After administering Pahul to Madho Das Bairagi at the bank of Godavn Guru Gobind singh renamed him Banda Singh Bahadur. Guru Gobind Singh delegated leadership of Sikhs to him. Barely five years hence had Banda taken the revenge from Nawab of Sirhind and Dewan Sucha Nand for what they did to young Sahibzadas in 1703.

The muscle power of the Khalsa increased which alarmed the government considerably. A strict watch was being kept on their movements. Some of their centers destroyed and others subjected to abject surveillance. So Sikhs came in direct conflict with the state on several occasions. On March 29, 1709 (Baisakhi day) government sent a strong contingent to punish the Sikhs for a dispute over the mulberry fruits between Minas and Sikhs. Sikhs were plundered and harassed A police post was set up at Amritsar. Aslam Khan Nwab of Lahore was sent to suppress the Sikhs. Sikhs fought a battle against the state assisted by Deva of Patti his Dewan Harsahai. Afghans were badly hit by lightning. Sikhs took advantage of the natural calamity attacked the enemy with full strength and dispersed them. Harsa was killed. Deva fled away. Aslam fell back on Lahore. Sikhs were victorious and holy shrine was saved. In the meantime Banda escaped from Lohgarh fort (Gurdaspur) November 30, 1717. Bahadur Shah ordered wholesale extermination of Sikhs That is to be killed on sight wherever and whenever found. He suspended the friendship offer just like that and thus became the worst enemy of the Sikhs with short lived reconciliation between Bahadur Shah and Sikhs. Farrukh Siyyar successor of Bahadur Shah proved more disastrous towards Sikhs (171319).

Ultimately Banda and his companion were caught. A number of prominent Sikhs were also hauled up forced to march to Delhi with heads of less important ones on spears. Banda was chained caged and loaded on an elephant to lead the horrifying procession. The procession was routed through the bazars of Delhi to harass whatever trace of Sikh was left anywhere. Afghans were carrying 2000 heads on spears were lining the route besides 700 cart loads of Sikhs Heads (estimated to be 35000). Then the living ones were executed mercilessly. A great persecution followed thereafter.

Banda’s son aged 3 was cut into pieces in the lap of father and his palpitating heart thirst into the mouth of Banda Then Banda’s right eye was pulled out followed by left. Then his hands were cut followed by feet. His flesh was torn into pieces with red hot pincers and finally his head was chopped off. Banda remained calm and composed and reciting Gurbani till he achieved Martyrdom.

To come to Amritsar thereafter was to sign a death warrant for a holy dip.

By T.S.Sandhu

Article extracted from this publication >> November 13, 1992