On This Day

AkalPurakhDiFauj · May 26, 2008

May 26th

1886 Maharaja Dalip Singh reentered Sikh faith.

Maharaja Dalip Singh reentered the Sikh faith in 1886. He received Khande Di Pahul (Amrit) on May 26, 1886 at Aden.

Earlier, on On March 8, 1853, Maharaja Dalip Singh was formally admitted into the Christian Church with water brought from Ganges nearby at his own private dwelling house. The service was conducted by the Rev. M.W. Jay, with Dr. John S. Login, Mrs. Login, Colonel Alexander and Mr. Guise signing the Baptism register as witnesses.

The purpose for the Maharaja's conversion to Christianity was two fold:

1) Politically there was no better solution for the British as it showed that the Maharaja not only became a Christian, but also gave up his Punjabi life by becoming an English country-gentleman;

2) It removed him from his mother and subjects - the Punjabi people.

1960 Morcha initiated for seeking Punjabi Subha.

1984 The last meeting was held between Akalis and Indira Gandhi.

The last meeting was held between Akalis and Indira Gandhi regime. Several such meetings preceded this meeting. However, by now it became abundantly clear that this was in fact a drama. The government had planned an attack on Darbar Sahib for several months. Russian KGB and even British Intelligence was guiding the invasion of Darbar Sahib.

1988 The President of India issued an ordinance banning the Sikh fundamentals of Miri-Piri (Cohesive oneness of Religion and Politics). An integral part of the Sikh religion Miri-Piri is the most fundamental to Sikh religion. This ordinance (which later became law) meant that the Sikhs shall have to adopt only that part of their religion which the Hindu majority will allow. This was the final blow to the Sikh nation which made the professing of their religion under the subjugation of the Hindu regime.

-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 128.

1996 Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in his capacity as Prime Minister of India, visited Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar and apologized to the Sikhs for the following two abominations committed by the Government of India:

1. The June 1984 sttack on the Harmandir Sahib. He is supposed to have said that the attack was wrong, and unconditionally apologized for it.

2. The November 1984 riots in Northern India, when thousands of Sikhs were looted, raped, massacred as well as their properties ransacked/looted.

He resigned his position the very next day. GuruGhar's prestige isn't expanded by anyone's visit. And neither does GuruGhar wait for anyone's visit. However, Sikhs have always pointed out that none of the Congress Prime Ministers ever visit Sri Darbar Sahib. This is considered essential step for Hindu-Sikh unity. Atal Bihari Vajpayee's visit was a result of Prakash Singh Badal's efforts.

-Ref. Ajit, May, 31, 1996.

AkalPurakhDiFauj · May 27, 2008

May 27

1710 Baba Banda Singh Bahadhur announces the establishment of Sikh rule in a heavy Diwan organized in Sirhind city.

1921 The Governor of Punjab arrested Sardul Singh Caveesher for spearheading the non-cooperation resolution at SGPC meeting of May 11, 1921. This meeting was really a confrontation that once again demonstrated the majority of the radicals in the SGPC.

-Ref. "Babbar Akali Movement - A Historical Perspective," by Dr. Gurcharan Singh, Aman Publications, 1993.

1985 Longowal Dal revived after 26 days. All this was done in league with the Delhi-regime.

AkalPurakhDiFauj · May 28, 2008

May 28th

1922 A meeting is called at Kaulgarh by Karam Singh Gargaj group to reform the Jholichuks.

1948 SGPC came under the control of Congress Sikhs.

AkalPurakhDiFauj · May 29, 2008

May 29th

1606 Martyrdom, Fifth Patshah, Guru Arjan Dev Ji.

==> GURU ARJAN DEV (1563-1606) Guru Arjan, the 'Prince of Martyrs' and the 'Prophet of Peace', proffered his precious life to nurture the glory that was to be the Sikh Panth. The Fifth Master's life was marked by divine bliss and sublime sacrifices, born of a sweet acceptance of God's Will. Gifted with a quintessential poetic afflatus, and immeasurable imaginative sympathies, the Guru gave the movement of Sikhism a definite direction, perspective and program. He made the new faith coeval or coextensive with the whole gamut of existence and raised its exquisite edifice on values for which there is neither death nor change.

Guru Arjan Dev adorned the sacred throne of Guru Nanak from Sept. 1, 1581 to May 30, 1606. Born at Goindwal on April 15, 1563, he was the youngest and noblest son of Guru Ram Das and Mata Bibi Bhani. On 23 Hadh sunmat 1636, he married Ganga Devi, daughter of Krishan Chand of Mau village. He had an innate poetic sensibility which was exquisitely displayed in the epistles

The essential message of Guru Arjan's hymns is meditation on Nam. The Guru has lucidly expatiated on the concept of brahmgiani (the enlightened soul). According to him, this enlightenment can be attained only through meditation on the Lord and the Guru's grace. In depicting the attributes of the brahmgiani, he has compared him to a lotus flower which immersed in mud and water is yet pure and beautiful. Without ill-will or enmity he is forever courageous and calm.

Guru Arjan set a fine personal example by living up to his own concept of a brahmgiani. All his holy compositions are characterized by humility and tenderness. He seeks the grace of God for the fulfillment of all kinds of human needs. With the compilation of the first volume of the Adi Granth, the Sikh religion registered greater unity and identity. The Sikhs now owned a unique Book or Granth of their own, and thus acquired a distinct and separate entity. Guru Arjan installed the holy Granth at the Harmandar and appointed Baba Budha Ji as the first Granthi of Harmandar Sahib. Thus, Amritsar became the most significant centre of the Sikh faith and the Sikhs emerged as a new and powerful community.

During the period between Guru Nanak and Guru Arjan, there was no conflict between the Sikhs and the Mughal Kings. Emperor Akbar was in particular a man of liberal views and he respected the ideals of the Sikh movement. But, with his death and the following enthronement of Jehangir, there was a total reversal of policy and change of attitude.

Jehangir's own writings reveal that he considered the spread of Sikhism as a positive threat to Islam. In a moment of fanatic frenzy, he characterized Sikhism as a 'shop of falsehood' and declared that he would extirpate it at the earliest opportunity. Thus he set about with a fanatical zeal to carry out his threat: and he trumped up the charge of treason against the Guru. With the complicity of the officials, Jehangir had the Guru soon imprisoned and tortured to death at Lahore in 1606. The martyrdom of Guru Arjan engendered a wave of shock and indignation among the Sikhs. No single event till then had so profoundly brought home to them the necessity of the sword. It is therefore not surprising that under the Sixth Master, Guru Hargobind they were militarized and prepared to face the Mugal might squarely. Thus emerged a new epoch in the history of Sikhism which led to a synthesis between Bhakti and Shakti (wordly power). Guru Arjan was the first Sikh Guru, who by his martyrdom lent to Sikhism a strength and solidarity that it had never known before. As desired by the Fifth Master, Guru Hargobind was ordained Guru in 1606, and, he guided and shaped the destiny of the Sikh community until 1645.

-Ref. Mahan Kosh (pp. 80)

Dr. D.S. Mani, Sardar Bakhshish Singh, and Dr. Gurdit Singh Guru Granth Ratnavali, page 90

1606 Shashter Dharan, Sixth Patshah, Guru Hargobind Ji.

1712 Badshah Jahandar Shah seeks reinforcements to deal with Sikhs.

1923 SGPC again declares the Babbar Akalis as anti-Panthic.

1960 The first batch courted arrest for Punjabi Suba agitation.

1981 The Hindus took out anti-Sikh procession at Amritsar.

The Hindus took out anti-Sikh procession at Amritsar where filthy and provocative slogans were raised by them. This procession was in response to the planned procession by Sikhs on May 31, 1981. During this procession, 10,000 armed unruly Hindus raised abusive slogans against the Sikhs and Sikh symbols. One of the Hindu slogans asked the Sikhs to get out of India: as India belonged to the Hindus. Besides provoking, insulting and vulgar slogan raising, the Hindu processionists attacked some of the Sikh buildings and wounded a large number of Sikh passersby.

-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 · May 30, 2008

May 30th

1606 Martydom, Patshahi Fifth, Guru Arjan Dev Ji in Lahore. Guru Arjan Dev Ji is tortured to death in Lahore.

Fifth Patshah, Guru Arjun Dev Ji, with wounds blistering on his body, hands and feet, was thrown into river Ravi near Lahore, wherein he disappeared. Guru Arjan's martyrdom is the first of its kind in the history of the region. It caused great resentment and indignation among the general body of Hindus and Muslims, apart from the Sikhs. At the young age of 43, he was the first martyr of Sikh history. He was tortured to death by the orders of Emperor Jehagir and at the hands of Chandhu Shah, a diwan (minister) in the finance ministry of Delhi. Guru worked tirelessly for 25 years to transform the young Sikh movement into a national religion, later to become a world religion. In this period a large number of devotees became Sikhs. But this period also witnessed a significant increase in the number of people who became enemies of the Guru and the Sikh movement. These people could not tolerate the success of the mission of the Guru. They became jealous of him. The death of the Guru was a result of a conspiracy of five common enemies. they included:

PRITHI CHAND and his son MEHRBAN: Prithi Chand was the elder brother of the guru and Mehrban was his nephew. They wanted to get the Guru Killed so that Prithi Chand could take over the Guruship.

CHANDU SHAH: became Guru's enemy when Guru refused to accept his offer to marry his daughter to Guru's son, Hargobind.

SULAHI KHAN: a Mughal officer of Batala who was against conversion of Muslims to Sikhism. He wanted to eliminate the Guru to halt such conversions.

SHEIKH AHMED FARUQUI SIRHINDI: a leader of a Muslim sect who had declared Guru Arjan as a "kafir" (infidel) and wanted his death. He was a revivalist of Islam.

EMPEROR JEHANGIR: After the death of Emperor Akbar, a war of succession was fought between Prince Salim (later known as Jehangir) and his young son Khusrau. Prince Salim became the emperor and Khusrau was first blinded and then put to death. Before his death, Khusrau escaped and took shelter with the Guru and also took some financial help from him to procure food and shelter for survival. Jehangir, declared this act of the Guru as treason. He had already been briefed by Prithi Chand, Mehrban, Sulahi Khan, Chandu Shah and Sheikh Ahmed Faruqui regrading Guru's missionary work which they called as anti-muslim. Jehangir was looking for an excuse to punish the Guru. This act of the Guru gave him ammunition to eliminate him.

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

==> GURU ARJAN DEV (1563-1606) Guru Arjan, the 'Prince of Martyrs' and the 'Prophet of Peace', proffered his precious life to nurture the glory that was to be the Sikh Panth. The Fifth Master's life was marked by divine bliss and sublime sacrifices, born of a sweet acceptance of God's Will. Gifted with a quintessential poetic afflatus, and immeasurable imaginative sympathies, the Guru gave the movement of Sikhism a definite direction, perspective and program. He made the new faith coeval or coextensive with the whole gamut of existence and raised its exquisite edifice on values for which there is neither death nor change.

Guru Arjan Dev adorned the sacred throne of Guru Nanak from Sept. 1, 1581 to May 30, 1606. Born at Goindwal on April 15, 1563, he was the youngest and noblest son of Guru Ram Das and Mata Bibi Bhani. On 23 Hadh sunmat 1636, he married Ganga Devi, daughter of Krishan Chand of Mau village. He had an innate poetic sensibility which was exquisitely displayed in the epistles that he sent to his father from Lahore. They are deeply expressive of the pangs of separation and the exuberance of Love. The Fourth Master's decision to make Guru Arjan his spiritual heir was bitterly opposed by Prithvi Chand who contended that being the eldest son, he alone was entitled to the Guruship. Thus, he could never reconcile himself to his younger brother's installation as Guru.

Under Guru Arjan Dev the Sikh movement registered great progress. In sunmat 1645, he cemented the Santokhsar sarovar. Further, the Guru not only completed the construction of the Sarovars started at 'Guru Ka Chak' by his predecessor but also constructed two more Sarovars. He had the Harmandar built in the middle of Amritsar Sarovar and invited a celebrated Muslim divine, Mian Mir, to lay its foundation stone in sunmat 1645. Remarkable for its architectural and aesthetic beauty and unique in its conception, the temple with its four doors symbolizes the inborn equality of all mankind.

Indeed, it is open to all the four castes without any discrimination. Thus, the Guru sought a dissolution of all castes and creed distinctions. Unlike the Hindu shrines that are built on a high plinth, the Harmandar (the Temple of God) was built on a level lower than that of the surrounding areas, thereby making it imperative for the devotees to go down the steps in a spirit of true humility. In addition, the towns of Tarn Taran and Kartarpur flourished under the Guru's tutelage. He had a magnificent tank built at Tarn Taran (pool of salvation) in sunmat 1647 and a Bavalli constructed at Lahore. in sunmat 1651, he established the town of Kartarpur Nagar (Dist. Jullander) and Ramsar in sunmat 1659-60.

Guru Arjan undertook a tour of the Punjab to preach Sikhism. He rationalized the institution of the masands and ordained that every Sikh should voluntarily donate a tenth of his income raised by the sweat of his brow for religious purposes. The masands collected the offerings thus made and deposited them in the Guru's treasury. Again, when the Punjab was in the grip of drought and famine, Guru Arjan persuaded the Emperor Akbar to remit the land revenue for that year.

The most epochal achievement, however, of Guru Arjan was the compilation of the Adi Granth. The Guru devoted three years from 1601 to 1604 to the completion of the sublime project. He studied thoroughly the entire treasure of Gurbani, collected the hymns and psalms of the previous Gurus, and screened the utterances of the bhakts collected by the previous Gurus. He not only put the entire Bani together but also compiled it systematically under different ragas. Guru Arjan's genius for compilation is eminently projected by the vars included in the Adi Granth. He has added shlokas to the Bani of all the earlier Gurus in order to elucidate the deeper meanings. To compile the outpourings of his predecessors and the, Bhakts under various ragas (musical measures) obviously demanded an unflattering grasp of the musical measures. Besides being a notable compiler, Guru Arjan was also a gifted poet. More than half of the holy Granth consists of his own utterances. They comprise 2218 verses. Thus his work exceeds that of the other 35 inspired poets whose compositions are enshrined in the Guru Granth.

The essential message of Guru Arjan's hymns is meditation on Nam. The Guru has lucidly expatiated on the concept of brahmgiani (the enlightened soul). According to him, this enlightenment can be attained only through meditation on the Lord and the Guru's grace. In depicting the attributes of the brahmgiani, he has compared him to a lotus flower which immersed in mud and water is yet pure and beautiful. Without ill-will or enmity he is forever courageous and calm.

Guru Arjan set a fine personal example by living up to his own concept of a brahmgiani. All his holy compositions are characterized by humility and tenderness. He seeks the grace of God for the fulfillment of all kinds of human needs. With the compilation of the first volume of the Adi Granth, the Sikh religion registered greater unity and identity. The Sikhs now owned a unique Book or Granth of their own, and thus acquired a distinct and separate entity. Guru Arjan installed the holy Granth at the Harmandar and appointed Baba Budha Ji as the first Granthi of Harmandar Sahib. Thus, Amritsar became the most significant centre of the Sikh faith and the Sikhs emerged as a new and powerful community.

During the period between Guru Nanak and Guru Arjan, there was no conflict between the Sikhs and the Mughal Kings. Emperor Akbar was in particular a man of liberal views and he respected the ideals of the Sikh movement. But, with his death and the following enthronement of Jehangir, there was a total reversal of policy and change of attitude.

Jehangir's own writings reveal that he considered the spread of Sikhism as a positive threat to Islam. In a moment of fanatic frenzy, he characterized Sikhism as a 'shop of falsehood' and declared that he would extirpate it at the earliest opportunity. Thus he set about with a fanatical zeal to carry out his threat: and he trumped up the charge of treason against the Guru. With the complicity of the officials, Jehangir had the Guru soon imprisoned and tortured to death at Lahore in 1606. The martyrdom of Guru Arjan engendered a wave of shock and indignation among the Sikhs. No single event till then had so profoundly brought home to them the necessity of the sword. It is therefore not surprising that under the Sixth Master, Guru Hargobind they were militarized and prepared to face the Mugal might squarely. Thus emerged a new epoch in the history of Sikhism which led to a synthesis between Bhakti and Shakti (wordly power). Guru Arjan was the first Sikh Guru, who by his martyrdom lent to Sikhism a strength and solidarity that it had never known before. As desired by the Fifth Master, Guru Hargobind was ordained Guru in 1606, and, he guided and shaped the destiny of the Sikh community until 1645.

-Ref. Mahan Kosh (pp. 80) Dr. D.S. Mani, Sardar Bakhshish Singh, and Dr. Gurdit Singh Guru Granth Ratnavali, page 90

1710 Bahadur Shah called for volunteers for Jehad against the Sikhs.

Bahadhur Shah was appraised of the news of Banad Singh's exploits. Taking this into view the poignancy of the situation, he made up with the Rajputs and called for volunteers for "Jehad", holy war, against the Sikhs. He ordered the mobilisation of all available forces, rallied Bundhela Rajputs against the Sikhs and himself personally proceeded in person to the Punjab.

1813 Raja Karam Singh Patiala ascended the throne of Patiala State.

==> PATIALA FAMILY traces its descent to Maharaja Gaj, founder of the town Gazni (now in Afghanistan) in the first quarter of the 16th century. His descendents, Maharawal Jaisal, founded the State of Jaisalmer and his grand son, Rao Hans Raj, is considered the ancestor of Patiala family. However, Tawarikh Guru Khalsa written by Giani Gian Singh, traces the Patiala family descent to Chaudhri Phul, a Sidhu Jat in "Malwa country" and the Chaudhri belonged to the 23rd generation of the family of Bhatti Rajputs. When Bhim Mal came to Punjab in 1237 he helped Shahabuddin Gauri, in his attack on Delhi and in lieu of that, he was given the area comprising of Hissar, Sirsa, etc. In 1251, he built a fort in Hissar town. After his death, his son Jawand Rao succeeded and had 21 sons. According to Giani Gian Singh, Chaudhri Phul, son of Chaudhri Rup Chand, belonged to the family tree belonging to the descendents of Jawand Rao. When Guru Har Rai Patshah visited Malwa in 1702 B.K., Chaudhri Kala, brother of Chaudhri Rup Chand, brought his two nephews, Phul and Sandali to the Guru. On instructions of their uncle, who was acting as their guardian, both Phul and Sandali started beating their bellies and when Guru Sahib asked the reason, Chaudhri Kala explained that his nephews wanted to sariate their hunger. At that time, Guru Sahib blessed and ordained that the Phul family would reign for a considerable period of time and that it would feed lakhs of people. Chaudhri Phul died in 1745 B.K. and was succeeded by his two sons, Talok Chand and Ram Chand, who were introduced to amrit by Guru Gobind Singh in 1761 and were subsequently named Talok Singh and Ram Singh. Because of their great services to Guru Sahib, the two brothers were blessed and the Guru ordained "My house is your house and I am much pleased with you". Maharaj Ram Singh, who effectively controlled the areas surrounding Patiala, was murdered in 1771 B.K. (1741) at the hands of Chain Singh, Uggar Sain and Biru. He was succeeded by six sons, Baba Ala Singh proved to be the most dominating and promising. He was introduced to amrit by Nawab Kapur Singh.

The Patiala family attained prominence during Baba Ala Singh reign, who founded the State of Patiala by defeating the neighboring chieftains. Emperor Shah Jahan conferred the title "Raja" on Baba Ala Singh.

Unfortunately, the Patiala family often acted against interest of the Sikhs. They were often concerned with propagating their own family business interests firs and foremost. Among the damage they did to the Panth was the reinforcement of the Brahminincal tradition of Nirmalae Sikhs and in total disrespect to GurSikh women many Patialites kept countless Ranis, performed anti Sikhi parades, etc. When Gadarites were orgainzing in US and Baba Khadak Singh was pursuing Keys Morcha and Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh was organinsing Rakab Ganj protest, Patialites were busy bootlicking British reprentatives. They offered many naive young rural Sikhs for deployment in Greece, North Africa and Europe, who eventually sacrificed their lives for a war they had absolutely nothing to do with. The Sikhs continously failed to recognize Patialites and remained loyal to them, even during partition talks (when Patiala family's daughter was to be wed with Dr. Ambedkar's nephew and 100 million of Dalits who were going to embrace Sikhism were thrown out by a series of calculated malicious events).

For these reasons and many more, PATIALA FAMILY were never considered a part of the Khalsa Misls and remained as fringe elements to GurSikh society.

-Ref. The Illustrated History of the Sikhs (1947-78), by Gur Rattan Pal Singh.

1924 7th and 8th Jathas, each of 500 Akalis courted arrest after reaching Jaito.

==> WHERE IS JAITO? A village under Nabha, which falls on the Bathinda-Ferozpur railway line. It is 96 miles from Lahore and 17 miles from Bathinda.

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JAITO? On this place situated near a fort, is a historical Gurudwara of Guru Gobind Singh Patshah. Maharaja Hira Singh constructed the beautiful buildings of this Gurudwara. The sarowar is popularly known as "Gangsar". About a mile and a half north of Jaito is "Tibhi Sahib" Gurudwara, where Guru Gobind Singh Patshah used to organize and participate in the evening recitation of Rehras. Both Gurudwaras have extensive land sanctioned to it by the Nabha rulers. Additionally, extensive financial resources are made available on an annual basis from the Nabha rulers and the surrounding villages. A maela celebration is held every 7th of Pooh month (Dec.-Jan.) and Katak (Oct.-Nov.) Puranmashi. Jaito's markets are well renowned. People come from far distances to buy and sell their herds.

WHY AKALIS COURTED ARREST? The key issue involved was resoration of Maharaja Ripudaman Singh of Nabha. Maharaja of Nabha, well-known for his pro-Tat Khalsa Proclivities, had a dispute with Maharaja of Patiala, known for this pro-government role. Although Maharaja of Nabha had absolutely no dispute with the government, as a result of mediation, he was forced to abdicate in July 1923. Col. Michin, with the help of troops and armoured cars, took the Maharaja by surprise on July 8, 1923 and taunted him with the query, "Where is that Akali?" The news of deposition by the government raised a strom of protest against the Government's interefernce in Nabha and was decsribed as a challenge to the Akali movement. As a result tensions mounted. The Akalis, in defiance of state orders, continued to hold diwan indefinitely. The Nabha police in order to arrest all the Akalis, including the one reading the holy Granth Sahib, was said to have disrupted the Akhand Path on Sept. 14, 1923. This dispute took such a tragic shape and got so inflames by Feb. 21, 1924 that several people lost their lives. After sixteen shaheedi jathas apart from one from Bengal and another from Canada, the agitation process was completed two years later, on August 6, 1925, after the concurrent bhog of 101 Akand Paaths.

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

AkalPurakhDiFauj · May 31, 2008

May 31st

1981 Sikh procession to seek Holy City status for Amritsar.

The Sikhs brought out a procession to demand Holy City status for Amritsar. More than 25,000 Sikhs joined the procession. To quote a Hindu newspaper, the Tribune: Until 29 May it seemed that only 500 to 1,000 Sikhs would join the Sikh procession on Sunday when all the shops are closed in the city. Following yesterday's massive Hindu procession the number will be very high. This procession was a direct result of unfilled promises for the declaration of Amritsar as a Holy City. The SGPC chief, G. S. Tohra,' had met with the Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, on September 24, 1980.

1984 Sri Guru Granth, intact in Rumalas, and Palki Sahib was burned in Patiala.

1986 In 1986 the International Sikh Organization (ISO) was established to educate the public and the U.S. Congress about the Sikh religion, the violations of human rights by the Indian government, India's genocide against the Sikhs, and the Sikh struggle for an independence. The Council of Khalistan was established on October 7, 1987, when Khalistan declared its independence.

saint-soldier · June 1, 2008

wow this thread rocks :wub: props to everyone that contributed and helped an moorakh like me gain more knowledge.

AkalPurakhDiFauj · June 1, 2008

June 1st

1748 Small Holocaust that saw 10,000 Sikhs massacared in a single day. At least 10,000 Sikhs were massacred by Yahiya Khan and Lakhpat Rai, who had taken vow to avenge the death of his brother by annihilating the Sikhs.

==> SMALL HOLOCAUST - Diwan Lakhpat Rai, a katri of Kalanoar, was the Chief Minister to the Governor of Lahore, YayahKhan. When his troublemaker brother, Jaspat, was killed by Sikhs near Badoki Gusayia village, he unleased a campaign of terror against the Sikhs to avenge the death of his brother. Jaspat Rai was actually killed in a skirmish with a Sikh outfit. However, Lakhpat Rai issued orders to shoot the Sikhs at sight. For some period, Lakhpat Rai even assumed completed control of Lahore, under orders of Ahmad Shah Abdali. Lakhpat Rai attacked Sikhs at Kahnoowal jungles and ordered to set the whole jungle on fire. Baba Deep Singh was among the Sikhs who escaped and subsequently fought back at the Beaas River bank, and finally reaching Malwa. This incident culminated in what is common known as the "Chotta Ghalughara" (small genocide) in Sikh history.

Subsequently, MeerManu arrested Lakhpat Rai and handed him over to Diwan KodahMal, who in turn handed his to the Sikhs. Sikhs kept him in jail for six months and eventually killed him in sunmat 1805.

-Ref. Mahan Kosh (pp. 1056)

1813 Maharaja Ranjit Singh obtained Kohinoor from Shahsuja Amir of Kabul.

Shah Shujah, Amir of Kabul, reentered Lahore under Sikh protection. Maharaja Ranjit Singh demanded Kohinoor from him as promised by Wafa Begum of Shah Shujah. Shah Shujah grudgingly parted with Koh-inoor that originally weighed 787 carats, but was cut to 280 carats to enhance its fire and brilliance, and later recut' to 186. The Kohinoor (which means "mountain of light") was part of an enameled armlet worn by Maharaja Ranjit Singh The Kohinoor eventually landed with the British after Maharaja Ranjit Singh's death.

1924 7th shahidi Jatha of 500 valiant Akali Satyagrahies started their march for Jaito from Takhat Sri Kaesgadh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib, under the leadership of Sardar Pratap Singh Khurdpuri.

==> WHERE IS JAITO? A village under Nabha, which falls on the Bathinda-Ferozpur railway line. It is 96 miles from Lahore and 17 miles from Bathinda.

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JAITO? On this place situated near a fort, is a historical Gurudwara of Guru Gobind Singh Patshah. Maharaja Hira Singh constructed the beautiful buildings of this Gurudwara. The sarowar is popularly known as "Gangsar". About a mile and a half north of Jaito is "Tibhi Sahib" Gurudwara, where Guru Gobind Singh Patshah used to organize and participate in the evening recitation of Rehras. Both Gurudwaras have extensive land sanctioned to it by the Nabha rulers. Additionally, extensive financial resources are made available on an annual basis from the Nabha rulers and the surrounding villages. A maela celebration is held every 7th of Pooh month (Dec.-Jan.) and Katak (Oct.-Nov.) Puranmashi. Jaito's markets are well renowned. People come from far distances to buy and sell their herds.

WHY AKALIS COURTED ARREST? The key issue involved was resoration of Maharaja Ripudaman Singh of Nabha. Maharaja of Nabha, well-known for his pro-Tat Khalsa Proclivities, had a dispute with Maharaja of Patiala, known for this pro-government role. Although Maharaja of Nabha had absolutely no dispute with the government, as a result of mediation, he was forced to abdicate in July 1923. Col. Michin, with the help of troops and armoured cars, took the Maharaja by surprise on July 8, 1923 and taunted him with the query, "Where is that Akali?" The news of deposition by the government raised a strom of protest against the Government's interefernce in Nabha and was decsribed as a challenge to the Akali movement. As a result tensions mounted. The Akalis, in defiance of state orders, continued to hold diwan indefinitely. The Nabha police in order to arrest all the Akalis, including the one reading the holy Granth Sahib, was said to have disrupted the Akhand Path on Sept. 14, 1923. This dispute took such a tragic shape and got so inflames by Feb. 21, 1924 that several people lost their lives. After sixteen shaheedi jathas apart from one from Bengal and another from Canada, the agitation process was completed two years later, on August 6, 1925, after the concurrent bhog of 101 Akand Paaths.

-Ref. Mahan Kosh

"The Sikhs in History," by Sangat Singh, 1995

1940 Allihgadh Prachar conference held. 25,000 Amritdhari GurSikhs attended.

1973 Akali Dal launched Karnal agitation for civil liberties.

1984 Black Day in Sikh history - CRPF and BSF fired upon and damaged Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar.

CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) and BSF (Border Security Force) starting firing from every direction on to the Golden Temple compelx. Firing started around 12:40 AM without any incitement from the other side and stopped after 7 hours, around 8:15 PM. 11 people died in this firing. Mehnga Singh of Babbar Khalsa International was the first martyr of this attack. Sri Darbar Sahib was fired upon which left 32 major marks on the Golden dome itself. Curfew was imposed in the city of Amritsar. This day marked the first day of Operation Bluestar and came to be known as the Black day in Sikh History. The last time, Darbar Sahib was attacked by Ahmed Shah Abdali almost 222 yrs earlier. However, that was an attack by a foriegner, while this was an attack by our own government (or was it!). The members of Shromani Committee launched a strong protest against the firing. They even tried to reach the President of India. However, every time their calls were ignored by the President's office with lame excuses.

==> BLUESTAR OPERATION is the code name for the June 1984 attack on Sri Harimandir Sahib, Amritsar, by the Indian Armed Forces. This attack was conducted under the pretext of flushing out terrorists but was designed for maximum damage. The attack took place on the day of Guru Arjan Dev Patshah's Shahadat Gurpurab observations. Further this operation was sanctioned under the direct orders of Indira Gandhi (then prime minister) and Zail Singh (then President). The Golden Temple Complex was attacked by the Indian Armed Forces using tanks, helicopters, and other heavy artillery, under the command of Major General Kuldip Singh Brar. Sri Akal Takhat was desecrated during this attack. Sri Darbar Sahib sustained at least 300 bullet holes. Thousands of innocent people were murdered in cold blood. Their fault? They were attending the Martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. The brave GurSikh soldiers in the Akal Takhat, numbering about 250, gave extremely tough resistance to the Indian army. However, their resistance was no match to the large number of tanks, helicopters, bombs, and other heavy artillery that destroyed the Akal Takhat. The whole Sikh nation rose as a whole to protest against this ghastly attack. Thousands of Sikhs were martyred in the holy precincts of Darbar Sahib. Many gave their lives in attempts to reach for Darbar Sahib's protection. All roads to Amritsar were blocked. Every Sikh approaching these blockades were asked to remove their kirpan and turban. Those refusing were immediately killed or arrested. Anyone with blue or saffron turbans were particularly targeted and killed. Those arrested were blind folded and their hands tied behind their backs with their own turbans. Arrested Sikhs were packed in groups of 60-70 in small rooms with liitle room for any mobility.

In protest, many respected Sikhs returned their Padam Bushan medals/honors bestowed upon them by the Indian government and sacrificed their high positions. Several Sikh Army personal deserted their posts in protest and marched straight to protect Darbar Sahib. However, Indira Ghandhi did receive retribution for her black deeds on Oct. 31st, that same year.

For detailed description of events surrounding this attack, readers are referred to the following:

Gurbhagat Singh, "Kommi Ajadi Wal - Panjab Tae PunjabiSabhiyachar Da Bhawish," Vichar Prakashan, 1993

Major Singh, "Punjab Khuni Dahakae Di Ghatha,"Vichar Prakashan, 1993

Naraen Singh, "Kau Kito Visahau?" Singh Brothers, Mai Sewa, Amritsar, ISBN 81-7205-003-8, 1986, 1990, 1992.

Naraen Singh, "Sikh Vira Nu Haluna," Singh Brothers, Mai Sewa, Amritsar, ISBN 81-7205-085-2, 1987, 1989, 1993.

Harbir Singh Bhanwer (Tribune reporter), "Diary de Panne," This book is in Punjabi. It is hard to come by. I found it to be most authoritative books on this event. Mr. Bhanwer was the person who provided quite a bit of basic information to Mark Tully and Mr. Jacob for their book "Amritsar: Indira Gandhi's Last Battle."

Dr. Mohinder Singh, "Blue Star Ghalughara," This book was published in 1991 (several years after Dairy de Panne), but is more detailed.

Jathedar Kirpal Singh, "Saka Neela Tara." This book is written by thim when he was the Jathedar of Akal Takhat. I have not read it, but I think it has extremely valuable information.

AkalPurakhDiFauj · June 2, 2008

June 2nd

1818 Maharaja Ranjit Singh's forces annexed the province of Multan into the Sikh State, after several years of fierce battles.

==> CONQUEST OF MULTAN (1818): The nawab of Multan, Muzaffar Khan had agreed to pay tribute to the Khalsa army. He had also made a resolution and had agreed that he will not conspire against the Khalsa Darbar. Later, however he gave asylum to Raes Ahmad Khan of Jhang and plotted against the Khalsa army with Kutubdin. He broke his word and never paid tribute on time. As a result the forces of Maharaja Ranjit Singh attacked Muzaffar Khan who was ready to defend himself with an army of 20,000 and a large number of holy warriors (mujahuddins). The Khalsa army, under the command of several Sikh generals attacked the fort of Multan and broke the wall at two places, but they were repaired quickly. The enemy had put up a stiff resistance. The stand-off continued for three months.

Then Maharaja Ranjit Singh went to the Golden Temple and prayed for the victory. Here he met Akali Phula Singh and told him the whole story. From here he moved to Multan with the brave Akalis. The Sikhs bombarded the fort of Multan again with cannon fire and the wall broke again. Akali Phula Singh wasted no time and entered the fort with his band. The nawab fought with great courage. After a long battle Akali Phula Singh killed Muzaffar Khan. Five sons of the nawab (Niwaz Khan, Aiaz Khan, Mumtaz Khan, Haq Niwaz Khan and Shabab Khan were also killed. The rest of the army ran away. Both ace generals Akali Phula Singh and Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa got injured in this battle.

A famous cannon Zam Zama was used in this battle to break the wall of the fort. With each shot it sent eighty pounds of solid metal hurling into the wall and tore large pieces of it.

The conquest of Multan was very significat to the Khalsa Darbar. It ended te Afghan influence in the Punjab and broke the solid array of Muslim states in the south. After this victory Khalsa subdued the chiefs of Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Dera Ismael Khan and Mankera.

- Ref:

1. Sher-i-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh bu Baba Prem Singh Hoti

2. A History of the Sikhs - Khushwant Singh

3. Tawareekh Guru Khalsa - Giani Gian Singh

1839 Maharaja Ranjit Singh had partially recovered from his stroke of 1838 yet was very feeble, when he suffered another stroke accompanied by dropsy and fever. Dr. Steel was sent by British to treat the Maharaja.

1984 Indian Armed forces replaced the Central Reserve Police force (CRPF) as a readiness step towards the Operation Bluestar.

==> BLUESTAR OPERATION is the code name for the June 1984 attack on Sri Harimandir Sahib, Amritsar, by the Indian Armed Forces. This attack was conducted under the pretext of flushing out terrorists but was designed for maximum damage. The attack took place on the day of Guru Arjan Dev Patshah's Shahadat Gurpurab observations. Further this operation was sanctioned under the direct orders of Indira Gandhi (then prime minister) and Zail Singh (then President). The Golden Temple Complex was attacked by the Indian Armed Forces using tanks, helicopters, and other heavy artillery, under the command of Major General Kuldip Singh Brar. Sri Akal Takhat was desecrated during this attack. Sri Darbar Sahib sustained at least 300 bullet holes. Thousands of innocent people were murdered in cold blood. Their fault? They were attending the Martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. The brave GurSikh soldiers in the Akal Takhat, numbering about 250, gave extremely tough resistance to the Indian army. However, their resistance was no match to the large number of tanks, helicopters, bombs, and other heavy artillery that destroyed the Akal Takhat. The whole Sikh nation rose as a whole to protest against this ghastly attack. Thousands of Sikhs were martyred in the holy precincts of Darbar Sahib. Many gave their lives in attempts to reach for Darbar Sahib's protection. All roads to Amritsar were blocked. Every Sikh approaching these blockades were asked to remove their kirpan and turban. Those refusing were immediately killed or arrested. Anyone with blue or saffron turbans were particularly targeted and killed. Those arrested were blind folded and their hands tied behind their backs with their own turbans. Arrested Sikhs were packed in groups of 60-70 in small rooms with liitle room for any mobility.

In protest, many respected Sikhs returned their Padam Bushan medals/honors bestowed upon them by the Indian government and sacrificed their high positions. Several Sikh Army personal deserted their posts in protest and marched straight to protect Darbar Sahib. However, Indira Ghandhi did receive retribution for her black deeds on Oct. 31st, that same year.

For detailed description of events surrounding this attack, readers are referred to the following:

Gurbhagat Singh, "Kommi Ajadi Wal - Panjab Tae Punjabi Sabhiyachar Da Bhawish," Vichar Prakashan, 1993

Major Singh, "Punjab Khuni Dahakae Di Ghatha," Vichar Prakashan, 1993

Naraen Singh, "Kau Kito Visahau?" Singh Brothers, Mai Sewa, Amritsar, ISBN 81-7205-003-8, 1986, 1990, 1992.

Naraen Singh, "Sikh Vira Nu Haluna," Singh Brothers, Mai Sewa, Amritsar, ISBN 81-7205-085-2, 1987, 1989, 1993.

Harbir Singh Bhanwer (Tribune reporter), "Diary de Panne," This book is in Punjabi. It is hard to come by. I found it to be most authoritative books on this event. Mr. Bhanwer was the person who provided quite a bit of basic information to Mark Tully and Mr. Jacob for their book "Amritsar: Indira Gandhi's Last Battle."

Dr. Mohinder Singh, "Blue Star Ghalughara," This book was published in 1991 (several years after Dairy de Panne), but is more detailed.

Jathedar Kirpal Singh, "Saka Neela Tara." This book is written by thim when he was the Jathedar of Akal Takhat. I have not read it, but I think it has extremely valuable information.

1984 Punjab Sealed off to foreigners.

AkalPurakhDiFauj · June 3, 2008

June 3rd

1947 Mountbatten announced the division of the Punjab.

1984 GurSikhs courting arrest under Dharam Ud Morcha numbered over 235000.

1984 All communications including phone lines to and from Punjab are cut. Road blocks prevent anyone from entering or leaving Punjab and all journalists are expelled from Punjab. A total curfew is imposed and as many as 10,000 pilgrims are trapped inside the temple complex. Milk vendors from the villages who supply milk to the city of Amritsar are shot dead for violating the curfew orders.

Operation Bluestar: Sikh homeland occupied by Indian Army. Curfew declared and undeclared Martial law promulgated.

The Indian army occupied the whole of the Sikh homeland begining 9pm. Curfew declared and undeclared Martial law promulgated. Jarnail Singh Bhindranwalae gave his final interview to the jounalists. Today was the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji: and the day the Indian Army chose to surround Guru Arjan's temple. All the phone lines, water, and electricity supply to the complex were cut off. Jarnail Singh appealed to his Singhs not to give up their arms. Amrik Singh, General Shahbeg Singh, and Giani Puran Singh were also present at that time. Whole Punjab was sealed from the rest of the world and a total blackout imposed.