Skirmish of Bassi Kalan: Difference between revisions
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===Brahmin Devi Das=== | ===Brahmin Devi Das=== | ||
Devi Das was a poor brahmin (Sarsoot) who belonged to Jaijon (a village near Hoshiarpur). Jabar Khan (Pathan) had forcibly kidnapped the newly wedded wife of Devi Das, just after the couples' wedding ceremony, and had taken her to his palace at Kalan. The Brahmin was sad hearted and wept before the Muslim qazis (judges) and other religious leaders, but nobody cared. Finally in desperation, he went to the Darbar (Court) of Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Anandpur Sahib and narrated the story to him. Listening to the story the Guru ordered Baba Ajit Singh to arrest Zabar Khan and to return the wife of Devi Das to her husband. Guru Sahib told him that if the Pathans put up a fight, it would be proper to use their swords. The Sahibzada and the Singhs worried that they might get lost along the way as the area was grown over with bush and was very jungly, so guru ji told him that one of the Sikh of the guru, Bhai Ratan Singh (Will confirm d name...) was staying in bajrou | Devi Das was a poor brahmin (Sarsoot) who belonged to Jaijon (a village near Hoshiarpur). Jabar Khan (Pathan) had forcibly kidnapped the newly wedded wife of Devi Das, just after the couples' wedding ceremony, and had taken her to his palace at Kalan. The Brahmin was sad hearted and wept before the Muslim qazis (judges) and other religious leaders, but nobody cared. Finally in desperation, he went to the Darbar (Court) of Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Anandpur Sahib and narrated the story to him. Listening to the story the Guru ordered Baba Ajit Singh to arrest Zabar Khan and to return the wife of Devi Das to her husband. Guru Sahib told him that if the Pathans put up a fight, it would be proper to use their swords. The Sahibzada and the Singhs worried that they might get lost along the way as the area was grown over with bush and was very jungly, so guru ji told him that one of the Sikh of the guru, Bhai Ratan Singh (Will confirm d name...) was staying in bajrou, telling them that he would be sure to lend them his aid. | ||
Moreover, Guru Sahib told him to meet his maternal's (maternal's - what/ mother/ his wife's parents home?) | Moreover, Guru Sahib told him to meet his maternal's (maternal's - what/ mother/ his wife's parents home?) houses at Bajwara, now ([[Gurdwara Janam Asthan Mata Sunder kaur]]). | ||
==Plan of Attack== | ==Plan of Attack== | ||
Revision as of 01:41, 20 March 2009
| Skirmish Of Bassi Kalan | ||
| Date: | 1703 | |
|---|---|---|
| Location : | Bassi Kalan, District Hoshiarpur | |
| Reason : | Zabar Khan Took Wife of Devi Das to basi Kalan, and Guru Gobind SIngh Send his elder sahibzada to restore the dola and bring Zabar Khan to anandpur | |
Combatants/Commanders | ||
| Sahibzada Ajit Singh with 200 Singhs | Zabar Khan with his Soldiers | |
Results | ||
| Sahibzada Ajit Singh Succeeded, but Many Singhs lost their lives, | Zabar Khan was bandi bana liya and send him to Anandpur | |
The clash (7 March 1703) between Sahibzada Ajit Singh, (the eldest son of Guru Gobind Singh) and Bhai Udey Singh with a force of about 200 Singhs and the soldiers of Zabar Khan was fought at the village of Bassi Kalan (31°32`N, 75°55`E); about 10km from Hoshiarpur. Guru Gobind Singh ji had sent the Sikhs to the village to arrest Zabar Khan who had kidnapped the young Hindu bride of Devi Das, who had asked Guru Gobind Singh for help.
Background
Hakim Zabar Khan
Hakim Zabar (also Jabar) Khan (a Pathan) was the chief of the village of Bassi Kalan and 21 other Villages in Hoshiarpur District. He, like many of the Muslim landowners, used to torture the local Hindus living in the villages. Many Muslims (usually the Sunni Ghaznis and especially the Pathans) looked upon the Hindus who they called 'zimmis' (non-muslims) as less than human and often did with them as they wished. Khan would kidnap the local girls, and take them to his palace for indecent purposes. The honor of a young woman or even of a married woman (being a virgin or having relations with only her husband was (and still is) a very important thing in Punjab. Many women, both Hindu and Sikh preffered to kill themselves rather than face such shame. Khan would even have his men snatch the wedding doli of young hindu brides so he could rape them before their marriages were consumated.
His reputation for doing such evil was well known, as he had not limited his liberties to the brides, wives and daughters of Bassi Kalan.
Brahmin Devi Das
Devi Das was a poor brahmin (Sarsoot) who belonged to Jaijon (a village near Hoshiarpur). Jabar Khan (Pathan) had forcibly kidnapped the newly wedded wife of Devi Das, just after the couples' wedding ceremony, and had taken her to his palace at Kalan. The Brahmin was sad hearted and wept before the Muslim qazis (judges) and other religious leaders, but nobody cared. Finally in desperation, he went to the Darbar (Court) of Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Anandpur Sahib and narrated the story to him. Listening to the story the Guru ordered Baba Ajit Singh to arrest Zabar Khan and to return the wife of Devi Das to her husband. Guru Sahib told him that if the Pathans put up a fight, it would be proper to use their swords. The Sahibzada and the Singhs worried that they might get lost along the way as the area was grown over with bush and was very jungly, so guru ji told him that one of the Sikh of the guru, Bhai Ratan Singh (Will confirm d name...) was staying in bajrou, telling them that he would be sure to lend them his aid.
Moreover, Guru Sahib told him to meet his maternal's (maternal's - what/ mother/ his wife's parents home?) houses at Bajwara, now (Gurdwara Janam Asthan Mata Sunder kaur).
Plan of Attack
Sahibzada Ajit Singh Met Baba Ratan Singh who was staying in Bajraur. He was dweller of that area. He was very happy to see that Baba Ajit Singh had come and joined the Sahibzada and Singhs in making their plans to surprise and capture Khan after dark, because at that time the Mughals would be easily surprised with their heads dizzy with Sharab and Shabab, lost in having a good time (Wine, women, kababs and music). The Sahibzadas plan was to arrest Zabar khan and to send him to anandpur. Hopefully the Mughals would be so drunk that killing might not be necessary, but they were prepared for the worst.
Clash
Sahibzada Ajit Singh attacked Bassi area where Hakam Jabar Khan was spending his evening time. Many Pathans were killed and many ran away.
After a long fight, Jabar Khan though wounded, was arrested and tied up. Many singhs were injured including Bhai Karam Singh who died on the way home and was cremated at Baddon..
Zabar khan was punished at Anandpur for his misdeeds.
Aftermath
Baba Ajit Singh sent Pathan Zabar khan and the wife of devi das to Anandpur with some sikhs.
Many Singhs had been wounded and many were near death so Sahibzada Ajit Singh stayed to help care for them . Some of Singhs were Cremated at Chukhandi Sahib, others were cremated at Bajrour. Bhai Karam Singh was cremated at Baddon.
On Monday evening they reached Ladhewal where Gurudwara Sahib was situated. Some of the Singhs died in the night as their condition was quite bad. So SAHIBZADA AJIT SINGH JI himself did all the final rituals of these Singhs on Tuesday morning. After this he ordered rest of the singhs to move to Anandpur Sahib. So in the Remembrance of SAHIBZADA AJIT SINGH JI and brave singhs who died here, this Gurudwara Sahib is situated.
Memorials
- Gurdwara Sahibzada Ajit Singh - Where Clash held
- Gurdwara Sahib Shahidan, Ladhewal - Where Sikhs were cremated
- Gurdwara Shahidan (Harian Vailan) - Where sikhs were cremated
- Gurdwara Baba Ajit Singh, Baddon - Where Sikh Bhai Karam Singh was cremated
- Gurdwara Chukhandi Sahib - Where Sikhs were cremated
See Also
- Gurdwara Sahibzada Ajit Singh
References
- Twarikh Guru Khalsa of Giani Gian Singh
- History Boards of Gurdwaras, and some additions by (Lucky 17:54, 19 March 2009 (UTC))
