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  1. How Christianity is growing among Mazhabi Sikhs & Valmiki Hindus in Punjab’s villages Christianity is growing in Punjab, mirroring what states like Tamil Nadu experienced in the 1980s and 1990s. Small churches are springing up on the rooftops of many villages. SHUBHANGI MISRA 2 December, 2021 10:44 am IST A Catholic church in Fatehgarh Churian, Gurdaspur | Shubhangi Misra | ThePrint Text Size: A- A+ Amritsar/Gurdaspur: Atop a roof in an obscure gully in Fatehgarh Churian, a Pentecostal church is in full swing. “Rabba rabba rabba rabba, pita parmeshwar teri aatma rahe… rabba rabba rabba rabba rabba…” a young boy raps into the mic, boosted to its maximum volume, adding to the trippy and eerie mood. The pastor places his hand on the heads of disciples as they shake violently. Some faint, others cry. But all are waiting for a miracle. Christianity is growing in Punjab, mirroring what states like Tamil Nadu experienced in the 1980s and 1990s. Small churches are springing up on the rooftops of many villages in Gurdaspur. Tired of centuries of casteism and systemic oppression, many Dalits, belonging to the Mazhabi Sikh and Valmiki Hindu communities living in Punjab’s border belt, have started looking to Christianity in the hope of a dignified life and access to better education. Kamal Bakshi is the state president of the United Christian Front, a group that has committees in 8,000 of Punjab’s 12,000 villages. According to him, there are 600-700 churches in Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts that belong to four Christian denominations. He says 60-70 per cent of these have sprung up in the past five years. The Christian faith has co-opted many of the cultural markers of Punjab, from turbans to tappe. On YouTube, one can find Christian giddas (a folk dance), tappe (a musical form) and boliyan (sung couplets), and songs in praise of Jesus in Punjabi. The visuals show men and women singing these songs in a rural Punjabi setup. With 14 million views, one song goes, ‘Har mushkil de wich, mera Yeeshu mere naal naal hai. Baap wangu karda fikar, te maa wangu rakhda khyaal hai’ (Jesus is with me through all my problems. He worries for me like a father and cares for me like my mother). Some converts from Sikhism don’t discard their turbans. “Clothes don’t determine anyone’s religion. I have been wearing a turban since I was a young boy. Why should I take it off now that I am a Christian? It’s a part of my identity,” a devotee who does not wish to be named tells ThePrint. Devotees also enter churches after covering their heads, as is the practice in gurdwaras, although this mandate seems to apply only to women. A woman prays at a church in Fatehgarh Churian, Gurdaspur | Shubhangi Misra | ThePrint Names are a similar case. While most Christians in the state use the surname ‘Massih’ to indicate their allegiance to the Church, many don’t change their previous names. For them, there’s a reason not to change their names: To take advantage of reservation for Dalits, which isn’t available if they convert. This is also cited as the reason census figures invariably miss much of the Christian population in Punjab, which then leads to negligent representation of the demographic in state politics. It has also led to a debate on reservation in the state — are converted Dalits no longer marginalised? The current demand of Christian bodies in Punjab is 2 per cent reservation in government jobs and the setting up of a state minorities commission. Also read: Punjab’s Dalits are shifting state politics, flocking churches, singing Chamar pride Conversion in border villages, Sikh authorities irked Sixty-year-old Sukhwant Kaur has no one but Jesus. A resident of Dujowal village in Amritsar district, she lives in a one-room house made of bricks, with no stove to cook on and no family to cook for. The only adornments in her house are posters of Jesus. “The Christian faith has given me a sense of community, Jesus has got rid of negative energy from my life,” she says. Formerly a Mazhabi Sikh, she converted to Christianity because she liked going to church. Like Sukhwant, many Valmikis and Mazhabis living in Punjab’s border belt, in Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Ferozepur districts, have embraced the Christian faith. Sukhwant Kaur at her house in Dujowal village, Amritsar district | Shubhangi Misra | ThePrint ThePrint visited Dujowal, a village 2 kilometres from the Pakistan border, where about 30 per cent of the voters are Christian, according to sarpanch Samuel Massih. There are two gurdwaras in the village — along with two churches and a temple. Awan, another border village, is the largest in the Ajnala assembly constituency in Amritsar district, with a population of 10,000. It’s home to four churches of different denominations — Roman Catholic, and Protestant denominations including Pentecostals and the Salvation Army. This conversion to Christianity has irked the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, the organisation responsible for managing gurdwaras across Punjab and several other states. The committee has launched initiatives to ‘counter’ Christian conversion. One such effort is the ‘Ghar Ghar Andar Dharamsaal’ campaign, where volunteers go door-to-door to spread the word of Sikhism. Recently, Giani Harpreet Singh, jathedar of the Akal Takht — the highest seat of earthly authority for Sikhs — alleged that Christians were converting Sikhs in border villages through force and by luring them with money. Also read: Not royalty nor father figure — Why Punjab’s 1st Dalit CM Channi is a ‘refreshing change’ No reservation, ‘missing’ from census Even though there is a growing Christian electorate in the state, the community has negligible representation in state politics. There hasn’t been a single Christian MLA elected to the Punjab Legislative Assembly since independence. This lack of representation affects Christians even at the panchayat level. Sukhwinder Massih, 25, a resident of Awan village, tells ThePrint, “In our village, the Christian vote is more than the Jatt (Sikh) vote. And yet, they don’t let us Christians or Mazhabis become members of the panchayat.” He adds, “Even if our candidate wins in the reserved seat, they don’t grant their tenure any legitimacy. If the Akalis win, there’s a Jatt sarpanch. If the Congress wins, then again a Jatt sarpanch. Nobody listens to us, they all try to oppress us.” According to the 2011 census, Christians make up a little over 2 per cent of the population of Amritsar district, and 7.68 per cent in Gurdaspur, the district where they are most concentrated. News reports peg the Christian vote share in Gurdaspur district at 17 to 20 per cent. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Christian candidate in the Gurdaspur constituency, Peter Massih, was defeated, coming in third after the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Sunny Deol and the Congress’s Sunil Jakhar. Sonu Jaffer, an AAP leader and president of the Christian Samaj Front, which has 1 lakh members in Punjab, says, “If any Christian ever gets a ticket, it’s only from Gurdaspur. This time, I’m demanding a ticket from Ajnala constituency in Amritsar district. There are about 43,000 Christian voters here.” Gurdaspur District Congress President Roshan Joseph praying at Sunday mass, attended by approximately 1,000 people | Shubhangi Misra | ThePrint Kamal Bakshi says there is gross undercounting of Christians in the census. “Even if a person embraces Christianity, they don’t change their names in official documents so they can take advantage of reservation benefits. Because of this, the Christian population is grossly undercounted. At least 23 per cent of Gurdaspur is Christian, and the figures must be similar in Amritsar too,” he claims. Many Christians feel ostracised because they aren’t entitled to reservation benefits, even though their socio-economic profile is similar to Mazhabis and Valmikis. Thirty-eight-year-old Monica from Fatehgarh Churian says she doesn’t understand why this is happening to her community. “Christians have to work harder for everything. Our community is among the poorest of the poor, and yet we don’t get any reservations. Why is it nobody wants to lend us an ear? You’re the first one who has ever come here and asked us what we want,” she tells ThePrint. According to Bakshi, 95 per cent of Christians in Punjab are converts, and an overwhelming majority come from Dalit backgrounds. Thus, the lack of reservation feels discriminatory. Other grassroots leaders share this sentiment. Roshan Massih, the Congress’s Gurdaspur district president, says, “Once a Dalit chooses to be a Christian, they stop getting any reservation benefits and face social ostracisation. So, people try to hide their identity, which is why government figures don’t reflect the correct number of Christians in the state. It’s discriminatory not to extend benefits reserved for the SC Sikh and Hindu community to Christians, who need it just as much.” Also read: Low enrolment & farmers ‘unpaid’ in Punjab’s ‘Pani Bachao, Paise Kamao’ scheme, but power saved Reasons for conversion A grandiose ‘Jatt’ gurdwara towering over a dilapidated ‘Dalit’ gurdwara is a common sight in Punjab’s villages. There are often two or three gurdwaras belonging to different castes, symptomatic of the deep-rooted nature of caste in the region. This can feel alienating, and the Church gives a sense of community. Daniel B. Das, director, socio-economic issues, Church of North India, tells ThePrint that “95 per cent of Christians in Punjab belong to the same class and the same previous caste, so there’s absolutely no space for discrimination here, as happens sometimes in South India. Dalits look to Christianity for the security and equality it offers them”. Bakshi adds, “They say we allure people with money, when all people look for in the Church is equality. It’s the limitations of other religions, like the propagation of untouchability, that they don’t want to address.” Access to good education is another reason people embrace Christianity. The staff of St Francis Convent School, Fatehgarh Churian, inform ThePrint that the organisation spends Rs. 90 lakh per year on providing children with free or subsidised education. Out of the school’s 3,500 pupils, 400 pay almost nothing. The staff say buses get students to the school from five-six villages within a 20-kilometre radius of Fatehgarh Churian free of cost. “My kids study here for a paltry sum of Rs. 200-300 and are doing well in life. I owe a lot of gratitude to the Church, they really help people out. Fathers and Sisters always help a pucca Catholic out,” says Soniya Massih from Nawa Pind. A pastor blesses women at a Pentecostal church opened in a house in Fatehgarh Churian, Gurdaspur | Shubhangi Misra | ThePrint The diocese of Amritsar, under Bishop Pradeep Kumar Sumantaroy, has emphasised the importance of imparting education, says Daniel B. Das. He adds that Roman Catholics have opened five-six schools in Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts, as well as 40 after-school classes attended by 880 children. “He (the bishop) has given strict instructions to heads of institutes that no child is to be denied admission in schools just because their parents can’t pay for education, regardless of the faith the kid belongs to,” Das says. But even with the focus on education, Christian leaders stress the lack of it in their community. AAP leader and Christian Front president Jaffer says, “The biggest problem facing Christians is lack of education. The quality of education is very poor, and as most Christians in Punjab come from mazdoor (labourer) backgrounds and poor families, they’re not politically aware, and the community suffers from a lack of representation.” However, Sukhwant Kaur says religion isn’t a factor for her when it comes to voting. “You build a house for me, give me rations and I’ll vote for you,” she says. And when asked about getting money for converting, she laughs it off. “The pastors are as poor as I am. They have nothing to offer but peace,” she adds. (Edited by Rohan Manoj) https://theprint.in/india/how-christianity-is-growing-among-mazhabi-sikhs-valmiki-hindus-in-punjabs-villages/775047/
  2. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/punjab/migration-may-have-led-to-decline-in-sikh-count-125038 Of all communities, Sikhs have reported maximum decline in population, according to the religion-based census data (2001-2011) released by the Centre yesterday. The decadal growth rate in Sikh population was pegged at 24.3 per cent in 1991, which fell to 18.2 per cent in 2001 and further to 8.4 per cent in 2011. The fall in 2001-2011 is 9.8 per cent when compared with the 1991-2001 census — 15.9 per cent in two decades. For Hindus, the decline in growth rate is 3.5 per cent, Muslims 4.9 per cent and Christians 7.1 per cent for 2001-2011. Aswini Nanda, demographic expert, says migration of Sikhs to countries such as the US, the UK and Canada was the main reason for fall in their population. He said a significant number of Sikhs had also moved to Italy and Australia — two new destinations for the community. Many of them are also settled in Norway and some other countries in Europe, he said. Other reasons being cited by experts include prosperity. Sikhs were reportedly more prosperous and adopted family planning schemes earlier than others. A reason for switching to smaller families may be the shrinking land holdings, which they decided not to divide further. The share of Sikhs in the country’s population has come down to 1.7 per cent in 2011 against 1.9 per cent in 2001. Their number is pegged at 2.08 crore — fourth on the population chart. The first slot goes to Hindus with 79.8 per cent proportion of the total population, Muslims with 14.2 per cent are placed at number 2 and Christians with 2.3 per cent are third. In Punjab, the Sikh population has fallen to 57.7 per cent in 2011 as compared to 59.9 per cent in 2001, while that of Hindus has grown to 38.5 per cent from 36.9 per cent. In Chandigarh, the Sikh population has come down to 13.1 per cent in 2011 from 16.1 per cent in 2001. Same is true for Delhi and Haryana. In Delhi, it fell from 4 to 3.4 per cent and from 5.5 to 4.9 per cent in Haryana. In J&K, the Sikh population stands at 1.9 per cent, in HP at 1.2 per cent, Uttarakhand at 2.3 per cent, and Rajasthan at 1.3 per cent. In almost all other states, it is varies from 0.1 per cent to 0.3 per cent.
  3. Surprising, but oh well, good news if the survey was done properly. SUMMARY Around 82 per cent Sikh youngsters pray regularly or sometimes even if there is no festival being celebrated. The corresponding figure was 74 per cent for Christians, 72 per cent for Muslims, 69 per cent for Hindus and 46 per cent for others. Around 86 per cent Sikh youngsters visited a place of worship (gurudwara) even when there was no festival, compared to 57 per cent each for Hindus and Christians and 56 per cent for Muslims. The share of Sikh youth drawn towards TV channels showing religious programming has gone up from the previous round of the survey, which is opposite to the trend observed across all other communities. In 2016, 73 per cent Sikhs reported watching religious shows on TV, which has risen to 82 per cent this year. On comedy movies on religious leaders, 85 per cent Sikhs supported a ban, followed by 65 per cent Christians, 49 per cent Hindus and 36 per cent Muslims. Here too, more Muslims opposed (46 per cent) such a ban than those who supported it. https://theprint.in/india/82-sikh-youth-pray-regularly-highly-religious-compared-to-others-shows-csds-lokniti-survey/784879/
  4. Guest

    Life in Punjab (old)

    Can you share stories of life in Punjab that you heard from your grandparents or great-grandparents.
  5. Sangat jee, when I visit Punjab with my family, its extremely saddened to see the lack of Sikhi saroop and ideals amongst many of the youth (not all though. I have seen many Sikhi saroop youngsters who are proud of who they are in Punjab). Its common to see a youngsters engaging in kaam, and without kesh. Now, move beyond the state of Punjab. If you travel outside of Punjab, you'll see something different. In J and K, you'll see 100% Sikh youth all keeping their kesh, majority reading bani daily, and all keeping Sikhi saroop. Just visit a gurdwara in the region, you will see not any Sikh with cut hair or even trimmed beard. Same in hazur sahib and patna sahib. All the youth are dressed in bana, engaging in gatka, reading bani, depsite being minorities. This goes for all over India, except in Punjab and Haryana I think. I really want to visit these areas, everybody looks so majestic. What are the sangats thoughts on this. Even in a place like Assam, where Sikhs don't even make up .5% of the population, all Sikhs there are sarbat soorat. It's like the farther away from Punjab you get, the more religious the Sikhs become. Why is this the case. A person would expect that Punjab would be the place where most of the youth are religious, but its the opposite. Really looking forward to the sangats thoughts on this, as this topic is rarely discussed.
  6. Wikileaks 2010 "NEUTRALIZING PARTITION? CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS IN PUNJAB": 2021 East Punjabi Muslims be like: Also Punjabi Sikhs in 2021: Punjab Govt in 2021: Punjab's only Muslim-majority town Malerkotla declared as new district on Eid-ul-Fitr https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-punjab-s-only-muslim-majority-town-malerkotla-declared-as-new-district-on-eid-ul-fitr-2890348 Truly an ignorant and short sighted nation that we are.
  7. Harika wetland in Punjab, the music is kind of annoying, but it looks like a beautiful place. Hard to believe that its man made! looks so ancient and untouched.
  8. this is the truth of secular India that is risking punjab, taking away waters from satluj to revive a mythological river goddess saraswati first Indira Gnadhi canal taking our water as far as jaisalmer on the border with gujarat, then SYL, now this Final Assault Official Trailer | Punjabi Film | Coming May8th 2016 - YouTube (1) FINAL ASSAULT | Punjabi Documentary Film | Save Punjab Waters - YouTube this documentary is something I watched couple years back and it sort of matured my views on the political situation for Punjab's autonomous rights and this documentary showcases the background to the khalistani ethos and dharam yudh morcha
  9. Even thus, O Salya, the young and old, among the inhabitants of Sakala, intoxicated with spirits, sing and cry. How can virtue be met with among such a people ? Thou shouldst know this. I must, however, speak again to thee about what another Brahmana had said unto us in the Kuru court, There where forests of Pilus stand, and those five rivers flow, viz., the Satadru, the Vipasa, the ravati, the Chandrabhaga, and the Vitasa and which have the Sindhu for their sixth, there in those regions removed from the Himavat, are the countries called by the name of the Arattas. Those regions are without virtue and religion. No one should go thither.
  10. (Request, please leave in general section) SikhVibes.com A Sikh Multimedia Website with thousands of rare Audio recordings, Videos and Katha from Worldwide. We have recently redesigned our layout with links to the following: Gallery section - connected to our Instagram account. Videos section - connected to Youtube! Events section - updated of local Toronto area programs. Visit our website daily for updates! www.SikhVibes.com FACEBOOK || INSTAGRAM || YOUTUBE || TWITTER
  11. Vaheguru ji ka khalsa vaheguru ji ki fateh Has anyone bought land in punjab? Im uk born and I was just wondering how hard it is ( i have an OCI if that helps lol) Ive tried to look for land for sale on various websites and it seems really expensive even though everyone is saying the prices are going down. I just wanted something in punjab just incase everything goes down the drain in the uk
  12. We need to take ashes. It’s meant to be within a year right? It doesn’t look like that will happen now.
  13. Just when you thought couldn't get worse, Kaljug taking another turn https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/health/dangerous-rise-in-hiv-aids-cases-in-punjab-in-just-5-years-amritsar-tops-the-list-read-shocking-report/1661795/ https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/57-000-hiv-aids-patients-in-punjab/story-CqmcwhHpx4PytuwH9yNQZN.html https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/punjab/10-of-hiv-cases-detected-in-jails-868362 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/punjab-drug-fight-runs-into-aids-rise/articleshow/70953361.cms https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/punjab-after-drugs-aids-scare-in-5-yrs-34-rise-5865196/
  14. They have 100% donation policy Here is their website https://www.yourseva.org/
  15. https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/rare-books-on-sikhism-punjab-emerge-in-london-sale/story-It445bHhVoPN2bUC7Qi2dM.html June 24 2020 A London-based rare books dealer on Wednesday launched a collection of rare books, original manuscripts and artwork on India that includes several first editions of work on Sikhs, Sikhism and Punjab dating from early eighteenth century. The 40-item collection from dealer Peter Harrington includes the first translation of the Adi Granth into English and several travel narratives set in the kingdom of Ranjit Singh, and military handbooks dedicated to Sikh customs – hailed in them as ‘the bravest and steadiest of soldiers’. Others offering glimpses of life in India under British rule include a book by Captain Lakshmi, who was appointed by Subhash Chandra Bose as commander of the Rani of Jhansi Regiment in the Indian national Army, and three elusive monographs on the ruling families of Punjab, written or inspired by Lepel H. Griffin, a colourful official in nineteenth century British India. Glen Mitchell, senior book specialist at Europe’s largest anquarian book dealer, said: “We have seen an increased interest in the last 20 years from collectors of works from the Indian sub-continent, and the demand for 19th and early 20th century British accounts of this fascinating period in colonial history continues to attract a core group of collectors based both in the region and diaspora in the UK and beyond.” Topics that remain enduringly collectable include those focused on military exploits, colonial exploration, seminal religious texts, ethnographical, geographical, botanical and zoological accounts, and of course administrative, historical and political works,” he added. Highlights of the collection include an eyewitness account of Ranjit Singh’s kingdom written by Shahamat Ali, the expedition leader’s Indian-born munshi and inscribed by him to the earl of Shaftesbury; The Life of Robert Lord Clive, Baron Plassey by Charles Caraccioli – the first biography of Clive, considered something of a character assassination by his enemies within the East India Company; and I.N.A. Defence. Subject People’s Right to Fight for Freedom – two contemporary publications of the address delivered by J. Bhulabhai Desai in defence of members of the INA on trial for treason. Pom Harrington, owner of Peter Harrington, said: “While we have curated selections on Asia in the past, this is our first dedicated catalogue on works from India”. The wealth of rich illustrations, lithographs, maps and coloured plates really lent themselves to creating an interactive and immersive digital-only catalogue that allows our clients to scroll through details and additional images of these fine works. Source Hindustan times
  16. Did Duleep Singh Embrace Christianity of His Own Free Will? Harbans Singh Noor Maharaja Dalip Singh before (left) and after (right) Conversion A hundred and fifty years ago, on March 8, 1853 14-year-old Maharaja Duleep Singh, son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the last sovereign of the Khalsa Kingdom of Punjab, was proselytized into Christianity by the advice and consent of Lord Dalhousie, Governor General of India. The British put forth a lie that it was Maharaja’s own free will. Several scholars have found this presentation questionable, but it has not yet been nailed once for all. In this essay, an attempt has been made to present a proof positive that it was a devoted and missionary spirited Dr John Spencer Login, who got himself appointed as guardian of the 10-year-old Duleep Singh; wished and planned from day one to convert the lad, “young enough to mould” and “one who may yet influence so many thousands of people”. Following sequence of Login’s own words, from Lady Login’s book, Sir John Login and Duleep Singh, published in 1889, and from Lady Login’s Recollections, by Login’s daughter, E Dalhousie Login, illustrates how devoted a Christian John was, and how eager he always was to place copies of the Bible, in hands of Jews and ranking Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs. He was always anxious to be “useful” and he wanted his wife also to be “useful” to the cause of spreading Christianity. It was with Duleep Singh’s money, given by his guardian, Dr Login, that American Presbyterian Mission ran 10 schools in Farukhabad “Whereby 400 youth were thoroughly educated in the Christian faith and some were being fitted to evangelize their own people.” We also find how Login ‘connived’ with Bhajun Lai, a Hindu employee of the household, to bring the lad into the fold of Christianity. Conscious of the role he had played, the same Bhajun Lai tried to ‘blackmail’ Dr. Login to get rewarded for his ‘services’. He demanded such favours that Login could not have delivered under any circumstances, and finally succeeded in extracting sufficient cash, with which he established a flourishing business. Some of the other officers who helped Login in his scheme became victims of the wrath of inhabitants during the ‘Mutiny’ in 1857. Ten years before he came in contact with Duleep Singh, Dr John Login was posted in Herat. He was attached to Major D’Arcy Todd’s Mission to Shah Kamran. From there, he wrote to his mother on July 29, 1839: “I think I ought to remain here - a wide field of usefulness is open to me, and I may, through Divine blessing, be preparing a way for a Christian Mission in this centre of Asia ere long. ... “There are several families of Jews here. I had yesterday a long conversation with two of them; they were much delighted with the epistle of St Paul to the Romans [from the Bible] which I read to them in Persian.” In a footnote to this letter, Lady Login says: “As they appeared much delighted with the small tract which Login got one of the Rabbis transcribe for them, he was induced to employ the same man on a transcription of Martyn’s Persian Testament.... Thirteen years after [in 1852] Login had the happiness of learning that this last named Jew had through this work been led into the truth of the Gospel, and died as a Christian in Bombay - Ferriers Caravan Journey, p 123. ” Lady Login wires: During his residence in Herat, Dr Login often came in contact with the members of Shah Kamran’s household.... The needlework done by the ladies was beautiful, and they were always sending the specimens of their skill - embroidered vests, and quilted chogas and rasais. Covers were made for Login’s Bibles and Prayer Book, and this opportunity was made use of by him to send a Persian Testament to have a cover made of it; and when he found it bore marks of having been read (by whom he never discovered) he offered to exchange it for a volume of Hafiz’s poems, which was eagerly accepted... Login says: “The very first book in Pushtoo ever seen by Shah Kamran and his family was a New Testament which I had brought from India, and which had been published by the missionaries of Serampore in Persian characters.... It was in possession of Shahzadah Mohamed Yusef.... He had got it from me.... May I hope that it has been equally as useful as the Hebrew transcription.... In connection with this, I may mention, that I gave away several copies of Martyn’s Testament to people in Herat, and a Testament in Turki to Khalifa of Merv, a man of considerable sanctity among the Turcomans.” (Lady Login, Sir John Login and Duleep Singh, pp 36-38, - hereafter LL) This then is the portrait of John Login, who would be appointed guardian of 10-year-old Duleep Singh, deposed Maharaja of Punjab. Would the boy be able to hold his own, under Login’s care? Or, would he be coached, influenced, or brainwashed into making decisions? Punjab was annexed by the British on March 29, 1849, but Login was privy to the secret of planned annexation long before that. He was anxious to get charge of the 10-year-old Maharaja Duleep Singh. On March 18, he wrote to his wife in England: “I am not, of course, at liberty to tell you all I know, but Lawrence says that as it will be public in England soon, I may tell you this much - that annexation is determined on by the Governor General.” (LL, p 149) Again on March 28, he wrote: “I showed both Henry and John (Lawrences) the paper I drew up, and of which I sent you a copy, and I believe they have come to the conclusion to recommend me very strongly to Government for the charge of the young Maharaja Duleep Singh, when the Punjab is annexed.” (LL, p 149) After the Annexation On 6th of April 1849, Dr John Spencer Login was installed as Governor of the Lahore Citadel. The Maharaja, the Toshakhana and all the State prisoners, including Dewan Mool Raj, Governor of Multan, came under his charge. Login gave a Bible, in Persian, to Dewan Mool Raj, when he was locked up in Lahore Citadel1, for his trial. In return Mool Raj sent him a sheet of paper with “Ram, Ram, Ram” written on it. (LL, p. 171) Login wrote to his wife in 1850: “I told you, I think, that when at Lahore I had a letter from Lucknow, telling me of my old friend Azeemoolah’s death; he had written me only a few days before, asking my advice whether he should accept an appointment offered by the King. I advised him: “No”; that he had plenty already of this world’s goods, and that he should now take rest and time to think and prepare for the fate that must befall all men; that I wished him to compare what is written in his own books with what our Bible says (I had given him one) and ask God to give him light to understand and do His will.” (LL, p. 226) Now, as guardian of young Duleep Singh, Login misses no time at all in putting his plan into action. He starts teaching him precepts from the Bible. His favourite segment was Mathew from the New Testament. In a letter dated May 6 and 8, 1849 he wrote: It is an amusement to him [Duleep Singh] to have an English writing lesson with me, so I give him a precept to write out and translate, “Do unto others as you would they should do unto you.” [Mathew 7; 12] I intend. As I cannot put the Bible in his hands yet to let him have such principles as these.... (LL, p 159) Duleep Singh was too young and not in a position to ask him, if the British would have wanted the Sikhs to do to them, what they did to the Sikhs. On November 28, 1849 Login informed his wife: “I have just returned (two pm) from him [Lord Dalhousie], He “I have just returned (two pm) from him [Lord Dalhousie], He “I have just returned (two pm) from him [Lord Dalhousie], He told the Little Maharajah to Futtehghur; and that he wished much that I continue in charge of him there on my present allowances2 and do all that I could to make him comfortable.... told me that he did not wish to restrict me to Futtehghur, but that I might take him to Agra or Delhi...wherever I liked, and eventually to England in course of a year or two. I then had an opportunity of giving him my ideas of sending some Sikh nobles to England, and showing them something of our power and resources.” (LL, pp 188-89) Duleep Singh was taken from the Lahore Citadel to be exiled to Fatehgarh, District Farukhabad, in U.P. He was accompanied by his nephew, 6 year-old Kanwar Shiv Dev Singh, son of Maharaja Sher Singh - another lad Login wanted to convert. In Duleep Singh, Login saw the possibility of a medium to influence thousands more. On March 6, 1850 he wrote to his wife from Fatehgarh: “I am disappointed at having to leave Lahore, before arrival of Dr Duff, after having had so much to do these last few years in urging him to take up Punjab. He was much pleased at my sending him my subscription [Rs 500], as it showed him I was in earnest.” He was also anxious to seek the help of his wife in influencing the lad, who had been separated from his mother. “I shall be glad when you join me, for I cannot expect to have more than two or three years in which we can influence the young Maharajah’s mind favourably towards our domestic life; and I must not lose them on any account.... Is it not worth running some risk to health, by coming back so soon to occupy a position of such usefulness, towards one who may yet influence so many thousands of people?” On May 16, 1850 Dr Login wrote to his wife: “Since last writing I have seen the Governor General... I have spoken strongly about getting a good tutor looked for in England, for the boy; but I see that he thinks it would not be prudent to get Dr Duff to recommend one, as it might think that it was with the intention of making the lad a Christian, so I must do it through another channel... “If you see Dr Duff in Edinburgh, you can explain to him that Lord Dalhousie is afraid if he were asked to recommend a tutor that it might imply an interference with the boy’s religious faith; I trust, however, that God helping, we shall be enabled, as “written epistles” [.Bibles - written as letters - contained in the New Testament.] to manifest the spirituality and benevolence of a Christian life, if we cannot otherwise preach to him... “Observing that Guise, Barlow, Tommy Scott, and I have morning prayer together, he asked me to order his porohut (priest) to come to him also at a fixed hour daily to read in his holy book (the Grunth). This I think indicates devotional feeling, that may hereafter be directed aright;...” (LL, pp 216-17; Emphasis added) [Guise and Tommy Scott’s sister and brother were killed during the Mutiny in 1857.] On May 19, 1850 Login wrote to his wife: I have, it is true, all the pleasure, which I could desire, from the expenditure of the Maharaja’s money, quite as much as if it were my own. So much has been left to my discretion in the way of applying it. After putting his house and grounds in order, I intend to get up a school for the children all round Futtehghur, in which he can take an interest, and also find other ways to give him a taste for benefiting the poor, and making the people round him happy. A footnote reads as follows: “Within the last three months we have started a day-school for girls of respectable caste as an experiment. The Reverend Gopee Nath Nundy’s zealous and exemplary wife and daughter superintend it (vernacular and industrial). I look for great results eventually.” (LL, p 218; Emphasis added) [The Mission was destroyed by the mutineers in 1857.] There is no doubt that Dr Login was a benevolent zealous Christian. In a letter from Fatehgarh, July 16, 1850 Login wrote: “I have just been looking at my account at the Cawnpore Bank, and find it rather low. I have had rather unusual expenses since you left - I mean more than I calculated on. Besides paying the necessary subscriptions to the Funds (Bengal Military and Orphan), which, as you know are especially heavy in my case, I have had to pay, for instance: Dr Duff’s Mission in Punjab - 500 Rs. Brian Hodgson’s children - 250 Rs. Lahore Mission - 100 Rs. Church of Lahore - 100 Rs. Of course, this besides our various subscriptions as usual, such as: The Lawrence Asylum The Free Church Mission The C M Society [Church Missionary Society] I feel sorry indeed that I cannot engage [for Duleep Singh] the tutor, so highly recommended by Dr Duff.” Maharaja Duleep Singh had been betrothed, before the Second Anglo-Sikh War, to be married to the daughter of Sardar Chattar Singh Attariwala. Dr. Login wrote to the Governor General asking for advice in the matter. Duleep Singh was only 11 years old then. On April 13, Dalhousie wrote to Login: “The marriage of the Maharajah is a more difficult matter for us to arrange. I should object decidedly, and do not wish to countenance any relations henceforth between the Maharajah and the Sikhs, either by alliance with a Sikh family, or sympathy with Sikh feeling. The [11-year-old] Maharajah having personally desired to break off his betrothal with Chuttar Singh’s daughter, appears to have opinions of his own as to marriage. If he chooses to marry one of the Rajah of Coorg’s daughters, after having everything about her explained to him, I can’t see why he should not. There are two, one3 that His Highness wants to send to England, another about seven or eight for whom he does not propose English education.” (LL, pp 230-31) Now was the time to change the domestic staff, in line with needs and objectives. In a Memorandum to Lord Dalhousie, Login wrote: On departure from Lahore, Duleep Singh’s “retinue consisted principally of Mahomedans; and even the Sikh priests and many of the Brahmins ... declined to accompany him. “Soon after the Maharajah’s arrival at Futtehghar, his old servant Mean Kheema, a Mahomedan who had been with him ever since his birth, and was much attached to him (the same who advised him to sign the Treaty with a good grace), claimed his promise to let him return to his family and country; it became necessary, therefore, that I should appoint a trustworthy successor. Bhajun Lai, a young Brahmin of Furuckabad, was recommended, as being of excellent moral character, and having received a good education at one of the American Mission at Furruckabad.... “He could read and speak English fairly, which was a great recommendation to the young Maharajah, who was anxious to learn the language. He was therefore, installed as confidential personal attendant.” (LL, p 232) Lady Login arrived from England in December 1850. She had a Christmas present waiting for her. Mrs Login tells us: “It was whilst Login was away from his charge on this occasion that the Maharajah took an important step, by suddenly announcing his intention of embracing the Christian religion.... The whole subject gave rise to an extensive official correspondence...” (LL, p 241) Login submitted a long report and several statements from persons at Fatehgarh, acknowledging which Sir H. Eliot, Secretary to Government wrote to Login on February 17, 1851: “The Governor-General is entirely satisfied by this statement and by the documents transmitted in support of it, that no improper influence had, either directly or indirectly, been used by you, or by any of the English gentlemen who have been connected with His Highness’s establishment, to induce His Highness to abjure his original faith and to profess Christianity. His Lordship requests that his conviction on this head be made known to you and may by you communicated to others.” (LL, p 263) Lord Dalhousie reported the “case so important and so novel” to the Court of Directors, in England, for consideration. On June 11, 1851 Sir Henry Eliot conveyed to Login a letter from the Court of Directors saying: “We concur entirely in the views expressed by Lord Dalhousie.”(LL, p 265) Commenting on this letter from the Court, Sir Eliot wrote: “It is Governor-General’s wish, that if the Maharajah’s desire shall not have been a transient fancy, he should henceforth receive every aid and guidance which can be given to him.” (LL, p 265) Hence, after this, he was given every necessary aid and guidance to embrace Christianity - including chopping off his ‘long and abundant’ hair, and presenting them to Login’s wife. The Truth Behind the Coverup Here are some excerpts from Login’s statement and the supporting documents, which were sent by Login to the Governor-General, to show that conversion was Duleep Singh’s own decision, and that he had no involvement in it. Login used his co-conspirator Bhajun Lai’s statement for coverup. Also presented were letters from Duleep Singh, written for him by Bhajun Lai. Duleep Singh’s letter of December 2, 1850 to Login, when he was at Calcutta, to receive his wife coming from England, said: “Will you kindly send me a nice Bible, for I like very much to read, because yesterday [December 1] Bhajun Lai read to me...” (LL, p 249) His letter dated December 7 said: “I have begun to read the Bible. And generally read one or two chapters.” On December 20, 1850 Captain J Campbell (7th Madras Cavalry) thus reported to the Government: “On Sunday, the 8th inst., His Highness the Maharajah communicated to me through Master Thomas Scott, his desire to become a Christian, as he termed it...” It is strange that Duleep Singh, to whom Bible was read for the first time on December 1, ‘decided’ to become a Christian on December 8. One also wonders why Captain Campbell did not wait for the Maharaja’s guardian, Dr Login to report his ward’s decision to the Government. Was it an emergency or was it preplanned? Bhajun Lai in his statement given to Login said: “When the Maharaj began to learn out of an English book, by the name of “English Instructor.” There were some lines at the back end of the book with a few words about Christian religion. Yu [Dr Login] once said to Maharaj, “These are records about Our religion; if you want to read them, then read; if you don’t want to read, then leave them” but His Highness say to me, :Never mind, I will read them, because I want to know everything; then they were read... “Now, Sahib, after sometime you went to Calcutta. Maharaj saw one copy of Holy Bible into my hand, and asked of me, “Will you sell this over to me?” I replied and said, “Maharaj, I don’t want to sell it to you, but I can present you, if you can read a chapter out of it without any assistance.” So he did read, and I presented. After some short time, he asked me to read to him, and let him hear it, and according to his orders I did read. First day I read 6th4 chapter St. Mathew, and few others during the week...” (LL, p 246) Bhajun Lai did not mention the role he had played in creating prejudice in young lad’s mind about the truth of Hindu religion, though he himself was a Brahmin. He used the same method, which Christian missionaries usually employed - i.e., telling tall tales from Hindu mythology and tradition. Login’s daughter tells us : “This young man [Bhajun Lai] was aware...that he [Duleep Singh] was skeptical with regard to many of the “pious stories” in the Shastras, e.g., that of the virtuous Rajah who distributed daily in alms ten thousand cows before he broke his fast, and yet came short of eternal salvation, because his servants, unknown to him, had placed amongst the daily tale of cows one that had already been numbered in the charitable dole!” (E Dalhousie Login, Lady Login’s Recollections, p 95, - hereafter EDL) In December 1851, Lord Dalhousie visited Fatehgarh, and dined with Logins and Duleep Singh. [Later, on April 18, 1854 Dalhousie presented to Duleep Singh, a Bible as his parting gift.] We are told that: When at length [Duleep Singh’s] hair was allowed to be cut off and he brought it to Mrs. Login as a memento; it was long and abundant as a woman’s.” (LL, p 278) With offer of his beautiful hair at the altar of his guardians, not only Logins but also others who had played their overt or covert role in this endeavour felt a sense of achievement. Maharaja now became favourite of all the British officials. He was taken round to Agra, Delhi, Meerut, Saharanpur, Aligarh, etc. He was a trophy on display at all Military stations. He and the Logins spent the summer of 1852 in Mussoorie hills. Login’s wish of getting back to England had not yet been fulfilled. Now was the time to push for it. He had more than earned it. On September 24, 1852 Lord Dalhousie recommended to Dr Login, immediate baptism of Duleep Singh: “I am advocate for his [Duleep Singh’s] going to England, and shall do my best to persuade the Court to it; and if it should help in marriage between him and little Coorg.5 “If Duleep Singh is to go to England, let him be quietly baptized and by his own name of Duleep Singh. Indeed I am prepared to advise his being baptized now.”(LL, p 296) Now Login had obtained advice and consent of the Governor- General. On March 8, 1853 Maharaja Duleep Singh, not even 15 years old, was baptized “in his own house. In the presence of about twenty of the European residents of Futtehghur, and about an equal number of the Maharajah’s principal native servants, who had been invited to attend.” Lady Login says: ”At the last moment, by a happy inspiration, I made the suggestion that there would be a special appropriateness in the use of Ganges water for the sacred rite, seeing the veneration in which the Ganges (Ganga-jee) is held by all Hindoos.” (EDL, pp. 96-97) Proselytizing Sikh Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last sovereign of Punjab, was a feather in Lord Dalhousie’s cap also. On March 16, 1853 the Governor-General wrote: “I regard it as a remarkable event in history and in every way gratifying.” (LL, p 307) Lady Login, perhaps justifiably, blames the Sikhs for not having made efforts for Duleep Singh’s religious education. She says: “As a matter of fact, very little effort was made by his own people to instruct him in the Sikh religion. Though every inducement was made them, very few of his Sikh attendants, none of his Sikh priests, or Grunt’hees, and even one Brahminporohut (family priest) consented to come with him from Lahore. The last-named had been prevailed on by Login with difficulty, making many conditions.” (EDL, p 94) On January 31, 1854 Lord Dalhousie wrote to Login: “I have just received the Court’s leave for the Maharajah to go to England.” (LL, p 318) Duleep Singh had been baptized; and Login had high hopes in his nephew Kanwar Shiv Dev Singh also falling in line. But he was still under his mother’s control, who saw the Kanwar, next in succession to Duleep Singh. Login proposed to the Governor General that Duleep Singh should not be separated from his nephew Shiv Dev Singh. Dalhousie had already written to Login in his letter of November 29, 1853: “You give so many good reasons why the Shahzadah should go with His Highness, if he goes to England, that no objection will be made by Government. In that case all your arrangements will be approved.”(LL, pp 317-18) In February 1854, Dalhousie wrote to Login: “No objection will be raised to the Shahzadah going to England, if the Maharajah desires it.” (LL, p 323) When Login told the Kanwar to get ready to go to England, his mother sent a strong protest to the Governor General, accusing Login of his moves to convert the Shahzadah also to Christianity. In March 1854, Login received a letter from the Governor General: “I have sent you a huge memorial from the mother of the Brat [Shiv Dev Singh] you have brought, accusing you of many enormities, of which child-stealing is the least!” (LL, p 328) As a result of the mother’s protest, the idea of taking the Shahzadah to England was dropped. In an official letter of April 18, 1854 Login was informed: “The Government entirely acquits you of attempting to influence the Shahzadah’s religion.” Bhajun Lai’s Payoff Bhajun Lai was conscious of the role he had played, in league with Login, to convert the young Duleep Singh to Christianity; and the following cover up. He was hoping to go to England with the Maharajah. He knew that Login would not refuse to comply with his wishes. But, his parents would not allow him. Lady Login tells us: “Bhajun Lai up to this time [1854] had fully determined to go to England with his master; but his people knew well that if he did so, he would take the opportunity of declaring himself a Christian; they were therefore bent on preventing his going. His convictions were very strong; but in his own case he had not the courage to throw off the bondage of Hindooism, though he had helped the Maharajah in his decision with all the energy of which his nature was capable.” (Emphasis added) Bhajun Lai’s parents were conscious of the hand in glove relationship that the ‘confidential’ employee of the household had with the Guardian. They wanted to cash that relationship. Lady Login writes: “On the occasion of his [Bhajun Lai’s] brother’s marriage he was induced by his father to prefer a request that in the public [marriage] procession through the city the sawaree/cavalcade of His Highness, i.e. the horses, carriages, and elephants, should form a prominent feature, and that the Maharajah’s tents, etc., should also be lent in which to celebrate the wedding festivities.” Evidently, the first part of this fantastic demand was ludicrous. To any other person, Login would have not only flatly refused, but would also have administered a rebuke for making such a proposal. But Login understood, Bhajun Lai wanted a payoff, for the role he had played in Maharaja’s conversion and the cover up, since the Maharaja and the Logins would soon be off to England. Login was in no position to honour such a demand. He cleverly wriggled out of the predicament with the excuse that the bridegroom and the bride were of a tender age. “He told Bhajun Lai that he could only grant his request on one of two conditions, viz., either the marriage was deferred, until the bride and bridegroom were of an age to understand the importance of the contract they were about to enter into (in which case, besides the loan of the things asked for, the Maharajah would bestow a sum of money to set up the young people up in the world), or else, a bond or agreement should be given to the young girl, to the effect that, in the event of her boy-husband dying while she was still marriageable, she should be permitted to select another partner for herself, from among the widowers or unmarried youth of her husband’s family.” (LL, p 321) Bhajun Lai’s family’s demand was fantastic, but it amounted merely temporary pomp and show, which was not worth submitting to Login’s long lasting conditions contrary to Brahmin customs. “Poor Bhajun Lai, in whom family affection and love of money were equally ruling passions, was persuaded by his relatives to send in his resignation, and thus cut himself adrift from his chance of becoming a Christian. ... A handsome present of money and a horse were given to him on leaving.... “It may be as well to mention here all that is known of the later history of Bhajun Lai. He wrote occasionally to Dr Login, but his letters were full of money-getting; he became a bunniah in the city of Furruckabad, and at the time of the Mutiny proved himself faithful, and was of great use, though he was unable to save the property of the Maharajah from loot and destruction. He is now the head of the great firm of tentmakers at Futtehghur (Bhajun Lai & Co). (LL, pp 321-22) In response to the complaint by Shiv Dev Singh’s mother, Sir H Elliot, Secretary to the Government, wrote to Login: “You will inform the Ranee that the Raj of the Punjab is to end forever, and that any contemplation of the restoration of her son, or of anybody else to sovereignty there is a crime against the State, It is her duty to instruct him [Shiv Dev Singh] accordingly. If on any future occasion, either she or her son is detected in expressing or entertaining expectations of restoration to power, or to any other position than that which he now occupies, the consequences will be immediate and disastrous to his interests.” [LL, p 276) Duleep Singh sailed for London on March 19, 1854. Dalhousie gave him a Bible as a parting gift. (LL, p 330) En route, the party stopped in Egypt; visited Cairo and Alexandria. “While at Cairo he was taken round to visit the American Mission Schools6, and was greatly interested to see so many orphan girls being educated in Christian religion.” (LL, p 332) Login was Knighted by Queen Victoria. Duleep Singh was given by her a status equal to that of an English Prince, and he was considered chief of the native princes of India. Rest of the story is beyond the subject of this essay. However, it is worth noting that Duleep Singh became very bitter, after fighting the East India Company, for years, and failing to get any compensation for his personal properties, left in Punjab; for his property destroyed by the mutineers in Fatehgarh (U P) and for revision of his annual allowance, keeping in view an average of 200,000 pounds a year surplus, in Punjab revenues, to which he was entitled through the Treaty of Bhyrowal - “Five-Lakh-Fund”/400,000 to 500,000 rupees a year, for him and his dependants. At one time Duleep Singh’s lawyer told Lady Login: “..The India Office do not seem to be very communicative, and in private they are only abusive -1 may say, vulgarly abusive! ...They can be shown to be in the wrong; but to attain redress is another question.” (EDL, p. 254) On the way to Renunciation of Christianity and back to Sikhism Login-appointed Brahmin teachers at Fatehgarh used to tell tall tales from Hindu tradition and Hindu mythology, to create disbelief in truth of Hindu religion. Similarly, Duleep Singh took advantage of his knowledge of the Bible to quote from scriptures and ridicule Christian pronouncements. “He [Duleep Singh] used his acquaintance with the Scriptures, even at this juncture, in a mere profuse quotation of texts, torn from their contexts, and with an utter irrelevance to their meaning, which produced an effect of profanity.” (EDL, Lady Login’s Recollections, p 264) Maharaja Duleep Singh’s plans to return home fail but he succeeds in fulfilling his wish to re-embrace Sikhism Maharaja’s financial position was very precarious. He considered himself poor, yet he had to maintain the status of a Prince. Since 1858, after coming of age, he was allowed 25,000 pounds a year. He had to pay every year 5,654 pounds for interest on 198,000 pounds that had been loaned to him for a residence, by the Government. There were other heavy deductions, such as 3,000 pounds for insurance on his life, and substantive amounts towards pensions for the widows of Sir John Login, and Colonel Oliphant, who had risen to Login’s position after his death. That reduced his income so much that he could not keep up his establishment at Elvedon, which Government had arranged to sell at his death. He thought it advisable to move to India, where on his present means, he believed, he and his children would enjoy greater advantage than in England, (EDL, p 249) He was also determined to re-embrace Sikhism. “On August 23, 1884, he announced his departure for India, as he could not otherwise undergo all the rites of re-initiation as a Sikh!” (EDL, p 256) In March 1886 Maharaja Duleep Singh publicly announced, from England, his plans to come to Punjab, and issued an appeal to his countrymen to help him. In April 1886, he sailed for India by S S Verona, with his wife Maharani Bamba, and their six children - three sons: Victor Albert Jay, 20; Frederick Victor, 18; Albert Edward, 7; and three daughters: Bamba Sophia Jindan, 17; Catherine Hilda, 15; and Sophia Alexandria. Before leaving for India, he had wound up his affairs in England, closed his house and decided to live in India, “because with his limited resources, he could not maintain his position in England. Living in India would be cheaper.” The only condition imposed on him was that he would not be allowed to visit or live in Punjab. When the ship arrived at Aden, on April 21, 1886 the British Resident in London, Brigadier General AST Hogg went up the ship and told Duleep Singh that he could not proceed further, under orders from Lord Dufferin, Governor-General of India. After fruitless negotiations, 43 days later, on June 3, 1886, Duleep Singh left on a French ship, for Marseilles, France. His family had left for England on May 6, 1886. At the time of starting from England, he had planned to re-embrace Sikhism, fully, by taking Pahul at theAkal Takht, or at Hazur Sahib, Nanded. Since, that was not possible, he took Pahul (initiation ceremony with a double-edged sword) with permission of the Viceroy, at Aden, on May 25, 1886. Notes Dr Login was given the charge of Lahore citadel, but he stretched his hands much farther. On February, 20,1850, Bhai Nihal Singh Muhtmid of “Guru” Sadhu Singh Sodhi of Kartarpur reported to Deputy Secretary to the Board of Administration, Punjab, that Dr Login had taken away his Grantb (the original Kartarpuri Bir of Guru Granth Sahib), and begged that it may be restored to him. After negotiations the Granth Sahib was returned - but not the “Golden Charpoy" on which the Granth Sahib formerly rested. Another volume of “Baba JT [Granth Sahib) taken from Bhaees Ram Singh and Nidhan Singh of Mangat was also returned, in August 1850. The “Golden Charpoy” must have been returned later. (See: Nahar Singh, Documents relating to Guru Gobind Singh’s Swords and Sacred Books of the Sikhs in England, 1967; The Punjab Past and Present, VHI,I- ii, pp 287-313). Login was paid Rupees 1,200 per month - half from Government of India funds and half from the annual income of the Maharaja. (LL, p 202) This young Coorg Princess when arrived in England was converted to Christianity. Efforts were made to get her married to Duleep Singh, but the plan did not materialize. But when praying, do not say the same things over and over again just as the people of the nations do, for they imagine they will get a hearing for their use of many words. (Mathew 6; 7) “This would have meant for Duleep Singh: Do not say: Ram, Ram; Wahiguru, Wahiguru, etc.” “You must pray this way: Our Father in the heaven...” (Mathew 6; ? Little Coorg - daughter of Maharaja of Coorg, had recently been baptized in London, sponsored by Queen Victoria, giving the girl her own name Victoria Gouramma. Later, in England efforts were made to get the princess married to Duleep Singh but Duleep Singh refused. He was interested in a British girl, related to Login, but Lady Login did not agree. Ten years later, in 1864, when Duleep Singh was returning from India, after immersing the ashes of his mother Rani Jindan, in the waters of Narbada at Nasik, he came to one of these schools in Alexandra, to hurriedly get himself a wife, because he had taken a fifty pound bet with Lady Login that he would get married by June 1, 1864. “I promise to pay Lady Login 50 pounds if I fail to get married by June 1, 1864. — Duleep Singh”. (E Dalhousie Login, Lady Login’s Recollections, p 234) Duleep Singh did not know the 15-year-old bride’s language, and she did not know his. Source - Connecting the Dots in Sikh History by Harbans Singh Noor
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