Interesting quotes of Sikh history

[amardeep]

Different quotes i've saved over the years that I just came across again:

 

According to the information supplied in the Ruqaat I Amin ul Doula, Dastur ul Insha, Banda Singh proclaimed that “we do not oppose Muslims and we do not oppose Islam. We only oppose tyranny and we only oppose usurpation of the political power which belongs to the people and not to the privileged individuals or to the Mughals.”

As a result of his secular policy, both in theory and practice,
Banda Singh had about five thousand Muslim soldiers in his army. He looked after them, fixed their wages and allowances and permitted them to read khutba and namaz. They were free to say their prayers in their own fashion. Testifying this, a royal newswriter, reported to the Mughal Emperor on 28th April, 1711 as follow:

"The wretched Nanakworshipper has his camp in the town of Kalanaur upto the 19th instant. During the period he has promised and proclaimed ‘I do not oppress the Muslims’. Accordingly, for any Muslim who approaches him, he fixed a daily allowances and wages and looks after him. He has permitted them to khutba and namaz. As such, five thousand Muslims have gathered around him. Having entered into his friendship, they are free to shout their call and say prayers in the army of the wretched Sikhs."

[amardeep]

1779:

It is not, therefore, risquing too much to say, that the Seiks are a power which should be carefully watched by the English. They certainly are of great consequence in the political scale of India.

 

1788:

In admitting a proselyte [convert to Sikhi], they make him drink Sherbet out of a large cup, with certain ceremonies, as will be seen hereafter, and which are designed to signify, that every distinction is abolished, except that of being a Sick, even a Mussulman may become a Sick on these conditions. — From the time that he is admitted into the fraternity, he wears a steel ring round one of his wrists, lets his hair and beard grow to full length, and calls on the name of the Gooroo in confirmation of all engagements.

a sect which makes religion and politics unite in its aggrandizement, and renders the entrance into it so easy to all who desire to become members of it, cannot fail to extend itself very far, and in the end to be exceedingly formidable to all its neighbours.”

 

 

1883:

The Sikhs meet on platforms or Takhts; on the one platform sit the men, and around, divided by a groove, are women, and they, although they very rarely have been known to give expression to their views, are under a distinct obligation to express their opinion in matters on which they can speak. So that, after all, we are not even ahead of India in our theory of female emancipation. In the new Guru Singh Sabha Society, started at Amritsar, “the right of women to express an opinion, or to send it in writing,” is expressly reserved. At the same time, when they do speak, I believe they speak with that modesty and self-respect, that faithfulness and tender regard for their families, which, I believe, are characteristics of native women.”

[Guest guest]

Who wrote the second batch?  I was surprised by the early date of 1779, of English texts mentioning Sikhs.

[IJJSingh]

John Surman, the English Ambassador in Delhi, was an eyewitness to the torture of Banda Singh and his companions.  The following is an excerpt from March 10, 1716 letter written by him to the English Governor of Calcutta:

“The great Rebel Gooroo who has been for these 20 years so troublesome in the Subaship of Lahore is at length taken with all his family and attendance by Abd-us-Samad Cawn [Khan] the Suba of that province. Some days ago they entered the city laden with fetters, his whole attendants which were left alive being about seven hundred and eighty all severally mounted on camels which were sent out of the City for that purpose, besides about two thousand heads stuck upon poles. being those who died by the sword in battle. He was carried into the presence of the King, and from thence to a close prison. He at present has his life prolonged with most of his mutsuddys in the hope to get an Account of his treasure in the several parts of his Kingdom, and of those that assisted him, when afterwards he will be executed, for the rest there are 100 each day beheaded. It is not a little remarkable with what patience they undergo their fate, and to the last it has not been found that one apostatised from his new formed Religion.”

[Guest SIKH KHOJ]

"The tribe of Acalis (immortals), who have now assumed a dictatorial sway in all the religious ceremonies at Amritsar, and the Nirmala and Shahid, who read the sacred writings, may hereafter introduce some changes in those usages which the Sikhs revere"

JOHN MALCOLM, 1812, Sketch of Sikhs

 

[amardeep]

15 hours ago, IJJSingh said:

John Surman, the English Ambassador in Delhi, was an eyewitness to the torture of Banda Singh and his companions.  The following is an excerpt from March 10, 1716 letter written by him to the English Governor of Calcutta:

 

“The great Rebel Gooroo who has been for these 20 years so troublesome in the Subaship of Lahore is at length taken with all his family and attendance by Abd-us-Samad Cawn [Khan] the Suba of that province. Some days ago they entered the city laden with fetters, his whole attendants which were left alive being about seven hundred and eighty all severally mounted on camels which were sent out of the City for that purpose, besides about two thousand heads stuck upon poles. being those who died by the sword in battle. He was carried into the presence of the King, and from thence to a close prison. He at present has his life prolonged with most of his mutsuddys in the hope to get an Account of his treasure in the several parts of his Kingdom, and of those that assisted him, when afterwards he will be executed, for the rest there are 100 each day beheaded. It is not a little remarkable with what patience they undergo their fate, and to the last it has not been found that one apostatised from his new formed Religion.”
 

This is an interesting quote since it mentions 20 years. Banda Singh Bahadur had only been active for 6-7 years prior to his shaheedi. Is it possible that the English ambassador thought it was the execution of Guru Gobind Singh taking place? (20 years back would put it back into the mid 1690s where the Khalsa was created)

Edited April 7, 2016 by amardeep

[dalsingh101]

35 minutes ago, amardeep said:

This is an interesting quote since it mentions 20 years. Banda Singh Bahadur had only been active for 6-7 years prior to his shaheedi. Is it possible that the English ambassador thought it was the execution of Guru Gobind Singh taking place? (20 years back would put it back into the mid 1690s where the Khalsa was created)

That wouldn't surprise me. I think there was some confusion of identity between Guru ji and Banda. 

[amardeep]

I think some of the accounts in Sicques tigers and thieves also make it appear as if the Mughals were'nt sure whether the Banda Bahadur who had appeared in Punjab was Guru Gobin Singh or someone else. 

In tribal and political history you have often seen that when a leader/king/chief passes away, the people around keep it a secret for some time being in order to not create Chaos (for instance neighbouring Clans and tribes thinking it an opportunity to make an invasion in the power vaccum). I think some of the Mughals also did this when a emperor had died and they needed to ensure a smooth transfer of power to another emperor.

Do you think it Is is possible the Sikhs kept Guru Gobind Singh's Jyoti jyot a secret untill the Khalsa had reorganized and Consolidated their powers? And this caused confusion amongst some Mughals and others? Bahadur Shah in the South knew about it from what I remember since he made a letter saying the Mughals could'nt take the Guru's belongings. But up North it could have been different with loads of rumours saying he was still alive causing loads of confusion amongst the local rulers and mughal officials... .and BOOM suddenly you have the Khalsa army standing at their door steps all following the command of one individual leader.

Edited April 7, 2016 by amardeep

[dalsingh101]

54 minutes ago, amardeep said:

I think some of the accounts in Sicques tigers and thieves also make it appear as if the Mughals were'nt sure whether the Banda Bahadur who had appeared in Punjab was Guru Gobin Singh or someone else. 

In tribal and political history you have often seen that when a leader/king/chief passes away, the people around keep it a secret for some time being in order to not create Chaos (for instance neighbouring Clans and tribes thinking it an opportunity to make an invasion in the power vaccum). I think some of the Mughals also did this when a emperor had died and they needed to ensure a smooth transfer of power to another emperor.

Do you think it Is is possible the Sikhs kept Guru Gobind Singh's Jyoti jyot a secret untill the Khalsa had reorganized and Consolidated their powers? And this caused confusion amongst some Mughals and others? Bahadur Shah in the South knew about it from what I remember since he made a letter saying the Mughals could'nt take the Guru's belongings. But up North it could have been different with loads of rumours saying he was still alive causing loads of confusion amongst the local rulers and mughal officials... .and BOOM suddenly you have the Khalsa army standing at their door steps all following the command of one individual leader.

Yes. Banda Singh appears to have been somewhat of an expert in military strategy (including propaganda). The fear he instilled in the enemy with his reputation is conspicuous. It makes you think, how did the rank and file of the Moghuls come to see him as some shape shifting, dread-inspiring magician type? Where did they get this information from? What were the channels of information? This also links with Bhangu's portrayal in PP, where even some of the Khalsa are both in awe and somewhat apprehensive of him.  This is obviously a man who kept his cards close to his chest - like all proficient military leaders must do. I remember reading one bit, where Banda and Sikhs were surrounded in a fort for a while and everyone had become seriously emaciated from lack of supplies - all except Banda apparently.  

Disinformation and confusing your enemy are standard guerrilla warfare tactics. As is striking when least expected. It would have been foolish for Banda not to capitalise on Moghuls being unsuspecting and unprepared for his initial assault.  

[Guest Sikh KOSH]

Many muslims believed Banda was actually Guru Gobind Singh. Muslims are generally (knowingly) ignorant of other faiths, thats why they refer to sikhs as 'hindus' in many accounts as well. They're usually to full of themselves to learn about others, something I still see amongst some pakistanis.

[Guest guest]

12 hours ago, Guest SIKH KHOJ said:

"The tribe of Acalis (immortals), who have now assumed a dictatorial sway in all the religious ceremonies at Amritsar, and the Nirmala and Shahid, who read the sacred writings, may hereafter introduce some changes in those usages which the Sikhs revere"

JOHN MALCOLM, 1812, Sketch of Sikhs

 

interesting.  can you tell me more about these changes?

[Guest sikh kosh]

 

10 hours ago, Guest guest said:

interesting.  can you tell me more about these changes?

dasam granth, ring a bell? dasam granth into nitnem, amrit sanchaar and so on.

vedantic stuff that has been given great importance post the 1800s and till now

 

Edited April 8, 2016 by amardeep
Personal attacks

[Guest guest]

Thanks kosh.  What does Shahid sikhs refer to here?  Nihungs, right?

Kind of cool how English travellers recorded so much detail.  Although there may be errors in perception/understanding of events, of course.