On This Day

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

February 3rd

1816 Baba Ram Singh Namdhari was born.

==> BABA RAM SINGH was born on 5th Magh sunmat 1872 in village Rayia, Ludhiana, to father Jassa Singh and mother Sedha Kaur. Since early childhood, Ram Singh was inclined to reciting God's name (Vaaheguru's Naam simran). For a while, he served in the forces of Lahore darbar. However in 1841 he left active service and joined the company of Baba Balak Singh, whose preachings had enlightened thousands. Upon receiving Naam Updaesh, Ram Singh settled in Bhaenni village and engaged in extensive preaching of Sikh faith. On the Baisakhi day of 1857, Baba Ram SIngh administered Pahul to teh Sikhs in his village and created 22 centres in different parts of the country. He started the Kuka branch. Kuka Sikhs wear white attire and a malla made from white wool. Their practices include, giving Vaaheguru Gurmantar in individual's ear; amrit is not partaken together, rather given to individuals in isolation; practice of Hawaan ceremony; rather than the traditional Parikarma around Guru Granth Sahib during marriage ceremony, they recite lawan in presence of fire (Agni Haum). During religious ceremonies, they yell, shout, and dance out of love. The punjabi term for their yelling and shouting is Kukeh. Hence they are popularly known as Kukas.

When the British government were alluring unemployed Sikh youths into their armed forces, Baba Ram Singh was among many GurSikhs who considered it inappropraite to serve a foreign government. He initiated a non-cooperation movement at times when Congress wasn't even born. It is because of their principles that the Namdari movement came in direct conflict with the British government.

In 1871, the Kukas held a conference at Khote. Some recalcitrant Kuka leaders, despite Baba Ram Singh's exhortation, attacked the butchers at Amritsar on June 14, 1871 and at Raikot on 15th July, 1871. Baba Ram Singh was held responsible for thisrequirments were restricted. But the Kuka intransigancy could not be stemmed. Again some zealots attacked Malerkotla on January 15, 1872 and killed Kotwal Ahmedkhan and 7 sepoys. 68 Kukas were captured near the village Rar. 42 of whome were blown up with guns on January 17 under the orders of M.L. Cowan, Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana, while on eboy was slaughtered to pieces. Next day the remaining 16 were blown up under the orders of T.D. Forsy, the Commissioner, Ambala Division. Only 2 Kuka women were spared. Namdhari's successfully evoked a rebellion within a Army center. As a result 95 Namdhari Sikhs were court marshaled. In 1872 a British armoury was looted and several weapons were taken away. As a result, Baba Ram Singh and 12 of his associates were exiled to Rangun, Burma. Baba Ram Singh died there after 13 years of solitary confinement, on Nov. 29th, 1885.

Baba Ram Singh married Mai Jassah of Village Tharodh in Ludhiana district and had two daughters. As a result, Baba Ram Singh's gaddhi was assumed by his younger brother Bhai Budh Singh Ji. Later Bhai Pratap Singh, son of Bhai Budh Singh assumed this gaddhi and continued to serve the followers and visitors with langer and Akhand Kirtan.

-Ref. Mahan Kosh (pp. 1033-1034) Naraen Singh, Kau Kito Visahau? Singh Brothers, Mai Sewa, Amritsar, ISBN 81-7205-003-8, 1986, 1990, 1992

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

February 4th

1764 Khalsa fought against Ruhaliya forces in which Ruhalae lost and left the battle grounds.

1853 John Lawrence was appointed the Chief Commissioner of Punjab.

1975 As a result of representation made by The Sikh Dharma Brotherhood (USA), the Labor department of US Government exempted the Sikh workers employed in workshops from wearing safety helmet which are required to be worne by all the labourers in carpentary trade and construction (an OSHA program Directive of 1972). The exemption to Sikh employees was granted under the provisions of the Unites States Constitution relating to free exercise of religion.

-Source. History of Sikh Struggles, Vol. 1, By Gurmit Singh, Atlantic Publishers & Distributors, 1989. pp. 65

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

February 5th

1762 Ahmad Shah invaded for the 6th time. This invassion was primarily against the Sikhs. The Sikhs had besieged Jandiala. Ahmad Shah reached Jandiala by forced marches. In the meantime Sikhs had moved to Malerkotla. Ahmad Shah surprised the Sikhs at Kup Raheera near Malaerkotla (now in Sangrur district) and the two armies met in a straight fight. Sikhs were encumbered with families and camp followers and lost more than 30,000 Sikh - mostly old men, women, and children, out of a total of 50,000. However, the main body of the Sikhs fighting force remained intact. Hwowever, the hand written copy of the Holy Sri Guru Granth Sahib had to be lodged near here in the house of a muslim, who kept the holy scripture respectfully for about two centuries. It is said to have been taken to Pakistan by that family at the time of India's Partition in 1947. This battle is known as the "Wada Ghallughar." Ahmad Shah reached Amritsar and destroyed Hari Mandir and the holy tank. Ahmad Shah stayed the entire year 1762 in Panjab to subdue and crush the Sikhs, but he totally failed in the objective. Despite the heavy loss of life and the Holy Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikhs fought several subsequent wars with Ahmed Shah Abdali and eventually convince him to leave Punjab. Soon they recuperated and established their own kingdom, the Khalsa rule in Punjab. With the establishment of the Sikh rule, the Western borders of India were sealed forever to the Mughal invaders.

-Ref. Mahan Kosh.

1921 The famous Sikh shrine, Punja Sahib was brought under management control of Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC)

PANJA SAHIB gurudwara is situation at HassanAbdal, Pakistan. This place contains a spring on a hilltop, whose water collects in a pond nearby. During Guru Nanak's visit to HassanAbdal, his companion, Mardana, sought some water from this pond to quench his thirst. However, Mardana's repeated requests were denied by the muslim Faquir who controlled this area, Walli Kandhari. Angered by the repeated requests, he dropped a heavy rock from hilltop on Guru Nanak, who were resting at the foothills below. Guru Nanak Dev Ji stopped the rock with his hand. The imprint of his hand is visible even today, engraved in the rock at this place. Subsequently, Guru Nanak had a fruitful dialogue with Walli Kandhari and impressed upon him that it does not behove men of God to discriminate between humans on religious grounds. All are the children of God and He loves all his children equally. Sikh Jathas from all over the world, travel to this location for celebrating Vaisakhi every year. Today, HassanAbdal is also known as Panja Sahib.

-Ref. Mahan Kosh

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

February 6th

1921 SGPC asks government to safeguard Sikh institution of Nankana Sahib.

==>NANAKANA SAHIB: also known as "Nanakiyana", is the residence of Guru Nanak Dev Patshah. It is 48 miles south of Lahore in Saekhuyana district and was known as Raipur. Later, its name changed to "Talwandi RaiBhoe Di" and subsequently to Nanakiyana. In sunmat 1526, Guru Nanak Patshah's prakash initially appeared at this place. The prakash place is marked with a beautiful Gurudwara that accompanies Guru's place of residence. This Gurudwara has extensive jagir associated with it.

Other Gurudwaras nearby include:

1. Kiyara Sahib: east of the city, the place where the fields grazed by GuruSahib's cattle were returned to their original condition.

2. Tanbhu Sahib: north of the city, the place where Guru Nanak rested under a tree after transacting "Sacha Sauda".

3. Patti Sahib: the place where Guru Nanak preached to his own teacher and turned him into a disciple.

4. BalLilla: the place where Guru Nanak Dev Patshah used to play as a child. Nearby is the pool of water that was dug especially for Guru nanak Dev Patshah, by orders of RaiBhular.

5. Maal Ji Sahib: the place where Guru Sahib used to graze his cattle. This the is same place where once Guru Sahib was resting under the shade of the tree. As the shade moved as a result of changing sunlight, GuruSahib was always under the shade of created by a snake's fins.

6. Gurudwaras marking the visits of Guru Arjun Dev Patshah and Guru Gobind Singh Patshah. Guru Arjun Dev Patshah visit this place during his travels of religious places. While Guru Gobind Singh Patshah visited this place in Jaeth 11th. GurSikhs have established an annual maela on this day.

7. Guru Nanak Dev's gurudwara near Sangrur, which is one mile north of village Mangwal. Guru Nanak Dev stayed here for 15 days. Guru Har Gobind Patshah also visited this place. The gurudwara and nearby tank of water were constructed by Raja Raghibir Singh Jind.

8. Guru Nanak Dev's gurudwara, south of village Dipalpur in district Mantgumari. When Guru Sahib visited this place and rested under a dried "Piple" tree, it came alive and turned healthy green. Nearby is the place where Guru Nanak Patshah cured Noranga named individual.

-Ref. Mahan Kosh

1926 Kahan Singh Nahba's monumental work, "Mahan Kosh", Encyclopedia of Sikh Religion was published.

==>KAHAN SINGH: is among the noted learned Sikh scholars. He was born on Bhado Wadi 10th sunmat 1918 (1861) in village Sabaj Banaera, Patiala, to father Bhai Narayan Singh and mother Mata Har Kaur Ji. As a child Kahan Singh was very active and thereby extremely close to his parents. He learned Gurmukhi from Bhai Bhup Singh. He was initiated to read Sri Guru Granth Sahib at the age of five by his father. At seven years of age, he was fluent in reciting Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Subsequently, Kahan Singh was sent to Delhi for Sanskrit education. He studies initially from Bawa Kalyan Das then Pandit Sri Dhar, Bansi Dhar, Bhai Vir Singh, Bhai Ram Singh, and Bawa Parmanand. He studied poetry from Bhai Bhagwan Singh Dughu. Subsequently, he learned music from Mahant of Gurusar Maharaj, Gaja Singh. At 20 yrs. he started learning Pharsi and english. By the age of 22, Bhai Kahan Singh had accomplished the basic necessary for understanding and analyzing Sikh literature.

His knowledge of Sikh scriptures and history is most profound and unrivalled. Beside being trained in the old school of sikh scholarship wherein depth of knowledge and mastery of detail was more emphasized, he has also cultivated the variety and vastness of view which is characteristic of western learning. He not only possesses an intimate knowledge of the most obvious and the most distant facts, but he also knows how to marshall them and use them to some purpose.

Belonged to the earliest batch of the Singh Sabha reformers, Kahan Singh greatly influenced the formation of the modern opinion about Sikhism. Mr. M.A. Macauliffe, the author of the Sikh Religion, found in him a guide, philosopher, and friend. If Bhai Dit Singh and others were responsible for the social and religious reforms, Bhai Kahan Singh has worked for the whole movement as a writer, articulating its principles in works.

His work Mahan Kosh, is a unique reference and probably the only one of a kind available to sikh preachers. It is a dictionary and an encyclopedia combined of sikh literature. It contains words occurring in the original Sikh scriptures as well as in other allied books.

Mahan Kosh, today is not only an all-inclusive work for ready reference, but contains solid articles on great and intricate topics connected with the Sikh history and religion. It represents a whole library of literature on Sikhism.

Kahan Singh Nabha passed away on Nov. 23, 1938.

-Ref. Mahan Kosh

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

February 7th

1955 Master Tara Singh was elected President of SGPC for the third time.

Master Tara Singh was born on 24 June, 1885, in Haryal in Rawalpindi district of North Western Province of undivided India. His mother, Moolan Devi, was a pious lady and his father, Bakshi Gopi Chand, was a patwari of the village and was a well known and respected person. Tara Singh's original name was Nanak Chand. In 1902 Nanak Chand embraced Sikhism and came to be called Tara Singh.

Tara Singh had a bright educational career and was a scholarship holder almost at all stages of his education. In 1907 he passed his B. A. examination from Khalsa College, Amritsar. Later Tara Singh joined as headmaster of Khalsa High School, Lyallpur, at an honorarium of Rs. 15 per month. Since then he came to be known as Master Tara Singh. His career as a teacher ended in 1921, following the Nankana tragedy.

He also edited two Akali newspapers, Akali (Urdu) and Akali te Pardesi (Gurmukhi) in which he forcefully put forward the aims and objectives of the Akali Dal.

He took an active part in national politics till his death on 22 November 1967.

-Ref. "Master Tara Singh, by Verinder Grover, Deep & Deep Publications Delhi, 1995.

1956 Congress party holds its annual session in Amritsar.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

February 8th

1628 Shah Jahan took over the ereigns of Mughal empire.

1780 Sikhs fought Timur near Multan during his 2nd invasion but lost Multan city and the fort.

1958 Members of Jan Sangh (now Bharti Janta Party) set fire to Gurdwara at Jallandar.

1961 Fateh Singh and Nehru held talks on Punjabi Suba. Talks followed on March 1 and May 12. As expected, these talks failed to materialize anything and a "failed talks" was announced.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

February 9th

1924 1st Shaheedhi Jatha of 500 Akali Sikhs, under the command of Jathedar Udham Singh of village Verpal, marched from Sri Akal Takhat for Gangsar, Jaito. It reached Jaito on Feb 20-21, the third anniversary of Nankana tradegy

WHERE IS JAITO? A village under Nabha, which falls on the Bathinda-Ferozpur railway line. It is 96 miles from Lahore and 17 miles from Bathinda.

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JAITO? On this place situated near a fort, is a historical Gurudwara of Guru Gobind Singh Patshah. Maharaja Hira Singh constructed the beautiful buildings of this Gurudwara. The sarowar is popularly known as "Gangsar". About a mile and a half north of Jaito is "Tibhi Sahib" Gurudwara, where Guru Gobind Singh Patshah used to organize and participate in the evening recitation of Rehras. Both Gurudwaras have extensive land sanctioned to it by the Nabha rulers. Additionally, extensive financial resources are made available on an annual basis from the Nabha rulers and the surrounding villages. A maela celebration is held every 7th of Pooh month (Dec.-Jan.) and Katak (Oct.-Nov.) Puranmashi. Jaito's markets are well renowned. People come from far distances to buy and sell their herds.

WHY AKALIS COURTED ARREST? The key issue involved was resoration of Maharaja Ripudaman Singh of Nabha. Maharaja of Nabha, well-known for his pro-Tat Khalsa Proclivities, had a dispute with Maharaja of Patiala, known for this pro-government role. Although Maharaja of Nabha had absolutely no dispute with the government, as a result of mediation, he was forced to abdicate in July 1923. Col. Michin, with the help of troops and armoured cars, took the Maharaja by surprise on July 8, 1923 and taunted him with the query, "Where is that Akali?" The news of deposition by the government raised a strom of protest against the Government's interefernce in Nabha and was decsribed as a challenge to the Akali movement. As a result tensions mounted. The Akalis, in defiance of state orders, continued to hold diwan indefinitely. The Nabha police in order to arrest all the Akalis, including the one reading the holy Granth Sahib, was said to have disrupted the Akhand Path on Sept. 14, 1923. This dispute took such a tragic shape and got so inflames by Feb. 21, 1924 that several people lost their lives. After sixteen shaheedi jathas apart from one from Bengal and another from Canada, the agitation process was completed two years later, on August 6, 1925, after the concurrent bhog of 101 Akand Paaths.

Ref.

- Mahan Kosh

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

1992 Expressing their desire to live free of India, Sikhs overwhelmingly boycotted elections under the Indian constitution. Despite efforts by government troops to force Sikhs to vote at gunpoint, less than 3.4 percent of the Sikhs in villages voted. In over 2000 villages, not a single vote was cast.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

February 10th

1760 Baba Deep Singh having learned of denegration of Harmandir Sahib and Amritsar sarowar at the hands of Jahankhan. performed ardas for his shahadat.

Purja Purja Kut Maray Kabahu Na Shadu Khaet ||

-Sri Guru Granth Sahib pp. 1105

Baba Nodh Singh, Baba Gurbakhash Singh, the brave Jathedhars were with Baba Deep Singh. A fierce battle errupted. The sky was filled with echos of Jarkaras. Baba Deep Singh used his double-edged sword. Gamaal Khan was killed at Gohalwadh while Baba Deep Singh's head got severed from his body. Baba Deep Singh picked up his head and continued fighting with his head placed on his left hand and advanced to Chattiwind. When Baba Ji found himself seiged by the enemy, he threw his head towards Sri Harmandir Sahib which reached its parkarama. Thus Baba Deep Singh accetped Shahadat on Feb. 11, 1760.

-Ref. Amritsar Ji Dae Darshan Eshnan Utay 500 <banned word filter activated> Di Ethasak Directory, Satnam Singh Khalsa Advocate, pp. 61.

1846 The Khalsa forces fought British forces in the battle of Sabhraon. It is during this battle that the brave Khalsa General, Sardar Sham Singh of Attari, fell fighting and accepted shahadat. During this war, the Khalsa forces suffered heavy losses, mainly due to internal dissension. The Sikh army deprived of ammunition and rations, crossed Sutlej at Sobraon. British made three attacks and were repulsed. Lal Singh and Tej Singh ran away from the battle field as planned with the British. Gulab Singh came and started negotiations with the British to the detriment of Sikh interests. Lal Singh cut off the boat bridge so that Sikh army could neither get any reinforcement nor could retreat back. Under such circumstances the British won and the Sikhs lost. The Sikh army stood defeated and thus came the most inglorious end of a most glorious army of the Khalsa. This was the last battle between the British and the Sikhs.

NOTE:- further details on this battle and a brief biographical sketch on Sardar Sham Singh Attari is sought

==>ATTARI: a city in Amritsar District, which is famous for one of its residence, DharamVeer, and Khalsa RajBhagat Sham Singh. Sham Sing was one of the well-respected and recognized generals of the Khalsa forces. He was uniquely a symbol of the unflinching will of the Khalsa, Sham Singh fell in the Sabhraon war while bravely fighting the enemy forces. Sham Singh's daughter, Nanaki, was married to Maharaja Ranjit Singh's grandson, Naunihal Singh, on march of 1837.

-Ref. Mahan Kosh.

1923 Bishan Singh Zaildar of Rani Thua is muredered.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

February 12th

1764 Foundation was laid for a permanent fort at Patiala.

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.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

daas accidently posted today's history yesterday.

so i figured itd only be fair to post yesterdays history today, lol.

February 11th

1393 Birthday of Bhagat Ravidaas (1393- see description below) [NOTE: "A Study of Bhakata Ravidas", by Darshan Singh, Punjabi University, Patiala, 1981. concludes that Ravidas lived between 1393-1528]

RAVIDAS (1393-1528) - Dr. D.S. Mani, Sardar Bakhshish Singh, and Dr. Gurdit Singh Guru Granth Ratnavali, page 115.

RAG GAURI

"Griefless" is the name of my town,

Where abide not either pain or care.

No anguish there of tax on goods,

Neither fear, nor error, nor dread, nor decline.

Oh! how wondrous is my fatherland,

where there is always Peace, and Calm, 0 Friend!

And there is not a second nor a third there, by my only Lord.

Populous as ever, its repute is eternal, -

Yea, there abide only the Rich and the Content.

And there men go about as and where they wish.

They know the Mansion of their Lord, so no one preventeth (them).

Ravidas, a mere tanner, hath been emancipated in this land; and,

he who's his fellow citizen is also his friend.

Like Kabir, Ravidas was also a resident of Kanshi and came from a cobbler's family. According to general belief, he was a follower of Swami Ramanand, but, there is no historical proof about it. In spite of his low caste, Ravidas rose to a position of great honor through a life of simplicity and piety. He never felt ashamed of his pedigree and faced fearlessly the pundits, who were proud of their high caste. He told them that spiritual greatness is achieved through a loving devotion to the Lord and the attainment of his grace. He boldly proclaims:

O people of the city, everyone knows

I am a cobbler by trade and tanner by caste.

One of the low-caste, and yet within my heart

I meditate upon God

Again, he says:

I am haunted day and night by the thought

Of my low birth, society and deeds

O God! the Lord of the Universe!

O Life of my life! Forget me not,

I am ever Thy Slave.

He was such a faithful bhakt that once he gave a farthing (damri) to some Sadhus, who were going to Hardwar, requesting them to offer it to Ganga Mai on his behalf. They say that when the Sadhus, after making their own offerings presented the damri sent by Ravidas to the holy Ganges, she stretched out her hands to receive it. That shows that Ravidas had realized the consummation of his spiritual life. He was greatly respected during his life-time, to the extent that even the veteran pundits of Kanshi bowed before him, Tradition has it that Queen Jhalan of Mewar became a follower of Ravidas. But despite close contacts with an affluent section of society, he chose to live austerely. They say that once some one offered him a paras (the philosopher's stone that turns cheaper metal into gold) and assured him that he could get any amount of wealth by making use of it. Ravidas asked him to place it in a corner. When he came to Ravidas again after some months, he found the saint still lurking in poverty. He asked the bhakt why he had not utilized the pares. Ravidas remarked that for him, God's Name alone was the paras, that was the "Kamdhen" and "Chintamani".

He who is the Ocean of Peace, the Tree which yields all Fruits,

the wish fulfilling Jewel, the Master of kamadhenu,

In whose hands are the four life-objects, the eighteen

extra-psychic powers and the nine treasures

That Lord thou tellest not with thy tongue.

Because of his undying devotion he attained a state of unison with his Maker. He recognized no difference between himself and the Supreme Being. He proudly said:

Between Thee and me, between me and Thee,

How can there be likeness or difference?

Likeness or difference as between gold

And a bracelet made of it as between water

And the waves. that move on its surface!

Were I not a sinner, O Eternal Lord!'

How couldst Thou have the title of Redeemer of Sinners?

This idea finds recurrent expression in his hymns as the following passage would reveal:

O Love, who is it that can do this but Thou?

Yea, the poor are embellished only through Thee,

O my Lord and Master, over whose

Head waves the canopy (of His Grace)

He, whose touch "defileth" others, on him too is

Thy Mercy, 0 God

Yea, Thou Makest the low great and mighty, and Fearest naught.

In Hindi literature, Ravidas is known as Raidas and his work is found under the title: Raidas Ji Ki Bani. Forty of his verses have been included in the Guru Granth Sahib under sixteen different ragas.

1713 Farukhsyar became ruler of Delhi. He immediately sent a mammoth army against the Sikhs. The Sikhs resisted for about six months until they ran short of food supplies. In October 1713, the Sikhs retreated to the hills.

1820 Kanwar Naunihal Singh, grand son of Sher-I-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh, was born.

==>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)

1861 Maharani Jind Kaur caught up with her beloved son, Maharaja Dalip Singh, and him met in Calcutta (see description below on Jind Kaur and Dalip Singh. NOTE:- further details sought on this event).

==>Maharaja DALIP SINGH, the youngest son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who was born in Lahore, on Feb. 1837, to mother Maharani Jind Kaur. His date of birth is disputed by some and alternately suggested as Sept. 4, 1838. Many foreign journalists have wrongly named him as Dhalip Singh and Duleep Singh. However, it should be noted that his correct name is Maharaja Dalip Singh. He assumed the Punjab throne as a child, after Maharaja Sher Singh, on Sept. 18, 1843. During his reign several wars were fought with the British. Unfortunately, he was surrounded by corrupt advisors as illustrated by the following quote.

"Among the Sikh barons who stood around the throne of the young Maharaja Dalip Singh, there was not one, who honestly labored for his country, or who have made the smallest sacrifice to save her." - The Punjab Chiefs by L.H. Griffin

The agreement of March 9, 1846, after the first Sikh war with the British, included the following conditions:

1. There shall be peace and friendship among Maharaja Dalip Singh and the British government.

2. Lahore darbar would have to relinquish control of the region between Satluj and Bias.

3. War compensation of one and a half crore rupees to be paid by Lahore darbar. Since this amount was beyond the capabilities of Lahore Darbar at that time, Kashmir region was offered for 75 lakhs. However, Maharaja Gulab Singh stepped forward and paid this amount to buy back this region from the British.

4. Maharaja Dalip Singh's forces were restricted to 50 platoons and 12,000 horse-back soldiers.

5. No foreigner from Britain, Europe, or America could be employed in Lahore Darbar without explicit permission of the British government.

6. British government shall refrain from interference in the internal affairs of the Lahore Darbar.

However, towards the end of this year, another set of arrangements were made, under which a council was established to run the Punjab affairs. This council was headed by a British Resident. Further, British forces were brought in to maintain peace in the country. Lahore darbar was charged 22 lakh annually for the maintenance and upkeep of such forces.

However, this arrangement did not last for too long. As in April of 1848, a war erupted among the Sikhs and British. At the end of this war, Sikh kingdom was annexed and Maharaja Dalip Singh was sent out of Punjab to FatehGadh (Uttar Pradesh, dist. Karrukhsbad) under the care of Sir John Spencer Login.

Maharaja Dalip Singh was still a child at the time of the annexation of Punjab and there was no one to dispense any religious education to him. His companions (AudiyaPrasad, Purohit GulabRai, Fakir Jahurudeen) had absolutely no interest or sympathy with GurSikh Dharam. As a result, BhajanLal, a local resident brahmin who had converted to christianity, was given the responsibilities of Dalip Singh's education. Under his influence, Maharaja Dalip Singh adopted christianity on March 8, 1853. A few days prior to adopting christianity, Dalip Singh had presented his hair as a gift to lady Login.

On April 19, 1858, Dalip Singh left for England and started residing at Elveden resident in Norfolk. Dalip Singh married a german lady, Bamba Muller (educated form Cairo missionary school) on June 7, 1864. This marriage resulted in three sons (Victor Dalip Singh, Frederick D.S., and Edward D.S.) and three daughters. Two of his sons were brought up as english gentlemen. The elder, Prince Victor, held a commission in the 1st Royal Dragoons and married a daughter of the Earl of Coventry. He died in 1918 at the age of 58. The younger brother, Prince Frederick was educated at Eton and Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he took history Tripos and later took his M.A. He held a commission in the Suffolk Yeomanry and then transferred to the Norfolk Yeomanry. He resigned his commission in 1909 but rejoined the corps in 1914 and was two years on active service in France. He was awarded the Territorial Decoration. Prince Frederick was deeply interested in archaeology and became a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and contributed articles to various periodicals on this subject. He died in August 1926, at the age of 58. One of Maharaja's daughters married Dr. Sutherland, lived in Lahore, and was popularly known after her parents as Princess Bamba Sutherland.

Maharani Bamba died in 1890. Later, Maharaja Dalip Singh married an english lady, A.D. Etherill, who lived after Maharaja's death. Maharaja's later years were extremely difficult. He was barred from returning to Punjab, and his pension severed. He died pretty much as an orphan, in Oct. 22, 1893 in Grand Hotel of Paris.

-Ref. Mahan Kosh

The Anglo-Sikh wars resulted in ultimate liquidation of the Sikh power, and on 30th March, 1849, Maharaja Ranjit Singh's short lived kingdom was annexed by the British. Maharaja Dalip Singh was taken away to Fatehgarh in the U.P., and put under the tutelage of Sir John Login of the Bengal Army., with the result that after two years the young Maharaja expressed desire to renounce his faith and embrace Christianity. He was baptised, granted a pension, sent to England and given an estate in Suffolk. The married Bamba Muller, daughter of a European merchant and an Abyssinian mother.

Maharani Bamba spoke and understood only Arabic, and in the beginning the Maharaja had amusing difficulties when attempting to converse with his fiancee. She bore him Prince Victor Dalip Singh, (b. 1866, d. 1918), Prince Fredrick Dalip Singh (b. 1886, d. 1926), Princess Bamba Jindan (b. 1869, d. 1957), Princess Katherine, Prince Albert Edward Dalip Singh (b. 1879, d. 1893), and Princess Sophia Alexandria (b. 1874, d. 1948). The children of Maharaja Dalip Singh died issueless. Dalip Singh came to India twice and was reconverted to his paternal faith. In 1886 he made an attempt to leave England for good and settle down in Punjab, but his attempt failed and he was not allowed to proceed beyond Aden. He did not return to England and died in Paris in 1893.

Princess Bamba Dalip Singh, who later married an English gentleman Dr. Sutherland, continued to keep in her custody the collection of paintings and objects of arts, belonging to her father. She died in Lahore on March 10, 1957, without having any issue, and thus her death ended the line of the Sikh ruling dynasty. She bequeathed the collections to Pir Karim Bakhsh Supra of Lahore who sold it recently to the Government of Pakistan.

The collection consists of 18 oil paintings, 14 water colours, 22 ivory paintings, 17 photographs, 10 metallic objects and 7 miscellaneous articles.

Ref. :

-"The Princess Bamba Collection" an official publication of Department of Archeology, Pakistan.

-"Sikh Portraits by European Artists," by F.S. Aijazuddin, a comprehensive source of textual and visual information on the Princess Bamba Collection (Karachi: Oxford Univ. Press)

Maharaja Dalip Singh's life is a tragedy in the true sense of the word. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but died very poor in a hotel in Paris.

Most people do not know that he wanted to reclaim his kingdom by launching a war against the British. Although he had become Chritain at one time, yet he re-entered Khalsa Panth by taking Khade di Pahul (amrit).

Maharaja wrote the following letter to Sardar Sant Singh who was his relative from his mother's side. Here is the text of the letter:

Carlton Club, Pall Mall, S. W.

March 9th, 1886

My Dear Sirdar Ji,

Wah ! Gooroo ji dee Futteh.

I am pleased to receive your letter, but I advise you not to come near me without the permission of Government as you might get into trouble with the authorities.

I intend to leave England with my family on the 31st of this month, but it is possible a little longer delay may occur.

I need not tell you how pleased I shall be (if the Government permits) for you to be present at my receiving Powhl [Amrit] which I trust my cousin Thakur Singh Sindhaanwalla will administer to me.

I am now longing to return to India although Government are afraid to let me reside in the North Western Provinces and desire me to live at Ootakamand, but I put my faith entirely in Sutgooroo who now that I turn to Him for forgivenss I know will forsake me.

Your sincere friend and welwisher

Duleep Singh Maharaja.

Note: Maharaja Dalip Singh stayed sometime in Aden. During his stay at Aden, the Maharaja Dalip Singh was baptised and re-entered the Sikh faith. He was baptised on May 26, 1886. There is a photograph of Maharaja with full beard (which is tied back) and beutiful uniform and turban. In this picture he looks very handsome and a true Maharaja. This picture must have taken when he was around 35-40. This picture is not the one that most of us have seen where the handsome Maharaja is standing with a sword in his right hand.

-Ref. "History of Freedom Movement in the Punjab - Maharaja Duleep Singh Correspondence, Vol III," published by Punjabi University Patiala.

==>Maharani JIND KAUR: was daughter of Sardar Manna Singh Auhlakh, a resident of village Chandh, district Sialkot, Tehsil Jafarwall. She was wife of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and mother of Maharaja Dalip Singh. Once the British government gained control of the Khalsa Raj's affairs, she was initially kept under house arrest at Saekhupura and subsequently jailed at Chunar fort (U.P. district Mizapur). However, she escaped in a beggar's attire and reached Nepal, where she lived with dignity. In 1861, Maharani Jind Kaur reached England to visit her son Maharaja Dalip Singh, where she died on Aug. 1, 1863 at the age of 46. Her body was brought back and cremated in Nasik Nagar, on the outskirts of Bombay.

On March 27, 1924, Maharaja Dalip Singh's daughter, Bamba Dalip Singh, brought the ashes of Maharani Jind Kaur from Nasik Nagar and buried it next to Maharaja Ranjit Singh's samadh. Sardar Harbans Singh Rais of Atari performed the last rights (antim Ardas) on this occasion. -Ref. Mahan Kosh (pp. 523)

Here are a few glimpses of her life from "Maharani Jind Kaur" by Dr. B.S. Nijjar that also sheds light on the sad, unfortuante affairs of Sikh state after the death of Sher-i-Punjab, and offers a rare glimpse of the treachery of some Dogras and Brahmins.

At one time the Dogras has become so influential that the Raja Hira Singh wanted to be the king by pushing aside Maharaja Dalip Singh. The Sikh army did not like him. They liked Maharaja Dalip Singh.

There was a general discontent among the Sikh army and they were not happy with the way Rani was behaving. She had became louder in her demands. She asked for more jagirs for her brothers and more yearly allownaces for herself. She spoke of the designs against every survivor of the royal family and of intending flight to the southern side of Satluj where the English would at least secure for her son, his father's protected territory. This, of course, was a great miscalculation on her part.

Rani an Accomplished Administrator

However, Rani issued a proclamation praising the fidelity of the Khalsa troops. She had shown considerable energy and spirit in conducting the State business, with the courage and determination seldom shown by any woman in Sikh history. Lord Hardinge had un-willingly praised her for her regular life and devotion to the State affairs. She commanded the obedience of regimental committee as well as Sardars, who were also represented in the Supreme Council of Khalsa. However, she committed the impardonable sin of compromising with the Army. Several conferences with the military officers took place and at one of those, the Sardars said that the army would not let the Government go on.

Weakness of Rani

Harding wrote to Ellenborough about administration of Rani Jind Kaur, on October 23, 1845 A.D., "Rani now reviews the troops unveiled, and dressed as a dancing woman, which displeases the old but gratifies the yourng; but her irregularities are so monstrously indecent that the troops have held her horse and advised her to be more chaste or they would no longer style her the Mother of all the Sikhs."

The officers adamantly told the Rani that that army could govern very well for itself. The demand of the increase in pay was, however, not conceded nor was it definitely refused. But the troops were declaring loudly that Rani and her brother were unfit to reign and must be imprisoned or put to death and Peshaura Singh [son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, but not of Jind Kaur] be seated on the throne. The general joy expressed at the death of Hira Singh [son of raja Gulab Singh dogra] and Pandit Jalla, was thus giving place to appreciation of the order and justice prevailing under their rule. The Khalsa army now became openly independent of the Civil authority and almost acted as Kingmakers.

Jawahar Singh Comes to Power

After the overthrow of of Raja Hira Singh and his favourite Pandit Jalla, the ministerial office was not immediately filled and for some time all power of the Sikh Kingdom remained in the hands of the "Army Panchayat." In May, 1845, A.D., however, Jawahar Singh brother of Rani came to power as he was appointed to the exhalted office of Prime Minister for five months from May 1845 to September 1845 A.D. The Prime Minister immediately did his best to win over the army. He raised the salary of the soldiers by half a ruppes and thus consolidate his position. [An average soldier made about Rs/. 11 a month at that time.]

The Dogra Rajas could not tolerate the high position of Jawahar Singh and thus spared no effort to exploit the Khalsa soldiers against him. Raja Gulab Singh instigated Pishaura Singh, another son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh to revolt as he was to be fully supported by the former. At the instigation of the Dogra Rajas, Prince Pishaura Singh revolted and occupied Attok, but was defeated by Jawahar Singh's forces and murdered. It was a blunder on the part of Jawahar Singh as the Sikh army did not appreciate this hasty step of their Prime Minister and turned against him. Raja Lal Singh, the Commander-in-chief of the Khalsa Army, all the more, exploited this situation. A meeting of the Army Panchayat was called and the matter was put before them.

Ultimately Jawahar SIngh was summoned to appear before the Army Panchayat. Jawahar Singh was not unaware of the fury of the Army Panchayat. He rather fully anticipated his fate. Therefore, he took his nephew Maharaja Dalip Singh with him in the hope that the presence of the Maharaja might influence the Khalsa troops in his favour in securing a pardon.

But the fierce and infuriated soldiery sorrounded the elephant on all sides, and the boy Dalip Singh was rougly snathced from the arms of his uncle. Jawahar Singh bowed before the troops, and with folded hands, implored them to hear him for a moment. They, however, would not allow him to utter a word even. He was stabbed with a bayonet on the left, and as he bent over on the right, a man sent a bullet through his brain. Jawahar Singh fell from the 'howdah' a corpse, and his body was dragged from the elephant and mangled with swords of those who sorrounded it.

Bawa Rattan Singh and Bhai Chaittu, the councillors of Jawahar Singh, were killed without any ceremony, on the same spot. The cash, in gold and silver coins, which Jawahar Singh and the Rani had brought with them and their fort, was now plundered by the soldiers, and the Rani and her slave girls were compelled to retire to the tents which had some days previously been pitched for their reception. The whole thing was, thus, well premeditatd and planned. The boy Dalip Singh was separated from his mother for a while and kept with the soldiery, fearing that the Rani in her rage and excitement might destroy herself and her child. When these fears had subsided, the prince was again made over to his mother. The soldiers. however, kept a strict watch over Rani's tents the whole night, to prevent any accident. She passed the night in fearful screams and shrieks, lamenting over the death of her beloved brother and cursing the Khalsa. As morning broke, she was permitted to to see the mangled body of her brother. Her lamentations and painful cries renewed with a violence which moved the bystanders to pity and melted even the iron hearts of those who had been instrumental in causing her brother's murder.

Weeping bitterly, Jind Kaur threw herself and her child on the body of her brother. When partly by entreaties and partly by force, she was separatd from the corpse, she rolled upon the ground, tearing her hair and her clothes. This hearth rending spectacle touched the sympathies of the most valorous spectators. The scene was terminated at noon, when the Maharaja with great difficulty, was persuaded to return to the city. The corpse of the murdered prime minister was also carried to the city, where his funeral obseques were performed outside the Masti Gate, in the presence of several Sardars of the court.

From: "Maharani Jind Kaur" by Dr. B.S.

1956 Akali Dal held its annual session at Amritsar. More than a million GurSikhs participated.