Kara and Guru Gobind Singh

Once a Brahmin came to Guru Gobind Singh ji and expressed his concern for the Guru, the Sikhs and the grim fate of the Sikh religion, in view of the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev ji and Guru Tegh Bahadur ji along with three Sikhs (Bhai Dayal Dass ji, Bhai Mati Dass ji and Bhai Satti Dass ji). The Brahmin further suggested that if the Guru donated some mustard oil and pure iron to Saturn (Shani), then Saturn may be pleased and good times may return for the Sikhs. 

The Guru apprised him of the rich and scientific Sikh philosophy that has no faith in superstitions, but on the insistence of the Brahmin, he finally agreed to offer the mustard oil and pure iron. The Brahmin was happy that the Guru had been finally convinced. On the way out, the Brahmin met some Sikhs and on being questioned, told them everything.

The Sikhs immediately realized that the Guru in his wisdom, has set a test for them. So they took all the offerings from the Brahmin and told him to come to the presence of the Guru the next day. Next day, when the Sangat had assembled, the all-knowing Guru asked a group of Sikhs on the appeal of the Brahmin, if they had to share anything with the Sangat. The Sikhs told the Guru that they had realized the test was being conducted by the Guru to examine the faith of the Sikhs in the Sikh philosophy, being taught to them since the last two centuries. 

Therefore, they took the offerings from the Brahmin, used the oil in the Guru ka Langar, and made Kara (iron bracelet) of the pure iron, which they were wearing then. The Sikhs, according to the Sikh philosophy, have no faith in superstitions, planetary influences, holy or unholy days and in directions (East, West, North or South). The Guru expressed his happiness and blessed all the Sikhs with karas - in rejoicing for conquering the fear of superstitions.

The kara, generally worn in the right hand, reminds the Sikh that his or her actions have to be fearless symbolizing Amrit. This is the symbol of Guru on the hand of action and therefore all actions are to be pure. The purity and strength of pure iron has to be reflected in every action of the Sikh. The free availability of iron makes it easy to afford and therefore everyone can wear it. It symbolizes the Sikh brotherhood.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the Guards

Once there were 4 Sikh Guards outside Guru Gobind Singh Sahib jee Maharaaj's tent. They heard of a dancer who had come to a near by town and they wanted to go watch her dance. But, how to ask the Guru's permission? As it was the last night of her performance, so the guards decided between themselves that at least two of them could go and watch the dancer while other two can stand Guard at Guru's tent.

So after sunset, in the darkness of night two Guards left to see the dancer's dance. They reached there and all thru the dance they were worried what if Guru will come to know of what they did. They regretted very much coming to watch the dance and said to each other that they should have been with their Guru instead.

On the other side, the two that remained behind standing guard for the Guru, were repenting that they should have gone instead of staying here and let the other two stand guard for the Guru…

Next morning, in the Guru Gobind Singh Sahib jee Maharaaj's darbar, Guru jee said

"Hazar Gher Hazar, Gher Hazar Hazar"

Then Guru ji asked for the two who went to see the dance. They were so ashamed of what they did. But as the Guru knows all, he also knew that the two guard who went to see the dance were at all time thinking about him (the Guru) and the guards who were at guard, were at all time thinking about the dance… So Guru said to them… the ones who were present were not present mentally here, but those who were not here physically, had all times their mind in Guru, even if they were at the dance, but they did not enjoy as they were at all time thinking about me (the Guru).

Guru Nanak in Turkey 4 (Final Part)

Since the ‘Discovery of Monument of Guru Nanak in Istanbul’ was announced and published in various magazines and newspapers in India and Canada, it has created a great curiosity among the Sikhs all over the world. Now every Sikh wants to see this monument. In continuation of our further research, we are proud to inform you that the Monument has been relocated in collaboration with Mr. T. Sibia of London, UK and Mr Jatinderpaul Singh of Ramtex Exports. Ludhiana.

We are glad that the monument is still in very good conditions after 12 years when it was discovered in 1994. To my surprise the relocation has indicated that there is also some inscription on the back of this monument. The full size pictures of the monument with front side and back sides are shown as follows. Calligraphic writing at the top with gold is BISM-ALLAH (Starting in the Name of Allah).

CONTINUATION OF RESEARCH

Our research for deciphering the inscription and to find out the background history of this monument is going on. Here is an update on the discovery of monument of Guru Nanak:

UPDATING

Our initial research after consulting a number of scholars indicates that there is a need for hard and serious efforts to work with scholars not only experts in Arabic and Persian but also in Turkish, and who are familiar with the status of these languages of that time. However, we have discovered through the help of scholars from Montreal and Istanbul in coordination with Mr. T. Sibia the following:

First Deciphering Attempt

I found the importance of the monument only when Mr. Iqbal Kaiser, the author of a book, ‘Sikh Shrines in Pakistan’, and Mr. Syed Afzal Haider, Senior Advocate of Supreme Court of Pakistan, and the author of a book, ‘Baba Nanak’, helped me to decipher the first line of the inscription, which is in Arabic/Persian/Turkish language (Fig. 1. Front view). It clearly indicates that it is dedicated to Guru Nanak. The first line deciphered by them is as follows:

In Arabic/Persian/Turkish languages (Transliterated in Gurmukhi Script):
ਜਹਾਂਗੀਰ ਜਮਾਂ ਹਿੰਦ ਲਤ ਅਬਦ ਅਲ ਮਾਜੀਦ ਨਾਨਕ । (Jehangir jaman hind lat abd al majid Nanak.)

Meanings in Punjabi:
ਜਮਾਨੇ ਦਾ ਮਾਲਕ, ਹਿੰਦ ਦਾ ਬੰਦਾ, ਰੱਬ ਦਾ ਨਾਨਕ । (jamanay da malik, hind da banda, rab da Nanak)

Meanings in English:
The Lord of the time, resident of India, Nanak – the man of God.

The rest of the long inscription is not legible and is still to be deciphered. However, the date, 1267 Hijri (1850 CE), in the crown and at the bottom line of the monument is quite legible.

When we examined the inscription on the other side of the monument (Fig. 2. Back side) it appears that the inscription was engraved either in 1217 or 1267 Hijri, which is equivalent to 1802 or 1850 CE. The later date (1850 CE) appears to be correct since the Emperor of the Ottoman Empire (1839-61 CE) was Abd-al-Majid (1823-61 CE).

It is also assumed that the name of the inscriber is also Abd-al-Majid, which appears above that date. Abd-al-Majid is a very common name among Muslims. And ‘Abd-al-Majid’ is also written before ‘Nanak’ at the end of the first line on the front side of the monument. Then ‘Abd-al-Majid’ is also appearing at the end of the first line on the back side of the monument. Now the question is:

Who is ‘Abd-al-Majid Nanak’?

Although the word ‘Nanak’ was not found in common Arabic and Persian Dictionaries, however, it cannot be ignored that ‘Nanak’ is the family or last name of some persons. On the other hand we have also noticed that ‘Hazrat Rab Majid Baba Nanak Faqir’ is found in an inscription on a stone in Baghdad dated 917 Hijri which is equivalent to 1511 CE. This further forces us to look into these inscriptions seriously and also along with other related writings to find the truth that:

Who is this ‘Nanak’ in the inscription on monument discovered in Istanbul?

Further study on its history indicates that this monument was built in the name of Ottoman Empire Sultan Abd-al-Majid in 1267 Hijri (1850 CE). A port was established in that area (Kabata) in order to save the boats of Sultan from heavy winds and this stone monument was put there at that time. On back side of the monument the benefits of the port are written and on front side facing the Straits of Bosporus there is prayer for the Sultan. If it is so then: Is this prayer connected to Guru Nanak?

The place of the monument was changed from it's original place when there was road construction and on 1987-1988 it was restored by government, now it is located in the same area which is called Kabata (near dolmabahçe palace)

At present it seems that until the whole inscription on both sides of the monument is deciphered it is difficult to draw any inference to relate it to Guru Nanak.

Since the date (1850) on the monument indicates that it was constructed more than 300 years after Guru Nanak (1469-1539 CE), it creates another curiosity as to why someone would erect a monument with an inscription containing the name of Guru Nanak well after his passing?

Serious research is also needed to look into the history of Sufism in the Middle East and any interaction with Sufism in India since in the Muslim world Nanak is recorded as a Sufi named ‘Baba Nanak’, Baba Nanak Fakir, and even as ‘Hazrat Rab Majid Baba Nanak Faqir’ on the stone at Baghdad.

Besides a new line of research, “To study the interaction of the philosophy of Guru Nanak from an angle of his Sufism as related to that of Middle Eastern Sufism” has also become an important research project for the IUS.

Guru Nanak in Turkey 3

OBJECTIVE

Dr Trilochan Singh has reported that Qazis and Hajjis addressed Guru Nanak as ”Nanak Hindvi" or ”Nanak Hind ki". The first line of the inscription clearly indicates that it is related to Guru Nanak who has been addressed as "hind da banda, rab da Nanak". Therefore, it becomes imperative for scholars and the Sikhs at large to decipher rest of the inscription to find out:

• Is this inscription about Guru Nanak‘s visit to Turkey?
• If the inscription is about Guru Nanak then what is the complete message?
• Is it a memorial constructed in commemoration of Guru Nanak? And soon.

The Institute for Understanding Sikhism has taken up this research project to study the history of this discovered monument dedicated to Guru Nanak on the following lines:

1. To relocate the site of the monument and the importance of that site to the tourists visiting Istanbul.
2. To discover the original inscription of that monument and deciphering it into English and Punjabi.
3. To discover any information related to the visit of Guru Nanak in Turkey.
4. To visit various shrines of Hazrat Moulana Jallaluddin Rumito discover the possibilities of discourse of Guru Nanak with the then religious leaders of those shrine of that time.
5. To search for evidence of meeting of Guru Nanak with the Emperor of Rum, Salim in Istanbul.
6. To discuss the matter with the Archaeology Department and the Municipality of Istanbul about the future maintenance of this monument and to discuss the possibilities to erect similar monuments with English and Punjabi translations of the original inscription of Turkish.
7. To deliver a talk on ”Travels of Guru Nanak in India and the Middle East to the faculty and students of the Department of Archaeology, University of Ankara.
8. To discover the return route followed by Guru Nanak after visiting Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.
9. Finally to publish a Report about the findings of research conducted and then writing a book, Travels of Guru Nanak, with special reference to discovery of this monument.

APPROACH

I am already in contact with Mr. Tugrul Biltekin, First Secretary in the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Ottawa,Canada. He is ready to help me to conduct research on this project and allow me to consult the concerned documents in the Department of Archaeology in Ankara and its branch in Istanbul and also the municipality of Istanbul. Meeting with the religious leaders of shrines of Sufi Rumi in Konya, Turkey will also be arranged by him to discover the possibility of visiting this shrine by Guru Nanak.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Deciphering of the whole inscription on this new discovered monument will confirm the visit of Guru Nanak to Turkey.

1. The confirmation of connection of this monument with Guru Nanak will further strengthen the possibilities of visits of Guru Nanak to Cairo (Egypt), Jerusalem (Israel), Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey (dotted lines) covering the whole Middle Easts in the visit to Mecca, Baghdad, Tehran, and Kabul(solid lines) has already been confirmed.
2. The location of the Monument on a public park on the shore of the Straits of Bosporus towards Istanbul, Turkey on European Continent enhances its importance for the tourists of the world.
3. The above achievements, on completion of this research project are going to prove the travel of Guru Nanak to the end of Middle East (Turkey) and beginning of the Europe (Istanbul) and establishment of a new shrine (A place or structure esteemed for its importance or centrality in Sikh history and as a memorial to Guru Nanak) - - A pride for every Sikh.

FUTURE PLAN

The original monument is to be preserved as such with its damaged inscription. A similar monument is to be constructed with the original inscription, which would be clearly legible. Still another such monument is to be constructed on which the translation of the original inscription in Punjabi to be in scribed on one side and English translation on the other side. This will become an historical pilgrimage for the Sikhs in Istanbul on the shore of Straits of the Bosporus on the European Continent where the West meets the East. The role of UNESCO in maintaining this monument as World Heritage will be explored after deciphering the inscription on the newly discovered monument of Guru Nanak.

FUNDING

The estimated funding required to complete the first phase of this research project is about $50,000. The devout Sikhs and Gurdwaras are requested to mail their checks (in the name of ”Institute for Understanding Sikhism") to the Institute for Understanding Sikhism, 4418 Rue Martin-Plouffe, Laval, Quebec, Canada H7W 5L9. The Institute for Understanding Sikhism is charitable organization federally incorporated in Canada. Receipts for donations are issued for Income Tax deductions.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author is grateful to Drs Avtar Singh Dhaliwal, Sarjeet Singh Sidhu, Balbir Singh, Baldev Singh, Teja Singh, Kulbir Singh Thind and Dr (Mrs) Khushdev Thind for their helpful suggestions to improve its presentation. My special thanks are due to Dr Parminder Singh Chahal, my son, for preparing Figures.

Guru Nanak in Turkey Part 2

NEW DISCOVERY

I was attending an International Conferenceon Bioenergy in Istanbul, Turkey in 1994 where I also presented my research work on the ”Production of Ethanolas a Source of Energy from Wood". On the last day of the conference all the participants went on a cruise in the Straits of the Bosporus (literally cattle crossing), which connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmora (about 32 km) long. The Straits of the Bosporus divide the East (the Mainland of Turkey in on the Asian Continent) and the West (Istanbul is situated on the European Continent).

On my return from the cruise, when I was walking towards the bus waiting for us, I discovered a big monument. This monument is about 15 ft high and about 6ft wide constructed in mortar. It is situated in a public park at the shore of the Straits of Bosporus towards Istanbul, Turkey. It has an inscription in Arabic/Persian script. When I looked at the inscription on this monument I found very clearly "Nanak" inscribed at the end of the first line of its inscription. The bulk of the inscription is not legible because of the effects of weathering. There are some small and big cracks which have been filled with cement.

Moreover, it is in the old Turkish language in an Arabic script which is difficult to decipher. However, I was able to make out the word — "Nanak" for sure, since I know the Arabic alphabet. I decided to take a picture of the monument with its inscription for further investigation later. Next morning I returned home to Canada. On my return I consulted a student of mine from Turkey to decipher the inscription. She was, however, unable to decipher the inscription because the severe weathering had rendered it unlegible. Then I consulted a couple of more people from Turkey, again without any success. Further research to decipher its inscription remained dormant for 12 years until I visited Lahore, Pakistan to participate in an International Conference on "Guru Nanak Heritage for Peace" on February 18,2006

THE INSCRIPTION

I found the importance of the monument only when Mr. Iqbal Kaiser, the author of a book, "Sikh Shrines in Pakistan", and Mr. Syed Afzal Haider, Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, who is the author of a book, Baba Nanak, helped me to decipher the first line of the inscription, which is in the Turkish language. It seemed to clearly indicate that it was dedicated to Guru Nanak. The first line deciphered by them is as follows:

In Turkish language (Transliterated in Gurmukhi Script):
ਜਹਾਂਗੀਰ ਜਮਾਂ ਹਿੰਦ ਲਤ ਅਬਦ ਅਲ ਮਾਜੀਦ ਨਾਨਕ ।
(Jehangir jaman hind lat abd al majid Nanak.)
Meanings in Punjabi:
ਜਮਾਨੇਦਾ ਮਾਲਕ, ਹਿੰਦ ਦਾ ਬੰਦਾ,ਰਬ ਦਾ ਨਾਨਕ ।
(jamanay-da malik, hind dabanda, rab da Nanak)
Meanings in English:
The Lord of the time, resident of India, Nanak the man of God.

---

The rest of the long inscription is not legible and is still to be deciphered.

THE TRAVELS

The above new discovery of a monument of Guru Nanak may connect the travel of Guru Nanak from Mecca to Israel, Palestine, Syria, and Turkey and then to Baghdad rather than directly to Baghdad from Mecca as is generally accepted. The general accepted travel of Guru Nanak, entirely based on the information given by Fauja Singh and Kirpal Singh, is drawn in solid lines. According to them, Guru Nanak started his travel from Talwandi to Sultanpur to meet his sister before proceeding to a long travel.

From Sultanpur he went to Pakpattan (Ajodhan) to renew his old contacts with Sheikh Ibrahim Farid II. From there he proceeded to Multan to meet Baha-ud-Din, a descendant and successor of famous Sheikh Baha-ud-Din Zakria, founder of Suhrawardhy Sufi Silslah in India. From Multan, Guru Nanak proceeded to Uch (Deogarh). Here Guru Nanak had a meeting with Sheikh Haji Abdulla Bukhari (d.1526 CE), a successor of Kalal-ud-Din Bhukhari.

From Uch to Sukkur to Lakhpat (Basta Bander) probably by boat (in river Sind?). There is an old Gurdwara here in the memory of Guru Nanak's visit. From here he proceeded to the sea shore where at Kuriani, he visited old temples of Koteshwar and Narayna Swami. From there he proceeded further to Sonmiani(or simply Miani). Before boarding a boat to Mecca he visited a Hindu temple in Hinglaj. There is a Nanak Dharamsala (inn) in this town.

According to Fauja Singh and Kirpal Singh, Guru Nanak boarded a boat which sailed from Sonmiani through Gulf of Eden and Red Sea to Jeddah (Al Aswad),a port near Mecca. They say that after visiting Mecca and Medina, Guru Nanak travelled directly to Baghdad in Iraq then to Tehran and Kabul and finally back to (Talwandi) Kartarpur. They argued that Guru Nanak followed direct and shortest route to Baghdad than that of long route through Palestine, Syria, and Turkey as mentioned in some Janam Sakhis.

However, Dr Trilochan Singh has reported that there are some indications that Guru Nanak visited Cairo(Egypt) where during the war Sikh soldiers were shown a place on the out skirts of the town where there was a stone memorial (Captain Bhag Singh, Founding Managing Editor of the Sikh Review, was told about the existence of this monument when he was at Cairo during World War II. Unfortunately he could not go there and see. Dr Trilochan Singh has also reported from the work of Sydney Nettleton Fisher that in Egypt or in Istanbul(Turkey) Guru Nanak had met the Emperor of Rum Salim (1511-1520CA). Dr Trilochan Singh further says that Guru Nanak might have visited Jerusalem.

Because of a lack of any solid evidence, Fauja Singh and Kirpal Singh further strengthened their views that the shortest route from Baghdad to Mecca was first marked and prepared for Khalifa Harun Rashid's wife, Zubaida Begum, for Hajj (the pilgrimage) to Mecca. And then during 14th century Ibn Batula adopted the same route for his journey from Baghdad to Mecca. They have ignored the fact that the passage to Palestine, Syria, and Turkey and then to Baghdad might be easier than that of direct route proposed by them.

They have also ignored another fact that while in Mecca, Guru Nanak was very close to the center of ancient civilization in Cairo (Egypt) and the center of the Jews, Jerusalem (Israel), and a Sufi center established by Hazrat Moulana Jallaluddin Rumi in Konya (Turkey), whose philosophy was very prevalent not only in the Middle East but also in India and now in the West.

Since Guru Nanak has not left any place connected with Sufism, and religious centers, therefore, there is every possibility that Guru Nanak might have visited the ancient civilization in Cairo(Egypt), Wailing Wall of Herod's Temple in Jerusalem, Sufi center started by Sufi Rumiin Konya (Turkey) and might have met the Emperor of Rum, Salim, in Istanbul(Turkey). If the inscription on the newly discovered monument confirms that it is a memorial to Guru Nanak then it will confirm that Guru Nanak did not proceed from Mecca directly to Baghdad but went to Cairo, Jerusalem, Syria, and Konya and Istanbul in Turkey and then to Baghdad

Guru Nanak in Turkey 1

Guru Nanak (1469-1539) promulgated a unique and universal philosophy of humanism in the Indian sub-continent as the renaissance was taking place in Europe (14th to 16th centuries) and scientists were challenging religious concepts and beliefs. Guru Nanak carried his message far and wide to South Asia and the Middle East. He held discussions with religious leaders: Hindus—(Brahmans, Sidhs and Jogis), Muslims—(Sufis, mullahs and Qazis), Jains and Buddhists in India, the Middle East, Tibet and Ceylon (Sri Lanka).

During his travels (odysseys, Udasis) Guru Nanak challenged the ancient mythology, religious concepts and rituals with which the peoples of South Asia and Middle East. People were unable to express their freewill in certain aspects of their lives because their lives were heavily influenced by their religious and political authorities. His philosophy, termed as ”Nanakian Philosophy‘, is embodied in his Bani (Word), which has been incorporated in the Aad Guru Granth Sahib (AGGS).

Nanakian Philosophy was further explained and strengthened by the Sikh Gurus who succeeded to the ”House of Nanak" in their Bani, which is also incorporated in the AGGS. A critical study of Nanakian Philosophy demonstrates all characteristics of universal acceptability and compatibility with the current Age of Science. Although there are many gaps in the travels of Guru Nanak, Fauja Singh and Kirpal Singh, Sikh historians, have collated the information from various sources into three major travels as follows:

1. From Talwandi to Sultanpur to Benaras to Dhubri to Assam to Dacca to Ceylon to Ujain to Mathura to Talwandi.
2. From Talwandi to Kailash (Tibet) Parbat to Talwandi.
3. From Talwandi to Hinglaj to Mecca to Baghdad to Kabul to (Talwandi) Kartarpur.

Besides the above travels there are many short ones in Punjab and adjoining areas. Fauja Singh and Kirpal Singh have also mentioned that according to ”Janam Sakhis‘ (biographies of Guru Nanak) by Meharban and Bhai Mani Singh. Guru Nanak had also travelled to Palestine, Syria and Turkey, although there is no definite supporting evidence. Some writers of Janam Sakhis have extended his travels even to some countries in Central Asia.

Nonetheless,it is evident from the information collected by Fauja Singh and Kirpal Singh that the complete travels of Guru Nanak are still to be discovered. Moreover, research on the discourses held between Guru Nanak and the heads of various religious centres also need to be described, although some discourses, e.g.Sidh Gosht, Arti,and Onkar Bani are found in the AGGS and some isolated verses of Guru Nanak are linked to some travels in some Janam Sakhis.

Shaheed Bhai Jagdeep Singh Vakeel

The Sikh struggle for independence is often accused of being carried out by people who were mostly illiterate, but those people who wrote the chapters of the modern Sikh struggle with their blood, were true fighters, fully dedicated to the philosophy of the Guru’s from the bottom of their heart. To call them illiterate is the biggest sign of true illiteracy and lesser intellect.

To pull the public out of this true illiteracy, we present the life stories of those amazing Shaheeds (martyrs), which astonish even the biggest of the so-called scholars. Shaheed Bhai Jagdeep Singh ‘Vakeel’ is one of those highly intellectual soldiers of Sikh struggle.

Shaheed Bhai Jagdeep Singh ‘Vakeel’

Bhai Jagdeep Singh was born on June 27, 1962 at ‘Roope ka Agwad’ in Purana Moga in Punjab to Sardar Bikar Singh and Mata Jagir Kaur. He had an elder sister – Charanjit Kaur, and a younger brother – Gurmit Singh.

Bhai Jagdeep Singh passed his matriculation from Bhupindra Khalsa Higher Secondary School (Moga) in 1978. He passed his higher secondary in 1979 and in 1981 he completed his Diploma from National Engineering College in Ludhiana before joining Punjab University, Chandigarh for his graduation. In February 1982 Bhai Jagdeep Singh wed Virpal Kaur, daughter of Sardar Harbans Singh at village Khare in Faridkot.

Meanwhile, the Narkdharis (a fake religious sect) had performed the massacre of 13 Singhs at Amritsar with the backing of the Indian government. The Sikhs were restlessly awaiting the time when they could avenge the murder of their brothers. Bhai Jagdeep Singh had became a father of two children – Lovepreet Singh and Ravinder Kaur, but now he was more inclined to fulfill his duty towards his religion than towards his family. Bhai Sahib joined the ranks of Khalistan Liberation Force and worked closely with Bhai Kulwant Singh Khukhrana & Bhai Amar Singh Mann Kishanpura. Bhai Sahib preferred to remain undercover and performed his Panthic duties while still living at home.

In the course of the resistance movement many of Bhai Sahib’s companions attained Shaheedi, this often brought Bhai Sahib in a state of sorrow and he wished that he would be next to attain Shaheedi.

Shaheed Bhai Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala – General of Khalistan Liberation Force

In 1989, the police found out about Bhai Jagdeep Singh’s activities and contribution to the Sikh struggle but before police could arrest him, he went underground. Bhai Sahib performed some great actions while being underground and was considered the right-hand person of Bhai Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala. Among his companions Bhai Sahib was nicknamed him ‘Vakeel’ (lawyer) as he always backed his talk with logical arguments.

In order to capture Bhai Jagdeep Singh the Police started arresting torturing his family members but the torture on his family could not sway the determination of Bhai Jagdeep Singh. The letter he wrote to his wife while he was underground caused some stir in journalist circles.

It is often assumed that the people who pick up weapons must be very stone-hearted. But this is completely untrue. In fact, in many cases they are the most soft-hearted. When we hear stories of the highest ranked generals in the Sikh struggle, it is amazing to learn that those who performed such huge actions were so much soft-hearted. Bhai Beant Singh, who killed Indira Gandhi, was so much soft-hearted that he would become distressed when his children were sick. That is exactly why he could not bear the sight of massacre of small children in Operation Bluestar and decided to punish Indira Gandhi. Another gentle and tender hearted fighter of the Sikh struggle is known to be Baba Manochahal, who was not able to eat if he heard the news that an innocent person had been killed. It is said that sometimes he used to visit his home at night and as they were asleep, he would pick the sleeping kids up and hug them repeatedly. It was such an emotional scene that anybody watching would have tears in his eyes. There is one such incident about Bhai Jagdeep Singh which shows his emotional side and tender heart. Bhai Jagdeep Singh met his family only twice whilst he was underground. Firstly at Gurudwara Nanaksar (Jagraon). At that time his son Lovepreet Singh was 6 years old. He asked his son to bring him water. The boy went away, taking small steps, and brought back water for Bhai Sahib. Bhai Sahib drank some water and secretly, threw away the rest of it and asked his son to bring some more. When he did this again, for the third time, his wife asked him why he was sending the kid to get water repeatedly if he doesn’t want to drink it. Bhai Sahib replies “he looks so beautiful when he walks with his small steps. I want to see him walking like that to my heart’s content. I don’t know if I will get this opportunity again”

Bhai Jagdeep Singh met his family for the second time when he went to his house with his companions at night. He spent some time with his family and kids for some time and then went away. This was to be their last meet. About 2 months later Bhai Sahib achieved martyrdom.

On November 20, 1990, Bhai Jagdeep Singh was traveling along with a companion when their Maruti car was involved in an accident. The Singhs were armed at the time and stopped a bus going from Moga to Chandigarh and boarded it. Upon boarding the bus the Singhs came under fire from a plain clothed police inspector traveling on the bus. Bhai Sahib anticipated the bus would be surrounded very soon and asked his companion to leave. Bhai Sahib shared his final Fateh with the Singh and attained Shaheed in the fire-fight. The police inspector was also badly injured in the return firing.

As the police arrived they took custody of Bhai Sahib’s body and after his identification, Bhai Sahib’s wife was brought in for confirmation. Bhai Sahib’s 5-year old daughter, who thought that her father was sleeping, walked towards the body but was not allowed to go near the body. The small child kept crying but the police did not allow her to meet her father for the last time and the police themselves cremated the body. The police declared that by killing Bhai Jagdeep Singh, they have cut the right hand of Bhai Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala.

The letter of Bhai Jagdeep Singh, addressed to his wife, still reminds the freedom fighters and their families of their responsibilities.

Shaheed Bhai Jagdeep Singh ‘Vakeel’ & wife Bibi Virpal Kaur

Letter of Bhai Jagdeep Singh to his wife

IkOnkar SatGurParsaad (One God. He is attained through the grace of true Guru)
Jau Tau Prem Khelan Ka Chau, (If you want to play the game of love)
Sir Dhar Tali Gali Meri Aau, (Place your head on your palm before coming my way)
It Maarg Per Dharije, (If you set your foot on the path I show)
Sir Deeje Kaan na Keeje (Be prepared to give you head, and pay attention to nothing else)

The path that I have chosen for myself, I know its destination. Walking on this path, we may help our nation to attain freedom, or we may also have to accept the death.

When a man marries a woman, he promises to be with her throughout his life. When a person decides to marry the bride of freedom, he also promises to be faithful to this cause until the last breath. I married you and in no way, I have ever been unfaithful to you. Life has brought me to such a scenario, that I have to leave you alone now. But this is also not the unfaithfulness since the Bani of Guru Granth Sahib, in front of whom I promised to be on your side forever, has motivated me to walk on this path.

You should also not have any kind of remorse. I expect a strong determination from your side too. I hope that you will never be hopeless or in low spirits and will always remain true to the path shown by Dashmesh Pita (The Tenth Guru/father). Following His orders, I may have to break up from the worldly relations but the relationship that I have formed with my nation seems much bigger.

I know that walking on this path, you, and kids, will have to face even more troubles than me; but anybody who decides to serve his nation has to leave his personal worries behind. Like you and more than you, countless women and children of our Sikh nation are facing many troubles. I have chosen this path for the betterment of all of them.

You have always been a great partner in our personal life. I expect you to be in high spirits in the future too. However huge the troubles, I cannot see you in despair. I can never be happy if you are not in high spirits. So I hope that you will always be optimistic, and keep the children in good spirit too. Our children have their mother, there are so many children in this world who are devoid of the love of both father and mother, but grow up as great personalities. I hope that you will also take good care of our children and make them into good personalities, capable of walking on the path of truth.

Whenever you feel disheartened, there is no other support bigger than the Bani of Guru Granth Sahib. You should recite Bani, and ask the children to do that too. All the troubles in this world can be cured by the Bani of Gurus. I have many small religious books in the cupboard at our house. Take them with you and read them when you get time. They will give you strength. You should never cry in front of children. Make them into strong, brave persons. If we have left everything to fight for the respect of our nation, we expect our families to never do anything that brings us dishonor; since we are the Singhs of Guru that has taught us to live with respect. I hope that you will never do anything that brings me dishonor. Whatever the hardships, life should be spent in the will of God and the principle of Sikhism should never be comprised.

I understand that you may also face financial troubles. Even if you have to sell the property or jewelry in such times, do not ask for money from anybody and try to keep these worries away from children. Pray to the Timeless Being (God) and never beg of any worldly authorities. Because any know that in this selfish world, nobody except the God is going to help you out.

When two countries fight, there is usually no objective other than the mad hunger for power. And the soldiers fight for some money and their monthly salaries. Still the families of these soldiers send them off with pride. We are not fighting for money and our struggle has an objective too. We are fighting for the independence of Sikh nation. You should not be remorseful, but proud.

Everybody is eventually going to die. Life should not only consist of spending time eating and having fun. We may live for a few days less, but we will die with pride instead of living in servitude. The coming generations will not call us bootlicking cowards. Life of slavery and cowardice is akin to a cup of poison, while our death for the pride of our nation will be like the blessed wine of martyrdom. Agreed that we will be no more, but our nation will never forget us. In our absence too, we will be present by the side of not only our families, but also our nation. Our souls will be blessed seeing you breathe in the air of freedom. We are but a grain of soil at the feet of Dashmesh Pita, who martyred his entire family for upholding the religion and nation. Walking on his path, if I had to leave you, it was nothing new or out of the ordinary.

No doubt, I will consider my struggle to be successful only when I will be able to uphold the principles of Sikhism to my last breath. I have also not forgotten you, but you are always there in my eyes and in my heart. But this historic struggle for freedom has left me with no option but to leave you. Life is full of hardships, do not take them to heart. Whatever has been written by the Timeless Being cannot be changed. So do not worry about the hard times and spend your life in the will of God with patience and gratitude. Never compromise on the pride of the Sikhism for anything. Otherwise I can never be happy in this life and after death.

Servant of the Guru’s panth,
Jagdeep Singh Moga

Article by Baljit Singh Khalsa, taken from Khalsa Fatehnama magazine, November 2007.
Translated by NeverForget84.com Sewadar (Gurbir Singh)