On This Day

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

October 8th

1745 Bhai Taru Singh's scalp was removed by orders of Nawab Zakaria Khan.

Nawab Zakaria Khan's orders were carried out and Bhai Taru's scalp was removed. On Harbhagat Naranjania's complaint, Bhai Taru Singh of his village was arrested and accused of providing rations to the Sikhs. Bhai Taru Singh admitted the facts. Nawab Zakaria Khan ordered the removal of his scalp. Bhai Taru Singh said that the Governor would suffer as much torture. And Bhai Taru would take Zakaria Khan along with him to the other world.

Upon carrying out Nawab's orders, Zakaria Khan's urinary system stopped functioninh, puttiung him in great pain. The Qazi addressed Bhai Taru Singh "Oh Kafir, what have you done? The Nawab can't urinate. He is in great pain." Bhai Taru Singh told him to take his shoe and beat it on Zakaria's head to make him urinate. On the fifth day of shoe beating, Zakaria Khan died on July 1, 1745. on hearing of that the same day Bhai Taru Singh left his mortal remains.

Now innocent Sikhs were being killed. Thum Sahib Girdwara in Kartarpur, Jallandar, was burned down. Here the brave Bhai Bagh Singh Halowalia killed Kutabdin, responsible for this desecration.

After Jakaria Khan, his son Yahiha Khan took control of Lahore. His brother Shah Niwaj Khan became the commander of Jallander and started edging for controling Lahore.

-Ref. "Amritsar Ji Dae Darshan Eshnan Utay 500 <banned word filter activated> Di Ethasak Directory," Satnam Singh Khalsa Advocate, pp 78.

1839 Maharaja Khadak Singh was dethroned by Dogras and Maharaja's chief advisor, Sirdar Chaet Singh Bajwa was murdered. This event took place barely three months after the demise of Ranjit Singh and marked the beginning of a long drawn tragedy of intrigues and murders of royal princes and high officials.

1968 Master and Sant Akali Dals merged. Sikh sovereignty was accepted as the manifesto of the new joint Akali Dal.

Master and Sant Akali Dal merged into Shiromani Akali Dal and redefined the political goals of the Sikhs in the context of present day India. Their reaffirmation of Guru Gobind Singh's litenay "Raj Karega Khalsa," published in the official organ of SGPC reads as:

"The political objective of the Panth, well grounded in the commandments of Guru Gobind Singh and concretely shaped by the Sikh History, is world-famous and well known.

Its exegensis, in the current political situation is hereby affirmed in the following terms :

"The order of the Khalsa, as ordained by Guru Gobind Singh and in accordance with the Commandments is a soverreign People by birthright and a sovereign-orinted party sui generis. The political goal of Khalsa Panth, as publicly inscribed on a gate of the Golden Temple in the Formula "All decision making powers to the Khalsa: is known throughout the world. A sovereign Sikh People, within a free country, to achieve this goal within a free India, as the birthright of the Khalsa to be established within the framework of a well demarcated territory, enjoying a constitutional autonomous status, is the very foundation of the organization and Constitution of the Shiromani Akali Dal."

Explaining this document S. Kapur Singh, Ex. ICS who had drafted the above document, said:

"In this statement, a new interpretation has been given to the divinely fixed goal of the Khalsa Panth and that interpretation has been accepted by the Shiromani Akali Dal, the essence of which is that the Sikhs are sui generis, a free and sovereign people and this right is inalienable of this status of the Sikh people is possible withinthe sovereign and territorial integrity of India, India being the matrix of clan which vivifies the political aspirations of the Sikh people."

Mr. Kapur Singh went on to propound that in such countries as the USSR and the USA there were many nations brought together in one free, sovereign counrty and in the Constitution of India it should be possible to reconcile teh sui generis status of the Sikhs within a seovereign, united India. It cannot be beyond the ingenuity of the political thinkers and constitutional experts to devise a framework in which this sui generis right of the Sikh people as well as the integrity of the country and the indivisibility of the nation is reconciled.

-Source. "History of Sikh Struggles, Vol. 1," By Gurmit Singh, Atlantic Publishers & Distributors, 1989. pp. 53-54.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

October 9th

1664 Sikh masses rediscovered their Ninth Guru with the help of Makhan Shah. Makhan Shah was a sea merchant, who when caught in a storm at sea, had vowed to make an offering of a hundred and one gold coins to the Guru if his ships were saved. On this day he arrived in Bakala. Upon seeing so many Gurus, he was confused. He went to each one of the imposters and placed tow gold coins and bowed; each one was pleased to have an offering of two gold coins. However, Makhan Shah was disappointed. He knew that the Guru would know about the promised offering of hundred and one gold coins, and would not be willing to accept just two gold coins. At the end he went to Tegh Bahadhur and put two gold coins and bowed his head. Tegh Bahadhur smiled and said that Makhan Shah had promised to give a hundred and one gold coins and not just two gold coins, if his ships were saved. The Guru showed him the wound he had on his shoulders when he had rescued the ships. Makhan Shah was stunned, he could not belive his eyes or ears. He ran to the roof of the house and shouted at the top of his voice, "Guru Lado re, Guru Lado re" (I have found the Guru, I have found the Guru). Thus was re-discivered the Ninth Guru of the Sikhs by the masses. This historic incident sealed the affair for good and the people renounced the imposters and came to teh fold of the true Guru.

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

1839 Barely three months after Ranjit Singh's death, the conspirators forced their entry into the Lahore fort, after killing the guards and whoever chose to come their way. Dogra Dhian Singh plunged his dagger twice into the heart of Chet Singh Bajwa disregarding his pathetic appeals and that of Kharak Singh who was taken into custody and confined to his palace.

That was the first step in the ascendancy of Dogra Dhian Singh who virtually emerged as the King-maker, and firmed up his grip over the Darbar.

1955 The Hindu members of the States Organization Comission, rejected the demand of Punjabi speaking state. The Third member, a non-Hindu favored it.

1960 Sikh prisoners, who refused to sign apology papers, were fired upon in Bhathinda jail. 4 Sikhs were killed and several others were injured.

1992 Sukhdev Singh "Sukha" and Harjinder Singh "Jinda" were hanged until death in Puna Jail. On Aug. 10th, 1985, they gunned down General Vadiaya after his retirement from the Indian army. General Vadiya was the Chief of the Indian Army who ordered the attack on the holiest of the holy shrines at Amritsar and elsewhere in Punjab during 1984 operations.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

October 10th

1946 Ishar Singh Mahjaiol moved a resolution, in the Indian house, for the creation of a Sikh State. The resolution was seconded by Sardar Swaran Singh.

1947 The newly formed Indian Government declared Sikhs as criminals. The Governor of Punjab, Chandu Lal Trivedi, issued a circular which was sent to all district magistrates in the State. The circular reads:

"Sikhs as a community are a lawless people and are a menace to the law abiding Hindus in the province. Deputy Commissioners should take special measures against them."

Interesting the circular recognises Sikhs as a distinct group.

-Source. "History of Sikh Struggles, Vol. 1," By Gurmit Singh, Atlantic Publishers & Distributors, 1989. pp. 51.

1982 A National Protest was conducted by the UK Sikhs. The procession headed by Sant Baba Puran Singh Ji started from Hyde Park and ended at 10, Downing Street where a petition signed by more than 75000 people protesting against the ruling of Lord denning was presented to the British Prime Minster.

In July 1982, British Appeal Court headed by Lord Denning gave the ruling that "Sikhs are not protected by the Race Relations Act as Sikhs are not a racial group but a distict religious community." The case concerned Park Grove, a private boy's school in Edgbaston. Mr. Mandla, a devout Sikh and a Birmingham solicitor, applied to send his son there but wanted him to wear the Sikh turban as well as the school uniform. The school declared that it had nothing against Sikhs as such but would not allow them to wear turbans or leave their hair uncut. Mr. Mandla took his son elsewhere, but Commission for Racial Equality brought an action against the school and its headmaster. Birmingham Country Court judge on Dec. 10, 1980 held that the Park Grove Private School, Bristol Road, Birmingham was not guilty of racial discrimination under the Race Relations Act 1976. The appellate court dismissed with costs the appeal against that order. Lord Denning in his judgement observed

"under the Act, it is perfectly lawful to discriminate against groups of people so long as it is not on racial grounds. You can discriminate against the Moonies or Skinheads or any other person to whom you take objection, no matter whether your objection is reasonable or unreasonable."

The judgemenmt caused acute resnetmnet amongst the Sikhs who felt their comparison with Moonies and Skinheads are both insensitive and insulting.

-Source. "History of Sikh Struggles, Vol. 1," By Gurmit Singh, Atlantic Publishers & Distributors, 1989. pp. 69-70.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

Sorry i haven't posted, i didn't have access to a computer

October 11th

1710 Khalsa army fought a pitched battle and captured Rahon.

Shamas Khan, the sub-Governor of the Lullander-Doab zone declared jehad against the Sikhs to check their rapid advances. As a result a pitched battle was founght. Under the cover of darkness the Sikhs retreated. Shamas Khan claimed it as a victory and left the battlefield. After his departure, the Sikhs captured Rahon.

1711 Keso Singh and six other BhaT's were buried alive, under orders of Emporer Bahadhur Shah. The other six were:

Tara Singh

Sevaa Singh

Deva Singh

Desaa Singh* (brother)

Hari Singh* (brother)

Narbadh Singh* (son)

Keso Singh Bhatt was son of Boh-th, grandson of Keeratt, and great-grandson of Bhikhaa BhaT. They were three brothers, namely Keso Singh, Desaa Singh, and Hari Singh.

1770 The combined forces of Sikh Misls crossed the Jamuna and attacked Gangetic Doab to punish the muslim Nawabs for atrocities against their own people.

1988 Chaman Lal, the Inspector General of BSF (Border Security Force), resigned to protest the collusion of the State with Jasbir Singh Rode.

October 12th

1920 So called Low Caste Sikhs were denied entry into Harmandir Sahib.

The newly baptised "low caste Sikhs", at the annual session of Khalsa Bradari, were taken to the Golden Temple accompanied by reformers. This was a direct challenge to the Mahants. The priets of Sri Harmandir Sahib refused to accept Karah prasad from them or offer prayers for them. However, the reformers insisted on the right of every Sikh to do that. After theological discussions, Sri Guru Garnth Sahib was consulted. The Granthi amongst the objectors, read out third Guru's hymn, "Brother, He showers grace even on those who have no merit and takes from them true Guru's service. By touch of Philosopher's stone, i.e., base metal has become gold . Our light has blended with His light, and we have become one with Him." The priets, visibly affected offered prayers and accepted prasad from the hands of the newly converted Sikhs.

When the whole party went to Sri Akal Takhat, the priests there fled leaving the Guru Granth Sahib unattended. Bhai Kartar Singh Jhabbar and Teja Singh of Bhucher appointed a committee of 25 Sikhs for the management of Sri Akal Takhat. Thus the pujaris ousted themsleves. They did not return even when called by Sunder Singh Ramgathia, the new Sarbrah. They were accused of sacrilege. The following day, the Deputy Commissioner constituted a provisional committee of nine, all reformers, including Prof. Teja Singh, Bawa Harkrishan Singh, Teja Singh Bhuchar, Kartar Singh Jhabbar and others with Sunder Singh Ramgarhia, as its head to manage the two shrines. Teja Singh Bhuchar was appointed the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takhat. There was no plan for the struggle that so miraculously developed into the Gurudwara Reform Movement.

1920 Sri Akal Takhat came under Panthic control of Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee. Bhai Teja Singh of Bhuchar made a suddden swoop on the Akal Takhat and took possesion of the shrine.

==> 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)

1923 Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) and Shiromani Akali Dal were declared unlawful bodies. The government took, with serious concern, the political demand for restoration of the Maharaja of Nabha who was forcibly deposed on July 8, 1923. On this demand, the government brooked no compromise. The goverment was concious that al, other issues behind jaito agitation were religious in nature and had stirred deep feelings among the community. As such, it has permitted the Jathas to move unhindered in the British teritory and wanted to deal with them in Nabha state territory. The Jathas, once in Nabha, were told to give an undertaking that they will not indulge in political activity; i,e., ask for the restoration of Maharaja. Upon refusal, they were arrested and dispersed to remote and inhospitable places. A policy of repression was institiated. And a press communique charged the SGPC and the Akali Dal with "sedition and conspiracy to verawe the Government." Both organizations were declared unlawful and 50 members of the SGPC were arrested and charged with conspiracy to wage war against the King Emporer.

-Source "The Sikhs in History," by Sangat Singh, 1995.

1923 Babbar Dalipa of Dhamian arrested at Mian Channun, District Montgomery.

1982 A Sikh procession carrying the ashes of the 34 Sikhs, killed on September 11, 1982 was fired upon by the police near the Indian Parliament House. Four Sikhs were killed including a saint, Jang Singh. The police also fired inside the Gurdwara. An Indian daily newspaper "Indian Express" published the photograph of police aiming their rifles towards the Gurdwara Rakab Ganj and in the picture, Sikhs could be seen very, very far away from the scene.

-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.

1996 Sri Singh Sahib, Ranjit Singh, Jathedar Sri Akal Takhat, was released after 13 years of jail. He was accused of killing the Nirankari Chief in Delhi in 1980.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

October 13th

1973 Sirdar Kapur Singh bestowed the honor, "National Professor of Sikhism" by Sri Akal Takhat.

1979 President of Pakistan confers certain rights on Sikhs as a distict entity, by signing a historical document on the occasion of official visit to Pakistan by an International Sikh Delegation.

-Source. "History of Sikh Struggles, Vol. 1," By Gurmit Singh, Atlantic Publishers & Distributors, 1989. pp. 52.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

October 14th

1664 Guru Tegh Bahadhur took formal possession of Guru's property.

1745 Sarbat Khalsa met at Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, Amritsar. Dal Khalsa was organized and distributed into 25 Jathas.

1944 Pritam Singh Gojran seeks a state for Sikhs in his Presidential address.

1983 Four Sikhs martyred in fake police encounters at Khadur Sahib.

1981 Giani Zail Singh declares the innocence of Bhindrawale.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

October 15th

1708 Bhog ceremony for Guru Gobind Singh Maharaj.

1981 Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwalae released unconditionally.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

October 16th

1670 Birth anniversary Baba Gurbakhash Singh (Banda Bahadur).

1814 Diwan Mohkam Chand, of Maharaja Ranjjit Singh's darbar passed away.

1945 Saint Amir Singh of Gurbani Exposition School, passed away.

1955 All Party Convention at Amritsar demanded Punjabi Suba.

1981 Negotiations among Akali Dal and Indian Central Government were initiated.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

sorry, daas has been a bit busy lately.

October 17th

1605 Mughal emporer, Akbar, died in Agra.

1762 Sikhs pray at Akal Takhat before attacking and successfully defeating Ahmad Shah.

1973 Akali Dal Executive passed the Anandpur Sahib resolution asking for autonomy for the Sikh nation.

1977 The reconstruction work for "Guru-Kae-Mehal," Amritsar was initiated.

**** Janam Din, Sant Sujaan Singh Ji, Karool Bagh, New Delhi.

October 18th

1982 All Sikhs arrested for DharamYudh morcha were released for lack of Jail space.

1982 Amritsar taken over by communal Border Security Force.

October 19th

1711 Baba Gurbakhash Singh (Banda Bahadhur) won over the landlords of Bhallu.

October 20th

1759 Sikh Misl leaders gathered to face the Ahmad Shah Durani's onslaught.

1783 Jassa Singh Ahluwalia passed away suddenly while enroute to Amritsar.

1920 Mahatma Gandhi remarked in his speech "India rose through Jallianwala Bagh" massacre.

1922 Leaflets are distributed by the Babbar Akalis in the "Parkarma" of the Golden Temple, rediculing non-violence. The SGPC as well as the Mahants are severly criticized by Babbars through the "Babbar Akali Doaba" newspaper.

[AkalPurakhDiFauj]

October 21st

1989 Puna court imposes the death sentence (by hanging) upon Harjinder Singh and Sukhdev Singh for killing general Vaidya.