Part 56 Aalis Singh’s two Sons died, the Banda Blesses him with two more Sons

One day, Bhai Aali Singh ji came to the Banda.  When the Banda saw him, he shook his head and looked away.  Bhai Aali Singh ji folded his two hands and said: “Sire, why did you look away from me?  I am really worried.  What mistake did I do?”  Baba Banda Singh ji then spoke: “your sons will die 22 days from now.  One will be hit with a bullet in the head and the other will die by some other reason.”  Bhai Aali Singh ji got worried and began protecting his sons. 

After 22 days, Bhai Aali Singh ji called his sons to his tent.  In the piles of dirt, there was a target board that the Singhs were using.  The Singhs did their target practice.  Destiny took over.  One of the sons got up and looked towards the stand of one of the target discs.  When he came out, one bullet hit the boy in the head.  Destiny cannot be avoided.  The son’s name was Khanoo Singh.  The other son was named Maan Singh.  He died as well.  They were twins.  Baba Banda Singh ji called Bhai Aali Singh ji and said to him: “kill the person who killed your son.”  When Baba Banda Singh ji said this, Bhai Aali Singh ji responded: “nobody killed my sons.  They lived out their ages and died.  Who can I blame for that?  Nobody grabbed him to kill him.  It was an accident.  I can’t blame anyone.”  Baba Banda Singh ji became compassionate and said: “I will bless you with another pair of sons.  They will be twins as well.”  Bhai Aali Singh ji had twin sons.  One was Mahi Singh and the other was Balo Singh.

Part 57 Deep Singh Given Teeth by the Banda

There was a Deep Singh that lived in Chukohay (not to be confused with Baba Deep Singh ji, Jathedaar Misl Shaheedan Tarna Dal).  He couldn’t chew grains because he had no teeth.  How he was givne teeth, I will tell you.  One day, during the Divaan of the Khalsa, somebody brought cholay.  The other Singhs ate cholay except for one young Singh, Deep Singh.  Everyone asked: “why isn’t Deep Singh eating the cholay?”  Baba Banda Singh ji looked at him and said: “why aren’t you eating the cholay?”  Deep Singh said: “I have no molars.  I can’t eat these grains.”  The Banda said: “I will give you molars.”  Deep Singh put some cholay in his mouth and chewed.  The molars came.  He was able to eat again.  Such miracles Baba Banda Singh ji showed.  Many people came to the Banda to bow.  He showed a lot of his powers.  I’ve only spoken about what I have heard of.

Part 57 The flags of the Turks in Panipat

There was an Aslam Khan who was the Sooba of Lahore.  He was afraid and did not leave Lahore.  He was worried, day and night.  He trembled in fear from Baba Banda Singh ji Bahadhur.  People would say to him: “the Banda is an Avatar who will kill all of the Turks.”  Hearing this, the Turks were afraid.  These types of talks were spoken of, in every direction.  The Turks would hear this and stay in their homes, afraid.  They thought: “we hope he doesn’t come to our home and kill us.  The Banda is a bad thing.”  The Badshah was afraid as well.  His Viziers were afraid as well.  Nobody would fill in the open positions of the killed Soobadaars.  Nobody had the courage to walk towards the Banda.  The Nishans were hoisted in Panipat.  The Turks did not dare cross that area, even though it was unattended.  No Turk was seen in and around the area.  The Khalsa set up the Bungas in Amritsar.  Nobody could remove them now.

Part 58 Attacking Kahloor

When the Punjab was won by the Banda, he then headed towards the Pahari area.  He set up the Dhera at Kiratpur.  Some army was kept at Anandpur.  He said: “now that we have won Punjab, now we should attack the Pahari area and destroy it.  Joy to the friends and pain to the enemies.  Let’s see who is satiated and who is hungry.  We will see who is friend and who is foe.  Whoever gave pain to the Satguru, let’s make them pay for the debt.  The Kahlooris did a lot of bad things.  They bothered the Guru the most.  The Kahloor Raja is the one that made the conflict grow.  He went to Delhi to complain.  He complained to the emperor many times about Guru ji.  They made Parwanas written to Delhi, Lahore and Sirhind.  All of the Turk Soobas were brought by the Kahlooris.  The army of a million that was stationed in Kandahar, it was the Kahloor Raja that had the order written out to bring them to attack Guru ji.  They had the Sahibzadas killed.  They gave pain to the Guru.  Let’s kill Kahloor first and then loot Bilaspur.  The Sevan Dharas will be mixed into the dust.  Whoever is a Sikh, they will be protected.”  The Banda sent a letter to the Raja of Kahloor: “either accept our rule and become our subjects.  Otherwise, fight us!  I am coming to loot the Paharis.  The Guru told me to destroy the Seven Dharas.  Do whatever you can do to protect yourselves.  I will kill you by playing the Dhols and Nagaras.”  The Rajas read the letter and became egotistical, responding: “we live in the mountains.  We are really high.  Mantras and Jantras don’t work on us.  Many Devatas and Devis live in the Pahari areas.  What can Jatt Boots soldiers do to us?  Nobody can stay in front of our Tegh.  The Guru that sent you, look at what hands we touched him with.  Without climbing the mountains, your power won’t finish.”  Kahiloori said this. 

Baba Banda Singh ji when to Jejho and set up camp.  He made a platform there and called the people of the area.  He said to them: “tell me what pain and joy you have.  We have come to take the rule from the Paharis.  We will make the Devatas and Devis illuminate here at the Nishan of the Khalsa.”  Many upset people came there to complain to Baba Banda Singh ji.  Baba ji relieved them of their pains and conflicts.  He gave them milk, son and the wishes of their hearts.  The Raja of Kahloor got worried seeing this as their taxes were stopped.  He wrote to the Sooba of Jalandhar: “another has come here as a prey to hunt.  Let’s get together to loot and kill him.  He is raw still.  If he becomes solid then he will kill us.  As we bothered Guru Gobind Singh ji by sending 1,000,000 soldiers and kicking him out; he sent his child that stays here.  He will attack us as well.  He calls himself a Guru with powers as well.  We have heard that he is just a Rasayani though.  He either has a Paras or he uses a Porus (Rasayan).  He is able to take out gold coins whenever he wishes.  He seems to be an alchemist.  We should arrest him.  Only then will we Paharis be successful.  The mountains are treasures of metal.  We can make gold when we take his Paras.  The Rasayan that he has, we will make him teach us and only then will we release him.  If he doesn’t have the Paras or the Rasayan, how else does he make so much gold?  Otherwise he must deal with kings by which he spends and eats.”  The other Rajas heard this and came to Kahloor.  If they couldn’t come themselves, they sent their Viziers.  They came and made some strategies on how to catch the Banda, alive.  They wanted to take the Paras from him and learn about the Rasayans he knew.  They said: “if we kill him, who will show us how to make the Rasayans?  We need to catch him with deceit.  We shouldn’t fight him first.”  Some said: “he kills.”  Some said: “save yourselves from him.”  Some said: “kill him in the battlefield.  Surround him and don’t let him escape.”  As they wished, they spoke.  There were as many ideas as there were mouths. 

Listen on about the Banda: the Banda called all of the Pahari Rajas and their Viziers.  Only the Viziers came.  The Banda called them and said: “you are being haste.  You want to arrest me or kill me.  Don’t plan anything of the sorts.  If you become hasty, you won’t survive.  Do something to save yourselves.  If you want to call the emperor’s army to kill me, I have already defeated them.  You are hiding and strategizing.  Nothing is hidden from me.  I know everything.  You want to kill me.  If you fight me, you will remain dead on the field.  The Paras and Rasayan you want from me, I will come alone.  You still won’t be able to catch me.  You can’t deceive me or catch me.  You can call me to your home.  You still won’t be able to catch me.  The plans you are making in hiding, I already told you everything.”  The Viziers then said: “the powers you speak about, we have many such students in our lands.”  The Banda said: “you can have them fight one of my Singhs then.  I promise you: bring, of your such, 5 powerful people and I will bring one of my Singhs.  They can fight the Singh.”  The Viziers said: “if we win, what will you give us?  If we lose, what will you take?  Write it down what you will do.”  The Banda wrote it down right away: “if you win, your poverty will be gone.  How much money you wish for, I will give you millions.  I will give you the Paras and Rasayan to make gold.  I will give you diamonds and pearls.”  The Banda put his hand in his wallet and took out diamonds and pearls.  He then said: “if I win, you will become my subjects.  I will collect taxes from you then.  The taxes you give to Delhi will then come to me only.  What will be the cost of your mother?  I will take your kingdom with my power.  You can take this written note.  I don’t need one.  I will take everything with my strength.  Look at this promise first.  I will give you other chances than this.”  The Viziers took the signed note back to the Rajas.  They were to gather 5 strong people and send them to the Singhs.  The Paharis did so.  They sent 5 strong warriors.  They were Meeyas who were really tall.  Many other soldiers were sent with the 5.  They were afraid that the Banda would deceive them. 

Baba Banda Singh ji called for 5 Singhs.  He called them and asked them: “what do you think?  What do you want to do?”  Bhai Bhagar Singh ji came ahead with a spear in his head.  The Banda patted him on the back.  He filled him with power like Angad, the son of Baali.  Bhai Bhagar Singh ji then said: “you don’t need 5 Singhs.  The Paharis can bring the 500 they brought with them.  I can take them all.  The Satguru has said: “I will make one of my beloveds fight 1.25 Lakhs.”  The 5 Paharis came ahead.  Bhai Bhagar Singh ji came forward.  He stood in the middle of the field and said the Fateh of the Sri Satguru.  He put his foot forwards and planted it into the ground.  He challenged the Paharis like Angad challenged the people in Ravan’s court: “pick up my foot first.  We can see what you want to do after.  You can all come.”  The Paharis said: “you want to make us touch your feet first?  You should wrestle us first.”  Bhai Bhagar Singh ji said: “let’s wrestle then.”  He put his hands forward.  The strongest of the Paharis came ahead.  He put his hands forwards to lock the Singh’s hands.  The Pahari suffered as the Singh squeezed his hands.  He suffered like a fish out of water.  The Singh only squeezed with one hand.  He broke the Paharis hands.  His bones were crushed.  He began to scream in pain: “hai hai!  Let me go Khalsa!  I come to your shelter!”  Bhai Bhagar Singh ji let him go and said: “that’s why I wanted you to grab my foot.  If you wouldn’t been able to pick up my foot, you wouldn’t have broken anything at least.  You would have stayed whole if you touched my foot.  Someone else can touch my foot now.”  One by one, the Paharis tried lifting Bhai Bhagar Singh ji’s foot.  The fifth just sat there with his broken hand.  The four Paharis tried together.  They couldn’t move the Singh’s foot.  As they tried to pick up his foot, the foot went deeper into the ground.  It was like Angad’s food in the Lanka.  Bhai Bhagar Singh ji said: “all of you can come now.”  The Paharis were embarrassed and went back to their Dheras.  They ran back like goats escaping from a lion.

The Banda said to the Paharis: “I will give you another chance.  I will plant a Nishan here.  You can all use your strength to pull it out.”  The Viziers accepted this.  They said: “the Nishan should be far from here.  The Rajas will then come to see this.  Truth and false will be tested.”  The Banda then said: “you can all come with your Tulwars.  If you can’t pull the Nishans, you can then cut it with your swords.  If you can’t cut that, cut the strings then.  Consider this, if you swing your sword to cut the string, be careful it doesn’t cut your heads.”  The Viziers said this to the Rajas.  The Banda planted a Nishan, far from his Dhera.  The Rajas were surprised to hear this.  They said: “the Banda can make illusions.”  They called the people to make the Devis and Devatas happy.  They read Jantras and Mantras.  They wanted to wait for around 11 am.  The Tantrics said: “the Banda’s Mantras will expire by then.  Our Mantras will be fresh.  We will go tomorrow to cut the strings.”  Baba Banda Singh ji could sense what they wanted to do.  He said: “they want to come at night to do this.  They are trying to deceive us.”  He sent the message back: “if you want to come at night, go ahead.”  The deceivers came at night.  They used all of their strengths and used all of their strategies.  The Nishans did not move.  To cut the ropes, they swung their Tulwars but the Tulwars came close to their necks.  They put their swords back into their sheaths.  They bowed to the Nishans and stood back.  They told others to try.  They wanted everyone to try.  They all became embarrassed as they all failed.  They lowered their necks like women.  As the people failed in the court of Janak to pick up the bow of Shiva, that’s how the Paharis were embarrassed.  The Rajas got tired, using their strength.  The Raja of Kahloor then said: “let’s go to the fort to prepare for war.  Take as many armies as you can.  Call the other 22 Rajas.  Elephants were stood in front of the fort.  Baba Banda Singh ji said: “my Bhagar Singh will shoot one arrow and destroy everything.”  The Vizier of Mandi was also with Baba Banda Singh ji.  Baba Banda Singh ji said to the Vizier: “tell your Raja that fire will come from the sky tomorrow and burn his palace.  Tell your Raja to prepare for that.  Keep water in the palace.  The poor people’s homes will be safe.  The Raja’s home will burn though.”  The Vizier heard this and told his Raja.  At night, Raja Sidh Sains’s palace caught on fire.  It was windy so the fire spread.  As the fire headed towards the town, it rained and the fire was out.  Raja Sidh Sain got worried.  He saw the miracle of the Banda.  He called his Vizier and army that were gone with the Kahloor Raja, back.  He said: “we won’t be able to fight the Banda.  I have faith on the Guru and on his Banda.”  The Raja of Mandi wanted to meet the Banda.  His army came back from Kahloor. 

Part 59 The Fort of Kahloor Broken by 5 Singhs

Listen on ahead what happened to the Kahlooris, what their heads had to suffer.  1300 Meeyas and Cheeyas were killed.  I will tell you how.  The Banda said to the Kahiloori Viziers: “you saw our powers.  Show me yours.  Take a fort of yours and arm it.  The Jalandhar Sooba and the 22 armies should be inside.  5 Bhujhangis will come and destroy it.  If they win, you will leave the Pahari areas.  That is, if you survive; leave the Pahari areas then.  If we don’t win, we will leave the area.  I will give you what you ask for.  Let’s have this as an agreement.”  The Kahiloori Raja did so.  The biggest fort of Kahloor was fortified.  Darols, Majeroos, Nagloos, Nanday, Sohals, Jhandwals, Kanet, Dichayn, Chilahalays, Bhallars, Pammays and Dhadhwals; 1,300 of the Meeyas and Cheeyas Rajputs went into the fort.  Seven shields were plated on the elephants and placed at the gate.  It was like Kans placing the Kavalia elephant to kill Krishan ji.  Kavalia had the strength of 18,000 elephants.  The Kahlooris gave alcohol to the elephants.  The Mohavats were given a lot of money to kill the Singhs: “when the Singhs come, kill them with the elephants.”  The Rajas and the other smaller kings were seated around the fort.  Bullets and gunpowder were given to all along with payments for costs. 

Baba Banda Singh ji picked 5 Singhs and got them ready.  He gave them his power with his words; by the power given to him by Guru ji.  The 5 Singhs were: Bhai Bagar Singh ji, Bhai Kehar Singh ji, Bhai Ranjit Singh ji, Bhai Ranjor Singh ji and Bhai Bajjar Singh ji.  A lot of other Singhs got ready without being told to.  Baba Banda Singh ji called upon the 5 Singhs and said: “death won’t touch you.  No weapon will touch you.  I will give you the Amog arrows of the Guru.  They never miss.  Whatever wish you have in your hearts, your tasks will be fulfilled.”  He said to Bhai Bagar Singh ji: “kill the army on the way.  Kehar Singh, kill the elephants.  Use one arrow to kill them all.  Ranjor Singh and Ranjit Singh, kill the other elephants.  Every Singh is to use one of these arrows and show the unique power they have.  Bajjar Singh, you are to release one arrow as well.  Destroy the 4 sides of the main gate.”  The 5 Singhs got up to go.  The Panth found out and then they all made noise.  The Panth came to the Banda and said: “you made us fight to death but now is the time for victory.  Why are you only sending the 5?  Why are we standing here, useless?  We will go with them too!  The Panth will charge after them.”  The Banda said: “go and charge!”  The 5 Singhs first went to the fort.  The army that met them on the way, they stepped back and didn’t fight the Singhs.  They said: “let these problems go.  Why should we engage them?”  Bhai Kehar Singh ji was ahead with two other Singhs.  All of them released one arrow.  The 7 elephants were killed, piercing the 7 layers of iron plates.  Bhai Bajjar Singh ji then went on ahead.  With one arrow, he broke the main gate.  All 4 hinges were broken.  There was chaos in the fort.  The Khalsa reached in that time and broke through the main gate.  They cut whoever they saw.  They surrounded the ones who tried to run away.  The Singhs came into the fort like they knew it well.  Some of the Singhs were with Guru Gobind Singh ji and knew the fort well.  The Singhs took their swords and sliced the Rajputs in two.  Whatever the Rajputs had, the Singhs took.  Baba Banda Singh ji came into the fort.  The Raja of Kahloor ran away.  His army ran away too.  Baba ji let them run away.  1,300 Kahlooris were killed by the Khalsa.  13 huge graves were dug there.  The dead bodies were buried by the 100. 

Baba Banda Singh ji then headed towards Bilaspur.  They looted and killed.  The 7 Dharas heard of the news.  Kahloor was already the strongest.  The 7 Dharas heard of the fall of Kahloor.  Everyone met and sent their messengers to Baba Banda Singh ji: “we are the Sikhs of the Guru.  The Kahlooris would terrorise us and make us fight Guru ji.”  They all came and met Baba Banda Singh ji.  They brought their taxes to the Banda.  Whoever became a Sikh and paid taxes, they got gold coins from the Banda.  Whoever asked for milk, got milk.  Whoever asked for sons, they got sons.  The sorrow had their pain go away.  The ones who asked for money, they became wealthy.  The Sikhs would come to do the Ardaas from the 5 Singhs.  Whatever they asked for, they received.  The ones bothered by Devs and Bhoots, they came and did their Ardaas.  The ghosts would leave them.  Many Sidhs used their Siddhis but the Banda was the most powerful.  He knew what somebody was thinking from afar.  He would tell them what they were thinking.  The person who came to meet the Banda, the Banda would give them joy.  Whoever tried to fight, they would fight and lose.  They would then pledge their allegiances.  Baba Banda Singh ji went to Guru Kotla.  He made a court there.  The Raja of Suket Mandi came to meet the Banda there.  The Nadoni Viziers came there.  The royal tax was brought to the Banda.  They gave gifts to the Banda.  The Banda blessed them.  The Viziers stayed with Baba ji all the time. The Sikhs who gave money, the Khalsa received the taxes.  The Banda took over the Pahari area and became the king.  He took all of the royal taxes. 

The Banda left the Pahari areas and then sat down to call himself the Guru.  He sometimes called himself Jujhaar Singh and to some he said that he was the Guru.  He called Naqeebs and had them announce himself.  He said to all: “don’t do these things: the jewellery of women, don’t take it.  Don’t touch the woman.  The clothes of men along with their Pagris; don’t touch these. 

Part 60 Raja Sudh Sain of Mandi brings gifts

Raja Sudh Sain of Mandi was a big Raja.  I will tell you how he met the Banda.  When the Raja of Mandi heard the news: “the Banda has come who is powerful.  Guru Gobind Singh ji gave him the powers; who has the blessings of Akaal.  The Satguru said to the Banda this.  The Talwar is the same but the sheath is different.  I wish to do his Darshan.  The powerful Banda has come.  I shouldn’t be his enemy.  It is said that he is the Avatar, the Banda.  If I fight him, I will lose.  Who knows what he would do to us then.”  When the Banda came, the Raja sent his Vizier.  The message was sent: “I wish to meet you without delay.  I am a Sikh of the home of Guru Nanak Dev ji.  I have always offered gifts to Guru ji.  Take the royal taxes from me.  Make me your Sikh.”  The Raja brought taxes to Baba Bnada Singh ji and came to meet him.  The Banda blessed him and hugged him when meeting him.  The Banda said: “listen Raja Sudh Sain, your land will never be without a Raja.  Your enemy will never be in peace.  Your land will never have droughts.  Whatever you would need, take my Pothi and your tasks will be fulfilled.  This has all of the Vidya.  You can earn whatever you wish for.” 

One page of that Pothi came into the possession of one of Baba Banda Singh ji’s wives. She earned that power and then showed that power to Baba Sahib Singh ji Bedi.  That wife of Baba Banda Singh ji had the page and she served Baba Banda Singh ji.  The state of Jhejowal, she roamed that area.  She did the Seva of the Banda.  She had many powers but I will speak of one as the Granth will get really big if I discuss them all.  The Raja Jasvaali Jhejowal had no sons.  The Pandauri Mahant was visited by the Raja but it was fruitless.  Baba Vadhbhag Singh ji Sodhi’s wife; Raja Jasvaal sent his two wives to her.  His tasks were not fulfilled there either.  They had no heir.  Nobody could rid him of his worry.  He was worried.  This is a big thing in the world: how who will take care of the land without sons?  Somebody told the Raja that the Banda’s wife lives in Jhejowal: “whatever she says, it becomes true.”  The Raja was like a thirsty person seeing water.  He thought to himself: “how can I meet her.”  His two wives found the woman.  They brought gifts for her and stood in front of her.  The Sant woman then said: “what can I do for you?  You should go to big Mahants and Gurus.  What would you want with a poor Fakir like me?  Go and do their Seva.  Take these gifts for them.  They love money.  We eat dry food in joy.”  The Ranis heard her and grabbed her feet.  The saint woman laughed and said: “the master will fulfill your wishes.”  She placed her hand on both Ranis’ heads.  She respectfully raised them both up and said: “you will be blessed in this year.  You will both have sons; I say this with the chastity I fulfilled with the Banda.”  The Ranis went home with joy in their hearts.  They told the Raja.  Both became pregnant.  They had sons born on the same day.  They were named Abraj Singh and Jagroop Singh.  I can’t write more as the Granth will be too big.

Part 61 The Banda Caught in Kuloo and flying to Mandi in a cage

The Banda wished to go to Kuloo: “let’s go see Kuloo.  I will do the Darshan of Sri Mahesh (Shiva) and the other Sidhs.”  He did so what he thought at night.  He arrived in Kuloo the next day.  He went alone.  The Raja of Kuloo had him arrested.  Baba Banda Singh ji said: “I can’t be captured.  You can do as you wish but I can’t be contained.  I am a fistful of wings.  I can fly whenever I want to.”  The more he spoke, the more the guards increased.  He was put in a dark jail with no vision.  His speech became his captivity.  He was placed in an iron cage to dispel his magic.  Baba Banda Singh ji said: “I won’t stay here long.  I will fly with the cage.”  The cage was then placed in the jail.  When the Sikhs heard that Baba Banda Singh ji was arrested, they became worried.  The Turks became happy and looked to relieve the land from the Banda.  Bahadhur Shah called his generals.  He had them go towards the forts that the Banda had taken over.  He said: “the Banda lost his powers.  If he had powers, how would he be locked up in jail?”  When the army of the Badshah came to the Singhs, the Singhs left their posts as they were in few numbers.  The Singhs came upon a bad time.  The Banda made a plan.  The Raja of Mandi, Sudh Sain, became angry: “my Guru came to see the place.  How did you arrest him?”  Raja Sidh Sain made an effort to have the Banda freed from the jail.  He gathered his army to attack.  The Banda thought to himself: “if Sudh Sain frees me, my honour will not remain.  How will they know of my Siddhis?  How will the praise of the Guru remain?  I will have to use my powers.  I will then beat up the Raja of Kuloo with my own hands.  I don’t want me or my Guru, slandered.”  The Banda made an effort to free himself.  He said to the people of Kuloo: “the Banda is leaving.  You can keep starting.”  As they watched, the cage flew in the sky like a bird.  The cage came to the top floor.  He called his Birs.  The Birs came and stood in front of the Banda.  The Banda said: “take my cage to Mandi.  Let’s go to Doaba where the Chandi is awake.  We will help the Singhs.  Let’s kill the Turks and destroy them.”  The Birs picked up the cage along with Baba ji in it. 

The cage was placed at the boundary of Mandi.  Raja Sidh Sain came there.  The Birs did as they were told.  The cage flew at that time.  The Raja of Kuloo’s face became depressed.  The cage was seen flying in the sky.  The Raja ran inside his fort in fear.  He thought the mountain flew upwards.  The bricks of the jail blew up.  Who knows how far they fell.  The Raja thought: “the Khalsa will come and destroy Kuloo.  The Banda cursed us that we will become the subjects of the Khalsa.”

Where the boundary of Mandi was, Raja Sidh Sain came there.  Baba Banda Singh ji came there.  He was going to stop the destruction of the Sikhs.  The Raja saw Baba ji in the cage.  He had the cage broken.  He showered flowers on the Banda.  The Raja was happy.  He didn’t have to fight now.  The people of Mandi said: “he is an Avatar.”  Baba ji did the Dhera there.  Many came with gifts to have their wishes fulfilled.  The Banda was called the Guru.  A fort was made in the mountains.  The Sidhs in the area were no longer worshiped.  The whole land followed Baba Banda Singh ji.  He would go alone, far.  He would make a new army wherever he went.  He would take money out of his wallet and give.  Nobody knew where the gold came from.  He sat, stayed and travelled wherever he wanted to.  He could appear and disappear as he wished, even if the place was locked.  The Banda came towards the lower lands.  He gave the Sikhs the rule again.  He loved the mountain areas, seeing the homes of the Sidhs.  He came back to the mountains.  He loved the north.  He did his Dhera there.  It gave him joy.

Part 62 Going to Chamba and Crossing the River with the Horse

The Banda then wished to see Chamba.  He wrote to the Raja of Chamba: “I wish to meet you.”  The Raja called for his Vizier.  He asked him: “should we meet the Banda?”  The Vizier said: “let me go see him first.  Let me see what is in his heart.  Does he wish to be enemies or friends?  If he has other ideas, I will figure out how to distract him from coming here.  I don’t want him to see Chamba.  He is a big problem.”  The Raja said: “alright, you speak the truth.  Go and see him.  You can break and join as you wish.  He is powerful though.  Take some money and give it to him from afar.”

The Vizier came to where the Banda was sitting.  He presented money to him.  The Banda accepted the gifts with joy.  He said: “tell the Raja not to be afraid.  I wish to come as a Fakir.  I will travel the area and leave.  I will leave my army and come alone.”  The Vizier accepted this.  The Banda knew what the Vizier was thinking.  The Vizier wanted to see the Banda’s powers so he took the Banda through the difficult path through the mountains.  He took him where the path was steep.  It was a scary way.  The river was really fast there.  If one fell, they would drown.  There were no fish there, as the rapids were hard.  The fish would go upstream, but not here.  The river was fast.  The Banda took his horse into the river.  He crossed the river, easily.  He turned his horse like a pigeon flying on the water.  He stood on a boulder in the river with his horse.  People were amazed to see the boulder there.  That place still exists till today.  The whole world was amazed to see the horse standing there.  When the Vizier saw this, he became scared.  His body trembled.  He bowed to the Banda’s feet and said: “please forgive my mistake.”  Baba ji said: “it was good to test me.  You were right to ask for forgiveness.  I forgive you.”

Part 63 The Banda gets married twice in Chamba and started a Dhera

The Banda came to Chamba and met the Raja.  The Raja became his servant and showed him Chamba.  The Raja made the Banda happy.  He married his daughter and another girl to the Banda.  He made a Dhera there for the Banda.  Many people came to bow there.  The praises of Banda grew.  Many did his Pooja.  The Raja did his Pooja as well.  The Banda had a son.  The Banda wished to leave from there.  He stayed 3 years there.  The Doon of Doaba was taken by the Khalsa.  The Turks ran away.  They couldn’t be seen.  The plateaus of Doaba were taken over by the Khalsa.

Part 64 The son of Vazeer Khan complains to Bahadhur Shah about the Banda

Bhai Baaj Singh ji looted the land, a lot, along with the Khalsa.  Wherever he heard of cities occupied by the Turks, he took them under his rule.  When Bhai Baaj Singh ji mounted his horse, he would kill a Turk and step on his head.  When this news spread, the Turks left Sirhind and the surrounding areas.  Whoever opposed him, they were killed.  Such was the loss of the Turks.  Wajeeda’s one son survived.  Many other Turk leaders in Punjab joined him.  Bahadhur Shah was in the Dakhan area.  Wajeeda’s son and his companions went to Bahadhur Shah and complained: “the rule of the land has been looted.  The Deen of the Pagambher has been lost in Punjab.  Delhi and Lahore will not survive if you don’t go there.  The land of Punjab is lost, including the plateaus and the mountainous areas.  The fear of the Banda has been spread in the land.  The Banda has caused chaos in our land.  The whole land was looted.  He beat and looted to spread his rule.”  The Shah asked: “who is this, Guru Banda?”  The people told him: “he is the Sikh of the Guru.  The Guru sent him to take revenge for his sons.  He killed Wajeera in an instance.  He killed the 4 brothers of Maler Kotla; who had the blessing of the Guru.  They were blessed because they opposed the execution order of the Guru’s sons.  For this reason, the Banda did not destroy their city.  The Banda destroyed the Faujdar of Samana along with the city on 11 November, 1709 CE.  Samana had 22 palanquins that came out.  He then destroyed Sadaura who killed Peer Bhudhoo Shah.  He burnt the famous crypt of the Peer of Sadaura which did not let Hindu dead bodies burn once they passed in its shadows.  The Banda is able to control the enemy’s weapons.  He can fly wherever he wants to.  Canons, arrows or swords can’t touch him.  He can kill anyone with a finger.  His feet do not touch the ground.  He does not even blink.  His shadow cannot be seen on the ground.  This is what people say.”  Bahadhur Shah heard this and felt a deep fear in his mind.  He didn’t pay attention to the complain.  He said: “that strong person has been sent by the Satguru.”  Bahadhur Shah knew about Satguru ji and so he did not listen to the complain.  He heard of the miracles of the Banda.  He scratched his head hearing this.  He thought to himself: “if I fight him, I hope he doesn’t kill me.  I would become a liar in front of the Satguru.  I will lose the crown then.”  The Shah thought of these difficult things as he wanted to keep the crown.  “The Banda is powerful.  He will kill me with his powers.  He has Birs with him.  He can kill me with anything, anywhere.”  He didn’t listen Wazeer Khan’s son’s complain.  He didn’t make any plans to go to Lahore.  He heard of the Nishans hoisted near Panipat: “if the Turks cross that line, they die.”  He heard such things and felt scared.  He didn’t want to look towards Punjab.  The Punjab complainers were left complaining.  Nobody helped them.  They would avoid them.  The generals and officers avoided them too.  They didn’t want to lose the rule.  Everyone was afraid to go to Punjab.  They were afraid of the Banda like a lion.  The Mussalmaans were afraid in their homes.  The Viziers of the Shah were asked but they didn’t want to go to Punjab so they didn’t speak to the Shah.  The generals didn’t speak to the Shah either.  They were like sleeping while alive. 

The court wasn’t in session everyday.  They were afraid that the Shah would send the other people to Punjab.  They knew that the Banda was omniscient: “if we think bad of him, he will know and kill us here.”  The Punjabi complainers hung their clothes and burnt them during the day.  This was to dishonour the Badshah.  The Badshah still didn’t listen to them.  The complainers protested.  They met with Mullahs, Qazis and Fakirs who didn’t know how to fight.  They said to the Shah: “you have become a Kafir.”  They made noise in the cities.  Some said: “you have lost the Deen.  You are not under the obedience of our Pagambher.  The Pagambher will not be your witness.  You will go to Hell.  Did the Hindus buy you out?  Did they give you the kingdom from their wallet?  Our Pagambher gave you the kingdom.  That is what was written in your destiny.  Couldn’t our Peers give you the kingdom?  You lost the respect of our Peers.  You say that you received the rule from the Hindus.  Were our Peers not able to give you the rule?  We will stand in your way with knives in our hands.  We will stab you in the chest.  You are slandered all the way to Mecca.  No Pagambher will be your witness.”  Some said: “I came from Mecca and I heard that the Shah of Hindustan has been manipulated by the Hindus.  He lost his Deen because of the kingdom.  He says he received the kingdom from the Hindus.  He has lost the honour of the Pagambhers.”  They eventually convinced the Shah.  They said many things to him.

Part 65 Bahadhur Shah asked for Passage from the Banda/ The Battle of Travari

In this way, the people taunted the Shah by scaring him.  The Hazis and Peers gathered, taking the Quran in their hands.  The Peers said: “we will protect you from the Banda.  We will read the Kalams to protect you.  We will walk ahead with the Quran in our hands.  You bring the army behind us.”  The Shah agreed.  He said: “I will come to Agra.  I will send messengers to see Punjab first.  Then I will go ahead.  I want to see if the Banda is a Devata or a human.  I will see his bonds.  I want to see if he has Birs or not.  I want to know if he really has powers.  I want to see if his feet touch the ground; if he blinks; if his shadow is seen or not.  I will go then.”  The Shah sent his spies and then travelled behind.  He came to Agra and then felt the heat and radiance.  His spies were sent in disguise.  They were Hindus who were employed by the Shah.

The Spies went to Punjab in fear.  They analysed Baba Banda Singh ji with detail.  They looked at his eyes and noticed that he did blink.  They saw that his feet do touch the ground.  They saw his shadow on the ground.  They saw him in anger.  He blinked.  They confirmed that he was a human and not a Devata.  They saw his powers.  They heard about him from other people.  The spies came back and told Bahadhur Shah.  He listened to them.  The Punjabis that complained, they came back to the Shah and said: “let’s go!”  The Shah came out but went back inside.  When the people complained, the Shah made preparations.  There were thousands of Qurans in front.  The Haideri flags were opened.  The Fakirs and Maulanas were in the front.  They recited the Saifis and Kalaamans.  The Shah was still worried though.  He was scared.  He didn’t have faith.  He thought to himself: “it is not right to ruin it with the Banda.  The Banda is the servant of the Guru who gave me the kingdom.  He has a lot of powers.  Who knows what he would do?  He can send his Birs to me.  The powers who come to the Pagambhers, he can send them.  I heard they are the same.  He can kill me.”  Out of fear of the Banda, the Shah went back to Agra.  He was worried and didn’t tell anyone else.  He thought to himself: “I will write to him first.”  He wrote: “I want to come see you.  We are both the Sikhs of the same Guru.”  He wrote this and sent a Sikh to take the letter.  He wrote in the letter: “it’s good you killed Wajeera and the Paharis.  They deceived the Satguru.  I wanted to kill them too.  It is good that you did this task.  I am the servant of the Guru ji.  I received the kingdom by his blessings.  The tombs of my elders are in Lahore.  I wish to pay my respects to them and wish to come to Lahore.  If you command me, I will come to see you first.  If you wish, I will come see you on my way back.  I wish to pass through Sirhind.  I need passage to Lahore.  Give me half of Punjab.  You can keep the Pahari areas.  If you ask for me, I will come to see you.  Otherwise, I will pass through the other path.  I need passage to Lahore through Sirhind.”  The Shah sent this letter with the Sikh. 

The Singh brought the Shah’s letter to Baba Banda Singh ji with his hands folded.  The Banda already knew everything.  He understood everything: “the Shah is making an excuse to meet me.  He is not going to Lahore because he is afraid of me.  I should give him passage.  If he becomes deceitful, I will kill him.  They will regret it then and be worried.”  Baba ji sent a response: “we agree to your free passage but you won’t be able to fulfill your honour.  I will make you guilty and take your kingdom.  You sent a Gursikh with the message so that is why we agree to your request.”  The Sikh came back to the Shah and gave him the response.  The Shah read the letter and lessened his worries.  The Turks were happy to hear this.  They had some hope of living.  The Banda kept towards the mountainous area including Anandpur, Kiratpur and Hoshiarpur.  They left Sirhind for the Shah to pass.  Baba ji went to the mountainous areas.  He made a fort in Sidhaura called Lohgarh.  It was the capital of the Khalsa.  The doon in the Doaba, it was the boundary of Kahiloori and Jaswalia.  The Nishans were planted in Jammu and Pathankot.  The Singhs were assigned the areas as administrators.  When the Turks heard that the Banda has gone up the mountains, the Shah came into Punjab.  The army went first.  The Shah wanted to see what the Banda had planned.  He wanted to see what the Banda’s wishes were.  The Shah wanted to see what was in his mind.  The Nishans were mounted in Panipat and in many places in Punjab.  The Turks could not stay there.  They were afraid of the Banda coming there.  The Banda told the Singhs to take out the Nishans from Panipat.  The Turks then crossed Panipat.  They came to Karnal and set up their camp.  They came to Travari, where the Singhs were posted in the fort.  The Singhs had their court there.  The Turks got into a fight with the Singhs.  The Singhs left Travari as the Royal army came.  They fought at Sirhind as well.  The Banda did not come for help as he was far.  The Singhs waited for the Banda but left Sirhind.  Baba Baaj Singh ji had been in Sirhind for 3 years.  He collected taxes for 3 years.  The Singhs left Sirhind.  The Royal army fought to send them away.  The Singhs came to Lohgarh to rebel.  The army came to Sirhind and moved onwards.