Skirmish of Bassi Kalan

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Painting baba Ajit Singh paying obesience to Shahids
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 Hindu’s living in the villages. Many Muslims (usually the Sunni Ghaznis and especially the Pathans (looked upon the Hindus who they called 'zimmies' (non-muslims) as less than human and often did with them as they wished. He 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 often tortured the Hindus of the village, even having 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 did 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 (judge) 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 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. Sahibzada and Singhs worried that they might get lost along the way the area was grown over with bush and jungly, so guru ji told him that a Sikh of guru called Bhai Ratan Singh(Will confirm d name...) is staying in bajrour, he will help them further.

Moreover, Guru Sahib told him to meet his maternal's house which was at Bajwara(Gurdwara Janam Asthan Mata Sunder kaur).

Plan of Attack

Sahibzada Ajit Singh Meet Baba Ratan Singh who was staying near Bajraur. He was dweller of that area. He got happy when he know Baba Ajit Singh has come. Sahibzada and Singhs went to him, then they planned to attack during evening because at that time the mughals were going to prepare for their Sharab and Shabab etc. Sahibzada planning was to arrest Zabar khan and to send him to anandpur. So they planned to attack during evening.

Clash

The Place Of 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 send arrested Pathan Zabar khan and wife of devi das to Anandpur with sikhs.

Many Singhs were Wounded Sahibzada Ajit Singh started helping his wounded Singhs who came along with him. Some of Singhs were Cremated at Chukhandi Sahib, Some were cremated at Bajrour, A Sikh Bhai Karam Singh was cremated at Baddon

On Monday evening they reached Ladhewal where Gurudwara Sahib is 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

See Also

  • Gurdwara Sahibzada Ajit Singh

References