Today in Sikh History – 4th October

	Bawa Binod Singh,
	Kahan Singh,
	Bhagwant Singh,
	Koer Singh, and
	Baz Singh

These Sikhs were to provide the corporate leadership to the Khalsa. The Guru handed him a seal, five arrows from his quiver and the nishan sahib, flag pole. Baba Gurbakhash Singh accompanied by about 25 Sikhs left for the Punjab on this day, to punish the Subedar of Sirhind, and uproot the oppressive Mughal rule.

==> BABA GURBAKHASH SINGH (BANDA BAHADHUR): born on KatakSudhi 13 sunmat 1727 to Rajput father Ramdev who was a resident of the Rajori village in Jammu. He was named Lashman Dev by his parents. Since childhood, he exhibited extremely fondness for sanskrit literature and hunting. However, he plunged into deep remorse after killing a pregnant deer. As a result he discarded all his hunting tools and became a disciple of Vaesnav JankiPrasad. He shed all his material wealth, started onto the seekers path for enlightenment, and adopted the new name, Madho Dass.

Wondering in search of enlightenment, when he traveled towards south India and reached the banks of Godawari, he fell in love with this beautiful new place. He established his Ashram and started living here. In sunmat 1765, when Guru Gobind Singh Ji reached Nandaedh, he was extremely impressed and influenced by Guru’s preaching. He offered himself as "Satguru Da Banda" (Satguru’s person). Guru Gobind Singh Ji introduced him to Amrit and changed his name to Gurbakash Singh. However, he remained popularly known in our Panth as "Banda".

To eradicate the prevalent injustices, Guru Gobind Singh sent Baba GurBakhash Singh accompanied by the following five GurSikhs to Punjab:

	Baba Binod Singh
	Baba Kanh Singh
	Baba Bajh Singh
	Baba Bijae Singh
	Baba Ram Singh

Baba Gurbakhash Singh went to Punjab in sunmat 1765 accompanied with a Hukamnama from Guru Gobind Singh addressed to all the GurSikh. In this Hukamnama, Guru Gobind Singh asked GurSikhs to help Baba Gurbakhash Singh in his efforts. Before departure, Baba Gurbakhash Singh received three arrows from Guru Gobind Singh and the following instructions:

1. Remain celibate ("Jatt rakhana")
2. Live, operate, and act under the dictates of Khalsa ("Khalsae dae Anusari hokae rahna")
3. Never consider yourself to be Guru ("Aap nu Guru na manenna")
4. Eat only after serving others ("Vartakae Shakana")
5. Help the orphas, poor, unprotected, helpless, destitute, or disolate. ("Anatha di sahiata karni")

Upon reaching Punjab, Gurbakash Singh strictly followed Guru Sahib’s instructions and successfully punish all who had previously mistreated the Khalsa Panth. On the 1st Hadh sunmat 1767, after conquering Sirhind, Wajir Khan was punished and eventually killed for the mistreatment of Sahibzadas.

However, Gurbakash Singh became popular among the Khalsa Panth, his self-godliness started awakening. As a result he started adopting and engaging in practices that were against Gurmat. In sunmat 1771, Baba Gurbakhash Singh expressed desires to establish his own Gadhi in Sri Harmindar Sahib and sought his self-worhsip. He started a new slogan of "Sachae Sahib ki Fateh" in contrast to the traditional "Vaaheguru Jee Kee Fateh". This resulted in a severe split among Khalsa Panth. Those following the principles as laid by Guru Gobind Singh came to known as "TattKhalsa" while the followers of Gurbakash Singh were known as "BandaiKhalsa". Today there are very few Bandai Sikhs. They do not believe in any other holy scriptures other than Sri Guru Granth Sahib. All their practice are according to Gurmat principles.

Eventually, Baba Gurbakhash Singh was cornered by the pursuing enemy forces at "Gurdaspur de Gadhi". It is also popularly known as Bhai Duni Chand di Hawaeli. After months of sustained attacks from AbdalSamadKhan and others with a force of over 20,000, Baba Gurbakhash Singh was arrested along with his companions and taken to Delhi. He accepted Shahadat on Chaet Sudhi 1st sunmat 1773.

-Ref. Mahan Kosh

One of the Pathans, Bashal Beg kept a vigil outside the Guru’s tent while Jamshed Khan, the hired assassin stabbed the Guru twice. He was killed in one stroke by the Guru himself, while those outside altered by the btumult killed the other. The wound was sewn up the following day, by an English Surgeon, named Cole.

==> GURU GOBIND SINGH JI (1666-1708), tenth Patshah of the Sikh faith, was born on Saturday, Dec. 22, 1666 at Patna Sahib to father Guru Tegh Bahadhur Patshah and Matta Gujri. On, Nov. 11, 1675, he assumed Guruship at Anandpur Sahib.
"Rahao Gur Gobind" Salok Mahala 9

To uplift the suppressed people, Guru Sahib instituted the tradition of Amrit during Vaisakhi diwan of sunmat 1756 at KeshGadh Sahib. Further he established a communion of Amritdharis (who received Amrit) and called it "Khalsa". Guru Sahib, himself was the sixth member of the Khalsa order. Witnessing the false practices and prevalent injustices, Guru Sahib propagated the message of Guru Nanak so vigorously that the neighboring hill rulers felt threatened. Without understanding either his message or appreciating his objectives, these rulers suddenly turned enemies and attacked on several occasions. Each time Guru Sahib had to fight for his defense.

In sunmat 1761, the Turk forces sought Guru Sahib to leave Anandpur Sahib under promises that were proven false through subsequent events. Once Guru Sahib was out of Anandpur Sahib, he was attacked and suffered heavy losses. The hard work of 52 poets, accumulated over the years, along with several commissioned translations was burned by the enemies of knowledge. However, Guru Sahib patiently but bravely faced the enemy and escaped into the neighboring forest. Here with his influence, Guru Sahib turned this ghost land into Saint land and the forest into civilized Malwa. With his message of patience and valor, Guru Sahib preached the importance of sacrifice and true knowledge.

He had four sons from Mata Jeeto and Sundari, namely, Baba Ajit Singh, Baba Zujar Singh, Baba Zorawar Singh, and Baba Fateh Singh Ji. All four sacrificed their lives to protect and further the growth of the institutional plant sown by Guru Sahib.

After bestowing Guruship to Guru Granth Sahib, Guru Sahib left this earth on Oct. 7, 1708, near the banks of Godawari river in Nanded, Guru Gobind Singh bravely fulfilled the responsibilities of Guruship and guided the Sikh Panth for 32 years, 10 months, and 26 days. He spent a total of 41 years, 9 months, and 15 days during his visit to this earth.

-Ref. Mahan Kosh

==> Bhai RANDHIR SINGH Ji (1878-1961) indoctrinated thousands of people with the GurSikhism religion and GurSikh way of life through his ideal living, preachings, and kirtan. He was a stalwart of the Ghadr movement who was and galoed for a long term of imprisonment under section 121 (a) of the Indian Penal Code in the Second Lahore Conspiracy Case. He called himself as the first prisoner of the Akali movement who fought for the Sikh right to lead life in the jail as prescribed by the Guru himself. He was arrested on May 9, 1915 for participating in an unsuccessful attempt to attack Ferozepur Fort on November 27, 1914 and released on Oct. 4, 1930. Others like Baba Nidhan Singh of Chugha of Ferozepur, Udham Singh of Kasel and Baba Wasakha Singh of Dadher, district Amritsar were of that tribe of adventourous heros who combined religious fervour with radical politics and defied death with supreme scorn and courage. Sardar Bhagat Singh Shaheed was so influenced by Bhai Sahib’s life in the Central Jail, Lahore (where both of them were confined) that he started wearing long hair/beard and adopted GurSikh way of life.

-Ref. The Illustrated History of the Sikhs (1947-78), by Gur Rattan Pal Singh
"Babbar Akali Movement, A Historical Survey," by Gurcharan Singh, Aman Publications, 1993.