Sagoo, Harbans Kaur (2001).Banda Singh Bahadur and Sikh Sovereignty. Deep & Deep Publications. pp. 190–191.ISBN 978-81-7629-300-6.
Banda Singh | |
|---|---|
 Depiction of Banda Singh Bahadur, during the Battle of Sirhind (1710), from an illustrated folio of ‘Tawarikh-i Jahandar Shah’, Awadh or Lucknow,c. 1770 | |
| Jathedar | |
| Reign | 26 November 1709 – 7 December 1715 |
| Predecessor | Position established |
| Successor | Position disestablished |
| Born | Lachman Dev 27 October 1670 (1670-10-27) Rajauri,Poonch,Mughal Empire[1] (present-dayJammu and Kashmir,India) |
| Died | 9 June 1716 (1716-06-10) (aged 45) Delhi, Mughal Empire (present-day India) |
| Spouses | Susheel Kaur Sahib Kaur[2] |
| Issue | Ajay Singh Ranjit Singh[2] |
| Signature |  |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Sikhism |
| Religious career | |
| Teacher | Guru Gobind Singh |
| Military career | |
| Other names | Madho Das Bairagi Banda Bairagi |
| Allegiance |
|
| Years of service | 1708–1716 |
| Rank | Jathedar |
| Battles / wars |
|
Banda Singh Bahadur (bornLachman Dev; 27 October 1670 – 9 June 1716) was a Sikh militarycommander of theKhalsa Army. At age 15, he left home to become anascetic, and was given the nameMadho Das Bairagi. He established a monastery atNānded, on the bank of the riverGodāvarī. In 1707,Guru Gobind Singh accepted an invitation to meetMughal EmperorBahadur Shah I in southern India, he visited Banda Singh Bahadur in 1708. Banda became disciple of Guru Gobind Singh and was given a new name,Gurbaksh Singh(as written inMahan Kosh),[3] after the baptism ceremony. He is popularly known as Banda Singh Bahadur. He was given five arrows by the Guru as a blessing for the battles ahead. He came toKhanda, Sonipat and assembled a fighting force and led the struggle against theMughal Empire.
His first major action was the sacking of the Mughal provincial capital,Samana, in November 1709.[1] After establishing his authority and the Sikh Republic inPunjab,[4][page needed] Banda Singh Bahadur abolished thezamindari (feudal) system, and granted property rights to the tillers of the land. Banda Singh was captured by the Mughals and tortured to death in 1715–1716.
_from_Takht_Hazur_Sahib%2c_Nanded._Madho_Das_(popularly_known_as_Banda_Singh_Bahadur)_declares_he_is_Guru_Gobind_Singh%25E2%2580%2599s_%25E2%2580%2598Banda%25E2%2580%2599_slave.jpg)
Banda Singh Bahadur was born as Lachman Dev[5][1][6] in aHindu family to farmer Ram Dev, atRajouri (now inJammu and Kashmir) on 27 October 1670.[7] Sources variously describe his father as aRajput from the Bhardwaj clan[8][9] or aDogra Rajput.[10][a] Banda Singh's family was quite poor. Not much is known about his early life other than the fact that Banda Singh was fond of hunting and shooting and learned the arts ofhorseriding,wrestling,archery, andswordsmanship at a young age and quite quickly.[7] According to a tale about Banda Singh's early life he was once hunting at the age of 15. The sight of thedoe dying saddened Banda Singh. He was even deeply hurt when he cut the doe and found two of the doe's babies dying who were not yet born. The event deeply scarred him and led to Banda Singh abandoning worldly affairs and becoming anascetic. He came into contact of a fellow ascetic named Janaki Prasad. Prasad changed Banda Singh's name, which at the time was Lachman Dev, into Madho Das. Banda Singh established his ownDera (monastery) and took upon a following of some men.[7]
In 1708Guru Gobind Singh went to themonastery of Banda Singh, at the time Madho Das. Guru Gobind Singh sat on Banda Singh's seat where the Banda would sit as asaint. According to some sources Guru Gobind Singh also killed thegoats there. Upon hearing what happened Banda Singh was filled with rage. Banda Singh used his "magic" to flip the chair the Guru sat on, but nothing happened. Filled with rage Banda Singh made his way to the Guru. Upon seeing the Guru Banda Singh's rage melted. After a conversation with the Guru Banda Singh converted and tookAmrit becoming aKhalsa. Madho Das was named Banda Singh by the Guru. Banda Singh was taught inGurbani andSikh history.[13] Upon learning of the killing ofZorawar Singh andFateh Singh, Banda Singh is said to have cried. Guru Gobind Singh told Banda Singh, "When tyranny had overtaken men, it was the duty off the more sensitive to fight against it and even to lay down their life in the struggle". Banda Singh wanted to do such. Banda Singh wished to fulfil Guru Gobind Singh's wish of punishing tyrants and saving the commoners.[14]
Soon after Guru Gobind Singh was stabbed by 2Pathans sent byWazir Khan and possiblyBahadur Shah I. This is said to have sent Banda Singh into a fury. Banda Singh begged of the Guru to send him intoPunjab so he can get revenge for the crimes done on Sikhs and punish the tyrants. In September 1708 Guru Gobind Singh gave Banda Singh the title of Bahadur and gave his full political and military authority to carry on the struggle. Banda Singh was given the duty of punishing wrong-doers and get revenge for the killing of Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh. He was bestowed with aNagara (war drum),Nishan Sahib, and 5 arrows of Guru Gobind Singh. He was also givenPanj Pyare, Ram Singh,Binod Singh, Kahan Singh,Baj Singh, andDaya Singh to assist him.[15] Banda Singh was also given 20 other Singhs to accompany him. He was told by the Guru to remain honest and pure in heart, to not touch another man's wife, see himself as a servant of the Khalsa and Guru, do all acts after anArdas and seeking counsel of the Panj Pyare, not to call himself Guru or form his own sects, and not to get ego from victories nor sadness from losses.[16]
Banda Singh was also givenHukamnamas from Guru Gobind Singh telling all Sikhs to join him in his war against theMughal Empire. He was given the position ofJathedar of the Khalsa. Thus Banda Singh was sent to Punjab with a group of 300cavalry following him in a distance of 8 kilometers.[16]
During the trip to Punjab Guru Gobind Singh died on 7 October 1708. Banda Singh used a disguise to travel for most of the trip and followed the path Guru Gobind Singh took inMaharashtra andRajputana. Banda Singh traveled at a rate of 16 kilometres a day. It took a year for him to reach Punjab.[17]
Banda Singh soon reached modern dayHaryana and was soon able to win over the local people.[18] Banda Singh advanced towards the region ofBagar and was successful in subduing localdacoits (bandits) and robbers. He distributed what he captured from the thieves amongst the poor.[18] This incident won Banda Singh fame. He was publicly honoured by the locals with a waving of scarf.[19] Banda Singh was able to gain the support of local villagers and initiated people into theKhalsa.[18] Banda Singh then advanced towards the villages of Sehri andKhanda. It was in these villages that Banda Singh sent letters to the Sikh communities in theMajha,Doaba, andMalwa regions of Punjab to join him on his campaign against the Mughal authorities. It was in these letters that Banda Singh reminded the Sikhs of the cruel deaths of Guru Gobind Singh's two younger sons under the orders of Wazir Khan, theGovernor ofSirhind.[18][20] As a result of these letters, Banda Singh began to receive support from the Sikh communities of Punjab.[21] Banda Singh was joined byFateh Singh along with Karam Singh and Dharm Singh.[21]Tilok Singh and Ram Singh Phulkian provided soldiers and financial aid to Banda Singh.[21] Ali Singh and Mali Singh, who were previously under the service of Wazir Khan, also joined Banda Singh.[21]
Banda Singh with a force of 500 soldiers lead an attack onSonipat which war near the imperial capitalDelhi. TheFaujdar of Sonipat was defeated by the Sikhs resulting in the city being occupied.[22] Banda Singh plundered the imperial treasury and the rich. He distributed the wealth amongst his own men. The conquest on Sonipat so near to Delhi was an open challenge to the Mughals.[23] Banda Singh next set his eyes onSamana. Along the way Banda Singh lead an attack on a Mughal detachment nearKaithal that was carrying imperial treasure headed to Delhi.[22][23] Banda Singh was successful in taking the treasure from the Mughal authorities.[24] The Amil (Governor) of Kaithal was enraged by this and led an attack on the Sikhs. Banda Singh and the Sikhs fought a hard battle, but being mostly footmen compared to the Mughal cavalry were facing losses. Banda Singh executed a plan where the Sikh force ran into the forest full of thorns forcing the Mughal cavalry to abandon their horses. The Sikhs then popped out of the woods and took the horses. The Mughals were slaughtered in the battle with some surrendering. The Amil was captured by Banda Singh, but was released on the condition he would let the Sikhs keep the horses. The loot captured was distributed amongst Banda Singh's followers.[25]
Banda Singh decided to head east towardsKiratpur in order to liberate Sikhs ofMajha andDoaba held up inMalerkotla andRopar. Along the way Banda Singh conquered Ghurman and Thaska. Ghurman offered minor resistance whereas Thaska surrendered without any resistance. Banda Singh then advanced uponKunjpura which was the native village of Wazir Khan. Troops and artillery of Wazir Khan was stationed there but they were defeated by the Sikhs. Banda Singh next attackedShahabad which was inhabited by Muslims known for committing rape. They were destroyed by Banda Singh and the Sikh forces. Banda Singh also ravaged Damala which was the home of thePathans who abandoned Guru Gobind Singh in theBattle of Bhangani. Banda Singh next marched uponMustafabad. The Faujdar of Mustafabad sent 2,000 imperial troops with 2 cannons to stop Banda Singh and the Sikhs. Banda Singh and the Sikhs defeated the Mughals with them leaving behind the cannons in their retreat. The town was plundered and the Faujdar was punished for his tyranny and oppression on the population.[26][27][28]
Banda Singh heard aboutKapuri'sZamindar Qadam-ud-din, his reportedly immoral life[29] and persecution of Hindus and Sikhs.[30] He meddled with Hindu marriages and kidnapped young brides and raped them.[31] Banda Singh immediately attacked Kapuri, and killed Qadam-ud-din capturing his fort. This victory also led to a major capture of booty and war material.[32][31][33]
Banda Singh's next sight wasSadhaura. Sadhaura was ruled by Osman Khan, who tortured and executed the Muslim saint Syed Pir Budhu Shah, for helping Guru Gobind Singh in theBattle of Bhagnani. Osman Khan also committed atrocities against Hindus where the cows were slaughtered in front of their homes and forbade Hindus and Sikhs from cremating their dead and performing their religious events. All of this made Sadhaura Banda Singh's target.[34][35][31][36]As Banda Singh advanced on Sadhaura the locals and peasants joined him in revolt. The angry mob became uncontrollable and destroyed all. TheSayyids andShaikhs were killed. Osman Khan washanged to death and Sadhaura was captured.[31][36][37]
Wazir Khan had found out that the Sikhs fromMajha had assembled atKiratpur Sahib to join Banda Singh. When the Sikhs reachedRopar, Sher Mohammad Khan along with Khizar Khan, Nashtar Khan and Wali Mohammad Khan were there to block the Sikhs passage and offer them a battle.[38] The Mughals had better weapons and a superior number of cavalry while the Sikhs had a small army with insufficient weapons.[39] Both sides faced off in a bloody battle. As they were fighting, there came a bad dust storm which forced both parties to withdraw for the night.[40] On the next day, a fresh contingent of Sikhs arrived to reinforce the remaining Sikhs. Immediately a bullet struck Khizar Khan in the head which caused confusion.[41][42] Nashtar and Wali Mohammad Khan tried to retrieve the dead body of Khizar Khan but were killed while doing so. Sher Mohammad Khan fled away due to being seriously wounded.[39] With most of their leaders killed, the remaining force retreated back to Sirhind.[43][32] The Sikh force in Ropar later grouped with Banda Singh Bahadur to prepare for the attack on Sirhind.[40]
The Sikhs were planning to wagedharamyudh against the city of Sirhind, itsGovernorWazir Khan andDewan Sucha Nand, to avenge Mughal oppression and the execution of the two young children ofGuru Gobind Singh.[44][45] This was the main goal of Banda Singh.[14]
Before the battle began, Wazir Khan and Sucha Nand sent the latter's nephew with 1,000 men to Baba Banda Singh Bahadur in a plot to deceive the Sikhs, by falsely claiming to have deserted the Mughals and have come joined the Sikhs for their cause.[38][46] Wazir Khan had a large well-armed army, which includedghazis, along with a number of artillery, musketeers, andelephants.[46] Khan's army was larger than 20,000.[47]
On the other hand, Banda Singh's army was ill-equipped with long spears, arrows, swords, without artillery and elephants and insufficient amount of horses.[48][46] According toGanda Singh, Banda's army consisted of three classes of men where the first class were the devoted Sikhs imbued to crusade against the enemies of their country and religion, the second being the paid recruited soldiers sent by the chieftains of the Phul family, who sympathized with Banda Singh's cause. The third were the irregulars who were professional robbers and dacoits (bandits), eager to seize the opportunity to plunder the city. They were also the most unreliable allies as they would desert when fearing a sign of defeat.[46][49]Hari Ram Gupta writes that Banda's army consisted of three groups, the first being Sikhs fighting purely to punish Wazir Khan, the second being Sikhs intent on plundering and punishing enemies of their faith. The third being HinduJats,Gujars andRajputs intent on plunder alone.[50]
Both sides faced off inChappar Chiri on 12 May 1710. Upon the firing of artillery by theMughal Army, the third class of Banda's army, consisting of bandits and irregulars fled, and soon after Sucha Nand's nephew along with his 1,000 men took to flight as well.[46]Baj Singh informed Banda Singh of this. Banda Singh decoded to personally entre the frontlines of the battle leading the charge against the Mughals.[46][51] This motivated the Sikh force who shouted, "Waheguru ji ki Fateh" (Victory belongs to theWondrous Enlightener) as they charged against the Mughals and their elephants. With only swords two elephants were killed by the Sikhs. The Mughals suffered heavy casualties with theNawab ofMalerkotla, Sher Mohammad Khan, being killed. He was followed by Mughal general Khawaja Ali. Wazir Khan attempted to rally his men as he fired arrows,[52] but was confronted by Baj Singh. Wazir Khan threw a spear at Baj Singh. Both men dueled with Baj Singh injuring Wazir Khan's horse. Wazir Khan shot Baj Singh in the arm with an arrow and reached for his sword to kill him.Fateh Singh charged at Wazir Khan and decapitated Wazir Khan before he could kill Baj Singh.[51] According toSuraj Granth andMaculiffe Wazir Khan was instead killed by Banda Singh who shot him with an arrow from the Guru.[51] As soon as Wazir Khan died the Mughal force fled.[46][53] Wazir Khan's body would later be tied to an animal and dragged around before being hung onto a tree.[51][52][54]
The retreating Mughal force left behind all of their horses, cannons, tents, and ammunition which was all captured by the Sikhs. Sikhs yelled out war cries of "Sat Sri Akaal" (True is theTimeless Lord) as they fell upon Sirhind. Sikhs reached Sirhind by nightfall. The gates had been closed and cannons had been placed to stop the Sikhs. The Sikhs rested for the night. Wazir Khan's family with other Mughal officials had fled to Delhi. On the 13th 500 Sikhs were killed attempting to take Sirhind. By the 14th Sikhs entered Sirhind.[55][56][57]
Filled with rage and revenge Sikhs began to destroy and razed Sirhind to the ground. Sucha Nand was captured and executed. All the booty of Sirhind was captured by Banda Singh.[55] He further abolished thezamindari system (feudal system) and distributed land among thepeasants.[58] Banda Singh had ordered that the ownership of the land should be given to the peasants and to let them live in dignity and self-respect.[59][60]
The entire province of Sirhind and its 28parganas was under the control of Banda Singh. It extended from theSutlej to theYamuna and from theShivalik hills toKunjpura,Karnal andKaithal. All of it yielded 3,600,000rupees annually.[55] He appointed Baj Singh as the new Governor of Sirhind and Ali Singh of Salaudi as his deputy, and struck coins.[61][62][57] Fateh Singh was made Governor ofSamana, and Ram Singh Governor ofThanesar.[55]
Banda Singh had become well known at this time as, "The defender of the faith and the champion of the oppressed."[55]
._Baba_Banda_Singh_Bahadur._1670-1716._AR_Rupee_(25mm%2c_11.98_g%2c_6h)._Amritsar_mint._Dated_Year_2_(AD_1711)._VF._(840_2).jpg)
Banda Singh Bahadur developed the village of Mukhlisgarh and made it his capital. He then renamed it toLohgarh (Fortress of Iron) where he issued his ownmint.[63] The coin described Lohgarh: "Struck in the City of Peace, illustrating the beauty of civic life, and the ornament of the blessed throne".[citation needed]
He briefly established a state in Punjab for half a year. Banda Singh sent Sikhs toUttar Pradesh and the Sikhs took overSaharanpur,Muzaffarnagar, and other nearby areas.
The rule of the Sikhs over the entirePunjab east of Lahore obstructed the communication betweenDelhi andLahore, the capital ofPunjab, and this worried Mughal EmperorBahadur Shah I He gave up his plan to subdue rebels inRajputana and marched towards Punjab.[64]
The entireimperial force was organized to defeat and kill Banda Singh Bahadur.[65] All the generals were directed to join the Emperor's army. To ensure that there were no Sikh agents in the army camps, an order was issued on 29 August 1710 to all Hindus to shave off their beards.[66]
Banda Singh was in Uttar Pradesh when the Mughal Army under the orders of Munim Khan[67] marched to Sirhind and before the return of Banda Singh, they had already taken Sirhind and the areas around it. The Sikhs therefore moved to Lohgarh for their final battle. The Sikhs defeated the army but reinforcements were called and they laid siege on the fort with 60,000 troops.[68][69] Gulab Singh dressed himself in the garments of Banda Singh and seated himself in his place.[70]
Banda Singh left the fort at night and went to a secret place in the hills andChamba forests. The failure of the army to kill or catch Banda Singh shocked Emperor Bahadur Shah I and on 10 December 1710 he ordered that wherever a Sikh was found, he should be killed.[71][72]
Banda Singh Bahadur wroteHukamnamas to the Sikhs to reorganize and join him at once.[73] In 1712, the Sikhs gathered nearKiratpur Sahib and defeatedRaja Ajmer Chand,[74] who was responsible for organizing all theHill States against Guru Gobind Singh and instigating battles with him. After Bhim Chand's dead the other Hill Rajas accepted their subordinate status and paid revenues to Banda Singh. While Bahadur Shah I's four sons were killing themselves for the throne of the Mughal Emperor,[75] Banda Singh Bahadur recaptured Sadhaura and Lohgarh.Farrukh Siyar, the 10th Mughal Emperor, appointedAbdus Samad Khan as theSubahdar of theLahore province andZakariya Khan, Abdus Samad Khan's son, theFaujdar of Jammu.[76]
In 1713 the Sikhs left Lohgarh and Sadhaura and went to the remote hills of Jammu and where they built Dera Baba Banda Singh.[77][page needed] During this time Sikhs were being persecuted especially byMughals in theGurdaspur region.[78] Banda Singh came out and capturedKalanaur andBatala (both places in modernGurdaspur district[79] which rebuked Farrukh Siyar to issue Mughal and Hindu officials and chiefs to proceed with their troops to Lahore to reinforce his army.[80]
In March 1715, the army under the command ofAbd al-Samad Khan,[81] the Mughal Governor of Lahore, drove Banda Bahadur and the Sikh forces into the village ofGurdas Nangal, 6 km to the west ofGurdaspur, Punjab and laid siege to the village.[82] The Sikhs defended the small fort for eight months under conditions of great hardship,[83] but on 7 December 1715 the Mughals broke into the starving garrison and captured Banda Singh and his companions.[84]
Banda Singh Bahadur was put into an iron cage and the remaining Sikhs were chained.[85] The Sikhs were brought to Delhi in a procession with the 780 Sikh prisoners, 2,000 Sikh heads hung on spears, and 700 cartloads of heads of slaughtered Sikhs used to terrorize the population.[86][87] They were put in theRed Fort and pressured to give up their faith and become Muslims.[88]
The prisoners remained unmoved. On their firm refusal these non-converters were ordered to be executed. Every day 100 Sikh soldiers were brought out of the fort and executed in public.[89] This continued for approximately seven days.[90] Banda was told to kill his four-year-old son, Ajai Singh, which he refused to do.[91] So, Ajai was executed, his heart was cut out, and thrust into Banda's mouth. However, his resolution did not break under torture, and so he wasmartyred. After three months of confinement,[92] on 9 June 1716, Banda's eyes weregouged out, hislimbs were severed, hisskin removed, and then he wasbeheaded.[1][93]
The execution of Banda Singh Bahadur and 700 of his followers by the Mughals in the spring of 1716 at Delhi was observed by a European visitor to the city on official business who was aBritish East India Company diplomat to the Mughal Empire.[94] This European recorded his thoughts on the execution of the Sikhs in a letter he sent to the Governor ofFort William inCalcutta.[94] It is one of the earliest accounts of the Sikhs from the perspective of a Westerner.[94]
Banda Singh Bahadur is known to have halted theZamindari andTaluqdari system in the time he was active and gave the peasantsproprietorship of their own land.[95] It seems that all classes of government officers were addicted to extortion and corruption and the whole system of regulatory and order was subverted.[96]
Local tradition recalls that the people from the neighborhood ofSadaura came to Banda Singh complaining of the iniquities practices by their feudal lords. Banda Singh ordered Baj Singh to open fire on them. The people were astonished at the strange reply to their representation and asked him what he meant. He told them that they deserved no better treatment when being thousands in number they still allowed themselves to be cowed down by a handful of Zamindars. He defeated theSayyids andShaikhs in theBattle of Sadhaura.[97]
In 1714, a resolute effort was envisaged by Farrukh Siyar to suppress Banda's rebellion, who was evading capture despite significant Mughal endeavors and investment of resources. At first,Mata Sundari (Guru Gobind's widow) was asked to persuade Banda to stop his lawlessness and expedition against the Mughals in exchange forjagirs and recruitment for Sikh soldiers into the imperial army. Banda declined on account of his lack of trust in the government. The Emperor had then imprisoned both of Gobind's widows, prompting Sundari to write to Banda again to get him to submit. Banda had again declined, leading the Emperor to tighten the restrictions on the widows, culminating in the excommunication of Banda Singh Bahadur by Mata Sundari for refusing to submit to the Emperor as per her demands. She further accused him of reigning over the Sikhs as their "Guru", and reprimanded his followers in ahukam-nama. This dispute led to two separate factions of the contemporary Sikh community, theTat Khalsa; who were allied to Mata Sundari, and the Bandais; who were allied to Banda Singh Bahadur.[98][99][100][101] Mata Sundari's intervention led to half of Banda's followers (approximately fifteen thousand) abandoning him prior to the siege of Gurdas Nangal.[102][103][104] Disputes between the Tat Khalsa and the Bandais primarily included topics including Banda's abandonment of the traditional blue robes in favor of red ones, his insistence on vegetarianism, his observance of caste rituals, and his replacement of the prescribed Sikh slogan with "Fateh Darshan", as well as concerns over excesses committed by Banda's troops during their campaign of retribution against the Mughals. Banda's excommunication impeded his ability to counter the Mughals and contributed to his eventual capture and execution.[105][106][107][108]
Modern Sikh tradition speaks of at least two different Khalsas; theTat Khalsa adhering to the polity and injunctions of Guru Gobind Singh, and theBandais; those who adopted the principles of Banda Singh Bahadur.[109][110]
However the authenticity of the excommunication of Banda Singh Bahadur by Mata Sundari has been questioned by historianGanda Singh who mentions that there is no contemporary or near contemporary writers or sources that make any mention of Banda Singh Bahadur being excommunicated, or that Farrukh Siyar had come into negotiations with Mata Sundari.[111] Historian Surjit Singh Gandhi also claims that there is no contemporary sources that make any mention of an excommunication occurring between Banda Singh and Mata Sundari.[112] Historian Sukhdial Singh further notes that there is no hukam-nama issued by Mata Sundari that addresses Banda Singh.[113] According to Dr. Nazer Singh, Banda Singh was regarded with contempt by theAkalis and the larger Sikh community for two centuries after his death, to counter Banda's exclusion from the Sikh community, Dr. Ganda Singh wrote an exculpatory book on him in 1935, proclaiming him to be a "perfect Sikh".[114] However although Ganda Singh defends Banda Singh from the various allegations levied against him, he does however acknowledge that Banda Singh was not beyond criticism nor was he infallible.[115] Purnima Dhavan has also cast doubt on Ganda Singh's explication of Banda Singh Bahadur's life and adherence to the Khalsa doctrine; his citing of Banda's phrases in hukam-namas, which he interpreted as Banda deferring to the Guru's authority and strictures ("This is the order of the Sacha Sahiba" and "He who lives according to theRehat of the Khalsa shall be saved by the Guru") were equivocal and could also be taken as Banda conferring guruship upon himself.[116] However Hari Ram Gupta notes that the term "Sri Sacha Sahiba" found in Banda Singh's writings was used to only refer to God and the Guru and not himself.[117] Ganda Singh also concurred that Banda invented his own salutation and prohibited the consumption of meat, likely motivated by hisBairagi background as opposed to the customs of the Khalsa.[116] Harbans Sagoo notes that although Banda Singh introduced the slogan of "Fateh Darshan", he never intended it to replace the traditional Sikh salutation of "Waheguru Ji Ki Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh". When the Khalsa rejected Fateh Darshan as a slogan, Banda Singh agreed to abandon it.[49] Sukhdial Singh claims the slogan was not Fateh Darshan but rather "Fateh Darshani" meaning a fateh which uttered after a darshan. Sukhdial Singh claims that the slogan alone wouldn't have warranted any form of punishment.[118] According to Purnima Dhavan, while Banda did reiterate support of the Khalsa rahit in his hukam-namas, he also revered the values of vegetarianism and customs associated with the Hindu elite, made appeals to a collective Hindu and Sikh religion, and omitted prior orthodox Sikh sentiments and apprehensions about the Khalsa's interactions with other groups.[119]
A war memorial was built whereBattle of Chappar Chiri was fought, to glorify heroic Sikh soldiers. The 328 feet tallFateh Burj was dedicated to Banda Singh Bahadur who led the army and defeated theMughal forces. TheFateh Burj is taller thanQutab Minar and is an octagonal structure. There is a dome at the top of the tower withKhanda made of stainless steel.[120]
| Outcome | Date | Campaign | Action | Opponent/s | Location | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victory | Late 1709 | Campaign to Sirhind | Skirmish in Narnaul | Localdacoities and thieves | Narnaul,Haryana | [122][123][124] |
| Victory | Late 1709 | Campaign to Sirhind | Battle of Bhiwani | Mughal Empire | Bhiwani,Haryana | [124] |
| Victory | October 1709 | Campaign to Sirhind | Skirmish in Bangardesh | Localdacoities and thieves | Bangardesh,Haryana | [18][124] ⁂ |
| Victory | November 1709 | Campaign to Sirhind | Battle of Sonipat | Mughal Empire | Sonipat,Haryana | [125][126][23] |
| Victory | November 1709 | Campaign to Sirhind | Battle of Kaithal | Mughal Empire | Kaithal,Haryana | [125][126][23][123][122] |
| Victory | 28 November 1709 | Campaign to Sirhind | Battle of Samana | Mughal Empire | Samana,Punjab | [127][122][123][124][128][33] |
| Victory | December 1709 | Campaign to the East | Battle of Ghuram | Mughal Empire | Sanaur,Punjab | [122][28][124][123] |
| Victory | December 1709 | Campaign to the East | Battle of Thaska | Mughal Empire | Thaska,Punjab | [122][28][124] |
| Victory | December 1709 | Campaign to the East | Battle of Thanesar | Mughal Empire | Thanesar,Haryana | [122][28] |
| Victory | December 1709 | Campaign to the East | Battle of Shahbad | Mughal Empire | Shahbad-Markanda,Haryana | [122][28][123] |
| Victory | December 1709 | Campaign to the East | Battle of Damala | Mughal Empire | Damala,Haryana | [28][124] |
| Victory | December 1709 | Campaign to the East | Battle of Mustafabad | Mughal Empire | Mustafabad,Haryana | [122][28][124][123] |
| Victory | December 1709 | Campaign to the East | Battle of Kunjpura | Mughal Empire | Kunjpura,Haryana | [122][123][124] |
| Victory | December 1709 | Campaign to the East | Battle of Kapuri | Mughal Empire | Kapuri,Punjab | [122][124][129][130] |
| Victory | Early 1710 | Campaign to the East | Battle of Sadaura | Mughal Empire | Sadaura,Haryana | [131][35][37] |
| Victory | Early 1710 | Campaign to the East | Battle of Ropar | Mughal Empire | Ropar,Punjab | [43][32] |
| Victory | May 12, 1710 | Campaign to Sirhind | Battle of Chappar Chiri | Mughal Empire | Chappar Chiri,Punjab | [132][44][133][60] |
| Victory | May 12–14, 1710 | Campaign to Sirhind | Siege of Sirhind | Mughal Empire | Sirhind,Punjab | [134][60][135][44][23][122][60][33] |
| Victory | June 1710 | N/A | Battle of Ghurnai | Ramraiya | Ghurnai,Punjab | [136][137] |
| Victory | June 1710 | Campaign in the Yamuna-Ganga Doaba | Battle of Saharanpur | Mughal Empire | Saharanpur,Uttar Pradesh | [138][139][140][141][142] |
| Victory | June 1710 | Campaign in the Yamuna-Ganga Doaba | Battle of Behut | Mughal Empire | Behat,Uttar Pradesh | [138][139][140][122] |
| Victory | July 11, 1710 | Campaign in the Yamuna-Ganga Doaba | Battle of Nanauta | Mughal Empire | Nanauta,Uttar Pradesh | [138][139][140][122] |
| Victory | July 1710 | Campaign in the Yamuna-Ganga Doaba | Battle of Jalalabad | Mughal Empire | Jalalabad,Uttar Pradesh | [138][143][140][144][122][145][146] |
| Loss | July–August 1710 | Campaign in the Yamuna-Ganga Doaba | Siege of Jalalabad | Mughal Empire | Jalalabad,Uttar Pradesh | [138][143][140][144][122][147][146] |
| Loss | December 1710 | N/A | First Battle of Lohgarh | Mughal Empire | Lohgarh,Haryana | [148][149] |
| Victory | Early 1711 | Campaign against the Hill States | Battle of Bilaspur | Kahlur | Kahlur Fort | [150][151][122] |
| Victory | Early 1711 | Campaign from the Hills | Battle of Pathankot | Mughal Empire | Pathankot,Punjab | [152][153] |
| Victory | Early 1711 | Campaign from the Hills | Battle of Gurdaspur | Mughal Empire | Gurdaspur,Punjab | [152][153] |
| Victory | Early 1711 | Campaign from the Hills | Battle of Raipur-Brahmpur | Mughal Empire | Raipur-Brahmpur,Punjab | [154][155][122] |
| Victory | March- April 1711 | Campaign from the Hills | Battle of Batala | Mughal Empire | Batala,Punjab | [156][157][80][122][79] |
| Victory | March- April 1711 | Campaign from the Hills | Battle of Kalanaur | Mughal Empire | Kalanaur,Punjab | [156][157][80][122][79] |
| Victory | March- April 1711 | Campaign from the Hills | Battle of Achal | Mughal Empire | Achal,Punjab | [152][153][158] |
| Loss | May 1711 | Campaign from the Hills | Battle of Pasrur | Mughal Empire | Pasrur,Punjab | [152][153][158] |
| Victory | December 1711 | Campaign from the Hills | Battle of Kiratpur | Mughal Empire | Kiratpur,Punjab | [152][153][158] |
| Victory | March 1712 | Campaign from the Hills | Second Battle of Sirhind | Mughal Empire | Sirhind,Punjab | [159][122] |
| Victory | March 1712 | N/A | Second Battle of Lohgarh | Mughal Empire | Lohgarh,Haryana | [160][161][122] |
| Loss | April–December 1715 | N/A | Siege of Gurdaspur | Mughal Empire | Gurdaspur,Punjab | [83][122][123][124] |
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The poet wants to assert that Banda was the religious descendant of Guru Gobind Singh and the 11th guru of the Sikhs. For this purpose, he acclaimed that Banda was a Sodhi Khatri. Actually, Banda was Bhardwaj Rajput. The poet knows that only the Sodhi Khatri could be the guru of the Sikhs. He seems, to be aware of the Sikh tradition that the guruship would remain within the limit of the Sodhi's.
Banda Bahadur was a Dogra Rajput
According to Hakim Rai's Ahwal Lachhman Das urf Banda Sahib Chela Guru Singh Sahib, he originally belonged to the Sodhi clan of the Khatris, while another account records him as a Panjabi Khatri (Kapur or Khana) of the Sialkot District.
Based on the best available compendiums of English records, the first occasion that an EIC officer had to observe Sikhs close at hand apparently arose in the spring of 1716 at Delhi, where an EIC mission in the Mughal capital witnessed the publicly held exe- cutions of 700 Sikh rebels as well as their chief Banda Bahadur. "It is not a little remarkable," wrote the head of the mission in a letter to the Governor of Fort William, the resolve with which the rebels "undergo their fate" without apostasy in the name of their "new formed religion."
The truth is that fifteen thousand Sikhs left Banda's force because of the intervention of Mata Sundri, the widow of Guru Gobind Singh. She admonished Banda Singh Bahadur for breaches of the Khalsa code of conduct. Banda started calling himself a Guru, required his followers to address him as Sacha Sahib and changed the Khalsa greeting, Wahe Guru ji ka Khalsa, Wahe Guru ji ki Fateh into Fateh Darshan. For these and other misdeeds Banda was excommunicated from the Khalsa Panth by Mata Sundri.....The result of Mata Sundri's intervention was that half of Banda's followers sided with Mata Sundri, left Banda's force and started calling themselves Tatva Khalsa.
According to Ratan Singh Bhangu , the earliest historian of the Khalsa , the veteran followers of Guru Gobind Singh ( Tat - khālsa ) charged Banda with having assumed ' rulership ' whereas he had been only assigned ' service '. They maintained that the Tenth Guru had bestowed sovereignty upon the Khalsa Panth. They charged Banda with deviation from Khalsa practices by adopting the salutation 'fateh darshan', by insisting upon vegetarianism, and by preferring red dress over the traditional blue of the Singhs. His observance of chauka (plastered squared space) militated against the practice of collective dinning. Therefore, the staunch Khalsa dissociated themselves from Banda before the final siege in 1715. Mata Sundri, the widow of Guru Gobind Singh, is believed to have lent her moral support to the Tat - Khālsa in their tussle first against Banda and then against his followers ( Bandais ).
His observance of ritual purities seemed to militate against the casteless order created by the baptism (sarbangi reet) created by the baptism of the double-edged sword. The old Khalsa also regarded it unsuitable for a state of warfare. Therefore, they are said to have disassociated from Banda before the siege of Gurdas Nangal and gone to Amristar.
He nevertheless soon fell out of their favour, even drawing the ire of the Tenth Guru's widow Mata Sundari and actually managing to divide the Khalsa in its loyalties, between those who remained attached to the memory of the Tenth Guru (the Akalpurakhia) and those committed to Banda (Bandai), whom Mughal sources often refer to as the 'accursed guru' or confuse with Guru Gobind Singh.
According to Sikh tradition, one of Guru Gobind's wives, Mata Sundari, wrote to Banda to stop his 'career of carnage and spoliation' as he had 'accomplished the mission imposed on him by the Guru'.
{{cite book}}:|last3= has generic name (help)Next, the Sikhs wrote to Jalal Khan, former faujdar, calling upon him to submit. He lived at a town founded by him, and called Jalalabad, it lies about thirty miles south of Saharanpur and about twenty miles west of Deoband.
{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)| International | |
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