Sikh History This Week

(April 27-May 3) Post 2518

ਸਿੱਖ ਇਤਿਹਾਸ ਇਸ ਹਫ਼ਤੇ

ਬਾਬਾਣੀਆ ਕਹਾਣੀਆ ਪੁਤ ਸਪੁਤ ਕਰੇਨਿ” (ਰਾਮਕਲੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੩, ੯੫੧)

(Stories of our Forefathers Make Children Great)

Events in Brief:

1. April 27, 1635: Guru Hargobind ji (6th Guru) kills Painde Khan, chief of Mughal army near Kartarpur (near Jalandhar, Punjab). Painde Khan, a valiant Pathan raised by Guruji, was finally killed in this battle. Initially, he fought for the Guru at the Battle of Amritsar, where Mughal Faujdar Mukhlis Khan was killed. The Guru honored him with a horse, a Khanda, and a Gown. As Times change, Painde Khan joined the Mughal Army, and was assigned to arrest the Guru. At the battle he challenged Guruji to a duel. In hesitation, he gave Painde Khan two attempts to wage a war, but failed. Then, the Guru took his turn and killed Khan to his chest. In benevolence, Guruji asked him to say his last prayers while being given shade.

2. April 28, 1837: Brave Bibi Harsharan Kaur helps to win Fort of Jamrud, East Khaibar pass near Peshawar. She broke through the besieging Afghans at Fort Jamrud, deceptively dressed and reached General Hari Singh Nalwa in Peshawar fort, and requested reinforcements. Sardar Maha Singh’s was defending the fort. Hari Singh Nalwa, though not well, marched from Peshawar, broke the siege and chased Afghan Sultan Dost Mohammad Khan beyond east Khyber. As Afghans were fleeing one fatal shot from a cliff, hit Hari Singh Nalwa. The great general passed away like a lion, leaving behind complete control of Peshawar with Sikhs.

3. April 29,1797: Sikhs under Sahib Singh Bhangi kill Ahmad Khan commander of Rohtas Fort and restored Hindu girl to her parents. Sultan Zaman Shah (Grandson of Ahmad Shah Abdali) had appointed Ahmad Khan, as governor of Sind Doab stationed at Rohtas fort in Jhelum, who had abducted a Brahmin girl, He was challenged and killed in a battle with Sikhs.His head was severed and displayed at village gate of Bartonkal, by Sardar Sahib Singh Bhangi commander of Ranjit Singh.

4. April 29, 1986: Sikh Homeland Khalistan declared by Sarbat Khalsa conclave at Akal Takhat Amritsar. The Panthic Committee inside Darbar Sahib Amritsar declared ‘Khalistan’ at a gathering of Sarbat Khalsa. Next day April 30, under ‘Operation Black Thunder’ Police forces under KPS Gill laid siege and entered the complex. Akali Dal Barnala government invades Durbar Sahib, militant families & pilgrims were rounded up and Police Committed atrocities. Later CM Barnala was awarded religious punishment by Akal Takhat Jathedar Prof. Darshan Singh.

5. April 30,1479.(SGPC): Today marks the 547th Parkash Purab of Guru Amar Das Ji, the third Nanak of Sikhism. Guru Amar Das Ji, the epitome of selfless service, was born in 1479 in the village of Basarke Gillan in Amritsar district, Guru Amar Das Ji was the third of ten Gurus of the Sikh faith. His parents, Tej Bhan Bhalla Ji and mother Bakht Ji, were Hindus who often visited Haridwar. He became a devout Sikh at 73 and succeeding Guru Angad Dev Ji. Guru Amar Das Ji strengthened the Langar system, established the Manji system(centers of preaching), In total, twenty Manjis and two Pirris(for Women devotees) were set up. The system continued and evolved under the seventh Sikh Guru, Har Rai Sahib, who added 360 Manjis. Guru supported social reforms like remarriage for widows and the abolition of Sati. To eliminate social barriers, Guru Amar Das Ji constructed a Baoli (bathing place for all) at Goindwal Sahib. On 1st September, 1574, Guru Amar Das Ji departed for his heavenly abode, His son-in-law, a devout Sikh Gur Ram Das ji became the Fourth Guru of the Sikh. (Read more)

6. April 30, 1837: Death of Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa while Sardar Mangal Singh is Injured (nephew of S.Jassa Singh Ramgarhia), was injured. While breaking the siege of Jamrud Fort near Peshawar held by Afghans, Hari Singh Nalwa, though not well, marched from Peshawar, broke the siege and chased Afghan Sultan Dost Mohammad Khan beyond east Khyber. As reported, Afghans while fleeing a fatal shot from a cliff, hit Hari Singh Nalwa. The great general passed away like a lion, leaving behind complete control of Peshawar with Sikhs. Sardar Mangal Singh’s Samadh (memorial) is at Amritsar, while S. Nalwa’s is in Jamrud.(read more)

7. May 1,1746: First mass massacre of Sikhs/ Holocaust/Chhota Ghaluga takes place in Punjab. A large Sikh population is massacred by Mughals. In lead was Hindu Diwan of Lahore Lakhpat Rai. Sikhs of present-day districts of Lahore, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, and others, were displaced from their homes by the Mughals. They were led to the forest and swamps of Kahnuwan, leaving them with no escape. Several thousand died, while three thousand were executed at Shahid Ganj, Lahore. This event is commonly known as Chhota Ghallughara (Smaller-Holocaust).

8. May 2, 1564 : Guru Arjan Dev ji’s Prakash Dihara/Birth Anniversary. Guru Arjan Dev , was born in 1564 CE in Goindwal, Punjab. He was the youngest of Guru Ram Das’s three sons and Bibi Bhani ji being the mother. Guru Ram Das, his father, founded the town of Guru-ka-Chak, which later became Amritsar. Guru Arjun undertook lot of reforms, built Harimandar Sahib (Golden Temple) and wrote Gurbani & compiled Ad Granth (now Guru Granth Sahib). Growth of Sikh faith attracted the hostility of some Islamic clergy, leading to complaints and Guru’s arrest. Jahangir, Mughal Emperor wrongfully ordered his execution in 1606AD. Shahidi Dihara/Martyr’s Day is celebrated annually with cool milk-water and sugary drink is served to all in all Gurdwaras world over.

9. May 3, 1698: Bhai Mani Singh takes charge of Harimandar Sahib on orders of Tenth Guru to restore Maryada. The complex came under Sodhis & Masands after Sixth Guru Hargobind ji moved to Kiratpur Sahib. Sikh religious code was not being followed by Masands. On taking over Bhai Mani Singh defeated and ousted the Sodhis and Masands and restored Maryada till his Shahidi at the hands of the Mughals on june1738. He was 94. Bhai Sahib served Tenth Guru at DamDama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo) & housing Mata Sundri & Mata Sahib Kaur in Delhi.

10. May 3, 1705: Mughals & Hill Rajas combined to start the Siege of Anandpur Sahib lasting 7months. Tenth Guru Sahib had to abandon Anandpur under an agreement for safe passage. The siege lasted from May 1704 to December 19, 1704. The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb sent governors from Sirhind, Lahore, and Kashmir, along with the Hill Rajas of Dadwa, Darauliof Kahlur, Kangra, Jaswan, Mandi, Kulu, Nalagarh, Kaithal, Nurpur, Chamba, Jammu, Dadwa, Bijarwal, and Garhwal. Aurangzeb demanded that everyone bring their entire armies to Anandpur.

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Source ref: History of the Sikhs by HR Gupta, Dates & chronological order from Book by S. Ajaib Singh Dhillon and Sikh Chronicles) ਸਰੋਤ/ ਹਵਾਲੇ: ਐਚ.ਆਰ ਗੁਪਤਾ: ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਦਾ ਇਤਿਹਾਸ, ਸ. ਅਜਾਇਬ ਸਿੰਘ ਢਿੱਲੋਂ ਦੀ ਕਿਤਾਬ ਤੋਂ ਤਾਰੀਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਕਾਲਕ੍ਰਮਿਕ ਕ੍ਰਮ)

5Q Quiz for Self Assessment:

1. While Hari Singh Nalwa is often remembered as a great general, there was another Valiant Sikh Mangal Singh who died at battle of Jamrud. Who was his great father?

2. Guru Amar Das ji, the third Guru married his daughter to which devout Sikh who later became 4th Guru ?

3. Guru Arjan Dev ji was son of which Guru?

4. Why is Bibi Bhani is called Gur-Putri, Gur-Patni, and Gur Mata ?

5. Do you support the move for Independent Sikh state within/without India as was promised by Indian leaders in 1929 and again in early 1947?