History of Sikhism
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The history of the Sikh faith is closely associated with the
Sikh organizations, including the
Early Modern (1469 CE –1708 CE)
Guru Nanak
Guru Nanak (1469–1539), founder of Sikhism, was born to
From an early age, Guru Nanak seemed to have acquired a questioning and enquiring mind and refused as a child to wear the ritualistic sacred thread called a
Even as a boy, his desire to explore the mysteries of life eventually led him to leave home. Nanak married Sulakhni, daughter of Moolchand Chona, a trader from Batala, and they had two sons, Sri Chand and Lakhmi Chand.
His brother-in-law, Jai Ram, the husband of his sister Nanki, obtained a job for him in
Guru Nanak spent the final years of his life in Kartarpur where Langar free blessed food was available. The food would be partaken of by Hindus, rich, poor, both high and so-called low castes. Guru Nanak worked in the fields and earned his livelihood. After appointing Bhai Lehna as the new Sikh Guru, on 22 September 1539, aged 70, Guru Nanak died.
Guru Angad
In 1538, Guru Nanak chose
Under the influence of his mother, Bhai Lehna began to worship
One day, Bhai Lehna heard the recitation of a hymn of
His devotion and service (
When Guru Nanak died on 22 September 1539, Guru Angad left Kartarpur for the village of Khadur Sahib (near Goindwal Sahib). He carried forward the principles of Guru Nanak both in letter and spirit. Yogis and Saints of different sects visited him and held detailed discussions about Sikhism with him.
Guru Angad introduced a new alphabet known as
Guru Angad travelled widely and visited all important religious places and centres established by Guru Nanak for the preaching of Sikhism. He also established hundreds of new Centres of Sikhism (Sikh religious Institutions) and thus strengthened the base of Sikhism. The period of his Guruship was the most crucial one. The Sikh community had moved from having a founder to a succession of Gurus and the infrastructure of Sikh society was strengthened and crystallised – from being an infant, Sikhism had moved to be a young child and ready to face the dangers that were around.
Guru Amar Das
Guru Amar Das became the third Sikh guru in 1552 at the age of 73.
It is recorded that before becoming a Sikh, Bhai Amar Das, as he was known at the time, was a very religious Vaishanavite Hindu who spent most of his life performing all of the ritual pilgrimages and fasts of a devout Hindu. One day, Bhai Amar Das heard some hymns of Guru Nanak being sung by Bibi Amro, the daughter of
In 1535, upon meeting Guru Angad, Amar Das was so touched by the Guru's message that he became a devout Sikh. Soon he became involved in
However, as a result of Amar Das' commitment to Sikh principles, dedicated service, and devotion to the Sikh cause, Guru Angad Sahib appointed Bhai Amar Das as the third Nanak in March 1552 at the age of 73. He established his headquarters in the newly built town of Goindwal, which Guru Angad had established.
Soon large numbers of Sikhs started flocking to Goindwal to see the new Guru. Here, Guru Amar Das propagated the Sikh faith in a vigorous, systematic, and planned manner. He divided the Sikh Sangat area into 22 preaching centres or Manjis, each under the charge of a devout Sikh. He himself visited and sent Sikh missionaries to different parts of India to spread Sikhism.
Guru Amar Das was impressed with Bhai Gurdas' thorough knowledge of Hindi and Sanskrit and the Hindu scriptures. Following the tradition of sending out Masands across the country, Guru Amar Das deputed Bhai Gurdas to Agra to spread the gospel of Sikhism. Before leaving, Guru Amar Das prescribed the following routine for Sikhs:
He who calls himself a Sikh of the True Guru, He must get up in the morning and say his prayers. He must rise in the early hours and bathe in the holy tank. He must meditate on God as advised by the Guru. And rid him of the afflictions of sins and evil. As the day dawns, he should recite scriptures, and repeat God's name in every activity. He to whom the Guru takes kindly is shown the path. Nanak! I seek the dust of the feet of the Guru's Sikh who himself remembers God and makes others remember Him. (Gauri)
Guru Ji strengthened the tradition of '
He introduced new birth, marriage, and death ceremonies. Thus he raised the status of women and protected the rights of female infants who were killed without question as they were deemed to have no status. These teachings were met with stiff resistance from the Orthodox Hindus.
Guru Amar Das not only preached the equality of people irrespective of their caste but also fostered the idea of women's equality. He preached strongly against the practice of Sati (a Hindu wife burning on her husband's funeral pyre). Guru Amar Das also disapproved of a young widow remaining unmarried for the rest of her life.
Guru Amar Das constructed "Baoli" at Goindwal Sahib having eighty-four steps and made it a Sikh pilgrimage centre for the first time in the history of Sikhism. He reproduced more copies of the hymns of Guru Nanak and Guru Angad. He also composed 869 (according to some chronicles these were 709) verses (stanzas) including Anand Sahib, and then later on Guru Arjan (fifth Guru) made all the Shabads part of Guru Granth Sahib.
When the time came for the Guru's younger daughter
Guru Amar Das did not consider any of his sons fit for Guruship and chose instead his son-in-law (Guru) Ram Das to succeed him. Guru Amar Das Sahib at the age of 95 died on 1 September 1574 at Goindwal in District Amritsar, after giving the responsibility of Guruship to the Fourth Nanak, Guru Ram Das.
Guru Ram Das
Guru Ram Das (Punjabi: ਗੁਰੂ ਰਾਮ ਦਾਸ) (Born in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan on 24 September 1534 – 1 September 1581, Amritsar, Punjab, India) was the fourth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism, and he became Guru on 30 August 1574, following in the footsteps of Guru Amar Das. He was born in Lahore to a Sodhi family of the Khatri clan. His father was Hari Das and his mother Anup Devi, and his name was Jetha, meaning 'first born'. His wife was Bibi Bhani, the younger daughter of Guru Amar Das, the third guru of the Sikhs. They had three sons: Prithi Chand, Mahan dev, and Arjan Dev.[citation needed]
As a Guru one of his main contributions to Sikhism was organising the structure of Sikh society. Additionally, he was the author of Laava, the hymns of the Marriage Rites, the designer of the Harmandir Sahib, and the planner and creator of the township of Ramdaspur (later Amritsar).[citation needed]
A hymn by Guru Ram Das from Ang 305 of the Guru Granth Sahib: "One who calls himself a Sikh of the True Guru shall get up early morning and meditate on the Lord's Name. Make effort regularly to cleanse, bathe and dip in the ambrosial pool. Upon Guru's instructions, chant Har, Har singing which, all misdeeds, sins, and pains shall go away."
Guru Ram Das nominated Guru Arjan, his youngest son, as the next Guru of the Sikhs.
Guru Arjan Dev
In 1581, Guru Arjan — the youngest son of the fourth guru — became the Fifth Guru of the Sikhs. In addition to being responsible for building the
.In 1604 he installed the
Guru Hargobind
Guru Hargobind became the sixth guru of the Sikhs. He carried two swords — one for Spiritual reasons and one for temporal (worldly) reasons.[26][self-published source] From this point onward, the Sikhs became a military force and always had a trained fighting force to defend their independence, establishing the Akal Sena.
Guru Hargobind fixed two
Guru Har Rai
Guru Har Rai (Punjabi: ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਇ) (26 February 1630 – 6 October 1661) was the seventh of the ten Gurus of Sikhism, becoming Guru on 8 March 1644, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Guru Har Gobind, who was the sixth guru. Before Guru Har Rai died, he nominated Guru Har Krishan, his youngest son, as the next Guru of the Sikhs.
As a very young child, he got disturbed by the suffering of a flower damaged by his robe in passing. Though such feelings are common with children, Guru Har Rai would throughout his life be noted for his compassion for life and living things. His grandfather, who was famed as an avid hunter, is said to have saved the Moghul Emperor Jahangir's life during a tiger's attack. Guru Har Rai continued the hunting till the age 31, Guru followed the tradition of his grandfather, but he would allow no animals to be killed on his grand Shikars. The Guru instead captured the animal and added it to his zoo. He made several tours to the Malwa and Doaba regions of Punjab.
His son, Ram Rai, seeking to assuage concerns of Aurangzeb over one line in Guru Nanak's verse (Mitti Mussalmaan ki paerrai pai kumihaar) suggested that the word Mussalman was a mistake on the copyist's part, therefore distorting Bani. The Guru refused to meet with him again. The Guru is believed to have said, "Ram Rai, you have disobeyed my order and sinned. I will never see you again on account of your infidelity." It was also reported to the Guru that Ram Rai had also worked miracles in the Mughal's court against his father's direct instructions. Sikhs are constrained by their Gurus to not believe in magic and myth or miracles. Just before his death at age 31, Guru Har Rai passed the Gaddi of Nanak on to his younger son, the five-year-old – Guru Har Krishan.
Guru Har Rai was the son of Baba Gurdita and Mata Nihal Kaur (also known as Mata Ananti Ji). Baba Gurdita was the son of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind. Guru Har Rai married Mata Kishan Kaur (sometimes also referred to as Sulakhni), daughter of Sri Daya Ram of Anoopshahr (Bulandshahr) in Uttar Pradesh on Har Sudi 3, Samvat 1697. Guru Har Rai had two sons: Baba Ram Rai and Sri Har Krishan.
Although Guru Har Rai was a man of peace, he never disbanded the armed Sikh Warriors (Saint Soldiers), who earlier were maintained by his grandfather, Guru Hargobind. He always boosted the military spirit of the Sikhs, but he never himself indulged in any direct political and armed controversy with the contemporary Mughal Empire. Once, Dara Shikoh (the eldest son of emperor Shah Jahan), came to Guru Har Rai asking for help in the war of succession with his brother, the murderous Aurangzeb. The Guru had promised his grandfather to use the Sikh Cavalry only in defense. Nevertheless, he helped him to escape safely from the bloody hands of Aurangzeb's armed forces by having his Sikh warriors hide all the ferry boats at the river crossing used by Dara Shikoh in his escape.
Guru Har Krishan
Guru Har Krishan born in Kirat Pur, Ropar (Punjabi: ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਿ ਕ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨ) (7 July 1656 – 30 March 1664) was the eighth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism, becoming the Guru on 7 October 1661, following in the footsteps of his father, Guru Har Rai. Before Har Krishan died of complications of Smallpox, he nominated his granduncle, Guru Teg Bahadur, as the next Guru of the Sikhs. The following is a summary of the main highlights of his short life:
Sri Guru Harkrishan Ji was the epitome of sensibility, generosity, and courage. There is a famous incident from an early age. Once on the way to Delhi from Punjab he met an arrogant Brahmin Pundit called Lal Chand in Panjokhara town. The Pundit asked him to recite Salokas from the Geeta since his name was similar to that of Lord Krishna. Guru Ji invited a mute person called Chhajju Mehra and placed his stick on his head. He immediately started interpreting salokas from the Geeta. Everybody around was dumbstruck. Lal Chand's arrogance too was shattered and he asked for Guru Ji's forgiveness.
When Har Krishan stayed in Delhi there was a smallpox epidemic and many people were dying. According to Sikh history at Har Krishan's blessing, the lake at Bangla Sahib provided cure for thousands. Gurdwara Bangla Sahib was constructed in the Guru's memory. This is where he stayed during his visit to Delhi. Gurdwara Bala Sahib was built in south Delhi besides the bank of the river Yamuna, where Har Krishan was cremated at the age of about 7 years and 8 months. Guru Har Krishan was the youngest Guru at only 7 years of age. He did not make any contributions to Gurbani.
Guru Tegh Bahadur
Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth of the Sikh Gurus. The eight Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan, nominated him, his grand-uncle as the next Guru before he died. Guru Tegh Bahadur was actually the son of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind.
He sacrificed himself to protect Hindus. Aurungzeb was forcibly converting Hindus to Muslims. Hindus from Kashmir came to Guru Teg Bahadur for protection and requested for assistance. Guru asked them to tell Aurungzeb that if he will be able to convert Guru Teg Bahadur to Islam then they all become Muslim. He was asked by Aurungzeb, the Mughal emperor, under coercion by conservative Naqshbandi clerics, to convert to Islam or to sacrifice himself. The exact place where he died is in front of the Red Fort in Delhi (Lal Qila) and the gurdwara is called Sisganj.[27] This marked a turning point for Sikhism. His successor, Guru Gobind Singh further militarised his followers.
While,
Guru Gobind Singh
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Birth and Childhood
Guru Gobind Singh was the tenth guru of Sikhs. He was born in 1666 at
Gobind Rai, as he was called then, was beloved of many people in Patna including a large number of Muslims. The child had a charming personality which attracted everyone he met, even for a short while. When he was six years old he had learnt Hindi, Marathi and Gurumukhi. He was a very bold and courageous boy, and had all the qualities of a great man and a natural leader.
A Raja's childless Queen had developed special fondness for the young Guru Gobind Singh, who, too, often came here to sit in the Queen's lap giving her immense delight and spiritual solace. She fed the Child Gobind and his playmates, at his demand, with boiled and salted gram.
In Kashmir
In 1675 Pundits from Kashmir in India came to Anandpur Sahib pleading to Guru Teg Bahadur (father of Guru Gobind Singh) about Aurangzeb forcing them to convert to Islam. Guru Teg Bahadur told them that martyrdom of a great man was needed. His son, Guru Gobind Singh said "Who could be greater than you", to his father. Guru Teg Bahadur told pundits to tell Aurangzeb's men that if Guru Teg Bahadur will become Muslim, they all will.
Stay at Paotana Sahib and Anandpur Sahib
After Guru Tegh Bahadur ji's martyrdom Guru Gobind Singh Ji created many poems compositions and letters, including Zafarnama, Ugardandis, Lakhi Jungle Khalsa, Hikayatan, Akal Ustat, Japji Sahib etc., these were incorporated into the Dasam Granth and Sarbloh Granth respectively. He stayed at Anandpur Sahib for most of his life and the Hindu Hill Chieftains were jealous of his riches so the Kingdoms of Kahlur, Bilaspur, Garhwal and common Hindus made an alliance to fight him. He and the kingdom of Una allied and won the Battle of Bhangani. The even more Himachali states allied and still lost. This showed the Guruji's influence and military strength in the area.
Mughal-Sikh Wars and Death of the Sahibzadas
They allied with
Shortly before passing away Guru Gobind Singh ordered that the
. Sikhs consider the Guru Granth Sahib the last, perpetual living guru.-
Keshgarh Sahib Gurudwara at Anandpur Sahib, Punjab, the birthplace of Khalsa.
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An inscription naming the five members of theBaisakh 1, 1756 Vikram Samvat.
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The creation of the Khalsa; initiated by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru.
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Guru Gobind Singh ji on march to Aurangabad
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One of the two Sikh Nishan Sahibs
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Anandpur Sahib where the Khalsa was formed
Late Modern Age (1708–1748 CE)
Banda Singh Bahadur
Banda Singh Bahadur was chosen to lead the Sikhs by Guru Gobind Singh.[31] He was successful in setting up a Sikh Empire that spread from Uttar Pradesh to Punjab. He fought the Mughal state tyranny and gave the common people of Punjab courage, equality, and rights.[32][33] On his way to Punjab, Banda Singh punished robbers and other criminal elements making him popular with the people.[34] Banda Singh inspired the minds of the non-Muslim people, who came to look upon the Sikhs as defenders of their faith and country.[35] Banda Singh possessed no army but Guru Gobind Singh in a Hukamnama called to the people of Punjab to take arms under the leadership of Banda Singh overthrow and destroy the oppressive Mughal rulers,[36] oppressed Muslims and oppressed Hindus also joined him in the popular revolt against the tyrants.[37]
Banda Singh Bahadur camped in
Banda Singh developed the village of Mukhlisgarh, and made it his capital He then renamed the city it to
Banda Singh is known to have abolished or halted the Zamindari system in time he was active and gave the farmers proprietorship of their own land.[47] It seems that all classes of government officers were addicted to extortion and corruption and the whole system of regulatory and order was subverted.[48] Local tradition recalls that the people from the neighborhood of Sadaura came to Banda Singh complaining of the iniquities practices by their landlords. Banda Singh ordered Baj Singh to open fire on them. The people were astonished at the strange reply to their representation, and asked him what he meant. He told them that they deserved no better treatment when being thousands in number they still allowed themselves to be cowed down by a handful of Zamindars.[49]
The rule of the Sikhs over the entire Punjab east of Lahore obstructed the communication between Delhi and Lahore, the capital of Punjab, and this worried Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah He gave up his plan to subdue rebels in Rajasthan and marched towards Punjab.[50] The entire Imperial force was organised to defeat and kill Banda Singh.[51] All the generals were directed to join the Emperor’s army. To ensure that there were no Sikh agents in the army camps, an order was issued on 29 August 1710 to all Hindus to shave off their beards.[52]
Banda Singh was in Uttar Pradesh when the Moghal army under the orders of Munim Khan[53] marched to Sirhind and before the return of Banda Singh, they had already taken Sirhind and the areas around it. The Sikhs therefore moved to Lohgarh for their final battle. The Sikhs defeated the army but reinforcements were called and they laid siege on the fort with 60,000 troops.[54][55] Gulab Singh dressed himself in the garments of Banda Singh and seated himself in his place.[56] Banda Singh left the fort at night and went to a secret place in the hills and Chamba forests. The failure of the army to kill or catch Banda Singh shocked Emperor, Bahadur Shah and On 10 December 1710 he ordered that wherever a Sikh was found, he should be murdered.[57] The Emperor became mentally disturbed and died on 18 February 1712.[58]
Banda Singh Bahadur wrote
In March 1715, Banda Singh Bahadur was in the village of Gurdas Nangal, Gurdaspur, Punjab, when the army under the rule of Samad Khan,[67] the Mogual king of Delhi laid siege to the Sikh forces.[68] The Sikhs fought and defended the small fort for eight months.[69] On 7 December 1715 Banda Singh starving soldiers were captured.
Execution
On 7 December 1715 Banda Singh Bahadur[70] was captured from the Gurdas Nangal fort and put in an iron cage and the remaining Sikhs were captured, chained.[71] The Sikhs were brought to Delhi in a procession with the 780 Sikh prisoners, 2,000 Sikh heads hung on spears, and 700 cartloads of heads of slaughtered Sikhs used to terrorise the population.[72][73] They were put in the Delhi fort and pressured to give up their faith and become Muslims.[74] On their firm refusal all of them were ordered to be executed. Every day, 100 Sikhs were brought out of the fort and murdered in public daily,[75] which went on approximately seven days.After 3 months of confinement[76] On 9 June 1716, Banda Singh’s eyes were gouged, his limbs were severed, his skin removed, and then he was killed.[77]
Sikhs retreat to jungles
In 1716
After a few years Adbus Samad Khan, the Governor of
Under the authority of Mata Sundari Bhai Mani Singh become the Jathedar of the Harminder Sahib[82] and a leader of the Sikhs and the Bandia Khalsa and Tat Khalsa joined by Bhai Mani Singh into the Tat Khalsa[83] and after the event from that day the Bandeis assumed a quieter role and practically disappeared from the pages of history. A police post was established at Amritsar to keep a check on the Sikhs. Mani Singh was killed by cutting each of his body joint .[84]
Abdus Samad Khan, was transferred to Multan in 1726, and his more energetic Son, Zakaria Khan, also known as Khan Bahadur,
Under the leadership of Nawab Kapoor Singh and Jathedar Darbara Singh, in attempt to weaken their enemy looted many of the Mughals caravans and supplies and for some years no money from revenue could reach the government treasury.[88] When the forces of government tried to punish the outlaws, they were unable to contact them, as the Sikhs did not live in houses or forts, but ran away to their rendezvous in forests or other places difficult to access.
Nawab Kapur Singh
Nawab Kapur Singh was born in 1697 in a village near
Nawab Kapur Singh’s father was Chaudhri Daleep Singh as a boy he memorised
Extensive looting of the Mughal government
The Khalsa held a meeting to make plans to respond to the state repression against the people of the region and they decided to take possession of government money and weapons in order to weaken the administration, and to equip themselves to face the everyday attacks.[91] Kapur Singh was assigned to plan and execute these projects.
Information was obtained that money was being transported from Multan to the Lahore treasure; the Khalsa looted the money and took over the arms and horses of the guards.[91] They then took over one lakh rupees from the Kasoor estate treasury going from Kasur to Lahore.[93] Next they captured a caravan from Afghanistan region which resulted in capturing numerous arms and horses.
The Khalsa seized a number of vilayati (Superior Central Asian) horses from Murtaza Khan was going to Delhi in the jungle of Kahna Kachha.[88][94] Some additional war supplies were being taken from Afghanistan to Delhi and Kapur Singh organised an attack to capture them. In another attack, the Khalsa recovered gold and silver which was intended to be carried from Peshawar to Delhi by Jaffar Khan, a royal official.[93]
Government sides with the Khalsa
The Mughal rulers and the commanders alongside the Delhi government lost all hope of defeating the Sikhs through repression and decided to develop another strategy, Zakaria Khan, the Governor of Lahore, went to Delhi where it was decided to befriend the Sikhs and rule in cooperation with them and in 1733 the Delhi rulers withdrew all orders against the Khalsa.
Dal Khalsa
The Khalsa reorganised themselves into two divisions, the younger generation would be part of the Taruna Dal, which provided the main fighting force, while the Sikhs above the age of forty years would be a part of the Budha Dal, which provided the responsibility of the management of Gurdwaras and Gurmat preaching.[98] The Budha Dal would be responsible to keep track of the movements of government forces, plan their defense strategies, and they provide a reserve fighting force for the Taruna Dal.[95]
The following measures were established by Nawab Kapur Singh:[99]
- All money obtained from anywhere by any Jatha should be deposited in the Common Khalsa Fund.
- The Khalsa should have their common Langer for both the Dals.
- Every Sikh should respect the orders of his Jathedar. Anyone going anywhere would get permission from him and report to him on his return.
5 Sikh Misls of the Dal Khalsa
The Taruna Dal quickly increased to more than 12,000 recruits and it soon became difficult to manage the house and feeding of such a large number of people at one place.[99] It was then decided to have five divisions of the Dal, each to draw rations from the central stocks and cook its own
Preparing Jassa Singh Ahluwalia for leadership
Being the leader of the Khalsa Nawab Kapur Singh was given an additional responsibility by Mata Sundari, the wife of Guru Gobind Singh sent Kapur Singh the young Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and told him that Ahluwalia was like a son to her and that the Nawab should raise him like an ideal Sikh. Ahluwalia under the guidance of Kapur Singh, was given a good education in Gurbani and thorough training in managing the Sikh affairs.[102] Later Jassa Singh Ahluwalia would become an important role in leading the Sikhs to self-rule.
State oppression
In 1735, the rulers of Lahore attacked and repossessed the
This was the period when the Sikhs were sawed into pieces,[106] burnt alive,[107] their heads crushed with hammers[108]
and young children were pierced with spears before their mother’s eyes.
The army pursued the Sikhs hiding near the hills and forced them to cross the rivers and seek safety in the
Zakaria Khan called his advisers to plan another strategy to deal with the Sikhs. It was suggested that the Sikhs should not be allowed to visit the Amrit Sarovar,
Sikhs attack Nader Shah
In 1739
Sikhs kill Massa Rangar
Sikhs loot Abdus Samad Khan
Abdus Samad Khan, a senior Mughal royal commander, was sent from
Age of Revolution (1748–1799 CE)
Mughals increase persecution
Abdus Samad Khan sent many roaming squads to search for and kill Sikhs. He was responsible for the torture and murder of Bhai Mani Singh,[122] the head Granthi of Harmandir Sahib. Samad Khan was afraid that Sikhs would kill him so he remained far behind the fighting lines.[123] Kapur Singh had a plan to get him. During the battle Kapur Singh ordered his men to retreat drawing the fighting army with them. He then wheeled around and fell upon the rear of the army.[124] Samad Khan and his guards were lying dead on the field within hours. The Punjab governor also took extra precautions for safety against the Sikhs. He started to live in the fort. He would not even dare to visit the mosque outside the fort for prayers.
On the request of the Budha Dal members, Kapur Singh visited
Zakaria Khan died in 1745. His successor tightened the security around Amritsar. Kapur Singh planned to break the siege of Amritsar. Jassa Singh Ahluwalia was made the commander of the attacking Sikh forces. In 1748, the Sikhs attacked. Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, with his commandos behind him, dashed to the army commander and cut him into two with his sword. The commander's nephew was also killed.
The Khalsa strengthen military developments
The Sikhs built their first fort Ram Rauni at Amritsar in 1748.
Jassa Singh Ahluwalia
Jassa Singh Ahluwalia was born in 1718. His father, Badar Singh, died when Ahluwalia was only four years old.
In 1748 Jassa Singh Ahluwalia became the supreme commander of all the Misls.[133] Jassa Singh Ahluwalia was honored with the title of Sultanul Kaum (King of the Nation).[134] Jassa Singh Ahluwalia was the head of the Ahluwalia Misl and then after Nawab Kapoor Singh become the leader of all the Misls jointly called Dal Khalsa. He played a major role In leading the Khalsa to self-rule in Punjab. In 1761 The Dal Khalsa under the leadership of Ahluwalia, would take over Lahore, the capital of Punjab, for the first time.[135] They were the masters of Lahore for a few months and minted their own Nanakshahi rupee coin in the name of 'Guru Nanak – Guru Gobind Singh'.[136]
Chhota Ghalughara (The Lesser Massacre)
In 1746 about seven thousand Sikhs were killed and three thousand to fifteen thousand[137] Sikhs were taken prisoners during by the order of the Mughal Empire when Zakaria Khan, The Governor of Lahore, and Lakhpat Rai, the Divan (Revenue Minister) of Zakaria Khan, sent military squads to kill the Sikhs.[138][139]
Jaspat Rai, a jagirdar (landlord) of the Eminabad area and also the brother of Lakhpat Rai, faced the Sikhs in a battle one of the Sikhs held the tail of his elephant and got on his back from behind and with a quick move, he chopped off his head.[140] Seeing their master killed, the troops fled. Lakhpat Rai, after this incident, committed himself to destroying the Sikhs.[139]
Through March–May 1746, a new wave of violence was started against the Sikhs with all of the resources available to the Mughal government, village officials were ordered to co-operate in the expedition. Zakaria Khan issued the order that no one was to give any help or shelter to Sikhs and warned that severe consequences would be taken against anyone disobeying these orders.[141] Local people were forcibly employed to search for the Sikhs to be killed by the army. Lakhpat Rai ordered Sikh places of worship to be destroyed and their holy books burnt.[142] Information about including Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and a large body of Sikhs were camping in riverbeds in the Gurdaspur district (Kahnuwan tract). Zakaria Khan managed to have 3,000 Sikhs of these Sikhs captured and later got them beheaded in batches at Nakhas (site of the horse market outside the Delhi gate).[143] Sikhs raised a memorial shrine known as the Shahidganj (the treasure house of martyrs) at that place latter.
In 1747, Shah Nawaz took over as Governor of Lahore. To please the Sikhs, Lakhpat Rai was put in prison by the new Governor.[138] Lakhpat Rai received severe punishment and was eventually killed by the Sikhs.
Reclaiming Amritsar
In 1747 Salabat Khan, a newly appointed Mughal commander, placed police around Amritsar and built observation posts to spot and kill Sikhs coming to the Amrit Sarovar for a holy dip.[112] Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and Nawab Kapoor Singh led the Sikhs to Amritsar, and Salabat Khan was killed by Ahluwalia, and his nephew was killed by the arrow of Kapur Singh.[63][144] The Sikhs restored Harmandir Sahib and celebrated their Diwali gathering there.
Reorganisation of the Misls
In 1748 all the Misls joined themselves under one command and on the advice of the aging Jathedar Nawab Kapoor Singh Jassa Singh Ahluwalia was made the supreme leader.[136] They also decided to declare that the Punjab belonged to them and they would be the sovereign rulers of their state. The Sikhs also built their first fort, called Ram Rauni, at Amritsar.
Khalsa side with the Government
Kaura Mal had to go to
Harmandir Sahib demolished in 1757
In May 1757, the
The Khalsa gain territory
Adina Beg did not pay revenues to the government so the Governor dismissed him[153] and appointed a new Faujdar (garrison commander) in his place. The army was sent to arrest him and this prompted Adina Beg to request Sikh help. The Sikhs took advantage of the situation and to weaken the government, they fought against the army. One of the commanders was killed by the Sikhs and the other deserted. Later, the Sikhs attacked Jalandhar[154] and thus became the rulers of all the tracts between Sutlej and Beas rivers, called Doaba.[155] Instead of roaming in the forests now they were ruling the cities.
The Sikhs started bringing more areas under their control and realising revenue from them. In 1758, joined by the Mahrattas,[156] they conquered Lahore and arrested many Afghan soldiers who were responsible for filling the Amrit Sarovar with debris a few months earlier. They were brought to Amritsar and made to clean the Sarovar (holy water).[157][158] After the cleaning of the Sarovar, the soldiers were allowed to go home with a warning that they should not do that again.
Ahmed Shah Abdali returned from Delhi in March 1761 with much gold and more than 2,000 girls as prisoners who were to be sold to the Afghans in Kabul. When Abdali was crossing the river Beas, the Sikhs swiftly fell upon them. They freed the women prisoners and escorted them back to their homes. The Sikhs seized Lahore in September 1761, after Abdali returned to Kabul.
The Khalsa minted their coins in the name of
Wadda Ghalughara (The Great Massacre)
In the winter of 1762, after losing his loot from Delhi to the Sikhs, The
Harmandir Sahib desecrated in 1762
Sikhs retake Lahore
In 1764 the Sikhs shot dead
In 1767 when
Qadi Nur Mohammed, who came to Punjab with Ahmad Shah Abdali and was present during many Sikh battles writes about the Sikhs:[174]
They do not kill a woman, a child, or a coward running away from the fight. They do not rob any person nor do they take away the ornaments of a woman, be she a queen or a slave girl. They commit no adultery, rather they respect the women of even their enemies. They always shun thieves and adulterers and in generosity they surpass Hatim."
Peace in Amritsar
Ahluwalia died in 1783 and was cremated near Amritsar. There is a city block, Katra Ahluwalia, in Amritsar named after him. This block was assigned to his Misl in honor of his having stayed there and protected the city of Amritsar.
Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia
Jassa Singh Ramgarhia played an active role in Jassa Singh Alhuwalia’s army. He founded the Ramgarhia Misl
Award of an Estate
In 1733, Zakaria Khan, the Governor of Punjab, needed help to protect himself from the Iranian invader,
Jassa Singh honored as Jassa Singh Ramgarhia
The Governor of Lahore ordered an attack on Ram Rauni to kill the Sikhs staying in that fort. Adina Beg was required to send his army as well and Jassa Singh, being the commander of the Jalandhar forces, had to join the army to kill the Sikhs in the fort.[181] After about four months of siege, Sikhs ran short of food and supplies in the fort. He contacted the Sikhs inside the fort and joined them. Jassa Singh used the offices of Divan Kaura Mal and had the siege lifted.[182] The fort was strengthened and named Ramgarh; Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, having been designated the Jathedar of the fort, became popular as Ramgarhia.
Fighting the tyrannical Government
Ramgarhia Misl Estate
Conflicts between Misls
A conflict between Jai Singh Kanhaiya and Jassa Singh Ramgarhia developed and the Bhangi Misl sardars also developed differences with Jai Singh Kanhaiya. A big battle was fought between Jai Singh, Charat Singh, and Jassa Singh Ahluwalia on one side and Bhangis, Ramgarhias and their associates on the other side. The Bhangi side lost the battle.
Later, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, one day while hunting, happened to enter Ramgarhia territory where Jassa Singh Ramgarhia's brother arrested him. Ramgarhia apologised for the misbehaviour of his brother, and returned Ahluwalia with gifts.[188]
Intra-Misl wars
Due to mutual jealousies, fights continued among the Sikh Sardars. In 1776, the Bhangis changed sides and joined Jai Singh Kanhaiya to defeat Jassa Singh Ramgarhia.[189] His capital at Sri Hargobindpur was taken over and he was followed from village to village,[190] and finally forced to vacate all his territory. He had to cross the river Sutlej and go to Amar Singh, the ruler of Patiala. Maharaja Amar Singh welcomed Ramgarhia and who then occupied the areas of Hansi and Hissar[191] which eventually Ramgarhia handed over to his son, Jodh Singh Ramgarhia.
Maharaja Amar Singh and Ramgarhia took control of the villages on the west and north of Delhi, now forming parts of
Sikhs captured Delhi
After continuous raids, Sikhs under Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, Baba Baghel Singh, Jassa Singh Ramgarhia defeated the Mughals on 11 March 1783, captured Delhi and hoisted the Sikh flag (Nishan Sahib) in Red Fort and Ahluwalia became king but they gave it back to the Mughals after signing peace treaties.
The creation of the United Misl
When the Afghan invader, Zaman Shah Durrani, came in 1788 the Sikhs, however, were still divided. Ramgarhia and Bhangi Misls were not willing to help Ranjit Singh to fight the invader, so the Afghans took over Lahore and looted it. Ranjit Singh occupied Lahore in 1799[193] but still the Ramgarhias and Bhangis did not accept him as the leader of all the Sikhs. They got the support of their friends and marched to Lahore to challenge Ranjit Singh. When the Bhangi leader died Jassa Singh Ramgarhia returned to his territory.[194] Ramgarhia was eighty years old when he died in 1803. His son, Jodh Singh Ramgarhia, developed good relations with Ranjit Singh and they never fought again.
Sikh Empire (1799–1849 CE)
-
Maharaja Ranjit Singh ruler of the Sikh Empire.
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Maharaja Sher Singh and his council in the Lahore Fort in 1841.
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Nihang Abchal Nagar (Nihangs from Hazur Sahib), 1844. Shows turban-wearing Sikh soldiers with chakrams.
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Sher Singh in Lahore, c. 1845 CE.
Formation
The Sikh Empire (from 1801 to 1849) was formed on the foundations of the Punjabi Army by
The foundations of the Sikh Empire, during the Punjab Army, could be defined as early as 1707, starting from the death of
Punjab flourishes in education and arts
The Sikh rulers were very tolerant of other religions; and arts, painting and writings flourished in Punjab. In
Khalsa Army
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Ghorchara (Horse-mounted) Bodyguards of Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab.
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Sikh Khalsa Akali Nihangs.
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Sikh soldiers receiving their pay at the Darbar of Ranjit Singh
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Akali Phula Singh and Maharaja Ranjit Singh
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Akalis at a holy Tank
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Akali warriors moving towards the capital, Lahore
-
Akali Prahlad Singh
The Sikh Fauj-i-Ain (regular army) consisted of roughly 71,000 men and consisted of
There was strong collaboration in defense against foreign incursions such as those initiated by
Conquests and Generals
In 1834 the Khalsa under Hari Singh Nalwa and Jean-Baptiste Ventura conquered Peshawar and extended the Sikh Raj up to Jamrud, Afghanistan.[203] And Jawahar Singh and Zorawar Singh extended it to West Tibet.
Later the Sikhs under Hari Singh Nalwa Campaigned against the Afghans in the third phase of the Afghan Sikh wars and they took the Winter capital of the Afghans, Peshawar. Hari Singh Nalwa is considered one of the best commanders in history and is compared to Napoleon and Genghis Khan and for conquering and controlling the Khyber Pass, the United States of America wanted to build a statue in his praise. Mothers used to say his name to scare children to sleep in Afghanistan saying 'Sleep fast Nalwa is coming'. They also brought the queen's jewel, the Koh-i-noor diamond from Afghanistan and the gates to the Somnath temple.
The Maharaja Employed many Prussian, French and Italian generals to train Sikhs in a more modern manner. He divided the army into three, the mordern, elite soldiers the Fauj-i-Khas, the regular army including cavalry the Fauj-i-Ain and the irregular Gharcharas and Nihangs the Fauj i be Quawaid.
End of empire
First Anglo-Sikh War
After
British General
However, a series of events of the Sikhs being betrayed by some prominent leaders in the army led to its downfall. Maharaja Gulab Singh and Dhian Singh, were Hindu Dogras from Jammu, and top Generals of the army. Tej Singh and Lal Singh were secretly allied to the British. They supplied important war plans of the Army, and provided the British with updated vital intelligence on the Army dealings, which ended up changing the scope of the war and benefiting the British positions.[206][207]
Second Anglo-Sikh War
The Punjab Empire was finally dissolved after a series of wars with the British at the end of the
Early Colonial Era (1849–1919 CE)
Punjab under the British Raj in India
-
Sikh Gurudwara in China, Beijing
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Samadhi of Maharaja Sher Singh.
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Gobindgarh Fort in Amritsar renovated in Amritsar
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A Sikh Nihang and Nihang Singhani both traditional Sikh warriors.
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Bejewelled Sikh women in a bullock carriage, temple in the background, family on foot in front, c.1874
Impact on Punjabi education
Every village in the
The British made Punjab flourish in education and almost everyone was literate.[citation needed] After the State of Bombay and Madras Punjab was the third most literate state and many Books and compositions were written. The Guru Granth Sahib and Dasam Granth were both translated by a British Sikh convert Max Arthur Metcalfe later Max Singh Macaulfe.
Sikhs in the British military
Under the East India Company and then British colonial rule from 1858 Sikhs were feared and respected for their martial ability. After they played a key role in the suppression of the Indian Rebellion of 1857-8. Sikhs were increasingly incorporated into the Indian army because they were not only seen as 'loyal', but because the colonial government believed that they were a 'martial race' whose religious traditions and popular customs made them skilled fighters.[208]
The Sikhs again were honoured in the Battle of Saragarhi where twenty-one Sikhs of the 4th Battalion (then 36th Sikhs) of the Sikh Regiment of British India, died defending an army post from 10,000 Afghan and Orakzai tribesmen in 1897.[209] In the end of Partition Sikhs were 20 percent of the British army despite they 1 percent population.
Settlement outside Punjab
In the late 1800s and early 1900s Punjabi and Sikhs began to immigrate to East Africa, the Far East, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Position and job | Community, Religious Order or Sect | Places of settlement |
---|---|---|
Policeman | Jat | Singapore, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Canada and America |
Taylor | Ramgharia | Kenya, Uganda, Assam and Burma |
Armyman | Jat | Europe, America, Japan, Burma, North Africa and the Mediterranean |
Labour | Mazhabi, Bhangi | England, Cochin, Tamil Nadu and the Bombay Presidency |
Businessman | Arora, Khatri | America, Canada and England |
Farmers | Various Castes and Tribes | California, Scotland, West Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and East Africa |
Artisans and Poets | Khatris | United Kingdom, Scandinavia and Oman |
Traditional Warriors | Nihangs | Hyderabad and Egypt |
Sikhs in the World Wars
In two world wars 83,005 Sikh soldiers were killed and 109,045 were wounded.[210] Sikh soldiers died or were wounded for the freedom of Britain and the world and during shell fire.
At offset of World War I, Sikh military personnel numbered around 35,000 men of the 161,000 troops, which is around 22% of the British Armed Forces,[211] yet the Sikhs only made up less than 2% of the total population in India. Sikhs were known as 'Black Lions' by the German and Chinese forces for their ferocity
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A Sikh in World War II.
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Indian Sikh soldiers inItalian campaign.
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Sikh soldier with a captured swastika after the surrender of German forces in Italy, May 1945.
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A company of 15th Sikhs at Le Sart, France, c. 1915
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A company of 15th Sikhs at Le Sart, France 1915.
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Sikh soldiers of the Indian Legion guarding the Atlantic Wall in France in March 1944. Subhas Chandra Bose initiated the legion's formation as a military force fighting alongside the Axis powers.
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Sikh Soldiers during the battle of Gallipoli.
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Sikhs in France fighting the Germans.
Early modern Sikh developments
In 1920 The Akali Party is established to free gurdwaras from corrupt masands (treasurers), and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SPGC) is founded.[212] In 1925 The Punjab Sikh Gurdwaras Act is passed, which transfers control of the Punjab's historic gurdwaras to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.[213]
Singh Sabha Movement (1880-1919 CE)
The Singh Sabha Movement was a
The
The annexation of the Punjab to the East India Company in the mid-19th century saw severe deterioration of Gurdwara management.
In this way the Ranjit Singh's army was disbanded and the Punjab demilitarized, and Sikh armies were required to publicly surrender their arms and return to agriculture or other pursuits. Certain groups, however, like those who held revenue-free lands (jagirdars) were allowed to decline, particularly if they were seen as “rebels,” The British were wary of giving the Sikhs unmitigated control of their own gurdwaras, and drew from Sikh factions seen as loyal to the British, like the Sikh aristocracy and Sikhs with noted family lineages, who were given patronage and pensions, and Udasis, who had gained control of historical gurdwaras in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, were allowed to retain proprietary control over lands and gurdwara buildings. The colonial administration went to considerable lengths to insert such loyalists into the Golden Temple in order to exert as much control over the Sikh body-politic as possible. One reason for this was the emergence of Sikh revivalist groups, like the Nirankaris, the Namdharis, and the Singh Sabha movement, shortly after annexation; this revivalism was spurred by a growing disaffection within the ranks of ordinary Sikhs about the perceived decline of proper Sikh practices.
Sikh institutions deteriorated further under the administration of the mahants, supported by the colonial government, who in addition to being considered as ignoring the needs of the Sikh community of the time, allowed the gurdwaras to turn into spaces for societal undesirables like petty thieves, drunks, pimps, and peddlers of unsavory and licentious music and literature, with which they themselves took part in such activities. In addition, they also allowed non-Sikh, Brahmanical practices to take root in the gurdwaras, including
Later Colonial Era (1919–1947 CE)
Sikh Struggles in British India
Jallianwala Bagh massacre
In 1919 the massacre of Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar during the festival of Vaisakhi when 4000 peaceful protesters including women, children and the elderly were shot at under the orders of Reginald Dyer.[214][215][216][217][218][219]
Sikh revolutionaries
In 1926 Six Babar (literally, lion) revolutionary Akalis, are put to death by hanging.[222]
In 1931 Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev are convicted of murder of police inspector J.P. Saunders and executed;[223] Bhagat Singh is popularly known as Shaheedey Azam (supreme martyr)
In 1940
Bhagat Puran Singh Pingalwara dedicated his life to the 'selfless service of humanity'.[224] He founded Pingalwara in 1947 with only a few patients, the neglected and rejected of the streets of Amritsar. An early advocate of what we today refer to as the 'Green Revolution', Bhagat Puran Singh was spreading awareness about environmental pollution, and increasing soil erosion long before such ideas became popular.[225]
The Sikhs played a pioneering role in the Indian independence movement. They made sacrifices wholly out of proportion to their demographic strength (the Sikhs make up less than 2% of the Indian population).[citation needed]
(Figures below provided by Maulana Abul Azad, President of the Congress Party at the time of Independence.)
Out of 2125 Indians killed during the independence movement, 1550 (73%) were Sikhs.
Out of 2646 Indians deported for life to the Andaman Islands (where the colonial government exiled political and hardened criminals) 2147 (80%) were Sikhs.
Out of 127 Indians sent to the gallows, 92 (80%) were Sikhs.
At Jallianwala Bagh out of the 1302 men, women and children killed, 799 (61%) were Sikhs.
In the Indian Liberation Army, out of the 20,000 ranks and officers, 12,000 (60%) were Sikhs.
Out of 121 persons executed during the independence movement, 73 (60%) were Sikhs.
Indian Independence (1947–1978 CE)
Partition of India
Sikh organizations, including the
Post Partition Years
The months leading up to the
In 1950 the
In 1962 the Punjabi University is inaugurated at Patiala, India
Punjabi Suba Morcha
After the Partition of India Sikhs had been disrespected in many ways. Jawaharlal Nehru and Gandhi had stated that -
"The brave Sikhs of Panjab are entitled to special consideration. I see nothing wrong in an area and a set up in the North wherein the Sikhs can also experience the glow of freedom. (Jawaharlal Nehru, Congress meeting: Calcutta - July, 1944)
But after the partition of India he did not give Sikhs even a state to themselves and this led to further grievances. Many Hindus refused to keep Punjabi as their language and only Sikhs viewed their language as Punjabi.
Sikhs in The Indian Army
Sikhs composed 18 percent of the Indian army and are the most decorated regiment in India. Sikhs composed majority of the Sikh Regiment, Sikh Light Infantry, Jat Regiment and Rajput Regiment. They fought in all Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts and the Sino-Indian War and got many titles and gallantry awards.
Present day (1978–present CE)
Sikh-Nirankari Clash
In 1978 Nirankari Baba Gurbachan Singh had led a parade across Amritsar where he was chanting anti-Sikh slogans and saying that the Gurus were his slaves.[citation needed] He used Amrit to clean his feet and pages from the Guru Granth Sahib to wipe them.[citation needed] Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale sent peaceful protesters against him but Nirankaris started shotgunning the innocent Sikhs.[citation needed]
Operation Blue Star and Sikh Genocide
Sikh missionary
Sikhs did not get an autonomous region or even a state so following India's independence in 1947, the
"...over 100,000 [Sikh] volunteers have been arrested. This high number of arrests is undoubtedly, a national record and so has been the peaceful nature in which the Satyagrahas [protests] of this magnitude have been handled by the Sikhs, with extreme tolerance."
On September 1981, Bhindranwale voluntarily offered his arrest in Amritsar, where he was detained and interrogated for twenty-five days, but was released because of lack of evidence. "For all I know, he [Bhindranwale] is completely innocent and is genuinely and exclusively dedicated to the teachings of the Gurus.” In December 1983, a senior officer in Chandigarh confessed: “It’s really shocking that we have so little against him [Bhindranwale] while we keep blaming him for all sorts of things.”
Bhindranwale and his followers were armed with traditional swords, shields and muskets. Few also had Dragunov Rifles, Kashganovs, Ak-74s and Ak-47s. These were licensed and supplied by the Indian Government. It was the peak of the Cold War and India was leaning towards Russia and Pakistan had allied with The United States of America. This is why Bhindranwale was carrying Russian made guns. The Indian Government started alleging that Bhindranwale was killing Hindus and allied with Pakistan to create Khalistan. The first time that the phrase Khalistan came was in the Hind Samachar newspaper group. The Indian secret operation called Black Cats was made by Indira Gandhi to disguise the Punjab Police as terrorists and kill Hindus in the countryside. Bhindranwale condemned these but it was not outlined on any newspapers as they were government controlled. He also made a speech that he did not hate Hindus and he had donated 5 lakhs to restore ald Hindu and Sikh architecture and Mandirs. He even adopted a Hindu women as his daughter.
In June 1984, the Indian Government ordered a military operation,
"Any knowledge of the "Amritdharis" who are dangerous people and pledged to committing murder, arson and acts of terrorism should be immediately brought to the notice of the authorities. These people may appear harmless from outside but they are basically committed to terrorism. In the interest of us all, their identity and whereabouts must always be disclosed.- Indira Gandhi during Operation Woodrose
Sikh Equality Movement (1984-1996)
In the wake of the Indian government's repression of Sikhs, some Sikhs formed guerrilla bands to take on the marauding police. At the height of the Sikh resistance movement, hundreds of men fought the so-called security forces in Punjab. Some also engaged in targeted assassinations elsewhere in India, the best known being the killing of General Vaidya, who had led the Indian army in the attack on the Golden Temple. The main groups were the Babbar Khalsa, the Bhindranwala Tigers Force of Khalistan, Khalistan Commando Force, the Khalistan Liberation Force and the All India Sikh Students Federation.
Many members joined the resistance after being radicalized by the army dragnet of the summer of 1984, designated Operation Woodrose, in which youths aged 15–24 were taken away from their homes in large numbers. Most had lost relatives or friends to army or police. Others had witnessed womenfolk being picked up by the police for torture and abuse. Many had been personally tortured before taking up arms against the state
Post-1996
In 1996 the
List of battles fought by Sikhs
- Battle of Rohilla
- Battle of Kartarpur
- Battle of Amritsar (1634)
- Battle of Lahira
- Battle of Bhangani
- Battle of Nadaun
- Battle of Guler (1696)
- Battle of Basoli
- First Battle of Anandpur
- Battle of Nirmohgarh (1702)
- Second Battle of Anandpur
- First Battle of Chamkaur (1702)
- First Battle of Anandpur (1704)
- Second Battle of Anandpur (1704)
- Battle of Sarsa
- Second Battle of Chamkaur (1704)
- Battle of Muktsar
- Battle of Sonepat[236]
- Battle of Ambala
- Battle of Samana
- Battle of Chappar Chiri[70]
- Battle of Sadhaura[237][238]
- Battle of Rahon (1710)
- Battle of Lohgarh
- Battle of Jammu
- Battle of Kapuri (1709)
- Battle of Jalalabad (1710)
- Siege of Gurdaspur or Battle of Gurdas Nangal
- Battle of Wan (1726)
- Battle of Sarai Nurdin
- Siege of Ram Rauni
- Battle of Amritsar (1757)
- Battle of Lahore (1759)
- Battle of Sialkot (1761)
- Battle of Gujranwala (1761)
- Sikh Occupation of Lahore[239]
- Vadda Ghalughara or Battle of Kup
- Battle of Harnaulgarh
- Skirmish of Amritsar (1762)
- Battle of Sialkot (1763)
- Battle of Sirhind (1764)[240]
- Rescue of Hindu Girls (1769)
- Sikh raids on Delhi
- Battle of Delhi (1783)[241][242]
- Battle of Amritsar (1797)
- Battle of Gujrat (1797)
- Battle of Amritsar (1798)
- Gurkha-Sikh War
- Battle of Attock
- Battle of Multan
- Battle of Shopian
- Battle of Peshawar (1834)
- Battle of Jamrud
- Sino-Sikh War
- Battle of Mudki
- Battle of Ferozeshah
- Battle of Baddowal
- Battle of Aliwal
- Battle of Sobraon
- Battle of Chillianwala
- Battle of Ramnagar
- Siege of Multan (several)
- Battle of Gujrat
- Battle of Saragarhi
- Battle of Babeli
See also
- Khalistan movement
- Khalsa
- Akal Sena
- Babbar Khalsa
- List of Sikh Martyred
- Sikh Ajaibghar
- Mehdiana Sahib
- Bhat Vahis
- Sikh period in Lahore
- Sikh art and culture
- Sikh architecture
- Sikh scriptures
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No sooner was it made public than the Sikhs launched a virulent campaign against the Lahore Resolution. Pakistan was portrayed as a possible return to an unhappy past when Sikhs were persecuted and Muslims the persecutor. Public speeches by various Sikh political leaders on the subject of Pakistan invariably raised images of atrocities committed by Muslims on Sikhs and of the martyrdom of their gurus and heroes. Reactions to the Lahore Resolution were uniformly negative and Sikh leaders of all political persuasions made it clear that Pakistan would be 'wholeheartedly resisted'. The Shiromani Akali Dal, the party with a substantial following amongst the rural Sikhs, organized several well-attended conferences in Lahore to condemn the Muslim League. Master Tara Singh, leader of the Akali Dal, declared that his party would fight Pakistan 'tooth and nail'. Not be outdone, other Sikh political organizations, rival to the Akali Dal, namely the Central Khalsa Young Men Union and the moderate and loyalist Chief Khalsa Dewan, declared in an equally strong language their unequivocal opposition to the Pakistan scheme.
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