| 1921 |
Sri Nankana Sahib's
keys and control was handed over to SGPC. The news of Nankana Massacre
spread like wild fire. Within hours Sikhs from all everywhere marched
on to Nanakana Sahib, despite the road blocks, re-routed trains and
deployment of troops to cordon off the area. By the afternoon, 1000
Akalis and some members of the SGPC confronted the Deputy Commissioner
and were resolved to advance on the Gurudwara or be shot by the troops.
Bhai Kartar Singh Jabbar with a Jatha of 2200 entered the Gurudwara
Janam Asthan, Shri Nankana Sahib defying Deputy Commissioner's orders.
The show of force at this time retrieved the Sikh prestige. The commissioner
of Lahore, M. C.M. King yielded and asked Bhai Kartar Singh Jhabbar
and Sardar Mehtab Singh to form a committee of seven members which
immediately took control of the Gurudwara under the Presidentship
of S. Harbans Singh of Attari, a moderate Chief Khalsa Diwan leader.
He took over in the name of SGPC. The troops and the police were withdrawn.
-Ref "The Sikhs in History," by Sangat Singh, 1995 "Babbar
Akali Movement, A Historical Survey," by Dr. Gurcharan Singh,
Aman Publications, 1993.
The Nankana tradegy had drawn the line. The Punjab government was
on the side of the Mahants where as Sikh masses and the Akali leadership
drew sustenance from national forces. The Government, calculatingly,
followed a new policy. It tried to supress the extremists and weaken
teh akali agitation by offereing many baits. Such circumstances
led to a long struggle known as the Akali movement, which in turn
prepared the ground for the genesis of violent movement consisting
of those Akalis who were militant and non-cooperators. It came to
be known as the Babbar Akali Movement.
|
| 1924 |
Shaheedi Saka
Gangsar Jaito - when the agitation of Jaito took a serious turn. Under
the orders of Nabha State Authorities, Punjab, police opened fire
to prevent the march of the Sikh devotees to their holy shrine at
Jaito - Gurdwara Tibbi Sahib. More than 400 died on the spot, yet
many valiant Sikhs continued their undeterred march and successfully
reached the holy shrine. AMongb the dead included Sikh, Hindu and
Muslim Indian as well as "goraa" policemen on the pay of
British. Over 1,500 Sikhs were arrested and imprisoned during this
incident. (see description below on jaito).
==> WHERE IS JAITO?
A village under Nabha, which falls on the Bathinda-Ferozpur railway
line. It is 96 miles from Lahore and 17 miles from Bathinda.
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JAITO?
On this place situated near a fort, is a historical Gurudwara of
Guru Gobind Singh Patshah. Maharaja Hira Singh constructed the beautiful
buildings of this Gurudwara. The sarowar is popularly known as "Gangsar".
About a mile and a half north of Jaito is "Tibhi Sahib"
Gurudwara, where Guru Gobind Singh Patshah used to organize and
participate in the evening recitation of Rehras. Both Gurudwaras
have extensive land sanctioned to it by the Nabha rulers. Additionally,
extensive financial resources are made available on an annual basis
from the Nabha rulers and the surrounding villages. A maela celebration
is held every 7th of Pooh month (Dec.-Jan.) and Katak (Oct.-Nov.)
Puranmashi. Jaito's markets are well renowned. People come from
far distances to buy and sell their herds.
WHY AKALIS COURTED ARREST?
The key issue involved was resoration of Maharaja Ripudaman Singh
of Nabha. Maharaja of Nabha, well-known for his pro-Tat Khalsa Proclivities,
had a dispute with Maharaja of Patiala, known for this pro-government
role. Although Maharaja of Nabha had absolutely no dispute with
the government, as a result of mediation, he was forced to abdicate
in July 1923. Col. Michin, with the help of troops and armoured
cars, took the Maharaja by surprise on July 8, 1923 and taunted
him with the query, "Where is that Akali?" The news of
deposition by the government raised a strom of protest against the
Government's interefernce in Nabha and was decsribed as a challenge
to the Akali movement. As a result tensions mounted. The Akalis,
in defiance of state orders, continued to hold diwan indefinitely.
The Nabha police in order to arrest all the Akalis, including the
one reading the holy Granth Sahib, was said to have disrupted the
Akhand Path on Sept. 14, 1923. This dispute took such a tragic shape
and got so inflames by Feb. 21, 1924 that several people lost their
lives. After sixteen shaheedi jathas apart from one from Bengal
and another from Canada, the agitation process was completed two
years later, on August 6, 1925, after the concurrent bhog of 101
Akand Paaths. -Ref. Mahan Kosh "The Sikhs in History,"
by Sangat Singh, 1995
==> NANAKANA SAHIB: also known as "Nanakiyana", is
the residence of Guru Nanak Dev Patshah. It is 48 miles south of
Lahore in Saekhuyana district and was known as Raipur. Later, its
name changed to "Talwandi RaiBhoe Di" and subsequently
to Nanakiyana. In sunmat 1526, Guru Nanak Patshah's prakash initially
appeared at this place. The prakash place is marked with a beautiful
Gurudwara that accompanies Guru's place of residence. This Gurudwara
has extensive jagir associated with it.
Other Gurudwaras nearby include:
- Kiyara Sahib:
east of the city, the place where the fields grazed by GuruSahib's
cattle were returned to their original condition.
- Tanbhu Sahib:
north of the city, the place where Guru Nanak rested under a tree
after transacting "Sacha Sauda".
- Patti Sahib:
the place where Guru Nanak preached to his own teacher and turned
him into a disciple.
- BalLilla:
the place where Guru Nanak Dev Patshah used to play as a child.
Nearby is the pool of water that was dug especially for Guru nanak
Dev Patshah, by orders of RaiBhular.
- Maal Ji Sahib:
the place where Guru Sahib used to graze his cattle. This the
is same place where once Guru Sahib was resting under the shade
of the tree. As the shade moved as a result of changing sunlight,
GuruSahib was always under the shade of created by a snake's fins.
- Gurudwaras
marking the visits of Guru Arjun Dev Patshah and Guru Gobind Singh
Patshah. Guru Arjun Dev Patshah visit this place during his travels
of religious places. While Guru Gobind Singh Patshah visited this
place in Jaeth 11th. GurSikhs have established an annual maela
on this day.
- Guru Nanak
Dev's gurudwara near Sangrur, which is one mile north of village
Mangwal. Guru Nanak Dev stayed here for 15 days. Guru Har Gobind
Patshah also visited this place. The gurudwara and nearby tank
of water were constructed by Raja Raghibir Singh Jind.
- Guru Nanak
Dev's gurudwara, south of village Dipalpur in district Mantgumari.
When Guru Sahib visited this place and rested under a dried "Piple"
tree, it came alive and turned healthy green. Nearby is the place
where Guru Nanak Patshah cured Noranga named individual.
-Ref. Mahan
Kosh. |
