Saka Nankana Sahib

Jaspaul Singh · February 18, 2005

Wahegurooo ji ka khalsa,

Waheguroooo ji ki fatehhh !

Im new to sikhi and i am not familiar of the events that happened at Nankana sahib, and now im very curious. (See the banner up top) Btw i did search the forum, i found nothing, and i would rather like to have my answers from the sangat :umm:

...please share what happened on that date.

bhul chuk maph!

machete · February 19, 2005

Wahegurooo ji ka khalsa,
Waheguroooo ji ki fatehhh !

Im new to sikhi and i am not familiar of the events that happened at Nankana sahib, and now im very curious. (See the banner up top) Btw i did search the forum, i found nothing, and i would rather like to have my answers from the sangat :umm:

...please share what happened on that date.

bhul chuk maph!

86219[/snapback]

The Nankana Sahib massacre refers to the grim episode during the gurdwara reform movement/akali movement in which a peaceful batch of reformist Sikhs were subjected to a murderous assault on the 20th February 1921 in the holy shrine Nankana Sahib, the birth place of Sri Guru Nanak dev ji.

On October 1920 A.D., a congregation was held at Dharowal, District Sheikhupura for reform in Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in which the leaders revealed to the gathering of devotees, the misdeeds being committed inside the Gurdwara. Gurdwara Nankana sahib was highly revered as it is the birth place of Guru Nanak, a city named Nankana Sahib came up around the Gurdwara which is now in Pakistan. At the meeting, it was unanimously resolved that the Mahant be asked to mend his ways. When Mahant Narian Dass was asked to reform himself, he started making preparations to oppose the Panth (Sikh community) instead. He did not feel it necessary to pay heed to the suggestions of the Committee. He was the owner of the estate attached to the Gurdwara with an income of one hundred thousand rupees besides the offerings of the Gurdwara.

The Mahant recruited hooligans and rogues as paid employees to oppose the Sikhs. With the help of the government, he collected from Lahore, guns, pistols and other arms and ammunition. He brought and stored fourteen tins of paraffin. He got the Gurdwara gate strengthened and got holes made in it so that bullets could be fired through them. The Government was using every available weapon to make Akali movement of Gurdwara reform, a failure. Mahant Narain Dass was one of the weapons in the hands of the Government and the Government wanted to make full use of him. As such, Mr King, the Commissioner of Lahore was extending every kind of help to the Mahant and had promised him in the future as well. The Mahant was dancing like a puppet in the hands of the Government.

In the meeting of Parbhandak Committee at Gurdwara Khara Sauda on 17th February, 1921 A.D., was decided that two jathas (squads) one led by Bhai Lachhman Singh and the other by Bhai Kartar Singh Virk (alias Jhabbar) should meet at chader kot on the 19th February. From there they were to reach Nankana Sahib early in the morning of the 20th February to talk to the Mahant. Seeing the preparation of the Mahant, the Parbhandak Committee held a meeting in the office of Akali Patrika (News paper) on the 19th February in which it was resolved that squads should not be taken to Nankana Sahib on the 20th February. Bhai Kartar Singh Jhabbar was present in the meeting. He was informed about the new decision and was told to inform Bhai Lachhman Singh and he took the responsibility to do so. Bhai Kartar Singh Jhabbar immediately dispatched Bhai Waryam Singh to Chanderkot so that other squad could be stopped.

Meanwhile in accordance with the original programme, Bhai Lachchman Singh reached Chander Kot on the night of the 19th February with his squad of one hundred and fifty Singh’s. He waited for the squad of Bhai Kartar Singh Jhabbar for some time and before the arrival of Bhai Waryama Singh with news to not to lead squad to Gurdwara, Bhai Lachchman Singh said to the Singh’s of his squad, "When we have started for a good cause, we should not waste time." All members of the squad agreed. Bhai Lachhman Singh got a promise from the squad not to strike and remain peaceful come what may. After that the squad prayed for their success of their noble resolve. When, after, the prayer, the Squad was about to move forward, Bhai Waryam Singh arrived. He showed them the letter about the new decision of the Committee. Bhai Tehal Singh Said, "Dear Khalsa, we have taken our resolve at the prayer (Ardaas) and cannot turn back now. It is our duty to move forward." The squad as a whole moved forward following Bhai Tehal Singh.

The Squad arrived at Nankana Sahjib on 20th February, bathed in the pool and entered the Gurdwara at 6 A.M. Bhai Lachchma Singh Sat in 'Taabiya' (Behind Guru Granth Sahib). The Mahant had got the news of the squad's arrival at Chander kot on the 19th February evening. He had gathered his men at night and briefed them about their duties. After the squad had sat down, the Mahant signalled his men to carry out the predetermined plan.

The Mahant's men closed the main gate and started firing from roof tops. Twenty-six Singh’s became martyrs to those bullets in the courtyard while another sixty or so sitting inside the Darbar Sahib became targets of bullets. When the Mahant's men saw no one moving, they came down with swords and choppers. Any Singh they found breathing was cut to pieces.

At the sound of the gun-fire, Bhai Dalip Singh and Bhai Waryam Singh who were sitting in the factory of Bhai Uttam Singh, got up and rushed towards the Gurdwara. When the Mahant saw them coming, he shot Bhai Dalip Singh with his pistol while his men cut Bhai Waryam Singh to pieces. They threw their bodies into kilns where other bodies were also burning. When no Singh with hair could be seen up to the railway line, the Mahant asked his men to collect all the dead bodies, pour paraffin and burn them. The body of one live Singh was tied to a tree and burnt.

At 9.15 a.m., Sardar Uttam Singh conveyed the news by telegram through Sardar Karam Singh Station Master at Nankana Sahib Railway station to the Governor of Punjab, commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of police and Sikh centres. Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Curry reached at 12:30 P.M. while Commissioner; Mr. King arrived at 9.30 P.M. They arrested twenty Pathans and locked the Gurdwara. The City was handed over to Army which cordoned it to restrict any Akali movement to take over the Gurdwara. Sardar Kartar Singh Jhabbar arrived with his Squad on 21st February. Commissioner informed him that if he tried to enter city with his squad army will open fire. Kartar Singh Jhabbar and his jatha of twenty two hundred Singh’s did not listen to the commissioner and kept on moving towards the city. At end, Commissioner Mr. Curry handed over the keys of Gurdwara to Bhai Kartar Singh Jhabbar. At 7.30 P.M. on the 22nd February 1921, the bodies were cremated according to Sikh tradition.

An Urdu newspaper called 'Zamindara' wrote in its editorial of 23rd February, 1921 A.D., "what more proof of shamelessness of Muslims is required than that they have helped the Mahant. O, Shameless Muslims, isn't the cup of your shamelessness and impudence full as yet? You used your guns and swords against those who went to Nankana Sahib to perform religious duties. You are not fit to be called Muslims. You are worse than infidels." Mahant, 20 Pathans and other of his group were sentenced by British. Only one Mahant and couple of Pathans got death sentence for this crime of more than 50 murders. Narian Das’s sentence was reduced to life imprisonment after he made an appeal.

We must all pay homage to the sacrifice of the Sikh on this day they died to defend the honour of their faith.

Jyot · February 21, 2005

85 yrs ago, this is what happened at Nankana Sahib :

Saka Nankana Sahib

In October 1920 A.D., a congregation was held at Dharowal, District Sheikhupura for reform in Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in which the leaders revealed to the gathering of devotees, the misdeeds being committed inside the Gurdwara. Gurdwara Nankana sahib was highly revered as it is the birth place of Guru Nanak, a city named Nankana Sahib came up around the Gurdwara which is now in Pakistan. At meeting ,it was unanimously resolved that the Mahant be asked to mend his ways. When Mahant Narian Dass was asked to reform himself, he started making preparations to oppose the Panth (Sikh community) instead. He did not feel it necessary to pay heed to the suggestions of the Committee. He was the owner of the estate attached to the Gurdwara with an income of one hundred thousand rupees besides the offerings of the Gurdwara.

The Mahant recruited hooligans and rogues as paid employees to oppose the Sikhs. With the help of the government, he collected from Lahore, guns, pistols and other arms and ammunition. He brought and stored fourteen tins of paraffin. He got the Gurdwara gate strengthened and got holes made in it so that bullets could be fired through them. The Government was using every available weapon to make Akali movmement of Gurdwara reform, a failure. Mahant Narain Dass was one of the weapons in the hands of the Government and the Government wanted to make full use of him. As such, Mr King, the Commissioner of Lahore was extending every kind of help to the Mahant and had promised him in the future as well. The Mahant was dancing like a puppet in the hands of the Government.

In the meeting of Parbhandak Committee at Gurdwara Khara Sauda on 17th February, 1921 A.D., was decided that two jathas (squads) one led by Bhai Lachhman Singh and the other by Bhai Kartar Singh Virk (alias Jhabbar) should meet at Chander Kot on the 19th February. From there they were to reach Nankana Sahib early in the morning of the 20th February to talk to the Mahant. Seeing the preparation of the Mahant, the Parbhandak Committee held a meeting in the office of Akali Patrika (News paper) on the 19th February in which it was resolved that squads should not be taken to Nankana Sahib on teh 20th February. Bhai Kartar Singh Jhabbar was present in the meeting. He was informed about the new decision and was told to inform Bhai Lachhman Singh and he took the responsibility to do so. Bhai Kartar Singh Jhabbar immediately dispathed Bhai Waryam Singh to Chanderkot so that other squad could be stopped.

Meanwhile in accordance with the original programme, Bhai Lachchman Singh reached Chander Kot on the night of the 19th February with his squad of one hundred and fifty Singhs. He waited for the squad of Bhai Kartar Singh Jhabbar for some time and before the arrival of Bhai Waryama Singh with news to not to led squad to Gurdwara, Bhai Lachchman singh said to the Singhs of his squad, "When we have started for a good cause, we should not waste time." All members of the squad agreed. Bhai Lachhman Singh got a promise from the squad not to strike and remain peaceful come what may. After that the squad prayed for their success of their nobel resolve. When, after, the prayer, the Squad was about to move forward, Bhai Waryam Singh arrived. He showed them the letter about the new decision of the Committee. Bhai Tehal Singh Said, "Dear Khalsa, we have taken our resolve at the prayer (Ardaas)and cannot turn back now. It is imperitive for us to move forward." The squad as a whole moved forward following Bhai Tehal Singh.

The Squad arrived at Nankana Sahjib on 20th February, bathed in the pool and entered the Gurdwara at 6 A.M. Bhai Lachchma Singh Sat in 'Taabiya' (Behind Guru Granth Sahib). The Mahant had got the news of the squad's arrival at Chander kot on the 19th February evening. He had gathered his men at night and briefed them about their duties. After the squad had sat down, the Mahant signalled his men to carry out the predetermined plan.

The Mahant's men closed the main gate and started firing from roof tops. Twenty-six Singhs became martyrs to those bullets in the courtyard while another sixty or so sitting inside the Darbar Sahib became targets of bullets. When the Mahant's men saw no one moving, they came down with swords and choppers. Any Singh they found breathing was cut to pieces.

At the sound of the gun-fire, Bhai Dalip singh and Bhai Waryam Singh who were sitting in the factory of Bhai Uttam Singh, got up and rushed towards the Gurdwara. When the Mahant saw them coming, he shot Bhai Dalip Singh with his pistol while his men cut Bhai Waryam Singh to pieces. They threw their bodies into kils where other bodies were also burning. When no Singh with hair could be seen upto the railway line, the Mahant asked his men to collect all the dead bodies, pour paraffin and burn them. The body of one alive singh was tied to a tree and burnt.

At 9.15 a.m., Sardar Uttam Singh conveyed the news by telegram through Sardar Karam Singh Station Master at Nankana Sahib Railway station to the Governore of Punjab, commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of police and Sikh centres. Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Curry reached at 12:30 P.M. while Commissioner, Mr. King arrived at 9.30 P.M. They arrested twenty PAthans and locked the Gurdwara. City was handed over to Army which cordoned it to restrict any Akali movement to take over Gurdwara. Sardar Kartar Singh Jhabbar arrived with his Squad on 21st February. Commissioner informed him that if he tried to enter city with his squad army will open fire. Kartar Singh Jhabbar and his jatha of twenty two hundred Singhs did not listed to commissioner and kept on moving towards city. At end, Commissioner Mr. Curry handed over the keys of Gurdwara to Bhai Kartar Singh Jhabbar. At 7.30 P.M. on the 22nd february, the bodies were cremated according to Sikh tradition.

An urdu newspaper called 'Zamindara' wrote in its editorial of 23rd February, 1921 A.D., "what more proof of shamelessness of muslims is required than that they have helped the Mahant. O, Shameless Muslims, isn't the cup of your shamelessness and impudence full as yet? You used your guns and swords against those who went to Nankana Sahib to perform religious duties. You are not fit to be called Muslims. You are worse than infidels." Mahant, 20 Pathans and other of his group were sentenced by British. Only Mahant and couple of Pathans got death sentence for this crime of more than 50 murders.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Santok singh Jagdev of Sikh missionary society "Bed-Time stories -7"

http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/events/nankana.html

lsingh · February 11, 2013

Modern day Nakali Nihangs and Babas are trying to rewrite Sikh history and state that the brave Sikhs who cleared the Gurdwaras of Punjab of the Idols, Mahants involved with prostitutes, Drugs and other immoral behaviour as somehow Pro British. However read your history as we approach the anniversary of Saka Nakana Sahib on who was siding with the British and who resisted them.

Jaito Morcha

From SikhiWiki

Jump to: navigation, search

Jaito Morcha: The word "Jaito" refers to the name of the place near the location where this event took place and the word "morcha" means a "demonstration" or "agitation". Jaito Morcha is the name given to the Akali agitation that took place in February 1924 for the restoration to his throne of Maharaja Ripudaman Singh of Nabha, a Sikh princely state in the Punjab.

The Maharaja had strong pro-Akali sympathies and had overtly supported the Guru-ka-Bagh Morcha and donned a black turban as a mark of protest against the massacre of the reformists at Nankana Sahib. His contacts with the Indian nationalist leaders and involvement in popular causes had irked the British government.

On 9 July 1923, he was forced to abdicate in favour of his minor son, Partap Singh. Although the British officials pronounced his abdication to be voluntary, the Akalis and other nationalist sections condemned it as an act of high handedness on the part of the government.

Master Tara Singh denounced the measure as equivalent to Maharaja Duleep Singh`s removal from the throne of the Punjab. The committee set up to have the Maharaja of Nabha restored to the gaddi (throne) appointed 29 July 1923 to be observed in all the principal towns of the Punjab as a day of prayer in his behalf.

Contents [hide]

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee intervenes

On 2 August 1923, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee sent a telegram to Lord Reading, the Viceroy of India, challenging the official version that the Maharaja had relinquished his gaddi (throne) voluntarily, and seeking an independent enquiry to be instituted. Three days later, it passed a resolution asking its executive committee to carry on a peaceful campaign to have Maharaja Ripudaman Singh reinstalled on the throne of Nabha. A Nabha government ordinance prohibiting public discussion of the issue was defied by the Sikhs, who began convening meetings to condemn the deposition of the Maharaja. On 25 August, a divan (conference/gathering) was held at Jaito, in Nabha territory, following a public march, resolutions were adopted expressing sympathy with the Maharaja and condemning government action.

On 27 August, Nabha state authorities arrested the organizers of the divan on charges of delivering "political speeches."The divan was originally scheduled to conclude on 27 August, but the arrests made by police provoked the Akalis to continue it indefinitely and to inaugurate a series of akhand paths or unbroken recitations of the Guru Granth Sahib. The police made more arrests and introduced at an akhand path on 14 September 1923, their own reader, Atma Singh, displacing the granthi sitting in attendance and reading the holy text. The sacrilege thus committed created a great commotion among the Sikhs.

SGPC and Shiromani Akali Dal declared unlawful

On 29 September the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee condemned the official action. It simultaneously declared its determination to have the Sikhs` right to free worship reaffirmed, The government denied that the akhand path had been interrupted. Yet the jathas kept pouring in.

The Secretary of State directed the Viceroy "to put an effective stop to the Akali operation by the arrest and prosecution of all the organizers as abettors." The Punjab Government acting on the directive declared both the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and the Shiromani Akali Dal as unlawful associations. All the 60 members of the interim committee of the Shiromani Committee were arrested on charges of treason against the King Emperor. Akali jathas were stopped on entering Nabha territory, taken into custody and beaten by police. They were then left off in distant deserts without food or water. To intensify the agitation, the Akalis increased the size of the jathas.

Jathas march from Akal Takhat

On 9 February 1924, 500 Akalis marched from the Akal Takht, receiving unprecedented welcome in villages and towns through which they passed. S. Zimand, a New York Times correspondent who witnessed the jatha on the march, observed: "The Jatha was moving in perfect order and non-violence with large crowds of public on its right and left, five Nishan Sahibs in the front and Guru Granth in the middle."

On 20 February 1924, the jatha reached Bargari, a village on Nabha-Faridkot border, barely 10 km from Jaito. At Jaito, about 150 metres from Gurdwara Tibbi Sahib, stood the Nabha administrator, Wilson Johnston, with a large force of state constabulary.

On 21 February, the jatha marched on towards the Gurdwara, refusing to stop or disperse as demanded by Wilson Johnston. The administrator ordered the army to open fire, In two volleys of fire lasting about five minutes, several fell dead. The official estimate of the casualties was 19 dead and 29 injured. The Akali figures were much higher. The firing on the peaceful jatha of Akalis caused resentment throughout the country.

More Sikhs are arrested by the British

On 28 February 1924, another 500-strong Shahidi jatha left Amritsar for Jaito where it was taken into custody on 14 March. Thirteen more 500-strong jathas reached Jaito and courted arrest. Sikh jathas also came from Canada, Hong Kong and Shanghai to join the campaign.

The Governor of the Punjab, Sir Malcolm Hailey, tried the policy of creating a schism in the community by having parallel Sikh Sudhar Committees representing moderate and pro-government sections. A 101-strong jatha (group) was allowed to perform an akhand path at Jaito. But this did not conciliate the general Sikh opinion, nor did it affect the tempo of the agitation.

On the issue of the Akalis being allowed to perform an Akhand path at Jaito, the government was prepared to start negotiations through Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya and Bhai Jodh Singh, but it was adamant on the question of making restitution to the deposed Maharaja of his state.

"Sikh Gurdwara Bill" introduced

In the meantime, the Punjab Government introduced in the Legislative Council the Sikh Gurdwaras Bill which was unanimously passed on July 7 1925. After the bill was passed, Sir Malcolm Hailey, Governor of the Punjab, announced during his speech in the Punjab Legislative Council that the Administrator of Nabha would permit the bands of pilgrims to precede for religious worship to Gurdwara Gangsar at Jaito.

The announcement was followed by the release of most of the Akali prisoners arrested in the course of the restrictions on the performance of Akhand path and the Akalis starting a series of 101 such recitations which was concluded on August 6, 1925.

the above text from article at Sikhpride.com

Sign In

Saka Nankana Sahib

Recommended Posts

Jaspaul Singh

Link to comment

Share on other sites

machete

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Jyot

Link to comment

Share on other sites

lsingh

Link to comment

Share on other sites

lsingh

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Join the conversation

Topics

Posts

Important Information