2-16 Gathering the Tambol/ Nand Chand goes back

When Kesri Chand and the Vizier heard Fateh Shah’s words, they went back to Bheem Chand, where Bheem Chand was sitting in great anger.  Kesri Chand wanted to make the problem worse and said to Bheem Chand: “Raja ji, don’t expect anything from Fateh Shah.  He has great respect for the Guru.  On top of that, he wants you and the Guru to resolve your conflict.  Looks like he has had too much of the Guru’s Karah Prashaad.  Fateh Shah sees Guru Gobind Singh as a powerful Avatar.  He does not want to be his enemy.  It seems as though Fateh Shah is the Guru’s Sikh from his mind, body and soul.  He has become his student and follower.  He is not concerned for your anger, even after we told him.  His faith for the Guru did not falter.  It is now up to you, Raja ji.  We will do what you want to do.”  Bheem Chand heard Kesri Chand and became angrier.  It was as though oil was added to an open fire.  Bheem Chand spoke in anger: “let’s go!  Sound the Nagara.  I am not taking the Dholi of Fateh Shah’s daughter, nor am I taking any gifts.  I will marry my son to someone else’s daughter.  I will not come to this country again as the Guru is my enemy.  I cannot have relations with the Guru’s friend.  Fateh Shah is now my enemy.  Looks like I will have to fight Fateh Shah as well as the Guru.”  Bheem Chand sent his men to make the preparations for leave.  The Nagaras sounded and the signal to saddle the horses was given.  The horses were saddled and the army was mobilized.  They were leaving without the Dholi. 

Fateh Shah’s men heard about Bheem Chand leaving.  The ministers got worried and went to their king, Fateh Shah, and told him what was happening: “your relation is about to end.  The relationship is about to break.  If you break ties with Bheem Chand, what will happen then?  You need to think about all this.  Why do we need to keep ties with the Guru?  What is the benefit in keeping this alliance?  The Guru has been here only a little while.  Bheem Chand is from the same community as us.  He is also a king.  We are related.  If he leaves without the Dholi, our daughter will not be able to marry again.  This will be bad for our reputation.  People will talk bad about us that the Dholi was left here.  Listen to us, break ties with the Guru and do what Bheem Chand says.  Save your reputation.”  The king heard his ministers and started to doubt himself and said: “go and tell Bheem Chand to forgive us.  We will do as he says.  He is going now, don’t let him leave.  We need to send our daughter off.  I said what I said for their own benefit.  I said it is bad to fight saints.  Why is he so angry that he is about to leave my daughter?  Anyways, stop him.  Tell him: I will do as he says.  I will fight the Guru in the front line.  Why is he so angry?  He was going to break ties with us.” 

The ministers ran back to Bheem Chand.  They folded their hands and begged Bheem Chand to stop: “Maharaj, please think about it.  Listen to us.  We are the bride’s family.  We bow our heads to you.  We will do as you say.  Our Raja just wanted to stop war as it is not beneficial for anyone.  If you want to fight, we will be the first ones to face the Guru.  Fateh Shah will fight in the front.  Don’t be upset.  Give us the command, we will take over Paonta and loot the Guru’s fort.  We will take his money and items and give them to you.  Please stop.  You are upset.  Let’s sit down and talk.  Our relationship is deep.  It is not good for you to leave like this.  If you leave like this, everyone will laugh and talk about us.”  Bheem Chand heard Fateh Shah’s ministers and said: “if Fateh Shah will fight the Guru in the front, then we will trust him.  If he wants us to call a truce with the Guru, then we will break ties with him.”  The ministers heard him and came back to Fateh Shah.  They convinced Fateh Shah: “Maharaj, you will have to fight the Guru now.  Bheem Chand will only trust you if you fight the Guru.”  The whole community got together and began to strategize the battle.  All the Rajas said: “let’s finish with the wedding first, as it is only a few days now.  We will send the Dholi to Kahloor and then we will fight.  It is only a few days now.” 

Fateh Shah got up and came to tent where all the Tambols were placed.  Pandit Daya Ram ji and Devan Nand Chand ji saw Fateh Shah but Fateh Shah ignored them.  The Sikhs had brought a Tambol worth 125,000.  They were in the same court where the other gifts were gathered.  The soldiers had their swords and shields donned on their body.  Pandit ji and Devan ji had swords in their hand.  They had already heard what was going on.  They knew everything had changed.  Devan Nand Chand was wise.  He told Pandit ji in his ear, whispering: “Pandit ji, the situation looks bad.  The Paharis have stooped to their real level and have convinced Fateh Shah as well.  Fateh Shah has become like them now.  We shouldn’t trust them.  Guru ji told us not to trust the Paharis and keep your camp in a safe place; if you are faced with a problem, do an Ardaas.  The situation has now unfolded as Guru ji advised.  We should be alert and only think of Kalgidhar ji.  Only he can save us now.  Fateh Shah used to look at us with respect and love.  Now there is something different.  His eyes are not the same.  The Tambol that we brought, Fateh Shah is not even looking at it.  His forehead looks like he is embarrassed to speak to us.  He does not look at us in the eyes anymore.  All of the Paharis are looking at us with hate.  It seems as though they do not have love for the Guru any more.  They are going to do something bad with us.  It is not good to stay here.  There is no need to say or hear anything.  Let’s leave quickly.  Let’s mobilize as fast as we can, and go.  I feel that there will be a battle here.  We are only 500 in number and they are countless.  All their armies are here.  This is not our area.  They will kill us.”  Daya Ram ji then said: “the Tambol that Guru ji sent us with, we should give it to them.  Let’s do the right thing by giving them the gifts.  We will go to Satguru ji then.  They are looking toward Guru ji with hate.  They will get what they deserve.  Once we give them the Tambol, if they look towards the Guru’s house with hate, they will be punished for that.  We have stayed here for many days.  We helped with the wedding.  Now these fools are against us.  They are going to be enemies with the most gracious, Guru.  Their minds have been corrupted.  They have lost their logic.”  Nand Chand ji said: “you are elder and wiser but listen to me: why should we give them such an expensive Tambol?  They want to kill us.  We should give it to our friends.  We are going to fight them sooner or later.  They have the Sade Sati (the seven and a half years of Saturn affecting one’s horoscope.  In astrology, Saturn punishes people for their sins.  The Sade Sati is denoted to a time period in a person’s horoscope when Saturn has a big effect) on their head and things are going to become bad.  What is the benefit in giving them the Tambol?  Let’s collect the Tambol and leave.  It’s way too much money.  We will give the Tambol back to Guru ji and tell him that the Paharis have become our enemies.  Why should we give a Nayondra to our enemies?  Let’s take it all back now.  They will try to loot us.  If Fateh Shah remained Guru ji’s friend and follower, we would have left the Tambol here.  But he is getting ready to fight Guru ji.  Our relation is now soured.  Let’s leave right now.  Let’s take the Tambol back.”  Pandit ji thought about it and then agreed with Nand Chand.  They brought the Tambol because of Fateh Shah.  If Fateh Shah is no longer on good terms with Guru ji, then what’s the use.  They gathered the Tambol by telling the Sikhs.  Everything was packed up.  They all packed and left.  The spears, guns, swords and shields were all ready.  The soldiers got their guns ready as a fight could break out any second.  Bows and arrows were ready.  They all gathered in their camp and saddled their horses.  They got ready to go to Paonta.

Fateh Shah and Bheem Chand met each other, lovingly.  They hugged and greeted each other.  As they were hugging, Fateh Shah’s men came and told him about the Guru’s Devan leaving with the Tambol: “The Guru’s Devan is ready to leave.  Whatever gifts they brought with them, they are taking it all back.  All the gifts are being taken back.  They look like they are angry.”  When Fateh Shah and Bheem Chand heard this, Bheem Chand got angry and said: “send an army quick.  Stop their path and kill them all.  Block the Ghatt at the foot of the mountain where they are to pass.  Kill all 500 soldiers.  They should not reach back to Paonta.  Take their weapons and horses.  Shoot at them from the top of the mountains.”  The army of the Raja mobilized from the back and the front.  They wanted to surround them.  The 100 horses that the Saudagar brought were with the Sikhs.  They were strong steeds.  Raja Bheem Chand wanted to loot those horses along with their weapons: “take everything from them.  Kill them and take their weapons.  Don’t let anything go.  Take their pagris and clothes.  Take their shoes.”  Fateh Shah heard Bheem Chand.  Fateh Shah was angry too now.  He mobilized his army and commanded them to block the Ghatt and aim from atop the mountains.  He said: “surround them all and loot everything.  These people were not afraid of me.  They took back the Tambol and disrespected me.  They didn’t give the Tambol.  They are showing me their anger.  I will show them my anger.” 

2-17 Crossing the Ghatti

The Pahari Rajas gave the order to block the Ghatti at the foot of the mountains which was a very narrow and dangerous path.  They sent an army of 500 men the block the Ghatti, which was a bend in the mountain road.  The Ganga was on the other side.  The army’s Nagaras sounded.  All of the soldiers were ready to fight.  The Rajas commanded their armies to fight the Sikhs and kill them: “If the Sikhs surrender and accept defeat, let them go.  Loot their items.”  The Sikhs found out that they were about to blocked.  They said to each other: “there!  There is the army that is coming to fight us.  They have blocked the Ghatti.  We are surrounded.  It will be difficult to get through now.”  Devan ji and Pandit ji talked: “we need to think fast as the Pahari army is coming.”  The Sikhs got worried to know that they were surrounded.  They were afraid of getting stuck and not be able to tell Guru ji.  The Ghatti was difficult to pass.  The Pahari army was like wheat flour and the Sikhs were like salt.  The Sikhs said: “these Paharis are ungrateful.  They have forgotten the blessings and favors of Guru ji.  If the Ghatti wasn’t ahead, we would have fought the army in front and gone ahead.  The Ghatti is so narrow that only one person can cross at a time.”  Daya Ram ji and Devan ji tried to strategize.  Amongst the 500 Sikhs, one of them had deep faith on the Guru’s Bani who recited Bani.  The Sikh repeatedly recited “Gur meray sang sada hai naalay, simar simar tis sada samaalay.”  He saw that all of the soldiers were worried and said to them: “why are you all worried?  When we left Paonta, Guru ji told us that the Paharis are not our friends.  As you asked Guru ji “what if we are in trouble?”  Guru ji told you: “don’t think that you are doing anything.  Have faith in the Guru.”  Guru ji sent us; he will take us back too.  This is what Kalgidhar ji said.  Why are you not remembering the Guru’s words?  Have faith on Guru ji.  Do Simran of the Guru and let go of your worries.  Gather your hope and remember Guru ji.”  The Sikhs heard the faithful Sikh’s words.  His words had courage and hope in them, as he recited Gurbani day and night.  It was as though the Sikhs had remembered a forgotten treasure.  They forgot Guru ji’s words but now they remembered.  They were all happy and had faith that they will not be defeated.  They all shouted a Jaikara in the name of Guru ji.  (When Sikhs give out a Jaikara, Shaheedi Fauj comes to the rescue) They all put out their chests and lifted their heads high.  They were ready to take down the mountains.  They lifted their items and carried on.  They were on their horses and the Nagaras sounded.  They knew the Guru was with them now.  600 horses made the earth tremble (500 + 100 brought by the Saudagar).  They fired their guns towards the sky as a signal to the enemy that they were ready for war.  They went forth and saw the Ghatti.  The Pahari army could not reach in time, only a few reached the Ghatti.  Devan Nand Chand saw that only a few Pahari soldiers were there.  He was confident that the Sikhs would take them on and move on ahead.  Devan ji did an Ardaas to all 10 Gurus and moved bravely forward with the army.  If they would have waited any longer to leave, they would have had to face a bigger army.  Devan ji looked backwards and saw thousands and thousands of soldiers that looked like an endless ant-line.  Devan ji said: “If the coming army had blocked the Ghatti, we would have been stuck.  Guru ji has helped us.  Only a few soldiers were able to reach the Ghatti in front of us.  These foolish weak-minded Paharis have become Guru ji’s enemies.” 

Devan Nand Chand ji shouted out to the Sikh soldiers: “the enemy’s army is in low numbers ahead.  Shoot them all and rip through their lines to cross.  Shoot ahead.  They will flea.  If you wait, the army from behind will reach us and we won’t be able to cross.  Satguru ji has helped us.  He did not allow the full army to reach ahead of us.”  Devan ji released his arrows ahead and the Sikhs fired their guns.  A strong charge was made with the bravest warriors in the front.  Devan ji was in the front and bravely faced the bullets of the Pahari soldiers.  He shot arrows in their direction and charged on ahead.  Daya Ram ji was at the back of the army.  He saw the approaching army, chasing them.  He released arrows behind him and moved on ahead.  He fired his guns wherever the army would come.  Guns were fired from both sides.  As the Sikhs fired their guns, they noticed that they were going to be clumped with the enemy line and a fight will break out. 

The Paharis, seeing the Sikhs charging towards them with guns, got scared and figured that they were going to get killed.  The army that was sent to block the bend of the Ghatti all gathered there.  They shouted out: “why hasn’t the rest of the army reached yet?  We will get killed.  The Guru’s army blocked our army from reaching here.  We are in lower numbers now.”  The regiment that was sent to block the Ghatti got scared.  Satguru ji protected his own army.  The Pahari Army were scared that the Sikhs were firing their guns straight ahead, towards them.  They figured that they were going to get killed and thrown into the Ganga: “these Sikhs have perfect aim.  We are going to get killed.  Their bullets are very scary.  Why should we die for nothing?  Let’s save ourselves and stand to the side.  Let them pass.  They won’t say anything then.  The bigger army of Bheem Chand can only stop them.  We won’t be able to stop them.  We are only a few hundred in numbers.  The bigger army is at the back.  Let’s not fight them.  We will tell the Rajas that the Sikhs got away.”  The Pahari army moved back and hid in the bushes.  They were afraid to fight.  They all left the Ghatti and shot a few bullets as they retreated.  They didn’t shoot many bullets.  They figured that if they shot any more bullets, the Sikhs would fire back at them and kill them.  They didn’t want their kids to lose their fathers.  As the path was now clear, the army at the back had to stop as the path was narrow.  Their horses could not pass.  They shot their guns from far.  They couldn’t come forward.  They were afraid of death.  Guru ji killed their logic.  The Pahari army couldn’t decide what to do.  Nand Chand ji and Daya Ram ji were happy and said: “Guru ji, you are great.  You made us victorious without a fight.”  The Sikhs fired their guns and crossed the Ghatti, carefully.  None of the Paharis could reach them.  600 horses and 500 soldiers passed, along with the Tambol, and crossed the Ghatti.  It was difficult to cross but Guru ji blessed them and they got through.  Guru ji gave them courage.  No other army was able to face them.  The soldiers crossed and continued slowly and carefully.  Devan ji and Pandit ji successfully had the whole army cross the Ghatti.  Devan ji was in the front, Pandit ji was in the back.  They shouted Jaikaras and yelled out instructions.  They used their might and crossed with bravery.  They saved themselves with arrows and bullets.  They shouted Jaikaras to scare the enemy and to tell them that they were successful. 

After crossing the Ghatti, they continued on the path to Paonta.  They killed many soldiers in the Pahari army.  Seeing their fellow soldiers die, the rest fled, fearing the bullets of the Sikhs.  The killed and injured lay on the ground, drenched in blood.  The Sikhs that were injured were placed on horses and carried along.  The victorious army reached Paonta.  They were playing the Nagaras out loud.  The people of the city heard the Nagara and all came out to receive them.  Guru ji heard their Nagara as well.  The army shouted out Jaikaras in Guru ji’s name.  The army got off their horses and news was sent to Guru ji that the soldiers had returned.  Guru ji called for Devan ji and Pandit ji.  Everyone came to see Guru ji and bowed to him.  500 Sikhs bowed to Guru ji’s feet and were happy to see Guru ji’s face.  Guru ji smiled to everyone.  It was as though flowers would shower from his face when he would smile.  Satguru ji said to the soldiers: “come Pandit ji and Devan ji.  What news do you have?  Did you get to see how the logic of the Paharis is?  How foolish are they?  Did they respect you?  How did Fateh Shah treat you when you arrived and how did he treat you when you departed?  Bheem Chand Kahiloori went.  How did you all fair with him?  Was it good with him or bad?  Tell me, did Bheem Chand speak to you?  You must have met him.  He knows you all.  How did Fateh Shah treat you?  Is Fateh Shah on good terms with me or not?  How did he treat you?”  Devan ji and Pandit ji told Guru ji everything. 

2-18 Nand Chand Tells Guru ji What Happened

Hearing Kalgidhar ji’s words, Nand Chand ji folded his hands and began to tell Guru ji what he and the Sikhs went through.  He was about to tell him how the Pahari Rajas turned on them.  Nand Chand ji said: “Guru ji, you have asked me a question but I am embarrassed to say anything as you already know everything.  I am unwise.  I am telling you what you did.  The foolish and arrogant Paharis are jealous of you.  They have bad thoughts for you.  I will speak as you have commanded me but you already know what happened.  It was you, who helped us through this difficult time.  By your command, I will speak about our time.  You were gracious and accepted Fateh Shah’s invitation and sent us.  We took the 125,000 Tambol and were received by Fateh Shah with great respect.  He wanted us to set up our camp in the city but I wanted to keep a way out towards Paonta.  So, we camped outside of the city, in case a fight broke out.  We heard in Srinagar that you, Guru ji, had stopped the Bharaat from passing.  We knew that the Paharis were going to be angry with us, so we became more cautious.  We wanted to leave but Fateh Shah folded his hands and asked us with great respect to stay and present the Tambol when the other Rajas present their gifts.  The Pahari Rajas were going to meet and then the Tambol was to be presented as all the Nayondras would be recorded.  So, Fateh Shah kept us for a few more days for this reason.  He wanted his praises to be sung as well as yours, Guru ji.  He wanted to show all the expensive and unique items you had sent for his daughter.  He said it would be impressive for everyone to see.  He said sweet words like this.  We then accepted his request and figured we should wait for all the festivities to be completed and then leave.  We wanted to come though, as we figured the Pahari Rajas were going to be angry with us, but we stayed.  The Bharaatis then came after a few days.  When Bheem Chand reached, the wedding of his son had already taken place.  They competed their traditions at that time.  They were all happy and celebrated.  When the day of the gift giving came, we were called to the court by Fateh Shah’s messenger.  We took the Tambol, that you gave us, and went to Fateh Shah’s court.  The tent was huge.  All of the gifts were piled up there by all the family and kings.  We presented the Tambol of the Guru’s house.  We showed all the expensive and unique items to everyone and all the Rajas saw them.  Their eyes were wide open as they saw the Tambol.  They were amazed.  They said: “now, this is a Tambol!  This is the best out of all of the Tambols.”  The other king’s Tambols were nothing compared to what you sent, Guru ji.  Bheem Chand was delighted to see the items but then he asked all the people around him: “where is this Tambol from?  It has been shown separately.  It is the most expensive out of all the Tambols.”  The Bhatts shouted out your name, Guru ji: “this Tambol is from Guru Nanak Dev ji’s throne; from the family of Guru Ramdas ji; the grandson of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji; the son of Guru Tegh Bahadhur Sahib ji; Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sachay Paatshaah.”  The foolish Bheem Chand then got jealous and spoke to Fateh Shah with great anger: “the Guru, that is my enemy and stopped my Bharaat to come to the wedding, how are you the Guru’s friend?  You are my enemy too Fateh Shah.”  Bheem Chand said he will not take the Dholi and will never come back to Srinagar, ever again.  He had his Nagara sounded and got ready to leave.  Fateh Shah heard that: Bheem Chand was going to leave.  Fateh Shah humbly folded his hands to Bheem Chand.  Bheem Chand then said: “you have befriended my enemy, Guru Gobind Singh.  If you want me to keep ties with you and take your daughter’s Dholi, then you must fight the Guru and wage war on him.  You must take the weapons and horses of the Sikhs that have come here.  You must loot them.  Otherwise, we can not have relations.”  Fateh Shah got scared and agreed to what Bheem Chand said.  After that incident, Fateh Shah’s behaviour changed towards us.  He looked towards us with anger.  He stopped talking to us.  With your grace, we knew exactly what was going on without having any knowledge of it.  We knew that Fateh Shah had become the Guru’s enemy.  Then we figured, what is the point of giving them the Tambol worth 125,000 since they are now your enemies, Guru ji.  We quickly packed up the Tambol that you sent and alerted our soldiers.  We first came to our camp and saddled our horses.  We readied our weapons.  One man then came to us with news: “the Rajas are going to block you from going back to Paonta.”  That person told us not to stay and leave right away, otherwise you will be stuck at the Ghatti with the narrow bend.  He told us they were planning to kill us with the whole army they had.  They were going to loot us and take our weapons and horses.  If the Ghatti is blocked, we would die.  They sent some men to the Ghatti.  We wanted to leave as soon as possible.  We were surrounded in every direction, Guru ji.  We became very worried.  We remembered your words, Guru ji.  You said that we should do Ardaas if we get caught.  He thought of you and got ready.  We mounted our horses.  We saw the Pahari Rajas’ army come behind us.  They were coming with great speed.  There were soldiers in the front too.  We shot bullets a head of us and behind us.  I was in the front and Pandit ji was in the back.  We stopped both regiments and scared them with the bullets.  The soldiers that were in front of us blocking the Ghatti, we rained our arrows and bullets on them.  Some died and some were injured.  They then backed down and didn’t block our way.  Guru ji, we knew that you were with us the whole time.  We then came back to Paonta by your blessings.  We have told you everything that happened to us.  We also found out that all the Pahari Rajas had a big meeting in Srinagar.  Fateh Shah is forced to be at the front and told to start a war with you Guru ji.  To make Bheem Chand happy, all the other Rajas are ready to fight against you, Guru ji.  They have given out the gunpowder and weapons to their army.  They are about to attack in the next few days.  We need to call our army to attention.  We should get ready for battle.  Just like we have come from Srinagar, Fateh Shah is probably on his way along with the other 22 Rajas.  Bheem Chand is really angry with you, Guru ji.  He wants to loot and destroy Paonta.  He wants revenge.” 

As Kalgidhar Paatshaah ji heard these words, his arms got pumped.  Guru ji roared like thunder and addressed the whole court: “Akaal Purakh ji, Sri Asdhuj ji (As= cutter, Khanda; Dhuj= flag) is completing my wishes.  When the Pahari Rajas reach the battlefield and face me, I will release arrows and wield the sword that will colour the earth red.  The earth will drink blood.  Arms and feet will be cut and fall to the earth.  Their heads will fall.  I have been angry with them for many days.  Fateh Shah will feel the wrath of my anger as well.  If Bheem Chand comes in front of me, one time, I will see what type of a warrior he is.  I will release sharp arrows towards him that will go through his body.  Whoever comes in front of my arrows, they will die.  Otherwise, the bravest of warriors will run from the battlefield.”  Guru ji said this with great energy, in his court.  The Masands were commanded to prepare for war.  They were told to “collect gunpowder, prepare bullets and arrows from the blacksmiths.  Prepare swords, spears, bows and arrows.  Fill all the quivers with arrows.”  When Guru ji was speaking, his face was red and full of radiance.  He looked like the rising sun, which would destroy the sinners.  Guru ji’s face was the awakened Warrior Spirit.  That spirit, which was asleep for a long time in the land.  This was the spirit that would awaken Hindustan’s long slumbering tradition of warriorism. 

Pandit Daya Ram ji spoke: “listen Prabhoo ji, Bheem Chand Kahiloori, the jealous one, has collected a big army.  The people of the villages came to his call and joined his army’s ranks.  He is arrogant.  His army has gone bigger by calling out to able-bodied men in his kingdom.  Kirpal Chand Katochia, Gopal Chand Gularia are with him too.  Both of these Rajas have big armies and have brought their weapons.  Raja Handooria and Kesri Chand Jaswaliay have a great army and want to fight you.  They have put Fateh Shah at the front.  They are coming to attack Paonta Sahib.  I don’t think it’s good that they come to Paonta.  (Pandit Daya Ram ji was well versed with battle strategy.  He was a wise Brahmin who had read Shasters and Vedas) Guru ji, you should lead the way and take the army away from Paonta Sahib to fight the battle.  We should go 10 to 20 miles away from our home.  The enemy should be defeated away from home.”  Satguru ji heard Pandit ji’s words and praised the Purohit: “you are great, Pandit ji.  You are the wisest amongst all the generals.  This is the best strategy for war.  You are well-versed in battle strategy.  You know the traditions of the Brahmins as well as the Kshatriyas.  Just as Dronacharya was considered the wisest in Bharat, and killed many sinners; you, Pandit ji, should fight the Pahari Rajas and kill them with your strength and wisdom.  We should not fight close to Paonta.  We aren’t afraid of the enemy.  We will plant our flags in the path of the enemy’s army.  We will find a flat land and stand in the way of the enemy with our chests wide open.  Pandit ji, if you know of a good field, tell me.  We will take the army there which is the best place for war, where we can meet the enemy head on and shower their chests with arrows and bullets.  We will strike our weapons there.  The enemy will run from the field or die.”  Mammaji, Kirpal Chand ji, heard Guru ji and said: “the fields of Bhangaani are the best place to fight.  The enemy will be coming through there as well.  There is a small river named “Ghiri River” that runs through the area.  The Ravsutta (Jamuna- daughter of the Sun) is on the other side.  Bhangaani is in the middle and Paonta is behind us.  We will be safe from the three sides.  There is a village named Raajpura near Bhangaani, where we should camp.  That place is good to fight.  Sri Satguru ji, the Guru of the world, that is where the “Ranthunba” (flags) should be thrusted into the ground.  We will see the joy of battle there.  We will travel 6 ko (18 km) away from Paonta and set up camp on the fields of Bhangaani and fight the war.”

2-19 Fateh Shah Gets Ready for War

Satguru ji, the most gracious one; the blesser; heard Mamma Kirpal Chand ji’s suggestion and accepted his reasoning, as it was a logical one.  It could not be contested.  Nand Chand ji looked towards Guru ji’s face, folded his hands and said: “Maharaj ji, one your Sikhs, a rich Saudagar, who buys and sells horses, took a lot of money to Kashmir and bought the best horses for you.  He picked out the best ones for you.  He was travelling along the same path that Raja Bheem Chand was travelling on.  When Bheem Chand found out that a Sikh was bringing horses for you, he got greedy and wanted to snatch them from him.  As soon as he heard your name, he sent some of his men to get the horses.  The Saudagar found out that Bheem Chand’s men were coming towards him.  The Saudagar also found out that we were in Srinagar and so he turned towards our camp.  He came to us and he was then fearless.  He gave us the horses and then Raja Bheem Chand’s men turned away.  The Saudagar stayed with us the whole time.  He was in bliss the whole time he was with us.  When Fateh Shah turned on us, Bheem Chand became greedy again and sent his men to loot us.  He said: “The Sikhs have 600 horses in total.  Take the horses and their weapons.”  Fateh Shah got his army ready, listening to Bheem Chand, influenced by him.  We found out that the Paharis were ready to loot and kill us.  We saddled our horses and sounded the Nagara to leave.  It was a dangerous Ghatti.  On one side was the Ganga over the cliff and on the other side were really high mountains.  We saw your grace and blessing when we did an Ardaas to you.  You saved us from the jaws of death.  With your blessings, none of the enemy could touch us.  With your grace, we successfully brought the 500 soldiers, the 600 horses and the 125,000 Tambol back home.  It was you who was assisting us.  We have no wisdom or strength of our own.  Please see the horses that were offered to you.  The Sikh presents this gift for you with great faith.  Please distribute those horses to the soldiers who need them.”  Guru ji heard Devan ji and got up to go to the stables.  Guru ji blessed the Saudagar Sikh with happiness in both worlds.  The Sikh was blessed and was in eternal bliss.  Guru ji then distributed the horses to soldiers who needed a new horse.  Beautiful saddles were tied to the horses.  The steeds were fast and agile.  They were strong and beautiful.

The goldsmiths began to make the bullets.  Guru ji brought metal for them to melt and mold bullets.  Gunpowder and metal were brought on carts.  Guru ji gave the soldiers spears, who mounted their horses and practised with them.  Quivers full of arrows were handed out.  Heavy bows were provided, which were great to aim.  The Soldiers tested them out.  The long rifles, 7 feet long, were given to the soldiers.  Guru ji opened the treasury and distributed them out.  Everyone was eager to fight the war.  A sense of joy spread throughout.  They all looked at their weapons and tested the sharp edges.  They polished their shields and shouted out Jaikaras: “we will blow the Paharis away.  We will snatch their kingdoms and banish them from their lands.  We will kill the thieves.  Satguru ji’s praise will be sung!”  In this way, the preparation for war was being made.  This was Guru ji’s first battle.  His moustache and beard were coming and looked like small black bees on a white lotus flower.  When he would speak, his voice was deep and sounded like a thundering Nagara.  He was the Maharaja of Maharajas; the warrior of warriors.  He went around encouraging the Sikhs and patting them on the back.  He was blessing them with courage.  He was awakening the warrior spirit in them.  The warrior spirit of Hindustan was being reawakened that had been sleeping for a long time.  Paonta Sahib was filled with the warrior spirit and happiness.

In Srinagar, as the Ghatti blockage was unsuccessful, the fools were left empty-handed.  They were left rubbing their empty hands together.  The fools said to each other: “we tried but couldn’t stop them.”  They couldn’t loot or kill any of the Sikhs.  Instead, the Paharis lost some of their own soldiers.  They collect the bodies and treating the injured soldiers.  The soldiers that retreated, told their kings that they couldn’t kill the Sikhs because they only had a small regiment to guard the Ghatti: “we had a handful of soldiers.  Most were left on the way or sat down.  600 Sikhs came and did heavy firing our way and passed us.  We couldn’t take the horses.  We were not successful.  We couldn’t do anything.  The Sikhs were brave.”  Bheem Chand was angry and shouted at them: “all of you were stuck to your mother’s laps.  Why did you cowards not stop them?  If you would have faced them bravely at the Ghatti, you would have been able to stop them.  You should have stood your ground.  You should have fired back at them.  If you would have held the Sikhs off for a little while, we would have annihilated them from the back.  They were surrounded in every direction.  I wanted their weapons and horses.  When you saw that the Sikhs were getting away, you got lazy and let them go.  The Sikhs got away with ease.  Anyways, what is done is done.  We can’t ponder what is gone.  Now we need to tell Fateh Shah to lead the charge to fight the Guru.  We will see what happens.  We will see if we defeat the Guru or be defeated by him.  Tell Fateh Shah to hurry up.  Time is precious in this situation.  Tell Fateh Shah: your boundaries touch Paonta, where the Guru lives.  You must lead.  It is your right to fight him.  You can claim that the Guru was trying to push at your borders and so you wanted to contain him.  Many kings are here because of the wedding.  Tell all the Rajas to bring their armies along.  The Guru’s army is nothing in front of our army.  They won’t stand in front of us.  We need to leave now and take over the Guru’s fort.  We need to threaten the King of Nahn as well.  Tell him that if he is with the Guru, we will destroy him.”  Bheem Chand told his ministers in this way with arrogance.  He concocted this whole plan.

The Vizier of Bheem Chand went to Fateh Shah and said: “Jai Deva (greeting of the Paharis)!”  He sat down and told Fateh Shah what Bheem Chand told him to.  Fateh Shah wanted to keep Bheem Chand happy, so he accepted Bheem Chand’s suggestions.  He let go of his wisdom and logic.  He become foolish like Bheem Chand.  Just as air picks up a bad smell and spreads it to others, that is how Fateh Shah was.  Bheem Chand infected Fateh Shah with his virus.  Sangat has a great affect on people.  They forgot the favors and blessings of Guru ji.  Fateh Shah joined the ranks of Bheem Chand.

Fateh Shah distributed gunpower and bullets to his soldiers.  He gave them horses and weapons.  He asked his soldiers what they needed and provided it.  He began to hate the Guru, just to make Bheem Chand happy.  Fateh Shah and Bheem Chand told their armies: “sound the Nagaras and prepare your weapons.  The Generals should mobilize.  The regiments should form their lines.”  Fateh Shah said: “Bring my strong steed and saddle it with a golden saddle.  I want the reigns with the Diamonds embedded in them.  Bring my expensive and sharp-edged sword.  Fill my quiver with sharp arrows and bring my fierce bow.  I will lead my army with the charge.  I don’t care if the other Rajas come or not.  I am going for my new relative and fight the Guru.  I want to see how strong the Guru is.”  Fateh Shah got ready to fight Guru ji.  He mobilized a great army and was going to attack Guru ji. 

Fateh Shah was sitting in his court when his horse was readied and brought to him.  He got up, tied his quiver, fastened his belt, donned his sword, wore his chainmail on his body and topped his head with a helmet.  He placed his bow on his shoulder and tied a shield made with the skin of a rhinoceros on his back.  He mounted his horse by jumping.  The fool’s logic was destroyed.  He didn’t realize who he was going to fight.  The Guru who was the master of the universe; who can destroy or create life with one word; he was going to face him.  The Nagaras and Ransinghas sounded.  The army started off, carrying their sharp weapons.  Fateh Shah was in the front.  The cavalry, canon-blasters and other regiments followed.  Raja Hari Chand, the great warrior, was going as well to fight with Guru ji, along with Gopal Chand, Kesri Chand, Kirpal Chand, Bheem Chand and the other Rajas.  They started off with great anger.  It was a huge army.  They enlisted other able-bodied men from the villages.  They made regiments and started off from Srinagar.  They were proud of their armies.  The Rajas said: “we will fight the Guru now with anger in our hearts.”  As the Rajas started off, their left eyes flickered.  According to folk belief, that is considered a bad omen.  Their thick skulls saw all the bad omens but overlooked everything.  Nature was warning them, but they didn’t listen.  They travelled through the treacherous mountainous terrain.

2-20 The Pathaans ask for Leave

When Guru ji’s army heard about Fateh Shah coming with his army, the soldiers were happy.  They had great courage and were fearless.  The cowards, although, began to tremble with fear.  They thought to themselves: “looks like death is coming all of a sudden.  The Raja has a huge army, our army is small.  Who can fight this big army?”  Guru ji had 500 Pathaans who were employed at the advice of Peer Bhuddu Shah.  They had 4 Khans that were the leaders: Hayaat Khan, Nijaabhat Khan, Kaalay Khan, and Bheekhan Khan.  They all met and had a meeting: “Guru ji only has us as proper soldiers.  We will have to do the heavy lifting in the battle.  The rest of the Sikhs don’t know how to fight.  We are brave Khans.  We are courageous, that’s why we are paid well and given good food.  We are respected by the Guru.  The rest of the soldiers are low castes.  They do not know how to use weapons.  They can do other things but they don’t know how to fight.  They don’t know what war is.  The Raja’s army is huge.  The Sikhs will run away, losing their courage.  When arrows and bullets will rain, they will fall on us.  Our horses will die, that we own.  We don’t know if Guru ji will give us new ones or not.  Our lives are in trouble.  If we run, we will be talked about.  We should do this: let’s go to Guru ji and ask for holidays and attend our children’s weddings.  If we fight, we will face damage.”  The Pathaans decided to make an excuse from fighting the battle.  “Listen my fellow Pathaans: it is the 22 Pahari Rajas that are the enemy.  They have collected militia from the villages as well.  It is a huge army.  We will be their target.  We will lay there on the field, lifeless.  We have only been paid for 6 months.  Why should we lose our lives for no reason?  Let’s think of a strategy and tell Guru ji to give us leave.  Let’s take leave or quit.”  Kaalay Khan, out of the 4, was an honorable man.  He saw his fellow Pathaan leaders being ungrateful and spoke: “this is not a good idea.  You are being dishonorable to the Guru’s salt (figure of speech referred to as Nimak Haraam.  It is considered bad to deceive the person who’s salt you have eaten) this is against Islam.  It is bad to be nimak haraami.  We were employed to fight.  Nothing else.  Now that the Guru needs us, we are leaving him.  This is dishonorable.  You will stain the reputation of the Pathaans.  No one will trust the Pathaans.  We will be known as cowards.  No one will employ us ever again.  People will talk bad about us and call us ungrateful.  We will die and go to Hell for this.”  Bheekhan Khan responded by saying: “Kaalay Khan, keep your honor to yourself.  We don’t want to die for nothing.  You can stay in the Guru’s service.  We were happy here before but now we are not.  We are leaving.  We need to fulfil our household duties.  We need to marry off our kids.  Our people will say we are bad people who didn’t take care of our families.  We are leaving.  We are not anyone’s prisoners.  We did our duty and got paid for it.  We will quit now and go on our way.”  Kaalay Khan heard him and got angry: “you are not thinking morally.  These are not thoughts of moral people.  The Guru needs to fight a war.  I will not leave.  You do as you please.  If we leave, we will be called cowards and unfaithful.  If we fight, we will be praised.  Allah will honor us in Heaven as well.”  Kaalay Khan went quiet then.  He was Nimak Halaal (honoring the salt of his employer).  Bheekhan Khan, Hayaat Khan and Nijaabhat Khan were Nimak Haramis.  The three immoral Pathaans decided to talk to Guru ji.  50 men went with them to ask Guru ji for leave.

Guru ji, the master of the universe, was sitting in his court.  Chaurs were being waived over his head.  The Pathaans reached the door and told the guard: “please ask Prabhoo ji that we would like to speak to him.”  The Pathaans were wearing Pugris with a piece of cloth hanging at the back.  They had swords in their straps.  Shields on their backs.  They came into the court, bowed to Guru ji and sat down near him.  Bheekhan Khan then began to speak: “Prabhoo ji, we received news from home: they have asked us to come back home and attend the Niqaahs (wedding in Islam) of our young ones.  Our families have told us to come home quick.  We need to go home now.  Please give us leave to go home.  We need to go home because there is a wedding in everyone’s home.  Many weddings have been set.  All 500 Pathaans need leave.  We first thought if only the people who have functions should go, but the others said they wanted to attend the weddings too.  So, we ask you to update us with our pays as we will need the money and give us permission to leave.  We will return when the weddings are done.  We will re-enlist in the army.  We are all packed up and ready to leave now.”  Sri Prabhoo ji knew what was in the hearts of the Pathaans.  He knew that they had lost their bravery and feared the war.  He wanted to give them courage and said: “I had heard you are brave.  That is why I hired you with a good salary.  I thought that: if I had to face an enemy in battle, you will help me on the battlefield.  It is time to fight now.  What time is this now, that you are asking for leave?  When the employer needs to fight a war, the soldier should let go of his personal tasks and fight the war.  You are the sons of brave warriors, but are making excuses like cowards.  You are afraid of the enemy and think that they are bigger.  You will not be praised for this.  The enemy is very near.  Pick up your weapons and face the enemy.  Shoot the enemy and win the war.  You may take leave after winning the war.  There is only one wedding now, it is the battle.  First fight the war like warriors and stand in front of the enemy.  We can do the other weddings later.  Consider the honor of your families.  Win the war.  I will give you leave with honor and a lot of money.  Your families will be happy.  If you are thinking that the Pahari army is bigger, and want to leave because of that, then trust me on this: Guru Nanak will give us victory.  We will win and destroy the enemy.  If the enemy brings a hundred thousand soldiers, the Guru’s army will have a thousand, the enemy still won’t win.  They will come but will leave as losers.”  The Pathaans heard Guru ji but still didn’t want to stay.  Hayaat Khan and Nijaabhat Khan said: “what you are saying is true, Guru ji.  But still, the household tasks are a great responsibility.  At the time of a wedding or death, we need to attend.  If we don’t meet our relatives, then we are considered inconsiderate.  Our children are getting married, everyone wants to see their kids’ weddings.  It’s not just one or two weddings, there are too many weddings.  We all have to go.  If we go today, we will barely make it home on time.  Otherwise, we will miss the weddings.  It won’t be a good celebration and we will be looked badly upon our whole lives.  We all need to go.  We can’t miss these weddings.  Our kids are getting married into very wealthy families.  We will have to attend those weddings.  If we don’t meet the other side, it will be considered dishonorable.  If we don’t go now, we won’t be able to face our communities.  We are stuck in the middle.  We can’t stay for even one more day.  Please let us leave.  We can’t stay any longer.”  Guru ji was a very strict Tapasvi.  He knew that the Pathaans were cowards and afraid of the Pahari army.  They didn’t want to fight because they thought they will have to do all the fighting.  They lost their courage to fight.  They had no will to fight.  Guru ji spoke to them with a blessed glance: “listen Khans, don’t worry.  All of your tasks will be completed by Guru Nanak Dev ji.  First win the enemy, then take mounds of money from me.  Don’t drop your weapons now, this is not your duty.  You are Pathaans.  Pick up your weapons and face the enemy.  Stay Nimak Halaal to your employer.  You will be praised in this world as well as Akaal Purakh’s court.  If you remain alive, you will be praised and enjoy the pleasures of life as you wish.  You well enjoy all the food and pleasure you wish.  If you die fighting, you will enjoy the pleasures of heaven.  The pleasure of heaven is difficult for kings to achieve but warriors get there in seconds.  Let go of your cowardness and fight like warriors.  Keep the honor of your family and kill the enemy.  Those who flea the battlefield, they are not considered brave and are called cowards.  They are not honored in the afterlife either.  Vultures do not eat the flesh of cowards.  Cowards go to Hell.  Cowards are slandered in the world.  Cowards are called vultures.  If you are greedy, I will give you raises.  I will double your pay.  If you want more, then I can triple your pay.  If you don’t stay after this, then I will quadruple your pay.   If you want even more, then I will give you 5 times more.  Become warriors now.  You will be praised here and be rich.  Your kids will be happy too.  Don’t be cowards now.”