Sikh History July

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JULY

July 1

1745: Martyrdom day of Bhai Taru Singh Ji, in Lahore. Bhai Taru Singh left his mortal remains. On Harbhagat Naranjania's complaint, Bhai Taru Singh of his village was arrested and accused of providing rations to the Sikhs. Bhai Taru Singh admitted the facts. Nawab Zakaria Khan ordered the removal of his scalp. Bhai Taru Singh said that the Governor would suffer as much torture. And Bhai Taru would take Zakaria Khan along with him to the other world.

1819: Maharaja Ranjit Singh conquered Kashmir and combined it with Sikh State.

1984 Regional Conference at Kamloops. The attack on the Golden Temple by the Indian army struck the Sikh world like a thunderbolt. All shades of Canadian Sikhs came together at the desecration of the supreme emblem of their faith. Because of the shoratage of time, the Sikh institution's executives decided to take the Canadian Sikhs into immediate confidence on the kind of action required. This was done by holding regional conferences at Kamloops and Toronto. The Kamloops conference was attended by representatives of all Sikh Societies from Western. While the Toronto Conference was attended by the socities of the eastern region. The Calgary Sikh Society, which was not on good terms with the federation, provided unqualified support for any action the Federation recommended. Nelson A. Riss, the Members of parliament from Kamloops, addressed the conference and it was here that general J.S. Bhullar from India made the first appearence on the Canadian scene.

July 2

1606: Foundation Day Sri Akal Takhat Sahib. Guru Hargobind laid down the foundation of Akal Takhat (Timeless Throne) in 1606 (the fifth day of light half of month of Har, Sambat 1663) just in front of Hari Mandar, and it was completed in 1609. Akal Takhat was built of solid bricks on a raised platform of about ten feet in height and looked like a throne.

1978: The All India Sikh Students Federation was reorganized. Bhai Amrik Singh was elected the President.

1983: The Indian CRPF force attacked a camp of the fundamentalist Sikh group, the Nihangs, at Baba Bakala and shot several Sikhs, killing two and wounding eight others.

July 3

1950: The All India Sikh Student Federation organized Amrit Prachar in Ludhiana.

July 4

1955: Indian police entered Darbar Sahib complex and arrested several Akali leaders.

1965: Nalwa Conference held in Ludhiana asserted the Sikh right to self-determination.

July 5

1595: Birth of Guru Hargobind Sahib.

1856: Nihal Singh, alias Bhai Maharaj Singh, died a hero's death in the Singapore prison. His death was to the cancer that had developed as a result of his fast while in prison.

1973: Akali Dal initiated the Karnal Morcha.

1984: Nine Sikhs hijacked an Indian Airliner to Lahore (1984). To protest against the invasion of the Indian army on the Darbar Sahib, nine Sikhs belonging to the Sikh Students Federation hijacked an Indian Airliner from Jammu to Lahore. The hijackers were: Parminder Singh "Harfam Maula" (Leader) Dalip Singh, Manjit Singh Babbar, Gurdip Singh Pardesi, Malaghar Singh Babbar, Harbhajan Singh, Harminder Singh, Gurvinder Singh and Ravinder Singh. On January 20, 1986, three of them were sentenced to death, two were sentenced to life-imprisonment and four were acquited. Later in 1989 the death sentence was commuted to life-imprisonment under the orders of a general amnesty. Two of the four acquited were killed by the Indian army while they were returning to India.

July 6

1946: Pundit Jawaharial Nehru assured "fruits of freedom" for Sikhs.

July 7

1656: Prakash (Birth) of Eighth Guru, Guru Harkrishan Ji. Eighth Patshah, Guru Harkrishan Ji enlightened this planet. He was born in Shish Mahal (Palace of Mirrors) at Kiratpur, district Hoshiarpur in Guru Har Rai and Matta Krishen Kaur's home. Today is the actual date of Guru Sahib's birth, although Guru Khalsa Panth observes it on a different date.

1799: Maharaja Ranjit Singh wrested the control of Lahore from Bhangi confederacy and hosted the Kesri Flag. Sher-i-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh captured Lahore with the aid of his mother-in-law Sada Kaur. He wrested the control from Bhangi confederacy and hosted the Kesri Flag. Shortly afterwards, he became the Maharaja of Punjab.

1878: Birthday, Bhai Randhir Singh Ji.

1923: SGPC sends first Enquiry Committee to probe the excesses by the police in the Doaba.

1925: SGPC assumes control of Gurudwaras. Gurudwara Sudar movement, that attempted to release Gurudwaras from the clutches of evil pujaris, mahants, etc., was successfully concluded after continuous five years effort that accounted for numerous sacrifices and shaheedhis. Punjab Legislature finally passed the Gurudwara act and handed over the control of Gurudwaras to Panthic Jathaebandhi (SGPC).

1946: Jawaharlal Nehru issued false statements to Sikhs. Pandit Jaeaharlal Nehru states in a press conference held in Calcutta: "The brave Sikhs of Punjab are entitled to special consideration. I see nothing wrong in an area and a set up in North, wherein the Sikhs can also experienece the glow of freedom." (Statesman, Calcutta, 7th July 1946) On yet another occasion Nehru states: "Redistribution of provincial boundaries was essential and inevitable. I stand for semi-autonomous units as well. If the Sikhs desire to function as such a unit, I should like them to have semi-autonomous unit within the province so that they may have a sense of freedom." (A National Book Club Publication, pp. 147) Subsequently, history has shown these statements to be false promised and delibrate deception for the Sikhs.

July 8

1923: Maharaja Ripduman Singh Nabha forced to abdicate his throne. As a result the jaito morcha was launched. He was well-known for his pro-Tat Khalsa proclivities. But he had a dispute with the Maharaja of Patiala, known for his pro-government role. Although Maharaja of Nabha had no dispute with the government, but as a result of mediation he was forced to abdicate. Col. Michin, with the help of troops and armored cars, took Maharaja by Surprise and taunted him withe the query, "Where is that Akali?" The anouncement of deposition by the government, helped raise a strom of protest against Government interference on Nabha and was described as a challenge to the Akali movement.

1951: The Akali Dal passed a resolution for Punjabi Suba an independent organization.

July 9

1609: (conflicting) The foundation stone was laid for Sri Akal Takhat by Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji.

1850: Bhai Maharaj Singh arrived in Singapore aboard the "Mahomed Shaw", accompanied by his disciple, Khurruck Singh, and moved to Outram Jail.

1922 Kishan Singh Gargaj considers merger of both the Chakarvarti Jathas. He alongwith Assa Singh, reaches Hayatpur to meet Karam Singh.

1975: The Akali Dal protested against the emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi.

July 10

1620: Guru Hargobind had to marry Bibi Mehrai despite his refusal. This was an unfortunate upshot of the jubilation in Sikh community caused by Guru Sahib's release from seven years of incarceration. Within a few months two brides were pledged to him by their parents. Under the customs prevalent at that time, on Guru Hargobind's refusal, those girls would have remained unmarried throughout their life. So he had to marry Nanaki on March 28, 1620, and Mehrai also called Marwahi on July 10, 1620. The first incident occurred too close to his release. Taken aback at the second incident, he announced that no one should pledge his daughter to him in future.

1923: Akali leadership formally took up the question of the restoration of the Maharaja of Nabha.

1985: The Indian Government honored its forces for attacking Sri Darbar Sahib.

July 11

1675: Guru Tegh Bahadur left Anadpur Sahib for Delhi to help save Hindu dharma from total extinction. Kashmiri Pandits, led by Kirpa Das of Mattan (Martand), reached Chak Nanki, Kahlur (old name of Anadpur Sahib). He appealed to Guru Tegh Bahadhur for his help in against the prosecution of Kashmiri Pandits by Aurangzeb's forces and resulting extinction of hindu dharma. After appointing Gobind Rai as the next Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadhur left for Delhi on July 11, 1675. After Guruji's martyrdom, Pandit Kirpa Das stayed back and became Kirpa Singh after taking amort in 1699 and died fighting at Chamkaut along with the two elder sahibjadas of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

1710: Baba Banda Singh Bahakhur eliminated the rulers of Nanotae.

1984: The so-called "White Paper" on the Sikh situation was released by the GOI.

July 12

1675: Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was arrested near Ropar.

1955: The ban on raising the Punjabi Suba Slogan was finally lifted.

July 13

1631: Mata Damodari, wife of Guru Hargobind passed away at Darauli Bhai, now in Faridkot district. Her marriage with Guru Hargobind gave birth to Baba Gurditta in 1613 and Bibi Viro in 1613. A small shrine on the outskirts of the village marks the site where the cremation took place.

1813: Sikhs under Kanwar Peshora Singh conquered and occupied Attock.

1924: 10th and 11th Akali Shaheedi Jathas of 500 GurSikhs each, started their march from Amritsar to Jaito.

July 14

1920: The British Government expressed intentions to withdraw from the management of the Golden Temple and make alternate arrangements.

1948: Deputy Prime Minister of India, Patel, eliminated the Sikh rulers and established PEPSU.

1973 Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Yogi met with the Archbishop of Canterbury to protest English laws which discriminate against Sikhs, particularly the law requiring motorcycle helmets.

July 15

Last day of the fourth Sikh month of Harh

1775: Sikhs established complete control over PahadGanj and JaiSinghPura, Delhi.

1934 Mahatma Gandhi reiterated to the Khalsa darbar deputation that "no constitution would be acceptable to the Congress which did not satisfy the Sikhs." He added, "Similarly, the Congress would not reject what the Mussalmans wanted, nor could it accept what Hindus or Sikhs reject." -Ref. "The Sikhs in History," by Sangat Singh, 1995.

1948: The Patiala and East Punjab States Union, PEPSU, was inaugurated.


July 16

Beginning of the fifth Sikh month of Sawan

1764: Sikhs captured Lahore and issued their own coins.

1781: Sikhs attack Shahdara Patpat, Delhi.

1789: Khalsa Forces invaded Delhi.

1846: A new and separate treaty was signed in Ambala, between Raja Gulab Singh and the British. Kashmir was sold to Gulab Singh for one crore as part of the indemnity due from Lahore Darbar. Lal Singh Wazir opposed the ceding of Kashmir to Gulab Singh. As a result he was removed and banished from Punjab.

1849: Punjab, the domain of the Sikhs, was annexed by the British East India Company, after the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

1956: Regional formula for Punjab agreed between Hukam Singh and Jawaharlal Nehru as a secret deal.

1961: The passing away of Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh Ji, a Sikh saint of renown and head of the Akhand Kitani Jatha.

1984: 1st Shaheedi Jatha, under the leadership of Dr. Rajinder Kaur, marched for the liberation of Sri Harmandir Sahib. This jatha was arrested on the outskirts of Sri Harmandir Sahib.

1985: Longowal wrote a letter to Rajaiv Gandhi to find a "solution" to the Punjab problem.

July 17

1926: Sardar Teja Singh Samundari passed away.

July 18

1982: Amrik Singh and Baba Thara Singh were arrested under false implications. On this day, the police snatched a jeep belonging to Gurdwara at Chowk Mehta, arrested three men and snatched their belongings. The next day Amrik Singh went to the courts for their release. The police arrested them too. They were charged under flimsy causes. At this Jarnail Singh Bhindrawalae started an agitation for their release. The Sikhs started courting arrests every day. On July 25, 1982 the Akali party adopted the agitation. -Ref. THE SIKHS' STRUGGLE FOR SOVEREIGNTY, An Historical Perspective by Dr. Harjinder Singh Dilgeer and Dr. Awatar Singh Sekhon. Edited By: A.T. Kerr Page 110-119.

July 19

1708: Guru Gobind Singh Ji reached Nanded (Hazur Sahib.)

1982: Amarjeet Singh Daheru and Baljeet Singh were killed by Indian police.

July 20

1935: Muslims took control of Shaheed Ganj, Lahore.

1950: Akali Dal Executives asked its legislatures to form a separate group in the Assembly.

1998: Bhai Ranjit Singh, Jathedar, Akal Takhat, issued a "hukamnama" that "Guru ka langar" would be taken while sitting on the floor.

July 21

Miri-Piri Day

1915: Sardar Chanan Singh and Ghadri Sikhs were hanged to death in Lahore.

1925: The seige of Gurdwara Gangsar, Jaito was lifted.

1998: The controversy over the implementation of "hukamnama" pronounced by the Sikh clergy on July 20 to partake "Guru ka langar" while sitting on the floor, today took a fresh turn when Bhai Ranjit Singh, Jathedar, Akal Takhat, alleged that certain SAD and SGPC leaders, including Mr Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, senior vice president, SGPC, and Mr Sucha Singh Langhah, a state minister, were responsible for provoking the Canadian Sikhs to defy the "hukamnama" for their 'vested interests'.

1998: A cold war is reportedly on between Bhai Ranjit Singh, Akal Takhat chief, and Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar, Takhat Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib, over the "hukamnama" on "Guru ka langar". Meanwhile, Canada-based Gurmat Parcharak Society has alleged that several ministers of the Shiromani Akali Dal and "parcharaks" of the SGPC during their visit in Canada have been propagating against the "hukamnama."

July 22

1685: The foundation stone of Paonta Fort was laid by Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

1923: Subedar Amar Singh of Dhaliwal, a military pensioner and a member of the SGPC was arrested.

1984: Bhai Santa Singh, Jathaedar Budha Dal, was expelled from the Khalsa Panth.

1984: Regional Conference in Toronto. Regional conference was held at Toronto. The attack on the Golden Temple by the Indian army struck teh Sikh world like a thunderbolt. All shades of Canadian Sikhs came together at the desecration of teh supreme emblem of their faith. Because of the shoartge of time, the Sikh institution's executives decided to take the Canadian Sikhs into immediate confidence on the kind of action required. This was done by holding regional conferences at Kamloops and Toronto.

July 23

1656: Birth of Guru Har Krishan Sahib.

1627: Baba Atal Rai left for his heavenly abode. Highest tower was erected in his memory mear the Harminder complex at Amritsar.

1707: Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Bahadur Shah met in the Red Fort, Delhi.

1914: Kamagata Maru was compelled to leave Canadian waters without being granted entry.

1918: The Budge Budge incident in Calcutta happened.

1982: Baljeet Singh was killed in a fake encounter.

July 24

1954: Baba Gurdit Singh, leader of Koma-Gata Maru passed away.

1985: An agreement was reached between Harchand Singh Longowal and Rajiv Gandhi, known as the Rajiv-Longowal Accord.

July 25

1710: Bahadhur Shah ordered Pheroj Khan, Muyarif Khan and Shikar Khan to arrest Baba Banda Singh Bahadhur.

1982: The Akali Dal adopted Bhindrawala's agitation.

July 26

1940: 4 Sikhs of the No. 4 Rigiment were hanged to death.

1981: The World Sikh Convention at Amritsar resolved to initiate Dharam Yudh Morcha to seek Sikh's righteous demands.

July 27

1649: Janam Utsav (Birth), Shaheed Baba Jorawar Singh Ji.

1925: Akali prisoners were released upon victory of Jaito Morcha.

1984: The World Sikh Organization was formed.

July 28

1925: Punjab Governor gave his assent to the Sikh Gurdwara Act.

1991 Sikhs continue to be harassed under Section 216 of the IndianPenal Code. Here is a sample of a notice sent to over 1000 Sikh homes in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Please note that the notice is not from the courts or any local magistrate. Notice under Section 216, Indian Penal Code “NAME: Gurnam Singh son of Jodh Singh resident of Lahnkheda, Police Station Bajpur, Nainital. The police has received information that you harbour and assist terrorists from Panjab. Therefore show cause why no action should be taken against you under section 216, Indian Penal Code and section 3/4 of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act. In this connection, your reply must be filed within seven days of the receipt of this notice. Date: 28.7.91 Sd. Santaram Varma Inspector, Bajpur Nainital”

July 29

1873: The Singh Sabha in Amritsar was initially established.

1984: Sardar Sadhu Singh, Editor of Punjab's voice, "Ajit", passed away.

July 30

1822: Sangat Singh, son of Fateh Singh became Raja of Jind.

1950: Akali Dal's working committee ordered the return of all members who defected to the Congress.

1995 Amar Singh Ambalvi,Vice-President of AISFF, passed away.

1998: The district police claimed to have arrested 2Babbar Khalsa activists along with arms, ammunition detonators.

July 31

1788: An agreement was reached between the Dal Khalsa and Maharaja Vijay Singh of Jodhpur.

1940: S Udham Singh was hanged to death in London.

1995: Amar Singh Ambalvi1stVice-President of AISFF, passed away.