania, under the leadership of Jathaedhar Jay Singh Kania. 7. Misl Nakia, under the leadership of Jathaedhar Hira Singh Nakai. 8. Misl Dalaewali, under the leadership of Jathaedhar Gulab Singh. 9. Misl Shaheeda, under the leadership of Baba Deep Singh "Shaheed". 10. Misl Karodha Singia, under the leadership of Jathaedhar Karodha Singh. 11. Misl Sanghniya, under the leadership of Jathaedhar Nand Singh. It later came to known as Ramgharia Misl. NOTE:- the 12th misl Phulkia, under the leadership of Sardar Alla Singh Patiala, is a separate misl from the above 11 misls. Unfortunately, this misl often worked against the Panthic interests. Among the damage they did to the Panth was the reinforcement of the Brahminincal tradition of Nirmalae Sikhs and in total disrespect to women many Patialites kept countless Ranis, performed anti Sikhi parades, etc. The above misl were announced on the Vaisakhi day and every Sikh soldier given an opportunity to select his own leader. Everyone could join any misl they desired to. It was agreed that each misl would be autonomous in terms of its internal affairs but shall abide by the command of Dal Khalsa's Jathaedhar for all common and Panthic affairs. This arrangement worked well for the Sikhs. Numerous surrounding areas came under their protection, some willingly on their own while others were forcibly brought under their control. However, this arrangement did not last for too long, as Abdali attacked for the fourth time in Nov. of 1756. During this attack, the whole organization of the Sikhs fell apart and they had to start its re-establishment from scratch. During the fifth attack, Abdali encouraged the Marathas. However, as he left for Kabul, Sikhs captured Lahore and issued their own coins under the name of Jassa Singh. When Abdali heard this news, he attacked for the sixth time, this time specifically to destroy the Sikhs. Feb. 5, 1762 saw a grave war in which 10-12 thousand Sikh soldiers and 18-20 thousand Sikh children and women were killed. This day is marked as the "Major Holocaust" in Sikh history. Despite such enormous destruction, Sikhs became extremely fearless and only eight months after the major holocaust, they successfully defeated Abdali in the war of Pipli Sahib, Amritsar, on Oct. 17, 1762. After Abdali's retuirn to Kabul, Sikhs gathered once again in Amritsar in Dec. of 1762. During this meeting, Dal Khalsa's common leadership was reestablished from scratch. Panth was divided into two major groups; namely, "Budha Dal" and "Taruna Dal". Budha Dal, under the leadership of Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia had six misls; namely, Ahluwalia, Singhpuria, Dalaewaliya, KarodhaSinghs, NashanaWali, and Shaheedi. This group was assigned the responsibility of eliminating the enemy. Taruna Dal came under the leadership of Jathaedhar Hari Singh and had five misls; namely, Bhangia, Ramgarihia, Kania, Nakia, and Sukarchakia. This group was given the responsibility for security and maintenance of Amritsar and all religious places. Taruna Dal captured Kasur region while Budha Dal captured Duyaba and Jaladhar. Together they captured Batala. The killing of Sirhind Subhaedhar during the bloody war of Jan. 14th, 1764 and successfully capture of Sirhind, marked the beginning of Misl Raj. Slowly, the Punjab region from Jamuna to Attak came under the collective control of the misls. On May 15, 1765, Sikhs gained complete control of Lahore. Subsequently, Abdali attacked for the ninth time and Sikhs had to leave Lahore. However, they reassumed control as soon as he returned to Kabul. The final two attacks of Abdali were extremely weak. During his last attack he did not dare proceed any further and simply returned from Jaehlam. By now the Sikhs had successfully established their rule over the entire Punjab. -Ref. "Sikh Misla Tae Sardar Gharanae", (in Punjabi) by Sohan Singh Sital. 1848 Maharani Jindan was imprisoned in the fort at Benaras. ==> Maharani JIND KAUR: was daughter of Sardar Manna Singh Auhlakh, a resident of village Chandh, district Sialkot, Tehsil Jafarwall. She was wife of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and mother of Maharaja Dalip Singh. Once the British government gained control of the Khalsa Raj's affairs, she was initially kept under house arrest at Saekhupura and subsequently jailed at Chunar fort (U.P. district Mizapur). However, she escaped in a beggar's attire and reached Nepal, where she lived with dignity. In 1861, Maharani Jind Kaur reached England to visit her son Maharaja Dalip Singh, where she died on Aug. 1, 1863 at the age of 46. Her body was brought back and cremated in Nasik Nagar, on the outskirts of Bombay. On March 27, 1924, Maharaja Dalip Singh's daughter, Bamba Dalip Singh, brought the ashes of Maharani Jind Kaur from Nasik Nagar and buried it next to Maharaja Ranjit Singh's samadh. Sardar Harbans Singh Rais of Atari performed the last rights (antim Ardas) on this occasion. -Ref. Mahan Kosh (pp. 523) Here are a few glimpses of her life from "Maharani Jind Kaur" by Dr. B.S. Nijjar that also sheds light on the sad, unfortuante affairs of Sikh state after the death of Sher-i-Punjab, and offers a rare glimpse of the treachery of some Dogras and Brahmins. At one time the Dogras has become so influential that the Raja Hira Singh wanted to be the king by pushing aside Maharaja Dalip Singh. The Sikh army did not like him. They liked Maharaja Dalip Singh. There was a general discontent among the Sikh army and they were not happy with the way Rani was behaving. She had became louder in her demands. She asked for more jagirs for her brothers and more yearly allownaces for herself. She spoke of the designs against every survivor of the royal family and of intending flight to the southern side of Satluj where the English would at least secure for her son, his father's protected territory. This, of course, was a great miscalculation on her part. Rani an Accomplished Administrator However, Rani issued a proclamation praising the fidelity of the Khalsa troops. She had shown considerable energy and spirit in conducting the State business, with the courage and determination seldom shown by any woman in Sikh history. Lord Hardinge had un-willingly praised her for her regular life and devotion to the State affairs. She commanded the obedience of regimental committee as well as Sardars, who were also represented in the Supreme Council of Khalsa. However, she committed the impardonable sin of compromising with the Army. Several conferences with the military officers took place and at one of those, the Sardars said that the army would not let the Government go on. Weakness of Rani Harding wrote to Ellenborough about administration of Rani Jind Kaur, on October 23, 1845 A.D., "Rani now reviews the troops unveiled, and dressed as a dancing woman, which displeases the old but gratifies the yourng; but her irregularities are so monstrously indecent that the troops have held her horse and advised her to be more chaste or they would no longer style her the Mother of all the Sikhs." The officers adamantly told the Rani that that army could govern very well for itself. The demand of the increase in pay was, however, not conceded nor was it definitely refused. But the troops were declaring loudly that Rani and her brother were unfit to reign and must be imprisoned or put to death and Peshaura Singh [son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, but not of Jind Kaur] be seated on the throne. The general joy expressed at the death of Hira Singh [son of raja Gulab Singh dogra] and Pandit Jalla, was thus giving place to appreciation of the order and justice prevailing under their rule. The Khalsa army now became openly independent of the Civil authority and almost acted as Kingmakers. Jawahar Singh Comes to Power After the overthrow of of Raja Hira Singh and his favourite Pandit Jalla, the ministerial office was not immediately filled and for some time all power of the Sikh Kingdom remained in the hands of the "Army Panchayat." In May, 1845, A.D., however, Jawahar Singh brother of Rani came to power as he was appointed to the exhalted office of Prime Minister for five months from May 1845 to September 1845 A.D. The Prime Minister immediately did his best to win over the army. He raised the salary of the soldiers by half a ruppes and thus consolidate his position. [An verage soldier made about Rs/. 11 a month at that time.] The Dogra Rajas could not tolerate the high position of Jawahar Singh and thus spared no effort to exploit the Khalsa soldiers against him. Raja Gulab Singh instigated Pishaura Singh, another son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh to revolt as he was to be fully supported by the former. At the instigation of the Dogra Rajas, Prince Pishaura Singh revolted and occupied Attok, but was defeated by Jawahar Singh's forces and murdered. It was a blunder on the part of Jawahar Singh as the Sikh army did not appreciate this hasty step of their Prime Minister and turned against him. Raja Lal Singh, the Commander-in-chief of the Khalsa Army, all the more, exploited this situation. A meeting of the Army Panchayat was called and the matter was put before them. Ultimately Jawahar SIngh was summoned to appear before the Army Panchayat. Jawahar Singh was not unaware of the fury of the Army Panchayat. He rather fully anticipated his fate. Therefore, he took his nephew Maharaja Dalip Singh with him in the hope that the presence of the Maharaja might influence the Khalsa troops in his favour in securing a pardon. But the fierce and infuriated soldiery sorrounded the elephant on all sides, and the boy Dalip Singh was rougly snathced from the arms of his uncle. Jawahar Singh bowed before the troops, and with folded hands, implored them to hear him for a moment. They, however, would not allow him to utter a word even. He was stabbed with a bayonet on the left, and as he bent over on the right, a man sent a bullet through his brain. Jawahar Singh fell from the 'howdah' a corpse, and his body was dragged from the elephant and mangled with swords of those who sorrounded it. Bawa Rattan Singh and Bhai Chaittu, the councillors of Jawahar Singh, were killed without any ceremony, on the same spot. The cash, in gold and silver coins, which Jawahar Singh and the Rani had brought with them and their fort, was now plundered by the soldiers, and the Rani and her slave girls were compelled to retire to the tents which had some days previously been pitched for their reception. The whole thing was, thus, well premeditatd and planned. The boy Dalip Singh was separated from his mother for a while and kept with the soldiery, fearing that the Rani in her rage and excitement might destroy herself and her child. When these fears had subsided, the prince was again made over to his mother. The soldiers. however, kept a strict watch over Rani's tents the whole night, to prevent any accident. She passed the night in fearful screams and shrieks, lamenting over the death of her beloved brother and cursing the Khalsa. As morning broke, she was permitted to to see the mangled body of her brother. Her lamentations and painful cries renewed with a violence which moved the bystanders to pity and melted even the iron hearts of those who had been instrumental in causing her brother's murder. Weeping bitterly, Jind Kaur threw herself and her child on the body of her brother. When partly by entreaties and partly by force, she was separatd from the corpse, she rolled upon the ground, tearing her hair and her clothes. This hearth rending spectacle touched the sympathies of the most valorous spectators. The scene was terminated at noon, when the Maharaja with great difficulty, was persuaded to return to the city. The corpse of the murdered prime minister was also carried to the city, where his funeral obseques were performed outside the Masti Gate, in the presence of several Sardars of the court. From: "Maharani Jind Kaur" by Dr. B.S. 1931 Sadhu Singh Babbar of Sandhara sent to the gallows. 1946 British "Cabinet Mission" released their report.

bhul chuk maaf. daas was without the computer for the past few days. May 15th 1629 Mukhlis Khan reaches Amritsar with his forces to fight Guru Har Gobind Sahib. 1765 Conquest of Lahore by the Khalsa Forces. Ahmad Shah reached Lahore via Eminabad during his 7th invasion. Sikhs attacked his outposts conquered Lahore and assembled at Amritsar. 1850 Bhai Maharaj Singh was deported to Singapore aboard ship named "Mohammed Shah" guarded by soldiers of the 70th regiment. ==> 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.

May 12th 1710 Battle of Chaaper Chheri in which Nawab Wazir Khan was killed. 1979 Calcutta Gurdwara Burnt. 1984 Murder of Sri Ramesh, editor of Hind Samachar. joey888, no problem.

May 11th 1835 Dost Mohd. agitated over Sikh occupation of Peshawar in 1834 made war preparation but left battle field at Attock. Dost Mohd., agitated over Sikh occupation of Peshawar, wrote to Maharaja Ranjit Singh to hand over Peshawar or be prepared to face a war. Ranjit Singh sent an equally strong rejoinder. Dost Mohd. made a religious issue to incite fellow tribals against Sikhs and made elaborate preparations. Maharaja Ranjit Singh sent a large force under Hari Singh Nalwa but also played the diplomatic game of breaking away minor tribal chiefs with money and allurements. Gulab Singh and Avitable were sent to Kohat and Venfura joined Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Attock. Dost Mohd. realising his weakness left the field with bag and baggage during night on this day. 1922 Sunder Singh Makhsuspuri and Arjan Singh of Sundh were arrested and Kishan Singh Gargaj narrowly escaped. 1981 Akali party passed resolution Sikhs are a Nation. The Akali Party passes the resolution Sikhs are a Nation. On Mar. 25, 1981 the SGPC unanimously passed the resolution Sikhs are a nation. With the passing of such a resolution by the Sikh Parliament and with the ratification of this resolution by the Jathedar of the Akal Takht on April 21, 1981, the issue stood finally decided by the whole of the Sikh nation. On May 11, 1981, the Akali Party also passed a resolution to that effect. The Sikhs Are a Nation proposal was part of S. Ganga Singh Dhillon's speech at 54th All India Sikh Educational Conference that took place on March 13, 14, and 15, 1981. In his presidential address, S. Ganga Singh Dhillon wrote: SIKHS ARE A NATION We all are born equal, with a human right to preserve our religious and cultural heritage, improve our economic inheritance and freedom to mould our destiny. -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.

May 10th 1479 Prakash Utsav, Third Patshah, Guru Amar Das Ji. 1887 Maharaja Dalip Singh sought help of Russian ruler Alexander III to fight against the British government. 1924 6th Jatha of 500 Akalis, led by Prem Singh of Kokri, started its march to Jaito. 1930 Master Tara Singh arrested for marching in support of atrocities against Pathans. 1955 Agitation launched against the imposition of ban on the slogan Punjabi Suba Zindabad was launched. 10,000 courted arrests. This is known as a small agitation for Punjabi Suba. 1984 Giani Pratap Singh, Jathedar Sri Akal Takhat is murdered.

May 9th 1915 Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh arrested for participation in an unsuccessful attempt to attack Ferozepur Fort. 1988 Indian government killed numreous innocent GurSikhs at Sri Darbar Sahib.

May 8th 1705 Battle of Mukatsar and Martyrdom of Chaali Muktey. 1839 Khalsa forces captured Kandhar and established Shah Sujaul Mulak as the ruler.

May 7th 1665 Guru Tegh Bahadhur visited Kiratpur. 1845 Baba Bir Singh of Naurangabad was assassinated at the hands of the treacherous dogra Raja Hira Singh. He was a great Sikh saint of Khalsa Raj period. ==> BHAI BIR SINGH was born on Saun Sudhi 3 Sunmat 1825, in village Gugobuha (near Amritsar) to father Sewa Singh and mother Matta Dharam Kaur. During his youth, he served in the forces of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Bhai Bir Singh was spiritually influenced by the sangat of Baba Bhag Singh of Kuri and Baba Sahib Singh of Unni. He was so influenced by their sangat that he was regularly seen continuously reciting Vaaheguru's jaap. Later he came to be recognized as the most influential Saint Sikh during Maharaja Ranjit Singh's period. Dasodha Singh of Naurangabad, impressed by the dedication, love and sewa of Baba Bir Singh, brought him to his village where an institution was established for Naam Simaran and langar. Many lives in the Maza region was directly influenced by Baba Bir Singh's preachings. Daily langer was prepared and humbly served to thousands without regard to their caste, religion, or region. Once during Sunmat 1901, when Baba Bir Singh was visiting Harikae Patter along with six thousand Sikhs, Sardar Atar Singh Sandhawalia sought refuge with Babaji after running away from the Lahore affairs. Learning of this, Raja Hira Singh Dogra sent his forces to bring Sardar Atar Singh. However, Baba Bir Singh refused to arrest and return Sardar Atar Singh, saying "he would not return anyone taking refuge in Gurughar". This angered Raja Hira Singh Dogra, who ordered the immediate arrest of both Baba Bir Singh and Sardar Atar Singh by force. Despite the appeals of Sikhs to match and demonstrate their strength against attacks from Hira Singh Dogra's forces, Baba Bir Singh preached restraint, saying "we do not fight our own brothers, even when they are clearly wrong. Because doing so would be going against the teachings of our Gurus" Further, he ordered those unable to sit in peace with him to return to their respective homes. Raja Hira Singh Dogra's forces attack the Sikh Sangat with tanks and other heavy artillery. Baba Bir Singh's right knee was shattered by a tank shell. His body littered with bullets and thousands of Sikhs were killed. On 27 Vaisakh 1901, Baba Bir Singh bullet ridden body was placed on a Palang and disposed in the flowing river. However, Babaji's Palang came ashore at Muthiawalae Pind where Ganda Singh Ramgariha recovered and respectfully cremated the body. Babaji's ashes were later taken to Naurangabad where a samaad was erected. Even today, Baba Bir Singh's dehra is active in Naurangabad where Katha, keertan, and langar is in daily progress. -Ref. Mahan Kosh (pp. 879) Here are some facts related to the incident that led to the assassination of Baba Bir Singh Ji.: Maharaja Kharak Singh (son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and ruler of Punjab after Ranjit Singh) died on 3 November 1840. His son Nau Nihal Singh was murdered by Raja Dhian Singh Dogra on 5 November 1840. Sher Singh (another son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh ) was proclaimed Maharaja on 9 November 1840 and Raja Dhian Singh Dogra along with Attar Singh Sandhawalia became his ministers. This was opposed by Maharani Chand Kaur (wife of Kharak Singh and mother of Nau Nihal Singh) who asserted that if a son was born to the wife of Nau Nihal Singh, he should become Maharaja (she was pregnant at the time of Nau Nihal's death). Sher Singh occupied the Lahore fort by force with the help of Dhian Singh Dogra. Fort was defended by Gulab Singh Dogra who supported Chand Kaur. In this way two Dogra brothers were fighting on either side by having the Sikhs do the fighting for them. Sandhawalis Attar Singh and Lehna Singh along with their nephews Ajit Singh and Kehar Singh were on the side of the Sher Singh but they did not like Dhian Singh Dogra. Dhian Singh Dogra convinced Sher Singh that Sandhawalis were a threat along with Chand Kaur (mother of Nau Nihal Singh) and wife of Nau Nihal Singh. Shere Singh had both Chand Kaur and her daughter-in-law murdered (she was pregnant with the child of Nau Nihal Singh). This outraged Sandhawalis. Attar Singh and Ajit Singh escaped to the British side but Lehna Singh and Kehar Singh were arrested and put behind bars. The British with the help of Gulab Singh Dogra and Dhian Singh Dogra persuaded Maharaja Sher Singh to pardon Sandhawalis. After there return to Lahore Lehna Singh and Ajit Singh murdered Maharaja Sher Singh and his son Partap Singh on 15 September 1843. They also murdered Dhian Singh Dogra. The real intentions of the Sandhawalias was to install Dalip Singh (youngest son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh) as the Maharaja of Punjab. This was to perpetuate their indirect control over the affairs of the state. Hira Singh Dogra (son of murdered Dhian Singh Dogra) was able to win over the Army. Lehna Singh and Ajit Singh were killed by Hira Singh in a battle and Hira Singh Dogra occupied the fort. Hira Singh Dogra also tried to kill Pashaura Singh and Kashira Singh (other two remaining sons of Maharaja Ranjit Singh) with the help of Gulab Singh Dogra. Seeing this bloodshed in Lahore, Attar Singh Sandhawalia escaped into British area. He returned to visit Baba Bir Singh Naurangabad near Tarn Taran. Hira Singh Dogra saw this an opportunity to kill the other Sandhawalia and finish any resistance to his rule. He attacked Baba Bir Singh's dera killing Baba Ji and Attar Singh. Soon after this battle Hira Singh Dogra Killed his uncle Suchet Singh Dogra. This whole incident outraged the population. Hira Singh Dogra tried to escape but was killed by Sikh soldiers let by Sham Singh Atariwala killed Hira Singh, his advisor Pandit Jalla and Sohan Singh Dogra son of Gulab Singh Dogra. Of the 4 Dogra Brothers who were employed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh and they were responsible for the down fall of Sikh Kingdom, only Gulab Singh survived along with his on son left to succeed him. Karan Siingh (who was recently Indian ambassador to the US ) is a great-great grandson of Gulab Singh. 1923 Maharaja Ripudaman Singh of Nabha deposed by the British. ==> 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)

May 5th 1723 Jassa Singh Ramgharia was born. ==> JASSA SINGH RAMGARIHA, son of Giani Bhagwan Singh of Saedbaegh village, Lahore. He was an accomplished scholar of weaponry and an effortfull individual. He together with Nand Singh Sanghani constructed the "Ram Rahuni" from scratch. When the Adinabaeg general blew up the Ram Rahuni, Jassa Singh re-erected it and named it "Ram Gadh". Henceforth, he came to be known as Jassa Singh Ramgarihia. And his group also was popularly known as Ramgarihias. Just like other Sikh misls, the Ramgarihia misl established its rule and served the GurSikh Panth. Jassa Singh conquered DinaNagar, Batala, KalaNaur, Sri Gobindpur, Kadia, Ghumaan, etc. cities and parts of Doaba. He was particularly popular for raging wars to rescue brahmin girls from the Hissar rulers and return them to their respective homes. Jassa Singh Ramgarihia was a practicing Gurbani enthusiast, partaker of food only after serving others, and a brave warrior. He took part in the Khalsa battles against Ahmed Shah Duranni. Jassa Singh Ramgarihia died in 1802. His son Jodh Singh joined with Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1808. The Ramgarihia bunga at Amritsar, erected in remembrance of Jassa Singh Ramgarihia, is popular even today. -Ref. Mahan Kosh 1739 Sikhs attacked Nadar on his return trip to Persia and rescued a large booty and thousands of captive Hindu women. The Sikhs attacked Nadir Shah, who was returning with his troops to Persia after ransacking Delhi.Nadir Shah invaded India and looted Delhi. He annexed trans-Indus areas of the Mughal empire viz.Afghanistan, North Western province, Sindh, Gujrat and Sialkot to his Persian empire. Due to disturbed conditions, Sikhs again started their guerilla attacks on state officials, traders and Government cash in transit. Sikhs attacked the rear of Nadir Shah and looted his baggage train. Many prisoners were also got released. The surprise raids were primarily at the times when Afghans were fording swollen rivers. The Sikhs successfully relieved Nadir Shah of the large booty he was carrying. Furthermore, they rescued thousands of captive Hinduwomen. Each and every rescued woman was rejoined with her families. ==> NADIR SHAH: Nadir Kulli Khan, son of ImamKulli, was born in 1687. Through diligent efforts and intelligence, he won the Safavi family and assumed the throne of Persia. Later he captured Kabul Kadar in 1739 and subsequently attacked Hindustan. After winning the battle of Karnal, Nadir Shah reached Delhi looting the country on the way. The Delhi ruler Muhammud Shah made an unsuccessful attempt to defend Delhi. Subsequently, both parties reached an amenable agreement. Unfortunately, some Delhi resident spread a rumor that Nadir Shah was killed inside the fort. As a result, a few of Nadir's soldiers were killed by Delhi residents. Nadir presented himself in Delhi mosque and drew his sword ordering the random killing of those present. Many thousands were killed in 9 hours of carnage which earned him the title of Nadir Shah "the killer". Nadir Shah looted Delhi, took the famous peacock throne, Kohinoor, and other valuables before departing towards Iran. However, on his way, he was attacked by the Khalsa forces who recovered much of his loot. Returning from Hindustan, Nadir captured the portion of Afganistan, west of Sindh, with Iran. -Ref. Mahan Kosh (pp. 691) 1834 Peshawar conquered and Khalsa raj extended Raj upto Jamraud, Afghanistan. Kanwar Naunihal Singh and Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa conquered Peshawar and extended the territory of Khalsa Raj upto Jamraud (Afghanistan). Further this territory was named Sumaergadh. ==> Sardar HARI SINGH NALWA was born to father, Sardar Gurdayal Singh Uppal and mother, Mata Dharam Kaur at Gujrawala in 1781. Besides being a valiant soldier, Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa also served as Governor of Kashmir, Hjara, and Peshawar. He joined Maharaja Ranjit Singh's forces in his early youth and established himself to be one of the most popular Khalsa generals. Among the Sirhadhi Pathans, his name brought immediate fear and respect. He is part of their folklore to this day. He won numerous wars for the Khalsa Panth and died, on Vaisakh 19 sunmat 1894, in the battle near Sirhadhi Jamraud. A place is established within Jamraud fort in remembrance of PanthRattan Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa. -Ref. Mahan Kosh (pp. 267) ==> NAUNIHAL SINGH: was born in Lahore on Feb. 11, 1820, to mother Chand Kaur, daughter of Sardar Jaemal Singh of Kanaeya Misl, and father Khadak Singh, son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Naunihal was Maharaja's favorite since early childhood. He received timely religious educated from Giani Sant Singh, weaponry education from Sardar Lehna Singh Majiniya, Sardar Hari Singh Nalua, and General Vaentura Bapaegae. He married Nanaki (daughter of Sardar Sham Singh Attariwalae) in March of 1837. From early childhood, Naunihal was being personally groomed for succession by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He proved to be worthy of such attention and enlarged the Sikh raj boundaries by conquering several neighboring states. The conquest of Peshawer in 1834 was monumental in establishing a deep affection for the young Naunihal, among the Khalsa forces and the public at large. When Maharaja Khadak Singh assumed power after Maharaja Ranjit Singh's death, Raja Dhyan Singh Dogra's jealousy plotted the friction among Naunihal and his father. Slowly through false information, father was turned into an arch enemy. As a result, Naunihal Singh put his father under house arrest and assumed the control of SikhRaj. On Nov. 5 1840, as Naunihal Singh was returning from the cremation of his father's body, he was crushed by the unexpected fall of fort entrances roof. From the eye witness accounts of Col. Alexander Gardner, it is evident that Naunihal was deliberately murdered. -Ref. Mahan Kosh (pp. 721-722) 1948 Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU) was formed. ==> EAST PUNJAB STATES: Patiala, Nabha, Jind, Faridkot, and Malerkotla were the Sikh states in the East Punjab before the integration of Indian States in 1948. The first four were the Sikh states under the sovereignty of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and were brought under British protection by the 1809 treaty of Amritsar. Patiala, Nabha, and Jind, also known as Phulkian states, share a common ancestor Phul, who was descendent of Baryam. The Emperor, in 1526, had granted Baryam, the office of revenue collection for the waste country south-west of Delhi. Emperor Shah Jahan continued Phul in this office. From his eldest son descended the families of Nabha and Jind while from his second son the Patiala family. The Faridkot family, founded in the middle 16th century sprang from the same stock as the Phulkians chiefs. The remaining two states were Kapurthala and Malerkotla. The Kapurthala rulers belonged to the Ahluwalia family. The real founder of this family was Raja Jessa Singh, a contemporary of Nadir Shah. The malerkotla rulers were Sherwani Afghans who traced their descent from Sheikh Sadruddin who had received 68 villages near Ludhiana in marriage gifts when he married the daughter of Sultan Bahlol Lodi. The Sikh states geographically lay in three blocks. The main block comprising the territories of Patiala, Nabha, Jind, Malerkotla and Faridkot was in the centre of East Punjab and was fairly compact. Kapurthala State, composed of two enclaves in the Jullunder district, was in the north of East Punjab. The outlaying districts of Narnual, Dadri, and Badwal, which formed parts of Patiala, Jind, and Nabha States respectively, lay with the geographical orbit of the southern districts of East Punjab. There were also islands of Patiala State in what is now Himachal Pradesh. At the time of India's independence, there were divergent opinions as to the integration of the above states. On Feb. 11, 1948, Giani Kartar Singh, then President of Akali Dal, suggested the formation of the Union of Sikh States.He was opposed to the idea of merging those States with East Punjab, as it would further undermine the Sikh's position who had suffered tremendously because of the partition of Punjab. On Feb. 22, there was a much advertised proposal to form a unit of 4 States of Est Punjab, but that proposal fizzled out because of disagreements among their rulers. The Nationalist Sikh opinion, though not vocal at that time, was in favor of a separate Union of all the Punjab States. Further, the government of India felt special responsibility to ensure that these States, particularly as they were border States, should be organized on proper and efficient lines. On May, 5, 1948, Patiala and Easy Punjab States Union, hereafter called PEPSU, was formed. The covenant was signed by the rulers of eight States, the Maharaja of Patiala signing also on behalf of the minor rulers of Kalsia. On July 15, 1948, PEPSU was inaugurated. Sardar Patel called this occasion a landmark in the history of India's progress. The area of PEPSU was to be 10,000 square miles, while its population was 34,24,060, and an annual budget of a little more than 5 crores. Sardar Patel administered the oath of to the Maharaja of Patiala as the first RajPramukh, who in turn administered the oath to Maharaja Kapurthala as teh UprajPramukh, swearing allegiance to the Centre and Indian Union, promising to do justice to all people in accordance with the laws and usages of the Country without fear, favor or ill-will. Due to the obvious differences between the three major parties at the time, no ministries could be announced. A care-taker ministry was formed with Sardar Gian Singh Raraewala as the head. The three major parties included Prajamandal (Congress party in the state was generally addressed by this name), Akali Dal, and Lok Sewak Sabha (patronized by Sardar Udham Singh Nagoke). On Jan. 13, 1949, a broad based ministry was constituted to conduct the adminsitration of PEPSU. It comprised of Sardar Gian Singh Rarewala (as the head), Col. Raghbir Singh, Gianai Zail Singh, Chaudhri Nihal Singh Takshak, Pandit Ram Nath, Mr. Lachhman Dass Advocate, Sardar Ajit Singh of Rampura Phul, and Sardar Harcharan Singh Advocate of Bhatinda. Only 10 month later, this ministry was disolved and the government of India took over the administration of PEPSU. On May 23, 1951, a 7-person ministry was sworn in. It consisted of Sarvshri Raghbir Singh (Col.), Brish Bhan, Giani Zail Singh, Nihal Singh Takshak, DEs Raj Gupta, Tirath Singh, and Sampuran Singh as cabinet ministers while Sardar Harchand Singh and Mr. Roshan Lal were the two deputy ministers. On Jan, 7, 1952, PEPSU went to the polls for electing a 60-member state assembly with Congress winning 26 seats and Akali winning 19 seats. On March 1, 1952, Col. Raghbir Singh was unanimously elected as the Leader of the Congress Assembly Party. On March 19, the Congress Ministry was announced and administered the oath of office. Political activities in PEPSU centered around economic and social but certainly not on religious considerations. The problem of antagonistic relations between the landlords and tenants was so enormous that it almost defied a solution. Maharja Patiala's father-in-law, Sardar Harchand Singh Jeji, played a vital role in PEPSU politics. He has always been associated with the Akali movement in the pricely States. After the settlement of disputes over the Gurudwaras, the Akalis from the states began to agitate against teh autocratic misuse of power by the maharajas, chiefly Bhupendra Singh of Patiala. Bhupendra Singh retaliated by having the leading agitator, Seva Singh Thikrivala, transfered from Lahore and interned in Patiala on false charges of theft. The Akalis took up the case of Thikrivala and let loose a campaign publicising Bhupendra Singh's amorous escapades and the sadistic behavior of his police. Though Maharaja was able to win over a section of the Akalis, he could not silence the Punjabi and Urdu press. In 1928, Akalis from the states joined with Hindu nationlists and founded the Praja Mandal (States People's Association). The mandal was later affiliated to the All India States People's Congress, which in turn was associated with the Indian National Congress. Sewa Singh Thikrivala was the moving spirit behind the Mandal. He was arrested several times and in 1935 succumbed to third degree methods practised on him by the Maharaja's Jailers. As a result of the murder of Thikrivala, the anti-Maharaja, ant-British movement gained momemtum in all princely ststes of the Punjab. As far as teh language problem, PEPSU was linguistically divided for educational purposes. The Hindi speaking region consisted of the districts of Mahendragarh and Kohistan (including Chhachrauli tehsil minus Dera Bassi) and the tehsils of Jind and Narwana. The rest of the State was declared to be Punjabi zone. In one zone, Hindi in Devnagri script; in the other Punjabi in Gurmukhi were made the media of instruction and in both the other language was made compulsory from the 4th primary class upwarsd. There was no provision for choice of the medium of instruction in Punjab. -Ref. The Illustrated History of the Sikhs (1947-78), by Gur Rattan Pal Singh. ==> PATIALA FAMILY traces its descent to Maharaja Gaj, founder of the town Gazni (now in Afghanistan) in the first quarter of the 16th century. His descendents, Maharawal Jaisal, founded the State of Jaisalmer and his grand son, Rao Hans Raj, is considered the ancestor of Patiala family. However, Tawarikh Guru Khalsa written by Giani Gian Singh, traces the Patiala family descent to Chaudhri Phul, a Sidhu Jat in "Malwa country" and the Chaudhri belonged to the 23rd generation of the family of Bhatti Rajputs. When Bhim Mal came to Punjab in 1237 he helped Shahabuddin Gauri, in his attack on Delhi and in lieu of that, he was given the area comprising of Hissar, Sirsa, etc. In 1251, he built a fort in Hissar town. After his death, his son Jawand Rao succeeded and had 21 sons. According to Giani Gian Singh, Chaudhri Phul, son of Chaudhri Rup Chand, belonged to the family tree belonging to the descendents of Jawand Rao. When Guru Har Rai Patshah visited Malwa in 1702 B.K., Chaudhri Kala, brother of Chaudhri Rup Chand, brought his two nephews, Phul and Sandali to the Guru. On instructions of their uncle, who was acting as their guardian, both Phul and Sandali started beating their bellies and when Guru Sahib asked the reason, Chaudhri Kala explained that his nephews wanted to sariate their hunger. At that time, Guru Sahib blessed and ordained that the Phul family would reign for a considerable period of time and that it would feed lakhs of people. Chaudhri Phul died in 1745 B.K. and was succeeded by his two sons, Talok Chand and Ram Chand, who were introduced to amrit by Guru Gobind Singh in 1761 and were subsequently named Talok Singh and Ram Singh. Because of their great services to Guru Sahib, the two brothers were blessed and the Guru ordained "My house is your house and I am much pleased with you". Maharaj Ram Singh, who effectively controlled the areas surrounding Patiala, was murdered in 1771 B.K. (1741) at the hands of Chain Singh, Uggar Sain and Biru. He was succeeded by six sons, Baba Ala Singh proved to be the most dominating and promising. He was introduced to amrit by Nawab Kapur Singh. The Patiala family attained prominence during Baba Ala Singh reign, who founded the State of Patiala by defeating the neighboring chieftains. Emperor Shah Jahan conferred the title "Raja" on Baba Ala Singh. Unfortunately, the Patiala family often acted against interest of the Sikhs. They were often concerned with propagating their own family business interests firs and foremost. Among the damage they did to the Panth was the reinforcement of the Brahminincal tradition of Nirmalae Sikhs and in total disrespect to GurSikh women many Patialites kept countless Ranis, performed anti Sikhi parades, etc. When Gadarites were orgainzing in US and Baba Khadak Singh was pursuing Keys Morcha and Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh was organinsing Rakab Ganj protest, Patialites were busy bootlicking British reprentatives. They offered many naive young rural Sikhs for deployment in Greece, North Africa and Europe, who eventually sacrificed their lives for a war they had absolutely nothing to do with. The Sikhs continously failed to recognize Patialites and remained loyal to them, even during partition talks (when Patiala family's daughter was to be wed with Dr. Ambedkar's nephew and 100 million of Dalits who were going to embrace Sikhism were thrown out by a series of calculated malicious events). For these reasons and many more, PATIALA FAMILY were never considered a part of the Khalsa Misls and remained as fringe elements to GurSikh society. -Ref. The Illustrated History of the Sikhs (1947-78), by Gur Rattan Pal Singh. May 6th 1897 First year classess of Khalsa College were held in Amritsar. The first year classes of Khalsa College were held in the newly and partly built building in Amritsar, near the present Guru Nanak Dev University campus. 1930 Firing at the Sees Ganj, Delhi. The police fired on Gurudwara Sees Ganj, Delhi. Congress workers had entered the Gurdwara premises and were throwing brickbats on police. In retaliation, the police fired, when the bullets hit Guru Granth Sahib. This caused widespread resentment among the Sikhs. The SGPC launched a campaign for boycott and picketing of foreign cloth shops in protest against this firing. Though Kharak Singh sought to maintain a distinct identity of the Sees Ganj agitation, it certainly gave strength to the Civil Disobedience Movement. Sikhs contributions to this movement was disproportionately large. -Source The Sikhs in History, by Sangat Singh, 1995

May 4th 1479 PRAKASH UTSAV, Patshahi Third, Guru Amardas Ji. The Third Patshah, Guru Amardas Ji, came to this planet. He was born in Baserke, district Amritsar, 13 kilometers from the city of Amritsar, in the house of Baba Tej Bahan and Matta Lakho. He was ten years younger than Guru Nanak. Today is the actual date of prakash, though Guru Khalsa Panth observes it on a different date (See description below for details on Guru Amar Das Ji). ==> GURU AMAR DAS (1479-1574), the seventy-three years old disciple who had distinguished himself for his humility and simplicity in Guru Angad's holy company was nominated Guru in 1552. Born of orthodox Hindu parents in Baserke, a Punjab village, in Vaisakh sudhi 14th sunmat 1536 (May 5, 1479) to father TaejBhan and mother Sulakhani, Guru Amar Das married Srimatti Mansa Devi Ji on Magh 11th sunmat 1559. The marriage resulted in two daughters, Bibi Dani and Bhani, and two sons, Baba Mohan and Mohari. Guru Amar Das was a great pilgrim. Once he happened to listen to a rapturous chanting of Guru Nanak's Japji by Bibi Amro, Guru Angad's daughter and his nephew's wife. He was so much enthralled by its supernal note that he repaired instantly to Guru Angad, the Second Master. He spent about 12 years, from 1540 to 1552 in selfless service and deep meditation, amidst an aura of holiness and splendor radiating from his beloved Guru. Amar Dass became a sikh of Guru Angad Patshah in sunmat 1597 and ascended to Guru Gadhi on Vaisakh 3rd sunmat 1609. While expounding the gospel of Guru Nanak, the Third Master laid special stress on the service of the Guru and contemplation of the Lord's Name. He asserted that man could attain Sahaj (tranquility) through the path of the holy name. All doubts disappear and he attains Ananda (bliss) a stage achieved by the Bhakts through God-realization. He also held that these values could be acquired only through the Guru's grace. During the 22 years of his ministry, Guru Amar Das took quite a few significant measures to consolidate the Sikh religion, as also to endear it to the masses of men. To widen the scope of the movement, he made Goindwal his missionary centre. Here he caused a big bavalli (a sort of well) dug and organized festivals on the occasion of Deepavall and Baisakhi. A large number of Sikhs from far-flung places flocked to Goindwal. Indeed it became the first place of pilgrimage. Besides, the Guru set up twenty-two manjis, or dioceses in different parts of the country where Sikhism had taken roots. Each Manji was placed under the charge of a pious Sikh with whose effort the Sikh Sangats (congregations) met daily and chanted the Guru's hymns. The Third Master invested the institution of langar with a kind of inviolable sanctity. Thus, no one could, have darshan of the Guru without first partaking of food in the langar. This had the desired effect of proclaiming and establishing the essential equality of all mankind. In the Guru's Temple of Bread, the rich and the poor, the high-born and the untouchable, ate together as members of an integrated human family. The Guru also fought other rampant social evils like Sati, drink and Purdah. With a view to marking out the Sikhs as a distinct people, Guru Amar Das prescribed a set of rites to be followed on occasions such as birth and death. The Guru also visited Hindu cities of pilgrimage and there, too, he propagated the gospel of Guru Nanak. Guru Amar Das Patshah left for heavenly abode on Bhado Sudi 15 sunmat 1631 (Sept. 1, 1574 after serving 22 years, 5 months, and 23 days as teh third Guru of GurSikhism. Guru Amar Dass Jini Saewiyo Tin Dukh Darad Parhar Parae (sawia M. 3 Kae) -Ref. Guru Granth Ratnavali, (pp. 142) by Dr. D.S. Mani, Sardar Bakhshish Singh, and Dr. Gurdit Singh Mahan Kosh (pp. 74) 1686 Janam Utsav of Sahibjada Baba Ajit Singh Ji, the eldest son of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, was born to Mata Sundari at Paonta Sahib on Magh 23 sunmat 1743. He fought valiantly and accepted martyrdom in the battle field at Chamkaur on Poh 8th sunmat 1761 (Dec. 22, 1704). -Ref. Mahan Kosh (pp. 48) 1946 General Mohan Singh INA liberated from Delhi Jail. ==> General MOHAN SINGH, founder of INA (Indian National Army), was born in 1909 at village Ugoki, district Sialkot. His father, an agriculturist of modest means, had breathed his last before his birth and his mother died when he was just five. He was brought up by his maternal uncle. He received education at Khalsa High School, Sialkot, up to Matriculation and then joined army. He competed for King's Commission and was selected. He was promoted to Captain's position in 1940. At that time the Second World War was at full swing. In 1941 he went to Malaya to fight back the Japanese who were posing a serious threat to the British Empire. However, he was not happy with treatment his fellow Indian soldiers received from the British officers. When he was fighting against the Japanese, he came in contact with them. He approached them to secure their support in raising an Indian National Army to oust Britishers from India. Within a week of his joining the Japanese, he raised an army of one thousand men and fought agianst the British in Malaya. By that time Singapore fell and he has about 10,000 Indian soldiers under his command. Afer working with the Japanese for 13 months he discovered that they were not sincere in their friendship towards India. The Japanese knew that he could not be made a puppet in their hands and they threw him in the jail. By that time INA consisted of 17,000 armed and equiped soldiers, some 25,000 trained soldiers (who did not have arms) and about 200,000 volunteers. When in 1945 after the fall of an atom bomb in Japan, the Japanese laid down their arms and Mohan Singh escaped from the jail went into hiding in the Island of Java. Later he surrendered to the British. he was brought to Delhi as a prisoner on November 23, 1945 and in the due course of time was released like other INA officers. -Ref. Eminent Freedom Fighters of Punjab, edited by Fauja Singh, published by Punjabi University Patiala. PLEASE NOTE:-: INA which is also known as Azad Hind Fauj, was not started by Subhash Chander Bose. It was started by General Mohan Singh. General Mohan Singh was alive when Eminent Freedom Fighters of Punjab was published in 1972. He joined the Congress party after the independence and later became member of Raj Sabha (upper house of Indian parliament).

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May 3rd 1705 Siege of Anadpur was initiated. It lasted seven months and ended on Dec. 4, 1705. 1718 Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia was born. ==> Sardar JASSA SINGH AHLUWALIA was born in 1718. He was son of Ahluwalia resident Bader Singh. His close association with Nawab Kapur Singh influenced him in service of GurPanth. Raja Amir Singh of Patiala was introduced to amrit by him. He was a great General of the Khalsa forces during the 18th century and was called Sultan-ul-Quom, king of the nation, his heroic deeds and qualities of leadership. He killed Hakim SalabatKhan of Amritsar, in 1748, and captured the surrounding region. In 1789, he helped Diwan KodhaMal in removing ShahanWadh from Multan. In 1753, he defeated Hakim Adinabaegh and conquered Fataibad. He won the successful release of enslaved Hindu men and women from Ahmad Shah Durani. As a result he came to be popularly known as BandiShoadh (liberator). He bravely fought in Wada Ghulughara (the big holocaust). Even after receiving 22 grave bounds, he kept fighting. He was head as well as the life of the Ahluwalia Misl. In 1774, he captured Kapurthala state, established his capital there, and issues coins under our Gurus name. He was extremely popular among our Panth. He dies in 1783 in Amritsar. A monument in his memory was erected near Baba Atal, in Amritsar. -Ref. Mahan Kosh 1914 Morcha launched for Rakab Ganj Gurudwara. ==> RAKAB GANJ Gurudwara marks the place where Guru Teg Bahadhur's beheaded body was cremated. When Guru Teg Bahadur was beheaded by Aurangzeb in Chandni Chowk Delhi and his body was carried away by Bhai Lakhi Rai (Shah), his disciple, to his residence at Rikabganj, he put his whole house to flames to creamate the body of Guru Sahib. Later he placed the remains in a metal vessel, buries it at the exact location of creamation hoping to build a shrine to commemorate the Guru's martyrdom. In 1707, when Guru Gobind Singh came to Delhi, the shrines were built at Sis Ganj and Rakab Ganj. Rakab Ganj is the place where the body of 9th Guru was cremated. Later in 1790, when Bhagael Singh conquered Delhi, he constructed the Gurudwara on this location. Today, RakabGanj is situated on Gurudwara road in New Delhi, right opposite the goverment buildings. ==> MORCHA OF RAKAB GANJ How did it Get Started? With the transfer of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911, preparations began to be made to build the Viceregal Lodge opposite the place where Gurdwara Rakab Ganj is situated. The government considered that the old six-cornered enclosures walls of the Gurdwara was too ugly to stand in front of the Viceroy's palace and proposed that it should be demolished. In 1912 under the Land Acquisition Act the government acquired from an accommodating Mahant the whole land lying between the Gurdwara and the outer wall. The Cheif Khalsa Diwan, whom the British government accepted as the only representative body of the Sikhs, seemed inclined to accept the Government position in view of the fact that the government did not want to do so to injure the feelings of the Sikhs but simply to improve the appearance of the Gurdwara. On January 14, 1914, the British Indian Government razed the wall of the Gurdwara to the ground on the pretence of making the road straight. The wall was 400 long, 2 feet thick, and 11 feet high. The bricks of this wall were used for the construction of the raod. 50 Bighas of land (about 25 acres) belonging to the Gurdwara was also taken for the purpose of constructing a raod and a sum of Rs. 8000 was deposited to take possession of the Garden within the wall. This wall too was razed to the ground. The Sikh community was shocked and had justified fears that the whole historical shrine might be demolished in the due course. The Cheif Khalsa Diwan came under fire and was blamed for permitting the British government to commit this act of sacrilege. While the ultra loyalists like Arur Singh, Raja Sir Daljit Singh and Gajjan Singh of Narangwal supported and even encouraged the Government to go ahead with its plan, Sir Sunder Singh Majithia and his Chief Khalsa Diwan Executive soon realized that they has committed a blunder.Sardar Harbans Singh Attari and Sardar Harchand Singh (members of Cheif Khalsa Diwan Executive) walked out of a ChieF Khalsa Diwan meeting by saying that Chief Khalsa Diwan was betraying the Sikhs by its abject submission to the British Government. The first thing S. Harchand Singh did was to meet with Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh and explain to him the inside story as to how some of the ultra loyalists had sold the interests of the Sikhs to the British government. Only Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh could awaken the masss. Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh took up the cause seriously and brought about the awakening of the type Baba Ram Singh brought some decades ago. The first telegram of strong protest against the demolition of the wall was sent to the Viceroy by him on behalf of his Jatha which he called Tat Khalsa Sangat, Narangwal. On April 12, 1914 on the Baisakhi festival Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh organized a large Panthic Conference with the help of Baba Jawand Singh Nihang of Patti. Thousands of people attended the conference. A resolution was passed that a strong agitation would be launched to prevent the descration of the historical temple. Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh announced, he alongwith a Shahidi Jatha of 500 would sacrifice his life to prevent the descration and demolition of the historical shrine. Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh was later arrested under Second Lahore Conspiracy Case and spent about 16-17 years in the Indian prisons. The wall of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj was rebuilt on April 28, 1921. -Ref. 1. Sri Amritsar Ji De Darshan Ishnan ate 500 <banned word filter activated> Di Itihasik Directory. 2. Autobiography of Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh (English translation of Jail Chittia(n) by Dr. Trilochan Singh). Most of the detail is taken from the Translator's Introductory Thesis of this work.