On This Day

AkalPurakhDiFauj · February 13, 2009

February 13th

1870 Baba Darbara Singh of the Nirankari movement, passed away. He was second to Baba Dayal Singh, founder of the Nirankari movement.

==>NIRANKARI: a particular branch of GurSikh faith, established by Bhai Dayal Singh Ji. A Saehajdhari Sikh resident of Peshwar, GurSahai Ji, had a son named RamSahai Ji who married Ladhaki, daughter of Vasakha Singh (treasurer for the tenth Guru). Bhai Dayal Singh was born from this marriage on 15 Vaisakh sunmat 1840 (1783).

At the age of 30, Bhai Dayal Singh's mother passed away. Since then he moved to live with his Mama ji (mother's brother) Milkha Singh in Rawalpindi. Milkha Singh successfully instigated the drive for religious preaching in Bhai Dayal Singh Ji.

Bhai Dayal Singh married Mulladae and had three sons: Darbara Singh, Bhara Singh and Ratta Ji. Bhai Dayal Singh was continually absorbed in Nirankar Shabad Jaap and diligently preached against idol worship. For this reason, he and his following came to be known as "Nirankari". This group has actively and successfully lead reforms within GurPanth practices. However, it should be noted that this group is distinct in their beliefs and practices form another group who believes in human Guru and also calls themselves Nirankaris. Bhai Dyal Singh opposed idol worship and preached marriage reforms.

Bhai Dayal Singh Ji passed away on 18th Magh sunmat 1911. Rawalpindi has a beautiful Gurudwara of Nirankaris, where visitors are humbly served with GurSahab kirtan, Katha, Guru's Langar.

CAUTION:- The SANT NIRANKARIS are a recent phenomenon and they have nothing in common with the Nirankari sect of the Sikhs, except for the name. They are not even a schism split from it, although the founder, Buta Singh (1883-1944), was once a member of the Nirankari Durbar at Rawalpindi. Upon being asked to quit the Durbar for a misdemeanour, he raised a group of his own. He was succeeded by Avtar Singh, who after the partition of India, 1947, migrated to Delhi and set up a centre there. Over the years, he recruited a considerable following from among Sikhs, Hindus and others. He was followed by his son, Gurbachan Singh. Gurbachan Singh's son, Hardev Singh, is now the leader of the Nirankaris.

These Nirankaris have no affiliation with any of the known religious traditions. In any case, they have nothing in common with Sikh religion and own no connection with it. They welcome to their fold people from all religions. In this way, they form a freemasonry of faiths held together by the person of the leader, who is believed by the faithful to be the incarnation of God. As Gurbachan Singh once proclaimed : "The responsibilities assigned from time to time to prophets like Noah, Rama, Krishna, Moses, Christ, Muhammad, Kabir, Nanak, and Dayal have now been put on shoulders by my predecessor Baba Avtar Singh." In Nirankari writings, he was claimed to be the Deity, the creator of this entire universe, its sustainer and master.

It is not for anyone to controvert such claims. Least of all for Sikhs, who do not regard truth as the monopoly of any single group or faith. Their history and culture are witness to their liberal outlook. Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621-75), Nanak IX, laid down his life to secure the people the liberty of conscience. His martyrdom was for the protection of the right of everyone to practise his religion unhindered. He protested against the State's interference with the individual's duty towards his faith. It was a declaration that any attempt to create a unitary, monolithic society must be resisted. It was a reiteration of the Sikh belief in an open and ethical social order and of the Sikh principles of tolerance and acceptance of diversity of faith and practice. This lesson is part of the Sikh experience and teaching and no follower of the faith may contravene it.

The Sikhs would have no quarrel with the Sant Nirankaris about their beliefs or ways of worship, but there are certain aspects of their system which cause abrasion. Although the Sikhs form a small percentage of their following, the Nirankari leaders have always preached their faith through the vocabulary and symbols of Sikhism. But with their native bias, they never cease from attempting to disfigure and distort many of its cherished ideals and institutions. Imitation breeds obliquity. The word Nirankari itself is borrowed from the Sikh chroniclers. The Founder, Guru Nanak, was by them referred to as Nanak Nirankari - believer in God, the Formless. "Nirankari Baba" is the title the Nirankari leader has appropriated unto himself. He retains his Sikh form, as did his predecessors. In imitation of Guru Gobind Singh's Panj Piare (the Five Beloved of Sikh history), he has created his Sat Sitare (Seven Stars). The names of venerable Sikh personages from history are assigned to members of the leader's family and his followers. Among them : Mata Sulakkhani (Guru Nanak's wife), Bibi Nanaki (Guru Nanak's sister), and Bhai Buddha and Bhai Gurdas, two primal figures of Sikhism, both regarded highly in Sikh piety. Peculiarly Sikh terms, such as Satguru, Sangat and Sachcha Padshah, the title which the Sikh history came to be used for the Gurus, in contrast with Padshah and Badshah representing secular emperors, have been appropriated by the Nirankaris. Their religious book, a collection of Punjabi verse, incipient and elementary in character, by Avtar Singh, with little literary grace and spiritual content, is designated Avtar Bani in the manner of gurbani, i.e. the Sikh Gurus' utterance. In Nirankari congregations gurbani is frequently and copiously quoted, but with a deliberate slant. The purpose invariably is disapprobation of the Sikh way of life. Sikh Scriptures are quoted and expounded openly to suit the Nirankari bias. In their monthly journal, Sant Nirankari, articles were published on gurbani and its interpretation. These articles appeared under title such as "Vichar Sri Sachche Patshah" (Thoughts of, or Interpretations by, the True Lord, i.e. the Nirankari leader), and "Gurbani ki Hai" (What really is gurbani?). Meanings contrary to Sikh understanding and tradition were propounded.

Sikhs have resented the continuing denigration by the Nirankaris of the their faith and of their belief in the Guru Granth as the Person Visible of the Gurus. They have protested against it. This is what they attempted to do - peacefully - at the time of the huge Nirankari congregation in Amritsar on April 13, 1978, coinciding with Baisakhi celebrations by the Sikhs. The Sikh group which went to the site had no violent intent. They were unarmed, except for their religiously sanctioned regalia. They were neither Nihangs nor Akalis, though most of the Sikhs are of Akali persuasion - politically. The bulk of the protesters in fact belonged to Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh's jatha, whose primary concern is with kirtan or chanting of the holy hymns. Their other colleagues were from the jatha of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who devote themselves exclusively to the study and expounding of the bani of the Guru Granth.

The protesting Sikhs were met with a shower of bullets from the Nirankaris. Thirteen of them were killed, and many more wounded. The congregation, under the aegis of the Nirankari leader, Gurbachan Singh, continued for more than three hours after the gruesome tragedy. No one - none from among the Nirankaris who profess love and human fellowship to be the fundamental value in their creed - had a thought to spare for the dead bodies that lay scattered outside.

-Taken from "Retrospect" section, on page 26 of the June 1994, Volume 42:6, No. 486, issue of The Sikh Review.

SANT NIRANKARIS & AKALIS

The genesis of the real trouble between the Nirankaris and Akalis goes back to the years when Mrs. Gandhi headed the Union Government. She wanted to weaken the Shiromani Akali Dal but found that Akalis could not be brought to heel. She thought of an elaborate plan to strengthen the Nirankari sect not only in Punjab but throughout the country and abroad also. Official patronage was extended to the Nirankaris much to the chagin of Akalis who have always considered the Nirankaris as heretics. In pursuit of this policy of divide and rule, Mrs. Gandhi personally gave clearance for a diplomatic passport to be issued to the Nirankari chief, and the Indian High Commissioners and Ambassadors abroad were instructed to show him respect and regard. This was meant to help the sect to improve its image and increase its following abroad. During Mrs. Gandhi's regime, the Nirankaris were known to be receiving financial help from secret Government funds, not open to audit or scrutiny by Parliament.

- Sat Pal Baghi of Ferozepore in Chandigarh Edition of Indian Express in the last week of April, 1978.

1923 A police informer, Diwan, is murdered by the Babbar Akalis.

1987 Feb. 13-15, an Academic Conference on Sikh Scholarship was organized under the auspices of the University of Toronto. This was the first conference of its kind after the assault on Golden Temple. Many renowned scholars from United Kingdom, India, United States, and Canada participated in this conference. Papers were presented on selected topics on Religion and Culture; History and Politics: India; History and Society; Diaspora; and Comments on recent Events.

AkalPurakhDiFauj · February 14, 2009

February 14th

1983 11 Sikhs killed in a strike observed by the Hindus of Punjab.

The Hindus observed a strike throughout the Punjab. On this occasion they indulged in hooliganism, ransacked the model of Sri Darbar Sahib, displayed at Amritsar Railway station. The hooligan Hindus and the Hindu Central Reserve Police (CRP), fired at Sikhs sitting in their shops and at those going into their houses. Eleven Sikhs were killed. Not even a single Hindu was wounded. In contrast, when the Sikhs held a peaceful protest day on April 4, 1983, 26 Sikhs were killed; but the law is different for Sikhs and for Hindus. Even if the hooligans and the criminals are Hindus, the Hindu force has instructions to kill Sikhs only.

Additionally, from 14 until 21 February, Haryana gangs murdered Sikhs passengers in Panipat and several other area, burned their Gurdwaras.

AkalPurakhDiFauj · February 15, 2009

February 15th

1605 Guru Hargobind married Mata Damodari, daughter of Narian Das, a Julka Khatri of the village of Dall, 6 Kilometers southeast of Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district of the Punjab. This marriage resulted in a son, Baba Gurditta born in 1613 and a daughter, Bibi Viro born in 1615.

1762 Ahmad Shah Abdali traveled from Sirhind to Lahore with 50 bullock-carts filled with heads of Sikh.

1809 The East India Company established a cantonment in Ludhiana. This cantonment was specifically established to check the advance of Khalsa forces beyond the Sutlej.

1984 Feb. 15-20, the Hindus of Haryana under the guidance of the Chief Minister Bhajan Lal and senior police officials, attacked innocent Sikhs in the cities of Panipat, Rohtak, Kaithal Karnal, Ambala, Jind and other parts of Haryana province and killed 20 Sikhs, burnt six Sikh shrines and looted 200 Sikh houses and shops. The hair and beards of more than 12 Sikhs were shaved off by the Hindus in the presence of heavy contingents of police and Central Reserve Police CRP.

AkalPurakhDiFauj · February 16, 2009

February 16th

1892 Prof. Sahib Singh, a renouned scholar of GurSikhism, was born.

==>Prof. SAHIB SINGH, a Sikh savant, teacher, writer, and interpreter of Guru Granth Sahib was born on 16 February, 1892 at village Fatewalli (now disctrict Sialkot in Pakistan) in a poor Hindu family. His name at birth was Nathu Ram. His father's name was Mr. Hira Nand who was a small shopkeeper in the village. At the age of four and a half years, his father sent him to Mr. Mian Hayat Shah to receive his early education. Mian Hayat Shah was the son of Hashim Shah, a well known Punjabi poet who was also the court poet of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Later the boy Nathu Shah went to the priamry school. He was an excellent student. He won scholarship when he finished middle school. He got married when he was hardly 13. He became a baptised Sikh under the influence of his relative and became Sahib Singh in September 1906. He finished his high school in 1909. After finishing his high school, he taught in a middle school for some time and later he worked for the post office. A little later he joined college and got his B.A. degree in 1915. He became a professor of Sanskrit and Gurbani at Guru Nanak Khalsa College Gujranwalla. Later he became a professor of Gurbani at Khalsa College Amritsar where he taught for more than 20 years.

Prof. Sahib Singh became a deputy secretary of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and was arrested in 1922 during Guru Ka Bagh Morcha. He was again arrested in 1923 during the Jaito Morcha.

In 1939, he rejoined Guru Nanak Khalsa College Gujranwalla. After retirement from that college, he rejoined Khalsa College Amritsar where he taught Punjabi and Gurbani. He got retirement from that college in 1952. He was appointed Principal of Shahid Sikh Missionary Collge, Amritsar. Later he also taught at Gurmat College Patiala.

In January 1971 he was awarded D. Litt. degree by Punjabi University Patiala.

Professor Sahib Singh had eight children: six sons and two daughters. One of his sons Sardar Daljeet Singh is a world famous eye surgeon. It is interesting to note that five of his six sons got married to five real sisters of a family in Jammu.

Prof. Sahib Singh developed Parkinson disease soon after he finished the last volume of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Darpan. He started writing that Darpan (Steek) on January 1, 1957 and finished the last volume in 1961. He approached SGPC and asked them to get Sri Guru Granth Sahib printed because he had no money. His request was denied. That project was picked up by Mr. Sohan Lal Khanna of Raj Publishers, Jalandhar and has been in great demand ever since. His Steek of Guru Granth Sahib is widely read and appreciated today by the Sikh scholars, preachers, and students of gurbani. It is a monumental work and considered one of the most authoritative interpretation of Gurbani. It explains many complex concepts and terms of Gurbani in simple Punjabi.

His other very important book "Gurbani Viakarn" (Gurbani Grammar) is also a milestone in explaining the language of Guru Granth Sahib.

Professor Sahib Singh wrote 30 books. Almost all of them are in Punjabi. A couple of them have been translated into English and Hindi. He died on October 29, 1977. It was the day of 400th anniversary of the city of Amritsar. He was a very simple man who saw utmost poverty in his early life. He was a Sikh scholar of the highest order.

He wrote the following books:

1. Gurbani Viakarn

2. Simran Dian Barkata(n)

3. Aad Bir Bare

4. Sadacharak Lekh

5. Sarbat Da Bhala

6. Dharam Te Sadachar

7. Burayee Da Takra

8. Sikh(u) Sidak Na Hare

9. Gurbani De Itihas Bare

10. Babania(n) Kahani(an)

11. Jiwan Birtant Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji

12. Guru Itihas Patshahi 2 to(n) 10

13. Jiwan Birtant Guru Gobind Singh Ji

14. Japuji Sahib Steek

15. Assa Di Vaar Steek

16. Sukhmani Sahib Steek

17. Jap(u) Sahib, Savvaye, Chuapyee Steek

18. Nitnem Steek

19. Ramkali Sad Steek

20. Bhatta(n) De Savvaye Steek

21. Satte Balwand Di // Steek

22. Sidh Gost(i) Steek

23. Salok Guru Angad Sahib Steek

24. Salok Te Shabad Farid Ji Steek

25. Salok Kabir Ji Steek

26. Bhagat-Bani Steek (Five Volumes)

27. Barahmah Tukhari te Majh Steek

28. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Darpan (Ten Volumes)

29. Meri Jiwan Kahani (Autobiography)

30. Japuji Sahib Steek (Hindi)

-Ref. "Meri Jiwan Kahani" by Prof. Sahib Singh

1923 Waryam Singh of Dhugga and Dalipa of Dhammian join the Babbar Khalsa.

1986 Foundation stone was laid for the re-construction of Akal Takhat after Operation Bluestar. Sri Akal Takhat was severely damaged in this operation. Although the Government of India forcibly repaired the building under curfew, through Baba Santa Singh, main leader Budha Dal, this is not accepted by Guru Khalsa Panth. This building repaired by Government of India was torn down and Baba Santa Singh punished for his cooperation with the government in this matter.

==>AKAL TAKHAT - an institution, initially named Akal Bunga, established by Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib in sunmat 1665 for Sikh Governance, located in front of Harmindar Sahib, Amritsar. Regular diwans were conducted daily, during early morning and evening by Guru Sahib. AkalBunga, represents the centre for all Panthic jathaebandia (groups). It is where Gurmat resolutions are announced and procalamations made that are binding to all Sikhs around the world. Akal Bunga is the first Takhat for Sikhs and hence popularly known as Akal Takhat. Some of the arms preserved at this location include:

1. Sri Sahibs (swords) of Guru Hargobind Sahib that represented Miri and Piri

2. Sri Sahib (sword) of Guru Gobind Singh Ji

3. Sri Sahib (sword) of Baba Buddha Ji

4. Sri Sahib (sword) of Bhai Jaetha Ji

5. Sri Sahib Baba Karam Singh Ji Shaheed

6. Sri Sahib Bhai Uday Singh Ji, who was with Guru Gobind Singh Ji

7. Sri Sahib Bhai Bidhi Chand Ji

8. Dudhara Khanda (double-edged sword) of Baba Gurbakash Singh Ji Shaheed

9. Dudhara Khanda (double-edged sword) of Baba Deep Singh Ji

10. Dudhara Khanda of Baba Nodh Singh Ji Shaheed

11. Khadag Bhai Vachitar Singh Ji which weighed 10 Saer

12. Guru Hargobinds Sahib's "Guraj" weighing 16 saer. It was given to Dharamvir Jassa Singh by Matta Sundari

13. A sword like weapon belonging to Guru Hargobind Sahib Guru Hargobind Sahib's Katar

14. Baba Ajit Singh's Katar

15. Baba Jujhar Singh's Katar

16. Guru Hargobind Sahib's kirpan

17. Guru Hargobind's Paeshkabaj

18. Baba Deep Singh's Paeshkabaj

19. A sword like weapon of Baba Deep Singh Ji Shaheed

20. Pistol of Baba Deep Singh Ji Shaheed

21. Two arrows of Guru Gobind Singh each cxontaining one Toala of gold

22. Medium sized Khanda of Baba Deep Singh Ji

23. Two kirpans of Baba Deep Singh Ji

24. Two small Khandas of Baba Deep Singh Ji

25. Chakar Of Baba Deep Singh Ji

26. Small Chakar of Baba Deep Singh Ji

27. Baba Deep Singh Ji's chakar for head decoration

-Ref. Mahan Kosh (pp. 36)

AkalPurakhDiFauj · February 17, 2009

February 17th

1984 The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) fired indiscriminately upon Sri Darbar Sahib complex at Amritsar. As a result three visiting devotees were killed.

AkalPurakhDiFauj · February 18, 2009

February 18th

1712 Bahadhur Shah dies in Lahore.

1850 Maharaja Dalip Singh reached Fatehgadh, Uttar Pardesh, India.

==>Maharaja Dalip Singh was forcibly separated from his mother Maharani Jind Kaur and sent to Fatehgarh, (Farrrukhabad, district of Uttar Pradesh in India) by Lord Dalhousie. Lord Dalhousie appointed Dr. Login to be the companion to Dalip Singh. Within a few months of the Englishman's tutelage Maharaja was converted from a Sikh to a Christian. A man named Bhajan Lal was assigned to teach him Bible and Christianity. It was here the Maharaja Dalip Singh for the first time communicated to Captain Campbell, his acting guardian, his desire to become Christian. Dr. Login was on leave at that time.

The purpose for the Maharaja's conversion to Christianity was twofold:

1. Politically there was no better solution for the British as it showed that the Maharaja not only became a Christian, but also gave up his Punjabi life by becoming an English country-gentleman;

2. It removed him from his mother and subjects - the Punjabi people.

On March 8, 1853, Maharaja Dalip Singh was formally admitted into the Christian Church with water brought from Ganges nearby at his own private dwelling house. The service was conducted by the Rev. M.W. Jay, with Dr. John S. Login, Mrs. Login, Colonel Alexander and Mr. Guise signing the Baptism register as witnesses.

Note, Maharaja Dalip Singh reentered the Sikh faith in 1886. He received Khande Di Pahul (Amrit) on May 26, 1886 at Aden.

Later Maharaja Dalip Singh tried to regain his lost kingdom and declared himself as the "implacable foe of the British." Unfortunately he did not get much support from his countrymen and some of his letters were intercepted by the British intelligence. Even some Sikh political and religious organizations opposed his efforts.

Maharaja Dalip Singh died on October 23, 1893 in a hotel in Paris.

-Ref.

1. Maharaja Duleep Singh Correspondence, page 81. (Punjabi University)

2. The Fall of the Kingdom of Punjab - Khushwant Singh, page 152

1921 Khadur Sahib Gurudwaras were brought under control of SGPC.

AkalPurakhDiFauj · February 19, 2009

February 19th

1848 Jathaedar Ganda Singh and two associates were hanged until death in Lahore.

==> HANGING OF JATHAEDAR GANDA SINGH: On January 30, 1848 Jathaedar Ganda Singh (Jathaedar of Sri Akal Takhat), Akali Kharak Singh, Bibek Singh, Hira Singh, Mastan Singh, Muhar Singh, and Hukam Singh protested the entry of some British officers into the Darbar Sahib without removing their shoes. This resulted in a clash between the Akalis and the government officials. One official (subedar) was killed and a company commander got injured. Some Sikhs also got injured. The tyrant Mr. Lawrence arrested the Sikhs. Jathaedar Ganda Singh and his two of his companions were hanged. Six more Sikhs were sent to the jails of Barailey, outside Punjab.

- Ref. "Sri Amritsar Ji De Darshan Ishnan Ate 500 Salan Di Itihask Directory" by (by Satnam Singh Khalsa, Advocate)

1921 Mahants and Pujaris of various historical Gurdwaras, held a convention to express themselves against Singh Sabha reformers and call on the government to restore the status quo ante at the Golden Temple, Amritsar. Because of the resolve of the reformers and unity within Guru Khalsa Panth, the reformers were victorious in their efforts.

1949 Master Tara Singh was arrested at Narela, under sedition charges. He was on his way to Delhi to attend a Conference.

==> MASTER TARA SINGH's ARREST (Feb. 21. 1949): Master Tara Singh was arrested at Narela railway station, near Delhi and sent to Almorha jail in UP. At that jails all the prisoners - Muslims, Sikhs, and Hindus - were forced to sing the following Hindu song:

Rahgupati raghav raja Ram |

Patit pavan Sita Ram |

(Note: This song is sung in the Hindu temples and other religious gatherings. I believe it was a favorite song of M.K. Gandhi. It glorifies a Hindu god Ram and his wife Sita, etc.)

The jailer superintendent Mr. Mohamad was a Muslim but he could not stop this for the fear of his job. Master Tara Singh opposed this hypocrisy of the Hindu rulers in the so-called secular state.

Sikh Sangats protest against this unfair arrest of their leader Master Tara Singh at Sri Darbar Sahib. The Indian police entered the Golden Temple complex with their shoes on and fired upon innocent, unarmed people. People were arrested under Public Safety Act.

- Ref. "Sri Amritsar Ji De Darshan Ishnan Ate 500 Salan Di Itihask Directory" by (by Satnam Singh Khalsa, Advocate)

(PS: The information that I have refers to the arrest of Master Tara Singh on February 21, not on 19th. These two accounts seems to be at variance. It is quite possible that Master Tara Singh was arrested on 19th and formally charged on Feb 21st. Hence two dates of his arrest. Tarlochan Singh.)

AkalPurakhDiFauj · February 20, 2009

February 21st

1849 2nd Anglo-Sikh war was fought at Gujrat. This was the last war between the Khalsa forces and the British that resulted in a severe defeat for Khalsa forces and triggered the annexation of the Khalsa Raj.

1915 Marked the revolt within India against British occupation. Sikhs played a major role in this revolt.

1921 Karam Singh of Daulatpur organised a politcal conference at Mehtapur.

1921 Sri Nankana Sahib's keys and control was handed over to SGPC. The news of Nankana Massacre spread like wild fire. Within hours Sikhs from all everywhere marched on to Nanakana Sahib, despite the road blocks, re-routed trains and deployment of troops to cordon off the area. By the afternoon, 1000 Akalis and some members of the SGPC confronted the Deputy Commissioner and were resolved to advance on the Gurudwara or be shot by the troops. Bhai Kartar Singh Jabbar with a Jatha of 2200 entered the Gurudwara Janam Asthan, Shri Nankana Sahib defying Deputy Commissioner's orders. The show of force at this time retrieved the Sikh prestige. The commissioner of Lahore, M. C.M. King yielded and asked Bhai Kartar Singh Jhabbar and Sardar Mehtab Singh to form a committee of seven members which immediately took control of the Gurudwara under the Presidentship of S. Harbans Singh of Attari, a moderate Chief Khalsa Diwan leader. He took over in the name of SGPC. The troops and the police were withdrawn. -Ref "The Sikhs in History," by Sangat Singh, 1995 "Babbar Akali Movement, A Historical Survey," by Dr. Gurcharan Singh, Aman Publications, 1993.

The Nankana tradegy had drawn the line. The Punjab government was on the side of the Mahants where as Sikh masses and the Akali leadership drew sustenance from national forces. The Government, calculatingly, followed a new policy. It tried to supress the extremists and weaken teh akali agitation by offereing many baits. Such circumstances led to a long struggle known as the Akali movement, which in turn prepared the ground for the genesis of violent movement consisting of those Akalis who were militant and non-cooperators. It came to be known as the Babbar Akali Movement.

1924 Shaheedi Saka Gangsar Jaito - when the agitation of Jaito took a serious turn. Under the orders of Nabha State Authorities, Punjab, police opened fire to prevent the march of the Sikh devotees to their holy shrine at Jaito - Gurdwara Tibbi Sahib. More than 400 died on the spot, yet many valiant Sikhs continued their undeterred march and successfully reached the holy shrine. AMongb the dead included Sikh, Hindu and Muslim Indian as well as "goraa" policemen on the pay of British. Over 1,500 Sikhs were arrested and imprisoned during this incident. (see description below on jaito).

==> 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

==> 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.

AkalPurakhDiFauj · February 21, 2009

so.. daas went through the entire day yesterday thinking it was the 21st.

whoops. =P.

sorry bout that.

heres the history for the 20th.

February 20th

1707 Aurangzeb died.

1921 Shaheedi Saka of Sri Nankana Sahib took place. Nankana Sahib is the birth place of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. At the time of this incident, this place was being managed by Mahant Narayan Dass. A Jatha of 150 GurSikh reformers, led by Bhai Lahshman Singh, were visiting Nankana Sahib to seek Gurdwara reforms and it's liberation, through non-violent and peaceful means. However, the managing Mahant had hired 28 Pathans and goondas from Majha, collected arms and ammunition besides other weapons, which caused a scare in the surrounding areas. He attacked the unscheduled Jatha, fired upon them without any warning and hounded them from room to room. At least one of them was tied to a tree and burnt alive. When a massacre inside the shrine was on, a group of Sikh devotees arrived outside. Mahant Narain Das on horseback ordered the killing of each and every long haired Sikh, and his men pursued some of them in the fields up to the railway station, killing and burning most of them. He also tried to burn down the dead bodies in a group inside the shrine. Those struck outside were thrown into kilns or burnt alive. The Guru Granth Sahib was riddled with bullets. This incident sent a wave of indignation among the Sikhs and other people throughout the world. The holy shrine of Nankana Sahib was eventually liberated. Additionally, this single incident triggered off a Gurdwara liberation movement throughout Punjab. The main objective of this movement was to consolidate the management of all historical Sikh Shrines under a single elected body which came to be known as the Sharomani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee or SGPC for short.

Sessions Court Judgement on Oct. 12, 1921, sentenced the Mahant and seven others to death, 8 to transportation for life, 16 Pathans to 17 years rigorous imprisonment, and acquited the remaining sixteen. However, the High Court, on March 1922, reduced the sentence for the Mahant to transportation for life, confirmed death sentence only for three, transportation for life against two and acquited all others including the Pathans.

-Ref. "The Sikhs in History," by Sangat Singh, 1995 "Mahan Kosh," by Khan Singh Nabha.