Part 41 The Sakhi of Ram Rauni

The Khalsa was in pain.  They lived in jungles and ruins.  The Singhs decided: “we should fight behind walls.”  They wanted a fort with walls to fight from.  They needed a fort to fight, stop or die from.  Some said: “let’s take over a fort.”  Some said: “the jungle is fine.”  The wise ones got together and said: “without support, a lion cannot survive the hunters.  A lion survives by the support of the thick jungle.”  The Khalsa held court and had a discussion.  The Sidhki Singhs then thought: “how can we fight without a fort?  We left Amritsar, the Guru’s Darbar.  The Kauravs and Pandavs died on the field.  Just as there is the Kurukshetra, that is how the Guru’s Darbar Amritsar is.  We will die near Amritsar.  We will take thousands of births as Sikhs and hope to die here.  We should make a fort in Amritsar.”  A wise Singh then said: “the 5 Sars that the Guru made (Santokhsar, Amritsar, Ramsar, Kaulsar and Bibeksar), these are higher than the Kurukshetra.  This land is pure.  If we go somewhere else, where would we go?  We should die near the Guru’s Darbar.  We shouldn’t die anywhere else.  We will make a fort here and fight the Turks.  If we die, we go to Heaven.  If we survive, we become kings.”  One Sikh then thought and said: “I have seen an interesting thing: there was a goat in labor who came here by mistake.  The shepherd forgot her and left.  The goat gave birth to two kids.  Two wolves saw the goats.  They tried to take the baby goats from the mother.  They used their force but the goat did not let the wolves take her kids.  Such is the thing I’ve seen.  The place has power.”  The Khalsa said to him: “we’ve never heard this.  We have faith upon the Guru, not goats.  We wish to die upon the feet of the Guru.”  A wise Singh then said: “both are right.  The goat received the Guru’s power.  The 5 Sars that the Guru made, the Bani lives in them.  Amritsar, Bibeksar, Kaulsar, Santokhsar and Ramsar were all made by the blessings of Guru Ramdas ji.  Guru Ramdas ji’s 5 Sars, choose one and make a wall.  If the Turks come there, they will die.  We will make a fort by planting a log.  Guru ji had a well dug there.”  The Singhs broke the ground.  They were the labourers and workers.  The Bhujhangis were courageous and strong.  They grinded the grout and baked it themselves.  They were called Sardars, who did a lot of work.  They were called: “Dhan.  Your life is blessed!”  Nobody was jealous of each other.  Nobody spoke of their own pain.  They made the fort by eagerly running, like the moneys made the bridge of Ram Setu.  They did the work from all 4 sides.  They worked day and night without getting tired.  If someone told them to slow down, they got even faster.  The fort had huge doors.  They wanted to fight from there and die.  They used whatever money they could find or loot.  They looted and beat to get the money.  They made 4 walls, the Rauni.  It was called the Ram Rauni.  They made posts around the fort.  They dug a deep moat around it.  They dug it themselves.  They had to build and fight themselves.  They were warriors and workers themselves.  The Guru’s beloved Singhs were warriors and workers.  They worked day and night to make the Rauni.  They had some support for themselves.  500 Singhs could live there.  They were determined to become Shaheeds.  There was no room for more.  In this way, the few Singhs stayed there. 

When the Turks heard of the new fort being built, they came to attack all of a sudden.  Meer Manu sent Adhina Beg to attack.  Divaan Kora Mal, Sadeek Ali, Soobadaar Azeez Khan and many Pahari Rajas were sent to attack the Sikhs.  Many canons were sent with the army.  The Turks made posts around the Rauni.  The doors of the Rauni were faced with guns.  The Khalsa discussed: “the Turks have us surrounded.  We can either become Shaheeds or kill the Turks.  The world will hear of this battle.  This battle is for the Dharam and Deen.  Your body will be made pure when touched by the weapons.”  Ten Singhs came out of the fort and freed the Ranthunba.  Some Singhs died while killing the Turks and some came back.  The Singhs attacked like lions.  They were like lightening out of the clouds.  They were unpredictable like lightening.  They were the same on foot as on horses.  They were fast and agile.  They attacked in the darkest nights.  They would cause chaos behind enemy lines, leaving them to fight each other.  A single Singh was like hundreds.  Only a few were needed to cause chaos.  The Singhs would quietly go into enemy lines, hiding in bushes and ditches.  They would attack the Turks and cause chaos.  They would wish for Shaheedi. 

The Turks then had a tunnel dug.  The Singhs made their moat deeper.  Many Singhs remained in the middle of the moat.  They didn’t let the tunnel go ahead.  The Singhs fought and weren’t afraid of death.  They were although, out of food and money.  The Turks caused a lot of pain in Amritsar.  Death had arrived for Singhs it seemed.  The Khalsa then discussed: “if we run away, we will lose our honour.  It is good to fight and die.  This battle will be known in the future.  Let’s attack once.  Let’s give our heads.  We can kill at least 2 or 4, killing a few thousands.  Let’s fight the Turks.”  The Singhs attacked and destroyed one post of the Turks.  That post was Adina Beg’s.  He army was in chaos.  They then destroyed Sadeek’s post.  Only 20 Singhs went at night to attack.  The Majhails were great warriors.  They drank the Pahul of the double-edged Khanda.  The Khalsa fought with the Turks everyday.  The Singhs didn’t finish.  It seems as though one Singh would die and 2 other Singhs would come from outside to fight.  The Singhs from outside kept bringing food.  The Singhs wouldn’t finish.  They were like a fountain.  The Singhs that were hiding in the jungles, they found out about the siege of Amritsar and came to the Rauni.  As they heard of Singhs dying, many more would come to join them.  If a Singh couldn’t come in, they would grind their teeth and keep circling the battle.  They would say: “we will only die with the Singhs inside.  We want to join them and fight.  If we can’t help them, how will we show our face in the Great Court of the Guru?”  One would die and two more would stand.  The Turks were surprised to see this.  The Turks made towers around out of soil.  They set up posts on top.  They shot at the Singhs trying to get in.  They made a deep moat.  Where the Singhs would go in, bringing bullets and gunpowder; the Sikhs were surrounded.  The Singhs saw their death coming near.  They decided to kill any post that came close to them.  They made a decision: “kill or die.  It’s time for Shaheedi.  Find Deena Beg and kill him.”  When the Khalsa decided this, a Singh then came in from outside.  He came and said: “the post you see outside, there are Singhs there as well.  Singh Tarkhaan Jassa Singh, he is the one you excommunicated.  He came with Deena Beg as he is his employee.  He has hundreds of Singhs with him.  I am from his army as well.  My fellow Singhs don’t wish to fight our brothers.  Everyone has told Sardar Jassa Singh of their intentions not to fight our own brothers.  They wish to join you.  Sardar ji wants to join you as well.  We will all come inside and be with you.”  The Singhs then said: “this is your chance to come.  If you meet with us, the Guru will reward you.  The words of the Khalsa will grow for you.”  Bhai Jassa Singh ji was told by his Singhs: “take care of your army.  We will go inside and fight on the side of the Panth.”  Bhai Jassa Singh ji said to his Singhs: “since when have I broken away from the Khalsa?  I don’t want to break from them.  I will join the Khalsa as well.  The Khalsa is the joiner of the broken.”  Bhai Jassa Singh ji wrote an Ardaas, tied it to an arrow and threw it inside the fort.  He wrote: “join me with you.  I wish to come to the shelter of the Khalsa.”  The Singhs sent a response: “this is the time to meet!  The broken will now join.”  Bhai Jassa Singh ji said to Deena Beg then: “pay us for our salary now.”  Deena Beg paid the money.  Bhai Jassa Singh ji waited 2 days, so Deena Beg would not suspect him.  On the third day, Bhai Jassa Singh ji and his Singhs quickly came inside the fort.  When Bhai Jassa Singh ji came into the fort, the Turks were like their heads were drenched with a heavy stream of water.  The Satguru’s power was such that made the Singhs meet each other.  Deena Beg lost half his army.  Zakariya Khan’s son Shah Nivaaz attacked Multan.  The Turks then saw a bigger threat in this.  Meer Manu called the army back to Lahore.  Divaan Kora Mal then said to Meer Manu: “let’s have the Sikhs join us to fight Shah Nivaaz.”  Deena Beg agreed to this.  Meer Manu accepted this.  Divaan Kora Mal ji, who was the friend of the Sikhs, made Meer Manu join the Sikhs.  Half of the taxes of Patti were allotted to the Sikhs as income.  Kora Mal ji made Meer Manu do this.  12 villages of the Guru Chak were allotted to the Singhs.  Ram Rauni was included.  From that day on, Ram Rauni was famously known as Ram Ghar.  Bhai Jassa Singh ji Ichogillia and his companions came into the fort at the right time.  The Ramgharias became the Tekaydaars of the area.  I, Rattan Singh, have heard this from my elders.  I will tell you know how Khanoo’s son Shah Nivaaz died.  In this way the Singhs fought in the Ram Rauni in 1805 Vikram.  How Shah Nivaaz came and died, listen on ahead.

Part 42 The Bravery of Kora Mal

Some Singhs went with Divaan Kora Mal.  They attacked Shah Nivaaz.  Wherever there was a Divaan of the Khalsa, Kora Mal ji attended everyday.  He listened to the Rehraas and the Ardaas.  He came to offer food and other items to the Khalsa everyday.  He took permission from the Singhs to sit with them.  He said the Fateh of the Vahiguru from his mouth.  He met with the Singhs and had Karah Prashaad made.  He gave 5 Rupees to the Nihang Singhs while bowing to them.  He was given the Tankhaa of 5 Rupees everyday for using the Hookah in the royal courts.  He said to the Singhs: “I only have the hope of the Guru.  I will arrest Shah Nivaaz and bring him here.”  The Singhs said: “we wish to kill him!  He had many Singhs killed.  We won’t leave him if we see him.  The Turks and Khans are brothers.”  Shah Nivaaz did what his father did.  When he became the Navaab, he looted and beat a lot of people.  He killed many.  Meer Manu sent the killers with Kora Mal.  Everyone was with Kora Mal. 

A great battle raged.  Both armies fought.  Shah Nivaaz faced Kora Mal ji.  The Turks from both sides got together and set aside.  The Turks saw Kora Mal ji as a Hindu and wanted to kill him.  Kora Mal ji knew of this plot.  He only had faith upon the Guru.  He had the Singhs stay with him.  Shah Nivaaz attacked.  Kora Mal ji attacked along with the Singhs.  He said: “Khalsa ji, it’s now time for you to do something.  He is coming to charge at us.”  The Singhs said: “don’t worry.  When Shah Nivaaz comes close to you, show him to us.  We were already ready to get him.  We will kill Zakriya’s son.”  Shah Nivaaz came close to Divaan Kora Mal ji and said: “you traitor!  Either take your weapons up or do the Salaam to the Turks.”  Kora Mal ji said to the Singhs: “this voice is Shah Nivaaz’s.”  The Singhs fired their rifles towards Shah Nivaaz all at once.  The bullets hit Shah Nivaaz in the heart.  He fell from his horse.  He was hit and couldn’t stand up again.  One Singh got off his horse and cut Shah Nivaaz’s head with his sword.  He held the head of Shah Nivaaz with his hand and sent it to Meer Manu’s home. 

Meer Manu saw the head and was extremely happy.  He took a pen and paper.  He gave Kora Mal ji the title of “Bahadhur.”  Kora Mal ji did good with the Singhs.  His Seva was fruitful.  Listen to the next Sakhi.  The elders told me these Sakhis.  In 1806 Vikram Shah Nivaaz died.  As Rattan Singh heard it, I wrote it in the same way.

Part 43 The Sakhi of Sri Amritsar

The Khalsa looted the land and came to Amritsar.  They held the Diwali and Vaisakhi at Amritsar.  They sat in the Harmandhir and listened to the Gyaan.  They focused on the words of the Guru.  The Singhs sat at the Akaal Bunga Takhat.  They held Divaans and made Gurmattas.  The court of the Sarbat Khalsa would take place there.  The non-Sikhs were punished and the Sikhs were taken care of.  The sinners were looted and their loot was brought there everyday.  By taking one dip in the Sarovar, they had their sins washed away.  The sins of the Singhs would be washed away.  The pain of the loots were washed away.  Some worked and earned and some looted.  They bathed in the Sarovar to wash their sins away. 

Listen to the radiance of the Sarovar.  Whoever bathed in the Sarovar, their sins were washed away.  The places that the Khalsa looted, they became four times more prosperous because their loot was used at the Sarovar.  If a poor person was looted, they were given justice at Sri Amritsar.  The liars were given a Tankhaa and the truthful were forgiven.

Part 44 Sakhi of Ahmed Shah and Sukha Singh

In 1810 Vikram, Ahmed Shah Abdali came.  Nazeeb Khan Rohaila called Ahmed Shah after Mohammed Shah Rangeela died.  There were 4 Viziers of the 4 directions.  The Viziers took over the whole country.  They were each others competition.  They wanted to kill each other or die.  Lucknow was taken over by Mansoor Ali.  He started his own coins known as the “Mansoori Taka”.  Nizam Ali took over the Dakhan South.  They betrayed the Delhi Emperor.  Rohaila Nazeeb Khan left Delhi and joined Abdali.  Gaazdeen Mughal brought the Marhathas and had them attack the Rohailas.  Nazeeb Khan made Nazeebgarh.  The Mughals and Pathaan fought each other.  When Mohammed Shah died, Delhi was in chaos.  Nazeeb Khan fought Gaazdeen.  The Rohaila called the Pathaan.  He had the Moghuls killed.  The Satguru created the drama.  The Turks were being killed by the Turks.  The Singhs got their chance when Abdali came.  The Singhs killed the Turks.  The Khalsa were attacked by both the Moghuls and the Pathaans.  The Khalsa destroyed both.  Gaazdeen called the Marhathas who surrounded Nazeeb Khan Rohaila.  Nazeeb Khan then called Ahmed Shah from Kabul.  Abdali saved Nazeeb Khan.  He took over Lahore and Sirhind.  He also took Delhi from the Mahrattas.  Gaazdeen called the Mahrattas again.  They surrounded Rohaila again.  Rohaila called the Pathaans again.  Abdali came with a big army.  Meer Manu got lazy.  Delhi didn’t come to help Meer Manu.  Abdali came to Shahdara near Lahore.  Kora Mal ji fought from Lahore against Abdali.  He wrote to the Sikhs: “you and us are Hindu Guru Bhais.  This is the fight for the Deen.  Push the Gilzaas back.  I will spend the money for gunpowder and bullets.”  He gave a lot of money to the Sikhs, getting in written from Meer Manu.  Kora Mal sent a lot of stuff to the Singhs.  Meer Manu said: “let’s send Abdali away and then we will talk.  What ever remains of the land, you can take.  Take the rebellious areas.  Since the Banda took the Paharis, no money came after that.  They bothered the Khalsa too.  Take the Sattdhaaras.  Parol, Kathooha and Basohli; take them all.  Take the Doons and take your revenge.  Win Punjab.  Take the taxes.  Take all of the wealth in the Pahari areas.”  Jathas of 100 Singhs began to form by doing Ardaas.  The Singhs set up their Dhera near Ghaneea.  They were going to Kora Mal but got into a fight within themselves.  They got into arguments.  Bhai Hari Singh Bhangi did a bad thing and killed the brother of Bhai Jassa Singh ji Ramgharia.  Bhai Hari Singh killed Bhai Kushaal Singh Ramgharia.  The whole Panth saw this as bad.  The Singhs looted the Dhera of the Bhangis.  When the Bhangis found out, they ran away.  10,000 Bhangis ran away after being chased by 20,000 Singhs.  They were the 30,000 Singhs that started fighting each other.  The Singhs then came to Lahore.  The Dal came to Shalamar Bhaag.  The Singhs were about to enter the gates of Lahore when they saw the butchers slaughtering cows.  The Singhs killed the butchers.  The gates closed and there was a strike by the people of Lahore.  They were upset that their Muslim butchers were killed.  The people started attacking the Singhs.  The Singhs were upset and faced hard times.

During the third watch of the day, Bhai Sukha Singh ji Tarkhaan had the Sukha Degh.  He was the adopted son of Bhai Shyaam Singh ji.  He was from Mari Kamboh ki.  Bhai Sukha Singh ji did not have any plans to fight and headed towards the Ravi.  As he and his Nihang Singh army passed the Ravi, nobody counted how many they were; they passed near the Gilzaas.  Abdali was on the other side with about 250,000 soldiers.  The Singhs bathed in the Ravi and cleaned up.  They saw the noise of the Gilzaas.  The Gilzaas saw the Singhs.  They thought the army of Singhs came to attack them.  Abdali began to observe the Singhs.  He got scared seeing the Singhs.  He lost his patience and got ready to fight.  He mounted his horse right away and sent 4 regiments saying: “the Hinds have come to attack!  If we go to Kabul, they will kill us.  We should take our swords and attack.”  The Khans charged at the Singhs.  The Singhs were only a few.  Most of the Singhs were in the Dhera.  There was no plan to fight.  Some ran back and some fierce warriors stayed.  Bhai Sukha Singh ji saw the Gilzaas coming to fight them.  He knew he had less Singhs.  He thought to himself: “we are trapped.  If we fight them, we won’t be able to win them.  We only came here to clean up.  They are flour and we are like salt.  If we fight and die, who will say this was a smart thing to do?  If we run away, we will lose our honour among the Singhs.  Abdali will think that we got scared, seeing him for the first time.  This will be a bad impression of us.  I have decided that it is best to fight and die here.”  Bhai Sukha Singh ji said to his Singhs: “it is not time to pull your foot back.  We will fight for our honour.  It is time for Shaheedi.  Fight and die.  Whoever wants to keep their lives, go back now.  Don’t run away later.”  The Singhs said: “how can we run away?  We eat in the same Sunehra as you.  We are your brothers.  We will become Shaheeds together.  We will be Shaheeds in the court.”  My Phupher, Jasgoria Singh was young.  He was there.  He was told to go back by the Singhs but he did not come back.  He fought and attained Shaheedi.  My father, Bhai Rai Singh ji, was young.  Bhai Sukha Singh ji sent him back to the Singhs.  My father Bhai Rai Singh ji came to Baba Shyaam Singh ji’s Dhera.  As my father came back, the gunshots began to fire.  The Singhs heard and saddled their horses.  Baba Shyaam Singh ji got ready and sent the army for help.  The guns, arrows and rifles fired.  They made the Gilzaas turn back.  They moved back, fearing the Singhs.  The Singhs stayed there.  One regiment was killed by Bhai Sukha Singh ji and his Singhs.  As they were killed, an army 4 times bigger came.  They were outnumbered like salt in flour.  Bhai Sukha Singh ji figured out that this must be Ahmed Shah and wanted to kill him.  Bhai Sukha Singh ji was cladded in chainmail and entered the lines of the Gilzaas.  He went alone and said: “where is your Shah Abdali?”  Both couldn’t understand each other.  They fought intensely.  Bhai Sukha Singh ji couldn’t find Abdali among the army.  He was very brave but was attacked by all the Gilzaas.  He killed hundreds before attaining Shaheedi in Shahdara, near the Ravi.  Bhai Sukha Singh ji was determined and went to Sach Khand.  Bhai Sukha Singh ji died.  The other Singhs went to Lahore.

When the Singhs went to Lahore, the citizens fired upon the Singhs.  When the Singhs were faced with trouble from both sides, the Khalsa was upset.  They came to the Dhera.  They came to Baba Shyaam Singh ji and discussed at night.  They decided to go to Majha, leaving Meer Manu and Abdali.  They said: “both Turks are corrupt.  We should loot them both and eat.”  It was 1810 Vikram when Bhai Sukha Singh ji attained Shaheedi, fighting the Kabuli Badshah.  The Singhs and the Turks could not meet.  When they would decide to meet, the Chandi would tear them apart.

Part 45 After the Shaheedi of Bhai Sukha Singh ji

If someone asks: “what did the Shah do after?  Was Lahore won or not?”  This is the answer: Divaan Kora Mal ji died in the same battle.  The Raja of Jaijovaan, Sangat Singh, died as well.  Meer Manu and Abdali fought for many months.  Nobody came from Delhi.  Rohaila raised issues in Delhi.  Abdali defeated Meer Manu.  Meer Manu folded his hands and put a cloth around his neck.  He didn’t run but joined Abdali instead.  [Abdali asked Meer Manu: “what shall I do with you?”  Meer Manu said: “if you are a butcher, kill me.  If you are a merchant, sell me.  If you are a Badshah, forgive me.”  Abdali forgave him and appointed Meer Manu as the Sooba of Lahore of his own kingdom] 50 Lakh Rupees were fined for Meer Manu.  Abdali made Meer Manu his own.  Abdali won Lahore for Afghanistan.  He then went on to take over Delhi as Meer Manu was now on his side.  He gave Nazeeb Khan Rohaila, Delhi.  Nazeeb Khan was now the Vizier.  The Mughals lost power in Delhi. 

Part 46 Sakhi of Doaba/ Adina Beg and Sodhi Vadhbhaag Singh

Many came to take over Delhi.  From the west (Pathaans) and the south (Mahrattas), they all fought and created chaos.  The 4^th Vizier of Delhi ran to the Mahrattas.  His name was Gaazdeen who had the title of Alkaab.  Malaar Rao Mahratta became his friend.  Gaazdeen came and lived there for many years.  He then made an attempt to attack Delhi.  He promised 1 Lakh to the Mahrattas plus 25,000 for each Dhera.  He succeeded in capturing Delhi.  Nazeeb Khan ran away to Nazeebgarh.  The Mahrattas took over Delhi.  Malaar Rao and Ragho Rao along with Hulkar Rao stayed in Delhi for a long time.  They didn’t go further than Delhi.  They didn’t come to Punjab, fearing the Gilzaas and the Sikhs.  Their Dhera did not go further north.  A year passed. 

Listen to what happened to Adina Beg.  He lost his home and lived in the mountains.  He had nothing to eat.  He remembered his land and took deep breaths while crying.  Without power, no task is complete.  It is like a weak merchant who gives and takes to make a living.  Without power, expenditure was difficult.  He thought about this day and night.  He saw no opportunity.  He tried many plans but nothing worked.  In his home, there was a Sikh that was close to him.  He said: “Baba Vadhbhaag Singh Sodhi (from the family of Dheermal), if you were to be his friend, he would bring Lakhs of Sikhs to you, right away.  [Baba Vadhbhaag Singh ji had Taali Sahib, Kartarpur under his control at one time.  Nassar Ali had looted Taali Sahib and killed many members of the Sodhi family.  Nassar Ali was the Soobadaar of Jalandhar].”  When the Navaab heard this, he was 4 times happier. 

It came upon the Singhs again.  Listen Gurmukh beloveds to what happened.  Baba Vadhbhaag Singh ji lived in the mountains after Nassar Ali took his land, when Kartarpur was attacked.  Baba Vadhbhaag Singh ji was left biting his hands.  There was nothing he could do.  He wanted to kill the Pathaans in Jalandhar: “till I don’t kill the Pathaans, who destroyed the Tham Sahib of our Guru, I won’t rest.”  This came out of his heart.  He removed his Pugri and swore he would tie it when he took revenge by destroying Jalandhar.  Adina Beg and Baba Vadbhaag Singh ji were upset at the Jalandhar Sooba.  They both met at that time like Sugreev met Sri Ram Chander ji.  Adina Beg lived in Rajpura.  The Langar of the Guru was present in the mountains.  Baba Vadhbhaag Singh ji would use his powers to possess ghosts and cast spells.  He had a huge following.  Both, Baba ji and the Navaab, were upset and in pain.  They were waiting for their times of joy.  Adina Beg was upset at losing the Sooba.  Baba Vadhbhgaag Singh ji was upset at Tham Sahib.  Adina Beg’s ambassador went to meet Baba Vadhbhaag Singh ji in the mountains.  Baba ji was eager to meet him.  They agreed to meet Adina Beg.  They agreed to meet in a middle point. 

Baba Vadhbhaag Singh ji came ahead of time.  The Navaab came quickly after.  Both got off their horses.  Adina Beg went to bow but Baba ji grabbed his hands.  Adina Beg said: “you are our Peer.”  The Guru said: “may your faith and presence remain stable.”  Both sat on the same bed.  They told each other of their problems and pains.  The Navaab said: “give me the land.  You are my Peer and I am your Mureed.”  Baba ji said: “what the Pathaans of Jalandhar did to Kartarpur, we will take revenge.  I will get you the Sooba.  Write with your hand that I will be allowed to destroy Jallandhar.  I will burn the body of Nassar Ali.  He burned the Tham Sahib.  I will burn him in the same way.  He killed cows in the Gurduara.  I will burn pigs in his home.  I will kill the Musllays of Jalandhar.  I don’t want you to stop me then.  As Nassar Ali picked up the Hindu women, I will take the Turk women.  I will have the Pathaanis marry Chooras.  Swear an oath and write this down.  I will give you Doaba.  I will take the Sooba and give it to you first.  After I will do as I wish.”  As Baba Vadhbhaag Singh ji said, Adina Beg agreed.  He swore upon the Quran and said: “I will stay steady on my honour.”

Baba Vadhbhaag Singh ji wrote to the Khalsa: “we are the family of the Guru and you are the Singhs of the Guru.  Come for the task of the Guru.  The Khalsa should come with all their belongings.”  The Navaab, Adina Beg made preparations.  He called the Pahari Rajas to fight.  He wrote to the Singhs as well: “I will go to Jalandhar.  I will come before you.  I will set up my Dhera at the foot of the mountains.”  The Gilzaas heard of this plan.  They came to Jalandhar to fight.  They set up their Dhera in Paachar.  Adina Beg got scared seeing the Gilzaas set up their Dhera.  He forgot to go ahead.  He wanted to move back from the foot of the mountain.  The Khalsa heard of this, Baba Jassa Singh ji Ahluwalia and Baba Karam Singh ji Paijgharia; they looted the Doaba and came close to Adina Beg.  As the Pathaans were a little way away, the Singhs said to Baba Jassa Singh ji: “we shouldn’t wait for Adina Beg.  We should win Jalandhar right now.”  The wise Singhs said: “let’s call the Navaab first.  We will make him fight first.  We will make Adina fight first and then we will kill the Gilzaas afterwards.  He wants to rule so he should fight first.”  When Adina Beg found out that the Khalsa had arrived, he was sure he got what he wanted.  He then came down from the mountains.  He got afraid of the Singhs thinking they may arrest him.  Baba Vadhbhaag Singh ji then said: “don’t be afraid of the Singhs.  They will help you.”  Baba ji gave him hope.  Adina Beg came to the Divaan of the Khalsa.  Baba Shyaam Singh ji and Baba Jassa Singh ji Ahluwalia met with the Mughal.  They were very radiant and great beings, the Singhs.  Baba Shyaam Singh ji was very strong.  He was able to take Pathaans and crush their heads against a tree.  Baba Jassa Singh ji was just as strong.  Adina Beg was surprised to see such strong Singhs.  He gave gifts to the Singhs and was given a Tankhaa.  Adina Beg said: “I have faith in the Guru.  Kill the Kabuli in the morning so our task is fulfilled.”  The Khalsa laughed and said: “we won’t come together to fight.  When the Khalsa’s sword comes up, it won’t recognize anyone.”  The Navaab then said: “my soldiers will have a piece of green wheat leaf in their turbans/helmets.”  The Khalsa accepted this and said: “we will recognize your people like this and leave them.”  The soldiers of Adina Beg were told to put pieces of wheat in their Pugris. 

The Dhera left to fight the battle.  The preparations were made.  The Pathaans were far away.  They aimed their canons for the other army.  Swivel guns were aimed.  The mounted soldiers were in the middle.  They made their preparations.  Adina Beg prepared his soldiers.  His soldiers couldn’t tolerate the canons.  The Singhs were at the back.  Adina Beg went to the Singhs and told them to come.  The Singhs only came in few numbers.  Adina Beg’s soldiers moved back.  Many were killed by the canons.  They were weak in battle.  Adina Beg was worried.  He sent a messenger to Baba Jassa Singh ji, saying: “have you not come yet?  We are dying.”  The Khalsa responded: “we fight when we wish to.  Our timing is different.  We will have Sukha first and then go to the Kabba (washroom).  Then we will come.  The Khalsa will tie their Pagris and recite Bani.  Our Guru will come behind us and we will shout the Fateh Jaikaras.”  By this time, the Singhs got ready.  They drank Sukha and picked up their weapons.  The Nihangs came to the front.  This was the battle of the Dharam.  Nassar Ali had destroyed the place of the Guru, Tham Sahib.  The Singhs came to the front and attacked.  They Gilzaas charged hard.  The Navaab then thought: “the Khalsa didn’t do so well.”  Baba Shyaam Singh ji and Baba Karam Singh ji Paijgharia took a bath and got ready.  They recited Bani and fastened their weapons.  They mounted their horses and went to fight to take the revenge for Tham Sahib.  They didn’t think of turning back.  They wore chainmail on their bodies and had Chakkars on their Dumalas.  They had their swords and shields.  They came on their horses.  Their soldiers came with them.  They went where the Gilzaas were strong.  They were powerful soldiers.  Their Shasters are kept at Akaal Takhat today.  Nassar Ali sent his Hariawal Dasta to fight, which were the best of the best.  The Singhs saw the Hariawal Dasta and attacked them.  The Singhs got ready with their swords.  They cut the heads of the Pathaans.  The heads came off along with the helmets.  Baba Karam Singh ji attacked like a hawk upon sparrows.  The Khalsa attacked hard.  They swung their swords and moved the Pathaans.  They came to the canons and fired their rifles.  Metal coins were put in the canons to fire, which scattered.  Many Singhs died.  The Singhs took over some posts.  They fired their rifles all at once.  Around 100 rifles fired at once.  Many Pathaans fell at once.  Some ran away to hide their heads.  Camel rifles were fired.  The Pathaans ran away to their Dheras.  Adina Beg saw the victory of the Khalsa.  The Nishans were hoisted as a sign of victory.  Adina Beg sent his men to the Singhs saying: “Singh ji, you have won.  Don’t run ahead now.  It is night now, set up your Dhera here.  Let the Pathaans run.  You shouldn’t run after dogs.  This is the strategy of battle.  A caught thief and snake can bite while running away.  It is not good to run after an army running away.  They may strike back.  If a soldier gets hurt, we won’t meet them again.  We just needed to win.  The Guru gave this to us.”  The Singhs accepted this.  The Pathaans ran away.  It was night then.  Such was the battle.  The Pathaans ran away as they were surrounded. 

The clever Singhs decided to chase the Gilzaas at night.  When the Singhs saw the Gilzaas leave, they figured that they were heading to Jalandhar.  It was a bright moon-lit night.  The Singhs got news and played the Nagaras.  The Singhs looted the running army.  They took what they could find.  They took their horses.  The hungry Singhs ate the food.  Adina Beg was sent a message: “the loot is ours.  If your men loot the Pathaans, we will loot them.  We will kill who we need to.”  Adina Beg didn’t argue.  The Singhs destroyed the Dhera of the Gilzaas.  Sar Baland Khan ran away at midnight.  He couldn’t take his carts because the Singhs looted him.  He went to Jalandhar but didn’t stay there as he had nothing with him.  The Singhs were after him, not too far away.  His horses drowned in the river.  They had to run away bare feet.  There was chaos in Jalandhar.  Thieves came and looted.  The Singhs took over Jalandhar and looted everyone there.  They kicked the thieves out.  They looted the Pathaans.  The whole Dal Khalsa came to Jalandhar as well.  They first looted the villages.  The Turks came to Adina Beg and said: “take money but stop the looting.”  1 Crore Rupees were given.  They said: “don’t let the Singhs loot us.”  Adina Beg went to Baba Jassa Singh ji Ahluwalia in secret.  He didn’t want the Khalsa to know.  He said: “I won’t say anything to Baba Vadhbhaag Singh ji to not let him loot.  We should save Jalandhar as we can.  Take money as you can, without worries.”  Baba Jassa Singh ji had the Nagara played to stop the looting.  Baba Vadhbhaag Singh ji found out about the agreement.  He called the Sarbat Khalsa.  He had a Divaan in one place.  Baba Vadhbhaag Singh ji Sodhi then said in anger: “is there anyone who can save Jalandhar today?”  He pulled out his Kataar and said: “I will kill him right now!  Then I will die.”  The Khalsa stood up and folded their hands.  They said: “who can reverse your words.”  The Nagaras were played.  The Khalsa said: “if Adina Beg wants to save them, we will loot him first.”  Adina Beg heard this and thought: “I hope I don’t get looted.”  He had the Nagara played as well.  He came to the Khalsa in fear.  He stood in front of Baba Vadhbhaag Singh ji and said: “tell me where I should attack from.  I took money and brought it for Karah Parshaad.”  Baba Vadhbhaag Singh ji spoke in anger: “I will kill the Pathaans!  I will burn the dead body of Nassar Ali.  I will do everything else later.”  Baba Vadhbhaag Singh ji said to the Khalsa: “the Sikhs of Guru Arjan Dev ji, take revenge for the Gurduara.  The Sikh Mureeds should take the Turkanis and keep them in their homes.  This is my command.”  He said to Adina Beg: “you should stay in your Dhera.  Who knows what will happen if you come out.  Someone may kill you in all this.”  Adina Beg said: “I am only your Sikh now.  I am your haircut Sikh.  You can keep me as you wish.”  The Khalsa attacked the city.  They came into the city and did a lot of killing to avenge the killing and destruction of Tham Sahib.  They did this at the command of Baba Vadhbhaag Singh ji.  The Pathaans had destroyed the Tham Sahib Gurduara, killed the women and children; slaughtered cows at the Gurduara.  Baba Vadhbhaag Singh ji had a lot of anger inside of him due to this.  He destroyed Jalandhar for this reason.  They left anyone with the traditional lock of hair worn by devout Hindus known as the Bodhi.  The ones without Bodhis were cut and killed.  As Baba Vadhbhaag Singh ji said, the Singhs obeyed.  He took Nassar Ali out of his grave and put a piece of pig meat in his mouth.  He then burnt his body.  The women of the Mughals, Pathaans, Sheikhs and Syeds; they were taken by the Rangretas.  There was a Brahman Sikh named Saroop Singh who was from Chinaarthal.  Baba Vadhbhaag Singh ji said to him: “keep the Turkanis in your home.  Whoever keeps the Turkanis from Jalandhar, I will protect them here and in the great court.”  When the Khalsa held the Dhera at Bhadhso Village, Saroop Singh obeyed the words of the Sodhi Baba.  The other Singhs did not.  Adina Beg brought 1 Lakh Rupees and gave 1,000 for the Karah Prashaad.  The rest was for the expenditure of the Singhs.  Baba Shyaam Singh ji took the money.  He did the Karah and did the Ardaas.  When the Navaab put the Karah in his mouth, he said: “Dhan Nanak Guru.  I am old and this is excellent for us to eat without teeth.  Guru Nanak Dev ji brought this from the Bahist (Heaven).  I will give 25,000 more for the Karah Prashaad.”  He gave 125,000 from Doaba to the Singhs every year.  He had the looting stopped because he wanted to rule the area.  He made a partnership with the Khalsa.  The Khalsa was to rule half of the Doaba: Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and other areas.  This was 1813 Vikram.  Such was the Sakhi of what happened to the Khalsa.

Part 47 Sakhi of Mahrattas and the Khalsa

The Mughals of Delhi, they were stuck in Delhi.  They were afraid to come out.  Ahmed Shah Abdali’s men were keeping a strict eye on Delhi.  The Badshah was under strict watch.  When the Pathaans heard of Buland Khan running away, they were upset.  Gaazdeen was happy and called the Marhathas.  He gave them 1 Lakh and took them towards Sirhind.  Shamund Khan was ready to fight the Mahrattas.  They had a fierce battle.  Shamund Khan didn’t let the Marhathas come into the city.  They fought for many days and got tired.  Adina Beg said to the Vizier: “without the Singhs, Shamund Khan won’t die.”  Gaazdeen said: “give them money and call them.  Speak to the Singhs.”  Adina Beg sent Sadeek Beg to the Singhs.  He brought the Singhs.  The Singhs said: “we won’t take money.  We will kill the Gilzaas.  We will loot the city of Sirhind though.  If you let us do this, we will bring the Singhs right away.  If you want to kill the lion, light the jungle on fire.  The lion will die.  If the city is looted, the fort will be destroyed as well.”  The Singhs had their loot forgiven.  The Turks swore upon the Quran for this.  The Singhs set up their Dhera in Punjabi Bhaag.  They attacked Sirhind.  The Guru’s command, it was now obeyed.  Guru Gobind Singh ji had commanded to destroy and loot the city of Sirhind.  The Singhs destroyed the city with deep emotions.  This was the place that murdered the young sons of Guru Gobind Singh ji.  This place was to be destroyed and ruined many times.  The Singhs had hatred for this city.  They destroyed it like Lanka was attacked by the army of Ram Chander ji.  The Singhs ran and climbed the walls.  They climbed the towers to destroy it.  When the Singhs came inside of the main fort, the Gilzaas couldn’t stay standing in front.  They couldn’t tolerate the emotion of the Singhs attacking.  Whoever came in front of the Singhs, they were killed.  The Gilzaas lost in this way.  The Singhs looted the city.  This was an emotional battle for the Singhs.  The Shaheedi of the Sahibzadas was their energy source.  The Singhs looted all of the good things in the city and brought it back to their Dheras.  The second day was when the Marhathas looted.  The Singhs came again on the second day.  The Singhs and Marhathas began fighting each other over the looting.  The Singhs looted the Marhathas.  The Marhathas then decided to loot the Dhera of the Singhs: “when the Singhs loot the city, there will be a few Singhs at their Dhera.  We will loot them then.  Otherwise the Singhs will bother us.”  Adina Beg heard of this and told the Singhs: “our promises have been fulfilled.  Go back to your Dhera now and leave from here now, otherwise if you go to the city, the Marhathas will loot your Dhera.  Be alert.”  The Singhs did so.  They left Sirhind in the afternoon.  The Marhathas just stood there watching.  As soon as the Singhs were leaving, the Marhathas came to loot them.  The Singhs were ready for them.  They faced Majha and left.  They kept shooting back.  The Marhathas came about 3 km, up to Khanna.  The Singhs then turned around and attacked the Marhathas.  They fired all of their guns.  They killed many of the Marhathas.  The Marhathas retreated.  The Singhs took their horses and weapons.  Whoever had a spear, the Singhs shot them and took their spears and horses.  Whoever stayed in front, they were killed by the Singhs.

The dark night came and the Marhathas came back, empty-handed to Sirhind.  The Singhs who were marksmen, they killed the Marhathas like hawks hunting sparrows.  They went to Majha the next day to fulfill their tasks.  They came to Lahore and rested.  The Singhs looted the cities of the Turks.  Shamund Khan, the Sooba of Sirhind, lost.  The Marhathas didn’t let him run away.  They caught him after a little distance.  The Marhathas then attacked Lahore but the Singhs had already caused chaos in Lahore.  Tamoor Shah, the son of Abdali was the Governor of Lahore.  He saw the Singhs and the Marhathas come and so he ran away towards Kabul.  Lahore and Multan were now empty of rule.  The Gilzaas did not stay out of fear.  They crossed Attock and then rested.  The Singhs and Mughals remained in Punjab.  The Pathaans were gone.  The Marhathas were the employees of the Mughals.  Jhunkar Rai was the leader of the Marhathas.  Tukka Mal, Halkar Rao and Rago Rao remained.  The Singhs and the Marhathas were in conflict.  There was no battle, but had small fights.  The Singhs were always after the Mughals.

The Singhs began to construct Qilas.  Charat Singh ji made the Gujranwala Qila.  The Singhs began to collect taxes.  The Singhs finally began to breathe easy.  This was 1756 CE.  The Mughals began to turn away from the Singhs.  The power of the Satguru was great.  The Mughals understood the glory of the Satguru as they began to praise the Singhs.  The sparrows had indeed broken the hawks; the rabbits killed the lion.  The Mughals saw the Singhs as great warriors.  The Singhs killed the Pathaans and made them run away.  The Mughals figured that the Singhs helped them: “we are brothers of the same land.  They helped us drive the Pathaans out.”  The Singhs looked at the Marhathas with cutting eyes.  The Mughals hid behind the Singhs when it came to controlling the Marhathas.  Adina Beg was surrounded by the Marhathas at one time.  Patail of the Marhathas looted Adina Beg’s area.

Part 48 Sakhi of Mughal Sadeek Beg

In 1815 Vikram, the Khalsa’s Dhera was at Raipur, Gujjarwal.  Holla Mohalla had come and the Singhs wanted to go to Anandpur.  20,000 Singhs got ready.  Jathedaar Tara Singh Dallaywalia was the leader of those Singhs.  Sadeek Beg was in Sirhind.  He had promised the Singhs to pay them yearly.  The Khalsa sent their ambassadors to Sirhind to collect money from Sadeek Beg.  Sadeek Beg refused to pay.  The Khalsa remembered this.  They didn’t like this as he had promised to pay them for winning Sirhind.  The Singhs took the path to Sirhind to go to Anandpur.  The Singhs decided to attack Sadeeka Beg.  They saw the harvested crops that were ready for tax payments.  The Singhs attacked the tax collecting army.  The tax collectors saw the huge army of the Singhs and ran away.  They saw trouble and ran away.  The Singhs took the crops.  The Akaalis attacked the army and looted them.  They then played Holla at Anandpur. 

When Sadeek Beg heard of this, he prepared his army and attacked the Dhera at Saivaal.  Canons and rifles were fired.  The Singhs were not ready as most of the army was gone to Anandpur Sahib.  Many Singhs at Saivaal died.  Most of the Singhs were not there at that time as they were gone to get grass and wood.  The Singhs were all separated at that time.  They couldn’t tolerate the attack.  They got up and ran away without their shoes.  Some when into the villages.  The Sardars of the Misls, the Singhpurias, Ahluwalias, Dallaywalia, Sangat Singh Nishaanavaals, Nihang Shaheeds and Sodhi Akaalis, Shyaam Singh, Karor Singh; were all surrounded in the village of Saivaal.  5 Misls were in Majha.  The Vaheer was in different places.  They all made preparations and set up their posts.  The Sardars fought for 3 hours.  They tolerated it.  When the canons came, they were fired with coins.  The Singhs couldn’t hold the line.  They retreated with pain.  The luggage remained.  They couldn’t take it as they needed to save their lives. 

When the Singhs rode about 2 or 3 Kos, they got angry and turned around to fight.  They figured that the Turks weren’t going to leave them and turned around to fight again.  The canons and swivel guns of the Turks were far.  The Singhs killed with their rifles.  They shot the horses of the Turks first.  They then cut the heads of the Turks.  The Sardars decided to kill the Turks.  They charged with their rifles, arrows and spears.  They surprised the Turks.  They made them run away.  The Singhs took the canons and gathered their injured Singhs.  Many Sikhs were in the village.  Some got lost.  They all gathered again.  The injured were found.  The Singhs took the injured.  The Sardars were injured a lot.  Some had one or two strikes.  They stood and showed each other.  They bandaged each other up.  The Singhs stood.  Baba Jassa Singh ji Ahluwalia had two wounds.  He was injured and so headed towards Daroli near Moga.  He set up his Dhera there till he was better. 

Sadeeka sent gifts for the Singhs afterwards.  He was afraid that Baba Jassa Singh ji may call more Singhs and attack Sirhind from Moga.  Sadeek Beg called for a truce with the Singhs.  He gave what he promised.  He said: “I have paid what I owed.  We are brothers of the land.  Please don’t be angry.  The crops that you looted, I won’t think about it.  Forget about our attack as well.”  The Singhs said: “this is our daily thing.  We fight and kill Turks everyday.  You didn’t send us our income on time.  For this reason, the Khalsa looted you because we needed it for Holla Mohalla.  That’s why we looted you.  Don’t try to cheat the Khalsa going forward.  Otherwise the Singhs won’t stop from looting.”  The Singhs sent their messenger to patch the truce up.  More was given than what was promised to the Singhs.  In 1815 Vikram, such was the event that happened.  The glory of the Singhs grew by the day.  Their rule was growing by the Raakhi system extending among the villages.

Part 49 Sakhi of Gaazdeen Vizier

The Singhs joined the Marhathas and kicked out the Kabuli Shah.  The Marhathas spread out far and took hold of Delhi and Lahore.  The Navaab of Lahore heard that Gaazdeen, the Vizier of Delhi, wanted to come to Lahore.  He got scared and wanted to pay Gaazdeen so he goes back.  They decided to give the proposal of one of their girls to him.  The Shah of Delhi was lazy.  Gaazdeen was the Vizier who had becoming popular.  He became egotistical.  He called Gang Bhatt, a famous poet, and said: “make glories about me.  You call me the greatest Vizier of the 4 Viziers of Delhi.  I have the title of Banra (the groom) from the Shah.  Hindustan is not radiant without me.  I will be the Badshah one day.”  Gang Bhatt said: “I can’t lie.  I can only speak the truth.  I can sacrifice my life for the truth.  The court Bhatts of the past lost their lives but did not lie.  I will say what is the truth.  I will give my life for it.

Gang Vaach..

The groom title was in fact a bride who made Malhaar Marhatha its master.

Nothing of the Jaat (Jawahar Mal) was harmed, in this way he looted the whole world.”

Gaazdeen heard this and got angry and got the Bhatt killed by an elephant.  As Gang Bhatt died, what he said, it spread in the world: “the eunuchs never go to the battlefield nor do their Nagaras ever beat.”  He said: “Ram Ram,” to the court, and left his body.  This problem fell upon Gaazdeen.  His companions, the Marhathas were also cursed because of the killing of the Bhatt.  Listen on ahead about Bisvaas Rao.

Part 50 The Sakhi of the all the Turks

The Gilzaas lost Hindustan.  Their rule was only in Attock and Kashmir.  They lost Delhi and Jalandhar.  Ahmed Shah Abdali made plans to take Hindustan again.  His son, Tamoor Shah, left Lahore.  There was a fire in his belly since then.  Ahmed Shah brought an army of 300,000.  He came in 1815 Vikram.  He killed the Marhathas and made their leaders go away.  He killed them and made them run away.  Without Delhi, the Marhathas had no other post.  The Junkoo Jatt, Jawahar Mal, the Marhathas went there.  The Muslims: Mughals and Pathaan got together; seeing their opportunity.  The Mughals and Pathaans became one and had a single vision.  They both got together and made plans to kick the Marhathas out from the land: “they are bad for Muslims.”  The Muslims made oaths.  The 3 Viziers of Hindustan and Ahmed Shah made treaties.  They attacked Mathura and killed many Hindus.  They took over the fort of Koyal (Aligarh).  The Marhathas lost their honour.