By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and last guru of the Sikhs ( also called tenth Guru Nanak) was born at Patna in Bihar to Guru Tegh Bahadur & Mata Gujri. He was the only son of Guru Tegh Bahadur who was done to death at the sight where todays stands the imposing Sikh shrine ‘Gurudwara Sisganj’.
Coming events, they say cast their shadows. Even as a child he was prodigy. He was bold & fearless. He would divide his friends & colleagues into two warring rival groups & stage mock battles. His childhood miracles are legendary which earned him the title “Man of Marvels & Miracles”. On one occasion he arranged a fight between a ferocious hawk & a small sparrow; the latter with Guruji’s blessings, overpowered and humbled the hawk in no time, to the utter surprise o the congregation. Guruji, always had a a white hawk perched on his fingers.
Gobind Singh Ji had his early education at Anandpur Sahib. The scene of his activities later shifted to Ponta Sahib ( in Himachal Pradesh) which served as the training ground for Guru’s young recruits. Interestingly, Guruji was a #true socialist-democrat; this is evidenced by the fact that Guru after baptizing his ‘Punj Pyaras’ (The Five Beloved) had, in turn, his baptism from them. He is therefore described as a Guru as well as Chela (disciple).
It is worth mentioning that Guruji never took decisions arbitrarily. Keeping with the true democratic tradition he always consulted his ‘Punj Pyaras’ (who constituted his inner cabinet) valued their counsel, and always bowed to & accepted their unanimous decisions. Do not intimidate others ; neither be intimated by anyone” was Guruji’s gospel. He believed in non-violence but sanctioned the use of force or #sword when all other means proved of no avail. Guruji wore two #swords-one symbolizing spiritual power and the other political strength and prestige. He is therefore ,rightly called or described as a ‘Saint Sipahi’ ( a saint-soldier).
Guru Gobind Singh, was an erudite scholar of Punjabi, Hindi, Sanskrit & Persian. His famous letter (Zafar-nama) in Persian to the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb protesting against widespread persecution is a piece of literary #Gem. Guruji’s courtiers included men of all talents, skills, and other accomplishments. He himself was a brilliant linguist.
Guru Gobind Singh fought many battle against the might of the Moghuls with handful of Sikh soldiers.
His two sons achieved #martyrdom in the #Battle of Chamkaur fought between 40 Sikh warriors and the Mughal army numbering in lakhs. The Sikh warriors had come to attain martyrdom & teach the rival enemy a #lesson of life time with their #heads on their palms. The Mughal army, equipped with horse-cavalry & artillery were sure that the handful of Sikh would be wiped away in no time but what transpired in the battlefield surprised them. The war lasted for three days. The fighting skills of the Sikh warriors, though handful, did wonders causing a situation of utter panic & turmoil in the rival camp-with the Mughals incurring huge losses of lives and horse cavalry. Thousands were also bruised & battered . The two elders sons of Guru Gobind Singh- Sahibzada Ajit Singh & Jujhar Singh achieved martyrdom. Guruji was advised to move to a safe haven with women, by his disciples.
The Mughals, however, succeeded in treacherously capturing the two younger sons of the Guru along with his mother .They were made to stay at ‘Thanda Burj’ & subsequently bricked alive when they refused to #brace Islam.
The Battle of #Chappar Chiri was fought to avenge the deaths of Chaar Sahibzade under the stewardship of Sikh General #Banda Singh Bahadur. Wazir Khan was done to death & the Mughals were defeated. A Gurudwara was later constructed at the sight in the loving memory of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh & Fateh Singh now known as Fatehgarh Sahib.
A 420 feet tall tower called ‘Fateh Burj’ (meaning Victory Tower) was built in the memory of #Banda Singh Bahadur who made the Mughals lick the dust in the ‘Chappar Chiri’ war at Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar also known as Mohali. It is the tallest tower in India. It also marks the #Khalsa Raj in India. The central government has declared 26 December as ‘Balveer Diwas’ in memory of the Great small martyrs in a function held in New Delhi.
