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A sculptural display depicting Bhai Bachittar Singh's attack on the drugged elephant

Bhai Bachittar Singh (d. 1705), warrior and martyr, was the second son of Bhai Mani Ram, a Parmar Rajput and devotee of the Gurus. One of the five brothers presented by their father for service to Guru Gobind Singh, he joined the order of the Khalsa on the historic Baisakhi day, 14 April 1699, and shot into prominence during the first battle of Anandpur against the hill chieftains, when, on 1 September 1700, he was selected by Guru Gobind Singh to single-handedly face a drunken elephant brought forth by the enemy to batter down the gate of Lohgarh Fort.

As the elephant approached the gate, Bachittar Singh, sallied forth on horseback and made a powerful thrust with his spear piercing the elephant's armour plate, injuring the animal in the forehead. The wounded elephant ran back creating havoc and great damage in the enemy's ranks. As a result of Bhai sahib's bold action, the Sikhs gained an upper hand in this conflict.

Bachittar Singh also took part in actions at Nirmohgarh and Basali and in the last battle of Anandpur. .....More

During the late 1800's and the early part of 1900's, Daulat Rai, an Arya Samajist living in India, was so disturbed by the publication of books by some Hindu activists whose writings maligned the Sikh Gurus that he was forced to pick up the pen himself to author the now famous book: "Sahib-e-Kamal (par excellence) Guru Gobind Singh".

In his book he reminded Punjabi and Hindus of the humiliation and degradation to which their ancestors were subjected under Mughal rule before the Khalsa liberated them. Quoting various historical sources, he wrote:

Not only did Mughal invaders kill Hindus by the thousands, looted their properties and carried away men and women as slaves in the thousands, but also under some Muslim rulers Hindus were not allowed even the comforts of life like -- good clothes, good food, ride horses, wear turbans or keep good homes or valuables or even beautiful children or wives. .....More

Did you know...

  • .....that at Gurdwara San Sahib situated in the village of Basarke in Amritsar District, Punjab, India, Baba Buddha made a hole in the wall so as not to go against the Guru's note on the door that said, "He who opens this door is no Sikh of mine, nor am I his Guru."
  • ..... that the Sikh concept of Sarbaht dah Phahla which means "Blessings for Everyone" or literally "May everyone Prosper" is a new concept for many people and is not common knowledge for many followers of the Sikh religion.
  • .....that Guru Ram Das ji was born at Chuna Mandi Bazaar, Lahore on 24th September 1534 and spent the first seven years of his life here and that his name before obtaining Guruship was Bhai Jetha which means the first born.
  • .... that Alahunian is the name given to the Bani by Guru Nanak. It is a composition in measure Vadahans in the Guru Granth Sahib on page Page 578 and refers to a dirge (funeral song) wailingly sung in chorus by women mourning the death of a close relation. Etymologically, the word means an "utterance in praise of a departed person".

When the Mughal forces laid siege around Anandpur Sahib, many Singhs deserted the Guru, including the 40 Singhs who later became the 40 Muktas. Guru Gobind Singh Jee asked Bibi Basant Kaur if she wanted to leave the fort, as there would be terrible hardships in the coming months. However Bibi Jee politely declined, saying that she would not leave her Guru whatever the circumstances.

After some months of real difficulties and hunger, Guru Gobind Singh Jee decided to leave Anandpur Sahib at the request of his Sikhs. Evading the Mughal forces, the Guru and his Sikhs reached the River Sirsa. It was the winter months, and due to the cold weather and fast flowing river current, the Sikhs got scattered. Guru Gobind Singh Jee, Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh got separated from Mata Gujjer Kaur (Mata Gujri), Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh. ....More


Bhai Kahn Singh (Punjabi ਭਾਈ ਕਾਨ੍ਹ ਸਿਂਘ ਨਾਭਾ ), of Nabha (30 August 1861- 24 November 1938), is a celebrated Sikh scholar and encyclopaedia writer, who was born on 30 August 1861 at the village of Sabaz Banera which is about 5 miles from Nabha, in what was then territory of the princely ruler of Patiala. His father was Narain Singh and his mother was Har Kaur.

Bhai sahib did not attend any school or college for formal education as his father arranged for him to study languages including Hindi, Brij Bhasha and Sanskrit and also poetry from Pandits in and around Nabha. So that by the age of 10, Bhai sahib could recite freely both the Guru Granth Sahib and the Dasam Granth.

Of the many literary works among Bhai Kahn Singh's collection, Gurushabad Ratandkar Mahan Kosh (1930), an encyclopaedia of Sikh literature, will remain a permanent monument to his unmatched excellence, industry and erudition. .....More


Gurbani Wallpaper Life is diminishing day by day
Daasra on Flickr
Sarab jī­ā ka­o ḏėvaṇhārā...
He is the Giver of all souls...
Guru Granth Sahib page 106
Japyo jinh Arjun dev guru
Dr Gurnam Singh sml.jpg This Shabad by Bhatt (Bard) Mathura is from page 1409 of the Guru Granth Sahib in praise of Guru Arjan Dev. Classically sang by Dr Gurnam Singh, "Whoever meditates on Guru Arjun will not have to endure the painful rebirth through the womb ever again. " .....Listen, read & enjoy...

Submission
surdas.jpg I didn't have the heart to ride Encontada that day on the farm. I don't know that I'll ever ride a horse again. Maybe it's a tribute to all of the sacrifices horses have made for me that keeps me from putting myself in that position...... → read more
The Sikhs of Sumatra, Indonesia
sumatra-thmnl.gif If you have been to the North Sumatra capital of Medan, you may well have passed through an area of the city known to locals as Kampung Keling; for decades is been known as a settlement of Sikhs and other communities..... → read more
Becoming a Princess
turbans-thumb.jpg Does a girl become a princess by perfectly styled hair, jewelry; make up, a gorgeous dress and an attitude to match? Or does a girl become a princess by her very presence and her words and actions?..... → read more
Grandmother of Khalsa: 7th role of a Woman
matagujri-thumb.jpg Grandmothers around the world are famous for spoiling their grandchildren. But being a good Grandmother is about much more than spoiling the children. Mata Gujar Kaur Ji was with the two youngest sahibzadas..... → read more
The British and the Turban of the Sikhs
turban_-_copy.jpg Turban stands for courage and self-respect for a Sikh. During the two World Wars, turbaned Sikh soldiers, who fought as part of the British Indian Army, refused to wear steel helmets, writes Major-Gen Kulwant Singh (retd)...... → read more

Gurbanisewa.com provides Free Gurbani Katha DVDs
waheguru.jpg The Gurbani Sewa Foundation has organized the seva of providing free DVDs of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Katha. There are 600 hours of Katha included in this DVD set, and you can have a copy just by requesting it..... → read more
PM Singh tops list of 10 world leaders
manmohan.jpg "The Leader Other Leaders Love", the magazine said the economist-turned-politician Singh, engineered the transition "from stagnant socialism to a spectacular take-off in the global economy. But it's Singh's unassuming personal style that really inspires awe........ → read more


If only someone would unite me with the Lord!
Bhai Guriqbal Singh.jpg Watch this video in 2 parts of beautiful katha by ragi Guriqbal Singh and Jatha, of Gurbani shabads "Koee jan har sio dhaevai jor" If only someone would unite me with the Lord! - A slow, smooth and devotional peformance by ragi ji .....Read,    watch, listen & enjoy...

Sikhi_helpline_logo_sml.jpg Sikhi Helpline: If you have any queries or you have any problems or you require help with any issues relating to Sikhi principles or a more deeper understanding of Sikh values or any other matter connected with this faith, we are happy to help you with any issues that concern you in this respect - just click here.

Sikhi FAQ...

Q. Can Sikhs have tattoos?
FAQ-sml.jpg A. I don't believe there is anything directly written against or in favour of tattoos in the Sikh scriptures. Tattoos can be grouped with "extreme make-up" which the Guru calls "decorations" and I ask you.. .....More
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SikhiWiki articles contain many new images on Sikhism which help bring home the clear message of the Ten Sikh Gurus. You can view the most popular pages on Sikhi and the newest pages available. This version of SikhiWiki was started at 17:08 on 23 Feb 2005. It is a complete Sikh Encyclopedia with facilities for media in the form of pictures & photos; audio kirtan & video files; printed material; Gurbani; etc. 35/Please also see these other valuable free Sikhi sites: Sikh Encyclopedia, Encyclopaedia of Sikhism or Wikipedia. Other names that we could have used for this project are: Sikhipedia, Wikisikhi, Learn Sikhi, SikhWiki, Sikh encyclopaedia, Sikh Wiki, etc. 16:57. For further suggestions and recommendations, please email: asikh@msn.com
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