The Fear Of Sikhs Enemy

[mAhA_pApI]

Eye Witness Accounts

The following is an eyewitness account by one Noor Mohommad, a contemporary of Ahmed Shah Abdali (Durrani) during the latters invasion of 1764. Noor Mohommad was a resident of Ganjubda, Balochistan who accompanied Nasir Khan in his crusade against the Sikhs.

Do not call the dogs dogs, because they are lions (and) are courageous like lions in the battlefield. How can a hero, who roars like a lion be called a dog? (Moreover) like lions they spread terror in the field of battle. If you wish to learn the art of war, come face to face with them in the battlefield. They will demonstrate it to you in such a way that one and all will shower praise on them.

If you wish to learn the science of war, O swordsman, learn from them. They advance at the enemy boldly and come back safely after action. Understand, Singh is their title, a form of address for them. It is not justice to call them dogs; if you do not know Hindustani language, then understand that the word 'Singh' means a lion."Truly, they are lions in battle, and at times of peace, they surpass "Hatim" (in generosity ).

When they take the Indian sword in their hands they traverse the country from Hind to Sind. None can stand against them in battle, howsoever strong he may be. When they handle the spear, they shatter the ranks of the enemy. When they raise the heads of their spears towa-rds the sky, they would pierce even through the Caucasus (in the process). When the adjust the strings of the bows, place in them the enemy killing arrows (and) pull the strings to their ears, the body of the enemy begins to shiver with fear. When their battle axes fall upon the armour of their opponents, their armour becomes their coffin.

"The body of every one of them is like a piece of rock and in physical grandeur everyone of them is more than fifty men. It is said that Behram Gore killed wild asses and lions. But if he were to come face to face with them even he would bow before them (Singhs). Besides usual arms, they take their guns in hand (and) come into the field of action jumping (and) roaring like lions and raise slogans. They tear asunder the chests of many and shed blood of several (of their enemy) in the dust. You say that musket is a weapon of ancient times, it appears to be a creation of these dpgs rather than Socrates. Who else than these (dogs) can be adept in the use of muskets. They do not bother (even if) there are innumerable muskets. To the right and the left, in front and towards the back, they go on operating hundreds of muskets angrily and regularly."

If you do not believe in what I say, you may enquire of the brave swordsmen who would tell you more than myself and would praise them for their fighting. This bears witness to (my statement) that they faced thirty thousand heroes in the battlefield. If their armies take to flight, it is a war tactics of theirs. They resort to this deception in order to make the angry army grow bold and run in their pursuit. When they find them separated from the main body and away from help and reinforcement, they at once turn back and fight more ferociously (literal translation - they set fire even to water).

"Did you not see that while fighting the Pathans, they took to flight which was deceptive. A world famous wrestler wielding high esteem and respect alight-ed from his horse and showed his great style as if he were Tuhmatan ( a great warrior of Iran). O valiant fighter, do justice to their (act of ) war. One of their armies invaded Multan and put the city to plunder and devastation and killed many of its inhabitants and carried away an immense booty. I am not sufficiently strong in mind to express what the dogs did there. But as God willed it, each of us has to submit to His Will."

Besides their fighting, listen to one more thing in which they excell all other warriors. They never kill a coward who is running away from the battlefield. They do not rob a woman of her wealth or ornaments whether she is rich or a servant ("Kaneez"). There is no adultry among these dogs, nor are they mischieveous people. A woman, whether young or old, they call a "Burhi". The word Burhi, means in Indian language, an old lady. There is no thief amongst these dogs, nor is there amongst them any mean people. They do not keep company with adulters and house thiefs though all their acts may not be commendable."

If you are not acquainted with their religion, I tell you that the Sikhs are the disciples of the Guru - that glorious Guru lived at Chak (Amritsar). The ways and manners of these people were laid down by Nanak who showed these Sikhs a separate path. He was succeeded by Guru Gobind Singh from whom they received the title of Singh. They are not part of the Hindus, who have a separate religion of their own. "Now that you have familiarised yourself with the behaviour of the Sikhs, you may also know something about their country. They have divided the Punjab amongst themselves and have bestowed it upon every young and old.

[Gurpreet_Singh_Rana]

[AK47 JATHA LION]

Noor Mohommad

"Do not call the dogs dogs, because they are lions (and) are courageous like lions in the battlefield. How can a hero, who roars like a lion be called a dog? (Moreover) like lions they spread terror in the field of battle. If you wish to learn the art of war, come face to face with them in the battlefield. They will demonstrate it to you in such a way that one and all will shower praise on them. "

This is the famous account from Noor mohammed. The Mughals used to call the sikhs "dogs" and "kaafirs". When noor mohammed saw first hand the singhs in the battle field fighting ferociously while immensely outnumbered, he wrote this in his account. The sikh warriors that were being called dogs, he said "how can they be called dogs? because they are lions. "

He had respect for the sikh warriors in the battlefield , despite being on the opposing side, he called it how he saw it. A great account!

[Gurbar Akaal]

Shame that Sikhs do not live up to this image nowadays.

[sikh12910]

^^^

true sayy, but there may (most probably will as there has been in each generation) be a time when we're called to step up n we'll see who's who then......

not that we shouldnt be stepping up now at least in some way, theres still sooo many injustices occuring everywhere. thankgod for sikhi tho.... Waheguru Ji.

[mAhA_pApI]

as what i belive in...every here came with a mission of their own...some of us gt so far that we tend to forget who & what we were spose to be...as what been said....

'but there may (most probably will as there has been in each generation) be a time when we're called to step up n we'll see who's who then......'

[buddasingh]

Shame that Sikhs do not live up to this image nowadays.

A very valid point and necessary observation. At the same time, keep in mind there are many that do live up to this image. They are not necessarily widely supported or acknowledged, but there are amazing warriors amongst,