Short History of Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh

Maharaja Ranjit Singh was Great warrior, thinker and King also known as Sher-e`-Punjab (Lion of Punjab). He was the founder of Sikh empire in Northwest Punjab in India. He born in Gujranwala Punjab(Now in Pakistan) on 13 November 1780 he fought his first battle along with his father at age of 10 where he got his name Ranjit after his father victory in battle.

At his childhood he survived from deadly Chicken pox which effected his left eye sight.

During his time Sikh empire flourished till 1839. He united 12 Misls or confederacies in Punjab and made it secular Sikh empire. An Empire where people of different religions, beliefs can live and prosperous. His sole purpose as Maharaja was not to rule but serve the people and protect them from External and Internal attacks. After coming in power Maharaja Ranjit Singh blocked the Kybher Darra Punjab and Afgan border where mostly invaders used to come and plunder the India.

He had very able and loyal commanders like Akali Phoola Singh, Sardar Hari Singh Nalua who helped him leading his Khalsa Army for protecting the Indian Borders from Foreign invaders by expanding of his Sikh Empire from Kandhar (Afghanistan) to Leh-Ladhak (Tibat)

He was Secular belief Maharaja, in his court where he had wise and able Sikh, Muslim and Hindu Minsters there he had French and American commanders as well who helped him in making his Army modern and strong even Britisher didn't gather courage to attack this such strong and modern Khalsa Army till then Maharaja alive.

Britisher had made friendly relationship with Maharaja Ranjit Singh. British had only rule Punjab for 100 years after the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1839 and Second Anglo-Sikh war (1848-1849).

The Koh-i-Nur Diamond world rearest old and famous Diamond which once pride of India was taken by Afgan invaders in their invasion. This Diamond Brought it back by Maharaja Ranjit Singh to India during treaty with that time Durrani dynasty rural of Afghanistan Shah Sooja Durrani. Later this Diamond again taken to England after British annexation to Punjab in 1849 which is now part of Queen Elizabeth-II Crown in England.

"Manas ki jaat ek hi pehchanbo - Recognize all Humankind as One"

Guru Gobind Singh a spiritual master, warrior, poet and philosopher. His teachings have inspired the Sikhs and others for generations.

For Guru all religions,  gender and races were equal.:

Guru Gobind singh selected five 'panj pyaras' from across India for creating the 'Khalsa' panth. Three among these Five Beloved were from the low castes or Dalits. The poor and the downtrodden were always in the back of his mind during all the battles he fought. "Manas ki jaat ek hi pehchanbo - Recognize all Humankind as One" was his mantra for life.

Kings who had refused to join his battle against the Mughals because his army consisted of 'Shudras' (people from low castes).
"Tum bhi praja thae ho, Shudra jinhe batate ho. Din bandhu tabhe sadheo, dinan raj bhogeho. (You will be ruled by those whom you call Shudras today. I will be remembered as Din bandhu only when power is transferred to them),"

With the birth of the Khalsa the last of the barriers of caste and gender oppression had been smashed. Women though continuing their roles of mothers and wives were forever changed. They were lifted up and given the same Amrit at the side of their brothers. The same rules that applied to them to follow the Khalsa way applied to them. They were granted the same 5 K’s. Guru Gobind Singh's encouragement of women to keep even shastars symbolized that he did not envision her role in society as being that of a "nice, meek housewife," but rather that of a fearless, active, independent warrior, involved in the world.

Kaur became her name. Kaur has an interesting history. Its origin can be found in the word Kanwar, literally meaning a Crown Prince. Women were given Kaur to give them an identity independent of that of their husband and to uplift their spirit. Indeed it has been recorded in oral tradition that Guru Gobind Singh referred to his brave daughters as ‘Sahibzadey’ or sons for the valor they exhibited in battle

Guru Gobind Singh’s wife Mata Saheb Kaur led the Khalsa Panth for many years after passing of the tenth Guru. Jathedar Sada Kaur along with Maharaja Ranjit Singh made possible the formation of the Sikh Empire.
There is another fearless woman in Sikh history name Mata Bhaag Kaur or Mai Bhago who fought along with the 40 Sikhs was the Battle of Khidrana (battle of Muktsar) on December 29, 1705, against a Mughal force who were chasing Guru Gobind Singh. Mata Bhaag Kaur also known for first woman who raised the sword and led the Khalsa Army against Tyranny in Punjab. The Guru later granted Mai Bhago’s wish to be with him as his bodyguard and thereafter, she accompanied him to Damdama Sahib, Agra, and Nanded where he died in 1708.

 

Mata Bhaag Kaur ji fighting with Mughals.

   Mata Sahib Kaur given the gift of Guru Hargobind (Sikhs Sixth Guru) sword

Rani Sada Kaur lead Maharajah Ranjit Singh Army for capturing Lahore Fort


"If we consider the work which (Guru) Gobind (Singh) accomplished, both in reforming his religion and instituting a new code of law for his followers, his personal bravery under all circumstances; his persevering endurance amidst difficulties, which would have disheartened others and overwhelmed them in inextricable distress, and lastly his final victory over his powerful enemies by the very men who had previously forsaken him, we need not be surprised that the Sikhs venerate his memory. He was undoubtedly a great man." (W. L. McGregor)

Sources:
http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Mata_Sahib_Devan
https://www.allaboutsikhs.com/great-sikh-women/rani-sada-kaur
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Gobind_Singh
https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/know-mai-bhago-quoted-by-bbc-as-one-of-the-most-badass-women-in-history-punjab-sikh-international-women-s-daygolden-temple/story-DNwFYAc0j6uwDhiBGRTWXN.html

Chakkra a lethal weapon and significance in Sikhism

The Chakkar or Chakrram is a round steel ring 5 - 12 inches in diameter of varying thickness. When used in battle, it usually has a sharp outer edge, but for ceremonial purposes the outer edge is left blunt. It is classified as a quoit-type weapon which is thrown or hurled, either by being released after being twirled around the smooth inside edge by the forefinger (a favourite Sikh method) or released frisbee-like or discus style. It has an effective range of 40 to 50 metres.

From about the 16th century onwards, it seems to be a weapon exclusively used by the Sikh military. 

The earliest references to the chakram come from the Indian epics Mahabharata and Ramayana where the Sudarshana Chakra is the weapon of the god Vishnu. Contemporaneous Tamil poems from the 2nd century BC record it as thikiri . Chakra-dhāri ("chakram-wielder" or "disc-bearer") is a name for Krishna. 

The chakram was later used extensively by the Sikhs as recently as the days of  Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It came to be associated with Sikhs because of the Nihang practice of wearing chakram on their arms, around the neck and even tied in tiers on high turbans.

The Portuguese chronicler Duarte Barbosa writes (c. 1516) of the chakram being used in the Delhi Sultanate.‌

The people of the kingdom ... are very good fighting men and good knights, armed with many kinds of weapons; they are great bowmen, and very strong men; they have very good lances, swords, daggers, steel maces, and battle-axes, with which they fight; and they have some steel wheels, which they call chakarani, two fingers broad, sharp outside like knives, and without edge inside; and the surface of these is of the size of a small plate. And they carry seven or eight of these each, put on the left arm; and they take one and put it on the finger of the right hand, and make it spin round many times, and so they hurl it at their enemies, and if they hit anyone on the arm or leg or neck, it cuts through all. And with these they carry on much fighting, and are very dexterous with them. 

The chakram's combat application is largely dependent on its size. Regular-sized (15+ cm dia.) steel chakram could be thrown 40–60 meters, while brass chakram, due to their better airfoil design, could be thrown in excess of 100 metres (330 ft) If properly constructed, it should be a perfect circle. Warriors trained by throwing chakram at lengths of green bamboo. In single combat, the chakram could be thrown underarm like a modern Aerobie. In battle, it was usually thrown vertically so as to avoid accidentally hitting an ally on the left or right side. A stack of chakram could be quickly thrown one at a time like shuriken. On elephant or horseback, chakram could be more easily thrown than spears or arrows. Because of its aerodynamic circular shape it is not easily deflected by wind.

The most iconic method of throwing a chakram is tajani, wherein the weapon is twirled on the index finger of an upraised hand and thrown with a timed flick of the wrist. The spin is meant to add power and range to the throw, while also avoiding the risk of cutting oneself on the sharp outer edge. An adept user can twirl the chakram while using another weapon with the other hand. The use of tajani in battle was perfected by the Nihang who employed a particular formation to protect the chakram-wielder from harm. Although variants of the chakram would make their way to neighbouring parts of the region, the tajani technique appears to have remained unique to Indian Martial Arts.

The smaller chakri could also be worn on the arms or wrists and used like knuckledusters. When worn on the arms the chakri could be used to break or cut the opponent's arms while grappling. The larger vada chakra were worn around the neck and thrown or dropped down on the opponent vertically. In the turban, it could be raked across an enemy's face or eyes while fighting.

The Nishan Sahib, the Sikh holy flag that flies outside of all Sikh gurdwara's (places of worship) portrays the khanda, a symbol of the Sikhs that features a chakram in its design.  A circle with neither beginning nor end, the chakram becomes an aniconic symbol of the perfection of the eternal God.

Source: Wikipedia and Sikhwiki.org

Significance of Falcon or Baaz in Sikhism.

Falcon or Baaz in Sikhism is a symbol of  “Sikhan da mann nevan mat uchi” means “May the Sikhs always remain in humility, sublime intelligence.”

Sikhs Tenth Master or Guru Guru Gobind Singh called "Chittey Baaza vala" means Keeper of White Falcon.

To infuse his Sikhs with worth and valour the Tenth Guru conducted his affairs as a Emperor, infact another title for Guru Gobind Singh Ji is “shah–hay–shehanshah”, the Shah (King) of all Shahs. Guru Ji held darbar (court) where he met with Rajas and emperors as well as the poor and needy. Guru Ji conducted his affairs fully armed (shastardhari) and sat on the Takhat (Throne).

The image of Guru Ji with a sword, a quiver of arrows and his shield draped at his side, with a Kalgi (royal plume) decorating his turban while holding the white bird of prey is a very potent image; one that is etched into the minds of all devoted Sikhs.

What is Khalsa Army.

Khalsa Akaal Purakh Ki Fauj is the Line of Saint-Soldiery, common among sikhs. These are words of Guru Gobind Singh. The purpose of the Khalsa as defined by the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh who established the order of Sant Sipahi (Saintly warriors) was to act as "the army of God" to guard and protect everyone (not just Sikhs) and who always act according to their Gurus' teachings, rules and ethics were at act with charity, love and service to all human beings. The commandments of the Khalsa being enshrined in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

This brings unprecedented responsibilities and duties that need to be fulfilled by the Khalsa. If the Khalsa is truly Kaal Purakh's or Akal Purakh's fauj or "God's army" then the duties of the Khalsa is to serve the Almighty and the entire people of the world. This concept is all encompassing and cannot be used in a narrow sense to refer to the duties of the Khalsa to a small sect or elite group of men/women who share similar beliefs; the Khalsa must serve the wider world community as that is the goal set by the Gurus. If the Khalsa fails to serve this wider goal, it will be lacking in its duties to their Guru and will not fulfil the key requirement set out by the Sikh Gurus in Gurbani.

Guru Gobind Singh ji 10th Sikh Master and founder of Khalsa has very clearly set the mission for the Sikhs to tread this unique path. The Khalsa is to serve all the peoples of the World – only then can it be Akal Purakh ki Fauj. When the Khalsa starts serving the needs of a few, or starts being concerned only with itself, it will fail in its duties as set out by Guru Gobind Singh.

ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਕੀ ਫ਼ੌਜ ॥
khhaalasaa Akaal purakh ki fauj ||
Khalsa is God's Army

ਪਰਗਟਿਓ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਪਰਮਾਤਮ ਕੀ ਮੌਜ ॥
pragattiou khhaalasaa pramaatham kee mauj ||
It's sustained by the Will of the Almighty

ਜਬ ਲਗ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਰਹੇ ਨਿਆਰਾ ॥
jab lag khhaalasaa rehae niaaraa ||
While the Khalsa remains pure

ਤਬ ਲਗ ਤੇਜ ਕੀਉ ਮੈਂ ਸਾਰਾ ॥
thab lag thaej keeo mai(n) saaraa ||
I will give it all my strength

ਜਬ ਇਹ ਗਹੈ ਬਿਪਰਨ ਕੀ ਰੀਤ ॥
jab eih gehai biparan kee reeth ||
When they mimic the habits of others

ਮੈਂ ਨ ਕਰੋਂ ਇਨ ਕੀ ਪਰਤੀਤ ॥
mai(n) n karo(n) ein kee pratheeth ||
I will not offer it my assistance.

Kaal (Time) is destroyer and Hukam or Command of God(Akaal) and Khalsa Sikh are strict followers of Hukam of God (in Japuji Hukam Rajai Chalna). The person who runs away from Hukam is not Khalsa and is not part of his army. This Army protects themselves and other from evil, works on command of lord. 

 

Baba Banda Singh Bhadur leading Khalsa Army in battle of Sirhind in 1710.

Source:

http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Khalsa_Kaal_Purakh_Ki_Fauj