By ALICE BASARKE, Nepean, Ont. Canada

 

For thousands of years mankind has lived in a patriarchal system, ‘with women being subjugated and their value underrated. With better communication and universal education this situation has started to change to wants the end of the twentieth century. Women everywhere are looking to See their side of the story. Men have written history, that is why it is his/story. Feminists around the world are searching to find be story now. Being a naive individual, l always believed that since Sikhism clearly teaches equality of women, there would be no problem in finding her story for them. Surely with a little before search it would not be too difficult to unearth the many untold stones, From history to folklore there should be a wealth of Stories that one could draw from, Her story is what I was after, 1 Started with McAuliffe’s Religion of the Sikhs and went on to Kushwant Singh’s History of the Sikhs. What a revelation! Women do not exist in Sikh history. I found gut the names of the Gurus mothers and wives. Even names only, apparently were not always considered worth recording about these women. Surely, I thought there should be great stories about the mother of Guru Har Kishan, the child Guns. One would think that this woman would be a great Influence on her 5 year old son. Was she wise? Was she kind? Was she educated? Was she bold and courageous in her approach to life, or was she protective of her young son, shielding him from the many Opportunists who must have sought his favor? 1 could not find even her name. According to McAuliffe her name was Krishan Kaur, but Sikh historian, Pauja Singh names her Mata Sulakhni,

1 read everything that 1 could find. History books written by the British, as woll as Bast Indians, 1 read stories from the British Raj, and some written by Sikhs. Hooked for the women that were sent out by Gur Amar Das. The Guru trained 146 persons to go out as priests and missionaries, 52 of these were women, At one time, the whole country of Afghanistan and Kashmir were under the jurisdiction of women Masands. These women had complete jurisdiction in decision making, collection of revenues as well as preaching on matters of religion, Surely there must be some wonderful stories to tell about these women. More than 400 years ago, when the world (in all likelihood) was more oppressive of women, than it is today, these pioneers went out into a Strange and hostile environment to preach the wonderful message of Guru Nanak. There is one God. All men are equal. Women are equal (omen, What did I find? The mother of Jassa Singh (some 200 years later) was once a preacher, Not even her name was recorded. In the era of Ranjit Singh, there is reference (o many women. If one is to believe some of the stuff that has been printed, women at that time were objects owned by men as one owns playthings. If they had any personal traits, they were all evil. They caused intrigues and discord. They tried to manipulate, lic and cheat their way to recognition, Sir Lepel Griffin, a British writer states that “the adventures of these intriguing women show how powerful female influence was among the Sikhs under the liberal creed of Nanak and Govind Singh.” Once again proof that Sikhs did preach equality of women.

There was a Sikh woman who actually married a British agent of the East India Company in 1808. The British thought so highly of this arrangement, that they had any reference to her, or their three “half caste” sons removed from all official records. It was the scandal of the century, not to be discussed in polite company.

Sikh religion does teach equality, both of men and women. Over 500 years ago Guru Nanak in Asa di var stated “From woman is man born, inside her is he conceived.

To woman is man engaged, and woman he marries.

With woman Is man’s companionship,

From woman originates new generations.

Should woman die, another is sought;

By woman’s help is man kept in restraint.

Why revile her of whom are born Kings

From woman is born woman, no human being without woman Is born.” In Guru Nanak’s teaching’. Woman enjoys perfect quality will man.

So where does one go from here? “The stories are there. They may be buried very deep, but they are where and must be exhumed. I would like to ask any readers of World Sikh News to help me find them. If you have knowledge, material or know where to find it please let this writer know. The community will benefit from having women’s stories written up in an attractive and readable way, I do not propose to invent history, only to retell it for the benefit of our own children use some role models who could can be proud of. The Sikh community would benefit greatly in public relations with the world if they can show that woman in deed persons worthy of recognition. That equality is fact, not empty rhetoric.

Please address correspondence toAlice Basarke 6 Valley  view Road Nepean, Ont. Canada, K2H SY5.

Article extracted from this publication >>  October 28, 1994