Bhai Bidhi Chand Chhina: Difference between revisions
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He was one of the five Sikhs chosen to accompany [[Guru Arjan]] on his journey to martyrdom at [[Lahore]] in 1606. With the death of his father [[Guru Hargobind]] now turned his thoughts to training and raising an army to resist the dangers that seemingly threatened his sangat of peace loving Sikhs at every turn. He chose Bidhi Chand to be one of the commanders of the Risaldari (Cavalry) he was raising. He displayed great feats of valour in several battles with the Mughal troops. | He was one of the five Sikhs chosen to accompany [[Guru Arjan]] on his journey to martyrdom at [[Lahore]] in 1606. With the death of his father [[Guru Hargobind]] now turned his thoughts to training and raising an army to resist the dangers that seemingly threatened his sangat of peace loving Sikhs at every turn. He chose Bidhi Chand to be one of the commanders of the Risaldari (Cavalry) he was raising. He displayed great feats of valour in several battles with the Mughal troops. | ||
His best known exploit, however, was the recovery of two prised horses, Dilbagh and Gulbagh, from the stables of the governor at [[Lahore]]'s Fort. The horses had belonged to a Sikh who had raised and trained them and was bringing them from [[Kabul]] as an offering for [[Guru Hargobind]]. All along the way the horses attracted attention. The stories of their qualities and beauty arived at the Mogul govenors court before the horses reached lahore. The Govenor offered a fortune for each animal and decided to seize them upon the young Sikh's refusal to sell. It is said | His best known exploit, however, was the recovery of two prised horses, Dilbagh and Gulbagh, from the stables of the governor at [[Lahore]]'s Fort. The horses had belonged to a Sikh who had raised and trained them and was bringing them from [[Kabul]] as an offering for [[Guru Hargobind]]. All along the way the horses attracted attention. The stories of their qualities and beauty arived at the Mogul govenors court before the horses reached lahore. The Govenor offered a fortune for each animal and decided to seize them upon the young Sikh's refusal to sell. It is said that Bidhi Chand recovered the first horse after earning the trust of the stablemen who allowed him to sleep in the stables while he pretended to be a hayseller. Both horses were recovered from the Moghul satrap's stables by riding down a sloped wall into the river Ravi. Returning later Bidi disguised himself as an Astrologer. Soon he arranged a demonstration of how the first horse was taken. The Govenor and his guards were very susprised when, during the re-enactment, the new court astrologer jumped over the battlements to the river and galloped away. | ||
[[Image: | '''For a beautiful retelling of the story see the link to the Daily Times of Pakistan's story of the daring rescues.''' [http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_1-7-2005_pg7_17] | ||
[[Image:Bhaibidhichand aw.jpg|thumb|250px|left|[[Bhai Bidhi Chand]] dressed as an astrologer rides [[Dilbagh]] to the River Ravi]] | |||
Besides being a brave warrior, Bidhi Chand was well versed in Sikh lore and tenets. From [[Kiratpur]], he was sent out by [[Guru Hargobind]] on a preaching mission to the eastern provinces where a Muslim saint, [[Sundar Shah]] of Devnagar, became so attached to him that, before he left for the [[Punjab]], he secured his word that he would return and spend the his last days with the dying Sant. | Besides being a brave warrior, Bidhi Chand was well versed in Sikh lore and tenets. From [[Kiratpur]], he was sent out by [[Guru Hargobind]] on a preaching mission to the eastern provinces where a Muslim saint, [[Sundar Shah]] of Devnagar, became so attached to him that, before he left for the [[Punjab]], he secured his word that he would return and spend the his last days with the dying Sant. | ||
Revision as of 07:21, 12 April 2008
BHAI BIDHI CHAND (d. 1640) warrior as well as religious preacher of the time of Guru Hargobind, was a Chhina Jatt of the village of Sur singh, 34 km south of Amritsar (31° 37'N, 74° 52'E). His father's name was Vassan and his grandfather's Bhikkhi. His mother was from Sirhali, another village in the same district. As a young man Bidhi Chand had fallen into bad company and taken to banditry. One day, a pious Sikh, Bhai Adali of the village of Chohia, led him into Guru Arjan's presence where he underwent a remarkable transformation. His life of banditry and misdeeds ended for he knew now wanted nothing more thana life of dedication to the service of the Guru.
He was one of the five Sikhs chosen to accompany Guru Arjan on his journey to martyrdom at Lahore in 1606. With the death of his father Guru Hargobind now turned his thoughts to training and raising an army to resist the dangers that seemingly threatened his sangat of peace loving Sikhs at every turn. He chose Bidhi Chand to be one of the commanders of the Risaldari (Cavalry) he was raising. He displayed great feats of valour in several battles with the Mughal troops.
His best known exploit, however, was the recovery of two prised horses, Dilbagh and Gulbagh, from the stables of the governor at Lahore's Fort. The horses had belonged to a Sikh who had raised and trained them and was bringing them from Kabul as an offering for Guru Hargobind. All along the way the horses attracted attention. The stories of their qualities and beauty arived at the Mogul govenors court before the horses reached lahore. The Govenor offered a fortune for each animal and decided to seize them upon the young Sikh's refusal to sell. It is said that Bidhi Chand recovered the first horse after earning the trust of the stablemen who allowed him to sleep in the stables while he pretended to be a hayseller. Both horses were recovered from the Moghul satrap's stables by riding down a sloped wall into the river Ravi. Returning later Bidi disguised himself as an Astrologer. Soon he arranged a demonstration of how the first horse was taken. The Govenor and his guards were very susprised when, during the re-enactment, the new court astrologer jumped over the battlements to the river and galloped away.
For a beautiful retelling of the story see the link to the Daily Times of Pakistan's story of the daring rescues. [1]
Besides being a brave warrior, Bidhi Chand was well versed in Sikh lore and tenets. From Kiratpur, he was sent out by Guru Hargobind on a preaching mission to the eastern provinces where a Muslim saint, Sundar Shah of Devnagar, became so attached to him that, before he left for the Punjab, he secured his word that he would return and spend the his last days with the dying Sant.
According to Gurbilas Chhevin Patshahi, Bidhi Chand remembered his promise and, as he saw his end drawing near, he took his leave of Guru Hargobind and went to Devnagar. The two friends spent three days reflecting together on the teaching of Guru Nanak, whereafter, continues the Gurbilas, both died at the same time (14 August 1640). Sundar Shah's disciples buried the one in accordance with Muslim rites and cremated the other in accordance with Sikh rites, and raised shrines in their honour. Some time later, Lal Chand, a nephew of Bhai Bidhi Chand, brought from the site of his shrine at Devnagar some earth over which he built a samadh in his ancestral village of Sursingh.
References
1. Gurbilas Chhevin Patshahi. Patiala, 1970
2. Gian Singh, Giani, Twarikh Khalsa. Patiala, 1970
3. Max Arthur Macauliffe, The Sikh Religion. Oxford, 1909
4. Banerjee, Indubhusan, Evo/ution of the Khalsa. Calcutta, 1980
