Women Of Sikhi

[JustME]

Rani Sada Kaur

When Kabul's ruler, Badshah Jamaan, was convinced of continued his inability to rule Punjab, he sent a secret message suggesting Ranjit Singh to assume control of Lahore. The Lahore residents too were fed-up with continuously changing rulers with every sunrise. So when they learned of Shah Jamaan's message, they too sent a message asking Ranjit Singh to take control of Lahore.

Ranjit Singh was in Ram Nagar when he received both messages, from Kabuls Badshah as well as the Lahore residents. He was being offered the throne of Lahore. Accepting this offer wasn't as easy as it sounded wasn't. Neither the Lahore residents had organized any militia for Ranjit Singh's support and nor had Kabuls Badshah offered any military help. Ranjit Singh's own force weren't enough for the task. Besides, the Bhangs and Ramgahria Sardars were his sworn enemies. As such the acceptance of this tempting offer wasn't easy. And Ranjit Singh couldn't reach a decision. Very few people are aware of the fact that Ranjit Singh's control over Lahore wasn't due to either his strength or intelligence but the result of an intelligent and brave woman's resolve and wisdom. And that woman was Ranjit Singh's mother-in-law, Rani Sada Kaur Walia of Batala.

Having received messages from Shah Jamaan and Lahore residents, Ranjit Singh immediately left Ram Nagar and reached Batala. After greeting his mother-in-law with "Jo Bolahe So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal," he respectfully touched her feet. Rani Sada Kaur instantaneously moved forward to hug him and lovingly fondled his head. Immediately, both were engrossed in conversation. Ranjit Singh explaining the whole situation and asked, "Matta Ji! Tell me, what should be done now?"

"What have you thought?" Asked Sada Kaur in response.

"Just to proceed, attack and capture Lahore." Ranjit Singh answered.

"How much force do you have with you?" Sada Kaur inquired once again.

"Oh, some 3500 soldiers."

"And here we have some 2000. So, say 5000 in total."

"Yes."

"Then, Biba, are you expecting to attack and successfully capture Lahore with this

force?"

Sada Kaur's question brought disappointment on Ranjit Singh's face. He lowered his head and got lost in deep thoughts. Lahore was under the control of three Sikh Sardars. Amritsar was under control of his archenemy Ramgahria and Bhangi. If he was to announce his attack and leave Batala with a force of 5000, he wouldn't even reach Lahore, leave aside capture it.

Observing Ranjit Singh in deep thoughts, Sada Kaur said, "Yes, there is a way to success."

"What?" Ranjit Singh asked eagerly.

"No one should learn anything prior to your arrival in Lahore." Sada Kaur explained.

"How is this possible?" Saying this, Ranjit Singh once again got lost in thoughts.

"Everything is possible, Biba!" Sada Kaur said laughingly. She had a strategy in her

mind.

Forces were given orders to advance. But when the commanders inquired "Sardar, Where to?"

"To bathe at Amritsar." Responded Sada Kaur.

The news spread all over like wildfire that Rani Sada Kaur, accompanied by her sonin-law, is going to bathe at Amritsar. The whole party left Batala in the afternoon and reached Sri Darbar Sahib by the evening. Everyone bathed in the sacred pool, paid homage, and the camped just outside the city. Now Rani Sada summoned all the commanders for a meeting and explained her strategy. It was midnight by the time her meeting ended. Immediately, the horses were saddled and the party was on the move. By sunrise, Ranjit Singh accompanied by her mother-in-law and 5000 soldiers reached the Lahore gates and established a cantonment in Nawab Wajir Khan's territory. He managed to sneak into Lahore without anyone's knowledge. This was a result of Sada Kaur's strategy. Noticing Ranjit Singh, the Lahore rulers sent some forces to defend. But these forces did not engage in any battle. Why not? This was the magic of Sada Kaur's strategy that had its intended impact. Sada Kaur successfully negotiated surrender and offered them employment upon taking control of Lahore.

The Lahore residents kept their word. They opened the gates of Lahore entrances. Ranjit Singh entered Lahore, without a single bullet ever gracing anyone or anything. Two Sardars ran away while the third raised rebellion from the fort. Ranjit Singh's forced immediately seized the Fort. But they had no canyons. So the soldiers started firing from their trenches. Firing at the fort was like firing at a mountain. What effect could bullets have on a mountain? Absolutely, none. Similarly, their bullets couldn't have any affect on the fort. Mughal rulers had diligently built an extremely strong and defendable fort. So inside Lahore, Ranjit Singh faced yet another situation.

Once again he had to seek Sada Kaur's advice. "Matta Ji! What should we do now?" He asked.

"Are you convinced that the fort can be captured with bullets?"

Sada Kaur answered with a question. Ranjit Singh immediately recognized

his mistake and responded in a very low voice, "No!" "

Then why are you wasting

ammunition?" Ranjit Singh lowered his head.

After some thought Sada Kaur said, "Kaka, give orders to stop firing."

Ranjit Singh was convinced of his mother-in-laws wisdom. Without understanding or questioning what she wanted to do, he obediently gave the orders to stop firing. Brave Sada Kaur raised a white flag, came out of her trench, and moved towards the fort. She found Chaet Singh's emissary waiting for her at the forts gate.

She said, "I want to see Chaet Singh."

"Who are you?" Chaet Singh's emissary questioned.

"I am Rani Sada Kaur from Batala. I want to meet with Chaet Singh for his own benefit."

The emissary left and returned after a short duration. He announced, "Sardar is only prepared to talk inside the fort."

"Doesn't matter, I can come inside. To me, Chaet Singh is same as my son, Ranjit

Singh." Saying this Rani followed the emissary inside the fort. Chaet Singh was a distant relative too. Entering the fort, Sada Kaur immediately accesses the situation. In her assessment, the situation inside the fort was rapidly deteriorating.

Upon meeting Chaet Singh, she said, "Biba! I have come for your sake. I don't wish you any harm."

Chaet Singh was already concerned and her words further scared him. He didn't know what disaster was awaiting him.

"Ranjit Singh is entrenched with heavy canyons. With great difficult, I managed to convince him to stop firing. His fate is shining while his destiny is around the corner. All Sardars have accepted his conditions. You don't have enough strength to face him. Consider, you may be killed." Rani Sada Kaur explained.

"If I am to die, then why not die like a brave solider?" Chaet Singh responded.

"There is no need to die. After all you have children. If I desired death for you, why would I come this far? I have come to save you." Sada Kaur answered.

She repeated once again "Biba! Leave the fort. This will not only save you and your

family's life but I will take personal responsibility for your continued sustainment." Sada Kaur's words hit the right target. Chaet Singh agreed to leave the fort. After two hours, he accompanied Sada Kaur into Ranjit Singh's tent and deposited the keys to the Lahore fort. As per her agreement, Rani Sada Kaur ensured that Chaet Singh got his Jagir in compensation. The fort was under Ranjit Singh's control now while the Kesri flag fluttered over it. Without Sada Kaur's brave and wise moves, the fort couldn't have been captured so easily and that too in such a short time. Any delay could have been nothing less than disastrous, as the enemy forces were already on their way to get it released from his occupancy. Having captured the fort, Ranjit Singh now controlled Lahore. All gates to the city were ordered shut and the fort wasreinforced with canyons and prepared to defend against any possible attack. In the meantime, news reached that Jodh Singh Ramgahria, Gulab Singh Bhangi, Sahib Singh Bhangi, Nijaam Deen Ksuriya and numerous other Sardars with heavy forces had camped in the fields of Baseen. They were awaiting additional reinforcements and planned to attack Lahore.

Ranjit Singh got extremely worried -- not that he was scared of the battle but because of his own estranged forces. After the victory at Lahore, he had neither allowed his forces to loot the town nor had he paid their salaries for several months. The soldiers had openly declared that they wouldn't fight any more battles without their salaries. On the other hand Ranjit Singh coffers were empty. His treasury was in Sialkot, which was inaccessible due to blockage by enemy forces. As a result fetching anything from the treasury was almost impossible and out of question. Then what could be done? He had no answers to resolve this situation. That morning, he had expressed his anxiety to Rani Sada Kaur. She has assured him that some arrangements will be made. However, it was a matter of funds, large sums in lakhs of Rupees. Where could Rani produce such a large sum? He was deeply disturbed with such thoughts.

His anxiety was worsening while he roomed the main hall. Once a while some thought would come to him but disappear as easily. His anxiety wasn't lessening at all, instead continued to get worse."Rani Ji is headed this way." The watch-keeper announced. "Let her come." Ranjit Singh said while his face lighted up expectedly.

Rani Sada Kaur arrived. But she wasn't alone. A 100-year- old Muslim gentleman accompanied her. Ranjit Singh started gazing them expectedly. His worries had worsened to such an extent that he couldn't understand anything. Nevertheless, when he learned from Sada Kaur that the accompanying old man knew the location of Meer Manus buried treasures, his worries transformed into happiness. Sada Kaur had spent the whole day trying to find the old man. Woman could be so wise and intelligent, no one had ever realized before. Ranjit Singh hadn't thought of this even in his dreams. Yet it was crystal clear, right in front of him. With deep respect, he touched his mother-in-laws feet and expressed gratitude to VaahGuru. Based on the old man's instruction, a corner of the fort was dug up where Meer Manus hidden treasure, worth crores of Rupees, was discovered. This solved Ranjit Singh immediate problem. Soldiers were not only paid all their salaries in arrears but also given two months advance. Now every soldier was eager to fight for his master. It was nothing but a simple matter of money. Digging yet another place based on the old mans instructions, yielded a huge stock of arms and ammunition. After honoring the old man with numerous gifts and bidding him farewell, Ranjit Singh turned his attention to defensive preparations against the pending enemy attack. Sada Kaur accompanied Ranjit Singh in the battle of Baseen. It was her wise moves, once again, that resulted in a large number of enemy forces joining Ranjit Singh. Now Ranjit Singh reentered Lahore with resounding echoes of battle victory. Now he was in full control of Lahore and faced no immediate threat. Sada Kaur, having positioned her son- in-law on the Lahore throne as the new Maharaja, prepared for her return to Batala. Ranjit Singh accompanied her until Amritsar. He considered her a Goddess. Why not? After all she was the maker of his fate. Without her wisdom,he could never have occupied the Lahore throne. In reality, she was the true founder of the Sikh rule.

[japmans]

honestly, these are ubelievable to read.. if you ever need to re-energize the spirit.. this is the place.

[Sikhvibes.com]

I agree ... these are great

[Anonymous_kaur]

keep postin !!

[Azaad]

why did JustMe bhenji leave...??

[saint-soldier]

wow great thread...keep up the great work

:BOW: :BOW: :BOW:

[JustME]

bunp

[Azaad]

Bibi Basant Lata Jee

"When the Mughal forces laid siege around Anandpur Sahib, many Singhs deserted the Guru, including the 40 Singhs who later became the 40 Muktas. Guru Gobind Singh Jee told Bibi Basant Lata to leave the fort, as there would be terrible hardships in the coming months. However Bibi Jee refused, saying that she would not leave her Guru whatever the circumstances.

After some months of real difficulties and hunger, Guru Gobind Singh Jee decided to leave Anandpur Sahib at the request of his Sikhs. Evading the Mughal forces, the Guru and his Sikhs reached the River Sirsa. It was the winter months, and due to the cold weather and fast flowing river current, the Sikhs got scattered. Guru Gobind Singh Jee, Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh got separated from Mata Gujjer Kaur, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh.

Bibi Basant Lata was with Mata Gujjer Kaur at this critical time, leading Mata Jee’s horse through the River Sarsa. Mata Jee’s horse led her to the other side of the river, but Bibi Basant Lata got swept away by the cold but rapidly flowing river water. As the river carried her for some distance, she fell unconscious due to the horrendously cold water. Finally her body was washed up on the side of the riverbank.

A Mughal soldier, Samund Khan, seeing Bibi Basant Lata unconscious, took advantage of her vulnerability and took her to his house. When she regained her consciousness, he asked her to accept Islam and become his wife. He said if she accepted his wishes, she would have all the material pleasures that she could ever dream of. Bibi Jee replied: “I could have left my Guru months ago and not had to endure such hardships at Anandpur Sahib. I will never leave my Guru.” Samund Khan was taken aback by Bibi Jee’s response, but thought leaving her locked up and hungry in a cell for eight days would easily break her resolve.

Bibi Basant Lata’s health was already in a bad state, but throughout her stay in the cell, she resolved to make Gurbani her Aasra. She sat cross-legged in one spot, but with deep concentration and faith in Waheguroo, she did Sukhmani Sahib da Paath for those eight days. No fears about the future could remove her concentration from Guru Jee and Gurbani.

When Samund Khan came to Bibi Jee after eight days, her resolve was nowhere near broken. This left Samund Khan seething with anger. Evil thoughts crossed his mind. He started to move towards Bibi Jee. Bibi Jee realised the situation, and started praying to Kalgidhaar Dasmesh Pita.

Samund Khan was saying in an antagonising and sarcastic manner “what’s your Guru going to do for you now? Are you ready to accept Islam now?” Bibi Jee responded “My Guru is always with me. You cannot do anything to me.” “Don’t lie … your Guru is nowhere to be seen,” he said in a taunting manner, as he moved further towards Bibi Jee. Bibi Jee started to do Ardaas to Guru Sahib with even greater pyaar and faith. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Bibi Jee said “My Guru is here.” He was now within touching distance of Bibi Jee. He said, “I cannot see him … you’re imagining things.” Bibi Jee said, “you will not be able to see him … you’re a Paapi person, full of the 5 vices. Only those with high Kamayee can see him. My Guru Jee is here with me.”

At this instance, Samund Khan tried to move further towards Bibi Jee, yet his body had now frozen. Although he could see with his eyes and speak with his mouth, all his body’s muscle had frozen, as if he was a statue. After a few moments, he was getting freaked out. Bibi Jee had realised what her Guru Jee had done. She asked, “I thought you said my Guru would not save me? I thought you said he was not here?”

After a few minutes of being frozen like a statue, he started begging Bibi Jee to do Ardaas to unfreeze him. Bibi Jee said that her Ardaas would only happen if Samund Khan promised to be a decent God-fearing person. Samund Khan readily agreed. Bibi Jee did her Ardaas, and Guru Gobind Singh Jee unfroze the Mughal soldier. For the following few weeks, having seen the Kamayee and Gursikhi Jeevan of Bibi Basant Lata, he served Bibi Jee very well whilst Bibi Jee continued doing Bhagti. He then took Bibi Jee personally to Dina Kangoor to re-unite Bibi Jee with Guru Gobind Singh Jee.

What can we learn from this episode?

Guru Jee is always with us, but only those fortunate souls with high Bhagti and Naam Jeevan realise this. Such souls can speak, feed, see and call upon their Guru all the time and at any time.

If we are to reach this stage, we must have full faith in the Guru, incorporate his his teachings into our lives and never leave the Guru … just like Bibi Basant Lata Jee.

If we become Bhagats of Waheguroo like Bibi Basant Lata Jee, Waheguroo will always preserve our honour, saving us physically whilst having mortal form and saving us forever once our soul leaves the body.

translated from a diwan held by Sant Baba Ranjit Singh Ji Dhadrianwale

[ManpreetSingh10249]

very nice collection.