The Tribune – Martyrdom of Banda [Singh] Bahadur; Plans afoot to celebrate tercentenary in 2016

Sanjay Bumbroo, Tribune News Service

Fatehgarh Sahib, May 13. Preparations are afoot to celebrate the tercentenary of the martyrdom of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, the erstwhile Sikh General, in Fatehgarh Sahib in 2016.

Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) president Avtar Singh Makkar said today a procession would start from Nanded Sahib in Maharashtra and culminate here after passing through the towns, which the Sikh General had conquered after fighting the Mughal rulers.

Makkar said no kar sewa would be held during the renovation of Jahaji Haveli of Dewan Todar Mal. Makkar said the SGPC had hired the services of an architect for the restoration of the historic building, the construction of the boundary wall and the landscaping of the area around Jahaji Haveli.

SGPC chief said the construction work of the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur museum was on. Executive Engineer Manpreet Singh, Parmjit Singh and other members of the SGPC were among those present in the meeting.

Banda Bahadur was sent by Guru Gobind Singh to Punjab to punish the cruel rulers of the time. Soon, Sikh forces, under the leadership of Banda Bahadur, killed many tyrants, including Nawab Wazir Khan, who was responsible for mercilessly killing the two younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130514/punjab.htm#12

The Tribune – Shaheedi Jor Mela concludes with religious ceremonies

Our Correspondent

Fatehgarh Sahib, December 28. The three-day annual Shaheedi Jor Mela, which is organised in memory of younger Sahibjadas of Guru Gobind Singh, who were bricked alive by Mughals for not embracing Islam, concluded here today with religious ceremonies.

To mark the concluding ceremony, a Nagar Kirtan was taken out from Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib to Gurdwara Jyoti Swarup Sahib after performing the “ardas” by Tarlochan Singh, head priest, Gurdwara Keshgarh Sahib.

Lakhs of devotees accompanied the Nagar Kirtan led by Panj Piaras. School bands, Gatka teams, Nihangs, Kirtani Jathas, Sukhmani Sahib Sewa Societies and various other social, religious and political leaders accompanied the Nagar Kirtan. The main attraction during the Nagar Kirtan was martial arts displaced by Nihangs and Gatka teams.

The palanquin carrying Guru Granth Sahib was placed on a well decorated four-wheeler. Akal Takhat Jathedar Gurbachan Singh performed the duty of “Chor Sahib”, whereas Tarlochan Singh, Balwant Singh Nandgarh, Jathedar Damdama Sahib, Jaswinder Singh, head priest, Darbar Sahib and Harnam Singh Dhuma, head, Damdami Taksal accompanied the Guru Granth Sahib.

The palanquin was escorted by Avtar Singh Makkar, president, SGPC, Prem Singh Chandumajra general secretary, SAD, Dr Harbans Lal, former minister, MLA Didar Singh Bhatti and other political leaders.

The main attraction during the mela was the “Mein Tera Banda”, a light and sound programme, organised by the district administration and the SGPC. The programme, which was based on the life Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, was directed by Harpal Tiwana.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20111229/punjab.htm#11

423.The Man in Blue – Banda Singh Bahadur

This article is based on ‘the Sikh rebellion’ on page 256 to 258 of The Mughal Empire by John F Richards. Richards tells us that Guru supported Bahadur Shah in the war of succession after the death of Aurangzeb. Guru tried to get justice from the emperor against Wazir Khan of Sirhind for the killing of Guru’s two younger sons.

As he was not successful he sent Lachman Das, who after taking amrit became Banda Singh Bahadur, to Panjab. On his way Banda Singh heard the news of the killing of Guru by suspected hirelings of Wazir Khan.

Banda Singh raised an army and offered refuge to anyone ‘threatened by thieves, dacoits or highway robbers, troubled by Muslim bigots or in any way subjected to injustice or ill-treatment’. Banda Singh’s followers were mainly Jats and Dalits, attracted by his egalitarian message. They took amrit, adopted the name Singh and were prepared to fight for the new faith.

Richards then tells that Banda Singh stormed, levelled and massacred Samana, a prosperous Muslim-dominated Panjab town. ‘Half a dozen Panjab towns shared a similar fate before the Sikhs reached Sirhind where they aimed to revenge themselves on Wazir Khan.’

Banda Singh also conquered Sirhind, ‘massacred those inhabitants who did not hastily convert to Sikhism, looted the city and destroyed the buildings. After Sirhind, Banda Singh adopted the title of padshah, started a new calendar and issued coins bearing the names of Guru Nanak and Govind’.

Recently in various London Gurdwaré Fateh Day was celebrated, related to Banda Singh Bahadur. Posters regarding Fateh Day explicitly stated that we were celebrating the revenge on the population of Sirhind for the killing of Guru’s young sons.

I think that revenge is not part of the Sikh way of life. Bhai Ghanaya helped all wounded soldiers and Guru Gobind Singh supported him. Guru Gobind Singh was asked by Aurangzeb to come and visit him and Guru went on his way to see Aurangzeb in spite of his responsibility for the attacks on the Sikhs.

If Banda Singh went into Sirhind to make sure that Wazir Khan was punished for his crime that would be perfectly justified. If that is the case the above is based on anti Sikh propaganda in Mughal reports.

We should be more careful in how we describe Fateh Day. The young sons of Guru were not killed by all Muslims, all Mughals or all inhabitants of Sirhind. If on the other hand unbiased research shows that Banda Singh Bahadur massacred people we should abolish Fateh Day.