| 1848 |
Mool Raj, Governor
of Multan, revolted against the British but was defeated.
==> MOOL RAJ: During Maharaja Ranjit Singh's reign, Mool Raj was
an efficient and loyal Governor of Multan, He was the son of Diwan
Sawanmal Chaupadhae and appointed Governor by the Lahore darbar.
During his reign, two British officers were killed by the Lahore
forces. As a result, the British Resident of Lahore, John Lawrence,
wanted to dismiss Mool Raj. On account of his loyalty to the kingdom
of Ranjit Singh, he revolted against the British East India Company
who were forcibly annexing Ranjit Singh's Punjab. He put up a brave
defense of the fort of Multan but was defeated on this day. The
British arrested and imprisoned him in Calcutta jail, where he died
in 1850.
- Ref. Mahan Kosh
|
| 1986 |
The additional
session judge announced his judgement in the case of Indira Gandhi's
murder. Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh were to be hanged. The sentence
was carried out on Jan. 6, 1989. Indira Gandhi was gunned down at
her resident on Oct. 31, 1984.' as a retribution for her role in operation
Bluestar, during which the Indian Army attacked and desecrated Sri
Harimandir Sahib, Amritsar.
==> BLUESTAR OPERATION is the code name for the June 1984 attack
on Sri Harimandir Sahib, Amritsar, by the Indian Armed Forces. This
attack was conducted under the pretext of flushing out terrorists
but was designed for maximum damage. The attack took place on the
day of Guru Arjan Dev Patshah's Shahadat Gurpurab observations.
Further this operation was sanctioned under the direct orders of
Indira Gandhi (then prime minister) and Zail Singh (then President).
The Golden Temple Complex was attacked by the Indian Armed Forces
using tanks, helicopters, and other heavy artillery, under the command
of Major General Kuldip Singh Brar. Sri Akal Takhat was desecrated
during this attack. Sri Darbar Sahib sustained at least 300 bullet
holes. Thousands of innocent people were murdered in cold blood.
Their fault? They were attending the Martyrdom day of Guru Arjan
Dev Ji. The brave GurSikh soldiers in the Akal Takhat, numbering
about 250, gave extremely tough resistance to the Indian army. However,
their resistance was no match to the large number of tanks, helicopters,
bombs, and other heavy artillery that destroyed the Akal Takhat.
The whole Sikh nation rose as a whole to protest against this ghastly
attack. Thousands of Sikhs were martyred in the holy precincts of
Darbar Sahib. Many gave their lives in attempts to reach for Darbar
Sahib's protection. All roads to Amritsar were blocked. Every Sikh
approaching these blockades were asked to remove their kirpan and
turban. Those refusing were immediately killed or arrested. Anyone
with blue or saffron turbans were particularly targeted and killed.
Those arrested were blind folded and their hands tied behind their
backs with their own turbans. Arrested Sikhs were packed in groups
of 60-70 in small rooms with liitle room for any mobility.
In protest, many respected Sikhs returned their Padam Bushan medals/honors
bestowed upon them by the Indian government and sacrificed their
high positions. Several Sikh Army personal deserted their posts
in protest and marched straight to protect Darbar Sahib. However,
Indira Ghandhi did receive retribution for her black deeds on Oct.
31st, that same year.
For detailed description of events surrounding this attack,
readers are referred to the following:
. Gurbhagat Singh, Kommi Ajadi Wal - Panjab Tae Punjabi Sabhiyachar
Da Bhawish, Vichar Prakashan, 1993
. Major Singh, Punjab Khuni Dahakae Di Ghatha, Vichar Prakashan,
1993
. Naraen Singh, Kau Kito Visahau? Singh Brothers, Mai Sewa, Amritsar,
ISBN 81-7205-003-8, 1986, 1990, 1992.
. Naraen Singh, Sikh Vira Nu Haluna, Singh Brothers, Mai Sewa,
Amritsar, ISBN 81-7205-085-2, 1987, 1989, 1993.
. Harbir Singh Bhanwer (Tribune reporter), Diary de Panne, This
book is in Punjabi. It is hard to come by. I found it to be most
authoritative books on this event. Mr. Bhanwer was the person who
provided quite a bit of basic information to Mark Tully and Mr.
Jacob for their book Amritsar: Indira Gandhi's Last Battle.
. Dr. Mohinder Singh, Blue Star Ghalughara, This book was published
in 1991 (several years after Dairy de Panne), but is more detailed.
. Jathedar Kirpal Singh, Saka Neela Tara. This book is written
by thim when he was the Jathedar of Akal Takhat. I have not read
it, but I think it has extremely valuable information.
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