Bibi Sharan Kaur Pabla

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An artist's imagination depicting Guru Gobind Singh sending his eldest son Sahibzada Ajit Singh to battlefield. Sahibzada Ajit Singh achieved martyrdom in this battle along with his brother Sahibzada Jujhar Singh and many other Sikh warriors.[1][2] Sharan Kaur Pabla of village Raipur performed the last rites of all of these Sikh martyrs. Guru Gobind Singh also escaped to Machchiwara passing through neighboring villages, instructing Sharan Kaur Pabla on the way to arrange the funeral of his sons and other Sikh martyrs [3][4]

Sharan Kaur Pabla(Harsharan Kaur Pabla) was a Sikh martyr who was slain in 1705 by Mughal soldiers while cremating the bodies of the two older sons of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru, after the battle of Chamkaur. She was from the village Raipur Rani which is 2 KM from the famous town of Chamkaur. [5] [6]

Historical Background: Guru Gobind Singh Escapes Chamkaur Fort

In the battle of Chamkaur Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh jee and 40 starving Singhs fought against the Mughal army. The battle, which took place in Chamkaur Sahib's mud fort, lasted 72 hours and saw the loss of many Mughal soldiers, and also 36 of Guru Gobind Singh jee's companions along with the two Sahibzaadey (princes). Fighting an army of hundreds of thousands, Guru Gobind Singh jee gave an exhibition of his battle skills. Guru jee, following the orders of the Panth Khalsa (in the form of the Panj Pyaare) left the fort on the night of December 22, 1705 along with Bhai Daya Singh jee, Bhai Maan Singh jee, and one other Singh, after giving his clothes to Bhai Sangat Singh jee to wear. Only Bhai Sangat Singh jee and Bhai Sant Singh jee fought the battle to its end. They too were martyred. Seeing Guru jee's clothes on Bhai Sangat Singh jee, the Mughals were ecstatic. Taking him to be Guru Gobind Singh they cut off his head and took it to Delhi.

When Guru Gobind Singh ji moved on from the fort of Chamkaur. He briefly stopped at Raipur on his way to Machhiwara. Here Guru Sahib ji asked a lady by the name of Bibi Sharan Kaur Pabla to perform the last rites of the martyred Sikhs, which included two of Guru Gobind Singh's own sons, Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh.

Bibi Sharan Kaur Goes to Battlefield

Bibi Sharan Kaur Pabla.png

Cremates the Sahibzadas and her Husband along with other Martyrs of Chamkaur

As the Story Goes, Bibi Sharan Kaur Pabla performed the last rites of the two elder Sahibzadas, her husband Bhai Pritam Singh Pabla and other Sikh warriors who had laid down their lives in the battle.

In every village it was announced that Guru Gobind Singh had been killed. "Look here is his chopped off head! His family is also finished. His two sons were killed in the battle and the two younger ones will also die abandoned. The revolution has been crushed. No one should go to the Chamkaur Fort. No one should cremate the dead Singhs."

A tight cordon was put around the Fort. As the soldiers were going from village to village making their announcement, the people were retreating in terror into their homes. However, in village Khroond, a daughter of Guru Gobind Singh jee, Bibi Harsharan Kaur, asked for her mother's permission to perform the final rites for the Shaheeds (martyrs). Her old mother replied, "It is total darkness outside and soldiers are everywhere around the fort, how will you even go near?"

Hearing this, Kalgeedhar's lioness daughter replied with resolve "I will avoid the soldiers and perform the cremation, and if need be, I'll fight and die."

The mother gave her courage and hugged her daughter, and then explained the maryada (tradition) to follow for the cremation. After performing Ardaas, Bibi Harsharan Kaur jee left for the Chamkaur Fort.

The battlefield, which saw iron smashing against iron, the bellows of elephants, the trotting of hooves, and calls of "Kill! Capture!" was now totally silent and enveloped in complete darkness. In such a situation, the 16 year old girl, Bibi Harsharan Kaur jee, avoided the guards and arrived at the Fort. She saw that bodies were lying everywhere and that distinguishing between Sikh and Mughal was very difficult. She still had faith and began to find arms with kaRas (iron bangles) and torsos with kachheras (Sikh undergarment) and heads with long kesh (unshorn hair). As she found a body, she would wipe the face of every shaheed (martyr). Both Sahibzaadey and about 30 shaheeds were found and then she began to collect wood. Fearing the approaching light of dawn, Bibi Harsharan Kaur jee worked very quickly and soon prepared a pyre. She then lit the fire.

Seeing the rising flames, the guards were shocked and advanced towards the pyre. Bibi Harsharan Kaur jee was seen in the light of the flames sitting beside the pyre. She was quietly reciting Keertan Sohilaa (prayer said at bedtime and funerals). The guards were shocked and confused as to how a lone woman could come into the fort on such a dark night. The guards asked in a loud voice, "Who are you?!"

Bibi jee: I am the daughter of Guru Gobind Singh jee.
Officer: What are you doing here?
Bibi jee: I am cremating my martyred brothers.
Officer: Don't you know about the order that coming here is a crime?
Bibi jee: I know it.
Officer: Then why have you disobeyed that order?
Bibi jee: The orders of a false king do not stand before the orders of the Sache Paatshaah (True King)
Officer: Meaning?
Bibi jee: Meaning that I have respect for the Singhs in my heart and with the Guru's grace I have done my duty. I don't care about your King's orders.

Hearing such stern answers from Bibi Harsharan Kaur jee, the infuriated Mughal soldiers attempted to capture her and attacked. Bibi jee grabbed her kirpaan (sword) and fought back with determination. After killing and maiming many soldiers, Bibi Harsharan Kaur jee was injured and fell to the ground. The soldiers picked Bibi Harsharan Kaur up and threw her into the pyre, burning her alive in 1705.

The next day the cordon around the Fort was lifted because it was clear that the Sahibzaadey and most of the Shaheed Singhs had been cremated. The ancestors of the Phulkiaan family, Rama and Triloka, then cremated whichever Singhs remained. The story of Bibi Harsharan Kaur jee reached Guru Gobind Singh jee Mahaaraaj in Talvandee Sabo (Takhat Sri Damdama Sahib).

Upon hearing of her daughter's martyrdom, the old mother thanked Akaal Purakh. She said, "My daughter has proven herself worthy." The story of the cremation of the Chamkaur Sahib Shaheeds will forever serve as a glowing star of inspiration for all Singhs and Singhnees.

Martyrdom of Bibi Sharan Kaur

Here are two accounts of Bibi Sharan Kaur Pabla's Martyrdom.

  • According to one acccount, Bibi Sharan Kaur Pabla was so grief stricken that she herself jumped in the funeral pyre and ended her life.
  • According to another view she did not self-immolate but was pierced by a Mughal lance/soldier and thrown in the funeral pyre of the Sahibzadas, when she and her other accomplices from Raipur, were caught cremating the bodies of Sahibzadas. [3]

Identity

Sharan Kaur was a Saini and there are a number of Saini villages around Chamkaur Sahib where the monumental battle between Sikhs and Moghuls took place . Pabla is one of the major clans of Sainis.

Possible Ancestor of Sardar Nanu Singh Saini of Phulkiyan

She is also sometimes linked as a possible ancestor with Sikh nobleman of Phulkiyan, Sardar Nanu Singh Saini, whose family later owned sizeable land in the village Raipur. [4]

Bibi Sharan Kaur's Husband

Bibi Sharan Kaur’s husband Bhai Pritam Singh, who was a Khalsa warrior, was with Guru Gobind Singh ji, inside the Chamkaur fort resisting the Moghul attack/onslaught. She discovered her husband among the dead. In total she is said to have collected bodies of thirty-two Khalsa soldiers, including the two elder Sahibzadas. She tried to cremate them in a single funeral pyre. As soon as the funeral pyre was lit she was discovered by Moghul and Ranghar soldiers who wanted the bodies of the “Shaheed” Khalsa soldiers - martyrs according to warrior tradition - to rot in open air in order to terrorise non-Muslim population who refused to apostasize or give out the whereabouts of Guru Gobind Singh ji. Another school of thought, is of the viewpoint that Bibi Sharan Kaur understood the intentions of the Moghul soldiers to outrage her modesty, she jumped into the funeral pyre of Sikh warriors, which included her own husband, to save her honour.[7]

Village of Chamkaur

This village also has the samadhs (funerary shrines) of the following Sikh martyrs:

  • Jathedar Naunihal Singh
  • Mastan Singh
  • Santokh Singh
  • Malkiat Singh.

Gurudwaras Commemorating Bibi Sharan Kaur's Martyrdom

Gurudwara Sahib Bibi Sharan Kaur Ji Raipur.jpg
  • In 1945 a Gurudwara was built in village Raipur to commemorate Bibi Sharan Kaur. [8][1]
Gurdwara Amargarh Sahib in Chamkaur Sahib.jpg
  • Gurdwara Amargarh Sahib in Chamkaur Sahib Is a Sacred Shrine where Mata Sharan Kaur performed the last rituals of Wadde Sahibzaade is situated on the banks of canal.[2]

External Link

Note: Not to be Confused with Bibi Sharan Kaur

See Also

References

  1. ^ Bibi Sharan Kaur - Gateway To Sikhism https://www.allaboutsikhs.com/biographies/great-sikh-women/bibi-sharan-kaur/ 2014-01-27 Retrieved
  2. ^ Bibi Sharan Kaur Jee: Shaheed Singhni of Chamkaur Sahib https://www.sikh24.com/2012/01/06/bibi-sharan-kaur-jee-shaheed-singhni-of-chamkaur-sahib/ 2012-01-06 Retrieved
  3. ^ a b Cite error Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named DK Varma; $2
  4. ^ a b Cite error Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Nanuan; $2
  5. ^ Saini jagata utapati ate wikasa , pp 50, pp 72 , pp 101, Surajita Singha Nanua, Patiala : Manajota Prakashana, ਪਟਿਆਲਾ : ਮਨਜੋਤ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ਨ, 2008, DK Agencies DKPAN-5413 ( HBD )
  6. ^ The Battle of Chamkaur (22 December 1705), The Panjab past and present, Volume 20, pp 276, Devinder Kumar Varma, Punjabi University. Dept. of Punjab Historical Studies, 1986.
  7. ^ Bibi Sharan Kaur's martyrdom as per Sikh accounts
  8. ^ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਅਮਰ ਸ਼ਹੀਦ ਬੀਬੀ ਸ਼ਰਨ ਕੌਰ ਜੀ ਰਾਏਪੁਰ