Sikh Stories Origins and its Relationship to Coins. Part 4 : Diwan Today Mal and the last rites of Sahebzada Baba Fateh Singh Ji, Sahebzada Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and their grand mother, Mata Gujri Ji.

Diwan Today Mal and the last rites of Sahebzada Baba Fateh Singh Ji, Sahebzada Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and their grand mother, Mata Gujri Ji.

By : Saran Singh Sidhu and Dalwinder Singh Sidhu

 

After the evacuation of the Anadpur Fort in Punjab, Mata Gujri Ji (Gujar Kaur, mother of Guru Gobind Singh Ji) and her grand sons, Baba Fateh Singh Ji (aged 9 years) and Baba Zorawar Singh Ji (aged 6 years), got separated from Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the Sikhs while crossing the flooded Sirsa River on 6^th December 1705. Their former cook, Ganga, found them in the jungle and took them to his village Kheri (Saheri) near Morinda in present day District Ropar. However, the greedy Ganga, betrayed them to the Mughal authorities for monetary reward.

 

On 21^st December 1705, Mata Gujri Ji, Baba Fateh Singh Ji and Baba Zorawar Singh Ji were taken to Sirhind under heavy escort, and imprisoned in the Thanda Burj (cold tower).

 

On 23^rd December 1705, Baba Fateh Singh Ji and Baba Zorawar Singh Ji were brought to the darbar (audience hall) of the Faujdar (Governor) Nawab Wazir Khan of Sirhind. Wazir Khan gave them a choice, either convert to Islam and receive immense rewards or face death. When both of them refused to obey his orders, Wazir Khan decided to carry out his evil deed. Nawab Sher Mohd Khan of Maler Kotla, who was also present, intervened against such an unjust act on these young children who had committed no crime. However, Wazir Khan refused to change his decision. Baba Fateh Singh Ji and Baba Zorawar Singh Ji were again sent to the Thanda Burj (cold tower) with instructions that they were not to be given any food. Nawab Sher Khan left soon after in disgust for Maler Kotla.

 

During this imprisionment, Mata Gujri Ji spoke to her two grandsons of the great deeds of their father, Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the Sikhs. She told them never to waiver and loose their faith. “Ser jaayae taa jaayae, mayrah Sikhi saydek Na jaayae” (Let my head be cut off but never shall I loose my faith). At this time, Moti Ram Mehra, a devotee of the Guru, came secretly at night to the cold tower and gave warm milk to Mata Gujri Ji, Baba Fateh Singh Ji and Baba Zorawar Singh Ji. Later, when Wazir Khan found out about this matter, he had Moti Ram Mehra and his entire family executed.

 

On 25^th December 1705, Baba Fateh Singh Ji and Baba Zorawar Singh Ji were brough to Nawab Wazir Khan. They were again told to convert to Islam or face death. Both of them refused to do so and stood steadfast and loyal to their own faith. Finally, Wazir Khan gave the order to have both of them bricked up alive. When the wall around them was almost complete, a part of it crumbled. Both the brothers fell forward on the floor. They were then executed by having their throats cut. On hearing of their tragic deaths, Mata Gujri who was imprisoned in the cold tower alos left for her heavenly abode.

 

Diwan Todar Mal, a wealthy merchant and devotee of Guru Gobinds Singh Ji, wished to cremate the three bodies – Mata Gujri Ji, Baba Fateh Singh Ji and Baba Zorawar Singh Ji. He managed to pursuade Chaudari Atta to allow his land to be used for cremation. Diwan Todar Mal approached Nawab Wazir Khan for permission to cremate the bodies. The wily Wazir Khan agreed but on condition that he purchased the required site with a payment of gold mohurs, which were to be placed vertically on the required area, which is belived to have been approximately 42 sq.feet (about 6 feet X 7 feet). With great difficulty, Diwan Todar Mal managed to raise the required number of gold mohurs, which are believed to be around 88,680 pieces, and placed them vertically on the ground in front of the gloating Nawab Wazir Khan. The Mohurs used were of Shah Jahan and of Aurangzeb dated AH 1115 (1704) or earlier.

 

On 26^th December 1705, the bodies of Mata Gujri Ji, Baba Fateh Singh Ji and Baba Zorawar Singh Ji were cremated with great respect by Diwan Todar Mal and his family in Fatehgarh, which is abut 2.5 Km aways from Sirhind. This is the site of Gurdwara Jyoti Sarup at Fatehgarh Saheb in Punjab, India.

 

Diwan Todar Mal and his family, who had by now lost practically all of their wealth, had to leave the town of Sirhind as life was made unbearable for them. Today, only the haveli (mansion) of Diwan Todar Mal remains, mostly in ruins, as a reminder of this faithful devotee.

This piece of 42 sq.feet of land is probably the most expensive piece of land ever purchased and probably nothing similar will ever be comparable. 

Sikh Stories Origins and its Relationship to Coins. Part 3 : Makhan Shah ‘Lubana’ and the 500 gold Mohurs

Makhan Shah ‘Lubana’ and the 500 gold Mohurs

By Saran Singh Sidhu and Dalwinder Singh Sidhu

 

Makhan Shah ‘Lubana’ (1619 – 1674) was a devout Sikh and wealthy merchant. One one occasion, he was travelling on a ship laden with his goods. When the ship reached the coastal area of Surat, there was a terrible storm and the ship was likely to capsize in the sea. Makhan Shah prayed to God and asked the Guru to help him. He made a wow to donate 500 pieces of Gold Mohurs to the Guru for the common good of the people. After some time, the strom subsided and the ship managed to reach the shore.

 

In mid 1664 (AH 1075), Makhan Shah arrived at Delhi. He was informed that the Eight Guru, Sri Guru Krishan Saheb Ji had passed away in March 1664 and had appointed his successor to the Gurgaddi as Baba Bekala. Makhan Shah decided to go to the town of Bekala to seek the Guru. On reaching Bekala, he found many false claimants to the Guruship. To test all these claimants, Makhan Shah decided to place one Gold Mohur in front of each of them, but without any success. Finally, Makhan Shah was informed there was one Guru left in a secluded area of Bekala.  With great respect, he placed one Gold Mohur in front of Baba Bekala, who was Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Saheb Ji, the true Guru. The Guru looked at Makhan Shah and said “you made a wow to donate 500 Gold Mohurs, where are the balance?”

 

Makhan Shah was filled with happiness that he had finally found the true Guru and fell at his feet in gratitude. He climbed up to a high spot and declared that the real Baba Bekala had been found. Except for all the false claimants, the hearts of all the people were filled with joy. 

 

As Makhan Shah travelled to Arabia, the major money changers were at the port of Surat, besides those at Delhi and Lahore. So the Gold Mohurs could be a mix of all Indian Mints, which matches with all the hoards observed to date. The 500 gold Mohurs which were offered by Makhan Shah ‘Lubana’ to the 9^th Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Saheb Ji in August 1664 were likely from mohurs issued during that period from various Mints. 

Sikh Stories Origins and its Relationship to Coins. Part 2 : THE BEGINING OF SIKH COINS OF THE SIKH EMPIRE - PUNJAB

 

THE BEGINING OF SIKH COINS OF THE SIKH EMPIRE - PUNJAB

By Dalwinder Singh Sidhu

 

After the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh on 7^th October 1708, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur took over the leadership of the Khalsa Panth (Sikh Brotherhood). To counteract against the Mughal rulers atrocities and religious persecution of the Sikhs, he decided to eliminate the rule of the Mughal power itself. Baba Banda Singh made a start towards the creation of an independent Sikh State (Punjab), and assumed political authority.

 

Many Sikhs came from afar to join Baba Banda Singh in his struggle against the injustice of the Mughals. Other leaders like Tilok Singh (Tiloka), the ancestor of the Phulkian Rulers, gave material help. On 26^th November 1709, Baba Banda Singh with his army attacked and captured Samana, the native town of Jalalud-Din, the executioner of Guru Tegh Bahadur. This was followed by the conquest of Ghurham, Thaska, Shahabad and Mustafabad. Banda attacked the cruel Faujdar of Kapuri, Qadam ud Din, and razed the town to the ground. Banda attacked Usman Khan, the Chief of Sadhaura, who had oppressed the Hindus and also tortured to death the Muslim Saint, Sayyid Buddhu Shah, for having assisted Guru Gobind Singh at the battle of Bhangani.  

 

Baba Banda Singh Bahadur turned his attention to Sirhind. The Sikh forces defeated the army of Nawab Wazir Khan, the Subedar of Sirhind at the Battle of Chappar Chiri (near present day Chandigarh) on 14^th May 1710. Wazir Khan was killed in this battle and his army put to rout. The Sikhs entered Sirhind and, with the exception of the Hindu Temples and Mosques, destroyed most of the town as an act of vengeance. Sirhind was the place where on the orders of the cruel Wazir Khan, Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s two youngest sons, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, were bricked up alive and subsequently executed on 12th December 1705. To commemorate the conquest of Sirhind, a new era was declared by the Sikhs, starting with Samvat Year 1 (which commenced on 14^th May 1710). Banda Singh Bahadur appointed Baj Singh as the first Sikh Governor of Sirhind, which gave him control over the surrounding territory.

 

Around June 1710, Banda Singh and his army captured Saharanpur. When he arrived at Nanauta in July 1710, many of the Gujjars (who were Nanak panthis), swelled the ranks of his army. A Sikh contingent was sent to occupy Pathankot. His next stop was Batala and Kalanaur and thence to Lahore. He gave a crushing defeat to Sayyid Aslam, the Governor of Lahore at the village of Bhiloval. On 3^rd October 1710, the Sikh forces occupied Rahon in the Jalandhar Doab. Baba Banda made the old fort of Mukhlisgarh in

 

the Himalayas, his Headquarters and renamed it Lohgarh. He was now the virtual Ruler of all areas under his control, which stretched from Panipat to the suburbs of Lahore, and included the entire Majha and Riaarki areas, as well as the territories lying between the Rivers Yamuna and Sutlej. He appointed Sikh administrators in many of these areas, to collect revenue and maintain law and order.

In 1711, the Khalsa Panth, under the leadership of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, issued the first known 1 Rupee silver coins bearing the Year 2 from Mukhlispore (renamed Lohgarh) near Sadhaura. A second issue of the 1 Rupee silver coins, bearing the Year 3, was issued in 1712. The couplet of these coins is slightly different from the couplet used on the seal of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. The Mint name is not mentioned on these coins. Though Baba Banda Singh issued these coins from his Headquarters at Lohgarh, they were struck at a well equiped Mint. By this time, many areas in Punjab were under the control of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. It is more than probable that these coins were struck at one of these towns which had minting facilities.

The Dal Khalsa  (Sikh Confederacy) and its coinage

The years 1716 – 1733 were a period of persecution of the Sikhs by the Mughal rulers. The Sikhs were captured and tortured and many fled into the jungles. Many battles were fought during this period by the Khalsa Panth under the leadership of Kapur Singh (1697 – 1753). Finally in 1733, Zakaria Khan the Governor of Punjab, decided to reconcile with the Sikhs. He offered them a jagir (fief) with an annual revenue of one lakh rupees, and the title of Nawab to their leader. The Sikh Chiefs appointed Kapur Singh as Nawab, settled at Amritsar their holy city, and began to consolidate their power in Punjab.

In 1734, Nawab Kapur Singh divided the Sikhs into two sections – the Budda Dal (composed of the wise and elderly Sikhs, of over 40 years of age) and the Taruna Dal (comprising of the younger and more agile Sikhs). The Budda Dal was in charge of guarding the holy places and shrines, preaching the Guru’s messages and spreading the Sikh faith. The Taruna Dal was tasked with the training of the Sikhs in martial arts and warfare, and to fight the enemy, when necessary.

By 1747, the Sikhs had 65 jathas (bands) in the Punjab. On 29th March 1748 (Baisakhi day), the sarbat Khalsa (the General Assembly of the Sikhs) under Kapur Singh gathered in Amritsar, their holy city. The Sikh forces were united into a single fighting force under the control of the Dal Khalsa, (the Sikh Confederacy), which was also the highest religious body of the Sikhs at the Akaal Takht (the throne of the Timeless One God, Waheguru) at Amritsar. Jassa Singh Ahluwalia (1718 – 1783) was given the supreme command of the Dal Khalsa. The Sikhs were now divided into eleven (11) Misls or Divisions, each under the control of a Sikh Chief, with his own banner.

Jassa Singh Ahluwalia established the system of “Rakhi” (protection) in the Punjab around 1756. In return for one-fifth of one’s income to the Sikh leadership, protection was given to the people, against exploitation by Government officials and robbers. This system was a great success, and ultimately led to the establishment of a national monarchy.

In September 1761, Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, together with Charat Singh of Gujjranwala, and other Misl Chiefs (Jai Singh Kanhaiya Misl, Hari Singh Bangi Misl), attacked and captured Lahore. With this victory, the territory from the River Sind to the River Sutlej, came under the control of the Khalsa army. The Sikh leaders of the Dal Khalsa, honored Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia by conferring upon him the title “Sultan-ul-Qaum” (Ruler of the community). 

In April 1765, the general assembly (Sarbat Khalsa) comprising of the leaders of the various Misls, led by Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, passed a Gurmata (decree) to establish the Sikh State of Punjab by declaring their sovereignty and independence. In 1765, under the authority of the Sikh League “Khalsa”, the Bhangi Misl, which occupied Lahore, struck 1 Rupee silver coins at the Lahore Mint. These 1 Rupee coins were struck between the Vikram Samvat Years 1822 – 1857 (1765 – 1800). These coins continued to be issued in Lahore from Vikram Samvat 1858 - 1903 (1801 - 1846) under the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his successors.

 

Sikh Stories Origins and its relationship to Coins. Part 1 : The 20 Baloli (Rupee) coins that led to the establishment of the Guru Ka Langgar by Guru Nanak Dev Ji

 

The 20 Baloli (Rupee) coins that led to the establishment of the Guru Ka Langgar by Guru Nanak Dev Ji

By Saran Singh Sidhu (AMN, AMP (PNM, TNM, FMNS, FRNS)

6th May, 2022

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

With the blessings of Waheguru, the Almighty Creator of the Universe, blessed be His Name, who sent the prophet-teacher, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji to this earth. His parents, Baba Kalyan Chand (Mehta Kalu) and Mata Tripta, were extremely fortunate to be blessed with the child, Guru Nanak, in the month of Kattak, Vikram Samvat 1526 = October 1469AD, in the town of Rai Bhoi Ki Talwandi (now known as Nankana Saheb in Pakistan). The family Pandit (priest) predicted that Guru Nanak would be a devout follower of God and lead many other believers to Him (The Supreme Lord).

Guru Nanak was wise beyond his years even as a child. He used to have religious discussions with holy men, Sadhus, and Fakirs, who were astounded by his profound knowledge and wisdom.

When Guru Nanak was about 17 years of age (around 1486AD), his father Kalyan Chand (Mehta Kalu) felt that his son was old enough to start his own profitable business as a trader. Guru Nanak was approaching marriageable age, so he needed to take on the responsibilities of a householder.

Guru Nanak received 20 Bahloli (Rupee) coins from Mehta Kalu Ji. These coins were made of 80 rati billion tangkas and contained 0.16 percent silver. These coins were minted during the reign of India's Lodhi Dynasty's Bahlul Shah Lodhi (1451-1489AD).

 

LODHI DYNASTY

    
  

Copper Bahloli’s

(Bahlul Shah Lodhi 1451 – 1489 (AH 855 – AH 894))

 

Guru Nanak and his devout disciple, Bhai Mardana, had only travelled about 12 miles (18 kilometres) from Rai Bhoi Ki Talwandi when they came across a village where the people were sick and hungry due to poverty and a lack of food. A group of Sadhus (holy men) seated under a tree not far away had not eaten food for a few days. Guru Nanak quickly decided that the best True Bargain (Secha Sauda) would be to provide food and provisions for these hungry villagers and Sadhus in their hour of need. Guru Nanak and Bhai Mardana went to the nearest town to get the supplies they needed. Guru Nanak spent all 20 Bahlolis (Rupees) given to him by his father, Kalyan Chand (Mehta Kalu), on these necessities and transported them to these impoverished villagers and Sadhus on a bullock cart. By performing this good deed, Guru Nanak made a profitable trade by serving all those in need by sharing all the provisions and receiving their heartfelt blessings.

The above incident became the forerunner of what became known as the Guru Ka Langar (blessed food of the Guru). The Sikh community now performs this voluntary service all over the world. The majestic Gurdwara Secha Sauda stands in this location in Fatooqabad, District Sheikpura, Pakistan.

The Guru Ka Langgar concept has evolved to include humanitarian aid during times of major disasters (e.g., Earthquakes, Tsunami in Acheh in 2018), food, blankets, and temporary shelters for refugees in war zones, free eye clinics, medical treatment, and the supply of medicines, and oxygen cylinders during the Covid pandemic in India (2021), and relief operations during floods in Shah Alam (Selangor) and Mentakab (Pahang) in 2021.

Khalsa Aid U.K., Global Sikhs in the U.K., U.S.A., and Malaysia, United Sikhs U.K., and Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sewa Society, U.S.A. are some of the Sikh organisations that have done yeoman service (Sewa) during disasters.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji's philosophy - Naam Japoh (recite the name of Waheguru), Kirat Karoh (earn an honest living), Wand Kay Shakoh (share your earnings) - has truly left its imprint on the Sikh community, moulding them into selfless servants of humanity.

May Waheguru's blessings be with you always