The Brahmans from Kashmir

The Wonderous 1
Mar 17
5 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

The pure belongs to the 'Wonderous Enlightener'. The victory belongs to the 'Wonderous Enlightener'.

(Followed on from the last article).

The group of Brahmans (varying in numbers according to different sources) started a 392 mile journey to Anandpur Sahib over many days and through tough terrain. After much anticipation, they finally reached their destination where they were given a place to rest at night. The next morning, they finally had the opportunity to meet Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji, who smiled as they walked towards him almost as if he was waiting for them. Being led by Kirpa Ram Dath, the Brahmans supplicated before Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji: “Oh exalter of the poor, with the orders of the Mughul emperor, our local governor has oppressed many Hindus and forced them to confess acceptance of Islam. Many ‘Mandirs’ in Mathura, Kanshi and Kurukshetra have been demolished and used to build more mosques. The emperor has a daily target of how many Hindus he forces Islam upon before eating his breakfast. Our race is being wiped out before our eyes and there is nothing that we can do about it. This is the atrocity that we are facing. Within 12 ‘Khoh’ (about 6.6 miles) of distance, all Brahman (scholar) class Hindus have been forcefully converted to Islam (or killed if they rebelled). No one has been spared from the river to the mountains. We will be next to choose either Islam or death and have come into your sanctuary seeking for help. Please be our support, have mercy upon us and hold our arm, be the boat that helps us cross this crisis. Please save the faith of ‘Hindustan’ and the Hindu religion.” In this way, they praised Guru Ji and begged for protection. The names of these ‘Brahmans’ are still recorded today outside Gurdwara ‘Thara Sahib Kashmiri Pandits’ (Anandpur Sahib, Punjab) which marks the spot where this group visited Guru Ji. According to some sources, this was a ‘Tharra’ (raised platform) where Guru Ji would sit and openly be available for the public to meet daily. The platform provided the congregation open space to gather around.

Giani Gian Singh writes that Sri Gobind Singh Ji (aged 9 years old) entered Guru Ji’s open court at this moment and asked his father who these people were as they seemed to have travelled from far with a heavy-hearted plea. Guru Ji explained to his son about the difficulties that this community was facing and that the only way they could be saved was if a great being sacrificed himself defending this community. Only such an action could sprout righteousness to blossom again after the pure blood of a great saint purified the land again. Sri Gobind Singh Ji then asked for permission to give his view and stated with his hands clasped together “If by sacrificing your head to save their lives is the solution, then what could be better than that? In my opinion there is no other saint like you in the world. If me becoming fatherless means many other children remain with a father over their head, then I am willing to make that sacrifice too.” Hearing this from his son, Guru Ji stated that he will travel to Delhi to sacrifice himself and instructed the ‘Brahmans’ to relay his challenge to ‘Aurangzeb’: “If Guru Tegh Bahadar is to accept your religion, then all of us Hindus will also accept your religion. However, if Guru Ji do not accept your ‘Sharia’ law and choose death, then us followers should be given the freedom to practice our faith”.

However, according to ‘Gurpartap Sooraj Parkash’, there is no mention of Sri Gobind Singh Ji here as he was still present in ‘Patna Sahib’ at this stage. Hence, it was Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji himself that thought “There is no other option here but to sacrifice my head for this cause". After remaining quiet for four ‘Gharris’ (just over 90 minutes), Guru Ji stated he will protect the ‘Dharam’ (faith) of ‘Hind’ (the people of ‘Hindustan’), and the ‘Brahmans’ should go back to Delhi and announce Guru Ji as their leader to the emperor. If the emperor could persuade Guru Ji, then the whole Hindu community will happily convert after him too (so there was no need to oppress anymore Hindus).

Guru Ji’s message was relayed by the Brahmans to ‘Sher Afkan’ (whose real name is ‘Ifrat Khan’ in some sources). A special meeting took place where ‘Kazis’ (Islamic judges) and ‘Maulanas’ (Islamic priests) were also present. Upon hearing the proposition, ‘Nauranga’ was very happy thinking that by persuading one Guru, he could potentially convert not only the Hindus, but the Sikhs too. ‘Nauranga’ quickly sent two ‘Aihdis’ to visit Guru Ji with the instruction to bring him back to Delhi where he should either show a miracle, or accept Islam. An ’Aihdi’ was a role within the empire that would only be assigned to certain personnel for delivering special messages on their behalf. Sometimes they would be on horseback and sometimes they would sit on a ‘Manji’ (cot) and have people carry it from place to place with the carriers swapping at every town. They would go around ordering people and taking any food that pleased them on the way, as they had the might of the emperor behind them.

Upon reaching ‘Anandpur Sahib’, the two ‘Aihdis’ handed over the ‘Parvana’ (edict) addressed to Guru Ji that he should meet with the emperor in Delhi. However, Guru Ji replied to the letter (in writing), stating that he will travel to Delhi independently, but after the ‘Chaumasa’ period was over. ‘Chaumasa’ means four months referring to the two summer months and the two rainy months from the 12th ‘Thith’ of the ‘Sudi’ moon phase of the month ‘‘Haar’ to the 12th ‘Thith’ of the ‘Sudi’ moon phase of the month ‘Katak’. These four months were usually difficult to travel in as there were neither any smooth roads nor adequate places to stay on route. Hence, Guru Ji said there will be too much water on route and slushy mud to travel through. The ‘Aihdis’ brought Guru Ji’s written reply back to Delhi and handed it to their emperor. In reality, by sending such a message and not obeying the emperor’s instruction right away, Guru Ji displayed his authority and symbolised how he lived freely (under nobody’s obedience). Upon hearing this reply, ‘Aurangzeb’ had nothing to say but to remain in silence as he learned that not everything will happen exactly how he wanted it to.

To be continued...

The pure belongs to the 'Wonderous Enlightener'. The victory belongs to the 'Wonderous Enlightener'.

References:

1. Sant Gurbachan Singh - (Katha) 'Shaheedi Saka of Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji' Parts 1 & 2

2. Thakur Das - Shaheed Bilas

3. Kavi Santokh Singh - Gurpartap Sooraj Parkash

4. Kahan Singh (Nabha) - Mahan Kosh

5. Giani Pinderpal Singh - (Katha) Jeevan Katha Ate Shahadat Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji'

6. Bhatt Vahis

7. Alphabet.Inc - Google

8. Dr Sukhpreet S - (Lectures) 'Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji'

9. Sant Kartar Singh - (Katha) 'Shaheedi Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji'