On This Day

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

March 11th

1783 Sikhs enetered Red Fort in Delhi and hoisted their Kesri flag, under the leadership of Baghael Singh, after successfully attacking and capturing Delhi. Further Jathaedar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia was seated on throne of Diwane-Aam. Peace arrived at with Sikhs through Begam Samru after certain major concessions were made to Sikhs. Baghel Singh controlled Delhi for 8 months during which period he constructed seven historic Gurudwaras in Delhi connected with Sikh Gurus.

==> BAGHAEL SINGH was a resident of Chubhal, Amritsar. This Sant Sepahi belonged to the "Karohdhi" Misl. In sunmat 1847, working with the Khalsa forces, he attacked and captured Delhi. He received three lakh rupees from the Shah Aalam which he used to build the Delhi Gurudwaras and acquire their surrounding lands. He returned to Punjab after successful completion of all the historical Gurudwara constructions. Baghael Singh led an exemplary life devoted extensively to amrit prachar. Many well known Sikh personalities including Patiala's Raja Sahib Singh Ji, received amrit under Baghael Singh's guidance. He passed away on sunmat 1859 in Amritsar.

-Ref. Mahan Kosh

==> 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

1942 Cripps mission was announced.

1966 Hindu terrorists took out a processions against Punjabi Suba. During this procession, Sikhs were attacked, their propeties burned to ground, looted, and destroyed.

1985 Sant Harchand Singh Longowal, President Shiromani Akali Dal and Morcha Dictator of Dharam Udh morcha (initiated on Aug. 4, 1982) was released from Udaypur Jail. He was arrested from within the Darbar Sahib complex on June 6, 1984, during the Operation Bluestar.

March 12th

1921 Gurudwara Ram Das Sahib was forcibly taken over and brought under the control of SGPC. -Ref. "Babbar Akali Movement, A historical Survey," by

Dr. Gurcharan Singh, Aman Publications, 1993.

1947 87 GurSikh women of Boha Khalsa gave their lives through drowning by jumping into wells to save their honour rather than be subjected to humiliations by the Muslims.

1972 Elections to Punjab assembly were held. Akalis won only 24 of 104 seats. This marked the end of Fateh Singh's leadership.

1983 Sikhs decided on a protest strategy in response to Harsimran Singh's unfair termination from the Punjab University, Chandigarh. Harsimranm Singh was an employee of the School of Punjabi Studies, Punjab University , Chandigarh, under Professor V.N. Tewari, who was the Chairman of the department. At a meeting of the University Senate, Dr. Tewari said that he had no complaint against Harsiran Singh as far as his official work was concerned. But Harsimran Singh was not allowed to continue and his services were terminated. The reason? Participation in a seminar sponsored by the Senior Sikh Sophisticates Forum. Kapur Singh, formerly of the Indian Civil Service, was the principle philosopher and guide of the group. Dr. Sohan Singh, formerly director, Health services, Punjab formed the Senior Sikh Sophisticates Forum to strengthen Khalistan.

At this Akali Dal's working committee meeting, it was decided to block traffic for a day on the main rorads of the state and set up meetings in constituencies held by Congress legislato

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March 13

1849 The Sikh army fought the British forces at Gurjrat. The British had vastly superior artillery. Sikhs fought valiantly but were routed. Raja Sher Singh and the remaining army surrendered thus ending Sikhs opposition to British.

1921 To his dismay and amazement, Mahatama Gandhi learnt that the Sikhs did not consider themselves to be Hindus, which he had perceived them to be. Precisely, for his Gujarati audience, he wrote in the Navjivan, "Till today, I had thought of them as a sect of Hinduism. But their leaders think that theirs is a distinct religion." Gandhi went back to add, "Their sacred book is the word of their gurus and, apart from that book, they accept no other scriptures as holy."

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

1928 Central Sikh Association presented the Sikh case before the Simon Commission.

1940 Sardar Udham Singh of Sunam killed Sir Michael O'Dwyer, who was Lieutenant General of Punjab at the time of the Jallianwala incident in Amritsar. He was killed in London.

==> JALLIANWALA BAGH INCIDENT: A meeting was called in 1919 to protest :-

the arrest of Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr. Satyapal, two prominent leaders in Punjab at the time and

against the repressive Rowlette Act of the British Government

Several hundred people had assembled at Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar to participate in this protest. Brigadier General Dwyer was sent to disperse the assembly. He intially proceeded with an armoured car. However, the streets leading up to the Jallianwalla bagh were too narrow for the armoured vehicle and consequently the soldiers had to abandon the vehicle and travel by foot. Upon reaching the Jallianwala bagh, Brigadier General Dwyer opened fire on the innocent and unarmed people, killing almost all. When the firing stooped, a total of 1302 people been killed, including 799 GurSikhs. Udham Singh from Sunam (Punjab), was a child at that time, whose father was among the killed. He vowed to kill the cruel General.

A subsequent enquiry was held into the shooting. As a result, Brigadier General Dyer retired, went back to England, and subsequently died six years after the Jallianwala massacre.

However, The Sikh community felt further insulted, when Rur Sngh, the custodian of the Golden Temple, offered a Saropa to Sir Michael O'Dwyer, Lieuetnant Governor of Punjab. General Dwyer was also offered a Kirpan (Sword of honor) and it was qouted in the British Parliament by Lord Finlay that he had been made a Sikh.

Udham Singh came to England and spent many years of hard work planning ways to fulfill his childhood vows. It is said that Udham Singh took up work in Sir Michale O'Dwyer's residence in England, who was the Governor of Punjab during the Jallianwala massacre. Udham Singh worked there for sometime and therefore got to know Sir O'Dwyer very well. Seezing an opportune moment Udham Singh gunned down Sir O'Dwyer at a public meeting in England as he stood to address the gathering.

-Ref. "Babbar Akali Movement, A Historical Survey,"

Dr. Gurcharan Singh, Aman Publications, 1993.

1969 Lachhman Singh Gill was arrested as an act of revenge by the Gurnam Singh government.

1981 54th All India Sikh Educational Conference held during 13-15 March in Chandigarh. It was organized by the Chief Khalsa Diwan.

1981 A critical development, the radicalization of the Sikh establishment took place at The Sikh Educational Confernece, Chandigarh. To meet the demand for a Sikh Homeland which is founded on Sikh claim to distinct nationhood, some clever politicians and writers had beeen asserting that Sikhs are a separate community and not a sperate nation. At this conference, Sardar Ganga Singh Dhillon of Washington in his enlightening presidential address explained how the Sikhs are a seperate nation.

Thus the 54th All-India Sikh Educational Conference organizsed by Chief Khalsa Diwan passed resolution that Sikhs are a separate Nation and demanded consultative status with non-political bodies of the United Nations on the lines of the Palestine Liberation Organization. The folowing arguments were advanced in favour of these resolutions:

That the Sikhs are a Nation

They are not confined to India and as such have to face many problems which require international intervention for their resolution; and

the Government of India has utterly failed to help the Sikh settlers abroad. For instance, it did not come to their rescue when Indian, mostly Sikhs, were thrown out of Uganda by Idi Amin, with stock and barrel. It did not offer even lip sympathy, not to speak of rendering any aid, legal or financial, when the Sikhs recently launched an agitation against the order for the use of helmets in Britain.

The resolution was lustly greeted with the slogan Khalistan Zindabad. Dr. Sohan Singh, a former Director Health, Punjab, went so far as to say that the creation of Khalistan was the only way to end blatant discrimination against the Sikhs in India since independence.

The Government immediately swung into action. S. Inderjit Singh, who was Chairman of the Reception Committee of thso conference was immediately removed from Chairmanship of the Punjab & Sind Bank, a nationalise bank originally owned and started by the Sikhs. Chief Khalsa Diwan was forced to diswon the resolution passed and condemn those who has raised slogans in favor of a separate Sikh State.

-Source. History of Sikh Struggles, Vol. 1, By Gurmit Singh, Atlantic Publishers & Distributors, 1989. pp. 54-56

1981 Resolution was passed at the 54th All India Sikh Educational Conference, held at Chandigarh, for creation of the International Secretariat to coordinate the activities of the Sikh Nation in the field of economic, education, cultural, political, and religious affairs."

-Source. History of Sikh Struggles, Vol. 1, By Gurmit Singh, Atlantic Publishers & Distributors, 1989. pp. 67

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daas asks for maafi from the sangat.

haven't been able to post for a bit.

April 2nd

1757 Timur Shah (son of Ahmad Shah) and Jahan Khan (Governor of Lahore) attacked Sri Harmandir Sahib, destroyed Sri Darbar Sahib and completely filled sarowar with debris. During the 4th invasion of Ahmad Shah in 1756-7, he reached Delhi and systematically plundered the city. But he was forced to returned back due to outbreak of cholera epidemic in his troops> During this invasion, Sirhind was annexed to his empire. Ala Singh of Patiala submitted to Ahmad Shah. But the Sikhs attacked Timur Shah at Sunam and relieved him of half of his treasure. Sikhs also attacked the rear of Afghan troops and relieved them of a lot of their loot. As a result, the infuriorated Ahmad Shah sent an expedition against the Sikhs that destroyed Sri Harimandir Sahib and filled the holy tank with debris.

==> SRI DARBAR SAHIB also known as Harminder Sahib and Golden Temple was constructed by Guru Arjun in the middle of an sacred water tank (sarowar).

"Har Japae Har Minder Saajia,

Sant Bhagat Gun Gawae Ram" -Suhi Shant Mahala 5

In sunmat 1621, with Guru Amar Das's permission, Guru Ram Das started the digging of a tank (Taal) near villages Tugh, Gumtala, and Sultanwind. This digging was completed by Guru Arjun Dev in sunmat 1645 and named "Santoksar".

Simultaneously, with Guru Amar Das's permission, a village was established nearby and named "Guru Ka Chaak". Guru Sahib's residence in this village were popularly known as "Guru Kae Mahal". To the west of these residences, next to the tree known as "DukhBhanjani Baeri", the digging of a tank was started in 1634. However, this digging remained incomplete and was eventually completed by Guru Arjun Dev after he ascended to the Gur Gadhi. Guru Arjun Dev vigorously pushed all of the projects initiated by Guru Ram Das. He invited business people, scholars, and skilled people from all over, to come and settle around this area and establish new markets. As a result this area came to known as "Ramdas Pur". Bhai Sallo is especially noted for his hard work in establishing and populating this area. His contributions are extremely noteworthy.

In sunmat 1643, the construction of permanent sarowar began and its name changed to "Amritsar". As a result the surrounding city also adopted the "Amritsar" name. On magh 1, sunmat 1645, Guru Arjun Dev Patshah asked Sain Mian Meer to lay the foundation stone of Harminder Sahib. The foundation stone was laid right in the middle of the sarowar and upon completion of its construction, Sri Guru Granth Sahib's prakash was established in sunmat 1661.

Harminder Sahib is the most prominent among all Sikh gurudwaras, where Akhand Kirtan is performed for most of the day. The Vaisakhi Maela celebrations in Harminder Sahib were established by Guru Arjun Dev, while the Diwali Maela celebrations were instituted by Baba Budha Ji, immediately upon the release and safe return of Guru Hargobind from the Gawalior fort.

In Sunmat 1818, Ahmad Shah Abdali blew up the Harminder Sahib with explosives and leveled the sarowar. However, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia once again laid the foundation stone on 11 Vaishakh, sunmat 1821. And through Dees Raj's diligent efforts Harminder Sahib was reconstructed in a few years. Abdali, on three occasions, 1757, 1761, and 1762 pulled down Harimandir Sahib and defiled the sacred tank by caracases of cows. The Sikhs for the first time in 1757 defeated Afghan forces at the battle of Amritsar. The following year, they captured retreating Afghan forces and made them clean Harimandir and the sacred tank.,

Maharaja Ranjit Singh took control of Amritsar in sunmat 1859 and decorated Harminder sahib with white marble and gold. Additionally during 1805-9, "Ram Bagh" was developed in remembrance of Guru Ram Das and "GobindGadh Fort" was established in remembrance of Guru Gobind Singh. Khalsa College was established by the Panth in 1892.

-Ref. Mahan Kosh (pp. 267)

For further details on Harminder Sahib, interested readers are referred to the following:

Madanjit Kaur, "The Golden Temple: Past & Present", Guru Nanak Dev university Press, Amritsar, 1983

Patwant Singh, "The Golden Temple", Time Books International, New Delhi, 1988

Patwant Singh, "Gurudwaras in India and around the world", Himalayan Books, New Delhi, 1992

"Sri Harmandir Sahib Da Sunehiri Itihas" by Late Jathedar (of Akal Takaht Sahib) and former Head Granthi of Golden Temple) Kirpal Singh. pp. 389-390. This is the most authoritative book so far on the Golden Temple.

1809 Treaty of Amritsar signed between Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the British. Maharaja Ranjit Singh desired to be the overlord of all Sikh States. The British gave protection to Cis-Sutlej States and confined Maharaja Ranjit Singh to Sutlej and thus came very close to Lahore. After quite a bit of sabre rattling Maharaja Ranjit Singh succumbed to British pressure. This treaty was a major defeat for Maharaja Ranjit Singh at the hands of the British. Maharaja Ranjit Singh withdrew his forces from Faridkot and Malerkotla.

1850 The Sikh forces of Maharaja Ranjit Singh were disbanded, approximately a year after the East Indian Company gained controled of Punjab on Mar. 29, 1849.

1984 Harbans Lal Khana is murdered.

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daas once again asks for maafi from the sangat.

school has been hectic, and daas hasn't been able to post the history

1940 Sardar Baldev Singh Pakt was signed.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

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.

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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).

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

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

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

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)

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

May 8th

1705 Battle of Mukatsar and Martyrdom of Chaali Muktey.

1839 Khalsa forces captured Kandhar and established Shah Sujaul Mulak as the ruler.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

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.