November- December has more to Remember

India is among top 10 countries rich with historical chronicles. However post-Independence when political minds divided India into linguistic states, history became a syllabus chosen by the central governance and soon contents identified by linguistic state sponsored historians was only pushed. Over the years generations have lost roots to history, which allows us to observe and understand how people and societies behaved. We cannot speak about religion without also thinking about its many histories its data of events that helped respect communities.

The Months November - December has more to Remember

about sacrifices and martyrdom beyond one’s community by Sikh Gurus and their disciples. Aurangzeb arrested Guru Tegh Bhadur ji and tried hard to convert him to Islam because as per an understanding by converting one man the Hindus would then have to accept the tyranny of Aurangazeb and get converted to Islam. Aurangzeb failing to influence Guru sahibji, started executing his disciples to make him change his mind. Bhai Mati Das was made to stand between two posts and a double headed saw was moved from head to the loins. Bhai Dayal Das was tied like a round bundle and thrown into a huge cauldron of boiling oil. Bhai Sati Das was tied to a pole wrapped in cotton and set on fire. The disciples remained calm, peaceful, happy to achieve martyrdom and kept uttering the Waheguru simran until their last breath. Seeing the Guru unmoved Guru Tegh Bhadur ji was later beheaded near Kotwali at Chandni Chowk. This is regarded as the most selfless martyr, unheard in world history where a religious Guru sacrifices himself to safeguard another’s religion. He was affectionately titled as “Hind-di-Chadar” or the Shield of India.

December 1704 Guru Tegh Bhadur ji son, Guru Gobind Singh ji, sacrificed his 4 sons for righteousness and humanity. In the Battle of Chaumker Sahebzade Jujhar Singh, Sahebzade Ajit Singh age 14 and 18, along with forty Khalsa dared to fight several thousand strong Mughal forces and embraced martyrdom. Few days later Nawab Wazir Khan at Sirhind tortured Gurus younger sons for not accepting Islam. Sahebzada Fateh Singh, Sahebzada Zorawar Singh age 6 and 8 were bricked alive. Their grandmother was in captivity with them keeping them focussed in prayers & tales of courage & bravery of their grandfather and father in upholding values of Sikhi. She too breathed her last on learning of their grandsons killing. To avoid their cremation Wazir Khan demanded gold coins placed vertically to cover the ground area to be used for their cremation. Diwan Todar Mal Jain forsaking everything for his love for the Guru’s contributed around 48000 gold coins and cremated Guru sahib’s ’s family.

It is important nation remembers the courage and fortitude exhibited by the young princes who galvanised the Sikh community changing the history of the sub-continent in breaking down a tyrannical regime and brought forth a force that has forever lived on the path of righteousness.

An African proverb, “Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” The proverb may incite us in reaching out to our rich history knowing what & how Gurus, Saints, Sufis, Kings and the common people conducted themselves, keeping together the family, community and national patriotism. During 40 years of Maharaja Ranjit Singh rule in Punjab no foreign power could invade Punjab that included the British. Today the enemy within is a bigger threat dividing us because our roots in knowing our history of past glory and sacrifices, keeping communities together is not known to the masses.