Bibi Shamsher Kaur Ji And Bibi Ram Kaur Ji -part 2

[Akaal Purakh Di Fauj]

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

It was the period of feudalism and big landlords like Ali Beg ruled over certain

territories under their control. Might was right. Sikh Sardars like Jassa Singh in the

Punjab were also divided into eleven groups called Misls. Every group was headed by a Sardar and controlled certain area. Sardar Jassa Singh was the head of Ramgarhia misal, ruled over area surrounding Batala in the Punjab. He was defeated by the Sardars of Kanhiya, Shukarchakia and Ahluwalia misls and had to flee to Hansi, far away from his territory in 1778. He conquered a large area near Hansi where he saved the two girls of the priest.

In 1785, differences arose between the chiefs of Kanhiya and Shukarchakia misals. Sardar Mahan Singh of Shukarchakia misls invited Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia to the Punjab and promised him to get back his lost territory if he helped him defeat chief of the Kanhiya misl. Jassa Singh Ramgarhia grasped this golden opportunity to get back the lost territory and honor. Shamsher Kaur and her husband insisted on accompanying him to help him against his enemies. Jassa Singh wanted them to stay back and supervise his area ,but he yielded when Shamsher Kaur insisted on going with him.

In the fierce battle at Batala, Shamsher Kaur fought like a brave and loyal soldier, and it resulted in the victory of Jassa Singh Ramgarhia. He was so pleased with the active part taken by Shamsher Kaur that he bestowed upon her five villages near Hansi and asked her to go back with a few soldiers and look after the area so that tyrants don’t bother the innocent. She thanked the Sardar for his blessings and with her husband started for Hansi. She was a kind and popular ruler of her small kingdom and preached Sikhism. She set right many dacoits and bad characters. She never tolerated female depression and was very popular among the people of the area. The poor thought that God had sent her to save them from the tyrants.

Mohammad Ali, chief of the village Kot Ali Khan in that area, was a lustful young man who secretly planned to forcibly marry Razia, the young daughter of his servant, Haider. Razia and her parents did not like it as Mohamed Ali already had many wives. Razia and her mother left the village at midnight to save themselves from the chief. When the chief came to know of it, he took Haider to task and told him that he was getting a bad name as his daughter and wife had left the village. He ordered him to present them as he wanted to marry Razia. Haider said, “Sir, you have already many wives. We cannot spoil the life of our daughter by marrying with you and my daughter also does not like it.” The chief did not listen and ordered his men to arrest him and put him in the prison. He sent his soldiers to find Razia and bring her and her mother to him. They found the ladies and brought them back to the chief.

Razia was thirsty and requested the soldiers to let her take a watermelon from the field near by. They agreed and allowed her to take a water melon. In the meantime 20 Sikh horsemen with their leader appeared on the scene and asked the soldiers about the ladies The soldiers told a lie, but Razia told them the real story. The leader, Shamsher Kaur, ordered the soldier to leave the ladies, go back and tell their chief to release Razia’s father or the chief and his whole family will be killed. The soldiers surrendered their arms and went back to their chief. Shamsher Kaur took Razia on her own horse, gave her mother a separate horse and with her soldiers left for Hansi. She took both the ladies to her house. When she changed her clothes, the ladies were surprised to find that their savior was a lady.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh