On This Day

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

September 18th

1982 Amrik Singh and Baba Thara Singh were arrested under false implications. On this day, the police snatched a jeep belonging to Gurdwara at Chowk Mehta, arrested three men and snatched their belongings. The next day Amrik Singh went to the courts for their release. The police arrested them too. They were charged under flimsy causes. At this Jarnail Singh Bhindrawalae started an agitation for their release. The Sikhs started courting arrests every day. On July 25, 1982 the Akali party adopted the agitation.

-Ref. THE SIKHS' STRUGGLE FOR SOVEREIGNTY, An Historical Perspective by Dr. Harjinder Singh Dilgeer and Dr. Awatar Singh Sekhon. Edited By: A.T. Kerr Page 110-119.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

September 19th

1922 Sri Madan Mohan Malvia visited the injured GurSikhs in Guru Ka Bagh incident and organized a huge procession to pay homage to the Shaheeds.

==> GURU KA BAGH gurudwara was under the control of Mahant Sundar Dass. He had agreed to serve under a committee of eleven members appointed by the SGPC on August 23, 1921, but the land remained under his possession. The Sikhs used to hew wood from the land for common kitchen and Mahant, under instigation from others, lodged a complaint against the Akalis. The government was on the outlook for opportunities to retrieve its prestige, lost in the Key's affait. On Aug. 9, 1922, five Akali Sewadars were arrested for cutting wood for Guru Ka Langar from Guru Ka Bagh. Subsequently a morcha was launched to seek the release of the five GurSikhs.

From Aug. 23 until Sept. 13, the government sided with the Mahant and ruthelessly lathi-charged the visiting Jathas. The violent use of force on the non-violent Akalis had great impact in and outside the Punjab. The Government brutality was condemned. The police beat the Akalis with iron-tipped rods and batons, till blodd began to flow and the brave GurSikhs fell unconcious. The insults heaped up on the Akalis were unbearable. They were given inhuman punishments and their religious symbols were desecrated and hair pulled out. The effect of all this on thousands of GurSikhs was tremendous, resulting in deep seated hatred against the British rulers and the Sikhs lost all faith in non-violence. The Babbar Akali movement took its final shape during this Morcha. The courage and persistent of Sikhs became world renouned during this period. From Sept. 13 until Nov. 17, Sikhs courted arrests. Finally, the government gave in and on Nov. 17, 1922, all Sikh demands were accepted and the agitation was successfully concluded. During this agitation 5605 Sikhs courted arrest including 35 members of the SGPC, over a dozen Sikhs accepted shahidi and thousands were injured.

-Ref. Babbar Akali Movement, A Historical Survey, by Gurcharan Singh, Aman Publications, 1993.

1923 Harbans Singh of Sirhala Khurad arrested.

1936 Gandhi refuses to be party to the Dr. Ambedkar's proposal of conversion to Sikhism.

Gandhi wrote in the 'Harijan'

Dr. Ambedkar doe snot regard Sikhs as Hindus. He definitely wants a change of faith. If Sikhs were Hindus that won't matter. But since Sikhs consider themselves to be a separate religion and have separate electrorate, no one could be a party to the proposal put forth by Dr. Ambedkar and Moonje.

- refereing to the proposal of untouvhable's conversion to Sikhism.

-Ref. The Sikhs in History, by Sangat Singh, 1995.

1981 The Sikh Heritage Conference held in Toronto.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

September 20th

1843 Raja Hira Singh Dogra murdered Ajit Singh and Lehna Singh Sandhawalia to avenge his father's death.

1981 Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawalae courted arrest at Mehta Chowk.

Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawalae offered himself for arrest by police in public presence at Mehta Chowk. Before his arrest, Jarnail Singh addressed the public gathering and appealed for peace. On this occasion, Chowk Mehta had 10,000-strong police force, including members of the Border Security Force. Jarnail Singh's arrest was followed by police harrassment, arson, cane-charges, and even shooting ar random. 12 Sikhs (according to some sources. 22 Sikhs) were killed and several others injured. Police fired 800 rounds from 60 guns.

-Ref. THE SIKHS' STRUGGLE FOR SOVEREIGNTY, An Historical Perspective By Dr. Harjinder Singh Dilgeer and Dr. Awatar Singh Sekhon. Edited By: A.T. Kerr Page 110-119.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

September 21st

1845 Raja Gulab Singh Dogra got Jawahar Singh killed by Mia Prithi Singh Dogra. Jawahar Singh was brother of Rani Jindan Kaur. Jawahar Singh had become very unpopular. So Rani Jindan had abandoned Jawahar Singh. As a result Jawahar Singh and some of his followers were murdered.

==> 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.

1922 Babbars appeal to Sikhs in British forces to join the Babbar Akali ranks. This appeal was delivered through Babbar Akali Doaba newspaper.

==> BABBAR AKALI DOABA - newspaper was the organ of the Babbar Akalis and it effectively spread their message in the Doaba. In all 15 issues were released from Aug. 20, 1922 to May 21, 1923. Karam Singh of Daulatpur brought out its two issues, while the rest, except three, were the work of Jathedhar Kishan Singh Garhgaj. Despite best efforts, no copies of this newspapers could be located. However, all available extracts can be traced to contemporary newspapers and the court records.

-Ref. Babbar Akali Movement, A Historical Survey, by Gurcharan Singh, Aman Publications, 1993.

1923 Udham Singh of Jandoo Singha, a member of the SGPC was arrested.

1960 Kaka Inderjeet Singh killed by forcibly dropping him in a well at Karnal. His crime was raising the pro-Punjabi Suba slogan.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

September 22nd

1539 JOTI JOT, Patshahi First, Guru Nanak Dev Ji (ACTUAL DATE).

First Patshahi, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, left this world for heavenly abode. Today is the actual date of first Patshahi's Joti Joti, though it is observed on a different day by Guru Khalsa Panth.

==> GURU NANAK (1469-1539):

In a world rife with falsehood, sunk in superstitions and plagued by all kinds of inequities and inequalities, Guru Nanak rang in the gospel of truth, universal love and brotherhood. The Founder Guru of the Sikhs and one of the greatest and saintliest of saviours, he redeemed the soul of a moribund society that had experienced a total eclipse, if not annihilation, of all abiding human values. The condition of the contemporary society has been vividly described by the First Master in the well -known words

This age is a knife, kings are butchers,

justice hath taken wings and fled.

In this completely dark night of falsehood

the moon of truth is never seen to rise.

Guru Nanak was born in a Bedi family at Talwandi (Nankana Sahib), near Lahore, in 1469. At an early age he learnt Sanskrit, Persian and the prevalent form of Gurmukhi. He was a precocious child with a pronounced penchant for religion. His father, Mehta Kalu, made vain efforts to woo him to a mundame mode of life. Accordingly, he was got employed in a Government store of the Nawab of Sultanpur where he served for 13 years.

It was in 1499 that the day of destiny of ecstatic communion with God came. While taking his daily bath in the rivulet Bain that flows near Sultanpur, Nanak had his illumination through a soul-stirring vision of Almighty God. It was here that the Guru delivered his great sermon in the memorable words: There is no Hindu, there is no Musalman. The spiritual enlightenment enjoined on him a mission to the propagation of which he consecrated his entire life. He set out on his great Udasi's (Missionary journeys) to deliver God's message to sinning and suffering humanity.

He toured the whole of India and many foreign countries, preaching the gospel of true religion and rooting out ignorance and evil. The great Guru undertook five major missionary journeys in this behalf.

In the course of his first long travel, Guru Nanak visited celebrated Hindu places of pilgrimage like Kurukshetra, Banaras and Jagnnath Puri. He taught people how to distinguish Dharma from Adharma and abandon such pretentious rituals and prayers as constituted the accepted religious practice of the times. During his second journey the Guru went as far as Sangla Deep and having done his ministry returned to the Punjab.

The Master's third missionary journey is known for his discussions with reputed Kashmiri Pandits and savants and for his visits to famous haunts of the Yogis, the Sidhas and the Nathas in the Himalayas. The Guru preached truth and righteousness wherever he went.

The fourth missionary journey comprised the Master's visit to prominent Muslim shrines in Mecca, Medina and Baghdad. After his return to the Punjab, the Guru set out on his fifth and final journey. This time he confined his travel to places nearer home such as Saidpur, Pakpattan, Multan, Achal Batala, etc. Saidpur had been sacked by Babar's forces. Deeply moved by spectacle of infinite human suffering resulting from the inhuman atrocities perpetrated by the Mughal invader, the Guru chanted hymns of Sorrow.

At Achal Batala, a renowned centre of the Yogis and Sidhas, the Guru preached the unity and equality of all religions. For twenty-two years Guru Nanak propagated his faith in India and abroad. During his 18 years' stay at Kartarpur, he incarnated into splendid deeds the lofty ideals that he had been preaching all his. life. Thus, by his own inspiring example, the Guru demonstrated how Raj and Yog, the worldly and the spiritual modes of life, could be happily and fruitfully conjoined.

During his extensive missionary journeys, Guru Nanak exhorted the benighted humanity to pursue the path of divine meditation. He stressed the significance of righteous living above all other things. The Guru made men realize that there is only one God Who is peerless. He held that through Nam Simran (Meditation of God's Name) and concentration on Shabad (the word) man could muster up courage enough to uphold truth in his life.

Guru Nanak cried down all cant and blind observance of soulless customs, rites and rituals. The Guru averred that they were a meaningless meandering unconnected with the attainment of man's spiritual destiny, Thus he rightly laid accent on pious practical living which alone constitutes true religiosity.

The quintessence of Guru Nanak's philosophy is enshrined in his mul mantra. He has aptly emphasized the imperative need of truth and beauty, freedom and fraternity. According to Guru Nanak, religion implies a communion between God and man. As a corollary to this, a person who devotes himself to Nam Simran is naturally virtuous and fearless. Unsullied by ill-will or enmity, he works for the amelioration of the weak and the down-trodden. His noble actions give an impulse to his aesthetic ability. A truely religious man of the Guru's conception is opposed alike to serfdom and masterdom. His life is radiant with love and humility, sweetness and light.

Indeed, Guru Nanak wanted to unite and organize his disciples in order to give religion true solidarity. To this end, he established sangat (congregations) at numerous places and appointed their chiefs. Besides, he compiled his writings in book form which he handed over to his successor, Guru Angad Dev.

The Guru established a sangat at Kartarpur and prescribed a set of values to be cherished and practised. He also founded the great institution of langar (free community-kitchen) and spent his earnings from land on running it. Thus, he gave a living form to his doctrine of work, Nam Simran and the Temple of Bread. The Guru nominated Bhai Lehna, his most beloved and trusted disciple, for the exalted office of the Guru after him. In the Adi Granth are enshrined 974 hymns by the First Master.

-Ref. Guru Granth Ratnavali, (pp. 38) by Dr. D.S. Mani, Sardar Bakhshish Singh, and Dr. Gurdit Singh

Mahan Kosh (pp. 111)

1970 Bhai Sahib Dayal Singh was killed in a car accident.

1981 Indira Ghandhi, then prime minister of India, visited Chandigarh. She invited Akali Dal for talks. However, Akali's demanded an unconditional release of Jarnail Singh Bhindrawalae before any talks.

1987 Sant Baba Bhag Singh Ji, a close associate of Sant Baba Sewa Singh Ji passed away.

1989 Singh Sahib, Prof. Manjit Singh assumed the responsibilities of Jathaedar Kesgadh Sahib.

==> Singh Sahib Prof. MANJIT SINGH: is the acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, Amritsar. He is also the Jathedar of Takhat Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib (the birthplace of Khalsa, the Sikh Nation), one of the five highest seats of the Sikh authority. Sri Akal Takhat (the seat of Timeless God) shrine is the highest spiritual and temporal authority of the Sikhs. It is part of the Golden Temple complex at Amritsar, Punjab, in India. Thus Jathedar of Sri Akal Takhat is a role of Sikh High Minister. The position of the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takhat among the Sikhs, in some ways, is like that of the Pope among the Roman Catholics. He has the power to issue a Hukamnama (Edict) binding to the entire Sikh Nation and is generally accepted by all the Sikhs all over the world.

Jathedar Bhai Manjit Singh, at 44, is the youngest and the most highly educated Sikh religious leader ever to occupy this august Sikh religious position. Jathedar Manjit Singh (a former professor) was born in a town called Morinda, district Ropar in Punjab, India. His father was a government official and his mother a teacher. After finishing high school in 1967, Jathedar Manjit Singh joined the Shahid Sikh Missionary College at Amritsar. At the age of 18, he was appointed a Minister (Granthi) in a well-known Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) in Bombay. His next appointment was at Nanak Matta, a historical Sikh shrine in the Uttar Pradesh state in northern India, where Jathedar Manjit Singh became the Principal of Gurmat Vidyala, School of Sikhism. Jathedar Manjit Singh acquired two M.A. degrees in Punjabi Literature and Religion, from Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, India. He taught M.A. Punjabi classes. He received a two-year diploma in Sikhism from Shahid Sikh Missionary College, Amritsar and another two-year diploma in Sikh classical music from Sangeet Vidyala, School of classical music, Delhi. He presided over the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago about three years ago.

Jathedar Manjit Singh has been a Sikh preacher for over 26 years. In addition to preaching in different parts of India, he has preached in many countries such as Singapore, Afghanistan, Malaysia, Korea, UK, Canada, and USA. Singh Sahib currently spends considerable portion of his time with the Sikh youth.

In addition to his religious and social activities, His Holiness is also committed to the environmental preservation program. In 1995, Jathedar Manjit Singh visited England where he was invited to attend a Religions and Conservation Summit at the Windsor Palace by Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh (husband of Her Majesty, the Queen of England). Jathedar Manjit Singh also attended the State of the World Forum in San Francisco in September 1995 that was sponsored by the Gorbachev Foundation where he met with Mr. Gorbachev and many world religious, political and social leaders. He is active in several international programs geared towards achieving world peace and natural harmony. Jathedar Manjit Singh officiated the Vishav Sikh Sammelan (World Sikh Conference) that took place at the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, Punjab from September 21-25, 1995 which was attended by more than 500,000 Sikhs from all over the world. Jathedar Manjit Singh is also the head of World Sikh Council that is operating under the auspices of Akal Takhat Sahib.

Jathedar Manjit Singh is an accomplished Indian classical musician and singer of Sikh hymns. He has a very charming personality and is known for his dedication to humanity and the Sikh community. Jathedar Manjit Singh, along with his four children and wife, lives in Punjab, India.

- Tarlochan Singh Nahal.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

September 23rd

???? The utterance day of Chaopi, Patshahi Tenth, at Nawa Nangal. (NOTE:- Date and description sought on this event).

1637 Bhai Gurdas, the great Sikh Scholar and Poet, passed away. Bhai Gurdas was one of the true Sikhs, a true saewak, and an example for the Panth. Bhai Gurdas enjoys a prominent place in Sikh history and Sikh faith. His writings (Vara) have been accorded the status of key to Guru Granth Sahib by Guru Arjun Dev Ji. He also enjoyed the pleasure of composing Sri Guru Granth Sahib under the guidance of Guru Arjun Dev Ji. Bhai Gurdas's writings enjoys such a prominent status in Sikh world that no kirtan is considered complete without reciting either one of his writings or those of Bhai Nanad Lal. Despite such prominence, Bhai Gurdas requested Sri Guru Hargobind Ji to disallow the establishment of any place of remembrance for him.

==> BHAI GURDAS: was a true GurSikh, who was a close brother of Bibi Bhani Ji. He adopted the Sikh faith from Fourth Patshah, Sri Guru Ram Das Ji, in 1636 and learned the essence of GurSikhism from the Fifth Patshah, Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji. Bhai Gurdas eventually became a full-fledged GurSikh preacher and effectively propagated the GurSikhism tenants. He preached concentrated in Lahore, Agra, Kanshi and surrounding region.

The very first copy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib commissioned by Guru Arjun Dev Patshah was hand scribed by Bhai Gurdas. Bhai Sahib's own writings, 40 Vara and 556 Kabit, represents a wealth of knowledge about and a detailed exposition of GurSikhism principles. Bhai Sahib's writings represent the most detailed Rehatmana on GurSikhism. In Guru Arjun Patshah's own word, study of Bhai Sahib's writings is a source of Sikhi. Bhai Sahib's writings are widely acknowledged as the THE KEY to unlocking the treasures and understanding the message of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Therefore detailed study of Bhai Sahib's writings is considered a mandatory pre-requisite for any study of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Further, Bhai Gurdas Ji's writings are blessed with the unique honor of mandatory recitation during every diwan. This honor was bestowed by Sri Guru Arjun Dev Patshah. According to the Sikh Rehat Maryada, Bhai Sahib's writing are among the Banis accepted for recitation outside of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Others with similar honor include the Bani of Dassam Granth and the writings of Bhai Nand Lal Ji.

Bhai Gurdas Ji passed away on Bhado Sudhi 8, sunmat 1694 at Goindwal Sahib, during Sixth Patshah, Sri Guru Har Gobind's period. Guru Sahib personally conducted the last rights and the cremation of Bhai Gurudas Ji's body.

-Ref. Mahan Kosh (pp. 416)

1923 63 Babbars are charged.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

September 24th

1494 Baba Sri Chand Ji Maharaj (Udasiyan), the eldest son of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, was born to Matta Sulakhni. He was a "baal brahmchari" and prominent tapasvi. He founded the Udassi sect.

==> Baba SRI CHAND, the eldest son of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, was born on Bhadoo Sidhi 9th sanmat 1551 to matta Sulakhni in Sultanpur. He lived in Barath village, near Dehra Nanak, Baba Sri Chand never married and later started the Udasi sect (one among the NanakPanthi sects). Though there several visible sects associated with NanakPanth today, the three main sects include, Udasi, Saehajdhari, and Sikhs (including Nihang, Nirmalae, and Kukae) [ref. Mahan Kosh]. Baba Sri Chand passed away on 15th Assu samnat 1668 at the age of 118.

Baba Gurditta Ji became the first disciple of Baba Sri Chand, who sent many GurSikhs in Udasi attires to preach and propagate Satguru's message in this world. Later there were four saewaks; namely, Ballu Hasna, Almast, Phulshah, and Gonda. Four popular branches emerged from these saewaks that are represented by four Matths (centres of worship). Along with these four branches, there are the following six blessed branches for a total of ten Udasi sects:-

Sutharae Shahi - blessed by Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji

* Sangat Sahibiae - blessed by Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji and Guru Gobind Singh Ji

* Jitamliae - blessed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji

* Bakhat Maliae - blessed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji

* Bagat Bhagwaniae - blessed by Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji

* Miha Shahiae - blessed by Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji

Udasi attire includes "manjithi Cholla" (long dress), "gal kali Saeli" (black neck scarf), "hath Tumbha", and "Uchi Toppi" (high cap). Initially, the udasi did not cut their hair or beard, though such practices are prevalent today. However, Guru Granth Sahib is the holy scripture of all Udasi sects.

-Ref. Mahan Kosh (pp. 9-10)

(IMAGE ATTACHED)

-Ref. Mahan Kosh (VaedhiVans pp. 1109)

Baba Sarbjot Singh Ji Baedi from Una Sahib is a living member of Guru Nanak's family who organized the GURMAT SANGEET SAMAELAN together with Baba Sucha Singh of Gurudwara Gur Gayan Prakash.

1534 Guru Ramdas Ji elightened this planet with his prakash. In 1546, at the age of twleve, Bhai Jetha came to Goindwal to visit Guru Amar Das with his village folks and never went back. He requested Guru Amar Das to accept him as his disciple. Later he became Guru Amar Das's most trustworthy devotee and a sincre and dedicated follower.

After being put to very hard and difficult tests, Bhai Jetha was declared the fourth Guru of the Sikhs. Bhai Jetha served the Guru for about twenty eight years before being anointed as the fourth Guru of the Sikhs. On this day a few hours before Guru Amar Das left for his heavenly abode, he called Baba Budha to anoint Bhai Jetha as the Guru of the Sikhs. He put five paisas and a coconut in front of Bhai Jetha, bowed and declared him to be the fourth Guru of the Sikhs, hence to be known as Guru Ram Das. Today is the actual of when Fourth Patshahi's prakash though it is observed on a different date by Guru Khalsa Panth.

-Ref. "The Sikh Religion and The Sikh People," by Dr. S.S. Kapor, Hemkunt Press, New Delhi, 1992.

1543 PRAKASH UTSAV, Patshahi Fourth, Guru Ram Das Ji (ACTUAL DATE).

Fourth Patshah, Guru Ram Das Ji, came to the planet earth. He was born at Choona Mandi, Lahore in the house of Bhai Haridas and Mata Daya Kaur. His popular name before the Guruship was Bhai Jetha. He was son-in-law of Guru Amar Das, married to Bibi Bhani. Today is the actual date of birth, though it is observed on a different date by Guru Khalsa Panth.

==> GURU RAM DAS (1534-1581). the Fourth Master, ascended the holy gaddi (throne) of Guru Nanak in 1574 and continued to adorn the exalted office till 1581. Though he was the son-in-law of Guru Amar Das, being married to his daughter Bibi Bhani, yet he revered the Third Master as a Guru with an unwavering fervor. Inebriated with the nectar of the divine Nam, he spurned delights, and @pent all his time in an ecstatic communion with the Lord through moments of deep meditation.

Originally called Jetha Ji, Guru Ram Das was born in a Sodhi family at Lahore in 1534. His parents died when he was just a child. He was, therefore, brought up by his maternal grandparents. He had an opportunity to visit Goindwal, the seat of the Third Master, at a time when the bavali was being dug through voluntary labor. He immersed himself in this labor of love with such a rare verve and dedication that he won the Guru's appreciation and recognition. The Third Master was so highly pleased with the disciple that he gave his daughter Bibi Bhani to him in marriage. Nevertheless, he served Guru Amar Das with as much love and devotion as ever before. It was in 1574 that he was invested with Guruship and named Guru Ram Das.

Guru Ram Das's contribution to Bani is considerable. His compositions throb on born of love for fellowman and yearning for God. They inculcate in the people the adoration of God and the Guru. Rightly does the Master image an ideal man as one who had drunk deep at the fount of Nam and whose eyes are aglow with the love of the Lord. He sought a consummation of the human personality through God-realization.

The Vars (ballads) of the Fourth Master, enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib, outnumber those of other contributors. After Guru Nanak and Guru Amar Das, it was he who expanded the range of the Ragas in the Adi Granth adding as many as eleven to the existing system. Notable among the Fourth Master's contribution to Sikhism is the establishment of a new Chak called Guru Ka Chak on the land gifted by Emperor Akbar to Bibi Bhani, the Guru's wife. Later, it grew into the city of Amritsar. Here the Guru started the digging of two sarovars (pools) which when completed during Guru Arjan's time, came to be known as Santokhsar and Amritsar So great was the Guru's magnetism that during his pontificate Amritsar emerged as a famous place of pilgrimage for the Sikhs.

With a view to transmitting the gospel of Sikhism as also to meeting the expenditure incurred on the ever expanding altruistic plans and programs, the Guru founded the institution of masands. The offerings of the Sikhs were collected by the masands who rendered these to the Guru.

Guru Ram Das also deputed learned missionaries to establish contact with the Sikhs outside the Punjab. Guru Amar Das had already set up 22 Manjis (dioceses). Accordingly, the Fourth Master bade Bhai Hindal and Bhai Gurdas begin their missionary work and preach Sikhism at Jandiala and Agra, respectively. The Guru also shifted his head-quarters from Goindwal to Amritsar. Besides, he got prepared handwritten Gutkas (booklets of holy hymns). The Adi Granth contains 679 hymns by Guru Ram Das.

Guru Ram Das had three sons - Prithi Chand, Mahan Dev and Arjan Dev. He considered the youngest son, Arjan Dev, the ablest and saintliest and, therefore, installed him as Guru in 1581.

-Ref. "Guru Granth Ratnavali," (pp. 58) by Dr. D.S. Mani, Sardar Bakhshish Singh, and Dr. Gurdit Singh.

1809 Maharaja Ranjit Singh conquered Kangra Fort.

1898 Akal Chalana of Professor Gurmukh Singh, the chief organisers of Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Lahore.

1898 Professor Gurmukh Singh, the chief organisers of Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Lahore, passed away.

1980 Gurcharan Singh Tohra, the SGPC chief, met Indira Gandhi and demanded "Holy City" status for Amritsar.

-Ref. THE SIKHS' STRUGGLE FOR SOVEREIGNTY, An Historical Perspective By Dr. Harjinder Singh Dilgeer and Dr. Awatar Singh Sekhon. Edited By: A.T. Kerr Page 110-119.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

September 25th

1984 The control of Sri Harminder Sahib was returned to Sharomani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee after the operation Bluestar.

1985 Elections of Punjab Assembly were held. It was a friendly election of Surjit Barnala-Congress conspiracy that made Surjit Singh Barnala the Chief Minister. He was sworn on Sep. 29, 1985.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

September 26th

1563 Bhai Budha Ji was born in village of Ramdas.

==> BABA BUDHA JI: born on 7 katak sanmat 1563 at Kathunangal (Dist. Amritsar) to father Sudhae and mother Gora. Parents named the child as Budda. In sanmat 1574, Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited Kathunangal village. While grazing cattle, Budda met Guru Nanak and served milk in sewa. During their conversation, Guru Nanak declared that though young in age, he was "Budha" in terms of understanding and wisdom. Since then he came to known as Budha.

Budha adopted Sikh faith and lived an exemplary GurSikh living. As a result he came to respectfully known as "Baba Budha" and righteously earned some of the highest Gurughar honors. In sanmat 1661, he was bestowed the honor of being the first Granthi (head priest) of the holy Harminder Sahib after installation of the holy Guru Granth Sahib there for the first time. He had the privilege to serve, enjoy the company, and receive blessing of first six Gurus. Guru Har Gobind Sahib learned gurmukhi from Baba Budha. Since Guru Angad Dev Ji period and until Guru Har Gobind Sahib, Baba Budha was responsible for tilak during the gur gadhi ceremonies.

Finally on 18 Maghar Sanmat 1688, Baba Budha Ji passed away in village Ramdas (Dist. Amritsar). Guru Har Gobind personally conducted the cremation and last rituals. At the place of cremation, a beautiful Mandir named "SachKhand", was established.

Since Sujan Singh Ji did not have any children, Baba Budha's Gadhi came under the control of Udasi Pracharaks, which is as follows:

Charandas,

Brahamprakas

Ramprasaad

Thajurdas

Raghudas, who became Raghubir Singh after partaking Amrit. Raghubir Singh was the last Mahant after whom the control was passed onto the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandak Committee.

Present generations from Baba Buddha's brothers still flourish in Badhae Ramdaspurae.

1914 Kamagata Maru ship arrived at Calcutta where the Budge Budge incident took place.

Kamagata Maru arrived in Calcutta. The forcibly returning ship "Nanak Nam Jahaj" (Koma Gata Maru) was fired upon by the British forces. The police insisted that all returning passengers should board the train bound for Punjab. Only 50 men and 2 children boarded the train while others defied the police. In the combat 19 were killed, 203 were arrested and 32 abscended. Baba Gurdit Singh was one of those who escaped the police net.

1978 8 Sikhs were massacared by Nirankaris while police killed 10 sikhs at Kanpur. The U.P. police arrested a very large number of Sikhs instead of Nirankaris.

-Ref. THE SIKHS' STRUGGLE FOR SOVEREIGNTY, An Historical Perspective By Dr. Harjinder Singh Dilgeer and Dr. Awatar Singh Sekhon Edited By: A.T. Kerr Page 110-119

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

September 27th

1926 Akali leaders of Gurudwara Sudhar movement, who were confined in Lahore fort during the Akali agitation, were finally released.