A false narrative is being peddled targetting Muslims about the martyrdom of two younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh. While local Muslims always supported Sikhism’s 10th Guru in his war against Hindu Pahari Rajas, and even Mughals, efforts are being made at official and non-official levels to project that Sikh Guru’s wars were against Islam which is nothing but total falsehood. An effort has been made in this arfticle to put the things in correct perspective by quoting from books and references by Sikh historians and authors.
Syed Khalique Ahmed
NEW DELHI–The Central government organized the “Veer Bal Diwas” in the national capital on December 26, 2022, with a lot of pomp and show. The occasion was to mark the martyrdom day of two sons of Guru Gobind Singh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief guest on the occasion and he delivered a very emotional speech.
It is no doubt true that nine-year-old Zorawar Singh and seven-year-old Fateh Singh, the younger sons of Sikhism’s 10th Guru, were killed brutally. But the question is: Were they killed because of a religious war between Sikhs and Muslims? Or was it the result of a political warfare between the Sikhs and the Mughals. History is a witness that the Mughals had no enmity or quarrel with Guru Gobind Singh or the Sikhs. They were drawn into the battle against the Guru through a conspiracy of Hindu Pahari Rajas. But the speech of PM Modi tried to give an impression that the assassination of the Guru’s sons, called Sahibzades (Princes) by the Sikh community, was motivated by religion. If interpreted and analyzed, it amounts to pitting the Sikhs and Muslims against each other. There is no historical proof that the Sahibzades were assassinated because they refused to accept Islam. These interpolations in history have been incorporated just to perpetuate the hatred against Muslims and Islam. What does a child of seven or eight years know about religion? Moreover, the Quran explicity forbids any one, even adults, to be forced to convert to Islam. And therefore, how can someone claiming himself to be a staunch follower of the Quran go against Quranic dictates? The allegation that the Sikh princes were executed because they refused to embrace Islam, defies logic.
Sikh Body Condemns Observance of Veer Bal Divas
Surprisingly, Amritsar-based Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, the largest body of the Sikh community, has outrightly condemned the nomenclature of Veer Bal Diwas given to the martyrdom Day of the Sahibzades. They said that it amounted to “mischievous conspiracy to undermine Sikh history and religion.” SGPC wanted it to be titled as Sahibzade Shahadat Diwas that gives a different connotation to the event. But the central government simply ignored it. Sikh sources say that the government did not agree to the demand of SGPC because of the words Shahadat and Sahibzade which are of Urdu and Persian origin. Another reason for promoting Veer Bal Divas, sources say, is to undermine November 14, the birthday of India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, which is officially celebrated Children’s Day. This is as per political agenda to erase the traces of Gandhi-Nehru family from India’s political history.
The government is silent about 1984 Sikh massacre in Delhi
The question arises: Why is the BJP-led central government so much enthused over observance of the execution of Sahibzades? Why is it not talking about the 1984 Sikh massacre in Delhi? More than 3,000 Sikh men, women, and children were brutally killed all over Delhi. Many Sikhs saved themselves by shaving off their beards. Sikhs, who lived all over Delhi and dominated in businesses, almost disappeared from the National Capital after the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Like Muslims, Sikhs today have been forced to live in their ghettos in Delhi due to the fear of threat to their life and property.
Why not build a Sikh Resistance Museum in memory of the 1984 Sikh massacre?
Why can’t the government build a Sikh Resistance Museum to remind future generations about the atrocities on the Sikh population in Delhi on the pattern of a Complex of Memorial Jewish Resistance Museum in Novogrudok in Germany where Jews numbering 6,000 were executed on December 7, 1941?
Why the government ignores the beheading of two sons of Bahadur Shah Zafar by the Christian-British rulers?
Two sons of Bahadur Shah Zafar, who led the freedom movement in 1857, were shot dead by barbaric Christian-British rulers. Their heads were severed at Delhi Gate, now called Khooni Darwaza, and presented to 87-year-old Bahadur Shah as gifts. He was humiliated in this manner because he had led the freedom struggle. Why is the government maintaining stoic silent about it? This is so because perhaps remembering Muslim contribution to India’s Independence and its development does not politically suit the powers that be.
What is the Truth behind the executions of Sahibzades?
Were the wars between Guru Gobind Singh who was based in the small town of Anandpur Sahib, and the Mughal Army that assisted the Hindu Pahari Rajas against the Sikh Guru, over religion? Were the two sons of Guru Gobind Singh put to death on the orders of Aurangzeb, or was it a connivance of the Brahmin cook of Guru Gobind Singh and Hindu Brahmin treasurer under Subedar Wazir Khan (Mughal ruler’s representative) at Sirhind? Were the Sahibzades executed because they refused to embrace Islam, or because of conspiracies of the Hindu Pahari Rajas who faced threats from Guru Gobind Singh?
Who rescued the Sahibzades and their grandmother- Mata Gurjari – when they fell in the river Sarsa while fleeing for safety of their lives? Who sheltered Guru Gobind Singh after he crossed the river Sarsa with his two elder sons fearing arrest by the Mughal police? Were those who gave shelter to Guru Gobind Singh during his war with Hindu Pahari Rajas and the Mughal Army Hindus, Sikhs or Muslims?
Hindu Pahari Rajas conspired with Mughal Subedar at Sirhind to Crush Guru Gobind Singh
Answers to these and many other questions from authentic history books written by Sikh scholars themselves reveal that it was not a religious war between Guru Gobind Singh and Muslims. If the contents of the books are relied upon, it reveals that Guru Gobind Singh was fighting against the Hindu Pahari Rajas since September 1688. One Peer Badruddin Shah alias Buddhu Shah had supported Guru Gobind Singh with 2000 of his Muslim supporters in one of wars against Pahari Rajas. While Buddhu Shah lost eight members of his own family in the battle, Guru Gobind Singh emerged victorious in the war.
The chief reason of Guru Gobind Singh’s wars with Pahari Rajas was that he believed in the worship of One and only One God while Pahari Rajas were idol-worshippers. Guru Gobind Singh has quoted it in Zafarnama which he wrote in the Persian language.
Mughals dragged into the war against Guru Gobind through conspiracy of Hindu Pahari Rajas
After repeated defeats at the hands of Guru Gobind Singh, Pahari Rajas went to Subedar Wazir Khan and requested for military assistance against Guru Gobind Singh. For this, they officially deposited Rs. 20,000 in Subedar’s treasury and also offered costly personal gifts to Subedar to win his favour. This is how the Mughal power was dragged into the Sikh-Hindu war. Otherwise, neither the Sikh Guru had any dispute with Mughals, nor the Mughals had any fight with the Sikhs and Guru Gobind Singh.
After bribing the Mughal Subedar, the Pahari Rajas began conspiring and making false complaints to Aurangzeb that Guru Gobind Singh was raising a huge force to attack Delhi and dethrone the Mughal Emperor. They appealed to Aurangzeb to help them militarily against Guru Gobind Singh and Sikhs.
It was after this that military pressure increased on Guru Gobind Singh. Pahari Rajas and Wazir Khan asked him to vacate Anandpur Sahib fort and shift somewhere else with his family and supporters. Under an agreement, Guru Gobind Singh and his family were provided a safe passage. However, when he was leaving the fort with his family and a small band of his Sikh supporters, Hindu Rajas and the Mughal forces violated the agreement. Guru Gobind Singh and his family were attacked. His family and Sikh supporters got split in two groups. While Guru Gobind Singh, two elder sons – Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh – and some supporters managed to flee by crossing the river Sarsa, the horse carrying his mother – Gurjar Kaur – and two younger sons -Sahizada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh – failed to maintain balance in strong currents of the water. Consequently, his two sons and mother fell into the river water. On hearing the cries as the three were drowning, a Muslim boatman Qayyum Baksh alias Qumma Mashki rushed to the site. He rescued them and escorted them to his hut nearby. After hearing their story, Qayyum Baksh promised to reunite them with the Guru Gobind Singh and Sikhs. Meanwhile, Guru’s cook – Gangu Brahmin – reached there. He took custody of the Sahibzades and their grandmother and took them to his house Kheri Pind near Marinda. Guru Gobind’s mother, Mata Gurjar Kaur, was carrying lot of cash and valuables with her. At his house, Gangu committed theft of Mataji’s valuables and raised an alarm “Chor, chor” (thieves, thieves). Mataji understood his conspiracy. She told him that no thief came here and if he wanted something, he should have asked her for it from her. Having been exposed, Gangu felt insulted. Early, next morning, he informed Marinda Kotwal and got them arrested as the Mughal police were keenly looking for them. Kotwal handed them over to Mughal Subedar of Sirhind Wazir Khan. Col Jaibans Singh, a reputed geo-analyst in an article in Indian Defence Review in December 2018, says that handing over of the Sahibzades and Mataji to Sirhind’s Mughal administration was the “worst possible breach of trust and faith.” However, Col. Singh has failed to mention about the Muslim boatman saving the Sahibzades and Mataji from the river, indicating his academic and intellectual weakness in presenting complete truth to the people. So, what he has presented is half-truth. If such half-truths are doled out as authentic material through a military journal, one can understand the kind of impression it will have on the minds of the general readers as well as military personnel.
‘Trial’ and execution of Sahibzades, Malerkotla Nawab’s strong protest against punishment to Sahibzades
Wazir Khan convened a court to decide on the fate of the sahibzades. Among others, court comprised of the official Qazi (judge), Wazir Khan, his courtiers, and Sher Mohammed Khan, the Nawab of Malerkotla. Subedar asked the Qazi about what punishment could be awarded to the two boys- Zorawar Singh (9) and Fateh Singh (7) under the Islamic law. According to available evidence in history authored by Sikh historians, the Qazi responded that the boys are minors and innocent because they have not committed any crime, and hence, no punishment could be given to them. As Guru Gobind Singh had killed the brother of Malerkotla Nawab in a war a few weeks ago, Wazir Khan provoked him to take revenge of his brother’s blood from the two sons of Guru Gobind Singh. But Sher Khan told the Mughal Subedar or Governor that he had a dispute with Gobind Singh, not his sons. He said that if he would ever take revenge for the murder of his brother, he would take from Guru Gobind Singh in the battlefield, not from his sons. He submitted that the boys were innocent and must be freed.
It was quite possible that the Subedar would have freed the boys after Sher Khan’s reply. But Suchanand, a Brahmin, who was chief adviser to the Subedar, present in the court provoked Wazir Khan by saying that “Saanp ke bachche saanp hi hote hain (Offsprings of serpents are always serpents) and they would rebel against the Mughal government after they grew up. Suchanand suggested that the two boys be put to death immediately.
Due to repeated provocations from Suchanand, Subedar Vazir Khan agreed to assassinate the two boys. But Nawab of Malerkotla throughout maintained that the fight was against Guru Gobind Singh, not against innocent boys. He questioned the Subedar about what harm the two boys had done to him that he had decided in favour of killing them? He admonished the Subedar that the wrath of God would befall where there was an injustice against innocents. He then strongly suggested not to punish the boys. Finding himself helpless, the Malerkotla Nawab left the court after registering his dissent.
Malerkotla-based researcher Dr. Naseer Akhtar of Sikh-Muslim Affinity Foundation, quoting historian Narendra Singh Bhaler, says, that “If Gangu had not got Sahibzades and Mataji arrested through cheat and deceit, it is possible that this sad incident of martyrdom would not have happened. Secondly, if Suchanand had not repeatedly provoked the Subedar, then also the two boys could have been saved from assassination.” Dr. Naseer Akhtar says there is no evidence in history by Sikh authors that the Sahibzades were executed because they refused to convert to Islam.
Based on these historical facts one wonders, is it appropriate to say there was a religious warfare between Guru Gobind Singh and Muslims? If it was really so as is being highlighted by some radical elements to fan animosity between two minority communities in India, why would a Muslim boatman rescue Guru Gobind Singh’s sons and his mother who were drowning in the river? He not only rescued the three but also promised to reunite them with the Guru. And why would Malerkotla Nawab put a strong defence in favour of the two Sahibzades at the risk of his own position because Mughal Subedar Wazir Khan had the full backing of the Mughal Emperor? Out of 14 wars that Guru Gobind Singh fought in his life, 13 were against Hindu Pahari Rajas.
Guru Gobind Singh Takes Shelter in Muslim Houses
After crossing the Sarsa river, Guru Gobind Singh reached Kotla Nihang Khan village and took shelter with village chief Nihang Khan. He stayed there for two days on December 20 and 21. Meanwhile, his Sikh General Bichchattar Singh reached Nihang Khan’s house accompanied by Guru’s two elder sons. Bichchattar was badly injured and could not travel. The Guru handed him to the custody of Nihang Khan.
As the Mughal Army was looking for Guru sahib, he left the house of Rahim Khan for Chamkaur ki Gadhi, after midnight on December 21, 1704, along with his two sons. He was escorted for quite a long distance by Alam Khan, son of Nihang Khan. Alam Khan took the shortest route, away from the main route to avoid being seen by the Mughal security personnel.
Meanwhile, someone informed the police that the Guru was hiding in the house of Nihang Khan. His house was searched by the Ropar police chief. When the police asked Nihang Khan to open the door of a room in which Bichchattar Singh was hiding, Nihang Khan pretended that his daughter and son-in-law were there in the room. The police went back. This is how Nihang Khan saved Bichchattar Singh at the cost of his family’s honour.
A battle took place between Guru Gobind Singh’s forces and those of the Hindu Pahari Rajas, supported by the Mughal forces, when Guru Gobind Singh reached Chamkaur. Both of his elders sons- Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh – were martyred in this battle.
Guru Gobind Singh then escaped to Behlolpur village in Ludhiana district. He stayed there at the house of Maulvi Peer Mohammed. It is here that he commanded the Sikh community to have good relations with the Muslims.
He then travelled to the Machchiwada jungles and first went to the house of Bhai Punjaba, a Sikh. Meanwhile, police came to know about the arrival of Guru Gobind Singh in the jungles and announced to hand him over to the police, threatening the residents with severe consequences if they did not comply with police orders. Terrified, Bhai Punjaba requested the Guru to leave.
Then two Pathan brothers – Nabi Khan and Ghani Khan – hosted the Guru at their house despite great risk. They disguised the Guru as Uch ka Peer to bluff the police. Uch ka Peer, a Sufi Saint, was a regular visitor to their house. At the request of the Guru, the Khan brothers transported the Guru in a palanquin to Alamgir village. In this village, the Guru issued a Hukumnama, an edict that Nabi Khan and Ghani Khan were dearer to him than his own sons. This edict is still preserved in the local Gurudwara in Alamgir.
Running from one place to another, Guru Gobind Singh then got shelter in the house of a Muslim Raja – Rai Kalha of Raikot state – in the Ludhiana district itself. It was a time when no one, not even Siklhs, offered help and shelter to the Sikh Guru but Rai Kalha at the risk of his own life and that of his family, hosted the Guru for several days. In recognition of the services of the Muslim Raja, the Guru offered him his personal beloging called Ganga Sagar (a Surahi) to Rai Kalha. It was from the Surahi that the Guru used to drink milk and water. Ganga Sagar is still in possession of the descendants of Rai Kalha who shifted to Pakistan after Partition of the sub-continent in 1947. The Guru then shifted to Dina Kangad. It is here that the Guru wrote Zafarnama to Aurangzeb. Bhai Daya Singh, a Sikh, handed it over to Aurangzeb who was in Deccan fighting battles against Marathas at that time. Aurangzeb in return sent a letter to the Guru, advising him to meet him in Deccan. Aurangzeb also asked the Guru to propose punishments to those who had committed excesses against him and his family. When Wazir Khan came to know about it, he tried to stop the Guru from reaching Deccan.
But the Guru managed to reach Nanded. However, it was unfortunate that Aurangzeb expired before the Guru could meet him.
Guru Gobind Singh Supported Bahadurshah Zafar in the war of succession, dies in Nanded
A succession battle began between princes Muazzam and Azam – two sons of Aurangzeb. Guru Gobind Singh supported the elder son Muazzam who was coronated as Bahadur Shah. According to historians, the title of Bahadur Shah was given to Muazzam Shah by Guru Gobind Singh.
However, Guru Gobind Singh was stabbed by some unidentified persons. There are various theories about it. While some historians say that he was stabbed by one of the two Afghans allegedly sent by Wazir Khan to kill the Guru, others say that the identity of the assailant is not known. But Guru Gobind Singh died of stab wounds on October 7, 1708, in Nanded.
When it is clear from history that Muslims always helped the Sikh Guru, how could some political skirmishes between the Guru and the Mughal army be termed as a religious war. Instead of giving a communal turn, the government and particularly PM Modi must try bring a rapprochement between the two communities by removing misunderstanding. As PM Modi said that there is a need to rewrite history, historians must dig out the truth about the assassination of the sahibdazes and present it as such to promote communal harmony in the interest of national integrity and unity.
[…] This story was originally published in indiatomorrow.net . Read the full story here […]