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Tarkhans - The Craftsmen Warriors of Punjab https://malicethoughts.blogspot.com/2020/05/tarkhans-craftsmen-of-punjab.html May 31, 2020 Sikh Tarkhan from Punjab Punjab had a traditionally rich collection and treasure trove of handicrafts. The work of Punjabi craftsmen was rich in craft, material, skill, aesthetics and exquisite sartorial tastes. The artisans of Punjab were highly skilled and dexterous. Historical evidence of Punjab's craftsmen can be traced to the Vedic period with association to Vishvakarma, the Hindu god of the craftsmen. According to the Rigveda, he is considered to be the architect, divine engineer of universe from before the advent of time. These craftsmen are referred to as Tarkhans, Dhimans, or Ramgarhia. Disclaimer: As a practicing Sikh, I consider all castes as equal and DO NOT believe in the outdated and divisive caste system. The purpose of this blog is to honor the spiritual, military, and service contributions of the valiant Ramgarhia community and try to understand their family history purely from historical perspective. Tarkhans Tarkhan (Old Turkic: ????‎, Mongolian: дархан Darkhan;P ersian: ترخان‎; Chinese: 達干/達爾罕; Arabic: طرخان‎; is an ancient term used in Central Asia.. The origin of the term is Mongolian term дархан (darkhan) meaning craftsmen. In Mongol confederation, all craftsmen held the status of Darkhan and were immune to occasional requisitions levied incessantly by passing imperial envoys. From then on, the word referred to craftsmen or carpenters in all of central Asia. Mongol Craftsman Following the Mongols tradition, the Turks began using the term for all high ranking military officers. Turkish General Mirza Isa Beg founded the Tarkhan dynasty in Sindh in 1554 after the death of Shah Husayn Arghun of the Arghun dynasty. Mughal emperor Akbar annexed Sindh after defeating the last Tarkhan ruler. Punjabi Tarkhans Its important to note that the Turkish honorary title Tarkhan is not related to the Tarkhans, the craftsmen of Punjab. Its more related to Mongolian term дархан (darkhan) meaning the craftsman who works with the wood from a tree (Darakht). Punjabi Tarkhans are mostly Sikh in East Punjab and Muslim in West Punjab. Punjabi Tarkhans The Sikh Tarkhans use the collective group name of Ramgarhia. The term Ramgarhia is named after Jassa Singh Thoka who became famous as Jassa Singh Ramgarhia in the 18th century when he constructed the observation towers, Ramgarhia Bunga, at Ramrauni, Amritsar. He rose from being a carpenter to the leader of a Sikh Misl bearing the name - Ramgarhia Misl. Sikh Carpenter from Punjab The Hindu Tarkhans call themselves Brahmin Dhiman and can be found in East Punjab, Haryana, and Western UP. Most common Dhuman family names are Devgun, or Deogun, Ancient Carpentry Tools from North India Prominent Tarkhans in History Bhai Lalo The Tarkhans were one of the early followers of Guru Nanak. The fist mentions comes in Janamsakhis of Bhai Lalo, a hard working carpenter from Saidpur (Now Eminbad) in the Sialkot district of West Punjab. While visiting the city, Guru Nanak refused the feast invitation of Malik Bhago, a rich business man of the city, and preferred to stay with the poor carpenter, Bhai Lalo. There he enjoyed the meal of plain Roti with onion served by Bhai lalo's wife to the 36 cuisine offered by Malik Bhago. The pride of Malik Bhago, an upper caste Khatri was hurt and he questioned why the guru discarded his feast prepared by Brahmins over a simple meal at lower caste Lalo. “Your wealth is gathered by corrupt practices and exploitation of poor, Its like sucking the blood of the poor people. How could I accept it?” said Guru ji. "Bhai Lalo on the other hand has earned his bread with honest and hard labor. Thats why, I preferred his simple meal to your fancy cuisines" Guru Nanak at Bhai Lalo's House Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia Jassa Singh Thoka (1723–1803) was a prominent Sikh leader during the period of Sikh Misls. He was the Commander of the Ramgarhia Misl (or Confederacy). Jassa Singh was born into Tarkhan Sikh family in the village of Ichogil, near Lahore. Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia (Left) In 1716 Ahmed Shah Abdali and Mughal Governor of Punjab were hunting for Sikhs and attacked the sacred city of Amritsar multiple times. Jassa Singh Thoka took position in the mud fort of Ram Rauni outside Amritsar to protect the city. The fort was reconstructed as Ramgarh. In 1758, Jassa Singh Thoka constructed two observation towers near the Golden Temple to watch out for attacks by Afghans, These towers were named as Ramgarhia Bunge after the Ramgarhia Misl and Jassa Singh became known as Jassa Singh Ramgarhia. Twin Towers of Ramgarhia Bunge Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia captured the Red Fort of Delhi along with Sardar Baghel Singh under the leadership of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, Jathedar of Dal Khalsa. After capturing the Red Fort of Delhi, the three Sikh leaders went over to see the Mughal Throne. Baghel Singh asked Jassa Singh Ahluwalia to sit on the throne as he was the leader of Sikhs at that moment. Jassa Singh Ramgarhia objected to this and it was determined that none of the three will sit on the throne. Jassa Singh Ramgarhia then detached the throne of Mughal emperor and brought it on elephants to offer it to the Golden Temple, Amritsar. It was later cemented to the floor of Ramgarhia Bunga. Mughal Throne at the Floor of Ramgarhia Bunga Bhai Ram Singh Kuka Ram Singh was a mid-level military leader in the Sikh Army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He was a member of a unit of Prince Naunihal Singh's platoon that took part in military action against the Afghans in the NW Frontier. Although a military man, Ram Singh had profound interest in Sikh spirituality. He founded the Namdhari sect, an reformist sect within Sikhism. The Namdhari believe in the chanting of God’s name (or Naam, for which reason members of the sect are called Namdharis). Their style of hymn singing includes a frenzied shrieks (kuks; hence the name Kuka). . Ram Singh Kuka introduced many reforms in orthodox Sikh practices. Himself an Amritdhari Sikh, he would encourage others to take Amrit and get baptized as Khalsa. He was the pioneer tin encouraging the Sikh women to take Amrit with equal status as men. Bhai Ram Singh Kuka at Amrit Ceremony After the annexation of Lahore Durbar by the British, Bhai Ram Singh continued to lead the Sikhs against the British occupation of Punjab. The British Indian records list the rebellious activities of Namdhari Sikhs during the 1870s. Namdharis objected to cow slaughter, resulting in killings of some Muslim butchers in Amritsar and Ludhiana in 1871. A group of 66 Namdhari Sikhs were blown up by a cannon in 1872 by the British. There is a memorial to them at Namdhari Shaheedi Smarg Malerkotla, Punjab. Bhai Ram Singh Kuka was exiled to Rangoon, Burma afterwards. In the year 1879, Bhai Ram Singh Kuka wrote from his exile and prison in Burma: "I maintain friendship only with those, who devote themselves, whoever they may be, to worship and prayer ... Guru Gobind Singh is the real Guru. Guru Gobind Singh's Dasham Granth is the only true writing. Any person irrespective of caste or religion can be admitted a convert." Other prominent personalities belonging to Punjabi Tarkhans, include the following: Giani Zail Singh: Seventh President of India Sir Mota Singh, QC: First Sikh Judge in United Kingdom Bhai Baldeep Singh, Renowned Raagi belonging to tradition that dates back to the Gurus Ajay Devgn: Bollywood Actor Monty Panesar: Cricketer from England Sardara Singh: Former captain of Indian Hockey Team Jasprit Bumrah: Indian Cricketer