7-41 Lalla Beg Mobilizes

When Bhai Wazir Khan ji saw the Emperor get ready for war, he spoke to Kinch Beg and got him to agree with himself.  Bhai Wazir Khan ji said: “all of you who are close to the Badshah, why don’t you think about this?  It is not good for the Badshah to go for war.  We all want what’s best for the Badshah.  We should try to stop him.  The house of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji is the greatest.  There are many powers there.  The Guru cannot be defeated.  We should all tell the Badshah not to go.  His command should be carried out and the honor should be protected as well.”  They all went to Shah Jahan and saluted him.  They said: “we see that you have decided to go to war.  You shouldn’t go to war with saints.  You should only go into battle when it is hard to win.  You have officers who can win this.  We have all thought about this.  Your command is obeyed around the world.  Everyone analyzes what you do.  The Guru does not have a big army.  You are the master of many lands.  If the enemy was as strong as you, then it would make sense for you to go.  Even if it was a big king, you should still send your army.  I just hope the Guru doesn’t use his power to make the army run away.  I just don’t want you being there if he does that.  If you run away, no one in the world will fear you then.  People will talk bad about you.  The Guru doesn’t have a fort that you need to apply so much effort for.”  Kinch Beg then spoke: “Wazir Khan speaks in your best interest.  We all wish well for you.  We pray for your good health.  We won’t be able to tolerate it if something goes wrong.  You are angry right now and that’s why you wish to go.  This is not a good thing.”  The other smarter people in the court said: “Wazir Khan is right.  We are all thinking the same thing.  The whole city is thinking the same thing.  Think about this first: you are going to war because a thief took your horses?  Would it be good for you to go?  The army can do this task.  You know the best and worst.  You should think about this.  We all wish well for you.  The house of the Guru has many powers.”  Bhai Wazir Khan ji spoke again: “you can send as many soldiers as you wish.  You don’t need to send too many canons.  Send a little army.  Keep an unsheathed sword here with the stack of betelnuts.  Whoever wishes to take the task, they can fulfill the mission.  Send a warrior that can attack the Guru.  He should be ready to die.  He should be ready to be cut to the ground.  You are wise.  You can do as you wish.  We are your servants.  We just made this request.”  The Badshah heard all this and began to think about it: “they are all right.  I shouldn’t go.” 

The Badshah called all of his generals.  The generals all came.  The court was filled.  Many soldiers had come.  The proud Umraavs, winners of many battles, were there.  The Badshah kept an unsheathed sword, with a golden hilt, embedded with diamonds in the middle of the court.  A stack of betelnuts was placed there.  The announcer was named “Salaabat Khan.”  He announced out loud: “his highness wishes to defeat the Guru in war.  The Guru is to be arrested or killed.  If you find yourself more powerful, take the sword and kill him.  Pick up the unsheathed sword and eat the betelnut.”  The ones that knew the radiance of the Guru, they stood there quietly.  They knew that the Guru defeated the army in the first battle with his strength.  The ones that knew this, did not pick up the sword.  Salaabat Khan announced again.  Lalla Beg was a proud and strong warrior.  He got up and ate the betelnuts.  He picked up the sword and put it in the sheath.  He chewed the betelnuts and said: “I will go.” 

The Sikh that brought a horse for Guru ji from Kabul, this was the same Lalla Beg who saw the horse and told the Badshah about it.  The horse was then snatched from the Sikh, as he was hiding it and bringing it to Guru ji.  Lalla Beg caused that event.  His death had inspired him to pick up the sword.  He was going to get his punishment now.  The Badshah saw this and gave a Siropa to Lalla Beg.  He gave him a riffle with gold and diamonds on it.  An expensive horse was given.  Golden bracelets with diamonds, a Kalgi and a Jigha was also given.  The Badshah said: “take as many soldiers as you need.  Bring the Guru or kill him.  Catch him alive first.  I wish to speak to him.  I will kill him later.  Surround him and arrest him.  Try that first.  If you do that, I will increase your assets and Jagirs.  You will be honored 4 times more.  Make sure the Guru doesn’t run away.  Go and attack him right now.  Kill them all.  Arrest the Guru.”  Lalla Beg heard this and spoke in pride: “the Guru is nothing.  I have won many battles.  I have broken many forts.  I want to see the Guru.  I will arrest him.”  The brother of Lalla Beg was standing near him.  The Badshah saw him.  His name was Kumber Beg.  The Badshah said: “Kumber Beg, go with your brother, being his “sarbhalla” (the best man).”  Lalla Beg had 2 sons.  They were sent with their father.  They were named Kasim Beg and Shamash Beg.  The Badshah said: “Kasim Beg and Shamash Beg, go with your father.”  Lulla Beg’s sister’s son was really strong.  He was really big and wide.  His name was Kabil Beg.  He ate 1 goat at one time.  He would eat a lot of rotis with it too.  He drank a lot of milk.  His head was as big as a pot.  He was considered the strongest.  He could erase the mint on a coin.  He could rip a shield like paper.  He was powerful.  He was the nephew of Lalla Beg.  The Badshah said to him: “go with your Mamma.  I have heard the Guru is strong.  He is tall like you.  Grab him and kill him.”  A fierce bow was called for.  Two quivers of arrows, clothes, jewellery and other gifts were given to the 5 warriors.  They were given a great army.  They were respected well.  35,000 soldiers went with them to fight Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  They all came out of the Badshah’s court.

Hundreds of thousands found out about this army leaving to fight Guru ji.  They all found out that Lalla Beg is going and that the Badshah is really angry.  Lalla Beg had his Nagaras played.  The whole regiment got ready.  The horses were saddled.  The weapons and clothes were worn.  The Badshah sent senior officers to tell Lalla Beg what to do: “don’t delay.  Go quickly.  Make sure the Guru doesn’t run away.  He may be scared when he sees your big army.  Make sure he doesn’t go into the dense jungle.  It will be hard to find him there.  There might not be water there.  If the Guru surrounds a pond, you won’t be able to fight long.  If the Guru is brave and you delay, he may collect a bigger army.  He will call Sikhs or pay people to fight.  These are the cons of delaying the battle.  The anger of the Badshah will be useless if this happens.  It won’t be good for you either.  You picked up the sword in the court.  You will lose your honor if you lose.  Arrest the Guru or kill him.”  Lalla Beg said: “tell the Badshah not to worry.  The enemy is small.  I won’t let the Guru run.  We won’t sleep on the way.  We will go straight to war.  We won’t rest.  We will catch the Guru.  Tell him not to worry.  I think the Guru is already dead.  Look how big our army is.  I will break the fort if the Guru has one.  If he has hundreds of thousands of men, I will kill them all.  I have not lost a war yet.  I have fought many battles.  I did this all my life.  I will win the battle.  The Badshah knows this.  Tell him we are leaving.  I won’t delay.” 

The officers told the Badshah: “we think Lalla Beg will win.  He will arrest the Guru or kill him.  He will bring the horses and punish the Guru for his wrongdoing.”  The people of the court said: “we have never seen such a thief before.  He deceived all of us.  He amazed us.”  They were still amazed by the work of Baba Bidhi Chand ji.

7-42 The Royal Army reaches Malva

The Nagara to set off sounded.  The soldiers took all of the ammunition and set off.  Lalla Beg took 35,000 soldiers and set off with pride.  There were many castes of Turks in the army: Isafzai, Daowzai, Ruhailay; they were wearing chainmail; Gilzaas from Kabul, who were really wide and tall; they ate any type of meat they could find other than swine.   They were like animals as they ate so many animals.  They were without compassion.  Hafasis from Africa were in the army, who had dirty intentions.  Their noses and lips were big.  They couldn’t understand anyone else’s language.  There was a regiment of Lebanese who were brown-skinned.  Some soldiers were from Kashmir who ate raw meat.  Some were Pashto-speaking Pathaans.  They had horses from Turkistan.  Their horses could travel far distances.  They all had their own dhols and Nagaras.  They made noise as they travelled.  Many instruments were playing.  Ransinghas and Turrarees played.  Usthri Nagaras were played on top of camels.  Those Nagaras were made of Camel-skin.  Many soldiers were travelling with bad-intentions.  They did not know what loss they were going to face.  They didn’t understand good and bad.  The army saw bad omens on the way.  They saw someone carrying firewood on their head.  There was a funeral passing them on the way.  They saw women crying behind the funeral.  They saw vultures overhead.  Many donkeys were braying along the way but the soldiers did not notice the bad omens.  They travelled on their horses, fast.  They wanted to fight quickly.  A lot of dust flew up.  The dust flew into the villages along the way.  It was winter and so it was really cold.  The big army travelled.  They were getting cold as they were travelling since the morning.  They did not rest the night.  They kept walking.  They kept drinking alcohol and shouted slogans of death.  They said: “what battle will the Guru fight us?  He will run away.  Allah will complete our wish.  The Guru can give us the Emperor’s horses and fold his hands.  We don’t want him to surrender.  We want to fight him.  We want metal to clash with metal.  We will kill or get killed.  If the Guru fights, we will get our wish.  We will arrest the Guru or kill him.”  They yelled as they were drunk.

The Army reached where the Sutlej and the Beas met.  Majha, Malva and Doaba met there where Hari-ka-Pattan is.  The two rivers were ahead of them.  They called for many ferries and canoes.  They loaded their horses and people on the ferries to cross the river.  Canons and elephants were crossed as well.  It was night when they crossed.  There were thousands of Mughals and Pathaans.

Bhai Jodh Shah ji’s wife thought hard.  She wanted to know how far the Mughal army was.  She took a copper plate and placed 400 pearls in it.  She put her nose ring in it too.  She put the plate on the ground.  She saw the pearls shaking very slightly.  She was very wise.  She estimated the distance of the Mughal Army by its shaking.  The pearls were shaking by the horses’ tremors.  She kept looking at the pearls.  When the pearls were shaking more, she estimated that the army was closer.  She knew that there were many horses coming.  She figured that the army crossed the river at night.  She sent a servant to her husband.

The messenger reached Bhai Jodh Rai ji and said: “a great army is close by.  Your wife estimated this by placing pearls in a copper plate.  She sent me to tell you this.  She doesn’t want you to delay.  The army is coming by morning.”  Bhai Jodh Rai ji took the messenger and went to where Guru ji was sitting.  Many Sikhs, Masands and great warriors were sitting with Guru Hargobind Sahib ji.  Bhai Bhagtoo ji and Bhai Behlo ji were sitting with Guru ji.  Bhai Behlo ji was the commander of the ghosts and spirits, as per Guru ji’s blessing.  Bhai Bhagtoo ji was born by Guru Ramdas ji’s own soul.  These two Sikhs had been with Guru ji ever since he came to the Jungle Desh.  They loved to do Darshan of Guru ji to bless their eyes.  The dispeller of pain, Guru ji, was sitting in the middle.  Guru ji saw Bhai Jodh Rai ji and had him sit close to him.  Bhai Jodh Rai ji said: “Prabhoo ji, the army is coming.  It’s a big army.  This messenger has brought me the message.  Your Sikh, my wife, estimated this by placing pearls in a tray on the ground.  She knew from the shaking of the ground that it is a big army.  They will be here very soon.  It will be a great battle.”  Guru ji heard this and said: “we are ready.  Let them come.  We will welcome them and serve them well.  These shields are the trays.  The bullets are the sugar balls.  The Khapra arrows are the jalebis.  The chakars on my Dumalla will be the round sweets known as Ghewars.  The Tulwars will by garlands for their necks.”  Baba Bidhi Chand ji, sitting nearby, said: “they were ready to leave, ever since I took the second horse.  I knew they weren’t going to waste any time.  They had been slapped in the face.  Looks like the Badshah will come or his senior officers are coming.  They will come here soon.”  Guru Hargobind Sahib ji looked at his Sikhs.  He laughed and said to Bhai Behlo ji: “my father gave you the command of all the ghosts and Prayts.  You are their leader.  Ask your ghosts to find out how far is the army.”  Bhai Behlo ji sent a Prayt to find out the information.  The Prayt came back in a few seconds.  Bhai Behlo ji found out the information and said: “Prabhoo ji, the army has reached the river shore.  It is about 35,000 soldiers.  They have been travelling all day and night.  They crossed the river at night.  Some are still waiting to cross though.  Some are in the ferries.  Some laid down at the shore from fatigue.  Some are drunk.  Many have made fires to warm themselves up.  They are very cold.  Their hands have gone numb.  Their feet are numb too, from the cold.  The river has made the wind cold.”  Guru ji heard Bhai Behlo ji and knew that the army was near the river.  Bhai Jodh Rai ji was amazed at this.  Guru ji said to Bhai Behlo ji: “send a Prayt to stay with the Mughals and keep giving us the report of what they are doing.  Tell us when the army leaves the river.  Tell the ghost to be in attention.”  It was about 11pm.  They figured that the army will come in the morning.  Guru ji laid on his bed to sleep.  He was fearless and went to sleep.  Half of the army went to sleep and half were on guard. 

Everyone woke up in the morning.  Guru ji bathed and listened to Asa Vaar.  The Divaan was in session.  The Sikhs and warriors came there too.  The Masands were there.  Bhai Behlo ji had sent a she-ghost overnight.  The she-ghost that was sent for the information, she had gone to the Mughal army to get news.  There was a Maulana with the Turks who knew how to control the ghosts.  The Maulana knew that the she-ghost was there to get news.  The Maulana trapped the she-ghost with his own ghost.  She couldn’t bring news back to Bhai Behlo ji.  When Asa Vaar ended, Bhai Behlo ji and the other Sikhs came and sat near Guru ji.  Guru ji smiled and said: “tell me Bhai, is there any news?  Did the army leave?”  Bhai Behlo ji folded his hands and said: “when the Turks leave, my she-ghost will come back to tell me.  I will tell you the news.”  The omniscient Guru said: “the army has left already.  Your she-ghost got caught.  There is a Maulana with them who knew about her and captured her with his skill.  Don’t rely on her anymore.  She won’t be able to free herself now.  She is controlled by the Maulana.”  Everyone was amazed by this.  Bhai Behlo ji sent more ghosts.  They came back and said: “the she-ghost is caught by the Maulana.  The army is on its way.”  Everyone heard this and were happy with Guru ji.  They said: “Dhan Satguru ji!” 

7-43 Hassan Khan the Messenger/Spy

Crossing the river at night was difficult for the soldiers.  Some got food and drink and some didn’t.  They rested for about 6-9 hours and then sounded the Nagaras early in the morning.  It was really cold.  They were freezing.  Their hands and feet had gone numb.  They would stop on the way and light a fire to warm themselves up.  They would then saddle up their horses and leave again.  The whole army was on its way in the morning with their weapons and clothes.  The Soorya Bhagavan (sun) soon gave his Darshan, which warmed the place up a little bit.  When Lalla Beg started from Lahore, he had sent a messenger to get news of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji and his army.  He gave him specific instructions: “find where the Dhera of the Guru is.  See how many soldiers he has.  Disguise yourself and be one of them.  Spy on them.  Find out when’s the best time to attack them.  Go ahead of us and get this information.” 

The spy took his horse and came close to where Guru ji was.  He left his horse in a village and disguised himself as a farmer of the area.  He took a servant with him and entered the army of the Guru.  He walked around in the evening to tally the number of soldiers and weapons.  He noticed that the army had surrounded the pond.  The spy came to where Bhai Jodh Rai ji’s soldiers were sitting.  The soldiers of Bhai Jodh Rai ji became suspicious of the outsider.  They caught the spy and asked him who he was.  The spy couldn’t say anything.  The Sikhs took the spy’s pugri off and tied him up with it.  They beat him up.  As the spy was being beaten, he yelled out: “Sri Satguru ji, save me!”  Everyone ran to the place to see what the noise was.  The Sikhs picked up the spy and brought him to Guru ji.  Guru ji sent Baba Bidhi Chand ji to open up the spy.  The spy came foreword to Guru ji.  Guru ji looked at the spy and said: “who are you and why are you here?  Speak the truth or you will be beaten up.”  The spy got scared and spoke the truth: “Prabhoo ji, you can let me go or kill me.  I will tell you the truth.  The Navaab of Kabul, Lalla Beg, sent me to spy on you.  He sent me quickly and wanted me to return as soon as I can.  I entered your camp and found out everything.  Your soldiers recognized me that I wasn’t one of them.  They beat me up.  Guru ji, you are the Peer of Peers.  You are the Meer or Meers of all the worlds.”  Guru Hargobind Sahib ji said: “how many Turks are coming?  Where is the army?  When will they come here to fight?”  Hassan Khan, the spy, spoke: “the great Umraavs of Kabul are coming.  They are bringing 35,000 soldiers.  They all have Turki horses that never get tired.  The Shah did not want the army to wait.  He wanted them to fight you as soon as possible.  It won’t be long till the army comes here.  They are almost here.  I have seen your army and his army.  You have 100 men for 1,000 of theirs, but your men can kill them all and won’t let them leave.  You can kill them all.  Your army is alert and ready.  They are fresh and well-rested.  The Turks are tired as they have been travelling continuously.  Your soldiers wish to fight and have great morale.”  Guru ji was happy to hear this.  Guru ji gave Hassan Khan a Pugri and sent him off.  Guru ji said to Hassan Khan as he was given leave: “go and tell Lalla Beg what you saw, truthfully.”  Hassan Khan mounted his horse and went back to Lalla Beg.

Hassan Khan travelled back and met Lalla Beg.  He gave him his Salaam as they met.  Lalla Beg said: “what news did you bring?  How big is the Guru’s army?  Did the Guru run away, seeing our army?  Are the soldiers ready to fight or ready to run?  Tell me what you found.”  Hassan Khan said: “the Guru has set up camp in the middle of nowhere.  They have surrounded a pond from all sides.  They are eager to fight.  The Guru has strong soldiers who are waiting for us.  Their horses are saddled.  Their weapons are fastened.  They have good weapons.  You think they will run?  They are ready to kill your whole army.  When I saw them, I thought to myself that: their 100 men will be equal to 1,000 of yours.  The Guru is brave like a lion.  He is never scared.  He is waiting for you with a Shamsheer in his hand.  Your army is a herd of deer.  Your army won’t be able to face the Guru’s.  He has less men but they are all hawks.  Your men are like crows and quails.   He has 4,000 men but they are all like lions.”  Hearing the spy’s truthful words, the Turks all got angry.  Lalla Beg said: “what is this fool saying?  I am a great warrior.  I have fought many battles and killed many enemies.  I have been victorious, many times.”  Lalla Beg was drunk and spoke in anger: “this spy has been bought off by the Guru.  He is trying to scare us.  I see him as on the side of the Guru.  He wants the Guru to win.  He wants us to lose.  Slap his head with shoes and kick him out.  He praises the Guru and slanders us.  He is a fool who has lost his wisdom.”  The Turks beat Hassan Khan up and made him run away. 

Hassan Khan was insulted.  He thought to himself: “I will go to the Guru Peer.  I will receive boons from him.”  He was wise.  He went back to Guru ji, right away.  He came to Guru ji and bowed his head.  He told him his name and said: “I, Hassan Khan, have come to your shelter.  When I went back to my people, I praised you.  The fools couldn’t tolerate your praise.  They beat me up and swore at me.  Please protect my honor, oh Peer ji.  I have no one but you now.”  The compassionate one blessed him and thought: “he praised me and was beaten for it.”  Guru ji said: “stay with me and watch the war.  See how it’s fought.”  Bhai Jodh Rai ji was sitting close by.  He said: “it’s not good to keep him close by.  He was a spy.  This could be a deception.  He will stay in the army and tell the Turks our secrets.”  Guru ji said to Bhai Jodh Rai ji while smiling: “it is not what you think.  The Turks heard my praises from his mouth.  They got angry at him.  He is in my protection now.  I don’t let a person like that go, once they come to me.  If I don’t show someone protection here, how will they know that I will protect them from the Jumms?  This is my Dharma.  I am telling this truthfully.  He is without support.  He is helpless.  If such a person comes to me and says: “I come to your shelter,” I protect their honor from humans and Jumms, with all my heart.  So what if he knows our secrets?  I will kill the enemy army in a little while.  I will give him the rule of Kabul.  Hassan Khan will be the Umraav of Kabul.  I will make the Badshah give Hassan Khan the rule of Kabul.  He will rule Kabul.  Just watch.”  Everyone was surprised to hear this.  They said: “he is like Bibheekhan now, who crossed the ocean to tell Ram Chander ji the secrets of Raavan.  Ram Chander ji then killed the King of Lanka.”  Bhai Jodh Rai ji heard this and bowed his head.  He saw Guru ji as the form of Ram Chander ji.  This event was known to all, what Sri Satguru ji had said.  They all said: “Dhan is the Satguru who protects his Dharma.” 

It was midnight.  Hassan Khan said: “the enemy is approaching soon.  Stay ready.  Keep 2 bullets ready in your riffles.”  Guru ji had all of the soldiers ready.  100 men were sent ahead and told: “bring back news of when the Turks come.”  Many fires were burning in the winter night.  Many Sikhs were sitting around the fires.  They had their weapons and did the Simran of the Guru: Master of the world.  The Sikhs sat around the fires in groups of 10 to 15.  They were all warmed up and ready to fight.  The Turks attacked at night.  They were freezing from the cold.  Their hands were numb.

7-44 The Battle Begins

When the day was only 3 hours old, the army had left Lahore.  They travelled 9 hours straight during the day and then, the night as well.  They crossed the river during the cold night.  They rested the night and slept for about 6 hours.  They started off in the morning for another 12 hours without stopping.  During the second night, some ate and some didn’t.  Some fed their horses but most were still hungry.  Everyone was tired and hungry. 

They knew Guru ji was at Roopa village.  They crossed the village, as they didn’t see Guru ji there.  They caught the leaders of the villages and asked about Guru ji: “where is the Dhera of the Guru?  Tell us where he is.”  The villagers were scolded and threatened by Lalla Beg.  They had no choice but to tell them.  They travelled for 48 hours as they reached near Guru ji.  They were really tired and hungry.  Their hands and feet were numb from the cold.  They were anxious from the hunger, fatigue and cold.  Lalla Beg and the officers looked at the state of the army and noticed that they were cold and hungry.  Their wisdom was failed by the Maya of the Guru.  They didn’t take into account food and rest for their army when they set off from Lahore.  They were eager to fight.  Lalla Beg was wearing a long Afghani leather coat with wool lining known as a “Posteen.”  It had fur on the outside.  His brother, sons and nephew were wearing Posteens as well.  The soldiers didn’t have much warm clothes.  The Begs had all eaten food but the soldiers didn’t.  The ones who were going to be at the frontline to fight, they were tired, hungry and cold.  They were already dead-men walking.  The officers said: “we need to rest and eat.”  The generals did not listen.  Lalla Beg said: “it is the Badshah’s orders not to stop.  We need to catch the Guru.”  The army was being tortured in this way.

Guru ji had about 4,000 soldiers.  The 100 men that Guru sent ahead, they came and attacked.  The riffles all fired at once.  Many Turks were hit with the bullets.  They broke the frontline of Lalla Beg’s army.  It was a dark night.  They couldn’t tell how many Sikhs they were facing.  Lalla Beg thought Guru ji was there.  Lalla Beg had the torches lit.  He didn’t know that Guru ji’s strategy was to send 100 men to make the army even more tired before they met the bigger army.  Many torches were lit.  They could see in every direction now.  Guru ji heard the bullets.  Guru ji gave the orders to Bhai Jodh Rai ji to attack.  Bhai Jatti Malik ji, the Purohit of the Sodhis, was told by Guru ji: “the fools are in our hands now.  Let’s kill them.  They are hungry and tired.  Sleep is killing them along with the cold.  Their hands and feet are numb.  Both of you should go like hawks and attack these quails.  The Satguru will give you an easy victory.  They are all anxious and tired.” 

Bhai Jodh Rai ji mounted his horse.  He lit many torches and went off.  Guru ji said to the Nagarchi: “sound the Nagara “Dairay, Dairay!”  The riffles and the swords were taken out.  The bullets were fired.  The blood began to flow.  The Nagaras were sounded.  The Bir Ras arose in the warriors’ bodies. 

Bhai Jodh Rai ji led the charge.  Lalla Beg’s army sounded the Nagaras.  Many Nagaras and Ransinghas sounded.  The riffles were fired.  The horses ran like lightening.  Some were hit with arrows; some were pierced with spears while riding their horses.  The armies met.  The ones that were hit, couldn’t feel their bodies anymore.  The warriors fought.  The Sikhs knew that Guru ji was with them.  They attacked hard.  Dust flew and covered the stars.  Around 40,000 men and horses were running.  The light of the torches was dimmed by the dust.  The riffles were fired and the sparks could be seen.  They looked like fireflies in the night of Bhadron (August/September), during the rainy season.  The horses made a lot of noise.  No one could hear each other.  The warriors yelled and fought.  They said: “don’t let the enemy go.  Kill them!”  Bhai Jodh Rai ji and Bhai Jatti Malik ji said to their warriors: “don’t be in doubt.  Attack and kill the enemy!”  Many instruments played.  The Nagaras sounded.  The regiments fought in groups.  The riffles all fired at once.  The ramrods were all pounding the bullets in the riffles.  The horse steps fell on to the earth and made loud noises.  The battle was fierce.  The Turks were being killed.  The Sikhs fired their riffles, over and over again.  They were fast at reloading their riffles.  Some fired 1 bullet and some fired 2 at a time.  They loaded and fired.  The spark would light the gunpowder.  They aimed at the chest of the Turks.  Fire would come out of the mouth of the barrels.  The bullets flew and broke the limbs of men and horses.  Many warriors were killed or injured.  Some warriors were injured and fell to the ground.  Some got hit with bullets and wanted to fight more.  When the battle got fierce, Lalla Beg knew that the battle was in the thick.  He said to his brother, Kumber Beg, who was a strong warrior: “listen brother, the battle is fierce.  The enemy is firing.  Drink less alcohol so you don’t fall.  You need to keep the honor of my Pugri.”  Kumber Beg heard his brother and said: “the Guru’s army is not to be afraid of.  I will kill them all this night.  Khuddah has tied the Guru for us.  He won’t be able to run away now.  If he had been scared and run away, he would have been saved.  Now he won’t survive.  We will take the horses back now.  We will take the Guru with us too.  The Shah will reward us well with more Soobas.  I will take Punjab; you can take Kabul.  We will be praised in the Turk Kingdom till Mecca.  The Guru has 4,000 men.  That’s nothing.  We have 35,000 men.  They are like salt in the flour.  Who will stand in front of us?  We have 10 men for every one of his.  Who can’t we kill?  I will drink more and fight.”  He drank more and mounted his horse.  Lalla Beg said: “don’t see your enemy as weak.  They are fighting with a strategy.  Go to the front and finish this battle.  Take 7,000 soldiers with you.  Use your force and stop the Sikhs.  Look how much noise they are making.  Kill them!” 

Kumber Beg drank alcohol and set forth.  He was proud.  He ran his horse fast.  Lalla Beg sent other generals with him.  The big Nagaras and Ransinghas were sounded.  7,000 men with Kumber Beg attacked.  They charged with bullets.  They had spears and swords with them.  They shouted as they came.

Guru Hargobind Sahib ji, the great warrior, said to the “Bir Sameer,” the mighty wind: “do your work now.  Go to the Himalya and bring the cold air.  Make the bodies of the Turks colder.  They shouldn’t be able to fight.  Make them shiver.  Make their morale go down.”  The wind listened to the Guru and brought the cold from the Himalayas.  It went to the Turks and pierced their bodies.  The Turks got cold and dropped their swords.  They couldn’t open their fingers.  Their teeth shivered.  They tried to cover their bodies with the clothes but it was of no use.  They put their hands in the arm pits to warm them, but this was not the time to do this.  No one could fire their riffles.  They couldn’t hold the reins of the horses.  Their bodies shivered.  They couldn’t do anything.  Kumber Beg attacked and showered bullets.  7,000 men attacked.  Bhai Jodh Rai ji saw the fierce attack and said to Bhai Salaim Shah ji, his brother: “shoot your riffles and kill them.  They are advancing.  Take 500 Sikhs and face them.  Fight a fierce battle.”  Bhai Salaim Shah ji obeyed and attacked with eagerness.  He released arrows.  He used swords, spears and guns to fight.  He fired all at once with his regiment.  It was like birds attacking a swarm insect.  7,000 were attacked by 500.  They came to kill them like a hungry lion attacking deer.  They came to strike fear, like a lion wanting to see the deer first, roaring in the middle of the herd.  The Turks couldn’t fire their riffles anymore.  Who would hold swords?  The 500 Sikhs fired and killed 400 Turks.  Heads flew.  Chests were pierced.  They Turks got hit and fell off their horses.  They couldn’t fight because of the cold.  They yelled in pain.  Some were still alive and ran away.  Many horse limbs were broken.  The horses fell along with their riders.  The torch bearers were killed, which caused a sudden darkness to fall.  Dust flew into the eyes and ears.  Dust covered the bodies of the warriors.  Everyone got anxious.  The horses fell on top of the dead. 

When Bhai Salaim Shah ji saw that the enemy couldn’t fire their weapons, he and his men pulled their swords out.  They cut the enemy and threw them to the ground.  They killed and returned back, quickly.  The Turks made a lot of noise.  The Turks couldn’t see and so they started to kill each other.  Sons killed their own fathers; fathers killed their own sons.  Nobody knew who they were hitting.  It was dark and it was a survival for the self.  Brothers cut their own brothers down.  Uncles did not recognize their own nephews; a friend’s sword sliced another friend.  Everyone loss their sense and wisdom.  They all killed their own.  Thousands killed their own.  Only a few Turks remained.  7,000 men were in chaos and couldn’t tell that they were just killing each other and not the Sikhs.  Nobody knew where the Sikhs had come from and nobody knew when they left.  It was really dark.  It was really cold.  There was a lot of dust.  Many dead were on the ground.  By their own good fortunes, some ran away and were saved.  Some hid and survived.  Others died.  Who can face the omnipotent one?  The unfortunate ones only fight with Gurus and saints. 

7-45 The Battle

When the Turks fought each other, thinking they were Sikhs, the Sikhs attacked as well.  The others died of cold.  It was chaos for the Turks.  Kumber Beg saw this and moved back.  The torches were out.  Kumber Beg had more torches lit.  When there was light, he saw his men all dead.  The bodies were piled on top of each other.  The horses were on top of horses.  He thought to himself: “how did all my men die?”  He was upset, thinking about this.  The wounds from the soldiers were making popping noises.  The ground was red.  There was mud everywhere.  Kumber Beg saw cut arms and legs on the ground.  He saw cut heads, rolling on the ground.  Many had died with bullets.  Some injured men were yelling in pain.  Some were laying face first on the ground.  Some were faced upwards.  Some had spears in their chests.  Some had swords stuck in their guts.  Kumber Beg sent a messenger to Lalla Beg with a message.

The messenger of Kumber Beg said to Lalla Beg: “the cold has made our bodies numb.  The other thing is: it’s really dark.  The regiment that you sent has all killed each other in the dark.  It was a useless charge.  The enemy is still standing.  Not one was killed from the enemy ranks.  The regiment you sent has all died.  Send another regiment from the army to fight at the frontline.”  Lalla Beg heard this and was shocked.  He said: “the men all died?!  That was useless.  We achieved nothing.”  Lalla Beg gave the orders to the other regiment: “get ready.  Make sure you know your own from the enemy.  Go and kill the Guru.  Make sure he doesn’t run away.  Kill the Guru’s men.  We will fight at night in a good way.  We shouldn’t wait for morning.  Arrest the Guru.”  The regiment of Pathaans were sent.  Two Pathaans led a regiment of 8,000.  The two Pathaans were given instructions to fight.  The Pathaans were eager to fight.  One was Bheekhan Khan.  He was strong and was wearing chainmail all over his body.  The other Pathaan General was Gul Khan.  These 2 Pathaans were experienced generals.  Lalla Beg lost 7,000 men.  He was now sending 8,000 more. 

The Nagaras sounded as 8,000 men shouted and charged.  The generals were well-fed and wearing warm clothes.  They didn’t care that their men were also hungry, cold and tired, just like the previously damned regiment.  The regiment moved forward, inspired by their own death.  They charged but couldn’t handle their stability.  Bhai Jodh Rai ji saw the second regiment charging.  He rode his horse ahead.  He met his brother, Bhai Salaim Shah ji, and asked him how he was.  Bhai Salaim Shah ji said: “the enemy killed each other.  We watched from afar.  They died without us killing them.  The Guru’s radiance did all this.  This was not a normal thing that happened.” 

The vultures came to eat the flesh.  Jackels and other scavengers came.  The 64 Kaljognis came to drink the blood.  They burped with joy.  The ghosts and Prayts came and danced.  They ran with skulls in their hands.  They took the intestines and put them around their necks.  They sang and danced while clapping. 

8,000 men came to attack.  They couldn’t pick up their own riffles because of the cold.  The cold made their bodies into lifeless matter.  They moved their horses ahead.  Bhai Jodh Rai ji had fires burning in their camp.  The Sikhs warmed themselves up before fighting.  They weren’t cold at all.  They were ready to fight.  They came to cut the limbs of the enemy.  1,000 riffles were ready to fire in the Sikh army.  As the Turks came, all 1,000 riffles of the Sikhs were fired at once.  They had fired, hearing the noise of the Turk army.  Between 500 and 700 Turks fell.  The Sikhs reloaded their rifles.  They raised their riffles and fired again.  They reloaded quickly.  Bhai Jodh Rai ji caused chaos on top of the Turks.  They all fired 4 times, a total of 4,000 shots.  The enemy couldn’t pick up their riffles.  When they did fire, they fired in the wrong direction.  The Turks fell to the ground, one after the other.  The riffles sounded like thundering clouds.  The horses were running without riders.  Many horses died as well.  The Guru’s warriors came to the front.  They made the enemy crazy.  The enemy didn’t know what was happening.  They were getting hit with many weapons.  They were already tired and sleepy.  They hadn’t slept for 2 days.  They were hungry.  They weren’t given food.  It was cold.  They couldn’t keep their balance.  The wind blew in the command of the Guru.  The wind was very cold.  Many enemies died.  The teeth of the Turks shivered.  They couldn’t open their hands.  The bullets kept firing for a while.  Bhai Jodh Rai ji and his men charged the remaining Turks.  The enemy could not stand it.  The enemy saw their loss as the Sikhs attacked.  The Sikhs took their swords out.  They started cutting down the Turks.  There was as lot of noise.  It could be heard by Guru ji.  Guru ji knew that a lot of Turk had come.  He knew that the battle got fierce.  He sent more men to the frontline.  He sent another 1,000 men to fight.  The new regiment fought with Bir Ras.  Bhai Jodh Rai ji was fighting with anger.  He saw the new regiment who came in groups.  They were fresh and warm.  They fired their riffles and killed the enemy.  They reloaded and fired again.  The enemy couldn’t take it.  Their hands couldn’t move.  They were able to shoot one or two bullets but it would go the wrong way.  They didn’t have the energy to fight.  They lost their lives for nothing.  They couldn’t run because they couldn’t see a path.  They were in pain.  This made them upset.  They lost their patience. 

2,000 Sikhs fought against the enemy.  They noticed that the battle was easy.  They took out their swords and killed the Turks.  They cut the enemy.  The swords swung and drank the blood.  They cut the limbs and the swords became red.  The horses ran ahead.  They couldn’t stay stable.  The Turks had cold hands.  They couldn’t block the strikes, nor could they strike.  The Sikhs killed the enemy.  The fools died by the swords of the Sikhs.  Some were hit with arrows.  They were pierced in the chest with arrows and spears.  They were pilled like sheesh kebobs.  There was a lot of noise.  The blood mixed into the dust and became mud.  The Turks fell.  Their limbs broke.  They yelled in pain.  The horses ran without riders.  One Sikhs killed about 5-7 Turks each.  They cut them like a carpenter cutting wood.  All of the Turks were killed.  The bodies piled up.  The horses ran around over the dead.  The blood flowed from the bodies.  It was a scary sight.  Many horses died.  It was dark.  Nothing could be seen ahead.  The enemy only felt the swords cutting them.  They would get hit and fall to the ground.  They would get wounded and yell in pain.  Many wanted to run but didn’t know in which direction to go.  There was no light.  They didn’t know where to run.  They were helpless and taking the strikes.  They couldn’t use their hands to fire their riffles.  The wind was cold and piercing their bodies.  They couldn’t tolerate the cold.  They yelled to each other: “the Guru has powers.  This is his miracle.  He made the wind cold.  It has never been this cold.  Everyone is numb.  We are without any strength.  Which warrior can tolerate this cold?  Who can fight and see the weapons?  The cold has killed everyone.”  They yelled but nobody heard each other.

The Guru’s command made the wind cold.  Nobody could use their weapons.  Their bodies were shivering.  Their teeth were shivering.  They regretted coming to war.  The two generals stayed in the back.  They sent their men ahead who were already tired and hungry.  The men wanted to run away.  Nobody wanted to fight.  The generals survived.  The 8,000 men all died.  They were helpless.  They couldn’t fight or run away.  They were killed while standing.  The Guru’s men were happy.  They killed the enemy with ease.  15,000 men were now killed because of the cold.

Lalla Beg got news that the regiment of 8,000 was also killed: “there is no one fighting now.  We don’t know if the 8,000 men ran away or got killed.  There are no shots being fired.  There is no one yelling.”  Lalla Beg, the master of Kabul, heard this and was amazed.  He said: “15,000 men got killed all of a sudden?  Where did they go?”  It was dark.  It was hard to see.  The Sikhs would aim at the torchbearers and kill them.  Lalla Beg thought to himself: “this is not good.”  Lalla Beg’s nephew, Kabil Beg was close by.  He said to him: “it’s really cold.  You can’t take your hands out.  The regiment has either run away or they are killed.  We will wait for the sun to come up now.  We will arrest the Guru or kill him.  We won’t let him go.” 

Kumber Beg came back as Lalla Beg was talking to Kabil Beg.  Kumber Beg said: “why are you standing here like lazy men?  Why aren’t you worried?  The Guru’s men will come.  You won’t be able to do anything.  They will kill everyone like they killed the previous regiments.  They will cut you to Lahore.  They won’t stop.  Why don’t you do anything till they don’t come?  You came to get the Badshah’s horses from the Guru.  Looks like we will lose our own horses now.  Forget the horses, I think we will lose our lives.”  Lalla Beg heard this and got worried.  He had nothing to say.  He wanted to arrest the Guru.  He didn’t know that the Jumms were going to arrest him.